The South Beach Wine and Food Festival starts this Thursday, February 23, with satellite parties starting as early as tomorrow. Hotels, restaurants, and shops are gearing up for the invasion of foodies, celebrities and beautiful people who arrive as early as today.
Since Miami has a thriving restaurant scene, celebrities like Anthony Bourdain, Rachael Ray, and Bobby Flay look forward to dining at their favorite restaurants and hitting their favorite bars to knock one back after a long day signing books, hosting demos, and schmoozing with fans and colleagues.
We asked some of the hottest celebrities appearing at the festival to share with us their favorite places in Miami and Miami Beach.
Anthony Bourdain
"Mac's Club Deuce. My kind of drinking establishment."
Gail Simmons
"My favorite Miami hangouts are always Michael's Genuine Food & Drink, Michy's and Joe's Stone Crab. For quick Cuban breakfast I love Puerto Sagua too. But this year I am excited for the new addition of the Dutch at the W Hotel. Can't wait to check it out!"
Andrew Zimmern
"Living in Minnesota means that I like to spend time on the road doing what I can't do at home. So that means eating plenty of lechon asado and chicharonnes at El Palacio De Los Jugos. Then an afternoon at the beach, a light dinner at the Dutch and people-watching at Wall until wee hours of the morning. I like eating at Tudor House, Azul, Michy's, Sra. Martinez, Michael's Genuine, Scarpetta."
Anne Burrell
"It may be a total dive bar but there is just something that I love, love, love about Club Deuce!"
Scott Conant
"What I love to do is go to Pubbelly; the porkbelly with butterscotch miso and the pastrami & sauerkraut dumplings are just awesome. I love Jose's food--it's so inspiring. And afterwards, I'll stop by LIV or Arkadia at the Fontainebleau for a late-night drink."
Guy Fieri
"Hangin' with my buddies at Scully's on their air boats."
Bobby Flay
"The pool at the Raleigh."
Michael Symon
"Sra. Martinez and Michael's Genuine Food & Drink."
Rachael Ray
"Escopazzo, it's one of the first organic restaurants in America. Giancarla, the chef, is amazing. I always take my friends to dine there."
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Geoffrey Zakarian
"In addition to my restaurant Tudor House, I love the relaxed environment at the Soho Beach House. The bar scenes are great, especially the second floor overlooking the beach."
Debi Mazar
"Our favorite spot is the pool at the Raleigh Hotel. That is the place where we relax, decompress, and get ready for battle!"
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