This July, join The Biltmore Hotel as it celebrates its milestone 90th birthday with a special $90 nine-course menu at its award-winning, signature French restaurant: Palme d’Or {1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables; 305.913.3200}. Led by Michelin-starred Executive Chef Gregory Pugin, both the restaurant and the menu promise to take diners on a culinary journey through the delectable, and authentic, cuisine that France has become known for.

As one of only three Five Diamond restaurants in all of Florida, Palme d’Or is inarguably one of South Florida’s most sought-after restaurants. Here is what patrons of the locale can expect when they try the delicious, limited-edition menu, available at the restaurant from July 1-31: 

First Course: Le Crabe Royal D’Alaska – King crab, carrots, English peas, cipollini onions, and grissini

Second Course: L’Oursin Et Langoustine – Sea urchin custard, poached langoustine, golden osetra caviar, and Granny Smith apple gelee

Third Course: Le Poulpe Et  L’Escargots de Bourgogne – Spanish octopus, Burgundy snails, wild mushroom, and spring onions emulsion

Fourth Course: Foie Gras Poele – Seared foie gras, strawberries, madeleine, duck jus, and elderberry emulsion

Fifth Course: Le Cabillaud D’Alaska – Alaskan black cod poached in coconut milk, sweet potato degustation, and curry sauce

Sixth Course: La Caille – Quail, tri-colored cauliflower, quail egg, dates, and quail jus

Seventh Course: Le Citron – Citron cream, limoncello, meringue, and lime tequila sorbet

Eighth Course: La Degustation de Chocolats Valrhona – Caramelia and Dulcey Valrhona chocolate tasting

Ninth Course: Petit Fours Cart

By Jennifer Agress

This Friday, June 17, one of South Florida’s most raved-about charitable events, Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry, is back for its 28th year–and top chefs from the area are coming out to take part.

Hosted by Y100 radio celebrity, Froggy, and CBS4’s Emmy-nominated anchor Marybel Rodriguez, this annual event invites South Florida’s finest to taste and sip their way through more than 80 of the hottest restaurants, top chefs, sommeliers, and mixologists from Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

With general admission tickets priced at just $125 per person, guests of the evening will be able to pair their tasty bites and libations with fun-filled events like a silent auction, a mystery wine grab, an interactive Citi lounge with handcrafted cocktails, an LG Farm-to-Table Kitchen activation and “Urban Beer Garden,” and more. Those who want a more extravagant experience can purchase a VIP ticket for $250, which will get them in one hour before the crowds, as well as access to an exclusive after party even after the event has shut down.

Taking place at Wynwood’s Soho Studios {2136 Northwest First Avenue, Wynwood; 305.600.4785}, this premier culinary event is designed to fuse food and fun with a cause–raising money to further No Kid Hungry’s efforts to end childhood hunger in America by ensuring that kids start their day with a nutritious breakfast, and that families have the skills they need to shop and cook on a budget. This event will run from 7pm to 10pm, with special VIP attendees getting in at 6pm, and continue late in the night with an after party for VIP ticket-holders and chef participants at R House {2727 Northwest Second Avenue, Wynwood; 305.576.0201}, from 10:30pm to midnight.

So, who can South Florida’s foodies expect to see at Taste of the Nation? Only the best. Read below to see the full list of participants, and then purchase your tickets here.

Participants: 3030 Ocean, Afrohead Rum, Area 31, August Wine Group, Bakehouse, Barefoot Wine, Beaker & Gray, Biscayne Bay Brewing Company, BLT Prime, BOCCE, BOURBON Steak by Michael Mina, Brown-Forman, Bulla Gastrobar, Burlock Coast, Byblos, Chatham Imports Inc., Concrete Beach Brewery, CORSAIR Kitchen & Bar, DIRT, Disaronno International, E&J Gallo Winery, EDGE Steak & Bar, Fetzer, Finka Table & Tap, FIOL Prosecco, Folio Fine Wine, Fooq’s, Funky Buddha Brewery, Glass and Vine, Guarachi Wine Partners, Hatfield & McCoy, Haven Kitchen + Lounge, Hill Family Estate, Hiro Sake, Izzy’s Fish & Oyster, J Wakefield Brewing, Jackson Family Wines, JWB Prime Steak and Seafood by Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, Kuro at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, KYU, Le Zoo, Louie Bossi’s Ristorante Bar & Pizzeria, Lure Fishbar, M.I.A. Beer Company, Macchialina, Matador Room & Market at EDITION, Meat Market, Nespresso, Nunshen, O’Neill Vintners & Distillers, Orvino Wine Imports, PB Station at The Langford Hotel, Pincho Factory, Preston’s Market at Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Proof Pizza & Pasta, Quality Meats, R House Wynwood, Red, the Steakhouse, Rhum Clément, Shake Shack, STK Miami Beach, StripSteak by Michael Mina, SUGARCANE raw bar grill, SUSHISAMBA, Susie’s Scrumptious Sweets, SuViche, TALDE Miami Beach, Temple Street Eatery, Testa Wines, The Café at Books & Books, Arsht Center, The Dutch Miami, The Fed, The Forge, The Salty Donut, The Sarsaparilla Club, The Social Club, Truluck’s Seafood, Steak & Crab House, Vineyard Brands, VOSS Artesian Water from Norway, Whisk Gourmet, Wild Sea Oyster Bar & Grille, Wynwood Brewing Company, Wynwood Kitchen and Bar, Zest / Ortanique on the Mile, Zuuk Mediterranean Kitchen.

By Jennifer Agress

A Magic City staple since 1954, the Fontainebleau Miami Beach has been impressing A-list guests with its timeless glamour, celebrity parties, iconic nightlife, and award-winning restaurants for decades. And to celebrate summer, one such restaurant, Scarpetta {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 877.326.7412}, is kicking-off the season with some new menu items sure to impress.

Named for the Italian expression that means “little shoe”–or the shape bread takes when used to soak up those last few bites in your most delicious dish–Scarpetta embodies the essence of savoring a meal to the very last bite. And when you consider the restaurant is the brainchild of celebrity chef Scott Conant, you have to ask yourself: Would you go and do anything less?

Head to Scarpetta this summer, and be sure to look out for these hot new menu items:

Primi piatti (small plates)

Crispy Fritto Misto with seafood, vegetables, herbs, and lemon

Paste (pasta dishes)

Ricotta Raviolini with sweet corn, hazelnuts, and honshimeji mushrooms

Squid Ink Tagliolini with seafood ragu, lemon, and parsley

Pici with Maine lobster, tomatoes, and tarragon

Piatta, or entrées

Fennel Dusted Black Cod with concentrated tomato, fennel, and mantecato

Roasted Branzino with artichoke, sea beans, anchovy, and tomato dressing

Pancetta Wrapped Atlantic Halibut with cauliflower, asparagus, Barolo grapes, and hazelnut

Herb Crumbed Lamb Loin with fresh chickpeas, fennel, and semi-dried tomatoes

Contorni, or side dishes

Roasted Corn with piquillo, scallion, Parmesan, and breadcrumbs

Marble Potatoes with guanciale and herb crumbs

Seared Wild Mushrooms with lemon and herbs

And of course, new menu items or not, don’t forget some of Conant’s signature dishes, like his Spaghetti with tomato and basil and Creamy Polenta with fricassee of truffled mushrooms. Those alone are worth a visit.

By Jennifer Agress

It’s National Donut Day! Celebrate with a one-of-a-kind doughnut from some of our favorite Miami mainstays.
Chez Bon Bon: The only type of bakery that could exist in the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Chez Bon Bon {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.674.4740} is the brainchild of renowned Chef Jordi Panisello. With a trained staff of haute chocolatiers, this imaginative pastry shop invites sweets-lovers to nosh on everything from carefully crafted coffees, chocolates, cookies, and cakes, to gelato, salads, sandwiches, and especially today, chocolate or cinnamon sugar doughnuts.
PAUL: Sitting on Lincoln Road, the French bakery franchise, PAUL {450 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 305.531.1200}, has been family owned and operated since 1889. A perfect spot for your morning latte, a traditional French baguette sandwich, or treats like meringues, tartlets, and—you guessed it!—doughnuts, PAUL promises a little taste of Paris for “tout le monde.”
Market at EDITION: The brainchild of none other than Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Market at EDITION {2901 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 786.257.4600} brings a distinct European flair in the form of a 21st-century Mediterranean food bazaar—part patisserie, part boulangerie, and part salumeria – all right in the lobby of The Miami Beach EDITION. Go there today for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or an afternoon snack, and head straight to the pastry counter. You’ll find delectable miniature doughnuts for just $1.50 each.
ella: A Michael Schwartz sensation, and one named after his own daughter, ella {140 NE 39^th Street, Design District; 786.534.8177} is where you go in the Design District for casual drinks and bites. Nestled in chic Palm Court, this light and airy café is open for breakfast, lunch, and an early dinner. The real treat, though, are its doughnuts—it comes up with new gourmet flavors each and every day, including top favorites like: chocolate Oreo with a white chocolate drizzle; honey glaze, almond and crunch balls; cookies and cream; lemon and coconut; and today’s special, vanilla glaze with brown butter streusel.
The Salty Donut: Of course, you can’t celebrate National Donut Day without Miami’s hottest (and first!) artisanal doughnut shop, The Salty Donut {29 NW 24^th Street, Wynwood; 305.925.8126}. In honor of the day, this tasty locale is throwing a celebration like no other—complete with National Donut Day t-shirts from LYFE Brand, doughnut and drink pairings from The Salty Donut, food and drinks from Miami Smokers and J. Wakefield Brewery, a pop-up of The Anderson Bar, and the cherry on top: a never-before-seen National Donut Day doughnut from The Salty Donut, for event-goers only. Taking place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. TONIGHT, right next door to J. Wakefield Brewery, 
this event was sold-out before it even began. Thankfully, the afterparty at The Anderson Bar, in MiMo, is free and open to the public.

With three locations in South Beach, Coral Gables and Fort Lauderdale, the chic-meets-delicious Cibo Wine Bar {Multiple locations, South Florida; 305.442.4925} is exactly the type of Italian restaurant South Florida’s finest crave. And to make sure no moment goes without a delicious meal, this Italian staple even has a Sunday “brunch” like no other.
Priced at just $35 per person, this Italian Bubbles + Brunch is a buffet-style, weekly lunch-heavy brunch that serves up everything from an antipasti bar and fresh-made pastas, to just-tossed wood oven pizzas, salads, carved and deli meats, seafood, decadent desserts, and tables upon tables of other Italian specialties. Invite your girlfriends, lover, friends or colleagues, pair it all with your choice of rosé or Prosecco, and like the Italians, you’ll be living la dolce vita in no time.
Cibo Wine Bar has three locations in South Florida: Coral Gables (45 Miracle Mile), South Beach (200 S. Pointe Drive), and Fort Lauderdale (4100 N. Federal Highway).

Kona Grill

Now in Dolphin Mall’s new restaurant plaza, Kona Grill {11401 Northwest 12th Street #R104, Doral; 305.515.2633} is an upscale casual American grill and award-winning sushi bar. This Monday, May 30, head there for a Memorial Day special: a Brisket Burger and a Castaway IPA for just $12. As the restaurant’s signature burger, this plate boasts a hearty and filling mix of ground beef brisket, cheddar, bacon onion jam, lettuce, and tomato on a brioche bun, with a homemade pickle spear and a side of fries.

American Social Brickell

Want to celebrate Memorial Day all weekend long? At American Social Brickell {690 Southwest First Court, Brickell; 305.570.4468}, you can. Kick it off on Friday night, with DJ FLY GUY, and continue on Saturday–with complimentary bottomless mimosas for ladies from noon to 3pm, $10 AmSo Burgers starting at 5pm, $1.50 Oysters, and $5 Champagne from 6-10pm. There are $100 bottle specials all weekend long, and make sure you’re there on Sunday, May 29, for a special party with musician, RBK. And in addition to hot beats, guests will be able to receive 50-percent off on most liquors, beer, and wine from 8pm to close. Happy Memorial Day, indeed!

Adena Grill & Wine Bar

Located in Hallandale Beach–specifically, at Gulfstream Park–Adena Grill & Wine Bar {900 Silks Run #1740, Hallandale Beach; 954.464.2333} is a leading upscale steakhouse in South Florida. Known for serving 100-percent all-natural, grass-fed beef and poultry, this modern-casual spot also boasts its own wine cellar; one that houses 7,000 bottles of wine. This Monday, May 30, all veteran and current military men and women will receive a 15-percent discount off their entire bill.

Frankey’s Sports Bar

Also located at Gulfstream Park, Frankey’s Sports Bar {900 Silks Run, Hallandale Beach; 954.464.2333} gives diners an upscale twist on the traditional “sports bar.” Home to an epic video wall playing live sports, live music, tasty drinks, and of course, its infamous 100-percent grass-fed, grass-finished beef burgers, head there on Memorial Day, when all veteran and current military men and women will receive a 15-percent discount on their bill.

Meat Market Palm Beach

If you’re spending your weekend on the sand a little farther north, check out Meat Market Palm Beach {191 Bradley Place, Palm Beach; 561.354.9800}. Known for its haute cuisine and sizzling steaks, Memorial Day marks the start of this locale’s new summer special. Offering an extended happy hour, from 4-8pm daily, guests can indulge in $10 glasses of Veuve Clicquot Brut, Yellow Label; $8 classic Belvedere martinis; $7 signature cocktails and glasses of select wines; and specialty beers starting at $3.50. Of course, no happy hour is complete without the perfect food to go with it; so order special $4 chilled shrimps with thousand island dressing and cocktail sauce, $2 oysters on the half shell, the $9 MM daily ceviche, the $14 MM slider duo–two Kobe beef sliders with bacon and Gouda cheese ($14)–and more. All are sure to impress.

By Jennifer Agress