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Lobsters are steaming on hot new patio

Despite its issues with the city, which isn't too thrilled about the new waterfront patio seating, Smith & Wollensky continues to be one of the best spots for supping, sipping and summering. The new Summer Lobster Specials (appropriate since many patrons arrive looking broiled) offer Maine lobster in all sorts of incarnations, including a 2.5 pounder for $39 and surf and turf starring a 10-oz. filet mignon and 1.25-pound Maine lobster for $59 through Labor Day.

For those who prefer to hibernate inside, consider going to LIV Friday, where celeb DJ Chachi -- best known for spinning Britney Spears ' 27th birthday party -- helms the turntables. He just may have the power to provoke party people to stop text messaging each other and actually dance!

Dancing may be necessary to burn the calories after checking out BLT Steak 's brand new bar menu, featuring fab cocktails and snacks including fried olives with spicy pork sausage (Elvis is rolling over in his grave), a stellar charcuterie plate, cheese plate

There's plenty to celebrate this week

August is just around the corner -- but time has been blazing at super sonic speed for those who have made a weekly ritual out of Jazid's last Thursday of the month Brazilian party with singer Rose Max . The party celebrates its 10-year anniversary on Thursday with a performance by Max at 11 p.m. No cover.

Meanwhile, the 21st annual Share Our Strength Taste of the Nation extravaganza will also be held on Thursday, at the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne . At 7 p.m., 40 of Miami's top chefs and restaurants will serve up samples of specialties in the name of charity, specifically to fight childhood hunger. Seems somewhat odd to stuff your face to prevent starvation, but with 100 percent of ticket sales ($100 in advance, $125 at the door or $200 in advance and $225 at the door for a VIP preview) going directly to the Daily Bread Food Bank, Florida Impact and Florida Introduces Physical Activity and Nutrition to Youth, the idea makes more sense. Call 1-877-26-TASTE or go to www.shareourstrengthsouthflorida.org

Get a jump on Halloween at Vizcaya's bash

H alloween's not until next Saturday, but that doesn't mean you have wait to sport that spiffy new Kate Gosselin wig. Wear it to Vizcaya's 23rd annual Halloween Sundowner , which takes place 8 p.m.-midnight this Saturday. The $125 ticket includes open super-premium bar, music from dual DJs, two dance floors, Halloween costume contest and food court. One hundred percent of proceeds benefit Vizcayans Young Professionals, which engages in protecting and preserving the estate. And while Jon & Kate costumes may not be the most novel thing about the party, what's completely new is the fact that this year's bash is going green (and not in the way that you would if you ate too much candy or dressed up like the Wicked Witch of the West). According to event chair Karl Klein, ``By incorporating environmentally friendly practices into the fundraiser, the Vizcayans Young Professionals further align with Vizcaya's mission of conservancy.'' 305-856-4866 or www.vizcayahalloween.com.

Always a spectacle is Beacher

Halloween events in South Florida offer frights and fun

A.D. Barnes Halloween: Naturalist staff leads a nocturnal hike through the paved nature trails in search of native wildlife and creepy creatures of the night. A campfire with roasted marshmallows and not-too-scary Halloween stories follows; 7:30-9:30 p.m. Friday; A.D. Barnes Park, 3401 SW 72nd Ave., West Miami-Dade; $25 for four, $8 per person, reservations required. 305-662-4125 or adnature@miamidade.gov.

Aero Bar: 247 23rd St., Miami Beach. 305-674-1110 or www.aerobarmiami.com:

Halloween Vampire's Lingerie Party: 10 p.m. Friday.

Get up and crawl for the cause

Deep into the summer, things have come to somewhat of a turtle-like crawl, but in the case of Summer Fest '09 , that's a good thing because that crawl is between bars. Kicking off Friday and going through the weekend, the Equality Florida Bar Crawl joins with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force to present a musical chairs of sorts for adults, with some of South Beach's best -- and only -- gay bars hosting various events. That's Score , Palace , Halo , Twist, as well as equal opportunity spots like Hotel Victor and the Tides Hotel . The weekend's festivities will be emceed by drag stars Geraldine and Fernan-D-Cute . A slew of events is planned -- Friday's Fashionista Fest at The Tides (8-11 p.m.) and Meltdown, the official Summerfest Women's Event at the Catalina Hotel 's Maxine Bistro and Bar and Bamboo Pool Deck featuring DJ Nancy Starr (10 p.m. to 5 a.m.), Saturday's Sunburst Brunch at the Palace (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and Summer Storm at Score (10 p.m. to 5 a.m.), and Sunday's T-Dance