GREETINGS EVERYONE!
I AM BACK FROM MIAMI, AND I HAVE LOTS OF INFO TO SHARE!
FROM THE LUXURIOUS ST. REGIS OR ACQUALINA, TO THE HIP DELANO, TO THE LEGENDARY FONTAINEBLEAU, I’VE GOT THE SCOOP!
LET’S TAKE A “ RESORT TOUR” GOING SOUTHBOUND ON THE MIAMI COAST: 
ACQUALINA RESORT, SUNNY ISLES BEACH
THIS MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE RESORT IS THE ONLY FIVE-STAR HOTEL ON THE BEACH IN MIAMI, AND ITS TUSCAN STYLE IS A STANDOUT!
ONE IF ITS UNIQUE FEATURES IS THAT THE OCEANFRONT HOTEL SUITES ARE ACTUALLY INDIVIDUALLY OWNED CONDOS WHICH ARE RENTED OUT BY THE ACQUALINA AS HOTEL SUITES. THEY ARE BEAUTIFULLY-APPOINTED, ELEGANT, AND FEATURE FULL GOURMET KITCHENS! (NOT THAT I WOULD EVER COOK THERE!)
THERE ARE FOUR POOLS, ONE OF WHICH IS DEDICATED TO THE ESPA SPA.
IF YOU DECIDE TO GET ANY SPA TREATMENTS, YOU WILL DEFINITELY BE PAMPERED AND GET THE “ROYAL TREATMENT”. HOWEVER, EVEN IF YOU DO NOT OPT FOR TREATMENTS, YOU STILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE SPA STEAM ROOMS, SAUNAS, AND
SHOWERS. PEACE AND TRANQUILITY ARE DEFINITELY ACHIEVED IN THIS AMAZING SPA!
ACQUALINA IS ALSO THE HOME OF THE MIAMI LOCATION OF “IL MULINO” RESTAURANT, THE ACCLAIMED NEW YORK RESTAURANT. FINE FOOD, WINE, AND SERVICE ARE JUST STEPS AWAY FROM YOUR ROOM, SO YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO GO VERY FAR TO ENJOY A SPECIAL MEAL!
ALSO, LISTEN UP GENTLEMEN—IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A ROMANTIC IDEA TO PROPOSE TO THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE, ACQUALINA OFFERS BEACHFRONT PRIVATE DINING FOR TWO! AND IT IS EXACTLY THAT -- A TABLE FOR TWO SET UP RIGHT ON THE BEACH WITH A WAIT STAFF THAT WILL TAKE CARE OF YOUR EVERY REQUEST! AND AFTER AN EVENING SUCH AS THIS, BELIEVE ME, SHE WILL SAY YES!!!!!
ACQUALINA OFFERS ALL OF THE AMENITIES, LUXURY, AND ELEGANCE YOU WILL EVER NEED OR WANT! A BIG THUMBS UP!
LET’S CONTINUE OUR TOUR JUST ABOUT TEN MINUTES SOUTH, YOU WILL REACH:
ST. REGIS RESORT, BAL HARBOUR
THIS BRAND NEW RESORT OPENED ITS DOORS IN JANUARY OF 2012, REPLACING THE PREVIOUS SHERATON RESORT. WHAT MAKES THIS RESORT UNIQUE IS ITS HIGH-TECH DESIGN COMBINED WITH THE KEEPING OF TRADITIONAL RITUALS, WHICH THE ST. REGIS PROPERTIES ARE KNOWN FOR. TRADITIONS SUCH AS BUTLER SERVICE, SABERING OF THE CHAMPAGNE AT 7:30 PM, AND TEA SERVICE UPON REQUEST WERE PUT INTO PLACE BY THE ASTOR FAMILY AT THE ORIGINAL ST. REGIS IN NYC. AND THEY ARE KEPT ALIVE HERE IN MIAMI.
UPON ARRIVAL, YOU WILL FIND THAT THE CONTEMPORARY-STYLE, MIRRORED LOBBY IS TRULY DISTINCTIVE. AT THE RECEPTION AREA, YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO STAND OR WAIT IN ANY LINE. YOU ARE INVITED TO SIT AT THE “RECEPTION DESK” WHERE YOU ARE FIRST GREETED BY A LOVELY RECEPTIONIST, AND, IF YOU HAVE OPTED FOR A SUITE, YOUR BUTLER ARRIVES WITH COOL TOWELS AND A GLASS OF VEUVE CHAMPAGNE—MY FAVORITE! AFTER CHECKING IN, THE BUTLER HAPPILY SHOWS YOU HOW TO OPERATE THE HIGH-TECH ELEVATORS. YOU WILL NEVER PRESS A BUTTON FOR A FLOOR NUMBER…JUST SWIPE YOUR ROOM KEY ON THE IN-WALL COMPUTER, AND YOU ARE TOLD WHICH ELEVATOR WILL ARRIVE NEXT SO YOU CAN STAND IN FRONT IT, AND IT WILL TAKE YOU TO YOUR FLOOR, AND ANNOUNCE THAT YOU HAVE ARRIVED!
IN THE ROOM, THERE ARE DIGITAL CONTROLS FOR EVERYTHING, INCLUDING THE DRAPES. IN THE BATHROOM, THERE IS A LARGE MIRROR WHICH DOUBLES AS A TV!
THE PROPERTY OFFERS TWO POOLS, DAY “VILLAS” AND A BEAUTIFUL BEACH! THE DAY “VILLAS” OR “CABANAS” ARE PRIVATE AND INCLUDE LOUNGE CHAIRS AND TABLE AND CHAIRS FOR DINING OUTDOORS. ON THE INSIDE, THERE IS A DAYBED, TV, REFRIGERATOR STOCKED WITH VEUVE AND OTHER DRINKS, AND A FULL BATHROOM WITH SHOWER. AND OF COURSE, YOUR OWN BUTLER WILL CATER TO YOUR EVERY DESIRE! LUXURY TO THE MAX!
NOTHING IS LACKING AT THIS RESORT, NOT TO MENTION THE VERY UPSCALE BAL HARBOUR SHOPS RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET!
ALL OF THIS LUXURY DOES COME WITH A HIGH PRICE TAG, SO DON’T FORGET YOUR CREDIT CARD! FOR THE AFFLUENT LOOKING FOR AN UPSCALE RETREAT, OR IF YOU ARE SAVING UP FOR THAT SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY OR BIRTHDAY, YOU CANNOT GO WRONG THE ST. REGIS!
LET’S TRAVEL DOWN JUST TEN MORE MINUTES SOUTH AND YOU WILL ARRIVE AT:
FONTAINEBLEAU,NORTH BEACH, MIAMI
SINCE THE 1950’S, THE LEGENDARY FONTAINEBLEAU HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR HOSTING MANY TOP-NAME ENTERTAINERS. IT HAS UNDERGONE MANY CHANGES AND HAS CREATED THE “SOUTH BEACH” VIBE IN NORTH BEACH…..TODAY, IT IS STILL KNOWN FOR ITS NIGHTLIFE. IT HAS A NIGHTCLUB, AND THREE BARS, AND SEVERAL LOUNGES. AT “BLEAULIVE”, CELEBRITY ARTISTS SUCH AS LADY GAGA, PITBULL, AND MAROON 5 HAVE PEFORMED, WITH MANY MORE ON THE UPCOMING SCHEDULE.
WHEN YOU ENTER THE LOBBY, THE “BLEAU” BAR STANDS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LOBBY, SURROUNDED BY BLUE LIGHTING BEAMING UP THROUGH THE FLOOR AND SURROUNDING THE CIRCULAR BAR. THE NIGHTCLUB DOESN’T MISS A BEAT, AND CONTINUES RIGHT THROUGH TO THE MORNING HOURS.
THE POOL SCENE IS "DELANO-LIKE", JUST MUCH, MUCH BIGGER.
IT IS DEFINITELY THE PLACE TO SEE AND “BE SEEN”.
“OLD” FONTAINEBLEAU OF THE 50’S—NOT ANYMORE—BUT IT IS SUCCESSFULLY REACHING AND KEEPING ITS MARKET OF THE YOUNG AND PARTY CROWD.
AND TEN MORE MINUTES SOUTH:
DELANO SOUTH BEACH
DELANO IS LOCATED IN THE HEART OF SOUTH BEACH AND WILL DEFINITELY DELIVER THE SOUTH BEACH EXPERIENCE. IT IS AS “CHIC” AS IT GETS. ENTER THE LOBBY, AND FLOWING GRACEFULLY FROM FLOOR TO CEILING ARE MAGNIFICENT WHITE SHEERS. AND STRATEGICALLY PLACED ARE THE COOLEST CHAIRS, SOFAS, AND TABLES YOU WILL EVER SEE.
WHEN YOU THINK DELANO, THINK WHITE, WHITE, WHITE!!!! A LOT OF IT ALL AROUND AND IN THE ROOMS, THE SPA, THE SUSHI BAR, THE POOL, AND THE RESTAURANT WHICH IS APPROPRIATELY NAMED “BIANCA”!!
THE POOLSIDE BAR SCENE IS FUN AND SEXY. POOLSIDE CABANAS AND TWO-STORY BUNGALOWS SURROUND THE LIT POOL. IT’S DEFINITELY A HIP PARTY SCENE FOR THE “YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL”. SO IF YOUTH IS ON YOUR SIDE, OR IN YOUR HEART, GO FOR IT!!
THAT COMPLETES OUR HOTEL TOUR….
NOW LET’S TALK FOOD!!!!!
MANY OF THE TOP NYC RESTAURATEURS HAVE HEADED SOUTH TO MAKE THEIR MARK.
THEY HAVE CREATED A MIAMI WHICH IS EVERY FOODIE’S DREAM COME TRUE…. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO ENJOY A COUPLE.
THE BEST OF THE BEST IS:
IL GABBIANO, BISCAYNE BAY
IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, IL GABBIANO IS THE BEST ITALIAN FOOD YOU WILL FIND IN MIAMI! (AND I KNOW A LITTLE SOMETHING ABOUT ITALIAN FOOD). FOUNDED BY THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF “IL MULINO”, IT IS LOCATED BEHIND THE INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL IN BISCAYNE BAY AND IS TRULY A HIDDEN TREASURE!
GREETED BY A SIX-FOOT TALL ITALIAN BEAUTY WHO HAPPILY ESCORTED US TO OUR TABLE, SHE ENSURED THAT WE WERE SATISFIED WITH ITS LOCATION. THE VIEW IS BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND OUT. THE OUTSIDE SEATING OFFERS A BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF BISCAYNE BAY. THE INSIDE IS ELEGANT AND SIMPLE WITH PLENTY OF ROOM BETWEEN TABLES FOR COMFORT AND PRIVACY. THE CLIENTELE IS SOPHISTICATED AND NOT OVERLY DRESSED. THE WAITERS ARE DRESSED IN WHITE DINNER JACKETS AND ARE ITALIAN, WITH ACCENTS TO PROVE IT! THEY KNOW THE FOOD, THE WINE, AND ALL ABOUT SERVICE!
BEFORE EVEN PLACING OUR ORDER, DISHES OF DELECTABLE APPETIZERS SUCH AS FRIED ZUCCHINI CHIPS, BRUSCHETTA, CHUNKS OF AUTHENTIC PARMIGIANO-REGGIANO CHEESE, AGED BALSAMIC VINEGAR, AND GRILLED PANELLA BREAD WERE PROMPTLY DELIVERED TO OUR TABLE. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, GIGANTIC LANGOUSTINES WERE PRESENTED AS ONE OF THE APPETIZER “SPECIALS”.
OUR WAITER THEN ARRIVED AND EXPLAINED ALL OF THE SPECIALS .
I OPTED FOR TWO SPECIALS. THE APPETIZER WAS THE BURRATA CHEESE AND PROSCIUTTO. THE BURRATA COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE PERFECT—CREAMY BUT NOT TOO WET ON THE INSIDE, THE OUTSIDE KEEPING ITS FORM. THE PROSCIUTTO WAS PERFECTLY AGED, NOT TOO SALTY, AND MELTED IN MY MOUTH!
FOR MAIN COURSE, I ORDERED THE BRANZINO. THIS IS WHERE IT GETS EXCITING FOR A FOODIE LIKE ME! BEFORE SERVING IT, IT WAS BROUGHT TO ME WHOLE AND SALT-BRINED, AS IF LOOKING FOR MY APPROVAL. ALL I COULD SAY WAS “WOW”! THEY DISAPPEARED AND RETURNED WITH BEAUTIFUL SNOW-WHITE FILETS AND PROCEEDED TO DRIZZLE IT WITH A LEMON, OLIVE OIL, GARLIC, AND PARSLEY DRESSING......... JUST LIKE THE SIMPLE ITALIAN DRESSING THAT MY MOM ALWAYS MAKES, AND THAT I KNOW VERY WELL! THE FIRST BITE WAS AN EXPERIENCE THAT IS DIFFICULT TO PUT INTO WORDS. THE TEXTURE AND FLAVOR WERE BEYOND OUTSTANDING! BUTTERY MAY BE THE WORD THAT MAY HELP TO EXPLAIN BOTH, BUT DOES NOT TOTALLY DO IT JUSTICE! BITE AFTER BITE, IT WAS UNDOUBTEDLY THE BEST FISH I HAVE EVER TASTED IN MY ENTIRE LIFE, AND I LET MY WAITER KNOW! MY ONLY DISPPOINTMENT WAS THAT I JUST COULD NOT FINISH IT. THE SIDE ORDERS OF ROASTED POTATOES AND SAUTEED SPINACH WERE THE PERFECT ACCOMPANIMENT.
FOR DESSERT, I KEPT IT VERY SIMPLE AND CLEANSED MY PALATE WITH ORANGE SORBET. MY CAPPUCCINO ARRIVED HOT, WITH A CHOCOLATE SWIRL, SANS THE CINNAMON. IT WAS EXCELLENT!
COURSE AFTER COURSE, BITE AFTER BITE, YOU COULD NOT HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER MEAL! BUT, BRACE YOURSELF FOR THE BILL. IT WILL BE HEFTY BUT WORTH EVERY PENNY.
MANGIA BENE AT “IL GABBIANO”!
NEXT JEAN-GEORGES VONGERICHTEN CREATES:
J&G GRILL, AT THE ST. REGIS RESORT
FLOOR TO CEILING WINDOWS OVERLOOK THE MAIN POOL AND THE OCEAN AT J&G. THE INSIDE IS ELEGANT AND COMFORTABLE. THE WAITERS KNOWLEDGEABLE AND FRENCH.
THEY SAY TIMING IS EVERYTHING, AND SO TRUE ON THIS TRIP. “MIAMI SPICE” TAKES PLACE IN THE MONTHS OF AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, WHEN RESTAURANTS SHOWCASE THEIR SIGNATURE DISHES IN A THREE COURSE MENU.
I TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THIS AT J&G GRILL, ALONG WITH THE WINE PAIRING.
I STARTED WITH A BEET SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE…LIGHT AND REFRESHING.
MAIN COURSE WAS CHICKEN WITH A FOIE GRAS JUS. TASTY AND SUCCULENT.
FOR DESSERT, I CHOSE THE CHOCOLATE DULCE DE LECHE PASTRY. PASTRY CHEF ANTONIO BACHOUR HAS EARNED THE MANY ACCOLADES I HAVE READ ABOUT.
IT WAS UNIQUE, DELICIOUS, AND NOT TOO SWEET.
AN AMAZING MEAL WHICH DID NOT LEAVE ME FEELING OVERSTUFFED. JUST SATISFIED!
JEAN-GEORGES HAS CREATED AN EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE AT J&G!
NOW LET’S TRY A STEAKHOUSE:
PRIME ONE TWELVE, SOUTH BEACH
IN THE HEART OF SOUTH BEACH, THIS IS ANOTHER HOT SPOT FOR THE YOUNG, RICH, AND FAMOUS. BUT BEING NONE OF THESE THREE, IT WAS STILL VERY ENJOYABLE. I PREFER THE OUTDOOR DINING, AS IT IS MUCH QUIETER AND RELAXED THAN THE INDOOR DINING.
IT OFFERS ALL OF THE TYPICAL STEAKHOUSE CHOICES, AND THEY ARE DELICIOUS.
MY CAESAR SALAD WAS LITERALLY ENOUGH FOR SIX PEOPLE! I ORDERED THE SMALLEST FILET MIGNON. IT WAS TENDER AND A PERFECT MEDIUM-RARE, BUT I COULD NOT FINISH IT.
TAKE NOTE THAT EVERYTHING YOU ORDER IS A LA CARTE. AND I MEAN EVERYTHING, EVEN THE GARLIC AND BUTTER SAUCE FOR MY STEAK.
IT STARTS GETTING REAL CROWDED AROUND 10PM. IF YOU WANT THE STEAKHOUSE AND SOUTH BEACH EXPERIENCE WRAPPED UP IN ONE, THIS IS THE PLACE TO GO.
ANOTHER EVENING, NOT WANTING TO GO TOO FAR, I WENT ACROSS THE STREET TO WINDOW SHOP AND HAVE DINNER AT:
IL CARPACCIO, BAL HARBOUR
IL CARPACCIO OFFERS BOTH INSIDE AND OUTDOOR DINING. EARLIER IN THE EVENING, IT IS FAMILY-ORIENTED AND LOUD. AS IT GETS LATER, IT IS MORE OF AN ADULT CROWD.
IT OFFERS BASIC ITALIAN DISHES. I WOULD SUGGEST THE SALAD/PIZZA/PASTA. YOU WILL NOT GO WRONG WITH ANY OF THOSE. IT WAS A LITTLE RUSHED BUT IT SERVED ITS PURPOSE!
WELL THAT CONCLUDES OUR MIAMI TOUR. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT!
IF MY PASSION FOR TRAVEL AND FOOD HAS EARNED YOUR RESPECT, PLEASE ALLOW ME TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR NEXT VACATION…WE’LL MAKE IT MEMORABLE ON ANY BUDGET!
