Different things to do this month with food, art, entertainment, new beverage sensations, and classes in learning to be a master brewer. Who said August was slow?
Calling all you Hy Vong lovers who lamented the closing of the restaurant. On Sunday, Aug 7, 2016 beginning at 7:00 pm the culinary teams of Hy Vong Vietnamese Restaurant and Uvaggio Wine Bar join forces to create a very special food and wine experience. The evening will include a bubbles and appetizer reception followed by a five-course wine-paired dinner. The pop-up will take place at St Mathew Episcopal-Anglican Church, 7410 Sunset Dr., Miami, FL 33143. The cost is $100 per person (includes tax and gratuity) and tickets are on sale at www.uvaggiowine.com
It’s mango season so what are you going to do to take advantage of it, besides eating it straight, making fresh mango juice or maybe teaming it up with vanilla ice cream? Here’s an idea that crossed my desk – a cocktail by Miami’s own Teddy Collins. It’s called the Cruzan Tropical Storm, made with 2 parts Cruzan aged dark rum, l part fresh mango juice, 1 part fresh lemon juice and 2 dashes Angostura bitters. Basically all you do is mix the ingredients together, add ice and shake vigorously. Then, strain into an ice filled mug and top with 2 dashes of bitters and sprinkle a pinch of crushed black pepper corn to taste. Yummy!
Can’t make it to Barcelona this year? La Dorada, one of the top seafood restaurants in town (Coral Gables) is featuring gypsy flamenco artists from Barcelona every Thursday and Saturday at 8:30 p.m from now through December. There’s no extra charge for the Castanetas performance, just the cost of the dinner. To read what I’ve written about La Dorada, click here.
No need to pass on vodka if you need gluten free. Famous Stoli® has just introduced _Stoli® Gluten Free, a naturally gluten-free vodka made from a blend of 88 percent corn and 12 percent buckwheat from the Tambov region of Russia. It was rated an ‘exceptional” 92 points by the Beverage Testing Institute, the leading authority in independent spirits reviews. It’s 80 proof.
Now here’s something different. Always wanted to be a master brewer? Miami’s first Master Brewer Academy is kicking off August 29. Founded by Todd Space, it will be taught inside four of Miami’s leading breweries. With more than 15 years of experience as a brewer and professional science teacher, Space created a nine-week, intensive curriculum and three-week internship program called the Master Brewer Academy (MBA). Catering to beer enthusiasts and those pursuing a brewing career path, the 12-week program will be taught by their head brewers as well as other industry professionals. The inaugural semester will cover a range of industry subjects including brewing science, field technology and equipment and the business of beer. Following 9 weeks of classroom instruction, students will be assigned an internship at one of the host breweries for hands-on experience to apply their coursework. The second semester starts in January 2017.
The Master Brewer Academy will offer three terms per year with 12 seats available per enrollment period. Classes will be held Monday through Friday for eight hours a day, plus three Saturdays per term. Students can enroll in the three-month program for $8,600 and will receive a “Certificate of Completion” when all coursework and required internship hours are successfully completed.
A neat twist on happy hour – an Art Happy Hour. The Sagamore, long known for its impressive art collection, has partnered with Miami-based Art Advisor Sébastien Laboureau to produce a series of art inspired events. The first, the Art of Happy Hour, is featured every Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. Besides the $5 drink and food specials such as Thai fish tacos, caprese sliders and chicken empanadas, there’s live entertainment and an art tour with Sebastian. Featured artists in Art & Beyond, courtesy of local gallery Markowicz Fine Art, is a celebration of art, fashion and technology, combining interactive experiences with select never-before-seen pieces, located throughout the property. Guests can snap a selfie with the Blue Giant Baby Foot, a 88 x 105 x 79 inch resin sculpture by Idan Zareski, then download the complimentary app by Phil Macquet to your Apple or Android device and go “behind the painting” of his ink to fabric augmented reality artwork. Some installations may even appear familiar such as the Lady Gaga, Dita Von Teese and Paris Hilton photos by award-winning celebrity photographer Markus Klinko. Covet the art? Collectors can purchase their favorite pieces with some of the proceeds going to support various groups in the art community.
