If you’re searching for a restaurant that offers delicious food and a singular wine selection, look no further than Argentinean restaurant Las Vacas Gordas. Owner Luis Gajer is an avid wine collector on the hunt for world-class wines to add to his extravagant glass cellar, which is showcased proudly in the Las Vacas Gordas dining room. With superior and varied wines from top vineyards, appellations and vintages, Gajer sources rare gems including the Miami Beach eatery’s private label, which hails from the highly acclaimed Mendoza region in Argentina. France, Germany, Spain, Chile and the US also represent, and wines from the likes of Screaming Eagle, Faustino and Opus One appear on the list. 933 Normandy Dr., 305-867-1717   

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Majorca maxi cinched-waist dress ($198), Backstage.

 

Fever sequin low-back dress ($165), Backstage.

 

Hudson Serpent fold-over clutch ($295), Lauren Merkin.

 

Sleeveless button-down with cut-out back top ($205), Boulee.

 

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Check out four of our favorite pieces from Big Drop’s summer offerings.

FROM LEFT: The Sweat Love ($165), Mini ($165), and croc bag; the Pointelle Polo ($200) and Palazzo ($165); the Pointelle Polo ($200) and tube dress ($245)

Iconic French sportswear brand Lacoste has collaborated with Catherine Malandrino to create Lacoste + Malandrino. The collection brings a modern feminine style to the traditionally sporty, masculine line. The collection includes draped dresses, flirty skirts, colorful fitted tops and the mandatory polo. For Miami, the Pointelle Polo ($200) in white is ideal for warmer days. Most pieces in the collection retail for $150 to $300. Shoppers can find the line at Lacoste in Bal Harbour or Aventura Mall—just look for the kissing crocodiles logo. Lacoste, 19575 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 661, Aventura, 305-933-9948; 9700 Collins Bal Harbour, Suite 263, Bal Harbour, 305-867-0530

The terrace at Area 31

In celebration of Earth Day (April 22) Epic Hotel Miami’s Area 31 will prepare a special five-course organic dinner ($55) featuring ingredients from local farmers and purveyors. The Earth Day menu will be available through April 22 and will offer an optional organic wine pairing ($35).

First Course
Green crunch vegetable salad with watermelon radish and rhubarb vinaigrette

Second Course
Heirloom carrot soup with chickpea fritter and Hanni’s goat cheese

Third Course
Toasted quinoa with poached quail egg, smoked tofu and pickled spring onion

Fourth Course
Braised farro with kale, creamed adzuki beans and roasted oyster mushrooms

Fifth Course
Staff-picked carambola with passion fruit and caramel

Fitness-minded celebrities, like Jennifer Garner and Cameron Diaz, have become fast fans of paddleboarding, the stand-up sport that swept the nation last summer. Miami paddlers can now perfect their stance at The Standard Miami Beach's new weekend stand-up paddleboarding lessons. Classes ($40; $30 for members) are held on Friday from 4 to 7 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 7 PM. If you hit the Friday class, make sure to stick around for The Standard's Sunset Bayside Happy Hour. 

A burgeoning local filmmaker and mastermind of the Borscht Film Festival, Andrew Hevia talks about this year’s fest and the state of Miami’s independent film scene.

Tell us a little about Borscht.
ANDREW HEVIA: Borscht is a film festival run by filmmakers. We don't just show movies, we make them. We've managed to highlight some of the best filmmakers in town and we've been able to work with some great ones.

What’s the film roster like, and which are you most excited about?
AH: Besides mine, I'm super excited about a couple. You’re not supposed to pick favorites; Chlorophyl by Barry Jenkins is an incredible movie. Otto and the Electric Eel is hilarious and bizarre. La Pageant Diva is one I'm super curious about; directed by Franco Parente and produced by Jon Kane, it's the top talent on Miami's local scene.

Tell us about your film, Death Springs Eternal?
AH: It's about a 500-year-old conquistador. He found the fountain of youth with Ponce de Leon and has spent the last 500 years searching for the one thing he can never have: death. So now he just wanders the city filled with boredom.

Do you think Borscht has had a hand in the independent film renaissance in Miami?
AH: I would like to think that we're a part of the emerging culture, yeah. I feel a lot of it has to do with this twenty-something generation of Miamians coming back to the city instead of leaving right away for more established scenes. I’d like to believe it's because it's possible to have an impact here.

The Borscht Film Festival runs through April 23.

A sampling of the colorful pieces found in Design Box

On a quiet side street in the lush bayside village of Coconut Grove, you’ll find Design Box, a small shop full of treasures collected from all over the globe that opened in May of 2010. Vintage keys from France, Pakistani pendants and Indian stationery sit next to pieces from local artists. Herbie Parets is the aesthetics entrepreneur behind this charming emporium, and we asked him a few questions.

Were you always into the arts and decor?
HERBIE PARETS: Yes, since I can remember I have always had an inclination towards all things beautiful and out of the ordinary. My interest in art and art history spiked during high school and continued through college and my adult life.

What made you open your shop in Coconut Grove?
HP: Many reasons. I’ve lived in the Grove all of my adult life and really love the sense of community. I felt that the Grove really needed something like Design Box, somewhere where you could pick up a gift for a dinner party or find a great decorative piece or come in and simply be inspired.

Where do you find your pieces?
HP: I find lots of pieces in my travels abroad. But I also find lots of things here in the US, and lots of the art and jewelry is by local artists from our community.

How often do you travel?
HP: I try and take one to two over-seas trips a year.

What is your favorite country to shop in?
HP: I absolutely love India. It has great pieces that have so much history and at the same time have newer pieces that are new but read as contemporary with an ethnic twist. They also have lots of European pieces in South India that are really amazing.

How do you ship things back safely?
HP: I often come back with lots of suitcases—my India trip last year had nine in total. Other times I get local consolidators to ship larger, delicate pieces to me.

Do you ever accept requests from clients for certain pieces?
HP: Absolutely. I’ve been able to procure many things for customers over the last year.

I know you started out decorating homes. Do you still work on those projects?
HP: Yes. That is actually what I do from the back office of Design Box. I am currently working on a home in Miami Beach, an apartment in New York and finishing up two units in Venezuela.

What’s the best advice you can give someone who’s starting out with a new apartment?
HP: Think about your priorities. How do you want to use the space? Measure and create a floor plan. Start off with the large pieces first—like the sofa, dining table, bed, night tables. Gain inspiration for the look from your favorite things. Aesthetics is always important for me, but comfort is just as important.

Design Box, 3094 Fuller St., Miami, 305-644-9400

Fashionable kids around town are already familiar with the beautiful beach boutique Item. Though originated in Provincetown, this ocean-loving shop is all about representing the M.I.A. Today they’ve launched a Twitter campaign to bring the Tretorn Wellie Wagon to Miami this summer. The wagon—a navy blue van with racy sayings like NEED RUBBERS? and MY OTHER RUBBER IS A WELLIE painted on the side—drives around its host town selling wellies, sneakers and accessories. Given Miami’s wet summers, a pair of these boots is a perfect option. Do your part to bring more rubbers to Miami by following Item on Twitter and tweeting at the Tretorn Wellie Wagon using hashtag #WWMiami.

It’s hard to believe that Coco DeVille, the intimate bar/lounge housed inside the Gansevoort Miami Beach, is just celebrating its one-year anniversary. Some of the most noteworthy guests who have partied at Coco include Lebron James (who celebrated his first Miami-based birthday here), Drake (who was on the mic wishing James a happy birthday), Dwayne Wade, Gabrielle Union, Ne-Yo, Kate Hudson, Lil Jon, Sean Penn, Spike Lee and Passion Pit.

Tiffany D’Aurizio, The One Group’s marketing manager, explains their formula for success: “We have built a fun, intimate hide-a-way in the middle of South Beach," she says. "Not only do we spoil our guest with treats at the bar, but we have creative mixologists who can make liquor taste like candy, a great line-up of DJs that really have the ability to transform the small space into a mini dance club and an attentive staff that make you feel like a VIP.”

Speaking of VIP: The most popular beverage at Coco is Champagne—bottles and bottles of Champagne. And as for the sweet treats at the bar? Swedish Fish and Tootsie Pops are the preferred means to a sugar high. Coco de Ville, 2377 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-604-6545

The new Gucci boutique at the Bal Harbour Shops; the Riva by Gucci collection

Gucci celebrated the reopening of its new store at the Bal Harbour Shops in Miami last week. Plenty of familiar faces came out to toast the new and even more luxe boutique. The 6,512-square-foot space, conceived by Gucci creative director Frida Giannini, offers the newly launched children’s collection and the new Snaffle Bit bag, as well as a series of exclusive Riva by Gucci accessories (arriving later this spring). As part of Gucci’s 90th anniversary celebration, the house has partnered with Miami Beach’s Wolfsonian museum to support the future installation of its “Italian Double Parlor (1900-01),” designed by Agostino Lauro. Also in honor of Gucci’s ninth decade is the premiere of the 1921 collection, which will be available at the shop in June. Gucci, 9700 Bal Harbour Shops, 2nd Floor, Bal Harbour, 305-868-6504