Scene in the Tropics

Ashlee and Pete: Lady and the Tramp Revisited?

Before making their appearances at Cameo on Saturday night, lovebirds Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz stopped by Fanucci's on Lincoln Road where they shared a very romantic plate of spaghetti and meatballs. Says one witness, "It was like Lady and the Tramp." With Wentz's love of guyliner, we're wondering, however, just who's who.

Eat the Rich

Congratulations to Joe's Stone Crab and Prime One Twelve for making the Restaurants & Institutions 2007 list of Top 100 Independent Restaurants. What that means is that both restaurants are among the highest grossing in the entire country. At number three is Joe's, which was two last year, cashing in at $28,000,732 in food and beverage sales last  year, and skyrocketing up from the high forties to number sixteen this year is Prime One Twelve, ringing in at $17,500,000 in F&B sales for 2006. Taking first place away from last year's Tavern on the Green is Las Vegas's celebrity haunt Tao, which hit the jackpot at a whopping $55,289,055 in F&B last year. For those who love a winner, keep lining up at Joe's and grab those 11pm reservations at Prime whenever you can get 'em, because there's nothing nicer than making the rich richer while your wallet gets thinner and you just get fatter. But seriously, congrats to Joe's Steve Sawitz and Prime's Myles Chefetz for their accomplishments.

To see if you've contributed to the gross of other eateries, here's the list:

http://www.rimag.com/archives/2007/04b/top100-list.asp

Catherine Zeta Jones @ So Be Wine and Food Fest

Martha Stewart, eh. Rachael Ray, whatev. The South Beach Wine and Food Network just kicked its celebrity factor up a major notch by tapping into Catherine Zeta Jones to host the Food Network Awards at the Jackie Gleason Theatre on February 23. Tickets are available to the public at www.sobewineandfoodfest.com. Tickets,  however, aren't available at the uber private, invitation only screening and after party for Zeta Jones's new flick, Mostly Martha (not related to Stewart), at a private venue on South Beach on the 22nd.

Tony Blair Pigs Out at North One 10

British Prime Minister Tony Blair chowed down in Dewey and Dale Losasso's private wine room at North One 10 restaurant on Biscayne Boulevard on Saturday night. The Blair family feasted on wild mushroom risotto, scallops, ceasar salad, New York strip with truffled frittata and Chef Dewey's special bread and butter pudding. According to a source, he didn't pay the bill but the tip he left was quite generous. The following night, on New Year's Eve, US Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao pigged out with her hubby, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, also in the private wine room.

Prime Time for Seacrest

After the ball dropped in Times Square, Ryan Seacrest, it seems, dropped Dick Clark and flew down to South Beach where he was seen last night having dinner at Prime 112 along with E! president and benefactor Ted Harbert. Also in the house: Jessica Alba, the Duff sisters, Michelle Trachtenberg and a slew of Dolphins players. Expect this week to be equally, if not more, stellar at Prime, where we hear a major A-lister or two will be dining in the coming days.

Beer: It Does Hulk's Body Good

So what does Hulk Hogan do after a long, hot, sweaty workout? Why, he takes his trainer to Lime, the Mexican fast food joint on Alton Road, and orders a salad---and five beers! We knew Hogan had to be hopped up on something.

Social Makes a Splash in Tinseltown

It's no secret that I am a huge fan of Social Miami at the Sagamore Hotel. It's not just the scrumptious mini burgers and French fries that won me over, either. Apparently same goes for Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan, both at the grand opening of Social Hollywood in LA the other night. The big 'do was hosted by Charlize Theron, and while many celebs like Diddy, Jamie Foxx and Chris Kattan did indulge, according to our source out there, Richie and Lohan, who showed up sporting a huge Ronald McDonald-hued crimson-painted grin, ate absolutely nothing. What, this is news? We know, we know. But still.

Ashton Kutcher Doing Biz at The Angler's?

Rumor has it that Ashton Kutcher and his That 70s Show pal Wilmer Valderrama are scouting South Beach locations to open the third branch of their Italian restaurant, Dolce. The original one's in Hollywood, natch. The second one is opening in Reno, Nevada, and the third may open right here at The Angler's Hotel on Washington Avenue. An insider source says, "They're definitely eyeing Angler's as an option, especially since it's a super hot project that will definitely have a huge buzz."

Nobu News is Good News, We Think

From our reliable foodie source, "Yes, Nobu will be moving to the new building directly in front of the Setai, which will be known as The Setai Club." The move from The Shore Club won't take place until that building is completed, and we know how long those things can take here in Miami, so in the meantime, don't hold your breath for the yellowtail hamachi at Setai and get it at the Shore Club.

Chew on this!

Rumor has it that Nobu is leaving the Shore Club and moving into the Setai. Stay tuned for more info.