Author Archives: timallen

Discover Espanola Way

Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road in Miami Beach draw a lot of the attention among locals and tourists looking to explore the barrier island but when is the last time you visited Espanola Way? Nestled between 16th and 14th Street, this best kept secret of sorts is brimming with a great ambiance, plenty of culture, and lots of wonderful places to enjoy a good meal.

Espanola Way received a $2 million makeover turning it into one of Miami Beach’s friendliest pedestrian-only streets. Exploring the street which has been around since the 1920s is like walking around the romantic streets of Paris or the popular Greenwich Village in New York. Despite the strong European architecture, the aesthetic is officially known as Mediterranean Revival.

If you have the time, make sure to drop by Espanola Way on Wednesdays between the hours of four o’clock to seven o’clock in the evening. That’s when the street turns into a giant happy hour celebration. If you can’t make it on Wednesday, you can enjoy Salsa night on Thursdays, Flamenco Fridays, or Samba on Saturdays.

When Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road are too bust, visit Espanola Way and you may find it to be a refreshing change of pace.
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.

Florida’s Best Bar Is in Miami Beach

When you think of the best bars in South Florida, what comes to mind? Maybe your mind drifts to Miami Beach, but is there a certain bar on the barrier island? Only one bar in the city earned itself a spot as one of the world’s top 100 bars, and that distinction goes to Sweet Liberty on 20^th Street.

Sweet Liberty came in 67^th place in the list of the best bars in the world. The annual ranking is determined by a group of drink experts from different parts of the world. Besides achieving the major distinction, Sweet Liberty can also boast it was the only bar in the entire state of Florida to make the esteemed list.

The drinks at Sweet Liberty include colorful names backed up by great ingredients. You can sip on something like the amusingly named Basic Bitch made with St. Germain, Aylesbury Duck Vodka, lemon, and Prosecco strawberry. Maybe the Dancing Queen is more your thing. The pandan leaf stock, Absolut Elyx, offcuts oleo, fresh pineapple, and Ancho Verde is even served in an appropriately themed disco ball bowl.

Sweet Liberty is open from 4 pm to 5 am Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5 am on Sundays.

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.

The South Beach Wine & Food Festival Returns with New Events

Only a couple of months remaining before the arrival of the 2020 South Beach Wine & Food Festival. AS one of the most popular events in South Florida, it continues to change and expand each year. The 2020 will continue this trend, featuring several new events. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

On Saturday, February 22, Miami Beach’s popular North Beach Bandshell will serve as the venue for the Nu Deco Ensemble Concert. From the wine and spirits and snacks provided by the Politan Row Miami food hall, it promises to be a lot of fun. Musician, actor, and rapper Joseph Simmons (better known to the public as Rev. Run) is also expected to make an appearance.

Adam Richman is hosting the Sips & Dips event over at the Beach Club at 1 Hotel South Beach, also on Saturday, February 22. Enjoy the spritz cocktails while munching down on finger food and various bites you can plunge into some unusual dips.

Are you willing to travel up to Broward County? If so, Sandwich Showdown brings together the best chefs in the county as they present their sandwich creations paired with a variety of beer, wine, or cocktails. The event is being hosted by Jeff Mauro of the Food Network.

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 Spice in Miami Beach

When dining out with a large group of people, there’s always the risk of someone ordering too much or someone sneaking away to use the restroom when it’s time to pay the bill. During Miami Spice, this becomes practically a non-issue thanks to the fixed-price lunch ($22) and dinner ($39) menus available at numerous restaurants. In case you need a suggestion or two on where to dine, consider the following options.

Examining the menu options at The Bazaar by Jose Andres on Collins Avenue is a Herculean effort thanks to the 50+ choices available. You may wish to consider the Cuban coffee-rubbed rib eye topped with a sauce that tastes a lot like passion fruit. For dessert, you can’t go wrong with the S’mores chocolate cake or the key lime pie.

Also on Collins Avenue is the Mediterranean-inspired Byblos at South Beach’s Royal Palm Hotel. This perennial Miami Spice participant its habibi marguerite and if you’re a fan of lamb, there is lots to choose from. Another cool thing about this place? The Miami Spice menu includes the choice of two appetizers.

What are some of the Miami Spice restaurants you’ve found offer great meals plus a great ambiance for group outings?

Could the Beach Connector Make Life Easier

When you’ve been stuck in slow-moving traffic on the Julia Tuttle, MacArthur, or the Venetian, there has probably been a moment where you’ve wished there were other ways of getting to and from Miami Beach. This may indeed happen in the form of a new rail transportation being evaluated by the Miami Dade County Commission.

Called the Beach Connector, the proposal is being discussed which would involve a rail connecting Miami’s downtown area and its neighbor across Biscayne Bay, Miami Beach. The project has been in the works in some form for over two decades but there has yet to be anything finalized in seeing it come to fruition. As tourism shows gains year after year and generations like millennials choose other means of transportation beyond driving, another way to get around from South Florida’s perennially trendy barrier island could prove useful in giving Florida’s traffic infrastructure some room to breathe. Additionally, it could be monumental in assuaging the woes countless locals and tourists face on weekends and holidays when trying to find parking on the beach, which tends to laboriously difficult.

There is still lots of discussions and paperwork the Beach Connector will need to go through before it sees the light of day. Do you think it will ease the connection between downtown and Miami Beach?

Welcome Your Pet to Miami Beach

Summer in South Florida is an experience that will leave wonderful memories and provides fun for every member of the family. Speaking of family, many of us consider our pets to be important members of the family. You may not want to leave them behind when you’re ready to go on vacation and thankfully, Miami has plenty of pet-friendly hotels.

Right here in Miami Beach, Casa Faena is all about the glitz and the glam. One of the coolest features of this posh hotel is you won’t need to pay an extra fee to bring your pooch along for the stay. Pets are free but you can always shell out some extra fees if you want to make sure Fido or Fluffy have enough toys or a super comfy bed.

Joining Casa Faena when it comes to style is the W South Beach which has earned a reputation for the many celebrities often spotted there. You and your pooch are treated like VIP. The hotel has a P. A. W. (Pets Are Welcome) where your four-legged friend will receive the VIP treatment, from tasty treats to toys and a pet tag at no extra cost.

At the COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach it’s all about enjoying the quiet ambiance. For just $50 a night your pet can join you at this quiet hotel located in the historic area of the barrier island.

Discover the Story of Sam the Jet Pilot in Miami Beach

Let us tell you a story about a jet pilot who went by the name of Sam. One day, while he was out and about exploring the Pacific Islands and jamming to some Harry Belafonte, he became so distracted he flew right into the smoke of an erupting volcano! Thankfully, Sam survived and even managed to salvage a bottle of rum from the wreckage. The legend of Sam would continue for generations and his story now continues at the appropriately named Jet Pilot.

Okay so the story may be fictional, but Jet Pilot is a real thing. This pop-up tiki bar is set to emerge at the Kimpton Angler’s Hotel and will show up there every Friday beginning this Friday, August 16. Expect to see the Sixth Street side of the hotel become an inviting tiki oasis complete with flamingos, bamboo umbrellas, torches, and more. During your visit, be sure to try the Jet Pilot cocktail made with ingredients like grapefruit juice, absinthe, and cinnamon.

Jet Pilot will be sticking around until Thanksgiving before the legend of Sam the jet pilot will disappear to welcome the arrival of Sippin’ Santa in time for the holiday season.

Jet Pilot at Kimpton Angler’s Hotel will be located at 660 Washington Avenue.

Enjoy Miami Spice on Lincoln Road

We’re beyond excited for the start of Miami Spice on August 1st. The annual dining promotion invites South Florida locals and tourists to enjoy a three-course lunch or dinner for $23 and $39, respectively. This year’s list of participating restaurants is even larger than in previous years, but for purposes of this blog, we’re going to narrow our focus to a pair of restaurants on Lincoln Road.

Are you thinking about choosing Meat Market? You’ll have the option of six distinct appetizers such as celery root hummus, East Coast oysters, tuna tartare for an additional fee, or ceviche. As for entrees, choose from a ten-ounce prime rib-eye steak or go for the smaller six-ounce filet mignon. Other options include crab-encrusted ocean blue cobia, and more. When it’s time for dessert, chow down on Fireman Derek’s red velvet cake with vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce topping.

Juvia has often been name-checked as being among the best of the barrier island, and Miami Spice is the perfect opportunity to give it a shot. The restaurant will have appetizers such as Parmesan crumble caesar salad, huevos rancheros, and watermelon salad with feta cheese. When it’s time for the entree, choose from vegetable fricassee, lamb shank with mashed potato, and more.

Have a Summer Meal at These Top Rated Spots

It’s only been seven days since it began but hopefully, you’ve been taking advantage of the Miami Spice promotion where a number of restaurants are offering discounted three-course lunch and dinner menus. The following places may or may not be participating in Miami Spice but Miami New Times recently singled them out.

We’ll begin with a spot right here in Miami Beach you may have already heard about it: Time Out Market. Since it opened back in Miami, this massive food hall has welcomed some of the best chefs in town and it features a trio of bars, lots of different food options, and even an exhibition kitchen. Time Out Market’s address is 1601 Drexel Avenue.

If you’re heading over to Miami, stop by Bon Gout BBQ to try its menu consisting of longtime favorites like chicken, ribs, brisket, and plenty of Caribbean-inspired food items. Definitely try the griot (it’s the house specialty) before heading out.

Also in Miami on Eighth Street is Cafe La Trova. Spending some time in here is like going back into the past of the island nation of Cuba where guests are served delicious daiquiris by red vest outfitted bartenders as a live band plays trova and jazz.

Enjoy Miami Beach like an Influencer

Few would argue that Miami Beach is among South Florida’s most picturesque cities. With its gorgeous Art Deco buildings, the various art installations, the stunning hotels, and the sunny beach itself, it’s a playground for anyone who is a photography enthusiast or even someone who considers themselves an influencer.

An influencer is a person who maintains an avid following on social media platforms like Instagram and has become something of an authority on a certain topic, able to influence their thousands of followers into trying a new product or service, for instance. You’ll find several South Florida influencers on Instagram or you can carve out your own experience this summer and see what the barrier island has to offer without relying on what an influencer thinks you should do.

The Shore Club, for example, features the gorgeous SkyBar or you can visit the steps of Casa Casuarina, the famous mansion that was once the home of the late fashion designer Gianni Versace. If food and drink is your thing, you can try some of the cocktails at the bar called Scapegoat or a Wagyu beef burger at Bungalow-by-the-Sea at the Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club.

Do you have any influencer-worthy recommendations?