Forge Restaurant Damaged By Fire, Aaron S. Rubin and Fred Tasker, Miami Herald 8/1/91

Coughing clouds of smoke from a hungry fire, the chateau-like Forge Restaurant in Miami Beach was extensively damaged Wednesday.  A roof collapsed, temporarily closing an establishment famed for its high-rolling clientele and gaudy, painted-glass interiors.

Wine lovers worship it as a mecca for a $10 million, temperature-controlled wine cellar and museum holding about 300,000 bottles.

Owner Alvin Malnik, who in January added a wine-tasting room with a working fireplace to the building he bought in 1968, was left shattered by the destruction and in seclusion, unable to comment, according to a spokeswoman.  He has been collecting wines for 20 years.  Investigators were unable to immediately identify the cause of the fire. No one from the restaurant would say when or if the restaurant will reopen.