SOBEWFF 2016: The Best Unofficial Parties, Dinners, and Freebies

The South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) officially starts today, with more than 75 seminars, events, parties, and dinners. 

Chefs from around the world flock to our fair city for a combination of work and play. In addition to the Grand Tasting Village and signature Burger Bash, many chefs and food companies offer pop-up dining events and parties — many of them including free food and drinks. Here's a list of some of the best satellite events surrounding the festival.

Corso Coffee Pop-Up
SOBEWFF is a whirlwind of parties and events, and if you're trying to get to five places at the same time, you'lll need a little energy boost. Stop by the Corso Coffee pop-up, located at the Gale South Beach. The New York espresso shop is taking over the coffee bar adjacent to Dolce Italian for the weekend to serve wood-roasted espresso and artisanal American drip Corso coffee. 
Thursday, February 25, and Sunday, February 28, from 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday, February 26, and Saturday, February 27, from 7:30 a.m. to midnight at the Gale South Beach, 1690 Collins Ave., Miami Beach.
Free Truffle Pizza at Cafe des Arts
Cafe des Arts is offering a free truffle pizza when you order two glasses of wine from 6 to 8 p.m. during SOBEWFF.
All weekend at Cafe des Arts, 22 Washington Ave., Miami Beach.

Cecconi's Happy Hour
During the festival, Cecconi's is hosting a special happy hour featuring $4 cicchetti and cocktails for $7. Enjoy bites and booze all weekend from 4 to 7 p.m.
Thursday, February 25, through Saturday, February 27, from 4 to 7 p.m. daily at Cecconi's, 4385 Collins Ave., Miami Beach.

Mediterranean Feast at the Surfcomber
Top Chef winner Mike Isabella will host Mediterranean Feast at the Surfcomber this Thursday, February 25. The second-annual feast features a lamb roast with trimmings and dishes by chefs Blair Wilson, Jennifer Carroll, and George Pagonis. Tickets cost $95 and include all food and drink; purchase them at socialclubatsurfcomber.com. 
Thursday, February 25, from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Surfcomber Hotel, 1717 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. 
Monteverde Pop-Up at 27 Restaurant & Bar
Chicago's Monteverde comes to 27 Restaurant & Bar for a special East-meets-Midwest dinner this Thursday, February 25. Chef Sarah Grueneberg is offering a special selection of dishes from her restaurant, in addition to the regular 27 menu. Dishes include pesce crudo with fresno water, citrus, and avocado; prosciutto butter toast with mixed radishes, Meyer lemon marmalatta, and dill; kale palotte with fresh pecorino, charred fennel relish, and pomodoro; and spaghetti alla chitarra with head-on shrimp, hand-grated tomato, and toasted chili garlic oil. 
Thursday, February 25, at 6:30 p.m. at 27 Restaurant & Bar,  2727 Indian Creek Dr., Miami Beach.

Pubbelly St. Cecilia Dinner
This Thursday, February 25, Atlanta’s James Beard Award-nominated chef and restaurateur Ford Fry teams up with chef Jose Mendin and takes to the Pubbelly kitchen with a best-of menu culled from Fry's recently opened Italian concept, St. Cecilia. The four-course dinner cost $95 (excluding tax and gratuity) and seatings are at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are available at pubbellyboys.com. 
Thursday, February 25, at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. at Pubbelly,  1418 20th St., Miami Beach.
Spike the Pool
Spike Mendelsohn and his chef buddies are getting wet this year. Spike's annual spirited chef competition gets off the beach and into the pool at the Hall for the Chef vs. Chef Aquatic Games. Teams of local Miami and national chefs will compete in a series of games and challenges that include raft relay races, pool treasure hunts, creating pool drinks, and other fun. Participating chefs include Adrianne Calvo, Alon Shaya, Eden Grinshpan, Franklin Becker, Jeremy Ford, JJ Johnson, Justin Warner, Marc Murphy, Michael Solomonov, Pat LaFrieda, Mendelsohn, Tim Love, and Todd Erickson. Tervis will showcase its new line of insulated wine glasses, and Sunny's will serve bites and wine cocktails. Admission is free (so is the food and drink), but you must RSVP to [email protected].
Friday, February 26, from noon to 4 p.m. poolside at the Hall, 1500 Collins Ave., Miami Beach.

Fun in the Sun Food Truck
Celebrity chef Alex Guarnaschelli and her Miami Beach restaurant, Driftwood Room, will launch the Fun in the Sun food truck this weekend. The truck, located beachside at the Nautilus Hotel, will be open all weekend with a menu that includes a Cuban Philly ($15), with braised lechón or chicken and your choice of cheese sauce — spiced Jack, Swiss, or whiz — served on an Amoroso roll (the original Philadelphia cheesesteak roll); milkshakes made with Azucar ice cream ($9) in mamey, café con leche, and Abuela Maria flavors; chips; and brewed iced tea. The truck will serve all weekend in the daytime, but come out Friday, February 26, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and meet Guarnaschelli while she serves on the truck.
Friday, February 26, through Sunday, February 28, daytime, beachside at the Nautilus, 1825 Collins Ave, Miami Beach.

Dale's Night Out at Talde
Dale Talde hosts the unofficial SOBEWFF afterparty early Saturday morning. Enjoy Talde's late-night noodles made with Almas caviar and tater-tots and drink beer cocktails sponsored by Peroni and Absolut Elyx. The event is open to the public, but RSVP is required. Email [email protected].
Saturday, February 27, from 1 to 4 a.m. at Talde Miami Beach at the Thompson Miami Beach Hotel, 4041 Collins Ave., Miami Beach.