ILoveSoFla.com

Archive for the 'Restaurants' Category

Miami Beach – Last Day of Art Deco Weekend

Today is the last day of Art Deco Weekend on Miami Beach.  Take advantage of our glorious Miami weather (Boston had a high of 26% yesterday)  and head to the beach to learn about our backyard.  Events and tours start at 10:00 a.m. so if you are a football fan, you still have plenty of time to tour and get home for the Patriot/Jets game at 4:30.  Or better yet, enjoy it at one of the many restaurant/bars, such as the Clevelander,  Big Pink or just about any other bar on the beach!

Tags: Art Deco architecure, Miami Beach, Miami Beach Condos, Things to do in Miami

Great Wine and Tapas Bar – In a Gas Station!

The other day I was heading back to the office and I was starving so I pulled into a gas station that I knew had awesome sandwiches.  Guess I haven’t been in there for a really long time because when I walked in, there was wine everywhere and the back of the gas station had been converted into a mini “taverna”,  called El Carajo, complete with a wine bar and small wooden tables.  Since I was starving, I ordered a bunch of tapas to go:  Tortilla de Chorizo, Croquetas de Bacalao, and Boquerones.  They were all delicious and I had enough to snack on later that evening and the next day.  I only wish I hadn’t had to go back to work so I could have done some wine tasting.  They had an amazing selection and very reasonable prices.  I will definitely be back.

Tags: Food tasting, Red Wine

Le Tub – Great Food and Views in Hollywood

Le Tub in Hollywood is one of those funky, fun, old-Florida places that I love.  Originally a Sunoco Gas Station, Le Tub was built out of flotsam, jetsam, and ocean “treasures” over a 4 year period.  The atmosphere is great, on the Intracoastal,  the food is very good beach fare and the  portions are large enough for sharing.  If you don’t finish everything on your plate and don’t want to take a doggie bag, just throw the food over the side and watch the fish have a feast.  These have to be some of the best fed fish in Florida! No credit cards.

Tags: Food tasting

10 Things I Love About Aventura

1. Laurenzo’s Italian Center – Whether you are a gourmet cook and want amazing Italian ingredients or want something already prepared, you will enjoying cruising up and down the isles of this well-known local gourmet supermarket.
2. Founders Park – Located on a 12-acres site, this park has something for everyone.  Tennis, ball fields, exercise trails, picnic shelters and a splash park for the kids (residents get into splash park free with id, non-residents pay $10).
3. Size/Value of condos.  If you are renting or selling, you can usually find a larger condo in Aventura than you could in Brickell or Miami Beach, and usually for less.  Search for yourself.
4. Location:  Close to Ft. Lauderdale, Miami,(and their respective airports and ports) and just a jump to the beach
5. Boating
6. Don Soffer exercise trail- this 3 mile loop is perfect for running, walking the pets, or taking an evening stroll
7. The Farimont Turnberry Golf and Country Club – in addition to having a world class spa and golf course, the restaurants are also amazing.
8. William’s Island – this enclave of homes, condos, and town homes, all surrounded by water, includes its own private club and is a relaxing jewel of a community, close to everything in Aventura, including a Fresh Market.
9. Proximity to Gulfstream Park – What a great way to spend the day.  If watching the horse races isn’t your thing, at least stop by and watch the beautiful animals parade around the courtyard prior to each race, then take off and go eat, shop or dance, at one of the many venues.
10. Mo’s Bagel and Diner – My Dad is a New Yorker who hasn’t lived there since he was born, but it’s in his blood, and Mo’s makes him feel like he is back there.

If I were a shopper, I would add the Aventura Mall.  I personally can’t stand shopping, but this mall is amazing.  It is large, clean and has such a variety of stores.  If you can’t find what you are looking for here, you probably don’t need it.

Tags: Aventura, best parks, Miami Real Estate, Things to do in Miami

Best Cupcakes Ever!

The Coral Gables/South Miami area is so lucky to have two great cupcake places to choose from.  Many of you have probably already heard of or tried Misha’s Cupcakes.  The red velvet cupcakes are amazing and her cakes made out of individual mini-cupcakes are works of art as well as being convenient for parties…no plates or wasted cake.

A couple of blocks away on Sunset Drive is Buttercream Cupcakes and Coffee.  Although they don’t make mini-cupcake cakes and their minis have to be special ordered, they have a larger variety of flavors.  Their chocolate peanut butter cupcakes are amazing.  Try both of these neighborhood places and let us know which one is your favorite.

Two Methods of Eating Cupcakes

Tags: Coral Gables, Food tasting, South Miami, Things to do in Miami

Miami Beach South of Fifth Condos – Direct Ocean Views!

There are currently 23 one to 3 bedroom units on the market in the South of Fifth area of Miami Beach.  This is a great area of Miami Beach to be near every thing without being too close to the night clubs and heavy tourist area.  Your neighbors include Joe’s Stone Crab, The Big Pink, Nemos, Prime 112, Nikki Beach, Smith and Wollensky, DeVitos, Opa, and many more restaurants.  The shopping along 5th street, including the new Publix, make leaving your car at home easy.  Plus you have miles of beach for walking, jogging, or just soaking up the sun, and great parks nearby.

Tags: Miami Beach Real Estate, Things to do in Miami

The Best Sub Shop

If you have been prepping for Thanksgiving and can’t stand the idea of having to make dinner, check out the subs at The Best Sub Shop.  The tiny little store front shop on 77 Ave. is usually packed, but service is quick, prices are great and their subs really are amazing.

Wine Tasting Expo In South Miami Tomorrow

Cavas Wine Tasting Room & Cafe is having their first neighborhood wine expo at their South Miami location tomorrow, from 2-6 p.m.  A $20 tasting fee allows you taste over 100 wines.  $10 of the tasting fee will be applied toward any wine purchase you make.  What a wonderful way to spend the day… tasting wine and strolling along downtown South Miami.  After the wine tasting,  head over to Blu, Town, or Cafe Pastis, all of which have tables outside, and enjoy our beautiful Fall weather.

Tags: Red Wine, South Miami, Things to do in Miami

George’s in the Grove

I know it is kind of strange to spend a 5 de Mayo at George’s in the Grove, but am I glad we did!  It was very fitting because George himself has a wild and strange energy and the whole evening was a bit surreal.

The service and food were both  exquisite.  From the fun George’s Gazette, which contains the wine list and menu along with amusing reads, to the ambiance of the open restaurant itself, I left a fan.  Our party of four started out with several appetizers, one more amazing than the other:  yellow and red tomatoes, Burrata mozzarella, Prosciutto and basil vinaigrette; country pate; and a spectacular smoked Salmon tartare.  We should have stopped there because we ate everything, but the menu wouldn’t let us.  We went on to order 3-hour braised lamb shank with homemade black truffle mashed potatoes, steamed fresh mussels in garlic and white wine broth, center cut filet mignon, and a veal special.

The staff was amazing.  The place was packed, yes packed to overflowing on a Tuesday night; a mariachi band and some very inebriated followers came by a couple of times, singing loudly and passing around tequila; and we were demanding, wanting more of everything (champagne, food, wine, dessert), yet our waiter never flustered.  He even allowed us to move outside to a lounge area on the sidewalk, and timed our last wine, dessert, and coffee perfectly.  We never felt rushed.  I can’t wait to rush back!