In the north, in the dead of winter, snow falls, cold winds blow and freezing temperatures chill you to the marrow. But in Miami, midwinter, the sun shines, warm sea breezes envelope you and the 76-degree temp warms your body.
If a balmy vacation is on your mind, head to South Beach or downtown Miami and turn your winter sojourn into a memorable exploration of off the beaten path adventures.
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(Photo courtesy of Dwight Brown)
Pool area at the National Hotel in South Beach.
7 Cool Places for Dining, Wining and Playing Around. Hidden Gems.
1. Il Mulino New York, South Beach -- If you've ever traveled to Italy and eaten its finest cuisine, returning to the States and going out for Italian food is often a disappointment. The food doesn't taste the same. Unless, you go to an upscale, elegant restaurant like Il Mulino New York in South Beach's trendy South of Fifth neighborhood. This sophisticated eatery takes great pains to bring its customers the finest qualities of Italian cuisine in their perfectly decorated, well serviced and friendly restaurant.
Il Mulino New York, with its lush white interior and walls filled with glossy prints, fits in with the neighborhood's ritzy aura. You'll feel at home the minute you walk in, before you've even had a morsel. As the attentive service staff surrounds you, and you eye the perfectly curated wine list and tempting menu, you'll know this is pure, luxury dining. The kind you'd expect in Milan, Venice and Florence.
Hints: 1.) Sip on the Pinot Grigio Conte Brandolini from Venice, Italy or the Notorious Pink Rose from Provence, France. Enjoy the delicate tastes. 2.) Start with the Langostino (jumbo prawns with risotto or sautéed spinach). 3.) Go for the delectable Ravioli Ai Porcini with Champagne and Truffle Cream Sauce as your pasta dish. 4.) The tasty Branzino, whole roasted or grilled Mediterranean sea bass, is perfect. 4.) Watching the waiter prepare the fiery Grand Marnier Flambé Oranges for dessert is so thrilling you'll want to calm yourself down with a glass of homemade grappa (limoncello, fragola and other seasonal flavors), the after-dinner drink.
2. American Social Bar & Kitchen, Brickell Location -- If you're a recluse, this is not the place for you. If you want to get out and socialize, especially with revelers who love a cold beer as much as watching football, basketball or baseball on large screen TVs, then this place will be your castle. Customers are laughing, talking and smiling. The bartenders are warm and friendly. This is where you go for meat, potatoes and to watch the Super Bowl, NBA Playoffs or MLB World Series.
The setting in the high-ceiling main rooms is festive, a DJ plays the hottest cuts and the atmosphere is electric. The outdoor space is more serene with a view of the Miami River where yachts pull up and dock as casually as cars going through the drive-thru at Wendy's.
Hints: 1.) Drink up. Pick a local beer like the Biscayne Bay Saison. Or sip on the bar's signature drink AmSo Mule, made with Tito's Handmade Vodka, ginger puree, ginger beer and fresh limes. 2.) One of the house specialties is the scrumptious Rock Shrimp Tacos with Florida salsa, iceberg lettuce, coconut cheese sauce and avocado mousse. 3.) For the meat course, go big or go home. Feast on the Niman Ranch Strip Loin, a 10oz cut with porcini powder, butter roasted mushrooms, truffle butter and served with duck fat fries.
3. Smith & Wollensky Miami Beach South Pointe Park -- The Smith & Wollensky steakhouse chain has hubs in New York. Boston, Chicago, Columbus, Houston, Vegas, London and its most idyllic location is in South Beach, at the southernmost tip of the swank South Pointe Park. The backdrop is the Government Cut Channel, a waterway that cruise ships, freighters and yachts navigate as they head from the Atlantic Ocean into the Port of Miami.
In the distance you'll see the downtown Miami skyline, condo buildings/hotels in South Beach and at dusk gorgeous sunsets. Palm trees line the waterfront. Dine outside with the smell of the sea, or inside in any of the newly renovated dining rooms or private event spaces that often have dramatic water views.
If a balmy vacation is on your mind, head to South Beach or downtown Miami and turn your winter sojourn into a memorable exploration of off the beaten path adventures.
7 Cool Places for Dining, Wining and Playing Around. Hidden Gems.
1. Il Mulino New York, South Beach -- If you've ever traveled to Italy and eaten its finest cuisine, returning to the States and going out for Italian food is often a disappointment. The food doesn't taste the same. Unless, you go to an upscale, elegant restaurant like Il Mulino New York in South Beach's trendy South of Fifth neighborhood. This sophisticated eatery takes great pains to bring its customers the finest qualities of Italian cuisine in their perfectly decorated, well serviced and friendly restaurant.
Il Mulino New York, with its lush white interior and walls filled with glossy prints, fits in with the neighborhood's ritzy aura. You'll feel at home the minute you walk in, before you've even had a morsel. As the attentive service staff surrounds you, and you eye the perfectly curated wine list and tempting menu, you'll know this is pure, luxury dining. The kind you'd expect in Milan, Venice and Florence.
Hints: 1.) Sip on the Pinot Grigio Conte Brandolini from Venice, Italy or the Notorious Pink Rose from Provence, France. Enjoy the delicate tastes. 2.) Start with the Langostino (jumbo prawns with risotto or sautéed spinach). 3.) Go for the delectable Ravioli Ai Porcini with Champagne and Truffle Cream Sauce as your pasta dish. 4.) The tasty Branzino, whole roasted or grilled Mediterranean sea bass, is perfect. 4.) Watching the waiter prepare the fiery Grand Marnier Flambé Oranges for dessert is so thrilling you'll want to calm yourself down with a glass of homemade grappa (limoncello, fragola and other seasonal flavors), the after-dinner drink.
2. American Social Bar & Kitchen, Brickell Location -- If you're a recluse, this is not the place for you. If you want to get out and socialize, especially with revelers who love a cold beer as much as watching football, basketball or baseball on large screen TVs, then this place will be your castle. Customers are laughing, talking and smiling. The bartenders are warm and friendly. This is where you go for meat, potatoes and to watch the Super Bowl, NBA Playoffs or MLB World Series.
The setting in the high-ceiling main rooms is festive, a DJ plays the hottest cuts and the atmosphere is electric. The outdoor space is more serene with a view of the Miami River where yachts pull up and dock as casually as cars going through the drive-thru at Wendy's.
Hints: 1.) Drink up. Pick a local beer like the Biscayne Bay Saison. Or sip on the bar's signature drink AmSo Mule, made with Tito's Handmade Vodka, ginger puree, ginger beer and fresh limes. 2.) One of the house specialties is the scrumptious Rock Shrimp Tacos with Florida salsa, iceberg lettuce, coconut cheese sauce and avocado mousse. 3.) For the meat course, go big or go home. Feast on the Niman Ranch Strip Loin, a 10oz cut with porcini powder, butter roasted mushrooms, truffle butter and served with duck fat fries.
3. Smith & Wollensky Miami Beach South Pointe Park -- The Smith & Wollensky steakhouse chain has hubs in New York. Boston, Chicago, Columbus, Houston, Vegas, London and its most idyllic location is in South Beach, at the southernmost tip of the swank South Pointe Park. The backdrop is the Government Cut Channel, a waterway that cruise ships, freighters and yachts navigate as they head from the Atlantic Ocean into the Port of Miami.
In the distance you'll see the downtown Miami skyline, condo buildings/hotels in South Beach and at dusk gorgeous sunsets. Palm trees line the waterfront. Dine outside with the smell of the sea, or inside in any of the newly renovated dining rooms or private event spaces that often have dramatic water views.