Miami Beach Weekend Itinerary for May 1-4
Weekends are getting harder to navigate now that the top dining and club scenes span two cities and all of Biscayne Bay. We’re spending more time than ever crossing back and forth across the causeways in search of the best in music, art and cuisine so we can pass on the Insider’s Info to you each week. From Deco to MiMo, May kicks off with celebrations of the Moderne, the Classic and the Kitsch - all the looks that make up Miami. Here’s your itinerary for May 1-4.
| Thursday May 1 |
| Breakfast |
Van Dyke / 846 Lincoln Road / Grab a sidewalk table and a healthy bowl of fruit, yogurt and granola before you head across the mall to Brownes & Company (841 Lincoln Road) for an “Island Getaway, ” a frangipani wrap, a facial & peel, a scalp treatment & hair remedy, then a blow dry, margarita pedicure and warm and soothing paraffin toes. Emerge a smoother and brighter you. It’s time to put your BEST food forward for another spectacular South Beach weekend…
| Lunch |
Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink / 130 NE 40th Street / Design District darling Michael Schwartz makes a falafel wrap, a pulled pork sandwich or a Harris Ranch black angus burger that will rock your world. The number one hot spot in town right now is much easier to get into at lunchtime so grab a chair and enjoy! Reservations 305-573-5550.
| Afternoon Action |
Shecky’s Girls Night Out @ Moore Building / 4040 NE Second Avenue / Shop, sip free cocktails, enjoy free spa services and get up to 70% off the goods from hot new designers at this “Only in Miami” discount extravaganza! Fashionistas should run - not walk to www.girlsnightout.sheckys.com
| Cocktails |
Spire Lounge at the Hotel / 801 Collins Avenue / Once a month the Miami Design Preservation League meets to celebrate art, architecture and the South Beach scene. Gather tonight on the rooftop at the Spire Lounge to toast the Deco skyline at 7pm and learn a bit about this historic Deco property.
| Dinner |
Vita / 1906 Collins Avenue / Mediterranean cuisine (in the hands of two Frenchmen famous for their Le Bâoli restaurant in Cannes) comes to this quaint South Beach dining spot where old movies screen on the walls and a DJ spins on weekends. Chefs Federico and Christophe will whip you up a wood-fired pizza, home made pappardelle or the risotto of the day. Your only responsibility is to save room for the superb chocolaty desserts!
| Nightlife |
Dream / 1532 Washington Avenue / Pure House Sessions features an opening set by JuanE, live performances by the Circ X Performers and Alpha606 and special guest DJ’s Steve Smooth and J.J. Flores.
| Friday May 2 |
| Breakfast |
Red Light at Motel Blu / 7700 Biscayne Boulevard / The IN crowd is heading west to the Biscayne Corridor today as local chefs join in a celebration of the MiMo (Miami Modern) design movement. Grab a stool at this tiny new dining room and let Kris Wessel dazzle you with his upscale bacon and eggs (served in a little frying pan) and an organic brew. Celebrate the old and brand new hipster vibe in Miami.
| Lunch |
Kingdom / 6708 Biscayne Boulevard / Lauded as the hot new burger spot in Miami, Kingdom promises to fill you up with the taste of a long-remembered holiday barbeque. Make sure you’re wearing your walking shoes as today’s street fair and walking tour promises to be a real treat!
| Afternoon Action |
Cinco de MiMo / 7301 Biscayne Boulevard / The MiMo Biscayne Association celebrates a weekend of fun and frolic this weekend including a street fair and special menus at all participating Biscayne Corridor Restaurants. Hop on the historic shuttle bus at the Vagabond Hotel to learn more about this funky architectural district. www.mimoboulevard.org/festival
| Cocktails |
Kung Fu Chu’s at the Catalina / 1720 Collins Avenue / Check out this anime-inspired sake lounge and sample the fresh seafood tidbits and tiny steamed dumplings served by waitresses decked out in their best Harajuku looks.
| Dinner |
OLA at the Sanctuary / 1745 James Avenue / Douglas Rodriguez was recently nominated for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef in the South award for his creative riffs on Nuevo Latino Cuisine. Hit his indoor/outdoor dining room tonight while the weather is still balmy and the ceviches are still some of the best in town. Kobe beef-filled meatballs and lightly breaded and flash fried oysters atop a layer of spinach and plantains are always crowd pleasers. Experience the best “Of Latin America” at the Sanctuary tonight.
| Nightlife |
Mansion / 1235 Washington Avenue / We Rock Hip-Hop kicks off tonight with DJ Ideal spinning the nation’s best beats starting at 11pm. The party gets kickin’ late with special guest Ja Rule!
| Saturday May 3 |
| Breakfast |
La Marea at the Tides / 1220 Ocean Drive / Chef Pietro Rota is up with the sun and whipping through a divine lobster eggs benedict just for you. Find a chair on the veranda or a cool spot near the Coral Bar and enjoy a delicious and totally gourmet eye-opener.
| Lunch |
Table 8 / 1458 Ocean Drive / Govind Armstrong wrote the book on tasty tidbits to serve in a casual atmosphere. Score a table on the patio and relax in the glow of the glass-bottom pool while you feast on tender pasta, fresh grilled seafood and a big helping of California cool.
| Afternoon Action |
Self Magazine’s Workout in the Park / 800 Ocean Drive / Get up and get moving today at one of South Beach’s most exciting outdoor activities! Celebrating it’s 15th year, Self Magazine hosts free makeovers and 17 energetic classes with the gurus from Crunch Fitness including Zumba Nation, Ballet Pilates, and the Million Dollar Knockout women’s boxing class. www.selfworkoutinthepark.com
| Cocktails |
Ritz Carlton Beach Club / 1 Lincoln Road / Hit the Hookah Happy Hour and watch the night go up in a puff of fragrant smoke. The Ritz is serving delicious new appetizers and strong drinks right out on the still-warm afternoon sand. Take
your shoes off and escape to this tropical oasis.
| Dinner |
La Locanda / 413 Washington Avenue / For simple Italian dishes and friendly service, we’ve put La Locanda on the menu tonight. Massimo Fortunato and Francesco Cavaletti create a rustic taverna with bright crimson walls, dark woods and romantic lighting perfect for a romantic Saturday night dinner. Try the pasta with rich lamb ragout and the hearty rack of veal in porcini sauce served with hearth roasted rosemary potatoes and you’ll feel transported to Tuscany!
| Nightlife |
Louie Vega at Vagabond / 30 NE 14th Street / Put a little bit of mambo in your weekend as the Vagabond welcomes Louie Vega for an all-night party. Seriously folks, Vega’s award winning remix of Curtis Mayfield’s SuperFly will be the highlight of a night you’re not soon to forget. www.thevagabondmiami.com
| Sunday May 4 |
| Brunch |
Ice Box / 1657 Michigan Avenue / Serving hearty brunches starting at 8am, the Ice Box is an ideal destination this morning, especially if you’re looking to score the best goodies at the Lincoln Road Antique Market. We like the Egg Box, the Crabby Eggs and whatever they decide to stuff into the pancake special.
| Afternoon Action |
BTUSA Sunshine State Slam / 800 Ocean Drive / Check out this exciting beach tennis tournament featuring top-ranked pro beach tennis players from around the world including Italy, Brazil and Aruba. Tournament play kicks off Saturday at 10am and open play and an amateur tournament with free equipment from HEAD and Penn will be available for all interested players today. www.beachtennisusa.net
| Cocktails |
Standard Hotel / 40 Island Avenue / Sunday is BINGO night at the Standard Hotel where prizes including spa services, hotel stays and free dinners can be yours if the cards are in your favor. Games start at 8:30 but you’ll want to start drinking during the pre-game warm up. Mix, mingle and play a while - it’s free!
| Dinner |
Ouzo’s Greek Taverna / 1766 Bay Road / Steps away from the Bingo bash you’ll find a breezy casual dining spot popular with locals for crisp Greek salads, flaky spinach pies and tender roast lamb served with lemony potatoes and strong house red wine. Sundays are popular with the just-off-the-bay crowd who fill the sidewalk tables before sunset and seem to linger long into the night.
| Nightlife |
Mark Knight at SET / 320 Lincoln Road / Sundance Sundays get a little bit hotter tonight as SET welcomes legendary DJs Mark Knight and Stephan Luke. Hear the latest tracks from Toolroom Knights set to release next month on toolroomrecords.com
DJ Chus at Space / 34 NE 11th Street / The weekend never ends at SPACE where the after party starts at 4am. Join DJ Chus (from Spain’s infamous Chus & Ceballos) along with Patrick M. at this all night and all day party that doesn’t quit moving ’til 4pm Monday afternoon! Are you ready to rumble?
Have Fun!
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