ADVENTURES IN PARADISE: A SOUTH BEACH STORY

Our recent trip to South Beach was a welcome respite from the snowy winter here in Chicago. And even though their temperatures were unseasonably cool, we were very content with sun and 60- to 70- degree temps, thank you very much! We packed a lot of adventure into our week long stay at the Tides Hotel on Ocean Boulevard, which was marvelous thanks to the all-woman managerial staff that runs the hotel like a Swiss clock! Our room had an ocean view and was clean and chic with all beige, crystal and bleached wood furnishings. I would definitely stay here again. Their cozy little bar is all done in red lacquer with sexy lighting and the staff couldn’t have been more helpful. Their salt water pool had room in the sun for everyone, which was a welcome change from racing down early to secure the one chair in the sun as at other hotels (Delano, Sagamore…are you listening?!). The first evening we went to Asia de Cuba at the Mondrian Hotel. The restaurant wasn’t dissimilar from the Asia de Cuba in New York except the hotel here is a surreal mix of contemporary design. The hotel’s Dutch designer, Marcel Wanders, has won many awards for his creations and I can understand why: The shiny, curving black staircase catches your eye as soon as you walk in and then away you go…entering another world as you get caught up in the glamour of South Beach. Crystal chandeliers were everywhere hung under gigantic golden bell domes. And even by the infinity pool with a view of downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay there were furniture designs you have never seen before. The bars were covered by what appeared to be giant white mushrooms with hundreds of small hidden white lights that made them glow in the dark. I can’t wait to see Marcel’s next creation which will open in SoHo in the fall. The next day, we went for lunch to my favorite spot in South Beach, the beach club La Piaggia. Pay no attention to the forbidding sign on the door that reads “Private Club, Members Only.” Once you step inside, you feel like you’re on the French Riviera. La Piaggia is owned by the co-founder of the hottest beach club in St. Tropez (La Voile Rouge), Robert Pascal. Robert runs a tight ship with his general manager Alex Maufroy. They celebrated their 10th anniversary in November and were one of the city’s first beach clubs. You see every sort of person here too which makes the people watching especially interesting…top real estate developer Thomas Kramer has a standing reservation, glamorous locals with large tables of frie
nds and a large contingent of chic Eurotrash smoking Gauloises or cigars, which seems to be legal here. The last time we were here, we saw tennis great Boris Becker canoodling in a corner with his now wife. It’s always a scene on Sundays and the party goes late. Don’t plan on dinner afterwards unless you’re of very hardy stock! The next evening, we got a chance to hang out and celebrate our dear friend, Jeff (Gooch) Gurciullo’s, 43rd birthday. We met new friends Jennifer Quinones and her fiancé Tom Zur and Gooch’s boyfriend Paul Focazio at Meat Market, a fairly new restaurant on Lincoln Road which has an extensive wine collection and serves buffalo steaks among other things. We had a lot of laughs and it was great to see Gooch again! On the one day it rained, we drove to Bal Harbour – one of my favorite shopping destinations – although I must say, the Design District was pretty exciting for shopping, too. Tomas Maier has relocated there and the Marni store was cool but none were as cool as the Christian Louboutin store! When you walk through the door, the whole ceiling is covered with a colorful origami-type design and along the exposed brick walls are gorgeous orchid plants that seem to just stick there unaided. Inside the store, the dazzle is equally compelling: Artwork seems more important than the shoes and the deep burgundy crystal light fixture reminded me of Dale Chihuly’s masterpieces. And even though I can’t wear heels that high anymore (sadly) I didn’t want to leave. I would’ve been happy sitting there having a cocktail. Kudos to the designers who created this unique spot in the Design District…I would go back just to go here again! A new BBQ restaurant, Q, opened while we were there too that looks promising at 4029 N. Miami Ave. Later in the week, we also dined at BLT Steak in the Betsy Hotel. The décor was very inviting with lots of greenery and their specialty is steaks (although my husband wouldn’t agree…he didn’t like his). We also went to Mr. Chow in the W Hotel. The space is visually exciting and I had high hopes for the restaurant since I love the ones in New York and L.A. but sadly, I was disappointed. We had about 17 waiters so we could never recognize who to ask for help. The food was fair and the waiters seemed used to treating everyone like tourists…and even though we were, it would’ve been nice to see them a little more interested. At any rate, I did love the room and the wine was good! On our final night in Miami, we had dinner with more old friends, Nadine and Ira Epstein and Sarinda Fulgoni, at Prime 112. This place never disappoints and the food and service were sublime. The best part of South Beach is that it is constantly evolving…you can never be bored here with all of the new and exciting spots to visit. I can’t wait to go back! Thankfully, I think these photos will be able to hold me over until next time.

The Joffrey Ballet recently hosted a luncheon at the Four Seasons to kickoff the opening of their production of “Cinderella.” This ballet received rave reviews from across the country – even the harsh critics in New York wrote glowingly about it! “Cindy’s Having a Ball” was co-chaired by Whitney Lasky, Shawna Owen and Elena Besser (the latter being the hostess of Teen Celeb TV) and brought out close to 300 guests for a day of fun. The scrumptious luncheon consisted of chicken and wild mushroom vol-au-vent (pot pie) with truffle cream and dessert was dark chocolate pumpkin filled with white chocolate mousse and fresh raspberries. There was champagne and “Cindytinis” plus gourmet treats from Swirlz Cupcakes. The fashions were so chic and a lot of the ladies were wearing bright spring colors as an antidote to our long winter. Artistic Director Ashley Wheater and Executive Director and CS Magazine’s Man of Style Christopher Conway welcomed everyone and the magical décor in varying shades of pink by Jonathan Ryan made everyone feel like fairy princesses! The luncheon honored long-time Joffrey supporter Shelley MacArthur Farley, whose many events have raised $1.5 million for this world-class ballet company. Shelley founded the Cinderella Scholarship for Young Girls in January, the first scholarship fund established at The Joffrey’s official school, Academy of Dance. While Shelley thanked the crowd, a video montage played behind her showcasing her many performances. There were also “freshen up stations” provided by MAC and hair styling provided by Renee Feldman. Then Shauna Montgomery, Shelley’s sister, and Elena Besser hosted a raffle that included lots of wonderful items including a pair of custom designed Brian Atwood stilettos, a Michael Kors evening gown and a trip to Paris to name a few. The event was a hit all around for our wonderful Joffrey Ballet. Seen on the scene were Dusty Stemer, Keri Price, Gregg Zgonena, Victor Skrebneski, Ken Price, Shirley Michels, Sugar Rautbord, Cindy Burns, Judge Mary Pat Burns, Cynthia Holbrook, Kristina McGrath, Linda O’Keefe, Sharyl Mackey, Laura Foxman, Rebecca Besser, Kelli Zink, Mary Kay DeMaio, Mary Jo Basler, Sherren Leigh, Bunky Cushing, Dennis Minkle, Cheryl Oblander, She
ila O’Grady, Jean Antoniou, Leslie Zentner, Melissa Babcock, Joffrey WB Prez Christine Ott, Grace Barry, Sandy Deromedi, Maria Smithburg, Marty Higgins, Mary Ann Murphy, Dr. Stacie McClane, Tracey Tarantino, Mary Lasky, Jerry Lasky, Traci Mansur, Coco Meers, Nicole Labadie, Toni Canada, Anna Devlantes, Trevian Kutti, Manny Bencomo, Ken Norgan, Vonita Reescer, Scott Bobek, Sheryl Dyer, Peggy Martay, Sherrill Bodine, Tina Weller, Laurie Davis, Bill Farley, Marsha Brenner and Dan Uslan among others. Kudos to the creative co-chairs Whitney, Shawna and Elena and thanks to Caitlin Saville for these fab fotos!
 
Don’t forget Saturday, March 6th, at the Old Town Triangle Center! Old Town’s own Shirley Baugher will be directing “The Teahouse of the August Moon” starring a group of Old Town players including John Blick (Sakini), Riley Loop, our son Charley Jordan (Colonel Wainwright Purdy III), Christopher Cordon (Captain Fisby), Amy Ewaldt, Sophia Boehm, Shelby and Jamieson Katz, Alex Shibicky, Roc Roney, Philip Wasik and Michael Warnick. Admission is free and the play will be performed from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Old Town Triangle Center, located at 1763 N. North Park. Don’t miss this wonderful production in charming Old Town! I hope all of my friends and neighbors will join me! 
 
Recently, I had the privilege to attend a party to introduce the plans for the new Ronald McDonald House. This proposed 14-story building with 86 guest rooms will be located at 211 E. Grand and at 100,000 square feet, it will be the world’s largest Ronald McDonald House. Situated among four exceptional hospitals, the House will serve as a haven of compassion and hope for families who travel from all parts of the globe to get their children the finest health care treatment. The House is projected to open in the summer of 2012. To learn more, please visit www.RonaldHouseChicago.org. Honorary chairperson for this undertaking is Coach Lovie Smith and his wife. Our own Ken Norgan is a co-chair for this very worthy fundraising effort.
 
Basketball legend Julius Erving celebrated his 60th birthday on February 19th at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. Our long-time friends and St. Tropez buddies Tania and Craig Drake have been dear friends of his since the early 70’s and were there to help him and his family celebrate. Happy Birthday, Dr. J!!!

Big congratulations to star chef Charlie Trotter, who married his longtime love public relations executive Rochelle Smith on Feb. 21st at the One & Only Resort in the Maldives in the Indian Ocean! We wish them a lifetime of happiness!!!
 
I’ve missed everybody and am glad to be back blogging! 
 
Love,
Candace :)

P.S. Has anyone picked up the March issue of Chicago magazine? A little birdie told me it was pretty great… 🙂

P.S.S. Need a smile? Check out this darling “doggie at dinner” video!