Cafeina Celebrates Anniversary: New Menu, New Cocktails, and a New Event Space

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Cafeina
Cafeina's new "Rouge Garden" space.
Owner Ivette Naranjo opened Cafeina during Art Basel 2009, which in Miami time, makes her an Arts District pioneer. It was the only venue at the time to even hold a proper liquor license allowing for a full bar. She is celebrating the lounge's second anniversary in Wynwood by throwing a big party this weekend, and you're actually invited. Doors open to the public at 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 11, when the neighborhood will welcome a bigger and better Cafeina. There is an entirely new area designated as the "Rouge Garden," named as such because of the bright "raspberry truffled" colored south wall surrounding the 1,200-square-foot space.

The outdoor addition is adjacent to the main garden we all know and love. Handmade cast-iron windows among tall hedges are meant to evoke a country manor courtyard, which includes lots of trimmed up shrubbery and Japanese Blueberry trees (guess raspberry bushes would have been overkill) to pretty up the place. Cafeina's plans are to use the enclosed expanse to host live performances and serve as an event production space; it also allows for more intimate private parties at Cafeina.

Executive Chef Luis Vargas has been working on an expansion of the current small plate menu, and you can look for an update on cocktails as well.
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February: Baked Alaska Day to World Nutella Day and Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day

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One month down, 11 more to go before the so-called end of the world, and if you forgot to celebrate any of January's food holidays due to work, school, prison, food coma, etc., fret not faithful foodie 'cause February offers some interesting meal ideas for you--and your dog too.

Valentine's Day is often thought to dominate  February, but the second month of the year is also known as time to celebrate canned foods, berries, cherries, potatoes, sweet potatoes, grapefruit, fiber, fondue, hot breakfast, snack food and chocolate.
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Chinese New Year Celebration Starts Sunday: Kung Hei Fat Choy at Hakkasan and the Mandarin

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Welcome the Chinese Year of the Dragon
​ Year of the Dragon
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon, which starts this Monday,January 23rd, right here in Miami.  The Chinese people mark the occasion with parades and parties, and there are plenty of venues for the most formidable sign in the Chinese zodiac.  

Chinese New Year at Hakkasan at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach will start this Sunday at 9:00 p.m. sharp with the Dragon Dance performed by local Kung Fu experts at the Fontainebleau's Bleau Bar.  The Dragon will make its way through the hotel hallways towards the haute cuisine restaurant with a procession that includes traditional jumps and quick acrobatic maneuvers, accompanied by drums, gongs and cymbals.  Special menu dishes  are available through Sunday 29th, 2012.  

Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling 1.877.326.7412.  The New Year Hakkasan menu includes unusual dishes such as Four Happiness Special Dim Sum Plattter,  Braised Abalone with Seafood in Pumpkin Lotus Bowl, Drunken Prawn Fire in Clay Pot, Crispy Fried Nut Chicken, Sauteed Assorted Wild Mushroom Black Truffles Sauce, Gai-lan Vegetables and Chinese Long Life Crispy Noodles.  It's pricey at $128 per person but remember that the Dragon only comes around every twelve years.

The Mandarin Oriental Miami has a host of events planned too, including an eleborate exhibition of Chinese art in the Mandarin's atrium lobby, featuring the works of renowned Chinese artist Fung Ming Chip who specializes in Chinese calligraphy.  A private talk and dinner with the artist on Wednesday, January 25th  from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. will cost you $75 per person and includes a three-course dinner paired with wines, exclusive of tax and gratuity.


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Visit Fairchild's Chocolate Fest Today Because Chocolate Can't Get You Pregnant!

Calling all chocoholics - Fairchild's sixth International Chocolate, Coffee and Tea Festival kicks off today and runs through Sunday. $25 admission gets you in on the 9:30a.m. to 4:30p.m. choco-scene at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables. 


There's something for everyone.

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canadiancollectibles.ca
The Chocolate Lover
Nibble on samples from a variety of artisan chocolatiers and take part in an entire weekend devoted to the brown, sugary smile inducer.

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The Dome: Miami's Only Truly 'Green' Restaurant?

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There aren't any caviar bars in Coral Gables, but Rachel Dominguez is changing that when on January 28 she opens The Dome Bar and Lounge on Miracle Mile in the heart of The City Beautiful

Other than The Restaurant in Setai Hotel in Miami Beach, The Dome will be the only caviar bar in Miami-Dade that we know of. 
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Opening Friday in Miami's MiMo District, Blue Collar Offers An Unpretentious Dining Experience

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via Thrillist
Who wants $40 tiny dishes and formalities in fancy upscale eateries? Not chef Daniel Serfer, who will open Blue Collar this Friday in the space formerly occupied by short-lived American Noodle Bar.

A true working man's joint,it will focus a menu on contemporary American dishes from Serfer's experience in New York City, although he originally hails from Miami. There will be appetizers like shrimp and grits, pork and beans and clams "Casino", all ranging in price from $6 to $14.

Entrees like chicken cordon bleu with mashed potatoes and green beans and New York strip steak with house fries and aioli range from $11 to $30. Burgers, salads and pastas are included from $6 to 18.
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Girl Scout Cookies On Sale Next Week: Samoas Tops in South Florida; Try New Savannah Smiles

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Photo by Riki Altman
Lance Balding, a girl's best friend.
​Our hearts were hopeful as we searched through our freezer praying to find just one last box of Thin Mints. But, alas, we were left cookie-less; those crumbly Chips Ahoy and stale Oreos with the red filling were worthless.

When would those freakin' Girl Scout cookies be on sale again? A quick check online provided great news: yes, folks, the little green-clad cuties will begin hawking their sugary wares beginning on January 12. Those modern gals even have an app locator called Cookie Finder. Boy, that's a far cry from the days when we had to go knocking door-to-door...

Lance Balding, director of development and communications for Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida, has provided a preview of the new flavor being introduced this year to celebrate the Council's 100th anniversary: Savannah Smiles. We bit into one -- okay, maybe five -- last night and here's our impression.
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George's Gets Fancy With New Midtown "Loft"

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Lesley Elliott
George's comes to Midtown in June.
Francophiles delight! George-Eric Farge is bringing his bistro concept to Midtown (3404 N. Miami Avenue), and although opening day is a bit far off (June), we're already looking forward to drinking copious amount of red wine upstairs. You see, this restaurant is going to be two stories, the upstairs "Loft" encompassing a lounge aesthetic with a bar and music, while downstairs, a more refined vibe will define the actual dining room.

This third installment of George's adds to existing locations in South Miami and the Grove, which are both casual interpretations of the classic brasserie. The menu is still in the works, but if it's going upscale, we have to presume that the theme will be more true to form, unlike the current offerings at George's on Sunset, which tries to be everything to everyone (the "short rib barbecue pizza" comes to mind, not so Frenchified). Obviously Midtown is exploding with oodles of 'scene,' but is the neighborhood truly ready for high-end French?
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Ships Ahoy! Celebrity Cruises Culinary Boat Rides to Set Sail

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The Millennium's Grand Buffet
Foodies, rejoice! Miami-based Celebrity Cruises is rolling out a series of culinary-inspired boat rides set to begin in March.

Celebrity Cruises' lifestyle cookbook, Excite the Senses, was the inspiration for the new food-and-wine-themed luxury cruise series aptly named Excite the Senses Culinary Theme Cruises. It will offer guests an opportunity to get to know the Celebrity culinary team through demonstrations, tastings, and dinners.
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Papo Llega y Pon, Latin American Grill, Don Camaron to Fill Marlins "Taste of Miami" Ballpark Menu

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Now that the new Miami Marlins ballpark is almost complete, it's time to start deciding what will be available to eat as the baseball club decided on three local restaurants that will best represent the culinary side of Miami, Latin cuisine of course!

"The three restaurants selected are local shops and will offer fans a true Taste of Miami," said the Marlins in a press release.

The three restaurants have deep roots in the community and will be located in the Taste of Miami area on the Promenade level right by third base.

Don Camaron will be the place for seafood. From ceviche, conch fritters, fish croquettes and even an oyster bar. Marlin, however, is not on the menu.
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