Shireen’s Spotlight: Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden

Shireen’s Spotlight: Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden

Shireen’s Spotlight: Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden

Shireen’s Spotlight: Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden

Shireen’s Spotlight: Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden

Shireen’s Spotlight: Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden

Shireen’s Spotlight: Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden

Shireen’s Spotlight: Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden

Shireen’s Spotlight: Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden

Shireen’s Spotlight: Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden

Shireen’s Spotlight: Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden

What:

An early evening dinner on the garden terrace of Isabelle’s inside the Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove. Pass the signature Pineapple Mojito, please! And don’t forget to share that mouth-watering Beet Salad. 🙂

Why:

If casual elegance mixed with the intimacy of a garden oasis sounds inviting, Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden inside the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove should definitely be on your foodie radar. Not only will you fall in love with its laid-back sophistication; their delicious dishes and creative cocktails will leave you wanting more. Speaking of…

I started my #Spotlight experience with a bubbly “Aperol Spritz” (mixed with Prosecco.) It’s a refreshing drink that’s all the rage right now. Isabelle’s version is a deep, yummy pour with just the right amount of sweetness. It also happens to pair perfectly with the “Salmon Tartare”…

Which is deliciously mixed with onions, capers and smoked mascarpone. The best part of the plate? The toasted slice of ‘everything bagel’ it’s topped with. Just crumble, mix and munch. The “Beef Carpaccio” is just as fresh and flavorful, served with crispy mushrooms, arugula, pecorino cheese and horseradish. If you’re a carpaccio fan, either dish is divine.

Before trying Isabelle’s amazing salads, I sipped on their signature “Pineapple Mojito” which is LIFE. 🙌 I’ve been on a pineapple kick lately because it’s filled with loads of healing properties like Bromelain, so why not have it in a cool rum cocktail? It’s #HeavenOnEarth with pineapple juice, mint, sugar, soda and lime.

“The Roasted Beet Salad” isn’t just beautiful, it’s incredibly tasty, too, with bite-sized apples and oranges placed on a bed of Greek yogurt. The sprinkling of pickled mustard seeds on top is the crescendo to a delightful symphony of flavors. It’s definitely a must-try on the menu.

More of a traditional herbivore? “Isabelle’s Salad” is filled with romaine, radicchio, arugula and nuggets of candied pecans, craisins, pears and pecorino. It’s tossed in a light honey mustard vinaigrette. It’s this deep, endless bowl of delicious greens, which is great to have before…

The delicate “Branzino” — served in a cherry tomato beurre blanc; think creamy butter sauce. It comes with a side of spring vegetable couscous. I gobbled both up like it was my last supper. I washed it all down with “The Peacock,” which came highly-recommended. The chic drink is made with Absolut Elyx, lavender, lemon and blood orange puree. The presentation made me feel like a Hollywood glamour girl.

The highlight of dinner was a perfectly cooked, melt-in-your-mouth “8 OZ. Filet Mignon” served with two sides: creamed spinach and Isabelle’s mac & cheese. #HelloLovah #ComeToMama
#FoodieDreamsDoComeTrue Is that too many #hashtags? 😁

I didn’t think I’d have room for dessert after my decadent dinner, but I rallied when the “Creme Brûlée” with vanilla & raspberries arrived with a glass of dessert bubbly. Which reminds me, they have an extensive wine selection worth exploring. Whether you’re a vegan, seafood lover or live for a great steak, you’ll definitely find what you’re looking for at Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden and you’ll be surrounded by style and class while doing it — that’s why it’s one of my #FavoriteThings. Bon Appetit!

Where:

The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove
3300 SW 27th Avenue
Miami, Florida 33133

When:

Dinner: Sunday-Thursday 5:30pm-10pm
Friday & Saturday: 5:30pm-11pm
for more on breakfast, lunch & brunch: www.isabellescoconutgrove.com

Be Social:
IG: @isabellescoconutGrove
FB: @isabellesCoconutGrove

Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.Ralph Waldo Emerson
James Woodley Photography
dress: @shopkoveted www.shopkoveted.com
jewelry: @bcbg, butterfly ring: @jillzaleski, clutch: @dvf, sunnies: @amazonfashion
Hair & Make-up: Odett Hernandez
Digital Editor: Jessie Neft-Swinger
Editor: Matthew “#Hashtag” Auerbach

Shireen’s Spotlight: M House

Shireen’s Spotlight: M House

Shireen’s Spotlight: M House

Shireen’s Spotlight: M House

Shireen’s Spotlight: M House

Shireen’s Spotlight: M House

Shireen’s Spotlight: M House

Shireen’s Spotlight: M House

What:

An early Sunday night dinner at “M House” in Coral Gables — where Mediterranean food exudes European sophistication.

Why:

One step inside “M House” and you’ll be completely enamored; I know I was. The warm lighting, natural decor, bold green furniture and airy dining room whispers “retro glam,” but it’s the food that speaks volumes and rightly so.

The restaurant was the brainchild of the late, great Chef Alfredo Alvarez, who was in the middle of bringing “M House” to life when he suddenly passed. Luckily, one of his former colleagues, Chef Abraham Silva, stepped in to keep Alvarez’ dream alive. Now, the Euro-inspired menu is a direct reflection of both chefs’ incredible talents and that’s definitely worth a #Spotlight celebration.

I started my “M House” experience with the tasty & tart “Las Ramblas” made with vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, raspberries & blackberries crushed together with St. Germain. Hmmm.. while delicious, it was “The Venetian” that really seduced me with gin, simple syrup, lemon juice, raspberries and egg whites. It’s a #FrothyAndSmooth #MustTry

The tender “DayBoat Scallops” was the first appetizer I tried. The East Coasters are seared and served with polenta and mushrooms. The charcoal-grilled Mediterranean Octopus comes on top of roasted zucchini with a tomato Salmoriglio sauce, but it’s the Tahini in the dish that makes it extra special. If you want something out of the ordinary, try the “Wagyu Toast,” which is under the Crudo part of the menu. The perfectly seasoned steak tartare is placed on top of lavosh bread and comes with a pickled celery garnish.

I’m a sucker for a good salad and the “Florida Burrata” didn’t disappoint with heirloom tomato and shaved fennel served in a saba glaze (balsamic vinegar). Since “M House” is known for its fresh fish (wild, local & Mediterranean,) it sells out quickly. They were actually running low the night I went, but our server suggested the remaining Striped Bass. I had my doubts, but…

Prepared in a Jopser Oven (a sophisticated charcoal grill & oven in one) and served in gremolata sauce, which is chopped parsley, garlic and lemon zest topped with parmesan, I was one happy camper. A side of tender asparagus was the perfect accoutrement.

Every week “M House” changes its desserts, but I scored big-time with a tasty “Lemon Mousse” and my favorite, “Feta CheeseCake” served with strawberry & raspberry jelly and smoked ice cream 😀😍❗️

If you want your tastebuds to travel to places like Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece without ever leaving South Florida, book a table at “M House” and enjoy a savory trip around the world – it’s definitely one of my Favorite Things.

Where:

M House
2524 S Le Jeune Rd
Coral Gables, Florida 33134

When:

Wednesday – Friday 11:30am-11pm
Saturday 5pm-12am
Sunday-Tuesday 11:30am-10pm

786-369-5155
Reservations@MHouseRestaurant.com

Be Social:
IG @mhousemiami #SeenAtMHouse
www.mhouserestaurant.com

I felt once more how simple and frugal a thing is happiness: a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched little brazier, the sound of the sea. Nothing else.Nikos Kazantzakis
James Woodley Photography
wardrobe by @dvf
wrap bracelet @eyegotchacovered
clutch: @anthropologie
shoes: @alepel_byadriana
Hair & Make-up: Odett Hernandez
Digital Editor: Jessie Neft-Swinger
Editor: Matthew “M Boy” Auerbach

Shireen’s Spotlight: Semilla Eatery & Bar

Shireen’s Spotlight: Semilla Eatery & Bar

Shireen’s Spotlight: Semilla Eatery & Bar

Shireen’s Spotlight: Semilla Eatery & Bar

Shireen’s Spotlight: Semilla Eatery & Bar

Shireen’s Spotlight: Semilla Eatery & Bar

Shireen’s Spotlight: Semilla Eatery & Bar

Shireen’s Spotlight: Semilla Eatery & Bar

What:

Enjoying a killer Happy Hour & delicious French-inspired tapas at “Semilla Eatery & Bar” on South Beach.

Why:

If you love a good vibe, excellent drink specials and food you can share, “Semilla Eatery & Bar” is definitely the place for you.

The restaurant, which describes itself as a Gastro pub, has a special “je ne sais quoi” to it that reminds me of a bustling European bistro mixed with an intimate Parisian nightclub. What’s more, they’re killing the Happy Hour game, especially on Friday, when drinks and tapas specials are deeply discounted until closing time.

Semilla’s open-air kitchen dominates the restaurant, giving customers an enticing view into cocktails being created and food being prepared and plated. They’ve also perfected an appealingly chic atmosphere; with moody lighting, funky artwork and a DJ on-hand mixing tunes (wicky, wicky!) It’s a tough job, but….

I started Spotlight with Semilla’s insanely good “Bonne Maman Lemonade” (made with tequila, blueberry jam and pineapple juice.) The “Organic Cucumber Garden” was fresh and fantastic, tasting like it had just been plucked out of a local garden (of course) served with an adult twist: vodka (made with lime juice, basil leaves and ginger ale.) I also sipped on a traditional “Moscow Mule” which never disappoints, especially in its rustic ice-cold copper cup.

Once the tapas started arriving, they didn’t stop: diverse, delicious and decadent, I started with the “Tuna Tartar” mixed perfectly with avocado and yuzu (which is a Japanese citrus fruit.)

If you love Croquetas, do yourself a favor and try Semilla’s. It was one of my favorite dishes of the night, made with potato, chorizo, goat cheese and garnished with a thin slice of pepperoni — I’m still dreaming about inhaling them. Sometimes, I have to remember to pace myself…

Next-up: “Pulled Pork Brisket” served in pillowy bao buns (possibly my favorite kind of bread on earth.) The “Fried Oysters” were my absolute favorite of the night, made with confit leeks and smothered in creamy tarter sauce. This tapas is served with a cool, clear ramekin that helps squeeze your lemon. Now, that’s luxury! Lol (it’s the simple things in life.) BTW, the oysters are to-die-for!

What would Friday night “Happy Hour” be without a great flatbread? The “Tomato Mozzarella” was no exception; fresh and delicious. Another stand-out: the beautifully presented “Bay Scallop Au Gratin” garnished with truffles.

Give me some tender scallops, light potatoes and cheesy sauce goodness and we’ll be friends forever. Pair it with a crisp white wine (there’s a gargantuan list to choose from) and I’ve died and gone to foodie heaven.

My cup runneth over when the “New York Steak Au Poivre” arrived; tender, succulent and juicy. If you’re a meat lover, this will satiate your carnivorous cravings.

Ending my terrific tapas tour was the “Chocolate Bomb” (with raspberry granite, chocolate lava cake and fresh raspberries.) Yes, it was as good as it sounds. In fact, it was #TheBombDotCom …

If you work hard for your money (and God knows, we all do these days) and feel like treating yourself, “Semilla Eatery & Bar” is a great choice without the guilt; with quality food and amazing drinks at CRAZY GOOD PRICES, it’ll definitely be one of your favorite things, I know it’s one of mine. Round two, anyone?

When:

Monday-Saturday 5pm-12am (bar open until 2am)
Closed on Sunday
Happy Hour is week day from 5-8pm & all night Friday
(Wednesday ladies get 50% off the drink menu.)

Where:

Semilla Eatery & Bar
1330 Alton Road
Miami Beach, FL. 33139

Reservations: 305-674-6522 — if you want more specifics on their amazing prices, click here:
www.semillamiami.com and go to Happy Hour.

Be Social:
IG: @semilla_miami
FB: @SemillaMiami
Twitter: @SemillaMiami

Life without tapas, is like a heart without love.B.K.S Iyengar
Special thanks to Chef Frederic Joulin & Lavan Public Relations for making dinner so special.James Woodley Photography
Styling: Jackie Kay
Dress: @DVF Boots: @lilacandlilies_boutique
Hair & Make-up: Odett Hernandez
Digital Editor: Jessie Neft-Swinger
Editor: Matthew “Pillowy” Auerbach

Shireen’s Spotlight: Bice Ristorante

Shireen's Spotlight: Bice Ristorante

Shireen's Spotlight: Bice Ristorante

Shireen's Spotlight: Bice Ristorante

Shireen's Spotlight: Bice Ristorante

What:

Bice Ristorante 313 Worth Avenue, Palm Beach, Florida 33480

Why:

After an incredible day of “Exploring Worth Avenue,” I wasn’t just hungry, I was famished and ready for an adult beverage (or two). Lucky for me, my shopping experience ended right in front of the pathway leading to the yummy and delicious “BICE”…

The place was undeniably charming before I even walked through its doors, with a comfortably-packed outdoor patio area (I entered through the Worth Avenue side) featuring tables draped in flouncy green umbrellas, allowing diners to easily enjoy the beautiful weather.

Lush greenery surrounded the bistro and gorgeous purple flowers dripped lazily off a perfectly placed trellis. Inside, BICE was just as warm and welcoming, with large airy windows drenched in the late afternoon sun. I especially liked its creamy-white decor with accents of gold and smatterings of dark wood.

I started Spotlight with three of their signature martinis: Bella Rosa, BICE and The Underground. If you like sweet, the Bella is for you (made with orange and raspberry vodka, Chambord, cranberry & OJ). My favorite was the BICE. It’s no secret, mama likes a strong drink! (It was made with Tito’s Vodka *marinated* with oranges, limes and cherries with a splash of OJ). My photographer, James, called dibs on the Underground. It’s a man’s kind of cocktail (made with Rye Whiskey, sweet vermouth and Sicilian blood orange liquor).

We tried three amazing appetizers, starting with the Mozzarella Di Bufala Caprese (buffalo mozzarella, vine ripened tomatoes, basil and oregano). My favorite was the incredibly clean and fresh Tartare Di Tonno Con Avocado. I could eat this dish for the rest of my natural-born life (made with tuna tartare, avocado, cucumber relish and soy-mango sauce). The Gamberoni Alla Griglia was almost too pretty to eat, but somehow I managed (made with grilled jumbo shrimp, arugula and hearts of palm).

For dinner, we tried a little bit of everything: fish, meat and pasta. If you’re watching your waistline, the Branzino Alla Griglia Con Salmoriglio (grilled striped bass & sauteed veggies) is perfect. If you’re a carnivore, the Lombata Di Vitello Al Forno Con Salsa Di Funghi (grilled veal chop with marsala & wild mushroom jus and sautéed broccoli rabe) is oh, so, tender and juicy. And finally, my “I’ve died and gone to heaven meal,” the Pappardelle Al Telefono Alla Bice (wide homemade noodles with a tomato cream sauce, fresh mozzarella and basil). This dish is EVERYTHING — or as the kids say on social media these days: “It gives me life.”

For dessert (believe me, I was stuffed, but you can’t go to an Italian restaurant like this one and tell them you’re too full for dessert!) I had three glorious dishes. First up, a plate full of house-made cookies (called Biscotti Misti). Some crunchy cookies and a nice strong coffee is always a great way to end a meal. Their version of Key Lime Pie (called Torta di Lima) is just as fab, made with whipped cream and raspberry sauce. Last, but definitely not least: Tiramisu Alla BICE con Salsa Al Caffe. Translation — lady fingers dipped in espresso coffee, mascarpone cream mousse and cocoa. Also known as FANTASTIC!

What I love about BICE (besides the amazing food) is the fact that everything is well thought-out, meticulously crafted and beautifully plated. Executive Chef Elmer Noel Saravia is a genius at balancing flavors and aesthetics (no easy task).

BICE isn’t just a place to eat, drink and be merry, it’s also a place in which you’ll wanna linger, because the aftertaste is just as good as the experience itself and that’s why it’s one of my favorite things.

When:

Monday-Sunday 11:30am-10:30pm

For reservations:
www.bice-palmbeach.com
FB:BICE Palm Beach IG: @BicePalm

Life is a combination of magic and pasta.Federico Fellini
James Woodley Photography
Styling: Jackie Kay
Wardrobe: www.DVF.com
Editor: Matthew “Aftertaste” Auerbach

Produced by Luxury PR Group
http://luxuryprgroup.com
IG: @luxuryprgroup Twitter: @WeAreLuxuryPR FB: Luxury PR Group

(Special thanks to Marianna Dubois & Kristen Noffsinger)

Little White Dress

Little White Dress

Little White Dress

Little White Dress

Little White Dress

Little White Dress

Little White Dress

What:

Koko & Palenki (in the Shops At Merrick Park) at 358 San Lorenzo Avenue, Coral Gables, Florida 33146

Why:

I’d like to say things have been pretty normal since my last blog post, “One Stop Glam Shop,” but the truth is — they’re not. I’ve had the worst case of anxiety and some crazy nightmares to go along with it. Believe it or not…

It’s because of the Zika Virus scare in South Florida. I keep dreaming that I’m being attacked (actually, more like swarmed) by thousands of bugs. More specifically, mosquitoes. I wake up startled in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat, sometimes crying.

Calming my nerves at 3 am isn’t easy, but I make my way to the kitchen and pour myself a tall cup of orange juice. For whatever reason, it calms me. I’m not the only one its affecting…

My poor boyfriend (James) has become a mosquito-killing ninja, locking himself in different rooms of our house when I’m convinced I’ve spotted a flying intruder. Armed with a can of RAID and a towel to swat with, he doesn’t leave the room until the insect is vanquished. Sometimes, though, he comes up empty-handed and my anxiety turns to panic. He’s such a good sport…

I know he does it because he loves me. I mean, why else in God’s name would he lock himself into a room with a blood-sucking mosquito, risking his own health and well-being? All this hoopla (by the way) isn’t unwarranted…

Some people who are infected with Zika actually get GBS (Guillain-Barre Syndrome.) Yup, the illness that almost killed me a few years ago. The good folks over at the Centers for Disease Control say Zika is showing up in Miami from abroad.

In other words, people who’ve been bitten by mosquitoes elsewhere come here and voila! — Zika is now part of our viral landscape. Even though it’s highly unlikely mosquitoes here would carry the Zika virus, it’s still possible and it doesn’t make me feel any better. After all, GBS is extremely rare, but I still managed to get it despite being healthy, strong and young.

Sure, yeah, I recovered with IVIG (Intravenous Immunoglobulin) and relentless physical therapy, but man, the wound is still deep and the threat of getting it again is utterly terrifying. I’d be lying if I said I was over it: residual neuropathy and spine pain are still very much a part of my everyday life. I’ve just learned to live with it.

So, what does a “Little White Dress” have to do with any of this? At the very height of my Zika neurosis, I got a call to host an event featuring up-and-coming jewelry designer, Phebbs Svester, who was unveiling her UMEE Life collection to South Florida fashionistas.

Along with all the other ladies participating in the event, I was asked to wear white. For the record, I hate this request. You know how it is: white is in every single store until you actually need it. Then, poof! — it’s magically extinct. So, I immediately reached out to my fashionable friends at Koko & Palenki, who said they indeed had a few options.

As soon as I saw their new “Little White Dress” by Alexis, I was completely smitten. The sheer lace detailing and whimsical appliqués border on angelic. I paired the dress with Koko’s white caged high heels and a multi-colored, silk DVF clutch that they had gifted me years ago (right around the same time I was recovering from my illness).

I felt so beautiful in the dress, I decided to blog about it at the last minute. And the event? It was definitely something I was meant to be a part of. UMEE Life jewelry (the name is a combination of YOU & ME =’s LIFE) isn’t just about fashion, it’s a company based on good karma, positive energy and self-transcendence.

“You always get what you give,” said one of the moderators at the event. She also declared: “Whatever you believe in and whatever you think is actually who you are and what you’re asking of the universe.” Her words immediately resonated with me.

Even though I truly believed in “Cause and Effect” (which was basically what she was saying), it was something I had lost sight of. Living scared of the Zika Virus isn’t something I wanted to send out into the universe. What’s more, being afraid of getting sick again isn’t the person I had become after my illness. Instead…

I had become genuinely happy for my new lease on life and I didn’t waste my time on things like “what if” and “would have, could have, should have’s.” So, in my perfect “Little White Dress” (a color that represents wiping the slate clean) I let go of the fear, worry and anxiety that was “bugging” me and remembered living joyfully in the moment (even if I was wearing a lot of mosquito repellant) was definitely one of my favorite things.

Shop the perfect “Little White Dress” on-line at www.KokoPalenki.com
Twitter: @KokoPalenki
Instagram: @kokopalenki
Facebook: Koko Palenki
She never looked nice. She looked like art, and art wasn’t supposed to look nice; it was supposed to make you feel something.anonymous
James Woodley Photography
Styling: Jackie Kay
Hair & MUA by Odett Hernandz
Editor: Matthew Auerbach