March 12, 2021
Each Friday, we compile South Florida food-related news and events that we couldn’t fit on the site earlier in the week, as well as other local news that piques our interest. Want to be included in our next roundup? Shoot us an email at bark@miamifoodpug.com.
Gala in the Gardens Returns to Fairchild
Now Open in CocoWalk: Salt & Straw
Pi Day at Fireman Derek’s
La Mar Celebrates 7 Years
David’s Café Pops Up at The Shelborne
Select Spritz Brunch at R House
Coming Soon to Coral Gables: Forte
Whiskey Tasting at MO Bar + Lounge
Gala in the Gardens Returns to Fairchild
Known as one of the most coveted fundraisers in South Florida, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is pleased to host Dinner in the Garden featuring celebrity chef Ben Robinson from Bravo TV’s hit series, Below Deck, on Saturday, March 20, 2021. In lieu of the annual Gala in the Garden, this year’s fundraiser will take place amid Fairchild’s tropical oasis where the who’s who of South Florida philanthropists and community leaders will enjoy an evening of unmatched beauty while supporting the Garden’s efforts in science, education, conservation and horticulture research.
Limited to only 100 exclusive guests, Dinner in the Garden will feature a prix fixe tasting menu and live cooking demonstration by Chef Ben Robinson, who has appeared on several seasons of Below Deck, a reality series that profiles a group who works aboard mega yachts that sail in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
Guests will enjoy a delicious dining experience with dishes ranging from Chilled Gazpacho with Parmesan Tuile; Local Snapper Tartare with Citrus Sweet Corn Purée and Daikon String Bean Roulade; Braised Short Rib with Veal Demi Glaze and Mushroom Medley; and Flourless Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Panna Cotta and Ganache for dessert. Guests will also get the chance to meet Chef Ben during a brief Q&A. Funds raised allow Fairchild Garden to continue its mission of exploring, expanding and conserving the world of tropical plants.
“We are beyond grateful to our Fairchild Members, sponsors, chair members and Chef Ben Robinson for their generous donations to help Fairchild Garden continue its mission to harness the power of plants for humankind and share the joy and beauty of tropical gardening with everyone,” says Director of Fairchild Garden Dr. Carl E. Lewis. “These donations come at a critical time, when the demand for the outdoors has increased significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” adds Dr. Lewis.
Tickets start at $1,250 per person, and tables for 6 start at $7,500. For reservations and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Susannah Shubin at sshubin@fairchildgarden.org or visit HERE to purchase tickets.
Now Open in CocoWalk: Salt & Straw
Less than a month after opening its first east coast scoop shop in Miami’s Wynwood, Salt & Straw is opening a second Miami location in Coconut Grove. Set to open on Thursday, March 11 in the newly reimagined CocoWalk, the small-batch, family-owned ice cream brand will offer their curiously delicious flavors as well as some creations inspired by and uniquely made for the Magic City.
The redeveloped CocoWalk elevates Coconut Grove as Miami’s premier destination for those seeking al fresco retail, dining, and entertainment experiences. Salt & Straw will be among the notable national brands featured alongside local concepts and international brands.
The scoop shop’s menu will mirror the Wynwood shop and feature Salt & Straw’s handmade cult classics and specialty flavors that tell the story of Miami through the unique chefs and artisans in the city. A new month and new shop, also brings new seasonal flavors. Timed to CocoWalk’s opening, both shops will debut Salt & Straw’s Vault Series which will bring back five (5) of the most epic flavors in the brand’s history for longtime fans to relive the past and younger ones to experience them anew.
The flavors are selected by Tyler, who goes through thousands of recipes in Salt & Straw’s vault and selects some of the most pivotal creations. The series is an opportunity for ice cream lovers to taste these iconic ice creams and delve into the brand’s creative process for a glimpse of how ingredients and flavors are captured through a Salt & Straw lens.
Guests can expect to find the all-time favorites such as Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons, Honey Lavender, Chocolate Gooey Brownie and Salted, Malted Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough alongside unique flavors specific to the 305 and a handful of seasonal offerings – this month, the Vault Series.
Pi Day at Fireman Derek’s
Since 2014, pie master Derek Kaplan and the talented team at Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop have been whisking up their extraordinary confections in Wynwood. Now, with a new Coconut Grove outpost, this one-of-a-kind Miami dessert destination boasting freshly baked pies and cakes among other titillating goodies has announced their limited time offerings for Pi Day.
In celebration of Pi Day, on Saturday, March 14, Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop will offer a limited selection of pie slices for just $3.14. Eligible flavors include Key Lime Pie, Salted Caramel “Krack” Pie, Salty Monkey Pie, Pecan Pie, Apple Pie, Guavaberry Pie and Chocolate Pecan Pie.
La Mar Celebrates 7 Years
On Thursday, March 18th, join La Mar by Gaston Acurio and Executive Chef Diego Oka to celebrate the restaurant’s 7th anniversary with a one-night-only collaborative dinner with Itamae’s Valerie and Nando Chang. In honor of LUCKY #7, the chefs will showcase a true collaborative multi-course tasting menu for $120 per person, which includes a welcome pisco cocktail. Reserve your seat; space is limited.
David’s Café Pops Up at The Shelborne
The Shelborne South Beach is bringing back a famous Miami institution, Cafecito pop-up by David’s Cafe. Serving authentic Cuban cuisine for over 44 years, the family-owned, small business will debut a pop-up location on March 18th in the hotel’s lobby, providing guests and locals with a classic Miami experience throughout the summer and a fresh, new ambiance with outdoor seating on the hotel’s exterior.
At Shelborne, the menu will consist of breakfast and lunch offerings, including the traditional Cuban Sandwich, a flavorful stack of ham, slow roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard on Cuban bread, in addition to other sandwich variations. Breakfast items include the Tostada Cubana, a Cuban Breakfast Wrap with egg, sausage and cheese and the Avocado and Salmon Tostada.
Other highlights include a collection of coffee drinks and fresh juices, including traditional Batidos, a Cuban-style milkshake with fresh fruit such as passion fruit, papaya, apple, banana and more. Finally, it wouldn’t be a trip to a traditional Cuban cafe without a selection of Pastelitos. David’s Cafe will serve Guava and Cheese Pastelitos, a selection of Empanadas and Croquetas.
The David’s Cafecito pop-up will open on March 18th for seven days a week from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m and will run throughout the summer.
Select Spritz Brunch at R House
Situated in the heart of Miami’s Wynwood Arts District, R House reigns as the neighborhood’s mainstay for soulful, Miami-inspired eats and bustling weekend brunch scene. Now, as they approach their seven-year anniversary, the contemporary Wynwood eatery known for its lively atmosphere is announcing a new brunch activation with Select Aperitivo – a Venetian-imported, Aperitif spirit made from 30 botanicals including rhubarb root and juniper berry.
Kicking off this Saturday (3/13), the Select Spritz Brunch will feature Select Spritzers, a perfect brunch tipple, for an unbeatable $10 each in addition to R House’s Drag Brunch package ($50 pp). Hosted by Athena Dion (Miss Ultimate Miami Drag Queen), the Saturday activation will feature an impressive spread of brunch items to nosh on while enjoying Miami’s most storied drag queen lineup.
Join fellow attendees for an afternoon filled with spontaneous performances, brunch bites, and of course the Original Venetian Spritz.
Coming Soon to Coral Gables: Forte
Chef Adrianne Calvo, the young star chef who is best known for delivering her Maximum Flavor culinary concepts around South Florida, announces the launch of her newest endeavor, Forte by Chef Adrianne.
Slated for an April 2021 reveal on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, Forte will offer guests an exceptional Italian experience that pays homage to Calvo’s mother by bearing her maiden name. Forte will mark Chef Adrianne’s third restaurant opening amid the pandemic, on record as one of the industry’s most challenging years in history with a loss of $230 billion in total sales.
Forte’s menu will juxtapose generations-old traditions with modern techniques to bring the “best of Italy” to the table a la Calvo’s Maximum Flavor. Guests at Forte will be virtually transported to a veritable Tuscan Villa replete with rustic design, sunflowers, home-made focaccia, and traditional desserts. Authentic indulgences include fresh tomatoes sourced directly from Italy and scratch Italian cocktails.
In partnership with the Barreto Group, who also share in her popular seafood eatery Redfish, Forte will occupy the former Cibo Wine Bar space at 45 Miracle Mile and will seat 260 guests between its indoor and outdoor dining areas.
Forte is located at 45 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, Florida, and will be open Monday from 5 pm – 10 pm; Tuesday-Thursday: 11 am – 10 pm; Friday-Saturday: 11 am – 11 pm; Sunday: 11 am – 9 pm.
Whiskey Tasting at MO Bar + Lounge
On Wednesday, March 24 at 7 p.m., MO Bar + Lounge is teaming up with Angel’s Envy for a tasting to remember. The tasting includes a welcome drink and appetizers paired with your flights. Featuring three selections of Kentucky-based Whiskey. $75 per person. Space is limited; reserve now.