The Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival is jet set ready for the hordes of foodies that are about to let loose on Miami's golden shores, as an A-list of culinary stars — both local and national — sharpen their knives for the festivities. Though it may be hard to tear yourself away from the many tasting events, gala parties, and private soirees, we know that in a city like Miami, you might be tempted. South Beach has long boasted some of the best restaurants, lounges, and clubs on the East Coast. And TLK has got you covered. Once we unpack our bags, and swish with a flute of champagne, we're hitting some of our South Beach faves to eat, drink, and party until dawn. (And ogle some famous chefs, of course!)
Steal a peek inside the SoHo Beach House at a celebrity dinner hosted by Chef Art Smith. This members-only property has 50 bedrooms, a private beach, two pools, a spa, a gym, and indoor and outdoor dining (some of which is open to the public). On Friday, February 22, chef Art Smith is hitting the pantry, bringing a taste of his southern-style restaurant, Art and Soul, to South Beach. If you’re lucky enough to snag an invite, you’ll be feasting on buttermilk fried chicken, braised collard greens with sofrito, roasted baby carrots and buttermilk biscuits. If not, find a SoBe friend who's a member and sneak into the rock-star environment filled with Miami's beautiful people.
Prefer something more classic? Head on over to The Delano, the original SoBe place to be. Past the silk floor-to-ceiling curtains that blow through the lobby, hit FDR, the hotel’s new subterranean space where DJs spin all night long. For people watching and a strong cocktail, take a seat the newly redone Rose Bar off the sexy lobby; and as the sun sets make your way to the Delano Beach Club, where you can play oversize chess while watching the moon rise over the Atlantic, drink in hand and music in the air.
SL Miami at The James Royal Palm
This 2,160 square-foot nightlife venue (pictured above) inside the new James Royal Palm is a sleek and chic outpost of the New York original. More than 100 back-lit x-ray light panels adorn the walls inside the main room, flashing in a series of sound-synchronized color schematics, gold mirror glass hangs off the ceiling, and the main bar and DJ both are adorned in jewel-tones. Get a drink, sink into a plush banquette, and revel in Miami's newest haunt.
Jazid is the longest running nightclub on Miami Beach, celebrating 14 years in this party city. Every night in the downstairs room, DJs spin a multi-cultural mix of Latin and America jazz, reggae, funk, and cumbia. Upstairs, the lounge pumps with house, funk, and hip hop. With more emphasis on music and dancing and less on the scene, Jazid is a perfect spot to get wild on the dance floor, without pretention. Live jazz acts perform at interval, always check the schedule, or be wowed with an impromptu musical treat.
So you're a scenester, eh? Then, it's the late night, velvet rope action at LIV inside the Fontainebleau that you're craving. This is the scene, complete with a voyeuristic design that gives you a bird’s eye view of everything happening on the 18,000-square-foot dance floor and beyond. Music styles range nightly and you’ll want to get there early (and be prepared to stay very late). Don’t worry if you’re stuck in line, there’s usually just as much going on outside the ropes as there is inside them.
Where to Eat (if the festival isn't enough for you)
James Beard Award winning chef Michelle Bernstein is a fixture on the Miami food scene and her flagship restaurant, opened in 2005, is sill racking up the accolades. Located in a strip mall off Biscayne Boulevard, this neighborhood restaurant serves up plenty of small plates and mains in a very comfortable Miami (check out that color scheme!) setting. Don’t leave without trying: jamon Serrano and blue cheese croquetas topped with fig marmalade; foie gras and duck confit crepes; short ribs with saffron, corn, and potato mousseline; and the baked Alaska. Save room for the house-made pistachio cake layered with dulce de leche ice cream and passion fruit salsa. Can't get a reservation? No problem. Catch Bernstein at the Goya Foods Swine and Wine event, on Sunday, February 24, 5:30 pm, where she'll be cooking up a whole roasted pig.
Little Havana
No trip to Miami is complete without a stroll through the Little Havana neighborhood, a Cuban enclave. Famous for its landmarks, Calle Ocho and the Walk of Fame, it’s only outshined by the food. Though mostly every place in the hood is authentic and delicious, make sure to stop by Versailles Restaurant and La Carreta, two Miami classics. Don’t leave without trying: media noche, a pressed Cuban sandwich with ham, Swiss cheese, and Cuban bread; pan con lechon, a pressed sandwich made with roasted pork and grilled onions; ropa vieja, a savory shredded and stewed beef dish; pastelillos de guayaba, a puff pastry dessert filled with guava paste; and a cortadito, a very strong, Cuban coffee.
Chef Douglas Rodriguez, known as the godfather of Nuevo Latin Cuisine, has a long history with Miami. He opened his first restaurant in the city more than 20 years ag, and the community has welcomed him with open arms. This restaurant is set poolside at the Hilton Bentley Beach Club and the menu focuses on fresh seafood and sustainable ingredients. Don’t leave without trying: Ecuadorian Shrimp Ceviche and Tostones; Sugar Cane Tuna; or the Whole Snapper served with brown butter mojo and tostones. Can't get a reservation? No problem. Catch Rodriguez at the Goya Foods Swine and Wine event, on Sunday, February 24, 5:30 pm, where he'll be cooking up a whole roasted pig with Michelle Bernstein and others.
CATCH is a globally influenced seafood restaurant led by Top Chef winner, executive chef Hung Huynh. The two-floor, 175-seat restaurant, located inside The James Royal Palm Hotel, features a menu of Raw, Rolled, Cold, Large Format, and Simply Grilled dishes. Don’t leave without trying: Salmon Belly Capaccio with sweet and sour onion and yuzu; Kampachi Crudo with pineapple, daikon, and Serrano pepper; Dungeness Crab Spaghetti with Flying Fish Roe; and the Cantonese Lobster. The donuts on the dessert menu rock; so be sure not to skip out before the sweets arrive!
The Bazaar, located in the SLS Hotel, is chef José Andrés first Miami restaurant. The 300-guest restaurant mixes Spanish and contemporary Latin cuisine, celebrating the South Beach culture without ignoring the chef’s roots. The menu is split into two sections, Miami Meets the World and Spain Yesterday and Today, both of which focus on different aspects of Miami’s culture. Don’t leave without trying: Cuban Escabeche “Estefan’s Way”; Cuban Coffee Rubbed Churrasco; Cubano Sandwich, in Honor of Café Versailles; Oysters a la Gallega; and Librito of Ibérico, loin Ibérico ham and San Simón cheese. Can't get a reservation? No problem, if you've got some extra dough to spare. José Andrés is hosting the Celebrity Chef Golf Tournament event, on Saturday, February 23, at 7:30 am, where he'll be leading guests through an 18-hole culinary tour.
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