411: Masks, Virgos and Models
Eyes Wide Shut- Appetites Open
Veteran restaurateur, Steve Haas along with acclaimed chef, Tom Azar invited guests to City Hall, Haas’ new bustling eatery on Biscayne Boulevard for Lights Out Miami- a night of dining in the dark last Wednesday, to benefit Ability Explosion, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and bettering the lives of individuals with disabilities. Risk-taking diners at City Hall got the chance for a sneak “peek” of the large scale benefit to take place on October 20 with over 100 participating venues.
Dark dining guests had only the cocktail hour to take in the beauty of the 6, 000 square foot eatery, which reminds us so much of WPA, back in the halcyon days of South Beach and “Glory Days” of our youth. Perhaps it’s the 80 foot-long art deco mural, created by artist Andrew Reid- who also created the floor-to-ceiling mural depicting FDR’s Works Progress Administration for WPA, (the restaurant), which we spent many a night admiring; or the dark walnut and black varnished wood tables and chairs, comfortable leather banquets, original art and Art Deco accents that create the chic ambience at City Hall and make us feel right at home.
After the cocktail reception, each guest was blindfolded with a mask made by the same materials as a Victoria’s Secret push-up bra-turned-Batman mask and escorted upstairs by Steve Haas himself then served a three course, wine-paired mystery dinner. Before the adventure began, Haas assured his guests that all of the food would be from the menu selections of the restaurant- no “Fear Factor” surprises and implored them to keep their masks on throughout the entire meal to get the full experience- which we proudly obliged.
City Hall’s friendly, specially-trained wait staff was extremely helpful in guiding diners through the event, showing them exactly where their plates, glasses and utensils were, and on occasion, escorting them to the restroom, for those die-hards who kept their masks on even for that! Judging from the heightened flavors of the delectable dishes, which included tuna tartare, skirt steak and fish (we think) and the din of laughter and conversation that filled the dining room, dining in the dark is an exciting way to enjoy a meal and bring people together for a unique experience.
This, in the end, is Haas’ primary goal. “We wanted to create a restaurant for Miami’s diverse communities to gather and to offer people a comfortable, cosmopolitan place to meet with friends for dinner or even step out for lunch during the workday and enjoy a great meal in a convivial atmosphere.”
For more information and to purchase tickets to Lights Out on October 20, call Irene at 305.389.0009 or irene@abilityexplosion.org.
Two Virgos Pretty in Pink Party
On Saturday, Elaine Lancaster celebrated her birthday with fellow Drag Diva extraordinaire, Kitty Meow (a fellow Virgo) at Bongos Cuban Café at the Hard Rock Hotel. And while it’s uncommon for any Diva to share the spotlight, these two decided to celebrate together, as they have been dear friends since way before La Lancaster swam ashore on our Golden Beaches.
Lancaster was a frequent visitor to Miami Beach back in the day, when Kitty was one of the Queens of everything nightlife. The two were destined to become friends says Elaine. “We were both so full of life and light that it would either be ‘best of friends’ or worst of foes.’” Fortunately, they hit it off instantly and have remained very close to this day.
Bubble Gum pink balloons filled the room and Victorian pink cabbage rose arrangements designed by Gopan for Diva Rose were in bloom on every table at Bongos for the party and a four-tiered Tiffany Blue birthday cake created by Ana Paz Cakes provided the center piece for the birthday party again this year. The open vodka bar was provided by Chambord Vodka which is- you guessed it PINK! Are you seeing a theme here? Pink is Lancaster’s favorite color which also explains why Potamkin Auto Gallery provided the Pinkish Classic Thunderbird parked at the entrance.
A nine-piece Cuban band had everyone dancing until midnight when renowned DJ Bill Hallquist took over and really got the guests partying until around 3 a.m. when we hear the “after party” began in Lancaster’s five-room “Princess Suite” at the Hard Rock Hotel.
Seen celebrating with Elaine and Kitty were: Farid & Babi Moussallem , Sotheby’s real estate producer, Dr. Julio Hernandez, top cosmetic dentist, Dale Hipsh, Vice President for Hard Rock Hotels, Patrick Lingle, Vice President for CB5 Restaurant Group, Kevin Aviance, international recording artist, Michael Gongora, Vice Mayor of Miami Beach, James Cubby, author, Shireen Sandoval, co-anchor for WSVN’s Deco Drive, Charlotte Libov, writer and New York Times Contributor, DJ Bill Hallquist, international DJ, artist Martin Kaupp, Merle and Danny Weiss, philanthropists, and plastic surgeon, Dr. Julio Gallo to name a few.
Models and Bottles
On Saturday night at the Mondrian Hotel’s Sunset Lounge in South Beach, TAI Entertainment’s Alan Roth and Tommy Pooch, along with Matt Heien and Eastside PR hosted the Launch Party for the New York Times Best Selling Author, Mike Sincere’s new novel The Last Au Pair. VIPs such as NBC’s Amara Sohn, CBS’s Howard Bernstein, People en Espanol’s Jimmy Vanegas, Philanthropist (and Maya Angelous’s grandson) Elliot Jones, cover girls Maytee Martinez and Kira Alvarado (who grace the cover of the book!) and 300 close friends all celebrated the book with nibbles from Asia De Cuba, Grey Goose cocktails and Corzo Tequila late into the evening. This book is about the model and au pair scene here in SOBE, and as expected lots of models/au pairs took the night off from babysitting to party at the Mondrian.
Celebrity Sightings:
Porn-star-come-actress Sasha Grey can add DJ to her resume now. Grey showed-off her turntable skills at Mokai last Friday night. Grey dined at Kane Steakhouse feasting on steak and Kane’s famous donuts in a box along with her photographer fiancé before heading to Mokai to spin tunes by Lady Gaga, Beyonce and JLo for the raucous crowd.
Colombiana star Zoe Saldana had the ultimate girls’ night out at Mokai’s Ransom Monday party where she showed up dressed to kill in a black pantsuit and bright red lipstick with a girlfriend in tow. Taking the table next to the DJ booth, Saldana drank several Grey Goose cocktails and partied well past 3 a.m.
