Author Archives: timallen

Get Revved up for Art Basel at These Parties

The anticipation for Art Basel Miami Beach is reaching a fever pitch as its various main and satellite events prepare to dazzle those who have even the slightest bit of interest in art and its multiple mediums. In case you need some suggestions on what to do and see beyond the main show, we have a pair of suggestions worth considering.

The Wynwood Walls are a longtime Miami staple, known for their elaborate murals that help to give the Wynwood area its distinct personality. Thanks to the kind hearts of Goldman Properties, the existing walls will soon have twelve all-new murals. The Walls will also serve as the venue for several private and public events, including a performance by a yet-to-be-determined musical act happening today.

Popular singer-songwriter Phil Collins and his wife Orianne are hosting their annual Dreaming on the Beach gala for the third straight year on the 9^th at the Fillmore Miami Beach. The gala benefits The Little Dreams Foundation which benefits young performers from a multitude of musical genres. Italian pop singer-songwriter Laura Pausini, Scottish singer-songwriter and musician KT Tunstall, and Phil Collins himself are among the names scheduled to either perform or make an appearance during the event.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-588-2451 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

Habitat Comes to South Beach

The brains that brought acclaimed eateries like Pubbelly to sunny South Florida are once again putting their culinary heads together to launch a new eatery right here in South Beach, at the 1 Hotel South Beach to be precise. Dubbed Habitat, the 170-seat restaurant will occupy the former home of Tom Colicchio’s Beachcraft and will differentiate itself with an all-new color scheme and décor. Some of the kitchen features like the huge grill will still be around.

Habitat will also introduce a feature called the “salad sommelier” which consists of a wooden cart that will make its way around the dining room. With help from the servers, guests can concoct their own customized salad. Guests will also be able to choose from a raw food menu to complement the grilled items available.

Spanish chef Angel Palacios will serve as Habitat’s chef de cuisine, overseeing the kitchen. Palacios previously worked at La Broche in Madrid which earned a pair of stars from Michelin Guides. La Broche also made its way to Miami but has since closed.

Habitat is located at 2395 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. Will it become your next dining destination?

The All-New Art Basel

Next month, Art Basel will return to Miami Beach for its 16^th edition. This year, the ultra-popular event brings a couple of changes including a completely new show design and floor plan. Visitors will notice additional exhibition space, broader aisles, larger booths, and there will also be a better selection of places to grab a bite to eat. Some major musical names will also be making appearances including influential hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan and multi-talented artist and musician Björk.

Over 250 galleries from more than thirty countries around the world will be on-hand at this year’s Art Basel. Expect to see films, paintings, sculptures, and plenty more showcasing modern and contemporary works of art. Some of this year’s notable gallerists include Applicat-Prazan, owned by Franck Prazan. Participating in Art Basel for the first time, the gallery will exhibit works by names like Maria Helena Vieira da Silva and Pierre Soulages. Brussels-based gallery dépendance is a relatively new addition launched in 2003 by Michael Callies focused on exhibiting complex works that are not easy to digest. Expect to see artwork by names such as Gillian Carnegie and Peter Waechtler.

Art Basel Miami Beach 2017 begins on December 7^th and continues until the 10^th. We hope to see you there!

Miami Beach’s Best November Brunches

What’s the best part of the weekend besides being able to take a load off from work? It’s grabbing a delectable brunch around town. To help you narrow down your choices, we’ll provide a few suggestions located right here in Miami Beach.

For some Southern-inspired brunch, Bird & Bone on Collins Avenue in the Mid-Beach area has plenty of great choices. Try some good old-fashioned steak and eggs, sweet potato pancakes, or fried chicken. You can also give the “Tipsy Texan” a shot which consists of a brioche bun boasting smoked sausage, barbecue brisket, and coleslaw. Bottomless mimosas and blackberry bourbon are some of the drink options available.

Down in the South Beach area, Tanuki on Alton Road serves brunch every weekend afternoon beginning at noon until 4 pm. Its choices include crispy pork benedicts, green tea French toast, and bottomless prosecco.

Also in South Beach, Lobster Bar Sea Grille on Washington Avenue offers a three-course brunch for just $49 available every Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm. Food options include chili lobster toast, steak and eggs, or even charred octopus.

Another perennial favorite we’ve mentioned before is Forte dei Marmi on Ocean Drive. The $55 Sunday brunch boasts a broad selection from its antipasti bar including tuna tartare, tiger prawns, and more.

Miami Beach’s Best Classic Restaurants

What makes a restaurant classic? Is it how long it’s been in business? The timeless menu offerings? Maybe it’s that feel that envelops you upon walking in. The following restaurants represent a few suggestions you may find invitingly “old school”.

Arguably Miami Beach’s perennial old school favorite, Joe’s Stone Crab has been around for more than 100 years. To this day, the restaurant steadfastly refuses to accept reservations, which makes finding a table a little tricky. It’s been rumored that former President Barack Obama dined on some stone crab prior to his debate back in 2012. Other major names that have experienced Joe’s Stone Crab include Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, and the late Muhammad Ali.

The aptly named The Forge in Miami Beach was indeed a fully functioning forge during the 1920s. It wasn’t until the following decade that it underwent a reinvention as a restaurant and casino serving names like “Ol’ Blue Eyes” Frank Sinatra, Jackie Gleason, and Judy Garland. Today, its wine cellar is legendary, attracting celebrities like Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé.

These two Miami Beach examples are among many old school restaurant favorites found throughout South Florida. What are some of the eateries you’ve enjoyed frequenting over the years?

Are You Ready for These South Florida Haunts?

Tomorrow, the atmosphere in South Florida is going to get a little spookier as we celebrate Halloween. What’s one of the best ways to celebrate if you aren’t going trick-or-treating or attending a costume party? You test your fortitude by visiting a haunted house. If you’re willing to drive around South Florida, there are a few worth your time.

Up in Margate, the Demented Haunt Escape Room doesn’t exactly fit the mold of a traditional haunted house. Instead, it’s meant to test how courageous you are as well as your resolve to survive. Participants have an hour to escape from a scientist who has unleashed a poisonous chemical. Expect plenty of surprise scares as you attempt to reverse the chemical’s effects.

Not far from Margate is the Enigma Haunt in Boca Raton. Comprised of a trio of ominous-sounding haunts housed in one massive location, each one has a unique story. Expect a sinisterly fun time as you explore the haunt where “death is always an option”.

For those preferring something in Miami, the House of Horror Haunted Carnival at Miami International Mall is sticking around until November 4. Guests can explore the scary pair of haunts known as the Gates of Phobia and 1455 Asylum or check out the Freak Emporium to see a host of spooky strangeness.

The South Beach Seafood Festival Has Arrived

Many of us look forward to the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, but like most things, it only comes once a year. Thankfully, another food-themed event is kicking off this week, except this one carries more of an aquatic theme of sorts. In case you haven’t heard, the South Beach Seafood Festival is in full swing and it will be sticking around for the rest of the week.

The South Beach Seafood Festival brings together some of South Florida’s finest culinary wizards and acclaimed chefs participating in an enticingly distinct assortment of events. Visitors will be able to explore over three blocks of great seafood and partake in experiences along with fellow “seafoodies”, over 10,000 of them in fact. Just about anything you can imagine a seafood festival should have will be included. Visit one of the pop-up cafes, pair your favorite aquatic bite with a corresponding wine, have a drink at the open bar. For the little ones and those young at heart, there are games and lots of fun to be had. If you just want to enjoy the ambiance and try something different, you can always check out the live music.

Tickets for the South Beach Seafood Festival are selling out fast. Don’t miss this exciting event!

Enjoy These Exciting Local Events

Do you need some exciting events to keep you entertained before the Halloween festivities? October is chock full of various events including this weekend’s return of the ever popular III Points Festival. Let’s explore a couple of the highlights.

Beer and barbecue in Wynwood? Sounds like a plan! It’s all part of the Unbranded Brewing Co BBQ & Tasting event happening tomorrow at Boxelder Craft Beer Market beginning at 8 pm. For just $20 you’ll enjoy a serving of food and beer tasters. Best of all, proceeds from the event will go towards Operation USA’s Hurricane Irma fund.

Miami-based artist Domingo Castillo will showcase his film Tropical Malaise: Prologue at the New World Center right here in Miami Beach beginning at 8 pm tomorrow. The film examines what life will be like millions of years into the future. There is no cost to attend the screening.

The Broken Shaker at Freehand Miami on Indian Creek Drive invites you to swim under the stars tomorrow night as part of its Full Moon Night Swim & Pop – Ups. You won’t have to pay a dime to take a dip in the pool though you can always purchase some tasty cocktails if you like.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-588-2451 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

Miami Beach Donates to Fighting Breast Cancer

Are you planning on visiting Miami Beach this month? Throughout October, the city will observe Breast Cancer Awareness month by offering several perks intended to raise funds for breast cancer research.

To provide some examples of what’s in store, Leynia in the Delano and SLS South Beach’s The Bazaar both intend to contribute a dollar made from every cocktail they sell to the Miami chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Similarly, Nikki Beach and the popular Fontainebleau also intend to donate a portion of proceeds generated from certain dining and spa deals.

Speaking of spas, GUYandGIRL Spa at Mondrian South Beach will also be contributing a portion of proceeds to the Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation. For only $129, guests can enjoy Himalayan salt stone treatment to help them relax.

As for dining, Icebox Cafe on South Beach will be donating fifty percent of proceeds to local breast cancer charities from the sale of its pink coconut cake and pink champagne during dinnertime.

If you’re looking for a worthwhile reason to spend a night or day on the town in Miami Beach, October is definitely a good time to consider it! Where are you planning to go?

Art Basel Remains in Miami Beach

For those concerned about the future of Art Basel Miami Beach, worry no more. The popular annual event will remain in Miami Beach for at least the next five years after Miami Beach successfully appeased the fair’s request to add an elevator and escalator in the Miami Beach Convention Center. The deal is different from the typical annual arrangement Miami Beach and the fair have kept in the past.

Earlier this year, Miami Beach commissioners decided to add the elevator and escalator to the Miami Beach Convention Center at a cost of more than $2 million. The addition will be incorporated into the Miami Beach Convention Center’s massive $600+ million expansion.

Typically held in December, Art Basel Miami Beach is largely considered the convention center’s marquee event. It is known for attracting some big names including celebrities with deep pockets looking to purchase some of the unique artwork featured each year.

How do you feel about Art Basel Miami Beach’s home remaining secure in the barrier island for the foreseeable future? Would you have preferred to see the event move somewhere else in South Florida?