Miami Beach Culture Crawl, a night of free, unique & cultural experiences – March 16 from 6PM to 9PM. The City of Miami Beach is working alongside some of the world’s best cultural institutions to host Culture Crawl, a monthly night of free, unique and unforgettable experiences. From backstage tours, exhibition openings, and film screenings in the park, there will be something for everyone. Most events are free. Join us as the city comes alive with culture as various institutions, museums and venues open their doors to give you just a taste of what they have to offer. Check out the Culture Crawl monthly map to find what you want to explore and find your closest trolley stop. Let’s hit the street and get our monthly dose of culture! Tag us using @MiamiBeachNews on Twitter and Instagram to hop into our DM’s or use #CultureCrawl to be a part of the story on Facebook! By ML Staff. Images Courtesy Of Miami Culture Crawl

Miley Cyrus, the face of Gucci Flora, and guests including, Susan Chokachi, Gucci’s EVP Chief Brand & Client Officer, Adam DiMarco, Baz Luhrmann, Bethann Hardison, Billy Eichner, Brandi Cyrus, China Chow, Daisy Edgar Jones, Diplo, Glenne Azoff, Haley Lu Richardson, India Mullen, Jake Wesley Rogers, Joan Smalls, Jessie Buckley, Kid Harpoon, Linda Ramone, Lorenzo Zurzolo, Marta Pozzan, Mike Will, Sabrina Carpenter, Shawn Mendes, The Kid Laroi, Tish Cyrus, and more. Gucci and Miley Cyrus, the face of Gucci Flora, celebrated the launch of Miley’s eighth studio album, Endless Summer Vacation, releasing on March 10th, by hosting an intimate preview celebration at Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura Beverly Hills for Miley’s close friends and collaborators. Guests mixed and mingled while enjoying light bites, specialty cocktails and mocktails inspired by songs on the artist’s new album, created exclusivity by Gucci Osteria’s Michelin Star award winning chef, Mattia Agazzi. The evening included a special DJ set by Alex Chapman who played a variety of dance-pop tunes. Guests left the evening with a fragrance gift of Flora Gorgeous Gardenia and Jasmine perfume. By ML Staff. Images Courtesy Of Getty Images For Gucci

On March 2, 2023, Tennessee became the first state to enact a law restricting drag performances. This law is part of a larger push by Republican lawmakers in numerous states to restrict or eliminate events like drag shows and drag story hours. These legislative efforts have been accompanied by inflammatory rhetoric – not grounded in fact – about the need to protect children from “grooming” and sOn March 2, 2023, Tennessee became the first state to enact a law restricting drag performances. Protesters against a bill restricting drag shows march from a rally outside of the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville on Feb. 14, 2023. AP Photo/Jonathan Mattise This law is part of a larger push by Republican lawmakers in numerous states to restrict or eliminate events like drag shows and drag story hours. These legislative efforts have been accompanied by inflammatory rhetoric – not grounded in fact – about the need to protect children from “grooming” and sexually explicit performances. Such rhetoric reveals that those seeking to restrict drag performances sometimes don’t understand what drag is or seeks to do. Drag is an art form in which performers play with gender norms. Drag shows often include dancing, singing, lip-synching or comedy. Some common forms of drag include cisgender male and transgender female performers dressed in stereotypically feminine ways and cigender female and transgender male performers dressed in stereotypically masculine ways. Drag artists also participate in many other kinds of events. For example, drag queens host family-friendly story hours at local libraries where they read age-appropriate books to children. Current Supreme Court decisions suggest that laws like the one just passed in Tennessee probably violate the First Amendment’s protection of free speech. This is, in part, because many drag performances are protected by the First Amendment, which safeguards not only spoken, written, and signed speech but also many other actions meant to convey messages. Republican legislators appear to have written the law to try to avoid running afoul of the First Amendment by treating drag shows as if they meet the legal definition of obscenity. Speech, including expressive conduct, that meets the Supreme Court’s criteria for obscenity is not covered by First Amendment protection. I’m a scholar who studies U.S. free speech law. Looking at the text of Tennessee’s new law, I see several ways in which this anti-drag law appears susceptible to significant First Amendment challenges.exually explicit performances. Such rhetoric reveals that those seeking to restrict drag performances sometimes don’t understand what drag is or seeks to do. Drag is an art form in which performers play with gender norms. Drag shows often include dancing, singing, lip-synching or comedy. Some common forms of drag include cisgender male and transgender female performers dressed in stereotypically feminine ways and cigender female and transgender male performers dressed in stereotypically masculine ways. Drag artists also participate in many other kinds of events. For example, drag queens host family-friendly story hours at local libraries where they read age-appropriate books to children. Current Supreme Court decisions suggest that laws like the one just passed in Tennessee probably violate the First Amendment’s protection of free speech. This is, in part, because many drag performances are protected by the First Amendment, which safeguards not only spoken, written, and signed speech but also many other actions meant to convey messages. Republican legislators appear to have written the law to try to avoid running afoul of the First Amendment by treating drag shows as if they meet the legal definition of obscenity. Speech, including expressive conduct, that meets the Supreme Court’s criteria for obscenity is not covered by First Amendment protection. I’m a scholar who studies U.S. free speech law. Looking at the text of Tennessee’s new law, I see several ways in which this anti-drag law appears susceptible to significant First Amendment challenges. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed the drag show restrictions into law.AP Photo/Mark Zaleski Tennessee’s new law The law amends what Tennessee considers “adult cabaret entertainment” and bans “male or female impersonators” from performing on public property or in any other location where the performance “could be viewed by a person who is not an adult,” when such performances are “harmful to minors” as that phrase is defined by Tennessee law. This law thus regulates not only public spaces but also privately owned locations like bars and performance venues. A first violation is a misdemeanor. Subsequent violations are felonies. Because the law is limited to drag performances that are “harmful to minors,” in theory, most drag shows should be unaffected. But various Republican legislators in Tennessee have recently fought to prevent even vetted family-friendly drag shows with no lewd or sexual content from being held in public. Given this, drag performers and other artists have reasonable grounds for suspecting that Tennessee officials may seek to interpret the new law broadly to include many kinds of drag performances and other shows that play with gender norms. Given the popularity of drag shows, this new law could stifle a lot of expression and damage the ability of full-time drag performers to make their living. But even if Tennessee officials interpret the new law narrowly, the law still appears likely to run afoul of the First Amendment. Drag is protected ‘expressive conduct’ The First Amendment protects more than just written, oral or signed speech. It also protects many other actions designed to convey ideas. The legal terms for these actions are “expressive conduct” or “symbolic speech.” Some activities courts have recognized as expressive conduct include making and displaying art and music, picketing, marching in parades, desecrating a U.S. flag, burning a draft card, dancing and other forms of live entertainment. Drag shows typically consist of various forms of protected speech – such as telling jokes and introducing performers – and protected expressive conduct such as lip-synching and dancing. Thus, drag shows are usually covered by the First Amendment But Tennessee’s new law insinuates that drag performances might be part of a category of speech exempt from the First Amendment protection: legally defined obscenity. If this were so, then Tennessee’s law likely would pass constitutional muster. But the law seems to target more than merely legally obscene material. However, Tennessee lawmakers have not provided viable examples of obscene drag performances in Tennessee. And current Supreme Court precedent makes it highly unlikely that all the expressive conduct Tennessee seeks to regulate falls into the narrow legal category of obscenity. Defining obscenity In considering whether something is legally obscene, the Supreme Court requires courts to consider whether (1) the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to prurient interest; (2) the work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct defined by the applicable state law, and (3) the work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value. In the relevant part of its criminal code, Tennessee law states that: “Harmful to minors means that quality of any description or representation, in whatever form, of nudity, sexual excitement, sexual conduct, excess violence or sadomasochistic abuse when the matter or performance (a) Would be found by the average person applying contemporary community standards to appeal predominantly to the prurient, shameful or morbid interests of minors; (b) Is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community as a whole with respect to what is suitable for minors; and (c) Taken as whole lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific values for minors.” Given the similarities between Tennessee’s description of “harmful to minors” and the Supreme Court’s definition of “obscenity,” Tennessee appears to be trying to avoid First Amendment scrutiny for its new law. But there are some important differences between Tennessee law and the Supreme Court’s description of obscenity. Perhaps most importantly, the Supreme Court limits obscenity to speech that lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value full stop; not just work that lacks such serious value specifically for minors. As is widely recognized, drag is artistic and political. Drag performers use drag to push artistic boundaries and to discuss pressing political issues. There is no First Amendment requirement to determine when or whether the value of speech applies “for minors.” Adults living in a democratic society need to be able to discuss a wide range of issues, not all of which will have value for children. Supreme Court free speech precedent recognizes this. Thus, Tennessee probably cannot rely on a claim that it is criminalizing only legally obscene expressive conduct. Instead, it must regulate drag performances in accordance with the First Amendment’s free speech protections. Discriminatory and overly broad Freedom of speech, like all rights, is not absolute. The Supreme Court has allowed states to put some limits on protected speech. For example, states may impose restrictions on the time, place and manner in which speech occurs, so long as such limitations are content-neutral. Examples include requiring permits to hold parades on city streets and not allowing loud music between midnight and 6 a.m. on public sidewalks. However, Tennessee’s law goes far beyond these kinds of limited regulations of protected speech in at least two ways. First, it legislates more than mere time, place and manner restrictions. Instead, the law bars, at all times, “male or female impersonation” that it deems “harmful to children” from any public property and from many private venues, too. This is a wholesale ban on such speech in all public forums and in many private spaces. Courts will likely find this too broad. Second, by singling out “male and female impersonators,” Tennessee’s law fails to be content-neutral. It instead discriminates on the basis of the expressive conduct’s content. Tennessee’s new law bolsters the case that anti-drag laws are antidemocratic, discriminatory and unconstitutional. Words By Mark Satta Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Wayne State University. Special thanks to The Conversation for republishing permission. Top image by Bret Kavanaugh on Unsplash

Discover Miami's top brunch spots for a delectable meal with loved ones. From cozy cafes to trendy restaurants, these destinations offer something for everyone. Make reservations in advance to avoid disappointment. Image Credit: Fabel Miami Restaurant: Fabel Miami Address: 50 NW 23rd St #110, Miami, FL 33127 Details: Fabel Mami, the all-new open-air rooftop restaurant and lounge, located in Miami’s trendy artistic neighborhood Wynwood, launched its new, highly-anticipated brunch party, Brunch en Blanc, with sweet and savory bites that will be available every Sunday from noon to sundown. Under the helm of executive chef Ian Fleischmann, Fabel Miami’s brunch party will offer rich and flavorful Mediterranean cuisine with dishes such as the Spicy Moroccan Shakshuka with roasted pimento, goat cheese, thai basil, and jerusalem bagel; Westholme Wagyu Skirt Steak Kebab with sunchoke caraway latke, harissa, and baby greens; Knaffeh PainPerdue with berber spiced syrup, pistachio, and rosewater cream, and more. Image Credit: Osaka Nikkei Miami Restaurant: Osaka Miami Address: 1300 Brickell Bay Dr, Miami, FL 33131 Details: Brickell hotspot Osaka Nikkei has just debuted its new brunch featuring all-new food offerings and beverage packages. Offered on Sundays from 12PM to 4PM., Inspired by the Nomihodai (all-you-can-drink) restaurant scene in Japan, Osaka’s new $95 Nomihodai Unlimited beverage package includes interchangeable drinks such as Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial Champagne, Chateau D’Escans Rose, wine, beer, sake and specialty brunch cocktails. Guests can also enjoy new a-la-carte brunch menu options such as the Kani Bun made with Japanese milk bread, yuzu acevichada sauce and shiso; the Kaisen Platter adorned with an assorted seafood selection, Nikkei accouterment, and Nikkei chalaquita; and Steak & Eggs. Image by Rusty Pelican Miami Restaurant: Rusty Pelican Miami Address: 3201, Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, FL 33149 Details: On Wednesday, March 15th, the historic and iconic Rusty Pelican Waterfront Restaurant will introduce a delicious new brunch menu featuring bold takes on Contemporary American cuisine such as Nutella and Belgian Chocolate Chip Pancakes, Jalisco’s Beef Birria Benedict, a Cuban Sandwich, Black Truffle Grilled Cheese, a Lobster Panini and more. Guests can also enjoy a $30 mix and match bottomless mimosas including Lavender and Charcoal Lemonade, Passion Fruit & Tarragon, Dragon Fruit & Watermelon and Signature Orange. Image Credit: Riviera Dining Group Venue: MILA Address: 1636 Meridian Avenue Rooftop, Miami Beach, FL 33139 Details: MILA, located in the heart of Miami Beach, serves Mediterranean and Japanese cuisine and offers a high-end, two hour, multi-course brunch experience on Sundays. With several packages to choose from, from non-alcoholic priced at $75 per person to Champagne and Rosé ranging from $95-$280 per person, guests are invited to sit back, relax, and experience live music from the band and embark on a spectacular culinary journey. Image by Mayami Venue: Mayami Address: 127 NW 23rd St, Miami, FL 33127 Details: Mayami, recently launched a new brunch menu! The exciting new weekend brunch features live music; a revamped menu featuring unique dishes such as Mayami Wagyu Sliders, fluffy Japanese Pancakes, Filet mignon Truffle Eggs Benedict and Huevos Rancheros; and drink specials such as 2-hour bottomless mimosas, Luna Blanca Sangria, Luna Llena Sangría, the Ketel One Botanical Citrus Cocktail and more! Image by Groot Hospitality Venue: The Key Club Address: 3015 Grand Avenue, Coconut Grove, FL 33133 Details:The first Groot Hospitality landmark to hit Coconut Grove’s CocoWalk, The Key Club, started serving brunch in June of this year. Available on Saturdays and Sundays from 11AM - 4PM, indulge in unique offerings such as the new DIY Build Your Own Spritz, Steak and Eggs, Everything Spiced Croissant Sandwich, Cinnamon Toast Crunch French Toast and more. Not to mention there is a live Jazz Band on Sundays! Image by Jeff Marini Restaurant: Aba Address: 9700 Collins Ave Suite 101, Bal Harbour, FL 33154 Details: Situated in Bal Harbour, the Mediterranean escape, Aba, offers a brand-new brunch experience with influences from throughout Israel, Lebanon, Turkey and Greece fused with Chef CJ Jacobson’s lighter style of cooking. From 11:30 AM to 3PM on Saturdays and Sundays, guests can savor standout brunch dishes like the savory Short Rib Shakshuka made with local eggs, spicy harissa, graviera and roasted fingerling potatoes, the Smoked Salmon Spread & Jerusalem Bagel and the sweet Strawberry Drop Biscuit. Image Credit: Simon Hare Restaurant: Hakkasan Address: 4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140 Details: Hakkasan’s iconic Dim Sum Brunch has returned to Miami! Every Sunday, the brunch features a dozen different dim sum combinations to choose from, such as Pan Fried Foie Gras Shanghai Dumplings, Scallops Shui Mai and Black Rice Vegetable Dumplings. Though dumplings are the star of the menu, the brunch extends beyond traditional dim sum with an a-la-carte menu featuring signature Hakkasan staples such as the Traditional Roasted Peking Duck, Salt & Pepper Squid and Crispy Orange Organic Chicken. Image Credit: 1 Hotel South Beach Restaurant: 1 Beach Club at 1 Hotel South Beach Address: 2341 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 Details: Located at 1 Hotel South Beach, 1 Beach Club, the hotel’s signature tropical oasis, is now offering a new Sunday Brunch. The brunch will feature an a la carte menu with seasonal ingredients and hand-crafted sips curated by Chef Giancarlo Valera. Guests are invited to enjoy live beats, sink their toes in the sand all while enjoying the ultimate, upbeat day to sunset experience. The brunch menu features classic brunch dishes with a unique flare like Belgium Waffle, Beni Toast with Smashed Avocado and Poached Eggs and Egg Shakshuka Skillet along with Mediterranean-inspired favorites like Charred Octopus, Greek Tomato Salad and more. 1 Beach Club’s brunch menu is offered every Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m with the regular menu offered from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Guests can enjoy a live DJ to create the perfect outdoor dining experience. By ML Staff. Images Courtesy Of New Brunches

With the Miami Open right around the corner, we’re sharing some places for visitors to dine while in town for the grand tennis event. MIAMI BEACH Casa Bufala Sunset Harbour’s Casa Bufala is a first-class Italian trattoria and pizzeria complete with a handcrafted cocktail bar. Designed to evoke the welcoming spirit of traditional Italian casas, the restaurant draws in guests with its warmth and hand-painted, contemporary Italian artwork by Neapolitan artist Antonio Montariello. Casa Bufala serves a selection of gourmet wood-fired pizzas freshly prepared in-house with buffalo mozzarella, as well as antipasti, pasta, calzones and more. A daily happy hour from 4-7 p.m. pays tribute to Italy's cultural ritual of aperitivo. Instagram: HERE Address: 1874 Bay Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139 Phone: 305.397.8264 Kosushi Miami Located in Miami Beach’s affluent South of Fifth neighborhood, Kosushi Miami is known for its authentic yet contemporary take on traditional Japanese cuisine by five-time Michelin-starred Chef George Koshoji. For appetizers, guests can choose from small cold or hot dishes while watching their orders being delicately prepared at the interior’s centerpiece sushi bar. The exclusive cocktail selection features drinks like Shokobutsuen, with ginger-infused Roku Japanese gin, basil, cucumber and lemon, as well as a curated list of wine and sake showcasing flavor profiles for every palate. Instagram: HERE Address: 801 S. Pointe Drive, Miami Beach, FL, 33139 Phone: 786.647.7272 Villa Azur The chic French supper club Villa Azur is a classy culinary and lifestyle experience with a fresh and flirty vibe – a must-try when visiting Miami. Guests are transported into a world of European elegance where they can pair their dinner with a sophisticated and lavish evening of live music, entertainment and art that parallels the glamour of the French Riviera. Menu highlights include the cognac-flamed Pâtes à la Meule pasta served tableside. Instagram: HERE Address: 309 23rd St., Miami Beach, FL 33139 Phone: 305.763.8688 DOWNTOWN MIAMI The Deck at Island Gardens The Deck at Island Gardens is Miami’s most treasured waterfront restaurant. From innovative brunch bites to a weekday Sunset Happy Hour, private cabana service and more, this unparalleled setting is the perfect space to dine and dance the day – or night – away. Guests can sit comfortably at reservable full-size dining tables or cabana lounges while enjoying a decadent menu of fresh seafood, brick-oven pizzettas, pastas, meats, large plates, desserts and more and taking in the mega views of Downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay. Instagram: HERE Address: 888 MacArthur Causeway, Miami, FL 33132 Phone: 786.627.4949 Verde at PAMM Located at Pérez Art Museum Miami, Verde offers sweeping views of Biscayne Bay and boasts an elevated menu of seasonal-inspired dishes with locally sourced produce. The modern-casual restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating, featuring an expansive terrace with lush vegetation cascading from the canopy’s overhang. The patio, which leads to the entrance to the museum’s sculpture garden and Maurice A. Ferré park, is a scenic outdoor experience for diners looking to bask in the South Florida weather and immerse themselves in the city’s cultural offerings and views of Downtown Miami. Instagram: HERE Address: Pérez Art Museum Miami, 1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132 Phone: 305.375.3000 Food@Science Café at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science Come for the science; stay for the food. Visit Food@Science at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science for a science-inspired lunch while enjoying Downtown Miami’s Maurice A. Ferré Park. After exploring the showstopping oculus lens aquarium, watching an eye-opening show at the planetarium or digging for dinosaur bones at the Dino Explorers Mini-Camp, aspiring scientists can munch on some brain food to power through the day. The café elevates the Frost Science experience by offering themed menu items related to the museum exhibitions. Address: Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, 1101 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132 Phone: 305.434.9600 BRICKELL Sushi by Bou at SLS Brickell Sushi by Bou at SLS Brickell combines high-end omakase experiences with a fun, speak-easy environment. The timed omakase (30- and 60-minute options) is served at intimate 4- to 12-seat counters and features the freshest fish, both locally sourced and brought in from all over the world. Seasoned sushi chefs serve guests directly, guiding them through the meal for a truly exclusive experience. The elegant cuisine is complemented by a selection of handmade cocktails, imported sake and rare Japanese whiskeys. Instagram: HERE Address: SLS Brickell, 1300 S. Miami Ave., Miami, FL 33130 Phone: 305.874.0692 MIDTOWN MIAMI Italica Midtown Italica Midtown adds a modern and colorful twist to traditional Italian cuisine, featuring a customized spritz bar where dozens of bottles of Aperol line the walls. The flavor-forward menu features Mediterranean-inspired pastas, risottos, seafood, gourmet pizzas and more. Lunch specials are available weekdays from noon-4 p.m. with a selection of one-, two- and three-course options. Happy hour is daily from 4-7 p.m., while the Golden Hour experience, which includes an array of complimentary passed bites and select shots, takes place from 6-7 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, brunch offerings include 2-for-1 cocktails, $25 bottomless Gambino Prosecco and a rotating schedule of live entertainment. Instagram: HERE Address: 3201 NE First Ave., Miami, FL 33137 Phone: 786.688.8688 Negroni Bistro & Sushi Bar Known as a favorite local hot spot in Midtown Miami, Negroni Bistro & Sushi Bar is the first and only Miami location of the renowned brand from Latin America. With a menu of fusion dishes from Peru to Tokyo, Negroni presents a Nikkei sushi bar that offers a special variety of rolls, nigiri, tiraditos and ceviches. The overarching menu also features an array of diverse comfort fare, such as antipasti, salads and burgers. Relax on the outdoor patio or by the elegant indoor bar for homemade negronis, spritzes and tonics. Instagram: HERE Address: 3201 Buena Vista Blvd., Miami, FL 33127 Phone: 786.510.0075 WYNWOOD ASTRA Rooftop ASTRA is the ideal open-air rooftop restaurant and lounge for spectacular sunsets, Greek-emphasized Mediterranean cuisine, live entertainment and more. Sip on fine wine and handcrafted cocktails while making new friends and taking in sweeping 360-degree views of Wynwood, the most Instagrammable spot in the area. Come for Sunset Hour and Happy Hour to taste $10 cocktails and wines by the glass and $14 bar bites, including a Greek take on calamari and homemade lamb meatballs with tzatziki sauce and pita. Instagram: HERE Address: 2121 NW Second Ave., Miami, FL 33127 Phone: 786.602.3449 The Moon Curated by the creator of ASTRA, The Moon in Wynwood is an oasis of warm colors, eclectic furniture and a laid-back vibe with nightly themed live entertainment, shows and DJs. The Mediterranean menu offers fresh ingredients that exceed all expectations, including $8 and $12 bar bites during the sophisticated happy hour from 6-8 p.m., as well as $7 beers, $12 cocktails and $10 wines by the glass. Or, visit during weekend brunch for the Phyllo Tart or Lobster Benedict. Lunch and dinner finds include Greek favorites, from Musaka to Grilled Lamb Chops. Instagram: HERE Address: 2103 NW Second Ave., Miami, FL 33127 Phone: 305.582.1041 CORAL GABLES KAO Sushi & Grill With roots in Buenos Aires, KAO Sushi & Grill serves top-level fusion cuisine, combining Japanese and South American flavors with European tapas. Located on Miracle Mile, KAO brings culinary delights on every level, thanks to masterfully crafted creations that make it one of the top foodie destinations in the Gables. Its modern and artsy dining room and bar evoke an elegant ambiance while also being family-friendly. Guests can experience a menu of grilled meats, seafood, sushi rolls and a wide variety of small plates perfect for sharing. Instagram: HERE Address: 127 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134 Phone: 786.864.1212 Mamey Landing on the New York Times’ list of the “50 Best Restaurants in America for 2022,” Mamey is an island-inspired restaurant by James Beard Award nominee and Food & Wine’s “Best New Chef of 2020” Niven Patel. Located inside THesis Hotel Miami, Mamey is inspired by Chef Niven’s travels throughout Asia, French Polynesia and the Caribbean and showcases the exotic flavors and spices commonly found in the islands. Like all of Chef Niven’s endeavors, Mamey features locally grown produce, most of which is sourced from his own farm, Rancho Patel, in Homestead, Florida. Mamey’s seasonal offerings are complemented by fun, innovative cocktails that transport guests to the tropics. Draping leaves, rich textures, warm woods and tropical artwork create a relaxed yet exciting atmosphere. Instagram: HERE Address: THesis Hotel Miami, 1350 S. Dixie Highway, Coral Gables, FL 33146 Phone: 305.266.2639 Mamey on 3rd Mamey on 3rd is an island-minded oasis by Chef Niven Patel serving happy hour, flavorful bites and live music daily. This vibrant rooftop extension of Mamey is a tropical retreat on the third floor of THesis Hotel Miami and one of Coral Gables’ best hidden gems. Address: THesis Hotel Miami, 1350 S. Dixie Highway, Coral Gables, FL 33146 Phone: 305.266.2639 Orno Located inside THesis Hotel Miami in Coral Gables, Orno is a modern restaurant with an open-kitchen concept helmed by five-time James Beard Award nominee and Food & Wine’s “Best New Chef of 2020” Niven Patel. Also named “Best New Restaurant” by Miami New Times, Orno offers guests a true farm-to-table experience using locally sourced ingredients from Chef Patel’s very own farm, Rancho Patel. The menu consists of new-American cuisine featuring the finest selection of meats and seafood. Wood-fired culinary creations are complemented by specialty cocktails inspired by literary classics, which can be enjoyed in the main dining room or The Library, Orno’s hideaway lounge and private dining room. Instagram: HERE Address: THesis Hotel Miami, 1350 S. Dixie Highway, Coral Gables, FL 33146 Phone: 305.667.6766 SUNNY ISLES Beach Bar @ Newport Pier Summer never ends at Beach Bar @ Newport Pier. Located in Sunny Isles Beach, the seaside spot is the only pier-top restaurant in Miami-Dade County. Beach Bar has meticulously planned its all-American menu to seamlessly mix with Eastern seafood flavors, from an ocean twist on Sunday brunch to visually stunning sushi boats. Overlooking the turquoise seashore, those dining atop the pier can enjoy South Florida’s “winter wonderland” of sun and warmth. The refreshing fusion menu provides Florida-inspired dishes and Asian-inspired fare. Instagram: HERE Address: 16501 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160 Phone: 305.957.1110 By ML Staff. Images Courtesy Of Where To Dine

Avra Mami, the acclaimed Greek restaurant brand at The Estates at Acqualina™ in Sunny Isles, is launching its new, highly-anticipated brunch with sweet and savory bites that will be available every Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., beginning Sunday, March 12. Under the helm of executive chef Jose Diaz, Avra Miami’s brunch will offer rich and flavorful Mediterranean cuisine with dishes such as the Smoked Salmon Tower with sliced tomato, cucumber, capers, bagels and cream cheese; Fluffy Scrambled Eggs & Kaluga Caviar; Shakshuka with Eggs; Eggs Benedict served over potato latkes; and more. These delectable food offerings will be available for guests to indulge in, along with stunning waterfront views when dining al fresco. Reservations can be made via Resy. For more details on Avra Miami, please visit www.theavragroup.com. WHEN: Brunch: Sundays from 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. WHERE: Avra Miami 17945 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160 Phone: (786) 807-7555 More on Avra Miami AVRA Miami, the acclaimed Greek restaurant brand, is now open at The Estates at Acqualina™ in Sunny Isles Beach. The wildly popular estiatorio will bring Avra’s signature vibrant energy, lavish design, and incredible Mediterranean cuisine inspired by the seaside tavernas all over Greece’s coast and more than 200 islands. The debut marks the fifth outpost for the more than two-decade-old brand that opened its first location on Manhattan’s East 48th Street in 2000. Today, it has two more Manhattan locations and another in Beverly Hills. A collaboration between restaurateurs Nick Tsoulos, Nick Pashalis and Marc Packer, Avra isn’t just a place to dine–it’s a destination that transports diners to the whitewashed islands of Greece with its setting and cuisine, where incomparably fresh seafood, vegetables and hand-pressed extra-virgin olive oil are the stars. AVRA Miami spans 12,000 square feet and has a 330-seat main dining room. The airy space is chic yet inviting with its floor-to-ceiling windows, high ceilings, white color tones and brass finishes. Diners will be able to hear the waves crashing while they eat alfresco and savor oceanfront views. Address: The Estates at Acqualina, 17885 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160 By ML Staff. Images Courtesy Of Avra Miami

With Miami Music Week coming up quickly, finding the best spots to post up and vibe out is essential. From Dante’s HiFi’s impressive lineup of DJs ranging from Rich Medina to Karizma to 1-800-Lucky’s ‘Rice & Beats’ night featuring world renowned talent like DJ Snake and Oscar G, we have rounded up a list of Miami’s go-to spots for music week below. Dante’s HiFi Dante's HiFi, Miami's first vinyl listening bar dedicated to the analoging of audiophile music culture located in Wynwood is hosting an assortment of global music talent in their intimate and soulful space listening room. Music enthusiasts can expect authentic, HiFi musical experiences this year from talent ranging from DJ Heather, Salsa vs. Samba and plenty more below: Wed, March 22: Inside: Louie Vega & Friends New Album Release: Expansions NYC Courtyard: Louie Vega & Eli Escobar Thurs, March 23: Inside: Don B, Terry Hunter & Tony Humphries Courtyard: DJ Heather & JoJo Flores Fri, March 24: Inside: Jellybean Benitez & Friends Courtyard: Dvize + Lumin // Miami Vinyl Fair Sat, March 25: Inside: The Originals – Rich Medina, Stretch Armstrong, Tony Touch Courtyard: Salsa vs. Samba Sun, March 26: Inside: Karizma Courtyard: Rum & Coke Session 13 1-800-Lucky Wynwood’s first and only Asian food hall that has quickly become an incubator for innovative food and musical talent is kicking off the weekend with DJ Snake during their ‘Rice & Beats’ session along with other top talent throughout the weekend like Oscar G, Katie Ox and Rafa Barrios. Dance the night away then grab a bite from one of seven different vendors ranging from sushi and dumplings to ramen and dim sum from famed chefs like Chef Valerie Chang, James Beard semifinalist chef from b-side and beloved NYC restauranteur Nicole Ponseca from Jeepney. No cover, first come first serve, except for Saturday - tickets available through Dice. Musical performances for the week will include: Weds, March 22: RVDIOVCTIVE (5pm-3am): James Ellington b2b Sumkind, GAWP b2b Will OB, Doorly b2b Devon James, Coffintexts, Danny Daze, Eli Escobar, Soul Clap, DJ Holographic Thurs, March 23: Deep Tropics (5pm-3am): VNSSA, AMÉMÉ, MÉLÉ, MARSH, DJ MINX, RANGER TRUCCO Fri, March 24: Deep Tropics (5pm-3am): Lux Velour, Subrinse, Lubelski, DJ Minx, Nala, VNSSA, Westend, Sidepiece Sat, March 25: HARD TIMES (3pm-3am)- Grant Grosky, Michelle Lesham, Devon James, Doorly, Heidi Lawden, DJ Heather, Karizma, Roy Davis Jr, Steve “Silk” Hurley, DJ Tennis, Tony Humphires Sun, March 26 Rafa Barrios, Technasia, Sidney Charles, Detlef, Cocodrills, Daniel Orpi, Iglesias, Alan Nieves, Slugg, Villa, Falco COYO Taco Miami’s original taqueria/speakeasy COYO Taco is hosting a plethora of local talent for Music Week. Enjoy unbeatable live music performances at the flagship Wynwood location in the not-so-secret COYO Lounge with beats ranging from Goldie & Friends on Wednesday to Doc Martin Grab on Friday. Grab an authentic hand-pressed taco or two while you enjoy the show or arrive early and enjoy hour specials like half off COYO premium margaritas, beer, wine & select cocktails from 4-7 p.m. Musical performances for the week will include: Tues, March 21: Rum & Bass Wed, March 22: Metalheadz presents Goldie & Friends all night long Thurs, March 23: Bear Who? Colette & DJ Heather, Gettoblaster, Junior Sanchez Fri, March 24: Doc Martin, Junior Sanchez, Gettoblaster, Love & Logic, DJ Ruckus, Blaqwell, Currents, d1rt m@ll Sat, March 25: Pangea Sounds presents Falcons & Friends Sun, March 26: Babygurl with Spinser Tracy, Latenite & Supernova Oasis Wynwood Miami’s cultural hub for all things entertainment, hospitality and community, Oasis Wynwood, is hosting a variety of unforgettable performances during Miami Music Week like their Black Book Records Miami Showcase and A-Track & Friends session. Keep your energy high throughout the week with Oasis’s variety of food vendors like Alidoro, Buya Dumplings + Buns, CHIKIN, Mr. Mandolin, Prince Street Pizza, and Los Buenos. Ticket & RSVP info HERE. Wednesday, March 22: Free w/ RSVP before 11pm | $25 Anytime Entry Ants Miami (7pm): Chasewest, Chelina Manuhutu, Cloonee, Hugel, Solardo & special surprise guests Thursday, March 23: Free with RSVP: Confession (9pm): Nitti, Curbi, Victor Lou, Capozzi, Damaged Goods, Bijou, Nostalgix, Cloverdale, Palo, Chuwe, Buitano & special surprise guests Friday, March 24:Free with RSVP: Black Book Records Miami Showcase (9pm): Chris Lake, Honeyluv B2B Harry Romero, Sosa, Miane, Hank K Saturday, March 25: Fools Gold Presents A-Trak & Friends: The Magician, Dombresky presents Disco Dom, Junior Sanchez, Melé-Falcons, Honeyluv b2b Hank K. Metalheadz Party in the Huacachina Room ft. Goldie, Photek, Doc Scott, Submotive, Gremlinz, Armanni Reign Sunday, March 26: Alan Walker (9pm) Saloni Bar by Meraki The Athens-inspired Downtown Miami bar is hosting a week of live performances and DJ line-ups to celebrate Miami’s cultural music scene. Kick off the week with Saloni Bar’s M.I.A Welcome Party on Tuesday and continue through the week with a variety of special guest and local talent. Tues, March 21: Saloni M.I.A Welcome Party - Music Industry Appreciation Wed, March 22: Latin Vibes Latin Celebration - Live Miami Signature Music Thurs, March 23: Le Chic Miami Label Showcase - All Female DJ Fri, March 24: Submerged Miami Label Party - Saloni Resident DJs Sat, March 25: WaterDad Unlimited Love - Afro House Sun, March 26: In The Rythm Epic Brunch - International Wild Card DJs By ML Staff. Images Courtesy of each featured venue in this story

Broken Sound Club, South Florida’s most exclusive and luxurious membership community welcomed Mayor Scott Singer on Thursday, March 9th to help cut the ribbon on the newly renovated clubhouse. After undergoing a multi-million-dollar transformation, the Clubhouse is ready to reopen to members with totally upgraded food and beverage outlets, retail options, spa treatments, sporting experiences, and much more. Special features include new dining concepts such as Cirq, an American Brasserie spearheaded by Michelin-star Chef Bogdan Danila, and Zest, a scratch dining experience at Broken Sound Club that fuses traditional old Florida and Japanese Izakaya style cuisine. Mayor Scott Singer; Greg Devino, Broken Sound Club General Manager and Chief Operating Officer attended the special event. By ML Staff. Images Courtesy of Broken Sound Club

International singer, recording artist, and star of Florida Grand Opera’s Tosca, Mexican tenor Arturo Chacón-Cruz, will sit down in a live Spanish-language chat with award-winning author, critic, and cultural promoter Gerardo Kleinburg. The two friends and countrymen will discuss Chacón-Cruz’s remarkable career, voice, and appearance as Cavaradossi in FGO’s upcoming production of Tosca. Arturo Chacón-Cruz & Gerardo Kleinburg “We love our incredibly rich South Florida Spanish-speaking community and our many Spanish-speaking audience members, and we are always looking for ways to highlight the talent and appreciation for great art that exists right here in South Florida,” says Susan T. Danis, FGO General Director and CEO. “We feel incredibly lucky to have an artist like Arturo not only on our stage, but living in our community, and we’re thrilled to have a journalist of Gerardo’s status to interview him.” Arturo Chacón-Cruz, a native of Sonora, Mexico, is considered one of the top operatic tenors of his generation. He has sung over 60 leading roles in 30 countries, including The Duke in Rigoletto (Houston, Verona, Mexico City, Napoli, Budapest, Hamburg, Strasbourg, Aix en Provence, San Francisco, Verona, Brussels, Los Angeles, Florence), Rodolfo in La bohème (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Miami, Munich, Stockholm, Graz, Cologne, Hamburg, etc.), and Alfredo in La traviata (Seville, Munich, Valencia, Moscow, Rome, Barcelona, Padova, Mexico City, Washington D.C., Detroit, Los Angeles, Verona, Oman). His appearance in FGO’s Tosca is his second turn as Cavaradossi. He has an extensive discography, including an album of mariachi music, a Christmas album, and a solo recording of Mexican music. Film appearances include Sofia Coppola’s La traviata and Woody Allen’s Gianni Schicchi. Chacón-Cruz is fluent in in Spanish, English, Italian, and French and also speaks German, Portuguese, Russian, and Greek. He lives in Miami with his wife and son. Gerardo Kleinburg is an award-winning writer, music critic, cultural promoter and biochemist. He was the first non-European and Spanish critic to be awarded the Salzburg Festival International Music Critic Prize, the youngest and longest-running General and Artistic Director of México’s National Opera House, and has been anchor for more than 20 years on Escenarios, México’s only TV program devoted to opera and classical music. He is the only Mexican educator to regularly offer talks about opera for young audiences in public schools and remote places where opera is practically unknown. “Hablemos de Ópera”, his digital platform to promote and teach opera, has 35,000 followers all around the world and includes numerous lectures, talks and conversations with major international opera stars. Kleinburg’s books include Tríptico (tres actos en una ópera), No honrarás a tu padre and Éxtasis, una novela en siete cápsulas. The Spanish-language discussion takes place on Friday, March 10, 2023 from 12:00 – 12:45 p.m. via Zoom and will be recorded for later posting on the FGO website. Viewers may submit questions for Chacón-Cruz or Kleinburg in advance by emailing csadler@fgo.org. The chat is free, but participants must register in advance by clicking the banner on the home page at fgo.org. Chacón-Cruz stars in Puccin’s Tosca with Toni Marie Palmertree and Todd Thomas March 18 – 21 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and April 13 and 15 at the Broward Center for Performing Arts. Tickets are available at fgo.org or by calling 800.741.1010. WHO: Florida Grand Opera WHAT: Free live Spanish-language chat with Mexican tenor Arturo Chacón-Cruz and cultural promoter Gerardo Kleinburg. WHEN: Friday, March 10, 2023 12:00 – 12:45 pm. WHERE: Via Zoom. Register at fgo.org. WHY: Arturo Chacon-Cruz, Mexico and South Florida’s reigning tenor opera star, will discuss his international career and upcoming performance as Cavaradossi in FGO’s Tosca in a special Spanish-language chat with award-winning critic, writer, and cultural promoter Gerardo Kleinburg. By ML Staff. Images Courtesy Of FGO

Gridline Properties, a full-service commercial real estate brokerage firm based in Miami, recently represented both the buyer and seller in the transaction and closing of the Valencia Coverings building, for $7.2 million on March 6, 2023. Located at 275 NE 59 St., Miami, FL 33137, the property is situated in Miami’s Little River Business District. Ernie Perez, associate with Gridline Properties, represented buyer Jackie Chariff. Pablo Rodriguez, associate with Gridline Properties, represented seller Carriles Corporation. The off-market transaction was a cash deal. Located on a 32,625-square-foot lot, the building measures 21,454 square feet. The buyer plans to lightly renovate the property. ShadeMonster LLC will remain a tenant at the property; additional space will be available for rent. “This marks another successful transaction for Gridline Properties in the Little River neighborhood,” said Alfredo Riascos, principal and broker at Gridline Properties. “It attests to the strength and demand of the local real estate market. We are proud to have represented both the buyer and seller in this sale, which signals our strength and expertise in the immediate submarket and urban core corridor.” A hub for re-adapted industrial buildings, the Little River Business District has attracted an array of creative and design-oriented businesses that have spontaneously identified the surrounding neighborhood as one of Miami’s most up-and-coming districts. It is home to a wide variety of businesses, tenants, and owners that have transformed one of Miami's oldest industrial areas into a neighborhood that promotes creativity, design, and innovation. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Gridline Properties

CityPlace Doral is pleased to debut Anatomy – Miami’s premier health and wellness brand – and BÜNDA – the first gym to incorporate the StairMaster® in group fitness – to its collection of memorable dining, shopping, wellness and entertainment experiences this March. Anatomy and BÜNDA complement CityPlace Doral’s premium health and wellness offerings including 4Ever Young, Venetian Nail Spa, Semper Laser, Tipsy Salon Bar, WIN Fitness Wear and ManCave for Men. “We are thrilled to welcome Anatomy and BÜNDA to CityPlace Doral,” said Mauro Olivieri, general manager at CityPlace Doral. “Joining our wide array of flourishing dining, entertainment and shopping experiences, Anatomy and BÜNDA supplement our health and wellness offerings and bring a new and dynamic workout experience to our guests.” Opening on March 15, Anatomy at CityPlace Doral is located at 3450 NW 83rd Ave., Suite 200, Doral, FL 33166. The Doral location marks Anatomy’s 5th location in South Florida and 7th location in the U.S. Influenced by sports performance and the science of strength conditioning, Anatomy provides members and guests a life-enriching community where they can sweat, enhance and recover together. Designed by FFD Miami, Anatomy will encompass 14,000-sq. ft. at CityPlace Doral. The opening marks the continued significant expansion for Anatomy as the brand continues to actively seek new locations. Anatomy presently has clubs in Miami Beach, Midtown, Coconut Grove and at the 1 Hotel South Beach in South Florida as well as clubs at 1 Hotel Nashville and 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. The CityPlace Doral location will offer services that Anatomy has become known for such as Anatomy’s hand selected state of the art equipment, dynamic personal training system, performed by expertly trained Body Architects, designed to help members achieve a top level of fitness and a vast offering of indoor and outdoor group fitness classes as well as an infrared sauna and cold plunges in the Sanctuary. The CityPlace Doral location will also offer a We Ride Spin Studio, Mobility Stretching, a Vitamin IV Lounge by Vitasquad and Normatec Compression Boots providing the full Sweat, Enhance, Recover experience. Debuting at CityPlace Doral on March 18, BÜNDA is located at 3535 NW 83rd Ave., Suite 113, Doral, FL 33122. BÜNDA is the first gym to incorporate the StairMaster® in group fitness. BÜNDA’s 50-minute workout class combines the StairMaster® and resistance training using its signature “Bünda Station” to burn fat and gain lean muscle. The patented “BÜNDA Station” is equipped with bands, a bench and a slide board for weight training for total body workouts. Using a traditional resistance training approach, BÜNDA targets the glutes for maximum metabolic results. Studies have shown that frequent glute training burns more fat and stabilizes the back and knees. BÜNDA also offers arms, abs and full body classes. Its workout programs are backed by science and developed by fitness professionals to deliver real results. BÜNDA bases workouts on form and progressions, not intervals and intensity. Training at BÜNDA not only helps clients become a healthier version of themselves, but teaches them how to sustain a new, strong lifestyle. To further its commitment to health and wellness, CityPlace Doral also welcomed WIN Fitness Wear, a Peruvian women’s sportswear brand, to the center in winter 2022 and ManCave For Men, a full service luxury barber shop, in January 2023. Anatomy’s hours of operation are Monday-Saturday, 5 a.m.–10 p.m., and Sunday 7 a.m.–7 p.m. For more information and membership inquiries, please contact doral@anatomyfitness.com or visit AnatomyFitness.com. BÜNDA’s hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.–8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m.–2 p.m. For more details please visit, TrainBunda.com or contact infobundadoral@trainbunda.com or 786.975.2392. More on CityPlace Doral CityPlace Doral is an attractive leisure destination offering a collection of memorable dining, shopping, wellness and entertainment experiences. Featuring 250,000 square feet of retail space, CityPlace Doral is a master-planned, mixed-use development nestled in the dynamic employment center of Doral in the heart of Miami-Dade County. CityPlace Doral combines the vision of world-renowned architects, designers and artists creating the next crown jewel of prosperous dining, entertainment and upscale shopping in one of South Florida’s growing cities. CityPlace Doral includes more than 40 dining, shopping and entertainment destinations for all palettes and walks of life, and the property’s entertainment retail component is anchored by a roster of first-class tenants from all over the country. For more information, visit www.cityplacedoral.com or call 786.693.1849. Join the conversation and follow CityPlace Doral on Instagram, Facebookand Twitter at @CityPlaceDoral. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of CityPlace Doral

In the HBO series “The Last of Us,” named after the popular video game of the same name, the flour supplies of the world are contaminated with a fungus called Cordyceps. When people eat pancakes or other foods made with that flour, the fungi grow inside their bodies and turn them into zombies. A human fungal zombie from the TV show ‘The Last of Us.’ Liane Hentscher/HBO As a food scientist, I study the effect of processing on the quality and safety of fruits and vegetables, including the flour used to make pancakes. While no one is going to turn into a zombie from eating pancakes in real life, flour is often contaminated with fungi that can produce mycotoxins that make people sick. Proper processing and cooking, however, can generally keep you safe. ‘The Last of Us’ is premised on a pandemic that brings the world to an apocalyptic collapse. How common is fungi in flour? People have been eating bread made from wheat for approximately 14,000 years and cultivating wheat for at least 10,000 years. In 1882, “drunken bread disease” was first documented in Russia, where people reported dizziness, headache, trembling hands, confusion and vomiting after eating bread. Long before that, Chinese peasants were reporting that eating pinkish wheat – a key sign of infection with a mold called Fusarium – caused them to feel ill. Clearly, fungi have been making people sick for a long time. Wheat, corn, rice and even fruits and vegetables can be infected with fungi as they grow in the field. In “The Last of Us,” an epidemiologist theorizes that climate change is causing the fungus to mutate so it can infect humans. The unfortunate reality is that fungi have become more of a problem in recent years as warmer temperatures encourage their growth. A 2017 study found that over 90% of wheat and corn flour samples in Washington, D.C., contained live fungi, with Aspergillus and Fusarium the predominant types of mold in wheat flour. Fusarium grows on wheat in the field and can cause a common agricultural plant disease called fusarium head blight, or scab. Farmers use multiple techniques to reduce this devastating plant disease, including implementing crop rotation, using resistant varieties and fungicides and minimizing irrigation during flowering. After harvesting, they sort the grains to remove contaminated wheat before grinding them into flour. While sorting removes most of the contaminated wheat, small amounts of fungi can still make it into the flour. Wheat infected with fusarium head blight have a characteristic pink hue.Tomasz Klejdysz/iStock via Getty Images Plus Killing microorganisms in flour The good news is that most fungi and other microorganisms die at 160-170 degrees Fahrenheit (71-77 degrees Celsius). Pancakes are typically cooked to an internal temperature of 190-200 F (88-93 C). Other cakes and breads are cooked to internal temperatures anywhere from 180 to 210 degrees Fahrenheit (82-99 C). So, unlike in “The Last of Us,” as long as you bake or fry your dough, you’ll have killed the fungi. The problem comes when people eat the flour without cooking it first, such as by consuming raw cookie dough or “licking the bowl clean.” Both raw egg and raw flour can contain microorganisms that make people sick. The microorganisms that public health officials are most worried about are E. coli and Salmonella, dangerous pathogens that can cause severe illness. Most people don’t realize that the flour they buy at the store is raw flour that still contains live microorganisms. Flour is rarely commercially treated to be safe to eat raw because consumers almost always cook flour-based foods. While consumers can also attempt to heat-treat raw flour at home, this isn’t recommended because the flour may not be spread thinly enough to kill all of the microorganisms. Some fungi and microorganisms can create spores, which are like seeds that help them survive adverse conditions. These spores can survive cooking, drying and freezing. There are even 4,500-year-old yeast spores that have been reawakened and made into bread. These fungal spores rarely cause serious illness in people, except in those with weakened immune systems. Aspergillus is one of the predominant molds found in wheat flour.tonaquatic/iStock via Getty Images Plus Chemicals can be added to food to stop fungal growth. These additives include sorbates, benzoates and propionates. However, you almost never see these additives in flour or pancake mix because fungi can’t grow in a dry powder. The fungi either grew on the wheat in the field or on the bread after it is baked. For that reason, you may see these additives in bread but not in a powdered mix. Mycotoxins The biggest risk from fungi is not that it will grow inside our bodies, but that it will grow on wheat or other foods and produce chemicals called mycotoxins that can cause severe health problems. When wheat is harvested and ground into flour, mycotoxins can get mixed in. Unfortunately, while normal cooking can kill the microorganisms, it doesn’t destroy the mycotoxins. Eating mycotoxins can cause problems ranging from hallucinations to vomiting and diarrhea to cancer or death. Some of the common mycotoxins found in grain include aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, ochratoxin A and fumonisin B. It might be best to leave that moldy bread alone.Yulia Naumenko/Moment via Getty Images The oldest known case of mycotoxin poisoning is recorded as a disease called ergotism. Ergotism was mentioned in the Old Testament and has been reported in Western Europe since A.D. 800. It has even been suggested that the Salem witch trials were caused by an outbreak of ergotism that led its victims to hallucinate, though many have disputed this idea. Wheat is less likely than other grains to have dangerous mycotoxins, which is why some have proposed that declining mortality in 18th-century Europe, especially in England, was due to the switch from a rye-based diet to a wheat-based diet. Ultimately, you don’t need to worry about eating those pancakes. Farmers use many techniques to minimize fungal growth and remove moldy grain, and the government keeps a close eye on mycotoxin levels during crop production and storage. Just make sure you cook your bakery products before eating, and don’t eat anything that has started to mold. Words By Sheryl Barringer Professor of Food Science and Technology, The Ohio State University. Special thanks to The Conversation for republishing permission.