LOCAL BITES

Q&A Whiskey Kings

I n 2 0 1 7 , l o n g t i m e f r i e n d s A m a n i M a c a u l a y a n d C h i m a B u r e y w e r e o n s e p a r a t e c a r e e r p a t h s i n fi n a n c e w h e n a n o v e r d u e c a t c h - u p a n d c o c k t a i l s a t a S o u t h F l o r i d a b a r h a t c h e d a n u n e x p e c t e d b u s i n e s s i d e a : a n o r i g i n a l p r e m i u m c r a f t w h i s k e y i n s p i r e d b y t h e i r s h a r e d l o v e o f b u t t e r s c o t c h c a n d y . F a s t f o r w a r d fi v e y e a r s a n d m u l t i p l e a w a r d s l a t e r ( i n c l u d i n g t h e p r e s t i g i o u s S I P A w a r d s C o n s u m e r s ’ C h o i c e A w a r d i n 2 0 1 9 ) , a n d t h e p a i r i s r e w r i t i n g t h e s c r i p t o n fl a v o r e d w h i s k e y s w i t h D u k e & D a m e , t h e i r s a l t e d c a r a m e l –f o r w a r d s p i r i t t h a t ’ s e q u a l p a r t s s m o o t h , a r o m a t i c , a n d c o m p l e x . A v e n t u r a s p o k e w i t h t h e d y n a m i c d u o b e h i n d t h e F l o r i d a - b a s e d b r a n d t o g e t m o r e i n s i g h t o n t h e w h i s k e y t h a t ’ s c u r r e n t l y o n t h e t i p o f e v e r y o n e ’ s t o n g u e — l i t e r a l l y . ( d u k e a n d d a m e . c o m ) — P . R

AVM: How did you conceptualize a whiskey different from those already on the market?

Macaulay and Burey: When we created Duke & Dame, many flavored whiskeys were overly sweet and syrupy, made with lower quality whiskeys, and often had an artificial aftertaste. We saw an opportunity to offer something new in the category by creating a high-quality, 100 percent naturally flavored whiskey that would appeal to everyone: men, women, young, old, whiskey enthusiasts, whiskey newcomers, and everyone in between. In fact, the name Duke & Dame—with its representation of a man and a woman—signifies that this is a whiskey for everyone.

Your whiskey has won several major awards for its taste. What’s your secret?

Duke & Dame comprises a premium blend of 100 percent corn whiskeys, including a two-year aged bourbon that introduces notes of slightly charred orange, toffee, and spice. It offers a unique layered tasting experience featuring robust caramel aromas and flavors in the first sip, followed by distinct bourbon notes (e.g., hints of oak and spice) in subsequent sips.

As a Florida-based brand, how do you keep true to your Sunshine State roots?

When we created Duke & Dame, we wanted to create a true Florida brand. We worked with a distillery that produces corn-based whiskey using corn from Florida farms. We found a business in Hialeah to paint the artwork on our bottles. We

Chima Burey (below left) and Amani Macaulay (below right) are the founders of Duke & Dame, a flavored whiskey company based in South Florida.

found a packaging manufacturer to produce our cartons in Miami Gardens. And of course, Chima is a Miami native.

Where can we try an original cocktail that includes Duke & Dame locally?

At Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster in Overtown, we love The Dame, which combines our whiskey with grapefruit, lemon, red wine, and agave.

Can your whiskey be used in desserts?

We hear from consumers all the time that they love using our whiskey in their deserts (and even coquito), whether it’s a Duke & Dame caramel sauce or replacing rum with Duke & Dame in a rum cake recipe. At 800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen in Aventura, the tres leches bread pudding is made with Hawaiian sweet bread and Duke & Dame.

How do you prefer to drink Duke & Dame at home? On the rocks? Simple cocktail?

Our go-to drinks at home are probably the Duke & Dame old-fashioned, Manhattan, or whiskey sour—very quick and easy to make.

What’s next for Duke & Dame?

We will expand the business within our current three markets (Florida, Michigan, and New York), go into new markets, and introduce additional flavor expressions. Follow us on Instagram (@dukeand damewhiskey) for the latest news, cocktail recipes, and a whole lot of whiskey inspiration.

Zaika is perfect for office lunches, meetings, work presentations, celebrations, special events, graduation parties and more!

CATERING SERVICES

2176 NE 123rd St., North Miami, FL 786.409.5187 www.zaikamiami.com

Weekdays: Lunch Special Available

1384 SW 160th Ave., Sunrise FL 954.691.3833 www.zaikaweston.com

NOW OPEN!

Email: zaikamiami@gmail.com Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Sunday - 11 :30AM - 3PM, 5:30PM - 1OPM

VEGAN DINING

Plant-Based Pairings

S o u t h F l o r i d a ’ s b i g g e s t n a m e i n v e g a n g a s t r o n o m y , P l a n t a , i m p r e s s e s w i t h c r e a t i v e c u i s i n e , t r o p i c a l - c h i c d e c o r , a n d a n e a s y o n - t h e - e y e s c r o w d d e v o t e d t o p l a n t - b a s e d t r e n d s . H e r e , e x e c u t i v e c h e f a n d c o - f o u n d e r D a v i d L e e d i s h e s o n t h r e e o f h i s m o s t b e l o v e d P l a n t a c r e a t i o n s a n d t e l l s u s t h e p e r f e c t h o u s e c o c k t a i l t o c o m p l e m e n t e a c h . ( p l a n t a r e s t a u r a n t s . c o m ) — P . R .

Coconut Ceviche This vibrant take on ceviche features tropical flavors like coconut and pineapple mixed with cilantro, lime, and a little jalapeño for added heat. The light, refreshing dish pairs best with the Lych Please cocktail, a blend of hibiscusinfused gin with lychee liqueur and pineapple.

Spicy Tuna Roll

Sushi is undoubtedly one of the most popular dishes at Planta, with this roll reigning supreme. Made with ahi watermelon, avocado, and toasted coconut, it pairs best with the Herb Your Enthusiasm (below), a spicy cocktail with Thai chili–infused tequila, orange liqueur, lime, pineapple, and herb syrup.

Planta Burger

The signature burger rivals any meat burger. The entirely plant-based patty (no meat substitutes here) is topped with queso, dill pickles, lettuce, tomato, onion and served with a side of perfectly cooked truffle almond “Parmesan” fries. Pair the burger with a Mez-Cal Me Maybe, a thirst-quenching mix of mezcal, ginger liqueur, passionfruit, and lime.

Asian Delights, Exotic Japanese & Tasty Thai Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner beginning at 12pm 2775 NE 187th Street #1 - Aventura, Florida - 305.932.8080 11768 N Kendall Drive - Kendall, Florida - 305.275.9003

TRY IT FRENCH KISS

LA PETITE MAISON BRINGS THE ALLURE OF PHOTOS BY WORLD RED EYE A fixture in major metropolises like London, Dubai, and Hong Kong, French Riviera–inspired concept La Petite Maison (LPM) landed downtown in 2017, a testament to Miami’s newfound big city sophistication. Five years later, LPM Miami THE FRENCH RIVIERA TO THE MAGIC CITY continues to wow regulars and visitors with elevated French Mediterranean and Niçoise fare in a whimsical and colorful setting, peppered with Belle Epoque flair and conversation-worthy art. Tables are set to indicate the start of a garden-fresh meal to remember: Alongside the fine plating and glassware, discover a trio of whole tomatoes, an oversized lemon, a bottle of premium olive oil, and a sea salt grinder—all accoutrements for the oven-to-table bread service. The garden motif extends to LPM’s cocktail menu, as exemplified by the Tomatini, an unlikely but legendary martini of Ketel One Vodka, cherry tomatoes, and ground peppercorn. A page-long food menu is populated with small plates and mains; greatest hits include yellowtail carpaccio with guacamole and citrus dressing, mushroom risotto with crème fraîche and aged Parmesan, salt-baked fillet of red fish with artichokes and tomatoes, and the tarte fine for dessert—a sweet-yetsavory, thinly sliced apple tart served with vanilla bean ice cream. (lpmrestaurants.com) —P.R.

Clockwise from left: LPM’s Tomatini, yellowtail carpaccio, and tables set with accoutrements diners use during the bread service.

MAKE IT

PRETTY IN PINK

FlyFuel is a new, fast-casual, clean-eating concept in Aventura, serving salads, protein-filled wraps, acai bowls, smoothies, cauliflower pizzas, and more. Here, co-founder and Aventura native Jesse Gimelstein shares the recipe for the eatery’s wildly popular Pretty in Pink fruit bowl, which can be enjoyed as an antioxidant-rich breakfast, post-workout refuel, or dessert. (eatflyfuel.com) —P.R.

INGREDIENTS (yields 1, 16-oz bowl) 2 oz. almond milk 1 pack frozen pitaya/dragon fruit (or 3.5 oz. of cubed, frozen dragon fruit) 1 cup frozen banana 3 tbsp. shredded coconut flakes 1/4 cup sliced bananas 1/4 cup chopped fresh strawberries 1 tbsp. honey Optional: 1 tbsp. of almond butter for a topping and/or 1/4 cup of granola as garnish Place almond milk, frozen pitaya, and frozen banana in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Scoop mixture into a bowl and smooth out the top to create a flat surface. Add shredded coconut and then fan sliced banana in a ring, around the edge of the bowl. Place chopped strawberries directly in the center of the ring. Drizzle honey on top. Add optional almond butter, granola, or other toppings if desired.

MAIDEN VOYAGE

BUYING INFORMATION

PAGES 80-81

Ruffle cutout blazer ($5,400), double-pleated trousers ($1,360), Alexander McQueen, Bal Harbour Shops, Miami Design District, alexandermcqueen.com; Viv’ Go thick-soled loafers with metal buckles ($1,195), Roger Vivier, Bal Harbour Shops, rogervivier.com.

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Ruffle off-the-shoulder midi dress ($2,500), Giambattista Valli, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bal Harbour Shops, Miami, saksfifthavenue.com; Preppy Viv’ black patent leather Chelsea booties with metal buckles and side stitching ($1,395), Roger Vivier, Bal Harbour Shops, rogervivier.com.

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Ruffle cropped jacket ($3,850), leather midi skirt ($4,650), Alexander McQueen, Bal Harbour Shops, Miami Design District, alexander mcqueen.com; Viv’ Go thick-soled loafers with metal buckles ($1,195), Roger Vivier, Bal Harbour Shops, rogervivier.com.

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Crystal-embellished dotted-tulle gown ($4,050), Jenny Packham, Marissa Collections, Palm Beach, marissacollections.com; Viv’ Go thicksoled loafers with metal buckles ($1,195), Roger Vivier, Bal Harbour Shops, rogervivier.com.

PAGE 85

Gold and silver sequin dress with collar ($650), Badgley Mischka, badgleymischka.com

PAGE 86

Puff-sleeve belted cocktail dress ($595), Badgley Mischka, badgley mischka.com

PAGE 87

Strapless midi dress with bow ($3,695), Monique Lhuillier, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bal Harbour Shops, Miami, saksfifthavenue.com

PAGE 88

Animal print silk shirt ($990), wide-legged palazzo pants ($1,990), Carolina Herrera, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bal Harbour Shops, Miami, saksfifthavenue.com; Naplack loafers with crystal embellishments ($850), Jimmy Choo, Aventura Mall, jimmychoo.com.

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High-low asymmetrical gown with embroidered trim ($650), Badgley Mischka, badgleymischka.com; Viv’ Go thick-soled loafers with metal buckles ($1,195), Roger Vivier, Bal Harbour Shops, rogervivier.com.

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In Memory Of My Beautiful Mother Susan.

Statements will remain open and I will continue our legacy of excellence in fashion and service.