Miami Beach Itinerary November 20-23 2008
Our weekend plans include more than a little healthy competition. While you might think this requires miles of jogging and non-fat diets, we’re talking about watching a bevy of sun-kissed bikini models seeking the coveted title of Miss Hawaiian Tropic International or teams of pale-faced architects building fantasy sand castles on Crandon Park Beach. Our game plan includes the classic rivalry of our Miami Dolphins facing the New England Patriots and the acrobatic artistry of Cirque du Soleil in Bicentennial Park. Start out with a relaxing spa treatment and then head Downtown to party like a rock star with Akon. Weekends don’t get much better than this! Here’s your itinerary for November 20-23…
Thursday November 20
Breakfast
Agua Spa / 1685 Collins Avenue / The water-themed spa at the Delano Hotel offers tranquil treatment rooms with a decidedly modern flair. Check out the breathtaking city views from the rooftop sundeck as you sample light bites from the spa’s healthy menu and get ready to be pampered like never before. 305-674-6100
Lunch
Emeril’s / 1601 Collins Avenue / From Gumbo to Andouille crusted redfish, the tastes of New Orleans make lunch at this outpost of the BAM! chef’s empire a spicy good time. No matter how tempting the giant burgers and overstuffed sandwiches might be, leave room for the banana cream pie.
Evening Action
Corteo @ Bicentennial Park / 1075 Biscayne Boulevard / Cirque du Soleil’s brand new carnival lights up the tents Downtown with Corteo, a spectacle set in a land between Heaven and Earth. Behold the breath-taking acrobatics tonight at 8pm when they send in the clowns!
Cocktails
Grass Lounge / 28 NE 40 Street / Pop by this sexy outdoor oasis in the Design District for Circuit Thursday, a half-price happy hour featuring DJ Push Button Objects and DJ Epps.
Dinner
Bengal Modern Indian Cuisine / 2010 Biscayne Boulevard / Downtown gets it’s first Indian Fusion destination with this lovely new minty-colored space in the heart of the slowly awakening arts district. A perfect spot for papadums and samosas before the Cirque du Soleil performance, Bengal will fill your heart with the perfumed spices of India before you board the Omni loop and hit the show. Make a meal of starters and a sparkling Kingfisher beer.
Nightlife
Plunge @ Gansevoort / 2377 Collins Avenue / Party 18 stories above the ocean with a wild bunch of local beauties tonight. This swank adults-only pool deck features 26,000 sq.ft. of party space with sexy cabanas, cozy sun beds and a crowd that just won’t quit. Take the plunge!
AeroBar / 247 23rd Street / Mash-up King DJ Joe Dert brings his messy funk stylings to the deck tonight at the giant new playground AeroBar. See how Thursdays have changed now that the scene around 23rd Street has taken flight!
Friday November 21
Breakfast
Blue Door / 1685 Collins Avenue / Chef Claude Troisgros modern French cuisine makes dining al fresco on the terrace overlooking the gardens one of the most tranquil respites on South Beach. The relaxed atmosphere and warm ocean breezes set the stage for a delicious escape.
Lunch
Baires Grill / 560 Washington Avenue / Nobody asks, “Where’s the Beef?” at this popular Argentinean grill where guests enjoy low prices, solid cuisine and friendly service in a totally laid-back setting. From grilled Angus steaks to lighter pasta dishes, Baires delivers.
Evening Action
Akon @ Karu and Y / 71 NW 14th Street / Continuing their quest to recreate this Downtown hotspot as a serious contender for your live entertainment dollar, the powers behind Karu 2.0 present radio superstar Akon for an exclusive and intimate club appearance in the Magic City. Come get close to the man behind the hits starting at 10pm. 305-403-7850
Cocktails
Tobacco Road / 626 South Miami Avenue / Miami’s oldest honky-tonk bar turns 96 years young with a celebration that brings out all of our favorite local bands jamming in the parking lot, in the second floor lounge space and out on the patio too. Drinks are just 96 cents from 6-730pm to warm you up for the Spam Allstars, Locos por Juana, the Coffee House Gypsies, the Shameless Burlesque Show and many many more!
Dinner
La Marea / 1220 Ocean Drive / Deco icon The Tides Hotel hosts a sophisticated dining scene in the Kelly Wearstler designed La Marea Restaurant where guests enjoy a Mediterranean inspired menu prepared by celebrity chef Pietro Rota. Seasonal ingredients and a northern Italian influence make nightly specials a worthwhile temptation. 305-604-5070
Nightlife
SoBe Live / 1203 Washington Avenue / San Francisco shares it’s favorite rapper E-40 with South Beach tonight. Check out the man who created the Bay Area’s Hyphy Movement as he takes the stage for one night only.
Saturday November 22
Breakfast
Joe’s Takeaway / 11 Washington Avenue / The busy landmark dining room offers a quiet outpost by day where clever visitors enjoy deliciously reasonable cooked-to-order breakfast specials like jumbo lump crabmeat with poached eggs served atop a tender brioche and golden Belgian waffles with berries and cream.
Lunch
Wish / 801 Collins Avenue / We recently discovered the Breakfast Club, a belly busting sandwich with smoky sausage, roast turkey, avocado and bacon replacing the more traditional club ingredients. What more could we wish for? Check out the best little lunch spot on South Beach this afternoon!
Evening Action
Miss Hawaiian Tropic International @ Karu & Y / 71 NW 14th Street / Thousands of girls apply to be part of this super sensational SPF show, a festival of teeny bikinis and perfect brown skin. Tonight’s elimination determines who will represent Florida in the ultimate tan-off! The lucky local judges start scrutinizing the top contenders at 10pm.
Cocktails
Van Dyke / 846 Lincoln Road / The second floor lounge at this popular sidewalk cafe hosts a nightly jazz series where dedicated patrons discover local and internationally renowned performers. Tonight’s show, Spred the Dub brings a reggae beat to the stage for an evening of improvisational jamming at 9pm.
Dinner
AltaMar / 1223 Lincoln Road / Breezy weather and cooler temps make sidewalk dining our favorite sport this season and AltaMar delivers a boatload of freshly prepared Italian spiced seafood options nightly on the quiet sidewalks of the west side of town. Construction on the mall has definitely slowed foot traffic to this popular bistro which means you might not have to wait too long for a coveted spot. 305-532-3061
Nightlife
Stealth Live! @ Mansion / 1235 Washington Avenue / Stealth Records presents Laidback Luke and Tom Stephan spinning for the party tonight that promises to roll way past sunrise. DJ Chicco Secci opens at 10pm
Sunday November 23
Brunch
Jazz Brunch @ Regent / 10295 Collins Avenue / Mark Millitello’s return to the culinary scene is reason enough to run to brunch this morning at the tony new Regent Hotel. The other? The Wonderful World Band fills the air with old school jazz to get you eating to the beat! Service starts at noon.
Afternoon Action
Sandcastle Competition @ Crandon Park / 4000 Crandon Boulevard / The American Institute of Architects finds a way to get it’s members out of the shadowy world of the studio and into the bright sunlight of Key Biscayne for a high-level Digital Drafting Sandblast Sandcastle Competition. Check out the amazing results today from 11am-4pm. www.aiamiami.com
Cocktails
Lucky Strike / 1691Michigan Avenue / One of the best sports bars in the city will fill early today as the Dolphins take on the New England Patriots in what promises to be a deadly serious drive for first place in the division. If all goes well, expect a big drunken bacchanal at the lounge this afternoon!
Dinner
Hiro’s Yakko San / 17040 West Dixie Highway / Some of the most innovative Japanese cuisine can be found at this off-beat bistro where a team of chefs prepares exotic Asian tapas to the delight of patrons surrounding the open kitchen. Choose from a daily selection of seafood and vegetarian options and let Hiro’s friendly staff go to work creating a small plate supper just for you. 305-947-0064
Nightlife
Sundance Sundays @ SET / 320 Lincoln Road / Tonight’s main event features the soulful stylings of Funkerman spinning the steel wheels high above the crowded dance floor at SET. Stephan Luke opens the Sundance series at 10pm.
Have Fun!
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