Boca Raton welcomed new Maui Spa and Wellness Center with an authentic luau and party.

Labels: Who's Who

A new trend in freestanding ranges is the dual-fuel combo. This gives the cook the best of both worlds by combining a gas cooktop with an electric stove for ultimate temperature control and efficiency. The emergence of vintage-looking heavy metal stoves has also gained popularity with the proliferation of the French-manufactured Molteni and the British Aga. From high to low, ranges still display the utmost in reliability and functionalism with a good dash of imaginative design thrown in.
Manufactured in France and until recently only available for commercial use, Molteni Classic gas range 54” ($26,000; available at Electrolux Professional North America) stoves are the envy of both professional and aspiring chefs. Ponderous and handsome, the Moltenis are handcrafted and bear the evidence of years of consultation and design. From the brass knobs to the sturdy steel construction, the Molteni commands the attention of both cook and diner alike.
Dignified and exquisite, the La Cornue 44” CornuFé ($8,000; available at Florida Builder Appliances, Williams Sonoma, and Drimmers) is a traditional alternative to stainless steel minimalism. Featuring sartorial finishes like satin chrome trim and a glossy enamel frame, this French stove offers a courtly presence for modern kitchens. Featuring a 17,500 BTU central burner, French side-swing doors, a gas cooktop and two electric convection ovens, one of which features seven cooking modes, the CornuFé is no dandy when it comes to firepower.
Hearkening back to the rustic kitchen hearth, the Aga’s dual-fuel Six-Four range 39” ($7,000; available at Expo Design Center) uses cast-iron construction and radiant heat to cook and keep food warm, thereby locking in moisture and using less energy. Offered in a dazzling variety of 15 colors, the Aga range includes six gas burners and four independently controlled electric ovens.

Espresso machines are quickly becoming a staple of contemporary kitchens as fresh designs begin to shape the look and function of these compact caffeine vehicles. From the ponderous Miele built-in to Luca Trazzi’s inspired candy-colored models, espresso makers are flexing their design muscle.
High End:
The retro-styled Gaggia Achille ($1600) lever operated espresso machine evokes visions of espresso bars of a bygone era. Its cylindrical body, wrapped in stainless steel, meshes seamlessly with any Italian-designed kitchen. The Achille makes a “barista” out of domestic coffee drinkers because of the manual controls, putting the drinker in touch with the highly delicate process and product.
Mid-range:
A decade ago, Milan architect and designer Luca Trazzi raised the design bar on a home version of the traditional espresso machine with his FrancisFrancis X1 model ($800, available at Target or online at illyusa.com). Its retro futuristic design belies the fact that this is a solidly designed machine, a pleaure to behold on any morning.
Budget:
Bodum's new espresso machine is innovative and user-friendly: It can process either ground beans or single-serving pods, uses a bottle of water turned upside down as the reservoir, and has a cup warmer on top ($500; 800-23-BODUM).

Super-Budget:
With its straightforward hammered steel kettle design and no-frills stovetop functioning, the Bialetti Brikka ($25; available at Bloomingdale’s, Williams Sonoma, and at Amazon.com) conjures images of enjoying espresso in small, cozy, European apartments and cafes. This nostalgia-inducing coffee maker produces impeccable “crema” and pays for itself after about a week of full-bodied brews.

On Thursday, August 30th, from 6 - 9:30pm, join eleven boutique for an evening of cocktails & shopping, displaying exclusive Fall/Holiday 07 Collections. The TRUNK SHOW will feature designs by: Mint by Jodi Arnold; Oliver Peoples; and Mosley Tribes.
There will be complimentary champagne, wine & cocktails.

Also, eleven boutique is offering a free gift with purchase, and up to 75% off regular prices during this “one day only” sale, where you will be able to shop Fall 07 fashions, and pre-order Holiday 07 pieces!

1440 N Federal Highway
Delray Beach
elevenboutique.com
RSVP to: events@thegabgroup.com.

Arts supporters and movie aficionados converged for a black-tie gala to celebrate talented individuals in the film industry at the 12th annual Palm Beach International Film Festival. More than 500 guests enjoyed a glamorous evening rubbing elbows with film stars while raising money for the festival and its film educational programs. The award show, which took place during dinner, honored the works of Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange) with a Career Achievement Award and bestowed awards on South African producer Anant Singh, and actress Q'Orianka Kilcher (The New World).
The event was held at the venerable Boca Raton Resort & Club, a grand, 80-year old beachfront resort designed by noted Boca Raton architect Addison Mizner. As guests arrived, they were met by the indoor "red carpet" and press area prepared for the celebrities who would be photographed and interviewed before the award show.

The cocktail room featured silk-screen murals depicting nostalgic scenes from Casablanca, Dracula, and other films.
White-gloved waiters served hors d'oeuvres from multitiered trays, including smoked salmon with crème fraîche and capers, vegetable spring rolls, and Indian samosas.
Television's General Hospital star Tristan Rogers was master of ceremonies and kept the evening flowing seamlessly. For dinner, guests dined on filet of beef tenderloin prepared by the resort. Dessert was a chocolate mousse garnished with ornate chocolate filmstrips.
Instead of an Oscar statuette, award winners went home with delicate plates designed by Tiffany.

Labels: Who's Who

Mysticism is hot these days. But beyond all the hoopla, very few people actually know what the Kabbalah is and how it relates to one's life. Dr. Marla Reis, a psychologist turned restaurateur wants to change all that. Her new establishment, located on a quiet stretch of A1A, aims to introduce colorful cuisine that blends Jewish mysticism with a dash of organic chic.
Cafe Emunah, which means “faith” in Hebrew, is a combination tea bar, restaurant and lounge. Free wi-fi, plenty of comfy couches and a small library of books on mysticism encourage browsing. Not only is the food organic, but it is also strictly kosher, meaning that all the action in the kitchen is supervised by a rabbi and all ingredients must be certified kosher beforehand. Well-executed food also helps. Think Chilean sea bass over bonito mash, an earthy house-made porcini papardelle with cremini and portabello mushrooms drizzled with truffle oil, and a rich banana bread pudding.
Executive Chef Hodney Doliscar hails from Mark's Las Olas and brings his penchant for Caribbean cooking to meld with the Asian and Middle Eastern flavors on the menu. Peruvian-born sushi chef Fernando Chang serenely rolls creatively conceived maki from behind a glowing sushi bar at the far end of the restaurant. The “Emunah Roll” is a sumptuous mingling of textures and flavors composed of yellowtail, crispy plantains, shredded coconut, and sweet chili sauce. An “Inspire Roll” makes sublime use of tuna, avocado, Asian pear and cilantro. Tea is served in handsome earthen pots and ceramic Japanese mugs. Each tea service comes with digital timers that monitor optimum steeping time and hot water is thoughtfully refilled by the attentive waitstaff. The organic Jasmine Pearl, said to increase focus, was wonderfully fragrant. Reis aims for the restaurant to be a resource for the community, hosting lectures on Jewish mysticism and painting workshops. If the key to a sound mind is a healthy body, than patrons of Emunah's delectable fare are well on their way to enlightenment.
Cafe Emunah
3558 North Ocean Blvd, Fort Lauderdale
954.561.6411
www.myemunah.com

Labels: Where to eat