High-Season Food Events, Pandemic-style
Not all of South Florida’s winter/spring food and drink events are on hold because of the pandemic. Some just look different. If you’re missing the season’s foodie fun and hot chefs, these events should safely whet your appetites:
Updated: The Resy Drive-Thru in Downtown Miami
Editor's note: Please note the original location has now changed from Wynwood to 1 Herald Plaza in downtown Miami.
How about a to-go tasting menu featuring foods from Timon Balloo, Michelle Bernstein, Michael Schwartz, Jose Mendin, David Lee and others? The American Express Gold Card presents The Resy Drive-Thru Miami is a two-night culinary event on Mar. 18 and 19 at 1 Herald Plaza in downtown Miami. At The Resy Drive-Thru, which debuted in Los Angeles last October, guests buy tickets online, then show up at the convention center for an artsy experience to be enjoyed from their cars. Chefs will prepare their dishes in a socially distanced tent, and each course, delivered through car windows, is accompanied by an audio explanation and music tracks.
“This event delivers a taste of not one, but 10 restaurants over the course of an evening, with music, visuals, and live entertainment elements to match. It’s the kind of culinary magic we’ve all been missing,” says Victoria Vaynberg, Resy chief marketing officer.
The final lineup includes Balloo (Timon Balloo), Cafe La Trova (Michelle Bernstein), CARBONE Miami, Harry’s Miami Beach (Michael Schwartz), Macchialina, Mr. Mandolin, Niu Kitchen, Osaka Nikkei Miami, PLANTA (David Lee) and Pubbelly Sushi (José Mendín). American Express Gold Card members get a bonus course from L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon Miami plus entry to a dessert tunnel, among other surprises.After the event, Resy and American Express will make a donation to Feeding South Florida. For more info, visit The Resy Drive-Thru.
Monthly SOBEWFF Artisan Food Market
Consider these monthly Sunday markets as amuse-bouches leading up to the 20th anniversary edition of the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, now scheduled for May. On the last Sunday of the month, Lincoln Road features a rotating roster of some of South Florida’s best bites. The February edition featured 500 free chicken sandwiches from a special edition Popeyes food truck. No word yet on surprises in store for the Mar. 28 market.
“There is no better way to celebrate our newest Festival sponsor, Popeyes, than to offer the famous Chicken Sandwich to our loyal fans for free,” says Lee Brian Schrager, SOBEWFF founder.
Curated by Gio Gutierrez of ChatChowTV, the February vendors include 2 Korean Girls, Acapella Seafood, AJ's SinnaBuns, Babe's Meat & Counter, Bagel Balls, Big Dough Cookies, Cilantro 27, CrepeMaker, Honeybee Doughnuts, Jennifer's Homemade, Luly's Flans, Paleta 305, Pastelito Papi, Puptables, Smiles Gourmet Pudding Taquiza Tacos, Temple Street Eatery and Wynwood Parlor.
The market runs from 11am-2pm. For more information, visit SOBEWFF Artisan Market.
VeritageMiami 2021
Virtual or in-person? Guests can choose how they want to celebrate this long-running food and drink festival benefiting the United Way of Miami-Dade. This year’s events, in April and May, include a Farm to Fork brunch curated by chef Michael Schwartz on April 11; a craft beer tasting at Wynwood Walls on May 13; and an interactive dinner featuring chef Adrianne Calvo on May 14.
If guests choose a virtual experience, they’ll receive meal and beverage kits and exclusive livestream access for the chef demos. If they prefer to attend in person, safety protocols, like temperature checks upon arrival and hand sanitizing stations throughout. “Each venue will be at or below 50 percent capacity,” says Adriana Yurizza of the United Way of Miami-Dade. “We are working with CDC guidelines, venue guidelines and local guidelines to make decisions.”
Here’s the 2021 VeritageMiami lineup:
Farm to Fork with chef Michael Schwartz
April 11, 11am reception, noon brunch, Coral Gables Country Club
Craft Beer Tasting
May 13, 6-7:30pm and 7:30-9pm, Wynwood Walls
Interactive Dinner featuring chef Adrianne Calvo
May 14, 6:30pm reception, 7:30pm interactive dinner, InterContinental Miami
Buy tickets here: VeritageMiami
Orange Bowl Food & Wine Celebration
Typically a colorful and festive event featuring local restaurants, drinks and live music, this year’s event will be held virtually on March 11 from 6:30-7:30. Ticketholders will get a special event kit delivered to their doorsteps with wines, cheeses and chocolates so that they can follow along on the livestream with a sommelier.
There are two options, general admission and a VIP Box. The latter includes two bottles of wine, one of champagne, three cheese selections, two chocolates, plus sponsor swag. Proceeds from the Orange Bowl Food & Wine Celebration presented by Florida Blue go toward Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, Special Olympics Florida and the Orange Bowl Leadership Academy.
For tickets, visit the Orange Bowl Food & Wine Celebration.
