March 18, 2022
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.
Coming Soon: Carousel Club
International Women’s Month Collab at Phuc Yea
National Beer Day at EST.33
Villa Azur Celebrates 10 Years
Azzurro Reopens in New Location
Coming Soon: Carousel Club
Gulfstream Park presents Carousel Club, a first-of-its-kind open-air entertainment destination fusing the excitement of South Florida’s hot hospitality scene with the thrill of world-class Thoroughbred horse racing, set to open Friday, April 1, 2022.
Featuring 14,000 square feet of tented and open-air spaces including a spacious deck, covered Carousel Bar with ample seating, and a grassy garden for lounging and lawn games, the Carousel Club will create memorable moments for 1,500 guests, highlighted by signature day-to-night programming. Featuring pop-ups by beloved Lincoln Road’s Spris Artisan Pizza, Mad Room Hospitality’s Los Altos Taqueria, and Ms. Cheezious to name a few, Carousel Club brings a fresh concept to Hallandale.
Carousel Club is a collaboration between 1/ST EXPERIENCE, the innovative entertainment brand for 1/ST, the owners and operators of Gulfstream Park, and Breakwater Hospitality Group, the innovators behind The Wharf, and was designed by the esteemed Studio Collective. Located in the heart of South Florida, where Miami-Dade and Broward Counties meet, this new Hallandale hot spot will attract locals and visitors alike propelled by its offerings, unique ambiance, and bungalow chic décor.
With a large antique carousel as its focal point and spacious, lounge-style seating, Carousel Club guests will enjoy live entertainment, exciting programming, giant video screens and an unparalleled view of the racetrack. Sporty motifs and greenery will honor Thoroughbred horse racing with a wink and a nod to the iconic racing stripes and equipment unique to the sport.
An expansive deck features two feature bars, plus shaded lounge seating, striped umbrellas and lantern-lit trees. A spacious lawn for socializing in the sunshine or under the stars features life-size games like horseshoe and Jenga with a nostalgia touchpoint guests.
During the day, the ambiance will be charming, family-friendly and tropical with curated activations and the unique opportunity to experience the excitement of live Thoroughbred horse racing. At night, the action will take on a nightlife feel with dynamic lighting elements, elevated mixology, top DJs and live entertainment. Foodies will enjoy revolving culinary partnership concepts by beloved chefs and an extensive beverage program. Tastemakers will love the Instagram worthy elements and photogenic environment, allowing them to share content in real-time.
Carousel Club will open weekly on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from noon til late. For bottle service, or to RSVP for a complimentary cocktail on opening weekend, April 1st – 3rd, please visit CarouselClub.com. Photo by Paul Stoppi.
International Women’s Month Collab at Phuc Yea
In celebration of International Women’s Month, Phuc Yea is inviting guests to support female-owned Miami businesses moving-and-shaking the hospitality industry by offering an array of limited-time menu additions from the badass ladies at: Salt & Straw, Sanguich de Miami, Flour & Weirdoughs, The Dumpling Lady, and Radiate Kombucha. In short, each of the aforementioned, female-owned pop-up concepts will be showcasing an original dish on the Phuc Yea menu through Thursday, March 31. Photo by Justin Namon.
National Beer Day at EST.33
For National Beer Day, Miami’s #1 and only microbrewery in Brickell will be offering complimentary brewery tours led by head brewer Todd Space, former high school biology teacher turned beer master. From 12-5:30 p.m., Todd will showcase how he combines a range of flavors and spices into every brew and talk about the brewery’s sustainability efforts.
On top of that, they will be offering a special $12 beer flight throughout the week including some of their most popular (and unique) brews such as the Thai Sake Beer, a bold blend of jasmine rice with malt, Earthy sake flavors, cherries and kaffir lime leaf, brewed at 8% ABV; the Brickell Brown 2.0, crafted with freshly roasted coffee from Great Circle coffee roasters; the Bourbon Oak; and a “special release” to be revealed that week (photo here and here).
With the purchase of a flight, customers receive a free beer on the house during their next visit, limited to one per person. Pair that with one of their beer infused dishes like the Beer Brine Smoked Drumstick or Snowy Lemongrass mussels and it’s a day/week made in (brew!) heaven.
Villa Azur Celebrates 10 Years
Villa Azur, Miami’s South of France-inspired culinary and entertainment destination known for its glitz and glamour, is celebrating its 10 year anniversary on Friday, April 1, starting at 6:30 p.m. Consistently offering patrons a unique experience that combines dining, entertainment, music and art all in one distinct space, Villa Azur’s 10th anniversary will be no different. Villa Azur unveils its curtains to an all-white revelry to present an impressive lineup of rich entertainment with innovative artistic productions and unique experiences.
The monumental 10th Anniversary edition of the party will feature incredible live music, beats by DJ Irie, stunning visuals, aerialist choreography and immersive experiences with Perrier-Jouët’s intricate, floral champagnes flowing throughout the night, and so much more. Guests are encouraged to come in their best all white ensemble.
Reservations for dinner are required to enjoy the festivities and are available beginning at 6:30 p.m. Under the direction of Executive Chef Carlos Torres, the cuisine embraces a true Mediterranean dining experience and allows guests to indulge in specialty dishes including delicious appetizers such as Truffle Burrata ($65) and Seared Octopus ($19).
Savory and delectable entrees include: Pates a la Meule ($48), served table side in a parmesan wheel and Cognac Flamed, Dover Sole Meunière ($70), also prepared table side, the larger than life Tomahawk Steak ($300), a 42 oz. steak roasted to your liking and served with both bordelaise and béarnaise sauce, and much more.
With additional locations across the globe and a celebrity clientele, Villa Azur’s first location launched in Miami Beach in 2012, bringing the vibrant and glamorous French Riviera vibe to the Magic City with elegance. The hidden gem, with its outdoor courtyard “à la Française”, extravagance and late night entertainment, features an elaborate French-Mediterranean menu and fancy, handcrafted cocktails.
The unique concept has since been exported worldwide, opening in the world’s most vibrant cities, such as Mexico City in the Polanco neighborhood, Saint-Tropez in France, Bodrum in Turkey and Dallas at the W-Hotel Victory with Las Vegas launching this summer 2022. This year, Villa Azur celebrates 10 years of successfully pleasing patrons and creating an unparalleled experience that sprouted from the first supper club in Miami to an internationally-exported concept.
To reserve a table, please call 305-763-8688. Photo by Alexey Olivenko.
Azzurro Reopens in New Location
Beloved by locals and visitors alike, Azzurro Italian Restaurant & Bar is back after a brief hiatus, serving up its fan-favorites and creative new dishes at the independently owned and operated Trump International Beach Resort Miami on Sunny Isles Beach. After being situated just down the street from the resort for nearly 10 years, the restaurant has relocated to its new beachfront address.
Azzurro’s traditional dishes draw inspiration from Italy’s great cities, from homemade pastas to Mediterranean seafood dishes, and a perfectly cooked selection of meat plates. Popular appetizers include crudo such as Tartare di Tonno and Piatto di Crudo Misto, incorporating fresh, local seafood. A selection of antipasti includes Crostini di Funghi, Vitello Tonnato and Calamari Fritti. Pasta-lovers can choose from Bucatini Cacio & Pepe, prepared table-side, Ravioli di Aragosta and Linguine ai Frutti de Mare. Fish and meat features in a number of dishes such as Filetto di Branzino, Cioppino, Filleto di Manzo alla Griglia and Cotoletta alla Milanese.
The kids’ menu doesn’t skimp on Italian flavors either, with child-size portions of Spaghetti al Pomodoro and Penne Alfredo, as well as authentic gelato, of course. Diners can finish on a sweet note with homemade desserts such as Tiramusu (prepared table-side), Torta di Ricotta with blackberry sauce, and the creative Carpaccio d’Ananas.
The restaurant is helmed by General Manager Paolo Accarpio, a Sicilian native who opened the famed Devito South Beach. Its chef maintains the dignity of traditional Italian recipes that utilize only the freshest and highest quality imported and domestic ingredients.
Restaurant hours: 5-10 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The restaurant will also offer a Ladies’ Night with drink specials and a DJ on weekends.
For restaurant reservations, please call (305) 692-5770.