Lucrecia (Luqui) Beird, the celebrity stylist, who you may know from the Travel Channel and Real Housewives, has taken her trunk show, Duquesa's Closet to The Loft Boutique.
Luqui and Alain Medina, brought lots of new items to the store on Friday night. Many of us had wandered down to hang out after the "We Are the Champions" party. We nibbled on LoKal burgers and things and sat outside.
The entertaining part was when a few of the ladies we were with started trying on Luqui's clothes and doing a mini fashion show right there on Commodore Plaza. They would come outside the store and walk around the sidewalk in front of The Loft and LoKal, where the diners enjoyed the fashion show as they ate a late dinner.
One interesting thing is that most of what the ladies tried on to show off, they ended up buying. The dresses fit perfectly and at prices starting at $30 (going up to $300), how could they not? They're calling Luqui's line, Duquesa's Closet at The Loft, it includes accessories, too. The Loft is open 7 days a week at 3190 Commodore Plaza. Luqui will be there all day today, March 31, adding over 200 more pieces, stop in and meet her.
The party people came out last night to celebrate Coconut Grove's win in The New Times poll recently, for "Best Neighborhood for Dining." The Grove beat Coral Gables and South Beach in the poll. So why not throw a party, which was called, "We Are the Champions." And the party went on all night. It started at 6 pm at Greenstreets and ended up down at LoKal and The Loft at the other end of Commodore Plaza where many of the party crowd ended up until midnight, drinking, eating and laughing. Some of the girls did a fashion show. The Loft has a whole new line of clothing and they tried things on and paraded back and forth from The Loft to LoKal, the burger place, in tight fitting couture. It was a lot of fun.
Chuck Strouse, editor at The New Times, presented a plaque to the Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce for their best restaurant win.
Greenstreets Cafe created two new drinks: the Short Ordertini, left, a mango-flavored drink and the Short Order Coco-Mint, a mojito with a hint of coconut. More photos of last night's party here, at Facebook.
The Eat, Drink & Shop Local shirts are in which are part of the shop local campaign, Noel has them at New Age Piercing and also at Grove Ink, the tattoo shop, other businesses have them to, they're for sale for $15. The money will go to the cause and other Grove things, to be determined.
Noel will have his shirt on tonight at Greenstreets for the "We Are the Champions" party. The staff there should have them on, too. I may wear mine, as well.
Keep in mind that the Grapevine is local and supports local businesses, so if you are shopping locally, perhaps you could advertise local, as well. Here are our lowered ad rates.
Wednesday night's Chamber networker at Coconut Grove Gallery & Interiors was one of the best. A couple of hundred people came out to the Bird Road side of the Grove to enjoy belly dancing provided by the ladies of Belly2Abs, the wellness studio a Bird Road neighbor among so many other great things. There's always a party at Sheila Kuhl's gallery.
What was nice about this event was that most of the businesses on Bird Avenue provided prizes and goodies as part of the mixer. As we stood at one area of the gallery chatting, we could actually see ballet classes going on across the street at the ballet studio and people came and went from new Happy Wine tapas and wine bar across the street, as well. It's kind of an intimate area where the businesses all seem to thrive on each other. Above left are Andres Lemos, realtor and Cameron Sisser, PR director of Lighthouse for the Blind. At right are Bryan Hughes and William Rey.
Juan Carlos, wine buyer for Happy Wine, provided all the wine for the evening, which went well with the catering. The gallery is so big -- the wine was at one end and the food at the other, this was to keep the flow moving, I was told, which was a great idea.
It was nice to see so many familiar faces out for the evening. From left, Anthony Poppe, Katie Smith, Lilia Garcia, Tom Falco.
As always, Coconut Grove Gallery & Interiors puts out quite a spread. They always go first class. Everyone was impressed with all the home furnishings they have in their huge space. I saw a red chair I especially like. Prizes for the raffle were provided by the gallery, Happy Wine, Flanagan's and Frankey Locksmith to name a few. We have lots more pictures of the event here.
Photos by Ari Romer
The Coconut Grove Community Spring Thing is a community block party happening on Saturday, March 31 from 11:30 am to 4 pm.
The party is at 2801 SW 31 Avenue, it's free and open to the public. Mosaic Miami is the sponsor.
Food trucks, an Easter egg scramble, ballons, face painting and a rock wall are all part of the fun. Kids can get their pictures taken with the Easter Bunny and there are prizes and giveaways, too.
Solar Dogs and Shell Lumber Company are presenting the third annual Big Howl in the Wood night supporting live music and local Coconut Grove arts on Saturday, April 14.
Each year, the lumber yard (2733 SW 27 Avenue) becomes a cozy block party with a cash bar, BBQ and lots of music, dancing and art. The event is from 7 to 11 pm. Admission is $10.00. Here's what last year's event looked like.
Coconut Grove's own Solar Dogs will be appearing at 2:00 pm on Sunday, April, 1, on Michael Stock's Folk and Acoustic Music Radio Show on WLRN Radio 91.3 FM. The Dogs, Zip, Bill and Eric, will be playing tracks from their forthcoming CD, “Bone to Pick," as well as performing live.
On Tuesday, March 27, Rodez Art Gallery hosted a fundraiser to benefit the Miami All Stars, a local non-for-profit organization which provides at-risk youth in our community a valuable service while promoting the game of basketball with an emphasis on sportsmanship, leadership, respect, positive mental attitude, nutrition, self-esteem, and attending school on a regular basis. For a small donation, guests received an Official NBA jersey, gourmet appetizers, and specialty drinks. The event also featured a silent auction and Rodez Art Gallery donated a percentage of all art sales to the organization. Above are George Rodez and Mike Scull. Mike is the grandson of one of the famous Cuban-artists Scull sisters.
From left, Mary Lage, George Rodez; Susie Careno and Carlos Alamilla, Director of Miami All Stars.
The monthly Wine Flight Dinner is tonight at El Carajo, the tapas restaurant, wine shop and bakery, that's in the BP gas station!
This casual, yet elegant dinner includes several off the menu courses paired with wines to enhance their flavors. You'll be seated and eat at your own table and at your own leisure during the two hour seating window (6 to 8 pm). Wine educator Barry Alberts will be floating around the dining room discussing and answering questions about the featured wine.
Course 1: Maison Ambroise Cremant de Bourgogne NV paired with Classic Caesar Salad with White Anchovy.
Course 2: Bolla Tufaie Soave paired with Corvina Picatta over Truffle Potato Puree
Course 3: Oveja Negra Carmenere '09 paired with Seared Beef Brochettes with Balsamic Reducaion
Course 4: Gran Solorca Reserva 'o5 paired wtih Rabo Encendido with Yuca Frita
Course 5: Sandeman's Founder's Reserve Port paired with Cafe Cubano Tiramisu.
Cost is $50 per person, tax and gratuity not included. Please RSVP to 305-856-2424.
El Carajo is located at 2465 SW 17 Avenue. They have a free beer tasting this Friday, March 30 from 7 pm until they run out! Try Monk in the Trunk, Shiner Bock and others.
And Barry has his usual Friday Night Wine Tasting atop the Sonesta Bayfront Hotel, poolside, from 7 to 10 pm. The hotel offers two hours of complimentary valet parking. Each Friday, wines are featured by wine, paired with an artisan cheese platter. Cost is $15 per person. For more info: 305-447-8256.
In honor of Friday's "We Are the Champions" party, Greenstreets Cafe has created two new drinks: the Short Order Coco-Mint ($6), a mojito with a hint of coconut and the Short Ordertini ($6), a mango flavored libation. There will be lots of other drink specials, too.The New Times party is this Friday, March 30, a celebration to honor Coconut Grove for winning "Best Neighborhood for Dining," in a New Times poll. We beat out South Beach and Coral Gables. How? Not sure. We probably have the quickest fingers when it came to voting.The part is at Greenstreets (3468 Main Highway), from 6 to 8 pm.
Miami New Times will present the Grove Chamber.
It looks like they have extended the 50% off deal at Dealtificate for The Great Taste of the Grove, coming up the weekend of April 14 and 15.
Pay only $30 for VIP Admission for 2 and $50 in Drink Tickets. This is a $60 value you'll get for only $30!
Your VIP tickets gives you access to private bars to redeem your drink vouchers. You can use the vouchers to sample the astonishing selection of international wines, beers and liquors that will be on hand, ranging from $4 to $8 each. Enjoy all of the fun that you and a friend can take in for only $30 – that’s half the normal price!
Get the deal here. The deal ends tomorrow, March 29.
A friend of mine knows of a restaurant in the Wynwood area that is interested in coming to the Grove. It would fit right in, it's something we don't have here.
After approaching a few people who might be interested he went to a local landlord to see about having someone contact the restaurant owner. I stayed outside while he went in to talk to the leasing office. He entered and their first response was, "How did you find us? Who sent you here?"
This is the reaction he got for wanting to send them a willing tenant. He ended up explaining it all, as if he was on the stand in court, he left all the info and the restaurant still has not heard from them. This was a month or more ago.
Strange.
Biscayne Bay's Cleanup Day as part of this year's Baynanza, is celebrating it's 30th year on Saturday, April 21. There are places all over the county on the list for clean-up, including three in Coconut Grove: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens (3251 South Miami Avenue); Shake-A-Leg Miami (2600 S. Bayshore Drive) and Peacock Park (2820 McFarlane Road).
Friday, March 30, is the final day to sign-up for the cleanup. Forms and lots more info can be found at their website here.
You can join with friends, do it yourself or with your family or join the Coconut Grove JCI team. Email them if interested in their team at: jcicoconutgrove@gmail.com.
The 18th Annaul Bali Ha'i Party is Sunday, April 1 at The Kampong (4013 S. Douglas Road). This is South Florida's favorite garden party/food and wine event, which features exquisite wines, champagnes and exotic libations along with tempting culinary samplings from 30 top South Florida restaurants including 1500 Restaurant, shown above.
Luxurious auction items will be available for bidding, as well. The event is a collaborative effort between The Kampong of the National Tropical Botanical Garden and the South Florida Chapter of The American Institute of 
Wine and Food, along with many sponsors, all in an effort to maintain and expand The Kampong's tropical botanical collection. Bali Ha’i also raises funds to further the goals of the American Institute of Wine & Food, providing educational and nutrition-based programs (Days of Taste) and scholarships to some of the finest culinary institutes in South Florida. Regarded as one of the most important food and wine events on the Miami social calendar, Bali Ha’i at The Kampong has sold out each of its seventeen years with over 500 upscale gourmets in attendance.This year's theme is "Hawaiian Style," which will permiate the grounds with live music from the islands to serve as the background of authentic Hawaiian crafts and lei making along with special tropical drinks. At left are Conch Sliders by Chef Cindy Hutson of Ortanique restaurant.
VIP entrance ($250.00 per person) includes a special hula performance and Hawaiian inspired choices from two outstanding chefs,last year’s “People’s Choice” award winners Hakkasan at Fontainebleau Miami Beach and River Seafood & Oyster Bar. Joining them will be The Dutch at W South Beach and, in true Lu’au style, two caja chinas roasting pigs. This exclusive preview to the main event provides champagne views across the Bay to Key Biscayne at the Lu`au Party at the Point. The VIP party is from 4 to 5 pm.Limited to fifty guests, the all-new VIP Platinum entrance includes the main event, Lu`au Party at the Point, and the Tiki Lounge Party at the Point at 8 pm for VIP Platinum-only cuisine, select champagne and libations. VIP guests are hosted by Event Co-Chair Tina Carlo, Dan Carlo, and Tara and Steve McNamara. Guests can make an added difference in the fundraising efforts by purchasing a VIP Parking Space! Three very special parking spaces are being offered with easy access to The Kampong for $500 per space. You’ll be transported by golf cart to the event and taken by golf cart to your car when you are ready to depart Please call 305.442.7169 for more info.The main party is from 5 to 8 pm. VIP Platinum Tickets for $300.00 include the Main Event and Lu`au Party at the Point plus the Tiki Lounge Party at the Point at 8 pm. Main Event tickets, $150.00 per person ($175.00 per person the day of the event), include main event from 5 to 8 p.m. Bali Ha’i organizers believe there is no other event like this in Miami where you can sample such amazing food, drink wonderful wines and beverages, enjoy the splendid garden and bid on a remarkable array of auction items. VIP ticket sales - limited to 250 guests - and VIP Platinum ticket sales - limited to 50 guests - are not available the day of the event. 70% of the cost of tickets is a tax deductible contribution. Complimentary parking with shuttle service for event guests will be provided at Plymouth Congregational Church, 3400 Devon Road, Coconut Grove. Bali Ha’i is an all-weather outdoor event. Should inclement weather be in the forecast all Bali Ha'i venues will be under tent. For more information, please visit the event web site – www.balihaiparty.com
Chef Cindy Hutson (in green) of Ortanique restaurant, with her team.
The Commodore's Birthday Party is the biggest event of the year for The Barnacle Society. Held at The Barnacle, 3485 Main Highway, it not only celebrates the Commodore, but raises money for the state park as proceeds are designated for the restoration and maintenance of the house. The party is Saturday, March 31 from 6 to 9 pm.A Buffet Supper will be catered by The Rumcake Factory, voted in the Miami New Times as "Best of Miami" Caterer in 2011. Live entertainment will be provided by the Grove's own Solar Dogs.
There is also a Silent Auction.
Donation: $30.00 Members $35.00 Non-Members$10.00 Children 10 and under Gate price $45
Make your reservation online at www.thebarnacle.org.
Today's Dealtificate will save you 50% at The Great Taste of the Grove, coming up the weekend of April 14 and 15!Pay only $30 for VIP Admission for 2 and $50 in Drink Tickets. This is a $60 value you'll get for only $30!
Your VIP tickets gives you access to private bars to redeem your drink vouchers. You can use the vouchers to sample the astonishing selection of international wines, beers and liquors that will be on hand, ranging from $4 to $8 each. Enjoy all of the fun that you and a friend can take in for only $30 – that’s half the normal price!
Get the deal here. The deal ends at noon tomorrow, March 27.
It's nice to see Refresh Miami back in the Grove. This month, their meet-up is being held at one of our newest watering holes, The Goose Lounge, at 3008 Grand Avenue. The Goose is fast becoming one of the Grove's favorite hang-outs, they are getting involved with Grove events right off the bat. I had even asked them the day before the Chili Cook Off earlier this month if they would like to participate, and they agreed, with one day's notice.
Alas, it wasn't to be, but the enthusiasm was refreshing, alas Refresh Miami is perfect for The Goose.
Refresh Miami will be meeting for drinks and socializing on Wednesday, March 28, from 7:30 to 10:30 pm. And there is free beer for the first 70 guests!
The Goose is providing all attendees with a choice of one of the following microbrews: Magic Hat Demo Seasonal IPA; Peak Organic pomegranate wheat; Monk in The Trunk Organic Amber Ale; Laughing Skull Amber or Ale Dale's Pale Ale.
Drink tickets will be distributed at the door. Drinks are sponsored by Infinimedia, inc. and 39inc.
Please RSVP at their Facebook page here.
Lulu's on Commodore Plaza and Main Highway.
This in from Glenn Terry:
"Looking for something fun and simple to do mañana? The littlest Coconut Grove art show will take place on Sunday morning (March 25) from 11 am to noon. That's when the artists that attend Plymouth Congregational Church display their creations at the annual Plymouth Church Art Show. There are also antique cars displayed on the lawn outside Davis Hall. It's a little strange (in a churchy kind of way), a lot of fun and you do not have to be a member of the church to attend. I'll be showing my weird paintings along with 18 other artists. Proceeds go to charity."
I have gone for the past couple of years and it's fun. That's where I met Walt Ferguson and his 1923 Ford Model T. Walt is the same age as his car! Plymouth Church is at 3400 Devon Road, right off of Main Highway.
Those trucks you see in front of Mayfair, on Grand Avenue today, are The Faces of HIV Project. It's a mobile art exhibit that sheds light on the faces behind the disease, put on by the Florida Department of Healthy.
Through captivating portraits, insightful interviews and poignant journals, the exhibit offers a candid, revealing glimpse into the lives of Florida residents currently living with HIV.
There are large portraits in the truck. Stop by today if you have time, they will be there until 5 pm. There is a QR scan there, so you can take the story home with you to digest later.
More at www.wemakethechange.com
The New Times party has been changed to Friday, March 30. This is the celebration for Coconut Grove winning "Best Neighborhood for Dining." The We Are The Champions celebration is at Greenstreets (3468 Main Highway), from 6 to 8 pm. You're all invited!
That's a week from today.
Miami New Times will present the Grove Chamber with an award and Greenstreets is inventing a special cocktail this week for the event. There will be lots of drink specials, too!
A week or so ago, a reader emailed me, asking me to step in and shed light on the plans for the Grand Bay Hotel. He was upset that the new owners has plans to demolish the pyramid-shaped building. I asked him what could I do? He said that maybe shedding some light on the story would help stop the destruction. But to be honest, the building is not historic (it was built in 1982/83) and the owners, the Terra Group, do have plans to build a 20-story condo there.
The place does have a lot of local history for those who have an attachment to it. I remember when Michael Jackson stayed there. I mean, I wasn't privy to this other than newspaper reports, but it seemed so exciting as I drove by at the time, to think that the King of Pop was actually in that building.
The good news is that the red ribbon sculpture out front is staying. The piece by artist Alexander Liberman was actually up for grabs, but no one seemed to want it because the cost to move it was too high. So it will be nice to see it will stay.
More details in today's Miami Herald.
Do you have any special memories of the Grand Bay Hotel?
Remember that New Times Snackdown a few weeks ago, where Coconut Grove beat Coral Gables in the "Best Neighborhood for Dining" category?
Well, the Gables Chamber has asked for a rematch. They feel that the ballot boxes were stuffed.
Ironically, a big Coconut Grove party is being planned for April 12, to celebrate the win, but maybe that should be held off for awhile until the rematch occurs. Although there may or may not be a rematch. The New Times is asking readers what they think.
I suspect there will be a rematch. Why not? It's good for the neighborhoods and for New Times' readership. Plus it's fun.
A new "buy local" campaign is starting tomorrow in Coconut Grove. It all started when Noel Garcia of Grove Ink and New Age Body Piercing, and Allison Sagehorn of The Sale Rack, took a little car trip. Their travels took them around the southeastern United States, where they went though a lot of small towns and villages. A common denominator of many of the towns was a "buy local" campaign.
When they got home to the Grove, the couple started thinking about what they had seen. One day, over breakfast at Greenstreets, Noel started scribbling drawings on a napkin.
"I saw all the businesses in tiny little towns endorsing people to shop locally," he said. Why not push for that here? he thought.
So starting tomorrow, you'll see signs around town at participating businesses. Noel went around and collected money from a few places that will go toward the campaign. There are signs and t-shirts are being printed, which will be worn by employees all over the Grove.
"Businesses in Coconut Grove really do care. They love the idea and have been spreading the word," says Noel.
If you would like to be a part of the campaign, stop by Grove Ink, The Sale Rack or New Age Body Piercing and ask Noel or Allison about getting your business involved.
The Great Taste of the Grove Food & Wine Festival is back this year. As usual, Peacock Park is the venue. The event is being held Saturday and Sunday, April 14 and 15.
The annual "Best of the Taste" awards will be given to participating restaurants based on outstanding taste and presentation and will be voted on by local dignitaries. The "Sommelier Tasting Grove" and "Connoisseur Spirits Lounge" are back, providing guests with an opportunity to taste the best wines and spirits on the market. The Eco-Education Lounge is also back. And expanded this year is the Kids' Adventure Park with zip-lining, Ferris wheel and more fun things for the kiddies to enjoy. There will be live music on Saturday and Sunday.
New this year is a $5 entry fee (children under 12 are free). Food and beverages are available at the event costing between $1 and $8. The Great Taste of the Grove is open 11 am to 7 pm both days.
In the coming month, look for special discounted packages that will be available on LivingSocial, DailyDeals, Dealtificate and Groupon.
The Thelma Gibson Health Initiative Youth Violence Prevention Intervention Program, Funded by The Children’s Trust, will be partnering with the Joshua’s Heart Foundation to donate 100 bags of groceries to families in the Coconut Grove area on Saturday March 24.
This is at Elizabeth Virrick Park (3255 Plaza Street), from 10 am to 2 pm. The young entrepreneur, Joshua, will be present at the event to meet the youth and their families. His passion for conquering hunger at a young age has inspired our organization and many others. Joshua's slogan is “Stomp Out Hunger."
Max Planck: Images of Science, is opening at the Miami Science Museum on Wednesday March 28.
The art opening is from 6 to 9 pm. There's a preview cocktail reception, where the Max Planck Florida Foundtion will present a collection of 40 striking photographs from scientists around the world. This is the first time that these works have been exhibited in Miami after traveling to museums and embassies in Germany, Austria and Thailand.
Time and again, science pushes boundaries into unknown territory and renders the previously invisible visible. In no area of scientific inquiry is this more evident than with the documentation process itself. Here, scientific research frequently produces images of strikingly aesthetic, structures and colors- abstract pieces of art from a world invisible to the eye.
Every year, Germany's Max Planck Society asks scientists from their 80 institutes and research facilities to provide images of their research that are then juried by a panel of architects, photographers and journalists. Their selections form the basis of a traveling exhibit, Images of Science. So far, there have been three rounds of competition and the exhibit, which is currently composed of 48 images, has traveled to a variety of destinations including Deutches Museum Munchen (German Museum Munich); Ars Electronica, Linz, Austria; Haus der Wissenschaft (House of Science), Bremen, Germany; and the German Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand, among others.
The free event is open to the public, with RSVP by Monday, March 26. Guests must be over 21. Please RSVP here.
I am not getting this, but I guess they have their reasoning.
Remember the old club Oxygen at Mayfair? Well it's a black box theater now. A black box theater is a big black room that can be turned into anything for any production. This is owned by Mayfair and right across the street is the new Villa Mayfair restaurant, also owned by Mayfair.
For a couple of years, Grovites were trying to find a home for the New Theatre, which had to leave Coral Gables. Wouldn't the black box theater right, off Florida Avenue at Mayfair have been perfect? And even more perfect, wouldn't it fit in with Villa Mayfair, the restaurant? They would both have fed off of each other (no pun intended). The New Theatre is now at its new home with the Roxy Theater Group near FIU in west Miami.
Oh, and another thing, parking is right on site at the Mayfair. It could have been free or discounted validated parking since it's all part of the Mayfair complex.
People could have walked back and forth for dinner before or after a play. Villa Mayfair is a few feet away from the theater, it's the closest restaurant and people going out for a play at night usually like to go to a high end restaurant as part of the evening (or matinee). It would have all worked out perfectly.
But the Coconut Grove Playhouse and the yellow ribbon campaign is now the big issue, so hopefully one day soon we will have professional theater in the Grove again soon.
For the best view in Coconut Grove and one of the best breakfasts, try the Panorama at the Sonesta Bayfront Hotel (2889 McFarlane Road). You may dine inside or poolside.
They have their usual breakfast all the time, but on special weekends, you may order the breakfast buffet. The buffet will be offered on the weekends of Mar 24/25 and Mar 31/April 1, coinciding with the Sony Ericsson Tennis Tournament; the last one was during the CG Arts Festival.
The cost is $19.95 for adults; $10.95 for children under 12.
From blintzes to eggs, they have it all. There is canadian bacon and sausage. Pancakes, cereal, waffles and lots of fruit. This includes juices and coffee.
There are also a la carte breakfasts including smokes salmon and French toast. There are lots os pastries, too. No reservation is needed, but for more info, please call 305.447.8256.
