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Nycole Sariol

Culinary, The Issue

Chatting Up Top Chef Fabio Viviani

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By Nycole Sariol/Photo courtesy Siena Tavern Bravo’s Top Chef Season Five summoned some very distinguishable TV personalities to its screen, plashing that touch of drama necessary for any triumphant reality show dish. Though the claws were sharp and the fights were prevalent, there was but one who maintained his cool all the while – oddly enough – stirring the pot. The Italian chef, who wore a smile more than he wore an apron, Fabio Viviani, indubitably rendered that Italian fire that melted the hearts of many during season five Top Chef New York and Top Chef: Allstars. After nation-wide exposure on an Emmy Award winning show, it’s only natural that raved success ensues, right? Not for Fabio. For him, the show did not define his career as a chef. It merely gave him the tools to build future relationships with people whom he might not have otherwise. “My life is the same. It [Top Chef] just made it busier,” the chef told us right before he and newest restaurant, Siena Tavern snagged up the People’s Choice Award and Best Taste of Florida at the OBIES in Ft. Lauderdale. The devilishly charming chef, who has opened California hotspots like Café Firenze and Firenze Osteria and Siena Tavern in Chicago, no doubt holds the gold belt of encapsulating the perfect chef-restaurateur combo. But those aren’t his only accolades gaining him colossal recognition. On top of multiple and expanding restaurants in the works, Viviani also has the bragging rights to some handy cookbooks like the New York Times Best-Seller, Fabio’s Italian Kitchen and another due out later this year, following the vibe of the former. Like any good, homegrown Italian boy, raised on a nice glass of Chianti instead of a tall glass of warm milk, Viviani is expected to launch his first line of wine. “We love to drink, but we wanted to create a product that people are passionate about,” he says. Apart from the launch of his anticipated wine line and the sequel to his best-selling cookbook, it’s the opening of Siena Tavern Miami that breaks the cooking catalyst’s chart-topping news. The sister restaurant to his Chicago location, is set to open fall of this year in South Beach’s old China Grill, between Washington Avenue and 5th. Viviani says to expect loads of color and, of course, fashion, because what’s a Miami restaurant without the duet?  With so many whirl-winding ventures teeming around him, how does this guy find the time for a little shut-eye? “I don’t. I gave it up a while ago,” chuckles the Top Chef’s favorite season five contestant. But in a city that welcomes sleepless nights, we expect he and his insomnia will fit in just fine here on Miami’s shores. Click here to view post on the July/August 2014 issue.

Culinary

Sweet-Tooth Swooning By Way of Sweetness Bake Shop and Café

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By Nycole Sariol/Photography by Imani Ogden Lately, cupcakes aren’t just cupcakes anymore. In fact, they’ve become a much bigger deal than their diminutive stature suggests. For South Miami’s Sweetness Bake Shop and Cafe, flavor is everything. The ‘ole red velvet and the generic vanilla song and dance is joined by a medley of different tunes consisting of nutella buttercream and bacon crumbs, and Cortadito-flavored cupcakes at the sweet-shop, pushing the envelop of what can and what can’t be done in the holy sanction of all things “sweet and savory.” Cupcakes aren’t the only antidote for a sweet-tooth ache served up on Sweetness’ menu. The confectionary kingdom also specializes in producing some of the Miami’s tastiest desserts – from their legendary “dessert shots” to a rainbow of flavor-packed pies and just about every deep-fried everything. The sugar rush doesn’t stop there. Sometimes, one hit of their mini-cupcakes like the Dulce Coco and Guayabera cupcakes, isn’t enough to quell your craving. For this reason, the bakery makes it possible to supersize cup-sized cakes to real-sized cakes. And as if Sweetness couldn’t be more considerate of their customers’ demands, the bakery also caters to the salt-savants with an eclectic menu of hearty lunch dishes like their staple Raspberry Brie Sandwich and G.O.A.T. Grilled Cheese and a an ice-cold craft beer to top off the perfect way to end your midday chow. You can also spot the bakery burning some rubber in their food truck, Sugar Rush. And the for the patrons in Hialeah, dreading the drive over to South Miami just to get your Sweetness fix, good news. The bakeshop just opened up off of West 49th Street. Do we smell a cupcake takeover acookin’ in South Florida? Perhaps. But we can definitely smell something heading from Sweetness’ direction. Maybe it’s just a batch of Maple Bacon Cupcakes fresh out of the oven. In that case, we’ll take a dozen, please!  Click here to view post on the July/August 2014 issue.

Fashion

Style Mafia Confessions

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By Nycole Sariol Trying to stake your claim within the Miami fashion scene is no walk in the park, and especially when it comes to launching your own brand. Limited access to quality yet inexpensive fabrics is made near impossible to find; well-thought out design concepts hard to come across; and of course, who can forget, the grueling pressure of your neighboring competitors, all elbowing to snag the same spotlight of recognition. But for the 22 year-old Miami native and founder of local, contemporary brand Style Mafia, Simonett Pereira is the head of the fashion mob – or rather mafia. “We just got a bunch of new stuff, like fifty new pieces,” says the iced-blonde, style vixen while juggling curating a photo shoot for the cover of a Colombian magazine, keeping tally of stylist pulls, and lunging through box-loads of fresh, new merchandise. Although the fashion realm is where Pereira breathes easiest these days, it was publications and event coordinating that led her to an inevitable fate as shop owner and style peacemaker. Places like 944 Magazine and big time event firms provided the experience that she required, but not the artistic satisfaction that she in fact craved. “I’m a networker,” she proudly confirms. But it wasn’t until the youngling turned to blogging that which filled the hallowed void Simonett was desperate to find. “There were these sporadic stylists, bloggers, and designers that were dispersed throughout Miami and I wanted to bring them all together.” And so it was – the birth of Style Mafia – a platform where 305 and 786 patrons of the fashion-obsessed variety could showcase their talent through exclusive productions like photo shoots and video blogs. While Pereira was focused on bringing inspiration to the Magic City through her blog, she was also catering to the retail-holics via mobile app Poshmark, selling pieces from her very own closet. “I finally got to the point where I would sell up to 60 items in a week!”And then, a light-bulb moment evinced from a suppressed idea was released, allowing Style Mafia to evolve from blog to brand.“I wanted something really different,” states Pereira about her contemporary womenswear line dedicated to all things, mesh, clean-cut, and embroidery. But for Pereira, sending a message out into her community is not just about textiles and drapery, it’s about making a grand entrance, ergo the opening of her Wynwood boutique in December of last year. “The outside was covered in graffiti; there was blue carpet that was ridden of humidity; it had slate walls and it smelled like death,” she describes her now-gallery inspired boutique kissed by modernity, pre-renovation. “I wish I had a picture to show you,” giggling to herself. The launch of the 3,000 sq. ft. compound gave way to a 55-piece collection and a generous following almost immediately. There, retailers and casual clientele all call Style Mafia home. Today, the brand is carried in over 50 stores worldwide and was spotted at the Latin Grammys and Good Morning America. So what’s next for this already booming brand? “We just re- launched our website and blog!” Simonett squeamishly blurted out. “We also have a fashion film that we are producing next week,” she states. Style Mafia will debut the artful fashion film at a private exposition later this month, collaborating along side local artist, Sabrina Yanguas. “We are doing limited edition accessories in collaboration with Sabrina’s art and my pieces.” “We have a little bit for everyone,” Pereira says, “Style Mafia is a place where you can rediscover your style.” The mob-boss affirms. All images courtesy of Style Mafia. Click here to view this post in the March/April 2014 issue.

Culinary

It’s a Chef Thing

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Text & Photography by Nycole Sariol Crowds spilled into South Beach by the dozens for South Beach Wine and Food Festival 2014. Only Miami could pull off the unabated gathering of celebrity and local chefs, big-time sponsorship from heavy-hitters like Whole Foods, and live performances from American classics like Sammy Hagar, jam-packed into one mini-weekend. However, the weekend was anything but mini. Celebrity faces like Anthony Bourdain and Emeril Lagasse made palatial appearances to help monumentalize the four-day event, along with other star-studded chefs such as Andrew Zimmern, Giada De Laurentiis, and Eric Ripert. A bevy of tents and booths secured the powdered beaches, separating them from the tourist-driven chaos of Ocean Drive with but a mere sidewalk. Foot-traffic densely invaded every square- inch of the designated grounds that read SoBeWFF overhead the said premises. A fete of household names like Barilla seized the influx of booths, generously stacking plates full of pastas and fresh shrimp salads, catering to the mile long lines of famished tummies, all lusting for the same thing – food. The sin of gluttony was heavily abetted while local and non-local patrons alike partook in wine tasting, refreshing alcoholic consumption, and hearty snacks under the immensity of the Whole Foods Grand Tasting Village tent. Local bars and restaurants waited on the thousands hand and foot, shoving their most prized and signature dishes down their throats, restoring their energy to down some more delicacies apace and throw back an even bigger wave of liquor the second time around at booth destinations like the Cruzan Rum Bar – a SoBeWFF fave! Within the brimming confines of this tasting village, one was bound to bump into mega-mouths like Mr. Nice guy and this year’s Burger Bash winner, Michael Symon, at the Costello Booth, featuring his Bonus Burger of the day. Outside of the Whole Foods circus of food fetishes and freaks, Anthony Bourdain sat along side his buddies and culinary accomplices to talk all things New Orleans and the HBO series Treme – to which Bourdain will take the title of writer monkey for the series’ upcoming season – as aspiring literates and food junkies swooned over their fearless leader. But as Bourdain bid adieu to his faithful admirers, and night swallowed day, legends like Sammy Hagar were joined by kitchen extraordinaire Emeril Lagasse to host Emeril and Sammy’s Rockin Beach Party presented by Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum and Cabo Wabo Tequila. The event sat right outside the world-class Delano Hotel where folks with a distinct penchant for pastilitos – a Cuban pastry usually replete with guava and cream cheese – and other fried morsels of the Cuban variety, enjoyed bite-sized versions of Versailles signature dishes in booths that occupied the outskirts of the celebrated event. When it came time for song and dance, the host of the night, Emeril Lagasse, gave a warm welcome to his long-time friend and musical mastermind, Sammy Hagar. Loud stage lights and a sea of glares from forty-something year-olds’ iCameras illuminated the night. The act of inebriation and eating oneself into oblivion wasn’t the only form of entertainment on the menu that weekend. While the X, Y, and Millennial generation had their “adult time” on the beach, the kiddies were given a special time of their own. On the other side of The MacArthur Causeway on Parrot Island, kids of all ages awoke the chef from within, as Chef Lorenzo Boni from Barilla introduced a fun yet healthy cooking class for youngsters to understand the importance of maintaining a balanced diet. Joy inordinately inhibited the children’s faces when they caught news of what would be cooked up in Boni’s cauldron of goodies. Orzo and Zucchini Lasagna were the Italian cuisine contenders that set the perfect balance of showing the kids that it is possible to gorge themselves while doing so in a nutritious manner. While Chef Lorenzo and his assistant and nutritionist, Ana Rosales, treated the kids to knowledge, outsiders found leisure by getting their faces painted and messing around in the fun zone with their besties. Memories of affinity left a stamp on the weekend best known for its wine and food. Along the way, we look back on and observe the four tons of protein engulfed; the 100 bunches of cilantro garnishing our plates, and the 3,860 hours of preparation it took to create such a gastronomically momentous celebration by the people whom we trust day in and day out with our minds, our mouths, and our guts – the chefs; because at the end of it all, chef knows best. Click here to view full story in the March/April 2014 issue.

Culinary

The Art of Eating Organic

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Sorry Gisele and Adriana, but you ladies aren’t the only holy grails to come out of Brazil’s land of plenty. “I always look for the balance between quality and technique by making something easy, healthy and tasty,” regales gastronomist extraordinaire and private chef, Isa Souza. When she’s not schmoozing with celeb-pals like Andy Garcia, Jamie Foxx & Rodrigo Santoro, the Vida y Sabor front- woman sticks to her roots – her organic roots, that is. A firm believer of the Eco-gastronomical Movement, the self-taught chef prides herself on using only organic ingredients and declares to us her undying love for salt. MSM: What inspired you to become a chef? I’ve always been in love with gastronomy. Since I was a little girl, playing house, I already envisioned all of the ingredients I was gonna use. I believe I was born with this gift and what I did later on was to become a professional at it. It’s really amazing to be able to work with what you love and even be able to help people cook better and eat better. MSM: Tell us about your new book. What inspired you to publish your own cook book? The idea was to compile all the recipes from the first season of the show “Isa Vida y Sabor” in a way that I could get closer to people and share my ideas and personal experiences. I like the idea of being a part of people’s meals. It’s very gratifying when someone tells me they’ve tried a recipe and it worked and they loved it. MSM: What is the most essential item in your kitchen? Salt. To me it is the most important ingredient to make any recipe. Besides being essential to our metabolism, in the right quantity of course, it activates the taste of each ingredient. We can live without sugar, for example. Fruits and carbs are sugar providers, we can absorb the fat of many foods but salt is unique. If anyone asks me what I would take to a deserted island, it would definitely be a little jar of salt. MSM: How do you choose your ingredients? I search for quality in every ingredient, it is very important to know where it comes from and preferably organic. MSM: How important is it that the produce must be in season? How does that affect the taste and quality of a dish? I defend the Eco-gastronomical Movement and one of the basics of this movement is to raise the consumption of organic products. That said, you have to consider what’s in season and preferably from a local production so you know what you’re eating is fresh. MSM: What is your favorite dish to make? This is a very hard question but I have to say it is every meal I’ve ever prepared for my family. Every time I get to cook for them, it’s my favorite. It is my way to express my love for them. MSM: What is the best way to kick start your morning? A super juice of carrots, apples, oranges and ginger. I love it and it gives you the energy you need to start your day. MSM: When you are designing a complete meal, what factors do you take into account? I always look for the balance between quality and technique by making something easy, healthy and tasty. MSM: How do you achieve harmony and balance in your dish? Always take into account: quality, quantity and taste. MSM: Are fresh ingredients important ? Always. Fresh ingredients are always my first choice. It makes all the difference in cooking but especially in taste. MSM: Do you ever take inspirations from other chefs and make them your own ? I’ve always been inspired when cooking by the great Chefs Alain Ducasse and Jose Andres, they both have a great style of cooking and that inspired me a lot when making my own recipes. MSM: Is your cuisine inspired by your home land? That’s where my passion started so I’ll always carry a peace of Brazil with me wherever I go, every trip around the world, I like adventuring myself and exploring the culinary culture of every country I visit. It’s an incredible way of getting to know that culture, by what they eat. Click here to view full story in the March/April 2014 issue. By Nycole Sariol. Photography by Imani Ogden / Makeup by Amber Baer

Fashion, Fashion 101, Shows & Events

Lacoste F/W 2014 Runway – The New Sportswear

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By Nycole Sariol A dark cloud of seriousness fell over the runway of The Theater in the Lincoln Center this past Saturday, as the otherwise preppy brand Lacoste – known for their pique polos and crocodile logos – revealed their f/w 2014 collection and took a new spin on sportswear. The collection – inspired by timeless Chantaco Golf Course in France – served as an outlet of featuring wool skirts partly covered by low and slouchy sailor tops and sweaters, argyle shapes, and monochrome hues of greens, reds, and blues, attributing to the nature meets architecture semblance of the morning; nylon mesh lent a sporty and playful touch, catering to the brand’s stamped reputation. While the models looped around each other, straight-faced and all, the beats of musical talent such as Gasaffelstein added an hard edge to the scene to project further seriousness, and to insure that this once happy-go-lucky line should not, in fact, be taken lightly. Famous faces like, Jessie Metcalf, Bella Thorne, Colton Hayes, and the recent fashion connoisseur, Joe Jonas, were right in the mix, occupying the front row and haunted down by flashing lights and photographers pre and post show.

Fashion, Fashion 101

Color Me Menswear

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Fall hues always guarantee the given warm, rich tones hailing from the Family of Neutral, When one thinks of the autumn winds, the colors of falling leaves – deep greens, reds, browns, golden yellows, and burnt oranges – come to mind. But this fall it’s different – way different. Judging by the Parisian runways this spring, debuting menswear’s most prominent fashion houses and the riveted collections created by said houses, neutral was masked by its cooler cousin – Color! Loud, bright tones engulfed tall, slender bodies to wow and shock their audience. Designers like Yoji Yamamoto, Richard Nicoll, and even the otherwise conservative designs of Burberry took a turn for the bright side, taking their infamous plaid scarves and replacing them with lightweight, multi-colored neckerchiefs. So boys, come this fall, think twice before you reach for that black cashmere of yours. Instead, aim for the royal blue, bright green, or in-your-face print! Girls shouldn’t be the only ones hogging all the attention. Steal their thunder, or rather their color palette! By Nycole Sariol

Fashion

Strap in For Spring!

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Recently, we saw a very nostalgic era being brought back to life; an era that Jackie Robinson called home; an era where man felt most comfortable in a third layer of “skin”, made up by wool vests, partnered with lazy, wide-legged slacks. This year, during Men’s Fashion Week in Paris, the vintage air of the 1940s gave way to collections like Oliver Spencer, Umit Benan, and Burberry Prorsum. But has this old-school breeze trickled down to the female sector? Our census says yes! A new wave – or trend rather – has jumped ship from the male vessel to the female prototypes in the form of suspenders. That’s right, us women have stolen yet another masculine fragment hailing from our counterpart’s closet. The elasto-straps made their presence re-known on the endless stages of Rodarte – and more subtlety seen – Max Mara for their S/S 2014 collections. The dainty torso-garters also made an appearance on the street by fashion bloggers and style extraordinaires alike. Which leads me to riddle this question/s: If we’ve taken their suspenders; their jeans; their snapbacks; are we bound to be fusing both male and female styles to form one, big uni-style? Will we all eventually be dressing the same, inevitably morphing into a mega-population of androgynes? Only time will tell the fate of such evolution…and we can’t wait! Pair these strap-stunners with your comfiest pair of leather joggers, draped by your hips, or a high-waisted A-line skirt, suspended over your top-half; you can’t go wrong with this missing piece to your #ootd puzzle! By Nycole Sariol

Fashion, Shows & Events

Etro Comes to Bal Habour

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Italian designers are no strangers to the upscale universe of Bal Harbour; so it was no surprise that the Italian designer, Etro, known for his exceptional paisley prints and deluxe fabrics, settled in nicely to its new home officially Wednesday, November 13th, on the second floor of the grandiose shopping center. The night was done magnificently with the help of high-profile faces and even higher-priced items, draping the bodies of tall, statuesque models in an applause-worthy presentation of Etro’s Spring/Summer 2014 collection just outside the store. Christmas came early! Guests were greeted with edible delicacies, floating on the trays of young, fresh-faced servers, who made sure no one was left hungry, while cocktails occupied the refined palates of the privileged invitees. Silence was an apparent absconder at the cultivated fashion event; the musical notes of the Dj for the night, clouded the sound waves, but were overtaken by the chatter of the enthusiastic crowd that couldn’t keep quite about the arrival of one of their favorite designers. By Nycole Sariol

Fashion, Fashion 101

The Grand Opening of H&M in Pembroke Pines

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By Nycole Sariol Men, women and children alike anxiously awaited in a legendary single-filed line that wrapped around the insides of the Pembroke Lakes Mall for the Grand Opening of Broward County’s first H&M store! The fashion sanctuary welcomed hundreds of future customers at noon yesterday as the store’s employees cheerfully greeted them by forming two lines creating an aisle to really make their guest feel special while they made their way towards the countless racks of clothes, shoes and accessories. The Swedish company is best known for their affordable prices and “ahead-of-the-game” trends, so it’s no wonder why citizens of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties joined forces as early as 5 O’clock in the morning, competing to be the first 100 people to snag an “Access to Fashion Pass”, giving them the chance to win up to $300 to do some major retail damage in the new location!

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