A valuable find for the times are these attractive super lightweight chains for men and women to hold face masks. And better yet, this face mask chain jewelry is made in Miami. Even my super picky good friend who worked for a “who’s who” of the Italian fashion industry bought not just one, but several. We were snapping them up like hotcakes.
“Must Have” Fashion Accessory for Now
“Celeb” Artpies and a Stylish Lounge
With a name like Artpie, who wouldn’t be intrigued. I was invited to a shop and figured I’d see a display case with the pies and ordinary tables and chairs. Instead I found an elegant, stylish shop that was like a tea room. It brought to mind a shop in Paris selling macarons. And the Artpies? They are savory and sweet small pies made with fine organic dough, and with names like Coco Chanel, Cleopatra, Grace Kelly, and Ella Fitzgerald. Here’s the scoop on this new destination in Aventura Mall, well worth the trip if you don’t live in the area. And there’s another location in their factory in Little River.
Buya Scores Big with Japanese Street Food
There’s no lack of Japanese restaurants in the Magic City but the menus are pretty predictable. Not so with Miami’s first Japanese pub, Buya Izakaya + Yakitori . Not only is the menu creative, so much so that we had a tough time choosing, but also, the food is downright delicious. It’s not surprising how good it is considering that several of the partners hail from KYU. This is their fourth location, joining St.Petersburg, Florida, Berlin and Potsdam. Service is friendly, prices are reasonable, and dishes are served with two pieces for sharing as this is about small plates.
First Getaway Weekend: Philadelphia
A Philadelphia getaway weekend is perfect for a first long distance trip involving air travel from South Florida. We went for a long weekend and came back wishing we had spent more time. It’s eminently walkable, its art museums offer world class collections of art history’s greats, and it’s a serious eating town. And a very important plus at this point in time, a visit to the place where this nation’s history began, the Constitution was created and Declaration of Independence signed. It all seems more meaningful than ever. Here are more reasons for a visit and tips on what you can do and where to eat in a getaway, including a link to 30 different mini-itineraries designed for special interests.
Join in! 🍾🇫🇷 “French Connection” Culinary Celebration Oct.28
Four leading South Florida restaurants are going all out with special prix fixe celebration dinners for take out or dine in along with a Zoom dinner party on October 28. No wonder they’re going all out – it’s in honor of the birthday of Auguste Escoffier described as “the king of chefs and the chef of kings” and the founder of Modern Cuisine. The event is spearheaded by culinary organization Les Dames d’Escoffier’s South Florida chapter (proud to say I’m a member).
Miami Eating News – Oct.’20
Lots of eating news this month with more new restaurants in Miami, notable re-openings, places to enjoy music with your meal, star gourmet purveyor, top rotisserie chicken, and other foodie news you’ll want to know about.
Best Boat Rental in Miami and Watersports : 7 Picks
It’s not surprising that boat rentals in Miami have soared during COVID-19. It seems that whenever I look out my balcony onto Biscayne Bay I see boaters, kayakers, paddleboaters and water skiers. Especially with not a lot of other things going on, and being on the water can be an easy place for social distancing, all matter of water sports is a great thing to do these days. How about it? Here are seven picks for the best boat rental in Miami, yacht rentals, cruises, and other watersport rentals.
My Top Spot for Shoes
Looking for flats — classic ballerinas in many neutral shades and fashion forward styles with a European sensibility — along with sneakers and espadrilles? One of my favorite shoe stores in Miami is Menina Step. Their shoes are solid quality, made in Spain and a steal. When I go shoe shopping , times that I do buy it’s seldom more than one pair. Seeing their new collection I bought four pair and the total cost? Under $300.
Popular Miami Entertainment Spot, Palace Bar, is Back!
Missing live entertainment (where you can socially distance of course)? Head on to South Beach institution the Palace Bar Miami and its drag show. Their slogan,” Every Queen Needs a Palace”. I hadn’t been there but heard good things about it from friends, and I was dying to “mix it up” as I say, do something different and great fun. We reserved for weekend brunch, the early seating, which comes with a two hour show with five performers. There are also evening performances of its Drag Show in Miami seven nights a week. After going, I can see how it’s managed to be successful for over 30 years.
PURSEonality Exhibit: Not to Be Missed
The average woman owns 7 to 14 handbags depending on which survey you read. Irene Hochberg Wood has over 4000, the largest independent handbag collection in the US. Three hundred of those are now on display at the Coral Gables Museum in PURSEonality, a not to be missed exhibit in honor of the museum’s tenth anniversary. Special events are on tap, too, to meet the collector; a talk with a decorated Python hunter and bag designer from the Everglades and the CEO producing the bags.