Nicks Night
From Arquitectonica to Rene Gonzalez, Miami claims its share of local designers who have changed the skyline here and beyond. A new name to add to that growing list is Nick Gelpi, a graduate of Columbia and Tulane universities who founded Gelpi Projects while teaching at Florida International University. FIUs Miami Beach Urban Studios hosts an opening reception for his exhibit Textural tonight from 6:30-9:30.
On view through October 13, it explores six projects by the rising talent who worked for years at the acclaimed Steven Holl Architects in New York. Gelpis personal portfolio includes House Paint Pavilion, a collaboration with Brooklyn artist Markus Linnenbrink for Wasserman Projects gallery in Detroit, and the pending Wynwood Greenhouse. He specializes in site-specific installations that incorporate materials from the surrounding environment and 3D printing.
- 420 Lincoln Road, Suite 440; 305.348.7500; paleoarch.com
Viet-Yum
With the shuttering of Hy Vong, Miamians have experienced a void in chef-driven Vietnamese cuisine. That was corrected today when the Fed restaurants previous owners unveiled their long-awaited Phuc Yea. If the naughty name sounds familiar, its because the concept originated as a pop-up in downtown Miami five years ago.
The permanent locations menu expands with the Vietnamese meets Cajun fare found along the Gulf of Mexico in Texas and Louisiana. Start with spring rolls such as pork and shrimp goi cuon; or bo bia, a mix of Chinese sausage, dried shrimp and jicama stuffed in rice paper. Custom stir fry comes with a choice of crustacean and sauce like chili garlic and green curry. Brunch offers bahn mi sandwiches and cornmeal waffles with sweet and sour pig wings.
- 7100 Biscayne Boulevard; phucyea.com
Spa For A Song
Is some pampering in order? Fort Lauderdales summer spa initiative continues through September 30. Here are a couple picks from more than a dozen participating spas. The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale offers a $100 credit, which can be applied to additional services or upgrades, when guests purchase $200 of services from the regular menu.Guests also have the option to choose $99 combo packages from its special Spa Chic menu, including a facial with a manicure; an aromatherapy massage with a facial, or a sea salt body scrub with a shampoo and blowout. Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa created three 50-minutes services: a massage medley with Swedish, aromatherapy and deep tissue; micro-sculpting serum facial, or body scrub and masque with a scalp or foot massage.
- sunny.org/spachic
One-Two Punch
Heres a tale of two places named Punch. Between spinning and barre classes, Miami fitness fanatics are working out their aggression at Punch Boxing in Wynwood. Anything but boring, the interval workout combines boxing, body weight exercises and calisthenics that are customized to ones strength and skill.
There are shortened classes, too, for lunch hours and super speedy schedules that get clients in and out in 30 minutes. Reward yourself at the other Punch, a Cuban-themed rum and cigar bar with live music and tapas, such as croquetas and tostones, that just opened in the former News Lounge next to Soyka. The owners came up with the idea after visiting a dilapidated boxing ring in Havana. Mojitos are served in punch bowls sized heavyweight, middleweight and lightweight. Knock yourself out.
- 1901 NW Miami Court; 305.381.0325; punchboxingmiami.com. 5580 NE Fourth Court; 305.758.9932; punchmiami.com
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