NEW THIS ISSUE Shari Lynn Rothstein-Kramer on Aventura p. 34 Crystal Brewe on “Kids and the City” p. 51 6 New Restaurants, 235 Total! p. 59

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ybrid homes may be the next such houses can generate some of their But creating an energy-saving stories here are not entirely encourag- big thing. Like the hybrid car, own power, the owners get lower bills house is not as easy as buying a car, and ing. “If I like you, I can’t recommend Hhybrid homes bring together the at the end of the month. Save money not many people in South Florida have that you do this. It would be sadistic,” best practices in power production while and save the planet — sounds like a tried it — or even considered it. The says 50-year-old Albert Harum-Alvarez,

reducing environmental impact. Because no-brainer. three local pioneers who share their Continued on page 14

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September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 3 Contents COVER STORY 1 Off the Grid: Dispatches from the Alt Energy Frontier COMMENTARY 6 Feedback: Letters 12 Jack King: The Season for Swindles OUR SPONSORS 10 BizBuzz COMMUNITY NEWS 28 26 What Would You Pay for 9000 Square Feet? 26 A Rusty Tree Grate Is a Thing of Beauty PO Box 370566, Miami, FL 33137 www.biscaynetimes.com 28 Don’t Call It Street Art 48 PUBLISHER & EDITOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES 28 Parks Don’t Vote, So They’re Easy Targets Jim Mullin Marc Ruehle NEIGHBORHOOD CORRESPONDENTS [email protected] [email protected] 34 Shari Lynn Rothstein-Kramer: The Lemming Effect Nancy Newhart CONTRIBUTORS [email protected] 36 Gaspar González: The Changing Season Victor Barrenchea, Erik Bojnansky, 38 Jen Karetnick: Today’s Entrée Special: Sautéed Sonnet BUSINESS Manager Pamela Robin Brandt, Crystal Brewe, Ileana Cohen 40 Frank Rollason: Not Doomed To Endless Financial Meltdowns Terence Cantarella, Bill Citara, Karen- [email protected] ART & CULTURE Janine Cohen, Wendy Doscher-Smith, Art director 42 Anne Tschida: Experimental Lens on the Landscape Kathy Glasgow, Gaspar González, Marcy Mock 44 Art Listings Margaret Griffis, Jim W. Harper, [email protected] 47 Events Calendar Lisa Hartman, Jen Karetnick, Jack King, Advertising design Cathi Marro, Derek McCann, DP Designs PARK PATROL [email protected] 48 A Serene Circle Amid the Commotion Frank Rollason, Silvia Ros, Shari Lynn Rothstein-Kramer, Jeff Shimonski, CIRCULATION COLUMNISTS Anne Tschida South Florida Distributors 50 Your Garden: New Guy in Town PRINTING 51 Kids and the City: The Best Party Ever Stuart Web, Inc. 52 Pawsitively Pets: Four-Legged Vacuum Cleaners www.stuartweb.com 54 Vino: Chardonnay Does Just Fine, Thank You, Without Oak 55 Word on the Street: Have You Ever Had a Bad Roommate? F oR AdVERTISING INFORMATION CALL 305-756-6200 POLICE REPORTS All articles, photos, and artwork in the Biscayne Times 56 Biscayne Crime Beat are copyrighted by Biscayne Media, LLC. Any duplication or Member of the reprinting without authorized written consent from the publisher Florida Press Association DINING GUIDE is prohibited. 59 Restaurant Listings: 235 Biscayne Corridor Restaurants! 52

4 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 5 Commentary: Feedback Letters to the Editor Jabberwocky and the Dellagloria failed to identify any fiction “Notorious” City Inn in my story. The description of the hotel I represent the limited-liability company was based on my first-hand reporting. that owns the City Inn property and I’m Mr. Dellagloria himself confirmed to writing in regard to Terence Cantarella’s me the county’s revocation of City Inn’s recent article entitled “Mural, Mural on certificate of occupancy, which automati- the Wall” (August 2010). cally results in closure. And the concern In response to the article, first I about high winds was expressed in a would point out that the characterization county document and by the Building of the hotel as being “notorious”; that Department’s spokeswoman. using pejorative terms like “unsavory characters” and “unsuspecting tourists,” Chris to Jen: Here’s a One- and alluding to “girls on the corner,” is Way Ticket to Chicago — hardly quality reporting. It is editorial- My Treat! izing in the guise of reporting and should I must be a masochist. Why else would I be beneath any publication that wants to continue to pick up Biscayne Times each take itself seriously. month and peruse Jen Karetnick’s latest More important, and more to the bit of nonsense? Please tell me, Mr. BT point, the article was incorrect about Publisher, you keep printing her garbage many of the statements made. just to get attention. The Hotel is closed voluntarily by She’s just plain awful. There really the owner; any implication that the county is no other way to describe it. was responsible is misleading and incor- Her latest griping swill entitled rect. The hotel is undergoing renovations “The Virtuous Recycler” (August 2010) for the upcoming winter season, and any implies that washing things out before issues the county has will be resolved. you put them in the recycling is simply As to the statement by the county too much work. Likewise picking up representative that there is a concern the after your dog is apparently something latex murals will be flying off the build- that requires a Ph.D. ing in a hurricane, engineers have certi- Does she really have nothing better fied that the murals can sustain winds of to do than invent things to bitch about? up to 150 miles per hour. Neglected pizza boxes are a prob- Finally, the only reason why there lem in her world, but when the Miami are any violations still outstanding is due Shores village controller was arrested to the county’s prior refusal to even issue for stealing $200,000 of taxpayer money, permits for matters the Unsafe Struc- she decided to write about how she is tures Board ordered to be corrected. annoyed that living in Miami she is Yes, that’s right. The county refused to expected to speak Spanish? sign off on permits because they said Here’s an idea: Write about the there was a “hold” due to the Unsafe actual problems facing our village. We Structures Board Order. Which order, have a budget crisis, declining property of course, required the correction of the values, and a portion of residents who, maters which were the subject of the like Ms. Karetnick, seem to think that permit requests. constant whining is a good substitute Lewis Carroll would be proud that community spirit. his fiction has come to life. The last time I wrote in, I offered These actions by the county are to help her pack her bags and get out the subject of administrative and legal of Miami Shores. At least now I know actions. where she can go: Chicago! The owner has every intention of She can have all the scent-reducing reopening and still is considering the mulch and separated recyclables she wants! eventual conversion of the hotel into Chris Fernandez work force housing. Miami Shores Hopefully the next article will be more thorough and balanced. How Much Racism Does It John C. Dellagloria Take To Be Racist? Miami I read Jack King’s piece “The Assault on Obama & Company: Nouveau Idiots, Terence Cantarella replies: Perhaps to Lewis Carroll’s disappointment, Mr. Continued on page 8

6 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 7 Commentary: Feedback

Letters As for those rotten apples? Continued from page 6 Stay tuned! Doris Hall Many of Them in Florida, Are Leading Miami the Charge” (July 2010). Interesting con- cept, but could it be wrongly applied? Civic Malady Diagnosed: Jack’s first paragraph was exceed- Severe Case of Fungus ingly offensive to me. How so? His Among Us statement that our country is still “pretty I appreciated Gaspar González’s excel- racist” is misinformed, foolish, and yes, lent review and comments regarding the offensive. Is there still racism in our Biscayne Park’s 30-year contract with country? Of course there is. But is it a FPL (“Uncivil War,” May 2010), which racist country? was unfortunately signed by the Big A racist country would not have Three at our village commission meet- elected President Obama or the multi- ing and which has undoubtedly enraged tude of minorities and women across many residents. this land who hold high office today. I Having lived in Biscayne Park for would venture to guess that there are 20 years now, I have witnessed similar very few countries with such a diversity rather shady things during the terms of representation in government as we of past elected officials. And I have to have today. wonder if the fault lies in the chairs they F.J. Pigna occupy during commission meetings — Miami Beach especially the mayor’s chair. As soon as these people get into So There’s This Barrel, and office, a definite change takes place. It’s It’s Loaded with Apples, like having a fungus among us, and it’s and One of Them Is Golden apparently contagious! — Or Is That Golden With respect to the quip that laws Delicious? Anyway… are like sausages (the less we know about In response to Frank Rollason’s column how they’re made, the better we’ll sleep about the “crooks” of the political at night), what would I take on my sau- world (“We Can Trust Our County sage? In the case of the FPL contract, I’d Commissioners,” May 2010), I would say horseradish! say that some politicians are able to We need Gaspar González around view the proverbial golden apple and to stir things up and tell it like it is. recognize that it is not theirs to bite. It Thank you. Peace! is theirs to guard. Helane Baldwin Others view it as their reward for Biscayne Park having guarded it. They not only take a bite, they start taking an apple a day Tea Party Express Roars until the tree is bare and there are no Into Town apples left for the community. To quote Jack King, yes, it is the “Silly Is it not time to put a fence around Season” when columnists base their the “golden apple” trees? Do we not stories on assumptions rather than facts need a gatekeeper as enforcer? I submit (“For Sale: One U.S. Senate Seat, Best that the gatekeeper, Mayor Tomás Offer!” May 2010). Regalado, has arrived. And an enforcer The Tea Party Express is based in has taken the position of city manager, California, not Washington, D.C. The Tea Carlos Migoya. Party Express has a lot more members Now what is going to happen to the than money. As a federal political action rotten apples that spoil the whole barrel? committee, we can only raise money from Isn’t it time that we, the public, individuals at less than $5000. become the watchdog of the whole Thus we are required by law to be barrel? It starts by having enough time a grassroots organization. All of our to review agenda items before they are donors are a matter of public record. railroaded toward a vote. Unlike other groups that have various Before the whole barrel of ap- tax-exempt organizations and whose plies is forever spoiled, let’s broadcast donors are never fully disclosed, we have the news that the gatekeeper and the everything out in the open. enforcer are making sure that American Sal Russo, chief strategist apple pie allows for only the finest and Tea Party Express freshest apples. Sacramento, California

8 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 9 Our Sponsors BizBuzz: September 2010 Sales, special events, and more from the people who make Biscayne Times possible

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10 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 11 Commentary: Miami’s King The Season for Swindles Politicians with dubious histories, sports teams with financial secrets, homes with topsy-turvy taxes By Jack King Senate slot, brought a different twist initiative had included getting rid of the crisis, declare bankruptcy. That way we BT Contributor to this primary election. They are both county mayor and the county commis- could void the contracts with Marlins and exceptionally wealthy and used their own sion, it would have passed by an even they could move to Las Vegas to find new olitically speaking, August was a money to fund their campaigns. And both greater margin. Eliminate the flabby, suckers. They’d still have to pay off the very bizarre month. Normally this came by their money in dubious ways. overstaffed county mayor position and bonds, along with county. Both deserve an Pis the time when everyone goes on Scott was the CEO of hospital and we’d save ourselves millions of dollars. unfinished stadium. vacation and nobody in public office says health-care giant Columbia/HCA, which One thing that bothers me about u u anything. Not this year. was fined a whopping $1.6 billion for these ballot initiatives is the timing. If you are a homeowner, you’ve The race for Florida’s open U.S. Medicare fraud. He resigned from the Why are they on the ballot in a dead-of- recently received your property tax state- Senate seat gets curiouser and curiouser. company before the fraud was pros- summer primary election? If they’re so ment. Like most of you, my house has The August 24 election left us with three ecuted and took with him a voluminous important that they demand voter ap- decreased in value, but since I have no viable candidates: Democrat Kendrick golden parachute. Greene bet against the proval, why not put them on November’s intention of selling, that makes little dif- Meek, Republican Marco Rubio, and American economy in the derivatives general-election ballot, when the turnout ference. Or so I thought. It turns out that independent Charlie Crist. Now that they market (can you say Las Vegas?) and is much greater? Let me put on my through a wonderful state law designed have all pandered to their bases to get made billions. cynical hat for a moment: Is it because to limit your taxes when you bought a into the general election, watch Meek Greene didn’t campaign well and politicians don’t want the public to see more expensive home, you could carry and Rubio start moving to the political never made much sense. He looks like the measures before they show up on the some of your current tax advantage to center while Crist tries to convince the an old, fat, white guy on a Thailand sex ballot? Nah, couldn’t be. the new place. It is also referred to as the electorate he is already there. tour. Scott appears more normal, but he u u “Keep Realtors Employed” law. This race will be marked not by will have much explaining to do between Gosh, I can’t believe that the Marlins’ The law includes a clause that keeps who wins, but who loses. Any of the now and November. His pat answer to ownership lied about their financial books. you paying the same amount of tax even if three could win, but missteps will be key. the fraud scheme — he wasn’t aware We were led to believe they were bleeding your house loses value. If your house loses And it will be close. of the crimes being committed by his red ink and now we find out they have a lot of value, you have to pay even more The governor’s race has shown that subordinates — is a big fat target for actually made a profit of $49 million in taxes — to make sure the county and you can still buy your way into a major Democratic operatives, whose mantra over the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Not that city governments get the money they want. political battle. Alex Sink will represent now is: “Fraud is not a ‘mistake.’” I have ever believed them about any- My valuation went down about 25 the Democrats in November, and very There were a number of local thing, but their arrogance is over the top. percent. As a result, my taxes will go wealthy political newcomer Rick Scott will elections taking place, but not many of Marlins president David Sampson had the up 20 percent. Every time the Florida be on the Republican ticket. Scott spent interest. One was incumbent county gall to tell a peeved county Commissioner legislature meets, we become victims of $50 million to defeat Bill “Howdy Doody” Commissioner Dorrin Rolle, who was Rebeca Sosa that “a contract is a contract.” the law of unintended consequences. McCollum, a lifetime political hack who is pushed in to a runoff with Jean Mones- What he really means is: “We screwed all Even more bizarre, there are recent the current Florida attorney general. time. The story was not that Rolle got you people because you’re as dumb as a sales in my neighborhood that show the Sink has lots of work to do if she the most votes, but why he is not in jail box of rocks. And by the way, we already property appraiser has erred by nearly wants to be governor, mostly in getting for running a venerable county-funded have your money, so get over it.” $200,000 in evaluating my home. I don’t the Democratic base to show up and vote nonprofit group into the ground. Hope- What I don’t understand is how the know if this is stupidity or collusion. in November. In this primary, Republi- fully the people in his District 2 will Marlins can turn a profit when nobody Whatever, I now have to fight a battle cans outvoted Democrats by a margin of come to their senses and get rid of him. goes to their games. It’s like a grocery with the county to prove that my house is two-to-one. That doesn’t mean Scott will There were also several ballot store not selling anything but still actually worth more than they say. have an easy time. He is an outsider and initiatives to vote for or against. One of making money. I can only guess that the If we could only get the legislature not part of the Republican mainstream. them had to do with getting rid of the game is fixed. to stop meeting. Scott and Jeff Greene, who was county manager position. It was over- I’d really like to see the City of defeated by Meek for the Democratic whelmingly approved. Actually, if the Miami, which is facing a ruinous financial Feedback: [email protected]

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September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 13 Cover Story

Off the Grid Continued from page 1

a software development consultant who lives in Kendall. He built an extremely ambitious, eco-friendly house across the street from his previous house. It was completed in 2008, and now Harum- Alvarez frequently offers tours of the “Green House.” The biggest hassle was not the intricate construction but the agoniz- ing process of getting permission to pursue his dream. “It took seven years before we could start to build,” he says. “Miami-Dade is the worst place to build in the world, for permits. Absolutely crazy.” His experience inspired him to enter politics. Last month he lost a bid to become a county commissioner from District 8. “My message is that Miami- Dade County should not be the worst place in the country to permit, but the best.” With such red-tape obstacles firmly in place, why would anyone attempt to build an outside-the-box, energy- efficient house in Miami? Over time, energy-efficiency measures can pay for themselves in savings, and the broader reasons for a transition to alternative energy are moving from ripe to rotten. President George W. Bush told us years Abert Harum-Alvarez’s high-tech house has a homespun look. submitted construction plans to the City ago that the U.S. was addicted to oil, and of Miami in July 2008, he was “hopeful.” this year the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster Two years later, he feels “worn out and reminded us that the addiction is ruining disgusted.” lives and life itself. Taking a more diplomatic tack, Van In South Florida, the time has Cel rationalizes that “the permit process come to face our addiction to air-con- took longer because of the unique archi- ditioning, or at least to the electricity tecture.” But his rain-capturing, inverted that runs it. Cooling our homes has “butterfly roof” was not the biggest been getting more and more difficult hurdle. It was his toilets. and expensive as summertime in South Van Cel triumphed by obtaining the Florida has progressed from brutal first permit in Miami for cistern-based to ballistic. The last decade was the toilets — ones that would be flushed world’s warmest on record, and the using rainwater. But Miami-Dade Water first six months of 2010 also set a heat and Sewer Department said “not so fast.” record. On top of the heat, we know A series of legal maneuvers left Van Cel that Florida’s electricity rates, cur- with his hands tied, and he felt com- rently among the lowest in the nation, pelled to raise the white flag. His toilets are guaranteed to rise; that an over- will use the county’s water after all. burdened, outdated energy grid will Harum-Alvarez also fought his usher in an era of brownouts; and that toughest battles over water. After years hurricanes are expected to increase in Harum-Alvarez included broad covered porches for shade, and of of wrangling with state and county intensity. We know all this, and we can course a cool pool. agencies, he prevailed. From below his see that it’s a recipe for riots, yet we dream house, a deep well provides cool remain hopeless addicts. Shorecrest, Skip Van Cel is putting the settle down, and declare victory. water to run his air conditioning unit Intent on staying cool in the heat, finishing touches on that dream. A visual “I’m going to die in this house,” he very economically. He believes that all another man is following his dream to artist, real estate entrepreneur, and the likes to say. buildings in the future will have such build an energy-efficient home, this time founder of this publication, Van Cel Although Van Cel hesitates to admit geo-thermal systems. along the Biscayne Corridor. Around spent two years doing battle in the City it, the process of creating the house the corner from his current residence in of Miami. Now he’s ready to move in, nearly killed his spirit. When he first Continued on page 16

14 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 Continued on page 16

September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 15 Cover Story

Off the Grid Strobel also notes the huge gap Continued from page 14 between Miami’s history as a national leader in solar power and its current lack These two energy-efficient houses, of alternative-energy production. Before united in spirit, look like opposites. World War II, approximately half of Mi- The Harum-Alvarez abode is a comfy, ami’s homes used solar-thermal systems woodsy cottage fit for Goldilocks, for hot water, Strobel asserts. One system whereas the Van Cel residence is a sleek consisted of copper tanks mounted on white ship sailing into the blue. roofs, where the sun would heat the water Our third dreamer’s house is less they held. Evidence from this era can be expensive and less complicated, but no seen in Miami homes with rooftop cu- less effective. Spike Marro’s goal was polas where the tanks were once housed. to take a pre-existing house just north More familiar systems using black tubing of Miami Shores and transform it into were also abundant. a lean, green, energy-saving machine In A Golden Thread: 2500 Years primarily through the use of solar of Solar Architecture and Technology, energy. He has been very lucky and very authors Ken Butti and Ken Perlin claim successful. that Florida’s thriving solar-heating in- Marro’s luck was in his timing. This dustry was shut down first by the wartime year he was one of the few people in demand for copper and later by Florida Florida to collect the full rebates prom- Power & Light’s successful efforts to have ised for investing in a solar-energy system customers switch to electric water heaters, before the guillotine dropped. Thousands which the company sold cheaply. of other homeowners throughout the state History also shows that people are losing their heads. could live in Florida without air-con- A statewide incentive plan begun in ditioning, and both of the multi-story 2006, the Solar Energy Systems Incen- Van Cel and Harum-Alvarez houses tives Program, offered large rebates take advantage of shady overhangs for the installation of new solar-energy and summertime breezes from the east. systems on homes and businesses, but Harum-Alvarez says that his house “in- nearly 16,000 eligible people have corporates a lot of lessons from Florida received nothing since the program’s Cracker design,” referring to the way funds dried up last year. These desperate pioneer houses were built. Floridians are now stuck on a waiting Instead of throwing out the AC unit, list that may never award its promised these dreamers are trying to minimize its use $53 million in rebates. For an individual with good design in combination with 21st homeowner, the loss could equal upward century, alternative technology. Ironically, of $20,000. the Sunshine State doesn’t seem to get it. Miami’s Marro had been on the The alternative-energy sector is waiting list, but he was near the top and Harum-Alvarez interior: Hot air rises up the stairwell and vents out taking off in other states while suffocat- received his full rebate of $19,500. through the roof’s cupola. ing in Florida. “If I were in a different Van Cel is not on the list because state, I’d be fine, but I’m just about done he has yet to install his planned solar- solar-panel system can pay for itself with solar energy systems are very hard for,” says Paul Farren, who used his life panel system, and now must decide if it within six years, though such calcula- to find in our neighborhoods. “It’s really savings in 2006 to open The Energy is worth it. Harum-Alvarez is waiting for tions are wobbling as a result of the strange,” says Ed Strobel, president of Store, a renewable and alternative-energy the price of solar panels to drop before state’s defunct rebate program. Sunshine Solar in Fort Lauderdale and demonstration center in Hollywood. He expanding wholeheartedly. His home has That program has become ammuni- vice president of the Florida Alliance for says the industry’s growth in California is one panel that runs the pool pump and a tion in the race for governor, with inde- Renewable Energy. When searching for based on a state mandate to dramatically passive hot water system that collects the pendent candidate Bud Chiles making homes with solar-panel projects, he sees increase the use of renewable energy, and sun’s heat directly. he blames Florida’s Republi- The price of When he first submitted construction plans to the can-led legislature for killing photovoltaic solar our solar incentive program. panels is not expected City of Miami in July 2008, he was “hopeful.” Two years “The picture has gotten to drop appreciably later, he feels “worn out and disgusted.” extremely ugly as far as because competition return on investment,” he with China has pushed down the cost it a centerpiece of his campaign. It also mostly empty space from the Broward says of Florida’s inability to pay its re- “as low as it can really get,” according to threatens to strangle Florida’s fledgling County line south to Miami’s Coco- bates. “People are being screwed.” Kevin Kohler of Electron Solar Energy alternative energy sector, which relied nut Grove. It appears that virtually all Florida’s rebate program was not in Miami. But he predicts the rising on the rebates to entice new customers. homeowner solar projects in Miami-Dade funded by the state legislature in 2009 cost of electricity will make solar power The loss of rebates may affect fewer County are located south of downtown and 2010, although it managed to pay a viable choice for most homeowners homeowners along the Biscayne Corridor Miami, leaning toward wealthier areas in by 2015. Kohler claims that a home’s than elsewhere. For some reason, houses Kendall and Pinecrest. Continued on page 18

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September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 17 Cover Story

Van Cel’s “butterfly” roof channels rainwater to cisterns, where it will be Skip Van Cel’s “smart” house is a work in progress. used for irrigation and a pond -- but not toilets.

Off the Grid For a $40,000 system, that would amount without any of the pricey, blue-and-silver tax credit applies, although the state’s Continued from page 16 to $12,000. Combined with the state rebate, photovoltaic (PV) panels that people as- previous rebate of up to $500 for is gone. a $40,000 system could have been reduced sociate with solar energy. Instead, using An average solar thermal system costs some people on its waiting list (like to a net cost of $8000. Without the state passive solar technology, the pool’s water between $3000 and $4000, according to Marro) with funds from the 2009 federal rebate, the net cost would rise to $28,000. is pumped through a series of black tubes, Kohler from Electron Solar Energy. stimulus package, the American Recov- The high up-front cost to produce where it collects the sun’s heat directly. These smaller projects were not ery and Reinvestment Act. solar electricity discourages most people Passive solar also works for enough to satisfy Spike Marro, a 44-year- Nationally, new solar-energy systems from considering it, but smaller, less costly household hot water, and has done so for old music executive who bought his are eligible for a tax credit of 30 percent. options are available. A pool can be heated many decades. The federal 30 percent home in 2003 and shares it with Biscayne

Continued on page 20

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September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 19 Cover Story

Off the Grid Continued from page 18

Times contributor Cathi Marro. The modest house near Barry University in unincorporated Miami-Dade County has a photovoltaic system strong enough to power everything except the AC, and it Photo courtesy HistoryMiami includes a bank of batteries that functions as a generator during power outages. Marro estimates his high-end, $60,000 system ultimately cost him $17,800 out of pocket. He expects it to pay for itself within ten years. The Van Cel interior: Overhangs provide shade while Prior to World War II, Miami homes commonly featured 5000-watt system has lowered his windows open to take in breezes. solar thermal systems like this for household hot water. monthly electric bill by 60 to 80 per- cent, or about $150 per month. Marro As to why more of his neighbors solar systems. “It really got me moti- a special type of solar panel. Instead of monitors and charts everything on have not taken the leap into solar, vated,” he recalls. boxy rectangles, his 36 PV panels are his computer, and has become a true Marro speculates that “people just don’t Marro also spent years on reno- long, thin strips that adhere directly energy geek. (Going off to the metal roof. His the electric grid complete- “If I were in a different state, I’d be fine, but I’m just about house was the second ly, while possible, is too in Florida to install complicated and expensive done for. The picture has gotten extremely ugly. them. From his experi- to be considered by aver- ence, Marro says that age homeowners. Kohler People are being screwed.” finding a competent knows of one woman in installer is “one of the Pinecrest who did it, and some homes know about it.” He educated himself by vations that include insulating, hurri- main stumbling blocks.” He relied on isolated islands in the Florida Keys attending a National Solar Day event in cane-proof windows, and a metal roof are self-sufficient.) Orlando, where he toured houses with that turned out to be the perfect fit for Continued on page 22

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September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 21 Cover Story

Off the Grid Continued from page 20

upon the connections of Paul Farren from The Energy Store. Both Marro’s rooftop and Harum- Alvarez’s house have generated buzz, and Van Cel’s house can’t be far behind. Photo courtesy of The Palms Instead of a green house, Van Cel calls his creation a “smart house.” He expects its completion by the end of this month. Its most intriguing feature is the butterfly roof, which forms an upright “V” instead of the traditional A-frame. Spike Marro’s array of solar “cells” are actually Marro’s battery backup system kicks in only when the Rainwater runs towards the roof’s center smooth strips that adhere directly to his metal roof. conventional electricity grid fails. and collects into a flume that scuttles it over the side of the house as a waterfall. system and a tankless water heater that Their walls are constructed of Insulated energy bills). “It’s dead quiet because The sound from inside is mesmer- he estimates will keep his electric bill Concrete Forms (ICF), which start out of all the insulation,” says Van Cel, izing. “Instead of a fireplace, who compares it to the silence we have a waterfall,” says Van inside a home covered in snow. Cel, who enthuses about the Marro estimates his high-end, $60,000 system They work so well that Van Cel house as if it were magical. “It ultimately cost him $17,800 out of pocket. He expects it to says, “It’s ridiculous not to use doesn’t resist the weather; it them in Miami.” embraces it.” pay for itself within ten years. Harum-Alvarez adds that Rainwater from the roof the insurance savings, based on and waterfall collects into two cisterns under $50 in August, but the actual sav- as Styrofoam building blocks. The the super-strong ICF walls, are even greater and will be used for a pond and for ir- ings remain to be seen. blocks are filled with rebar and concrete, than the energy savings from insulation. rigation (but not for the toilets). Van Cel Both Van Cel and Harum-Alvarez and the resulting walls are very sturdy intends to install a 6000-watt solar-panel emphasize the importance of insulation. (hurricane proof) and cooling (lower Continued on page 24

22 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 23 Cover Story

Off the Grid of thousands. With no state rebate Continued from page 22 in sight, affordability goes out the hurricane-proof window. Passive solar The three efficient houses discussed technologies, such as hot-water heaters, here also share a secret that early Florida are much more affordable. homebuilders knew instinctively. The The race to solar is not the only houses are oriented to maximize natural option for saving energy and trying to summertime breezes from the southeast. live in harmony with the environment This orientation also minimizes the around your home. Take a cue from western wall that gets hit with afternoon the three dreamers in Miami who are rays, which are the most intense. The pushing the alternative-energy envelope. two newly constructed houses also All of them thought of ways to conserve feature large porches or outdoor sitting energy before trying to produce more of areas and extensive rooftop overhangs it themselves. They invested in high- for shade. All three homes also have quality insulation, creative ways to reuse southern-facing roofs, preferred for solar In f case o fire, you need to kill the electricity, a slightly different procedure water, and other measures to simplify panels in Northern America. when the sun is producing it. their lifestyles. As my two-bedroom house in These early birds have adopted North Miami also has a south-facing everything in a household, and alone it Third, you need a significant home-based conservation and renewable roof, I got excited and collected quotes will not get you off the grid. Electricity amount of rooftop space to make the resources. They work with the heat in- for a photovoltaic system from both from solar energy is a supplement. investment worthwhile. The roof on stead of against it. They see the sun less Paul Farren of The Energy Store in Hol- The second, obvious point is that my house is not large enough to ac- as a menace to be controlled and more as lywood, essentially a one-man opera- solar panels only create energy during commodate panels for a 5000-watt an ally that gives us life and new energy. tion, and Kevin Kohler from Electron the daytime. Electricity is very difficult system, so I’d have to settle for less They are the exceptions. In Miami, Solar Energy, the market leader in to store in batteries, so home systems power and therefore less savings on my it seems very few people are paying at- Miami. Here is what I learned: cannot provide energy at night. Even energy bill. tention to the sun. The first point to absorb is that a Marro’s battery backup does not func- The final cost of a PV system is typical rooftop photovoltaic system does tion at night; it only kicks in when the highly variable, but instead of thou- not generate enough electricity to run grid goes down. sands of dollars, think in terms of tens Feedback: [email protected]

24 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 25 Community News What Would You Pay for 9000 Square Feet? Depends on what it is, where it is, and whose money you’re using By Erik Bojnansky gravel, cranes, and canopies. BT Contributor “Well, it’s a blank slate,” says Bob Weinreb, a project manager for the city. or 25 years Miami’s Biscayne Bay/ “It can become a pocket park with boat Miami River Land Acquisition access. It has 68 feet of waterfront bulk- FFund has been siphoning off a head that would allow several small craft small percentage of the rent paid to the to visit or dock there.” Plus it’s near José city by the owners of downtown’s Bay- BT photos by Erik Bojnansky Martí Park in an industrial-residential side Marketplace. The fund was estab- area with few parks. lished to enable the creation of waterfront Jude is thrilled the city might buy her parks within the city, offsetting the public property, which won out over seven other land used to build the open-air mall. proposed parcels on the Miami River. She As of this year, there was $1,475,542 says she could use the money: “It has been in this trust, according to city records. a very difficult year for us at the hotel.” Now, after a quarter-century, Miami In 1985 Jude bought and renovated officials are poised to tap into the fund several historical properties in East for the first time. The plan is to buy a View from First Street Bridge: Can you imagine a park down there, where Little Havana. Among them was a small parcel of land (.21 acres) fronting the lobster traps are? three-story frame house built in 1910. the Miami River and across the street Jude tried to turn it into a waterfront from the historic Miami River Inn at 118 The city’s plan is to use $521,250 amenities like waterfront parks. Miami’s restaurant, but in 1990 her $2.2 mil- SW South River Dr. The inn and the riv- from the land acquisition fund and request for the grant is on the FIND lion mortgage was taken over by the erfront property at 109 SW South River supplement that with a $173,750 grant agenda for its September 18 meeting. federal Resolution Trust Corporation. Dr. are owned by Sallye Jude, a well- from the Florida Inland Navigation Currently the proposed riverfront Jude grumbles that the RTC seized the known advocate for historic preservation District (FIND), a state agency that uses park site, adjacent to the First Street old house. “I paid them off but they and park land. It will cost an estimated money from property taxes to improve Bridge, has been filled with smelly still got everything. It was a nightmare,” $695,000 to create a small park, the bulk inland navigation along Florida’s east lobster traps belonging to the nearby she says. By the time she regained of the money going to the purchase of the coast, the Intracoastal Waterway in par- seafood wholesaler Miami River Lob- property. Jude’s asking price: $475,000. ticular. FIND also underwrites municipal ster. Instead of grass and trees, it is now Continued on page 30 A Rusty Tree Grate Is a Thing of Beauty Or it will be someday, when it matures, if it doesn’t kill the tree first By Mandy Baca she says as she looks up and down the Special to BT Boulevard. “They’re crap, they’re ugly. And where’s the shade? They always esidents and business owners do the same thing. They did this years along Biscayne Boulevard in ago in the Design District down by 40th and around the MiMo Historic Street, and they’ll soon be doing it in

R BT photo by Mandy Baca District endured many long months of North Bay Village, where I live.” dust, dirt, noise, sidewalk closures, and Doug Reiter, a Little Haiti traffic congestion during reconstruction resident, is one of those people who of that part of the roadway. Today, if regularly walks along the Boulevard. you’re strolling along those blocks of the He has a discerning eye. Take a closer Boulevard, what do you see? Aesthetic look at the tree grates surrounding rejuvenation? First-rate amenities? That’s all those fledgling oaks and gumbo what many residents hoped for, but now limbos, he advises. The grates, made some of them are wondering where their of metal, thick and heavy, are all tax dollars went. rusted and have turned a shade of Maria Gainza, who works at Beau orange you might call burnt. “I just Living home furnishings (8101 Biscayne want to know what happened,” says Blvd.), says she’s thankful the business Reiter. “A countless number of local successfully survived the slow months residents were greatly inconvenienced when the sidewalk was ripped out The rust will go away, but the danger to the tree will not. by the renovations, and they put in directly in front of the store. The beautifi- rusted grates? Come on! It sounds like cation was supposed to bring a variety of commercial space and now known as and local residents. somebody didn’t do their job. I find it trees and shade to her building, a former The Bank. She was also expecting im- Gainza steps outside the store and bank renovated as condominiums and proved walking conditions for customers onto the sidewalk. “I know these trees,” Continued on page 32

26 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 27 Community News Don’t Call It Street Art After the election, candidates have 30 days to remove camPAIN signs — or else!

By Margaret Griffis Of course, when the BT Contributor only penalties for breaking the “Usage and removal of ere at Biscayne Times the one political campaign adver- thing we love as much as free- tisements” law (Florida Stat- Hdom of the press is the grand utes, Title IX, § 106.1435) institution of democracy. We have an are that former candidates

appreciation for the arduous process must pay a local “govern- BT photos by Jacqueline Doulis elected officials go through in seeking mental entity” for cleaning the approval of voters. We also thank the up their mess, there’s not underdogs for at least giving it shot, even much incentive for them the scoundrels. (You know who you are.) to do the work themselves. But there is one thing about cam- You’d think local govern- paign season that we aren’t so keen ment “entities” would be about: the signs. motivated to get rid of the They are everywhere, and many signs and send a bill to the of them never ever disappear. Yes, Joe lawbreakers. That’s what Sanchez, we are looking right at you, you’d think, anyway. and your outdated website, too. Did you We’re sure many citi- know you and all the other candidates zens are charitable enough have, under Florida law, 30 days after to let former candidates winning, losing, or quitting a campaign — winners and losers alike to make a “good faith effort to remove” — slide a few days or even those ubiquitous signs? weeks, but after that it’s Let’s see now, the Miami mayoral just litter! election took place November 3, 2009, so The BT will be keep- by our calculations, Joe, as of September ing an eye on all of you off to scofflaws who violate the 30-day they are not required to tear bumper 1 you’ve been in violation of the law for seekers of public office, and we’ll be grace period. stickers off cars and T-shirts off people. exactly 271 days. Weren’t you once a law asking our readers to send us examples The former candidates should actu- enforcement officer? of excessive signage or otherwise tip us ally be grateful that Florida law specifies Feedback: [email protected] Parks Don’t Vote, So They’re Easy Targets Historic Arch Creek Park is on the county chopping block

By Erik Bojnansky trails, a fresh-water creek, rare archeo- maintain the park, run the museum, act BT Contributor logical sites, and a museum chronicling as tour guides, pick up trash, weed out in- its history. vasive plants, maintain butterfly gardens, rch Creek Park has It is owned and operated by the and perform other needed work. been the site of human county and has an annual operating Jim King, supervisor of the county Aactivity for at least budget of $180,203, enough to cover parks department’s EcoAdventures divi- 2000 years, but only in recent maintenance and repair costs and to pay sion, broke the news to a gathering of history has the property, unique BT photo by Jacqueline Doulis one full-time and one part-time employ- 50 Arch Creek supporters on Saturday, among public parks in Miami- ee to work Wednesday through Sunday August 14. So far he’s gathered the names Dade County, faced existential from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. But thanks of 30 people willing to volunteer for shifts threats. Each time, civic and to an estimated $400 million shortfall for ranging from two to six hours. He’d like environmental groups have ral- the 2010-11 budget, which takes effect more. “We could always use volunteers,” lied to rescue it, whether from October 1, the county proposes allotting says King. “The more we get, the better commercial development, gov- Arch Creek Trust president Carol Helene: zero dollars for Arch Creek. we can work out schedules.” ernment engineers, or county “Most people in the parks department are Instead, staffers will be assigned “as Arch Creek Trust president Carol bureaucrats. Now county busy with big parks. We’re just a small park.” needed for fee-based tours, programs, Helene says she and her friends can’t run officials hope Arch Creek’s and appointments,” says Edith Torres, the park alone. “We can help out, but we supporters will come to its aid once again. also known as Arch Creek Nature Center, spokeswoman for the Miami-Dade Parks can’t staff it full-time,” she says. Since Located on NE 135th Street just west consists of 9.4 acres of lush vegetation, and Recreation Department. The rest of Biscayne Boulevard, Arch Creek Park, unspoiled hardwood hammocks, winding of the time it will fall to volunteers to Continued on page 31

28 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 29 Community News

YUMYUM

When Sallye Jude bought the property, it included an old house she wanted to transform into a restaurant.

Pay of two regulation basketball courts. “I Continued from page 26 don’t know, I’m not a parks expert,” she demurs, adding that she has mixed feel- Enjoy A Shore Thing! ownership of the house 12 years ago, it ings about the “pocket” parks the city has had to be demolished, leaving the vacant created along the Miami River. “Some lot now being used by lobstermen. are better than others,” she says. “José Jude, who says she spent more than Martí Park is laid out beautifully, but it is $500,000 in taxes and bank fees on the not a well-maintained park.” property, thinks its a worthy investment At press time the city hadn’t yet for the city: “As we get more and more appraised Jude’s property, though the dense, we need more land to enjoy the county appraiser’s office estimated it was outdoors, instead of being cooped up in worth $242,600 in 2009. And the city is a high-rise.” facing a tight deadline to demonstrate to Fran Bohnsack, executive director FIND that the parcel can be made acces- of the Miami River Marine Group, says sible for boats. Project manager Weinreb NOW OPEN she has “a lot of confidence in Sallye believes that should be easy — just take Jude,” but less in the city’s plans for her parcel, which is roughly the size Continued on page 32 NE 34th Street and Buena Vista Avenue 305-576-7133 What Can $1.5 Million Buy? The Miami River/Biscayne Bay Land Acquisition Trust Fund was created in 1985, when Miami’s city commission voted to use 16 acres of Bayfront Park to develop an open-air retail complex that would be called Bayside Marketplace. Opening September 18th The Rouse Company, acclaimed for its commercial waterfront projects in Boston, Baltimore, and elsewhere, would design and market the project. Part of the park land Miami wanted to use had been deeded to the city by the State of Florida in 1947, on the condition that it would never be sold or leased. A negotiated agreement between city and state allowed Bayside Market- place to proceed as long as the city set aside at least 7.4 percent of the annual rent collected from the retail center. It would go into a trust fund to be used exclusively for buying waterfront property and creating public parks along Biscayne Bay and the Miami River. At the top of the city’s list of desired properties was a 6.3-acre bayfront parcel in Coconut Grove known as the Barnacle Addition. Despite years of negotiation and litigation, plans to buy the property fell through. In 1999 private develop- ers paid $11 million for the site and built the Cloisters on the Bay residential community. TM Soon thereafter, prices for waterfront land in Miami skyrocketed. “The money

Become a fan: Follow us @: sort of stayed there [in the fund] because nothing could be bought for a million Shops at Midtown Miami ShopMidtownMia and a half dollars,” explains Bob Weinreb, a Miami project manager.

30 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 Community News

The Name You Know, The People You Trust BT photo by Erik Bojnansky

ONLY NEW YORK STYLE LOFTS IN MIAMI MURANO AT PORTOFINO #1104

20 FT ceilings, large open floor plans, Italian kitchen 3 BD / 3 BA 2,190 SQ FT luxury bayfront building. cabinets, S/S appliances, concrete counters and 2 terraces one facing the Bay, Fisher Island & Ocean W/D. Parc LOFTS offers 24 hour security pool spa & the other overlooking South Beach & the Marina. and gym. Great Location! Great 3 BD split floor plan, marble flooring & baths. Foot trail through the dense Arch Creek hammock. Jocelyn Bagge Jeanne Mockridge Arch Creek Park called Sea Breeze Park. 305 333 0264 305 606 1855 [email protected] [email protected] Continued from page 28 In 1957 the Army Corps of Engineers decided that blowing up the limestone the 1980s, when the organization boasted bridge would be a cost-effective way to 200 members, involvement has dwindled; control occasional flooding. The Audu- today only 40 people are signed up to bon Society, the Historic Association of receive the trust’s newsletter. Southern Florida, and the Dade Conser- King has already reached out to Boy vation Council generated enough public DEVELOPER PRICES AT THE 1800 CLUB TRUE CITY LIVING AT MIDTOWN MIAMI Scout troops and school groups about outrage that the Army Corps backed off. fee-based events and “partnerships.” He Then in 1972, the Chrysler Automobile Spectacular 42-story luxury bayfront condo. Midtown Miami’s urban design and energy reminds Spacious floor plans and unrivalled amenities. you of NYC’s Soho District with spacious apartments also plans to establish a volunteer system Corporation bought the trailer park and Marble baths, granite kitchen counters. Minutes from and uniquely designed floor plans, both multi-level, in time for the county commission’s declared its intent to build a showroom Downtown and South Beach. LOFT and tower spaces. September 13 budget hearing. “We aren’t and garage there. The newly created Ivan G. Chorney 786 863 5900 Luis Gomez going to just throw them in there,” King Arch Creek Trust worked with other local [email protected] 305 763 1876 says. “There will be a structure to it, with groups to have the state’s Land Acquisi- www.the1800club.com [email protected] rewards and incentives.” tion Trust invest $822,000 to buy the site. Those incentives are still being The state legislature solidified a deal to considered but could include cook-outs, create Arch Creek Park in 1973. plaques, and walking sticks. Another And then the limestone bridge col- incentive might be to keep the park lapsed. According to the Arch Creek Trust, open beyond fee-based tours and special investigators “generally agreed later that 6,400 SQ FT WAREHOUSE, MIAMI DESIGN DISTRICT RESTAURANT events. “If we get enough volunteers,” the fall was probably due to constant

King explains, “we’ll be able to open the vibrations from passing trains, or erosion, Vacant 6,400 SQ FT warehouse on 7,500 SQ FT Iconic restaurant location. Fully equipped with kitchen, park, especially on weekends.” or just old age and decay.” After building corner. C-1 commercial loading. New roof in 2006. bar, 4 COP liquor license, courtyard, furniture. 145 Great for public storage, artist LOFT/Gallery/ seats. Prime 40th street address in Miami's uber chic Arch Creek Park’s history includes a museum and completing a county-led Production facility. Design District. archeological evidence of Tequesta tribes Youth Conservation Corps effort to plant using the site dating back to 500 B.C. 500 native trees and carve nature trails, the Susan Gale Group Jeff Morr Around 1855, during the Third Seminole county officially opened Arch Creek Park 305 695 4253 305 398 7888 [email protected] [email protected] War, Arch Creek became a strategic mili- in 1982. A replica of the limestone bridge, tary zone as Capt. Abner Doubleday used for which the Arch Creek Trust had raised its naturally formed, 60-foot-long lime- $20,000 to build, was dedicated in 1988. stone bridge to connect his military trail In 1992 the county expanded the park to between Fort Dallas (the future Miami) its current size. and Fort Lauderdale. “People were driv- By the summer of 2009, county of- ing their cars on it as late as 1973,” says ficials saw closing Arch Creek and four SPECTACULAR TEN MUSEUM PARK LOFT BEST VIEW IN MIAMI - ESTATE SALE Miami historian Paul George. other nature centers as a nifty way to 2 BD / 2.5 BA NE corner LOFT with cutting edge 2,375 SQ FT 4 BD / 4 BA two level bayfront home! In 1895 Henry Flagler laid railroad cut $22 million from the parks budget. finishes. 1,906 SQ FT of dazzling off white stone Located on guard gated North Bay Island with tracks near Arch Creek that the CSX rail They later restored $8.6 million, but Arch floors throughout. Floating glass master shower, S/S unrivalled wide bay and Downtown views. Needs company still uses today. With a post Creek’s staff and operating schedule kitchen and 10’ deep living terrace. TLC. New seawall. Won't last!!

office and regular rail service added by were slashed. Jeff Morr Jeff Morr the Florida East Coast Railway in 1903, Whether Arch Creek will get another 305 398 7888 305 398 7888 Arch Creek became a town. By 1920 assist this budget cycle is unclear. Thus [email protected] [email protected] it had more than 300 residents. In the far the proposed parks budget names only 1950s, it became part of the City of North Miami as a mobile home community Continued on page 33

September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 31 Community News

Grates Decorated or not, many of the Continued from page 26 concrete grates cracked into pieces under the weight of delivery trucks and annoying that the people making the other vehicles that used the sidewalks decisions are making bad choices.” as temporary (and illegal) parking spots. Those inconveniences were chron- Fran Rollason, president of the MiMo icled repeatedly in the BT, the matter Biscayne Association and a strong sup- of trees and their installation being porter of efforts to landscape and beautify specifically addressed in Erik Bojnan- the Boulevard, complained to city and sky’s “Bring on the Green” (August state officials about the broken concrete 2009). More than 200 trees were planted grates. They weren’t just unsightly, says in sidewalks throughout Miami’s Upper Rollason, “they were a tripping hazard.” Eastside, including gumbo limbo, black The City of Miami succeeded in ironwood, live oak, royal palms, sabal persuading FDOT that something had to palms, and Montgomery palms. be done, and thus the introduction of the The steel grates, 99 of which have metal grates in the upper stretches of the been installed, were not part of the origi- MiMo District. At first they were a hand- nal plan developed by the Florida Depart- some slate gray, but then they morphed. ment of Transportation. Initially FDOT According to FDOT spokeswoman used a type of concrete covering with Maria Palacios, the morphing is expected. thin slits that allow water to pass through. “The grates start out as grey cast iron,” Many of them in the MiMo Historic Dis- she explains, “and as time goes by, the trict were decorated with design shapes grates turn black. The rusty look is the reminiscent of the post-World War II initial phase of the natural process in era — boomerangs, amoebas, starbursts the maturing of the metal. These natural, — though budget constraints halted that unfinished iron grates are the same style particular beautification project before it was completed. Continued on page 33

Pay assessor’s office and a private assess- Continued from page 30 ment firm hired by Van Cel valued the property, located at 485 NE 77th Street a couple of photographs. “The site al- Rd., at $1.1 million. ready has six to seven vessels tied to the The city, desperately grappling with a seawall,” he says. projected budget shortfall of nearly $100 Spencer Crowley, an attorney and million, may also walk away from Jude’s Miami-Dade County’s representative to the property. Commissioner Frank Carollo, Inland Navigation Board, opposes the city’s who represents the area surrounding the plan to buy Jude’s property for park land. “I Miami River Inn, said at a March 25 am in favor of acquiring waterfront property city commission meeting that $695,000 for public use,” says Crowley, a Brickell “might be too much” to pay for Jude’s resident. “But is this the best site and best property, and balked at estimated yearly use of money? Clearly I believe it is not.” maintenance costs of more than $2000. Crowley’s doubt is fueled in part by He only voted yes, along with the rest Miami’s abrupt change of heart regard- of his colleagues, out of fear of losing ing a much larger, 1.2-acre parcel on the the FIND grant altogether, and after the Little River in Miami’s Upper East- city’s grants administrator indicated that side. The property is owned by former it would be possible to redirect the FIND Biscayne Times publisher Skip Van Cel. money to another property “if it’s consis- Known as Manatee Bend, the verdant tent with the guidelines.” parcel offers 250 feet of shoreline (see Bob Weinreb says he’s been instruct- “Take This Park, Please,” July 2010). On ed to compile another list of potential wa- June 29, Miami officials abruptly yanked terfront park properties currently on the their application for a FIND grant to help market. Van Cel’s property might even purchase Van Cel’s property. get on this new list in the next budget Madeline Valdes, Miami’s director cycle, but Van Cel insists he’s moved on. of asset management, says she made “I wish the city the best of luck in all their the call. “We were concerned with endeavors,” he says dryly. He’s listed his the increase in sales price,” she says. property for $975,000, almost twice his Van Cel, who bought the property for asking price for the city. $285,000 cash in December 2009, was asking $635,000 for it. Both the county Feedback: [email protected]

32 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 Community News

Grates trees, feeding them appropriately, and Continued from page 32 keeping everything clean. So how’s the city doing? and finish as those used all over the City Maybe it’s a consequence of Miami’s of Miami. The aging process is complete financial crisis, but the casual observer with a dark-colored grate that becomes a would have to say, “Not so great.” Many maintenance-free finish.” of the metal grates have trapped litter So the unappealing rust is just a under their grills, just as Shimonski phase the grates are going through, warned. Weeds growing up through the metallic growing pains. But there are grates suggest spotty upkeep. Can packs other aspects of the protective cover- of rats be far behind? ings that are causing concern, particularly as they relate to the health of the trees. BT garden columnist Jeff Shimonski, a well-respected professional horticulturalist, is among those who are troubled. “FDOT should have considered better alternatives to the steel grates,” Photo courtesy of Fran Rollason he says, “as there are many problems associated with them.” Shimonski lists four: trapped trash, rat infestations, pedestri- an hazards created when grow- ing trees push the grates out of The concrete grates were prone to cracking place, and tree damage or death when used as parking lots. caused when the metal cuts into expanding trunks. None of this surprises Maria Gainza “A more water-permeable rubber of Beau Living. She says she was product would have been the best option, prepared by her earlier experiences with as it can be cut easily to fit any mold or the City of Miami in the Design District. structure,” Shimonski adds. “It also ex- After the trees were planted and grates pands as the tree grows. Plus it’s cheaper, installed in front of Beau Living, she and trucks can drive over it without caus- reports, they were well maintained for ing damage, being that it’s a big problem about two weeks. along the Boulevard.” Since then, she’s had to call the city Today the City of Miami is respon- regularly in order to keep her sidewalk sible for maintaining FDOT’s landscap- clean and her trees healthy. ing, including those grates. That means watering and pruning the shrubs and Feedback: [email protected]

Arch Creek Park president Helene says. “Several years Continued from page 31 ago we had two chickees burned,” she adds. But Torres insists Miami-Dade of- Arch Creek for staff cuts, but Torres says ficers will continue to patrol the park. other county parks will be targeted as well. The county is also talking to North “Due to the recent economic downturn Miami officials. North Miami Mayor and other fiscal challenges,” she says via Andres Pierre says he’s focused on e-mail, “the Miami-Dade Parks and Rec- making sure the county doesn’t let Arch reation Department has seen a decrease Creek turn into a “derelict park.” in over 20 percent of its subsidy since If it were up to Helene, Arch Creek [fiscal year 2007-2008]. Accordingly, this would keep its current staff and supple- has affected the level of service at many ment it with volunteers, but she doubts of the department’s parks and facilities.” that will happen. “Most people in the Since last year the county has depended parks department are busy with big parks,” on 15,000 volunteers to provide more than she says. “We’re just a small park.” 183,000 hours in free labor. Arch Creek’s North Miami neighbors To volunteer at Arch Creek Park, call fear that cuts will attract vagrants. Home- Jim King: 305-944-6111. less people have been known to set up primitive living quarters in the park, trust Feedback: [email protected]

September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 33 Neighborhood Correspondents: Aventura Living with the Lemming Effect In Aventura, people are born to swarm By Shari Lynn Rothstein-Kramer tomatoes in Whole who created it, may BT Contributor Foods, increase the surprise some. Contrary price by two bucks a to popular belief, we are ’ve lived in Aventura since 2004. pound, and people can’t made up of a variety of Not very long in the grand scheme of buy them fast enough! ethnicities, religions, and Ithings, but long enough to realize that I think much of age groups. There are Aventura is an anomaly. It is profoundly this is a result of the even some less-than-rich different. Different from what? Well, Lemming Effect: If residents who slipped in. almost anything, anywhere. Nothing that influential people like The median age actually should apply, does. Things that don’t it, do it, or deem it appears to be dropping. make sense, do. Even the people are — okay, others are quick Broadly speaking, most how to put this — surreal. to follow. Granted, not people who live here have Aventura is one of the only places a phenomenon unique made significant amounts you can pull into a gas station (I go to the to Aventura, but this of money, live well, and Mobile on Biscayne and 191st Street) and town is certainly a are not afraid to spend see 25-year-olds gassing up Bentleys and place where accep- as long as they can find Aston Martins, and 75-year-olds with tance is important, something worthy. And comb-overs posing by their convertible rules don’t necessarily they frequent the places Porches. Naturally, there are a plethora apply, and reality goes everyone goes, which is of garden-variety BMWs and Mercedes. out the window more often than not. minutes. It is safe and clean. And we fine even if it’s a product of the Lemming Meanwhile, you’ll see women drop Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I have a hospital, guaranteeing that if a Effect. After all, that’s how a business $750 on a pair of Christian Louboutins at dislike this place. In fact Aventura has hurricane knocks out power, we’re sure becomes the place to dine or meditate or Nordstrom, but complain about the price of lots of appealing qualities. For in- to be among the first to get it back. groom your pet or shop. tomatoes at Publix. (“Oy, $2.98 a pound? stance, it’s centrally located. I can be in Demographics for “The City of Outrageous!”) Now, put those same Fort Lauderdale or South Beach in 20 Excellence,” as it is deemed by those Continued on page 35

34 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 Neighborhood Correspondents: Aventura

Lemming park. And they are always jammed. spreads the word, and then it starts look- The cool factor? That proved to be much Continued from page 34 A huge new Olive Garden just ing good. However, opening a hair salon more complicated. opened front and center on the Boule- or lounge in one of the well-known centers I’ve watched many small busi- Yes, Aventura has a ton of shopping. vard, where Fuddruckers used to be. may increase chances for success, but prime nesses — restaurants, clothing stores, There are the small shops like Jessie (a Really? Is this a favored dining destina- location alone is no guarantee. hair salons, gift shops — open with the real crowd favorite), Wink, SoMi, Star- tion for people who supposedly want The recently opened Aventura Arts promise of great success, only to have struck Style, and C. Madeline (the most only the best? On the other hand, it’s a & Cultural Center is lovely, spacious, their hopes and dreams die painful famous vintage shop in town). Some are fitting place to wear a Gap outfit. and well-appointed. Its location at the deaths. Asian World Fusion (the least- new and some have been here for years. I’m not judging. I’m just saying. foot of 188th Street places it in a neigh- known but best local Chinese) closed in Some will last and some won’t. As a born-and-bred Manhattan girl borhood that is home to Aventura’s mere months. Richard & Co., after years And of course there is The Mall who has been a writer for more than largest concentration of youthful profes- in business, has departed and been re- — filled with chain stores like Victo- 20 years (most of it food, travel, retail, sionals. Between the Arttech, Atrium, placed by a new hopeful called Zen Zen ria’s Secret, the Gap, Banana Republic. and fashion) I will always side with the and Uptown Lofts condominiums, I Salon. Yogen Früz, a gimmicky yogurt Cookie-cutter stores with cookie-cutter little guy. I understand why people feel can honestly say I’ve never seen anyone store, opens its doors just as That Cool clothes that are the same… everywhere. comfortable in chain outlets, but let me older than 50 on the block. But will they Café, which offered delicious yogurt, has Why, I wonder, would someone choose to not digress too far. The point is that if walk down the street for live drama or “closed for the summer” after less than shop there, versus a locally owned shop. I Aventura locals, both young and old, symphonic music? Or will they prefer to two years in operation. Shall I go on? know I’ll choose the independent entre- have traveled and seen, tasted and expe- party around the corner at Avenue 29, the So what does it take to make it in preneur every day. But hey, that’s just me. rienced amazing and unique things, why newly opened nightclub? Perhaps both. this town? At this point, I still can’t The same applies to restaurants. gravitate toward the typical? Local entrepreneurs are desperately answer the question, but I promise, as There are small family or individually Is it the business itself, or are there seeking ways to keep the youthful and I probe more deeply into this city and owned places like Pilar, Timo, Etzel Itzik other factors? young-at-heart here in town. So I began its residents, I will try. Along the way, Deli, Barrio Latino, and Juice & Java. Let’s consider location. Any business posing a question: “What would make you and with your help, I hope to uncover Love these. They are original, personal, operating west of Biscayne Boulevard is a loyal customer to any kind of business?” intriguing trends, quirks, tips, and ob- and fresh. Then there are the safe and going to find it extremely difficult to attract After asking more than a dozen scurities. Maybe I’ll even expose some familiar chains, including Houston’s, P.F. die-hard Aventurans, giving literal mean- people, the consensus answer was this: of those things we just don’t talk about Chang’s, and Morton’s. They stand adja- ing to “wrong side of the tracks.” No rhyme “Give us something good.” here in Aventura. cent to each other along Biscayne Bou- or reason. It’s simply not in vogue. At least Something good? Does that mean levard, forming a kind of culinary theme not yet. Not until that one influential mouth the service? The concept? The quality? Feedback: [email protected]

September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 35 Neighborhood Correspondents: Biscayne Park The Changing Season New people, new ideas. It’s an exciting time around here — for most of us. By Gaspar González similar dynamic has nowhere to eat (except for one BT Contributor taken hold through- greasy spoon on NE 2nd Avenue out the village. There which is long gone and Norberto’s s it me, or is there a mini baby boom are quite a few baby Deli, which thankfully is still there). occurring in Biscayne Park? My strollers on our streets And retail? A couple of shops here Iwife and I have an eight-month-old these days, and a lot of and there, but they didn’t offer son. The three houses directly across young families, many anything anybody really wanted. the street from us boast, in order, a of whom, I’m guessing, Downtown was right. 17-month-old, a one-month-old, and a are relative newcomers So what happened? Begin- couple expecting their first later this fall. to the village. ning about ten years ago, some The folks on the corner have a toddler Don’t look now, but younger families started moving and an older child. Two doors down Biscayne Park might be in. They were joined by gay from us, there’s a three-year-old. And on the verge of a trans- couples tired of the South Beach just next door, there’s a tween. Seven formative moment. New lifestyle. Before long, these new houses, seven (soon to be eight) kids. people with new ideas, arrivals started wondering why no And I suspect most of us aren’t through new energy, moving one had, you know, done anything adding to the family. in, changing the way a lot of old-timers didn’t like the idea with 2nd Avenue. Magnifying this sense of collec- things are done. It’s pretty exciting. of outsiders coming to their commu- Now, only a few years later, there tive newness is the fact that four of the Unless, of course, you find it scary. But nity to do anything. As a result, Shores are a handful of restaurants on the strip, seven families have been in Biscayne more on that in a minute. residents suffered right along with the along with an ice-cream shop, a toy store, Park less than two years. Indeed, three Neighborhoods undergo rebirths all perceived undesirables. a home store, even a day spa. It’s not of the families — including ours — have the time. For years, downtown Miami When the movie theater closed down exactly Miracle Mile North, but most moved here only in the past eight months. Shores was a pretty stultified place, pur- some years back — after having gone people would agree that there’s been a big It’s a relatively small sample, to be posely designed to be the least interest- to a second-run format — it stayed that sure, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a ing destination in Miami-Dade because way. For the longest time there was almost Continued on page 37

36 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 Neighborhood Correspondents: Biscayne Park

Season It’s not necessarily a generational only their opinion matters. They claim franchise agreement got up and suggest- Continued from page 36 conflict. There are plenty of longtime to know what the rest of us want — or ed that the commission simply disregard residents on our block and beyond — more accurately, should want — and the petition, since the person who spear- improvement. And it never would have some have lived in Biscayne Park for impose their views accordingly. headed the drive wasn’t present. happened without an influx of new resi- 30 or 40 years — who have welcomed They’re the ones who faithfully Some might conclude from such a dents who had a different idea regarding us newbies with enthusiasm. They like attend commission meetings, an other- shameless bid to silence so many resi- what they wanted out of their community. that we’ve brought our families here and wise admirable act of participation in dents that the Small Group and democra- Which brings us back to Biscayne plan on staying for the long haul (not community life — except that they go cy are not on speaking terms, and they’d Park. What changes are the new arriv- to mention that we’ve bought and fixed there primarily to deny the rest of us a be right. Changing anything around here als here interested in effecting? I don’t up houses that otherwise might have voice in village affairs. To give only one is going to take more than a majority of purport to speak for all newcomers, but remained vacant eyesores in an residents — old and new alike — wish- I have talked to a few of my neighbors. awful real estate market). To ing it were so. It’s going to take majority Don’t look now, but Biscayne Park Some would like to see the village make them, we’re a good indication involvement. (Commission meetings the larger medians more child-friendly. that Biscayne Park has a future. might be on the verge of a might be a good place to start; there are (For example, by enforcing the pooper- They understand that, even transformative moment. It’s pretty plenty of empty chairs to go around.) scooper ordinance.) Others like the idea though we may have just ar- exciting. Unless, of course, you Talk of greater community participation of finding a way to revive the shelved rived, we’re now full-fledged find it scary. no doubt frightens members of the Small pathways plan, so we don’t have to Parkies, with a vested interest Group; it’s the reason they throw around dodge cars while we take our families in making this the best com- expressions like “crusade” whenever two or for a walk or bicycle ride. Still others munity it can be. It doesn’t mean that example: A few months ago, when the more people express an opinion contrary to wonder if we shouldn’t be doing more they’re ready to turn the village over to Florida Power & Light franchise agree- theirs. So let me offer them some assur- with our public park. us — nor should it — but they don’t feel ment was being debated, approximately ances: We new residents come in peace. We A few of these ideas are bound to threatened by us, either. 220 residents signed a petition request- mean you no harm (even if we do have our encounter resistance, not because they’re So who does? A small group of ing that the village sponsor a workshop own thoughts about what we want for our unreasonable, but because some folks people. Every town has one. It’s made to come up with a viable alternative to community). And while we’re not crusaders, just don’t like change of any sort, espe- up of those residents who like to think, renewing the unfavorable 30-year agree- you’re at least right about one thing: There cially if it challenges their (perceived) by virtue of their office, or their former ment. At the commission meeting where are more of us every day. right to tell the rest of us how things office, or their friendship with so-and- the signatures were presented, a member should be. so, that they run the town, and that of the Small Group who favored the Feedback: [email protected]

September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 37 Neighborhood Correspondents: Miami Shores Today’s Entrée Special: Sautéed Sonnet Haven’t eaten poetry? Wait till you try haiku with hollandaise By Jen Karetnick So he actu- he debuted, then the economy BT Contributor ally served poetry. crashed as soon as the construc- Once or twice a tion ended. North One 10 wasn’t o paraphrase Mark Strand, the year, he offered an expensive restaurant, but fourth U.S. Poet Laureate (1990- up such items as diners perceived it that way, T1991): “There is no happiness like Ashes and Blues probably because of the creativi- mine [when] I have been eating poetry.” (“pass-arounds ty of the fare. In truth, most main Yes, for some it might seem like during chit-chat”), courses were under 20 bucks. an odd choice for dining. But I do find the perhaps self- We haven’t lost Dewey for myself completely nourished by the explanatory Fer- good, of course. Miami Shores metaphor, satiated by the interplay of linghetti Spaghetti, residents, who count the LoSasso image and language. It’s a good thing, Grilled Skirt Steak family as ours, might have been too, because there were times last year, with a Howl of the first to hear that Chef Dewey after school started and I was eating Heat (referencing was taking over the newly poetry 24/7, that I didn’t have a moment Allen Ginsberg’s revamped Forge. His time at the for any other kind of meal. famous poem), helm of the historic restaurant Dewey LoSasso, when running his Uncensored Wild out of the kitchen and join him on guitar, has been getting good reviews. I own North One 10 restaurant on Bis- Salmon, and desserts that were styled providing a bluesy beat. haven’t been in yet — yes, to my shame, cayne Boulevard a couple a years ago, after 1950s-1960s Beat poetry: Smok- Miami Shores and its environs lost and despite my friend-in-poetry’s con- understood the connection between read- ing Cigarettes Hunched Over a Cup of LoSasso, North One 10, and poetry — stant invitations — but I fully intend to ing poetry and eating poetry. In an inter- Coffee (coffee, crema, and shattered the whole tasty caboodle — when Chef dine soon on his brand of rhythms and view given to Belkys Nerey of Channel chocolate), and a Rucksack of Filo, Dewey closed up shop a year ago. He’d rhymes. And now that Howl, the movie 7, LoSasso said, “When you mention Tropical in Nature. During the evening, been jinxed since the place opened. centering around Allen Ginsberg’s poetry, people tend to run the other way, poet Howard Camner would read and Construction began on the Boulevard so we wanted to do it in a fun way.” LoSasso, the chef himself, would come right outside his window as soon as Continued on page 39

38 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 Neighborhood Correspondents: Miami Shores

Poetry Yes, that Betsy — the luxe boutique find that Baldwin had chosen one of my in every guest room (along with piles Continued from page 38 lodging formerly known as the Betsy poems for the presentation. It was an of recently released publications from Ross Hotel. Having opened in 1942, it unexpectedly palatable treat to eat my Books & Books). controversial poem (which was actually is one of the oldest properties on Ocean own poetry. Usually I try to consume Naturally, I’d prefer my bookmark brought to trial for being “obscene”) is Drive and the last surviving example of the words of others. to be embedded with heirloom tomato nearing wide release on September 24, “Florida Georgian” architecture in the After the reading the following eve- seeds, and for The Betsy to be located in is it possible to hope for a theme dinner area. It is also the place where another ning, I had a chance to chat with dinner Miami Shores. But who am I to quibble? at The Forge? Could we anticipate, verse-loving chef, Norman Van Aken organizer Deborah Briggs, executive We don’t have many public lodgings here perhaps, a 2010 version of that Grilled (now at Norman’s 180 in Coral Gables, director if the PG Family Foundation anyway, and with the departure of North Skirt Steak with a Howl of Heat, and a where poetry quotes are etched on the and vice president for philanthropy and One 10, we don’t have any creative (with little more Uncensored Wild Salmon? walls) first made his Mango Gang mark programs for The Betsy Hotel. As it whatever kind of price tag) eats in the After all, Lawrence Ferlinghetti is with his restaurant a Mano. On June turns out, Briggs is sister to The Betsy’s village vicinity. portrayed in the movie as well. Is it too 26, in the hotel’s B Bar, I attended the co-owner, Jonathan Plutzik. Their father And no, I don’t count the Village much to ask for just one more taste of First Annual Poetry Dinner, where was a poet; their mission behind The Café, which is pleasant enough, but Ferlinghetti Spaghetti? the poets who would read the follow- Betsy’s beautiful façade is to harbor expensive for what you get to boot (al- You might not think that The Forge is ing evening, Ed Skoog and Gregory cultural life. though I will say Revales, which springs the kind of place for poetry readings and Pardlo, were feted in royal style (some- To that end, they’ve succeeded admi- from similar roots, is excellent quality). eatings, but you’d be mistaken. I gave thing not seen since Victorian ages). rably. The Plutzik clan — which includes I do harbor hopes, however. Another my very first poetry reading in Miami at While we savored carnivorous Jonathan’s wife and Betsy co-owner Miami Shores restaurateuring family The Forge, way back in 1992. And while delights brought down from the lobby’s Lesley Goldwasser — have been at the recently closed their landmark restaurant it was a little eclectic — gorgeous people signature restaurant, BLT Steak, we helm of the Academy Award-winning on South Beach. Having spoken with the in skimpy clothing drinking Champagne poetry diners fielded “verse trivia” Music by Prudence documentary tour, Randazzos recently for another article, while I read about picking out papayas in questions and watched a presentation as well as the John Lennon Educational I know they’ve been looking for a more the open-air supermarkets to bongo beats of “Florida” poems that had been cu- Tour Bus. Less flashy projects included traffic-driven place to relocate Talula, — it was also so very, very Miami. rated by Neil Baldwin, a distinguished the fundraiser they hosted for Doctors not to shutter it permanently. Could we Another intriguing, could-only- author, poet, professor, and leader in Without Borders (my husband’s favor- possibly see it spring up, like poetry does happen-in-Miami poetry-eating experi- arts administration and nonprofit work, ite charity) after the Haiti earthquake, eternally, closer to home? ence occurred a couple of months ago who teaches, works, and lives in New and the poetry bookmarks, embedded on South Beach at The Betsy Hotel. Jersey. I was shocked and delighted to with wildflower seeds, that are placed Feedback: [email protected] CA$H FOR GOLD

September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 39 Neighborhood Correspondents: Belle Meade Miami Is Not Doomed To Endless Financial Meltdowns The solution should be simple, but it’s not: A vision of the future By Frank Rollason grubby mitts on all that cash.” cash cow. That proposal will be on the BT Contributor The new executive direc- November ballot. We can only hope it’ll be tor promptly hired a couple soundly rejected by the voters. ith the latest episode in the of guys from Commissioner So why the interest in these two saga of Miami’s financial woes Marc Sarnoff’s office. Sarnoff agencies when it’s readily apparent the Wlaid bare for all to see, it’s a says it happened without his city commission has its hands full? The good bet the fixes being applied will be knowledge. (If you believe that, answer is simple: money. The parking au- short-lived. Miami will most certainly I know of a bridge in Brook- thority and the CRAs have millions avail- face these issues yet again if it continues lyn you might be interested in able, and that cash could be used to shore on the same reckless path. As part of buying.) The two staffers were up the city’s floundering general fund. the current fixes, our elected officials given hefty raises by the CRA, The general fund is similar to our considered funneling money from the and presto! We have a new own personal checking accounts, which Community Redevelopment Agencies to CRA administration to lead us you and I use on a daily basis to run our their commission offices to balance their into the future. financial lives. The city’s general fund budgets, which to no one’s surprise are Just as a point of history, is a very flexible pot of cash, which can out of whack owing to personnel costs. back in December 2005, the be adjusted almost daily to plug budget The same problem is undermining the city administration attempted shortfalls or provide money for pet proj- city’s entire administrative structure. to remove me as the CRA ects without too much public scrutiny. The CRA scheme was quickly executive director and replace Miami works from a “line-item” budget, abandoned after an uproar from the me with the city manager, and I told them to take a hike! This move which allows for myriad fund-transfer community and the media. Instead the Joe Arriola, under the guise of “better was stopped by Commissioners Jeffery options with only scant oversight by CRA’s executive director was fired. Of- coordination between the CRAs and the Allen and Tomás Regalado. administrators and practically none by ficial reason: “A new direction is needed.” city administration.” Translation: City In another desperate move, the city is elected officials. Translation: “The old executive director is officials had tried to get their hooks into trying to take control of the semi-autono- not cooperating in allowing us to get our what money was available at that time mous Miami Parking Authority, a well-run Continued on page 41

40 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 Neighborhood Correspondents: Belle Meade

Meltdowns 100 years! she can repeat two more four-year terms. Think of it this way: A ship’s captain Continued from page 40 For those who think this is too long The re-election mindset is even more is given the goal of circumnavigating the a period of time to plan for, just think pronounced at the Congressional level, globe. Along the way, the captain may have It is only through the city’s “Fi- about our own lives. When we consider where representatives must face voters to deviate from the original course in order nancial Integrity” ordinance that some the life spans of our parents, along with every two years. Whether it’s a city to stop at this island for repairs or that island safeguards are in place. But those safe- our own, as well as those of our children, commissioner, a county commissioner, a for provisions, but the objective of circum- guards can be invoked only if there is we can easily relate to a 100-year span. state legislator, or federal legislator, the navigating the globe would continue to be the political will to do so. Rarely do the Where do we want to go and how do focus is on short-term goals, not where the driving force behind the voyage. city’s outside auditors get involved with we get there? we as a city or as a society want to be I’m not precisely sure how we issues affected by the Financial Integrity This is the missing element that generations from now. get this ship to sail, especially in ordinance, so that leaves Miami’s Inde- becomes apparent when we try local waters, but perhaps a summit of pendent Auditor General, Victor Igwe, to understand the shortcom- mayors from all the cities south of Lake as the sole investigator into financial ings of not only our city, but our The City of Miami has no Okeechobee would be a good place to transactions that may otherwise go un- county, our state, and our nation. long-term plan — not just a start. Think about calling these leaders noticed. Igwe is a bulldog, as witnessed A major part of the long-term- together for a week to discuss their indi- by his latest scathing report on the city’s planning problem is the fact long-term financial plan, butany kind vidual issues and what they might do to practice of using gas-tax funds to pay that elected officials are geared of long-term plan. help solve problems for their neighbors. for street lights — another questionable toward short-term planning — For instance, if we had extensive use of money from an outside source de- that is, the length of their politi- rapid transit to distant locales, people signed for one thing but used for another. cal terms. could live where they can afford it and However, Igwe is only one guardian in a In the City of Miami, our elected If we did have a long-term plan, we efficiently commute to urban centers for hen house full of foxes. officials generally serve a four-year term might expect that officials currently work. That’s just one example of a highly Why does the City of Miami seem and are eligible to be re-elected for a holding office would tweak it as condi- desirable goal that requires long-term to suffer a serious financial crisis roughly second four-year term before they are tions dictated. But the overall goals of the planning and cooperation among many every ten years? Because the city has no “termed out.” They may not seek a third plan would remain intact. It would be the governmental bodies. Unfortunately long-term plan — not just a long-term term unless they sit out a term before responsibility of our elected officials to we’re not likely to see that kind of think- financial plan, butany kind of long-term running again. Another option for an ex- guide us through the maze of governmen- ing anytime soon. plan. When I say long term, I mean 50 to tended stay at city hall is for a commis- tal bureaucracies, economic cycles, and 100 years down the road. Yes, I said 50 to sioner to run for mayor. If elected, he or the social changes that are part of life. Feedback: [email protected]

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September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 41 A r t & C u l t u r e Experimental Lens on the Landscape An artist uses her camera to make a park intervention By Anne Tschida kayaks and canoes, and an after-school BT Contributor camp for kids.” Along with Sewell Park, the Miami Beach Botanical Garden and alking down by the Miami Vizcaya completed the grouping. River, the air was so hot and When Rodriguez entered each park Wstill, so thick with humidity with her movie camera, she knew some this August evening that it took effort images would be unique to the location. to move through it. Then the sounds Photos courtesy of the artist For instance, she captured “a couple of Cuban percussion, reminiscent of launching a kayak at Legion, a tugboat a Santería ceremony, wafted up from pulling a barge along the river at Sewell, Sewell Park, and flickering lights the statues and fountains at Vizcaya.” became visible through the trees. Actu- But she also guessed that other foot- ally, the lights turned out to be in the age would be fleeting. “The landscapes trees, and were in fact filmed images of have inevitably changed between the leaves being projected onto the varied time when I filmed them and the time foliage. It was all too seductive to pass that I project back onto them,” she says. up, so we didn’t. But that intangibility is something she It’s just what Dinorah de Jesús Rodri- wanted to play with, which is where her guez wants us to do at some point during Legion Park, July 17: A good crowd to watch films in oak trees. artistic expression comes in. She super- her unique, interventionist artistic park imposed her own drawings and coloring experience, called Elusive Landscapes, on the films, “my personal interpreta- taking place at area green spaces over tions of each particular landscape. It’s the summer and fall. Rodriguez selected about how we project our own truths five urban parks, shot and handcrafted onto things, but also about the way time 16mm nature films from each spot, and works to alter any possible absoluteness collaborated with composer Ricardo in anything.” Lastre to come up with site-specific Rodriguez also brought in Lastre images and sounds. The idea is to get to add another layer of interpretation. people interested in their local ecosys- “I wanted the soundscapes to be very tems, and maybe to discover a bit of art theatrical, to cue people as to how to feel in the process. while they’re experiencing this — be- At Sewell, seven film projectors were cause people are unaccustomed to seeing rolling, one showing a short film of a films this way, and they often don’t know boat’s travels down the Miami River, how to react to this type of work.” with a tree trunk standing in as the So after the first three events, how screen. Other images were more abstract, did people react to this type of eco- and seemed to dance around the leaves. system intervention? At the last one Down near the river’s edge, towering in Sewell Park, neighborhood people Royal palms created their own natural sweated and swatted at the ubiquitous installation, while the music continued A Miami River scene with Rodriguez’s own superimposed imagery. bugs. They also smiled when they heard to add a hypnotic element. the Santería-style soundtrack. Kids This park in Little Havana, with the something in that park, and from there Rodriguez presented the idea to seemed to interact the most with both lights of downtown reflecting on the the idea grew and expanded.” granting organizations, and won the the manmade and natural objects, while water, was what first inspired the Cuban- She decided on seven films for 2009 Funding Arts Network/Knight some adults looked perplexed. More born artist to explore the idea of the five locations in different neighbor- Foundation New Work Award for were in attendance at the previous Elusive Landscape. “Maybe I have a per- hoods, from North Miami to the Upper $25,000. Then she got to work scouting. Elusive evening at Legion Park, a more sonal attachment to Sewell Park, because Eastside and over to Miami Beach. “I She first settled on Arch Creek Park, open space whose main tree attraction is it was the first amazing green space that wanted spaces that represented Miami’s on NE 135th Street in North Miami. The the Florida oak. The first outing at Arch I ever experienced when I arrived in diverse ethnic populations, as well as particulars of this spot are about “con- Creek was perhaps the most elusive, as Miami in 1992,” says Rodriguez. Miami’s diverse subtropical ecosys- servation of native Floridian species visitors had to trek up and down a dark The park is also popular within the tems,” says the film and video artist, and the protection of ancient Tequesta trail to find all seven projections. Santería community as a sacred ground who has shown her work internationally artifacts,” she says. “It’s a place to see Rodriguez maintains a sense of for ceremonies, “due the presence of and has been active in the community the ‘undeveloped’ version of the South humor about it all. Legion Park had a Royal palms, grand Poinciana, and for years. “I wanted venues with bodies Florida landscape.” Then she picked little more ambient light than expected, direct access to the waters of the Miami of water either directly accessible or Legion Park in the Upper Eastside, and a generator at first refused to cooper- River,” Rodriguez explains — hence the close by, and I also needed areas with which is more about “sports and activi- ate, but it was “less spooky” than Arch Cuban soundtrack they came up with for dense foliage and low lighting, for best ties — there are tennis and basketball this site. “I began to conceive of doing visibility of the work.” courts, a soccer field, a launch for Continued on page 43

42 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 A r t & C u l t u r e

Landscape Continued from page 42 Creek. When working with living nature, nothing is predictable. So far, she says, it has added to the sense of magic and appreciation of nature that she has tried to engender with these evenings. “I love the questions people ask me,” she says, “the dialogue that goes on at each park. The project is a real conversation-starter.” The dialogue might be the most expansive — and the landscape the least elu- Dinorah de Jesús Rodriguez: “I love the dialogue sive — at the final two events, that goes on at each park. The project is a real as they are some of the most Sewell Park by day: Towering Royal palms at the river’s edge. conversation-starter.” popular outdoor spaces in Miami. The Miami Beach Botani- element of the unknown: “It will depend really should be experienced in a sub- Gardens, 3251 S. Miami Ave., Miami; cal Garden will emphasize cultivation, on how each landscape catches the im- tropical Miami park first — the hotter, 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Culminating exhibi- mostly of unusual plants, while Vizcaya agery; we will have to play around to get the stickier, the buggier, the better. tion, November 18 through 25, Diaspora will highlight the ultimate collaboration the best effect at each site.” Vibe Gallery, 3938 N. Miami Ave., Miami. between artificially and naturally cre- Finally all of the films plus video Elusive Landscapes: Saturday, Septem- For more information, visit elusiveland- ated beauty. “These venues draw large documentation of the events themselves ber 11, at the Miami Beach Botanical scape.blogspot.com. audiences and have always traditionally will be shown in a more traditional Garden, 2000 Convention Center Dr., presented art,” she explains. As at each setting at the Diaspora Vibe Gallery in Miami Beach; 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Thurs- venue, however, there will always be the November. But these elusive escapades day, October 7, at Vizcaya Museum and Feedback: [email protected]

September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 43 Art & Culture Art Listings

WYNWOOD GALLERY WALK & DESIGN DISTRICT Jason Hedges, Nicolas Lobo, Justin Audrey Hasen Russell, David Shaw, Shoplifter, Magnus ART + DESIGN NIGHT Long, Isabel Moros, Peggy Nolan, Sigurdarson, sleeper, Kyle Trowbridge, Toot, and more SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 and Alyse Emdur Reception September 1, 7 to 10 p.m. September 19: 101/EXHIBIT “WEIRD MIAMI BUS TOURS” artist- DOT FIFTYONE ART SPACE 101 NE 40th St., Miami led bus tours with Christy Gast, 51 NW 36th St., Miami 305-573-2101 Clifton Childree, Kevin Arrow, Adler 305-573-9994, www.dotfiftyone.com www.101exhibit.com Guerrier, and more September 11 through November 5: September 11 through October 6: “‘pautas’ (rules)” by Omar Barquet Aaron Morgan Brown BASHA GALLERY Reception September 11, 7 to 10 p.m. Reception September 11, 7 to 10 p.m. 795 NE 125th St., North Miami 305-891-4624 DPM GALLERY 12345 WEST DIXIE STUDIO AND GALLERY www.bashagallery.net 2441 NW 2nd Ave., Miami 12345 W. Dixie Hwy., North Miami September 1 through 30: 305-576-1777, www.dpmgallery.com 305-895-2956 TRANSITIONS with Michael Call gallery for exhibition information. www.12345westdixie.com Ajerman, Beatrice Findlay, Allyson Through September 30: Krowitz, Jorge Chirinos Sanchez, EDGE ZONES CONTEMPORARY ART “American Roadside” by Deborah Gray Mitchell and Kari Snyder 47 NE 25th St., Miami 305-303-8852, www.edgezones.org ABBA FINE ART BERNICE STEINBAUM GALLERY September 11 through 30: “Off the Record” with Pavel 233 NW 36th St., Miami 3550 N. Miami Ave., Miami Tatiana Blass, Metade da fala no chão — bateria Acosta, James Bonachea, Carlos Caballero, Celia 305-576-4278 305-573-2700 (Half of the speech on the ground — drums), and Yunior, Ana Teresa Ferna?ndez, Nu?ria Güell, www.abbafineart.com www.bernicesteinbaumgallery.com Glenda Leo?n, Yasser Pin?a, Ernesto Oroza, Katiuska Through September 30: September 11 through October 30: installation, 2010, at Cisneros Fontanals Art Saavedra, and T10 “Natures Mortes: A Retrospective” with Martin “Memoirs of the Future” by Tatiana Foundation. Reception September 11, 7 to 10 p.m. Andersen, Aldo Chaparro, Toni Francois, Debra Holt, Parcero Stephan Jacobs, Mathias Kessler, Hugo Lopez, Reception September 11, 7 to 10 p.m. Tsantekidou ETRA FINE ART Eduardo Lopez, Christoph Morlinghaus, and Julie Pike Reception September 11, 7 to 11 p.m. 10 NE 40th St., Miami BORINQUEN ART GALLERY CS GALLERY 305-438-4383 ALEJANDRA VON HARTZ FINE ARTS 100 NE 38th St., Miami 787 NE 125th St., North Miami www.etrafineart.com 2630 NW 2nd Ave., Miami 305-491-1526 305-308-6561 Call gallery for exhibition information. 305-438-0220 www.borinquenhealth.org www.chirinossanchez.com www.alejandravonhartz.net Ongoing: Héctor Maldonado Through September 18: “_glitch” with Cris Bozas, Dario FREDRIC SNITZER GALLERY September 11 through October 30: Reception September 11, 7 to 10 p.m. Posada, Gianfranco Bianchi, Humberto Busto, Juan 2247 NW 1st Pl., Miami “Color Climate” with Matthew Deleget and David E. Navarro, Raul Lopez Pomares, Tatiana Silvia Sainz 305-448-8976 Peterson BREVARDS GALLERY and Tolibia. www.snitzer.com Reception September 11, 7 to 10 p.m. 2320 N. Miami Ave., Miami Curator: Xibie Corea September 10 through October 4: 305-576-5747 Gavin Perry AMY ALONSO GALLERY www.brevards.com DAVID CASTILLO GALLERY Reception September 10, 6 to 9 p.m. 750 NE 124th St., North Miami #2 Call gallery for exhibition information. 2234 NW 2nd Ave., Miami Reception September 11, 6 to 9 p.m. 305-975-6933 305-573-8110, www.castilloart.com www.alonsored.com BUTTER GALLERY September 11 through October 2: GALERIE HELENE LAMARQUE Through September 15: 2301-2303 NW 2nd Ave., Miami “Profane Expressions” with various artists 125 NW 23 St., Miami “CON-SCIENCE? – Art Exhibition” by Carla Fache 305-303-6254 Reception September 11, 7 to 10 p.m. 305-576-6095, www.galeriehelenelamarque.com www.buttergallery.com Call gallery for exhibition information. ART FUSION Call gallery for exhibition information. DIANA LOWENSTEIN FINE ARTS 1 NE 40th St., Miami 2043 N. Miami Ave., Miami GALERIE SCHUSTER MIAMI 305-573-5730 CALDWELL / LINFIELD GALLERY & STUDIO 305-576-1804, www.dlfinearts.com 2085 NW 2nd Ave., Miami www.artfusiongallery.com 8351 NE 8th Ct., Miami September 11 through October 5: 786-266-2445, www.galleryschuster.com Through September 22: 305-754-2093 “Reformas” by Alejandra Padilla Call gallery for exhibition information. “TRANSLUMINESCENT FANTASIES” with various www.susannacaldwell.com Reception September 11, 7:30 to 10 p.m. artists Ongoing: “Seductive Assemblages and Wood GALLERY DIET Reception September 11, 7 to 10 p.m. Sculpture” by Susanna Caldwell DIASPORA VIBE GALLERY 174 NW 23rd St., Miami 3938 NE 39th St., Miami 305-571-2288 ARTFORMZ CALIX GUSTAV GALLERY 305-573-4046, www.diasporavibe.net www.gallerydiet.com 171 NW 23rd St., Miami 98 NW 29 St., Miami Through September 23: “Carib~bean, The Way You September 11 through October 2: 305-572-0040 305-576-8116 Like It” with Paul Chang, Muriel Jean-Jacques, Carol “Into the Mountains” by Kristopher Benedict www.artformz.net www.calixgustav.com Jamie, Susan Mains, Monica Moncrise, Lisa Remeney, Reception September 10, 6 to 8 p.m. September 4 through October 2: September 11 through November 19: Patricia Roldan, Norma Trimborn, and Brian Wong Won Reception September 11, 7 to 11 p.m. “Con-Figurations: Photography & Painting” with Sara “[mörker]” with Johan Björkegren, Ingrid Eliasson, Rytteke, Maxine Spector, and Rossella Ramanzini Jennifer Basile, and Birds Are Nice DIMENSIONS VARIABLE GALLERY I/D Reception September 9, 7 to 10 p.m. Reception September 11, 7 to 10 p.m. 171 NE 38th St., Miami 2531 NW 2nd Ave., Miami [email protected] 305-778-4568 ARTSEEN GALLERY CAROL JAZZAR CONTEMPORARY ART dimensionsvariable.net www.galleryid.com 2215 NW 2nd Ave., Miami 158 NW 91st St., Miami Shores September 11 through October 23: September 8 through October 20: 305-237-3559 305-490-6906, www.cjazzart.com “Biophilia” by Nellie Appleby “Wildfire” by Sasha Bezzubov http://artseenspace.wordpress.com/ By appointment: [email protected] Reception September 11, 7 to 10 p.m. Reception September 8, 7:30 to 10 p.m. September 11 through October 1: Call gallery for exhibition information. “Proof: The Edge of Earth & Light” by Susan Banks DINA MITRANI GALLERY GIOVANNI ROSSI FINE ART Reception September 11, 7 to 10 p.m. CENTER FOR VISUAL COMMUNICATION 2620 NW 2nd Ave., Miami 2628 NW 2nd Ave., Miami 541 NW 27th St., Miami 786-486-7248 561-251-1375 BAKEHOUSE ART COMPLEX 305-571-1415 www.dinamitranigallery.com www.giovannirossifineart.com 561 NW 32nd St., Miami www.visual.org September 11 through October 30: Kanako Sasaki Call gallery for exhibition information. 305-576-2828 Call gallery for exhibition information. Reception September 11, 7 to 10 p.m. www.bacfl.org GODONAMERICA September 10 through October 1: CHAREST-WEINBERG GALLERY DORSCH GALLERY 1 NE 40th St. #5, Miami “RUTA 2010” with various artists 250 NW 23rd St., Miami, 305-292-0411 151 NW 24th St., Miami 786-362-5546, www.godonamerica.com Reception September 10, 7 to 10 p.m. www.charest-weinberg.com 305-576-1278 Call gallery for exhibition information. Through September 11: www.dorschgallery.com BAS FISHER INVITATIONAL “Within an Arrow’s Range” by Pedro Barbeito September 1 through October 2: HARDCORE ARTS CONTEMPORARY SPACE 180 NE 39th St., #210, Miami “Bubble Raft” with Bhakti Baxter, Cristopher Bradley, 3326 N. Miami Ave., Miami By appointment: [email protected] CITY LOFT ART Bruce Conkle, Robin Griffiths, Richard Haden, Jay 305-576-1645, www.hardcoreartcontemporary.com www.basfisherinvitational.com 61 NE 40th St., Miami Hines, Brookhart Jonquil, Sinisa Kukec, Justin H. Long, Through September 4: “IMPACT” by Troy Simmons and Through September 19: 305-438-9006, www.cityloftart.com David Marsh, Daniel Nevers, Matt Nichols, Brandon “Tar and Feathered” by Julie Friel “WEIRD MIAMI” with Autumn Casey, Adler Guerrier, September 10 and ongoing: “La Femme Fatale” by Ira Opalka, Cheryl Pope, Ralph Provisero, Calos Rigau, Continued on page 45

44 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 Art & Culture

Art Listings MAIN LIBRARY 2ND FLOOR EXHIBITION SPACE 101 W. Flagler St., Mimai Continued from page 44 305-375-2665 www.mdpls.org HAROLD GOLEN GALLERY www.society4preservation.org 2294 NW 2nd Ave., Miami Through September 19: 305-989-3359 “Florida Arcane: From the Society for the Preservation www.haroldgolengallery.com of Lost Things and Missing Time” Call gallery for exhibition information. MIAMI ART SPACE INTERFLIGHT STUDIO 244 NW 35th St., Miami 250 NW 23rd St., Miami 305-438-9002 305-573-1673 www.miamiartspace.com www.interflightstudio.com Call gallery for exhibition information. Call gallery for exhibition information. MIAM-DADE COLLEGE, CENTER GALLERY KABE CONTEMPORARY 300 NE 2nd Ave., Miami Bldg. 1, Room 1365 305-237-3696 www.mdc.edu Call gallery for exhibition information.

MIAMI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF ART AND DESIGN 1501 Biscayne Blvd., Miami 305-428-5700 www.mymiu.com Call gallery for exhibition information.

MIRIAM FERNANDES GALLERY 3620 NE 2nd Ave., Miami 305-573-9531 www.miriamfernandes.com September 11 through September 25: “Metamorphosis” by J.B. Lazzarini Reception September 11, 7 to 10 p.m. Sinisa Kukec, Exquisite Form, and Echo, installation, 2001-2007, at Dorsch Gallery. MUSEO VAULT 346 NW 29th St., Miami 305-571-1175 123 NW 23rd St., Miami www.museovault.com 305-573-8142 Call gallery for exhibition information. www.kabecontemporary.com September 11 through November 13: NEW WORLD GALLERY “JOURNEY” with Magdalena Correa and Hiraki Sawa New World School of the Arts Reception September 11, 7 to 9 p.m. 25 NE 2nd St., Miami 305-237-3597 KAVACHNINA CONTEMPORARY http://nwsa.mdc.edu 46 NW 36th St., Miami Through October 7: New World Faculty Exhibition with 305-448-3060 Luisa Basnuevo, Carol K. Brown, Felicia Carlisle, Greg www.lurie-kavachnina.com Davis, Tony Fernandez, Christy Gast, Kathleen Hudspeth, Call gallery for exhibition information. Michael Loveland, Rosario Martinez-Cañas, Annette M. Piskel, Karen Rifas, Louise Romeo, and Fred Snitzer KELLEY ROY GALLERY 50 NE 29th St., Miami NINA TORRES FINE ART 305-447-3888 2033 NW 1st Pl., Miami www.kelleyroygallery.com 305-395-3599 Through September 7: www.ninatorresfineart.com Mike Tesch, Antonio Ugarte, and Henry Lautz Through September 8: September 11 through October 6: Araceli Salcedo “Miami Inspirations” with Fran Bobadilla and Mimi Bates September 11 through September 28: Reception September 11, 7 to 10 p.m. “Mirroring Nature” by Rafael Lopez-Ramos Reception September 11, 7 to 10 p.m. KUNSTHAUS MIAMI 3312 N. Miami Ave., Miami O. ASCANIO GALLERY 305-438-1333 2600 NW Second Ave., Miami www.kunsthaus.org.mx 786-200-4315 Call gallery for exhibition information. www.oascaniogallery.com September 11 through October 3: Carlos Cabeza LILIENTHAL ART STUDIOS Reception September 11, 7 to 10 p.m. 96 NW 29th St., Miami 305-573-2002 OHWOW www.ilanalilienthal.com 3100 NW 7th Ave., Miami Call gallery for exhibition information. 305-633-9345 www.oh-wow.com LOCUST PROJECTS September 11 through October 9: 155 NE 38th St., Miami “No Cause” by Ari Marcopoulos 305-576-8570 Reception September 11, 8 p.m. www.locustprojects.org September 11 through October 16: PANAMERICAN ART PROJECTS “Break-Through Miami” by Valerie Hegarty 2450 NW 2nd Ave., Miami Reception September 11, 7 to 10 p.m. 305-573-2400 www.panamericanart.com LYLE O. REITZEL GALLERY September 4 through October 16: 2441 NW 2nd Ave., Miami “Oblivion” with Carlos Estevez and 305-573-1333 Carlos Gonzalez www.artnet.com/reitzel.html Reception September 11, 6 to 9 p.m. Call gallery for exhibition information. Continued on page 46

September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 45 EXPERIENCE THE HIGH HOLY DAYS WITH TEMPLE ISRAEL Art & Culture

Art Listings Continued from page 45

PRAXIS INTERNATIONAL ART U fnqmf! tsbfm- 2219 NW 2nd Ave., Miami B !U j 305-573-2900, www.praxis-art.com Call gallery for exhibition information.

SAMMER GALLERY pvÖmm! ffm! 82 NE 29th St., Miami Z g 305-441-2005, artnet.com/sammergallery.html Call gallery for exhibition information.

SPINELLO GALLERY jhiu! u! pnf/ 155 NE 38th St., Miami s b i 786-271-4223, www.spinellogallery.com Through September 4: Kari Snyder, Louis Settee, drypoint, “A Deadly Nightshade” by Kris Knight engraving, and chine-colle on paper, Reception September 4, 7 to 10 p.m. 2010, at Basha Gallery. STASH GALLERY 162 NE 50th Terr., Miami Through October 3: “Spiritual Healing — Shamans of 305-992-7652, www.myspace.com/stashgallery the Northwest Coast” with Cicero August, Ken McNeil & Call gallery for exhibition information. Stan Bevan, Dempsey Bob, Kevin Cranmer, Edward S. Curtis, John Hagen, Aubrey LaFortune, Don Lelooska, SWAMPSPACE GALLERY Darren McKenzie, Ed Archie NoiseCat, Bill Reid, Terry 3821 NE 1st Ct., Miami Starr, Ray Watkins, and Reg Williams [email protected] September 1 through October 3: Call gallery for exhibition information. “After History” by Jacek J. Kolasinski and “DEMONS nurture/nature” by Kathy Dambach UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI PROJECTS SPACE September 24 through January 2: “La Habana Moderna” 2200 NW 2nd Ave., Miami Ongoing: “The Figure Past and Present: Highlights 305-284-2542 from the Permanent Collection” with Carlos Alfonzo, Call gallery for exhibition information. José Bedia, Manuel Carbonell, Edouard Duval-Carrié, Thornton Dial, Carel Fabritius, Augustín Fernández, WALLFLOWER GALLERY Red Grooms, Luis Jiménez, Jacob Lawrence, Auguste Join us 10 NE 3rd St., Miami Rodin, Rufino Tamayo, and Purvis Young 305-579-0069, www.wallflowergallery.com myspace.com/wallflowergallery LOWE ART MUSEUM, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI for any or Call gallery for exhibition information. 1301 Stanford Dr., Coral Gables 305-284-3535, www.lowemuseum.org WHITE VINYL SPACE Through October 31: “Jaguar’s Spots: Ancient all of our 3322 NW 2nd Ave., Miami Mesoamerican Art from the Lowe Art Museum, 305-776-1515 University of Miami” with various artists www.whitevinylspace.com Ongoing: “New Work” by Skip Van Cel MIAMI ART MUSEUM High Holy Day 101 W. Flagler St., Miami WOLFGANG ROTH & PARTNERS FINE ART 305-375-3000, www.miamiartmuseum.org 201 NE 39th St., Miami Through October 17: “New Work Miami 2010” with Services 305-576-6960 Kevin Arrow, Felecia Chizuko Carlisle, Jim Drain, www.wrpfineart.com Lynne Golob Gelfman, Michael Genovese, Jacin Call gallery for exhibition information. Giordano, Guerra de la Paz, Adler Guerrier, Don Lambert, Gustavo Matamoros, Beatriz Monteavaro, YEELEN ART GALLERY Gean Moreno and Ernesto Oroza, Peggy Nolan, 250 NW 23rd St., Unit 306, Miami Fabian Peña, Christina Pettersson, Vickie Pierre, 954-235-4758, www.yeelenart.com Manny Prieres, Christopher Stetser, Talking Head XfÖsf!NjbnjÖt!pmeftu!Sfgpsn!dpohsfhbujpo-!boe!jo!uiptf!96,!zfbst-! Ongoing: “Ayiti Kriye” by Jerome Soimaud Transmitters, Robert Thiele, Mette Tommerup, Frances Trombly, Tatiana Vahan, Marcos Valella, xfÖwf!mfbsofe!xibu!ju!nfbot!up!nblf!qfpqmf!gffm!bu!ipnf/!!Gsjfoet!boe! MUSEUM & COLLECTION EXHIBITS Viking Funeral, and Michelle Weinberg Through November 7: nfncfst!tbz!xf!pfs!b!xbsn-!jodmvtjwf!fowjsponfou!uibu!dfmfcsbuft! CIFO (Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation) “Focus Gallery: Purvis Young” by Purvis Young 1018 N. Miami Ave., Miami pqfoftt!boe!ejwfstjuz/!Boe!pvs!dmfshz!boe!fevdbujpobm!tub!tfswf!fwfsz! 305-455-3380, www.cifo.org MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART September 2 through November 7: 770 NE 125th St., North Miami bhf!hspvq!gspn!upeemfs!up!bevmu/!JuÖt!xiz!xfÖsf!dpotjefsfe!up!cf!po!uif! “In Transition – 2010 CIFO Grants & Commissions 305-893-6211, www.mocanomi.org Exhibition” with Marco Maggi, Elida Tessler, Tatiana September 16 through November 19: gpsxbse!fehf!pg!Kfxjti!tqjsjuvbmjuz!boe!mfbsojoh!jo!uif!! Blass, Eugenia Calvo, Runo Lagomarsino, Gisela Motta “Shinique Smith: Menagerie” by Shinique Smith and Leandro Lima, Jorge Pedro Nuñez, Iván Puig, and Reception September 16, 7 to 9 p.m. epxoupxo0njeupxo!Njbnj!bsfb/!! Gabriel Sierra Reception September 2, 7 to 10 p.m. THE MARGULIES COLLECTION Ufnqmf!Jtsbfm!pg!Hsfbufs!Njbnj/!248!OF!2:ui!Tu/ 591 NW 27th St., Miami DE LA CRUZ COLLECTION CONTEMPORARY ART 305-576-1051 SPACE www.margulieswarehouse.com 23 NE 41st St., Miami Call for exhibition information. 305-576-6112, www.delacruzcollection.org Call for more information | 305-573-5900 Through October 2: “Abandoned” by Karen Rifas THE RUBELL FAMILY COLLECTION September 9: Lecture with Robert Hobbs 95 NW 29th St., Miami Our programs and activities include: Lecture September 9, 7 p.m. 305-573-6090, www.rubellfamilycollection.com Call for exhibition information. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY FROST Religious School Education ART MUSEUM WORLD CLASS BOXING 10975 SW 17th St., Miami Debra and Dennis Scholl Collection Early Childhood Learning Center 305-348-2890, thefrost.fiu.edu 170 NW 23rd St., Miami Through September 5: “Tap-Tap: Celebrating the Art 305-438-9908, www.worldclassboxing.org Adult Learning | Creative Services | Social Action of Haiti” with Jacques Nicolas Bellin, Edouard Duval- Call for exhibition information. Carrié, FanFan, Gerard Fortuné, Jean-Enguerrand Gourgue, Yvens Leger, Lesly, Fritznel Obin, Gerard Compiled by Victor Barrenechea www.TempleIsrael.net Paul, Jacques Pierrette, Lionel Simonis, Jean Send listings, jpeg images, and events information to Thermidor, Jacques Valmidor, and Wagler Vital [email protected]

46 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 Art & Culture Events Calendar On the Footpath to MiMo All Mucked Up What Has Two Wheels and Discovery Goes Really Fast? The MiMo Biscayne Historic District Motorcycle maniacs and those who love isn’t the only place to see the exuber- them get their own day at the Home- ant architectural design style known as stead Miami Speedway on Sunday, Sep- MiMo, or Miami Modern. On Saturday, tember 12, during “Florida Track Days.” September 4, the season’s first North Three levels of riding abilities — novice, Beach Walking Tour will depart from intermediate, and advanced — are 73rd Street and Collins Avenue, in offered up for two on-track sessions search of noteworthy examples of the Pandemonium at with professional instructors, with MiMo style. The 90-minute tour, orga- Children’s Museum Arsht Center some classroom instruction for the Birthday Bash nized by the Miami Design Preserva- truly uninitiated. Cost for wanna-be tion League and the North Beach racers is $205 (includes lunch); for the Development Corporation, will take audience it’s free. Registration begins MiMo Walking Tour you past commercial buildings, the- at 7:00 a.m. For more information go aters, hotels, and houses of worship. to www.floridatrackdays.com. Tour time is 10:30 a.m., cost is $20. A Little Sufi Night Call 305-672-2014. Music Sounds Like Art The music of this traditional Art isn’t just about seeing anymore. All Mucked Up and Lovin’ It Persian group is derived from Audio plays an active part these The Labor Day weekend Clyde Butcher the poetic and instrumental days. Just listen to the auditory Muck-About swamp walk and tour has heritage of Sufism, a mysti- sensations from collectives Frozen become a South Florida tradition. The cal branch of Islam, so it’s not Music and Flash Orchestra, who celebrated photographer, whose black-and- surprising that the sounds will be featured in one of the last white images of the Everglades are world of the Homay & Masten Afterhours events, Miami Art Mu- famous, once again hosts a weekend of Ensemble are described as services will be manning seum’s nighttime outreach during its walks and talks and open house in the Big meditative and contemplative as well as booths, offering discounts and tickets “New Work Miami 2010” exhibit. On Cypress swamp. Butcher will be in the melodic and rhythmic. Incorporating a for the season ahead. Performances and Thursday, September 16, the “Eve- onsite gallery all three days, from Sat- wide variety of reed and percussion instru- musical acts will take over two stages. ning of Sound” will be complemented urday, September 4 to Monday, Sep- ments, along with lyrics from the great Food vendors will be out in force. And by visits from artists Mette Tomm- tember 6. Wear long pants and old shoes. Sufi poet Rumi, the ensemble became one children’s activities and educational erup, Adler Guerrier, the Talking Head Bring bug spray, a complete change of of the most popular groups in Iran. On outlets will be plentiful. That’s what is Transmitters, and personalized poetry clothes, and lunch or snacks. Water will be Friday, September 10, Homay & Masten promised for the first annual Fall for producers Poem Depot. From 6:00 to provided along with a swamp guide. Cost will mesmerize us as well at the Gusman the Arts event, meant to promote and 9:00 p.m., at MAM, 101 W. Flagler St.; is $50, which includes a $25 credit for the Center for the Performing Arts, downtown highlight all the cultural possibilities $5 for members, $15 nonmembers. photo gallery, while young ones under 18 Miami, starting at 8:00 p.m. For tickets go proliferating in Miami-Dade during the Call 305-375-3000 or go to www. are free with a paid adult. Reservations are to www.gusmancenter.org/events/ or upcoming season. The free fest takes miamiartmuseum.org. required. Go to www.clydebutcher.com to call 305-374-2444. place Sunday, September 12 from noon sign up and for directions. to 6:00 p.m. in the plaza at the Arsht Complete Pandemonium The District Goes Dancing Center. Go to www.arshtcenter.org for The Arsht Center will play host to the Bedheads, Start Your Engines! During this month’s Second Saturdays more information. U.S. debut of the latest sensation from Leave it to Coconut Grove to come up in the Design District, on September the creators of Stomp, this one called with the 1-800-411-PAIN Great Grove 11, the newly formed Haitian Heritage Children’s Museum Pandemonium. It shouldn’t disap- Bed Race. And yes, it is what it says. Museum will be presenting quite a show Birthday Bash point. Where Stomp pulled beats from Teams will jump into homemade beds with its Dancin’ in the District, featur- Seven years ago the Miami Children’s garbage cans and buckets, this time on wheels and race down Grand Avenue, ing Caribbean dance and instruction. Museum moved into its new home on around instruments will be forged out which will be lined by spectators cheer- The event starts out with a themed per- Watson Island, so on Sunday, September of such things as bottles, hair dryers, ing them on. The beds (and their not so formance, followed by a dance session 12, you can blow it Happy Birthday wishes traffic cones, and vacuum cleaners. sleepy drivers) will also participate in a that gives the audience a shot at learning during the Seventh Anniversary Celebra- Oh, and the 25-member “orchestra” parade and will be judged on their speed all the dance moves. Finally the audi- tion. From noon till 5:00 p.m., the Arqui- will be joined by a 30-member choir. and creativity of the bed-as-float. Seri- ence gets to pair up with the professional tectonica-designed building will be open to From Miami, it will tour the rest of ously, what good, zany fun. The Family dancers themselves. From 8:00 to 10:00 more children’s fun and games than usual, the nation, so see it here first! From Pajama Party along Virginia Avenue p.m. at 4141 NE 2nd Ave. Cost is $10; while nine giant, robotic, prehistoric crea- Thursday, September 16 through starts it all off at 11:00 a.m., followed www.haitianheritagemuseum.org. tures roam the museum’s earth, part of the Sunday, September 26, at the Ziff by the parade at 1:00 p.m., and the race interactive dinosaur exhibit that continues Ballet Opera House. For tickets and at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September A Six-Hour, Completely through the month. Cost is $12 for Florida prices go to www.arshtcenter.org or 5. Proceeds benefit Alonzo Mourning Free, Arts Extravaganza residents, free for kids one and under. call 305-949-6722. Charities and UM’s Sleep Center. Visit Get ready for one huge cultural blowout. Visit www.miamichildrensmuseum.org www.thegreatgrovebedrace.com. More than 100 nonprofit arts groups and or call 305-373-5437. Compiled by BT contributor Anne Tschida

September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 47 PARK PATROL A Serene Circle Amid the Commotion On Watson Island, a tranquil Japanese garden co-exists with a busy highway By Jim W. Harper high-decibel volume. BT Contributor Stepping into the garden, the world slows down. It’s not exactly quiet be- alling Miami “the cocktail of cause the MacArthur Causeway is just America,” a Japanese business- outside, but the contrast with the outside Cman in the 1950s decided that world makes the space a center of con- the city needed a traditional mixer. centration. Everything is different — in Kiyoshi Ichimura called a few friends, Harper BT photos by Jim W. a good way. made a massive donation to Miami, and The fi rst thing you notice is stillness. the Ichimura Japanese Garden was born As you’re likely to be the only visitor in 1961. there, you will also be confronted with Did you know that Miami has an isolation. You are one person inside a authentic Japanese garden? You will circle with only one opening. You have be forgiven for not knowing, as the stepped into a maze. garden has been moved, downsized, The next eye-catching element is and otherwise forgotten for many years the main pond. Its dark surface, dotted in its various incarnations. But like an with lily pads, is calm, contained, and indefatigable Hello Kitty with nine lives, shrouded by grasses. Boulders congre- the Ichimura Japanese Garden has risen gate around its edge. again and again. The parks department didn’t respond to a request for translation of the Stones are everywhere, and form The current garden sits in a quiet cir- Japanese characters at the garden’s entrance. the park’s foundation as well as its cular abode next to Jungle Island, which displaced the garden’s original location stands close to Jungle Island and outside when it moved to Watson Island in 2003. the rear wall of the garden. On this Admission to the garden is free, but wall is inscribed “Ichimura Japan [sic] parking on this section of Watson Island Garden, Miami Parks and Recreation,” is not. Your best bet is to use Jungle the most visible of the park’s many Island’s parking garage, which is cheaper grammatical errors. than the expensive city lot across the Around the bend, the park’s en- street. Better still, fi nd a way to bike to trance creates a welcoming and clearly the garden. Japanese space. A lovely stone pagoda The garden’s only unmistakable surrounded by short palms stands near landmark visible from the MacArthur the sidewalk. On the ground leading Parkway is a big white statue of Hotei, to the entrance are a series of bricks the ancient, Buddha-like, Japanese god with Japanese names inscribed on them, of happiness and good fortune. The apparently referring to park supporters. eight-foot, eight-ton granite statue, part Above it a bold white canopy has three A quietly crunchy gravel path offers benches for contemplation. of the original donation by Ichimura, large black characters that appear to be the Japanese script of Kanji. Another iteration of the garden’s focal points. The pathway is white ICHIMURA JAPANESE name, Ichimura Japan-Miami Garden, is gravel, and many walls are formed of GARDEN inscribed on a rock outside the entrance, coral rock. Two of the largest open Park Rating MacArthur Causeway and a bamboo sign above it names the spaces are mostly gravel punctuated by Jungle Island garden’s many major supporters, includ- only a few boulders. Parking Garage ing Jungle Island and Miami’s Japanese One of the more unusual elements, 1101 MacArthur Causeway, sister city, Kagoshima. near the entrance, appears to contain Watson Island, Miami A large sign displayed on a bamboo papyrus, and indeed it turns out to be an

MacArthur Causeway ICHIMURA 305-416-1320 wall as you enter explains the history elevated pond. The water is hidden by JAPANESE GARDEN Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. of the garden. A smaller white sign at thick vegetation, and an ugly, exposed Picnic tables: No the entrance warns visitors in perfect pump in one corner looks unkempt. This Barbecues: No English: “Parents are welcome to enjoy little wetland needs a little attention. Picnic pavilions: No the garden with children, but we ask that The largest architectural feature, Tennis courts: No you watch them closely as the garden apart from the outside wall, is an inside Athletic fi elds: No was not designed to accommodate their wall that bisects the southwestern sec- Night lighting: No playful ways.” tion into a pie slice. The two-sided wall, Swimming pool: No By “children” I think they mean capped by a brown crust, is the striking, Playground: No club kids, misbehaving celebrities, and anyone else speaking at Miami’s normal, Continued on page 49

48 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 Park Patrol

Japanese Garden Dorothy-san, I don’t think Continued from page 48 we’re in Miami anymore! Today the garden is either ochre color of ripe mamey. Instead of lush or overgrown, depending being filled with flowers and plants, the on how you look at it, and it slice contains only pebbles and rocks. could use some attention. Is Scattered throughout the park’s the City of Miami going to let pathways are benches for sitting and it whither away again? Are contemplating. the Friends of the Japanese You may want to contemplate the Garden going to step in to park’s history. The original garden was keep it going? created by Kingo Sakamoto, Japan’s The interpretive sign at foremost landscape architect at the time, the park’s entrance concludes and it featured bridges, an ancient lantern, with several future goals for and 500 orchid trees. Opened in Octo- the garden, including restora- ber of 1961, a year before the opening An interior wall bisects the southwestern tion of the original tea house of the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, section and frames a minimalist rock garden. and waiting area, a revision of the Ichimura garden was closed in 1981 the elevated pond, and the ad- by the City of Miami owing to budget Island. The garden reappeared in 2004, dition of a traditional wooden constraints. In 1988 it reopened with sup- downsized to less than one acre, in its observation deck over the main pond, as port from the Ricoh Corporation, which The garden’s main pond is current location adjacent to Jungle Island. in the original garden. Ichimura had founded, and a local group punctuated with lily pads. The redesign was the last project of land- Who knows if any of these plans of “Friends of the Japanese Garden.” scape architect Lester Collins Pancoast, will ever come to fruition. The odds The website of the Friends of the sliding doors, windows, tatami mats, and who maintained its circular shape but are good, however, that the Ichimura Japanese Garden tells this tale of the ugly sold them off. The Garden looked like a added the garden’s 15-foot walls. Japanese Garden, even if neglected by 1980s: “The influx of homeless began to battle zone.” The garden’s Japanese name, San- Miami, will rise again. It is a giver and use the Garden and the Teahouse as their In 1996 the garden was again closed Ai-En, translates as “The Abode (or definitely a keeper. homestead. Not only did they live there, by the City of Miami, this time to make Spirit) of Three Loves.” The three loves they tore off copper sheets, removed way for the redevelopment of Watson are country, neighbor, and work. Whoa, Feedback: [email protected] THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, CELEBRATE WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS

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September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 49 Columnists: Your Garden New Guy in Town No welcome mat for this recently discovered pest — the gumbo limbo whitefly By Jeff Shimonski trees to palms. system instead of a chemi- BT Contributor I saw it in downtown cally based one. Miami on a bunch of gumbo When I visited the site in t has now been more than three limbo trees, but know from downtown Miami that had months without sighting a single fig other sources that it’s occur- this new whitefly, I collected Iwhitefly at Jungle Island, where I ring in Miami Beach and a number of gumbo limbo work. Last year I saw a number of white- Coral Gables and elsewhere leaves with the insects on BT photo by Jeff Shimonski fly populations building up to the point on many other species of them. After two weeks they where several of our ficus trees would trees, shrubs, and palms. all died in the container. I begin to defoliate, and then the whitefly Trees on which the spiraling then filled the container with would suddenly disappear after being whitefly have been found water and found floating on dispatched by our resident population of include black olive, cocoplum, the surface dozens of identi- beneficial insects. Brazilian pepper (maybe it cal minute insects. When As everyone knows, this past winter will wipe out this invasive I viewed them through a was quite cold and many feral exotic species), wax myrtle, live microscope, I found them to animals and insects were suppressed. I oak, mango, a wide variety of be the smallest earwigs I’ve kept an eye on our ficus, fully expecting palms, and various flowering Spiraling whitefly lays its eggs in a spiral pattern. An ever seen. Earwigs come a population resurgence of fig whitefly, species of Calophyllum. I’m adult is also shown (inset). They are fairly easy to see in various sizes but all have a and was eventually rewarded with a sure many other plant species with the naked eye. large set of pinchers. They are major population explosion in the first will end up hosting this insect. known to be scavengers and week of May. Three of our ficus trees The spiraling whitefly lays its eggs in substance. This is what causes sooty some eat other insects. These tiny ear- were infested, but only for a week or so. a distinctive spiraling pattern on leaves mold, a black sticky mold that will grow wigs might have been preying upon the Our population of insect predators just and deposits a white waxy substance anywhere the “honeydew” falls. spiraling whitefly larvae. decimated the fly larvae. on top of them. The adults congregate When sooty mold grows on top of leaves, The gumbo limbo trees were injected At the time of this writing it has been on the undersides of the leaves and they will be unable to photosynthesize with a broad-spectrum pesticide soon three months since I have seen an adult move very slowly, unlike the fig white- (produce food for the plant) and will eventu- after I collected my samples. I hope only whitefly or larvae at the park. I believe fly, which will fly away at the slightest ally drop off prematurely. If the source of the whitefly was killed and not any bene- like all of our other whitefly invasions disturbance. What I first noticed with the “honeydew” dies or is removed the sooty ficial insects, although this is not usually over the years, their populations are this whitefly was the sticky mess on mold will eventually wear off. the case. Beneficial insects are always eventually brought under control not the foliage and anything beneath the I think we can assume the spiral- fewer in number than the bad insects. through pesticide use, but by the benefi- infested tree. ing whitefly will cause some damage When bombarded with pesticides, the cial insects living in our landscapes. After the eggs hatch, the tiny “crawl- especially to trees and palms that are good guys take longer to bounce back, Now that fig whitefly seems to be ers” start moving around before they already under stress. We may even see prolonging the need to attempt chemical getting under control, let me tell you begin feeding by piercing the leaf with the very high population numbers that pest management. about another recent South Florida needle-like mouth parts. This larval we saw previously with fig whitefly. The whitefly invasion. So far this insect, form differs from the fig whitefly, which natural biological controls that we are Jeff Shimonski is an ISA-certified Aleurodicus rugioperculatus, is called is difficult to see. Spiraling whitefly now seeing in the landscape for the fig municipal arborist, director of horti- the gumbo limbo spiraling whitefly. First larvae, some covered with long wax fila- whitefly will eventually emerge to battle culture at Jungle Island, and principal collected and identified in Miami-Dade ments, are easily seen. this new whitefly species. One benefi- of Tropical Designs of Florida. Contact County in March 2009, it is noticeably Like many other species of insects cial insect has already been identified him at [email protected]. largerbiscyne than times6-10_Layout the fig whitefly 1 6/25/10 and seems 12:39 PMto Pagethat 1suck nutrients from plants, they and I am sure others will be found. We like a broad range of hosts, ranging from produce “honeydew,” a sticky, sugary should embrace a biological management Feedback: [email protected] PLANT CARE MADE EASY! At our store, you will find specialists in self-watering containers, interior foliage plants, tropical flowering plants, and gift plants. Our experts will help you select the right plant for your special space. They even make house-calls!

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50 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 Columnists: Kids and the City The Best Party Ever A thriving industry has developed around celebrating your child’s birthday By Crystal Brewe trinkets from that country. BT Contributor Sounds like a lot of work, right? Yes, but so does hauling ice chests, a mam- n Hawaii, where my five-year-old moth lunch spread, birthday cakes, deco- Matilda was born, birthdays are out of rations, gifts, and countless accoutre- Icontrol. It is customary for families, ments to the park pavilion — only to be regardless of ethnicity, to hold a lavish and rained out or told you didn’t go through expensive luau feast to celebrate a child’s the proper process for securing a permit. first birthday. This tradition is a holdover My own childhood birthday memories from the days when infant mortality rates aren’t about unusual locations or clever were very high and the first birthday was themes or goodie bags or even gifts. They considered a milestone. are the special moments from those parties The birthday luau has morphed into that stand out. For instance, when I was one of Hawaii’s most lucrative industries. six, my mother sewed an intricate clown When I moved to Miami three costume and hired a teenage neighbor to years ago, I was surprised to find that come entertain me and my friends. I knew the birthday-party business is no less Seaquarium, Jungle Island, Zoo Miami, read my owner’s manual thoroughly and who it was, but it was magical nonetheless. prevalent here. And with the obligatory and Cool-de-Sac were featured promi- now knows me well) made a profound My neighbor Jordan hosted the most bounce house, clown visit, music DJ, nently in each. A number of websites observation. Could it be that I cared charming party at her house last year for face-painting, and goodie bags, it is no like miamibirthdayparty.com list, rate, more about the theme than the kids did? Romi, her five-year-old. She made the less expensive, either. and discuss pros and cons of various As a diagnosed entertainer-aholic, my cake herself, didn’t plan a ton of games This month Matilda will be six, locations, themes, and entertainers. You obsession with the perfect party theme or activities, and had a dancer friend and she has announced that she wants a could spend a lifetime perusing themes and locale may indeed be more about me come dressed as Peter Pan, accompa- Barbie party. A party themed on a plastic and options. than the birthday girls. But doesn’t my nied by his evil nemesis, Captain Hook blonde bombshell? Not exactly cheap Kids and parents can be treated to husband understand the immense pres- (another friend). (especially the accessories) and maybe “gak-making” at the Miami Science sure I feel to create indelible memories The little partygoers were capti- not a fantasy I’d want to encourage. Museum. They can have “up close and through these elaborate galas? Does he vated by their own imaginations. There With Matilda’s birthday looming and personal experiences with Lolita the killer understand the competition among kids were 12 Tinker Bells, 8 Michaels, and Everly’s second coming quickly thereafter, whale” at the Seaquarium. They can hire to have the best party ever? 7 Wendys — all of them enthralled, I’ve begun a quest for kiddie party themes the Little Farm to set up a petting zoo in On the other hand, how many of us beating the life out of Captain Hook and ideas that go beyond Barbie. What the back yard. They can even enjoy spa actually remember party themes from with water noodles and foam swords. better way to embark upon my “Kids and treatments or CD-recordings at some party our early birthdays? My eccentric cousin They were truly in another world. I the City” maiden voyage than to merge my venues. While the range of possibilities is Kris does. She wistfully relayed the story guarantee you each of those kids will research with a real-life pursuit? amazing, they have one thing in common: of her mother’s ingenuity at combining remember that day when they think South Florida Parenting magazine, They’re not exactly cheap. birthday fun with learning. All the way back on their childhoods. Miami Family magazine, and momsmi- Most of these options start at around into college, they stuck with the same So after my thorough research and ami.com all have entire issues devoted $300, and the packages go up from there. theme: “Around the world.” Kris and her epiphany, what are we doing for Matil- to birthday parties. Next to the sum- Throw in invitations, goodie bags, lunch, mother annually would look through an da’s and Everly’s parties this year? I’m mer-camp special issues, the birthday cake, balloons, and you’ll soon be con- almanac and together choose a country still not sure, but I’ll let you know after I party issues are their most profitable. sidering a second mortgage. as the theme for that year’s party. Kris’s call the ice-skating rink. Strawberry the Clown took out a full- It wasn’t until day three of my birth- mother would research and prepare color, half-page ad in all three, and the day-party quest that my husband (who cuisine, games, and take-away treats and Feedback: [email protected]

September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 51 Columnists: Pawsitively Pets Four-Legged Vacuum Cleaners Your dog eats every yucky thing in his path? There is hope! By Lisa Hartman during your retraining process. BT Contributor A lightweight plastic basket muzzle (used in dog racing or Earthdog trials), or a ast week I surveyed some of my head halter such as the Gentle Leader, will Facebook friends for a topic they be effective in managing your dog. With Lwould like to see in my column. the Gentle Leader, you will be leading him As I looked over the many requests, I around by the head like a horse, giving you decided on one topic I hear about that the control to keep his head off the ground. isn’t often addressed: dogs that pick up Regardless of what helping device everything. you use, you will need to condition the Some dogs just can’t seem to walk dog to be more focused on you. Bring two feet without their noses glued to the lots of high-value treats with you and ground, constantly eating things they feed them generously to your dog while find. Owners yelling and pleading with speaking to him happily: “What a hand- their dogs to release objects elicit no some boy you are!” Treat, treat, treat. If response. The dog has his earplugs in your rewards are distracting enough, and and is a walking Pac-Man, gobbling up if you are irresistibly entertaining, you everything in his path. will gradually see the dog look for you Obviously a dog picking up virtually to reward him instead of exploring the anything it finds is challenging as well as ground in front of him. potentially endangered. The problem is trying to compensate for a deficiency of birds, and other delicacies is just too In addition to these protocols, train- twofold: Dogs are naturally programmed nutrients in his own food by scavenging the great a temptation for most canines to ing a dog to “leave it” is very helpful. to be opportunistic. They are on the earth. If you feed your dog various foods leave for the next dog. If your dog has Start practicing by holding a piece of lookout for free food, some more than that are high in fillers and empty calories, already become a vacuum cleaner, suck- meat or other food your dog loves in others. Because diligently searching the he may still feel hungry. You might need to ing up everything in front of him, he will your closed fist. Ignore all of your dog’s ground almost always yields something switch to a more holistic brand, with meat need to be retrained. attempts to taste it — licking, pawing at interesting, it is self-rewarding for the as one of the first ingredients. More often The retraining process usually it, and so on. dog to graze. than not, though, the dog is just grazing. involves a multi-pronged approach. For When your dog finally gives up on With many dogs, however, the prob- As always, the best course of action starters, you will need to break the habit. it and looks away, immediately say, lem grows more troublesome over time. It is always to stop a problem before it It may help to walk in less trafficked “Good!” and give him the treat. Repeat becomes a habit for the dog to be nose-to- starts. Dogs are creatures of habit and areas, away from his usual feeding zone. many times. When your dog catches the-ground as that’s the most exciting part fall into patterns quickly, so it’s better Furthermore, you will have to change on, give a name to the request: “Sparky, of the walk. The owner is busy juggling a to start good habits early. If, from the your own behavior. Many owners get leave it.” Reward and repeat, using the coffee cup and talking on the cell phone beginning, you can be very entertaining used to stopping every time their dog name of your request. Always make sure to friends, or chatting with passing neigh- and hold your dog’s interest, he’ll always stops to investigate something. Unless you have control of the object when prac- bors. Little by little the dog gets away look to you instead of the ground when you’re stopping so the dog can relieve ticing. If the dog bumps it out of your with eating things on the ground. Soon you take walks. This also prevents him himself, you should continue walking hand or somehow gets the treat, ignore enough searching the sidewalk or grass or from developing the bad habit of pulling regardless of his desire to stop. (After your fumble and start again. dirt is a great source of entertainment, his you all over the place. all, just who is walking whom?) This Of course, sometimes it’s too late to own newspaper or “P-mail.” However, the continual discovery will help to stop your dog’s ability to invoke “Leave it” (meaning do not put Certainly the dog could very well be of chicken bones, breadcrumbs left for eat things he finds, at least for a while Continued on page 53

52 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 Columnists: Pawsitively Pets

Vacuum Cleaners several times. Understanding a training protocol is behaviors, taking charge of your walks Continued from page 52 Remember to reward and distract one thing. Executing it successfully can together, and teaching him to “Leave it” profusely in the training stage. and “Drop it” will help you in the fight your mouth on it). If the dog already has Rewards give a dog motivation to against his constant grazing. something in his mouth, you need him to do things that seem unnatural to Obviously a dog picking up virtually “Drop it.” To practice you’ll need some- him. Taking freebies off the street anything it finds is challenging as well Lisa Hartman is a dog-friendly trainer thing to trade for the object the dog has is natural dog behavior and would as potentially dangerous. and behavior specialist in Miami and the in his mouth, something he finds much probably keep him alive in the Hamptons, New York. She is the author more interesting. With your dog holding wild. Rewarding and distracting of Dial a Dynamite Dog. You can reach something, place a treat he finds more him with more attractive alterna- her at [email protected], or appealing next to his nostrils and say, tives from you helps condition him to pay be quite another, but it’s worth the effort. visit www.pawsitivelypetsonline.com. “Drop it.” When he does drop it, praise more attention to you and less to the ground. Managing Sparky’s ability to pilfer him and give him the treat. Repeat this You’re training in a better habit. things, redirecting him, rewarding better Feedback: [email protected]

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September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 53 Columnists: Vino Chardonnay Does Just Fine, Thank You, Without Oak Red, white, and you: Agreeable wines for $12 or less By Bill Citara of Chablis and French houses of diesel and rubbing alcohol — can be BT Contributor other subregions of of Drouhin and discouraging. But given a few minutes to Burgundy rarely see Jadot. Joseph air out, they leave behind a rich bouquet kay, wine lovers, here’s today’s oak either in fer- Drouhin’s 2008 apricot, pear, and lemon, and a creamy, question. Chardonnay and oak: mentation or aging, Macon-Villages mouth-filling texture. OLove and marriage or Sandra and they’ve only hits you with a A Chilean Chardonnay — Santa Rita Bullock and Jesse James? Are Char- been considered the big whiff of funk “120” 2009 — goes richer and creamier donnay and oak two lovebirds joined best white wines in straight off. But it than that, with ripe tropical fruit, pear and by the bonds of holy matrimony or the the world for, oh, a blows away fairly orange flavors that dissolve in a long Meyer WTF coupling of the movie industry’s few hundred years. quickly, revealing lemon-mineral finish. chirpy replicant of Rachael Ray and a Our oak-free aromas of green Of course, when it comes to professional scuzzball who’d stick it in a Chardonnays don’t apple and citrus Chardonnay, nothing exceeds like woodchipper if he wasn’t afraid it would quite scale those that carry over to California, especially the Mutt Lynch come out as sawdust? heights, but they your palate, with 2008 “Unleashed,” a wine that’s remi- Both, actually, though for quite a do offer a couple a flinty element niscent of the over-the-top Kendall- while in Eighties and Nineties it was of significant from the region’s Jackson style with vaguely sweet ripe more WTF than holy matrimony, at least advantages over limestone soil. fruit, a creamy, almost viscous texture, in California, where far too many Char- their lumber(ing) The 2008 and high (14.5 percent) alcohol level. donnays saw more oak than Sherwood counterparts. One, Louis Jadot, Flavors of sun-ripened mango, papaya, Forest and tasted like a two-by-four they’re cheaper, as also from the apricot, and pear, with a Viognier-like dipped in grape juice. That egregiously buying hundreds if not thousands of oak Macon-Villages region, reprises those floral component, are enough to make woody style of Chardonnay, emphasizing barrels is definitely not. And two, you apple, lemon-lime, and limestone flavors, even woodiest enophile respond to the oak-driven flavors of toast, vanilla, and can really taste the impressive diversity though with even a fuller body and riper proposed marriage of Chardonnay and butterscotch over the grape’s natural fruit of Chardonnay’s natural fruit flavors, fruit (plus a hint of melon). If BP hasn’t oak with a simple, “I don’t.” flavors, spread around the world like which range from tart green apple to killed all the Gulf seafood by the time herpes, infecting vintners in Australia, ripe mango and papaya, making for an you read this, both of these Chardonnays The North Miami Beach Total Wine South America, Italy, and even France. extremely food-friendly wine. are as complementary to fresh fish and & More (14750 Biscayne Blvd., Luckily that big, fat, stupid style We’re going to follow that progres- shellfish as unpolluted water. 305-354-3270) carries the Anakena, of Chardonnay did what most big, fat, sion here, from light and crisp to fuller- Bridging the crisp-rich border is the Mutt Lynch, and La Vuelta stupid things tend to do — it began to die bodied and lush, starting with, believe Anakena 2009 Unoaked Chardonnay. Chardonnays, all for $7.99, as well out, slowly being replaced by a more bal- it or not, a Chardonnay from Australia. It adds a bit of smoke-dust-minerals to as the Joseph Drouhin for $11.99. anced and nuanced Chardonnay, where Inexpensive Australian wines are typi- the expected apple and Meyer lemon fla- The Wishing Tree Chardonnay oak was but a single part of a sophisti- cally flabbier than Kirstie Alley, but the vors, and its soft acidity and fuller body costs $9.95 and the Louis Jadot cated ensemble rather than one guy with 2008 Wishing Tree Unoaked Char- make it a good introduction to the world retails for $11.97 at the North a Fender Strat and a noseful of Peruvian donnay could almost be mistaken for a of wood-free Chards. Miami Crown Wine and Spirits flake shredding three chords through a Sancerre, from its pale, yellowish color The next three wines, all New World, (12555 Biscayne Blvd., 305-892- wall of Marshalls. to its aromas and flavors of green apple, may come as a revelation to Chardonnay 9463). And the Santa Rita “120” is A few enterprising vintners went lemon-lime, and grapefruit, and its tart, lovers who associate ripe tropical and stone available for $7.99 at the Biscayne even further — bless their contrary little mineral finish. fruit flavors and rich, creamy textures Commons Publix (14641 Biscayne hearts — and banished oak from the Even more surprising is that this with oak fermentation and aging. The La Blvd., 305-354-2171). Chardonnay-making process entirely. Aussie product out-tarts a pair of French Vuelta 2009 Unoaked from Argentina is After all, the renowned Chardonnays Chardonnays from the well-known another wine whose first whiffs — a hit Feedback: [email protected]

54 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 C o ml u m m e n n i ts at rs y: :W Woo r r d d o o n n t t h h e e S Stt r r e e e e t t Have you ever had a bad roommate? Compiled by Cathi Marro – BT Contributor

Shirley Gordon Christopher Nwamah Mercedes Moreno Christian Davies Liliana Cao Marty Holland Homemaker Student Vet Technician/ Student Store Owner Semi-retired North Miami Beach North Miami Receptionist Miami Shores North Miami Sunny Isles Oh, yes! When I first I live with my mom and Aventura Yes, I did last year in col- No. I lived with my par- I haven’t had a roommate moved out on my own, I I shared a room with my I think all brothers are lege. I didn’t like living ents and my brother even since I was in the army. shared a small efficiency brother for about a minute, bad roommates and I have with a dirty, loud Marine when I was in college and For the past 60 years I with a friend. She would but there were no prob- three of them! They are wanna-be who didn’t chip I had no problems with have lived with my wife, be talking on the phone all lems. When I do move out, messy, inconsiderate, and in for the room. He scared them. Now I live with my who is a nice lady. Even night long and coming in if I ever have a roommate very protective of me — off the lady friends and is husband, who is a very if they weren’t the nicest, at all hours of the night. It who does not take care like if I have a phone call the most famous person on good “roommate.” I know I always made friends was terrible. Needless to of himself, clean up his from a guy. Also there campus for all the wrong people who have lived with my roommates in say, she didn’t last out the messes, and pay his half of may be some jealousy reasons. I’m looking with people who are very the army. It’s easier to first month. I never had an- the rent, then I will have to since I am the only girl forward to having a better messy and don’t share become friends than to other roommate after that. get a new roommate. and I get all the cool stuff roommate this year. chores, but thank God I live as enemies. and all they get is crap. haven’t had that problem.

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September 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 55 Police Reports Biscayne Crime Beat Compiled by Derek McCann Pest Control Nightmare them to leave. Instead, one of the intruders 700 Block of NE 69th Street punched her in the face. Her boyfriend heard It’s bad enough to have bugs running the commotion and dashed out of the shower, around your condo. In these types whereupon he was also beaten and dragged of situations, you need the trusty old across the living room floor. Police responded exterminator, but in Miami there is a to the bloodied victims but not before both price to pay for everything. This woman scumbags had fled. No arrests have been arrived home to a spiffy flyer from an made. More evidence that you must keep extermination company and a missing your doors locked at all times. laptop. The woman claimed she was not the only victim as a neighbor had cash Bus Racks as Bike-Theft stolen from her condo the same day. Delivery Platforms Usually security travels with extermina- NE 79th and Biscayne Boulevard tors in condo buildings, so it’s a mystery Taking public transportation can be a drag, how things could be missing. Over-the- but it’s better than dangerously riding a counter pesticides may be the answer for bike up Biscayne Boulevard. This passen- those nasty palmetto bugs. ger hoisted his bike into the rack attached to the front of the Metro Transit bus and Sad Truth: You Can’t Trust poor woman retrieved her laptop from Vicious Home Invaders on settled into his air-conditioned seat. When Your Neighbors her car and placed it in her apartment. the Loose the bus made a stop at 79th Street, a Bou- 500 NE 65th Street She left her door wide open as she went 5500 Block of NE 1st Avenue levard opportunist raced up, lifted the bike For the umpteenth time: You cannot to drop off a load of laundry. When Our victim came home after receiving $100 off the rack, and quickly pedaled away. leave your doors open in Miami. We she returned, the laptop was gone. No from a wire transfer and saw two strangers No arrests have been made, but you can are not in the bucolic countryside leads in this case, but at least her dirty in her living room, rummaging through her where neighbors help neighbors. This clothes weren’t stolen. belongings. She screamed at them and told Continued on page 57

56 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 Police Reports

Crime Beat Return of the Loser Ex- Book This on Orbitz? Exploiting a Bad Situation Continued from page 56 Boyfriend, Part 213 3500 Block of Biscayne Boulevard NE 71st Street and Biscayne Boulevard 100 Block NE 78th Street Promises of low nightly motel rates in Two bicyclists somehow got into a head- add this to the prodigious list of bike thefts A woman had broken up with her boy- Miami can be alluring for some hap- on collision. As both lay on the ground along the Boulevard. friend six months before this incident. less tourists. This victim stayed with his nearly unconscious, a sleazebag sneaked One evening she heard thumping at her girlfriend at a Biscayne Boulevard inn, up and stole one of the fallen bikes. The Prescription Pills Claim door and was aghast to discover it was where he witnessed a man take $325 bike’s owner managed to get up and took Another Victim her ex. He pried the door open with a from his girlfriend’s purse. He chased the other bike (with permission) in an 600 Block of NE 86th Street crowbar and made his way in, exclaim- the thief down the Boulevard and both effort to catch the thief. Nearby police Forget about legalizing marijuana when we ing, “Why you keep trying me!?” He were stopped by police. Officers did a caught up with them and the appropri- have pharmaceuticals that can do the same proceeded to punch her several times in pat-down on the thief and money started ate arrest was made. In his defense, the thing. This victim, instead of lighting up, the legs before leaving. Police offered flying out — from his crotch area! Three perpetrator said that he was “in trouble,” took one of his prescribed pills and decided the victim safe shelter but she declined, bags of marijuana also fell to the ground. which is why he took the bike. Trouble? he wanted to sleep on his front porch. Thanks perhaps not a wise decision with an ob- He was promptly arrested and the soiled His troubles are only beginning. to the pills, he fell into a deep, deep slumber. sessed man who keeps “trying.” money was returned to the victim. We Upon awakening several hours later, he can only hope he later sanitized it. Yet Another Inventive Bank found that his wallet had been stolen. Sobering Up at Taxpayers’ Account Expense Man Continues to Terrorize 1800 Block of N. Bayshore Drive Beware the Smiling Miamian 800 Block of Biscayne Boulevard Target Store We’ve seen cars, dressers, medicine 100 Block of NE 11th Street A man refused to pay a $25 taxi fare. He 3401 N. Miami Ave. cabinets, and more employed as safe- Woman was at a popular nightspot in hopes proceeded to walk away from the cab On several occasions over the past few deposit boxes by clueless Miamians. In of meeting Mr. Right. A man came along as the driver followed him. Pushing the months, a persistent criminal has been this recession, the flawed thinking goes, this night with a glorious smile and perfect driver away, he declared, “I don’t owe you stealing items from Target at Midtown can we really trust the banks with our shining white teeth. Taken by his charm, she nothing!” The driver called police, who Miami. Despite the cutesy uniforms, money? This victim hid more than $4000 turned to him and… He grabbed her purse entered the man’s apartment and gave him Target security staffers have been unable under a rug in his closet. The money and took off, disappearing into the crowd. the opportunity to pay the fare. He refused. to stop his shenanigans. This latest went missing shortly after he stashed it. Staff was unable to detain him for police. Be Officers noticed a strong odor of alcohol on incident was no different. The suspect We suggest he check his vacuum cleaner. on the lookout for people who seem nice and his breath. (Ugh!) He was arrested and is is very quick and is usually armed with have wonderful teeth. drying out at the county jail. razor blades. Caution is advised. Feedback: [email protected]

September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 57 Our Sponsors

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58 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 Dining guiDe

R ESTAURANT L ISTINGS The Biscayne Corridor’s most comprehensive restaurant guide. Total this month: 235.

decorated café has survived and thrived for good reason. MIAMI The homey cooking is delicious, and the friendly family feel encourages even the timid of palate to try something NEW THIS MONTH Brickell / Downtown new. Novices will want Indonesia’s signature rijsttafel, MIDTOWN / WYNWOOD / DESIGN DISTRICT a mix-and-match collection of small dishes and condi- MIAMI Abokado ments to be heaped on rice. Note: bring cash. No plastic Hurricane Grill & Wings 900 S. Miami Ave., 305-347-3700 accepted here. $-$$ BRICKELL / DOWNTOWN Shops at Midtown Miami Hamachi chiles rellenos? Shiso leaf “nachos” topped Buena Vista Avenue, 305-576-7133 with raw spicy tuna, kaiware sprouts, and other Asian The Bar at Level 25 (Conrad Hotel) bistro e This Florida fast/casual chain became an instant hit in ingredients? The Viva, a sushi roll that starts with stan- 1395 Brickell Ave., 305-503-6500 485 Brickell Ave., 305-503-0373 Midtown Miami owing to a winning concept: more than 35 dard Japanese (spicy tuna, cucumber, avocado), adds On the Conrad’s 25th floor, The Bar’s picture-windowed Latin sabor (jalapeño, cilantro), wraps it in a flour tortilla, space is not just a watering hole with panoramic views. At A full power lunch from a Michelin-starred chef for $15? heat-coded sauces and dry rubs meant for custom-tossing and garnishes it with heat (spicy snow crab mix)? Miami lunch it’s an elegant sandwich bar; at night it’s a raw bar Sounds unbelievable, but you’ll find just such a daily with wings and other things (including white-meat “boneless hasn’t tended to initiate too many food “firsts,” but this (with pristine coldwater oysters) and (best) a tapas bar special (like corn/jalapeño soup, a grilled-cheese BLT, airy wings,” really wing-shaped chicken breast pieces), accompa- Japanese/Pan-Latin fusion place is surely one. Prices are serving pintxos. That’s just the Basque word for tapas, but cheesecake, and a pint of beer) at bistro e, daytime name nied by ranch or classic blue-cheese dip and celery. It would higher than at neighborhood sushi spots, but in keeping here there’s nothing mere about the generously portioned for Michael Psilakis’ dinner-only new Aegean eatery Eos. The be silly to not pair your main with garlic/herb-butter parmesan with Abokado’s Mary Brickell Village neighbors. $$$$ small plates. They range from traditional items like cod name change emphasizes lunchtime’s wholly different, glob- fries. There are many other items, too, including salads. But fish equixada and saffron-sautéed Spanish artichokes ally influenced menu. Among à la carte temptations: pork hey, celery is salad, right? $$ Acqua to inventive inspirations like foie gras and goat cheese- 1435 Brickell Ave., 305-381-3190 stuffed empanadas. $$$ belly tacos, a Korean BBQ prawn salad, or a brisket/gruyere Four Seasons Hotel sandwich with dipping juice. Breakfast, too, from 6:30 a.m. Originally an Italian/Mediterranean restaurant, this com- Botequim Carioca $$-$$$ NORTH MIAMI BEACH fortably elegant, upscale spot switched chefs in 2006, 900 Biscayne Blvd., 305-675-1876 resulting in a complete menu renovation. Thailand’s If Brazil’s cuisine were defined by the USA’s Brazilian First & First Southern Baking Company New China Buffet famed sense of culinary balance is now evident through- restaurants, the conclusion would be that Brazilian people 109 NE 1st Ave. 940 North Miami Beach Blvd., 305-957-7266 out the global (though primarily Asian or Latin American- eat nothing but rodizio (all-you-can-eat meat), and weigh, 305-577-6446 The venue (a former Bennigan’s) is clean, casual, and not inspired) menu, in dishes like yuzu/white soya-dressed on average, 400 pounds. This Brazilian pub broadens salad of shrimp tempura, a tender pork shank glazed with the picture, with a menu that offers entrées, especially at How Southern is this restaurant/bakery? During the course kitschy. The all-you-can-eat fare is voluminous -- scores of spicy Szechuan citrus sauce, or lunchtime’s rare tuna lunch, but highlights Brazilian tapas -- mega-mini plates of one breakfast of fluffy biscuits with rich sausage gravy, a Chinese dishes (recommended: Mongolian pork, spicy garlic burger with lively wasabi aioli and wakame salad. For des- meant for sharing. Must-not-misses include pasteles friend from Italy, we swear, developed a drawl. While y’all will shrimp, and surprisingly authentic steamed fish with ginger sert few chocoholics can resist a buttery-crusted tart filled filled with shrimp and creamy catupiry cheese, beautifully also find familiar fare (burgers, salads, etc.), highlights here and scallion); international oddities (pizza, plantains, pigs-in- with sinfully rich warm chocolate custard. $$$$$ seasoned bolinho de bacalau (fried salt cod dumplings), are traditional and/or reinvented country cooking favorites blankets); plus sushi, salad, and pastry/ice cream bars. And and aipim frito (house-special yuca fries, the best in -- especially homemade sweets. More than two dozen des- the price is sure right. Lunch is $6.75 ($7.75 Saturday and Area 31 town). $$$ serts daily are featured, from a roster topping 150: chocolate Sunday). Dinner features more seafood, $9.55. There’s an 270 Biscayne Boulevard Way, 305-524-5234 pecan pie, lemon bars, potato candies, seven-layer cookies, inexpensive take-out option, too, and reduced kids’ prices. $ Not that the sleek interior of this seafood restaurant Cafeina (named for fishing area 31, stretching from the Carolinas 297 NW 23rd St., 305-438-0792 and Jack Daniels pound cakes, which are perfect for parties, to South America) isn’t a glamorous dining setting. But This elegantly comfortable multi-room indoor/outdoor though you won’t want to share. $-$$ Vegetarian Restaurant by Hakin we’d eat outside. From the expansive terrace of the venue is described as an “art gallery/lounge,” and some 73 NE 167th St., 305-405-6346 Epic condo and hotel on the Miami River, the views of do come just for cocktails like the hefty café con leche Raja’s Indian Cuisine Too often purist vegetarian food is unskillfully crafted bland Brickell’s high-rises actually make Miami look like a real martinis. But don’t overlook chef Guily Booth’s 12-item 33 NE 2nd Ave. stuff, spiced with little but sanctimonious intent. Not at this city. It’s hard to decide whether the eats or drinks are the menu of very tasty tapas. The signature item is a truly 305-539-9551 modest-looking vegan (dairy-free vegetarian) restaurant and most impressive. The food is impeccably fresh regional jumbo-lump crab cake with no discernable binder. At Despite its small size and décor best described as “none,” smoothie bar. Dishes from breakfast’s blueberry-packed fish, prepared in a clean Mediterranean-influenced style. one South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Martha Stewart The cocktails are genuinely creative. Luckily you don’t proclaimed it the best she’d ever had. Our own prime this place is an institution thanks to south Indian specialties pancakes to Caribbean vegetable stews sparkle with vivid have to choose one or the other. $$$-$$$$ pick: melt-in-your-mouth ginger sea bass anticuchos, so rarely found in Miami’s basically north Indian restaurants. The flavors. Especially impressive: mock meat (and fake fish) buttery-rich we nearly passed out with pleasure. $$ steam-tabled curries are fine (and nicely priced), but be sure wheat-gluten items that beat many carnivorous competitors. Azul to try the custom-made dosai (lacy rice crepes with a variety Skeptical? Rightly. But we taste-tested a “Philly cheese steak” 500 Brickell Key Dr., 305-913-8254 Café Sambal of savory fillings) and uttapam, thicker pancakes, layered with sandwich on the toughest of critics -- an inflexibly burger-crazy Floor-to-ceiling picture windows showcase Biscayne Bay. 500 Brickell Key Dr., 305-913-8358 onions and chilis, both served with sambar and chutney. $$ six year-old. She cleaned her plate. $$ But diners are more likely to focus on the sparkling raw Though the Mandarin Oriental Hotel describes this space bar and open kitchen, where chef Clay Conley crafts imag- as its “casual hotel restaurant,” many consider it a more inative global creations – many of them combinations, spectacular dining setting than the upscale Azul, upstairs, to satisfy those who want it all. One offering, “A Study owing to the option of dining outdoors on a covered ter- tasty global smallish plates include fried fresh zucchini airy, burn-blistered pies, made from homemade dough, in Tuna,” includes tuna sashimi, Maine crab, avocado race directly on the waterfront. The food is Asian-inspired, with dip (cheese recommended); chorizo with homemade could do the trick. The rest of the organically oriented tempura, and caviar, with several Asian sauces. Moroccan with a few Latin and Mediterranean accents. For the cilantro Mayo; or steak tacos, served Mexican-style with menu May also great, but with pizzas like the cream/mush- lamb is three preparations (grilled chop, harissa-mari- health-conscious, the menu includes low-cal choices. onions, cilantro, and spicy salsa. Sadly for breakfast-brew room-topped Bianca beckoning, we’ll never know. $-$$$ nated loin, and bastilla, the famed savory-sweet Middle For hedonists there’s a big selection of artisan sakes. enthusiasts, the DRB isn’t open that early. But it is open Eastern pastry, stuffed with braised shank. $$$$$ $$$-$$$$$ late -- till 5:00 a.m. $$ Eos 485 Brickell Ave. (Viceroy Hotel), 305-503-0373 Balans Cvi.che 105 Dolores, But You Can Call Me Lolita Unlike their Michelin-starred New Adriatic restaurant 901 S. Miami Ave., (Mary Brickell Village), 105 NE 3rd Ave., 305-577-3454 1000 S. Miami Ave., 305-403-3103 Anthos, in Manhattan, this venture of chef Michael 305-534-9191 Fusion food -- a modern invention? Not in Peru, where From the stylish setting in Miami’s historic Firehouse No. Psilakis and restaurateur Donatella Arpaia has influences Open until 4:00 a.m. on weekends, this London import native and Euro-Asian influences have mixed for more 4, one would expect a mighty pricy meal. But entrées, ranging way beyond Greece to the whole Mediterranean (Miami’s second Balans) offers a sleeker setting than its than a century. But chef Juan Chipoco gives the ceviches which range from Nuevo Latino-style ginger/orange-glazed region, and even Latin America. Unchanged is Psilakis’ perennially popular Lincoln Road progenitor, but the same and tiraditos served at this hot spot his own unique spin. pork tenderloin to a platter of Kobe mini-burgers, all cost solid creativity, and a beautiful sense of balance that simple yet sophisticated global menu. The indoor space Specialties include flash-marinated raw seafood cre- either $18 or $23. And the price includes an appetizer makes even very unfamiliar combinations taste acces- can get mighty loud, but lounging on the dog-friendly out- ations, such as tiradito a la crema de rocoto (sliced fish -- no low-rent crapola, either, but treats like Serrano ham sible. So skip the safe stuff and go for the luxuriantly door terrace, over a rich croque monsieur (which comes in citrus-spiked chili/cream sauce). But traditional fusion croquetas, a spinach/leek tart with Portobello mushroom custardy, egg yolk-enriched lobster and sea urchin risotto, with an alluringly sweet/sour citrus-dressed side salad), a dishes like Chinese-Peruvian Chaufa fried rice (packed sauce, or shrimp-topped eggplant timbales. The best or any raw seafood item, especially the unique marlin with lobster club on onion toast, some surprisingly solid Asian with jumbo shrimp, mussels, and calamari) are also fun, seats are on the glam rooftop patio. $$$ pistachio, apricot, and house-cured speck. $$$-$$$$ fusion items, and a cocktail is one of Miami’s more relax- as well as surprisingly affordable. $$ ing experiences. $$-$$$ Ecco Pizzateca & Lounge Fratelli Milano The Democratic Republic of Beer 168 SE 1st St., 305-960-1900 213 S. Miami Ave., 305-373-2300 Bali Café 255 NE 14th St., 305-372-4161 Masterminded by Aramis Lorie (of PS14) and partner Brian Downtown isn’t yet a 24/7 urban center, but it’s experi- 109 NE 2nd Ave., 305-358-5751 The food here? Beer is food! The DRB serves 400 beers Basti, this hip hangout was designed to entice downtown encing a mini explosion of eateries open at night. That While Indonesian food isn’t easy to find in Miami, from 55 countries, ranging from $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon workers to linger after office hours. And even without the downtown has secret stashes — small joints catering to to $40 DeuS (an 11.5% alcohol Belgian méthode expansive, casual-chic space as bait, internationally award- cruise-ship and construction workers. This cute, exotically Champenoise brew). But for those favoring solid snacks, winning Italian pizza chef Massimo Fabio Bruni’s exquisitely Continued on page 60

September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 59 Dining Guide

Restaurant Listings Iron Sushi early 1990s. Most popular item here might be the week- crabs with grilled vegetables, corn relish, and remoulade. 120 SE 3rd Ave., 305-373-2000 day lunch special of jerk chicken with festival (sweet-fried There are even a few dishes to please meat-and-potatoes Continued from page 59 (See Miami Shores listing) cornmeal bread patties), but even vegetarians are well diners, like short ribs with macaroni and cheese. But served with dishes like a tofu, carrot, and chayote curry. oyster fans will find it difficult to resist stuffing themselves La Loggia Ristorante and Lounge All entrées come with rice and peas, fried plantains, and silly on the unusually large selection, especially since includes this family-owned ristorante, where even new- 68 W. Flagler St., 305-373-4800 salad, so no one leaves hungry. $ oysters are served both raw and cooked – fire-roasted comers feel at home. At lunch it’s almost impossible to This luxuriantly neo-classical yet warm Italian restaurant with sofrito butter, chorizo, and manchego. There’s also resist panini, served on foccacia or crunchy ciabatta; even was unquestionably a pioneer in revitalizing downtown. Novecento a thoughtful wine list and numerous artisan beers on the vegetarian version bursts with complex and comple- With alternatives like amaretto-tinged pumpkin agnolloti 1414 Brickell Ave., 305-403-0900 tap. $$$ mentary flavors. During weekday dinners, try generous in sage butter sauce and cilantro-spiced white bean/ For those who think “Argentine cuisine” is a synonym for plates of risotto with shrimp and grilled asparagus; home- vegetable salad dressed with truffle oil, proprietors “beef and more beef,” this popular eatery’s wide range Rosa Mexicano made pastas like seafood-packed fettuccine al scoglio; or Jennifer Porciello and Horatio Oliveira continue to draw a of more cosmopolitan contemporary Argentine fare will 900 S. Miami Ave., 786-425-1001 delicate Vitello alla Milanese on arugula. $$-$$$ lunch crowd that returns for dinner, or perhaps just stays be a revelation. Classic parrilla-grilled steaks are here This expansive indoor/outdoor space offers a dining expe- on through the afternoon, fueled by the Lawyer’s Liquid for traditionalists, but the menu is dominated by creative rience that’s haute in everything but price. Few entrées Fresco California Bistro Lunch, a vodka martini spiked with sweetened espresso. Nuevo Latino items like a new-style ceviche de chernia top $20. The décor is both date-worthy and family-friendly 1744 SW 3rd Ave., 305-858-0608 $$$ (lightly lime-marinated grouper with jalapeños, basil, and – festive but not kitschy. And nonsophisticates needn’t This festively decorated indoor/outdoor bistro packs a the refreshing sweet counterpoint of watermelon), or crab fear; though nachos aren’t available, there is nothing lot of party spirit into a small space, a large variety of La Moon ravioli with creamy saffron sauce. Especially notable are scary about zarape de pato (roast duck between freshly food onto its menu. To the familiar Latin American/Italian 144 SW 8th St., 305-860-6209 the entrée salads. $$-$$$ made, soft corn tortillas, topped with yellow-and-habane- equation, the owners add a touch of Cal-Mex (like Tex- At four in the morning, nothing quells the munchies like ro-pepper cream sauce), or Rosa’s signature guacamole Mex but more health conscious). Menu offerings range a Crazy Burger, a Colombian take on a trucker’s burger: Oceanaire Seafood Room en molcajete, made tableside. A few pomegranate mar- from designer pizzas and pastas to custardy tamales, but beef patty, bacon, ham, mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, and 900 S. Miami Ave., 305-372-8862 garitas ensure no worries. $$$ the bistro’s especially known for imaginative meal-size a fried egg, with an arepa corn pancake “bun.” While this With a dozen branches nationwide, Oceanaire May seem salads, like one featuring mandarin oranges, avocado, tiny place’s late hours (till 6:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday) more All-American seafood empire than Florida fish Sandwich Bar apple, blue cheese, raisins, candied pecans, and chicken are surprising, the daytime menu is more so. In addition shack, but menus vary significantly according to regional 40 NE 1st Ave., 305-577-0622 on a mesclun bed. $$ to Colombian classics, there’s a salad Nicoise with grilled tastes and fish. Here in Miami, chef Sean Bernal supple- This cool hideaway has a limited menu. Which is a good fresh tuna, seared salmon with mango salsa, and other ments signature starters like lump crab cakes with his thing when it means everything served is solidly crafted Garcia’s Seafood Grille and Fish Market yuppie favorites. $-$$ own lightly marinated, Peruvian-style grouper ceviche. by hands-on chef/owners, two of whom amassed sous- 398 NW N. River Dr., 305-375-0765 The daily-changing, 15-20 specimen seafood selection chef chops at Cioppino and Sardinia. The main fare is Run by a fishing family for a couple of generations, this La Provence includes local fish seldom seen on local menus: pompa- imaginative sandwiches on fresh breads; an especially venerable Florida fish shack is the real thing. No worries 1064 Brickell Ave., 786-425-9003 no, parrot fish, amberjack. But even flown-in fish (and the delicious creation features slow-braised short ribs, cara- about the seafood’s freshness; on their way to the dining Great baguettes in the bread basket, many believe, indi- raw bar’s cold-water oysters) are ultra-fresh. $$$$ melized onions, and melting muenster and provolone deck overlooking the Miami River, diners can view the cate a great meal to come. But when Miamians encounter cheeses. Finish with fine-shaved Aloha Ice topped with retail fish market. Best preparations are the simplest. such bread -- crackling crust outside; moist, aromatic, Pasha’s fresh fruit and other full-flavored syrups, all housemade, When stone crabs are in season, Garcia’s claws are as aerated interior -- it’s likely not from a restaurant’s own 1414 Brickell Ave., 305-416-5116 plus rich condensed milk. A sno-cone for sophisticates. $ good as Joe’s but considerably cheaper. The local fish kitchen, but from La Provence. Buttery croissants and par- The original branch on Lincoln Road was instantly sandwich is most popular – grouper, yellowtail snapper, ty-perfect pastries are legend too. Not so familiar is the popular, and the same healthy Middle Eastern fast food Soya & Pomodoro or mahi mahi. $-$$ bakery’s café component, whose sandwich/salad menu is served at several newer outlets. The prices are low 120 NE 1st St., 305-381-9511 reflects local eclectic tastes. But French items like pan enough that you might suspect Pasha’s was a tax write-off Life is complicated. Food should be simple. That’s owner Giovana Caffe bagnats (essentially salade Niçoise on artisan bread) will rather than a Harvard Business School project, which it Armando Alfano’s philosophy, which is stated above the 154 SE 1st Ave., 305-374-1024 truly transport diners to co-owner David Thau’s Provençal was by founders Antonio Ellek and Nicolas Cortes. Dishes entry to his atmospheric downtown eatery. And since If the menu at this charming downtown hideaway homeland. $$ range from falafel and gyros to more unusual items like it’s also the formula for the truest traditional Italian food contained only one item -- pear and gorgonzola ravioli muhammara (tangy walnut spread) and silky labneh (Alfano hails from Pompeii), it’s fitting that the menu is dressed, not drowned, in sage-spiced cream sauce -- we’d Le Boudoir Brickell yogurt cheese. Everything from pitas to lemonade is made dominated by authentically straightforward yet sophisti- be happy. But the café, formerly lunch-only but now serv- 188 SE 12th Terr., 305-372-233 fresh, from scratch, daily. $-$$ cated Italian entrées. There are salads and sandwiches, ing weekday dinners, is also justly famed for meal-size At this French bakery/café, mornings start seriously, too. The most enjoyable place to dine is the secret, open- salads like grilled skirt steak atop sweetly balsamic- with choices ranging from quality cheese, charcuterie/ Peoples Bar-B-Que air courtyard. Alfano serves dinner on Thursdays only to dressed spinach (with spinach, tomatoes, bacon, hard- pâté, or smoked salmon platters to chic Continental and 360 NW 8th St. accompany local musicians and artists. $-$$ boiled eggs, blue cheese, and almonds), or an especially complete American breakfasts. At lunch, generously 305-373-8080 lavish chicken salad with pine nuts, golden raisins, salad-garnished, open-faced tartines are irresistible. But Oak-smoked, falling-off-the-bone tender barbecued ribs Sparky’s Roadside Restaurant & Bar apples, and basil, an Italian twist. $$ sophisticated salads and homemade soups make the (enhanced with a secret sauce whose recipe goes back 204 NE 1st St., 305-377-2877 choice tough. And do not skip dessert. Superb sweets several generations) are the main draw at this Overtown This cowboy-cute eatery’s chefs/owners (one CIA-trained, Grimpa Steakhouse include rich almond/fresh raspberry or properly tangy institution. But the chicken is also a winner, plus there’s both BBQ fanatics nicknamed Sparky) eschew regional 901 Brickell Plaza, 305-455-4757 lemon tarts, traditional Madeleines, airy layered mousses, a full menu of soul food entrées, including what many afi- purism, instead utilizing a hickory/apple-wood-stoked This expansive indoor/outdoor Brazilian eatery is sleekly and addictive mini-macaroon sandwich cookies with daily- cionados consider our town’s tastiest souse. And it would rotisserie smoker to turn out their personalized style of contemporary, but no worries. The classic sword-wielding changing fillings. $-$$ be unthinkable to call it quits without homemade sweet slow-cooked, complexly dry-rub fusion: ribs, chopped pork, gauchos are here, serving a mind-reeling assortment of potato pie or banana pudding, plus a bracing flop – half brisket, and chicken. Diners can customize their orders skewered beef, chicken, lamb, pork, sausages, and fish. Martini 28 iced tea, half lemonade. $-$$ with mix-and-match housemade sauces: sweet/tangy And included in the price (dinner $47, lunch $34) is the 146 SE 1st Ave., 305-577-4414 tomato-based, Carolinas-inspired vinegar/mustard, pan- traditional belly-busting buffet of hot and cold prepared This stylish little lunch-only spot, a labor of love from Perricone’s Asian hoisin with lemongrass and ginger, tropical guava/ foods, salad, cold cuts, and cheeses. A pleasant, nontra- a husband-wife chef team, serves what might well be 15 SE 10th St., 305-374-9449 habanero. Authenticity aside, the quality of the food is as ditional surprise: unusual sauces like sweet/tart passion the most impressive meal deal in town. From an ambi- Housed in a Revolutionary-era barn (moved from good as much higher-priced barbecue outfits. $-$$ fruit or mint, tomato-based BBQ, and mango chutney, tious, daily-changing menu of fare that’s geographically Vermont), this market/café was one of the Brickell area’s along with the ubiquitous chimichurri. $$$$-$$$$$ eclectic but prepared with solid classic technique, diners first gentrified amenities. At lunch chicken salad is a Sushi Maki get a choice of about ten entrées (substantial stuff like favorite; dinner’s strong suit is the pasta list, ranging 1000 S. Miami Ave., 305-415-9779 Half Moon Empanadas steak au poivre with Madeira cream sauce and roasted from Grandma Jennie’s old-fashioned lasagna to chichi Fans of the popular parent Sushi Maki in the Gables 192 SE 1st Ave., 305-379-2525 potatoes, or pignolia-crusted salmon with Dijon mustard fiocchi purses filled with fresh pear and gorgonzola. And will find many familiar favorites on this Brickell branch’s As with South Beach’s original Half Moon, you can get sauce, potatoes, and veggies), plus soup or salad and Sunday’s $15.95 brunch buffet ($9.95 for kids) – fea- menu. But the must-haves are some inventive new dishes wraps or salads. But it’s this snackery’s unique take housemade dessert. For just $9.99. Told ya. $ turing an omelet station, waffles, smoked salmon and introduced to honor the eatery’s tenth anniversary — and on Argentine-style empanadas that makes it seem a bagels, salads, and more – remains one of our town’s Miami multiculturalism: “sushi tacos” (fried gyoza skins natural for national franchising. The soft-crusted, doughy MIA at Biscayne most civilized all-you-can-eat deals. $$ with fusion fillings like raw salmon, miso, chili-garlic crescents -- baked, not fried, so relatively guilt-free -- are 20 Biscayne Blvd., 305-642-0032 sauce, and sour cream), three tasty flash-marinated amply stuffed with fillings both classic (beef and chicken, At this expansive, ultra-glam restolounge, the eclectic, Prelude Asian/Latin tiraditos; addictive rock shrimp tempura with either mild or spicy) and creative: the bacon cheeseburg- mostly small-plate menu ranges from the expected Adrienne Arsht Center creamy/spicy dip. Also irresistible: four festive new sake er, the pancetta/mozzarella/plum-filled Americana, and (grilled skirt steak with chimichurri; new-style ceviches, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., 305-949-6722 cocktails. $$-$$$ several vegetarian options. At just over two bucks apiece, and luxe sushi rolls) to a small but tantalizing selection Though the opening of Barton G.’s elegant performing they’re a money-saving moveable feast. $ of chef Gerdy Rodriguez’s signature creations. Lunch fare arts center eatery did feature a live giraffe, the food’s Thai Angel includes modernized “Minuta” fish sandwiches (avocado/ actually more grown-up than at his original SoBe spot. 152 SE 1st Ave. Il Gabbiano habanero vinaigrette-dressed hamachi on nori Kaiser The concept is prix fixe: Any three courses on the menu 305-371-9748 335 S. Biscayne Blvd., 305-373-0063 rolls), while dinner offers edgier inventions like confit (meaning three entrées if you want) for $39. Highlights Inside a colorful courtyard that rather resembles Its location at the mouth of the Miami River makes this pork belly with a panko-crusted egg yolk capsula, the yolk include silky, tarragon-inflected corn/bacon chowder, Munchkinland, this downtown “insider’s secret” serves ultra-upscale Italian spot (especially the outdoor terrace) nitrogen-frozen before frying to achieve a crisp crust and beautifully plated beef carpaccio with horseradish/mus- serious Thai food till 9:00 p.m. daily. Tasty classics like the perfect power lunch/business dinner alternative delightfully improbable oozing interior. $$$ tard and shallot olive oil dipping sauces; and over-the-top the four curries (red, green, panang, and massaman) to steakhouses. And the culinary experience goes way playhouse desserts, one with a luscious crème fraiche ice come custom-spiced -- mild to authentically brain-searing beyond the typical meat market, thanks in part to the Miami’s Chophouse cream pop. $$$$ -- and are so affordable there’s no guilt in splurging on flood of freebies that’s a trademark of Manhattan’s Il 300 S. Biscayne Blvd.,305-938-9000 superb house specials like crisp-coated duck or fresh Mulino, originally run by Il Gabbiano’s owners. The rest Formerly Manny’s Steakhouse, Miami’s Chophouse Puntino Downtown snapper (whole or filleted) in tamarind sauce. The young of the food? Pricy, but portions are mammoth. And the retains basically everything but the famed name (from 353 SE 2nd Ave., 305-371-9661 chef has a heavenly hand at tofu, too, so vegetarians are champagne-cream-sauced housemade ravioli with black the original Manny’s in Minneapolis), and remains The first U.S. venture of a hotelier from Naples, this stylish very well-served. $$ truffles? Worth every penny. $$$$$ Miami’s most intentionally masculine steakhouse. little place is open Monday through Saturday for dinner Here, ensconced in your black leather booth, everything as well as lunch. Ambiance is fashionably cool Milanese Tobacco Road Indochine is humongous: dry-aged choice-grade steaks like the rather than effusively warm Neapolitan. The food too is 626 S. Miami Ave. 638 S. Miami Ave., 305-379-1525 Bludgeon of Beef (a boldly flavorful 40-ounce bone-in mostly contemporary rather than traditional. But in true 305-374-1198 Indochine has succeeded by morphing from mere restau- ribeye, described as “part meat, part weapon”); king crab Italian style, the best stuff stays simple: an antipasto plat- Prohibition-era speakeasy (reputedly a fave of Al Capone), rant into hip hangout. Copious special events draw every- legs that dwarf the plate; cocktail shrimp that could swal- ter of imported cold cuts with crostini and housemade gay bar, strip club. Previously all these, this gritty spot has one from downtown business types to the counterculture low the Loch Ness monster whole; two-fisted cocktails marinated veggies; crisp-fried calamari and shrimp; airy been best known since 1982 as a venue for live music, crowd. Not that there’s anything “mere” about the range that would fell a T-Rex. Not for the frail. $$$$$ gnocchi with sprightly tomato sauce, pools of melted primarily blues. But it also offers food from lunchtime of food served from three Asian nations. Light eaters can bufala mozzarella, and fresh basil. $$-$$$ to late night (on weekends till 4:00 a.m.). The kitchen is snack on Vietnamese summer rolls or Japanese sushi Miami’s Finest Caribbean Restaurant especially known for its chili, budget-priced steaks, and rolls. For bigger appetites, there are Thai curries and 236 NE 1st Ave., 305-381-9254 The River Oyster Bar burgers. There’s also surprisingly elegant fare, though, Vietnamese specialties like pho, richly flavored beef soup Originally from Jamaica, proprietor Miss Pat has been 650 S. Miami Ave., 305-530-1915 with meatballs, steak slices, rice noodles, and add-in serving her traditional homemade island specialties to This casually cool jewel is a full-service seafood spot, as Asian herbs and sprouts. $$-$$$ downtown office workers and college students since the evidenced by tempting menu selections like soft-shell Continued on page 62

60 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 Dining Guide

Executive Chef Paul Suriel Experience the innovative Creations of Pastry Chef William Newcomb

RESTAURANT • LOUNGE • BAR

5556 NE 4TH COURT • 55TH TERRACE, ONE BLOCK WEST OF BISCAYNE BLVD • 305 759 3117 • 11 AM TO CLOSING, 7 DAYS AMPLE VALET AND SELF PARKING WWW.SOYKARESTAURANT.COM

September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 61 Dining Guide

Restaurant Listings Bay View Grille platters are exceptional, and customized for flavor prefer- Fries (regular or Cajun-spiced) are also superior, hand-cut 1633 N. Bayshore Dr. (Marriott Hotel), ence from mild to bold, and accompanied by appropri- in-house from sourced potatoes. $ Continued from page 60 305-536-6414 ate fruits, veggies, nuts, olives, prepared spreads, and This expansive restaurant has no outdoor component, but breads. $$ Fratelli Lyon floor-to-ceiling windows and a multi-level layout means 4141 NE 2nd Ave. like a Norwegian salmon club with lemon aioli. A meat- every table has a Biscayne Bay view, which we find par- Clive’s Café 305-572-2901 smoker in back turns out tasty ribs. $$ ticularly enjoyable in the morning, over a fresh asparagus 2818 N. Miami Ave., 305-576-0277 This Italian café has been packed since the moment and Boursin cheese omelet or huevos à la cubana (fried Some still come for the inexpensive, hearty American it opened. No surprise to any who recall owner Ken Tre Italian Bistro eggs and cheese on black beans). Lunch and dinner breakfasts and lunches that this homey hole-in-the-wall Lyon’s pioneering Lyon Frères gourmet store on Lincoln 270 E. Flagler St., 305-373-3303 menus are a “greatest hits” mix (steaks, pasta, Caesar has served for more than 30 years. Since about 1990, Road (1992-97), another joint that was exactly what its “Bistro” actually sounds too Old World for this cool hang- salad), featuring appealing local accents like a hefty fried though, when owner Pearline Murray (“Ms. Pearl” to neighborhood needed. The restaurant’s artisan salumi, out, from the owners of downtown old-timer La Loggia, or blackened grouper sandwich on ciabatta roll, with regulars) and cook Gloria Chin began emphasizing their cheeses, flavorful boutique olive oils, and more are so but “restolounge” sounds too glitzy. Think of it as a neigh- remoulade sauce. $$-$$$ native Jamaican specialties, the intensely spiced grilled outstanding that you can’t help wishing it also had a retail borhood “bistrolounge.” The food is mostly modernized jerk chicken has been the main item here. Other favorites: component. Entrées include properly al dente pastas, plus Italian, with Latin and Asian accents: a prosciutto-and-fig Bengal savory rice and pigeon peas; eye-opening onion/vinegar- some regional specialties like Venetian-style calves liver, pizza with Brazilian catupiry cheese; gnocchi served either 2010 Biscayne Blvd., 305-403-1976 flavored escovitch fish; sweet plantains; and cabbage that rarely found outside Italy. $$$ as finger food (fried, with calamata olive/truffle aioli), or At this Indian eatery the décor is cool and contemporary: redefines the vegetable. $ plated with orange-ginger sauce. But there are tomato- muted gray and earth-tone walls, tasteful burgundy ban- The Girrrlz of Sandwich sauced meatballs with ri’gawt for Grandpa Vinnie, too. quettes. And the menu touts “Modern Indian Cuisine” The Daily Creative Food Co. 555 NE 15th St., 2nd floor (Venetia condo) $$-$$$ to match the look. Classicists, however, needn’t worry. 2001 Biscayne Blvd., 305-573-4535 305-374-4305 America’s favorite familiar north Indian flavors are here, While the food formula of this contemporary café is Riot Grrrl DIY spirit shines in the homemade soups, Waxy O’Connor’s though dishes are generally more mildly spiced and familiar – sandwiches, salads, soups, breakfast food, and sweets, salads, and exceptionally tasty warm baguette 690 SW 1st Ct., 786-871-7660 presented with modern flair. All meats are certified halal, pastries, plus coffee and fruit drinks – a creative concept sandwiches (like prosciutto and fresh mozzarella, dressed While the menu of this casually craic (Gaelic for “fun”) Islam’s version of kosher — which doesn’t mean that differentiates the place. Signature sandwiches are named with a unique sumac vinaigrette) at this concealed café, Irish pub will be familiar to fans of the South Beach observant orthodox Jews can eat here, but Muslims can. after national and local newspapers, including Biscayne hidden on the Venetia condo’s mezzanine. Owners Ana Waxy’s, the location is far superior -- on the Miami River, $$$ Times, giving diners something to chat about. Sandwiches Oliva and Fadia Sarkis scour local markets daily for the with waterfront deck. And none of Miami’s Irish eater- and salads can also be do-it-yourself projects, with an freshest of ingredients, and their breads (plus light-crust- ies offers as much authentic traditional fare. Especially Bin No. 18 unusually wide choice of main ingredients, garnishes, ed empanadas and sinful Ghirardelli chocolate cake) are evocative: imported oak-smoked Irish salmon with house- 1800 Biscayne Blvd., 786-235-7575 breads, and condiments for the creatively minded. $ all baked in-house. On Saturdays the grrrls’ll even deliver made brown bread; puff-pastry-wrapped Irish sausage At this wine bar/café, the décor is a stylish mix of contem- you an elegant (yet inexpensive) breakfast in bed. $ rolls; lunchtime’s imported Irish bacon or banger “butty” porary (high loft ceilings) and Old World (tables made from Delicias Peruanas sandwiches on crusty baguettes, served with hand-cut wine barrels). Cuisine is similarly geared to the area’s 2590 Biscayne Blvd., 305-573-4634 Joey’s Italian Café fries, the latter particularly terrific dipped in Waxy’s curry smart new residents: creative sandwiches and salads at Seafood is the specialty at this pleasant Peruvian spot, as 2506 NW 2nd Ave., 305-438-0488 sauce. $$ lunch, tapas and larger internationally themed Spanish, it was at the nearby original Delicias, run by members of The first new restaurant in the Wynwood Café District, this Italian, or French charcuterie platters at night. Though the the same family. The food is as tasty as ever, especially stylish indoor/outdoor Italian hangout is as casually cool Wok Town place is small and family-run friendly, chef Alfredo Patino the reliably fresh traditional ceviches, and for those who as one would hope — and as affordable. There’s a five- 119 SE 1st Ave., 305-371-9993 offers sophisticated snacks like the figciutto: arugula, gor- like their fish tangy but cooked, a mammoth jalea platter. buck half-serving of spaghetti al pomodoro and respect- Judging from the takeout window, the minimalist décor gonzola dolce, caramelized onions, pine nuts, fresh figs, As for nonseafood stuff, Peru practically invented fusion able vino for under $30. And few can resist delicately thin, (with communal seating), and predominance of American and prosciutto. Free parking behind the building. $$ cuisine (in the 1800s), such as two traditional noodle crunchy-crusted pizzas like the creative Dolce e Piccante veggies on the menu, this Asian fast-food eatery, owned dishes: tallerin saltado and tallerin verde. $$ or orgasmic Carbonara. Pastas are fresh; produce is by Shai Ben-Ami (a Miss Yip and Domo Japones veteran) Buena Vista Bistro largely local; the mosaic-centered décor is minimalist but May initially seem akin to those airport Oriental steam 4582 NE 2nd Ave., 305-456-5909 18th Street Café inviting. And no need to be wary of the warehouse district tables. Wrong. Custom-cooked by Chinese chefs, starters If a neighborhood eatery like this one — which serves 210 NE 18th St., 305-381-8006 at night: Valet parking is free. $$-$$$ (like soy/garlic-coated edamame), salads, and have-it- supremely satisfying bistro food — were within walking Most of the seating in this cool little breakfast/lunch room your-way stir-fries, fried rice, or noodle bowls burst with distance of every Miami resident, we’d be a helluva hip is in a sort of giant bay window, backed with banquettes, La Provence bold, fresh flavor. The proof: a startlingly savory miso beef food town. Like true Parisian bistros, it’s open continu- that makes the space feel expansive. This pioneer- 2200 Biscayne Blvd. salad, with sesame/ginger/scallion dressing. Bubble tea, ously, every day, with prices so low that you can drop in ing place deserves to survive, even if just considering 305-576-8002 too! $$ anytime for authentic rillettes (a rustic pâté) with a crusty the roast beef sandwich with creamy horseradish – an (See Brickell / Downtown listing.) baguette, steak with from-scratch frites, salmon atop rata- inspired classic combination that makes one wonder why Zuma touille, or many changing blackboard specials. Portions more places in this town don’t serve it. Other culinary Latin Café 2000 270 Biscayne Blvd. Way, 305-577-0277 are plentiful. So is free parking. $$ highlights include a turkey/pear/cheddar melt sandwich, 2501 Biscayne Blvd. This Miami River restolounge has a London parent on and really sinful marshmallow-topped brownies. $ 305-576-3838 San Pellegrino’s list of the world’s best restaurants, and a Buena Vista Deli The menu is similar to that at many of our town’s Latin similar menu of world-class, Izakaya-style smallish plates 4590 NE 2nd Ave., 305-576-3945 Fin cafés, largely classic Cuban entrées and sandwiches, (robata-grilled items, sushi, much more) meant for shar- At this casual café/bakery, co-owned by Buena Vista 4029 N. Miami Ave., 305-227-2378 with a smattering of touches from elsewhere in Latin ing over drinks. Suffice to say that it would take maybe Bistro’s Claude Postel, the day starts in authentic French Like the other restaurants in Jonathan Eismann’s Design America, such as a Peruvian jalea mixta (marinated mixed a dozen visits to work your way through the voluminous fashion, with fresh breakfast breads, chocolate almond District mini empire, this upscale fish house is intended seafood), or paella Valenciana from Spain, which many menu, which offers ample temptations for vegetarians as croissants, and other delights. At lunch cornichon- to be product-driven rather than chef-driven, a place Miami eateries consider a Latin country. What justifies the well as carnivores. Our favorite is the melt-in-your-mouth garnished baguette sandwiches (containing housemade where you’ll find some of Miami’s freshest seafood. new millennium moniker is the more modern, yuppified/ pork belly with yuzu/mustard miso dip, but even the pâtés, sinfully rich pork rillettes, superb salami, and other Everything on the changing menu was swimming no yucafied ambiance, encouraged by an expansive, rustic exquisitely-garnished tofu rocks. $$$$ charcuterie classics) are irresistible, and a buttery-crusted, more than 48 hours earlier. That said, don’t expect plat- wooden deck. $$ custardy quiche plus perfectly dressed salad costs little ters with fries and slaw. From an amuse of tuna tartare more than a fast-food combo meal. As for Postel’s home- through entrées like Alaskan halibut with preserved Lemoni Café Midtown / Wynwood / Design District made French sweets, if you grab the last Paris-Brest, a lemon risotto and lemongrass nage, the menu features 4600 NE 2nd Ave., 305-571-5080 praline butter-cream-filled puff pastry, we May have to kill Eismann’s distinctive Asian and The menu here reads like your standard sandwiches/ Adelita’s Café you. $-$$ salads/starters primer. What it doesn’t convey is the 2699 Biscayne Blvd., 305-576-1262 Five Guys Famous Burger and Fries freshness of the ingredients and the care that goes From the street (which is actually NE 26th, not Biscayne) The Cheese Course Shops at Midtown Miami into their use. Entrée-size salads range from an elegant this Honduran restaurant seems unpromising, but inside 3451 NE 1st Ave., 786-220-6681 Buena Vista Ave., 305-571-8341 spinach (goat cheese, pears, walnuts, raisins) to chunky it’s bigger, better, and busier than it looks. Unlike many Not so much a restaurant as an artisanal cheese shop No green-leaf faux health food here. You get what the homemade chicken salad on a bed of mixed greens. Latin American eateries, this one sticks close to the with complimentary prepared foods, this place’s self-ser- name says, period, with three adds: kosher dogs, veg- Sandwiches (cold baguette subs, hot pressed paninis, or source and proves a crowd-pleaser. On weekends espe- vice café component nevertheless became an instant hit. gie burgers, and free peanuts while you wait. Which you wraps, all accompanied by side salads) include a respect- cially, the dining rooms are packed with families enjoying Impeccable ingredients and inspired combinations make will, just a bit, since burgers are made fresh upon order. able Cuban and a veggie wrap with a deceptively rich- authentic fare like baleadas (thick corn tacos), tajadas even the simplest salads and sandwiches unique -- like Available in double or one-patty sizes, they’re well-done tasting light salad cream. $-$$ (Honduras’s take on tostones), rich meal-in-a-bowl soups bacon and egg, elevated by hand-crafted cream cheese, but spurtingly juicy, and after loading with your choice of packed with seafood or meat and veggies, and more. $ roasted red peppers, avocado, and chipotle Mayo. Cheese free garnishes, even a “little” burger makes a major meal. Continued on page 63

62 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 Dining Guide

Restaurant Listings it’s rare at most rodizio joints to get meat done less than intensely flavorful huitlacoche and wild mushrooms, with dollars to shell out for the local art on the walls, less than medium, Maino will cook to order. One other welcome manchego and salsa verde -- a reminder that vegetarian ten bucks will get you art on a plate, including a Picasso: Continued from page 62 difference: There are à la carte starters and pastas for food need not be bland. $$-$$$ chorizo, prosciutto, manchego cheese, baby spinach, lighter eaters and noncarnivores, and some lunch spe- and basil on a crusty baguette. Other artfully named and Lime Fresh Mexican Grill cials. Free parking, too. $$-$$$$$ Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink crafted edibles include salads, daily soups, several pastas Shops at Midtown Miami 130 NE 40th St., 305-573-5550 (like the Matisse, fiocchi pouches filled with pears and Buena Vista Avenue Maitardi An instant smash hit, this truly neighborhood-oriented res- cheese), and house-baked pastries. $ 305-576-5463 163 NE 39th St., 305-572-1400 taurant from chef Michael Schwartz offers down-to-earth Like its South Beach predecessor, this Lime was an Though we admired the ambitious approach of Oak fun food in a comfortable, casually stylish indoor/outdoor Pasha’s instant hit, as much for being a hip new Midtown hangout Plaza’s original tenant, Brosia, this more informal, inex- setting. Fresh, organic ingredients are emphasized, but 3801 N. Miami Ave., 305-573-0201 as for its carefully crafted Tex-Mex food. The concept pensive, and straightforwardly Italian concept of veteran dishes range from cutting-edge (crispy beef cheeks with (See Brickell/Downtown listing) is “fast casual” rather than fast food – meaning nice Lincoln Road restaurateur Graziano Sbroggio seems a whipped celeriac, celery salad, and chocolate reduction) to enough for a night out. It also means ingredients are more universal lure for the Design District’s central “town simple comfort food: deviled eggs, homemade potato chips Pizzavolante always fresh. Seafood tacos are about as exotic as the square.” The mostly outdoor space remains unaltered with pan-fried onion dip, or a whole wood-roasted chicken. 3918 N. Miami Ave., 305-573-5325 menu gets, but the mahi mahi for fish tacos comes from save a wood-burning oven producing flavorfully char-bub- There’s also a broad range of prices and portion sizes to At this tiny pizza/mozzarella bar, Jonathan Eismann’s a local supplier, and salsas are housemade daily. Niceties bled pizza creations, plus a vintage meat slicer dispens- encourage frequent visits. Michael’s Genuine also features inspired topping combos and astonishingly high-quality include low-carb tortillas and many Mexican beers. $ ing wild boar salamino, bresaola (cured beef), and other an eclectic, affordable wine list and a full bar. $$-$$$$ ingredients prove that star-chef skills are not wasted on artisan salumi. Other irresistibles: fried artichokes with humble fare. Carnivores must try the Cacciatorini, an Limón y Sabor lemony aioli; seafood lasagna with heavenly dill-lobster Mike’s at Venetia ultra-thin and crispy crust with indescribably rich guancia- 3045 Biscayne Blvd., 786-431-5739 sauce. $$-$$$ 555 NE 15th St., 9th floor, 305-374-5731 le (cured, unsmoked pork cheek bacon), pungent artisan In this dramatically renovated space, the room is now This family-owned Irish pub, on the pool deck of the pepperoni, grana padano, locally made mozzarella, and light and open, and the food is authentic Peruvian, with Mandolin Aegean Bistro Venetia condo, for more than 15 years has been a Italian tomatoes. For meatless pies, we recommend the seafood a specialty. Portions are huge, prices low, quality 4312 NE 2nd Ave., 305-576-6066 popular lunch and dinner hang-out for local journal- Bianca, a thyme-seasoned pizza whose plentiful cheeses high. Especially good are their versions of pescado a lo Inside this converted 1940s home’s blue-and-white dining ists and others who appreciate honest cheap eats and are beautifully balanced by bitter arugula. Bring a crowd macho (fish fillet topped with mixed seafood in a creamy, room -- or even more atmospherically, its tree-sheltered drinks. Regulars know daily specials are the way to go. and taste half-a-dozen different mozzarellas. $$ zesty sauce); jalea (breaded and deep-fried fish, mixed garden -- diners feast on authentic rustic fare from both Depending on the day, fish, churrasco, or roast turkey seafood, and yuca, topped with onion/pepper/lime salsa), Greece and Turkey. Make a meal of multinational mezes: with all the trimmings are all prepared fresh. Big burgers Primo’s and yuca in hot yet fruity rocoto chili cream sauce. $$ a Greek sampler of creamy tzatziki yogurt dip, smoky egg- and steak dinners are always good. A limited late-night 1717 N. Bayshore Dr., 305-371-9055 plant purée, and airy tarama caviar spread; and a Turkish menu provides pizza, wings, ribs, and salad till 3:00 a.m. The imposing, cavernous lobby of the Grand doesn’t Lost & Found Saloon sampler of hummus, fava purée, and rich tomato-walnut $-$$ have that “do drop in” locals’ hangout vibe. But this lively 185 NW 36th St., 305-576-1008 dip. The meze of mussels in lemony wine broth is, with Italian spot is actually a great addition to the neighbor- There’s an artsy/alternative feel to this casual and friend- Mandolin’s fresh-baked flatbread, almost a full meal in Morgans Restaurant hood. The pizzas alone – brick-oven specimens with ly Wynwood eatery, which, since opening as a weekday- itself. $$-$$$ 28 NE 29th St., 305-573-9678 toppings ranging from classic pepperoni to prosciutto/ only breakfast and lunch joint in 2005, has grown with its Housed in a beautifully refurbished 1930s private home, arugula – would be draw enough. But pastas also please: neighborhood. It’s now open for dinner six nights a week, Mario the Baker Morgans serves eclectic, sometimes internationally influ- diners’ choice of starch, with mix-and-match sauces and serving Southwestern-style fare at rock-bottom prices. 250 NE 25th St., 305-438-0228 enced contemporary American cuisine compelling enough extras. And the price is right, with few entrées topping Dishes like piñon and pepita-crusted salmon, chipotle- (See North Miami listing) to attract hordes. Dishes are basically comfort food, but $20. The capper: It’s open past midnight every day but drizzled endive stuffed with lump crab, or customizable ultimate comfort food: the most custardy, fluffy French Sunday. $$ tacos average $5-$8. Also available: big breakfasts and Mercadito Midtown toast imaginable; shoestring frites that rival Belgium’s salads, hearty soups, housemade pastries like lemon- 3252 NE 1st Ave. best; mouthwatering maple-basted bacon; miraculously Primo Pizza Miami crusted wild berry pie, and a hip beer and wine list. $ 786-369-0423 terrific tofu (crisply panko-crusted and apricot/soy- 3451 NE 1st Ave., 305-535-2555 Some people frequent this fashionable restolounge, glazed); even a “voluptuous grilled cheese sandwich” Just a few years ago, chain pizza joints were dominant Maino Churrascaria festooned with graffiti-style murals designed to evoke a -- definitely a “don’t ask, don’t tell your cardiologist” item. most everywhere. Today many places now offer authen- 2201 Biscayne Blvd., 305-571-9044 bustling Mexican street market, just for the dangerously $$-$$$ tic Italian or delicate designer pizzas. But a satisfying This very upscale Brazilian steakhouse has all the fea- smooth margaritas. But the main must-haves here are Brookyn-style street slice? Fuhgedit. Thankfully that’s tures you expect, including all-you-can-eat meats carved tacos, encased in a rarity: genuinely made-from-scratch Orange Café + Art the speciality of this indoor/outdoor pizzeria: big slices tableside and a lavish buffet. What sets Maino apart from corn tortillas, small but fatly-stuffed. Of 11 varieties, our 2 NE 40th St., 305-571-4070 with chewy crusts (made from imported NY tap water) typical rodizio palaces is its family-run feel, intimate rather favorite is the carnitas (juicy braised pork, spicy chili de The paintings hanging in this tiny, glass-enclosed café than intimidating, plus its attention to every detail. While arbol slaw, toasted peanuts). A close second: the hongos, are for sale. And for those who don’t have thousands of Continued on page 64

September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 63 Dining Guide

Restaurant Listings S & S Diner oven) that are this popular pizzeria’s specialty, along with bungalow and featuring a breezy patio, covers multi- 1757 NE 2nd Ave., 305-373-4291 executive chef Frank Cr upi’s famed Philly cheese steak cultural bases. If the Old World Rucola pizza (a classic Continued from page 63 Some things never change, or so it seems at this classic sandwiches. Also available are salads and panini plus rea- Margherita topped with arugula, prosciutto, and shredded diner. Open since 1938, people still line up on Saturday sonably priced wines and beers, including a few unusually parmesan) doesn’t do the trick, the New World Especial (a that aren’t ultra-thin and crisp, but flexible enough to fold mornings, waiting for a seat at the counter and enormous sophisticated selections like Belgium’s Hoegaarden. $$ Latin pie with hearts of palm and boiled eggs) just might. lengthwise, and medium-thick -- sturdy enough to support breakfasts: corned beef hash or crab cakes and eggs Also available are pastas, salads, sandwiches, dinner toppings applied with generous all-American abandon. with grits; fluffy pancakes; homemade biscuits with gravy Anise Taverna entrées (eggplant parmigiana with spaghetti, lomito steak Take-out warning: Picking up a whole pie? Better bring the and Georgia sausage – everything from oatmeal to eggs 620 NE 78th St., 305-758-2929 with Argentinean potato salad), and desserts (tiramisu or SUV, not the Morris Mini. Benedict. The lunch menu is a roll call of the usual sus- The new owners of this river shack are banking on Greek flan). $ pects, but most regulars ignore the menu and go for the food and festivity for success — a good bet, judging from Prosecco Ristorante daily blackboard specials. $-$$ their wildly popular previous eatery, Ouzo. The mainly Dogma Grill 3930 NE 2nd Ave., 305-438-2885 mezze menu ranges from traditional Greek small plates to 7030 Biscayne Blvd., 305-759-3433 Its sheltered location, in a showroom building’s central Sra. Martinez creative Mediterranean-inspired dishes like anise-scented What could induce downtown businessmen to drive to the atrium, makes Prosecco not the Design District’s easiest- 4000 NE 2nd Ave., 305-573-5474 fish croquettes with spicy aioli. But don’t neglect large Upper Eastside to eat at a few outdoor-only tables just to-find Italian eatery/enoteca. But the owner’s longtime No Biscayne Corridor resident needs to be told that this plates like whole grilled Mediterranean fish (dorade or feet from the busy Boulevard? From the day it opened, experience in Tom Billante restaurants like Carpaccio lively tapas bar is the second restaurant that Upper branzino), filleted tableside. The interior is charming, and people have been lining up for this stand’s sauce-gar- tells you the place is a people-pleaser, with food and Eastside homegrrrl Michelle Bernstein has opened in the the outdoor deck on the Little River is positively romantic. nished, all-beef, soy veggie, turkey, and chicken hot dogs. wine that’s accessible, affordable, and worth the hunt. area. But it’s no absentee celebrity-chef gig. Bernstein $$-$$$ The 22 varieties range from simple to the elaborate (the Beautifully garnished carpaccios (like mustard-vinaigrette- is hands-on at both places. Her exuberant yet firmly Athens, topped with a Greek salad, including extra-virgin dressed smoked salmon with baby beets, purple potatoes, controlled personal touch is obvious in nearly four dozen Balans Biscayne olive oil dressing) to near-unbelievable combinations like and a soft-cooked egg), pastas like ricotta and spinach- hot and cold tapas on the menu. Items are frequently 6789 Biscayne Blvd., 305-534-9191 the VIP, which includes parmesan cheese and crushed stuffed agnolotti with sage/butter sauce, and similar reinvented. Keepers include wild mushroom/manchego It took longer than expected, but this Brit import’s third pineapple. New addition: thick, juicy burgers. $ temptations ensure you’ll return. $$$ croquetas with fig jam; white bean stew; crisp-coated Miami venue finally opened, and rather quietly -- which artichokes with lemon/coriander dip; and buttery bone has an upside. It’s easier to get a table here (and to park, East Side Pizza Q marrow piqued with Middle Eastern spices and balanced thanks to the free lot on 68th Street) than at Lincoln 731 NE 79th St. 4029 N. Miami Ave., 305-227-2378 by tiny pickled salads. $$$ Road or Brickell. This, along with the venue’s relatively 305-758-5351 Unlike most urban barbecue joints, this neo-rustic large, open-to-the-street outdoor area, contributes to Minestrone, sure. But a pizzeria menu with carrot ginger roadhouse uses a genuine wood/charcoal-fired Bewley Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill a more relaxed, neighborhood-focused vibe. The fun soup? Similarly many Italian-American pizzerias offer pit from Texas to flavor its subtly smoky slow-cooked 3250 NE 1st Ave.,786-369-0353 menu of global comfort food is the same (ranging from a entrées like spaghetti and meatballs, but East Side also barbecue. And anyone with working taste buds will dis- This chic indoor/outdoor space is an offspring of Lincoln creamy-centered cheese soufflé through savory Asian pot- has pumpkin ravioli in brown butter/sage sauce, wild cern the difference in chef/owner Jonathan Eismann’s Road’s SushiSamba Dromo and a sibling of Sugarcane stickers and, at breakfast, fluffy pecan/maple-garnished mushroom ravioli, and other surprisingly upscale choices, vinegar-basted North Carolina-style pulled pork, his lounges in NYC and Las Vegas, but more informal than pancakes) and prepared as reliably well. $$-$$$ including imported Peroni beer. As for the pizza, they are tender-firm (rather than inauthentically falling-off-the- the former and more food-oriented than the latter, as classic pies, available whole or by the slice, made with bone) dry-rubbed spareribs, succulently fatty briskets, and three kitchens -- normal, raw bar, and robata charcoal grill Boteco fresh plum tomato sauce and Grande mozzarella (con- juicy chickens. Tabletop housemade sauces (particularly -- make clear. Chef Timon Balloo’s LatAsian small plates 916 NE 79th St. sidered the top American pizza cheese). Best seating for a piquant mustard-cider St. Louis potion) are enhancers, range from subtle orange/fennel-marinated salmon crudo 305-757-7735 eating is at the sheltered outdoor picnic tables. $ not essentials. $$-$$$ to intensely smoky-rich short ribs. At the daily happy hour, This strip of 79th Street is rapidly becoming a cool alt- select dishes (like steamed pork buns with apple kimchi) culture enclave thanks to inviting hangouts like this rustic La Q-Bana Sakaya Kitchen are discounted. $$-$$$ indoor/outdoor Brazilian restaurant and bar. Especially 8650 Biscayne Blvd., 305-758-2550 Shops at Midtown Miami bustling on nights featuring live music, it’s even more fun In case you were wondering if it’s too good to be true Buena Vista Avenue, 305-576-8096 Tony Chan’s Water Club on Sundays, when the fenced backyard hosts an informal -- it isn’t. El Q-Bano’s owners are indeed related to the This chef-driven, fast-casual Asian eatery is more an 1717 N. Bayshore Dr., 305-374-8888 fair and the menu includes Brazil’s national dish, feijoada, family that operates the original three Palacios de los izakaya (in Japan, a pub with food) than a sakaya (sake The décor at this upscale place, located in the Grand, a savory stew of beans plus fresh and cured meats. Jugos -- which means no more schlepping way out west. shop). But why quibble about words with so many more looks too glitzy to serve anything but politely Americanized But the everyday menu, ranging from unique, tapas-like Recommended are moist tamales, tasty sandwiches intriguing things to wrap your mouth around? The con- Chinese food. But the American dumbing-down is mini- pasteis to hefty Brazilian entrées, is also appealing – and (especially the drippingly wonderful pan con lechon), rich cept takes on street-food favorites from all over Asia, mal. Many dishes are far more authentic and skillfully budget-priced. $$ flan, and the fresh tropical juices that justify the afore- housemade daily from quality fresh ingredients. French prepared than those found elsewhere in Miami, like deli- mentioned excesses. For even heartier eaters, there’s a Culinary Institute-trained Richard Hales does change his cate but flavorful yu pan quail. Moist sea bass fillet has a Le Café changing buffet of daily specials and sides. $-$$ menu, so we’d advise immediately grabbing some crispy beautifully balanced topping of scallion, ginger, cilantro, 7295 Biscayne Blvd., 305-754-6551 Korean chicken wings and Chinese-inspired, open-faced and subtly sweet/salty sauce. And Peking duck is served For anyone who can’t get over thinking of French food as Europa Car Wash and Café roast pork buns with sweet chili sauce and homemade as three traditional courses: crêpe-wrapped crispy skin, intimidating or pretentious, this cute café with a warm 6075 Biscayne Blvd., 305-754-2357 pickles. $$ meat sautéed with crisp veggies, savory soup to finish. welcome, and family-friendly French home cooking, is Giving new meaning to the food term “fusion,” Europa $$-$$$ the antidote. No fancy food (or fancy prices) here, just serves up sandwiches, salads, car washes, coffee with Sake Room classic comfort food like onion soup, escargot, daily fresh croissants, and Chevron with Techron. Snacks match 275 NE 18th St., 305-755-0122 W Wine Bistro oysters, boeuf bourguignon (think Ultimate Pot Roast), the casual chicness: sandwiches like the Renato (pro- Sake takes a back seat to sushi – and sophisticated 3622 NE 2nd Ave., 305-576-7775 Nicoise salad, quiche, and homemade crème brûlée. A sciutto, hot cappicola, pepper jack cheese, red peppers, décor – at this small but sleek restolounge. Among the This venerable wine shop and bistro, where diners can respectable beer and wine list is a welcome addition, as and Romano cheese dressing); an elaborate almond- seafood offerings, you won’t find exotica or local catches, enjoy boutique bottles for retail price plus $15 corkage, is the housemade sangria. Top price for entrées is about garnished Chinese chicken salad; H&H bagels, the world’s but all the usual sushi/sashimi favorites, though in has acquired new owners, a new chef, and a new menu, $14. $-$$ best, flown in from NYC. And the car cleanings are equally more interesting form, thanks to sauces that go beyond which added more globally inspired tapas and entrées gentrified, especially on Wednesdays, when ladies are standard soy – spicy sriracha, garlic/ponzu oil, and many without losing the French classics that made it a neigh- Chef Creole pampered with $10 washes and glasses of sparkling wine more. Especially recommended: the yuzu hamachi roll, borhood favorite. Outrageously rich croque monsieur 200 NW 54th St., 305-754-2223 while they wait. $ the lobster tempura maki, and panko-coated spicy shrimp sandwiches, or an admirable steak/frites with peppery Sparkling fresh Creole-style food is the star at chef/owner with hot-and-sour Mayo and a salad. $$-$$$ cream sauce, almost make you feel you’re in Paris. $$ Wilkinson Sejour’s two tiny but popular establishments. Garden of Eatin’ While some meatier Haitian classics like griot (fried pork 136 NW 62nd St., 305-754-8050 Salsa Fiesta chunks) and oxtail stew are also available – and a $3.99 Housed in a yellow building that’s nearly invisible from the 2929 Biscayne Blvd., 305-400-8245 Upper Eastside roast chicken special – seafood is the specialty here: street, the Garden has the comfortable feel of a beach The first stateside offshoot of a popular Venezuelan mini crevette en sauce (steamed shrimp with Creole butter bar, and generous servings of inexpensive Afro-Caribbean chain, this “urban Mexican grill” serves health-conscious, Andiamo sauce), lambi fri (perfectly tenderized fried conch), pois- vegan food. Large or small plates, with salad and fried made-fresh-daily fare similar in concept to some fast- 5600 Biscayne Blvd., 305-762-5751 son gros sel (local snapper in a spicy butter sauce), garlic sweet plantains (plus free soup for eat-in lunchers), are casual competitors. But there are indeed differences Sharing a building with a long-established Morningside or Creole crabs. The Miami branch has outdoor tiki-hut served for five or seven bucks. Also available are snacks here, notably pan-Latin options: black beans as well as car wash, Andiamo is also part of Mark Soyka’s 55th dining. $-$$ like vegetarian blue corn tacos, desserts like sweet potato red; thin, delightfully crunchy tostones (available as a Street Station – which means ditching the car (in the pie, and a breakfast menu featuring organic blueberry side or as the base for a uniquely tasty take on normal complex’s free lot across the road on NE 4th Court) is no DeVita’s waffles with soy sausage patties. $ nachos). Other pluses include weekday happy hours with problem even if you’re not getting your vehicle cleaned 7251 Biscayne Blvd., 305-754-8282 two-for-one beers -- and free parking. $-$$ while consuming the brick-oven pies (from a flaming open This Italian/Argentine pizzeria, housed in a charming Continued on page 65

64 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 Dining Guide

Restaurant Listings rings, but also lightly lemony sautéed spinach. And the traditional dishes like pad Thai and East/West fusion Revales Italian Ristorante burgers rule, particularly the Doomsday, a cheese/bacon/ creations like the Vampire sushi roll (shrimp tempura, 8601 Biscayne Blvd., 305-758-1010 Continued from page 64 mushroom-topped two-pound monster that turns dinner tomato, cilantro, roasted garlic). But it also carves out its Owned by two couples (including former Village Café chef into a competitive sport. No hard liquor, but the beer list own identity with original creations, including yellow curry- Marlon Reyes), this eclectic eatery occupies the former Gourmet Station makes up for it. $$ spiced fried rice. Nearly everything is low in sodium, fat, space of Frankie’s Big City Grill, and fulfills much the 7601 Biscayne Blvd., 305-762-7229 and calories. A large rear patio is inviting for dining and same purpose in the neighborhood as an all-day, family- Home-meal replacement, geared to workaholics with Magnum Lounge entertainment. $$-$$$ friendly place with affordable prices. The menu includes no time to cook, has been popular for years. But the 709 NE 79th St., 305-757-3368 wraps and elaborate salads of all nations. But simple Gourmet Station has outlasted most of the competition. It’s a restaurant. It’s a lounge. But it’s decidedly not a Moshi Moshi yet sophisticated Italian specialties like spaghetti ai Main reason: deceptive healthiness. These are meals typical Miami restolounge, or like anything else in Miami. 7232 Biscayne Blvd., 786-220-9404 fiume (with pancetta, tomato, garlic, basil, and a touch of that are good for you, yet taste good enough to be bad for Forbidding from the outside, on the inside it’s like a time- This offspring of South Beach old-timer Moshi Moshi is cream) or yellowtail française (egg-battered, with lemon- you. Favorite items include precision-grilled salmon with trip to a cabaret in pre-WWII Berlin: bordello-red décor, a cross between a sushi bar and an izakaya (Japanese caper-wine sauce) are the must-haves here. $$-$$$ lemon-dill yogurt sauce, and lean turkey meatloaf with romantically dim lighting, show-tune live piano bar enter- tapas bar). Even more striking than the hip décor is the homemade BBQ sauce – sin-free comfort food. Food is tainment, and to match the ambiance, elegantly updated food’s unusually upscale quality. Sushi ranges from Royal Bavarian Schnitzel Haus available à la carte or grouped in multimeal plans custom- retro food served with style and a smile. For those feeling pristine individual nigiri to over-the-top maki rolls. Tapas 1085 NE 79th St., 305-754-8002 ized for individual diner’s nutritional needs. $$ flush, home-style fried chicken is just like mom used to are intriguing, like arabiki sausage, a sweet-savory pork With Christmas lights perpetually twinkling and party nois- make — in her wildest dreams. $$$ fingerling frank; rarely found in restaurants even in Japan, es emanating from a new outdoor biergarten, this German Go To Sushi they’re popular Japanese home-cooking items. And rice- restaurant is owner Alex Richter’s one-man gentrification 5140 Biscayne Blvd., 305-759-0914 Metro Organic Bistro based plates like Japanese curry (richer/sweeter than project, transforming a formerly uninviting stretch of 79th This friendly, family-run Japanese fast-food eatery offers 7010 Biscayne Blvd., 305-751-8756 Indian types) satisfy even the biggest appetites. $-$$$ Street one pils at a time. The fare includes housemade original surprises like the Caribbean roll (a festively green Big changes have come to Karma the car wash, the first sausages (mild veal bratwurst, hearty mixed beef/pork parsley-coated maki stuffed with crispy fried shrimp, avo- being a separate new name for the revamped restaurant: News Lounge bauernwurst, spicy garlicwurst) with homemade mustard cado, sweet plantain, and spicy Mayo), or a wonderfully Metro Organic Bistro, an all-organic fine-dining restaurant 5582 NE 4th Ct. and catsup; savory yet near-greaseless potato pancakes; healthful sesame-seasoned chicken soup with spinach, where simple preparations reveal and enhance natural 305-758-9932 and, naturally, schnitzels, a choice of delicate pounded rice noodles, and sizable slices of poultry. Health ensured, flavors. An entirely new menu places emphasis on grilled Mark Soyka’s new News is, as its name suggests, more a pork, chicken, or veal patties served with a half-dozen dif- you can the enjoy a guiltless pig-out on Fireballs: fried organic meat and fish dishes. Try the steak frites — friendly neighborhood hangout and watering hole than a ferent sauces. $$-$$$ dumplings of chicken, cabbage, and egg, crusted with organic, grass-fed skirt steak with organic chimichurri and full-fledged eatery. Nevertheless the menu of light bites quills -- really a delectable crunchy noodle mix. $ fresh-cut fries. Vegetarians will love the organic portabella is — along with other lures like an inviting outdoor patio Soyka foccacia. Dine either inside the architect-designed restau- and rest rooms that resemble eclectic art galleries — part 5556 NE 4th Court, 305-759-3117 Jimmy’s East Side Diner rant or outdoors on the patio. Beer and wine. $-$$$ of the reason visitors stay for hours. Especially recom- Since opening in 1999, Soyka has often been credited 7201 Biscayne Blvd., 305-754-3692 mended are fat mini-burgers with chipotle ketchup; a brie, with sparking the Upper Eastside’s revival. Now the arrival Open for more than 30 years, Jimmy’s respects the most Michy’s turkey, and mango chutney sandwich on crusty baguette; of new executive and pastry chefs plus a wine-wise gen- important American diner tradition: Breakfast at any 6927 Biscayne Blvd., 305-759-2001 and what many feel is the original café’s Greatest Hit: eral manager, all Joe Allen veterans, signals a culinary hour. Admittedly the place closes at 4:00 p.m., but still. Don’t even ask why Michele Bernstein, with a top-chef creamy hummus with warm pita. $ revival for this neighborhood focal point. The concept There are blueberry hot cakes and pecan waffles; eggs résumé, not to mention regular Food Network appear- is still comfort food, but a revamped menu emphasizes any style, including omelets and open-face frittatas; and ances, opened a homey restaurant in an emerging but Red Light fresh local ingredients and from-scratch preparation. a full range of sides: biscuits and sausage gravy, grits, far from fully gentrified neighborhood. Just be glad she 7700 Biscayne Blvd., 305-757-7773 (The meatloaf gravy, for instance, now takes 24 hours hash, hash browns, even hot oatmeal. Also available are did, as you dine on white almond gazpacho or impossibly From the rustic al fresco deck of chef Kris Wessel’s inten- to make.) Unique desserts include signature sticky date traditional diner entrées (meat loaf, roast turkey, liver creamy ham and blue cheese croquetas. Though most tionally downwardly mobile retro-cool riverfront restaurant, pudding, a toffee-lover’s dream. And the wine list features and onions), plus burgers, salad platters, and homemade full entrées also come in half-size portions (at almost you can enjoy regional wildlife like manatees while enjoy- new boutique bottles at the old affordable prices. $$-$$$ chicken soup. $-$$ halved prices), the tab can add up fast. The star herself is ing eclectic regional dishes that range from cutting-edge usually in the kitchen. Parking in the rear off 69th Street. (sour-orange-marinated, sous-vide-cooked Florida lobster Sushi Siam Kingdom $$$-$$$$ with sweet corn sauce) to comfort (crispy-breaded Old 5582 NE 4th Ct., 305-751-7818 6708 Biscayne Blvd., 305-757-0074 South fried green tomatoes). Not surprisingly, the chef- On the menu of sushi-bar specialties plus a small selec- This indoor/outdoor sports bar serves low-priced but high- Moonchine driven menu is limited, but several signature specialties, tion of Thai and Japanese cooked dishes, there are a few quality steaks, plus more typical bar food that’s actually 7100 Biscayne Blvd., 305-759-3999 if available, are not to be missed: BBQ shrimp in a tangy surprises, such as a unique lobster maki that’s admittedly far from the usual processed stuff. Philly cheese steak Like its Brickell-area sibling Indochine, this friendly Asian Worcestershire and cayenne-spiked butter/wine sauce, huge in price ($25.95), but also in size: six ounces of sandwiches, big enough for two, are made from hand- bistro serves fare from three nations: Japan, Thailand, irresistible mini conch fritters, and homemade ice cream. sliced rib eye; sides include fries and beer-battered onion and Vietnam. Menus are also similar, split between $$-$$$ Continued on page 66

GOURMET DINER Established 1983

13951 Biscayne Blvd. N.M.B., Fl. 33181 (305) 947-2255 GOURMET Open 7 days Complete! LUNCH + DINNER All day. Every Day $14.95 Serving Breakfast (Limited time only) SAT & SUN All entrees include one side and choice of Sides Today’s Soup or Salad (Caesar or House) and choice of a soda or tea mashed potato - apple sauce basmati rice - French fries Entrees steamed or grilled broccoli steamed or grilled asparagus CHOPPED STEAK vegetable souffle VEAL OR CHICKEN PICCATTA CALVES LIVER PENNE VEAL BOLOGNESE DESSERT ...... $ 3.95 ROASTED CHICKEN Key Lime pie, Chocolate cake SOLE MENIERE or Mini Dame Blanche FRESH TILAPIA SALMON GLASS OF WINE ...... $ 4.95 CALAMARI STEAK Merlot, cabernet, chardonnay SEAFOOD AU GRATIN or white zinfandel No sharing or substitution please. Not valid with any other coupons or offers.

September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 65 Dining Guide

Restaurant Listings lovely one-bite sandwich squares. While raw fish is always to its location next to a firearms shop. But there’s a lot of impeccable here, some unusual vegetarian sushi cre- MIAMI SHORES other stuff aside from bagels here, including a full range Continued from page 65 ations also tempt, as do daily entrées. $ of sandwiches and wraps. Breakfast time is busy time, Côte Gourmet with banana-walnut pancakes especially popular. But crisp-fried lobster chunks, plus asparagus, avocado, let- Mario the Baker 9999 NE 2nd Ave., #112, 305-754-9012 what’s most important is that this is one of the area’s few tuce, tobiko (flying fish), masago (smelt) roes, and special 1700 79th St. Causeway, 305-867-7882 If only every Miami neighborhood could have a neighbor- sources of the real, New York-style water bagel: crunchy sauces. Thai dishes come with a choice of more than a (See North Miami listing) hood restaurant like this low-priced little French jewel. The outside, challengingly chewy inside. $ dozen sauces, ranging from traditional red or green cur- menu is mostly simple stuff: breakfast croissants, crêpe, ries to the inventive, such as an unconventional honey Oggi Caffe soups, sandwiches, salads, sweets, and a few more sub- Bulldog Barbecue sauce. $$$ 1666 79th St. Causeway, 305-866-1238 stantial specials like a Tunisian-style brik (buttery phyllo 15400 Biscayne Blvd., 305-940-9655 This cozy, romantic spot started back in 1989 as a pasta pastry stuffed with tuna, onions, potatoes, and tomatoes) The BBQ master at this small, rustic room is pugnacious UVA 69 factory (supplying numerous high-profile restaurants) as with a mesclun side salad. But everything is homemade, Top Chef contender Howie Kleinberg, whose indoor elec- 6900 Biscayne Blvd., 305-754-9022 well as a neighborhood eatery. And the wide range of bud- including all breads, and prepared with impeccable ingre- tric smoker turns out mild-tasting ’cue that ranges from Owned and operated by brothers Michael and Sinuhé get-friendly, homemade pastas, made daily, remains the dients, classic French technique, and meticulous atten- the expected pulled pork, ribs, brisket, and chicken to hot- Vega, this casual outdoor/indoor Euro-café and lounge main draw for its large and loyal clientele. Choices range tion to detail, down to the stylish plaid ribbons that hold smoked salmon and veggie plates. There are also creative has helped to transform the Boulevard into a hip place to from homey, meaty lasagna to luxuriant crab ravioli with together the café’s baguette sandwiches. $-$$ comfort food starters like BBQ chicken flatbread, salads, hang out. Lunch includes a variety of salads and elegant creamy lobster sauce, with occasional forays into creative and sweets. Sides include refreshing slaw; beans stud- sandwiches like La Minuta (beer-battered mahi-mahi with exotica such as seaweed spaghettini, with sea scallops, Iron Sushi ded with “burnt ends” (the most intensely flavored outer cilantro aioli and caramelized onions on housemade foc- shitakes, and fresh tomatoes. $$-$$$ 9432 NE 2nd Ave., 305-754-0311 barbecue chunks); and sweet potato or chipotle-spiced cacia). Dinner features a range of small plates (poached With three Biscayne Corridor outlets (plus several branch- fries. The cost is comparatively high, but such is the price figs with Gorgonzola cheese and honey balsamic drizzle) Shuckers Bar & Grill es elsewhere in town), this mostly take-out mini chain is of fame. $$-$$$ and full entrées like sake-marinated salmon with boniato 1819 79th St. Causeway, 305-866-1570 fast becoming the Sushi Joint That Ate Miami. And why do mash and Ponzu butter sauce, and crispy spinach. “Cheap eats and a million-dollar view” is the sound bite Miamians eat here? Not ambiance. There isn’t any. But Burritos Grill Café $$-$$$ manager Philip Conklin uses to describe this outdoor when friends from the Pacific Northwest, where foodies 11717 Biscayne Blvd., 305-891-1041 beach bar, hidden in back of a bayfront motel. The joint know their fish, tout the seafood’s freshness, we listen. Originally a friendly little 125th Street hole-in-the-wall that Yiya’s Gourmet Cuban Bakery dates from South Beach’s late 1980s revival, but the There are some surprisingly imaginative makis, like the garnered raves for its limited menu of terrifically tasty 646 NE 79th St., 305-754-3337 kick-off-your-shoes vibe couldn’t be farther from SoBe Maharaja, featuring fried shrimp and drizzles of curry treats, Mario and Karina Manzanero’s café is now in A true community jewel, this bakery is also a most wel- glitz. The food ranges from classic bar favorites (char- Mayo. And where else will you find a stacked sushi (five more sizable and atmospheric quarters. But the friendly, coming café, serving lunch specials from chef Delsa grilled wings, conch fritters, raw or steamed shellfish) to assorted makis) birthday cake? $-$$ family-run (and kid-friendly) ambiance remains, as do the Bernardo (who co-owns the place with attorney Abbie full dinners featuring steak, homemade pasta, or fresh, authentic Yucatan-style specialties. Standouts include Cuellar) that are homemade right down to the herbs not frozen, fish. $-$$ Miami Shores Country Club poc-chuc, a marinated pork loin; tacos al pastor, stuffed grown on the bakery’s window sills. Bernardo’s pan con 10000 Biscayne Blvd., 305-795-2363 with subtly smoky steak, onion, cilantro, and pineapple; lechon sandwiches and flaky-crusted Cuban pastries are Sushi Siam Formerly members-only, the restaurant/lounge facilities sinful deep-fried tacos dorados; and signature burritos, legend. But she also crafts treats not found at average 1524 NE 79th St. Causeway, 305-864-7638 of this classy 1939 club are now open to the public — including the Maya, filled with juicy cochinita pibil, refried Cuban bakeries, like pizzas using housemade Indian naan (See Miami / Upper Eastside listing) always, lunch and dinner. Not surprisingly, ambiance is beans, and pickled onions. $$ bread. Additionally Bernardo carries unique treats pro- retro and relaxed, with golf course views from both bar duced by a few friends: candies, cupcakes, and exotically and indoor/outdoor dining room. The surprise is the food Canton Café flavored flans. $ NORTH BEACH — some classic (steaks, club sandwiches) but other dishes 12749 Biscayne Blvd., 305-892-2882 quite contemporary: an Asian ahi tuna tower; a lavish Easily overlooked, this strip-mall spot serves mostly NORTH BAY VILLAGE Café Prima Pasta candied-walnut, poached-pear, grilled chicken salad; and Cantonese-based dishes. However, there are also about 414 71st St., 305-867-0106 fresh pasta specials. Prices are phenomenal, with dinner two dozen spicier, Szechuan-style standards like kung Bocados Ricos Opened in 1993 with 28 seats, this family-run landmark entrées $9 to $17; drinks average $3 to $4. There’s live po shrimp, ma po tofu, and General Tso’s chicken. And 1880 79th St. Causeway, 305-864-4889 has now taken over the block, with an outdoor terrace jazz on Thursday and Friday nights, too. $$ there are a few imaginative new items, like the intriguingly Tucked into a mall best known for its Happy Stork and multi-roomed indoor space whose walls are full of christened “Shrimp Lost in the Forest,” Singapore curried Lounge, this little luncheonette services big appetites. photos of their clientele, including national and local Village Café rice noodles, crispy shrimp with honey-glazed walnuts, Along with the usual grilled churrascos, there’s bandeja celebs. Particularly popular are homemade pastas, 9540 NE 2nd Ave., 305-759-2211 and Mongolian beef (with raw chilis and fresh Oriental paisa, Colombia’s sampler platter of grilled steak, sau- sauced with Argentine-Italian indulgence rather than After closing for several months in early 2009, this basil). Delivery is available for both lunch and dinner. $$ sage, chicharron, fried egg, avocado, plantains, rice, and Italian simplicity: crabmeat ravioletti in lobster cream café, spruced up to look like a bistro rather than a lun- beans. Don’t miss marginally daintier dishes like sopa de sauce, black squid ink linguini heaped with seafood. cheonette (but with the same bargain prices), has been Captain Jim’s Seafood costilla, if this rich shortrib bowl is among the daily home- Though romantic enough for dates, the place is quite kid- reopened. The kitchen has also been rejuvenated, with 12950 W. Dixie Hwy., 305-892-2812 made soups. Arepas include our favorite corn cake: the friendly — and on the terrace, they’ll even feed Fido. $$$ head honcho Adam Holm (Whitticar’s original sous chef) This market/restaurant was garnering critical acclaim hefty Aura, stuffed with chorizo, chicharron, carne des- serving up new, globally influenced dishes like mint/ even when eat-in dining was confined to a few Formica mechada (shredded flank steak), plantains, rice, beans, Lemon Twist pistachio-crusted lamb or tuna tartare with sriracha aioli, tables in front of the fish counter, owing to the freshness and cheese. $-$$ 908 71st St., 305-865-6465 plus reviving old favorites like pork tenderloin with ginger- of its seafood, much of it from Capt. Jim Hanson’s own In warm weather, we like to hit this French bistro for caramel sauce. $$-$$$ fishing boats, which supply many top restaurants. Now The Crab House either a cornichon-garnished charcuterie platter (includ- there’s a casual but pleasantly nautical side dining room 1551 79th St. Causeway, 305-868-7085 ing mouthwatering Rosette de Lyons salami, hard to find with booths. Whether it’s garlicky scampi, smoked-fish Established in 1975, this Miami fish house was acquired in Miami) or the frisée salad with lardons and poached NORTH MIAMI dip, grilled yellowtail or hog or mutton snapper, perfectly by Landry’s in 1996 and is now part of a chain. But egg. Add iles flottantes (merengue islands on a crème tenderized cracked conch or conch fritters, everything is the classic décor (knotty pine walls, tile floors, booths, anglaise pond) and a glass of wine, et voila! A perfect Los Antojos deftly prepared and bargain-priced. $$ outdoor waterfront deck) still evokes the good old days. Parisian light supper. But there’s honest heftier fare, 11099 Biscayne Blvd., 305-892-1411 Though the all-you-can-eat seafood/salad buffet ($20 too, like the steak/frites (entrecote with choice of sauce, If it’s Sunday, it must be sancocho de gallina, Colombia’s Casa Mia Trattoria lunch, $30 dinner) is a signature, freshness fanatics housemade fries, and a salad), and rich fig tarts. $$$ national dish. If it’s Saturday, it must be ajiaco. Both are 1950 NE 123rd St., 305-899-2770 will be happiest sticking to à la carte favorites like the thick chicken soups, full meals in a bowl. For Colombian- Tucked away, off to the side on the approach to the All-American fisherman’s platters, or global specials like Tamarind Thai cuisine novices, a bandeja paisa (sampler including rice, Broad Causeway and the beaches, this charming indoor/ Szechuan shrimp, that change seasonally. $$$-$$$$ 946 Normandy Dr., 305-861-6222 beans, carne asada, chicharron, eggs, sautéed sweet outdoor trattoria seems to attract mostly neighborhood When an eatery’s executive chef is best-selling Thai plantains, and an arepa corn cake) is available every day, regulars. But even newcomers feel like regulars after Japanese Market and Sushi Deli cookbook author Vatcharin Bhumichitr, you’d expect as are antojitos – “little whims,” smaller snacks like cho- a few minutes, thanks to the staff’s Italian ebullience. 1412 79th St. Causeway, 305-861-0143 major media hype, fancy South Beach prices, and a fancy rizo con arepa (a corn cake with Colombian sausage). And Menu offerings are mostly classic comfort foods with Inside a small market that is widely considered Miami’s SoBe address. Instead Bhumichitr joined forces with Day for noncarnivores there are several hefty seafood platters, some contemporary items as well. Housemade pastas are premier source of Japanese foodstuffs, the “Sushi Deli” Longsomboon (an old Thai school pal who’d moved to made to order. $$ good enough that low-carb dieters should take a break, restaurant component is nothing more than a lunch coun- Miami) at this unpretentious, authentic (no sushi) neigh- especially for the tender gnocchi with pesto or better yet, ter. But chef Michio Kushi serves up some sushi found borhood place. Some standout dishes here are featured Bagels & Co. delicate fagottini — “beggar’s purses” stuffed with pears nowhere else in town. Example: traditional Osaka-style in the chef’s latest tome, but with Tamarind’s very afford- 11064 Biscayne Blvd., 305-892-2435 and cheese. $$ sushi – layers of rice, seasoned seaweed, and marinated able prices, you might as well let the man’s impeccably While this place is often referred to as Guns & Bagels, fresh mackerel, pressed into a square box, then cut into trained kitchen staff do the work for you. $$-$$$ one can’t actually buy a gun here. The nickname refers Continued on page 67

66 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 Dining Guide

Here Comes the Sun with oil-drenched garlic rolls and either soup (hearty mine- similar fluff) doesn’t do the trick. Open till 3:00 or 4:00 Restaurant Listings 2188 NE 123rd St., 305-893-5711 strone) or a salad (mixed greens, tomatoes, cukes, brined a.m., Steve’s has, since 1974, been serving the kind of Continued from page 66 At this friendly natural foods establishment, one of olives, and pickled peppers) that’s a dinner in itself. comforting, retro pizzas people crave at that hour. As in Miami’s first, there’s a full stock of vitamins and nutri- Rustic roadhouse ambiance, notably the red leatherette Brooklyn, tomato sauce is sweet, with strong oregano tional supplements. But the place’s hearty soups, large booths, add to Mama’s charm. $-$$ flavor. Mozzarella is applied with abandon. Toppings are Chéen-huyae variety of entrées (including fresh fish and chicken as well stuff that give strength: pepperoni, sausage, meatballs, 15400 Biscayne Blvd., 305-956-2808 as vegetarian selections), lighter bites like miso burgers Mario the Baker onions, and peppers. $ Diners can get some Tex-Mex dishes here, if they must. with secret “sun sauce” (which would probably make old 13695 W. Dixie Highway, 305-891-7641 But the specialty is Mayan-rooted Yucatan cuisine. sneakers taste good), and daily specials are a tastier At this North Miami institution (opened in 1969) food is Tokyo Bowl So why blow bucks on burritos when one can sample way to get healthy. An under-ten-buck early-bird dinner is Italian-American, not Italian-Italian: spaghetti and meat- 12295 Biscayne Blvd. Caribbean Mexico’s most typical dish: cochinita pibil? popular with the former long-hair, now blue-hair, crowd. balls, lasagna, eggplant parmigiana, and hot or cold subs. 305-892-9400 Chéen’s authentically succulent version of the pickle- Frozen yogurt, fresh juices, and smoothies complete the No imported buffala, arugula, or other chichi stuff on the This fast-food drive-thru (unexpectedly serene inside) is onion-topped marinated pork dish is earthily aromatic menu. $-$$ New York-style medium-thin-crusted pizzas; the top top- named for its feature item, big budget-priced bowls of rice from achiote, tangy from bitter oranges, and meltingly ping here is the savory housemade sausage. And no one or noodles topped with cooked Japanese-style items like tender from slow cooking in a banana leaf wrap. To Le Griot de Madame John leaves without garlic rolls, awash in warm parsley oil and teriyaki fish (fresh fish sautéed with vegetables), curried accompany, try a lime/soy/chili-spiced michelada, also 975 NE 125th St., 305-892-9333 smashed garlic. New branches are now open in Miami’s chicken and veggies, spicy shrimp, or gyoza dumplings in authentically Mexican, and possibly the best thing that When Madame moved her base of operations from her Midtown neighborhood and in North Bay Village. $ tangy sauce. There’s also an all-you-can-eat deal – sushi ever happened to dark beer. $$-$$$ Little Haiti home to a real restaurant (though a very (individual nigiri or maki rolls) plus tempura, teriyaki, and informal one, and still mostly take-out), she began offer- Petit Rouge other cooked items for $14; three bucks more for sashimi Chef Creole ing numerous traditional Haitian dishes, including jerked 12409 Biscayne Blvd., 305-892-7676 instead of sushi. $-$$ 13105 W. Dixie Hwy., 305-893-4246 beef or goat tassot and an impressive poisson gros sel (a From the mid-1990s (with Neal’s Restaurant and later (See Miami listing) whole fish rubbed with salt before poaching with various with Il Migliore), local chef Neal Cooper’s neighborhood- Venezia Pizza and Café veggies and spices). But the dish that still packs the place oriented Italian eateries have been crowd-pleasers. While 13452 Biscayne Blvd. D.J.’s Diner is the griot: marinated pork chunks simmered and then this cute 32-seat charmer is French, it’s no exception, 305-940-1808 12210 Biscayne Blvd., 305-893-5250 fried till they’re moistly tender inside, crisp and intensely avoiding pretense and winning fans with both classic and No frozen pizza crusts or watery mozzarella here. No Located in a Best Western motel, this place, run by a flavored outside. $ nouvelle bistro fare: frisée salad with lardons, poached imported designer ingredients either. The pies are New Chinese-American family, serves mostly basic American egg, and bacon vinaigrette; truite Grenobloise (trout with York-style, but the dough is made fresh daily, and the diner fare – burgers, sandwiches, about a dozen din- Little Havana lemon/caper sauce); consommé with black truffles and cheese is Grande (from Wisconsin, considered America’s ner entrées, fresh-baked apple pie, and, oddly, a whole 12727 Biscayne Blvd. foie gras, covered by a buttery puff pastry dome; perfect finest pizza topper). Also on the menu are Italian- section of Caesar salad variations. But it’s also a secret 305-899-9069 pommes frites, and equally perfect apple or lemon tarts American pastas, a large selection of hot an cold subs, source for Chinese food, mostly chow mien/chop suey- In addition to white-tablecoth ambiance, this place fea- for dessert. $$$ simple salads, and a few new protein adds – grilled type dishes, but also a few dishes such as eggplant with tures live Latin entertainment and dancing, making it chicken breast, fried fish, or a steak. $-$$ garlic sauce and ma po tofu that are a step up in authen- a good choice when diners want a night out, not just a Sara’s ticity. $-$$ meal. It’s also a good choice for diners who don’t speak 2214 NE 123rd St., 305-891-3312 Wong’s Chinese Restaurant Spanish, but don’t worry about authenticity. Classic Cuban While this mainly vegetarian kosher place is best known 12420 Biscayne Blvd. Flip Burger Bar home-style dishes like mojo-marinated lechon asado, for its pizza (New York-style medium crust or thick-crusted 305-891-4313 1699 NE 123rd St. topped with onions, and juicy ropa vieja are translated Sicilian, topped with veggies and/or “meat buster” imita- The menu reads like a textbook on how to please 305-741-3547 on the menu, not the plate, and fancier creations like tion meats), it’s also offers a full range of breakfast/ everyone, with food ranging from traditional Chinese Casual-chic burger bars, everywhere in South Beach, pork filet in tangy tamarind sauce seem universal crowd- lunch/dinner vegetarian cuisine of all nations, with many to Chinese-American to just plain American. Appetizers are still rare farther north. One reason this easy-to-miss pleasers. $$$ dairy and seafood items too. Admittedly the cutesie include honey garlic chicken wings or Buffalo wings. A venue is a must-not-miss for North Miami locals: The names of many items – baygels, bergerrbite, Cezarrrr crab-claw starter comes with choice of pork fried rice or hefty half-pounders on fresh brioche buns include a Mama Jennie’s salad, hammm, meat-a-ball, schmopperrr – May cause French fries. Seafood lovers can get shrimp chop suey, scrumptious patty with Gruyere, mushrooms, and onion 11720 NE 2nd Ave., 305-757-3627 queasiness. But the schmopperrr itself is one helluva or salty pepper shrimp (authentically shell-on). And New marmalade. The Fireman is a jalapeño/chipotle scorcher. For more than 35 years this beloved red-sauce joint has high-octane veggie burger. $-$$ Yorkers will find a number of dishes that are mainstays of There are even turkey and veggie variations. Other draws been drawing students and other starvation-budget diners Manhattan Szechuan menus but not common in Miami: are hand-cut fries, beer-battered onion rings, a top-drawer with prodigious portions of lasagna, spaghetti and meat- Steve’s Pizza cold sesame noodles, Hunan chicken, twice-cooked pork. beer list, budget-priced combo specials, conversation- balls (the latter savory yet light-textured), veal marsala 12101 Biscayne Blvd., 305-891-0202 $$ friendly acoustics, and a South Beach rarity: free parking. topped with a mountain of mushrooms, and other Italian- At the end of a debauched night of excess, some paper- $-$$ American belly-busters. All pasta or meat entrées come thin designer pizza with wisps of smoked salmon (or Continued on page 68

September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 67 Dining guiDe

Restaurant Listings Blue Marlin Fish House El Gran Inka stem and beef (mild young shoots flash-fried with tender 2500 NE 163rd St., 305-957-8822 3155 NE 163rd St., 305-940-4910 steak bits), or perhaps just-caught grouper with hot/ Continued from page 67 Located inside Oleta River State Park, this casual outdoor Though diners at this upscale Peruvian eatery will find sweet/tangy chili sauce. Open till around 3:00 a.m. $$ eatery is a rare surprise for nature lovers. The featured ceviches, a hefty fried-seafood jalea, and Peru’s other Woody’s Famous Steak Sandwich item is still the house-smoked fish this historic venue expected traditional specialties, all presented far more Heelsha 13105 Biscayne Blvd. began producing in 1938, available in three varieties: elegantly than most in town, the contemporary Peruvian 1550 NE 164th St. 305-891-1451 salmon, mahi mahi, and the signature blue marlin. But fusion creations are unique. Especially recommended are 305-919-8393 The griddle has been fired up since 1954 at this indie the smokehouse now also turns out ribs and delectable two dishes adapted from recipes by Peru’s influential nik- If unusual Bangladeshi dishes like fiery pumpkin patey fast-food joint, and new owners have done little to brisket. Other new additions include weekend fish fries. kei (Japanese/Creole) chef Rosita Yimura: an exquisite, (cooked with onion, green pepper, and pickled mango) change the time-tested formula except to stretch operat- Entry is directly from 163rd Street, not through the main delicately sauced tiradito de corvina, and for those with or Heelsha curry (succulently spiced hilsa, Bangladesh’s ing hours into the night and expand its classic menu to park entrance. No admission fee. $ no fear of cholesterol, pulpo de oliva (octopus topped with sweet-fleshed national fish) seem familiar, it’s because include a few health-conscious touches like Caesar salad, rich olive sauce). $$$-$$$$ chef/owner Bithi Begum and her husband Tipu Raman plus a note proclaiming their oils are free of trans fats. China Restaurant once served such fare at the critically acclaimed Renaisa. Otherwise the famous steak sandwich is still a traditional 178 NE 167th St., 305-947-6549 G-Coffee Their menu’s mix-and-match option allows diners to pair Philly. Drippin’ good burgers, too. And unlike MacChain When you have a yen for the Americanized Chinese fusion 3507 NE 163rd St., 305-956-5556 their choice of meat, poultry, fish, or vegetable with more addicts, patrons here can order a cold beer with the good dishes you grew up with, all the purist regional Chinese When a cup of regular American joe is as complex and than a dozen regional sauces, from familiar Indian styles grease. $-$$ cuisine in the world won’t scratch the itch. So the menu boldly flavored as a gourmet coffeehouse’s priciest brews to exotica like satkara, flavored with a Bangladeshi citrus here, containing every authentically inauthentic Chinese- -- but cheaper -- the creator deserves support, especially reminiscent of sour orange. $$-$$$ Yes Pasta! American classic you could name, is just the ticket when when the coffee is organic and the company supports 14871 Biscayne Blvd. nostalgia strikes – from simple egg rolls to pressed fair trade and sustainable production. To accompany Iron Sushi 305-944-1006 almond duck (majorly breaded boneless chunks, with the admirable coffees and teas, G serves paninis plus 16350 W. Dixie Hwy. The space, formerly a Pasha’s, isn’t posh. But minimalism comfortingly thick gravy). $-$$ sweets ranging from guava-stuffed croissants to gelato. 305-945-2244 fits a partially self-service Italian eatery centering on a Service is speedy, but a relaxed ambiance, comfortable (See Miami Shores listing)? DIY concept: mix-and-match pastas. Diners choose one Chipotle Mexican Grill contemporary décor, and free WiFi all encourage luxuriant of seven pasta types, then one of 15 sauces, ranging 14776 Biscayne Blvd., 305-947-2779 lingering. $ Jerusalem Market and Deli from simple tomato/basil to funghi e tartufi (wild mush- Proving that national fast-food chains don’t have to be 16275 Biscayne Blvd. rooms in truffle sauce), decadent Alfredo, creamy yet bad for either diners or the environment, Chipotle serves Hanna’s Gourmet Diner 305-948-9080 clean-tasting Flaminia (puréed yellow peppers with black what the company calls “food with integrity.” The fare is 13951 Biscayne Blvd., 305-947-2255 Specialties like shawarma, spinach pies, kebabs, hum- pepper), and more. Also available are panini (on excellent simple, basically tacos and big burritos: soft flour or crisp When Sia and Nicole Hemmati bought the Gourmet Diner mus, and kibbeh (a savory mix of ground lamb and bul- bread), salads, soups, imported salumi or cheese platters, corn to rtillas stuffed with chipotle-marinated steak or from retiring original owner Jean-Pierre Lejeune in the late gur) are native to many Middle East countries, but when a desserts, and several wines. $$ chicken chunks, bolder shredded beef barbacoa, or herb- 1990s, they added “Hanna’s” to the name, but changed Lebanese chef/owner, like this eatery’s Sam Elzoor, is at scented pork carnitas. But these bites contain no evil little else about this retro-looking French/American diner, the helm, you can expect extraordinary refinement. There ingredients (transfats, artificial color/flavor, antibiotics, a north Miami-Dade institution since 1983. Customers are elaborate daily specials here, like lemon chicken or NORTH MIAMI BEACH growth hormones). And the food, while not the authentic can get a cheeseburger or garlicky escargots, meatloaf stuffed cabbage with a variety of sides, but even a com- Mex street stuff dreams are made of, is darned tasty, in tomato sauce or boeuf bourguignon in red wine sauce, mon falafel sandwich is special when the pita is also Bamboo Garden too. $ iceberg lettuce and tomatoes, or a mushroom and squid stuffed with housemade cabbage and onion salads, plus 1232 NE 163rd St. salad with garlic dressing. For oysters Rockefeller/tuna- unusually rich and tart tahina. $-$$ 305-945-1722 Christine’s Roti Shop melt couples from Venus and Mars, it remains the ideal Big enough for a banquet (up to 300 guests), this 16721 NE 6th Ave.,305-770-0434 dinner date destination. $$-$$$ Kabobji veteran is many diners’ favorite on the 163rd/167th Wraps are for wimps. At this small shop run by Christine 3055 NE 163rd St. Street “Chinatown” strip because of its superior décor. Gouvela, originally from British Guyana, the wrapper is Hiro Japanese Restaurant 305-354-8484 But the menu also offers well-prepared, authentic a far more substantial and tasty roti, a Caribbean mega- 3007 NE 163rd St., 305-948-3687 This place makes a very good tahini sauce. In fact that dishes like peppery black bean clams, sautéed mustard crepe made from chickpea flour. Most popular filling for One of Miami’s first sushi restaurants, Hiro retains an alone is reason enough to visit. We prefer ours with this greens, and steamed whole fish with ginger and scal- the flatbread is probably jerk chicken, bone-in pieces in amusing retro-glam feel, an extensive menu of both sushi bright, cheery eatery’s delightfully oniony falafel or a veg- lions, plus Chinese-American egg foo young. Default a spiced stew of potatoes, cabbage, carrots, onions, and and cooked Japanese food, and late hours that make it garnished wrap of thin-sliced marinated beef schwarma. spicing is mild even in Szechuan dishes marked with more chickpeas. But there are about a dozen other cur- a perennially popular after-hours snack stop. The sushi They also do a beautifully spiced, and reassuringly fresh- red-chili icons, but don’t worry; realizing some like it ries from which to choose. Take-out packages of plain roti menu has few surprises, but quality is reliable. Most tasting, raw kibbi naye (Middle Eastern steak tartare). It’s hot, the chefs will customize spiciness to heroic heat are also available; they transform myriad leftovers into exceptional are the nicely priced yakitori, skewers of suc- hard to resist putting together a grazing meal of starters levels upon request. $$ tasty, portable lunches. $ culently soy-glazed and grilled meat, fish, and vegetables; and wraps, but there’s also a roster of full entrées (with the unusually large variety available of the last makes this soup or salad plus starch), including tempting vegetarian Empire Szechuan Gourmet of NY place a good choice for vegetarians. $$ and seafood meals for noncarnivores. $$ 3427 NE 163rd St., 305-949-3318 In the 1980s, Empire became the Chinese chain that Hiro’s Sushi Express Kebab Indian Restaurant swallowed Manhattan -- and transformed public percep- 17048 W. Dixie Hwy. 514 NE 167th St., 305-940-6309 tions of Chinese food in the NY metropolitan area. Before: 305-949-0776 Since the 1980s this restaurant, located in an unatmo- bland faux-Cantonese dishes. After: lighter, more fiery Tiny, true, but there’s more than just sushi at this mostly spheric mini strip mall but surprisingly romantic inside fare from Szechuan and other provinces. This Miami take-out spin-off of the pioneering Hiro. Makis are the (especially if you grab one of the exotically draped booths) outpost does serve chop suey and other Americanized mainstay (standard stuff like California rolls, more has been a popular destination for reasonably priced items, but don’t worry. Stick with Szechuan crispy prawns, complex creations like multi-veg futomaki, and a few north Indian fare. Kormas are properly soothing and Empire’s Special Duck, cold sesame noodles, or similar unexpected treats like a spicy Crunch & Caliente maki), vindaloos are satisfactorily searing, but the kitchen will pleasantly spicy specialties, and you’ll be a happy camper, available à la carte or in value-priced individual and party adjust seasonings upon request. They aim to please. Food especially if you’re an ex-New Yorker. $$ combo platters. But there are also bento boxes featuring arrives unusually fast for an Indian eatery, too. $$ tempura, yakitori skewers, teriyaki, stir-fried veggies, and Flamma Brazilian Steakhouse udon noodles. Another branch is now open in Miami’s King Palace 3913 NE 163rd St., (Intracoastal Mall) Upper Eastside. $ 330 NE 167th St., 305-949-2339 305-957-9900 The specialties here are authentic Chinatown-style barbe- The rodizio formula is familiar: Pay one price ($39.90 Hiro’s Yakko-San cue (whole ducks, roast pork strips, and more, displayed for dinner, $29.90 at Sunday brunch), then eat till you 17040 W. Dixie Hwy. in a glass case by the door), and fresh seafood dishes, drop from a groaning salad/appetizer bar and a massive 305-947-0064 the best made with the live fish swimming in two tanks selection of beef, pork, lamb, poultry, sausage, and fish After sushi chefs close up their own restaurants for the by the dining room entrance. There’s also a better-than- (16 varieties at dinner; 5 at brunch) carved tableside night, many come here for a rare taste of Japanese home average selection of seasonal Chinese veggies. The menu by costumed waiters. What spectacularly differentiates cooking, served in grazing portions. Try glistening-fresh is extensive, but the best ordering strategy, since the Flamma: its setting on the Intracoastal Waterway. But strips of raw tuna can be had in maguro nuta – mixed place is usually packed with Asians, is to see what looks also spectacular is a Monday-Thursday two-for-one dinner with scallions and dressed with habit-forming honey-miso good on nearby tables, and point. $$ deal with a coupon available at Flamma. Unbelievable but mustard sauce. Other favorites include goma ae (wilted true. $$$$ spinach, chilled and dressed in sesame sauce), garlic Continued on page 69

68 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 Dining Guide

Restaurant Listings The Melting Pot basket of fresh (not packaged) taco chips, or the mariachi Roasters & Toasters 15700 Biscayne Blvd., 305-947-2228 band, or the knockout margaritas will. Food ranges from 18515 NE 18th Ave., 305-830-3354 Continued from page 68 For 1950s and 1960s college students, fondue pots were Tex-Mex burritos and a party-size fajita platter to authentic Attention ex-New Yorkers: Is your idea of food porn one of standard dorm accessories. These days, however, branch- Mexican moles and harder-to-find traditional preparations the Carnegie Deli’s mile-high pastrami sandwiches? Well, Lime Fresh Mexican Grill es of this chain are generally the only places to go for this like albóndigas – spicy, ultra-savory meatballs. $$-$$$ Roasters will dwarf them. Consider the “Carnegie-style” 14831 Biscayne Blvd. eating experience. Start with a wine-enriched four-cheese monster containing, according to the menu, a full pound 305-949-8800 fondue; proceed to an entrée with meat or seafood, plus Pizza Fusion of succulent meat (really 1.4 pounds; we weighed it), for (See Midtown / Wynwood / Design District listing) choice of cooking potion (herbed wine, bouillon, or oil); 14815 Biscayne Blvd. a mere 15 bucks. All the other Jewish deli classics are finish with fruits and cakes dipped in melted chocolate. 305-405-6700 here too, including perfectly sour pickles, silky hand-sliced Laurenzo’s Market Café Fondue etiquette dictates that diners who drop a skewer “Saving the earth one pizza at a time” is the motto at this nova or lox, truly red-rare roast beef, and the cutest two- 16385 W. Dixie Hwy. in the pot must kiss all other table companions, so go franchise of the only pizza chain to require third-party bite mini-potato pancakes ever — eight per order, served 305-945-6381 with those you love. $$$ organic restaurant certification at all locations. Their with sour cream and applesauce. $$ It’s just a small area between the wines and the fridge gluten-free crusts make it mighty friendly to pizza fanatics counters – no potted palms, and next-to-no service in this Oishi Thai with food allergies. Starters, salads, desserts, and organic Sang’s Chinese Restaurant cafeteria-style space. But when negotiating this interna- 14841 Biscayne Blvd., 305-947-4338 wines/beers are also served. And delivery is available — in 1925 NE 163rd St., 305-947-7076 tional gourmet market’s packed shelves and crowds has At this stylish Thai/sushi spot, try the menu of specials, hybrid cars, of course. Specials unique to this NMB fran- Sang’s has three menus. The pink menu is Americanized depleted your energies, it’s a handy place to refuel with many of which clearly reflect the young chef’s fanatical chise include Sunday-Thursday happy hours, a free Kids Chinese food, from chop suey to honey garlic chicken. The eggplant parmesan and similar Italian-American classics, devotion to fresh fish, as well as the time he spent in Organic Club class on Saturdays, 10:00-11:00 a.m., and white menu permits the chef to show off his authentic housemade from old family recipes. Just a few spoonfuls the kitchen of Knob: broiled miso-marinated black cod; varied Monday-Wednesday freebies. $-$$ Chinese fare: salt and pepper prawns, rich beef/turnip of Wednesday’s hearty pasta fagiole, one of the daily rock shrimp tempura with creamy sauce; even Nobu casserole, tender salt-baked chicken, even esoterica like soup specials, could keep a person shopping for hours. Matsuhisa’s “new style sashimi” (slightly surface-seared PK Oriental Mart abalone with sea cucumber. The extensive third menu And now that pizza master Carlo is manning the wood- by drizzles of hot olive and sesame oil). The specials 255 NE 167th St. offers dim sum, served until 4:00 p.m. A live tank allows fired oven, you can sample the thinnest, crispiest pies menu includes some Thai-inspired creations, too, such as 305-654-9646 seasonal seafood dishes like lobster with ginger and outside Napoli. $-$$ veal massaman curry, Chilean sea bass curry, and sizzling Unlike other Asian markets on this strip between I-95 and scallion. Recently installed: a Chinese barbecue case, filet mignon with basil sauce. $$$-$$$$ Biscayne Boulevard, PK has a prepared-food counter, displaying savory items like crispy pork with crackling Little Saigon serving authentic Chinatown barbecue, with appropriate attached. $$$ 16752 N. Miami Ave. Panya Thai dipping sauces included. Weekends bring the biggest 305-653-3377 520 NE 167th St. selection, including barbecued ribs and pa pei duck Shing Wang Vegetarian, Icee & Tea House This is Miami’s oldest traditional Vietnamese restaurant, 305-945-8566 (roasted, then deep-fried till extra crisp and nearly free 237 NE 167th St. but it’s still packed most weekend nights. So even the Unlike authentic Chinese cuisine, there’s no shortage of subcutaneous fat). Available every day are juicy, soy- 305-654-4008 place’s biggest negative – its hole-in-the-wall atmosphere, of genuine Thai food in and around Miami. But Panya’s marinated roast chickens, roast pork strips, crispy pork, At this unique Taiwanese eatery, run by a trio of Taipei- not encouraging of lingering visits – becomes a plus since chef/owner, a Bangkok native, offers numerous regional and whole roast ducks – hanging, beaks and all. But no trained female chefs, all seafood, poultry, and meats it ensures fast turnover. Chef/owner Lily Tao is typically and/or rare dishes not found elsewhere. Plus he doesn’t worries; a counterperson will chop your purchase into in the budget-priced entrées ($6.95) are mock – imita- in the kitchen, crafting green papaya salad, flavorful beef automatically curtail the heat or sweetness levels to bite-size, beakless pieces. $ tions made from wheat gluten, tofu, and vegetables. But noodle pho (served with greens, herbs, and condiments please Americans. Among the most intriguing: moo khem don’t mock it till you try the quite beefy pepper steak, or that make it not just a soup but a whole ceremony), and phad wan (chewy deep-fried seasoned pork strips with Racks Italian Kitchen smokin’ duck, with slices that mimic the charcuterie item many other Vietnamese classics. The menu is humon- fiery tamarind dip, accompanied by crisp green papaya 3933 NE 163rd St. (Intracoastal Mall) down to convincing faux fat. Other main dishes feature gous. $-$$ salad); broad rice noodles stir-fried with eye-opening 305-917-7225 recognizable veggies or noodles. As for the rest of the chili/garlic sauce and fresh Thai basil; and chili-topped The complexity of the Racks concept makes a sound- name: icee is shaved ice, an over-the-top dessert that’s a Mary Ann Bakery Diamond Duck in tangy tamarind sauce. $$-$$$ bite description impossible. It’s part Italian market, with sort of a slurpee sundae, with toppings that vary from the 1284 NE 163rd St. salumi, cheeses, and other artisan products plus take-out familiar (fresh fruits) to the weird (grass jelly, sweet corn, 305-945-0333 Paquito’s prepared foods; part enoteca (wine bar, featuring snacks kidney beans, rice balls, chocolate pudding). And the bub- Don’t be unduly alarmed by the American birthday cakes 16265 Biscayne Blvd. like addictive Portobello fritti with truffle aioli, especially ble tea is a must-not-miss. Using housemade syrup, the in the window. At this small Chinese bakery the real finds 305-947-5027 enjoyable on the waterfront deck); part ristorante (pastas cold, refreshing boba comes in numerous flavors (mango, are the Chinatown-style baked buns and other savory From the outside, this strip-mall Mexican eatery couldn’t and other Big Food); part pizzeria. What’s important: All taro, even actual tea), all supplemented with signature pastries, filled with roast pork, bean sauce, and curried be easier to overlook. Inside, however, its festivity is components feel and taste authentically Italian. Just don’t black tapioca balls that, slurped through large-diameter ground beef. Prices are under a buck, making them an impossible to resist. Every inch of wall space seems to be miss the coal-oven pizza. Superior toppings (including straws, are a guaranteed giggle. $ exotic alternative to fast-food dollar meals. There’s one covered with South of the Border knickknacks. And if the unusually zesty tomato sauce) plus an astonishingly light table for eat-in snackers. $ kitschy décor alone doesn’t cheer you, the quickly arriving yet chewy crust make Racks’ pies a revelation. $$ Continued on page 70

September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 69 Dining Guide

Restaurant Listings said, the sushi is impressive, mainly because seafood meal. But don’t neglect the steak — flavorful dry-aged Mo’s Bagels & Deli is delivered daily and all except the shrimp is fresh, not Angus, 100-percent Wagyu American “Kobe,” swoonwor- 2780 NE 187th St. Continued from page 69 frozen (as is customary at most Miami sushi places). Also thy grade A5 Japanese Kobe, and butter-poached prime 305-936-8555 notable: All sauces are housemade. Cooked makis like a rib, all cooked to perfection. $$$$$ While the term “old school” is used a lot to describe Siam Square crunch-topped Miami Heat are most popular, but it’s as this spacious (160-seat) establishment, it actually 54 NE 167th St., 305-944-9697 sashimi that the fish’s freshness truly shines. $$-$$$ Chef Allen’s opened in 1995. It just so evokes the classic NY delis Open until 1:00 a.m. every day except Sunday (when is 19088 NE 29th Ave. we left behind that it seems to have been here forever. closes at midnight), this relatively new addition to North Tuna’s Raw Bar and Grille 305-935-2900 Example: Lox and nova aren’t pallid, prepackaged fish, Miami Beach’s “Chinatown” strip has become a popu- 17850 W. Dixie Hwy. After 20 years of success in the same location, many but custom-sliced from whole slabs. And bagels are hand- lar late-night gathering spot for chefs from other Asian 305-932-0630 chefs would coast on their backlog of tried-and-true rolled, chewy champions, not those machine-made puffy restaurants. And why not? The food is fresh, nicely pre- The reincarnated Tuna’s has gained new owners, a new dishes. And it’s doubtful that kindly Allen Susser would poseurs. As complimentary pastry bites suggest, and the sented, and reasonably priced. The kitchen staff is willing name, a dazzling outdoor bar and dining area, and a freak out his many regulars by eliminating from the menu massive size of the succulent, sufficiently fatty pastrami to customize dishes upon request, and the serving staff is newly impressive selection of raw-bar specialties: cold- the Bahamian lobster and crab cakes. But lobster-lovers sandwiches confirm, generous Jewish Mo(m) spirit shines reliably fast. Perhaps most important, karaoke equipment water oysters from the Northeast, plus Blue Points, will find that the 20th anniversary menus also offer new here. $$ is in place when the mood strikes. $-$$ Malpecs, Island Creeks, and more. Traditional house excitements like tandoori-spiced rock lobster, along with favorites remain, and the emphasis is still on fresh fish what might be the ultimate mac’n’cheese: lobster crab Peppermill on the Waterway Scorch Grillhouse and Wine Bar from local waters. Open daily till 2:00 a.m., the place can macaroni in a Fris vodka sauce with mushrooms, scal- 3595 NE 207th St. 13750 Biscayne Blvd. get rather festive after midnight, but since the kitchen is lions, and parmesan. The famous dessert soufflé’s flavor 305-466-2016 305-949-5588 open till closing, Tuna’s draws a serious late-night dining changes daily, but it always did. $$$$$ Charming Alpine décor and elegant yet accessible tra- Though some food folks were initially exasperated when crowd, too. $$-$$$ ditional Continental comfort foods make this indoor/ yet another Latin-influenced grill replaced one of our Il Migliore outdoor restaurant a perennially popular special-occasion area’s few Vietnamese restaurants, it’s hard to bear a 2576 NE Miami Gardens Dr. place to take the parents. Definitely don’t tell the folks’ grudge at a friendly, casual neighborhood place that AVENTURA / HALLANDALE 305-792-2902 cardiologist about indulging in fine-dining fare from the offers monster ten-ounce char-grilled burgers, with pota- This attractive trattoria gets the food right, as well as the precholesterol-obsession era: trout almondine with beurre toes or salad, for $8.50; steaks, plus a side and a sauce Anthony’s Coal-Fired Pizza ambiance. As in Italy, dishes rely on impeccable ingredi- blanc, salmon with hollandaise and creamed spinach, or or veg topper, for nine bucks at lunch, $15 to $18.75 17901 Biscayne Blvd. ents and straightforward recipes that don’t overcompli- for super-splurgers, lobster thermidor. While seafood is (the menu’s top price) at night; and three-dollar glasses of 305-830-2625 cate, cover up, or otherwise muck about with that perfec- a specialty, butter-sautéed breaded schnitzels like the decent house wine. $-$$ Coal is what it’s all about here — a coal-fired oven (like tion. Fresh fettuccine with white truffle oil and mixed wild chicken Holsteiner (topped with capers, anchovies, and that at Lombardi’s, Patsy’s, John’s, or Grimaldi’s in New mushrooms needs nothing else. Neither does the signa- an egg) are a treat.$$-$$$ Sushi House York) producing the intense 800-degree heat to turn ture Pollo Al Mattone, marinated in herbs and cooked 15911 Biscayne Blvd., 305-947-6002 out, in mere minutes, a pie with the classic thin, crisp- under a brick. And even low-carb dieters happily go to hell Pilar In terms of décor drama, this sushi spot seems to have bottomed, beautifully char-bubbled crust that fans of the in a hand basket when faced with a mound of potatoes 20475 Biscayne Blvd. taken its cue from Philippe Starck: sheer floor-to-ceiling above legendary pizzerias crave. Expect neither bargain- alla Toscana, herb-sprinkled French fries. $$-$$$ 305-937-2777 drapes, for starters. The sushi list, too, is over the top, chain prices, a huge selection of toppings, nor much else Chef/owner Scott Fredel previously worked for Norman featuring monster makis like the Cubbie Comfort: spicy on the menu. Anthony’s does just a few things, and does Fuji Hana Van Aken and Mark Militello. He has been executive chef tuna, soft-shell crab, shrimp and eel tempura, plus avo- them right. $$ 2775 NE 187th St., Suite #1 at Rumi, and cooked at NYC’s James Beard House. Armed cado, jalapeños, and cilantro, topped with not one but 305-932-8080 with those impressive credentials, Fredel and his wife three sauces: wasabi, teriyaki, and spicy Mayo. Hawaiian Bagel Cove Restaurant & Deli A people-pleasing menu of typical Thai and Japanese launched Pilar (named for Hemingway’s boat) aiming to King Crab contains unprecedented ingredients like toma- 19003 Biscayne Blvd., dishes, plus some appealing contemporary creations (like prove that top restaurants can be affordable. Consider toes, green peppers, and pineapple. Boutique wines, 305-935-4029 the Spicy Crunchy Tuna Roll, an inside-out tuna/avocado/ it proven. Floribbean-style seafood is the specialty: fresh artisan sakes, and cocktails are as exotic as the cuisine. One word: flagels. And no, that’s not a typo. Rather these tempura maki, topped with more tuna and served with a hearts of palm slaw and Caribbean curry sauce, rock $$$-$$$$ crusty, flattened specimens (poppy seed or sesame seed) luscious creamy cilantro sauce) has made this eatery a shrimp spring rolls with sweet soy glaze, yellowtail snap- are the ultimate bagel/soft pretzel hybrid -- and a special- longtime favorite. But vegetarians -- for whom seafood- per with tomato-herb vinaigrette. Forget its strip-mall loca- Sushi Sake ty at this bustling Jewish bakery/deli, which, since 1988, based condiments can make Asian foods a minefield tion. The restaurant itself is elegant. $$-$$$ 13551 Biscayne Blvd. opens at 6:30 a.m. -- typically selling out of flagels in a -- might want to add the place to their “worth a special 305-947-4242 couple of hours. Since you’re up early anyway, sample drive” list, thanks to chefs’ winning ways with tofu and all- Pizza Roma Chic Asian-accented décor, video screens, 99-cent drink elaborately garnished breakfast specials, including unusu- around accommodation to veg-only diets. $$-$$$ 19090 NE 29th Ave. deals, and late-night hours make this hip hangout not ally flavorful homemade corned beef hash and eggs. For 305-937-4884 just a sushi bar but sort of a neighborhood bar, too. That the rest of the day, multitudes of mavens devour every The Grill on the Alley Despite its name, this homey hidden eatery serves not other delectable deli specialty known to humankind. $$ 19501 Biscayne Blvd. (Aventura Mall) Rome’s wood-cooked, crunchy-crusted pizzas but New 305-466-7195 York-style pies with medium-thick crusts pliable enough to Bella Luna Ensconced in a leather booth, with dark hardwood every- fold in half for neat street eating. Unlike chains, though, 19575 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura Mall where and a massive bar dispensing two-fisted drinks, this indie is accommodating, so if you want your crust 305-792-9330 you’d never know you were dining in a shopping mall -- or thin and crisp, just ask. Also featured are Italian-American If the menu here looks familiar, it should. It’s nearly iden- in the new millennium. This upscale mini chain salutes entrées like baked manicotti (that’s “mani-goat”, for those tical to that at the Upper Eastside’s Luna Café and, with America’s great grill restaurants of yesteryear, with pro- not from NJ) big enough to share, and sub sandwiches, minor variations, at all the rest of Tom Billante’s eateries digious portions of charbroiled meats and seafood, plus here called “bullets,” to put you in a Sopranos frame of (Rosalia, Villaggio, Carpaccio), right down to the typeface. classics like creamy chicken pot pie. New retro dishes are mind. $$ But no argument from here. In a mall – a setting more added quarterly, but our favorite remains Sunday night’s accustomed to food court – dishes like carpaccio al sal- prime rib special: a $32 hunk of juicy beef that’ll take The Soup Man mone (crudo, with portobellos, capers, parmesan slices, care of Monday’s meals too. $$$$$ 20475 Biscayne Blvd. #G-8 and lemon/tomato dressing) and linguine carbonara (in 305-466-9033 creamy sauce with pancetta and shallots) are a breath of Mahogany Grille The real soup man behind this franchise is Al Yeganeh, an fresh, albeit familiar, air. $$-$$$ 2190 NW 183rd St. antisocial Manhattan restaurant proprietor made notori- 305-626-8100 ous, on a Seinfeld episode, as “the soup Nazi.” On the Bourbon Steak Mahogany Grille has drawn critical raves and an inter- menu: ten different premium soups each day. The selec- 19999 W. Country Club Dr. national clientele since retired major league outfielder tion is carefully balanced among meat/poultry-based and (Fairmont Hotel, Turnberry Resort) Andre Dawson and his brother transformed this place vegetarian; clear and creamy (like the eatery’s signature 786-279-0658 in 2007. Today it’s white tablecloths and, naturally, shellfish-packed lobster bisque); chilled and hot; familiar At Bourbon Steak, a venture in the exploding restaurant mahogany. The menu is a sort of trendy yet tradi- (chicken noodle) and exotic (mulligatawny). All soups empire of chef Michael Mina, a multiple James Beard tional soul fusion of food from several African diaspora come with gourmet bread, fruit, and imported chocolate. award winner, steakhouse fare is just where the fare regions: Carolina Low Country (buttery cheese grits Also available are salads, sandwiches, and wraps. $-$$ starts. There are also Mina’s ingenious signature dishes, with shrimp, sausage, and cream gravy), the Caribbean like an elegant deconstructed lobster/baby vegetable pot (conch-packed fritters or salad), and the Old South Sushi Siam pie, a raw bar, and enough delectable vegetable/seafood (lightly buttermilk-battered fried chicken). The chicken is 19575 Biscayne Blvd., 305-932-8955 starters and sides for noncarnivores to assemble a happy perhaps Miami’s best. $$-$$$ (See Miami / Upper Eastside listing)

ORIGINAL BAVARIAN BIER GARTEN OPEN DAILY FROM 5:00PM TO 11:00PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY TO MIDNIGHT

TEL: 305-754-8002 www.schnitzelhausmiami.net 1085 N.E. 79th Street / Causeway, Miami, FL 33138

70 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010 Dining Guide Stand for something or you’ll eat anything.

The only Certified Humane® restaurant of its kind.

The Shops at Midtown Miami 3201 N. Miami Ave., Suite 100 305-576-5463 Coming Soon to Downtown.

September 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 71 Dining Guide

72 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com September 2010