Miami Memories : Wynwood Walls

Our last stop on our Miami getaway was Wynwood Walls, a kind of open-air museum in the vibrant Wynwood Arts District. A revitalization-project-meets-statement-art-installation, the graffiti garden is filled with colorful, graphic, world-class street art that has been painted by celebrated artists on warehouse walls and doors. (You can learn more about the history here.) We didn't have much time to spend with the collection of urban murals, and I'm not sure it is really my husband's scene, but I enjoyed every minute of our visit, including the time we spent poking around the über-cool (if not super-expensive) on-site shop. With the means (and maybe a mansion), I'd totally want to hang up those unique, multi-media pieces. If we ever do make it back to Miami, I'd love to have lunch at the Wynwood Kitchen & Bar and to venture outside the walls and further into the obviously creative and engaging up-and-coming neighborhood.

Tour the Walls with these snaps from our visit...

Miami Memories : Books & Bites on Lincoln Road

[ A colorful fountain at Lincoln Road Mall in Miami. ]

On our last day in Miami, after our morning walk along the beach, we headed over to Lincoln Road Mall to check out the stacks at Books & Books, considered the city's best bookstore, where we picked up Celebrity Cocktails, a large and chic Assouline volume, and the Penguin Drop Caps version of Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass". 

Once we had our fill of browsing luxury and unique titles, we walked around the outdoor "mall" that reminded this California girl a little bit of Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. I pulled my hubby into Anthropologie for a spell because I'm powerless to resist its charms, and then we decided it was time for lunch. 

While I had thought we'd grab a bite at the Cafe at Books & Books, G and I passed by a Cuban restaurant, Havana 1957, and felt it only appropriate that we have some Cuban cuisine while in Miami. The meal began with a silver pail piled high with thin and crispy plantain chips and we quickly ordered up two mojitos: Clasico for the hubs, Fresh Kiwi for me. I am not a big mojito fan since they typically have too much mint for my liking (I don't enjoy slurping up leaves-- a cocktail is for drinking, not for chewing!), but these ones were perfect. Light, refreshing, not too sweet and just the right amount of mint delicately muddled in the bottom of our glasses. 

We weren't sure what entrees to choose but, with the help of our server, finally settled on some meats: Masa de Puerco Frita (fried cubed pork topped with grilled onions, served with moro rice and boiled yuca with Cuban mojo) for me and Vaca Frita (grilled shredded beef with onions in Cuban mojo, served with white rice and black beans) for the hubs.

Even though we are back home in St. Pete, I've put it on my list to find a fabulous Cuban restaurant here in the Tampa Bay area. (I haven't done my research yet but I'm certain there has to be something good locally.) When in Rome, right? Well, "when in Florida..."

[ A room of luxury titles at Books & Books. ]

[ G browsing the stacks at Books & Books. ] 

[ Wall of lovely, wise quotes at Books & Books. ] 

[ So many books! Including volumes of Flordiana. ] 

[ My dress seemed to fit in with the colors in this room of books. ] 

[ Perfect mojitos at Havana 1957, where mojito-lovers have endless options. ] 

[ Scenes from a Cuban lunch at Havana 1957. ]

Miami Memories : Toes in the Water, Toes in the Sand

One of my favorite moments during our Miami Beach getaway was the Monday morning stroll we took along the stretch of sand outside our hotel. Even though we didn't have much time before we needed to start heading back home to St. Pete, I insisted that the hubby and I take a walk along the shore. We were in Miami Beach after all and how could we not step on the sand and poke our toes in the water when it was just steps from where we were staying? So that's just what we did. No longer the weekend, the beach was quiet and nearly empty. We almost had it all to ourselves. The sun played hide and seek in the sky, the wind tossed my hair into a tangled mess. The ocean waves were cool (but not ice cold like we're used to in the Pacific) as they lapped against our feet but more impressive was the colors. Clear, turquoise waters (also nothing like the Pacific) that gradually deepened into a perfect ombre that only nature can create before sliding into a similarly spectacular blue sky with puffs of white clouds here and there. Florida really is a beautiful place, especially where the water meets the sand. I didn't want to leave, G basically had to drag me off the beach so we could carry on with all the other things on my must-do list, but not before I resorted to one of my favorite pastimes and collected a few broken pieces of coral and shell-- souvenirs from Miami.

Now, all you really need to know about that morning, in photographs...

Miami Memories : Scarpetta at Fontainebleau

After arriving in Miami on Saturday night, G and I had a drink at our hotel bar and considered where we should go for dinner. While flipping through OpenTable, G decided to deviate from our plan and book us a 9 o'clock reservation at Scarpetta, celebrity chef Scott Conant's Italian eatery located inside the historic and iconic Fontainebleau. Our plan was to visit Miami Beach's most luxurious landmark hotel sometime during our visit and to simply get a glass of wine and an appetizer at Scarpetta since it is an extremely expensive restaurant, befitting its residence inside a luxury hotel and the fact that Conant (you probably know him from "Chopped") is a James Beard award-winning restaurateur.

But, G threw caution to the wind. Carpe diem! You only live once (YOLO!). He said we may never return to Miami Beach and he wanted to make the most of it. So he booked, we got dressed up, we went.

And the food was divine, of course.

The meal began with an abundant bread basket-- filled with three kinds of rolls-- served alongside a porcelain canoe of spreads: butter, olive oil, and what I believe were deeply concentrated tomatoes (the tomato flavor in these little bites was beyond). Torn between ordering a glass of Rosso (red) or Bianco (white), I selected the only Rosato on the wine menu: Bertani Bertarose, a 2012 vintage from Veneto, Italy. Not too sweet, just a hint, it may be my new favorite rosé. G, a red man, ordered the 2011 Pertinace Barbera, from Piemonte, Italy.

While the dinner menu was full of tempting entree choices, including Diver Sea Scallops and Fennel Dusted Black Cod, I just had to get pasta knowing it was fresh-made in-house. Plus, Conant is always sharply critical of "Chopped" contestants' pasta, so I felt I must give his a try. I convinced G of this, too. I ordered the Scialatelli (pronounced shy-uh-la-telli, I learned), which featured long, linguine-like noodles tangled up with luscious chunks of Maine lobster, arugula and basil and topped with crispy bottarga bread crumbs. (Bottarga is salted fish roe, I just discovered, which I'm glad I didn't know beforehand because I may have asked our server to hold the crumbs. But they were delicious!)

As for G, he chose the Short Rib & Bone Marrow Agnolotti (a stuffed pasta similar to ravioli), served with a horseradish and red wine jus. I tried a few bites and the pasta sheets that formed the agnolotti were so thin, so fine, so delicate, I can't imagine the training and time it takes to make each perfect morsel. The filling was deeply and satisfyingly savory, much different from my dish which was light and fresh. Both, however, were decadent and scrumptious in their own way.

Fortunately, the reasonable portion sizes allowed us to save room for dessert. While we were leaning towards the Pistachio Soufflé we opted for the Chocolate Zeppole, on the recommendation of our server. G had never before had zeppole, which could be best described as an Italian donut. But these fried balls of dough are much lighter than anything we Americans make. And these zeppole were especially good because their airy centers were stuffed with Nutella. As if that wasn't enough, the plate of five was showered with a sprinkling of crushed hazelnuts and served with a pool of spiced anglaise for dipping. The thing of dreams.

After dinner, we planned to go to the nightclub housed within Fontainebleau: LIV. Unfortunately for us, we lingered over dinner a little too long and by the time we got out at 11 o'clock a line had already formed out the door and into the (surprisingly cold and windy) Miami night. We would have suffered through the chill and the crowds to get in the door but then we found out the cover charge: $60 for me, $80 for him. Having already dropped that much on dinner (plus a tip) we decided to take our old (30-ish) butts and full tummies back to the hotel and cuddle up under the covers, to dream of giant, sparkling gold chandeliers and boats of creamy vanilla anglaise...

[ All dressed up for our fancy Scarpetta dinner. ] 

[ Clockwise: Scialatelli, Agnolotti, Zeppole, an overflowing bread basket and Rosato wine at Scarpetta. ]

[ Gorgeous, twinkling chandeliers in the lobby at Fontainebleau. ]

Miami Memories : Hilton Cabana Miami Beach

[ The Hilton Cabana Miami Beach (left) boasts direct beach access. ]

Our home away from home during our quick Miami getaway this past weekend was the Hilton Cabana Miami Beach, a brand-new luxury beachfront hotel that just opened this past summer. 

Situated on Collins Avenue at 62nd Street, the 10-story building is built in the MiMo style of architecture that originated in Miami in the 1950s and 60s. As is typical with Miami Modernism, the Hilton Cabana's design and decor is sleek and minimalist with flashes of glamour and fun. I especially loved all the vintage photos that peppered the hotel walls and our room, as well as the pops of yellow here and there, inside and out.

While we didn't have an ocean view room, we didn't have to travel far to catch a glimpse of the sand, the sun and the surf. G and I enjoyed cocktails at the poolside, ocean-adjacent Allison Bar twice-- upon arriving at the hotel, just in time to watch the sunset, and Sunday morning before heading off to the Chargers game. The on-site restaurant, L'echon Brasserie, was fabulous as well, offering us not only a convenient place for breakfast but gourmet a.m. grub. The Eggs Benedict was deliciously salty and savory and the yogurt parfait was seriously the most beautiful cup of yogurt I have ever seen. It tasted every bit as good as it looked and a mini croissant with butter and blackberry preserves was the perfect accompaniment.

My only complaints with the Hilton Cabana are minor. The bed's mattress was a bit hard for my taste. (Maybe it needs a bit more breaking in? The hotel is new, after all.) And I wasn't terribly fond of our spaceship of a bathroom, as I called it, with its brightly illuminated, high-powered mirrors. I don't need to see my pores quite that closely. Especially on vacation!

But overall we had a very pleasant stay at the Hilton Cabana and would recommend it to those looking for an upscale, oceanfront, centrally-located hotel in Miami Beach.

Now for a few more photos, if you'd like to see...

[ Vintage touches in the lobby. ]

[ Sparkling, modern light fixtures in the lobby. ] 

[ Our MiMo-style room. ]

[ If you want to see everything wrong with your face, these are the mirrors for you. ]

[ Playful, vintage-inspired mural at the Hilton Cabana. ] 

[ Vintage photographs in our room. ]

[ Scenes from two breakfasts at L'echon Brasserie. ] 

[ Ocean view from the outdoor, poolside Allison Bar. ]

[ Cocktails at the Allison Bar. A pre-Chargers game mimosa and a margarita (left). A Tropical Storm (right) upon arriving at the Hilton Cabana, though the Kappa Pisco concoction (mixed with passionfruit, orange juice and bitters) tasted more like sunshine in a glass. ]

[ Watching sunset hues dance over the water from the poolside Allison Bar. ]

[ The rooftop Cabana Pool boasted a stellar view of the hotel's beach access and beyond. ]

[ Yellow beach cabanas at the Hilton Cabana. ]

Miami Memories : Chargers at Sun Life Stadium

We're back from Miami! We returned home yesterday evening to some very happy dogs. (Furry, jumping, smiling greetings are the best kind.) We managed to squeeze quite a bit of activity into just about two days, so I thought I'd break up our weekend getaway recap into a couple posts. I'll start with the best worst time.

If you're a football fan, you know what I'm talking about: Sunday's Chargers game against the Miami Dolphins. The game was the sole reason for our trip down south. It was G's birthday gift to himself, to see his favorite team when they came to Florida. So an embarrassing shut-out was definitely not on the itinerary.

Nevertheless, outside of the Bolts' poor plays and scoreless-ness, G and I had a good time. When G started feeling down and regretting even coming to the game, I reminded him that we have no control over how the Chargers play (as much as we wish we did!). We can only control how we feel about our experience, and we could choose to enjoy ourselves regardless of the scoreboard. 

Fortunately, my husband is a bit more reasonable than some fanatical, sports-loving dudes and can see beyond the football-fueled rage, especially with a little positive reinforcement from me, which went something like this while waiting at the bar for another round of drinks:

We have a great view of the field 

and seats in the fancy-schmancy Club Level of Sun Life Stadium! 

We are living large in Miami! 

Sipping Chardonnay and Corona, woot woot! 

Sometimes we wives have to be cheerleaders, especially when our hubby's team is having a bad day.

[ Walking into Sun Life Stadium, thrilled (and surprised) to see so many other Chargers fans! ]

[ In da club. The Club Level of Sun Life Stadium, that is. ]

[ When we got to our seats we found this. A bit ironic considering the outcome of the game. What did we win? Just a pair of Dolphins sunglasses. Also known as: trash. ]

[ Posing, and hopeful, before the game. It was a beautiful, sunshine-y Miami day. ]

[ Battle of the 17s! I thought this was funny. These men are friends, too. In case you are not a football fan, Tannehill is the quarterback for the Dophins, Rivers is the QB for San Diego. ] 

[ Chargers and Dolphins setting up for a play. This was right around the time we gave up on the game and decided to get out of the heat and just hang out in the Club. ] 

[ Seriously delicious, hit-the-spot BBQ pork nachos in the Club. My friends will tell you: I don't much like cheese, but I love me some nachos. Especially when I'm a wee bit (or a lot) tipsy. ]

[ View of the Miami skyline as seen through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the Club. ]

Stay tuned for more recaps from our mini Miami vacation!

A Mini Miami Getaway

[ The Fontainebleau in Miami Beach. ]

This weekend we are continuing my husband's 30th birthday celebration with a quick trip down south to Miami Beach. G decided that, for his birthday, he'd like to see his favorite team, the San Diego Chargers, when they came to Florida to play the Miami Dolphins. So that's what we're going to do. On Sunday. But outside of game time, we're going to take advantage and explore the Magic City, South Beach and environs.

We leave tomorrow and will come home Monday. Here's our game plan for our mini Miami getaway:

[ A look inside the $200-million Fontainebleau renovation. Glitzy. ]

• Check out the elaborate and recently renovated landmark hotel, the Fontainebleau Resort & Spa. I didn't know much about Miami before researching for this trip, but I did know about the famous Fontainebleau. 

[ Scarpetta Miami Beach, a nautical version of the urban-rustic Italian original in New York. ]

• While at the Fontainebleau, we plan to pop into Scarpetta, the Miami Beach outpost of celebrity chef Scott Conant's original New York Italian eatery. The menu is pricey, as is to be expected, but I figure we can just have a glass of wine, share an app and enjoy the ambience and ocean views. G and I are huge Food Network fans and love watching acclaimed restaurateur Conant deliver deft criticism (and, sometimes, praise) on "Chopped."

[ Urban art at Wynwood Walls. ]

• Visit the Wynwood Walls, an open-air museum of sorts in the Wynwood Arts District. The graffiti garden is filled with Instagram-able, world-class street art painted on warehouse walls and doors, and there's even a restaurant and bar on site. The collection of urban murals is definitely a Miami must-see for me.

[ The Cafe at Books & Books. ]

• Browse Books & Books, the best bookstore in the city, and perhaps have lunch at the Cafe, which serves up a mix of Latin and Southern cuisine as well as plenty of people-watching if you snag an outdoor table set along Lincoln Road, SoBe's main shopping artery.

[ Our home for the weekend: The Hilton Cabana Miami Beach. ]

We'll be staying at the Hilton Cabana Miami Beach, a brand-new luxury beachfront hotel in Miami Beach, on Collins Avenue, in an up-and-coming area called "Millionaire's Row." With cabana in the hotel's name, the pool area looks unsurprisingly amazing and I got a new bathing suit for the occasion. I just need to remember to pack the sunblock!

[ Sparkling pool and ocean views at the Hilton Cabana Miami Beach. ]

In between these rough plans there is bound to be plenty of imbibing and at least one night out on the town. Not sure where we'll go exactly (and what flashy nightclub we'll be able to get into-- hopefully we won't have trouble getting past the velvet ropes) but we'll just see where the weekend takes us.

If you've been to Miami, we welcome any recommendations on places to go, things to see, or where to eat and drink! I'll be sure to fill you in next week on our adventures.

[ Story, named 2014 Nightclub of the Year. ]

(Fontainebleau images via the resort's Facebook page and website, Scarpetta image via the restaurant's website, Wynwood Walls images via Goldman Properties,  Books & Books image by Justin Namon via Cafe's Facebook page, Hilton Cabana images via its website, Story image via club's Facebook page)