Oysters and roasted pork at Gigi

Gigi in Midtown is a popular late-night destination for those craving a midnight snack of a certain culinary caliber. Given the hours, it's also a favorite among restaurant and nightlife industry folk looking for good eats long after the dinner rush. To cater to his compadres, chef Charles Lutka has instituted Tuesday night family meals ($14, each) where his industry fan base and regular diners can enjoy a family-style spread of house roasted-pork, local oysters and fresh bao (steamed buns). Guests can assemble their bao with fixings like pickled sweet potato, cucumber, daikon and kimchee. An extra five dollars will get you a bucket of five Pabst Blue Ribbon tallboy cans and $10 scores you five draft beers (Stella or Yuengling). You can even grab a cookie on your way out for a mere two bucks. Tuesdays just got a little sweeter. 3470 N Miami Ave, Miami 
 

Summer calls for flexibility and this stone colored MIA bag ($360) by Liebeskind Berlin fits the bill. The medium carryall is made from vintage leather and is ideal for on-the-go Miamians in need of a tote roomy enough to stash a swimsuit and Havianas. Atrium, 1931 Collins Ave., Miami Beach

Just in time for Memorial Weekend The Standard Miami is rolling out their summer playlist. The warm-weather jams can be played or downloaded from The Standard’s culture blog. Also available are playlists from Standard outposts in Downtown LA, Hollywood and New York. Miami’s songs have a clear reggae influence and include Akoya Afrobeat Ensemble’s “Pelotera,” Celia Mara’s “We’re Not Alone” and by Bole 2 Harlem’s “Hoya Hoye.” 

As culinary culture continues to break new ground in Miami exclusive dining clubs are sprouting up. The long running Algonquin and foodie-centric Cobaya dinner clubs have had underground success and now chef Michael Shikany is adding a layer of luxury to the concept with Shikany, an invitation-only five star nomadic culinary series.

A graduate of New York City’s French Culinary Institute, Shikany has studied at Le Bernardin and The James Beard House and worked throughout South Florida at Ortanique on the Mile, La Cofradia and Sushi Samba Dromo. (Did we mention he’s also a sommelier?) The dining experiences he creates will take place in upscale locations such as yachts, multi-million dollar waterfront homes and penthouses, art galleries and rooftops. Each event will focus on a theme inspired by the fields of fashion, art, music, architecture and more.

Shikany will host 36 annual events for 25 to 40 guests with pricing ranging from $150 to $500 per person. The club’s first public event will take place in early June, but a private event, taking place tonight, will kick off the series with sky-high panoramic city and water views and a sunset cruise on a luxury yacht. To be invited, interested parties must submit a photograph and brief bio via shikany.com—we bid you good luck.

This week head north to A Flare for Design, an event supporting The Lupus Foundation of America’s Southeast Florida Chapter on May 19 at the Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA). The evening will include a fashion show and silent auction while showcasing the latest interior design trends. (Guests will also enjoy a special performance by Grammy Award winner Rees Bridges of Dirty Vegas.) Jenny Wilensky of creative fashion agency Istylie founded A Flare For Design in effort to educate our community about lupus. “My ultimate goal is to draw awareness to help fight, treat and cure this debilitating disease,” she says. All proceeds will benefit The Lupus Foundation of America’s Southeast Florida Chapter. DCOTA, 1855 Griffin Road, Dania Beach; 561-279-8606 for tickets

Kim Kardashian with her new fregrance, Gold

This past weekend, Kim Kardashian made a Miami appearance at Macy’s at Aventura Mall to debut her latest signature fragrance, Kim Kardashian Gold. The top notes include Italian bergamot and grapefruit dashed with a hint of spicy pink peppercorn, while florals (jasmine, rose, violet) mix with a rich background of patchouli and sandalwood. The bottle? A sleek gold vessel with ebony accents designed by Maesa. “Gold is a luxury that stands the test of time, a universal symbol of sophistication and glamour,” says Kim. We were able to sit and chat with her about perfume, relationships and Miami.

Talk to me about the name of this perfume. Why Gold?
KIM KARDASHIAN: When people ask me what my favorite colors are, I always say silver, gold, white. I love metallics and bling. So that’s where it came from.

How is Gold different from your original fragrance, Kim Kardashian?
KK: It is a nighttime fragrance, so it’s still feminine but it is sexier, richer, more amped up. Lots of white florals, jasmine, mandarin blossom.

What was the first perfume you fell in love with?
KK: Every time my dad would travel, he’d bring us perfumes. I still have all the ones he brought. My favorite was Tribu by Benetton. I wore Angel for years, but then my dad gifted it to all his girlfriends. Memory and scent are closely related. Perfumes remind you of things and people.

You’re in a new relationship. What advice can you give other successful girls out there who seem to have trouble dating?
KK: I feel like my feelings have changed. I used to think I’d have to slow down to meet someone—maybe I can’t work this much. But now I’ve found that when the right person comes along who's secure, then he’ll support you and want you to work. And then it becomes about balance. You can’t work 24/7 and ignore your relationship, but you just have to find the right person.

Describe your style in three words or less.
KK: Polished, sexy, trendy.

What are you loving this summer when it comes to fashion?
KK: I am obsessed with long, cotton dresses but they have to be fitted. I recently wore a striped one to travel [in] and it was so comfortable with flats. Effortless.

Will you be attending Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Swim this year?
KK: I hope so. I love Miami.

You’ve been on the cover of Ocean Drive and you’ve partied in Miami—what are some of your favorite restaurants and shops?
KK: I just went to Zuma and liked it. I have to eat at Macalusos for their birthday cake—it’s to die for. I love Prime 112 always, and love to go to LIV. The Webster for shopping and Bal Harbuor. And Dash, of course, but Dash might have a new home soon. I’ve been looking at real estate for something fabulous that really represents us. You’re gonna die when you see the new Dash.

Atlanta-based electro-acoustic band Stokewsood will debut their second album tomorrow night (11 PM) at The Stage in the Design District. The band has become a regular on the Miami scene spending the past year playing some of the most popular venues in the city, including the W South Beach, The Florida Room at Delano, Vagabond, The Standard and Bardot. Saturday night they’ll celebrate their sophomore album, In the Field of the Vibrations, with a light show by Music Matters Productions and a DJ set by Panic Bomber. All ticket holders at Saturday’s show will be gifted with the new album—via a download code for the band’s website—upon arrival. 170 NE 38th St.; wantickets.com

The Recycle Garden, by art students at Pinecrest Academy charter school

So often we bring art into our homes without any real connection to its meaning. This Friday, you can purchase artwork that has both meaning and impact at the The Education Fund’s Annual Charity Auction. Dubbed "The Art of Found Objects" the auction will feature one-of-a-kind pieces created by Miami-Dade elementary, middle and high school students and teachers. And in celebration of the Fund’s 25th anniversary, the event will also honor 25 local leaders who came up in the Miami-Dade County public school system. Local artist Xavier Cortada, Books & Books president Mitchell Kaplan, NFL player Santana Moss and Miami-Dade College president Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón are among the honorees. “The real power of this event is that it reminds us of the extraordinary talent of the kids in our public schools,” said Linda Lecht, president of The Education Fund. The Moore Building, 4040 NE 2nd Ave., 305-892-5099 ext. 23

Brian Atwood

Celebrity shoe designer Brian Atwood visited Miami recently to showcase his Summer 2011 collection. We sat down to chat with the shoe-style expert, who lives between New York and Milan, about the men’s line he plans to launch, where he likes to spend his time in Miami and his first store.

What inspired your newest collection?
BRIAN ATWOOD: It was inspired a lot by Slim Aarons photographs mixed in with Jane of the Jungle. For Miami it’s amazing because of the vibrant colors.

What do you love about designing women’s shoes?
BA: It’s fun. I love watching women walk in heels. There’s something very sexy about it. You can put someone in a pair of flats and a stiletto and you can see who gets more looks.

What is your best-selling shoe?
BA: The Maniac platform pump is my best seller. It’s worn everywhere and to every red carpet. There’s this kind of Maniac mania that’s taken over.

Have you ever thought about designing a men’s line? 
BA: Yes, I’m literally starting to take that into consideration. It would be something very small, but also very fun and colorful. Men ask me all the time. I get tweets, and stores ask.

What shoes do you wear?
BA: I wear a lot of Tom Ford, Dior, Adidas and Stan Smith.

Tell us about the Miami woman as your client. How is she different from a New York or LA woman style-wise?  
BA: She’s not afraid to be noticed and she has fun with color.

When you’re not making shoes, how do you like to spend your free time?
BA: Traveling anywhere exotic with a great beach. I was just in Maldives. I’ve never seen water like that in my life. It’s beautiful.

Do you have any favorite Miami spots you like to visit?
BA: I love Mr. Chow. I like the Webster. I’m always at Bal Harbour Shops when I come down, and I like shopping for vintage at C. Madeleine’s. She has great stuff.

You probably give style advice all the time, but what is the best you’ve received?
BA: Edit your closet.

Where do you want to be 10 years from now?
BA: I’m having a great time building this business. I want to expand. I want to have stores and handbags. I’m looking at some spaces for a store. In Miami, it will be in Bal Harbour Shops for sure.

The Heidi robe by Bianca Coletti

Bianca Coletti—the latest line from local designers Bianca Coletti and Lauren Goldfarb—takes you into a time machine of past and future prints that tap into Miami’s effortless-chic dress code. Look for silky, bold-hued pantsuits in azure, ikat tunics, digital-print frocks, dip-dyed ombre silk linen, embellished high-waisted shorts and ’60s-inspired robes like the Heidi ($192). “It’s my favorite print of this season,” says Coletti. “The pink and green colors are inspired by our Palm Beach customer and go back to our past Basketweave collection.” After 12 years of specializing in swimwear, Coletti teamed up with Goldfarb, who owned Lavish Boutique in Coconut Grove, to expand her eponymous brand with apparel. “We launched the clothing line three years ago,” says Coletti. “It was time.” While Coletti is more into surf-inspired and boho garb—and Goldfarb prefers preppy and eccentric styles—the duo’s love for vintage is clearly evident in the Spring/Summer collection. Available at ISA Boutique, 3400 N. Miami Ave., Miami; 786-558-8027