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Miami, Fla: They say Miami is the “New” New York. If you ask me, Miami is still Miami, America’s sun-drenched paradise. If you’re like us (and most visitors) you want to find great places to stay and dine. These are our favorites and we hope you can call them yours too. It all starts when we roll into town and almost miss Hotel Ocean, tucked serenely behind a Mediterranean courtyard on bustling Ocean Drive, alive with revelers. It’s way past midnight and we’re arriving ahead of schedule, but with a welcoming smile Miguel whisks us to our suite. Sleep is one of the sweetest moments (among many) guaranteed here. Forget the traffic down below, they have soundproof windows and you can sleep on a magnetic mattress and an orthopedic pillow for a “Deep Sleep” experience. By daybreak silence reigns and the ocean view is all but magical as the sun and sand mingle, framed by tall palm trees. |
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At the hotel restaurant, Les Deux Fontaines, an extensive seafood feast prepared by executive chef Jean Pierre-Petit and chef Jean-Francois Olive includes Florida and Maine lobsters, scallops, stone crabs, shrimps and oysters with a French flavor. The outdoor terrace overlooking Ocean Drive is perfect for a tete-a-tete while you enjoy the ocean view or the passing fashion parade. There are nightly jazz sessions in the courtyard from 7:30 p.m., yours to enjoy in the privacy of your terrace or while dining at the restaurant. The hotel is in the Art Deco district and a stroll away from Ocean Drive’s trendy designer boutiques (Versace, Armani, Jean Paul Gaultier) and other area attractions.
www.hotelocean.com Sunday Brunch at The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables requires no invitations, just reservations to head to the 1200 Restaurant & Courtyard. The gastronomic feast attracts fans from everywhere who enjoy sipping champagne as they indulge in omelets, crepes, sushi, pasta and seafood. The carving and tapas stations are also popular and everyone finds the desserts very tempting. In between food trips and being serenaded by a live band, we found the courtyard quite spectacular with guests circulating around the sun-dappled flowers, palms and pedestal fountain, but you do have a choice of dining indoors at the restaurant. (Do you really want to miss out on the oh-so-chic scene stealers?) We saw a gorgeous group of sorority sisters who were so friendly, I was even complimented on my sandals! Afterwards we had a sneak-peek at this magnificent 280-room hotel, a National Historic Landmark that originated with Coral Gables developer, George Merrick.in 1926. At a glance the Mediterranean Revival architectural design echoes Spain, especially the 300-foot copper tower, a replica of the Giralda Tower in Seville, although Moorish and Italian influences also surface. The beautiful, prestigious neighborhood of Coral Gables is famous for its palatial homes and now there is the Village of Merrick Park at Ponce de Leon Boulevard at San Lorenzo Avenue where elegant shops anchor the exclusive 20-acre complex and the first ever free-standing Elemis Day Spa. After you’ve checked out at Tiffany, Gucci or Neiman Marcus (to name a few of the upscale retailers) the 7,000 sq.ft. spa is the best place to linger and relax. Once you walk through the door all thoughts of the outside world are banished in this temple of serenity. Exotic treatments created by Noella Gabriel are cultural originals such as Japanese shiatsu, Balinese massage, Hawaiian lomi lomi, Indian Ayurvedic and Chinese Tui-Na. The treatment rooms are an uplifting mix of color co-ordinated walls and fabrics that Gabriel hand-picked from India, Turkey and Thailand and the Indian saris floating on the ceiling send you straight to seventh heaven. In the Elemis tradition the spa therapies embrace the Welcome Touch, the first stage, the Cultural Ritual and finally the Awareness Journey. These three stages involve sensory foot cleansing, rest and relaxation for the mind and body and a spiritual awakening. The most intriguing and enticing of all the Elemis treatments involve the European sensory dry float bed used for body wraps. Imagine the joy of Elemis oils all over your body and enveloped by warm water in the sunken bed. Looking your best and feeling revitalized is achieved by the endless array of spa delights. Among the favorites are the exotic wraps and floats (frangipani body nourish and coconut rub and milk ritual), lime and ginger salt glow and Japanese silk facial. Hotel Nash is another South Beach treasure with 55 suites and rooms bathed in sage green and ivory. Even the signature toiletries include soothing mint nutrient-rich shampoo, sage aromatic conditioner and rosemary healing body lotion. We’ve stayed here twice, always overlooking the three spa pools (great for couples if you want to soak and frolic in freshwater, saltwater or mineral water together), courtyard garden and Collins Avenue. The multi-million dollar makeover at the boutique hotel extends beyond the furnishings and eclectic design. The Calcutta marble vanity, Dornbracht fixtures and rainforest shower make the roomy bathrooms seem far from blasé. The lobby is very bright and airy with a huge lily print suspended overhead, while spacious lounge chairs beckon invitingly. The multi-lingual staff is cheerful and helpful. We met a French Canadian receptionist from Quebec and a doorman from South America who were always glad to dispense directions and information. Collins Avenue runs one block parallel to Ocean Drive where Versace’s mansion is the most photographed building in South Beach. A short walk away you’ll find shopping, dining and sightseeing on Lincoln Road. Novecento Restaurant on Alton Road is recognized for its cuisine Argentinian, Mediterranean and Pan Latin influences. The décor screams Argentina loud and clear, a lot of wood if you look around: floors, tables, even the window blinds. The “Nuevo bistro” was transported from Buenos Aires by Hector Rolotti after he successfully launched similar outlets in Argentina, Uruguay and New York. . The artichoke salad is a delightful combination of baby hearts, greens, corn and haricots verts, grapefruit morsels, slivered almonds and honey lime vinaigrette. Meat platters (picada criollo) and fish platters (picada del mar ) are great appetizers for sharing. Baked corn empanadas are really good too. Juicy grilled steaks, seafood and pasta paired with jalapeno, yucca and avocado, a welcome change from sides like rice and potatoes. Doraku is as close to Japan as you can get in Miami Beach. The “tea house” restaurant features 12 Reisai (cold) or Onsai (hot) appetizers on the menu, along with Taiheiyo (Pacific Ocean) and Taiseiyo (Atlantic Ocean) sushi items. Some rolls carry tantalizing names such as dancing roll, spider roll, candle roll, dynamite roll and popeye roll, but don’t worry each one lists the contents on the menu. Sake varieties include the Emperor, Geisha, Samurai and Shogun. If you’re not a sushi or sake fan, Yakimono (grill) selections include Doraku steak, tempura moriawase, black cod miso, grilled Cornish hen or teriyaki style steak, chicken or salmon. Neomi’s Grill, the signature restaurant of Trump International Sonesta Beach Resort has a super view of the ocean and pool deck, but it’s the tropical flavored French cuisine that will make a lasting impression. Does a warm butter poached Maine lobster with cassava fries and Mojito mayo sound tempting? Or how about sautéed jumbo shrimp atop sweet corn polenta and grilled ciabatta and crawfish aioli? Seafood bisque, “Tres” ceviche, linguine clams and Chilean sea bass are also on the menu. A whirlwind visit to this 10-acre playground with a beachfront of 1,000 feet is as good as it gets, but we manage to check out some of the very spacious and luxurious suites outfitted with all the hi-tech gadgets you could possibly imagine. Roney Palace Beach Resort, the grande dame of Collins Avenue has been fully restored in all her glory. The oceanfront location is one of its best assets, with spectacular views from the rooms and pool deck. The oversized rooms range between 660 square feet and 1,660 square feet equipped with fine French cherry furniture. If you like big resorts (15 acres) you’ll enjoy the hospitality here. The staff members are most accommodating and there are endless ways to spend your time here. The infinity pool is a big attraction and the concierge service is very personalized. There is even an on-site health club run by fitness expert Larry North. Fitness classes, walking and jogging facilities as well as a spa are among the activities offered here. Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurant has been a fixture on Biscayne Street in Miami Beach for the past 92 years serving the freshest seafood, brought in especially for the popular eatery.The family-owned business has made its name with stone crabs, obviously the most popular item on the menu. You can eat the cracked crab claws with drawn butter or mustard sauce and when you’ve had enough you must try their signature key lime pie. If you don’t enjoy waiting around, go arrive early. No reservations are taken for lunch or dinner seating and it is always filled to capacity year-round. We saw so many people milling around the lobby we thought there was a special function going on!
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