10 February 5-11, 2026 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | NEWS | LETTERS | CONTENTS | Month XX–Month XX, 2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | ART | STAGE | NIGHT+DAY | METRO | RIPTIDE | LETTERS | CONTENTS | Housewife Turned Matchmaker Bethenny Frankel on The Core and where she eats in South Florida. BY NICOLE LOPEZ-ALVAR B ethenny Frankel does nothing halfway, and her latest venture proves it. The TV personality, entrepreneur, and Real House- wives of New York alum recently hosted an intimate launch dinner in Miami for the Core, her new invitation-only com- munity focused on intention, alignment, and real connection. Held at the private social club at the Moore in the Miami Design Dis- trict, the dinner brought together a tightly curated guest list and set the tone for a proj- ect Frankel insists is not a typical dating plat- form, but a carefully vetted space for people who are serious about partnership and com- munity. New Times chatted with Frankel, who is currently living in South Florida, to talk about why Miami was the perfect city to debut the Core, how she’s already turning away money despite a massive waitlist, and what makes dating in cities like Miami, Boca, and Palm Beach wildly dif- ferent. Because this is Frankel, the conversation also veered into food. From Palm Beach power din- ing to Miami’s flashiest rooms and her ongoing hunt for a chicken salad worthy of her seal of approval, Frankel didn’t hold back on where she’s eat- ing, what’s overrated, and what’s still missing in South Florida. New Times: How is The Core different from traditional matchmaking? Bethenny Frankel: Matchmaking is really just connecting two people based on surface criteria. Someone says they want a hot guy who’s rich, someone else wants a hot girl, and they’re put together. A lot of matchmakers re- cycle the same small group of men, sending them around in circles so it looks like they have a deep roster. These men present them- selves as wealthy, give women hope, and sleep their way through the circuit, but they’re not doing it intentionally. We don’t take those men. The Core is a community built on intention, integrity, alignment, and connection. You get out what you put in. There are high-net-worth, intelli- gent, and beautiful people in the community, but we’ve actually turned down more people than expected because you have to want a life partner now. You have to be positive, be a good community member, and have a solid reputation. What does the vetting process really look like? If there’s a pattern, whether it’s cheating, dating married people, or repeated stories about problematic behavior, that’s a no. This is very curated and very vetted. We’ve re- funded people’s money when we realized we couldn’t perfectly align. We’d rather be strict than dilute the quality. We already have several couples in com- mitted relationships. We’ve launched our first event, with Palm Beach, New York, the Hamptons, and Aspen coming next. We’re al- ready cash-flow positive and have brand sponsors. I haven’t taken tech money, inves- tor money, or money from the waitlist. This isn’t a smash-and-grab. The product must be high-quality. Given your history with matchmaking and your openness about your own dating life, this feels personal. It is personal, but ironically, I’ve never dated less. We’re focused on other people, and that’s what makes it so rewarding. It’s fun. It’s gratifying. What’s rare is hitting a market at the exact moment society is craving it. That’s when something really works. It’s different. It’s proprietary. No one else is doing it this way, and I’m very secretive about how it works. Why did Miami feel like the right place to launch The Core? Miami has a sexy allure. It’s hip and cur- rent. I didn’t want to launch in Palm Beach because it could feel older or more conserva- tive. Miami also has a rough dating reputa- tion. New-money crypto guys with fast cars chasing young women, and young women chasing money with bad motives. Dating here has a bad rap, which made it the perfect place to introduce something intentional. I also had four venues reach out wanting to host because they wanted the association. I chose Moore because it’s private. Every event needs to feel bespoke. This isn’t something you can just walk into. If someone wanted to eat their way through Palm Beach Bethenny-style, where are you sending them? LoLa 41 was great. The Polo Room in Palm Beach was good, but it needs a more stream- lined menu. I went to Tutto Mare three times, and the food improved every week, which is exactly how it should be. Daniel Boulud at the Brazilian Court Ho- tel in Palm Beach was excellent. Best mixed mushrooms I’ve ever had and incredible om- elets. The food was better than it’s ever been, though they need to renovate the space. Buccan is hit or miss. Do you have favorite spots in Miami? For theatrics, Mila is good. I haven’t been to their private club yet. The restaurant inside Faena is very good. Miami can be hit or miss, but Faena stands out. For single women reading this, where should they actually be dating right now? Palm Beach feels like a big game hunter situation right now. You can see it at the bars. Miami is chaotic and intimidating. Boca feels calmer and more relationship-focused. West Palm is good for a younger scene. If you’re young, you’re probably in Miami, but it’s scary. I’ve been dying to ask you this since you moved here. Have you found any chicken sal- ads in South Florida that pass your Bethenny test? Palm Beach, no. Miami, no. Another Broken Egg Cafe was good, but I haven’t done a deep dive yet. Chicken Salad Chick was fine, but not memorable. I’ll revisit it. People really want and deserve great chicken salad. I just haven’t found the one yet. [email protected] ▼ Café The Core photo TV personality Bethenny Frankel spills her favorite South Florida eats (it’s not Miami), where to date, and her exclusive community The Core. IT’S A CAREFULLY VETTED SPACE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE SERIOUS ABOUT PARTNERSHIP AND COMMUNITY.
