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Vacation in Miami

  • I'm headed to Miami for the first time, in May. I'm not an "activities" kind of guy on vacation, I prefer to sit by a pool with a cocktail.

    That said, anyone have any restaurant recommendations or can't-miss suggestions?

    Also, I'm staying at the JW Marriott, in downtown Miami, for free. Should I spend some cash to stay in SoBe instead? I'll be with the wife, so I'm sure we'll have a few drinks, but I won't be getting bottle service at clubs or anything crazy.

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    JayFields

  • Need more information: age, favorite types of food, etc.?

    Don't pay extra to stay at the Beach.

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    equanole

  • 32, I was thinking a Latin restaurant and probably an Italian one as well - Il Gabbiano & OLA looked like good options, but I really have no idea.

    Thanks for the tip on the hotel, I'm always happy to save a grand.

    This post was edited by JayFields on 3/31/2012 at 9:31 AM

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    JayFields

  • Will you have a car?

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    equanole

  • Il Gabbiano is good, but it's expensive. It's more modern Italian than the classical Italian that a lot of people think of. It's very close to your hotel, so that's certainly a plus. I would recommend my favorite Italian restaurant, but I wouldn't want you foraying into that part of Miami as it's quite seedy.

    There are tons of great places in the Design District which is about 40 blocks north of Downtown.

    One of my favorite restaurants is Michy's, which is owned by Michelle Bernstein and it is wonderful. Expensive, but if you're in the mood to splurge I can't recommend it enough.

    Never been to OLA, but do you want more authentic Cuban food or upscale Cuban? OLA is at the beach and is very expensive and not so much typical "Cuban," as Cuban food is unpretentious and shouldn't be terribly expensive. This is Miami, where there are Cuban places everywhere. I certainly wouldn't go all the way out to the beach for that type of food.

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    equanole

  • equanole said...

    Will you have a car?

    I'm not planning on it. I assume I can cab around for the small amount of travel I'm expecting to do.

    But, I could rent a car.

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    JayFields

  • equanole said...

    Il Gabbiano is good, but it's expensive. It's more modern Italian than the classical Italian that a lot of people think of. It's very close to your hotel, so that's certainly a plus. I would recommend my favorite Italian restaurant, but I wouldn't want you foraying into that part of Miami as it's quite seedy.

    There are tons of great places in the Design District which is about 40 blocks north of Downtown.

    One of my favorite restaurants is Michy's, which is owned by Michelle Bernstein and it is wonderful. Expensive, but if you're in the mood to splurge I can't recommend it enough.

    Never been to OLA, but do you want more authentic Cuban food or upscale Cuban? OLA is at the beach and is very expensive and not so much typical "Cuban," as Cuban food is unpretentious and shouldn't be terribly expensive. This is Miami, where there are Cuban places everywhere. I certainly wouldn't go all the way out to the beach for that type of food.

    I live in NYC and have lived in Jax, so I'm not expecting Miami to be a total culture shock, but I'm also not planning on wandering around looking for trouble. I'm a white guy who doesn't speak any Spanish, so I probably wouldn't do well in a seedy spot. biggrin

    I'll check out the Design District and Michy's, thanks.

    OLA & Il Gab looked like upscale restaurants with outdoor seating and I was hoping 1 or both would have a good view. Being from the south and living in NYC, I tend to covet eating outside (especially if there's a view). I'd be up for any upscale restaurant that has a good atmosphere though, I'm not tied to those places.

    And, yeah, if I want real cuban, I don't expect to find it in a place like OLA. Sounds like I should probably ditch OLA for Mitchy's though.

    This post was edited by JayFields on 3/31/2012 at 11:40 AM

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    JayFields

  • Sugarcane is my favorite restaurant. Its in the design district. Make a reservation a week or so ahead of time.

    If you like sushi try nobu or bond st (both on south beach). Prime italian is unbelievable, but don't let the waiters pressure you into ordering too much food. You and your wife can easily split a plate. The front porch on ocean drive is a good breakfast/brunch place.

    One more thing...whatever you do, don't visit miami for memorial day

    dnole101

  • If you want a view, I'd recommend the Rusty Pelican. It's on Key Biscayne and offers outside seating with views of the bay and downtown Miami. It's especially nice if you can plan it for sunset.

    http://www.therustypelican.com/rustypelicanmiami/

    Florida State Seminoles -FSU Class of 2010

    nolesfan8

  • cool. thanks for the tips guys.

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    JayFields

  • Theres some great places in Opa-Locka. Lots of shopping and restaurants. There also a cute little neighborhood called Overtown. Really historic and walkable

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    Not guilty y'all got to feel me

    eastcoastghost

  • Don't know if you're already in MIA or what, but if you're looking for restaurant recommendations I would suggest:

    Doraku Sushi (original location on Lincoln Road in South Beach, but new location in Mary Brickell Village right downtown);

    Michael's Genuine Food & Drink - Design District;

    Cafe Versailles - 8th Street just east of Douglas Road (just outside Coral Gables) - Cuban "cuisine"; other people will have better suggestions certainly.

    Il Gabbiano - Equa shot you straight; it's very good but VERY expensive. If you go do not stray from the menu - the "specials" will give you a heart attack when you get the check. Otherwise, if you want to check out Coral Gables there are a ton of restaurants there, but for Italian I'd definitely recommend Ana Capri (on Ponce de Leon Blvd. just south of Miracle Mile). Great food and great drink.

    Scotty's Landing - If you've got an afternoon free and the weather's nice and you want to drink some beers by the water and catch the sunset - on the cheap - I'd recommend making your way to this little place by Miami City Hall. Greasy food and buckets of cold beer. Not too far from where you're staying; just south on Brickell then south on South Miami Avenue.

    Coffee in the morning - Eternity Coffee Roasters - just north of your hotel on SE 2nd Avenue. Owner lives in my building downtown and they do coffee right there.

    That's what I can think of off the top of my head.

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    blounted1 ●

  • eastcoastghost said...

    Theres some great places in Opa-Locka. Lots of shopping and restaurants. There also a cute little neighborhood called Overtown. Really historic and walkable

    Figures you would like those areas.

    FSULaura

  • eastcoastghost said...

    Theres some great places in Opa-Locka. Lots of shopping and restaurants. There also a cute little neighborhood called Overtown. Really historic and walkable

    Overtown is just adorable. Had lunch at a small hole in the wall place last time I visited.. best Nigerian food I've ever had.

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    BTnole

  • Coconut Grove and Collins Ave /Ocean Dr in South Beach

    GO NOLES! / SCALP EM!

    NOLE FAN1 ●

  • Anyone been to Big Pink for a late night meal? Heck, I could go there at any hour of the day. There serve just about everything one can typically find in a diner/restaurant, large portions and prices are reasonable.

    157 Collins Avenue
    Miami Beach, Florida  33139

    http://www.mylesrestaurantgroup.com/

    This post was edited by VinNole923 on 4/11/2012 at 7:48 AM

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    VinNole923

  • VinNole923 said...

    Anyone been to Big Pink for a late night meal? Heck, I could go there at any hour of the day. There serve just about everything one can typically find in a diner/restaurant and large portions.

    http://www.mylesrestaurantgroup.com/

    Been there. Wasn't impressed. Wasn't bad, though.

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    equanole

  • equanole said...

    Been there. Wasn't impressed. Wasn't bad, though.

    I usually go for the steak and eggs there... I'm not recommending this place as a must go to restaurant but if you're hungry and don't have many options, this place usually hits the spot.

    When in Miami, I hit the small mom and pop spots. I rarely ever eat on Ocean and frequent Lincoln Rd for an adult beverage, scenery and food. I have friends who are from Miami and they steer me in the right direction when I'm in town.

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    VinNole923

  • VinNole923 said...

    Anyone been to Big Pink for a late night meal? Heck, I could go there at any hour of the day. There serve just about everything one can typically find in a diner/restaurant, large portions and prices are reasonable.

    157 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, Florida  33139

    http://www.mylesrestaurantgroup.com/

    I used to go back when I was single and running around chasing censored on South Beach. Usually after a night of drinking. Saw a few celebs in there back in the day, most notably Busta Rhymes and Pharrell Williams.

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    blounted1 ●

  • Since you are staying at the JW Marriott you are real close to Mary Brickell Village. If you like seafood, the Oceanaire is supposed to be good. There are several restaurants in this area. Good bars with live music as well. Fado (Irish bar), Blue Martini, and Tobacco Road come to mind. Gordon Biersch (sp) is right next door. South Beach (Ocean Drive) has a bar practically every building. Take your pick. The Rusty Pelican is a nice restaurant with a great view of Miami. It is on over towards Key Biscayne.

    MiamiNole

  • blounted1 said...

    I used to go back when I was single and running around chasing censored on South Beach. Usually after a night of drinking. Saw a few celebs in there back in the day, most notably Busta Rhymes and Pharrell Williams.

    Interesting... I remember seeing Busta there about 7-8 years ago. Haha

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    VinNole923

  • VinNole923 said...

    Interesting... I remember seeing Busta there about 7-8 years ago. Haha

    LOL we were probably there at the same time.

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    blounted1 ●

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