WSVN — The South Beach Wine & Food Festival is our favorite time of year to guzzle vino, mingle with famous chefs and well, let's be honest … pig out.
Don't have tickets to Wine Spectator's Best of the Best? Don't worry, you can dine on one of the top dishes just like ticket-holders.
Michael Reidt-Executive Chef, Area 31: "We're actually going to recreate the dish we're making at Best of the Best, and I'm really excited to share that with everybody."
During the month of February, you can stop by Area 31 Restaurant at the Epic Hotel and feast on chef Michael Reidt's best dish.
Michael Reidt-Executive Chef, Area 31: "Being from Boston, huge fan of diver scallops, huge fan of pork. I put my two favorite things together hence this amazing dish."
Along with faux mashed potatoes to die for.
Michael Reidt-Executive Chef, Area 31: "Instead of using potatoes, we use cauliflower and we smoked it so we ended up with smoked cauliflower, some flaky cured mahi, some olive oil. Not really mashed potatoes, so it's mashed potatoes in quotes."
Didn't snag a ticket to any of the festival's BBQ events? Then head over to Lantao at the Surfcomber Hotel where things are sizzling at their Q by the Pool.
Michael Reidt-Executive Chef, Area 31: "We have our Korean BBQ ribs we slow roast them for three hours. BBQ sauce made in-house, Asian marinated skirt steaks, we have Teriyaki chicken thighs, Chinese five spice corn"
The poolside barbecue is open to everyone next Thursday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Michael Reidt-Executive Chef, Area 31: "We're going to add a little watermelon to it as well and finish it off with some basil."
And if you're tired of wine, you're in luck.
Chad Phillips-Bar Manager, Lantao: "We're going to be slinging $5 drinks a specialty cocktail called the Lantao Breeze."
While most festival tickets are sold out, there are still tickets left to the late-night party. The Q after Dark on Thursday February 21st.
Israel Cancel-Moët Hennessy, The Q After Dark: "Moët Hennessy is sponsoring that. We promise to bring the energy of South Beach nightlife, entertainment, music, dancing. We have a live performance by Suenalo, it's funk meets rock."
It's one of the most affordable tickets of the festival at $100 and expect some great cocktails.
Israel Cancel-Moët Hennessy, The Q After Dark: "We have a Hennessy one called the Artist. You have Belvedere cocktail also called The Q there will be some food offered for your enjoyment."
So no whining that you didn't get to be part of the Wine & Food action.
There are still tickets left for some of the major events like the Q, Red Hot Night, Diamond Dishes and the Grand Tasting Tent on Sunday.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Q After DarkThursday, February 21, 2013 Time: 10:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. Price: $100 Location: Delano, Beachside, 1685 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach (Entrance at 1 Lincoln Road)
Area 31270 Biscayne Blvd Way Miami, FL 33131(305) 424-5234
Lantao at the Surfcomber1717 Collins Ave Miami Beach, FL 33139(305) 532-7715
www.sobefest.com