I recently visited South Florida for my first time in more than two years. Whereas I am used to going there over the Christmas holidays, this time my family and I chose to do so during the March School Break.
We were based in Sunny Isles Beach, known as Florida’s Riviera. Located midway between downtown Miami and Fort Lauderdale, with easy access to business centers, Sunny Isles also includes entertainment, sports and recreational facilities, and tourist attractions.
Almost one million vacationers visit Sunny Isles Beach annually to enjoy the two and a half mile-long fine sand beach and outdoor amenities such as water sports, boating, fishing, and tennis as well as the abundant shopping, dining and entertainment options nearby. The landmark fishing pier is a local favorite while the beautiful Samson Oceanfront Park provides a children’s play area and space to relax; meet friends and enjoy the sunrise. The city is experiencing a major redevelopment renaissance on the east side of Collins Avenue, the main thoroughfare. Zoning laws ensure that view corridors and beach access pathways will always offer residents a life with a view. To the west of Collins Avenue, the City is building parks, improving the infrastructure and laying the groundwork for future redevelopment.
THE ACQUALINA: Here is some news about the Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach (www.acqualinarresort.com), unquestionably the most extraordinary property in Sunny Isles Beach. We had the opportunity to spend part of a day there in the comforts of a cozy cabana where we enjoyed a delicious lunch from the poolside Costa Grill. The Acqualina entered 2012 with a splash, receiving award recognitions from AAA, Spas of America, Trip Advisor and U.S. News & World Report. The award winning resort is a coveted member of The Leading Hotels of the World and a premier Florida retreat boasting 4.5 beachfront acres with 400 feet of stunning Atlantic coastline. With the first ESPA-branded spa in the United States and the famed Il Mulino New York restaurant, Acqualina is the ideal relaxation and rejuvenation retreat for refined travelers.
The resort received the following awards: 2012 AAA Five Diamond Hotel Award for the third consecutive year; 2012 Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice Award – Top Luxury Hotel in the U.S; Spas of America Top 100 Spa’s of 2011 – #1 Florida, #5 Beach Experience, #29 Worldwide; 2011 U.S. News & World Report Best Luxury Hotels in the U.S. While we did not stay overnight, from those I know who have had the pleasure the selection of rooms offer magnificent views of the Intracoastal Waterway or the piercing blue Atlantic Ocean. Their onsite spa has been recognized for its lasting elegance on the beach. In addition to the facility’s eleven multi-functional treatment rooms, four spa treatment rooms, and a private spa suite for two, ESPA at Acqualina also provides every guest with the chance to enjoy the beautiful outdoor terrace with a spa pool, heated jet pool, and Roman waterfall – all set against the gorgeous backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.
Our visit was just prior to the much anticipated opening of the Piazzetta at Acqualina, a modern marketplace concept which will transport guests to an Italian town square. The Tuscany-inspired marketplace offers light meals, bottled wines, olive oils, sauces, oven-baked pizzas, crostinis, paninis, salads, meats, teas and a coffee corner boasting 21 specialty coffees in a relaxed and inviting setting. It is open to the public and I hope to check it out next year.
The Acqualina is owned by ‘the other Trumps.” Brothers Jules and Eddie, the sons of a South African tailor known as “Willie,” have no financial, philosophical or even familial ties to Donald Trump. Over the years they have quietly built an empire on luxury real estate development, one which includes Williams Island (named after their dad), an 82-acre posh preserve for the rich in Aventura and Luxuria in Boca Raton, seaside condos that include flat-screen televisions in the bathrooms
For more information on Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach, please visit www.acqualina.com. For reservations, please call 305-918-6777 or 888-804-4338.
DINING OUT: My family and I had two particularly extraordinary meals: the Acqualina is also home to Il Mulino New York (www.ilmulinonewyork.com) while in North Miami Beach, we sampled a much talked about kosher spot called Grill Time (www.grilltimerestaurant.com).
Dining at Il Mulino New York (www.ilmulinonewyork.com) is an experience from the moment you walk through the door.. Renowned for its bustling and energetic atmosphere, market fresh daily specials, extensive selection of fine Italian wines and an impeccably polished wait staff, this is one of more than a dozen (and counting) Il Mulino locations. It has already become a much sought-after establishment, frequented by both locals and visitors in the know.
The 110-seat indoor restaurant spreads onto a 24-seat veranda overlooking the ocean. Service here is absolutely spectacular. Experienced Maitre ‘D Tino Ponti Corvo is there to greet you while regional director of operations Jason Rodriguez is often on site and your contact to book private functions.
The menu draws upon the rustic and hearty Abruzzi region in Italy with complimentary antipasto tastings of soppresatta, bruschetta, reggiano parmesan, fried zucchini and garlic/cheese bread sticks, and dishes like rack of lamb (a half rack will probably be sufficient), scampi oreganta, veal picata and langoustines, with old-world service and tableside cooking provided by the staff. Ask for the fish specials, such as dover sole. Delicious sides include rosemary potatoes and risotto. The tortellini soup is simply the best of its kind I have ever tasted while the Caesar salad gets high marks as well. We tried the octopus this time, which everyone shared happily. I was astounded upon our arrival that despite a two and a half interval since the last visit, our section captain Gustavo not only remembered me – he recalled exactly what I ordered.
The wine list includes over 200 selections of Italian varieties and guests are offered a complimentary glass of signature house Grappa prepared by Tino himself. Also on the dessert menu, the flourless chocolate cake, the tiramisu and the fruit platter are to die for. We actually watched with amazement as Gustavo prepared the latter from scratch before our very eyes. It looked like an extravagant piece of art when he finished.
If there are kids in your party make a request for waiter. When the child in our party asked for langoustines (prawns), Jose returned to the table with a sampling of what to choose. “This one’s name is Sophia and the other is Mario,” he joked. “Which one do you want?”
Now for a word about Grill Time.
Growing up in the Tel Aviv area of Israel, brothers Lior and Neal Karni learned the art of the restaurant business from their father Gershon. Eight years ago they decided to move to America, settling in North Miami Beach, Florida and launching Grill Time. Located in a small strip shopping center at 16145 Biscayne Boulevard, Grill Time seats 120 and is consistently filled to capacity. Here you will find a loyal following of regular customers and tourists from around the world. The charismatic Lior works the front. Beginning at lunchtime, he greets diners on a first name basis. Neal focuses on the kitchen, regularly coming up with trendy new menu items. There are many Israelis among the staff.
“We started in this business when we were little boys,” said Lior. “My father gave us the potatoes and told us to start peeling. We knew this was our future.”
The brothers bought an existing restaurant called Grill Time and totally overhauled the interior, menu and the staff. “To this day two of our chefs have been with us since day one while the others came a couple of years later,” Lior says. “The same can be said for our servers. Customers appreciate consistency. We do not have to advertise. The locals and the tourists know who we are.”
Decorated in a gold cream colour scheme, Grill Time is set in a modern atmosphere with a touch of French Italian ambiance. The Karnis work closely with their partners, fellow Israelis the Yousafans, who operate the New York City part of the business. This includes the popular Sushi Metsuyan dining establishment.
Grill Time is distinctive because it is so much more than meets the eye. You walk in thinking Middle Eastern food, but you find a variety of international dishes that will engage both your eyes and your appetite. The Karnis believe that in order to make a restaurant a success, you must strive to set yourself apart from the crowd and be unique. One of the ways they have added enticement is by serving nine complimentary fresh house salads to your table with all entrees.
A typical Grill Time experience begins with a variety of Israeli-style fusion appetizers: warm pita, hummus, chick peas, sweet chilli cauliflower, vegetable eggplant, potato salad and more.
The rib eye steak offers a taste that exceeds words and is only one of many house specialties while the baby lamb ribs are so soft, they melt in your mouth. Beef sliders are juicy enough that you do not need to even garnish them with mustard or ketchup. Another favourite is the Chilean sea bass filet, surrounded by roasted garlic and broiled in sambuca and herbs that has a rich yet delicate flavor. Salmon and tilapia dishes are available as well. All entrees are served with tomatoes and grilled onions, steamed vegetables and choice of roasted potatoes, home-style mashed potatoes, rice, majadra or french fries. Their specialty drink list includes smoothies with an assortment of tropical fruit flavors.
As for desserts, the chocolate soufflé/volcano (for four), is a soft warm cake surrounded by sinfully rich chocolate filling, adorned by powdery sugar and sweet whipped cream while the Bavaria, topped with a rich white cream and layered with sweet biscuits, is to die for.
So what does dad think about the restaurant? “He comes to visit at least once a year and heads right into the kitchen,” Lior says. “He’ll inspect the food and give us some advice. I think he is proud that we followed the family tradition. Everything here, except the pita bread, is homemade.”
Grill Time is open Sunday through Thursday for lunch and dinner and Fridays for lunch only, serving up until 4:30 p.m. For more information call 786-274-8935. You can access their full menu on the website.
ELSEWHERE IN MIAMI: Some 50 years after he started accumulating cars, developer Michael Dezer has unveiled his massive collection of automobiles (and other gadgets) together — valued at about $140 million — in more than 250,000 square feet of brightly painted, broadly themed warehouses in North Miami to display publicly at the Dezer Collection Museum & Pavilion. Divided into two buildings (which each cost $25 to tour), the museum boasts more than 1,000 pieces, including at least 600 cars. “Cars of the Stars,” featuring vehicles that appeared on the big and small screens, will be most recognizable. But car buffs can also explore American oldies, European classics, bikes, motorcycles, electric cars, micro cars, military vehicles and — starting in April — a James Bond wing valued at $15 million.
There’s also an on-site art gallery, which opened late last year with two exhibitions: one dedicated to the work of former model and photographer Bunny Yeager and another featuring art that originated in Berlin. Future plans include a wax museum and outdoor drive-in theater. Dezer, prevously kept some of the vehicles in a private collection at the Trump International Beach Resort that he developed with son Gil in Sunny Isles Beach. Other of the family’s properties, including the Howard Johnson Plaza Dezerland Beach & Spa in the northern part of Miami Beach, incorporate classic cars and 50s themes in their design. Built with events in mind, the museum features a synagogue and several rooms that can host birthday parties, weddings, corporate events, bar or bat mitzvahs or circumcision rituals. An indoor “drive-in” theater with seats in old cars will be available for photo slideshows or videos of the honoree. When not in private use, the screen will show old Bond movies. For more information, visit www.dezercollection.com.
Local music industry vets, nightlifers, and eco-gurus have created Wynwood Green: a lush 12,000 sqft field boxed in by graffiti-lined walls, and providing fun ways to save the earth. Scheduled every last Sunday of the month, the event will host fun eco-conscious activities, local vendors, and a live music-filled party. The event has been introduced with the intention of bringing the community together in Wynwood for events that inspire minds to think green and experience something new. Working in collaboration with 305Green, I Am Your Villain, Ground Up Collective and WVUM monthly events will be scheduled with Farmer’s Markets, half-pipes, educational presentations about environmentally friendly ways to live and will include fun things to do for the whole family in Miami…and it’s OUTSIDE! Read more: http://thrillist.com//entertainment/miami/33127/wynwood/wynwood-green-_events#ixzz1lEmabrQj
Miami-Dade Transit has decided to operate a new Metrorail line directly to Miami International Airport from the Dadeland South Station when the extension to MIA opens in the summer of 2012. Originally, county transit officials had also considered running only a shuttle-like service between MIA and the Earlington Heights Station, which would have required airport passengers to switch trains. The decision to run a direct train, without transfer, came only hours after members of the Miami Downtown Development Authority voted unanimously to urge Miami-Dade Transit to run the direct service.
Keep up to date on the area via The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), a non-profit sales and marketing organization whose mission is to attract visitors to Greater Miami and the Beaches for leisure, business and conventions. For a vacation guide visit their website at www.MiamiAndBeaches.com or call 1-888-76-Miami (US/Canada only) or 305-447-7777. To reach the GMCVB offices dial 305-539-3000. Meeting planners may call 1-800-933-8448 (US/Canada only) or 305-539-3071 or visit www.MiamiMeetings.com. Follow GMCVB on Twitter: @miamiandbeaches or on Facebook: Facebook.com/miamiandbeaches.