Inside Louis XIII’s Private Art Basel Kick-Off Dinner With Bradley Theodore And Alonzo Mourning

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

Haute Living and Louis XIII Cognac hosted a private dinner, aboard the stunning, privately-owned Bliss Yacht at Miami’s PAMM marina. The intimate, 30-person dinner, kicked off the beginning of Art Basel Miami, with special guests, world-renowned visual artist Bradley Theodore and former Miami Heat player Alonzo Mourning.

As guests boarded the stunning, 150-foot super yacht, they were immediately greeted with flutes of Champagne, as well as unparalleled views of downtown Miami. While the drinks flowed, two of the boat owners, Leon Patitsas and Marietta Chrousala, provided tours of the impeccably-designed vessel, which included interiors by Icelandic designer Ingibjorg St. Palmadottir, 12-guest accommodation, a deck Jacuzzi, a sauna, a sky lounge and a Tender, upwards of 40 feet.

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

Guests were then ushered to the second floor deck, where Bradley Theodore presented an incredible, custom art piece to Alonzo Mourning, benefiting the Mourning Family Foundation – a non-profit organization led by Mourning and his wife, Tracy. Together with the foundation, the couple works tirelessly to provide education and resources to children and families in Miami, who are otherwise unable to do so for themselves. The colorful painting, depicting a very special bottle of Louis XIII Cognac, represents the diverse aromas that Theodore himself, experiences with each sip of the highly coveted beverage. “It’s what I see every time I look at the bottle,” he said.

After the gracious presentation, the guests were seated for dinner. The delectable meal, provided by Miami’s famed Joe’s Stone Crab restaurant, included a bevy of mouth-watering delicacies, such as Joe’s chopped salad, creamed spinach, spinach-stuffed tomatoes with melted cheese, fried chicken, Joe’s famous key lime pie and of course, stone crab claws, served with mustard sauce. As the group wined and dined, they reveled in the picturesque, semi-outdoor setting and the perfectly tempered, 75-degree weather.

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

Following the decadent meal, guests headed to the uppermost deck, where Louis XIII Ambassador Victor Blanquart, guided the group through a special Cognac tasting and a toast. The customary clinks chimed from the traditional Louis XIII crystal glasses as guests capped off the gorgeous Miami evening.

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice