I wrote about Miami’s first private social club a few weeks ago. Now another one has opened, and we were invited two nights after Leonardo Di Caprio and Ivanka Trump christened the new Miami “in” spot. When Eliot and I went around Art Basel we thought the exhibitors would be disappointed in sales. So I was shocked to learn about the galleries that sold paintings in the millions of dollars! And that’s just one indicator that Miami is the hottest city in the country and “unstoppable.” Another is the restaurants, like Mignonette, a fabulous Oyster Bar that’s been named one of the 50 best seafood restaurants in the country.

Members Only Miami Clubs  

The second members only restaurant opened up last week in Miami and we got invited to a dinner there two nights after Leonardo Di Caprio and Ivanka Trump christened the new “in” spot. I wrote about the first private social club a few weeks ago. It’s appropriately named Club at the Moore in the Design District and now the Harbour Club opened up in Miami Beach’s Sunset Harbour. Both have an initiation fee of $10,000 and $5,000 annual dues. It’s pretty pricey for young adults in their 20’s and 30’s but I have to say they were both packed with beautiful people.

We were with our own beautiful crowd of people who invited us to join them on the Saturday night of Art Basel and the other art fairs. This is one of the benefits of belonging to an organization that has a lot of millennials and Gen Xers as members. Somehow, we have art as a common denominator and the age difference melts away. Of course, if you are part of the older crowd you can’t talk about your illnesses and retirement benefits all the time because that would cause a barrier. We don’t do that because when we’re with younger folks we are not interested in talking about stuff our senior friends want to concentrate on. After a while, you just get into a younger groove. It’s not until I look into a mirror that reality sets in again.

Emily and Chris Campbell arranged the night at the Harbour Club. We partied with them, gallerist Yiwei Lu of Venice, CA, and lawyer Marcha Chaudry. The venue houses three different food spaces: a’Riva, an Italian Mediterranean restaurant open to the public (with reservations), and two members-only areas — Palm Room, a cocktail lounge, and Nikai at Harbour Club, a Japanese restaurant. We dined at Nikai and experienced everything on the menu. The service was impeccable, and the food was absolutely delicious.

The Campbells also honored us with a tour of the establishment’s major art collection. Check out the photos. Thank you, Emily and Chris, for inviting us along. It was a thrilling evening.

The Art Market Is Alive and Well For The Very Rich

Eliot and I walked around Art Basel and some of the other art fairs last week (Untitled, Design Miami, Art Miami and Scope) thinking that the exhibitors were going to be somewhat disappointed with their sales results this year. We saw some of the galleries that we know were fairly active while others admitted that they lost money exhibiting.

I was stunned when I read Artsy a few days ago which reported that there was a healthy number of galleries who sold paintings in the millions. Artsy is a newsletter about the world’s emerging and established artists. They make it easy for new and experienced collectors to discover, buy, and sell art. Everything you’ll ever need to collect art, you’ll find on Artsy

I am giving you the list of activities from Artsy because it’s a good one to reference for your own interest and also to have when talking to others about the artists that did well this year. You will sure to impress others.

Art Basel registered more than 75,000 visitors this year, down from last year’s reported attendance figure of 79,000).

There were 286 galleries from 28 countries—up from last year’s 277—and included 34 first-time exhibitors, the largest batch of newcomers in over a decade. South and Central America had a strong showing, with 19 galleries from Brazil alone.

Leading the reported sales was Hauser & Wirth, which sold David Hammons’s Untitled (2014) for $4.75 million during the VIP preview on Wednesday.

Several galleries also secured seven-digit sales during the art fair’s first VIP day, including Thaddaeus Ropac, David Zwirner, and White Cube. Meanwhile, the City of Miami’s Legacy Purchase Program, now in its fifth year, acquired Nina Surel’s ceramic wall installation, presented by Spinello Projects—one of Artsy’s best booths from the fair.

Top sales at Art Basel Miami Beach 2024

Hauser & Wirth reported several seven- and six-figure sales, including:

• George Condo’s Female Portrait Abstraction (2024) for $2.5 million.
• Ed Clark’s Untitled (1986) for $1.4 million and Untitled (1986–87) for $1 million.
• Charles Gaines’s Numbers and Trees: Tanzania Series 1, Baobab, Tree #4, Maasai (2024) for $795,000.
• Rashid Johnson’s Soul Painting “Honey” (2024) for $750,000.
• Christina Quarles’s And I Moon (2024) for $750,000.
• William Kentridge’s Goat(2021) for $585,000.
• Avery Singer’s Untitled (2024) for $575,000.
• Jeffrey Gibson’s I can hear you (2024) for $500,000
• Firelei Báez’s When We Seize to Understand (Premiere Carte Pour L’Introduction A L’Histoire Du Monde) (2024) for $375,000.
• Catherine Goodman’s Scarlet Shig (2023) for $200,000.
• Nairy Baghramian’s Treat (2016) for €175,000 ($185,000).
• Allison Katz’s Big Cat (2024) for $175,000.
• María Berrío’s Distant Gods and Aging Suns (2024) for $160,000.
• Michaela Yearwood-Dan’s Chimera (2024) for $150,000.
• Günther Förg’s Untitled (2005) for €110,000 ($116,000).
• UMAN’s Red (2024) for $100,000.
• Works by Ambera Wellmannand Camille Henrot sold for five-figure sums.

For the full list read What Sold at Art Basel Miami Beach 2024

Not Your Grandma’s Miami 

If you are looking for a gated community to live in if you ever make a move full time, or part-time, to South Florida, Miami is not the city for you. If you feel you need a built-in community to brag about your grandchildren or your son the doctor, Miami is not the town for you. If you need a retirement resort where you never leave the premises, Miami is not the destination for you.

Miami is for active, adventurous people. I’m not saying that you have to be on the go all the time, but it’s a place where people love to explore, meet new people, and be among much younger folks who are full of life.

There are many days I sit home and do nothing. However, living in Miami is like living in New York with good weather. The sun is shining most of the time and the streets are busy with tons of activities and new opportunities.

My trusted real estate friend Zachary Belil. https://www.zacharybelil.com, just told me that the Miami Real Estate market has been rated #2 in the Nation!

According to the 2025 Emerging Trends in Real Estate report by PwC and the Urban Land Institute, Miami ranks #2 nationwide for real estate prospects.

“That’s right” says Belil. Miami is the city everyone’s watching, with its sizzling market fueled by international demand, wealthy buyers escaping high tax states like New York and California, and its undeniable allure as a world-class destination.

“Experts from across the industry—think developers, investors, and builders—rated 81 metro areas, and Miami is holding its own at the top alongside Dallas-Fort Worth. With its sunny vibes, thriving business scene, and status as a lifestyle hotspot, Miami’s future is glowing. Sure, there are challenges like high prices and climate concerns, but let’s face it: Miami isn’t just a city, it’s a movement.

“So whether you’re an investor, a developer, or just someone who loves the magic of Miami, now’s the time to jump in. This city isn’t just hot—it’s unstoppable!”

Belil’s attitude is contagious and shared by many. Don’t stay in the cold, come visit. This is the life you want.

It’s Out of This World 

I love going to Mignonette, a fabulous Oyster Bar in Overtown, Miami, but I’m not thrilled that a cemetery is right across the street. I always feel guilty about eating great food and drinking fine wine when the deceased are stretched out under the ground in close proximity.

What’s even more disturbing is that I seem to be the only one who cares. I looked around the restaurant and everyone is chowing down like there’s no tomorrow. There is no question about it, Mignonette has great food. I just have to remember I am not going there for the ambiance.  Hahaha.

I did myself a solid. I was with a group of six last Tuesday night so I made sure I sat with my back to the cemetery view. That helped a lot. Then I agreed to share a bottle of red wine with everyone even though I only drink white. It was absolutely smooth as smooth can be. I included a picture of the bottle so you can see exactly what we had.

I also ordered oysters in wine sauce that were absolutely the best I ever had. It was so garlicky that I felt like I was being absorbed by the bowl of oysters. So, between the oysters and the wine, I forget about my quiet friends across the street.

I have no idea why anyone would want to open a restaurant near a cemetery but entrepreneurs do it all the time. If the location is an affordable price then that’s the most important thing.

Mignonette is a former 1930s gas station turned oyster bar/seafood haven. It was created by Chef Daniel Serfer and Ryan Roman. It was named one of the 50 Best Seafood Restaurants in the Country.

Here are three reviews:

“I love this restaurant. Their roasted chicken is so good (to lick your fingers). The branzino was seasoned and cooked to perfection. Their chips are crispy and delicious. So many excellent veggies’ options to choose from. I had the brocollini and my husband had the fríed Roman artichokes. So yummy! The service was excellent. Can’t wait to come back.”

“Food was fresh and wonderful, from appetizers (crab cakes and lobster deviled eggs) to entrees (redfish) to dessert (key lime pie). Service was remarkable and the setting is very old Miami.”

“Mignonette in Miami is a ‘hidden gem’ celebrated for its exceptional seafood and outstanding service. Diners rave about the
creative dishes and delicious oysters. The restaurant delivers a “five-star experience,” making it a must-visit for seafood.”