Models from local agencies show their skills at the Dirty Dutch Model Beach Volleyball Tournament this Saturday and Sunday 

Dolce & Gabbana Men's Boutique Opens
Thursday, Feb. 7, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Join special guest host Raul Rodriguez to welcome the new Dolce & Gabanna men's boutique to Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour. The celebratory soiree takes place inside The Man's Store on level three. 9700 Collins Ave., Bal Harbour, 305-993-4612

Andrea Bocelli
Friday, Feb. 8, 8 p.m.
Andrea Bocelli's iconic tenor voice is one of the few to crossover from classic Italian opera to mainstream stardom. Among his pop collaborators are Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, and Nelly Furtado. Tickets to Bocelli's concert at the BB&T Center start at $75. 1 Panther Pkwy., Sunrise

Model Beach Volleyball Tournament
Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 9 and 10, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
The fourth annual Dirty Dutch Model Beach Volleyball Tournament (MBVT) returns to the sands of 8th & Ocean Drive. The two-day event pits top modeling agencies like Wilhelmina and Next against each other to compete for volleyball bragging rights. Special guests includeSports Illustrated model Nina Agdal, National Volleyball League champion Casey Patterson, and beach volleyballer Sinjin Smith. Monster Energy, Arizona Beverages, Reebok Crossfit Miami Beach, and more will be on hand to keep guests entertained between matches. This event is free and open to the public. 8th and Ocean Dr., Miami Beach

Calypso Rose
Saturday, Feb. 9, 8:30 p.m.
As countries around the world gear up for Carnival, the Adrienne Arsht Center offers a taste of Trinidad and Tobago's musical best. Calypso Rose, known as the "Queen of Calypso," puts on an energetic show full of Caribbean rhythms as part of the Live at Knight series. Tickets are $25-$65. 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, 305-949-6722

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At Fort Lauderdale's Thasos Greek Taverna, wild oregano from the mountains of Thasos is harvested by the owner's family.

 

Chef Chris Miracolo cultures his own yogurt through a partnership with Heritage Hen Farms at his restaurant, Max's Tavern, in Delray Beach.

 

Boca Raton restaurant Tanzy grows chocolate-mint, pineapple-mint, sage, marjoram, lemon balm, and rosemary, which makes a divine rosemary olive oil gelato.

 

Over in Delray Beach, Union grows the sage for its Asian Pear cocktail in an on-site outdoor herb garden.

 

The 2,000 square foot organic herb and vegetable garden at The Breakers, Palm Beach grows everything from cabbage to mustard greens to kohlrabi.

 

Rosemary grown on property at Ironwood Grill in Palm Beach Gardens cuts the richness of chef Donald Young's expertly cooked steaks.

 

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“Farm-to-table’’ has swept the restaurant scene from coast to coast, but now chefs are moving beyond the trend, not only getting ingredients directly from artisanal purveyors, but actually growing their own. And South Florida’s climate is ideal for those chefs who have their hands in both the garden and the kitchen. Below, we round up the restaurants at the frontline of the “backyard-to-table” movement. 

Max’s Harvest  
“At first people in the kitchen thought something was wrong because the lettuce was warm, but it had just come out of the ground,’’ says chef Chris Miracolo. He grows tomatoes, chilies, and herbs on the back patio, collaborates with Heritage Hen Farms to culture his own yogurt, and has been known to keep a Plexiglass-ensconced honeycomb with actual bees on the bar. Even pickles on the humble burgers are made from cucumbers grown on property. 169 N.E. 2nd Ave., Delray Beach, 561-381-9970; maxsharvest.com

Union 
It might sit on hopping Atlantic Avenue, but that didn’t stop the owners of this popular spot from planting an outdoor herb garden that seasons cocktails, creative sushi, and cooked dishes. Rosemary and thyme used in the kung pao lamb chops, flash fried basil leaves in the seared tuna roll, and a sage leaf that tops the Asian Pear cocktail are all home grown. 8 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, 561-330-4236

Ironwood Grill  
Filled with herbs used to enliven his dishes, the scent of chef Donald Young’s garden is intoxicating. Steak takes on another dimension when it is grilled with rosemary plucked hours earlier from the garden, while salsas and pasta sauces are heady with cilantro, oregano, Italian parsley, basil, and lemon thyme. 400 Ave. of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens, 561-627-4852

Thasos Greek Taverna
At this striking new Fort Lauderale spot, wild oregano from the mountains of Thasos is used to season everything from octopus to roast chicken. The herb is picked by the owner’s family, rolled in cloth, and shipped to the restaurant. Thasos’ architect, too, contributes to the fresh herb supply, growing rosemary in his backyard to enhance ultra-fresh whole fish. 3300 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-200-6006; thasostaverna.com

The Breakers, Palm Beach 
The 2,000 square foot herb and vegetable gardens at this sprawling oceanfront retreat are as picturesque as they are bountiful. Cabbage, mustard greens, kohlrabi, corn, arugula, spinach, broccoli, and squash are among the vegetables that grow alongside aromatic herbs—all put to delicious use in the hotel’s restaurants. One South County Road, Palm Beach, 954-200-6006; thebreakers.com

Tanzy
Amid the high-end shops of Mizner Park, chef Andre Lane has planted a garden with a range of herbs, including chocolate-mint, pineapple-mint, sage, marjoram, lemon balm, and rosemary, which he uses in his lavish cocktails and menu offerings such as basil pesto chicken and rosemary olive oil gelato. A “dining in the dark’’ menu, along with those luscious libations, is offered at the luxe movie theater upstairs. 301 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, 561-922-6699; tanzyrestaurant.com

DIG
The name stands for “Doing It Green,’’ the philosophy behind Robert Greenfield’s organic restaurant, which moved from West Delray to Atlantic Avenue this year. In the original location, Greenfield planted a garden right in the middle of the parking lot, and he is currently in negotiation with his landlord to create a fertile patch in the new location’s courtyard. “It’s not just fresh, it’s educational,’’ says Greenfield. “We encourage kids to touch the herbs.’’ 777 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, 561-279-1002; digdelray.com

The Brenda Angiel Aerial Dance Company performs in 8CHO

The Adrienne Arsht Center has announced the Miami debut of the sensuous dance spectacle 8CHO (pronounced like the Spanish “ocho” for eight) on June 20 in conjunction with its 2012-2013 Knight Masterworks Season programming. Named after the eight basic steps of the tango, 8CHO fuses aerial acrobatics and sultry Argentinean tango with a live orchestra and world-class vocalists (and a dash of hip-hop). It’s performed by Buenos Aires’ Brenda Angiel Aerial Dance Company, which has captivated audiences in Italy, Canada, Costa Rica, Boston, and New York City, where The New York Times described the show as "breathtaking." Critics have also hailed the sensuality of the production, which is completely free of narrative, and Arsht notes that there will be brief nudity—so parents should plan a babysitter for the evening. That said, tickets for the summer engagement range from $35 to $75 and go on sale February 11 for Arsht Center members. General public ticket sales will begin later this spring. 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, 305-949-6722

The Year of the Snake, also known as the sixth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, returns this Sunday (Feb. 10) and marks the start of the Chinese New Year. Get in the spirit of the holiday and the serpentine fashion trend with these five accessory picks. 

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Pithon Ring, Amorium Jewelry ($50): Two-finger rings are bad-ass by design, but this python number takes the trend to whole new level. 

 

Tilda Clutch, House of Harlow ($225): This cognac-colored clutch is made of leather, but sports texture-rich snakeskin embossing and a bejeweled cheetah clasp. There’s also an optional chain strap, in case you need to go hands-free on the dance floor.

 

Snake Printed Scarf, Horiyoshi the Third ($450): With hand-painted snake silhouettes, Horiyoshi's silk and cashmere blend scarf balances elegance and edge.    

 

Tao Snake Hoop Earrings, Aurélie Bidermann ($335): These 18-karat yellow gold-plated textured hoops give the classic earring style a vampy twist.

 

Snakeskin Belt, Rachel Zoe ($215): Work the emerald trend and the snake trend with this snakeskin statement belt, perfect for cinching a flowy boho dress à la Mrs. Zoe herself.

 

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Russell Peters 

Russell Peters, who takes the stage at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino tomorrow night (Feb. 6), is best known for his unique breed of ethnic-based humor, and the very modern way he rose to fame: YouTube. The Indian-Canadian comic says he “trudged along for 15 years before anyone even noticed.” After one of his shows was uploaded to YouTube in 2003, it went viral, and his popularity skyrocketed; these days, websites often crash when his shows’ tickets go on sale, and Forbes has named him the seventh highest earning comedian in the world.

This is your fourth world tour. Have you been to Miami before?
RUSSELL PETERS: Yeah, I love Miami and South Florida. For me, the crowd’s always awesome because there are a lot of West Indian people there: Trinidadians and Jamaicans, and lots of island people. Of course all the Cubans, and a lot of Puerto Ricans, [are] out there, too. It’s so funny because it depends on which part of the country you go to, you see different batches of immigrants. Like, you see Latinos everywhere, but they’re different.

Right, and they don’t necessarily like being confused with one another either. They’re really proud of their heritage.
RP: I know, and I actually do a joke about that. I didn’t know there was a hierarchy in the Latino world. Because I have a house in California now, but I know you can’t see a Latin person and assume they are Mexican. I might say, ‘Hey dude, are you Mexican?’ and they say, ‘No, dude, do I look fucking Mexican?’ Well, yeah. You’re 5’4 and your name is Hector. And we’re standing in Home Depot! Why would I not think you’re Mexican?

Do people ever get upset about the jokes?
RP: No. People know that my intent is always good: It’s to make you laugh. So, I mean, it’s not done out of malice, it’s done with the intent to make you laugh.

Since you started out in 1999, and especially since the YouTube fame ten years ago, you’ve made a huge success for yourself financially and created a really interesting life.
RP: It’s a great thing, but it’s also kind of crappy for me, because I have a daughter now, and I miss her a lot. Actually, when I woke up just now I saw that my ex-wife just called—and she never calls. It’s usually a text. So I thought something was wrong and I called her back and I said, ‘What’s up?’ and she said, ‘Oh, nothing, the baby just kept grabbing the phone, pretending to talk to you, so I called you for her.’ She’s two. She’s doesn’t speak a lot, she says a few words and then rambles on with whatever gibberish babies do.  

So you’re single now? Who is your celebrity crush? What is your type?
RP: I don’t know. I keep changing because they always change. I had a good crush on Anne Hathaway until she got married. And when I heard that, I was like, ‘F--- you, b----,’ like she did it to spite me or something. You know who I used to love, and then she went and got married, too? Roselyn Sanchez.

So you like a little Latin spice!
RP: I have Latin fever. That’s why Miami is always good for me. Give me some hot celebrities that I should be looking at!

I don’t know. I just wanted to get a bead on your type. I mean, are you looking for more like a Jennifer Lopez versus say a Claire Danes or Kirsten Dunst?
RP: Oh God, definitely not Claire Danes. That s--- is all boiled potatoes to me.

Boiled Potatoes?
RP: A boiled potato [will] fill you up, but it don’t taste like nothing. I don’t mind if they have meat on them. I like when women who have little flaws. I don’t want a chick that looks like she can’t take a punch. Just kidding! But to be honest with you, my type—every girl I’ve ever dated or that my friends have ever seen me with—they all look the same. They all have tan skin, long dark hair, and a great body.

Well that’s what everyone looks like here in Miami!
RP: I know. If any of your friends look like Rosalyn Sanchez please bring them backstage.

Ok, yeah, some of them do. Too bad I look like Claire Danes! Well, more like a combination between Claire Danes and Matt Damon.
RP: Matt Damon? Well, that’s awkward.

What’s next for you? You’re not looking for your own sitcom or TV gig?
RP: I have to be honest with you. I’d love to be ‘in’ with the cool crowd in Hollywood, the TV and film people. I wish I could pinpoint the thing they don’t get. But they don’t get it. I always feel like I get dismissed, as if it’s ‘he just does this, and only these people like him.’ I’m like, you need to come to the show to see how extremely diverse my audience is. And then when you see the show live, ‘Oh! It’s not just this and it’s not just that.’ It really is like high school! If you’re not kissing the cool kid’s ass, well then, you’re on your own, buddy.

Sarah Jessica Parker and Antonio Banderas in Miami Rhapsody 

Before she was Carrie Bradshaw, Sarah Jessica Parker was Gwyn Marcus, a likewise relationship-confused copywriter living in Miami. The opening screening selection at the 1995 Miami International Film Festival (MIFF), Miami Rhapsody put Parker (and Miami) in the spotlight. Now, nearly two decades later, Parker and cast mates Jeremy Piven and Carla Gugino, along with director David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada, Hope Springs), are returning to the Magic City as part of MIFF's retrospective special event series. The stars will host a reunion screening at the Tower Theater, followed by an exclusive afterparty at The Coral Gables Country Club, this Saturday, February 8. Fans of the film will also have the opportunity to chat with Frankel during a Q&A session. Tickets to the two-part event are $130 and may be purchased online. Proceeds from the evening will benefit MIFF. 1508 S.W. 8th Street, Miami, 305-642-1264 

The rotunda at Doré South Beach 

Meet Doré South Beach, the new-today 7,000-square foot restaurant and lounge nestled inside The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach. On the menu you’ll find European specialties spanning Italy and France, care of executive chef Jeff Pfeiffer. There will be tapas, such as house-cured duck bresaola with fig jam, appetizers, risottos, pastas, and entrées. Standout dishes include a six-hour braised lamb shank with polenta, porcini risotto with mushroom foam and shaved white truffles, and tiger shrimp with hazelnut romesco. And you won’t want for steak options, with a ten-ounce flatiron, eight-ounce filet mignon, and 12 ounce New York strip topping the menu. 

Doré is proudly crowning gourmet sweets as its specialty, putting after-dinner indulgences in the hands of executive pastry chef Kriss Velasco. We can’t wait to try the Poire Belle Hélène, made of poached pear, chocolate sauce, candied almonds, and vanilla ice cream. But the Venezuelan chocolate fondant with salted caramel ice cream is also enticing. If you fancy a cocktail before or after your dessert, the 40-seat rotunda bar area promises to be a cozy, European-style option with live DJs and thoughtful tipples. 1669 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-695-8696

The New York Times visits The Rec Room and other Miami haunts for a look at our evolving metropolis 

Seeing a movie this weekend? Parker is the latest Jennifer Lopez flick, and it was filmed almost entirely in South Florida. See Lopez and co-star Jason Statham discuss the film with NBC’s Roxanne Vargas. [NBC Miami]

Married with six children for almost 30 years, Miami Dolphins legend Dan Marino allegedly has a love child with a co-worker from CBS, where he has been a sports analyst since 2003. The timing of the news couldn’t be worse for Marino, as he’s set to work CBS’ Super Bowl broadcast this Sunday. [New York Post]

The Broken Shaker and The Gale get a nod from The New York Times in this piece about the New York-ification of Miami. [New York Times]

Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez and other Major League Baseball players are firing back at The Miami New Times this week, denying reports that they received performance-enhancing drugs from a Miami clinic. [Miami New Times]

DJ and male model Avicii will open a ten-day themed pop-up hotel during the Ultra Music Festival in March. He’ll have his way with 16 rooms at the Marlin Hotel. It’s being billed as “the 24/7 Avicii experience.” [Crossfade]

Guacamole de Granada (FRONT)  

In honor of Super Bowl XLVII, Mercadito Midtown chef Patricio Sandoval is sharing the recipes for two of his signature guacamoles, Guacamole Toreado and Guacamole de Granada. Just add chips, cold beer, and comfy seating for all and consider your game day hosting prep done.

Guacamole Toreado
SERVES FOUR

2 avocados
1 cup tomatillo pico de gallo*
1 1/2 tablespoons toreado puree**
1/4 tablespoon Key lime juice

Prepare tomatillo salsa and toreado purée and set aside (see recipes below). Slice avocados in half, remove pits, and separate flesh from skin. Add avocados, tomatillo pico de gallo, toreado purée, and lime juice to a bowl and combine, using a fork or whisk to mash avocado. Season with salt to taste.

Guacamole de Granada
SERVES FOUR

2 avocados
1 cup tomatillo pico de gallo*
2 tablespoons habañero, chopped
2 cups pomegranate seeds
1/4 cup queso fresco
Lemon juice

In a bowl, combine avocados, pico de gallo, habanero, one and three-quarter cups pomegranate seeds, and lemon juice and salt to taste. With a fork, mash the ingredients until the guacamole is smooth. Top the guacamole with the remaining pomegranate seeds and queso fresco.

*Tomatillo Pico de Gallo

2 cups tomatillo, medium diced
1 cup red onions, medium diced
1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped

In a bowl, combine all the ingredients, making sure the tomatillo is more visible than the red onion.

**Toreado Purée

1/4 cup oil, separated
1/4 cup serrano chiles, sliced lengthwise
3/4 cup onions, sliced
2 whole garlic cloves
1/4 cup maggi sauce

Heat a sauté pan with one-eighth cup oil. Add the serrano chiles and sauté for five to six minutes. In a separate pot, add the remaining oil, let it heat and sweat onions and garlic until lightly caramelized. Add the serrano chiles and let them sweat for three to four minutes. Add maggi sauce and reduce to low heat and cook until garlic, onion, and chiles are extremely soft. Purée in a blender and allow to cool.