Videos & Pictures: Hotel Thrillist, Meet Your Neighbors, and World Cup Action at JB Kitchen & Bar

June has been a hectic month and believe it or not, half of it has passed. Here are some videos and pictures from some of my mid-month adventures.

First up is video from Torched Miami /Hotel Thrillist at Red Steakhouse. I blogged about it previously and finally got a hold of the video. My fabulous friend Yasmin is experimenting with her Flip and many thanks to her for putting this together!




I also had the chance to visit Meet Your Neighbors in Brickell for the first time. Segafredo and Brickell Irish Pub hosted and Grey Goose provided complimentary cocktails to guests. Brickell provided delicious hors d'oeuvres and their laid back interior offered the only relief to steaming heat. Despite the refreshing cocktails, it was absurdly hot and there were too many bodies around adding to the discomfort. The packed houses (especially Segafredo) could have been due to Mayor Regalado's involvement in the event, so I'll have to the next outing in order to form a real opinion.





And in true "save the best for last" form, I was one of the hosts for the World Cup Kickoff Happy Hour at JB Kitchen & Bar on June 11, 2010. Below is the invitation and video (thanks again to Yasmin) from the event.





Luv,

Li

Starbucks to Offer FREE WiFi Starting July 1st

(Photo via Starbucks.com)

The moment every Starbucks addict (and critic) has been waiting for finally arrives July 1, 2010 to all company operated Starbucks locations: FREE WiFi. It will be unlimited and 100% free.

I say it's marketing genius? What do you think?

The change is definitely in response to millions of complaints from costumers who had to pay for WiFi on top of their already pricey lattes. Maybe if people continue complain enough, they'll start recycling their cups and products as well. Their shareholders recently rejected the idea of participating in a recycling program, drastically conflicting with their brand image. Their website boasts a Shared Planet page that states their commitment to "reduce [their] own environmental footprint and fight climate change" and "to do business in ways that are good for people and the planet". I guess that means in every way but recycling.


Luv,

Li

Over the Weekend-Coral Gables Restaurant Week Kickoff and Hotel Thrillist

Friday, June 4th, 2010

Coral Gables Restaurant Week kicked off with Taste of the Gables, Friday June 7th from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Tickets were $10 in advance and sold out just hours before the event began. Over a dozen participating restaurants offered samples of their signature cuisine while Nil Lara entertained on stage.

Though the samples themselves were fantastic, the fact that the event was squeezed into a building corridor probably wasn't the wisest idea. It was steaming hot. It had already been a muggy day thanks to the rain and stuffing all those bodies into a small space with hot food was down right uncomfortable. The Bacardi Mojitos were more like mini-shots but offered much needed refreshment.


Saturday, June 5th, 2010

Torched Miami took place as part of Hotel Thrillist at the rooftop of Red Steakhouse. This invitation-only event managed to be very busy despite the ever-present rain this weekend. The fabulous location offers 360 views of South Beach, Biscayne Bay, and beyond. Guests enjoyed delicious complimentary Bacardi Dragon Berry cocktails, Coronas, and more. Red kept the h'orderves progressively interesting by starting off with simple cheeses & olives, then bringing out the real goods like sausage stuffed peppers, crab cakes, and lamb chops. No matter how upscale the events I go to get no one can resist free food; it was like vultures on fresh road kill (and I had no problem being one of them). Towards the end of the evening Red presented a delectable dessert table complete with tarts, red velvet cupcakes, and bite-size chocolates. Entertainment included photos with Jungle Island natives, fire dancers, live capoeira, a performance by the Miami Heat Dancers, and Overthrow manning the decks all night.

Click here to see video of the event taken by my dear friend Yasmin Elbusafi.

Luv,

Li