Chef Max bested 13 other chefs from across the country with his innovative recipe “Sebastian Inlet Clams BBLT (Bacon, Basil, Lettuce and Tomato).”  To celebrate his new title, Chef Max is serving up the winning dish at 3030 Ocean.  Hotel guests and the local community will be able to taste the prized meal, priced at $14, through mid-October.   For 3030 Ocean reservations please call 954-765-3030 or visit www.3030ocean.com

Now in its seventh year, the Great American Seafood Cook-Off encourages the use of products from sustainable fisheries.  For more details on the Great American Seafood Cook-Off visit http://www.greatamericanseafoodcookoff.com /

All day long on Mondays City Cellar Wine Bar & Grille offers  half price off all bottles of wine under $99, with the purchase of an entrée.  Guests can also take advantage of their seven-days-a-week famous Happy Hour from 4-7pm featuring a 2-for-1 deal on ALL drinks (wine, craft beer, top-shelf liquor, martinis) and a selection of half-priced appetizers, salads and pizzas including the Pan Seared Lump Crab cake, Mussels Oreganata, Iceberg Wedge Salas and Pizza Portobello (bar only). The Late-Night Happy Hour from 10-midnight Sun-Wed, and 10:30-midnight Thurs-Sat, offers a taste of 2-for-1 cocktails and $5 pizzas (bar only).

City Cellar Wine Bar & Grille, 700 South Rosemary Avenue, City Place, West Palm Beach, 561.366.0071 , www.CityCellarWPB.com

At Chef Allen's Wednesdays are a splurge with every bottle on their award winning wine list half off.

Chef Allen's 19088 NE 29th Ave., Aventura, FL 33180. (305) 935-2900

On Wednesday, September 8, 2010 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Café Sambal, M Coffee Bar and illy caffè are hosting  Coffee Sense.  Master Barista Giorgio Milos — who placed among the world’s top craftsmen in the World Barista Championships — will demonstrate all that goes into making authentic Italian illy espresso, from the proper consumption technique and presentation of espresso and espresso-based beverages to the history and origin of the coffee, the agronomy and chemistry of the coffee bean.  Mr. Milos is on faculty at Università del Caffè, a dedicated facility at illy caffè’s Trieste headquarters where the world’s leading restaurateurs, chefs and café owners attend master coffee training.

M Coffee Bar , lobby of Mandarin Oriental and Café Sambal, the Mandarin Oriental, Miami’s waterfront restaurant. 500 Brickell Key Dr. ,Miami, FL.  There is no charge to attend the event. (305) 913  8358.

Solea, at the W South Beach, has a new cocktail list created by bartender Tommy Merolla from the W’s bar/lounge Living Room as well as of exciting new dishes.  The cocktails, priced at $14 each are prepared with natural and unusual ingredients such as fresh cilantro, basil and ginger root; aloe vera gel; lavender gin; strawberry yuzu; cinnamon simple syrup; bison grass infused vodka; orange blossom water; and cardamom bitters, and  bring an intriguing balance of flavors. 

The summer fling, mixes Reposado tequila, fresh pineapple and lime juices, agave nectar and fresh cilantro.  The Rainbow Tribe mixes gin, ginger root, yuzu, simple syrup, fresh juiced cucumber and celery bitters; and the Wild Flower – Nicolas lavender gin, strawberry yuzu, orange blossom honey, fresh basil and floral bitters. 

 Solea, located inside the lobby of the new W South Beach Hotel,  2201 Collins Avenue on Miami Beach, (305) 938-3111.  www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels

Starting Sunday, August 22^nd The Sunday Market will be held every Sunday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Mary Brickell Village. Stretching along the 900 block of South Miami Avenue, the first open air market in the Brickell area will display fresh, natural, local products local vendors — from local honey; teas & coffees and olive oils to pet treats, Ice cream, chocolate & baked goods; mushrooms; cheeses; pasta; fish, stone crabs & shrimp — alongside  art exhibits, jewelry & accessories, music and live entertainment.     

The Shops at Mary Brickell Village,  designed around two public plazas surrounded by lush vegetation, water and oak and mahogany trees, includes 10 eateries as well as high-end retailers.  

For more information on The Sunday Market: www.marybrickellvillage.com.  For vendor inquiries, please call 305-531-0038.

Girlfriend admits beating Jean-Francois Poinard to death and hiding his body for nearly two years. Read full story in:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/europe/famed-french-chef-turns-up-dead-in-freezer/article1669852/

Beginning Friday August 13, and every Friday, The Restaurant at the Setai will offer an 8-course Dim Sum dinner and a glass of Champagne Taittinger for $75 per person.  An extended Chef’s Tasting Menu with wine pairings is also available. For reservations: 305-520-6400 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The Setai,  2001 Collins Ave., Miami Beach FL 33139

Several elite NYC restaurants graded unclean

By ANNIE KARNI

Last Updated: 8:04 PM, August 8, 2010Posted: 5:59 AM, August 8, 2010

After six years with The Oceanaire Seafood Room Miami, former operating partners Chef Sean Bernal and General Manager Kevin Amiott  have joined forces with Wyland’s Ocean Blue, a new fine dining concept and art gallery that opened its first location in Fairview, Texas last month.  “We were approached by Wyland’s Ocean Blue at a time in our careers when we were ready to branch out and try something different,” said Chef Bernal. “It was an opportunity we just couldn’t pass up,” added Amiott.

 Bernal will serve as Vice President of Culinary Development and Amiott will serve as Vice President of Operations.

 The new restaurant concept was developed by noted marine wildlife artist Wyland and Florida-based restaurateur Peter McFarland, principal of McFarland Management Company.  The brand has an aggressive growth model with expansion plans that include openings in Colorado and other cities throughout Texas, all before 2011.  McFarland Management Co. is scouting South Florida locations for the Wyland restaurant brand, so Bernal and Amiott will most likely bring their talents back to Miami in 2011.

After three and a half  years at The Setai in Miami Beach where he raised the bar for fine dining and brought a new dimension to food in Miami , Executive Chef Jonathan Wright has accepted an appointment  at the famous Sandy Lane Resort in Barbados.  His last day at the Setai is September 3.  “ It was a hard decision, I thought long and hard about it, but it was one of those opportunities that don’t come along very often,” explained Chef Wright.  “It is a wonderful property and I am very excited about the opportunity to bring the Culinary program up to a world class experience.”

Regarding a replacement, he said: “They’re doing a worldwide search for a new Executive chef. But, I’ve put together a very strong crew and they’ll do a great job until the Setai finds one.”

There's a new Small Plates Menu and à la carte selections in addition to its American Churrasco menu at ZED451 .  “We listened to our guests,” explained Chef Steve Byrne, director of culinary operations. The new Small Plates choices range from a fire-grilled Ribeye with balsamic glazed onions ($14) to an Asian Pork Belly in five-spice hoisin sauce ($10).  For those who prefer fish, Chef’s selections include seared rare Ahi tuna with miso soy vinaigrette ($12) or citrus dusted salmon ($12).  New à la carte selections include citrus rosemary seasoned double-cut lamb chops ($19), grilled prawns and diver scallops with a house made basil oil and summer ratatouille ($15) and ZED Kobe Burger ($14).   House made desserts by Pastry Chef, Kate Milashus, include Mango Crème Brûlée ($10) and Butterscotch Bread Pudding ($10). 

The American Churassco prix-fixe menu is $44 per person, the Summer Harvest Tables menu is $22 per person.

ZED451 is open seven days a week for dinner starting at 4 p.m., and Sunday brunch starting at 11 a.m. Complimentary valet parking.  201 Plaza Real in Boca Raton’s Mizner Park lifestyle center.  (561) 3-ZED451 or visit www.ZED451.com. 

Slow Food Miami is planning an Edible Film Series.   The series,  a selection of films that will be shown in different areas of town,  kicks off on August 26 with a screening of the film Ingredients at the new Coral Gables Museum and the  Ft. Lauderdale Film Festival.  Ingredients looks at how people around the country are working to revitalize the connection between food, community and health.

There will be a “dine around in the Gables” at some select restaurants  before the film and then the screening will be at Coral Gables Museum in the main Gallery at 8pm.  All the restaurants (TBA) are within 1 -2 block walking distance.  We plan to have a and will offer a fixe price meal early meal at 6:30 p.m.  and then the movie will be at 8pm.   

Mark your calendar and stay tuned for ticket and event details.    http://www.slowfoodmiami.com/2010/07/save-the-date-slow-food-miamis-edible-film-series/

Starting Thursday Aug 5, from 7 to 11 p.m., and every Thursday to follow, vocalist Stephanie Jordan will perform with classic, Latin and jazz musicians with Champagne and Jazz float and Asian-inspired small plates. RSVP 305-520-6400 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 2001 Collins Ave., Miami Beach

Starting Friday, from 6 to 10 p.m.  there is cocktails and fashion on the Rooftop at The Webster, with two for one house wine, beer, or drinks while listening to DJ Ethics on Miami Beach’s luxurious and chic 1930’s-style rooftop terrace.

 In addition, Parisian eatery Kaspia will be pouring Duval-Leroy Champagne for the first arrivals, as well as serving complimentary Parisian hors’ d’oeuvres including smoked salmon on mini potatoes, goat cheese artichokes, caviar bites and other delicious edibles until 8pm.  1220 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach 33139 305.674.7899

Executive Chef Frank Jeannetti and his team have created new menus emphasizing  flavor and simplicity by blending wholesome, fresh local, seasonal, and organic ingredients from local purveyors to create “inventive, beautiful dishes where the purest of ingredients shine and work together without heavy or overpowering sauces and spices, ” says chef Jeannetti

Among the new items: homemade pastas with organic ingredients; healthy and colorful salads and appetizers like Essensia’s organic orchid petal salad and grilled giant prawns with mango rice. In addition there’s  miso glazed wild north Atlantic black cod with celery root puree and shaved organic radish salad, and pistachio crusted domestic rack of lamb with cauliflower puree, petit summer vegetables and plum wine huckleberry sauce. The Angus beef short ribs and the Maine diver scallops will remain on the summer menu with a fresh interpretation to their preparation. 

Pastry Chef Gail Goetsch has added new desserts such as  rustic apricot tart with spiced almonds and ginger almond ice-cream as well as a raspberry lavender-honey napoleon with candied lemon sorbet and mint syrup.  

Sunday Brunch continues throughout the summer with traditional brunch specialties  with organic eggs only, fruits and berries,  hot and cold breakfast items, risotto and pasta station,  a salad station and an outdoor grill.   

Essensia is open 7 days per week for breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. The Palms offers complimentary valet parking with dinner, up to 3 hours. RSVP 305.908.5458. www.thepalmshotel.com  www.essensiarestaurant.com . The Palms Hotel & Spa, 3025 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach.

 JB Kitchen & Bar in Downtown Miami has prepared a schedule for every day of the week in summer: 

• “IN THE BIZ” MONDAYS: Half-off specials all day for those in the industry.  (*Must present an industry ID or paycheck stub.)
• WINE DOWN TUEDSDAYS: All bottles of wine are 50% off all night.
• WHISKEY WEDNESDAYS: Half-off all calls, wells, premiums and super premium whiskeys including Johnny Walker Blue all night.
• LADIES NIGHT THURSDAYS: Half off specialty cocktails for ladies all night including Watermelon Mint Martinis, Cucumber Martinis, Raz Mojitos and more.
• EXTENDED FRIDAYS: Happy Hour is extended two more hours on Fridays throughout the summer. $4 domestic beer, $6 well drinks, $6 glasses of house wine (red or white) along with $6 bar bites including Rock Shrimp Tempura, Cracklin’ Calamari and JB’s wings.