Opening
Joining Michael Chow's other trendy restaurants in London, Beverly Hills, Las Vegas and New York, Miami's much-anticipated Mr. Chow has finally opened in the W South Beach. The star staff includes Nick Jinson Du, former executive chef at Made in China (at Beijing's Grand Hyatt Hotel), possibly China's best-known restaurant, and rising culinary star Xiao Lei Shao, formerly executive chef at Fei Shang restaurant in Shanghai. The opening was not without controversy, including a lawsuit filed against rival Philippe Chow (original name: Chak Yam Chau) who worked for the original Mr. Chow for 25 years before starting his own chain of Chinese glam spots---including Sobe's Philippe, less than a block north at the Gansevoort South Hotel Spa Residences. Mr. Chow, W South Beach, 2201 Collins Ave., Miami, FL 33139, 305-695-1695.
In Coral Gables, La Cofradia, an ultra-upscale Peruvian fusion fine dining restaurant that closed earlier this year, has re-opened with the same inventive chef/owner (Jean Paul Demaison) but a more casual concept, more hangout-friendly décor, more affordable prices, and a slight name change: La Cofradia Ceviche Bar. Along with a new emphasis on new-style ceviches and tiraditos, the eatery offers a daily happy hour with $5 small plates and $5-7 cocktails, plus, for big eaters, entrees ranging from traditional Peruvian favorites like lomo saltado to favorite Demaison contemporary creations. La Cofradia Ceviche Bar, 160 Andalusia Ave., Coral Gables, FL 33134, 305-914-1300.
News Bytes
South Beach Wine & Food Festival 2010
The food fight has started, and don't say we didn't warn you. Tickets for the 2010 South Beach Wine & Food Festival (February 25-28) went on sale right aftermidnight on October 26, and all 1500-plus tickets to the Amstel Light Burger Bash (plus the Bash's VIP reception) were sold out by 10:15 a.m., according to festival director Lee Schraeger, with the Perrier Jouet BubbleQ close behind. Important note: Unlike last year, there will NOT be a second block of tickets sold early in January, so now's the time to get serious. For tickets and information visit www.sobewineandfoodfest.com/2010/ or call 877-762-3933.
Chef
Shuffle
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Closings
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