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Lesley Abravanel covers nightlife in her weekly column, Velvet Underground, in which she scopes the scene for stars, scandal and social studies. A former wanna-be clubkid in the late 80s NYC club scene heyday, she skipped town for Miami, where she's been since 1990--the so-called halcyon days of South Beach clubdom. While combing the scene definitely calls for lots of vitamins, under eye cream and Red Bull, the key ingredient to Lesley's undying energy is a daily bowl of gossip. In her scant spare time, she enjoys American Idol, karaoke and dive bars. She also writes travel books about the entire state of Florida, day and night. Send Lesley your questions regarding nightlife, rumors and gossip. Non monetary tips and daily rants are greatly appreciated as well. Read more from Lesley about the Scene in the Tropics in her weblog.
Submitted by D from Miami, FL
Q: Hey- my birthday is coming up and even though I am turning 23, I have a couple of friends under 21. So where's a good place for dinner, drinks and music where my minor friends could come along?
Answered 05/09/08 18:11:20 by Lesley Abravanel
A: Nikki Beach or Coconut Grove; or Taverna Opa is a lot of fun, or , if your budget allows, Ago or Nobu at Shore Club or Blue door at Delano for the hotel vibe(s) and Social Miami at Sagamore, too. Happy bday!Submitted by MI from MIAMI , FL
Q: Where is a good place to celebrate a birthday on a saturday afternoon, to enjoy the outdoors, music and drinks?
Answered 05/08/08 13:29:51 by Lesley Abravanel
A: The usual mainstays for Saturday afternoon are Nikki Beach and La Piaggia but there's a new Saturday afternoon scene going on at the ocean front pool deck of the South Beach Marriott on Saturdays and Sundays from 3-7 p.m. Oh! And my new favorite weekend afternoon spot: Dune Oceanfront Burger Lounge at the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne...Submitted by EdMan from Miami, FL
Q: Oh NO!! Both the Ritz on Key Biscayne AND South Beach are SOLD OUT for Mother's Day! Do you know anyone that could get us in? :) And any other suggestions?!? If not I'll report back to you about Maison D'Azure and let you know how it went. If you could please let me know which places you're reccomending in your article on Friday so that I can reserve a spot before everyone else does :) Thanks for all your help!!
Answered 05/07/08 17:35:12 by Lesley Abravanel
A: I didn't reco any places in the column for Mother's Day since it's daytime stuff but check out the following WHO/WHAT: Joley Restaurant & Lounge at Hotel Astor celebrates Mother’s Day with a special live performance by Maryel Epps and a menu created exclusively for the occasion by Executive Chef John Suley. Acclaimed jazz singer, songwriter and actress, Maryel Epps is South Florida’s original gospel brunch diva. Maryel started her famous gospel brunch with great success at Lola Restaurant in New York before moving to Miami Beach, where she performed regularly at Metro Kitchen + Bar at Hotel Astor. She has been touring the world but is back in Miami Beach working on her first all original CD and will be performing at Joley on Sundays for a limited engagement. The $65 prix fixe brunch includes a three-course menu with a selection of appetizer, main course, dessert, and a mimosa WHEN: Sunday, May 11, 2008 11am – 4pm Maryel Epps performs from 12:30 – 3:30pm WHERE: Joley Restaurant & Lounge At Hotel Astor, 956 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach Reservations: 305-534-3343Submitted by Stella from Miami, Florida
Q: Hi Lesley, I'm one of the Mah Jong girls and I'm starting up my business stylist/personal shopper.I'm trying to get my foot in the door especially with all these movies and commercial coming to Miami. I know with the summer hear things start slowing down but, any suggestions who I could talk to or what I should do first? Thanks
Answered 05/07/08 17:33:50 by Lesley Abravanel
A: Yes, the Miami Dade Film Commission is your best bet...www.filmiami.org/. Good luck!Submitted by carolina from miami, fl
Q: hey lesley i love your blog i check it constantly throughout the day! just curious about that marley and me wrap party you said you would post details about... any idea of when that is. i hear they're wrapping up may 9 (this friday). and also are there any other movies being filmed in our sweet hometown besides the one with jim carey and the one with isla fisher? thanks you're amazing!
Answered 05/07/08 10:40:38 by Lesley Abravanel
A: Hey there! No details yet on the wrap party, I guess they are trying to keep that stuff, uh, under wraps! But if and when I hear anything I will totally post. As for other movies besides Shopaholic and Phillip Morris,check out the Miami Dade Film Commission website for all the latest in filming info: http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/filmapp/fpwShell.asp?mSelect=InProdSubmitted by EdMan from Miami, FL
Q: Hola Lesley, thanks for the quick response! What do you think of Maison d' Azure for Mom's day brunch? Would that be chic and nice? My mom's a pretty high-class lady. When you recommend the Ritz on Key Biscayne, do you mean to go to Dune? My mom's more of an inside, air-conditioning kind of girl (can't mess up the hair!). Let me know what you think :)
Answered 05/06/08 12:20:31 by Lesley Abravanel
A: Ha! Maison D'Azur isn't really a brunchy kind of place...I've only been for dinner and can't imagine what they'd serve at brunch...And no, not Dune at the Ritz--the restaurant inside...your mom will love it..Submitted by EdMan from Miami, FL
Q: Lesley!! Where is the hot, fabulous, cool and tasty place to take mom for the big brunch this Sunday?
Answered 05/06/08 08:33:06 by Lesley Abravanel
A: Hey! ooh, well, besides the mainstays that are probably sold out (Biltmore, Nemo), I'd say the best brunches in the city are the champagne brunches at Ritz Carlton South Beach and Key Biscayne....Submitted by YL from Miami, FL
Q: Have you heard anything about the new place they opened at the Conrad on Brickell?
Answered 05/02/08 18:02:38 by Lesley Abravanel
A: Lvl25, yes! It's a great place for happy hour, really great views, drinks and food....Submitted by AC from Miami
Q: Dining at Joe's Stone Crab on April 30 - the President of El Salvador - Tony Saca (accompanied by what appeared to be family with a few kids and some friends) and at another table - Ferrucio Ferragamo (with wife and kids) - the big cheese of Ferragamo. Thought you would enjoy the tip.
Answered 05/02/08 09:47:55 by Lesley Abravanel
A: Thank you AC!Submitted by Alison Bonnet from Washington, DC
Q: 6 of us in our late 20's heading down for a bachelorette weekend over Memorial Day. I know the Hip Hop Fesitval is the same weekend. Does that mean it's going to be impossible to get in places? We want to dance both nights, preferably to hip hop/pop/top 40 music. Any suggestions? Help!
Answered 04/30/08 14:07:30 by Lesley Abravanel
A: it's not gonna be impossible if you're a bunch of women dressed to kill but it will be mobbed everywhere so good luck! your best bets for dancing are Cameo and Opium...but for scene and great music, Set and Mokai and the new roof at the Gansevoort South..Oh! And Florida Room at Delano too....I havent yet received specifics on what hip-hop-oriented events are going on in these places but when I do I will repost to this question so you know. If that's the case and there are special events going on there, you will need to RSVP or , gasp, reserve bottle service. But do so at your own risk--and bank account!Submitted by Gary from Vancouver
Q: Hey Lesley me and my friends come down every year and your choices never let us down ,we will coming down the last weekend of May Thurs,Fri, Sat, Sun can you recommend some restaurants with a great social scene, and clubs. What is good on Thursday? We are going to make reservations at Set for Fridays, Is it better on Thursdays? Thanks Again
Answered 04/30/08 14:03:46 by Lesley Abravanel
A: Set is the best on Thursday! And the new hot spot is the Plunge Bar on the roof of the new Gansevoort South...check that place out over the weekend as well.besides that, the same ol' suspects are still haute--Mokai, Set, etc etc! Go to Gansevoort! Have fun!Submitted by Charlotte from Winter Spring Florida
Q: Lesley, still no sightings of Jennifer Aniston, John Mayer, Owen Wilson or Vince Vaughn. Did these folks evaporate?
Answered 04/29/08 12:18:57 by Lesley Abravanel
A: Hey Charlotte! I think they did evaporate!! So odd......not a single sighting. But that will change quickly I am sure...stay tuned..or maybe they are in YOUR hood! :) Charlotte--I just posted an update...check it out on the blog!Submitted by Ron Fabulous from Wilton Manors, FL
Q: Woo Hoo Lesley, I almost hooked up with Jim Carrey at Halo! He is soooooooo hot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What's the plan for this weekend?? Do you know anything about the gay rodeo in Orlando???? Let's go wrangle up some studs!
Answered 04/24/08 11:36:22 by Lesley Abravanel
A: they're in town all weekend so go saddle up with them and let me know every lurid detail!! no i dont know about the gay rodeo in orlando but sounds very, uh, rugged!Submitted by vanessa from miami
Q: hey lesley, I heard the Dolce Group is opening up a lounge on 15th and Ocean Drive. Is this the same group that owns Geisha House, Dolce, and Les Deux in L.A? Obviosly they don't know this location is cursed!! and hopefully they can turn it around.
Answered 04/21/08 00:05:58 by Lesley Abravanel
A: Really?! This is the first I've heard this. I will check into it...Isn't that the former billboard/chakra lounge space? Cursed indeed!Submitted by Nahla from NYC
Q: Lesley, what is up with Prive???? Serveral of my friends from Europe, 2 British, the other French, all Black, were denied entry 3 times on 2 different occasions at Prive, I believe the term used by the BLACK doorman was " sorry, try next door because we've reached our quota on YOU guys" and he made sure he emphasized the word "YOU GUYS" so it doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure out what he meant..(they're gorgeous ladies might I add and college educated and dress like they're right off the catwalk) Im in NYC and they visited Miami Beach and called me after I told them about some clubs to go to.. have you heard anything about racist door policies there??? Obrigado Lesley
Answered 04/18/08 12:36:42 by Lesley Abravanel
A: That's crazy....I have heard some stories here and there but if you want I can get a proper reply from the Prive folks...stay tuned. Here is the official reply from Vanessa Menkes, VP of communications for Opium Group: Prive welcomes guests of all height, weight, color, and age, though often getting past the legendary velvet rope shows no rhyme or reason. A doorman’s job is making sure that there is enough room left for the "regulars" who invariably show up and demand immediate entry. For what its worth, my phone rings off the hook on Fridays from my pretty girl friends who dress to kill, even they know they need to make a call to me if they don’t want to gamble with the velvet rope.
