Miami Beach Itinerary for July 31 - August 3, 2008
July made us proud to call ourselves Floridians! From the rockets red glare of one of the loudest Independence Days ever to the endless series of top DJs thumping all of our nights away, we’ve come to realize there are no summer doldrums in the city any longer! We rush head long into August with a huge hip-hop festival featuring the biggest names in the business who are already here and ready to party. Grab a swimsuit and find your stilettos - it’s another wild weekend in Miami Beach!
Here’s the Game Plan for July 31-August 3…
| Thursday July 31 |
| Breakfast |
Preston’s / 1601 Collins Avenue / A French press of steaming hot coffee greets you as you tuck into oatmeal brulee or a lobster omelet with fresh mango chutney. Preston’s is the reason they call it the most important meal of the day.
| Lunch |
Elemis @ Loew’s / 1601 Collins Avenue / After a BAM! filled seafood lunch with a dash of zesty New Orleans spice at Emeril’s, surrender to the capable hands of the Elemis massage therapists who will wrap you in frangipani, ginger and lime and rub you to a soothing new level of relaxation… You’ll emerge ready for wherever the weekend takes you.
| Evening Action |
Mark Knopfler @ Fillmore / 1700 Washington Avenue / Headband wearing lead guitarist for the Dire Straits performs solo this evening to a crowd of adoring fans in support of his fifth album “Kill to Get Crimson.” Purchase a pair of tickets online and receive a free copy of his latest solo effort at ticketmaster.com Showtime is 8pm.
| Cocktails |
Outreach @ Biltmore / 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables / Miami’s favorite sons perform live at the Biltmore tonight for happy hour loving friends and fans. Check out Joey Espinoza and the boys at this much-anticipated performance.
| Dinner |
Alta Mar / 1223 Lincoln Road / Dining al fresco may be a bit of a challenge as July steams to an end, but the super-fresh seafood Claudio Giordano serves nightly is refreshing enough to keep things cool, comforting, and decidedly delicious.
| Nightlife |
APT 423 @ Love Hate / 423 Washington Avenue / If you like to show up at the club fashionably late, do a few warm up laps at the Miami Ink Fan Boy Bar tonight while DJ Ray Milian spins his mixed-format set for the post-Abraxas crowd starting at 10pm. This weekly gathering promises to become a locals’ favorite.
Pure House @ Dream / 1532 Washington Avenue / Fans of the chill lounge scene step up to the thumping vibes of Detroit’s own Anthony Attalla tonight for a session of pure house music that makes Dream our favorite Thursday night haunt. DJs Juane and Luis Carrizo open.
Guilty Pleasures @ Aero Bar / 247 23rd Street / Joshua Menendez resurfaces with his brand new late night party at the (somewhat slow out of the gate) Aero Bar. DJs Mark Leventhal, Ross 1 and Artime promise to keep you out way past curfew.
| Friday August 1 |
| Breakfast |
David’s Cafe / 1654 Meridian Avenue / Crisply pressed Cuban bread and a steaming cafe con leche gets the day started quickly for locals all over Miami. Lucky for you David’s breakfast specials include fresh eggs, crisp bacon and a host of starchy sides at a terrific price. Opened 24-hours a day, someone is always waiting to greet you with a smile at South Beach’s favorite Cuban cantina.
| Lunch |
Pelican Restaurant / 826 Ocean Drive / One of our favorite spots for a seaside lunch has a brand new following now that their Summer happy hour starts at a civilized 3pm with half-priced drinks and snacks to turn your meal into an afternoon oasis.
| Evening Action |
Mark Curry @ Improv / 3390 Mary Street / ABC sitcom star Mark Curry struts his dirtier stuff on stage tonight at Miami’s favorite comedy club. Fans of “Hangin’ with Mister Cooper” and “Showtime at the Apollo” can laugh at the darker side of their favorite funny man at 8:30 and 10:45 shows. Tickets and comedy club info online miamiimprov.com
| Cocktails |
Limoncello Happy Hour @ Tides / 1220 Ocean Drive / Fridays get a whole lot cooler with Chef Pietro Rota’s brand new Popsicle Martini served with potent Limoncello for just $8 from 5-9pm. A free tapas platter comes along for the ride.
| Dinner |
Baires Grill / 560 Washington Avenue / Meat Intensive Latin Grills have spread throughout the city at a fast pace, but Baires remains one of the best. With friendly service and a choice of pasta or a freshly grilled filet of beef or fish, the fare is simple and simply delicious.
| Nightlife |
Raquel Gibson @ Prive / 136 Collins Avenue / How do you spell HOT? Playboy Playmate Raquel Gibson challenges you to discover all the new words in her sexy vocabulary at Prive where DJs Ron Luna and Konflikt keep the party rolling all night long.
| Saturday August 2 |
| Breakfast |
A la Folie / 516 Espanola Way / Escape to Paris with your first bite of a tender buckwheat crepe with a sweet or savory filling. From pungent cheese and ham to almond cream and fresh pears, breakfast on Espanola Way truly feels like a romantic getaway. Bon Voyage!
| Lunch |
Jam Cafe / 1935 West Avenue / The coolest new spot for lunch on West Avenue brings a smile with every bite. Grab a salad or a sandwich and a power smoothie and say “Hi” to Sal Catania who ups the ante on his ingredients including tender proscuitto, fresh mozzarella and house-grilled eggplant. The Jam is our favorite new hangout on the west side of town.
| Evening Action |
Rock the Bells @ Bayfront Park Amphitheater / 301 Biscayne Boulevard / Feel the shift in energy moving westward as Downtown Miami hosts the hottest concert of the season. Join A Tribe Called Quest, Mos Def, Nas, Raekwon, Ghostface, De La Soul and ALL the original members of The Pharcyde as they Represent, Respect and Recognize at this world-class international hip hop festival tonight!
| Cocktails |
French Kiss @ Laundry Bar / 721 Lincoln Lane / Catch the train to funky town tonight at this laundromat-meets- cocktail-lounge where Atlanta’s Le Castle Vania and DJs Obi T, Silver and Medley spin a mixed format that not only gets guests to dance, but to sing along as well. Happy hour rolls on until 11pm.
| Dinner |
Kobe Club / 404 Washington Avenue / In Japan, giant steers are massaged every day and fed a steady diet of beer to render their meat tender and perfectly marbled. While we can’t stop thinking about a life of rubdowns and brewski, the cows seem very happy and the results are served nightly at this new temple of haute cuisine where Japanese, Australian and American Wagyu beef take center stage. A seasonal raw bar and seafood dishes like oversized crab cakes and Dover sole are also available for those who oppose red meat. Reservations 305-673-5370
| Nightlife |
Mos Def @ Nikki / 1 Ocean Drive / Rock the Bells is just the warm up for a party that rolls on ’til dawn. Mos Def hosts the after-party at Nikki with guest DJs Q-Tip, Maseo, Scratch and Mr. Mauricio keeping it live until dawn at 5!
| Sunday August 3 |
| Brunch |
Blue Door @ Delano / 1671 Collins Avenue / Pop out onto the terrace overlooking the sexiest pool and beach club in town to enjoy a full buffet-style brunch served with your choice of champagne, mimosa or Bloody Mary. Blue Door patrons also receive complimentary valet parking, which on South Beach means quite a lot! Service from 11am-3pm, Sundays only.
| Evening Action |
Bow Wow @ Fillmore / 1700 Washington Avenue / Lil’ Bow Wow has shed his diminutive “lil-ness” in favor of a more hardcore image. We’re still fond of the baby boy rapper who brings his shortie-loving ways to the stage tonight in support of his latest collaboration album, “Face Off.” Bow Wow rocks the mic with his Billboard hit “Girlfriend” starting at 7:30pm. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com
| Cocktails |
Black Sunday @ Bella Rose / 423 16th Street / South Beach has a hot new hangout the local hipsters hope you’ll never find. Stop by Sundays for a bloody good time. Oh - Don’t tell them we sent you.
| Dinner |
Setai / 2001 Collins Avenue / Enjoy selections from the Far East inspired menu including a number of sushi and sashimi options, a warm Thai lobster custard and a spicy fried frog leg served with crispy shallots. Main plates of locally sourced fish are fried, steamed or baked in a giant banana leaf with chili and lemon grass. Experience the treasures of the Orient at the Setai tonight!
| Nightlife |
Striptease Sundays @ Mansion / 1235 Washington Avenue / Take it all off and dance with DJs Konflikt and Ideal as they celebrate the hottest night in clubland. Party with Mr. Mauricio who spins while hot dancers bare their sexy secrets for a crowd that gets wilder as the night wears on. Undress to impress and be ready for anything at this seductive hip-hop dance party.
Have a Great Weekend!
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