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Elgin Baylor Lumpkin, better known by his stage name Ginuwine, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. On Saturday, October 15, Ginuwine celebrated 52 trips around the sun in Miami with friends and family, including Payless CEO Jared Margolis and business partner Bernard Brooks.
His celebration was quite different from those hosted by many celebrities choosing Miami for their big days on South Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, and other playgrounds for the rich and famous. Instead, thanks to Terrance William and Bernard Brooks, Ginuwine choose to dine at a Black owned restaurant in the northern portion of Miami!
Smith & Webster Restaurant and Bar located at 486 NE 167th St, Miami, FL 33162 is the creation of national food critic Starex Smith AKA, The Hungry Black Man, and former NFL cornerback Kayvon Webster. Alex Luc, operations manager describes Smith & Webster as an elevated eatery serving seasonal American cuisine in stylish, quaint surrounds with southern influences that both locals and tourist enjoy. Under the direction of Executive Chef Cecil Griffin and the culinary stylings of Chef Freddy Morrison, the restaurant has definitely made a statement within Miami’s food scene being named the one of the Miami 10 Best New Restaurants thus far by the Miami New Times.
During his visit Ginuwine, a seafood lover, enjoyed a true Miami style entrée with the restaurant’s Seafood Tower – a layered selection of conch and crab balls, seafood pasta with lobster, crab, and shrimp finished off with a Miami style crab boil. Ginuwine and his party loved the food and the service, tipping their server with much more than a hefty thank you.
The idea that celebrities, especially Black celebrities can see the value beyond South Beach is a trend we hope continues. We’re hopeful it spreads to other tourist destinations so Black owned restaurants can truly compete and shine as a celebrity magnet the way other culinary spaces do.
Thank you, Ginuwine, for setting the example of what it looks like to patronize Black owned businesses able to provide an elevated experience and culinary value. We pray that your colleagues and other Black celebrities will follow your leadership. If you would like to visit this restaurant in Miami, they can be reached at (305) 333-8272 or on social @smithandwebster.
Happy Birthday!
