Events
27th Annual Las Olas Wine & Food Festival – REVIEW
South Florida’s refreshed and refined restaurant and beverage scene was on full display at the 27th Annual Las Olas Wine & Food Festival (LOWFF).
April 21st, 2023
Taking place on iconic Las Olas Boulevard in downtown Fort Lauderdale, the always popular event featured a decadent “tasting pavilion,” shutting down both sides of the street, from SE 6th Avenue to SE 11th Avenue. There, attendees tasted, sipped, mingled and danced, all for a great cause with proceeds assisting in the funding of research and educational programming for South Florida American Lung Association. The mission for the Lung Association is to create a better future for those living with lung cancer and other chronic respiratory diseases including COPD and asthma.
Offering convenient ride-share access, multiple points of entry and spectacular weather, the festival was off to a seamless and action-packed start. Many veteran attendees scooped up VIP access passes, which included a pre-event reception and 30 minutes of early access to the tasting pavilion. Once the general admission crowd started to file in, lines formed at popular booths, but with VIP access and a little bit of patience, it was possible to taste everything! General admission ticket started at $150.00 each and a limited number of VIP tickets were available for $200.00 each.
With many new restaurants in attendance and expanded lounge areas, including photo-experiences, DJ’s, live music and a silent disco, LOWFF was far from the same old festival. I spent the most time at High West Distillery’s lounge. At the lounge I could let my early food settle while sipping a solid Old-Fashioned cocktail and enjoy a live band playing some mellow western tunes. Talking to festival-goers, all veterans of the event, I heard multiple times: “this is the most I’ve ever had to eat (at LOWFF)!”
Diving into the food, for my first plate, I enjoyed some super sticky and pillowy cinnamon bun bites from New River Café & Bakery. From there, I sampled some fresh doughnut holes from The Hollywood Doughnut Factory – the Red Velvet was exceptional. I washed my sweet appetizer down with some Papa’s Pilar Rum, like Hemmingway would have enjoyed, thanks to the exclusive provider of wine and spirits, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.
Jumping back into the food, I went on to enjoy a creamy, cheesy, pesto and pine nut packed pasta dish from Timpano Las Olas. Next, I grabbed a scrumptious mini-Caprese sandwich with tomato, balsamic and mozzarella from Gran Forno Pronto. From there, American Social’s Sticky Icky Lollipop Chicken wings were tangy, crispy and super saucy. Some restaurants offered multiple options, including Fogo De Chao with a fine selection of red meat and sausage and on the lighter, seafood side, Tommy Bahama, offering a range of bites including mini key-lime tarts, guacamole, and ceviche presented on a lime – all fresh and flavorful.
Other food highlights included a scrumptious braised short-rib taco from Abiaka Wood Fire Grill (at Seminole Hardrock), a spice-packed samosa chat from Deccan Spice Indian Kitchen + Bar, a creamy sausage laced paella from Santiago’s Bodega, Yolo’s always tasty tuna tartare on a crispy cracker, coffee flavored Italian doughnuts from Fritto, Mexican street corn pizza from the Palm Room – served with their “Pick-up Lime” cocktail, and some savory and delicious jerk chicken from Big City Tavern. With so many exceptional food and drink offerings, it’s usually hard to pick one favorite at an event like this. However, this time, there was one bite that conquered them all: Abiaka Wood Fire Grill’s glittering-gold dessert taco featuring a cornmeal cookie with dulce mousse, roasted corn white chocolate ganache, dipped in milk chocolate and hazelnuts.
As I stared to run low on space for food, my focus shifted to cocktails. With no shortage of options, I was really feeling the party after samples of ATIAN Rose Gin, Barcelo Rum, Bacardi, Tequila 512, Ole Smoky Distillery, Santa Teresa 1796 Rum and Truman Vodka. With so many food and spirit offerings, I was less focused on wine, but for the “winos,” there was a solid supply from an array of renowned wineries including Marqués de Riscal, Hampton Water Rosé, and Biltmore Estate Wine Company.
After 27 successful years, like the local restaurant scene, LOWFF continues to impress and evolve. For more information about the event visit: https://lasolaswff.com and for more information about American Lung Association visit: https://Lung.org.
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Luli Fama celebrates its Paradise Found Cruise ’27 swimwear and resortwear collection with a luxury Miami launch at its Dadeland Mall boutique.
August 20, 2026
Miami swimwear favorite Luli Fama is stepping into Cruise ’27 with Paradise Found, a new swimwear and resortwear collection inspired by tropical escapes, exotic prints and effortless vacation glamour.
South Florida Insider has already taken a closer look at the Luli Fama Paradise Found collection, and it feels made for Miami.
The new Cruise ’27 collection combines the bold, body-confident swimwear Luli Fama is known for with elevated resort pieces designed to move effortlessly from the beach and pool to cocktails and dinner.
On Thursday, August 20, Luli Fama will celebrate Paradise Found with an exclusive evening at its newest Dadeland Mall boutique in Miami, complete with fashion, light bites, personalized surprises, and a luxe espresso martini bar.
Inside Luli Fama’s Paradise Found Cruise ’27 Collection
Paradise Found is inspired by the feeling of discovering a hidden tropical retreat.
Think lush landscapes, warm golden hour light, exotic patterns, and silhouettes made for somewhere beautiful.
The collection features Luli Fama signatures, including flattering ruched details, seamless construction, adjustable fits, and statement swimwear, alongside an expanded selection of resortwear.
We especially love the pieces that blur the line between swim and ready-to-wear.
Flowing dresses, sleek coverups, and body-skimming silhouettes make it easy to transition from a sun-drenched afternoon to an evening out without losing that relaxed resort feeling.
It is sensual, polished, and unmistakably Miami.
Luli Fama Brings Luxury Resort Style to Miami
There is a reason Paradise Found feels so natural in South Florida.
In Miami, resortwear is not reserved for vacation.
A swimsuit can become part of an outfit. A coverup can take you to lunch. A flowing resort dress can carry you from an afternoon by the water straight into cocktails and dinner.
Luli Fama has always understood that lifestyle.
Paradise Found takes it a step further, creating a Cruise ’27 wardrobe that feels as appropriate for a tropical getaway as it does for a weekend in Miami.
The campaign captures that mood beautifully, pairing the collection with palms, lush greenery, tropical architecture and the kind of sun soaked setting that makes you want to extend your vacation indefinitely.
Paradise Found Comes to Luli Fama at Dadeland Mall
Luli Fama will bring the world of Paradise Found to life on Thursday, August 20 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at its newest boutique at Dadeland Mall in Miami.
The intimate celebration will bring together invited guests, influencers, celebrities and media for an early look at Cruise ’27.
Luli Fama is also dressing invited guests in pieces from the brand, allowing the new collection to be experienced the way it was designed to be worn: in motion, styled and out for the evening.
Luli After Hours Espresso Martini Bar
Fashion is only part of the experience.
For the Paradise Found celebration, Luli Fama is introducing Luli After Hours, an Espresso Martini Bar inspired by the glamour of the collection.
Guests will be able to sip three specialty espresso martinis created for the evening.
The Luli Babe puts a polished spin on the classic espresso martini, while Golden Hour pairs salted caramel with edible gold shimmer. Miami After Dark takes a richer approach with chocolate hazelnut and a cocoa dust finish.
Along with cocktails, guests can expect light bites, curated details and a special personalized surprise.
The result feels less like a traditional retail event and more like checking into a private resort for the evening.
A Miami Swimwear Brand Celebrates at Home
For a brand with such a strong connection to South Florida, launching Paradise Found in Miami feels especially fitting.
Luli Fama has built its identity around colorful, confident swimwear and resort fashion with a distinctly tropical point of view.
Paradise Found carries that identity into Cruise ’27 while giving it a more elevated, escapist mood.
And with Luli Fama’s newest boutique now at Dadeland Mall, Miami shoppers have another destination to experience the brand in person.
After getting our own closer look at Luli Fama’s Paradise Found Cruise ’27 collection, we can safely say the name fits.
Paradise has officially been found, and this time, it is in Miami.
Check out the collection HERE
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