If you want to spice up New Year’s Eve, or any holiday during 2023, you must dine at Barton G in Miami. A visit to Zoo Miami is the next best thing to a safari. I have walked past the Valiant Paris store on Lincoln Road hundreds of times over the years and never thought of walking in until a handbag caught my eye. And I have the scoop on the most exciting place to ring in the New Year, and you can still get reservations!  Here’s to a glorious 2023 for all!

Celebrate 2023 Holidays with New Dining Experiences 

If you want to spice up New Year’s Eve, or any holiday during 2023, you must dine at Barton G in Miami. The food is great, but the rotating table decorations are something that will make you feel super special.

The owner, Barton Weiss, started the special decor over 20 years ago when he decided that his restaurant was going to be totally unique. He realized that if he made his clients feel special, they would keep coming back to see the new tabletop serving pieces. Each season and holiday have their own collections and new items are being added all the time.

Barton G is not just a pretty face. The food is delicious. I have never heard anyone complain about what they were served. The menu is very diversified with all kinds of offerings for people with dietary restrictions. Another special element are the signature drinks. There are many to choose from and many are served with chilled smoke circulating on top.

The outside garden is one of the prettiest you have ever seen. The trees are turned into pieces of art with glamorous crystal chandeliers, light sculptures, and paper art. We always get surprised by the imagination of those who decorate the entire establishment. Bravo to their creative minds.

Eliot and I just dined at Barton G for Christmas Eve with our friends Robert Armada and Steve Greenberg. While we all have dined at the restaurant for years, we still squealed in delight every time a new dish was served. Surprises galore. You can’t help but be happy every visit.

Barton G is located at 1427 West Ave. Miami Beach, FL 33139, 305.672.8881 

Get the details.

PS Barton G also has a restaurant in West Hollywood, CA.

Make Zoo Miami the Next Best Thing to An African Safari

….all you have to do is do it my way.  I know so many folks who say an African Safari is one of the best trips of their lives. I believe them, but just because you don’t feel like spending 16 hours flying, and better than $10,000 for the adventure, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t experience spending time with wildlife from all over the world.

One of the greatest places on earth to do that is Zoo Miami (also known as The Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens. It is the largest zoo in Florida and the fifth largest in the United States.  As the only sub-tropical zoo in the continental U.S., the unique climate in South Florida allows us to care for a wide variety of animals from Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Americas representing a broad mix of species that is unlike any other zoo in the country.

The animals are grouped according to their geographic territories, with species that live together peacefully in the wild placed in exhibits together at the zoo. The trees, foliage, and even the soil are matched as closely as possible to the native habitats of the animals.

Zoo Miami advertises that their lush, tropical, open-air exhibits replicate our animals’ natural habitats and allow guests to enjoy beautiful and endangered wildlife at a safe, yet remarkably close range.

“The history of the zoo can be traced back to 1948, with what was then known as the Crandon Park Zoo on the island of Key Biscayne, just off the coast of downtown Miami. At that time, the zoo occupied 48 acres of the park and its first animals included some lions, an elephant and a rhinoceros that had been stranded when a circus went out of business in Miami. Get the details.

Lois In Paris on Lincoln Road

I have walked past the Valiant Paris store on Lincoln Road hundreds of times over the years and never thought of walking in. It always looked too Vegas exotic, young, flashy, and teeny weeny for me.I didn’t know anyone who shopped there so I just figured successful and powerful women in entertainment were keeping them in business.

Then, a few weeks ago, I saw a small evening bag in the window that I was immediately drawn to. I said to Eliot, “I have to go in.” I had no idea what world I was walking into, but I have never been shy about being the odd man out.

The minute I entered the store I knew that I couldn’t fit into a thing in that store. Everything was skimpy and tight. The goal of each outfit was to have the proper equipment for a plunging neckline. That didn’t scare me. I was fixated on all of the accessories.

Many women might think that the necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets are too loud and ostentatious. I normally would agree with them, but when I was in Paris in October the fashionistas were wearing big chunky jewelry.

I fell in love with a few pieces, so I bought them. When I looked at the price, I was quite pleased. Very reasonable. Cha Ching, Cha Ching.

Here are my purchases.

If you are not in Miami, there is a Valiant Paris in Vegas. Have fun. Clothes and accessories don’t have to be so serious.

Valiant Paris, 934 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach. Get the details.

Best, And Most Exciting Place, To Ring In The New Year In Miami

And Yes, It’s Still Available. Do you remember Steve Rubell of Studio 54? He was the founder, and creator, along with his partner Ian Schrager. Steve’s brother, Don Rubell along with his wife Mera, own one of the most exciting and impressive contemporary art museums in the world and it’s located in Miami. The museum features an ultra-gourmet restaurant called Leku that decided to open for New Year’s Eve. I just received an email from them and I am sharing it with you.

You can’t have a finer, more impressive New Year’s Eve celebration anywhere else. Make sure you visit the museum first. You will feel so energized from the colorful and progressive art work. Your meal at Leku will be one of the best you ever had. It’s pricey but you have seen higher.

Ger the details.