Haute 100-lister and Miami-based philanthropist, journalist and author Jennifer Valoppi is one of the most esteemed members of the Miami community. One of her highest accomplishments has been co-founding the successful Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program with Don Browne. The non-profit organization seeks to provide mentorship to small groups of at-risk girls in public high schools, providing them with the means to overcome obstacles and provide skills for success. Women of Tomorrow hosts various events around the community to raise money for the charity, which has become extraordinarily successful since its inception. This month, they will be celebrating its 20-year anniversary. Here, power woman Jennifer Valoppi shares her Haute Secrets to the Magic City, which she happily calls home:
Where were you born: Michigan
How long in Miami: 24 years
Neighborhood: Miami Beach
Occupation: Journalist, Author, Founder & President of Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program
Favorite Restaurant: Cipriani, Estiatorio Milos Miami, Joe’s Stone Crab
Best Italian: Cipriani and Sylvano’s
Best dessert: Cipriani’s Vanilla Meringue Cake and Sylvano’s Tiramisu
Best place for a romantic date: Casa Tua on Miami Beach
Best Sunday brunch: Cecconi’s
Best place for a power business meeting: Soho Beach House, Estiatorio Milos Miami or Zuma
If you have out of town guests, which hotel would you recommend? The Setai, Faena Miami Beach and The Miami Beach EDITION
Favorite shopping venue/boutique: Bal Harbour Shops, where our Women of Tomorrow statue is!
Favorite place to buy jewelry/watches: Everywhere, especially on vacation.
Best Spa: Mandarin Oriental, Miami
Favorite Charity Event: Women of Tomorrow’s Gala & Rosé Day, of course.
Favorite Cultural Event: I love everything associated with Art Basel, especially Design Miami.
Favorite Cultural Institution: Adrienne Arsht Center & Miami City Ballet, though I don’t go to either as much as I’d like.
Best Steakhouse: Prime 112
Best Pizza: Sylvano’s
Best Lunch: Estiatorio Milo’s or my husband’s Chicken Kitchen restaurants.
Best Gym/Athletic Facility: I’m a yogi from Glow to Green Monkey.
Best Massage: The one done in my home.
Best Limousine/Driving Service: Uber
Best Museum/Exhibit: I love the Patricia & Phillip Frost Science Museum and sitting on the terrace of the Pérez Art Museum Miami.
Describe your city in three words: Vibrant, exciting and hot! (Of course, that’s a double entendre).
Favorite historic/legendary place to see or explore: I’m fascinated by the impossibility of the Coral Castle and captivated by the beauty of Vizcaya.
All-around favorite spot in Miami: Anywhere I can have a glass of wine and look at the water.
Best Aspect of Miami: My family and friends are here.
