CUBAN QUEEN
Michelle Bernstein goes back to Miami’s Cuban roots with a new eatery in Little Havana. For Café La Trova, which opens January 28, the bubbly chef and TV host partnered with Julio Cabrera, a Cuban-born mixologist whom she’s known and worked with for 15 years at her defunct restaurants Michy’s and Sra. Martinez. His contributions are key since their whole vision centers on Cuba’s Cantinero cocktail culture. (Cantineros are professional bartenders and invaluable to keeping Cuban culture alive.) La Trova comes from the traditional music of Santiago de Cuba, so there will be plenty of live music to enjoy authentic daiquiris and other retro throwbacks like Grasshoppers. For her part, Bernstein makes calabaza squash empanadas, pan con bistec, and paella croquetas—the best of both dishes in one.
971 SW Eighth Street; 786.615;4379; Click here
THE POWER OF PURVIS
Purvis Young is having a moment. The late South Floridian artist is the subject of two solo shows here, including one that opens today at New River Fine Art gallery in Fort Lauderdale. On view through February 16, “Protest and Praise” exhibits his drawings on paper, collages and wood constructions. A self-taught, urban storyteller, he used found objects and debris collected on the streets to start a discussion about social injustice, protests, hope and other factors of inner-city realities. An opening reception honors him. Local collectors Mera and Don Rubell also chose to highlight Young for their annual Art Basel exhibit at their private art space, Rubell Family Collection. The large-scale painting survey with over 100 works is their biggest show to date. It runs through June 29 and features a comprehensive catalog.
822 East Las Olas Boulevard; 954.524.2100; Click here. 95 NW 29th Street; 305.573.6090; Click here
DALMAR DEBUTS
After collaborating with Ian Schrager for its Edition hospitality brand, Marriott International created the Tribute Portfolio. The design- and tech-angled concept’s Dalmar property with 25 stories and 209 rooms recently debuted in Fort Lauderdale. Room decor departs from the pack with thoughtful details such as Slim Aarons’ photographs, La Bottega bath products and Smart technology from keyless locks to iPad and Amazon Alexa service. Marble and natural wood are more upgrades. Millennial-minded common spaces invite socializing and working. The sixth-floor lobby opens to a wraparound sky deck with ocean and skyline views. Custom cabanas ring the pool and Sip N’ Dip outdoor bar. It’s just one of five dining options. Sparrow rooftop bar plays up the city’s midcentury-modern architecture, while the Terrace Grill serves American fare in curvy banquettes.
299 North Federal Highway; 954.945.9500; Click here
1000 TURNS ONE
Art fair fever continues long after Basel. The organizers of Art Miami present Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary through January 13 in a grand tent (825 South Dixie Highway at Okeechobee Boulevard) in West Palm Beach. The county’s first-rated art fair culls nearly 70 international galleries representing various niches from blue chip to emerging contemporary artists. South Florida participants include Sponder Gallery from Boca Raton and Blue Gallery from Delray Beach. Hop aboard shuttles to Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens for satellite exhibits, “Contours in Metal: Sculpture by Gino Miles” and “Murano Mosaics: Persistence and Evolution.” Founded in 1952, the annual Beaux Arts Festival of Art returns to the University of Miami from January 12-13. The juried outdoor art show also features student works, family activities and the Beaux Arts Ball.
We’ll see you next week with even more of South Florida’s places to go!