Saving the best for last, one of the final events during the Tales of the Cocktail week was the much anticipated Botran Rum Tiki Lounge tasting suite. Held at the Royal Sonesta Hotel off of Bourbon Street on Saturday, July 23, the notorious Guatemalan rum brand transported guests to a whimsy tiki island land channeling the vibrant era of the 1950s.

Over 350 guests visited the lounge the Botran Rum Tiki Lounge during its 1 1/2 hour duration. Guests received festive Polynesian leis and floral blooms and grooved to the Hawaiian melody that filled the room. A hula model outfitted in a coconut bra and grass skirt not only enticed guests to move their rumps, but to pose for pictures with her bird’s nest hats and other island accessories.

Tommy Merolla aka the Tribal Chief of Mixology shook things up as the event’s head mixologist serving innovative tiki-inspired cocktails with a modern twist. The event’s signature cocktail was the Double Rock Zombie, a refreshing blend of Botran Reserva and Solera Rums, fresh fruit puree, and a tangy garnish not seen in any other tasting suite: Polynesian rock candy. Guests also enjoyed Cajun infused cuisine of spicy boiled shrimp and crawfish pies, provided by the Royal Sonesta Hotel, which paired perfectly with the signature cocktail.

Botran Rum is one of the most revered rums in the world as it is available in two distinct styles, Reserva and Solera, that pairs excellent in both cocktails and on the rocks. Other than a great party, Botran Rum has much to celebrate these days as the Solera style has recently been reintroduced to the United States after years of not being available.

To learn more about Botran Rums and their six decades of exquisite craftsmanship, visit their website.

The Miami Art Museum is rising up… literally.  Foundation has been set in place in Downtown Miami’s Museum Park workers are beginning to build vertically.  MAM, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, will be open to the public in 2013.  The new location allows for more activity with 200,000 square feet of programmable space and 120,000 square feet of interior space. The project is costing approximately $200 million with $37 million being paid to 400 workers. MAM will benefit the Downtown Miami community as a place that provides educational activities, a library, cafes, workspaces, classrooms, and of course, a museum store. Chairman of the MAM board of trustees Aaron Podhurst points out that the building project has created a great deal of fundraising and is praises the “County’s strong support.”

Exhibitions will consist of 20^th and 21^st century art by artists whose origins are rooted within the Atlantic Rim (the Americas, Europe and Africa) since Miami is populated with people from the area.  Janet Cardiff and George Buress Miller, Carlos Cruz-Diez, Susan Rothenber, Wilfrefo Lam and Yinka Shonibare are just a few artists whose work was recently on display.  Museum goers will also have to chance to view works by artists such as Doug Aitken, José Bedia, Mark Dion, Marcel Duchamp, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Ann Hamilton, Arturo Herrera, Alfredo Jaar, Sol LeWitt, Vik Muniz, Robert Rauschenberg, Gerard Ritcher, Lorna Simpson, Rachel Whiteread, Wangechi Mutu, James Rosenquist and Thomas Saraceno, which will be part of the permanent collection.

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Chi’zen, a high-end Cantonese restaurant has just opened its second location in a convenient location adjacent to the new Pullman Hotel in Mall of the Emirates. Based on the notion of traditional dishes with contemporary presentation, the restaurant offers an extensive menu
conceptualised by Head Chef, Jeff Low and featuring a large variety of traditional dishes with a modern edge.

Upon entrance into this tucked away abode, my guest and I were immediately taken by the interior’s level of sophistication. The restaurant’s location inside the the Mall of the Emirates did not prompt expectations of such elegance. Utilizing a colour palette of striking blacks and rich red shades similar to that of its counterpart in Festival City, Chi’zen’s spacious settings and lavish private dining area suitable for up to 15 people is designed to transport guests from the bustle of the mall into a tranquil Asian ambiance.

We began our meal with refreshing non-alcoholic cocktail drinks of mint lemonade and tangy lychee lemonade accompanied by delightful steaming crystal prawn dumplings, crispy wasabi prawns, and vegetarian dumplings. Known for its Pecking Duck with Chinese pancakes, we watched in awe as our waiter rolled over a beautifully carved duck and began to cut precise strips for us to fill into our pancakes.

We were explained how Chi’zen has opted out from using the common ingredient of Monosodium Glutamate (know as MSG) in Chinese food. While many restaurants choose to use MSG to enhance the flavour of their dishes, the restaurant worked with the Chef Jeff Low to produce dishes which rely on fresh ingredients rather than artificial additives to create the same taste.

For our mains we opted for the Steamed Hammour, a zesty Pok Choi Garlic, and one of the restaurant’s signature dishes: the Zen Seafood Clay Pot featuring a simmering array of mixed seafood with spicy broth. A delicate Jasmine Tea Brulee rounded off our meal with sweet creamy accents of the exotic herb.

A wonderfully delectable way to escape from the crowds of Mall of the Emirates, Chi’Zen offers zen-like tranquility through a tantalizing Asian culinary journey.

Chi’Zen

Mall of the Emirates

+971 43951801

Google chairman and Haute 100 San Francisco member Eric Schmidt recently met with Indonesia’s Vice President Boediono at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. After “encouraging talks”, Google is now planning to expand their operations in Indonesia, including an office there and boosting investments.

Schmidt was visiting Indonesia as the keynote speaker at the 2011 ASEAN Regional Entrepreneur Summit held in Bali, and also took time to separately meet with Indonesian Minister of Communications and Information Tifatul Sembiring and Syarifuddin Hasan, Minister of Cooperation and Small and Medium Business.

In his speech at the summit, Schmidt expressed that – even though Internet penetration in Indonesia is only at 18% – the majority of citizens online are active on social networks and that he believes the country is conducive to online growth.

He stated in the speech, “You already have large Facebook and Twitter communities. You have very high Google use already. There are 50 million small businesses in Indonesia; I had no idea it was that large. Those [small businesses] will be the engine of growth for the future economy.”

Details of the exact plans for expansion are yet undisclosed but it has been said that Google is looking to start expanding by the end of this year and that their investment would be $100 million, at least. The plan is also said to include a Memorandum of Understanding between Google and Indonesia that would emphasize the empowerment of local small businesses, creative content, and computer security.

Our Haute 100 list details the accomplishments of the most influential people in each of our markets. To see the entire Haute 100 San Francisco list, click here.

The party continues in Las Vegas for David Hasselhoff. The former “Baywatch” star, who celebrated his 59th birthday on Saturday at Encore Beach Club and Blush Boutique Nightclub, was spotted last night at Surrender Nightclub at Encore Las Vegas with girlfriend Hayley Roberts and friends.

“The Hoff” sported a flashy silver suit, drank sugar free Red Bulls, and spent time staring up at the stars from a daybed in the pool while cuddled up with his 31-year-old Welsh girlfriend. He later jumped up to the DJ booth to introduce Wynn Las Vegas resident DJs NERVO, the Australian-born twin sisters, deejays, songwriters and fashion models, Liv and
Mim Nervo.

Also spotted at Surrender last night, Linda Hogan with son Nick Hogan and his fiance, Breana Tiesi. Linda left early after which Nick was seen loosening up considerably and partied on with Breana until 4 a.m.

Also in the house, Jason Terry of the NBA champions Dallas Mavericks, with a crew of 16 celebrating with Ciroq and magnums of PJ Rose champagne.

On Tuesday, Hasselhoff attended Donny & Marie’s show at Flamingo Las Vegas with Roberts. After the show, Hasselhoff and Roberts joined the famous brother-sister duo backstage for a meet and greet and photos.

Click on the photos below to enlarge.

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Haute 100 Los Angeles member Leonardo DiCaprio’s eco-friendliness is well known, and has earned him a lot of recognition for his efforts. Most recently, the actor and activist was honored by being chosen as a juror for the Zayed Future Energy Prize, one of the world’s most prestigious awards for renewable energy and sustainability.

DiCaprio is a sterling candidate for the position. He set up his Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation over 15 years ago, and through it, continually works to raise awareness about clean energy and other environmental issues. Through his profession, he has been involved in films like Global Warming, Water Planet, and The 11th Hour to further promote the cause.

The esteemed prize was established in honor of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founding president of the United Arab Emirates, and DiCaprio will be joined on the jury by tennis legend and philanthropist Andre Agassi, Cherie Blair, activist and wife of Tony Blair, the presidents of the Maldives and Iceland, and more. The winner of the award will be announced in January 2012.

Our Haute 100 list details the accomplishments of the most influential people in each of our markets. To see the entire Haute 100 Los Angeles list, click here.

Newport Beach’s premier Fashion Island just received a $100 million makeover, including a soon to be open movie theater, Whole Foods market, and trolley-bus service, all set to be completed by mid-August. Besides a facelift, the plaza is upgrading their store roster as well.

Among the many inclusions, Sperry Topsider, World Denim Bar, Rebecca Taylor, Francesca’s Collections, True Food Kitchen, Drybar, and Uno de 50 will appear in the shopping center.

Other businesses like Forever 21 and Pain du Monde plan on expanding their retail spaces as well.

With the new additions, Irvine Co. is sure that sales will remain healthy, and that only 5% of the galleria will be unoccupied.

According to The Orange County Register, the 42 new stores will bring occupancy rates to 95%. Upscale shopping, dining, and an innovative approach to keeping the retail experience top of the line is Irvine Co.’s intention for the revamped shopping epicenter.

[Source: OCRegister, BlushAndPearls]

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ISA boutique owner Isabel Aguiar joined forces with Myka68 to create a jewelry line as ornate and unique as her store. The resort collection features nautical-themed pieces in vibrant hues. Beads, stones, and pendants bring the line to life. Such splendid results can only be expected, though, as the collection is a product of three very imaginative people.

Myka68 is made up of Venezuelan duo Michele Goldstein & Carolina Preschel. Together they create one-of-a-kind pieces using materials like silk, leather and semi-precious stones.

ISA Boutique is Isabel Aguiar’s high-end women’s store. Located next to Wynwood and the Design District, Midtown’s ISA boutique is full of the latest trends in women’s clothing, accessories and beauty products and is characterized by unsurpassed personal customer service.

Carolina Preschel, Michele Goldstein and IsabelAguiar

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Food Trucks have become the hippest way of spreading the tastes of various cuisines, appearing in locations all over a given city. Trucks meet for showdowns and block parties, providing the inner foodie with a plethora of choices for the palette. With this budding phenomenon, canines can now join in the tasty fun!

Laly Albalate owns Doggie Bag Café & Pet Boutique, the only full-service restaurant for dogs, located in the Upper East Side of Biscayne Blvd. The one of a kind spot that specializes in doggie birthday parties plans to mobilize their organic gourmet menu, parking a stand beside the likes of other Miami food truck favorites.

This past Tuesday, Albalate’s Doggie Diner on Wheels appeared at the Miami Street Food Court in North Miami, and served up organic sirloin with rice and veggies, definitely a step up from traditional dog chow.

Besides the hearty grub, the truck will also make the summer heat bearable for pups with a variety of ice cream flavors that include: peanut butter, blueberry, and vanilla, along with other cold delights like frozen macaroni and cheese with bacon.

The portable café will cater doggie parties, station at city parks, and appear at upcoming food truck events, so make sure both you and your pet come hungry!

[Source: MiamiHerald, DoggieBagCafe]

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Growing up in Hell’s Kitchen, R&B sensation and Haute 100 New York member Alicia Keys would often visit Broadway with her mother. The singer is now working on Broadway as co-producer of a new production of Lydia R. Diamond’s play Stick Fly with director Kenny Leon – and describes the opportunity as “a dream come true.”

Keys commented, “Stick Fly is an incredible, moving and hilarious play that I’m so honored and excited to help bring to Broadway this winter.” On her official website, she posted that she couldn’t wait to bring the production to her fans. “Sometimes you come across that rare piece of art that gets to you – that takes you to a different place, and opens your eyes and your heart to a new horizon,” she explained. “For me, Stick Fly is that piece of art.”

The contemporary play is set in the home of an affluent African-American family who gathers for a summer weekend together. As the new girlfriends of the adult sons join the family’s festivities, hilarity ensues through a tangle of class, race, and identity politics.

The Grammy Award-winning artist credits her mother, Teresa Augello, for bringing theatre into her life as a positive interest, perhaps as part of her mother’s efforts to keep Keys away from street life and out of prison throughout her adolescence, as she had recently revealed she was in danger of. “My mother’s greatest passion is the theatre and she introduced it to me very early in my life. I grew up right next to Broadway – I could see the glittering lights from our apartment. To produce a play like this is a dream come true for me.”

She adds, “To have the chance to share this play with an audience, night after night, in a beautiful theatre, on the streets that I walked every day as a kid with only ‘a pocket full of dreams’, can only be described as modern-day magic.”

Stick Fly will debut with preview shows on November 18 at the Lyceum Theatre. To purchase tickets or for more information, click here.

Our Haute 100 list details the accomplishments of the most influential people in each of our markets. To see the entire Haute 100 New York list, click here.