Piñon Grill Opens Its Doors to Gab VIPs for Grand Opening Celebration

Piñon Grill may have officially opened today, but 700 lucky Gab VIPs caught a glimpse of Boca Raton’s most buzzed-about contemporary dining concept during Friday night’s Grand Opening Party.

From 7 to 11 p.m., guests enjoyed an open bar and generous menu samplings prepared by Executive Chef Rick Schwager, including Lobster and Crab Ceviche, Braised Boneless Short Rib, Jumbo Shrimp Spring Roll, and Prime Burger Sliders.

Throughout the evening, guests sipped in style at the illuminated bar and lounge area with a complimentary assortment of classic cocktails, Merlot, Chardonnay, and specialty Piñon-ritas and Cosmopolitans.

The striking décor elements were an ongoing topic of conversation, from the exquisite bronzed piñon tree sculptures, to wood-carved Native American dancers silhouetted against ‘living art’ glass, to a striking collection of paintings by conceptual artist Marcia K. Moore.

Now that Piñon Grill is open for lunch and dinner, we can’t wait to go back and experience their entire New American menu (we already fell in love with the Lobster Penne Pasta with Brie Sauce at a special tasting, and the White Chocolate Bread Pudding, Peanut Butter Pie, and flourless chocolate & “cherried” waffle with ice cream are to die for!).



Piñon Grill

The Terrace at Town Center
6000 Glades Road in Boca Raton

Brunch is served Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For reservations please call 561-391-7770 or visit http://www.opentable.com/.
For more information, visit http://www.piñongrill.com/.

Il Bacio’s Purgatory Party Takes Over Atlantic Avenue on Halloween Weekend

A thousand guests joined Gab at Il Bacio Restaurant & Lounge for Purgatory, the largest and most over-the-top Halloween party Atlantic Ave has ever seen!

First stop: Ketel One's tasting station, where we were tempted by a trio of sinfully delicious cocktails and a sculptured ice luge. Then, flames flew as demonesque fire performers lit up the night sky and aerialists dangled from the stage in all-night spellbinding performances.

As always, DJ Brett the Hitman and DJ OD Blaze kept the crowd moving at South Florida’s largest entertainment venue - Lady Gaga danced with an Avatar Navi, Snooki danced with the Mad Hatter, and a robot...did the robot. While we took a break from dancing, the chef surprised us with amazing San Marzano, Mozzarella and Basil Pizza and a couple bowls of Il Bacio’s seriously addicting Truffle Mac ‘n Cheese. Good thing - After all-day décor setup, one bowl definitely wouldn’t have satisfied our appetite!

How did you costume it up this Halloween?

Il Bacio Restaurant & Lounge

29 SE 2nd Avenue
Just off of Atlantic Avenue
Delray Beach
Tel: 561-865-7785
Visit: http://www.ilbacioofdelray.com/
www.facebook.com/ilbaciodelray

RACKS Downtown Eatery + Tavern Sets the Standard at Tastemakers

taste•mak•er
–noun
a person or thing that establishes or strongly influences what is considered to be stylish, acceptable, or worthwhile in a given sphere of interest

Given this definition, we’d have to give it to RACKS Downtown Eatery + Tavern as the tastemaker of Tastemakers, a two-day progressive tasting that took place at Boca Raton’s Mizner Park on September 14 and 15.

For $25, guests were able to participate in this foodie free-for-all, sampling cocktails and food pairings from ten of Mizner Park’s establishments. RACKS Downtown Eatery + Tavern offered its addictive Cedar Salmon “Chips,” topped with red onion, crisp capers, egg whites, chives, and double whipped cream cheese, paired with a smooth Classic Sidecar, recipe below.

Classic Side Car
1.5 oz Cognac
.75 oz Cointreau
.75 oz fresh lemon juice
Lemon twist

“Amazonia” All-White Labor Day Event at Il Bacio Brings Out Gab’s Wild Side

This Labor Day weekend, the Gab Group transformed Il Bacio into an electric jungle of blacklight illuminations for Amazonia, the ultimate end-of-summer tribal celebration. Every detail was conceptualized to create a mesmerizing and glow-in-the-dark adult playground, including hypnotic glow-in-the-dark bubbles and cocktails.

Event guests lit up the night in all-white attire, transfixed by exotic entertainment like voodoo stilt walkers, tropical parrots, a whip-cracking, heart-stopping fire show, and the finale, the area’s first glow-in-the-dark body paint fashion show.

More than 900 of Palm Beach’s movers and shakers watched fashion models come alive as moving neon art canvases, depicting painted wild jungle creatures through the designs of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue body paint artist. Fluorescent-eyed tigers, shimmering peacocks and jewel-toned tree frogs and butterflies seemed to float across the stage as the models made their way down the catwalk to the ambient sounds of DJ Brett the Hitman.

AMAZONIA was not only the place to be this weekend, but set the tone for the extraordinary parties to come at Il Bacio this event season!

Special thanks to Paradise Salon & Spa. Hair by Tatianah of Bella Reina International.

Potluck Part Deux

Every so often, we at Gab take a break from our hectic schedules to refuel and recenter as a team. After a whirlwind couple of months, it was high time to reward ourselves with the Second Annual Gab Potluck, where everyone in the office shares a homemade dish from his or her heritage. So, what was on the menu for our culturally inspired soiree?

Appetizers were covered by two of our amazing Assistant Publicists, who began our feast with Carlyn's fresh Israeli Salad and Ashley's creamy Hawkeye Tailgating Dip.

Next came the entrees, a Latin explosion of flavor and heat. Jen, our Director of Media, brought a little Cuban flavor with Arroz con Miaz y Chorizo, while our new intern, Jon, added to the heat with delish Empanadas. Daniella, our Venezuelan Design Intern, brought Queso de Mano-topped Chachapas and Tequeños, bread dough twists stuffed with Queso Blanco.

Equally spicy were the flavorful Pakistani Chicken Shami Kababs whipped up by Sarah, our Events Coordinator. As for yours truly, PR Copywriter Stephanie, I slaved over Nana’s Meatballs and Sauce, making it from scratch with basil from the garden.

It just wouldn’t be a Gab event without some serious desserts. “Fairy Cupcakes,” Funfetti cupcakes with strawberry icing and “fairy dust” sprinkles, were whipped up, fittingly, by adorable Assistant Publicist extraordinaire Samantha. Creative Director Asia brought Phillipino delicacies called Turon, fried banana spring rolls. And what PR Director Michelle lacks in baking skills, she made up for by knowing an amazing local French bakery! Played like a true PR pro, Michelle brought a to-die-for fruit tart.

11 employees + 0 leftovers = Success. It's good to be Gab!

Philanthropic Fashion: Gab-Hosted Intermix Fall Fashion Preview Raises $3,000 for Project A.L.S.

The numbers are in, and we’re thrilled to announce that our Intermix Fall Fashion Preview raised more than $30,000, with $3,000 benefiting Project A.L.S! Hosted by Lori Frankfort, a local A.L.S. sufferer, and daughters Carlyn and Tali, the August 5 event invited shoppers to peruse the season’s hottest new trends while scoring a chance to win lustworthy raffle prizes and benefit a worthy cause that hits close to home.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., guests shopped and sipped their choice of iced Café Bustelo and Red Bull and munched Cupcake Pops from Candy’s Sweets and Treats (the red velvets disappeared almost as fast as the designer duds), plus hors d’oeuvres including a hummus platter from Juice n Java.

Shoppers walked away with luxury clothing and accessories and swag bags stuffed with goodies, including items from Youngblood Cosmetics, Make Up Forever, OPI, Juice Beauty, and more.

Congrats to our lucky raffle item winners!

Boca Raton Life Time Athletic Club LifeSpa Massage: Jen Zeuner

Boca Raton Life Time Athletic Club LifeSpa Massage:

Wendy Schatzberg 

Cutting Edge Fitness Package: Alicia Lasala

China GrillGift Card: Denise Napolitano

Dr. Kenneth Beer Scientific Skin Care package: Tracey Schwartz

Dr Kennth Beer Laser Hair Session: Lisa Pechter

Dr Kenneth Beer Laser Hair Bikini/Underarm Session: Shelley Judson

Frederick Fekkai Haircut, Style & Makeup: Tali Frankfort

John Michelle Salon Haircut and Blowdry: Alison Nakash

John Michelle Salon Mani/Pedi: Britt Judson

Salon Edge Haircut and Blowdry: Wynn Ohmeis

Salon Edge Facial: Carlyn Frankfort

Craft Beer & Food Pairing at RACKS Downtown Eatery + Tavern... We’ll Drink to That!

Does any food exist that can’t be enhanced by the subtleties of a good brew? RACKS Downtown Eatery + Tavern, which hosted a Craft Beer & Food Pairing on August 3, thinks not.

From 8 to 10 p.m., Culinary Director Matthew Danaher indulged guests with course after delectable course, each paired with a Victory craft beer selected to complement the flavor nuances of each dish. For $35, guests were treated to VIP seating, a complimentary beer glass, and this unbelievable event menu:

1. Smoked Artichoke Spinach Dip

2. Seared Tuna Sliders with peanut cilantro slaw   and sesame aioli with Victory Sunrise Weiss

3. Arugula with Florida blue cheese, walnuts, pickled red onions and white balsamic vinaigrette with Victory Prima Pils

4. Seared Salmon with nueske smoked bacon, whitewater clam vinaigrette and crushed potatoes with Victory Hop Devil

5. Fried Chicken and Waffles with spicy maple syrup and macadamia nut butter with Victory Storm King

6. RACKS’ spin on Cookies 'n Milk for dessert...

The Gab Group has gotten a taste of what RACKS has to offer, and we’re ready for the next course! Stay tuned for more delicious details of upcoming culinary events…

RACKS Downtown Eatery + Tavern
402 Plaza Real
Boca Raton, FL 33432

www.facebook.com/racksmiznerpark