You can’t imagine how surprised I was when Page Six, of the New York Post, labeled “Call Me Gaby,” my neighborhood Italian restaurant, a Miami hotspot. But I know why. Da Vinci is in Miami in an interactive exhibit that is on loan from the Museum of Leonardo da Vinci in Florence, Italy for a limited time only. If you love nightlife, Miami has a brand new after-dark venue the likes of which you have never seen. And I was excited to host 24 art loving ladies from Toronto this week. They are proof that staying active and having fun is the secret to slowing down the aging process.

New York Post Pronounces “Call Me Gaby,” A Miami Hot Spot

I was surprised, especially since “Gaby’s” is just around the corner from where I live. It’s one of the most affordable eateries in the South of Fifth Miami Beach gold coast area. The reason “Gaby’s” got the hotspot name was because Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner “enjoyed an intimate date night at a Miami hotspot that is a favorite of the Trump family— particularly the socialite’s late mother, Ivana Trump.

While Ivana may have dined in “Gaby’s” once or twice, I would hardly call the restaurant her favorite. She hasn’t been in Miami for years.  She died July 14, 2022, in her New York City townhouse. She spent the few years prior to her death isolating herself in the mansion because of Covid. She never traveled to Miami. I should know. She lived in my condo building.

Ivana, however, celebrated her 40th birthday a little over two years ago, at “Gaby’s” with a group of girlfriends. I was surprised by her choice of a restaurant because she never came to this area of Miami Beach when her mother was alive. Now she is out and about in her mother’s old territory.

However, “Gaby’s” didn’t need Ivana to put it on the map. It’s a true phenomenon in the neighborhood. The restaurant is packed for lunch and dinner every day. It’s the strangest thing. Several restaurants tried to make a go of it on that very same spot for years. None of them could draw a crowd. “Gaby’s” is directly across the street from Joe’s Stone Crab” and has a full house for every meal.

Promotional material states that “owners Anthony and Kathy Guitera, Corsicans who grew up in France (Cannes and Marseilles), met in Miami Beach and ran several restaurants on Ocean Drive. Kathy was born to a Vietnamese mother and Corsican father in Saigon where her parents ran the rooftop restaurant in the famed Arc en Ceil Hotel. Folks nicknamed Guitera Gaby after Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, the fashion icon she admires. The family-run place (Kathy’s niece is the manager) is affordable by South Beach standards, a place one can kick back and enjoy unpretentious dishes.”

Try “Gaby’s.” You won’t be disappointed. Address: 22 Washington Avenue Miami Beach. (305) 531-4800.

Da Vinci: Machines & Robotics

I really enjoy offering tips on what to do in Miami that is completely different from anything you have ever experienced.  Here is something that is fun, educational and perfect for the entire family. Here’s the latest! The da Vinci Machines and Robotics interactive exhibition features over 60 exhibits with interactive robots, flying contraptions, war machines, and much more. Get to know Leonardo da Vinci and his inventions like never before!

The interactive exhibit is on loan from the Museum of Leonardo da Vinci in Florence, Italy for a limited time only.

As a reminder Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), was an Italian painter, scientist, and engineer. His most notable paintings are: The Virgin of the Rocks (1483-85), The Last Supper (1498), and the Mona Lisa (1504-05). He devoted himself to a wide range of other subjects, from anatomy and biology to mechanics and hydraulics: his 19 notebooks include studies of the human circulatory system and plans for a type of aircraft and a submarine.

Don’t miss your chance to attend the special curated tours available at 11am and 1pm on February 3-4 only!  Get the details.

A New Nightlife Experience at Faena Theater

For all of you who love nightlife, Miami has a brand new after-dark venue the likes of which you have never seen. It’s where cirque nouveau, music and Magic City enchantment converge every month for a lavish after-hours fête! Of course, the destination is the Faena nightclub. They say, “As the day nears midnight, the grand Faena Theater undergoes a magical transformation into a luxurious playground for late-night revelers. Experience the epitome of glamour and entertainment at our newest sensation, EVERAFTER– an after-hours lavish fête like no other.”

Hosted by the masterful Rocky Lanes as the mistress of ceremonies, EVERAFTER promises a unique fusion of artistry and revelry—a nocturnal nightclub where partygoers will find themselves dancing among a parade of scantily-clad burlesque performers as the dance floor comes alive with powerhouse vocals and vibrant beats. Step into our electric world where we blur the lines between performer and audience and redefine the after-hours experience in the heart of luxury.

This is starting to remind me of Studio 54.  Faena’s promotional material warns:

Starts on Friday, January 26 · 11pm EST at the Faena Theater, 3201 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33140. Get all the details.

Ladies Who Just Want to Have Fun 

Hesty Leibtag’s gang of art lovers from Toronto (https://partnersinart.ca) made a late-night stop at our Miami condo last week. Led by Kathryn Quinlivan Mikesell and Tami Katz-Freiman of Fountainhead Arts, 24 ladies were on a four-day tour of the Miami art scene. Hesty is a major member of Fountainhead Arts when she winters in Miami but is also very active in her Toronto art group.

When I was first asked if I would host the 90-minute cocktail party I just didn’t know what to expect. I just couldn’t imagine what it would be like being a stop on a four-day crawl to meet gallerists, artists, and collectors. I thought the women would be exhausted after a whole day of touring. My slot was 9 to 10:30pm. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Every woman looked like she stepped out of a gift-wrapped box. I asked what invigorated them and the answer was simple. They loved meeting new people, hearing new ideas, and planning future events that keep them active.

That seems to be the formula for slowing down the aging process. Yes, everyone had their aches and pains and sometimes conditions that were far more serious. However, they claim when they are on the run, their worries fade into the background, and they enjoy the new adventures.

What a wonderful group. Photos by Gail Williams and Drinks by Dawn McCall. Thank you all.