Brickell City Centre’s hot, South African haunt, Big Easy Winebar & Grill {701 South Miami Avenue #339a, Brickell; 786.814.5955}, may have opened just before Christmas, but earlier this month, it threw a swanky soirée to celebrate. In honor of the night, esteemed guests and venerable foodies noshed on tasty bites by Big Easy Executive Chef and South African native, Maryna Frederiksen–and to wash it all down, sipped on handcrafted cocktails, African beers, and award-winning wines by the restaurant’s concept partner and Hall of Fame international golfer, Ernie Els.
This lavish party, which was hosted in conjunction with Miami Magazine, attracted 200+ guests, including Els himself, as well as two of his golf pals: Michelle Wie and Branden Grace. Ignacio Garcia-Menocal, Francesco Balli, and Eddie Acevedo, of Grove Bay Hospitality Group (the team behind Big Easy Winebar & Grill and two other popular Miami spots, American Harvest and Glass & Vine), also joined the festivities.
And at an event that celebrated wine and food, it comes as no surprise that it was filled with…. you guessed it, more wine and food. In fact, as a special treat, Big Easy’s private dining room was transformed into a wine cellar experience, complete with charcuterie, cheese, and special tastings of Els’ wines–all of which hail from the Western Cape region of South Africa, otherwise known as “Africa’s Napa Valley”–for guests to taste.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor