Pancakes, Pop Art & Pérignon
Serafina’s Aventura location delivers a no-fuss weekend brunch for parties who want to savor without a production. Two- and three-course prix fixe menus are available with or without bottomless adult beverages that are classic to the brunch scene. Most eyes zoom directly to mascarpone pancakes and brandy-battered ciabatta, their Italian take on French toast. Walk off your indulgent meal with a self-guided art tour of the shopping center’s new acquisitions—Arrows and Flower, a neon sculpture collaboration by artist Takashi Murakami and Louis Vuitton men’s artistic director Virgil Abloh, is pictured—or sign up for a tour led by Arts Encounters on August 6 here. Take a ride to see how the giant, guitar-shaped Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., is coming along. While at it, book a limited seat at its Kuro Japanese restaurant’s Dom Pérignon dinner on July 25. Six courses are complemented with a specific varietal and vintage from the legendary champagne maker. Brut, rose and ice champagnes will be paired with dishes like fried curry oysters topped with salmon roe; kampachi (sustainable, ocean-raised yellowtail) sashimi with orange compote and jalapeno salt; duck breast in plum sauce, and matcha mousse with seasonal mango. Reserve here.
19565 Biscayne Boulevard; 786.920.0989; serafinamia, One Seminole Way; 954.316.2900; seminolehardrockhollywood.
Artistic Soles
During Miami swim week, we couldn’t help but notice a crowd forming around a table. Hunched over her painter’s palette, a local artist painstakingly adorned leather mules with a tiny brush. Shoppers could select from an array of shoe styles as well as intricate designs from peacocks to surrealism-inspired women’s eyes. The pop-up experience was hosted by Alepel, a local accessories collection founded by Venezuelan architect Adriana Epelboim-Levy. Trained at Pratt Institute in New York, she applies artistic flair to footwear and handbags for truly special heirlooms. She amazingly developed a process that ensures paint’s longevity and produces her own chic line of strappy booties, ankle-strap loafers, mules and clutches in quality leathers. Pieces may be ordered through her online boutique or retailers like Moda Operandi, Olivela and Bergdorf Goodman.
Grateful Game Changer
Planning parties just got a lot easier and more elegant. The Grateful Palate, Fort Lauderdale’s trusted service for catering and events, renovated its waterfront digs. Local interior design firm Mountainside Design decorated the 4,000-square-foot venue in an organic theme that links directly to its stunning natural setting. Depictions of blue herons greet guests at the entrance, as if they’re the real deal flying toward the space’s floor-to-ceiling windows with a 180-degree view of the Intracoastal. The nautical, blue-and-white color scheme culminates in a blue agate bar centered on a white peacock wall installation. Three-dimensional butterflies and a flower sculpture of metal and wood adorned in gold leaf also express regional flora and fauna. Since the same family owns the adjoining Shooters Waterfront restaurant, guests can arrive by boat and use the 340-foot dock. A separate culinary team oversees the Grateful Palate, however.
3003 NE 32nd Avenue; 954.566.3044; Click here
Summer Slurps
Summer brings its own share of sweets from watermelon to strawberry shortcake. But why not use the indulgence to cool off, too? Skip the afternoon coffee with one of these refreshing treats instead. Sugar Milk Boba & Dessert Bar, a new stand at Grandview Public Market in West Palm Beach, is already popular for its Taiwanese bubble teas and soft-serve ice cream in made-to-order, soft Belgian waffle cones. Fun ingredients include butterfly pea flower tea, which changes from pale pink to deep violet blue when citrus is added. Vegan options are available through soy and almond milk boba teas, while all toppings are vegan and gluten-free. Ice cream combos are equally creative, such as the Breakfast of Champions’ vanilla ice cream infused with corn flakes and topped with strawberries, bananas and honey.
1401 Clare Avenue; 561.323.4103; Click here
We’ll see you next week with even more of South Florida’s places to go!