Our favorite weekend of the year kicks off in a few short days, the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. While the official events are great and we can’t wait to check them out, there are plenty of delicious and fun events happening that coincide with the festival, but aren’t officially festival related.
Wednesday, February 24
Employees Only at Pubbelly
When: 11 pm to 2:45 am
What: New York’s famed Employees Only mixology team, Dev Johnson and Uros Miljkovic, will team up with Derek Stilmann and Ryan Vando of the soon-to-be-opened Langford Hotel rooftop bar, Pawnbroker, for an afterhours, speakeasy at Pubbelly. Bar bites by Chef Mendin and $15 made-to-order cocktails will keep guests going until 2:45 a.m. when the last call, Employees Only tradition of serving homemade chicken soup will be passed out to all, on the house.
Where: Pubbelly
Price/Tickets: $45 (plus tax) includes bar bites. Drinks sold separately.
Crash the Kitchen
When: Seatings from 6 pm to 11 pm
What: Crash the Fire Kitchen – Carnivores Only!, a not-to-be missed chef collaboration between Francis Mallmann of Los Fuegos, Paul Qui of Pao by Paul Qui at The Dome and Gabriel Ask, Executive Chef of Faena Hotel Miami Beach. Offering a special menu available to the public for one night only.
Where: Los Fuegos at Faena Hotel Miami Beach
Price/Tickets: $195 a person
Thursday, February 25
Ford Fry at Pubbelly
When: Two seatings are available – 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm
What: Atlanta’s James Beard-nominated chef and restaurateur, Ford Fry, teams up with Chef Mendin and takes to the Pubbelly kitchen with a “best of” menu culled from his recently opened Italian concept, St. Cecilia.
Where: Pubbelly
Price/Tickets: Ticket price includes a four course dinner for $95 (tax and gratuity not included)
Second Annual Mediterranean Feast
When: 9:30 pm – 12:30 am
What: The Social Club and High Tide Executive Chef Blair Wilson welcomes chefs Mike Isabella, Jennifer Carroll, and George Pagonis along with mixologist Dean Feddaqui of Lilt Lounge at the Epic Hotel in Miami, as they join him in creating an evening of authentic Mediterranean tastes. On the menu expect an Oyster Raw Bar by Travis Croxton of Rappahannock River Oyster Co., a Wood Burning Spit Station and a Mediterranean Seafood Bar.
Where: Surfcomber Hotel
Price/Tickets: $95
db Bistro 2016 Winner Dinner Series with Jean Trimbach
When: 7 pm
What: Daniel Boulud’s db Bistro begins its 2016 Winner Dinner Series with an evening of Alsatian cuisine and wine hosted by owner Jean Trimbach from Alsace’s acclaimed Trimbach Estate. The Trimbach portfolio pairs beautifully with classic dishes from the region, such as Chicken Oyster and Snail Fricassee and Milk Fed Suckling Pig.
Where: db Bistro Moderne, 255 Biscayne Boulevard Way
Price/Tickets: $125 per person + tax & gratuity
Chicago Takeover at 27 and The Broken Shaker
When: From 6:30 pm
What: At 27 Restaurant, the acclaimed Chicago restaurant Monteverde will be hosting a pop up from 6:30pm. Chef Sarah Grueneberg will be offering her signature dishes. Over at Broken Shaker, bartenders Scotty LoBianco and Trevor Albers and Chef Jonathan Meyer from Freehand Chicago will be offering Midwestern inspired cocktails and snacks.
Where: 27/Broken Shaker
Price/Tickets: RSVP 305-531-2727
Friday, February 26
Fun in The Sun Food Truck
When: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
What: Stop by on Friday to see Chef Guarnaschelli behind the window at the Fun in The Sun Food Truck. The food truck that will be open all weekend offering The Cuban Philly and Fun in The Sun Milkshakes using local Azucar Ice Cream.
Price/Tickets: Varies
OddFellows Pop Up at Broken Shaker
When: Friday, 2/27: 12 – 3 pm; 8 pm – close; Saturday, 2/28: 12 – 4 pm; Sunday, 2/29: 1 – 6 pm
What: OddFellows is the quirky ice cream shop with locations in NYC’s East Village and Williamsburg neighborhoods known for its “oddball” flavors and expertly crafted creations like Iced Milk & Cookies, Chorizo Caramel Swirl, and Miso Cherry. The OddFellows ice cream cart will be poolside at the Broken Shaker from 2/27- 2/29 where James Beard nominated chef/ice cream wizard Sam Mason will be serving up limited-edition scoops, boozy scoops, and boozy pops.
Where: Broken Shaker
Price/Tickets: Priced per scoop
The Raleigh Miami Beach Hosts a Special Wine + Dine Lunch with Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
When: 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
What: The Raleigh Miami Beach is joining forces with Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars to bring a sensory Wine + Dine lunch experience. Guests are invited to convene in the property’s backyard oasis for passed hors d’oeuvres prepared by the culinary team at The Restaurant at the Raleigh. Each dish will be paired with a sampling of four Stags Leap varietals including the Stag’s Leap Fay 50 (commemorating the 50 year anniversary since the FAY vineyard was planted) and Stag’s Leap Artemis.
Where: The Oasis at The Raleigh Miami Beach / 1775 Collins Ave
Price/Tickets: $65
Saturday, February 27
Sweet Talk at the Gale Rooftop
When: 7 pm to 11 pm
What: Rec Room continues the party with “Sweet Talk” on the Gale Rooftop with DJ’s Michelle Leshem of Supermarket Creative and DJ PillowTalk. Guests will enjoy a selection of mini desserts by Dolce Italian. With beautiful views of South Beach, partygoers will dance, mingle, and indulge until late.
Where: Gale Hotel
Price/Tickets: $20
Dale’s Night Out
When: 1 am to 4 am
What: Dale’s Night Out is the unofficial after-party for SOBEWFF. The event features a special edition of TALDE’s Late Night Noodles with a special menu, think caviar and tater tots. Guests can enjoy sounds by DJ Reid Waters and beer and cocktails sponsored by Peroni and Absolut Elyx.
Where: Talde
Price/Tickets: Free, but RSVP required eventsmb@thompsonhotels.com
‘The Cocktail Guru’ Shakes Things Up on South Beach
When: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
What: Fire & Ice hosts nationally renowned mixologist, Jonathan Pogash – The Cocktail Guru, for a delicious class on crafting the best cocktails imaginable. From daiquiris and margaritas to martinis, Jonathan will give a lesson on libation creation and then help guests at their stations to create their own.
Where: Fire & Ice
Price/Tickets: $40