Cuisine

Only 5-stars restaurant fans will be seated here. Imagine Lifestyle's will only highlight the best of the best restaurants and culinary designs around the world. What makes a 5-star restaurant a 5-star restaurant? Imagine will dissect the elite restaurants of the world and grade 5-star restaurants on their menus, locations and amenities. The world of culinary art is a constantly evolving area, blending the old with the new, the east with the west, and so on. But did you know that some of the best culinary inventions involve the blending of cultures? Nuevo Latino, Cuban-Asian and other hot new styles are topping the lists of celebs and high-profile diners worldwide. Is your luxurious restaurant up for the Imagine review?

Top 10 Most Expensive Entrees, Drinks and Desserts in the World

Expensive Restaurant ItemsThe culinary world of the rich and famous is fascinating, in regards to the entrees, drinks, desserts, and of course, the outrageous prices.  As culinary explorers, join us on an epic journey through some of the world’s most expensive entrée, beverage and dessert items.  It is nothing but the best for our fans.

Exotic Cuisine: Beijing’s Phenomenal Phallus Feast

Guo-Li-Zhuang Beijing ChinaIn the area of exotic cuisine, it takes a lot to surprise us at Imagine Lifestyles.  We love watching the Travel Channel, including Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations” and Andrew Zimmern’s “Bizarre Foods”.  Meet Guo-Li-Zhuang, Beijing’s luxury restaurant that caters to the elite-by serving several types of pricey penises and testicles.

Aimed at the curious, the connoisseur and the health conscious, this luxury Chinese restaurant specializes in serving up the penises of horses, yaks, dogs, bulls, ducks and rare specimens to those who can afford it.  Note that a meal at Guo-Li-Zhuang is well into the hundreds, with rare specimens such as Canadian seal penis costing upwards of $400 (this order must be placed in advance).

Ask Imagine: Culinary Curiosity

Dear Imagine Lifestyles,

I read your luxury blog daily and love the variety of information you provide, especially the luxury restaurant tips for our area. 

That is actually how I discovered your blog, I had been searching for restaurants in Miami that I may not be aware exist, and found your blog about Nobu Sushi.  The added bonus is that you also cover exotic cars, which I love nearly as much as exotic food.  The content variety is awesome and a nice lunchtime read for me at the office.

Anyways, I am writing to get your take on the South Beach Food and Wine Festival this weekend, is it something to just stop by, or to plan on devoting the entire weekend to? 

Thanks guys you are awesome,
Tomas, South Beach

Star-Studded South Beach Wine & Food Festival Approaches

If you live or are planning to be in the Miami area this weekend, the 2010 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine is on.  The Wine & Food festival will take place Thursday, February 25 through Sunday, February 28th.  Read on to find out why it is a “can’t miss”.

Some of the most well-respected and recognized industry principals will again congregate in Miami Beach to educate and entertain the thousands of fans of this annual event. 

Exotic Dining Tip: Miss Yip Chinese Café

If you live in Miami, or are visiting us soon, and have a weakness for all that is culinary, Miss Yip Chinese Café is a must-try. 

Luxury Hotels: Gansevoort vs. Shoreclub South Beach

Shoreclub South BeachSouth Beach is famed for its excess, lifestyle and its luxury hotels.  Today we will explore and compare the luxurious Gansevoort South Beach with the (equally?) exotic Shoreclub South Beach. 

Both luxury South Beach hotels are oceanfront.  Both are considered upscale, decadent and indulgent.  You can enjoy a delicious upscale culinary adventure at both.  The differences will lie in the types of cuisine, the vibe of the bar areas, the spa, amenities and of course, the accommodations.  So let’s compare.

Coconut Grove Arts Festival This Weekend

Coconut Grove Arts Festival This Saturday, February 13th, will mark the 47th annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival.  The event will take place in beautiful Coconut Grove, Florida, from February 13th-15th.   Hours for the festival are 10am-6pm all three days.

Top 10 Culinary Styles in South Beach

Exotic Restaurants in South BeachLuxury restaurants are concepts that never go out of style in fashionable South Beach.  The great international flavors of the world meet here, hook-up, and produce infusions so stellar, the area has become famous for it.  Yet inventive and upscale cuisine does not come without a price tag. 

Ask Imagine: South Beach Sushi for Super Bowl Week

Dear Imagine Lifestyles,

My girlfriend and I just made it to Miami for Super Bowl week.  We previously read in your luxury blog about the Top 5 Luxury Restaurants in South Beach, and are thinking of trying some of them.  We are hoping to get into Nobu, as we love sushi, but are unsure of how difficult it will be to get in on such short notice and during Super Bowl week.  I will call Nobu today, but in the event that we do not get in, are there any other good sushi restaurants we can hit?

Thanks guys,
Adam, New York

Highly Anticipated STK Gansevoort Opens in South Beach-A Steak-Lover’s Dream

STK steakhouse has just made its South Beach debut, opening a new location within the luxurious Gansevoort Hotel.  The long awaited arrival of this popular culinary treasure has come to a mouth-watering end with the opening of the doors. STK Gansevoort South Beach Steakhouse

This is no ordinary steakhouse, but a celeb sought-after dazzler with quite the following, including Fergie, Josh Duhamel, Michael Bay, Robin Givens and more.  Prior to the South Beach debut, STK Gansevoort held a several tastings and “friends and family” trials for a select lucky few.

Exotic Restaurants Miami-Meet “Ola”

Those who know and love Miami for its cultural offerings are well aware that Latin food and Miami are not strangers.  It is for that reason it can often be difficult for Latin restaurants to stand out in the city.  Meet “Ola”, an exotic Latin restaurant that is so good, it is decidedly naughty.

Located within the Sanctuary Hotel, which is tucked away discreetly, Ola feels modern, soft and relaxing.  The recessed lighting and cucumber and melon hues are accented with rich dark wood, a hip décor complemented by soft modern music.

Koi Restaurant in LA Attracts Celebrities

Koi Restaurant LA If catching a glimpse of fame excites you, then let us make you aware of Koi, a luxury Japanese and California infused restaurant.  Koi that is a flavorite of a bulk LA’s glam scene, including such hot names as Ashton & Demi, George Clooney, Liv Tyler, J-Lo, Martin Lawrence and more!  In the world of luxury restaurants, this seems to be a “can’t miss”.
With Hollywood’s elite as patrons, you can expect the pricing to reflect its lofty status, so come prepared to get what you pay for.

Top 5 Things Miami is doing to Prepare for Super Bowl 44

Super Bowl 44 MiamiWith the big game just 3 weeks out, Miami and all of South Florida has been busily preparing itself for the onslaught of football fans, visitors and excitement.  Here are some of the ways Miami is prepping for Super Bowl XLIV:

•    Hotels altering arrangements
•    Restaurants creating special menus
•    Clubs booking high-profile entertainment
•    Exotic rental cars booking up
•    Boutiques and shopping options stepping it up

Exotic Dining Tip-Canal Bistro

If you find yourself visiting Indianapolis, Indiana (pointing at you Colts fans), and in search of an exotic restaurant full of flavor and international experience, do not miss the Canal Bistro Mediterranean Grille!

This culinary jewel is nested along the canal in popular “Broad Ripple”, which is just miles from downtown and bursting with nightclubs, interesting restaurants, a comedy club, and various entertainment options. 

Top 5 Ideas for a Miami Christmas-Santa in Style

Miami Christmas 2009As strange as it seems, Christmas is just around the corner, as they say, leaving many to contemplate plans for their holidays once again.  You are free, of course, to follow the same traditional routes, or you could give a Miami style Christmas a try if that is possible for you and yours!  Even if you do not celebrate Christmas, the weather in Miami is perfect this time of year, a true semi-tropical escape from the everyday.  Here are our top five ideas for a luxurious Miami Christmas: