Welcome the 65,000 attendees of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival February 23-26!  Don’t despair if you got closed out of a coveted event, or found the prices a bit rich for your tastes. In celebration of Miami’s own amazing food scene, local chefs and restaurants have come up with some creative and unique events of their own. 

Hence, the “Unofficial” SOBEWFF guide is here:

Thursday February 23rd- 

Pubbelly- 8 PM- In collaboration with Miami Ink’s clothing line, Ruthless & Toothless, Chef Jose Mendin will be serving up a collection of original dishes inspired by his childhood memories, alongside great friends Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette of Toro. To top the night off, making an exclusive appearance will be Darren Brass, of the celebrated reality show, Miami Ink. It will be a night you won’t want to miss.  Tickets are $85 and can be purchased through this link: http://thepubbellygroup.com/product/sobewff-kick-off-dinner-childhood-memories/. Pubbelly 1418 20th St. Miami Beach, FL.

Pawn Broker- 11 PM- 2 AM- Grab an Uber and head over to Pawn Broker Rooftop and Lounge at the Langford Hotel for an After Party sponsored by Avion Tequila with Pawn Broker’s Will Rivas and Yael Ventgroff, Bar Director at the Sparc Room LA.  Pawn Broker at the Langford 121 SE 1st St, Miami, FL 33131

Phuc Yea- 8 PM-Midtown Miami Magazine and Phuc Yea present the 1ST ANNUAL MADE IN DADE CHEF'S COOKOUT with local Miami Chefs: Michael Beltran from Ariete, Rene Reyes & John Gallo from Pinch Kitchen, Niven Patel from Ghee Indian Kitchen, Cesar Zapata from Phuc Yea. Featuring a selection of the crispest east and west coast oysters by Blue Island Oysters & Estrella Damm Beer and a chef inspired menu of Viet Cajun Seafood Boil / crawfish, shrimp, clams, potatoes, andouille sausage, corn, Vietnamese aromatics, beer, Glazed Caramel Pork Spare Ribs / fish sauce caramel, scallions, sesame, apple wood smoked, Pig-nics / caja china roasted hams, lemon grass, chillies, garlic, ginger, pho spice and Sides, Fixins & Sauces prepared by guest chefs. Tickets are $34-50 and available on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/made-in-dade-chefs-cookout-tickets-32155719623?aff=es2#tickets. Phuc Yea 7100 Biscayne Blvd. Miami FL.

Friday February 24th-

Alter- Join James Beard nominated Chef, Bradley Kilgore at James Beard nominated restaurant, Alter for the Eats, Rhymes, and Life event hosted at Alter and sponsored by Breakthru Beverage and the new East Hotel.  Beginning at 7 pm with an Interactive 5 Course Dinner with Beverage and Music Pairings from Chefs Brad Kilgore and Brandon Brumback and Co-Hosted by Jarobi White of Tribe Called Quest followed by After Party Access on the 40th Floor of East Hotel, DJ set by Prodigy of Mobb Deep, Cocktails and Wines Offered from Breakthru Beverage. Full Event Access is $250 per person. Call Alter at 305 573 5996 or email at info@altermiami.com.(NOTE: Dinner reported as SOLD OUT).  Alter 223 NW 23rd St.

Pubbelly Sushi- 12 AM-3 AM- Head on over to Pubbelly Sushi at midnight for Late Night Ramen hosted by Richie Nakano formerly of Hapa Ramen. Pubbelly Sushi 1424 20th St. Miami Beach, FL.

Saturday February 25th-

Izzy’s Fish & Oyster- 10 PM. Come throw down with Jamie DeRosa on Saturday, February 25 at Izzy’s Fish & Oyster’s raw bar for their second edition of “Oh Baby I Like It Raw” guest chef series. The fun starts at 10 pm and the two guest chefs on deck will be Boston favorites, Jamie Bissonnette and Ken Oringer of The Little Donkey. The Bostonians, Jamie B. and Ken, will be putting their spin on Scallop Crudo and Tuna Tataki. Jamie plans to keep it tropical with his Florida Citrus and White Soy Ponzu inspired dressed oyster.  Izzy’s Fish and Oyster 423 Washington Ave. Miami Beach, FL. 

27 Restaurant- The internationally-acclaimed Chef Uri Buri is coming all the way from Israel to take over 27 Restaurant & Bar for one night only! Known as Israel’s best seafood chef, you won’t want to miss your chance to taste some of his most delicious dishes. He’ll be serving up some incredible eats like Grilled Octopus with Zucchini, Vegetable Salad, Shrimps with Artichoke & Mediterranean Spicy Fish. Reservations are strongly suggested — email 27@thefreehand.com or reserve your table online: http://bit.ly/2kGNvZO 2727. Indian Creek Rd. Miami Beach FL

The Art of Brunch- 12 PM. Hosted by the Hungry Post is the first pop-up brunch in collaboration with the Young Artist Initiative (YAI), a local movement empowering Miami’s emerging artists through conceptually rooted exhibitions designed to foster community engagement and cultural development and is taking place on the iconic rooftop of 1111 Lincoln Road starting at 12PM. Tacos by Tacology, the newest venture from the owners of Cantina la Veinte, the best Venezuelan Arepas from Doggi's Arepa Bar, your favorite bowls by Poke 305, sweets by Bachour Bakery + Bistro, and more. 1111 Lincoln Rd Rooftop. Miami Beach, FL.

Sunday February 26th-

Taquiza- 1 PM- Join Steve Santana and local friends on  Sunday, February 26 at 1 PM for La Resaca, a special brunch collaboration with local Chefs William Crandall, Niven Patel, Michael Beltran and Roland Baker of Vice City Bean. Taquiza 1506 Collins Ave. Miami Beach, FL.

Eat. Drink. Repeat.