HERLIFE Launch Party Connects South Florida Women

More than 400 of South Florida’s most remarkable women (and a few good men) gathered at Il Bacio Restaurant & Lounge Thursday, June 16, to celebrate the launch of HERLIFE Magazine, the only glossy lifestyle magazine in the area created and written by women, for women.

The champagne started flowing promptly at 7 p.m. (Who doesn’t love a little bubbly to begin the evening?) Guests, among them Delray Beach Councilwoman Contance Scott, poured in and were treated to passed hors d’oeuvres by PRIME and a table stacked with gourmet cupcakes from Cupcake Cottage for dessert.  (The Gab Girls can’t say no to cupcakes, so we admit we snuck a few while on duty!) While some mingled with beaming HERLIFE Editor Karen Alleyne-Means, others struck a pose at the portrait stand courtesy of Shelley Arminio from MonkeyFacePhoto.com.

The HERLIFE staff, Il Bacio Owner Steven Pellegrino, local philanthropist Cindi Krost, socialites Michael and Karen Towner, and renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Man joined Alleyne-Means and her husband, Shawn Means, for the official ribbon cutting and speech, marking the launch of South Florida’s newest women’s magazine.

A magazine launch party wouldn’t be complete without swag bags. Each guest went home with a hot pink bag stuffed with the first four issues of HERLIFE Magazine and luxury gift items from Cenegenics Medical Institute Boca Raton, Dr. Daniel Man Plastic Surgery, Life Time Fitness Boca Raton, Butlers in the Buff Florida, and Il Bacio.

We think the success of the launch party is just the beginning of great things to come from HERLIFE Magazine...

"Gabby" Birthday to Steven Pellegrino, Sr.!

Steven Pellegrino, Sr., the man behind Il Bacio Restaurant & Lounge and PRIME, has thrown the people of South Florida some of the hottest parties we have ever seen. 

It was only fitting that, for the big guy's birthday, we go all out with a Summer Circus-themed Birthday Bash worthy of Il Bacio's off-the-chart event roster.

So, for the past week, Gab worked in secret to plot the perfect birthday, including smuggling an oversize paper birthday cake into the office for Steven's wife, Jackie, to decorate.

On Saturday, May 14, we finally were able to pull out all the stops, kicking off the evening with a hilarious James Brown fire performance before presenting dangling aerialists, fireworks courtesy of Steven Pellegrino, Jr., and - surprise! - a beautiful woman leaping out of a birthday cake and launching into a dance and fire performance act for a very surprised Steven.

As always, DJ Brett the Hitman kept the crowd going until we couldn't dance anymore, providing the soundtrack to yet another unforgettable night.

The party never ends when you're working with the Pellegrinos!

Il Bacio Restaurant & Lounge

29 SE 2nd Avenue, Just off of Atlantic Avenue

Delray Beach, FL

Dining Reservations: 561-865-7785

Visit: http://www.ilbacioofdelray.com/

www.facebook.com/ilbaciodelray

"The Circus" 2-Year Anniversary Celebration at Il Bacio

"The Circus" rolled into town on Wednesday, April 27, celebrating Il Bacio's second year as Delray’s premier venue for nightlife, entertainment and dining with over-the-top entertainment worthy of The Big Top.

The much-anticipated event lived up to its high-flying expectations as more than 500 South Florida revelers partied the night away, their senses captivated by the dazzling and sultry circus-inspired acts and pulsating sounds of DJ Brett the Hitman.


Sponsored by Ketel One Vodka, "The Circus" kicked off with Harlequin Stilt Walkers, a nod to vintage acts of days past, and the incredible Goatman, who roamed the courtyard inviting intrigued guests to the join the party.


As a seductive belly dancer and her curious snake slithered through the crowd, guests were treated to sensational aerialists and gravity-defying performances from suspended silks.

The night heated up with incredible fire performers, and culminated with a spectacular violinist that blew the crowd away with his rock solos.

The only thing to do after such an unforgattable event? Start planning for next year!

Il Bacio Restaurant & Lounge
29 SE 2nd Avenue, Just off of Atlantic Avenue

Delray Beach, FL

Dining Reservations: 561-865-7785

Visit: http://www.ilbacioofdelray.com/

www.facebook/com/ilbaciodelray

St. Patrick's Day 2011: South Florida Food, Cocktail & Event Highlights

By now, everyone is familiar with the nation's more famous St. Patrick's Day celebrations: the weeklong festivities in Boston, Chicago's parade along the green-dyed Chicago River, the packed streets of New York City, the cobblestone roads of little ol' Savannah, Georgia...

We're not the types to miss out on a good celebration. Here in South Florida, we have our own unique St. Paddy's presence, with Delray Beach being home to the state's largest St. Patrick's parade - which just happens to be tomorrow at 2 p.m.

Go to Deck 84, just under the bride on Atlantic Avenue, for a prime spot to watch the parade and enjoy a few afternoon cocktails at one of their satellite bars without missing any of the action.

And when the 43rd Annual Delray Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade ends, the party at Il Bacio Restaurant & Lounge begins, getting you in the shamrock spirit for St. Patrick's Day with "St. Practice Day 2011."

From 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., take your pick of Il Bacio Grill Specials like Black Angus Burgers, Turkey Burgers, Grilled Chicken, and Sausage, Peppers & Onions, plus live entertainment including Hard Drive, Derek Mack and DJ Brett the Hitman.

Irish eyes will be smiling with 4 Leaf Clover drink specials, including $4 beers, $4 Jameson's shots and $4 Bailey's cocktails.

But tomorrow's festivities are only practice for the real-deal holiday on Thursday. Our special cocktail recommendation for St. Patrick's Day 2011:

 Orange You Glad You're Irish?

     2 oz. 4 Orange Vodka
     2 oz. hot tea
     1/8 oz. honey
   
(Pour 4 Orange Vodka and honey into a cup of hot tea).

If you're entertaining at home, don't serve the same old green beer. Try these sophisticated Irish-inspired cocktails instead.


If our cocktail picks prove impossible to resists (which they will), and you need the luck o' the Irish to get out of bed the next morning, check out these recipes for hangover-fighting foods. They may not be scientifically proven to rid you of that seedy feeling, but they're guaranteed to be delicious.

Sith agus Sláinte 'bha! (Peace and good health on you!)

Artopia 2011 | Behind the Scenes

The art vanguard gathered at Il Bacio Restaurant & Lounge last night for Artopia 2011, a stylish kaleidoscope of South Florida's culture and fashion scene. Outside on the lush courtyard, 12 MasterMinds finalists displayed their art, guests indulged on decadent crème brulée and sipped Zywiec beer and cucumber-infused Hendrick's Gin, and DJ Brett the Hitman provided the high-energy soundtrack that set the tone for the evening. Inside the Red Room, body-paint split artist Erin Barylski, as seen on America's Got Talent, flipped her paint-covered body onto a large floor spread that would become her rainbow-colored canvas. Meanwhile, chiseled Butlers in the Buff made their rounds through the crowd, offering guests an eyeful of their shirtless physiques as well as trays of hors d'œuvres from Prime and Il Bacio.

While all of this was going on, Gab was backstage and down the street at Naked Hair Salon, busily directing the festivities and assisting the models, who were having their hair styled with signature avant garde creations, bohemian waves, braids, and the evening's defining free-flowing texture. When showtime rolled around, the models were styled to perfection, taking to the runway in globally inspired Charli Girls fashions: collar bone-grazing feather earrings, flowing dresses, bikinis, and  tribal accessories.

Check out our behind-the-scenes photos from Artopia 2011, presented by The Gab Group and New Times Broward Palm Beach:

Special thanks to Artopia 2011 sponsors, Il Bacio Restaurant & Lounge, PRIME Delray, Naked Hair Salon, Charli Girls, The Electric Experience, and Zywiec Original Beer.