The 2011 Spring Semester Luncheon Series of 20 begins T O D A Y - Purchase 3 for $ 15 each : 3-courses Including Wine - starting promptly @ 11:30am Tuesdays thru Fridays . Call 305 919.4500  |  www.hospitality.fiu.edu

Monies raised from the Festival have provided 21st Century additions - and work on a magnificently-expanded Dining Room & Kitchens begins after the Spring semester.

The dancing, sparkling eyes of the N E W  FIU Dean - Michael Lambert - match the new ideas in his head.

Linda Gassenheimer of The Miami Herald & WLRN said it best : " The 10-year success of the Festival could not happened w/o Chef Michael Moran & HUNDREDS of FIU students  ! "

THE Festival : less Than 1 Month Away : Get Your Tickets - some events already SOLD OUT .

The Online Auction opened on Monday thru 3/7/2011

www.sobeauctionmarket.com

                                  * * *

Last Night's Opening of the landmark New World Center on 17th Street on Miami Beach was a Sell-Out & Conductor Michael Tilson Thomas thrilled an electrifying audience, who partied on the exhilarating Rooftop.
                                   * * *

Hell's Kitchen Chef Gordon Ramsey re-visited Chef Andy Trousdale & his wife Elin @ le Bistro in Lighthouse Point - it is their 10th Anniversary - and even received a Champagne Toast for their Decor & Menu Changes. Stay Tuned For The Air Date : March or April !
 

In the meantime : Check it out for yourself :

4626 N, Federal Highway
 

                                * * *

Chef Clay Conley - the 3-Star Chef from the Mandarin Hotel's Azul - opened his very own Resto " BUCCAN" with prices so reasonable you can dine OFTEN !

A hugely-diverse Menu & Wine List, he is planning draft & specialty beers - cooking classes - wine tastings - and happy hours.
 

350 S. County Road Palm Beach   51 833.3450
 

 ====================================================

Key West Festival Begins TODAY thru Sunday 1/30

                                  * * *
 

 8pm   Friday & Saturday  - SANDRA BERNHART takes the stage at the Arsht Center / Knight Concert Hall 1300 Biscayne Boulevard Miami $ 55 - $ 110  305 949.6722  | www.arshtcenter.org

 Open
 

 Paragon Grove 13 Movie Theater is opening "Backlot Wine Bar & Lounge" features a screening room for Miami Heat games - the Super Bowl & Academy Awards - serving International Wines & Beers - and delightful small TASTES. www.BacklotBar.com   

 

FRIDAYS 
 

5-8pm  FRIDAY Night Happy Hour @ Miss Yip's Chinese Cafe - 900 Biscayne Boulevard  Miami - DJ / Bar Bites/  2 4 1 Cocktails including lychee martinis & mojitos / and $ 10 - or - less Dim Sum like salt n' pepper calamari & BBQ Pork Tenders . Perfect when there is a HEAT game - like Tomorrow  @ 7:30pm !     305 358.0088
                                   * * *
 

 Sharon Gless has extended her show @ Gables Stage  - "A Round-Heeled Woman" until Sunday February 6.

Call 305 445.1119
                                      * * *
 

 The Hottest - and Coolist  New Trend -  FOOD TRUCKS The Weekly  FOOD TRUCKS "ROUND UP" : The  Caza Crepes are to die for . . . ========================================

========================================

TUESDAYS will shortly produce a new location .
 

WEDNESDAYS

5:30-9pm  The Falls / Pinecrest  131 Street& US1 - Elite Circle  - 10 Trucks - Event Captains : Miso Hungry & Wing Commander. 
 

THURSDAYS

6-11PM VILLA 221  COOL VENUE / FULL BAR  / MUSIC

10 Trucks - Event Captain : Culinatium
 

FRIDAYS

5:30-11pm Tamiami Airport  20 Trucks - Event Captain : Kevin @ Caza Crepes
 

SATURDAYS - Make A Day Of It  !
 

  11am-5pm  1st Saturday  February 5  @ the Gold Coast Railroad Museum  12450 SW 152 Street [ Next to Miami Zoo ] Picnic -  or Dine in the 1940's Train Dining Car - 15 top Food Trucks - FREE Museum Admission / FREE Parking - Event Captain : Jefe's Burgers & Original Fish Tacos.

Saturday January 29    
 

         Noon-6pm Design District "Arte Miami Market" - NE 39th St & NE 1st Court  - 7 Trucks

6-10pm Head Over to Wynwood : NW 2nd Avenue & NW Lot between 22 Street &  22nd Lane - Follow the Attendant - 22 Trucks - some picnic tables - DJ -  a little dusty but worth it !   
                                * * *
 

Saturday & Sunday January 29 & 30 ==================================   
 

9:30am-4:30pm

Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden                              10901 Old Cutler Road  Cora Gables  305 667.1651   |  www.fairchildgarden                     
 

                                   * * *
 

  RENAISSANCE Festival

Saturday February 12 - Sunday March 13 Weekends
 

10am to Sunset -  the 16th century "Personified" - 5 stages of 100 performers  -  Magicians & Minstrels - Wenches , Knights On Horses  & Sword fighters -  a human-chess game - Crafts Village - glass blowing - Pottery - Wooden Toys & Hammered Pewter - Feast on Food Fit For A King - $ 20 -
 

Quiet Waters Park  401 S. Powerline Road  Deerfield Beach   954 776.1642   www.ren-fest.com

                                      . . .

And, if you were lucky enough to be sailing RCCL's ALLURE : T A Y L O R    S W I F T  "Rocked" the Boat !

   ~ Sail With Us April 3 for a similar Surprise ! ! !
                                  * * *
 

MAME - AT THE STAGE DOOR THEATER                   8036 W.  SAMPLE ROAD CORAL SPRINGS                 Your Spirit Will Soar Singing Jerry Herman's Songs  Wednesdays - Sundays - Closing Sunday February 6

   954 344.7765  |  www.stagedoorfl.org

                                    * * *
 

1.   11:30am -3pm  RENOWNED JAZZ GREAT  NICOLE HENRY AT SUNDAYNicole Henry - Internationally-renowned Jazz Great performs @ The Setai on SUNDAYS - 11:30am thru 30m.$ 75  Unlimited Taittinger Champagne & Signature Bloody Marys

Nicole Henry - Internationally-renowned Jazz Great performs at the Magical Setai - 2100 Collins Avenue Miami Beach - SUNDAYS 11:30am thru 3pm - unlimited Taittinger |  Sumptuous Brunch Display by Executive Chef David Werly  $ 75 

 305 520.6000  www.ghmhotels.com

                                                * * * 

NEW WORLD SYMPHONY :  Official opening  January   26 thru Sunday 1/30

Come Tour The State-of-the Art Home of The New World Symphony  - designed by renowned Architect Frank Ghery - Witness the latest in technology - sound & Lighting - and a Rooftop Lounge overlooking the sizzle of the Fillmore / the Beach / Lincoln Road.

  Concerts directed by Michael Tilson Thomas - Oudoors w/ audio  and projection capabilities  in an urban public park setting.  

                                             * * *                                    

OPEN : GULFSTREAM  RACETRACK   Hallandale

AFTER : Explore iii  FORKS  Happy Hour | FINE WINES & FOOD    

954 457.3920 | Top off w/ an Irish Coffee at The Playwright Pub |  PLAY at the Casino BEFORE heading to the Santo Lounge 11pm-5am !

Valet Park for $ 6 

                                                * * *

 OPEN  : The STAGE   170 NE 38th Street  Design District

Miami's Newest Entertainment Venue

Friday & Saturday  8pm-2am  3 Acts  Closes at 5am

Sundays Noon-6pm Live Painting - Art Exhibits - Music - Art Workshops

  6pm-3am The Brass King & Food By The Gastropod

www.thestagemiami.com 

                                             * * * 

 U-M world-renown Lyricist / Composer Jerry Herman's  M A M E

  STAGE  DOOR  THEATER   8036 w. Sample Road  Coral Springs   

Songs You Have Sung All Your Adult Life  & " on your way out of the theater.  

Wednesdays  thru  Sundays  -  Closes Sunday February 6

     954 344.7765   |  www.stagedoorfl.org 

                                             * * * 

 Open :  " S P A C E S "

Black Square Gallery  2248 NW 1st Place  Wynnwood

Caviar & Wine  Tasting Miami - New Tesla Motors Roadster - Fashions By Lucinda  305 424.5002  |  Milanna.UA@gmail.com       

                                               * * * 

ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa

  10295 Collins Avenue  Bal Harbour

  T H E   Most Perfect Weekend Refresher

       FRIDAYS   5-8pm  HAPPY HOUR   - 241 Drinks   - LIVE Music

        SATURDAYS  2-4pm   STYLE & SMILES  Designed By Your Kids

            NOON-5pm   Beach Bites right on the Ocean - Also Sundays

             305 455.5400   |  www.ONEluxuryHotels.com

FRIDAYS                                                                                                Calle Ocho : Viernes Cultural         ART - MUSIC - EATS

The 4th Friday
 

     BASS  Museum Terrace -

     2100 Collins Avenue Miami Beach

     BEATS AFTER SUNSET  8-10pm   
 

Comp Tequila Served By Guest Mixologists - and TASTES from            Tropical Tacos - Access to Asian Landscape Exhibits

 305 673.7530  X1001
 

                                             * * *
 

Wine Tasting Series    The Sonesta   Coconut Grove  7-9:30pm

   Panorama Restaurant & Sky Lounge   2889 McFarlane Road

    TEN Rich Reds for COOLER Days & Nights By Wine Educator

                                     BARRY  ALBERTS

                                   $ 35   305  793.3110

                                              * * *

The Van Dyke Cafe   Lincoln Road M B   9pm

 To View Daily Musical Performances : 
 

www.thevandykecafe.com

Farmers  markets  : From Palm Beach to the Florida Keys
  Coral Gables OPEN  -  Have U Visited South Florida's Largest : Yellow-Green in Hollywood ? ? ? 

 SUNDAYS 
 

NATIONAL Hotel  Pool South Beach  Noon - 6pm

1677 Collins Avenue Miami Beach    - Mojitos & Bikinis - Bahamian Chicken Wings & Live Music  $ 20   305 532.2311

   Sunday Febuary 20 -    DINNER IN PARADISE

  19801 SW 320th Street  Homestead

     5pm Reception and Farm Tour  } 6pm  Six-Course Local Organic Ingredients .  $ 165   Reservations Required   305  248.4181 |  Info@paradisefarms.net

www.paradisefarms.net

TURSDAYS   Send Us Y O U R  2010 "N E W B I E"  Faves 

1.            Send Us Your Favorite Newbies                          ~  WIN A DINNER FOR TWO ~
   
   
   WISHING  YOU  OUR  MOST  DELIGHTFUL  AND
   DELICIOUS  DINING - And Entertainment - EXPERIENCES  FOR  YOUR  2011  . . .
   
   FOODIE " FAVES"  Entertainment Escapes
   ================================
    

Miami Beach |
       660 At The Angler's             Weekend Brunch           786 594.5811
       A Fish Called Avalon                                                  305 532.1727
       Asia de Cuba / sunset lounge - Mondrian    
 

                                            ALL DAY Sunday Brunch      305 514.1500
       Alta Mare                                                                    305 532.3061
       Barton G                                Brunch                          305 672.8881
       B L T  Steak                           Weekend Brunch         305  673.0044
       Canyon Ranch Grill                                                    305 514.7474
       Ceconni's At The Soho House                                   786 507.7902
       China Grill                                                                  305  534.2211
       BICE At Hotel Victor                                                  305 779.8888
       Catalina Hotel & Beach Club                                     305 674.1160
       The Clevelander                                                        305 532.4006
       Coco De Ville / STK Steak - Gansevoort                   305 604.6545
       Delano : Blue Door Fish                                            305 674.6400
                       hotel  & cabanas                                        305 672.2000
       DeRodriguez Ocean              Weekend Brunch        305 673.3763
       Eden South Beach                 Weekend Brunch        305 397.8760
       Fontainebleau POOSIDE                                          305 538.2000
         Gotham Steak                                                         305 674.4780
         Hakkasan                             Weekend Dim Sum    786 276.1388
         Scarpetta                                                                 305 674.4660 
         L  I  V                                                                       305 674.4680
 
        Eden Roc - 1500 Degrees                                        305 531.0000
                            Resort  & Spa
        Essensia At The Palms                                             305 908.5458
        Joe's Stone Crabs                                                     305 673.0365
        L U X  By Gerry Kelly                                                305 672.1515
        Mansion                                                                    305 532.1525
        Nikki Beach                             Weekend Brunch      305 538.1111
        Nobu At The Shore Club                                            305 695.3232
        The Forge                                                                  305 538.8533
         Prime 112                                                                305 532.8112
         The Pelican                                                             305 673.3373
         S E T  NIGHTCLUB                                                305 531.2800
         The Setai                                                                305 520.6400
         Solea  / Poolside At The W                                    305  938.3111
         Vinyl & Kai                                              305 531.2640/ 646 515.2601
         Wish At The Hotel                                                   305 674.9474
         SoBe L I V E                                                            305 725.3353 
         Spiga Italian                                                             305 534.0079
       
Bay Harbour  /  Sunny Isles Beach |
 ONE Bal Harbour                                                               305 455.5400
 The Palm  At The DaddyO Hotel                                        305 868.7256

 H Restaurant                                                                       305 931.9106
 Il Mulino                                                                               305 466.9191
 Kitchen 305                                                                         305 749.2110
 Naoe                                                                                   305 947.6263
 TIMO                                                                                   305 936.1008
 
 Aventura
   Bourbon Steak By Michael Mina                                       786 279.6600
   Chef Allen                                                                          305 935.2900
   Grill on the Alley    ALL DAY Weekend Happy Hour          305 466.7195
   Ocean Prime                                                                     305 931.5400
  Turnberry Resort & Club                                                    305 932-6200
 
  Mardi Gras Casino - Hallandale                                         877 55.slots
  Village of Gulfstream :
         Brio Tuscan Grill                                                          954 362.1600
         Cadillac Ranch                                                             954 456.1031
         Cantina Laredo                                                             954 457.7662
         Playwright Irish Pub                                                      954 457.7563
         Texas de Brazil                                                              970 843.7600
         iii  forks                                                                          954 457.3920
         yard House                                                                    954 454.9950
  
 Dwntwn |

   Acqua At Four Seasons                                   305 358.3535
   Area 31 At The Epic                                         305 424.5234
   Atrio  / Lvl 25 At The Conrad                            305  503.6529
   Bin 18                                                                786 235.7575
   Bongo's Cuban Cafe At A A  Arena                   786 777.2100
   db Bistro Moderne                                             305 421.8800   
   E O S  At The Viceroy                                        305 503.0373
   Il Gabbiano                                                         305 373.0063
   M I A                                                                    305 642.0032
   Novencento                                                         305 403.0900                           Prelude   At The Arsht Center                             305 357.7900
   River Oyster Bar                                                 
  
  
Design District | 
Michael's Genuine [ also Cayman Islands ]            305 573.5550
Sra. Martinez                                                           305 573 5474

MidTown |

 Joey's Italian Cafe                                                   305 438.0488
  Mercandito                                                              786 369.0430
                  
 
Upper  East Side | North Miami | Bal Harbour |

             Coconut Grove | Key Biscayne |

 Village of Gulfstream  |  Diplomat | Hollywood Fort Lauderdale  | Boca Raton |  Palm Beach
      
                       Gourmet Getaways �
                        ================
Aboard the New Oceania Marina -  the 1st Jacques Pepin Restaurant  & Canyon Ranch Spa At Sea with Chef Scott Uehlein  -

RCCL's Amazing New Allure of the Seas  -  Nine Specialty Restaurants & Broadway's  Hit Show "Chicago"  - And , other Entertainment  Spectaculars !

Multi-Owner & Author - Chef Dean Max sails the Silver Seas in the Baltic this Summer - with 3 glorious days in St. Petersburg !