Miami Life: Dining Upheaval, Authors, Theater, Book Signing
The rumor turned out to be true. Prime Fish, probably the best fish restaurant in the country, has been closed because most Miami Beach diners are fickle. I have the story. This wasn’t always true, but Miami is now considered a major stop for authors who want to pitch their book to a receptive audience. Just a reminder these are the last few days of The Lehman Trilogy at Gable Stage located at the Biltmore Hotel. And please join my husband Eliot Hess and me at Books & Books on April 21 for his children’s book party signing .
When Bad Things Happen to Good Restaurants
The minute Carbone, a well-known Italian restaurant located in Greenwich Village, New York, opened up diagonally across the street, many Prime Fish patrons decided they would rather fatten up with pasta than sticking with a healthier Branzino dish. Carbone drew crowds, Prime Fish was reduced to three quarters of its usual regulars.
Carbone is owned by Rich Torrisi and Jeff Zalaznick. Prime Fish is owned by the Myles Restaurant Group, who also owns Prime 112, the ultra-exclusive Prime Private, Prime Italian and Big Pink. All of Myles Chefetz’s restaurants, within a few blocks from each other, have been considered the top restaurants in Miami Beach for decades. The food at each of the restaurants Myles created was delectable, the service has always been par excellence, and the celebrity sighting was awesome.
Prime Fish was super special because the fish was the freshest you ever tasted. They had more selections than you can imagine, and the preparations were totally unique. What was even more enticing was the decor. The inside was white on white which made you feel like you were in a fish market and the outside garden was one of the most romantic spots ever. There was one old, huge, oak tree that covered the entire courtyard. I used to stare at it all the time. I never saw such a thick trunk in my life. It was a great selfie location and you know how important that is.
Myles Chefetz’s is considered to be one of the best, or the best, restaurateurs in Miami. Each of his restaurants are considered to be a favorite of everyone who frequently dine out. It’s inconceivable that someone else beats him in a field that he has conquered so well.
Myles told friends that it was time for a change and he has leased the building that he owns to the Israeli Mediterranean restaurant chain called Motek. Lucky for me I really like the Motek menu. The company already has locations in Brickell, downtown Miami, the Aventura Mall and Coral Gables.
Charlie Levy, owner of Motek, l lives in the South of Fifth neighborhood, and is thrilled that his newest restaurant will be located in an iconic building. He is anxious to see how he can attract the Carbone crowd with his kebabs and “one of the best chicken schnitzel sandwiches you’ll find in Miami.”
Miami Is a Must Stop For Book Authors
Book authors and publishers used to believe that people who lived, or vacationed in Miami, didn’t like to read. All we liked to do was play in the sun. That may have been true years ago, but it certainly isn’t now. Miami is now considered a major stop for authors who want to pitch their book to a receptive audience. I’m also very happy that more and more organizations and businesses are hosting book signings for authors. It’s a great networking strategy because it brings people from all walks of life together to discuss a common interest.
Last Friday I attended a luncheon at the restaurant Mamo on Brickell to hear all about the secrets of the art world from author Bianca Bosker who just wrote the New York Times best seller “Get The Picture.” Bosker also did an expose on the wine industry in another best selling book called Cork Dork. The event was sponsored by ZTN Capital Consulting and Berkshire Hathaway Home Services/EWM Realty.
Next week I will be attending an event at the Rubell Museum for author Brad Gooch who just wrote “Radiant: The Life and Line of Keith Haring.” Gooch will be having a conversation about Haring with Mera and Don Rubell, major collectors of the artist’s work. My major concern now is that I find out which author is appearing where so I don’t miss the opportunity to meet them in person.
Now – April 21. The Lehman Trilogy
The Lehman Trilogy at Gable Stage located at the Biltmore Hotel is one of the best plays I have ever seen and I have seen a lot. It’s just remarkable to watch. The synopsis is that “beginning in Montgomery, Alabama in 1844, a Bavarian immigrant dreams of a better life. In 2008, his descendants unleash an unprecedented financial disaster. The spectacular rise and fall of Lehman Brothers is both an intimate family saga and a colossal exposé of unquenchable capitalism.”
Run Time: 3 hours with two 15-minute intermissions. Pre-show talks begin 30 minutes before the performance.
All matinees: 2:00 pm
All evening performances: 7:30 pm
April 21. Join us at Books & Books for Eliot Hess Book Signing
Fearless Flying Fannie by my husband Eliot Hess will be released by Genius Cats Books on April 16, 2024. The first book party signing at Books & Books, Coral Gables, FL. Sunday, April 21, 2024, 11AM and we hope you’ll join us. (You can also preorder from Books & Books now. Fearless Flying Fannie teaches young girls they can make their dreams come true by helping others. Fannie is a great role model because she shows through attitude, kindness, friendship and trust, any young girl can be strong and powerful at a moment’s notice.
And now there’s a Fearless Flying Fannie good luck pin to remind young girls of their own unique, special powers. The pins will be distributed at Eliot’s book appearance at Books & Books.
The story begins when Fannie rescues a young bird named Phoebe who accidentally lands on her high-rise terrace and becomes trapped while learning to fly. The next day, Fannie receives a visit from a very different bird and her adventure begins.
Eliot Hess, author, wrote Fearless Flying Fannie during the COVID19 pandemic based on a young bird he rescued that landed on his terrace and struggled to fly away. He felt the inspiration to write this story for young girls because fantasy and adventure is not just for boys.
Eliot Hess is also a photographer, cookbook author, mystery book and art collector and world traveler. He co-founded a marketing and public relations agency with his wife Lois that’s been responsible for introducing numerous consumer electronics products, changing the modern world. He resides in Miami Beach where the inspiration for Fannie began.
Jayda Knight, (aka Flying Knight) a visual street artist, brought life to Fannie with her whimsical fashion sense, playful aesthetic style, and an exceptional imagination.
Fearless Flying Fannie will be released by Genius Cat Books on April 16, 2024. Pre-orders are now available at all online booksellers.
P.S. If you know of a children’s charity, Eliot Hess would like to donate a few books in your honor. Please see contact information below.
Fannie good luck pins by:
David Bloom
Contact:
Lois Whitman
(917) 822-2591
