This week marks the start of the 17th annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival, a commemoration of the country’s top chefs, newest food trends, and every libation under the sun. The five-day extravaganza draws roughly 65,000 people to its 80+ events.
But, the festival is now about so much more than “the festival.” As chefs from around the country are partnering with local restaurants to deliver their own, non-official (read: less expensive) gluttonous celebrations. Below, are our favorite picks of the week.
Tuesday, Feb. 20
Art Start
Glamorous Italian restaurant Forte dei Marmi is taking food to the walls with FEAST, a special photo exhibition. Michelin-starred chef Antonio Mellino hand-selected a collection of gorgeous, food-inspired photos that will remain on view through March. The restaurant will also serve a special menu during the festival days.
150 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Bulla Gastrobar Five-Year Celebration
This Coral Gables favorite is celebrating five years in the biz by throwing an all-day party with $5 sangria, complimentary paella and live entertainment by guitarist Sol Ruiz from 5 to 7 p.m. Details here.
Time: All day (special happy Hour 5 to 7 p.m.)
2500 Ponce De Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Thursday, Feb. 22
The Big Peach at Nautilus Hotel
One of Brookyln’s favorite BBQ joints is landing beachside at the Nautiulus Hotel to smoke things up with their award-winning food (read: lots of pork). The $75 ticket gets you two drinks, unlimited BBQ, and live music from The French Horn Collective.
Time: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m
1825 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Tickets: $75, get them here.
Friday, Feb. 23
Ping-Pong Pizza Party
A world-renowned chef serving his signature food & drinks for only $40? Yup. Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is back in town to host his third annual Ping Pong, Pizzas & Peroni event at Market at The Edition Hotel. Black truffle pizza (and more), oysters, carrot cake, cocktails, and bragging rights if you beat this legendary chef at ping pong. Best. Night. Ever. Details here.
Time: 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Market at EDITION, 2901 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140
Tickets: $40, get them here.
Hummus Happiness
Ever since Philly chef Michael Solomonov brought his hummuseria Dizengoff to Wynwood, we’ve never been the same. Now he’s invited some of the country’s best chefs (like Kelly Fields of Willa Jean) to stop by and put their own spin on the delicious dips, starting today from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. (with wine spritzers from Ramona). The special menu will run until Sunday Feb. 25.
250 NW 24th St, Miami, FL 33127
Saturday, Feb. 24
Ladies who Brunch
Legendary local chef Michelle Bernstein, Top Chef’s Lindsay Autry, and famed pastry chef Hedy Goldsmith will join award-winning bartender and owner of Sweet Liberty, John Lermayer, for a four-course food and cocktail brunch at the South Beach hot spot. Expect dishes like oysters, deviled eggs, tomato pie, fried chicken, and of course lots of Goldsmith’s famous cookies.
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
237 20th Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Tickets: $100, purchase here.
NOLA in SOBE
James Beard-nomineee Neal Bodenheimer and his bar team from Cure and Cane & Table in New Orleans are hosting a pop-up at the newly designed bar, The Rum Line, in the Loews Hotel. They’ll be slinging their Stereo Taste & Little Boots cocktails alongside the bar’s signature classic, The Rum Line. A portion of the proceeds to benefit TECHO, a non-profit that builds homes for needy families in Latin America
Time: Starts at 5 p.m.
1601 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139