Bravado Living

We remember when Coral Gables used to have a great Art Walk- free wine and appetizers every ten steps, live music, meet and greets, etc. With the passing of time, it saw a dying down. Fortunately for us, First Fridays in the Gables have continued to take advantage of the publicity and host a variety of events. It looks like a very Gables weekend– here’s what we have lined up:

TASTE OF THE GABLES — sample food tastings from 15 Coral Gables restaurants as the unofficial kick-off party to Coral Gables Restaurant Week. Tickets are $15 at the door tonight but, you can go here http://coralgablesrestaurantweek.com/ and grab the last of the $10 tickets. 6-8PM 6/4/10 @ 65 Miracle Mile.

Sushi Maki – Check out free bites and cheap sake 8-11:30PM @ 2334 Ponce de Leon Blvd

Morton’s – Dogfish Head Beer and Cheese Tasting! Sounds like a dream, I know! But, it’s really happening. If that’s not enough- Morton’s is also treating you to tuna tartar canapés, salmon wedges, lamb chops with brie, petite filet mignon sandwiches, and different types of cheese. $45 gets you a seat to the tasting.6-7:30PM 6/4/10 @ 2333 Ponce de Leon Blvd.

Books & Books – If Stephanie Meyer is your favorite author and you are willing to share that information in public, you should probably be ashamed of yourself. In other news, we have a great event for you- Books & Books is hosting a Midnight Launch Party of the newest book in the Twilight-esque series-“The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner”. Live music, Twilight series trivia contests, costume contests, and prizes are all included in the lure of the fiesta. 9:30- midnight 6/4/10 @ 265 Aragon Avenue

Coral Gables Restaurant Week starts! I still have a gripe as to why they refer to it as “week”. It lasts for 13 days! Anywho, 30 Gables restaurants are giving their run at three course prix fix lunch and dinner menus. We’ll be stopping by Ortanique on the Mile, Angelique Euro Café, and Graziano’s to check out their menu specials this “week”. 6/7/10 – 6/20/10

A couple tidbits: a) This isn’t the time to hit up the “cheaper” venues because you can cash in on a better deal at restaurant.com. Search the list and when you figure where you want to go type in promo code “eat”.  You just paid $3 for a $25 gift certificate.  b) sign up for Chef’s Table at Benihana. This month’s perk: the whole shebang (shrimp, mushrooms, soup/salad, rice, etc) as well as hibachi chicken AND filet mignon at 2 for $39.

Outside the Gables—

LASER SHOW— 7:00pm Legends of the Night Sky Family Laser Show, [ 7:30 free star show in the Planetarium followed by free telescopic observing in the Weintraub Observatory from 8 until 10 p.m. Additionally we have a new series of free lectures called FYI at 8 p.m. ] , 9:00pm The Doors, 10:00pm Best of Pink Floyd, 11:00pm Led Zeppelin, Midnight Pink Floyd: A Saucerful of Secrets. Tickets for each laser show are $8. The shows are AWESOME but, beware: the later it gets, the more the air smells like Mary Jane, and the higher your chances of seeing a kid pass out in line are (I swear this happened last time I went). Miami Museum of Science, 3280 South Miami Avenue

Burlesque/Absinthe Club— promoting itself as an invite only club, email info@clublafeeverte.com for your invite. Opening weekend is always the best time to head out anywhere since they are begging to impress you. Give it a try @ 912 71st St.

Dirty South – Four years ago, I would have been camped outside waiting for 11:00PM to roll around so I could see Dirty South. If you are able to deal with the crowd, head over to Mansion on 6/5/10 @ 1235 WASHINGTON AVENUE

Afrobeta – check them out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o6XjxBExes performing at Grand Central 697 N. Miami Ave

Movies at the Icon- 2 for 1 admission (all throughout June) playing Remember the Titans on 6/5/10 7:30pm Icon Brickell Spa @ 465 Brickell Ave

Paragon 13-The new Paragon 13 movie theatre in Coconut Grove is finally ready to open its doors to the public. In case you haven’t heard, the concession stand is selling beer and liquor. They are also allowing you to reserve your seat so that you don’t have to get to the theatre a half hour before your movie. In a nice twist, for a short time: stop by the Grove and spend $30 in any store or $50 in any restaurant and receive two complimentary tickets to check out the theatre

I know it seems like we are favoring the Mondrian here in Miami, but man are they coming up with some good stuff. Despite it’s beautiful weather, women, and beaches, Miami has yet to solidify a stellar pool party. We saw glimpses of hope last year at the Shore Club run by legendary South Beach Promoter Hassan, but unfortunately, word got out fast and the crowd went from European to Euro-trash in a matter of months.

Well it’s been almost a year and we finally a have a new contender– Launching this Sunday, July 19th is Mondrian Sundays at Asia de Cuba thrown by Miami Super-mogul Michael Capponi.

Watch as people arrive by boat or Ferrari while you bask in this beautiful paradise we call Miami. Complete with bayside pool, oversized cabana beds with privacy shades for bottle service, red victorian era furniture backdropped against gigantic white couches perfect for you and all your friends.

The brunch begins within the indoor dining room and spills out onto the sun-kissed patio deck. This party haven comes complete with a state-of the art sound system and live DJ to make sure the champagne sipping women will have something to dance to ( you will, of course, be what they dance with).

So bring your swimsuit, aviators, and your abs that you’ve been working on all year for (right?) and enjoy the closest thing to a Jay-Z video you will ever experience. That is of course unless you are Jay-Z, in which case- let’s talk.

On the all-you-can-eat menu: Asian Style Cured Salmon With Avocado Crème Fraiche, homemade Guava Pastelitos, Huevos y Bacalao (poached eggs on salt cod cakes), Grilled Mojo Rubbed 12 oz. Strip Steak With Miso Poached Eggs, and dessert-table treats like Lemongrass Flan and Café con Leche Cheesecake.

RSVP HERE, 1100 West Ave Miami Beach, Fl 33139

Sundays starting July 19, 12pm-12am, buffet $42 served until 4pm

EDIT: Apparently, this party is very calm. It’s more St. Tropez than Ibiza. While stationed in a beautiful location, noone was dancing, rather preferring to lay out and soak up the sun. Were not saying this is bad, just don’t expect to see “Rehab” of Miami.

EDIT: Show up early (12:15ish) and find metered parking because the valet is $24. Once you get in though, the service is unbelievable. We were treated like royalty.

You can reserve a seat for a $40 consumption fee which basically means you have to spend $40 worth of food and drinks- which shouldn’t be too hard considering how delicious the food and drinks look. Or you can just try and sit down on one when noone is looking. It’s still empty enough that you can get away with that.

There was still no party, but it was a great alternative to drinking sun at the beach.

Who said you needed to deal with peanuts and baggage claim to go on a vacation. Why not treat yourself to a staycation in the beautiful city of Miami. There are a ton of great deals right here in our own backyard (sorry national readers, tell us where you live and we’ll find discounts for you too).

If there’s one good thing about this economy, it’s lowered prices on everything. So stay at the Mondrian on Miami beach for only $345 a night using the special code below. This seems like a lot but when you realize you’ll be getting a free room upgrade, 25% off all spa treatments, and a private poolside cabana for each day of your stay- it suddenly seems more reasonable.

And if that wasn’t enough, they threw in complimentary bottle of champagne just to sweeten the deal.

The hotel is has great reviews, great location, and amazing restaurants. Take advantage of this offer, before everyone else does.

BOOK IT Now until New Year’s, use code PKMOFN to book, 1100 West Ave, 305-514-1500