This week I had the pleasure of attending a dinner party. It wasn’t an ordinary dinner party—this is the kind of dinner party you dream about as a child…the kind in movies…with multiple wine glasses, forks and knives lined up on either side of gorgeous plates… the kind with hors d’oeuvres and champagne before the meal is served. The kind with white gloves and piano music. You know?
It was remarkable…the house is owned by one of my dear friends, an architect/preservationist— but it is currently inhabited by a lovely couple Rafa and Gaby. You could say Gaby is a chef…but really what she is, is an artist. You wouldn’t know it by looking at her petite body and shy demeanor…but this woman can make your pallet sing. Her partner, Gretha is a fiery blonde who takes smoke breaks off of the kitchen and engages the guests in conversation about playing guitar. Both of them are Venezuelan and have opened up a catering shop in Midtown Miami called, The Copper Box. They say the name comes from two sources, 1. The building they are in looks like a copper box 2. Gretha told me that Gaby’s grandmother use to keep her spices in little copper boxes in her kitchen. They are just starting out—but that’s just in Miami. In Venezuela they had a following catering intimate dinners and lavish parties. I wish them success, because the food, the presentation, the details were remarkable and unlike anything I have experienced in many many years. 5 courses and 2 bottles of wine later, I fell in love.
So cheers! To a great weekend and to great food!