PIECE OF PROVENCE
Slipper-centric Palm Beach has another preppy purveyor for the island’s favorite footwear. To celebrate its second U.S. store, St. Tropez-born Cremieux designed an exclusive pair in heather gray sporting surfboards and palm trees (pictured). Collectors, keep circling since the hard-bottomed leather slippers with bright blue piping arrive any day now. Stephane Cremieux, whose father Daniel founded the chic menswear brand in 1976, recognized the similarity between both resort destinations. Their climates and dress codes demand easy pieces like unconstructed blazers, cashmere sweatshirts and chinos, yet with exquisite tailoring and European fabrics sourced from top mills. Loro Piana, Tessitura Monti, Vitale Barberis Canonico and Reda are among tried-and-true sources. Francophiles further appreciate invitations for a glass of rosé and a game of pétanque in the sun-dappled courtyard.
CLEO’S COOKIN’
Though Shelley’s predominantly serves seafood, it’s actually named for its historic building in South Miami. Executive chef Cleo Hethington, pictured, has quite an impressive résumé, having cooked at the Optimist, Ford Fry’s ode to seafood in Atlanta, and James Beard semifinalist Brad Kilgore’s Alter here. But his Gulf Coast upbringing and time in the Navy are really behind Southern specialties like fried catfish and grits and a fried chicken sandwich with yuzu pickles. There’s even a fried mushroom—hen of the woods, which rarely appears on Miami menus. To get in the nautical mood, diners are engulfed by Old Florida décor depicting marine critters. He welcomes Miamians with new twists, whether cane butter and sweet chili garlic to jazz up mofongo fritters, or a Knaus Berry Farm-inspired sticky bun.
BONNET BUZZ
Fort Lauderdale’s beautiful Bonnet House began as a love story, first a father’s love for his child, and then a husband’s love for his wife. Hugh Taylor Birch gifted his daughter Helen the property for her husband, Frederic Clay Bartlett, to build a magnificent estate and gardens in 1920. The museum and event destination is in full swing for season, especially its starlit concert series on Thursdays. The University of Miami Frost Opera Theater performs on January 18, while other regional schools entertain February 15, March 15 and April 5. See the full schedule here. The Bonnet House Alliance hosts a luncheon with guest speaker Lad Akins of marine environment nonprofit REEF on January 15 at 15thStreet Fisheries (1900 SE 15th Street). Register here.
KAREN, KIDS & CONES
There’s so much more to do and devour this weekend beyond Miami City Ballet’s Performance II and YoungArts’ Backyard Ball. New York-based performance artist Karen Finley reprises her one-woman show, “Unicorn Gratitude Mystery,” on Friday at 8 p.m. Miami Dade College’s Museum of Arts and Design brings her exploration of citizenship, gender and politics to the stage at the Light Box at Goldman Warehouse. Nearly 500 supporters of Voices for Children, a nonprofit for Miami youth in foster care, plan to attend its annual Be A Voice Gala on Saturday at Mandarin Oriental Miami. Purchase tickets at 786.469.3856. When it comes to helping Holtz Children’s Hospital, Bal Harbour Shops believes in sweet charity. Gorge on ice cream from 18 artisanal makers throughout the center on January 13 and 14.
