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Miami Life Editor—LWH

This is the second time I am writing about Pastis, the New York City Parisian-style brasserie which got its fame in the Meatpacking District. Thank you very much Sex in the City for all the scenes that you filmed at the restaurant. The owners, Keith McNally and Stephen Starr, have now taken their signature “je ne sais quoi” vibe that they created over the years and brought it to the Wynwood district of Miami.

Eliot (husband) and I dined there last night with our neighbor Maurice Zarmati, a long-time top executive with Carnival Cruise Lines. He certainly knows the hospitality business better than most. He made friends with all the important staff members so we can easily get reservations on busy nights.

From the minute we walked in, to the minute we left, we felt like we were experiencing the high life. The service was impeccable. They also must have spent a fortune on the decor because you absolutely feel like you are in a very upscale Parisian bistro. The white tiles paired with rich wood tones give you a feeling of total elegance. The curb appeal is the brick archway that leads into a garden area where patrons can opt to dine outdoors. Equipped with its own sizable bar area, the garden area is better for spotting the new arrivals.

The snazzy restaurant was obviously designed for people watching because the restaurant is totally open to the garden area. It’s very exciting to see who arrives next. Last night was filled with fashionistas who forgot to cover certain areas of their bodies. Maurice, who is single, was certainly creating a little stir for himself. It’s amazing how the unattached can spot others who supposedly are available. Eliot was doing his fair share of looking. The women last night looked like runway models.

Now let’s get to the food. Maurice and I had Dover Sole à la Meunière and Eliot had Duck. Maurice started off with Crispy Artichokes, Eliot had Escargots and I had Oysters. We also pigged out on desserts. The men had Creme Brulee and I had Profiteroles.

I dare to say that Pastis has that New York special “something in the air” that most restaurants in Miami are missing. I’m not complaining. The restaurants here are wonderful but when something shines you just have to spotlight it.

Ooh la la!

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We finally got to experience Alex Nuñez’s award winning, brilliant and unique installation which uses canvas like you have never seen before. We were fully submersed in the scale of her work (16’ x 65’) which is currently being displayed at Fountainhead Studio. Alex, me, Eliot, Danielle Nuñez.

The canvas is covered with 50 lbs of double sided mirrors and iridescent confetti, which shift according to the audience’s path. The sense of equilibrioception is activated navigating this space of undulating canvas.

Fans are placed beneath this large canvas to create a kinetic sculptural painting. This unique combination allows the work to be seen in constant motion, altering space and distorting areas of vision. The large scale, hypnotic motion and sound of the work transform the painting into a living character. The fans mimic a rapid, mechanical breath, pulsating life into a vivid array of line and color.

Alex received the C12 Emerging Artist Fellowship Award from Hunter College’s MFA in Studio Art program.

Love being in the middle of art.

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After having fun at the art installations, Alex Nuñez and Danielle Nunez took us to the Soho House in Edgewater/Wynwood. What a great escape. We laughed and compared life notes for hours. Thank you gals for sharing your membership.