Shauna Curphey - Writing

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Dinner in B.E.D.

Meridian, April 1, 2001

By Shauna Curphey

Careful with those crumbs. Miami’s new theme restaurant, B.E.D.--short for beverage, entertainment, dining--serves sumptuous platters to diners reclining on lavish, elevated beds. Owners Oliver and Pascale Hoyos set out to pamper patrons in a manner reminiscent of ancient Rome, and created a feast for all five senses.

Servers float by in pajamas. Gossamer curtains billow over white pillows and shimmering candles. The curtains and walls serve as a screen for eye-teasing videos and dancing pastel lights. Between the beds, performers languidly shift from one statue pose to another while their peers distract loungers with impromptu theater. Over the course of the evening, deejays spin ambient music that builds slowly to a rousing pitch. Guests climb out of bed to boogie as if they’ve just enjoyed their last meal on earth. On Sundays, B.E.D. offers a recovery night for weary club-hoppers. The wait staff dons nursing uniforms and prescribes vitamin remedies while a massage therapist soothes patrons’ stressed muscles.

B.E.D. is not for the buttoned-down. Diners doff their shoes before climbing into bed. And eaters who doubt their ability to balance platefuls of Asian-spiced yellowtail snapper on their laps may balk at the setup. “It does take a little getting used to at first,” general manager Carlos Iglesias admits.

All the same, the head-swimming hedonism has South Beach revelers calling for more. B.E.D. is hot: It will make a New York debut in May, and there are plans for opening in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. The Miami location requires reservations, which may be made same-day only, starting at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday through Sunday.