Soul Of Miami

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Blue Martini Kendall Celebrated its Grand Opening By Betty Alvarez

Premiere Martini Lounge Brings Convenience, Entertainment and an Economic Boost to the ‘burbs’. Blue Martini is proud to bring Kendall residents its collection of delicious martinis, tasty dishes and exciting live entertainment. Located at the newly renovated The Palms at Town & Country Shopping Center, Blue Martini is destined to become the Mecca of entertainment and nightlife for suburban Miami.

The premiere martini lounge, Blue Martini has locations in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Miami, Naples, Orlando, Phoenix, Tampa and West Palm Beach. For their newest venture, Blue Martini chose the suburban area of Kendall for its location, demographic that fit with their primary customer base, and a genuine need in the community for an entertainment venue of a higher-caliber. “For years this tight-knit, largely Latin American community has enjoyed a utopian-like life, but for any sort of diversion or nightlife, residents have needed to travel to Brickell, South Beach or the Grove” explained CEO Mark E. Vasu. “Now not only will Blue Martini Kendall give residents convenient entertainment but our presence will bring an economic boost to the community in the form of added jobs and revenue” continued Vasu. Blue Martini expects to bring nearly eighty jobs to the Kendall area and with such a successful history it’s likely the Kendall location will be the jump off point for a renaissance in downtown Kendall.

Blue Martini hosted a Grand Opening Party for the public on July 30th, 2010. It gave guests the chance to take in the 8500 square foot entertainment haven and all its amenities. Blue Martini prides itself on offering patrons an ‘upscale environment with a local bar mentality’. Designed for comfort, the lounge’s soft lighting creates a friendly environment while smooth lines provide a sexy backdrop. The forty martini menu is all encompassing focusing on quality, with bartenders using only the best ingredients and keeping with the latest cocktail trends to create palate pleasers, like the signature Blue Martini. A simple menu offers great food for a great value easily paired with one of their delightful drinks, favorites include the Seared Tuna and Beef Tenderloin.

One of only two new retail developments under construction in all of Miami-Dade County, The Palms at Town & Country recently celebrated the completion of its first phase with the opening of two nationally recognized retailers. The Palms is quickly paving its way as the new downtown Kendall. “With the successful opening of Nordstrom Rack and Loehmann’s, we are looking forward to the next influx of specialty retailers including Blue Martini,” says Michael Longmore, Executive Vice President with Jones Lang LaSalle. “The Palms at Town & Country’s unique combination of ideal proximity to neighboring residents, ease of access from the region and the strong national anchor tenants provides the perfect location for Blue Martini,” says Michael Longmore, Executive Vice President with Jones Lang LaSalle.

Located at 8405 Mills Drive #205, Blue Martini Kendall is open 7 days a week, from 4pm until 4am. Blue Martini Kendall launched a schedule of events that includes an “In the Biz” night for hospitality industry people, a Ladies night and a 7 day a week happy hour. For more information visit www.bluemartinilounge.com or call 305.630.2583.

Photographs By Betty Alvarez


Men’s Swimsuit Show to Ignited “Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SWIM” Runway “Swell Suits Miami 2011” Debuts All Male Swimwear Group Show By Betty Alvarez

The annual Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SWIM made a big splash this year in Miami with the much-anticipated debut of Swell Suits Miami 2011 – the first all male swimwear group show to hit the runway. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SWIM was a “by invitation only” event featuring worldwide top swimwear designers showcasing their collections in two runway venues, the Cabaña Grande and the Oasis, as well as Raleigh’s pool and penthouse.

Swell Suits Miami 2011 features the exclusive Spring/Summer swimwear collections of designers Naila, Olasul and parke & ronen. The show premiered on July 16 at 8 PM at the Oasis in the historic Raleigh Hotel in Miami Beach.

“This marks the launch of menswear getting the much-deserved attention in this all-important show,” said the producers of Swell Suits. “We are so excited to be making fashion history and believe this premiere marks a significant milestone that is greatly welcomed by the fashion community and IMG (the producers of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SWIM).”

Men’s swimwear has come a long way in the last century. In the 1930s, men were still wearing full-body swimwear designed for modesty. Today, men’s swimwear offers versatile cuts, lengths, color and materials all designed to complement one’s physique.

This year’s featured Swell Suits Miami designers have established a design ethic with focus on detail and use of the finest materials.

Inspired by nature, Naila is oriented toward eco-friendly and innovative materials. Naila will be launching the first ever made recyclable and environmentally friendly men trunk short. Exclusively handmade in Italy, each piece in the collection features refined details, sleek silhouettes and European cuts in vibrant colorful palettes. Additional to the men line, Naila also carries an uber-chic women line and miniature version of daddy’s bathing suit.

Peruvian-born designer Lorenz Korder’s Olasul swimwear collection celebrates the unique Peruvian surf culture. Made from the highest quick-drying materials, the Olasul collection has been described as “chicly understated” with bold, funky colors. “Each piece tells a story and harkens back to a time and place where surfing was a gentleman’s sport,” Korder said.

parke & ronen – an exclusively all-male swimwear line – has grown to be a pioneer in the men’s swimwear world and a leader in the industry since 1997. The company has created a name for itself by reinventing the 50’s style men’s swim short with the creation of its signature Snap! Short. The company offers a range of styles, from knee-grazing board shorts to sexy briefs.

Randolph Engineering, as a sponsor of Swell Suits Miami will accessorize the models with their sleek lines of handcrafted premium sunglasses and shooting eyewear. Dee & Co. Hair Studio will work the backstage doing hair and makeup; owner of Dee & Co. Hair Studio and celebrity hair stylist, Dee Adames is also the winner of Bravo’s TV hit “Shear Genius” season 2.

Photographs by Betty Alvarez


Annette Recommends Broadsword at the Carnival Studio Theater

Went to see Broadsword at the Carnival Studio at the Adrienne Arsht Center on Saturday, May 1st.  This was an awesome show! The acting, the writing and the music were all really good.  This being at the Carnival Studio it is very intimate and you really feel like you are in the basement with the actors, like you are peeking on a little bit of their life.  The final music performance is awesome,  I really wished I had a lighter to wave for an encore.  If you have an free evening this week I would suggest heading over to the Arsht Center and seeing Broadsword, this is one you don’t want to miss.

Broadsword will run Sunday, May 2nd, and then Thursday – Sunday, May 6th – 9th (two shows on Saturday).


Review – People’s BBQ Restaurant

{I know we rarely do reviews, but we just tried out a place that is really good that many people might miss, so we wanted to give them a shout out. The below is entirely the opinion of Soul Of Miami. And if this place doesn’t have soul, no place does!}

I know many of us have talked about this place. So, we finally got in the car and went to People’s BBQ. That’s the one just off I-95, on NW 8th St and 3rd Ave. It took us a while to make it by because it is not really convenient to any of the areas of town we normally hang out in, so we had to make a special trip.

Well, it is very good! Very down home style BBQ, with Souse and everything like that. Between the three of us, we got the ribs, the baked ham, and the sliced beef. Sides were mac & cheese, green beans, candied yams, mashed potatoes, and ocra. All of them were really good, but the candied yams were insane.

It is a funny little place, looks kind of like an old converted Dairy Queen, very plain on the inside. Obviously old, but clean and well-kept. There were not many people doing dine in when we were there, but the take out counter was constantly busy.

Oh, we also tried the Souse. Now, if you can get over your cultural bias, it was very good, very flavorful.

The BBQ sauce they use is different than others I have tasted. I think it might be a bit mustardy, or something. Very good, in any case.

The prices are cheap, you can get a full dinner with sides for $9-$11.

Definitely a place I would put on my list of “six places to take Anthony Boudain in Miami.” Highly recommended.

Photographs & Review – Bancroft Supperclub

Well, the other night we checked out the new Bancroft and wow!

I shot out a Twitter and said the waitstaff was embarrassingly good. You know, that kind where they are just so over-the-top it makes you feel kind of funny. They even had a silverware guy! Our waiter was awesome, funny, informative and appropriately attentive. And, I am told, quite cute. It’s the kind of service everyone complains about not getting in South Beach. The drinks were kept replenished, the table was kept clean, and anytime we needed anything, someone was there to take care of it.

I had the squid ink noodle pasta with shrimp, squid and scallops. One of my companions had the red snapper and the other had Italian sea bass. All of them were excellent, but I would say the snapper won. I’m not sure how to describe the food, inventive world fusion, I guess. The flavors were interesting and very well put together.

The prices for the entrees range from $23 to $49 and they had a decent variety, fish, chicken, duck, and steak, as well as a couple vegetarian choices. The portions are reasonable, too. Often, you go to these higher class restaurants and the food is really fru-fru and minimal. Not so here. I could not even finish my entrée.

They bill it as a supperclub, so be aware that it starts to get loud around 10pm. But, the atmosphere is nice, a little snooty, but not too much so. If you are looking for a nice restaurant that offers reasonable value for the prices and excellent service, definitely check out Bancroft.

Some sample photos below, more at the gallery.

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Photographs & Review – Fuerza Bruta

Nothing I can say can prepare you for Fuerza Bruta. The photographs do not remotely do it justice. I cannot encourage you to go any more strongly. This was one of the most fantastic, sexiest, energetic, creative, original shows I have ever been to in my life. One warning, wear sneakers, not sandals, not heels, not dress shoes.

Rather than try to sort through all the photos to pick the best, I am just going to throw most of them up. Taking time from when I should be posting upcoming events or working on Life Is Art. But, I cannot stress to you enough how incredible Fuerza Bruta really is.

Oh, one more thing: do not look at the photos, go see the show!


Article – Wynwood & Design District Art Walks on SouthBeach-USA.com

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{I wrote another article! The cool peoples over at SouthBeach-USA.com invited me to write an article about one of my favorite topics, the Wynwood and Design Distric Art Walks! Anybody who reads Soul Of Miami even a little knows how much I enjoy those, so please head on over here and check it out. Let me know what you think.}

Mayor Manny Diaz kicks-off Earth Hour at Bank of America Tower at International Place

MIAMI MAYOR mANNY dIAZ WELCOMES EARTH HOUR 2009 AT CITY’S ICONIC BANK OF AMERICA TOWER AT INTERNATIONAL PLACE

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Bank of America Tower at International Place lit up green for ‘Earth Hour’

As millions of people around the world prepared to ‘go dark’ in recognition of Earth Hour 2009, hundreds gathered at Miami’s landmark Bank of America Tower at International Place for a special Earth Hour kick-off party on March 26. The landmark tower – illuminated in a flood of green light – served as the backdrop for the event. City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and his family were on-hand to turn-off the tower’s iconic lights.

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Tony Puente of Fairchild Partners , City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, Vince Croce of Bank of America Tower at International Place

Earth Hour is World Wildlife Fund’s global initiative where individuals, businesses and governments turn off their lights for one hour to show support for action on climate change and global warming. In 2008, 50 million people switched off their lights to honor Earth Hour.

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Misha & Ina Mladenovic of the Miami Downtown Development Authority

Bank of America Tower at International Place is a 600,000 square-foot, I.M. Pei-designed office tower in Downtown Miami. The tower has earned ‘icon’ status for its changing palette of exterior lighting schemes timed to coincide with holidays, sporting events and other significant occasions.

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Tony Cho of Metro One , “Earthman”, Susie Glass of Metro One

all photos by Meg Pukel

Information courtesy of www.schwartz-media.com

Good for The Noff for delaying the Stadium Deal

{Okay, I know this isn’t a political blog. And I know nobody wants to hear me pontificate, but it’s my blog and I’ll talk about what I want. This crap really pisses me off, so I had to say something.}

Full Story Here.

“With the Florida Marlins stadium deal in danger of being killed — with just four commissioners present — Miami Commissioners late Friday postponed a final vote until March 12. That will allow all 5 commissioners to be present — and may save the deal.

The vote followed a day-long debate that descended into chaos Friday afternoon after City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff demanded significant modifications to the deal in exchange for his support.

Those modifications included making the team partially responsible for cost overruns at the stadium’s planned parking garage and greater financial benefits to city and county government when it comes to stadium naming rights and profits from the possible future sale of the team.

Without Sarnoff’s support and with Michelle Spence-Jones absent, commissioners were deadlocked in a 2-2 tie, which for now would kill the deal.

After Sarnoff requested the changes, commissioners abruptly took a recess.”

{Personally, I think it is bullshit to make the tax payers pay for a playground for a bunch of rich people. All of the Marlins and their corporate overlords make about a bajillion dollars more than I do. If they want to new space, they can freaking build it themselves. Grats to City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff for showing at least a little restraint and defending our interests.I now return you to your regular festivities!}


Servers are like puppies?

{So, a friend of mine just got some new puppies. As it happens, he also works for a hosting company. He makes a funny comparison of how servers are like puppies over at his Softlayer blog. Pop over and have a look. Cute puppy picture as a bonus!}

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