Haute Scene, News | March 14, 2018

Inside Serafina Miami’s Posh Grand Opening Party In Aventura Mall

Haute Scene, News | March 14, 2018
Frank Piazza, Stacey Shabtai, Fabio Granato, Mike Baccaro, Eddie Fuentes, Benny Shabtai, & Friend
Frank Piazza, Stacey Shabtai, Fabio Granato, Mike Baccaro, Eddie Fuentes, Benny Shabtai, & Friend

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

With much excitement, the renowned Serafina restaurant brand debuted Serafina Miami in the Aventura Mall to Miami’s elite with a fabulous grand opening celebration. The evening was hosted by owners Benny Shabtai, Stacey Shabtai, Michael Baccaro, Samantha Cooper and brand founders Vittorio Assaf and Fabio Granato.

Donald Soffer & Michele King Soffer1
Donald Soffer & Michele King Soffer

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

Rony Seikaly & Martha Graeff
Rony Seikaly & Martha Graeff

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

More than 200 of Miami’s VIPs came out to celebrate the occasion and get a first-look at the new restaurant including Don & Michelle SofferJackie SofferOlga BlavatnikLorena CartagenaRony SeikalyMartha GraeffKamal HotchandaniMarko Jaric, David & Isabela Grutman, Iran Issa Khan, Jay GoldmanJay Parker, Keith MeninKobi KarpJasmine Tosh, Janie Cundy, Dmitry Prut, Ernesto & Ashley Arguello and many more.

Exterior of Serafina Miami
The exterior of Serafina Miami

The restaurant, located in the recently-debuted “New Wing” of the iconic Aventura Mall, was decked out for the occasion with two Lamborghinis from Prestige Imports parked at the front entrance—an impressive display greeting guests as they arrived at the fête. Inside the party, guests were treated to music by DJ ARKITEKT as well as passed gourmet bites and multiple food stations featuring some of the restaurant’s greatest specialties— a charcuterie spread, fresh mozzarella station and risotto and pasta parmigiana wheel station. The food was paired deliciously with Serafina signature cocktails crafted by the famed Cocktail Cartel.

Dustin Ward & Frank Piazza
Dustin Ward & Frank Piazza

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

David Grutman & Isabela Rangel Grutman
David Grutman & Isabela Rangel Grutman

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

Of course, a highlight of the affair and where many of the photos took place was the restaurant’s highly Instagrammable Neon Angel Wing sign and the infinity lit bathroom hallway. Another popular backdrop of the photos includes the men’s and women’s bathrooms—both of which are decorated with wallpaper of the male and female icons—J. Lo in the men’s room and David Beckham in the ladies’ room.

Serafina Pasta Cutting Moment
Serafina Pasta Cutting Moment

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

Serafina signature cocktails
Serafina signature cocktails

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

But the grand moment that everyone was waiting for took place when all the owners gathered in front of the crowd for the famed Serafina ribbon-cutting ceremony. In typical Serafina fashion, rather than a legitimate ribbon, Chef Dustin Ward brought out a 20-foot long hand-rolled pasta that stretched across the entire group. And with a countdown and cheering, the pasta ribbon was cut and the grand opening commenced with plenty of laughs, cheers and delightful food and drinks.

Serafina Miami is officially open to the public, located in the New Wing of the Aventura Mall at 19501 Biscayne Blvd, Aventura, FL 33180.

Benny & Stacey Shabtai
Benny & Stacey Shabtai

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

Rony Seikaly & Marko Jarić
Rony Seikaly & Marko Jarić

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

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