Sunset Oceanside Dining with Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s freshest Bahamian seafood and comfort food classics

There’s no better way to start a vacation at Baha Mar since they debuted in 2017 as a $4.2 billion integrated resort development along the pristine beaches of New Providence in The Bahamas. In Spring 2023, the resort celebrated five years of success with over one million guests since their opening.

Baha Mar expanded the resort destination’s vacation experience with new amenities including the 18-hole championship mini golf course, Mini Blue; debuted the $200 million luxury water park: Baha Bay; and added to its culinary portfolio with multiple restaurants such as Café Boulud, a new restaurant led by globally renowned Chef Daniel Boulud located at Rosewood Baha Mar, Sugar Factory/American Brasserie, America’s favorite eatery and confectionary shop, and Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House with six-time James Beard Award-winning Chef Marcus Samuelsson at the helm.

It was our first night at Baha Mar and we chose to dine at Marcus for the gourmet and quite the innovative menu, beach-chic decadent ambiance and a night to remember. Just at sundown, We were approaching the stand-alone building reminded me of walking into a modernized nostalgic colonial Key West Hemingway home. Walking in led us directly into the coastal chic bar/lounge and then onto the spacious open air setting where we were seated for the ultimate dining experience. Inspired by the colorful and warm culture and traditions of The Bahamas, the interior design features a selection of artwork curated by The Current Gallery and Art Center, Baha Mar’s hub for a compelling Bahamian artistic experience. All menus also feature artwork by prominent Bahamian artists.

After sipping our cocktails, we started off with Marcus’s stellar Cornbread accompanied with hot spiced rum butter and moved on to the perfect wood fire grilled dry-aged filet mignon and Aleppo Glazed Salmon paired with crispy brussels sprouts cooked with miso honey and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and baked Mac & Cheese. Our dessert was the perfect ice cream sundae featuring a brownie and vanilla ice cream topped with fudge sauce and whipped cream. Afterwards, we enjoyed our coffee, just to make sure we take-in the quite memorable dining and spectacular ambiance.

From pleasant staff smiles to positive overall energy, I give Marcus a 5-star rating. It leaves nothing to disappoint. Baha Mar is definitely a high ranking spot to visit for many reasons and now Baha Mar is a top vacation spot with Marcus as my favorite go-to restaurant within Baha Mar. Year-after-year we shall make it our annual tradition.

The post Dining Experience with Chef Marcus: A Culinary Gem in Baha Mar appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

The James Beard Award-Winning Celebrity Chef to Open His First Resident-Only Restaurant

It’s a beautiful night in Miami in late February as Chef Todd English arrives to host a private tasting for 150 guests at Bentley Residences, the first-ever Bentley-branded residential tower in the world. The four-time James Beard award-winning celebrity chef begins to sharpen his knives and gets ready to host a world-class Australian Wagyu beef tasting. Guests are mesmerized watching English create this memorable culinary experience in the model residence kitchen as he engages in one-on-one conversations about the widely sought-after delicacy.

This is an exciting moment for English as the Bentley Residences have just announced his exclusive, resident-only restaurant concept for their new luxury condominium tower in Miami’s Sunny Isle Beach. His role will be very hands-on as he will curate the menu and dining experience for the project’s private restaurant.

English is a highly recognized restaurateur, author and television personality best known for his current restaurants, Olives, Figs, and The Pepper Club, his Vegas outpost within The English Hotel. The new offering will benefit from his decades of experience launching some of the world’s most successful concepts. Not only does he have high recognition for his food, English has also been seen on a number of television shows such as “Opening Soon,” “Iron Chef,” “Top Chef,” “Today Show” and “Food Trip with Todd English.” Additionally, he has also served as Executive Celebrity Chef for star-studded events including the Super Bowl, Fashion Week, Tony Awards and Sundance Film Festival.

English’s new private restaurant for the Bentley Residences will feature fresh cuisine and offer residents a casual, yet sophisticated environment.

“Luxury is defined in many different ways, but taking solace and having more personal space in your own way is a great feature of new luxury experiences. It’s like carving out your own niche. Today, the more we become automated, the more we need our own personalized space, and the resident-only restaurant is a perfect example of newly defined luxury experiences,” English said.

“Bringing in the culinary expertise of a world-renowned chef such as Todd English further elevates the sense of living that we are creating for our residents,” said Gil Dezer, president of Dezer Development. “Bentley Residences will deliver a coveted level of exclusivity and privacy while incorporating luxuries ordinarily found in a five-star resort, like this above-and-beyond culinary concept.”

Located on the lobby level with views of the resort-style pool and exposure to the ocean, the private restaurant will be open to residents for breakfast, lunch and dinner and be available for private catering as well as poolside dining. English will personally appear at the private restaurant for select resident-only events, such as food and wine pairings and demonstrations. The menus will rotate seasonally, and a curated menu will also be available for in-residence dining.

Known for his interpretation of rustic Mediterranean cuisine, English first rose to international fame after being named “National Rising Star Chef” in 1991 by the James Beard Foundation. He applies his talent and personability to inform the dining experience and ensure a personalized touch during every meal.

“Every aspect of Bentley Residences has been so thoughtfully designed to perfection and I’m incredibly honored for this opportunity to partner with Gil Dezer and further elevate the luxurious lifestyle through unique culinary creations for residents,” English said. “We’re excited to provide a curated experience with rotating seasonal menus that will make dining at Bentley Residences a joy for residents and their guests.”

Boasting interiors by Bentley Motors, this private culinary experience will be one-of-a-kind, only to be enjoyed by the residents and their guests. Many of the fabrics and materials incorporated into the design of the dining spaces were inspired by high-end luxury Bentley vehicles, creating a connection and link to the prestigious automobile brand. For example, the high-gloss flooring is a nod to Bentley’s signature diamond patterning, which will also be featured on the exterior architecture of the building. The interiors of the private restaurant combine a dark color palette and bold finishes for an upscale moody aesthetic. Forest green backlit banquettes create a sense of privacy within the room, and dramatic louvers cladding the walls give the space an air of drama. Ample bar seating will also be available for a more relaxed and casual dining experience.

In addition to the resident-only restaurant, Bentley Residences will offer 20,000 square feet of exclusive amenities across the span of three levels. These amenities include a whiskey and cigar lounge, wellness and revitalization spa, cinema and oceanfront beauty salon. Among the most unique amenities is the car elevator, named “The Dezervator,” which is designed to transport residents’ vehicles from the ground floor up to the privacy of their own homes, all without having to get out of the car. The Dezervator, along with the glass-ensconced garage, will allow residents to keep their prized cars in pristine condition and on display in their living rooms.

Situated at 18401 Collins Ave, the 62-story building in Miami’s Sunny Isles Beach neighborhood will feature 216 luxury condominiums priced from $5.25 million. Residences will offer sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal, expansive outdoor terrace space and state-of-the-art Gaggenau appliances throughout the kitchen. Construction will begin in 2023 and the tower is expected to be completed in 2026.

For more information on Bentley Residences or to schedule a sales gallery visit, please visit Bentleyresidencesmiami.com, call 305-BENTLEY, or email info@bentleyresidencesmiami.com.

The post Chef Todd English Creates Exclusive New Concept for Bentley Residences appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

First Ultra Luxury Exclusive Enclave with Complete Privacy

Palm Beach County has become one of the most sought after places to live in the U.S. Better weather, ocean proximity, dining, shopping, luxury and more. However, it’s not easy to find privacy. Homes are neighboring each other with limited privacy. Yes, today home has become everything for us more than ever before. That’s why ultimate privacy is something we can’t suggest should ever be compromised. Imagine that you drive into a private enclave where you don’t see the actual homes until the home-gate opens? Yes, it’s possible with the new Modern Garden Estates on the horizon. Plus the feature of living with the luxuries such as concierge service, room for a tennis court and ultimate gated privacy is something that makes a legacy estate home defined and magical.

Modern Garden Estates, a new ultra-private 20 modern style estate home enclave in Delray Beach which is tucked away off Atlantic Blvd. and Lyons Road has announced construction has begun on the 1 & 2-acre lots of pristine property which anticipates Phase I completion by early 2024.

Featuring a vibrant private garden that encapsulates the beauty of having a personal oasis with an extraordinary visual state-of-the-art water element. Including fountains and water sculptures reaching 35-feet in height surrounded by lush landscaping and $12M in tropical walkways with seating areas surrounded by over 50 tasteful modern art sculptures, LED Lighting and music and trellis framed seating areas. Additionally, the enclave has created a framework of all underground utilities.

Yosi Gil and his son Guy Gil are the builders/developers on the new project. Yosi Gil, longtime partner of J. Milton & Associates who has worked to create top South Florida developments for the last 30 years has already sold four estate homes with each lot priced at $1.65M along with the custom estates with high-end finishes starting at $600 per sq. ft., the pre-construction price during phase I.

Homeowners can design and choose a custom estate home of their dreams with each estate featuring ceilings up to 35 feet in height and windows spanning 28-feet high. Each estate will gross 16,000 sq. ft. with a minimum of 6,000 sq. ft. for the inside of each eco-friendly state-of-the-art home.

“We’re providing the ultimate privacy at Modern Garden Estates. In fact, you only see each estate when you open the fully landscaped electric security gate to each property. We have thought about every luxurious element customized around you and your needs,” says Gil.

The estate models include: Villa Luna, Sol, Dawn and Dusk – but owners have the availability to fully customize their home. Kitchen and guest house appliances include Sub Zero, Miele, Wolfe and Poliform cabinetry. Each estate has an option for a tennis court and glass elevator. Estates are delivered complete with flooring, cabinetry, and offer interior design services with the option for Poliform furniture. The enclave provides a full maintenance of landscaping, security, pool maintenance and concierge services including luxury car services and professional estate cleaning.

Modern Garden Estates is not an ordinary project but rather a truly extraordinary opportunity to create your dream home with finishing details and touches that make the home exactly everything you have dreamed. Estate finishes can also come with special stones, metals, and water elements inside that can bring your home to life and make you feel like you are waking up in a retreat every day. Imagine living in complete privacy with the opportunity to build your very own exclusive “secret” private modern estate. Make the vision come to life with your reservation at Modern Garden Estates in Delray Beach, Florida. It’s the best kept secret in Palm Beach County. For more information, visit Modern Garden Estates or call 954.587.7660 to schedule an appointment.

The post Private Oasis: Modern Garden Estates in Delray Beach, Florida appeared first on JetsetMag.com.

I first met Jay Leno in 2007, when he was doubling down on his passion for all things automotive. Around the same time, a well-known Harley-Davidson dealership gifted him the Elvis 30th Anniversary Limited Edition motorcycle, one of only 30 replicas of Elvis’ 1957 motorcycle. Leno was still in his iconic days of The Tonight Show and was the same easy going, humble person as he is today. As time passed, he transcended into the ultimate “car guy” through the lens of Jay Leno’s Garage, which recently concluded their 7th season on CNBC.

You’ll often find Jay Leno in his button-down denim shirts and jeans, his go-to uniform while working on his 204 cars and 168 motorcycles—amid his 140,000 sq. ft. private Big Dog Garage which is nestled away in Burbank, CA. “NBC gave me 52 denim shirts… and all my guests on the show seem to give me denim shirts. Currently, I have 518 in my closet right now,” he confides candidly. Aside from filming Jay Leno’s Garage, the former late night czar hosts 150 stand-up comedy performances around the country for social, corporate and non-profit events. Of course, he travels exclusively by private jet.

“The trouble with flying commercial is you can’t get anywhere. I was the third most frequent traveler in the 80’s,” Leno recalls. He emphasizes further, “They can’t guarantee you’d get there the same day and I can’t afford to leave 2,500 people stranded.”

While Leno doesn’t own a jet, he feels it’s more optimal to lease them for travel. “Pilots must have 12 hours between flights. So, I lease planes. Otherwise I would need two planes,” Leno explains. His favorites are a Lear 45, Challenger and a Hawker. The comedic kingpin chuffs, “As long as there’s a bathroom and room to stand up… that’s a good jet.”

Leno handles his own ground transportation in his Tesla Model S Plaid. He values the Tesla because it requires no maintenance and beats the $7 per gallon signs he sees while driving throughout Los Angeles. When traveling, he doesn’t bring an entourage and also enjoys traveling solo. “I always deal with things myself. I carry my own bags. Funny things always happen before you’re famous,” he grins slyly. “It just goes downhill from there. When you do the things yourself. It makes things funnier. That’s what real life is.”

Traveling isn’t something he does for relaxing vacations. Anytime he can, he would rather just go home. “Paying for a hotel makes no sense,” he surmises. “When you do this for a living, my life is already like a vacation. Taking a week off makes me want to get back to work.” While there are no vacations in the traditional sense, Leno does visit his second home in Rhode Island that he purchased in 2017 with his wife of over 40 years, Mavis. When in residence there, he enjoys popping into local faves Joe’s and Nikolas Pizza.

When at home in Los Angeles, Leno drives a few different cars. “I usually take something different from what I’m working on. Something like a Model T. They can’t steal it or figure out how to drive it,” he chuckles. If he had to choose only a few cars to keep—now that’s a tough question for this avid collector. “I like everything I have and some are way more valuable than others,” he offers jovially. “I would keep the Tesla because it’s practical. Also, I like the cars from the 1920’s and the F1 McLaren.”

Through it all, Leno wouldn’t exactly classify what he does as work. Leno says, “It’s not work if you like your hobby. Jay’s Garage is a rolling version of The Tonight Show. It’s more about the story… it’s beyond the car on Jay’s Garage.” He goes on to elaborate, “When you were a kid, we lead with the example of ‘what did your dad drive?’… so we go find a ‘62 Chevy and pick up ice cream. It’s a story. Everyone has a connection to a car. They lost their virginity in a car… they had their first experience in a car, and it has a hold on people.”

Reminiscing on a particularly poignant encounter, Leno shares, “One time I had a 94-year-old lady that called me about a Hudson Hornet and asked me to come look at the car. Her husband had passed away. It was a worn out car… so I decided to purchase the car and fix it up.” Two years later, he calls her and takes her for a ride with her kids, aged 72 and 74. He recalls, “The two kids have her blindfolded for the surprise. So, she is touching the car and starts crying with her blindfold on. Shortly after we get into the car, she starts scolding her kids saying, ‘I told you two to behave’ and screams at them for misbehaving. The kids talk about being ashamed that their dad was driving a car from the 50’s while they were in high school. Every time I take the car out, I think of her smacking the kids around. It was a lot of fun and laughs.”

Some stories unfortunately veer into misadventure. In November, Leno had an emergency unfold at the garage when his face caught fire while working on a clogged fuel line in the undercarriage of a 1907 White Steam Car. Leno was quickly pulled out from under the car by his longtime friend, Dave Killackey and was treated for burns and underwent extensive surgery on his face, neck, chest, hands and left arm.

As usual, Leno makes light of the situation and doesn’t complain. “People seem to enjoy rich people on fire,” he quips. “When I grew up in New England, we weren’t rich. I always said if I had an extra 50K, I would be well off. It’s hard to watch people complain on TV. I never want to be the whining celebrity.”

Though Leno says he’s trying to do less these days, he quickly becomes energized when talking up Jay Leno’s Garage and his line of car care products which debuted a few years ago, sold on Amazon and in Walmart stores. The products are affordable and easy to use, that any car owner—regardless of skill-level—can use on their vehicle. “We developed the products in the garage and it all started from the metal polish that we needed,” says Leno. “So, we used chemists to make the product work well and now it’s available for sale.”

Leno attributes his success to something playfully unique. “I’m a huge believer in low self-esteem. I try not to believe the bad stuff. I need the genius in this business… since most people can’t do anything. I’m good at just one thing. I hire the best people I can and just let them do their job.” An ethos that has certainly served this legendary impresario well indeed.

The post Jay Leno’s Third Act: From Cruising in Classic Cars to Private Jets appeared first on JetsetMag.com.