Once we heard a radio station advertise a New Year's Eve party, the notion of Labor Day weekend being upon us didn't seem all that far-fetched. And saying sayonara to summer is hardly a teary farewell. Between the recession, oppressive heat and bad reality TV, we're ready to move on.

Kicking summer in its humid backside is the American Institute of Wine and Food and Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort and Club's Sand Bake from 5-8 p.m. Sunday. The casual Florida tapas-style affair takes place at the resort's Ocean Club and features a slew of stellar chefs, including Bourbon Steak's Gabriel Fenton, Chef Allen's Allen Susser, Timo's Tim Andriola, Johnny V's Johnny Vinczencz, Escopazzo's Giancarla Bodoni and Primavera's Giacamo Dresseno, all serving dishes to wash down with wines and tropical cocktails. Admission is $80 if you are a member of the AIWF or $100 if not and includes alcoholic beverages, food, tax, gratuity and valet. Attire is resort casual so wear your favorite summer outfit and then stow it before temperatures plunge from 98 to 93 degrees. Reservations are required, so call 305-663-9641 or e-mail assnmgmt@bellsouth.net. Want to stay the weekend? Rates at the resort start at $139 per night and include free golf.

From 7-11 p.m. Friday at the Full Moon party at the DiLido Beach Club at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach, you can sip on $7 specialty ``econo-friendly'' cocktails (never thought we'd write the word ``econo'' in the same sentence as Ritz-Carlton), ``well priced bites'' by chef Jeff McInnis and tunes by DJ Edwin Adams. No cover and reduced $5 valet with validation. Table reservations are strongly recommended, with no bottle service or minimum required. Call 786-276-4009 or e-mail Mylene.Santana@ritzcarlton.com.

There are no bottle minimums at Red, The Steakhouse, and from 6 p.m.-midnight on Wednesdays all bottles of wine under $100 are half off. And if it's Tuesday, Maya Tapas and Grill on Lincoln Road offers free tapas and $4 ``recessionista cocktails'' from 6-8 p.m.

Over at the monstrous new Waxy O'Connor's Irish Pub and Eatery at 6901 SW First Ct., a weekday $5 happy hour features select premium spirits, 20-ounce draft beers and appetizers for $5 from 4-7 p.m. Waxy's on the River is also throwing a Wednesday night Bubbles N' Barbecue Ladies' Night. From 5-10 p.m. women get half-price champers and for $12 everyone gets cocktail and plate of BBQ-ed delights changing weekly and including shrimp skewers, grilled cedar plank salmon, burgers and dogs. All this and live music on the riverfront patio.

And just on the heels of Barton G announcing a new restaurant -- Prelude at the Adrienne Arsht Center this fall -- opening not so far away from indie hot spot The Vagabond is The Urbanite Bistro, a Euro-Floridian bistro featuring natural meats, game, indigenous fish and a selection of 25 domestic and European craft beers and more than 30 wines by the glass and assorted cocktails. Not in the mood for an Alligator Egg Roll? Consider the vegetarian options or just hang at the two indoor bars where you can sip a funky beer or a fancy artisanal cocktail such as the Black Berry Mash (Hangar One Mandarin, blackberry, thyme, bitters, syrup and lime juice). The Urbanite Bistro -- whose name we adore even if it sounds like something you'd buy at Restoration Hardware -- is slated to open Thursday.

For an affordable movie experience, consider The Spa at Icon Brickell, an unlikely place for movies considering it's cellulite, not celluloid, they work on. But starting Saturday (and running every Saturday thereafter), you can catch a flick in the spa's intimate 30-person theater featuring Philippe Starck-designed couches and a $12 admission that includes a gourmet cupcake and popcorn. Movies start at 7:30 p.m. This Saturday's flick is Citizen Kane; next week it's Casablanca. For more information, call 305-503-0369.

And finally, happy four-year anniversary to the swell South of Fifth spot, Clarke's, which celebrates from 5-7 p.m. Saturday with free snacks and $4 drink and appetizer specials.

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