Big openings are rare in the summer in Miami, so we welcome the spanking new W South Beach, 2201 Collins Ave., which opened quietly last weekend and is slated to do it again with a bang this weekend. But while foodies are rejoicing in the eventual arrival of Mr. Chow -- ironically positioned within blocks of its mortal enemy Philippe at the Gansevoort -- and spa junkies can't wait to linger in Bliss, to us Wall is creating the most buzz.
As I'm sure you can imagine, my inbox is flooded with encouraging e-mails telling me that I'm the most talented writer since Shakespeare. But once I scroll past the e-mails from my mother, I find actual questions from readers. A common query is: ''Can you suggest a few local musicians I should check out?'' I'm dedicating this column to providing an answer.
Looking for a little independence from the same old mundane nightlife? A little freedom from the Pavlovian ritual of going to the same places on the same nights, seeing the same people and having the same conversations? You're in luck. Invest in some gasoline and head up to Fort Lauderdale to check out the new W Hotel's Wet Pool Lounge and Whiskey Blue, the site of Salvation Sundays. Up on the fifth floor, where views of the ocean rival those of the scantily clad bathing beauties, the Wet pool deck...
Fireworks: check. American flags: check. Red, white and blue face paint: check. Shots of ouzo: What? Ouzo, a potent Greek liqueur, may not be traditionally American, but if you really want to celebrate your independence this Fourth of July weekend, pass on the picnics, barbecues and baseball games and try this multicultural barhop.
I'm not the type of guy who falls in love easily, but I may have swooned the other night at Rock N' Hookah, a chic Middle Eastern lounge perfectly positioned near the entrance of Seminole Paradise at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (1 Seminole Way, Hollywood).
At the fifth annual Irie Weekend benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters Miami, we can expect some reliable celebrity appearances by people with actual talent -- unlike a bloated Kevin Federline, who kept us waiting a few years back. Look for Shaquille O'Neal, Dwyane Wade, Alonzo Mourning, Jonathan Vilma, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick, Akin Ayodele, LMFAO and others. Nowhere on that list do we see any mention of Over-Fed. The event kicks off with a big party at Mansion at 10 p.m. Friday featuring a...
The last time I visited The Shops at Pembroke Gardens, I had dinner with my grandma at nearby Century Village first and was caught in the ruthless clutches of a neighbor who forced me to eat low-salt, no-sugar-added cookies. This time, I escaped that horrifying excuse of a dessert and took a seat at Brimstone Woodfire Grill in The Shops.
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.
Once again, sinister storm clouds filled the sky, so I forfeited my seats to the Matisyahu/Claypool concert at the Pompano Beach Amphitheater. Instead, I headed over to Darrel & Oliver's Café Maxx at 2601 E. Atlantic Blvd.
The beach may be a far cry from the hills of Austria, but at least this weekend, it's alive with the sound of music. Jazid's Bar Mitzvah celebration -- a 13-year milestone -- kicks off Friday and continues through the weekend with a slew of bands including Locos Por Juana and Bachaco at 8 p.m. and DJ Le Spam and the Spam Allstars, Suenalo Sound System, Local 34, The Deco Band, Fabian Hernandez, Natalie Bretoneche, Jacob Jeffries and the Max Ferber Trio beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday. Saturday's party...
All these plays on the word vacation are making us nuts -- playcation, staycation. If you ask us, it's all affectation, but that said, whatever you choose to call it, sleepover deals in your own ZIP Code are aplenty this summer -- and not just at your corner Motel 6.
Ask party people around the world about Miami nightlife and they'll rave about megaclubs such as Mansion and Space and the superstar DJs who jet in to rock the crowds with their pulsing house beats.
If you're thinking about taking the plunge into Internet dating, I'm going to share a secret: Just about everyone online is lying. Lying about their height, weight, income, marital status, intentions, interests, drinking frequency, smoking status, child status and if they have hair under that baseball hat or not. I once met a young lady who said in her profile that she was a dead ringer for Marilyn Monroe. Upon meeting, I learned her words ''dead ringer'' must have referred to what the blonde bombshell...
Unable to get to the Mediterranean this summer because your yacht's in the shop or because of a little problem called being broke? Don't worry, the Med is coming to you vis a vis the Mediterranean Experience Wine Challenge on Saturday at the Miami Beach Convention Center. At the event, a panel of winos -- er, judges -- taste and rate all sorts of wines to choose the Best in Show. The panel includes Hell's Kitchen season five contestant Seth Levine, among other expert swishers. Although you don't...
Open a stage to any karaoke performer and the result can be humiliation, triumph or even love. While the latter sounds farfetched, karaoke stars admit to attracting the occasional karaoke ''groupie'' if their voices happen to touch any hearts or minds.
Who will make it to the NBA Finals? In the West, will it be Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers or that other team? And in the East will it be LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers or that other team? Whether you're a completely casual fan like me or a hard-core hoops fanatic and actually know the names of the other two playoff teams (Denver Nuggets and Orlando Magic -- I just looked it up online), you'll fit in at The Red Zone Café & Sports Theatre, at 1804 Cordova Rd. in Fort...
In a city where almost every weekend is memorable and partying is par for the course, we almost forgot that Memorial Day weekend starts, well, now. And for those who forgot to make plans, fret not, as there's plenty to do. Consider, for example, the Downtown Pop Festival at Tobacco Road at 7 p.m. Friday, featuring three stages and 17 bands running the gamut from rock and funk to folk and punk. Music is set to last til 2:30 a.m., and drinks are 96 cents apiece. Doors open at 6; get there before 9...
As the happy hour crowd at Fort Lauderdale's legendary Wreck Bar heats up on Friday afternoons, patrons at this vintage venue focus their attention on windows that look into the adjoining pool. In the water, smiling glamour gals do somersaults. They wave. They blow kisses. With their long flowing hair and fluttering fishtails, they glide gracefully into the limelight.
I thought about starting this column borrowing an idea from Sesame Street: 'This column has been brought to you by the letter 'W'. '' But that was before I visited the W Hotel, which opened just two weeks ago on Fort Lauderdale beach (401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd). The W is far too stunning for a Snuffleupagus or Oscar reference.
Remember the days when hotel pools were for guests only? Thanks to a sluggish economy, locals can pretend they're staying at swanky places this summer because half the pools out there are open to nonguests on certain days to make the places look occupied. See? There is an upside to the economic downturn after all.
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