Wire Magazine 15.2017 Miami Beach Gay Pride in Photos

MIAMI BEACH GAY PRIDE 2017 IN PHOTOS

ISSUE # 15 | 04.13.17 DJ DANI TORO SITS DOWN FOR A CHAT

GIGI ROWE BEAMS INTO SCORE

DESTINATIONS: CENTRAL PARK NEW YORK

DINING DELICIOUS: VIA EMILIA 9 EMILIA ROMAGNA CUISINE

SEXY RIDES: MERCEDES-BENZ GLE COUPE

MUSCULAR SUV

PHOTO BY RAFA CARVAJAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS: E 2017 MIAMI BEAKCICH KG-OAYFPFRRIDECEPTION AT W SOUTH BEACH VPHIPOTOSPBYRRAIDFA CAERVAJAL TOS WWW.WIREMAG.COM/PHO

7The. SEXY RIDES: MERCEDES-BENZ GLE COUPE Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe masterfully com-

bines the dominating sporty nature of a coupe with the powerful characteristics of a muscular SUV.

12Wire. FEATURE: SCORE WELCOMES GIGI ROWE Magazine catches up with the otherworldly

futuristic femme fatale Gigi Rowe ahead of her appearance at Score Nightclub in South Beach this weekend.

14Relive . COVER STORY: MIAMI BEACH GAY PRIDE IN PHOTOS the memories of Miami Beach Gay Pride

2017 with our special photo essay and be sure to visit www.wiremag.com/photos for many more pics.

20 . FEATURE: CATCHING UP WITH DJ DANI TORO Wire Magazine sits down with DJ Dani Toro on

the occasion of DJing at URGE: Love is Love, the Official Saturday Night Party of Miami Beach Gay Pride, held at Score Nightclub.

22 . DESTINATIONS: A WALK IN THE PARK Central Park is the one New York City landmark

with a little of everything and it has been The Big Apple's oasis for generations of residents and tourists alike.

24 . DINING DELICIOUS: VIA EMILIA 9 South Beach's Via Emilia 9 takes diners on a

culinary tour of the most important road in Italy's famed Emilia Romagna.

26 . GOING OUT: PLAN YOUR OUTINGS The week's rundown of nightlife, dining and cultural events.

Publisher/Editor in Chief Rafa Carvajal Editor Michael W. Sasser Associate Publisher/Editor Michael Bustamante Design & Production True Ink Designs L.L.C. | trueinkdesigns.com Columnists Alfredo Barrios Alyn Darnay Dane Steele Green Anthony Reyes Dr. Amy Wecker Official Photography Studio Photo Studio Miami Staff Photographer J.R. Davis Local Advertising advertising@wiremag.com National Advertising Rep. Rivendell Media | 212.242.6863

T SCORE A 7 '1 E ID R P N IO T A LV A S HPHILOTOSTOBYNJ.R.WDAVISOLMAN'S TOS WWW.WIREMAG.COM/PHO

Contact Information Tel: 305.520.WIRE Email: info@wiremag.com 1541 Brickell Avenue, #2004, Miami, FL 33129 Wire Magazine is published, produced, and owned by Wire Media Group L.L.C. All Rights Reserved.

Distributed in print in Miami, The Beaches, and Fort Lauderdale, and digitally worldwide through wiremag.com The views, opinions or positions expressed by contributors to and interview subjects of Wire Magazine are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or positions of Wire Magazine, its staff or publisher.

Cover: DJ Dani Toro Photo by Jorge Freire www.photostudiomiami.com

PUBLISHER'S CORNER SO MUCH PRIDE AND RAINBOW FLAGS EVERYWHERE! Miami and Miami Beach were full of rainbow flags this weekend in celebration of Miami Beach Gay Pride. In the biggest Pride weekend to date, thousands of members of the LGBTQ community, their friends, families and supporting allies celebrated a fabulous two-day festival on the sands of South Beach and watched the Pride Parade on Ocean Drive. Both festival days were packed with people having an amazing time being themselves, and dancing to the music of a number of DJs and a plethora of very talented singers, drag performers and headliners. I had a fantastic time hanging out for two days on South Beach to celebrate Miami Beach Gay Pride with friends, and was very impressed by the growth of our festival. I was indeed very proud of our community and Wire Magazine's continued sponsorship of Miami Beach Gay Pride since its inception.

If you celebrated Pride on South Beach, this week's Miami Beach Gay Pride Special Photo Album edition will help you relive many great memories. If you missed it, you can browse through our photos to see the beautiful faces of so many members of our LGBTQ community, our allies and all the wonderful performers at this year's Pride. The photos you will see in this issue and online by visiting our website www.wiremag.com/photos were taken by myself and Wire Magazine's photographer J.R. Davis. In fact, we took so many great photos that I decided to extend our coverage in print photo albums to a part two in next week's issue, so you can see more amazing pictures in print.

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If that's not enough re-visiting Pride this year, in this week's issue DJ Dani Toro shares his thoughts about the importance of celebrating Pride after his performance at URGE: Love is Love, the Official Saturday Night Party of Miami Beach Gay Pride, held at Score Nightclub; as well as his rising star career and approach to his music.

The party doesn't have to stop with the conclusion of Pride. Otherworldly recording artist Gigi Rowe is performing at Score Nightclub's Bigger Saturdays on April 15. Her single "Run the Night" has enticed everyone from homegrown fans to singer Kanye West and "Fade" dancer Teyana Taylor alike to choreograph moves to its levitating beat. The song can also be found on her debut EP, Hello Gigi Rowe, out now. For this issue of Wire Magazine, we sat down with Gigi to discuss her career, her celestial sound and her upcoming appearance at Score after performing on the main stage during Miami Beach Gay Pride.

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Also in this edition of Wire Magazine, travel writer Dane Steele Green recounts the history and distinct charms of New York City's Central Park; I share the experience of dining at Via Emilia 9, named after the most important road in the foodie paradise of Emilia Romagna; and in Sexy Rides I showcase the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, which masterfully combines the dominating sporty nature of a coupe with the powerful characteristics of a muscular SUV into a beautiful automobile.

Enjoy the Pride photo albums!

Cheers,

Rafa Carvajal Publisher & Editor in Chief rafa@wiremag.com

"LOVE YOURSELF, WHATEVER MAKES YOU DIFFERENT, AND USE IT TO MAKE YOU STAND OUT. MINE IS MY VOICE AND THE FACT THAT I'M GAY: WELL, THE FACT THAT I'M FLAMBOYANTLY GAY." - ROSS MATHEWS

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SEXY RIDES

By Rafa Carvajal

MERCEDES-BENZ GLE COUPE

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY MERCEDES-BENZ USA

ercedes-Benz is synonymous with beautiful luxury cars fitted with the latest technology. Such is the case of the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, which merges two classes of vehicles with their own distinct styles into a new model that masterfully combines the dominating sporty nature of a coupe with the powerful characteristics of a muscular SUV. I was very impressed with this sexy ride when I first saw it at a Mercedes-Benz dealership before they even had one available to test drive. Some of the GLE Coupe's stylish features have traditionally been included in the sportiest Mercedes-Benz models. The GLE43 Coupe features an AMG-enhanced 3.0L V6 biturbo engine that produces 362 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque; and the more powerful GLE63 S Coupe sports a handcrafted AMG 5.5L V8 biturbo engine that generates 577 horsepower and 561 lb-ft of torque. You will love the agility, distinctive engine sound and sports car fast acceleration on the GLE Coupes.

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FEATURE

By Michael W. Sasser and Rafa Carvajal

SCORE SAYS HELLO TO

GIGI ROWE

ow that Gigi Rowe has come out of her shell, she's coming all the way out and into the bright limelight.

For her recent introduction to this world, Gigi appeared immortally as an avatar in Ubisoft's video game Just Dance 2017. The wildly popular series has sold 60-plus million units to date, generating more than 1.4 billion YouTube views. There, her debut single, "Run the Night" – which percolates in the space between vintage new-wave and space-age synths – appears alongside tracks from Sia, Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, Justin Bieber, and many others. The song can also be found on her debut EP, Hello Gigi Rowe, out now.

Irresistible upon impact, "Run the Night" has enticed everyone from homegrown fans to singer Kanye West and "Fade" dancer Teyana Taylor alike to choreograph moves to its levitating beat. (It's become so pervasive that she'll soon drop a "Run the Night" EP featuring four remix winners, including a dubstep cut by ST4RBUCK, already an underground hit.)

The track sets the tone for the rest of Hello Gigi Rowe, an electric expression of wanderlust, confidence, and abandon.

RC: What are you looking forward to the most about performing at Score?

GR: I absolutely love the energy of a Saturday night at Score, and I'm so excited to be caught Wire Magazine Publisher Rafa Carvajal sat up in that magnetism – the music, lights, the intensity of it all. There's something utterly elecdown with Gigi to discuss her career, music trifying about the club, and getting the chance to entertain at such an iconic spot is amazing. style and her upcoming performance at Score Nightclub Saturday, April 15.

RC: A sense of place seems to have a strong influence in your work. How do you "interpret"

12 WIREMAG.COM #15 2017

Miami, musically?

GR: To me, Miami has it all. It's glamorous, edgy, sexy, fresh, vintage, retro, bold, vibrant and colorful. It's a city that's filled with possibilities, and celebrates self-expression and unique characters who aren't afraid to live loudly and color outside the lines. I love incorporating these sensibilities in my music.

RC: How do you describe your particular style?

GR: I'm inspired by so much – It's glamorous with a hint of grunge, a touch of rock 'n roll, and anything goes '90s style, highlighted with '80s pops of color and vivid eclecticism.

RC: Who are some of your musical influences?

GR: I'm drawn to iconic female entertainers like Cher, Cyndi Lauper and Madonna. I love artists with personalities as big (if not bigger!) than their sound, and a brash style and attitude to match.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY GIGI ROWE

Rafa Carvajal: Tell our readers about your upcoming appearance at Score nightclub in Miami Beach. What can audience members expect?

Gigi Rowe: Wigs, hot pink lights and attitude galore! My performance has a futuristic, fresh vibe that's rooted in dancey, catchy, pop jams. My show celebrates the dreamers, scrappy larger-than-life characters, anyone and everyone who has an inner sense of greatness and wants to push their limits. And it's also for anyone just looking for a good night out in the heart of glittering South Beach.

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RC: How did you arrive at your futuristic sound?

GR: My sound happened in Miami, working with my producer ill Factor. It was always a dream for me to get the chance to record in Miami, so I love that my aesthetic has been created in this city.

RC: Describe your sound in three words.

GR: Catchy, fun and fresh.

RC: How did you come to be involved in Ubisoft's video game Just Dance 2017?

GR: My producer ill Factor got me involved! He had a few placements with some of Ubisoft's other games, and he thought I would be a perfect fit for Just Dance. So he presented me to the Ubisoft executives and they were totally on board. It's been such a fun collaboration.

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GR: The moment I found out I was going to be a featured artist on Just Dance 2017!

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RC: What's on your 2017 calendar?

GR: This year for me is all about building my live show! I'm thrilled to have sung on the main stage at Miami Pride, and then perform at Score. I was just asked to perform at a video game show in Brazil, and all these opportunities are just the beginning.

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RC: Where can our readers learn more about you?

GR: My world is @hellogigirowe – I love being able to connect with my fans directly on social media!

RC: Is there anything else you would like to share with Wire Magazine readers?

GR: My favorite color is hot pink, and there's a good chance I'll be wearing a hot pink wig onstage - (but it'll be whatever color I'm feeling that day!).

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FEATURE

DJ DANI TORO

By Michael W. Sasser and Rafa Carvajal

AROUND THE WORLD WITH

ake tribal house, progressive and mainstream house sounds, blend them all together in a distinct package unlike that created by anyone else and you have the musical stylings of DJ Dani Toro. The Spanish-born sonic auteur defies easy labels while carving out a sound all his own.

Although his career launched in 1999, Dani exploded onto the LGBTQ circuit scene in 2009 when he became a guest headliner for Madrid Pride. He went on to become a headliner at Barcelona Pride and featured performer at festivals, Pride events, and at events and clubs in Europe and the Americas.

Buoyed by his unique sound and high energy performances, today, Dani is one of the most in-demand DJs on the scene. This past weekend, DJs Dani Toro and Abel Aguilera kept the Pride crowd dancing into the morning hours at URGE: Love is Love, the Official Saturday Night Party of Miami Beach Gay Pride at Score Nightclub, and Wire Magazine caught up with Dani to discuss the occasion, his sound and his career.

Rafa Carvajal: Where are you from and where do you live?

DJ Dani Toro: I am from Spain, from Barcelona and right now, I am living between Milan and Miami, but every weekend I am in a different part of the world, let's say I live everywhere.

RC: Tell us about your journey to where you are today.

DT: The journey has been an amazing experience! After having performed throughout Europe, I finally got a request from the U.S. to perform in one of the editions of one big festival that was happening in Orlando. That was my beginning and my first trip to the U.S. Then, I had many promoters supporting my work and helping to build my name in the U.S. Jeffrey Sanker, Ric Sena and many others offered me amazing spots in their festivals or parties, and my name built up in the U.S. Once you are strong in the U.S., a worldwide agenda naturally comes next.

20 WIREMAG.COM #15 2017

PHOTO BY JORGE FREIRE. WWW.PHOTOSTUDIOMIAMI.COM

RC: How did you become a DJ? DT: I was going to a club when I was very young and I was fan of a DJ who I really admired. I managed to get two turntables and some vinyls and I started practicing at home every day to learn, with the dream to one day perform together with my idol. That was a long time ago.

RC: What do you enjoy the most about being an international DJ? DT: Making people dance is already a great experience, but making people from all cities in the world dance is simply amazing! Different crowds from around the world dancing to my sound make me very proud and thankful for doing the job I do.

I must say I worked very hard to be where I am.

RC: What is the toughest part of your profession?

DT: Sometimes traveling non-stop and not being able to build a "home," or once you build it, not enjoying it at all.

RC: What is your style of music?

DT: My style is very versatile‌ I can go from vocal tribal songs to a very good after-hours set of tech house. Right now the sounds are coming from Brazil, a lot of talented producers, and I realized the crowd is demanding this sound more and more every day.

RC: What type of music do you like DJing the most? Why? DT: I like all the music as long as I can make people dance‌ I have no music limits when I want to get this... I never have a playlist. I always do live and I offer the crowd what it is demanding in the different stages of my DJ set. My music evolved in style in the past years and this evolution was highly appreciated by the crowd.

RC: What are the major highlights of your career?

DT: Well, having performed all over the world and now getting the highest positions on the charts.

RC: Tell us about the international festivals you currently participate in on a regular basis.

DT: I consider myself lucky because I work for the most amazing festivals, but I have a special relationship with XLSIOR Mykonos. I started there many years ago and it was one of the festivals that helped me build my career. Right now, the new addition is Ascension in Asbury Park, which will be also a great festival!

PHOTO BY JORGE FREIRE. WWW.PHOTOSTUDIOMIAMI.COM

RC: What does it take to succeed as an international DJ? DT: There is a big component of effort, of being in the right place at the right time, of being versatile in style. You cannot play the same set in Mexico than in Madrid, but when you know how to adapt yourself in every country you go to, then the international success is just a matter of time!

RC: Why do you think your song "Lick Me Up" with Tony Moran and Zhana Roiya reached No. 1 on the Billboard Dance Chart?

DT: The song itself is a radio song with a big EDM component, but it has been supported by our label Swishcraft, and many talented producers made a remix reaching all audiences. Bobby Shaw's support was everything in this project, and don't forget I made it with Tony, a top name on the first positions of many charts!

RC: How was it DJing at URGE: Love is Love, the Official Saturday Night Party of Miami Beach Gay Pride at Score Nightclub?

DT: Score is a great family and you always have the feeling of being at home, but this edition of URGE had nothing to do with what you usually expect from an event at Score.

DJing with Abel, one of the best DJs of our scene, was also one of the things that gave me the right energy and the result was an amazing edition of URGE! RC: Why do you think it is so important to celebrate Pride?

DT: We must celebrate Pride and remember that our community is here, and is proud and is going to fight for our rights. This is something very important because it is the message we are giving to the future generations. It's a celebration of life, love and pride. No matter who you are or what you do in life, and who you decided you want to love, always work on being a better person and love your condition whatever your condition is.

RC: What does Pride mean to you?

DT: Pride is a celebration in which we are all together celebrating that we are here and we are proud of who we are. I am coming from Spain where you have the most amazing Madrid Gay Pride, in which the entire city supports the collective and the attendance is huge.

RC: What are you looking forward to the most about DJing at this year's Madrid World Pride?

DT: Well, it is the event no one wants to miss. We are going to have massive numbers of visitors from around the world. I expect a lot of fun, to have a brilliant set, to meet old and new friends, and will feel proud of how my country developed so well in LGBTQ rights RC: Is there anything else you would like to share with Wire Magazine readers?

DT: That I am a big fan of you and I never miss the chance to get my Wire Magazine!

I thank you for this and hope the readers will be able to learn a little bit more about me. #15 2017 WIREMAG.COM 21

DESTINATIONS

PHOTO CREDIT: © DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM | RABBIT75_DEP

By Dane Steele Green

CENTRAL PARK A WALK IN THE PARK refurbished, and the waterworks – because every pond and stream in the park can, literally, be "turned off" – was repaired. Today, the park is one of the biggest draws of the Big Apple.

Reaching from 5th to 8th Avenue, and from There's a zoo (famous for its gay penguins), a 59th Street up to 110th, Central Park initially pavilion that is an amusement park in summer wasn't even supposed to exist. In 1811, and and a skating rink in winter, two theaters, a way before it was completely covered in build- merry-go-round, the John Lennon memorial at ings, city planners had first envisioned Man- Strawberry Fields, and even a castle. hattan as a "city island" carved up into nice, neat blocks from stem to stern. It wasn't until the If you are into your gay history, you'll know the 1850s that the inclusion of a large, central park Central Park played a big role in New York's was thrown in as a desperately needed public gay life back in the day as one of the safe space. Construction began in 1850, was com- places gay men could cruise and even hook pleted in 1873, and then New York did every- up without ever-present prying eyes. And guess thing it could to ignore the thing. By the 1970s, what? It still is. the park was in such a state of disrepair that it Across from Bethesda Fountain (you saw it a was infamous for being a crime hotspot. lot in "Angels in America") and the rather unSalvation came in 1979, and by 1980, the originally-named Lake is The Rambles, a sort 843-acre park was under a serious renovation of managed forest where things are allowed that would last a decade. Lawns were reseed- to grow as they will provided nothing gets too ed; trees removed, pruned, or planted; bridges cray-cray. The woods are riddled with patht's the lung of Manhattan, but if you think Central Park is just a green space with some ponds, you clearly have not been to it.

ways, some paved and others not, and you'd be amazed how quickly a person can disappear into the trees while being no more than 20 feet from a tourist group. By day, The Rambles is a refreshing, sun-dappled woodland walk.

By night, however, it's biology of a different sort. Enough, I should say, for regular patrols by the NYPD, should you readers be getting any one-with-nature ideas.

Anyhoo, the park is bustling all year, although summer, as to be expected, is busier than winter. Tours are fairly regular and free, but the park is so huge that no tour does the whole thing in one go. There are "iconic tours," and others dedicated to various sections. It's worth going, and at only 90 minutes, no tour will eat up your day. If anything, you'll find out where The Rambles are…

For more info, go to centralparknyc.org.

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DINING DELICIOUS

By Rafa Carvajal

VIA EMILIA 9

TRULY ITALIAN!

or this week's Dining Delicious, I am going to cut right through the chase to the mouthwatering end. Ask yourself: "Do I love genuine Italian food?" If the answer is yes, then dine at Villa Emilia 9 in South Beach.

The husband and wife team of chef Giancarlo "Wendy" and Valentina Cacciatori will offer you a true Italian dining experience from Emilia Romagna with delectable dishes and excellent wines. I loved their handmade pastas and the fact that Wendy crafts all their dishes with genuine, imported Italian ingredients.

After dining at Via Emilia 9, I sat down with Valentina to discuss their cuisine, because my Italian is very limited and Wendy does not speak much English – the chef is genuine Italian in his language and his culinary skills!

RC: What is your restaurant's cuisine?

VC: Our cuisine is a regional Italian cuisine; Emilia Romagna.

RC: How did you decide to focus on the cuisine you serve your diners?

VC: I decided to serve this food because it represents my land. I grew up watching my grandma cook all these things, so it's in my blood, it's my childhood memories.

RC: Describe your restaurant in four words.

VC: Authentic, homey, simple and delicious.

RC: Tell us about the ingredients for your dishes and freshly made pasta.

VC: All our ingredients are imported from Italy, with the exception of fruits, vegetables, flour and eggs. All our pastas are strictly homemade.

24 WIREMAG.COM #15 2017

PHOTOS BY ORIANA TORRES. PROVIDED BY VIA EMILIA 9

Rafa Carvajal: Please explain the name of your restaurant to our readers.

Valentina Cacciatori: Via Emilia 9, your culinary journey, takes its name from the most important road in Emilia Romagna. Every city in Emilia Romagna is known for a particular speciality. In Parma, you find prosciutto and parmigiano; in Modena, you find balsamic vinegar; in Bologna, tortellini; in Ferrara, pumpkin; and so on. The Via Emilia runs through the entire region, so if you were driving through the Via Emilia you would come across all the specialities served at Via Emilia 9.

Prosciutto di Parma aged 18 months. Parmigiano Reggiano aged 24 months. Mortadella and balsamico di Modena aged 10 years. These are only a few of the ingredients that proudly represent my land, Emilia Romagna. The most important ingredient of all though is one that you can't buy, it is love. Our customers all know that.

RC: What is the best part of dining at Via Emilia 9?

VC: Via Emilia 9 is not just dining, it's not just feeding yourself. Via Emilia 9 is an experience; it's a journey through my land, Emilia Romagna, an experience that awakens memories for Italians who have been living here for many years.

When they dine with us, even before they eat, from the minute they walk in and see our "Sfoglina" (our pasta making lady), they immediately go back to the memory of their grandma making pasta. I had a customer once, an Italian lady; that as soon as she ate her first Tortellino, her eyes got watery because for a minute she was brought back to when she was a child cooking with her grandma who had just passed away.

She said that dinner had been the most unexpected experience in her life.

For our customers who are not Italian, Via Emilia gives them a whole new perception of food, where their mouths are filled with greatness with just a few fresh ingredients.

RC: What are the three most popular dishes on your menu?

VC: Tortellini in brodo, Tagliatella panna salsiccia e funghi and Lasagna.

PHOTOS BY ORIANA TORRES. PROVIDED BY VIA EMILIA 9

RC: What types of wines do you offer to your customers?

VC: All our wines are strictly Italian. We, of course, have Lambrusco, which is our regional wine, and a great variety of wines, which go from a light and smooth Montepulciano to a full body Amarone, or a delicate aged Brunello Di Montalcino from 2001. We also have a very nice selection of whites.

RC: Do you offer any specials for lunch or dinner?

VC: We offer a happy hour 4-6:30 p.m. where all our bottles are 50% off, as well as the charcuterie board. From June to December, we also offer 50% off on the lunch menu Monday through Friday, and 50% off the entire food menu every Tuesday. We highly recommend reservations on those Tuesdays.

RC: Why did you and your chef husband decide to open your restaurant in South Beach?

VC: My husband made that choice. We were looking for a small place that could be run by us, and we wanted a space that we could build with our own hands. When the location we are at now came up it was all ruined and looked very ugly, but my husband had already imagined what he could do with it, so we took it. As a mat-

ter of fact, Via Emilia has been made entirely by us, from the floors to the bathrooms, all our love and passion are between our restaurant walls.

RC: What do you enjoy the most about owning a restaurant?

VC: The fact that our customers have become our friends, and that Via Emilia is now a place for everyone to meet and chat, as if they were at home. We have a lot regulars that come on their own and sit at the bar. It's like having our friends home for dinner. It doesn't feel like work.

RC: What is the most challenging part of operating your restaurant?

VC: Finding the right staff is the most challenging part. Because our cuisine is very particular, and the relationship we have with our customers is more than just business, it's extremely hard to find personnel that will put as much love and attention in making our customers as happy as we do.

Via Emilia 9. 1120 15th Street. Miami Beach #15 2017 WIREMAG.COM 25

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