February 20th, 2009 -- (Miami Beach, FL) -- Padma Lakshmi,
host of Bravo's Top Chef and Niche Media's Ocean Drive magazine
February issue cover star was toasted at a chic cocktail party
celebrating her cover at Area 31 at EPIC, a new lifestyle,
boutique waterfront hotel.
The stunning TV personality arrived at the event looking effortlessly
chic in a burgundy wrap dress and gold Sergio Rossi shoes. As she posed
with her cover and signed copies of Ocean Drive magazine,
Lakshmi gushed about her spread and grabbed the 30 x 36 inch cover
blow-up with her when she left saying, "I'd like to take it to my mom in
Los Angeles although I'm not quite sure how it's going to work on the
plane!" When asked who she'd like to see grace the glossy's cover next,
Lakshmi replied without hesitation, "Pharell."
Eager fans at the Ocean Drive magazine cover party asked her who
she thought would become the "Top Chef" this season but she remained
mum, claiming, "If I open my mouth, I will either lie or ruin the
surprise!"
Although the slim beauty specifically requested lean proteins and diet
coke, she ended up indulging in champagne and pasta from Area 31,
confessing that spaghetti was actually her favorite food. While Padma
was certainly the belle of the ball, she was not the only Bravo
personality in attendance. Reality TV star and natural food chef Bethenny
Frankel was also spotted sipping Bombay Sapphire cocktails by
the pool.
About Niche Media Holdings: Niche Media, a subsidiary of
Greenspun Media Group, was founded in 1992 and is the country's
preeminent regional magazine company with the largest network of
city-specific luxury publications in the United States. Niche Media
consistently delivers the finest editorial content and advertising to a
controlled group of influencers with the highest disposable incomes in
each city. Niche Media reaches readers who maintain annual household
incomes of at least $200,000 and have liquid assets in excess of $1
million, making the pages of these glossies some of the most valuable
real estate in publishing. Additionally, the company brings its
publications' pages to life with more than 500 dynamic A-list events
across the country each year.
ABOUT Area 31
Area 31, the breathtaking new restaurant on the
16th floor of the Epic Hotel, delivers guests a dramatic menu of fresh,
premium seafood prepared with a Mediterranean influence. The restaurant,
which debuted Dec. 15, 2008, features seafood from its namesake region
Fishing Area 31, the ecologically sound marine waters of the Western
Central Atlantic including the entire Florida coast, Central America and
northern South America, with its menu created by rising star John
Critchley. Critchley hails from Boston where he worked extensively with
world-renowned Chef Ken Oringer. The menu is complemented with a wine
list expertly assembled by Master Sommelier Emily Wines along with an
innovative cocktail list from Master Mixologist Jacques Bezuidenhout.
Dining at Area 31 extends onto the outdoor terrace and pool deck with
breathtaking views of the Miami River and Biscayne Bay. The restaurant,
designed by famed Los Angeles designer Cheryl Rowley, offers warm,
graceful simplicity and understated elegance through the adept use of
texture and light. Area 31 is located on the 16th floor of Epic Hotel,
270 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Miami, FL 33131. Reservations may be made by
calling 305.424.5234 or www.area31restaurant.com.
ABOUT EPIC
A member of the award-winning San Francisco-based
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, EPIC is located at the edge of the Miami
River and Biscayne Bay, and combines the style of a cosmopolitan
boutique hotel with the amenities of a resort to create a sophisticated
oasis for guests amidst the energy and pulse of Miami. The hotel's 411
rooms and suites are artfully designed by Cheryl Rowley, with
furnishings that convey an understated sense of cool, and all feature
private balconies that provide inspiring views of the city and bay.
Hotel offerings include a 13,752-square-foot wrap-around pool deck with
private cabanas; Area 31 restaurant, offering premium seafood with a
Mediterranean influence; a spa and fitness center operated by Exhale; a
waterfront lounge; 11,000 square feet of indoor meeting and event space;
and a private marina.
ABOUT BOMBAY SAPPHIRE®
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® is the
fastest-growing, premium gin in the world. The combination of its 10
unique botanicals, vapor infusion process and authentic British heritage
secure BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® as a leader among gins, as well as a symbol of
style and sophistication. BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® strongly supports inspired
adult individuals who create passionate work in design, film and other
artistic arenas. For more information, please visit www.bombaysapphire.com.
PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
Contact: Fox Greenberg Public Relations, 212-334-1212
Sarah
Greenberg or Kaitlyn Reilly
