NEW THIS ISSUE Gaspar González p. 22 Bill Citara’s “Vino” p. 50 7 New Restaurants p. 54

Serving communities along the Biscayne Corridor: Arch Creek East, Aventura, Bay Point, Bayside, Biscayne Park, Belle Meade, Buena Vista, Design District, Downtown, Eastern Shores, Edgewater, El Portal, Hibiscus Island, Keystone Point, Miami Shores, Morningside, North Bay Island, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Oakland Grove, Palm Grove, Palm Island, Sans Souci, Shorecrest, Star Island, Wynwood, and Venetian Islands www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2010 Volume 8, Issue 2 From LOVELY to LOUSY to LOST

Little Farm Trailer Park, a landmark just off the Boulevard, is going down fast By Erik Bojnansky Photos by Silvia Ros

he offi cial address is 8500 Bis- Partners building (with its distinctive and backgrounds uneasily co-exist in according to Jason Walker, manager cayne Blvd., but you won’t easily steeple) to a small roadway that leads to cramped quarters, and where police say of El Portal, within whose borders the Tsee this 15-acre community from a metal gate. criminal activity is rampant. mobile-home community exists. Walk- your car. To reach it from the Boulevard, Beyond the open gate lies a mobile- Because some unknown number er’s best estimate: Between 600 and 1000 drive west between the shuttered Price home community with a 66-year history of residents are undocumented immi- Supermarket and the abandoned Laundry known to few, where people of all ages grants, an accurate census does not exist, Continued on page 14

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APRILK KNIGHT CONCERT HALL C CARNIVAL STUDIO THEATERZ ZIFF BALLET OPERA HOUSE P PARKER AND VANN THOMSON PLAZA SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Mamma Mia! Mamma Mia! Mamma Mia! 1 8:00PM Z 2 8:00PM Z 3 2:00 & 8:00PM Z “A great musical hit! “This hight-energy “One of the A genuinely comic and musical brings most successful touching story allied to happiness wherever musicals of all time!” some of the greatest it goes!” -Chicago Tribune pop songs ever written.” -Time Magazine -Sheridan Morley, International Herald Tribune

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11 Miami City Ballet: 16 The Butterfly Garden 17 The Butterfly Garden Program IV Z 7:30PM C 11:00AM 2:00PM JAZZ ROOTS: 2:00 & 5:00PM C New World Piano Latino Enter a spellbinding Symphony: 8:00PM K world of Farfalle! The Mahler Legacy Featuring Eddie Palmieri, This show "Redefines 2:00PM K Michel Camilo, and the idea of interactive Alfredo Rodriguez theater!" - Scoop Independent News (New Zealand)

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28 Florida Grand Opera: 29 BroadSword 30 BroadSword Carmen Z 8:00PM C 8:00PM C 8:00PM For one last gig, they’ll Florida Grand Opera: PIANO LATINO go through Hell… A seductive and Carmen “BroadSword is tempestuous gypsy 8:00PM Z EDDIE PALMIERI captures the heart of a must-see theater!” MICHEL CAMILO young soldier. -The Miami Herald AND INTRODUCING ALFREDO RODRIGUEZ

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April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 3 Contents COVER STORY 1 From Lovely to Lousy to Lost COMMENTARY 6 Feedback: Letters 10 Miami’s King: Jack King 12 Word on the Street 22 OUR SPONSORS 8 BizBuzz PO Box 370566, Miami, FL 33137 NEIGHBORHOOD CORRESPONDENTS www.biscaynetimes.com 22 Gaspar González: Amped Up PUBLISHER & EDITOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES 24 Jen Karetnick: If It’s Spring, There Must Be Ice Cream Jim Mullin Marc Ruehle 26 Frank Rollason: Who Will Lead in a Time of Crisis? [email protected] [email protected] 28 Wendy Doscher-Smith: Spider-Man Chopper in the Hood INTERNS Nancy Newhart COMMUNITY NEWS Mandy Baca [email protected] 30 How Does Your Garden Grow? 38 [email protected] BUSINESS Manager 30 They’re Off and Running! Sara Marzougui Ileana Cohen [email protected] 32 Living with Crime -- Eternally [email protected] POLICE REPORTS Matthew Ruckman Art director [email protected] Marcy Mock 36 Biscayne Crime Beat [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS ART & CULTURE Advertising design 38 Victor Barrenchea, Erik Bojnansky, Anne Tschida: Miami Scores with Marlins Art Pamela Robin Brandt, Terence Cantarella, DP Designs 40 Art Listings Bill Citara, Karen-Janine Cohen, Wendy [email protected] 43 Events Calendar Doscher-Smith, Kathy Glasgow, Gaspar CIRCULATION PARK PATROL Gonzaléz, Margaret Griffis, Jim W. Harper, South Florida Distributors 44 Jim W. Harper: In the Middle of the Road Lisa Hartman, Jen Karetnick, Jack King, PRINTING Cathi Marro, Derek McCann, Jenni Person, COLUMNISTS Stuart Web, Inc. Frank Rollason, Silvia Ros, Jeff Shimonski, www.stuartweb.com 46 Pawsitively Pets: Call of the Wild -- Canine Edition 50 Anne Tschida 48 Kids and the City: Munchkins and Menus 49 Your Garden: A Bit of Palmistry from Cuba F oR AdVERTISING INFORMATION CALL 305-756-6200 50 Vino: Forget Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc All articles, photos, and artwork in the Biscayne Times DINING GUIDE are copyrighted by Biscayne Media, LLC. Any duplication or Member of the 54 reprinting without authorized written consent from the publisher Florida Press Association Restaurant Listings: 222 Biscayne Corridor Restaurants! is prohibited.

4 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2010 April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 5 Commentary: Feedback Letters to the Editor Question: Are There “Dues” a Thank you, Ms. Cohen. Well done! White Guy Is Supposed To Pay? Please write more and more! Ingrid Barreneche This is in response to Kathy Glasgow’s Brickell article on Haitian activist Lucie Ton- dreau (“Hurricane Lucie,” March 2010). Upper Eastside Townhall What I learned from reading this is that there are the American-born blacks Meeting and there are Haitian-born blacks. And On Wednesday, April 21, Miami that there are county commission seats Mayor Tomas Regalado, Commission- reserved for American blacks, because er Marc Sarnoff, city manager Carlos being born an American black, you have Migoya, and the directors of Miami’s paid your dues. Meaning that if you are code enforcement and Neighborhood of Haitian decent, you haven’t paid your Enhancement Team departments will dues — at least not in America. take your questions at the first Upper I also learned that Haitian-American Eastside Quarterly Townhall Meeting. citizens should vote for Haitians because All city residents are welcome to the only they know what it’s like to be a Haitian. gathering, which will be held at 7:00 p.m. Now that we have those two mark- at the Legion Park meeting hall, 6447 NE ers by which to judge, how will we know 7th Ave. (entrance from NE 64th Street). if political candidates are competent or The event is being sponsored by honest? Or does that even matter? the Shorecrest Homeowners Association. Is there a definition of American For more information contact association black “dues”? Maybe a rating system president Jack Spirk at 305-756-0620. to determine what percentage of those “dues” have been paid? Yes, a Nicely Restored But what if the Haitian has an American Motel, but Not the First mother, or the African American is bi-racial? Nicely Restored Motel And what happens if the Haitian is a “blinged- up fat one” and the bulk of his donations come I am writing in regards to Karen-Janine from Brickell Avenue law firms? Cohen’s article “Once a Beauty, Always a What should a white boy to do? Beauty: Introducing the First Completely Should I call Help Me Howard? Or just Restored MiMo Motel” (March 2010). stay home because I haven’t paid my I don’t want to take away anything dues and I don’t know what it is to be from the New Yorker Motel renovation. Haitian or African American? The owners should be recognized for I’ve got it! I think I’ll ask that nice being true pioneers in the revitaliza- lady Ms. Spence-Jones. She’ll give me tion of the Biscayne Boulevard. But the an honest answer. New Yorker is not the first motel to be Ralph Camerlengo renovated. The Motel Bianco (formerly Miami Shores the Biscayne Inn) at 5255 Biscayne Blvd. has been rehabilitated and was reopened Whooooooooooooo on January 1 of this year. The Bianco’s owners renovated Wouldn’t Love That the motel rooms and the public spaces. Wonderful Story? They’re currently waiting for their new I really enjoyed Karen-Janine Cohen’s signage and landscaping to be completed. delightful article about owl houses being And they have scheduled a professional hammered together by residents in photo shoot so they can promote the Biscayne Park (“What a Hoot!” March property to the mainstream lodging 2010). It makes me feel like I want to media. They hired Miami designers know more about these kinds of owls. DADA Interior Design studio and DEN It makes me feel that I want to go to Architecture to oversee the design. Biscayne Park and try to look for these Ms. Cohen’s New Yorker article beautiful creatures and take some pictures. forgot to mention that the property owners It makes me feel that good people also hired DADA, an award-winning are still around doing great things for hotel design firm and with expertise in animals and nature. the MiMo period. DADA consulted with I loved the part where she described the New Yorker’s owners on all design the house-building as “a kind of Extreme

Makeover: Owl Home Edition”. Continued on page 51

6 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2010 April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 7 Our Sponsors BizBuzz: April 2010 Sales, special events, and more from the people who make Biscayne Times possible By Pamela Robin Brandt Hiro’s Yakko-san or four weeks BT Contributor North Miami Arts Collective now, but take six to eight weeks ince Seraphic Fire once we’re into formed in 2002, the Ascot Furniture the season. So Smusically daring the company chamber choir (first classical has a generous ensemble since 1994 to hit offer for BT Billboard’s Top 10 charts) readers: 25% off has become South Florida’s all orders placed hottest classical music ticket. in April. That And that ticket is $5 off for four April could add up to concerts of Gregorian chants: 4/22 (St. some serious Christopher’s by-the-Sea, Key Biscayne), coin. 4/23 (First United Methodist Church, Coral Moti Horenstein Not a new Gables), 4/24 (All Saints Episcopal Church, restaurant but another Fort Lauderdale), 4/25 (Miami Beach new BT advertiser: Community Church). For tix: www.Se- Hiro’s Yakko-san raphicFire.org or 888-544-FIRE; use code (17040-48 W. Dixie BT10 for the Biscayne Times discount. Hwy., 305-947-0064). Speaking of discounts, the Miami When you walk into Parking Authority has something sweet an eatery at 2:00 a.m. for all City of Miami residents: 20% off all and find sushi chefs Pay by Phone parking purchases. Call 305- from all over town

373-6789 to either sign up for the discount Seraphic Fire feasting on authentic with your existing Pay by Phone account, izakaya-style Japa- or to set up a new account. By the way, Keystone Point or Sans Souci Estates buyers who love a retro nese home cooking using your phone to pay for parking (even waterfront home, buy now, says Real- piece that doesn’t match (basically everything from the restaurant), is itself pretty sweet. tor Jeff Tomlinson. “Our inventory has their décor can change but sushi), you know Arts fans on starving-artist budgets been nearly cut in half in the last 12 fabrics affordably. you’re in the right place. are in luck this month. On April 17, the months,” he notes. To nab one of Tom- Looks like the cold weather is finally Sometimes aerobics isn’t just about North Miami Arts Collective (845 NE linson Realty Group’s last inexpensive over — knock on wood. And you’ll want getting your heart healthy; it’s also 125th St., 786-238-1264) has designed (below 700K) waterfront properties in to make that wood teak, since Ascot about having a heart. M Power Project an evening of dance, theater, music, and these prime locations, call 305-895-5333. Furniture (12951 Biscayne Blvd., 305- gym (9301 NE 6th Ave., 305-758-8600) spoken-word performances by artists- If refurbishing your current resi- 892-2131) is offering BT readers 20% off reports it’s currently planning a three- in-residence Ana Miranda, Rosie Her- dence seems more like it, full-service on its large selection of maintenance-free hour “Aerobathon” in May, to help raise rera, Ana Bolt, and Marie Whitman. For upholstery firm Designs 2000 (305-765- outdoor benches. funds for Kids United Foundation’s 2010 Biscayne Times readers, tickets are only 8003, www.upholsterydesigns2000.com) It’s not too soon to prepare for sum- Kids Get Fit summer program — where $5. To reserve seats, call or visit in person, has recently relocated to 355 NE 59th mer’s hurricane season, according to new activities encompass psychological sur- mentioning the BT. St. and opened a vintage furniture shop advertiser Coastline Windows & Doors vival skills as well as physical fitness. Spring is the season for starting called Off the Wall (241 NE 58th Terr.). (305-373-6181). Impact-resistant win- anew. And if you’d like to do that in a The synergy is a win-win: Furniture dows and doors can be installed in three Continued on page 52

8 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2010 BIZET’SBBBIZETSIZET’S CARMEN Mezzo-SopranoMezzo-Soprano KendallKendall GladenGladen asas CarmenCarmen PHOTO © DONNA VICTOR FOR FLORIDA GRAND OPERA © DONNA VICTOR FOR FLORIDA PHOTO

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April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 9 Commentary: Miami’s King Sailors, Senators, and Slaves As regattas bring on the tourists, politicans bring on the yawns By Jack King the World race. It will be (a.k.a. Howdy Doody) has the distinc- BT Contributor here in April 2012, a fitting tion of being second only to Crist in the close to Miami’s racing number of state jobs he’s held. He’s cur- ust a few random thoughts from our season. Six Miamians rently the state’s attorney general and fair hometown. Everyone has been worked a year to bring us has vowed to sue the federal govern- Jtalking about how much tourism is the event, which will be ment to stop the implementation of the down in South Florida over the past few managed by a nonprofit new health care plan. Of course, that years and how slowly it is coming back. corporation. You’ll be was right after the Republican National But there is one area where it has been hearing a lot more about it Committee promised a generous dona- growing steadily, though few people ever in the coming months. tion to his campaign. see or even know about it: sailing. * * * Sink is another story. She comes Starting around December and Speaking of efforts from the private sector as a banker, and running through mid-April, some 10,000 to sustain tourism here in is the current chief financial officer in sailors come here to participate in nu- South Florida, you have Florida. She made some terrible deci- merous regattas. They arrive in groups to hand it to the Super sions concerning the state’s investments, of 20 to 30 for small events, and they Bowl Host Committee. to the point that the we lost some $61 surge in for large events like the Orange According to New Times, billion. Sink & Co. have since recovered Bowl Regatta, during which 700 kids they persuaded the Miami-Dade Police themselves “tea baggers.”) With Crist about half that, so we’re only down $30 and 1000 parents invade Miami between Department to put off their crackdown now trailing Rubio in the polls, the can- billion now. Judging from her lackluster the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. on hookers and massage parlors until didates have moved into the bash-the- campaigning, it seems she doesn’t really Over the course of the year, it adds after the Super Bowl crowds had left other-guy and take-no-prisoners mode. want the governor’s job. up to about 15,000 people coming here town. God knows we didn’t need any We’ll see who survives politically. With Isn’t there anyone around here who to sail and staying an average of one adverse publicity while they were here, any luck, neither one will. is competent and wants to be our gover- full week. That’s quite an economic so we sent them home with smiles on On the Democratic side, we have nor? We sure want you. impact. And unlike the Super Bowl, in their faces and empty wallets. U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, who has yet * * * which lots of visitors are in town for one * * * to show us much, certainly not as much And finally, for all of you who think specific week, it’s spread out over time, Five months from now we’ll have as his mother did. And running against the new health plan is a governmental which helps to sustain local businesses. primary elections for Florida’s new gov- him is Maurice Ferre, who had a long intrusion into your life, think about Most of this takes place in the Co- ernor and U.S. Senator. It appears that no stint as mayor of Miami as well spend- this: For many years the U.S. Congress conut Grove-Brickell corridor, and some one really wants either job. In the senate ing time on the Miami-Dade County has mandated that anyone who needs of it on South Beach. For years nobody race on the Republican side we have our Commission. Recently Ferre has been in medical assistance can go to any emer- noticed, but not long ago Coconut Grove illustrious and well-tanned governor, a pitched battle with the Miami Herald gency room at any hospital anywhere in marketing maven Daisy Lewis put Charlie Crist, whose claim to fame is over who remembers what about city fi- America and be cared for — money or together a promotional package called that he has held nearly every elective nances when Ferre left the mayor’s office no money, U.S. citizen or illegal alien. “Sail the Grove,” and it has become a office in Florida and has never made a a quarter-century ago. Really a compel- And this: If there had been no gov- huge success, both in terms of marketing mistake. That’s because he has never ling discussion. ernmental “intrusion” 150 years ago, all and in educating merchants and restaura- actually done anything. Isn’t there anyone around here who the white guys in the South would still teurs about sailing and sailors — and the Also on the Republican side we is competent and wants to be our junior own slaves. fact that they spend real money. have Marco Rubio, who hasn’t done senator? We sure want you. Don’t like such intrusions? Call Now a group of sailors and market- much either. Despite that, he’s become Then we have Republican Bill your congressman and complain. ers, led by David Pina, has secured a the darling of right-wing tea partiers. McCollum running against Democrat stopover for the 2011-2012 Volvo Around (I liked it better when they called Alex Sink for governor. McCollum Feedback: [email protected]

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April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 11 C o m m e n t a r y : W o r d o n t H e S t r e e t What is the most memorable meal you’ve ever had? Compiled by Cathi Marro – BT Contributor

Jackie Rodriguez Alejandro Solorzano Sherry Louis Marilyn Arkin Jack Hays Brittany Pollack Receptionist Retail Sales Associate Offi ce Manager CEO Tanning Consultant MiMo Edgewater North Miami Miami Shores Sunny Isles Aventura It was one I made when I Tuna and crackers. After a The best meal I’ve ever It was on the fi rst date my My most memorable meal My most memorable was 23 or 24 years old. It six-day hike in the moun- had was at an Italian res- husband and I had together was a Thanksgiving dinner meal is probably Brownie was my fi rst Thanksgiving tains of Venezuela, we had taurant on Miami Beach. It — years ago. We had a after having to cut weight Obsession. They have it as a married woman and fi nally reached the summit. was a couple of years ago. lobster dinner in Orlando for wrestling in high school. at a few different places. I I was cooking the turkey. Sitting on the edge by I had a grilled Chilean somewhere outside of During football season I order it to go about once a I seasoned it and put it in Angel Falls we looked seabass. It was really good. Disney. We were staring weighed over 200 pounds, month at TGI Fridays. It’s the oven and thought I was down and saw the tops of It melted in my mouth. I at each other and doing but for wrestling season I a hot fudge brownie with doing a great job, having the clouds. The mountain like seafood and I like romantic things when I always had to slim down a pile of vanilla ice cream. seen my mom cook turkey is more than a kilometer Italian restaurants. This bit down on a lobster shell to 138 pounds. For four Chocolate is my favorite! for years. Unfortunately, I high and has some of the was one of the best fi sh and cracked my tooth. years in high school I never I just love the brownies accidentally left the plastic oldest and most unique I’ve ever had. It was kind That I will never forget! I got to enjoy Thanksgiving and I could eat chocolate bag of giblets inside! vegetation. I had built up of expensive, though, so I still have a gold inlay to because of wrestling, so any time! Every woman must have quite an appetite. The view haven’t been back there in remind me of the torture. every Thanksgiving since done that once in her life. and the moment made the a while. then has been a favorite It was so funny! meal memorable. meal for me!

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12 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2010 April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 13 Cover Story

Little Farm Continued from page 1 people live there. A mixture of quaint and ramshackle trailers share the property with an assort- ment of dogs, cats, ducks, and the occa- BT photo by Erik Bojnansky sional shrieking peacock roaming across the FEC railroad tracks from El Portal. Now and then a trailer will catch fire — and they burn fast. County officials say portions of the land are contaminated and pose a health hazard serious enough to have caused Wal-Mart executives to back out of a recent deal to purchase and develop the property. Welcome to Little Farm Trailer Park. “The economy has forced us to make some adjustments,” says Magidel “Mac” Fernandez, a partner in Biscayne Park LLC, the company that owns the property. “What we are going to do there — we have no idea yet.” Translation: It’s in foreclosure.

Portions of the trailer park are so contaminated that Wal-Mart executives had to back out of a recent deal to purchase and develop the property.

Fernandez and his partners bought Little Farm Trailer Park and some adjacent commercially zoned land for $8 million in November 2006. By March 2007, retail behemoth Wal-Mart had its sights on the property and made a purchase offer, but withdrew a few months later, after prelimi- nary tests uncovered high levels of arsenic in the soil and groundwater. El Portal’s Jason Walker says he knows of four potential buyers who walked away after learning about the environmental issues. An attempt to sell the trailer park for $17 million during a June 2009 auction at Miami Shores

Continued on page 15

14 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2010 Cover Story

Little Farm Continued from page 14

Country Club also failed. Says Walker: “It would cost $10 million to clean up that place.” Yolanda Dorce has lived in her own trailer at Little Farm for the past 20 years. When she moved in, the park was neat and well maintained, and the rent she paid to the park’s owners for her space was within her budget. “I only paid $180 a month in rent,” she says. “Now I pay $500 a month.” Dependent on her meager disability checks, Dorce has had to make some tough fi nancial decisions lately — either paying the rent, buying food, or doing laundry, but often not all three. “My home is ugly. I can’t afford to fi x it up NE 87th Street or make myself look pretty,” she says with a wan smile. “I can’t even buy fl owers.”

Biscayne Boulevard Security guard Jean Reuben’s monthly rent was $320 when he fi rst bought his Little Farm Trailer Park trailer in 2002. “Now it is ex- Little River pensive,” says Reuben, who today is paying close to $550 per month. “They want too much. And the new manage- ment, when you want to fi nd

NE 79th Street them, it is excuses, excuses.” Still, he notes that those who pack up and leave often come back. “Because outside,” Reuben says, “is too expensive.” New York native Michael Baragana fears he may soon be homeless. An install- er of emergency doors in more prosperous times, Baragana now works whatever jobs he can fi nd — landscaping, moving furni- ture — anything that will allow him to pay $500 a month for a one-bedroom, moldy trailer owned by Fernandez and his busi- ness partners. “He keeps trying to raise my rent,” Baragana grumbles “He now wants $550 a month. I’m trying to negotiate him down to $450.” Fernandez denies raising rents at Little Farm, countering that “some people go months and months without paying rent.” Such disputes aside, one thing is clear: Conditions at the park are deteriorating rapidly. In fact so many trailers are in such poor condition that El Portal offi cials now refuse to issue permits for any type of construction on the property. Since last August, four

Continued on page 16

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

Little Farm Continued from page 15 trailers have burned to the ground. Investigators determined that three of the fires were sparked by substan- dard electrical wiring. One trailer was burned so badly that the cause of the fire remains unknown. Virtually all of El Portal’s police calls come from Little Farm Trailer Park. Last year alone there were 287, and they

Virtually all of El Portal’s police calls come from Little Farm. Last year alone there were 287, from petty annoyances to serious felonies.

ran the gamut from petty annoyances to serious felonies: loud music, suspicious persons, attempted suicide, domestic violence, drug activity, armed assault. In one four-week period last year, there were 14 hang-up calls to emergency 911 from the same address. The perpetual crime wave persists. Just last month there was gunplay. Someone was shot, but the incident is still under investiga- tion and no other details were available at press time, including the condition of the victim. Sgt. Ronnie Hufnagel, a 12-year veteran of the El Portal Police Depart- ment, says she and her colleagues arrest the same people over and over: “They drink, they do drugs, they break into each other’s places.” Residents say Little Farm is un- pleasant at night — thanks in part to the park’s nonfunctioning street lights — but they are grateful for increased police patrols, which they believe have frightened off many of the young hooli- gans. Says Yolanda Dorce with a smile: “Police come, come, come. It’s some- thing for the residents.”

Continued on page 18

16 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2010 April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 17 Cover Story

Little Farm diarrhea, hair loss, kidney failure, liver Every Saturday Continued from page 16 failure, cancer, and lung disease. Because Little Farm’s drinking Michael Baragana isn’t so san- water comes from the county, DERM 7:30 am – 2 pm guine. Even in the daytime, he says, says there’s no danger of arsenic or other some residents think nothing of pan- soil contaminants infiltrating the supply. handling or even stealing. He recounts And the trailer park’s grassy areas The Midtown Miami Market will be the perfect chasing down someone who tried to reduce the risk of residents breathing in make off with his laundry detergent. arsenic-laced dust, says Juan Suarez, an opportunity for you to showcase your fresh grown or Now his garbage can is chained to his epidemiologist with the county health created products to thousands of people. The market rented trailer. “To be precise,” he de- department. However, Suarez warns that will be on the corner of N. Miami Avenue from NE 29th clares, “this is a little jungle.” there is danger if people “eat the dirt — As you might expect in a jungle, and with kids, that’s possible.” So far, Street traveling north to NE 31st Street. sanitation can be an issue. The trailer Suarez says, the health department is not park is not hooked up to the county aware of any cases of arsenic poisoning, sewer system. Instead human waste from but that hasn’t stopped the county attor- Produce • Arts & Crafts more than 200 trailers is pumped into a ney’s office from filing a lawsuit against septic tank designed for just 65. Sewage Biscayne Park LLC to force a cleanup. Baked Goods • Art • Home Decor backups were not uncommon, so four Madison Realty Capital, a private Limited Garage Sale Alley years ago the county’s Department of lender, is also running out of patience Environmental Resources Management with Biscayne Park LLC. Last June Mad- (DERM) demanded that Little Farm link ison filed a foreclosure action to protect to the system. After negotiating several its $8.15 million mortgage and take con- extensions, and paying a $36,500 pen- trol of the trailer park and various other Spaces start at $35 alty, Biscayne Park LLC now has until properties Little Farm’s investors had June to comply with DERM’s demands. offered as collateral, including a house Reserve Today 305-573-3371 No overflows have been reported to in neighboring Miami Shores owned by DERM since 2007, but some residents Fernandez and his wife. The foreclosure

MIDTOWNBLVD. say they keep their windows sealed action also lists Carlos and Dora Carde- against a wafting stench. nas, Martha Fernandez, and seven “John DERM and Miami-Dade Health Does” as defendants. Department officials are more worried According to public records, NE 31ST STREET NE 36TH STREET NE 34TH STREET NE 29TH STREET NE 32ND STREET about high concentrations of arsenic in Biscayne Park LLC additionally has

N.MIAMIAVENUE the park’s soil. Their testing found nearly been stiffing the county to the tune five times the level considered to be dan- of $820,000 in unpaid property taxes. gerous to humans. Ingesting or inhaling And two years ago El Portal slapped Learn all about it at ShopMidtownMiami.com or visit us such high levels of arsenic over a long a $991,000 lien on the property for a on Facebook at Shops At Midtown Miami. period can cause a wide range of prob- lems, such as headaches, convulsions, Continued on page 19

18 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2010 Cover Story Powered by

Little Farm Mary Ramos has more recent mem- 0U[YVK\JPUN[OL Continued from page 18 ories. She bought a trailer at Little Farm 16 years ago. “Oh, it was beautiful,” she multitude of code violations. Today the recalls. “It was cheap, and a nice, nice lien has grown to $2.5 million. Village place. It was only Canadian people here. *HYK manager Walker says Biscayne Park Most of the time the place was empty.” LLC has done nothing about the lien The park was attractive, longtime and hasn’t contacted him in the past residents say, because its owners at the :PNU\W[VKH`HUKZ[HY[ZH]PUNPUZVTLVM few months. time cared about it. Jack Schaufele, a ser- Mac Fernandez insists he’s “work- geant with the El Portal Police Depart- `V\YMH]VYP[LYLZ[H\YHU[Z ing with everyone” to address Little ment, and his wife Nancy, bought Little Farm’s many problems. He also claims Farm in 1988 for $2.73 million. “They that he and his mother, Teresa Cardenas, were beautiful people. Nice, sweet,” are not solely responsible: “We’re just Ramos says. managing partners, and there are several In 1996 the Schaufeles sold the owners.” Fernandez is also registered park for $4 million to a real estate in- as a managing partner for a bus and vestor named Sarika Olah. A few years truck driving school, as well as many later, Ramos says, Little Farm began other Florida businesses, ranging from accepting trailers from Nelson’s Trailer hair extensions to insurance. “We can’t Park. That mobile-home community disclose who the actual owners are,” he shut down in 1999 to make way for the says, though he’s quick to blame them for Home Depot at 12055 Biscayne Blvd. turning down a recent offer. “We’ve had As the number of homes at Little Farm someone who wanted to purchase the increased, sewage began oozing from property but they [the other owners] were the ground, sometimes backing up into not able to let it go.” trailers’ bathrooms. Only a patchy history of the Little “I used to have a picture of the park Farm property seems to be accessible, and from 12 years ago,” says El Portal’s Ser- the BT’s efforts to locate archival photo- geant Hufnagel. “It looked like an elderly graphs have been unsuccessful. A county community from Palm Beach. But then it DERM official says in the 1930s a poultry just went to hell.” farm existed on part of the land where By 2002 Olah had a contract to sell

The park is not hooked up to the county sewer ;OL+>5;>59*HYKWYVNYHTPZNLHYLK system. Instead human waste from more than [V^HYKZKPZJLYUPUNKPULYZHUKZOVWWLYZ 200 trailers is pumped into a septic tank ^OV^VYRHUKSP]LPU+V^U[V^U designed for just 65. :PTWS`\ZL`V\YJHYKH[VULVMV\Y ULPNOIVYOVVKTLYJOHU[ZHUK`V\Y the trailer park now sits. In those days, the land for $4.8 million to Miami-based ZH]PUNZZ[HY[YPNO[H^H` according to the official, arsenic was a Pinnacle Housing Group, one of the commonly used herbicide and pesticide. nation’s largest developers of affordable It’s also possible the name “Little housing. But Michael Wohl, one of Pin- Farm” came from the Little Farm nacle’s top executives, says there were a Grocery Store, which opened at 8360 “host of issues” attached to the land, not Biscayne Blvd. in 1933, according to least of which was zoning. Biscayne Park .L[`V\Y+>5;>59*HYK[VKH` news reports. The now-defunct Price LLC’s parcels along Biscayne Boulevard Supermarket replaced it many decades — the vacant supermarket and laundry, *HSS +>5;>5VY]PZP[ later and closed a few years ago. as well as 76,000 square feet of land — ^^^P+6P[+>5;>5JVT[VHWWS` By the 1940s, Miami was a popu- are in the City of Miami and zoned com- lar tourist destination, with Biscayne mercial. Another parcel of some 27,000 Boulevard serving as the area’s main square feet lies behind the trailer park artery — at least until the end of the in unincorporated Miami-Dade, and is 1960s. The 1944 Miami City Directory zoned for hotel/motel use. The 13.2 acres lists 8500 Biscayne Blvd. as the home occupied by the trailers is in El Portal’s of Farm Side Trailer Park. Mobile-home jurisdiction. If the mobile homes were A Program Of dealerships operated at 8400 and 8570 www.iDOitDWNTWN.com Biscayne Blvd. Continued on page 20

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

Little Farm Continued from page 19 removed, its current zoning would only allow banks, office buildings, or studios, according to Walker. In 2005, before Wohl could resolve these issues, Olah’s company filed for bankruptcy. Her lender, Co- lonial Bank, demanded payment of its $2.3 million mortgage. To raise cash, Olah sought permission to solicit more lucrative offers. Wohl sued to defend his sales contract but later settled with Olah, clearing the way for Biscayne Park LLC to purchase the property out of bankruptcy. Should Little Farm close, the mobile-home owners living there will find themselves in a bind. Because their homes are often no longer actu- ally mobile, they’re usually demolished when a park is sold and redeveloped. According to a recently released study conducted by Florida International University’s Research Institute on Social and Economic Policy, mobile homes, also called manufactured homes, sell

Continued on page 21

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Little Farm prospect of a cheap price for distressed touch the property, though he adds that When FIU researchers asked 269 Continued from page 20 property. Real estate investors, she says, for “somebody with patient money” it residents from several Miami-Dade call mobile homes “low-hanging fruit.” could be a good long-term investment. trailer parks (not including Little Farm) for an average of $14,000. But state law Patrick Duffy of Duffy Realty in But even if a deep-pocketed what would happen if their communi- doesn’t require owners of trailer parks Miami Shores, believes that keeping company like Wal-Mart were willing ties were shut down, half replied they to provide compensation to homeown- Little Farm as a trailer park is not “the to invest millions in cleanup, another would become homeless. ers who are forced to leave, according to highest and best use of the land.” But obstacle looms: the El Portal Village Some Little Farm homeowners say Alyce Gowdy Wright, executive director even without the liens and environmental Council passed a law last year limit- they want to get out while they still can. of South Florida Jobs With Justice and contamination, selling it will be a chal- ing future retail development to 50,000 “For Sale” signs dot windows throughout an advocate for trailer-park residents. the park. Jean Reuben, who has heard A $19 million public fund meant rumors since 2003 that the park would be to help trailer-park residents relocate sold, is holding out for $6000. Neighbor was raided by the Florida Legislature “For Sale” signs dot windows throughout the Yolanda Dorce says she’d sell her trailer two years ago, says Gowdy Wright: for a mere $400 if she could. “What they did with [the money] once park. Jean Reuben, who has heard rumors Alyce Gowdy Wright says it’s it went into the state’s general fund is fairly common for trailer-park resi- anyone’s guess.” since 2003 that the park would be sold, is dents to become somewhat apathetic During the most recent real estate about their future. “There comes a boom, many trailer parks were purchased holding out for $6000 point when the park changes hands so by a new generation of owners intent on many times, people get beleaguered,” collecting as much rent as they could she observes. “It’s difficult to have a before selling the land to a developer. constant sense of uncertainty about But the economic crash put a quick end lenge. “We need more condominiums square feet. Anything larger would re- being able to stay in your home. It’s to many of those speculative endeavors, like a hole in the head,” says the veteran quire a special vote of the council, says difficult to live in that emotional state. Gowdy Wright says. Realtor. “You are not going to get financ- village manager Walker. It doesn’t mean they don’t care. It just Miami-Dade County’s remaining ing to build anything on that property for According to the FIU study, means they’re tired.” 90 trailer parks, housing close to 60,000 five or ten years.” which was commissioned by Jobs With people, are still tantalizing for specula- With the land’s “myriad problems,” Justice, the average annual income of a tors, she explains, because they offer the developer Wohl says he no longer would trailer-park resident is under $12,000. Feedback: [email protected]

April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 21 Neighborhood Correspondents: Biscayne Park Amped Up The franchise agreement between FPL and Biscayne Park is sensational! Terrific! Best deal ever! If you’re FPL, that is By Gaspar González It’s the kind of deal that makes you think BT Contributor the only reason anybody in South Florida does business with FPL is because the alk about an introduction to vil- Mafia hasn’t gotten into the utilities lage politics. As a new resident racket — not yet. Tof Biscayne Park — my wife and Biscayne Park, in particular, has spe- I just moved into our house in Decem- cial reason to be wary of climbing back ber — I thought I’d attend a commission into the sack for another 30-year roll meeting. You know, get to know the with the power giant. It was only four folks who represent the inhabitants of years ago, after all, that FPL proposed our little burg, maybe hear them debate erecting 80-foot-tall transmission lines the need for a new water fountain at the through “The Village of Homes.” Only a rec center. Instead I walked smack into community petition effort — and the fact what may be one of the most important that there was an acceptable alternate votes the commission takes as long as I route through the heart of North Miami live here, on an ordinance to renew Bis- — kept us from being surrounded by a cayne Park’s franchise agreement with forest of concrete redwoods. (You’ll for- Florida Power & Light. give the residents of 135th Street if they A franchise agreement is a contract and locks residents into doing business every electric bill in that community. don’t applaud our victory. They wake up between FPL and a municipality. Essen- with FPL for the next 30 years. Thus the Village of Biscayne Park to those towers every morning.) FPL isn’t tially, it gives FPL the right to utilize a In exchange, FPL pays the munici- gives FPL a virtual monopoly on provid- done planting power poles around the municipality’s rights-of-way for the pur- pality an annual franchise fee, roughly ing electricity to its residents for the next county, either. Currently they’re looking pose of providing electrical service, limits six percent of the community’s total elec- three decades, as well as free use of its to line U.S. 1 in south Miami-Dade with that municipality’s ability to develop al- tric bill. Here’s the kicker: The fee comes rights-of-way, in exchange for, uh, get- ternative methods of energy distribution, from a surcharge that FPL tacks on to ting our own money handed back to us. Continued on page 23

22 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2010 Neighborhood Correspondents: Biscayne Park

Amped Up considering not renewing their franchise have decreased considerably. Property are becoming viable is incredibly short- Continued from page 22 agreements when they expire, and the taxes, based on assessed value, are going sighted. And then there’s the question of reason Parkland, in Broward, declined to to be down this year and, very likely, the those transmission lines sprouting up on miles of 105-foot monsters. sign one almost ten years ago. next few years. our tree-lined streets. Heading into the March 2 commis- All in all, it sounds like an easy “no” That’s a legitimate concern, but The arguments for signing the agree- sion meeting, there was reason to believe vote, right? I thought so, too — until the committing residents and the village to ment, frankly, don’t make a lot of sense: the commission would vote against the commission voted 3-2 to pass the ordi- a one-sided, 30-year agreement to solve A tax imposed by FPL (the six-percent franchise agreement (a move which, nance on first reading. Commissioners what might well be a three- or four-year surcharge) is somehow preferable to one incidentally, would have no impact on Steve Bernard and Bryan Cooper voted budget crunch doesn’t seem very smart, the village might impose; we can rely on electrical service to the village). The vil- against it. Commissioners Bob Anderson especially when the amount in ques- FPL to do the right thing by Biscayne lage had been woefully unsuccessful in and Al Childress and Mayor Roxana tion — $120,000 — constitutes less than Park despite what we’ve seen them do in negotiating better terms with FPL. Ross voted for it. This despite the fact five percent of the village’s total annual other communities; and my favorite — It had asked FPL to include language that no one in the room — not commis- budget. As Commissioner Bernard the real threat to property values comes in the new agreement expressly stat- sioners, not the mayor, not residents — pointed out, increasing the millage rate not from a multibillion-dollar utility ing that no transmission lines would be could find one good thing to say about from 9 to 9.75 percent would replace company that has already demonstrated installed in Biscayne Park. FPL refused. the contract. the “income” we lose by not signing the it is more than willing to plant 80-foot It asked that the length of the contract be One resident got up and called it “crap,” franchise agreement. (The increase in power poles in people’s front yards, but shortened from 30 years to something before saying, basically, that we had no the property tax would be offset partially from kooky neighbors who may someday more reasonable. FPL refused. It asked choice but to sign it. The reason? Money. by the six percent annual savings each want to install their own clean-energy for the right to have a contingent audit of Under the franchise agreement, resident would realize on his or her elec- devices. (I’m not kidding.) FPL’s books to make sure Biscayne Park FPL would pay the village an estimated tric bill.) And unlike the FPL surcharge, The only good news is that the ordi- was actually getting the money to which $120,000 per year. Again, it’s our money, the millage rate can be adjusted down in nance requires a second vote — at this it was entitled under the agreement. FPL but the franchise agreement allows the a couple of years, when property values month’s commission meeting on April again refused. village to collect what is essentially a tax begin to rise. 6. So our representatives get another The message from FPL is clear: without having to label it as such. And Commissioners Bernard and Cooper chance to turn down a bad deal. Judging They don’t negotiate. You do things right now a majority of the commission also pointed out — rightly, I think — from what I saw, though, they may need their way, and in exchange they’ll pay doesn’t think Biscayne Park can do with- that committing to do business with FPL help seeing the light. you your own money. It’s the reason out it. The village has no commercial for the next 30 years at precisely the other municipalities in Miami-Dade are property, and residential property values moment alternative energy technologies Feedback: [email protected]

April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 23 Neighborhood Correspondents: Miami Shores If It’s Spring, There Must Be Ice Cream How a smashed fire hydrant led me to Mooie’s By Jen Karetnick was largely much happier because I was BT Contributor warm, but still hated the diminished natural sunlight during fall and winter. round four months ago, I had In colder climates, the onset of spring my first serious car accident. used to launch me into near mania — AAs with many motor vehicle what I referred to as “spring fever.” Here, mishaps, this one happened within a where it’s gentler, I just feel a general couple of miles of my house, on 79th sense of well-being, put my top down, Street, just a few blocks west of Biscayne and cruise the broad main streets of Boulevard. It was 11:00 p.m. I had been Miami Shores, admiring the palm trees hosting a school holiday event at the in the median and the well-maintained Deli Gallery in Coral Gables all evening front lawns of my neighbors as I drive and, exhausted from working multiple my son to baseball practice and games at jobs, I fell asleep at the wheel, crossed the village recreation center. several traffic lanes, and plowed into a Once there, I can hang with the other fire hydrant. December, wondering what lunatic had Vestiges of the cold, miserable parents, absorbing even more sunshine on Despite the fact that the airbag in my displaced it. Now you know. Jersey girl I once was, I crave this time the wide-open fields, because a) no one can Volkswagen Eos, a hard-top convert- Why bring this up now? Because of year. The change of light, the change do any serious work, given that we have no ible, didn’t deploy — and if you’d seen the insurance company, in its wisdom, in temperature — it all brings me out of municipal free Wi-Fi à la Miami Beach, the damage to the car’s front end, you’d thought my car shouldn’t be totaled, but my desire to hibernate, the temptation and b) no one expects me to coach, ump, or wonder why — I escaped serious injury. rather fixed. Four months later, it’s still to sink into bed at any given moment handle batting practice. (Thankfully for all I can’t say the same for the fire in the shop. And now that the weather and sleep away the day. I didn’t realize I concerned, I stink at baseball.) hydrant, however, which my car knocked has finally changed from an unusually had Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) about 30 or 40 feet. You may have seen it cold winter to our regular 80-something- symptoms until I moved first to Southern lying there for a couple of weeks back in degree spring, I long for my convertible. California and then to Miami, where I Continued on page 25

24 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2010 Neighborhood Correspondents: Miami Shores

Ice Cream complicated life as the perpetually under- for two hours at practice and really need to recent additions to Mooie’s include outdoor Continued from page 24 construction Miss Moo’s, then finally get some work done. tables with buckets of sidewalk chalk. Thus opened under its current name a couple To wit: Mooie’s has free Wi-Fi all the art beneath your feet changes hourly. Then it’s a car full of sweaty little boys of months after Village Place debuted. It’s day, every day. Daily hours are 8:00 In back of the shop, where a large — who I can’t smell, of course, because run by Sean Saladino, former South Beach a.m. until 10:00 p.m. (11:00 p.m. on grassy patch offers cool succor for little the top is once again down and the breeze restaurateur and nightlife impresario (the weekends), and in addition to ice cream, feet that resist the confines of shoes, is drying them off like mango pollen from now-shuttered Rumi, most notably), and Mooie’s offers bagels and croissants Saladino has placed comfy beanbag chairs. the trees as we head to Mario’s for pizza. his family, now Shores residents. for breakfast and array of sophisticated I’ve seen everything from pillow fights But closed up in my husband’s For Saladino, who wears a signature baguette and panini sandwiches with to photo shoots, and have also attended SUV? I am a very SAD little turtle right khaki cap over tossed green a birthday party back there, with bounce now. It’s also pretty clear my “boys of his longish, salads for house, clown, and even a visit from Mooie summer” are getting older, and I should salt-and- Fortunately I have a time-tested way to lunch and herself (yes, the costume has an udder, so stock the SUV with some air freshener. pepper hair treat my anxiety. In fact, I have a few: dinner. And she is a girl cow). Saladino says he can host Fortunately I have a time-tested way and who, at Mint Chocolate Chip. Banana Pudding. while there is whatever type of party you like, and can to treat my anxiety. In fact, I have a few: press time, no beer-and- even set up a grilling station as well. Birthday Cake. Mint Chocolate Chip. Banana Pudding. was about to wine license, This all involves ice cream, of course. Birthday Cake. become a first- it’s certainly And as for that ice cream, customers That’s right. I may be lactose intoler- time dad, the legal to bring should know that Blue Bell supplies ant but I still combat negative emotions change isn’t so startling. “We all have to in your own. its flavors seasonally. So while Banana with ice cream. In this case, it’s Blue grow up sometime,” he shrugs. Boding well for his personal future as Pudding, with chunks of Nilla Wafers in Bell ice cream, because I no longer have I’m grateful that he, like so many of well as his profits, Saladino also seems to it, may be getting me through my days to go to Publix when the mood strikes. us relocated South Beach veterans, has intuitively understand the needs of both presently, it might not be available in, say, Thanks to Mooie’s, our first real ice chosen the Shores to begin a new stage of children and parents. Take the idea of the July. One more thing to be potentially SAD cream parlor, which carries Blue Bell his life. For one thing, he finally has given “house account,” in which parents deposit about, I guess. But perhaps it’ll be replaced brand exclusively, Miami Shores finally me a way to carry on a tradition in my own money. Kids on their own can walk to by something like Southern Blackberry has every spring requirement: sunshine, family: the reward of an ice cream cone Mooie’s and eat on credit until it runs out, Cobbler. And unless another fire hydrant baseball, and triple-decker cones. for every home run. He also brings a very just as they would at their camp canteens. gets in my way, by then I should be tooling Mooie’s, at the corner of NE welcome, contemporary business model Terrific for summer, no? For littler kids, around in my convertible again. 2nd Avenue and 96th Street, began a that helps when I don’t have time to gossip indoor game tables offer diversions, and

April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 25 Neighborhood Correspondents: Belle Meade Who Will Lead in a Time of Crisis? A modest proposal to prepare for the worst in an uncertain world By Frank Rollason delegates elsewhere to preserve conti- BT Contributor nuity of government in the event of a catastrophe. Perhaps it’s time we start fter the shoe bomber and the to consider similar strategies and codify underwear bomber, could the them into the local charters. Arectum bomber be far behind? Do we have a real order of succes- Or should I say the body-cavity bomber, sion in the event of the unthinkable? to be politically correct? While musing Sure, we outline who takes over when over the possibilities, I was watching the mayor falls ill, resigns, or is ousted a city commission meeting online the from office, and the same with com- other day, and the thought occurred that missioners. But look what we just went our local governments have not taken through when two commissioners were seriously the possibility of a terrorist removed by the governor as a result strike at City Hall. of criminal charges during an election Think about it. What better way to cycle—Murphy’s Law at its optimum! strike terror into the heart of our land We were left with two sitting commis- than to target local governments—the managers, the city attorney, the city act. We could lose all of our elected offi- sioners, no quorum, and thus, no way very cornerstones of our constitutional clerk, the police and fire chiefs, our cials and administrative heads in one fell for them act. Local government became form of government, the basic build- financial brain trusts, as well as the di- swoop! (No laughing. Be serious!) paralyzed, even though no one really ing blocks of democracy? In Miami we rectors of every department responsible The federal government has long took much notice. Oh, there was la- have locally elected bodies meeting on for delivering the day-to-day services recognized the possibility of such an oc- menting that a special election costing a biweekly basis to conduct the public’s necessary to keep things operational. currence, which is why when the presi- thousands of dollars had to be called business. And within the same walls Now envision a terrorist attack dent addresses Congress (think State of and that Miami was again the butt of in a fairly confined space, we put all within these same walls, and consider the Union), there is invariably a cabinet- of our elected officials, administrative the potential consequences of such an level official and some congressional Continued on page 27

26 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2010 Neighborhood Correspondents: Belle Meade

Crisis with the administration and would have not the state, not the federal government. major fires a year, but that doesn’t stop Continued from page 26 the primary responsibility of taking over It was the local police and firefighters the training for the big one. should the mayor become incapacitated. who responded — as they always have The Roman poet Horace noted that the corruption jokes. But little notice Miami’s vice mayor would not attend and always will. Do not underestimate “a wise man in times of peace prepares was taken of the serious ramifications if commission meetings and would leave the importance of the critical level of for war.” There should be no doubt such a situation were to be amplified or city hall when such meetings take place. service these individuals and govern- that this country is at war. Our elected continued for a longer period. At the commission level, it may make ments provide during emergencies. To officials should take a hard look at the The risk is not too far-fetched. Look sense to rotate one commissioner out of respond appropriately, we need the local potential havoc of a terrorist act and plan at Homestead after Hurricane Andrew. the chambers legislative accordingly. It certainly would not be Homestead had a policy requiring all city on meet- power and too difficult for a suicide bomber with a We should consider amending the employees to live within the city limits. ing days to leadership in small amount of plastic explosives or a Well, what happened? Andrew decimated participate via charter to add a position of vice mayor. place to keep canister of nerve gas to gain access to Homestead, and most of the finance and computer link And we could rotate one commissioner emergency city hall on commission day. police department employees lost their or remote tele- out of chambers on meeting days to operations Although highly unlikely to occur, homes. Rather than rebuild, many of them vision hookup. participate via remote hookup. uninterrupted we can no longer say the chances are nil, moved away. The county and the City of Certainly, the and connect- not with the current state of the world. Miami supplied financial personnel on police chief ed to state or We keep touting Miami as an interna- loan and police support for almost a year and fire chief should attend commission federal assistance. tional city, and it is. Where better for until Homestead could get back on its feet. meetings, but their seconds-in-command Some may also contend that this is some extremist or otherwise certifiable Disasters, natural and manmade, are should not — same with the deputy city paranoia. But I say that it will be consid- nut to make a statement? not only possible, but are likely to recur. attorney and deputy or assistant depart- ered a great vision or exceptional fore- Local government has the responsi- So how do we address the danger? ment directors. thought to have a plan in place and active bility to ensure stability and continuity Several ideas occur to me. First, we Some may say this is taking things prior to such an incident. I guess it’s the of services and leadership during a crisis. should consider amending the charter to to extreme. After all, the county, state, fireman in me that looks at this type of After all, it was not the President of the include a position for a vice mayor. All or federal government could step up in a preparedness; it’s what the fire service United States who guided us through the mayoral candidates would select a run- crisis. Keep in mind, however, that it is instilled deep in my soul. Firefighters immediate aftermath of 9/11. It was the ning mate, with the victors taking office the local jurisdiction that first responds plan and drill for the worst scenarios, mayor of New York City. as a pair. The vice mayor would have to a crisis. Look at 9/11. Who showed and every once in a while the planning day-to-day responsibilities interfacing up? Not the neighboring communities, pays off. The city has only about ten Feedback: [email protected]

April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 27 NEIGHBORHOOD CORRESPONDENTS: MIAMI AT LARGE Spider-Man Chopper in the Hood Aerial acrobatics next to your balcony? Just another Saturday morning in Miami WBy Wendy Doscher-Smith good. Figuring it was too nice a day for BT Contributor planes to fl y low, and that this area is not even really on a direct fl ight path, I f there is a certain something that calmly shuffl ed over to the sliding-glass doesn’t happen every day, or ever, door of my 28th-fl oor “bird’s nest” abode Iyou can bank on it happening in to get a peek. Miami — things like fi nding Elvis or What I saw did not disappoint. A meeting Jesus or running into that ex, large orange helicopter in all its propel- the one who blew up your car and put ler-beheading-potential splendor was scissors to your cashmere sweaters Doscher-Smith BT photo by Wendy hovering within a few hundred feet of because he or she loved you that much, my balcony. or discovering that, after all these years, Oddly, I did not panic. I did not you do embrace cats. see the sum of my life’s experiences Example: Last Saturday morning, run through my head (thank God). Nor as I padded around my Cotel apartment did I think, “The dog and I are going in my Sock Monkey slippers, brew- to die!” The most common thought ing coffee and wondering why I was that crosses the minds of pilots before up before 9:00 a.m., I heard a very loud they crash (does anyone want to take a whirrwhirrwhirrrrrr. I considered the guess?) is: “Oh shit!” I had no time for “whirr” and decided it was a low-fl ying would fall on my head. And for years would come. And apparently it arrived! that nonsense. plane. But then the whirrwhirrwhirrrrrr I’ve said this is not an irrational fear. In Miami. Of course. I merely spun around in the Sock became louder and more forceful. Boast- People smile and think that is cute. Or Full disclosure time. Okay. No, it Monkeys and fetched my camera. In ful, even. they usher their young ones away. Or didn’t. And whether you like it or not, my underwear (Oh, shut up! There “Oh, fantastic,” I thought. See, for they nod in a serious manner and scrib- I’m still here in one piece. But no matter years I’ve assumed that one day a plane ble it down on a pad. But I knew the day — because what did transpire was pretty Continued on page 29

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28 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2010 Neighborhood Correspondents: Miami at Large

Chopper are in full view ten floors down from not who I want on my side if a zombie shots. “What kind of helicopter was Continued from page 28 my balcony, shielded their eyes from the outbreak occurs. (And incidentally, you it?” she asked. I said I didn’t know, as sun, glanced upward, then turned back know the first outbreak would be in it was just orange with a number sten- was no time to get dressed!) I watched to their reading material. It seemed they Miami. It just makes sense.) ciled on it — and no, it didn’t appear to and snapped away as the copter’s pilot were more concerned with the pesky This lifting up and transporting of be Coast Guard. maneuvered between my building and copter blocking their rays than, say, a heavy objects continued. But unlike the The woman didn’t sound impressed. the condo located to the immediate right 20,000-pound steel box hovering over disinterested masses, I simply could not She put me on hold and then returned of me, practically scaling the wall with their bodies, swaying in the breeze, held remove myself from my balcony. And to the line and told me that although she Spider Man efficiency (I sincerely hope up only by a cable that, for all they knew, when the pilot balanced the helicopter was sure it was all quite exciting, the the occupants of those units do not suffer was constructed from dental floss. on the edge of the Conrad, with massive photo desk wouldn’t be needing anything from 9/11 post-traumatic stress disorder), Now, seeing as I am a recent tundra cargo swaying yet somehow not smash- from me. going down, down, down. defector myself, I appreciate the strong ing through an (apparently unsuspecting As this is Miami (and that is the Then three men on the ground appeal of the sun on your skin. Boy, do or perhaps deaf) guest’s window, I was Herald), I expected this answer. After hooked a ginormous metal box (gen- I. However, being a Miami native and dumbfounded. And I really wanted to all, the helicopter did not actually erator? air-conditioning unit? Michael knowing how corrupt this place is, I can high-five the pilot. But I was many sto- crash into the Conrad Hotel. The heavy Jackson’s real coffin?) to the copter’s tell you with certainty that had I been the ries downdowndown, and in my under- stuff did not actually rip loose from underbelly. And then up it went, again squishy body splayed out some 35 floors wear. And, mind you, they weren’t even the cable and create an impact crater scaling the side of the occupied residence below the hotel’s roof and that dangling an interesting pair. that swallowed up innocent bystand- with superhero control and stealth before piece of equipment of unknown origin, When the show was over, I called the ers, cars, palm trees, and perhaps an the pilot flew over to the tippy-top of the I would quickly abandon the paperback Miami Herald’s “breaking news” phone unlucky family pet or two. Conrad Hotel, hovered above the roof, and, as they say, run for the hills! These number. I did this even though I knew So it’s just another one of many bi- and then lowered the object. folks? Not so much. it was going to be a waste of time. I did zarre incidents happening on just another This up-and-down scenario contin- Did I mention that this helicopter was this out of knee-jerk journalistic training Saturday in Miami. Yawn. ued for about an hour. One of the many very, very loud? All this made me think, and years of knowing that if you don’t Now, if Elvis or Jesus had been pilot- amazing features was how onlookers re- in this order: (1) Damn! These people are act fast on a story, someone else will beat ing the chopper, then maybe it would acted. Or shall I say did not react? Some stupid. (2) Damn! These people are the you to it. have been news. residents came out onto their balconies, types of folks who think, “Eh, it’ll never I explained what just happened to Maybe. then promptly returned inside. The happen to me!” (3) Damn! These people the woman who answered the phone. Conrad Hotel guests at poolside, who are trusting. (4) Damn! These people are I said I had some great, timely feature Feedback: [email protected]

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April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 29 Community News How Does Your Garden Grow? Why, with marigolds and kale, and not in a row By Karen-Janine Cohen more plants in a small area than tradi- BT Contributor tional rows. “We’re all about abundance,” Thom- n a quiet Biscayne Park yard, a son explains. “You can live right off your pigeon pea plant is keeping unusual front yard.” Icompany. Right out in the open. The And that’s just the beginning. On raised leafy shrub cozies close to a fragrant berms composed of layered seaweed, Valencia orange tree, a tangelo tree, and manure, and mulch, grow kale, collards, a pretty pomelo grapefruit tree — all BT photo by Karen-Janine Cohen lettuce, and sweet potatoes. You can dance planted in a raised circle. Below, pine- around the mulberry bush and serenade apples ring the quartet. the parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. While lovely, looks don’t explain the Delightful marigolds are everywhere. grouping. It’s a chemical thing. “Marigolds are the flowers of organic The pigeon pea pulls nitrogen from gardening,” notes Thomson. “The vi- the air, while its companions must seek brancy of the colors confuses the pests, that essential element in soil. But the while the chemicals in the root system pea is willing to share, especially when deters them as well.” supercharged with a bacteria that boosts The yard has attracted plenty of at- its abilities, says Marcus Thomson, co- tention — and some complaints — from composer of this botanical symphony. neighbors who don’t know what to make “When you cut back the pigeon pea, of a garden that stands out like a peacock its root system degrades and the nitrogen among starlings. One nearby resident nodule is available for these other guys,” who didn’t want to be named says she says Thomson, who with the home’s David Tunnel and Marcus Thomson in the permaculture garden taking doesn’t think it looks at all normal. owner, David Tunnell, designed and shape in Biscayne Park. Biscayne Park code enforcement planted the riot of fruits, vegetables, and Ofcr. Sira Ramos says several callers have flowers that is overtaking the front yard. “It was always my intention to grow community,” Tunnell says. He bought a asked if it’s legal to turn a front lawn into And it’s no coincidence that Tunnell food to support the restaurant,” says Tun- home in Biscayne Park late last year. produce paradise. It is. “I think it’s going is part owner of Metro Organic Bistro on nell, best known as the founder of Dogma “This is an idea I’ve had for many to be really fun to watch,” says Ramos. Biscayne Boulevard at 70th Street. While Grill. After selling his interest in the hip years,” he says of his garden, “but I And this is not your garden-variety hotdog joint in 2005, Tunnell wanted more than containers — I wanted organic garden. The plants are grouped opened Karma Car Wash & a food forest.” to create a flowering, fruiting, leafy web, The front lawn is now pea plants, guava, Café right next door to Dogma. He’s halfway there. designed to mimic what mother nature citrus, banana trees, raspberry bushes, Later he traveled, searching for Over the past two months, Tunnell does so casually, linking plants, insects, passion fruit, and Muscatine grapes — a healthy environment where and Thomson, who met through the res- and animals in a constantly renewing all planted in whorls. he and his wife could raise their taurant, stripped away the front lawn, that cycle. It’s called permaculture, and is young son. They returned to iconic grassy bastion of Americana, and gaining popularity all over the country, if Miami after considering Peru, replaced it with the pea plants, guava, not all over the world. Indeed, aid groups Brazil, and California. In early citrus, four kinds of banana trees, rasp- expect to teach it in Haiti as part of earth- Tunnell aims first to provide for his own 2009, Karma Café was reborn as Metro. berry bushes, blackberry bushes, passion quake reconstruction efforts. family, anything extra will supplement the “There are places with cleaner fruit, and Muscatine grapes — all planted organic foods already offered at Metro. air, land, and water, but we missed in whorls, or curves, which allows for Continued on page 34

30 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2010 Community News They’re Off and Running! The crowded race to win Congressional District 17 could end in a fluke By Mark Sell with a plurality of votes combination of the above. Special to BT to become the white, The leading fundraiser is Haiti- gay representative of born Rudy Moise, a successful t is barely April, but already we have Florida’s “blackest” health-care entrepreneur and osteo- a free-for-all in the Democratic pri- congressional district. path with 500 employees. Moise Imary battle for the 17th Congressio- The primary winner has never held elective office but nal District. The race is shaping up to be (there is no runoff) will boasts an MBA and law degree one of the most compelling in America likely face Republican from the University of Miami. He — and not for the usual reasons. (Elec- Corey Poitier, an Afri- also holds the rank of colonel as tion day is August 24.) can-American school- a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air The district’s 18 years as an exclu- teacher from North Force reserve. As of December 31, sive family franchise are about to expire. Miami whose prospects Moise had raised $213,000, much Kendrick Meek, who inherited the seat are dismal in a district of it from health-care enterprises. after his mother Carrie Meek retired, is that went 87-12 for His fundraising goal is $1.5 mil- stepping down to wage an uphill cam- Barack Obama in 2008. lion, and he has retained Cornell paign for the U.S. Senate. He will face Even after redistricting Belcher, who was one of Presi- either archconservative Republican (and in 2011-2012, Florida’s dent Obama’s four pollsters. He Tea Party darling) Marco Rubio or Gov. 17th will remain among appears set on a savvy, relentless Charlie Crist. At the moment, Rubio is the nation’s most campaign. favored over Crist, and both are widely Democratic, meaning the Says Moise’s campaign man- favored over Meek. Democratic primary winner will almost “I’m a problem-solver,” says André ager Anastasia Apa: “With this electorate In a wide-open race defined by a certainly go to Washington. Williams, a Miami Gardens City Coun- and at this time, if a green Martian could depressed economy, foreclosures, and This year economic pain trumps par- cilman, son of a schoolteacher, and bring better jobs and health care, the Mar- rising joblessness, a remarkable lineup tisanship and ethnic identity in this often- grandson of Georgia cotton-pickers. He’s tian would be elected. There aren’t any of 11 striving Democrats are fighting to gritty district, which runs along the west a real estate lawyer with Harvard College huge issue disparities. The issue is how succeed the House of Meek. Some have side of U.S. 1 from downtown Miami to and Vanderbilt Law pedigrees who has to differentiate ourselves. Rudy Moise is been running Hollywood. recently gained some fame by running a businessman, physician, father and hus- for more than Voters will be foreclosure clinics. “I have tried to create band, and military man. He has a strong a year. Four While the 17th includes the densest seeking solu- jobs, attract economic development, and internal compass and wants to serve. are Haitian Haitian-American concentration in the tions while keep people in their homes with foreclo- Crossover appeal will be key. This will be Americans nation, it would be an oversimplification candidates sure clinics,” Williams says. “We need a very expensive campaign and ground (the winner to call it a “Haitian” district. wish to be people to rise above political rancor.” game. You have well-known candidates would be the known more The candidates generally offer who are liked. But that does not translate first Haitian- by what they discipline, ambition, and manic, Type-A into votes. People are hungry for ideas.” American do rather than achievement. Among them are successful State Sen. Frederica Wilson — she of member of Congress), and six are African by where they come from. entrepreneurs, determined and effective the trademark 300 cowboy hats, matching American. If the race stays this crowded, “The problems are first, jobs; activists, accomplished professionals, colorful outfits, and reliably liberal votes the one Anglo who cannonballed into second, the rate of foreclosures; third, and seasoned politicians. Although all — is the No. 2 fundraiser. She’s col- the contest last month, popular North economic development; and fourth, would likely vote a similar liberal line lected $160,692, with notable contribu- Miami Councilman (and six-year Carrie health care,” says candidate Phillip in Congress, each seeks a unique iden- tions from powerful plaintiffs’ law firms Meek congressional aide) Scott Galvin, Brutus, a former Florida state represen- tity through experience, originality of stands a sporting chance of squeaking by tative, in a typical response. insight, empathy for the suffering, or any Continued on page 35

April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 31 Community News Living With Crime – Eternally A scary armed robbery in Belle Meade raises fears and troubling questions

By Brandon Dane of the most heavily policed in Miami. Special to BT Furthermore he blames the viral effect of social media as well as blogs ormally the Upper Eastside and e-mail chains for distorting the facts neighborhood of Belle Meade of crimes that have actually occurred. An Nsmells like jasmine in the BT photo by Cathi Marro armed robbery in Belle Meade this past spring. Recently, however, the smell of January, Nichols says, is “the biggest fear has permeated the gated community thing that has happened and has every- like a dead rat in the basement. The dead body saying that the sky is falling.” Yet rat, both real and perceived, in this case: rumors of unreported crimes persist, and robbery, burglary, and lack of police the perception is that Belle Meade is presence. becoming increasingly dangerous. (The Miami Police Ofcr. Darrell Nichols same Upper Eastside phenomenon was contends the reality is that crime is no explored in “Perception vs. Reality,” a worse in the Upper Eastside generally, or BT cover story from May 2008.) Belle Meade specifically, than it has been Belle Meade is bordered on the east in recent years. According police depart- by Biscayne Bay, on the north by NE ment statistics, crime has been declining 77th Street and NE 77th Terrace, on the since 2003. south by NE 72nd Terrace, and to the Nichols argues, “The police are only Miami Police Ofcr. Darrell Nichols: “People are so busy on their cell phones west by NE 6th Court — a short block a tool. People cannot just sit behind their that they don’t pay attention.” east of Biscayne Boulevard. The January barricades and think nothing can happen robbery occurred at NE 77th Street and to them.” Vigilance is his mantra, and in the neighborhood, including Belle Neighborhood Resource Officer for the NE 7th Avenue. has been for the 20 years he has worked Meade, serving most of that time as the Upper Eastside. He says the area is one Continued on page 33

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

Crime to do things like Citizens Crime Watch. neighborhoods begin to deteriorate, espe- but not vigilant enough.” Continued from page 32 But for most people it’s in one ear and out cially along 79th Street, just northwest of Rollason says the real wrench in the the other — until a crime happens to them. Belle Meade. These neighborhoods are, works is this: Because Belle Meade is a Around midnight on January 26, just People are so egocentric that they aren’t incidentally, mostly African American predominantly white and Latino neighbor- inside Belle Meade’s barricaded streets, a aware of their surroundings. They should and Haitian American. Officer Nichols hood, when a resident calls to report a group neighborhood couple was walking their understand that they are being watched says that a lot of the criminal element is of African-American teenagers riding their dog. The police report indicates they were [by thieves].” She contends that the Belle coming in from that direction, but “these bicycles through the streets, it suddenly approached by two men on bicycles, who Meade streets closest to Biscayne Boule- criminals are often really good” at watch- becomes a racial issue. “I’ve called to report then robbed them at gunpoint, threatening, vard are the most dangerous, especially ing, waiting, and often simply “walking suspicious activity a few times and never got “Give me [any valuables] or I will shoot NE 7th Avenue and NE 6th Court, which down a street checking for unlocked cars a warm feeling,” he says. both of you and the dog.” The victims lies outside the and doors.” This puts Rollason, who lives complied, giving up a wedding ring. guard gate and Belle along NE 7th Avenue, on the defensive. Nichols continues his argument, street barri- “We try to do things like Citizens Crime Meade “When I work in my yard,” he says. “I which seems less a defense of the Miami cades. Tynan Watch. But for most people it’s in one resident and tell my wife to lock the doors and call Police Department than an admonish- observes that ear and out the other — until a crime BT columnist 911 if anything happens. And I carry ment to residents in every neighborhood most incidents, happens to them.” Frank Rol- my gun with me. I figure I am as good a in the Upper Eastside, especially to those like the couple lason sees target as anybody.” in Belle Meade. “It’s really frustrating,” walking their the crime Rollason’s assertion that “nobody he says, “when people complain, but then dog, seem issue from really knows each other” in Belle Meade don’t even bother to watch out for suspi- to be “people in the wrong place at the both perspectives — law enforcement seems to be borne out by both Margaret cious activity. Purses and laptops are left wrong time.” and frightened residents. But he does Tynan and Carmen Caldwell, execu- in unlocked cars. People are so busy on Belle Meade is accessible by car only not believe recent reported crimes are tive director of Citizens Crime Watch their cell phones that they don’t pay at- at NE 76th Street, which has a guard gate, one-off, isolated incidents. “This is a of Miami-Dade County. Tynan says that tention. It puts the police department on but several other “barricaded” streets, from systemic problem that needs increased at the March homeowners association the defensive.” NE 72nd Terrace to 77th Street, are easily police presence,” he says. “But still, you meeting, which addressed the controver- Margaret Tynan, president of the Belle crossed on foot or by bicycle. (The bar- hardly ever see [residents] out in the sial issue of building walls or installing Meade Homeowners Association, agrees ricades consist of curbs and landscaping.) neighborhood unless they are walking fences on every street barricade along NE with Nichols. “I know the police have Anyone familiar with the area knows their dogs. Nobody really knows each limited resources,” Tynan says, “so we try that west of Biscayne Boulevard, the other. People are concerned and scared, Continued on page 34 CA$H FOR GOLD

April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 33 Community News

Garden became a vegetarian, then a vegan. “I got lavish on landscaping. His costs would Permaculture is getting a boost as Continued from page 30 more and more connected to what I was have been even lower had he not opted to people increasingly look for ways to take consuming, then more and more connect- buy more mature trees. more control of their food, says Toby The discipline combines lessons ed to what I was growing,” he says. Even in South Florida, where “perma- Hemenway, author of Gaia’s Garden: gleaned from ecology, organic gardening, Tunnell took a similar path: “If culture” conjures up B-list celebrities and A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture landscape design, and sustainability. Over you’re eating raw produce and it doesn’t professional athletes misbehaving on South and a biologist who teaches at Portland time, plant groups become almost inde- feel alive, you find yourself asking, Beach, the practice is gaining adherents. State University. Hemenway adds that pendent, requiring far fewer resources ‘What’s wrong here?’” He hopes his In January, Cory Brennan, a Los Angeles- concerns about food-borne bacterial out- and effort than do traditional gardens. garden will demonstrate that people can based permaculture expert, taught a class breaks, factory farming horrors, the obe- For example, Tunnell’s layered berms master methods to grow foods that are at Earth-N-Us, where participants received sity epidemic, and global warming have will decompose into a rich soil base. The healthy for people and the planet while permaculture design certificates. It included all contributed to the attention. “People pea plants and others that pull in nitro- controlling one bit of an increasingly a handful of Florida International Univer- have been thinking for years: How do gen replace commercial fertilizer. Some centralized food-supply chain. “Our sity environmental studies students who we mainstream this,” he says. “Now the plants will attract bees and other pollina- society and the earned college mainstream is coming to us.” tors. A nearby rock garden beckons small powers-that-be credit. Hemenway’s advice is to start at lizards, whose insect diets will keep bugs want to own “Our society wants to own everything Thomson home: “The place where my actions can in check. Leftovers from Metro Organic everything down to the seed. But you don’t need a plans another have the most effect is my own yard.” Bistro go to the worm-filled compost bin. down to the seismic shift in consciousness. It’s as class this fall. Could South Florida soon be a major Tunnell and Thomson both came to seed,” Tunnell easy as popping a seed into the ground.” Meanwhile permaculture center? A stretch, perhaps, permaculture from an interest in health complains. FIU environ- but Tunnell and Thomson have planted — and a curiosity about how food grows. “But you need mental studies the seed. “It’s basically about creating Thomson, who practices organic not have a graduate this utopia we want to run away and gardening and permaculture techniques seismic shift in consciousness. It’s as program director Krishnaswamy Jay- find,” Tunnell says. “But running away to at Little Haiti’s Earth-N-Us Farm (see easy as popping a seed into the ground achandran, who sponsored the first class the mountains is not necessarily what the the BT’s “Inner-City Shangri-la,” April and giving it water.” for the university students, says FIU may world needs right now.” 2009), moved from an interest in fitness He’s spent about $10,000 creating the participate in the next Earth-N-Us offer- to teaching health and wellness. He garden — far less than many Floridians ing while preparing a campus course. Feedback: [email protected]

Crime If a case needed to be made for gunpoint. No long after that, construc- was activated and he arrived home from Continued from page 33 both increased police presence and tion equipment was stolen. Following the his office in the Design District some citizen involvement, Wade Hallock equipment theft, one of his car windows 15 minutes before the police responded. 6th Court, only the association’s board of would be in a position to do so. Hallock was smashed, an expensive outdoor grill “I’ve called the police at least three times directors and three residents showed up. is an interior designer and three-year was stolen, and most recently — last to report the attempted break-ins. It’s With regard to the Citizens Crime resident of month — bur- just a waste of time,” he says. “I have a Watch, Caldwell says that while a group Belle Meade glars attempt- marble patio and have come out several has been formed on Belle Meade Island, whose drive- “I’ve called police at least three times to ed several mornings to see footprints all around. an island enclave within Belle Meade, way entrance report attempted break-ins. It’s a waste times to use The police just say that there is nothing with a stellar turnout, no substantive is on NE 6th of time. The thing that scares me is that crowbars to they can do unless something happens. group had yet been formed in Belle Court. For the these criminals are so aggressive.” break into his I’ve never even seen a police car patrol- Meade proper. “The groups form block past several house at night ling this street. The thing that scares me by block in any neighborhood,” Caldwell months he has while he slept. is that these criminals are so aggressive. explains. “It all depends on the ‘block been renovat- Hallock I hate the fact I even bought a house in captain.’ We had a good meeting in Belle ing his house. did not report most of these incidents to this area.” Meade Island, but we haven’t has as He says that during the renovation, the police out of frustration. He recounts much success in Belle Meade.” his construction crew was held up at an incident in which his house alarm Feedback: [email protected]

34 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2010 Community News

District 17 she was a delegate. “People associate Continued from page 31 me with Haiti,” she says, “but for 28 years I’ve been intimately involved in allied with the Florida Justice Association every major struggle in this community: ($7000 from the Haggard law firm of small class sizes, universal education for Coral Gables; $4800 from the Hialeah four-year olds, affordable housing, and firm of Alexis Izquierdo, P.A.), followed universal health care. That’s why we need closely by Dosal Tobacco, a family- someone like me for the people, because owned Opa-locka cigarette manufacturer, I believe we can make a difference. I Flo-Sun (the Fanjul family sugar enter- have been there every step of the way.” prise), and Blue Cross-Blue Shield. The immigrant experience has rubbed The No. 3 fundraiser is Miami Gardens off on Scott Galvin, born 41 years ago in Mayor Shirley Gibson, a minister, former a very different North Miami. He stayed police officer, and community activist who home as the community underwent a de- led an eight-year fight to incorporate the mographic transformation. “North Miami city and became its charter mayor in 2003. is a wonderful melting pot and represen- Her $103,368 in contributors, centered tative of the district,” Galvin says. “I’ve around Miami Gardens, include car dealer been thrilled to be here my whole life, Warren Henry ($3400), Southern Wine & and I’d rather be here now than when I Spirits ($2500), and for the gentlemen in was a kid, because children exposed to the audience, Tootsie’s Cabaret ($2400). In Some of the candidates (left to right from top row): Marleine Bastien, different cultures and backgrounds are a gesture of mirrored sisterhood, attorney Phillip Brutus, James Bush, Scott Galvin, Shirley Gibson, Rudy Moise, making new friends. Evelyn Greer, who led her own fight to Yolly Roberson, Frederica Wilson. “I’ve been an elected official in North create Pinecrest in 1995 and became its Miami for over a decade and have been charter mayor, also donated $2400. on either side of NW 2nd Avenue, and 10th Avenue in Miami Shores and Sho- elected and re-elected and re-elected in a Gibson’s occasional Miami Gardens reaches its narrow southern border in recrest, part of Belle Meade, and a sliver community that is majority minority. I think sparring partner, André Williams, follows west Brickell. of Morningside.) the electorate doesn’t want this to be about at No. 4 with $88,315 in contributions, In between it encompasses the West While the 17th includes the densest race. Voters want and expect a person who much of it from his fellow professionals, Indian neighborhoods of east Miramar; Haitian-American concentration in the is going to work hard, and they want to followed by state Rep. Yolly Roberson, Jewish enclaves in Highland Oaks and nation, it would be an oversimplification select the best person for the job.” activist Marleine Bastien, attorney Roder- Aventura; the middle-class reaches of to call it a “Haitian” district. Numbers Yet even in a post-Obama age, race ick Vereen, and Phillip Brutus, who also Miami Gardens (population 108,000), the are difficult to pin down, but estimates and ethnicity lurk as poorly buried happens to be Roberson’s ex-husband. minarets of Opa-locka, unincorporated of the Haitian population range between subtexts in the discussion. Suppose, the This district at the historical center of areas east of NW 27th Avenue, which 100,000 and 125,000, perhaps 20 percent chatter goes, that Galvin wins by default black Miami defies conventional stereo- are sprinkled with African Americans, of the population, and likely a far lower in a crowded field? Suppose the knives types. Its densely textured population is West Indians, Salvadorans, Nicaraguans, percentage of the 390,000 eligible voters. come out again in 2012 from the van- officially 56.9 percent black, 32.9 percent Hondurans, and the occasional stray Marleine Bastien, child of a Haitian quished this year? Or suppose, for that white, and 22.1 percent Hispanic, with a Anglo; Liberty City, where 18 died in village and divorced mother of three matter, that a restless Kendrick Meek 2000 median income just above $30,000. the 1980 McDuffie riots; and the ascend- teenage boys who leads the organization comes back to reclaim his seat if he loses Roughly 39 percent of its 639,000 resi- ing Haitian diaspora spreading from Haitian Women of Miami, knows the his senate bid? dents are foreign-born. Little Haiti through North Miami and limitations of being known as a “Haitian” “I hope God blesses me with the The 17th District starts in the north- into Broward; not to mention the mixed candidate amid such an ethnic jumble. re-election issue in 2012,” Galvin re- west at Pines Boulevard and Flamingo professional enclaves of Miami Shores, In the past two months, she has visited sponds. “For now, I’ll focus on getting Road in Broward, jogs east to U.S. 1 in Biscayne Park, and El Portal. (The dis- Haiti for earthquake relief and recently elected in 2010.” Hollywood, funnels all the way down trict’s boundary strays east of Biscayne returned from the Organization of Ameri- to the hard-bitten blocks of Overtown Boulevard in just three places: down NE can States meeting in Washington, where Feedback: [email protected]

April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 35 Police Reports Biscayne Crime Beat Compiled by Derek McCann Couch Potato Nightmare a room. The manager, excited rent. No worries about a tenant moving 100 Block of NE 59th Street that someone would actually in with roach-infested sofas, mattresses After a short walk to the neighborhood consider such a thing, placed crawling with bedbugs, or short-cir- store, our victim returned to a pilfered her purse behind counter and cuiting old appliances. However, this home. Mortified by the fact that he had walked with the man to show particular tenant took the lease to mean left his window open and the screen lying him a room. Upon returning much more than that. He moved out one on the floor, he surveyed his abode to see to the motel office, she discov- morning, and in the process took all the if any cherished items were missing. He ered that her purse was miss- furniture with him. This was a Section 8 called police, and by the time they arrived, ing. The victim told police she renter, and police are trying to track him he had assessed his losses. It seems that had a possible suspect in mind down. In Miami, furnished and unfur- just one thing had been stolen: his televi- but couldn’t place him at the nished have become interchangeable. sion remote control. The television itself moment. Perhaps just too many was left behind, suggesting that the burglar Boulevard suspects? ladder and saw a man driving off with The Gas Wars Redux most of their tools, which he had appar- had a higher purpose in mind. By taking 6800 Block of Biscayne Boulevard ently taken from the back of their truck. the remote, he would force the victim to New Crime Magnet: Two years ago, with gasoline hover- The thief drove west toward Miami and get up from the couch — which thankfully Manhole Vulnerability ing around $4 per gallon, gas theft was was not identified. But wait. Didn’t he was still there — every time he wanted to 1100 Block of Venetian Way a common crime in Miami. Now our have to go through the toll booth at the change channels. This was no crime. This A commercial truck stopped along the wonderful commodities speculators western end of the causeway? was a selfless act of compassion. Venetian Causeway, where a couple of are predicting high petrol prices again. workers opened and entered a manhole. This seems to have mobilized Miami’s Why Some Motels Should They toiled in an effort to make our town The Hidden Benefits of criminal element. At this gas station, the Have Bars a better place for everyone — by tying Renting manager secured a pump at midnight, 5200 Block of Biscayne Boulevard up traffic, of course. However, while they 500 Block of NE 83rd Street but within two short hours an astounding At one of the Boulevard’s renovated were underground, they heard a strange For landlords there are advantages to motels, a prospective guest asked for noise above them. They climbed up the advertising a furnished apartment for Continued on page 37

36 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2010 Police Reports

Crime Beat have the foresight to notice there was a The Perils of Plastic potential weak spot. (We can’t all think Continued from page 36 100 Block of NE 27th Street Good Luck Solving like criminals.) After the business With credit card companies cutting off 1854 gallons of gas had been stolen. Ap- owner had left, an unknown intruder This One countless people, sometimes without 1600 block of N. Bayshore Drive proximate value: $5500. There was no pushed in the air-conditioning unit and notice, it pays to be perpetually paranoid if A theft occurred at a victim’s apartment, video recording of the crime, so how this gained entry to the building. The perp your business uses plastic. Case in point: but he waited several months before was possible is anyone’s guess. raided the refrigerator and left. A man rented an expensive generator and filing a report. When asked about the left behind a credit card as a deposit. For long delay, the victim told police: “I did Love and Theft, Part 7 whatever reason, the dolt who rented it to not want to cause any trouble.” 3600 Block of Biscayne Boulevard Follow the him did not immediately run the card. On According to the police report, this victim Droppings? the scheduled return date, when the dolt placed his wallet on top of his dresser. He 4400 Block of NE 1st Avenue tried to charge the card, it was declined. Same Old Shenanigans had invited over a friend and two females This victim told police she was check- Numerous calls to the fraudster were in 100 Block NE 68th Street — probably not for coffee and cake. After ing on her property and discovered vain — no surprise. Police are now in pur- An “on-again and off-again” boyfriend the act, he fell asleep. Several hours later he the front door had been pried open. suit, though no arrests have been made. of three years entered this victim’s awoke and discovered that the two women Several items were missing, including bedroom and grabbed her cell phone, had left, along with his so-called friend. And an unidentified small animal the victim reportedly screaming, “Yeah, bitch, I got of course his wallet was missing from the kept as a pet in a cage. The victim Nice Dance Moves your phone! I see everything now, bitch!” 34 NE 11th St. “secured” place where he left it. We’re begin- believes the suspect must have been Inexplicably, the victim thought nothing Gotta give Boulevard scum some credit. ning to think our local ladies of the night are living illegally at the location for a of it and went back to sleep. When she They find inventive ways to steal. A reading the BT for tips. This sort of thing is period of time. A drum set that was re- awoke hours later, she went to confront woman was dancing the night away at a now happening virtually every month. ported missing from a neighbor’s home the boyfriend at his own apartment. He big club, enjoying her weekend. During was found on the property. Appar- told her he had broken the phone. She this pleasant revelry, a mysterious man ently the suspect had burglarized the called police after this, but the “boy- Secure Your A/C Wall doing his version of the Electric Slide, neighbor’s home, broken into this one, friend” has yet to be located. Guess it’s Units, Part 8 slithered over to her, somehow reached and taken the victim’s small animal (a now “off-again.” 8200 Block Biscayne Boulevard ferret perhaps?) with him for company. into her purse with graceful dexterity, This victim thought he had locked The animal-loving percussionist punk and stealthily lifted her wallet. He then and secured his business, but did not is still at large. moonwalked his way out of the club. Feedback: [email protected]

April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 37 A r t & C u l t u r e Miami Scores with Marlins Art Lowball meets highbrow at the new stadium By Anne Tschida some on their sides, “as though they BT Contributor had fallen from the old stadium and landed like that — in a state between couple of years from now you deconstruction and rebuilding,” may find yourself in a seat at the Arsham says. Depending on the van- A new Marlins baseball stadium tage point, the letters might spell out — its retractable roof open to the night Orange, Game, or another word that sky, the enormous sliding-glass walls sparks a sports memory. For Arsham, on the east side offering panoramas of who fondly remembers the Orange downtown. Bowl outings of his youth, this proj- Images courtesy of Art in Public Places Images courtesy of And when the Fish hit a home run, ect is personal: “Even the font [of the the midfield will explode with colorful letters], if you were there, you would laser lights, water spouts, visions of peli- recognize them immediately.” cans, seagulls, and at least one jumping So how were these artists — two marlin — an elaborate interactive pop- stalwarts of contemporary art and a well- art installation courtesy of the pioneering respected up-and-comer — chosen for artist Red Grooms. He’s internationally this monumental undertaking? Through known for his enormous outdoor spec- a process that was smooth, professional, tacles, starting with his urban “happen- and efficient — not exactly what some ings” back in the 1960s. Overhead view of Daniel Arsham’s tribute to the beloved Orange Bowl. cynics would expect of county gov- If all goes as planned, that will be the ernment. “A call to artists was issued baseball reality in April 2012. Whether structure’s tower- internationally,” says Brandi Reddick, you’ll be able to leave your car in a new ing pillars and also communications and artists manager for parking garage, or eat and shop at a provide a tribute to Art in Public Places. “We received 432 proposed restaurant and retail court is the now-demolished applications, representing 19 countries. another story. But the unique stadium Orange Bowl. From these 432 applications, 18 artists design that structurally incorporates “We will have were invited to develop site-specific major artwork has the potential to be a the finest artworks project proposals.” truly remarkable cultural asset. of any stadium in An advisory panel of national arts With a whopping $5.2 million budget the nation,” says experts was convened: Anabella Vogeler from Miami-Dade’s Art in Public Places a proud Michael Smith, principal and director of interior program (thanks to an ordinance allocat- Spring, director design, Zyscovich Architects, Miami; ing 1.5 percent of construction costs of of Miami-Dade’s Margarita Aguilar, Latin American art county buildings for the purchase or Department of Cul- specialist for Christie’s, New York; and commission of artworks), the Marlins tural Affairs, which Glenn Weiss, public art and design man- stadium will feature four site-specific oversees Art in ager, Times Square, New York. projects that will make it stand out Public Places. “And Marlins executives were intimately dramatically from other sports stadiums our ballpark will Kinetic-art pioneer Carlos Cruz-Diez will create a involved as well. “The entire public-art around the country. be distinguished by vibrant paving system at the stadium’s main plaza. process was implemented in close collab- Maybe because our Art in Public how prominent and oration with the Marlins,” says Reddick. Places program is staffed by a pretty integrated the art is from a distance it will look like they’re “During project-orientation meetings sophisticated group, and maybe because into the very architectural features of appearing and disappearing.” with the short-listed artists, the architects Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria is a well- the facility.” Upon arriving at the stadium, you’ll and project team continuously referred known art collector, these projects are Even from a distance — while driv- experience Cruz-Diez’s unique perspec- to the stadium as a ‘white canvas for the topnotch — ing to it or tive on perception and color when walk- integration of public art.’” not the garden passing by ing through the main entrance. Cruz- Repeated attempts to seek comment variety Britto “Miami-Dade County will have the it — the stadi- Diez, an icon in his native Venezuela from Loria or other Marlins executives sculpture in most culturally conceived sports um will leave and famous since the 1960s for his work were unsuccessful. It’s a strange si- the parking lot. facility in the nation, both an indelible involving sensory manipulation, will lence, as this aspect of the stadium saga In addition to architecturally and artistically.” image, prom- use a paving system based on color, line, would seem to be the least controversial. Grooms and ises Arsham, and viewer perception to create visual Miami-Dade taxpayers will be respon- his dazzling who is work- signage to the various stadium entrances. sible for an astronomical 80 percent of multimedia ing with his At the east entrance, Arsham will the construction costs, estimated at $515 displays, artist Carlos Cruz-Diez, an firm Snarkitecture. “It will be a magic erect his Orange Bowl tribute. Across million. But that figure will be dwarfed originator of kinetic and color sculp- trick,” he says of the method by which this plaza, ten-foot-high reproductions by interest payments on the county ture, will transform the stadium’s main he’ll use LED lights to illuminate the of the letters that spelled out “Orange bonds used to finance the stadium entrance, while local artist and archi- 200-foot-tall support columns. “The light Bowl” on the old stadium will be scat- tect Daniel Arsham will light up the will move up and down the columns, and tered — some standing, some leaning, Continued on page 39

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

state-of-the-art and lasers blazing, or driving on the stadium opened expressway at night witnessing Daniel last season, just Arsham’s super columns.” unveiled the Unlike the Marlins’ front office, Art Collection Spring has no problem commenting on of Cowboys the stadium’s ambitious public-arts proj- Stadium, featur- ects: “Miami-Dade County will have ing 14 major the most culturally conceived sports contemporary facility in the nation, both architectur- installations. Big ally and artistically.” difference from Miami: Jones On display through June 20 at Miami himself is foot- Art Museum, “Carlos Cruz-Diez: The ing the bill. Embodied Experience of Color” offers a Another big taste of what may be coming to the Mar- difference: You lins stadium. It also examines the origins Daniel Arsham will perform an artistic “magic trick” in must pay to see of color-and-light installations, of which illuminating the stadium’s columns with LED lights. the artwork in Cruz-Diez was a pioneer. The center- Dallas. Not so piece is a ground-breaking, site-specific Marlins Art his art dealership, was in Miami, notes piece, Cromosaturación. After putting on Continued from page 38 adamant about mesh- Michael Spring: shoe coverings, visitors wander through — projected at somewhere around $2.4 ing high-quality art “You don’t three rooms, each bathed in brilliant billion. Miami’s new mayor was elected with his gleaming new need to buy a blues, reds, greens, and the color partially on his early and strong opposi- ballpark. Art has often A f sketch o Red Grooms’s ticket to experi- schemes that emerge among them — a tion to the stadium. Add a deep recession been used to legitimize multimedia home-run extravaganza. ence the work. truly astounding work. MAM, 101 W. to all that and you’d think the Marlins and promote institutions. You can be at Flagler St., 305-375-3000. would welcome a little positive PR. Now sports franchises are jumping on home, watching the Marlins on TV, From previous press releases, how- the bandwagon. Jerry Jones, flamboyant and cheering as Red Grooms’s sculp- ever, it’s clear that Loria, who still runs owner of the Dallas Cowboys, whose ture ‘goes off,’ with marlins leaping Feedback: [email protected]

April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 39 Art & Culture Art Listings WYNWOOD GALLERY WALK & DESIGN DISTRICT BERNICE STEINBAUM GALLERY ETRA FINE ART ART + DESIGN NIGHT 3550 N. Miami Ave., Miami 10 NE 40th St., Miami SATURDAY, APRIL 10 305-573-2700 305-438-4383 www.bernicesteinbaumgallery.com www.etrafineart.com 101/EXHIBIT April 10 through May 1: “Guarded” by Call gallery for exhibition information. 101 NE 40th St., Miami Luis Gonzalez Palma 305-573-2101 Reception April 10, 7 to 10 p.m. FACHE ARTS www.101exhibit.com 750 NE 124th St., North Miami #2 Through April 6: BREVARDS GALLERY 305-975-6933 “Robert Fleisher: New Work” by Robert Fleisher 2320 N. Miami Ave., Miami www.fachearts.com April 10 through May 4: Solo show by Michael Costello 305-576-5747 Through April 20: Reception April 10, 7 to 10 p.m. www.brevards.com “Green Art Exhibition” by Carla Fache Ongoing: “NonDuality” by John 12345 WEST DIXIE STUDIO AND GALLERY Brevard FREDRIC SNITZER GALLERY 12345 W. Dixie Hwy., North Miami 2247 NW 1st Pl., Miami 305-895-2956 BUTTER GALLERY 305-448-8976 www.12345westdixie.com 2301-2303 NW 2nd Ave., Miami www.snitzer.com April 30 through June 12: “Alternate Realities” with 305-303-6254 Christy Gast, Batty Cave, (video still) three-channel Through April 17: “Pathological Liar” by Diego Singh Randy Burman, Tom Weinkle, and Steve Radzi www.buttergallery.com video projection, 2009-2010, at Gallery Diet. Reception April 10, 7 to 9 p.m. Reception April 30, 6 to 10 p.m. Call gallery for exhibition information. GALERIE HELENE LAMARQUE ABBA FINE ART DIANA LOWENSTEIN FINE ARTS 125 NW 23 St., Miami 233 NW 36th St., Miami CALDWELL / LINFIELD GALLERY & STUDIO 2043 N. Miami Ave., Miami 305-576-6095 305-576-4278 8351 NE 8th Ct., Miami 305-576-1804 www.galeriehelenelamarque.com www.abbafineart.com 305-754-2093 www.dlfinearts.com Call gallery for exhibition information. Through April 29: www.susannacaldwell.com April 10 through May 1: “Back Yard Experiments” with Pip and Duane Brant Ongoing: “Seductive Assemblages and Wood “Inside Out” by Michael Flomen, “Orthoptera” by Sterz, GALERIE SCHUSTER MIAMI Reception April 10, 7 to 10 p.m. Sculpture” by Susanna Caldwell and “Line of Action” by Kevin Hart 2085 NW 2nd Ave., Miami Reception April 10, 7:30 to 10 p.m. 786-266-2445 ALEJANDRA VON HARTZ FINE ARTS CALIX GUSTAV GALLERY www.galleryschuster.com 2630 NW 2nd Ave., Miami 98 NW 29 St., Miami DIASPORA VIBE GALLERY Call gallery for exhibition information. 305-438-0220 305-576-8116 3938 NE 39th St., Miami www.alejandravonhartz.net calix-gustav.blogspot.com 305-573-4046 GALLERY DIET April 10 through June 5: April 10 through May 29: “Sticky and Sweet” with Eurydice, www.diasporavibe.net 174 NW 23rd St., Miami “El Jardín Encarnado” by Héctor Fuenmayor Carl Pascuzzi, Diane Arrieta, Jonathan Stein, Alexis April 8 through May 20: 305-571-2288 Reception April 10, 7 to 10 p.m. Rodriguez-Duarte, and Spunk and the Orange Kittens “Objects of Desire” with Rodney Jackson and Caiphus www.gallerydiet.com Reception April 10, 7 to 10 p.m. Moore April 9 through May 1: “Batty Cave” by Christy Gast ART FUSION Reception April 8, 7 to 10 p.m. Reception April 9, 6 to 9 p.m. 1 NE 40th St., Miami CAROL JAZZAR CONTEMPORARY ART Artist talk April 10, 2 to 4 p.m. Reception April 10, 7 to 10 p.m. 305-573-5730 158 NW 91st St., Miami Shores www.artfusiongallery.com 305-490-6906 DIMENSIONS VARIABLE GALLERY I/D Through June 23: “Inner Visions” with various artists www.cjazzart.com 171 NE 38th St., Miami 2531 NW 2nd Ave., Miami Reception April 10, 7 to 10 p.m. By appointment: [email protected] dv 305-778-4568 Through April 11: “Characters” by David Rohn dimensionsvariable.net www.galleryid.com ART GALLERY AT GOVERNMENT CENTER April 16 through May 9: Jen Stark and Rory MacArthur Through April 30: Through April 24: 111 NW 1st St., Suite 625, Miami Reception April 16, 7 to 11 p.m. “Ain’t No Disputin’ the Rasputin” by Jay Hines “Upstate Girls — What Became of Collar City” by 305-375-4634 Brenda Ann Kenneally Call gallery for exhibition information. CENTER FOR VISUAL COMMUNICATION DINA MITRANI GALLERY Reception April 24, 7:30 to 10 p.m. 541 NW 27th St., Miami 2620 NW 2nd Ave., Miami ART ROUGE 305-571-1415 786-486-7248 GIOVANNI ROSSI FINE ART 46 NW 36th St., Miami www.visual.org www.dinamitranigallery.com 2628 NW 2nd Ave., Miami 305-448-3060 Call gallery for exhibition information. Through April 24: 561-251-1375 www.lurie-kavachnina.com “Recent Dreams” by Mario Algaze www.giovannirossifineart.com Through May 6: “Blue Rose Journey” by Evelyn Valdirio CHAREST-WEINBERG GALLERY Call gallery for exhibition information. Reception April 10, 7 to 10 p.m. 250 NW 23rd St., Miami DORSCH GALLERY 305-292-0411 151 NW 24th St., Miami GODONAMERICA ARTFORMZ www.charest-weinberg.com 305-576-1278 1 NE 40th St. #5, Miami 171 NW 23rd St., Miami Through May 22: “10 Years” by SunTek Chung www.dorschgallery.com 786-362-5546 305-572-0040 April 9 through May 1: www.godonamerica.com www.artformz.net CHELSEA GALLERIA “11 Glimpses” by Mette Tommerup, “Fall of the April 8 through June 8: April 10 through May 3: 2441 NW 2nd Ave., Miami Pedestal Sentience — Last Stand of the Fabulous, “The World of Alain Godon” by Alain Godon “Rapture” with Natasha Duwin and Henning Haupt 305-576-2950 Terrific and Super” by Magnus Sigurdarson, and “no Reception April 8, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Reception April 10, 7 to 10 p.m. www.chelseagalleria.com end to” by Lisa Perez Through May 1: Reception April 9, 7 to 10 p.m. HARDCORE ARTS CONTEMPORARY SPACE BAKEHOUSE ART COMPLEX “Latin American Photography” with various artists 3326 N. Miami Ave., Miami 561 NW 32nd St., Miami Reception April 10, 7 to 10 p.m. DOT FIFTYONE ART SPACE 305-576-1645 305-576-2828 51 NW 36th St., Miami www.hardcoreartcontemporary.com www.bacfl.org CITY LOFT ART 305-573-9994 April 10 through May 1: April 9 through April 26: “en.twined” with Cesar Barroso, 61 NE 40th St., Miami www.dotfiftyone.com “Attraction” by Robert Mazerolle Martin Carbajal, Daniel Fila, and Regina Jestrow 305-438-9006 Through April 30: Through May 1: Reception April 9, 7 to 10 p.m. www.cityloftart.com “Goody Two Shoes” by Leslie Gabaldon “Sheer Lithium” by Ena Marrero Call gallery for exhibition information. Reception April 10, 7 to 10 p.m. Reception April 10, 7 to 10 p.m. BAS FISHER INVITATIONAL 180 NE 39th St., #210, Miami CS GALLERY DPM GALLERY HAROLD GOLEN GALLERY By appointment: [email protected] 787 NE 125th St., North Miami 2441 NW 2nd Ave., Miami 2294 NW 2nd Ave., Miami www.basfisherinvitational.com 305-308-6561 305-576-1777 305-989-3359 Contact gallery for exhibition information. www.chirinossanchez.com www.dpmgallery.com www.haroldgolengallery.com Call gallery for exhibition information. Call gallery for exhibition information. April 10 through May 1: BASHA GALLERY “Second Coming” by Mitch O’Connel 795 NE 125th St., North Miami DAVID CASTILLO GALLERY EDGE ZONES CONTEMPORARY ART Reception April 10, 7 to 10 p.m. 305-891-4624 2234 NW 2nd Ave., Miami 47 NE 25th St., Miami www.bashagallery.net 305-573-8110 305-303-8852 IDEABOX ARTSPACE April 20 through May 31: www.castilloart.com www.edgezones.org 2417 N. Miami Ave., Miami “RECESSION ART” with Allyson Krowitz, Arnaldo April 10 through May 1: “Illusions Lounge” with José April 10 through May 1: 305-576-9878 Rosello, Jorge Chirinos Sanchez, Kari Snyder, and Alvarez, Fernando and Humberto Campana, Nicole “Activate Doomsday Device” by Brian Reedy and Call gallery for exhibition information. Pedro Wilson Cherubini, Andy Coolquitt, and Keltie Ferris “Scissor Kick” by Sara Stites Reception April 30, 7:30 to 10 p.m. Reception April 10, 7 to 10 p.m. Reception April 10, 7 to 10 p.m. Continued on page 41

40 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2010 Art & Culture

Art Listings MIAM-DADE COLLEGE, CENTER GALLERY PANAMERICAN ART PROJECTS 300 NE 2nd Ave., Miami 2450 NW 2nd Ave., Miami Continued from page 40 Bldg. 1, Room 1365 305-573-2400 305-237-3696 www.panamericanart.com INTERFLIGHT STUDIO www.mdc.edu Through April 17: 250 NW 23rd St., Miami Call gallery for exhibition information. Carolina Sardi and Ted Larsen 305-573-1673 April 24 through June 3: www.interflightstudio.com MIAMI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY Gigi Leso and “Don’t Call Me Pretty: Women in Arts” Call gallery for exhibition information. OF ART AND DESIGN with Belkys Ayon, Tania Bruguera, C. Ryder Cooley, 1501 Biscayne Blvd., Miami Nora Correas, Andrea Cote, Antonia Eiriz, Ana Fabry, KABE CONTEMPORARY 305-428-5700 Aimee Garcia, Cristina Lucas, Jane Martin, Elsa Mora, 123 NW 23rd St., Miami www.mymiu.com Marta Maria Perez Bravo, Sandra Ramos, Rosangela 305-573-8142 Call gallery for exhibition information. Renno, Graciela Sacco, Carolina Sardi, Vibeke www.kabecontemporary.com Tandberg, Lucia Warck Meister, and Maysey Craddock Call gallery for exhibition information. MIRIAM FERNANDES GALLERY Reception April 24, 6 to 9 p.m. 3618 NE 2nd Ave., Miami KELLEY ROY GALLERY 305-573-9531 PRAXIS INTERNATIONAL ART 50 NE 29th St., Miami Frances Trombly, Mop, hand-spun www.miriamfernandes.com 2219 NW 2nd Ave., Miami 305-447-3888 silver wool and cotton, wooden April 10 through April 30: 305-573-2900 www.kelleyroygallery.com “Timeless Joy of Life” by Don McClain www.praxis-art.com Through May 1: mop handle, 2008, at the Frost Art Reception April 10, 6 to 9 p.m. Through April 12: “Hairball Cosmology” with various artists Museum. “Transitions” by Joyce Ho MUSEO VAULT Reception April 10, 7 to 9 p.m. KUNSTHAUS MIAMI Auction” with Daniel Arsham, Hernan Bas, José Bedia, 346 NW 29th St., Miami 3312 N. Miami Ave., Miami Berry von Boekel, Enrique Martinez Celaya, Francesca 305-571-1175 PRESSITON ART GALLERY 305-438-1333 DiMattio, Dzine, Teresita Fernandez, Naomi Fisher, www.museovault.com 4100 N. Miami Ave., Miami www.kunsthaus.org.mx Mauro Giaconi, Liam Gillick, Valerie Hegarty, Marie Through April 30: 786-925-2930 Through May 30: Lorenz, Kori Newkirk, Angel Otero, Gavin Perry, Adam “[harmony]” by Alex Yanes www.pressitonart.com “homo nymos” by Iván Puig Putnam, Cristina Lei Rodriguez, Mette Tommerup, and Reception April 10, 7 to 10 p.m. Call gallery for exhibition information. Reception April 10, 7 to 10 p.m. Mike Vasquez Auction April 17, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Sagamore MYPAC SAMMER GALLERY LILIENTHAL ART STUDIOS Hotel, 1671 Collins Ave., Miami Beach 3324 N. Miami Ave., Miami 82 NE 29th St., Miami 96 NW 29th St., Miami 305-981-6199 305-441-2005 305-573-2002 LYLE O. REITZEL GALLERY April 10 through May 29: artnet.com/sammergallery.html www.ilanalilienthal.com 2441 NW 2nd Ave., Miami “Yellow” with various artists Call gallery for exhibition information. Call gallery for exhibition information. 305-573-1333 Reception April 10, 7 to 10 p.m. www.artnet.com/reitzel.html SETH JASON BEITLEE FINE ARTS LOCUST PROJECTS Call gallery for exhibition information. OUR HOUSE WEST OF WYNWOOD 250 NW 23rd St, #202, Miami 155 NE 38th St., Miami 3100 NW 7th Ave., Miami 305-438-0218 305-576-8570 MIAMI ART SPACE 305-490-2976 www.sethjason.com www.locustprojects.org 244 NW 35th St., Miami www.oh-wow.com Call gallery for exhibition information. Through April 24: 305-438-9002 April 29 through May 29: “The World Is Yours” by Andrew Heitzler www.miamiartspace.com “If You Don’t Belong, Don’t Be Long” by Scott Campbell Continued on page 42 April 17: “Spring Fling Fundraiser Gala and Silent Call gallery for exhibition information. Reception April 29, 6 to 8 p.m. Get the home loan you need from the bank you trust. Contact us today to learn how Bank of America could help find a mortgage solution for you: Bank of America Aventura Office 305.933.5275 19495 Biscayne Blvd. Suite 300 Aventura, FL 33180

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April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 41 Art & Culture

Art Listings WOLFGANG ROTH & PARTNERS FINE ART Through April 18: “Aesthetics & Values 2010” by Bhakti Justine Kurland, Alec Soth, Jeff Brouws, Olafur 201 NE 39th St., Miami Baxter, Xavier Cortada, Guerra de la Paz, Richard Haden, Eliasson, and Anastasia Khoroshilova, and “Depression Continued from page 41 305-576-6960 Bert Rodriguez, Gerry Stecca, TM Sisters, Frances Bread Line” by George Segal www.wrpfineart.com Trombly, Wendy Wischer, and Ricardo E. Zulueta SPINELLO GALLERY Call gallery for exhibition information. Through April 18: “Wanderlust” by FIU MFA students THE RUBELL FAMILY COLLECTION 155 NE 38th St., Miami Jason Galbut, Pati Laylle, and Kim Yantis 95 NW 29th St., Miami 786-271-4223, www.spinellogallery.com WYNWOOD CENTRAL GALLERY Through April 25: “Women’s Work / Men’s Work: Labor 305-573-6090 Call gallery for exhibition information. 2242 NW 1st Pl., Miami and Gender in America” with various artists www.rubellfamilycollection.com 305-433-3441 Through May 16: “Taiwan Discovered: In Place and Through May 29: “Beg Borrow and Steal” with Ai STASH GALLERY www.wynwoodcentral.com Time” with various artists Weiwei, John Baldessari, Frank Benson, Amy Bessone, 162 NE 50th Terr., Miami Ongoing: Kito Mbiango Through May 16: “In Body and Soul: The Performance Matthew Brannon, Maurizio Cattelan, Peter Coffin, 305-992-7652 Art of María Teresa Hincapié” by María Teresa Hincapié George Condo, Aaron Curry, John Dogg, Marcel www.myspace.com/stashgallery YEELEN ART GALLERY April 23 through May 9: “Crome Yellow, Spring Bachelor Duchamp, Gardar Eide Einarsson, Elmgreen and Call gallery for exhibition information. 250 NW 23rd St., Unit 306, Miami of Fine Art Students’ Exhibition” with various artists Dragset, Hans-Peter Feldmann, Urs Fischer, Dan 954-235-4758 Flavin, Robert Gober, Aneta Grzeszykowska, Wade STRUCTURES GALLERY www.yeelenart.com LOWE ART MUSEUM, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI Guyton, Guyton \ Walker, Karl Haendel, Peter Halley, 80 NE 29th St., Miami Call gallery for exhibition information. 1301 Stanford Dr., Coral Gables David Hammons, Mark Handforth, Keith Haring, 305-447-3888 305-284-3535 Rachel Harrison, Richard Hawkins, Damien Hirst, Call gallery for exhibition information. MUSEUM & COLLECTION EXHIBITS www.lowemuseum.org Jenny Holzer, Jonathan Horowitz, Thomas Houseago, Through April 25: “Trends and Techniques: A Short Rashid Johnson, William E. Jones, Deborah Kass, SWAMPSPACE GALLERY CIFO (Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation) History of Printmaking” with various artists Mike Kelley, Jeff Koons, Barbara Kruger, Jim Lambie, 3821 NE 1st Ct., Miami 1018 N. Miami Ave., Miami Elad Lassry, Louise Lawler, Mark Leckey, Sherrie [email protected] 305-455-3380 MIAMI ART MUSEUM Levine, Li Zhanyang, Glenn Ligon, Robert Longo, Nate April 10 through April 30: www.cifo.org 101 W. Flagler St., Miami Lowman, Nathan Mabry, Kris Martin, Paul McCarthy, “Milk, Honey, Girls, Money” by Samantha Gozlan Call gallery for exhibition information. 305-375-3000 Allan McCollum, Adam McEwen, Takashi Murakami, Reception April 10, 6 to midnight www.miamiartmuseum.org Cady Noland, David Noonan, Richard Prince, Charles DE LA CRUZ COLLECTION CONTEMPORARY ART Through June 20: “The Embodied Experience of Color” Ray, Jason Rhoades, Stephen G. Rhodes, Bert UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI PROJECTS SPACE SPACE by Carlos Cruz Diez Rodriguez, Sterling Ruby, Thomas Ruff, David Salle, 2200 NW 2nd Ave., Miami 23 NE 41st St., Miami Steven Shearer, Cindy Sherman, Haim Steinbach, 305-284-2542 305-576-6112 MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART John Stezaker, Philip Taaffe, Hank Willis Thomas, Piotr Call gallery for exhibition information. www.delacruzcollection.org 770 NE 125th St., North Miami Uklanski, Meyer Vaisman, Kelley Walker, Wang Ziwei, April 15: Presentation by Nereida Garcia-Ferraz and 305-893-6211 Andy Warhol, Christopher Wool, and Zhang Huan WALLFLOWER GALLERY Ana Mendieta: Fuego de Tierra movie screening www.mocanomi.org 10 NE 3rd St., Miami April 22: Mary Ceruti lecture Through May 9: “The Sharper Image” by Cory Arcangel WORLD CLASS BOXING 305-579-0069 Screening April 15, 7:30 p.m. and “Auto Focus” by Ceal Floyer Debra and Dennis Scholl Collection www.wallflowergallery.com Lecture April 22, 7 p.m. 170 NW 23rd St., Miami myspace.com/wallflowergallery THE MARGULIES COLLECTION 305-438-9908 Call gallery for exhibition information. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY FROST 591 NW 27th St., Miami www.worldclassboxing.org/ ART MUSEUM 305-576-1051 Through May 28: Anna Gaskell and Mariko Mori WHITE VINYL SPACE 10975 SW 17th St., Miami www.margulieswarehouse.com Reception April 10, 7 to 10 p.m. 3322 NW 2nd Ave., Miami 305-348-2890 Through April 30: “Masters of Surrealist Sculpture” 305-776-1515 http://thefrost.fiu.edu/ with Joan Miró and Isamu Noguchi, “100 Years of Compiled by Victor Barrenechea www.whitevinylspace.com Through April 11: “The Fantastic World of José Gurvich” Photography 1909-2009” with Lewis Hine, Dorothea Send listings, jpeg images, and events information to Call gallery for exhibition information. by José Gurvich Lange, Helen Levitt, Danny Lyon, Cindy Sherman, [email protected]

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42 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2010 Art & Culture Events Calendar World Music Opera for Kids Bike Miami Days Complete schedules at www. Meets Miami miamibeachgaypride.com. The Rhythm Foundation’s eighth annual Heineken Earth Day: A TransAtlantic Festival Planetary Party is always an ear-opener, a The Earth’s birthday is rare opportunity to hear coming up on April 22 and contemporary World music. we have a celebration sugges- From Catalonia to the Colony This year is no exception, Design District Family Day tion. Head down to Metrozoo though it’s a slimmed-down and Party for the Planet with the wild program — four bands in things. The zoo (12400 SW 152nd St.) will two concerts, Friday, April 9, and Sat- Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade be celebrating all week, but they’ll really urday, April 24, both at the North Beach crank it up on Saturday, April 24 and Bandshell (7275 Collins Ave.). Bogotá’s Sunday, April 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 Bomba Estéreo, a frenetic mash-up of p.m. Interactive shows and guided tours cumbia, electronica, and hip hop, opens on will give the whole family a fresh apprecia- April 9 for Grammy-nominated Orques- tion for this big blue ball we call home. The tra Contemporânea de Olinda, the brassy party is free with the price of admission. all-star fusion group from Brazil. On April Go to www.miamimetrozoo.com or call 24, Miami’s own Locos por Juana opens From the Boulevard to 305-251-0400. for Mali’s guitar sensation Vieux Farka Bacardi: A Walk on the Touré. Tickets are $20 in advance for each Historic Side Two Wheels Are Better concert. Visit Transatlanticfestival.com or Culture and exercise unite on the His- River, historical tours and re-enact- Than Four call 305-672-5202. torical Museum of Southern Florida’s ments, kid’s activities, and musical Bicyclists, skateboarders, roller skaters, numerous walking tours. Here’s a new performances by a couple of great and pedestrians alike will fill the streets From Catalonia to one: The Biscayne to Bacardi Walk- local bands: the Spam Allstars and the of Coconut Grove on Sunday, April 25, the Colony ing Tour, which begins at the Latin Café Resolvers. Call 305-644-0544 or visit for the second annual Bike Miami Days (9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.). The free event at Warning: The next dance program pre- (2501 Biscayne Blvd.) at 10:00 a.m. Sat- miamirivercommission.org. Peacock Park (2820 McFarlane Rd.) and sented by Tigertail Productions and the urday, April 10. Voluble historian Paul the surrounding streets is a city initia- Cultural Center of Spain is not for the George will lead the tour and explore Baynanza 2010: tive to highlight green consciousness, faint of heart. Straight from Barcelona, the neighborhood, concluding at the Stash the Trash alternative transportation, and physical Alta Realitat Ölelés is the intensely iconic Bacardi Building around 1:00 p.m. Last Saturday it was Riverday. This Sat- fitness. Arrive early because you won’t gripping tale of two estranged friends. Limited space. Museum members $20, urday, April 17, it’s Baynanza, the 28th want to miss the music and dance com- Jordi Cortés and Damian Muñoz, two nonmembers $25. Call 305-375-1621 or annual Biscayne Bay cleanup, from 9:00 petitions, or the art installations, or the of Spain’s most innovative dancer/ visit www.hmsf.org. a.m. to noon. Join thousands of volunteers bike rides through lush Grove neighbor- choreographers, bring their singular countywide in this one-day, power-packed hoods. Call 305-416-1022 for details. artistry to the Colony Theater (1040 Opera for Kids? Magical effort to beautify the shores of Biscayne Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach) on Friday, Oranges? Why Not? Bay. There are 27 cleanup sites, including Curious About Brickell? April 9, and Saturday, April 10 at The Playground Theatre (9806 NE 2nd Oleta River State Park, Greynolds Park, 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $15-$50 at Here’s Your Chance Ave.) reinterprets for kids six years and up Legion Park, Morningside Park, and the Brickell is now known for its restaurants, www.tigertailproductions.org. The Love of Three Oranges, the classic Julia Tuttle Causeway. Space is limited, so shops, and burgeoning nightlife. But who operatic comedy in which Prince Tartaglia register early and you’ll also get you a has the time or money to indulge it all? The Design District: It’s hilariously searches for three enchanted Baynanza 2010 commemorative T-shirt. Here’s an answer: On Sunday, April 25, Not Just For Designers oranges and a way to avoid marrying the Call 305-372-6784 or go to www.miami- from noon to 5:30 p.m., you can sample The Design District opens its doors to repugnant Smeraldina. Performances run dade.gov/derm/baynanza. the place to your heart’s content at the the entire family on Saturday, April 10 from April 14 to May 23 and show times first annual Taste of Brickell. Stores from noon to 3:00 p.m. Merchants and vary. Tickets are $15. Call 305-751-9550 Being Out Is So In and restaurants galore will set up shop restaurateurs welcome all ages to Family x233 or visit the playgroundtheatre.com. On Saturday, April 17, from noon to 8:00 around the Brickell Metrorail station Day in the Miami Design District at p.m., the most colorful street in America, (SW 1st Avenue and 10th Street) to bring various locations around NE 40th Street. Miami Riverday: Music, Ocean Drive, will host the most color- you the very best of Miami’s first truly The free event, which coincides with History, Food, and Fun! ful parade north of Key West, the Miami urban neighborhood. Call Barbara Wal- Gallery Walk later that day, has plenty Mark your calendar for Saturday, April Beach Gay Pride Parade & Festival. ters (786-287-7027) for information. of supervised creative activities for the 10. You don’t want to miss the 14th Expect to be fabulously entertained by kids while parents explore the numerous annual Miami Riverday, a free ex- gleeful crowds, numerous food vendors, Compiled by BT interns Mandy Baca and stores and showrooms, whether it be an travaganza of an event that kicks off at play zones, and musical performances. Matt Ruckman orange martini at Mai Tardi or bright and 11:00 a.m. in the Lummus Park Historic The party doesn’t end there. Continue the bold fashions at Marimekko. Visit miam- District (250 NW N. River Dr.). There festivities at any of the officially sanctioned idesigndistrict.net for information. will be free boat rides on the Miami after-party events all over the Beach. Feedback: [email protected]

April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 43 PARK PATROL In the Middle of the Road Biscayne Park’s lush street medians keep birds in, traffi c out By Jim W. Harper end looks like a log cabin. That’s be- BT Contributor cause it is a log cabin. Built by the WPA and dedicated in 1935, its cost was $247. here can you fi nd a happy Another sign in the village deserves median? Hop on a bike and special mention, although technically Wglide around the Village of it stands outside a median on private Biscayne Park. Before you can say, property. Across from this house, within “Holy log cabin, Batman,” you will run Harper BT photos by Jim W. the median at NE 116th Street and 9th into one. This little village looms large in Avenue, stands a green doggie trash can the art of landscaped streets. for disposing of doggie waste. But not Practically every road has a median everyone is in the habit of picking up, it of some sort, and the main advantage of seems. The nearby private sign, in the them becomes immediately apparent: No shape of a white terrier with the tell-tale one wants to drive through this maze. curved back, shows a dog going about its The streets are so quiet that I actually business. In bold letters on the terrier’s saw a grown woman sitting on the pave- body is written “No!” ment, watching landscapers work on her Animal waste is not readily apparent front yard. Where else in Miami can you on the grassy medians, but it probably calmly sit in the middle of the road? is there, especially considering the large The jewel of the village’s many, Biscayne Park residents can thank horticulturalist Arthur Mertlow numbers of cats lounging in front yards. many medians is a series of eight extra- Griffi ng for their greenery. large ones. In paved-over Miami, they qualify as parks. Biscayne Park also Horticulturalist Arthur Mertlow Griffi ng one-way streets. has a real park, the Ed Burke Recre- lived in the area and began developing Anyone attempting ation Center, and its review in August lots in the early 1920s. His vision has to fi nd a shortcut 2008 (“Quiet Village, Rollicking Park”) given the neighborhoods here an endur- through Biscayne earned a respectable rating of 3.5 trees. ing charm. Riding around the village, Park will soon get Likewise, the large medians of I had the feeling that I was back in my dizzy and discour- Biscayne Park are above average; in fact, childhood, going to visit my grandpar- aged by the constant they could easily be exceptional with a ent’s house in Boynton Beach. It looks circling. little more TLC. Medians not only slow like Old Florida. Biscayne Park is traffi c, they also provide shade, green Most of these large medians are shaped like a trian- space, and a place to stretch two legs or bisected down the middle by a street, gle standing on one four. Having this kind of open space in giving them the shape of a giant egg tip, and my favorite front of your house? Priceless. sliced in half. Some of them are also half median sits closest to Biscayne Park is overfl owing with cul-de-sacs, meaning that the far ends the southern angle. Riding around the village, I had the feeling that I was green medians because a green person are closed, and the circle’s only open- Here you will fi nd an back in my childhood. It looks like Old Florida. was the original developer of the village. ings are in the middle. All of them are intriguing mixture of architecture and landscaping, and in one But the medians appear mostly clean, THE MEDIANS OF corner hangs a hidden, swinging green trimmed, and free of litter. BISCAYNE PARK bench. I’ll bet that bench was hung there The “Pine Tree Row” median at NE by residents of that cul-de-sac, because 118th Street and 7th Avenue features NE 121st St Park Rating

NE 10th Ave it is unique among the village’s large mature Australian pines all the way

NE 8th Ave NE 119th St medians. around the oval. Although attractive and This median, among several others, shady, the pines are considered a major

NE 7th Ave Biscayne Park Village Hall Griffi ng Blvd NE 117th St has telephone poles running through it. invasive species in South Florida. Some 640 NE 114th St. While not attractive, it sure beats the pines are already being overtaken by the 305-899-8000 alternative of having the poles and wires native strangler fi g, but at some point BISCAYNE PARK Hours: 24/7 NE 9th Ave running through your yard. they should be replaced by something Picnic tables: No

NE 8th Ave Another unique median sits on NE more American and less Australian. Barbecues: No Picnic pavilions: No 114th Street and 7th Avenue. The east Two of the medians are so large Griffi ng Blvd NE 111th St Tennis courts: No half of the median features a signature that if relocated within the City of Athletic fi elds: No green metal bench with a stencil in large Miami, they would be considered major NE 109th St Night lighting: Indirect letters reading “Biscayne Park.” On the parks. They stretch from 8th to 10th Swimming pool: No other half stand two signs — one des- avenues, with one on NE 118th Street NE 107th St Playground: Informal ignating the village as a bird sanctuary, and the other two blocks north. This Special features: Park benches and another pointing to the town hall. The town hall on the median’s western Continued on page 45

44 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2010 Park Patrol

Medians Continued from page 44 northernmost median appears to be planted with young oak trees, which gives it much less shade than the other medians that feature mature trees. These teenager trees lack the romance and grandeur of the mama and papa trees — but they’ll grow into it. The larger medians seem lonelier than the smaller ones, but all of them appear to lack people. Although each has at least one bench, only one of the eight medians was occupied during recent visits. Don’t look for action in these parks. It’s interesting to note that the land- scaping of each median is not uniform, although they all echo the shape of the street, with the pattern of an outer oval of Nearly every median has at least one park bench. Telephone poles run through the trees around an inner oval of grass. The medians, but better there than choice of trees, however, seems much each median adds a bit of charm. Trees ingredient to the future of these medians. your front yard. more random. A palm tree might pop never grown in perfect rows of uniform Why not have a beautification contest to up in between a series of live oaks, and heights except on a tree farm. As before, see which group of neighbors can create luckier than most in Miami. Your flowering bushes might appear in spaces I suspect that the neighbors took things the most improved median? During the green streets keep the birds in and the that were clearly intended for trees. into their own hands, and whenever a holidays, they could also come together traffic out. These interrupted patterns could infuri- tree died, they replaced it with whatever to make their street special. ate a type-A personality. they had available. Residents of Biscayne Park, be On the other hand, the uniqueness of The neighbors are also the key thankful for your medians. You’re Feedback: [email protected]

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April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 45 Columnists: Pawsitively Pets Call of the Wild – Canine Edition Fido ignores you when you’re calling him to come? Don’t take it personally By Lisa Hartman woods and chase deer (an intoxicating BT Contributor novelty for him), he literally leaped at it, despite blizzard conditions. Even though ast month I wrote about the most it was dinnertime and he was hungry, aggravating part of being a dog- no amount of tasty meat was going to Lowner: house-training your pet. motivate him to come to me. Well, close behind in terms of aggrava- This is the crux of competing mo- tion is this: Dogs that won’t come when tivations. If you call your dog to come you call them. Many intelligent owners for a reward of a favorite toy or prized are baffled trying to fathom why Fido food, but he is extremely thirsty, he may takes his time moseying over, or com- ignore your initial requests and head for pletely ignores them, especially if they the stream or lake or swimming pool for feel they’ve done everything right. a drink of water. At that moment, water They have gone through the dog- is more important to him than food or training classes. They’ve doled out the toys. Similarly, if there is a bitch in heat cookies. They’ve showered their pet with somewhere in the vicinity, he may be affection. “He comes perfectly when compelled to find her, disregarding your we’re in the house,” they tell me. “But efforts to call him to you. when we’re outdoors, sometimes he We humans experience competing won’t come no matter what.” motivations all the time. An important There are several reasons for this. client or your boss calls, but you’re Two of them — often overlooked — are watching the last few minutes of Ameri- competing motivations and environmen- can Idol, so you wait for the conclusion tal stimuli. before returning the call. Adolescents Your dog knows every inch of your are told not to do things like watch house, and there’s not much of interest even more difficult. not be motivated by top sirloin, especial- R-rated movies, but their curiosity and going on there. You are usually the most In some important circumstances, ly if he’s been cooped up. He just wants raging hormones get in the way of them interesting thing in the gilded cage he when you call your dog to come while his freedom. doing the right thing. calls home. In fact, when owners call he is outdoors, you’re actually punishing Here’s an example: My Dalmatian, That brings us back to punishment. from inside the house for dogs to come, him. But more on that later. who is generally good off-leash and has Calling your dog when he desperately it’s usually for good things: to take a It’s important to realize that a dog’s a pretty solid recall (after lots of train- wants to be somewhere else is, in essence, walk, to have dinner, to receive a bone. motivations and desires are always in ing), spent a month with me in the North- a form of punishment, which is a techni- But when he’s outdoors, the world flux. As part of training I usually advise east during one of the coldest winters cal no-no in recall training. Think about is his oyster. Every minute of the day, clients to give their best doggie rewards on record. Not once did the temperature it. When you call your dog at the dog every shift of the wind brings a new when working on calling their dogs to climb above 20 degrees! Our hour-long park, and then slap on the leash and take adventure. If there are other animals out- come, known as the “recall.” If your dog Florida walks turned into “Hurry up! Go him away from his friends, he’s going to side, or other potent stimuli (the gardener, is highly motivated by food at the time potty! Get inside!” As my BT colleague see it as punishment. In such situations, the cable guy), you are truly rowing you’re in training, reward him with what Wendy Doscher-Smith would say, it was he needs a special reward for obeying. upstream. If your dog has a strong chase he really loves. For most dogs that would the Merciless Frozen Tundra. That means you should come to the park or prey drive, competing against that be real meat. But a dog who is outdoors He got so stir-crazy that one day, prepared — have a treat ready for him. natural instinct will make obedience and has been eating well every day may when he had a chance to bolt into the Continued on page 46

46 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2010 Columnists: Pawsitively Pets

Call serious. It helps to adopt a work-to- Continued from page 47 earn policy with your dog. Using “life rewards” (entrance to dog parks, squir- You should never punish or scold a dog rel-chasing) as motivators is extremely when he returns to you or he’ll learn that potent in training. I taught my Dalma- coming to you is a bad thing. The next tian that if he comes when called, even time he’ll be more reticent. though he may be very interested in a To get your dog to come when particular squirrel, I won’t just give him called — most of the time if not every a food reward; I’ll also release him to time — you need to approach the task chase the squirrel! In situations like that, from all angles. Practice not just at home, I’m using the competing environment to but also outside in distracting situations. my advantage. Build a reward history so he knows it’s Perhaps most important, you must wonderful and always more rewarding to know your dog well and recognize that come to you than do anything else. there are no guarantees. On the other You must be alert to competing hand, the more things you do to put the motivations so you can size up your sur- odds in your favor, the closer you will be roundings and manage your dog prop- to a solid recall — and a better under- erly. Don’t practice recalls if you’re not standing of your dog. confident your dog will come. Otherwise you’ll be practicing not coming. And Lisa Hartman is head dog trainer and remember that you must be exciting and founder of Pawsitively Pets. You can inviting to your dog at all times, espe- reach her at pawsitivelypetsonline@ cially outdoors. When you’re outside yahoo.com or www.pawsitivelypetson- with your dog, it’s really vital to be inter- line.com. You can also keep up with esting. (Put down your cell phone!) her and her dogs on Facebook at www. Yet you must also be able to enforce profile.to/dogtrainer. the recall in intermediate practice, so he learns he must come and that you’re Feedback: [email protected]

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April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 47 Columnists: Kids and the City Munchkins and Menus The kids are hungry, you’re in Wynwood or Midtown or the Design District, and you’re in luck By Jenni Person Owned by Claude Postel, who also owns BT Contributor the beloved Buena Vista Bistro, one of the early-morning options is the new Buena he Design District and its neigh- Vista Deli. Our family can practically roll out bor Midtown Miami are rapidly of bed and right into it for Goldi’s bagel and Tbecoming Family Central. Maybe lox, Izzi’s chocolate croissant, and grown-up it started with the arrival of Genius frittatas and cheese plates. Jones in the District a few years ago, but Heading a little farther south, we more recently family friendliness has can enjoy a more service-oriented and popped up all over, along with a number more decadent breakfast at Morgans in of new eateries, many of which welcome Wynwood. Serving up delicious and styl- the car-seat set with open arms and ish comfort food, Morgans is a place in designer highchairs. which you’d love to luxuriate forever — One such place is Jonathan Eis- in the cool white interior or relaxing on mann’s Pizza Volante for upscale pizza. the broad covered porch outside. And all (Learn more about the restaurants men- the while everyone around you is happy tioned here in our “Dining Guide,” page to see your kids. 54.) The place is casually hip and perfect The creation of Barclay Graebner, for families in all states of dress. It fea- who many of us may remember from tures wholesome and organic ingredients and cowboy boots for some cowboy for little ones who want fries with their Kidscape, the fantastic indoor play space that our generation wants to be feeding chow as we set out for yet another Jona- sliders. He did love the ribs I ordered at 50th and Biscayne, the restaurant was our kids. And for parents there is a nice than Eismann culinary destination, his in a half slab and couldn’t even finish. built with kids in mind, thanks to Bar- array of wines. new barbecue joint on N. Miami Avenue. However, it was a bit off-putting when clay’s own five kids and sharp mommy When we tried it out, we felt very Um, scratch that. This is no “joint.” The the hostess came over to coo over Izzi sensibilities. It boasts a kid-friendly much at home around one of the res- talk of the town since even before it again, only to try selling us T-shirts and front lawn where young ones can hang taurant’s cool long tables with a an- opened, Q may feature some down-home faux cow-skin drink coolies. out, a spacious parking lot with ample other family of four at the other end. We taste — smokiness you can smell from All-in-all, what was the review from room for families with strollers and extra greeted each other with knowing looks around the corner — but the prices are my date? “Mom,” Izzi pronounced, “that little tykes running around, and lots of as we acknowledged the simplicity and more on the uptown side. Having spotted was the most deliciousest meal I ever menu choices, including some great, convenience of a place serving tasty many families there on my first trip, I had. That was the most delightful meal healthy smoothies with catchy names pizza in an environment parents can love. decided to try it out on my own ram- I’ve ever had in mine life.” like Chunky Monkey. I recently had a date night with four- bunctious little taste connoisseur. When we first moved to the neigh- We can’t forget the fast-casual restau- year-old Izzi — just mommy and the little Indeed the place is kid-friendly, the borhood in 2004, it was always frustrat- rants at the Shops at Midtown, either. I guy out for a night of dining. He wanted staff being incredibly attentive to Izzi ing that weekend breakfast and brunch know my neighbors and I spend many a to go to Sugarcane because his beloved from the moment he sauntered in, an- options seemed so limited for those of us weeknight dinner in shorts and T-shirts classmate’s daddy is a chef there, but there nouncing that he was a cowboy. They with little ones who arise with the roost- at Lime Fresh Mexican Grill and Five were no tables available at our impromptu celebrated his real Texas cowboy boots, ers. (And yes, this is Miami, and we all Guys Burgers and Fries, as well as the arrival, although I did see at least one kid complimented his unsolicited cowboy have neighbors with roosters, right?) So new, über-green Sakaya Kitchen, which I when my partner and I dined there for our dance, and encouraged him to do his I was absolutely thrilled to discover two really love, although you have to be mind- romantic Valentine’s dinner. moves on the dance floor. places right near me — one only about ful of the heat in some of their menu items. So Q it was for me and my Iz that But there is no kids’ menu, and the 100 yards away — that open early every night. He got all dressed up in his vest à la carte offerings make it a bit pricey day, including weekends for breakfast. Feedback: [email protected]

48 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2009 Columnists: Your Garden A Bit of Palmistry from Cuba The palms of Cuba make excellent additions to South Florida landscapes By Jeff Shimonski in Cuba as Palma Jata or Jata along with all of the other palm species BT Contributor de Guanabacoa. found in Cuba and throughout the Carib- The palm genus Coperni- bean, they are hurricane tolerant. any years ago, one of my cia has more than 20 species Cuesta del chivo is the local Cuban professors lent me the multi- that occur in the Caribbean and name for the Buccaneer palm, Pseu- Mvolume Flora de Cuba, which into South America. Many are dophoenix sargentii. This is an attrac- was published in 1946 in Havana. After endemic to Cuba, found nowhere tive, slow-growing palm that at one BT photo by Jeff Shimonski I had finished my project, I reluctantly else. Most grow slowly and may time had been almost wiped out in the returned it, and ever since I have wanted not form a trunk for many years, Florida Keys. a set for myself. This year I finally was depending on growing conditions About ten species of Royal palms are able to add to my library the five-book and available water. It is this char- found throughout the Caribbean basin. set. What a wonderful window into the acteristic that makes many of Co- Roystonea regia is the species native to past. In the section on palms, there are pernicia species great landscape Florida and one of five species found in amazing photos taken in the 1940s of plants. The foliage is long-lived Cuba. We know it grows very well here, great vistas with many of the endemic and forms a tight, round, very but we are probably planting too many species found nowhere else in the world. attractive rosette. They are easy to and making this species a ready target Many of these palm species grow grow in South Florida. for specific insects to dine upon. Palma very well here in South Florida. Every The palm genus Coccothrinax real is the Cuban name. once in a while, I see magnificent has about 50 species throughout All of these palms either grow in specimens of these Cuban palms while the Caribbean, with the great- limestone or in serpentine soils in their driving through older residential areas. est diversity of species, 34 or native habitats. Both soil conditions are Several decades ago these palms could so, occurring in Cuba. Many very limiting in nutrients, especially ni- only be seen in a botanical garden; now palm enthusiasts are familiar trogen. The fact that these palms evolved many are available locally and will grow with the Old Man palm, Coc- to adapt to these harsh conditions makes quite well in your yard, even after being cothrinax crinita, also known in A beautiful Copernicia baileyana in the them not only ideal for our landscape exposed to the cold of this past winter. Cuba as Palma petate. I grew one yard of Elvis Cruz in Morningside. conditions but excellent canidates for This was going to be an article on once from a small container to a sustainable landscaping. palms of the Caribbean that we can grow 20-foot-tall fruiting specimen in about to Coccothrinax and will grow under the One of the palm species noted in in South Florida, but there are so many 15 years. The palms in this genus are not same soil conditions. Flora de Cuba was La Palma barrigona, endemic and native species in Cuba as massive as some of the Copernicia but What we call the Paurotis palm Colpothrinax wrightii, or the Cuban that I decided to write exclusively about can eventually grow quite tall. As shorter is correctly known as Acoelorrhaphe belly palm. I have never seen a mature them, and I have added the local names palms, they are excellent candidates for wrightii, in Cuba as Guano prieto. In specimen here, but with the distinctive listed in the Flora of Cuba. small gardens or large pot culture. Coc- South Florida, it is a common palm often belly-like buldge in it’s trunk, it would One of my favorite is Copernicia cothrinax miraguama, in Cuba better seen with very yellow, starved-looking make an interesting landscape specimen. baileyana, known in Cuba as Yarey known as Miraguano or Yuraguana, foliage. This palm can be found growing hembra, or Cacocum in Oriente has attractive, stiff, round leaves with a in swamps with lush green foliage; make Jeff Shimonski is an ISA-certified munic- province. This palm can eventually distinct pattern of fiber wrapped around sure it is well irrigated in your landscape. ipal arborist, director of horticulture at grow 40 or 50 feet tall and is one of the trunk. Most if not all Coccothrinax Our Florida native, the Sabal pal- Jungle Island, and principal of Tropical the most distinctive palms I have ever are found growing in limestone in their metto, is also found growing in Cuba, Designs of Florida. Contact him at jeff@ seen. Another very attractive palm is natural habitats, perfect for our area. along with several other attractive Sabal tropicaldesigns.com. Copernicia macroglossa, the Cuban There are several Thrinax species found species. There it is known as Cana Jata. petticoat palm. This species is known on the island. It is a genus very similar Sabal species can get quite massive, but Feedback: [email protected]

April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 49 Columnists: Vino Forget Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc - Drink Outside the Box Red, white, and you: Agreeable wines for $12 or less By Bill Citara chasing with an overripe be poured with oysters, scallops, lobster, BT Contributor mango.) If you’re thirsty or any rich-tasting shellfish, the 2008 for the citrusy crispness Domaine de la Chauviniere Muscadet ast month we threw off the chains that characterizes the best Sevre et Maine. Like the best Musca- of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blancs (which dets, it’s aged sur lie (on the yeasts and Land Pinot Noir in favor of outside- also command the best, other leavings of fermentation), which the-box red wines. This month it’s time i.e., highest, prices), try gives it added fullness and complex- to break the iron grip of Chardonnay Muscadet, a dry Riesling, ity, though it’s still as crisp as a freshly and the weaker, let’s say noodle grip, of or Spain’s answer to white starched shirt collar. Sauvignon Blanc by pouring something Bordeaux — white Rioja. Italy’s contribution is the 2006 Cam- different into our wine glasses. Seriously, you have noth- pogrande Orvieto by Antinori. It might Beyond the obvious benefit of ing to lose but your chains. seem that 2006 is a rather elderly vintage expanding our palates and experiencing For Chardonnay lovers, for a light white wine, but you’d never new tastes, there are a few others. For one wine you can’t lose know it in the glass, where you first get one, a lot of Sauvignon Blanc is just with is the 2008 McManis a hit of citrus and green apple and again plain sucky nowadays, bred to eliminate Family Vineyards Viog- a tiny whiff of petroleum, then dig into the brisk, citrus acidity we crave in the nier. It not only picked up flavors of tart lemon-lime with ruffles of best SBs, or bulked up on fruit and oak a silver medal at the 2009 minerals and flourishes of flowers. to imitate the worst Chardonnays, result- San Francisco International As good a reason as any, I think, to ing in a wine with all the character of Wine Competition (where I drink outside the box. lukewarm cream of wheat. had the privilege of judging As for Chardonnay, is there anything for a couple of years not all North Miami’s Crown Wine and that says “wussie” more than walking that long ago) but costs all of ten bucks a Somewhere in the middle of Char- Spirits (12555 Biscayne Blvd., 305- into a bar and ordering a glass of the bottle. It starts off with a bit of that honey- donnay-Sauvignon Blanc territory is 892-9463) has the Campogrande country’s most-mocked and ubiquitous suckle-floral thing Viognier is known for, another all-time favorite, the 2008 Dry Orvieto for $11.95 and McManis varietal? It’s like going to the beach in a but quickly segues into rich, citrusy Meyer Creek Chenin Blanc. Crisp and smoky Viognier for $9.99. The Dry Creek suit and kicking sand in your own face. lemon flavors, with a Chardonnay-like in the nose, on the palate it’s green Chenin Blanc and Jekel Riesling For a third, drinking outside the creamy, mouth-filling texture. apple and grapefruit with a tiny hint of each cost $10.99 at the North Chardonnay-Sauv Blanc box is a lot Another wine that hints at that ripe, the petroleum taste that marks many Miami Beach Total Wine & More cheaper. This is particularly true in honeyed richness before revealing a German Rieslings. On my personal list (14750 Biscayne Blvd., 305-354- restaurants, where Chardonnays that superb fruit-acid balance is one of my of outside-the-box white wines, this is in 3270). At $7.64, the Domaine de la are barely suitable as cleaning fluid are favorite California Rieslings, the 2008 the top five. Chauviniere Muscadet is available marked up higher than the space shuttle, vintage from Monterey County’s Jekel In the crisp, refreshing, Sauvignon at the North Miami Beach ABC Fine while “lesser” varietals have to make do Vineyards. Its lovely, aromatic begin- Blanc vein, the best deals are not only out- Wine & Spirits (16355 Biscayne with less extortionate pricing. nings can fool you into thinking it’s a side the box but outside the country. From Blvd., 305-944-6525), while the If you like the richness and fruitiness sweet-style Riesling, but underneath is Spain is the 2008 Marques de Cecares Marques de Caceres White Rioja typical of many domestic Chards, try a wine that tastes of apricots, peaches, White Rioja, whose steely green apple- can be found at the Biscayne Viognier or a full-bodied, off-dry Ries- and pineapple with a taut acid backbone. lemon-grapefruit flavors with a slight min- Commons Publix (and other Publix ling. (On the other hand, if you like the Both of these wines have the restraint to eral tang make it an ideal warm-weather, stores) for $9.99 (14641 Biscayne oaky, alcoholic, cloyingly sweet charac- play well with simply prepared fish and backyard-barbecue kind of wine. Blvd., 305-354-2171). ter of many other domestic Chardonnays, shellfish yet the heft to stand up to light Doubling down on the lemon, grape- try soaking a two-by-four in vodka and meats like chicken and veal. fruit, and minerals is a wine that begs to Feedback: [email protected]

50 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2010 Commentary: Feedback

Letters units are occupied, the square footage “improve” parks instead of requiring the will drop to about 124 square feet, an 11 acquisition of more parkland. Over the Continued from page 6 percent decline. This has occurred be- past eight years, $11 million of developer- elements (colors, furniture, and fixtures) cause the city administration and elected paid impact fees have gone to improve a to make sure they were respectful and commissioners have consistently opted few parks, but four out of five commission authentic to the midcentury period. — year after year, project after project — districts still have no additional parks. We hope Biscayne Times will do to add more residential units, but they Before we had impact fees, Miami an article on the Motel Bianco, and we have failed to add any significant park residents were urged by Mayor David encourage neighbors to stop by and see space. How did this happen? Kennedy, the late Athalie Range, and the property for themselves. Around 2007 the City of Miami attorney Dan Paul to tax themselves in went through the state-required revision order to acquire and improve Bicenten- Teri D’Amico MiMo Madness street festival, of its Neighborhood Comprehensive Plan. nial Park, Kennedy Park, and other city North Miami March 20, 2010. Editor’s note: Teri D’Amico is the It was not surprising that residents in parks. principal and senior designer of DADA, four of five commission districts stated More taxes are not necessary as the D’Amico Design Associates. Miami: The Worst Place in they wanted more parks in their districts, city has the ability to keep from falling as 80 percent of all Miami parkland farther behind if leaders add at least the USA for Public Parks — lies in District 2, along the water and 140 square feet of land for every new So These Three Lice Walk and Here’s Why on Virginia Key. This request for more resident. Land in many areas of Miami into a Bar… In the January 2010 “Park Patrol” (“One parks was repeated two years later in the can be purchased for approximately $10 I want to thank Jen Karetnick for the Real Park, Five Phony Parks”), Jim W. drafting of the city’s Parks Master Plan, per square foot. For a four-person home humor she expressed in her column Harper found and revealed the truth which cost nearly $1 million. this adds less than $6000 per unit — less “Lust for Lice” (January 2010). about the state of Miami’s parks. I would Like most public meetings under than a sales commission. Some may say We are a nonprofit treatment facility, like to expose some other phony things the Manny Diaz administration, the that this is unaffordable. We argue that and we know all too well the emotions about our parks. public was listened to at the two afore- much of the cost can and should come stirred by head lice. It is always help- BT readers should know that Miami mentioned meetings, but then ignored out of inflated land prices. ful when we can see the humor in an ranks dead last of all U.S. cities in terms when the pen hit the paper. To learn more about park issues, unavoidable problem. of park space per resident. Eight years The newly revised comprehensive please contact me at [email protected] Katie Shepherd ago we had 140 square feet per Miami plan presented to the city commission Steve Hagen, chairman Shepherd Institute for Lice Solutions resident. What readers may not know stated that impact fees collected on new Parks and Public Space Committee West Palm Beach is that when the new vacant residential construction for parks could be used to Miami Neighborhoods United

April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 51 Our Sponsors

BizBuzz pushing higher. An amazing price, really. Continued from page 8 So what? So it’s time to clean out that old jewelry box and make your way to Founded in 1938, Miami Country Cash for Gold (14390 Biscayne Blvd., Day School (601 NE 107th St., 305- 305-947-1220), where they’ll happily pay 759-2843), an indie college-prep school you top dollar for stuff you’ll never use dedicated to developing the whole child anyway. Another sweet deal. from pre-kindergarten through high To support local farmers Richard school, announces it is doing some grow- Hales, chef/owner of Sakaya Kitchen ing itself with the groundbreaking of a (Buena Vista Avenue in the Shops at Mid- new library and media center, plus the town Miami, 305-576-8096), is promoting recent purchase of a new north property. a new local farm menu. Produce picked The new BT advertiser is now enrolling Tuesday mornings usually arrives in time its popular kids’ summer camps, with to enhance that evening’s Korean-influ- the first slated to begin June 21. enced dishes. Talk about fresh… At two rather different schools, new After a billion-dollar renovation advertisers Moti Horenstein’s Mixed and expansion, it’d take half the BT to Martial Arts and Universal Dance Stu- cover all the offerings at the Fontaineb- dios (18425 NE 19th Ave.), more than leau (4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach), 2000 people of all ages have learned to a new advertiser whose physical plant defend themselves — and gotten remark- includes 11 restaurants and lounges. ably physically fit in the process. Moti is Here are just two: 20% off your casual offering something special for BT read- chic French meal at La Côte, and prix ers: a free introductory class — any class fixe bargains at Gotham Steak ($49 per offered at the two studios — for kids and person or $79 with wine pairing). Reser- adults of all ages. Register at www.mhka. vations: 877-854-0129. com or 305-935-1855. While you may have missed last Last week gold bullion continued month’s grand opening bash at new BT its climb — above $1100 per ounce and Continued on page 53

52 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2010 Our Sponsors

BizBuzz A Taste of Brickell street fair (SW 1st Continued from page 52 Ave. and 10th St., from noon to 5:30 p.m.) will enable the curious and hungry advertiser Sushi Sake (13551 Biscayne to discover how dramatically this down- Blvd., 305-947-4242), every night’s a party town neighborhood has developed. at the hip hangout, says owner Angel The guys at new advertiser Morn- Aguayo. “You dine watching the latest ingside Commerce Center want you to music videos. We want to bring a different know about their completely tricked-out twist in sushi.” And on Wednesday nights, live/work warehouse spaces for sale 99-cent sake jars fuel the festivities. or lease at great prices and in a great Alex Leonard of Yogen Früz up-and-coming neighborhood (NE 59th announces that his newest outlet will Terrace). Call 305-801-4102 for details. be opening in April at 14881 Biscayne Tired of your home having a design- Blvd. Keep an eye on the chain’s South by-default look? Drop by the new show- Florida Facebook page for info on the room of yet another new BT advertiser, grand opening date so you don’t miss the Deco One (3900 N. Miami Ave., 305-535- event’s free froyo and T-shirt giveaways. 5953). These interiors specialists design It’s hard to beat the bagels at Bagels and build custom closets, media rooms, & Company (11064 Biscayne Blvd., and much more — systems that make 305-892-2435), but one thing sure does: sense and reflect your own personality. Getting the hand-rolled beauties for free. April showers are a good thing at So be sure to check out this month’s ad, Hannah & Her Scissors (611 NE 86th St., containing coupons for a complimentary 305-772-8426), because they’re a shower dozen when you buy a dozen, plus ad- of 15% discounts for BT readers on all ditional specials for eat-in diners. services. No April foolin’ with Hannah. According to an old adage we just made up: The way to a city’s soul is Something special coming up at your business? through its stomachs. So leave room in Send info to [email protected]. yours on April 25, when the first annual For BT advertisers only.

April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 53 Dining guiDe

R ESTAURANT L ISTINGS The Biscayne Corridor’s most comprehensive restaurant guide. Total this month: 222. MIAMI with an alluringly sweet/sour citrus-dressed side salad), a lobster club on onion toast, some surprisingly solid Asian Brickell / Downtown NEW THIS MONTH maximum amounts of a luscious pancetta/egg yolk/ fusion items, and a cocktail is one of Miami’s more relax- cream sauce) is reason enough to return many times ing experiences. $$-$$$ to this friendly little trattoria. Owing to a low-visibility Abokado MIAMI location, Bocca is one of those “best kept secret” 900 S. Miami Ave., 305-347-3700 Bali Café spots. But an $18.95 three-course prix fixe menu Hamachi chiles rellenos? Shiso leaf “nachos” topped 109 NE 2nd Ave., 305-358-5751 BRICKELL / DOWNTOWN should convince even the jaded that this easy-to-miss with raw spicy tuna, kaiware sprouts, and other Asian While Indonesian food isn’t easy to find in Miami, downtown place is a must-not-miss. $$ ingredients? The Viva, a sushi roll that starts with stan- has secret stashes — small joints catering to cruise-ship and Cafeina dard Japanese (spicy tuna, cucumber, avocado), adds construction workers. This cute, exotically decorated café 297 NW 23rd St., 305-438-0792 Latin sabor (jalapeño, cilantro), wraps it in a flour tortilla, has survived and thrived for good reason. The homey cook- This elegantly comfortable multi-room indoor/outdoor NORTH MIAMI BEACH and garnishes it with heat (spicy snow crab mix)? Miami ing is delicious, and the friendly family feel encourages even venue is described as an “art gallery/lounge,” and some hasn’t tended to initiate too many food “firsts,” but this the timid of palate to try something new. Novices will want do come just for cocktails like the hefty café con leche Sushi Sake Japanese/Pan-Latin fusion place is surely one. Prices are Indonesia’s signature rijsttafel, a mix-and-match collection martinis. But don’t overlook chef Guily Booth’s 12-item 13551 Biscayne Blvd., 305-947-4242 higher than at neighborhood sushi spots, but in keeping of small dishes and condiments to be heaped on rice. Note: menu of very tasty tapas. The signature item is a truly Chic Asian-accented décor, video screens, 99-cent drink with Abokado’s Mary Brickell Village neighbors. $$$$ bring cash. No plastic accepted here. $-$$ jumbo-lump crab cake with no discernable binder. At deals, and late-night hours make this hip hangout not one South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Martha Stewart just a sushi bar but sort of a neighborhood bar, too. Acqua The Bar at Level 25 (Conrad Hotel) proclaimed it the best she’d ever had. Our own prime That said, the sushi is impressive, mainly because sea- 1435 Brickell Ave., 305-381-3190 1395 Brickell Ave., 305-503-6500 pick: melt-in-your-mouth ginger sea bass anticuchos, so food is delivered daily and all except the shrimp is fresh, On the Conrad’s 25th floor, The Bar’s picture-windowed space buttery-rich we nearly passed out with pleasure. $$ not frozen (as is customary at most Miami sushi places). Four Seasons Hotel is not just a watering hole with panoramic views. At lunch it’s Also notable: All sauces are housemade. Cooked makis Originally an Italian/Mediterranean restaurant, this com- an elegant sandwich bar; at night it’s a raw bar (with pristine Morgans Restaurant like a crunch-topped Miami Heat are most popular, but fortably elegant, upscale spot switched chefs in 2006, coldwater oysters) and (best) a tapas bar serving pintxos. 28 NE 29th St., 305-573-9678 it’s as sashimi that the fish’s freshness truly shines. resulting in a complete menu renovation. Thailand’s That’s just the Basque word for tapas, but here there’s Housed in a beautifully refurbished 1930s private home, $$-$$$ famed sense of culinary balance is now evident through- nothing mere about the generously portioned small plates. Morgans serves eclectic, sometimes internationally influ- out the global (though primarily Asian or Latin American- They range from traditional items like cod fish equixada and enced contemporary American cuisine compelling enough to Café Boogalu inspired) menu, in dishes like yuzu/white soya-dressed saffron-sautéed Spanish artichokes to inventive inspirations attract hordes. Dishes are basically comfort food, but ultimate 14480 Biscayne Blvd., 305-949-1900 salad of shrimp tempura, a tender pork shank glazed with like foie gras and goat cheese-stuffed empanadas. $$$ comfort food: the most custardy, fluffy French toast imagin- This fast-casual Brazilian eatery is the first U.S. branch spicy Szechuan citrus sauce, or lunchtime’s rare tuna able; shoestring frites that rival Belgium’s best; mouthwater- of a chain from Recife, where, legend has it, the food burger with lively wasabi aioli and wakame salad. For des- Botequim Carioca ing maple-basted bacon; miraculously terrific tofu (crisply is unusually tasty owing to the magical influence of a sert few chocoholics can resist a buttery-crusted tart filled 900 Biscayne Blvd., 305-675-1876 panko-crusted and apricot/soy-glazed); even a “voluptuous sacred African rhinoceros named Boogalu, who escaped with sinfully rich warm chocolate custard. $$$$$ If Brazil’s cuisine were defined by the USA’s Brazilian res- grilled cheese sandwich” -- definitely a “don’t ask, don’t tell from a private zoo into the region’s jungles some 150 taurants, the conclusion would be that Brazilian people eat your cardiologist” item. $$-$$$ years ago. Judge for yourself by sampling our more Area 31 nothing but rodizio (all-you-can-eat meat), and weigh, on modern pick, the Boogalu salad (sesame-topped shrimp, 270 Biscayne Boulevard Way, 305-524-5234 average, 400 pounds. This Brazilian pub broadens the pic- Q mixed greens, sun-dried tomato, and mozzarella, with Not that the sleek interior of this seafood restaurant ture, with a menu that offers entrées, especially at lunch, 4029 N. Miami Ave., 305-227-2378 an unusual sweet peach dressing). For heavier eaters (named for fishing area 31, stretching from the Carolinas but highlights Brazilian tapas -- mega-mini plates meant Unlike most urban barbecue joints, this neo-rustic road- there are rhino-size steak, chicken, seafood, and pasta to South America) isn’t a glamorous dining setting. But for sharing. Must-not-misses include pasteles filled with house uses a genuine wood/charcoal-fired Bewley pit from entrées for mouse-size prices. $$ we’d eat outside. From the expansive terrace of the shrimp and creamy catupiry cheese, beautifully seasoned Texas to flavor its subtly smoky slow-cooked barbecue. And Epic condo and hotel on the Miami River, the views of bolinho de bacalau (fried salt cod dumplings), and aipim anyone with working taste buds will discern the difference Brickell’s high-rises actually make Miami look like a real frito (house-special yuca fries, the best in town). $$$ in chef/owner Jonathan Eismann’s vinegar-basted North AVENTURA / MIAMI GARDENS city. It’s hard to decide whether the eats or drinks are the Carolina-style pulled pork, his tender-firm (rather than most impressive. The food is impeccably fresh regional Café Sambal inauthentically falling-off-the-bone) dry-rubbed spareribs, Fuji Hana fish, prepared in a clean Mediterranean-influenced style. 500 Brickell Key Dr., 305-913-8358 succulently fatty briskets, and juicy chickens. Tabletop 2775 NE 187th St., Suite #1, 305-932-8080 The cocktails are genuinely creative. Luckily you don’t Though the Mandarin Oriental Hotel describes this space housemade sauces (particularly a piquant mustard-cider A people-pleasing menu of typical Thai and Japanese have to choose one or the other. $$$-$$$$ as its “casual hotel restaurant,” many consider it a more St. Louis potion) are enhancers, not essentials. $$-$$$ dishes, plus some appealing contemporary creations spectacular dining setting than the upscale Azul, upstairs, (like the Spicy Crunchy Tuna Roll, an inside-out tuna/ Azul owing to the option of dining outdoors on a covered terrace avocado/tempura maki, topped with more tuna and 500 Brickell Key Dr., 305-913-8254 directly on the waterfront. The food is Asian-inspired, with a NORTH MIAMI served with a luscious creamy cilantro sauce) has made Floor-to-ceiling picture windows showcase Biscayne Bay. few Latin and Mediterranean accents. For the health-con- this eatery a longtime favorite. But vegetarians -- for But diners are more likely to focus on the sparkling raw scious, the menu includes low-cal choices. For hedonists Bocca Ristorante Italiano whom seafood-based condiments can make Asian bar and open kitchen, where chef Clay Conley crafts imag- there’s a big selection of artisan sakes. $$$-$$$$$ 1699 NE 123rd St., 305-891-4899 foods a minefield -- might want to add the place to their inative global creations – many of them combinations, One word: Spaghetti chitarra alla carbonara. Okay, “worth a special drive” list, thanks to chefs’ winning ways to satisfy those who want it all. One offering, “A Study The Democratic Republic of Beer four words. But this one dish alone (housemade pasta with tofu and all-around accommodation to veg-only in Tuna,” includes tuna sashimi, Maine crab, avocado 255 NE 14th St., 305-372-4161 whose square-cut, irregular texture perfectly traps diets. $$-$$$ tempura, and caviar, with several Asian sauces. Moroccan The food here? Beer is food! The DRB serves 400 beers from lamb is three preparations (grilled chop, harissa-mari- 55 countries, ranging from $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon to $40 nated loin, and bastilla, the famed savory-sweet Middle DeuS (an 11.5% alcohol Belgian méthode Champenoise Eastern pastry, stuffed with braised shank. $$$$$ brew). But for those favoring solid snacks, tasty global small- which range from Nuevo Latino-style ginger/orange-glazed Brian Basti, this hip hangout was designed to entice ish plates include fried fresh zucchini with dip (cheese recom- pork tenderloin to a platter of Kobe mini-burgers, all cost downtown workers to linger after office hours. And even Balans mended); chorizo with homemade cilantro mayo; or steak either $18 or $23. And the price includes an appetizer without the expansive, casual-chic space as bait, interna- 901 S. Miami Ave., 305-534-9191 tacos, served Mexican-style with onions, cilantro, and spicy -- no low-rent crapola, either, but treats like Serrano ham tionally award-winning Italian pizza chef Massimo Fabio (Mary Brickell Village) salsa. Sadly for breakfast-brew enthusiasts, the DRB isn’t croquetas, a spinach/leek tart with Portobello mushroom Bruni’s exquisitely airy, burn-blistered pies, made from Open until 4:00 a.m. on weekends, this London import open that early. But it is open late -- till 5:00 a.m. $$ sauce, or shrimp-topped eggplant timbales. The best homemade dough, could do the trick. The rest of the (Miami’s second Balans) offers a sleeker setting than its seats are on the glam rooftop patio. $$$ organically oriented menu may also great, but with pizzas perennially popular Lincoln Road progenitor, but the same Dolores, But You Can Call Me Lolita like the cream/mushroom-topped Bianca beckoning, we’ll simple yet sophisticated global menu. The indoor space 1000 S. Miami Ave., 305-403-3103 Ecco Pizzateca & Lounge never know. $-$$$ can get mighty loud, but lounging on the dog-friendly out- From the stylish setting in Miami’s historic Firehouse No. 168 SE 1st St., 305-960-1900 door terrace, over a rich croque monsieur (which comes 4, one would expect a mighty pricy meal. But entrées, Masterminded by Aramis Lorie (of PS14) and partner Continued on page 56

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April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 55 Dining Guide

Restaurant Listings Mulino, originally run by Il Gabbiano’s owners. The rest mostly small-plate menu ranges from the expected Perricone’s 15 SE 10th St., 305-374-9449 Continued from page 54 of the food? Pricy, but portions are mammoth. And the (grilled skirt steak with chimichurri; new-style ceviches, champagne-cream-sauced housemade ravioli with black and luxe sushi rolls) to a small but tantalizing selection Housed in a Revolutionary-era barn (moved from truffles? Worth every penny. $$$$$ of chef Gerdy Rodriguez’s signature creations. Lunch Vermont), this market/café was one of the Brickell area’s Eos fare includes modernized “Minuta” fish sandwiches first gentrified amenities. At lunch chicken salad is a 485 Brickell Ave. (Viceroy Hotel) Indochine (avocado/habanero vinaigrette-dressed hamachi on favorite; dinner’s strong suit is the pasta list, ranging 305-503-0373 638 S. Miami Ave., 305-379-1525 nori Kaiser rolls), while dinner offers edgier inventions from Grandma Jennie’s old-fashioned lasagna to chichi Unlike their Michelin-starred New Adriatic restaurant Indochine has succeeded by morphing from mere restau- like confit pork belly with a panko-crusted egg yolk cap- fiocchi purses filled with fresh pear and gorgonzola. And Anthos, in Manhattan, this venture of chef Michael rant into hip hangout. Copious special events draw every- sula, the yolk nitrogen-frozen before frying to achieve a Sunday’s $15.95 brunch buffet ($9.95 for kids) – fea- Psilakis and restaurateur Donatella Arpaia has influences one from downtown business types to the counterculture crisp crust and delightfully improbable oozing interior. turing an omelet station, waffles, smoked salmon and ranging way beyond Greece to the whole Mediterranean crowd. Not that there’s anything “mere” about the range $$$ bagels, salads, and more – remains one of our town’s region, and even Latin America. Unchanged is Psilakis’ of food served from three Asian nations. Light eaters can most civilized all-you-can-eat deals. $$ solid creativity, and a beautiful sense of balance that snack on Vietnamese summer rolls or Japanese sushi Miami’s Chophouse makes even very unfamiliar combinations taste acces- rolls. For bigger appetites, there are Thai curries and 300 S. Biscayne Blvd.,305-938-9000 Prelude sible. So skip the safe stuff and go for the luxuriantly Vietnamese specialties like pho, richly flavored beef soup Formerly Manny’s Steakhouse, Miami’s Chophouse Adrienne Arsht Center custardy, egg yolk-enriched lobster and sea urchin risotto, with meatballs, steak slices, rice noodles, and add-in retains basically everything but the famed name (from 1300 Biscayne Blvd., 305-949-6722 or any raw seafood item, especially the unique marlin with Asian herbs and sprouts. $$-$$$ the original Manny’s in Minneapolis), and remains Though the opening of Barton G.’s elegant performing pistachio, apricot, and house-cured speck. $$$-$$$$ Miami’s most intentionally masculine steakhouse. arts center eatery did feature a live giraffe, the food’s Iron Sushi Here, ensconced in your black leather booth, everything actually more grown-up than at his original SoBe spot. Fratelli Milano 120 SE 3rd Ave., 305-373-2000 is humongous: dry-aged choice-grade steaks like the The concept is prix fixe: Any three courses on the menu 213 S. Miami Ave., 305-373-2300 (See Miami Shores listing) Bludgeon of Beef (a boldly flavorful 40-ounce bone-in (meaning three entrées if you want) for $39. Highlights Downtown isn’t yet a 24/7 urban center, but it’s experi- ribeye, described as “part meat, part weapon”); king crab include silky, tarragon-inflected corn/bacon chowder, encing a mini explosion of eateries open at night. That La Loggia Ristorante and Lounge legs that dwarf the plate; cocktail shrimp that could swal- beautifully plated beef carpaccio with horseradish/mus- includes this family-owned ristorante, where even new- 68 W. Flagler St., 305-373-4800 low the Loch Ness monster whole; two-fisted cocktails tard and shallot olive oil dipping sauces; and over-the-top comers feel at home. At lunch it’s almost impossible to This luxuriantly neo-classical yet warm Italian restaurant that would fell a T-Rex. Not for the frail. $$$$$ playhouse desserts, one with a luscious crème fraiche ice resist panini, served on foccacia or crunchy ciabatta; even was unquestionably a pioneer in revitalizing downtown. cream pop. $$$$ the vegetarian version bursts with complex and comple- With alternatives like amaretto-tinged pumpkin agnolloti Miami’s Finest Caribbean Restaurant mentary flavors. During weekday dinners, try generous in sage butter sauce and cilantro-spiced white bean/veg- 236 NE 1st Ave. Puntino Downtown plates of risotto with shrimp and grilled asparagus; home- etable salad dressed with truffle oil, proprietors Jennifer 305-381-9254 353 SE 2nd Ave., 305-371-9661 made pastas like seafood-packed fettuccine al scoglio; or Porciello and Horatio Oliveira continue to draw a lunch Originally from Jamaica, proprietor Miss Pat has been The first U.S. venture of a hotelier from Naples, this stylish delicate Vitello alla Milanese on arugula. $$-$$$ crowd that returns for dinner, or perhaps just stays on serving her traditional homemade island specialties to little place is open Monday through Saturday for dinner through the afternoon, fueled by the Lawyer’s Liquid Lunch, downtown office workers and college students since the as well as lunch. Ambiance is fashionably cool Milanese Fresco California Bistro a vodka martini spiked with sweetened espresso. $$$ early 1990s. Most popular item here might be the week- rather than effusively warm Neapolitan. The food too is 1744 SW 3rd Ave., 305-858-0608 day lunch special of jerk chicken with festival (sweet-fried mostly contemporary rather than traditional. But in true This festively decorated indoor/outdoor bistro packs a lot La Moon cornmeal bread patties), but even vegetarians are well Italian style, the best stuff stays simple: an antipasto plat- of party spirit into a small space, a large variety of food 144 SW 8th St., 305-860-6209 served with dishes like a tofu, carrot, and chayote curry. ter of imported cold cuts with crostini and housemade onto its menu. To the familiar Latin American/Italian equa- At four in the morning, nothing quells the munchies like All entrées come with rice and peas, fried plantains, and marinated veggies; crisp-fried calamari and shrimp; airy tion, the owners add a touch of Cal-Mex (like Tex-Mex but a Crazy Burger, a Colombian take on a trucker’s burger: salad, so no one leaves hungry. $ gnocchi with sprightly tomato sauce, pools of melted more health conscious). Menu offerings range from design- beef patty, bacon, ham, mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, and bufala mozzarella, and fresh basil. $$-$$$ er pizzas and pastas to custardy tamales, but the bistro’s a fried egg, with an arepa corn pancake “bun.” While this Novecento especially known for imaginative meal-size salads, like one tiny place’s late hours (till 6:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday) 1414 Brickell Ave., 305-403-0900 The River Oyster Bar featuring mandarin oranges, avocado, apple, blue cheese, are surprising, the daytime menu is more so. In addition For those who think “Argentine cuisine” is a synonym for 650 S. Miami Ave., 305-530-1915 raisins, candied pecans, and chicken on a mesclun bed. $$ to Colombian classics, there’s a salad Nicoise with grilled “beef and more beef,” this popular eatery’s wide range of This casually cool jewel is a full-service seafood spot, as fresh tuna, seared salmon with mango salsa, and other more cosmopolitan contemporary Argentine fare will be a evidenced by tempting menu selections like soft-shell Garcia’s Seafood Grille and Fish Market yuppie favorites. $-$$ revelation. Classic parrilla-grilled steaks are here for tradi- crabs with grilled vegetables, corn relish, and remoulade. 398 NW N. River Dr., 305-375-0765 tionalists, but the menu is dominated by creative Nuevo There are even a few dishes to please meat-and-potatoes Run by a fishing family for a couple of generations, this La Provence Latino items like a new-style ceviche de chernia (lightly diners, like short ribs with macaroni and cheese. But venerable Florida fish shack is the real thing. No worries 1064 Brickell Ave., 786-425-9003 lime-marinated grouper with jalapeños, basil, and the oyster fans will find it difficult to resist stuffing themselves about the seafood’s freshness; on their way to the dining Great baguettes in the bread basket, many believe, indi- refreshing sweet counterpoint of watermelon), or crab ravi- silly on the unusually large selection, especially since deck overlooking the Miami River, diners can view the cate a great meal to come. But when Miamians encounter oli with creamy saffron sauce. Especially notable are the oysters are served both raw and cooked – fire-roasted retail fish market. Best preparations are the simplest. such bread -- crackling crust outside; moist, aromatic, entrée salads. $$-$$$ with sofrito butter, chorizo, and manchego. There’s also When stone crabs are in season, Garcia’s claws are as aerated interior -- it’s likely not from a restaurant’s own a thoughtful wine list and numerous artisan beers on good as Joe’s but considerably cheaper. The local fish kitchen, but from La Provence. Buttery croissants and par- Oceanaire Seafood Room tap. $$$ sandwich is most popular – grouper, yellowtail snapper, ty-perfect pastries are legend too. Not so familiar is the 900 S. Miami Ave., 305-372-8862 or mahi mahi. $-$$ bakery’s café component, whose sandwich/salad menu With a dozen branches nationwide, Oceanaire may Rosa Mexicano reflects local eclectic tastes. But French items like pan seem more All-American seafood empire than Florida 900 S. Miami Ave., 786-425-1001 Giovana Caffe bagnats (essentially salade Niçoise on artisan bread) will fish shack, but menus vary significantly according to This expansive indoor/outdoor space offers a dining expe- 154 SE 1st Ave., 305-374-1024 truly transport diners to co-owner David Thau’s Provençal regional tastes and fish. Here in Miami, chef Sean rience that’s haute in everything but price. Few entrées If the menu at this charming downtown hideaway homeland. $$ Bernal supplements signature starters like lump crab top $20. The décor is both date-worthy and family-friendly contained only one item -- pear and gorgonzola ravioli cakes with his own lightly marinated, Peruvian-style – festive but not kitschy. And nonsophisticates needn’t dressed, not drowned, in sage-spiced cream sauce -- we’d Le Boudoir Brickell grouper ceviche. The daily-changing, 15-20 specimen fear; though nachos aren’t available, there is nothing be happy. But the café, formerly lunch-only but now serv- 188 SE 12th Terr., 305-372-233 seafood selection includes local fish seldom seen on scary about zarape de pato (roast duck between freshly ing weekday dinners, is also justly famed for meal-size At this French bakery/café, mornings start seriously, local menus: pompano, parrot fish, amberjack. But made, soft corn tortillas, topped with yellow-and-habane- salads like grilled skirt steak atop sweetly balsamic- with choices ranging from quality cheese, charcuterie/ even flown-in fish (and the raw bar’s cold-water oys- ro-pepper cream sauce), or Rosa’s signature guacamole dressed spinach (with spinach, tomatoes, bacon, hard- pâté, or smoked salmon platters to chic Continental and ters) are ultra-fresh. $$$$ en molcajete, made tableside. A few pomegranate mar- boiled eggs, blue cheese, and almonds), or an especially complete American breakfasts. At lunch, generously garitas ensure no worries. $$$ lavish chicken salad with pine nuts, golden raisins, salad-garnished, open-faced tartines are irresistible. But Pasha’s apples, and basil, an Italian twist. $$ sophisticated salads and homemade soups make the 1414 Brickell Ave., 305-416-5116 Solymar choice tough. And do not skip dessert. Superb sweets The original branch on Lincoln Road was instantly 315 S. Biscayne Blvd., 305-371-3421 Grimpa Steakhouse include rich almond/fresh raspberry or properly tangy popular, and the same healthy Middle Eastern fast food Housed in the stunning space with great water views 901 Brickell Plaza, 305-455-4757 lemon tarts, traditional Madeleines, airy layered mousses, is served at several newer outlets. The prices are low originally occupied by Prime Blue Grille, Solymar similarly This expansive indoor/outdoor Brazilian eatery is sleekly and addictive mini-macaroon sandwich cookies with daily- enough that you might suspect Pasha’s was a tax write-off pursues the power lunch crowd with steaks and seafood, contemporary, but no worries. The classic sword-wielding changing fillings. $-$$ rather than a Harvard Business School project, which it but with a stronger Latin accent. There’s more emphasis gauchos are here, serving a mind-reeling assortment of was by founders Antonio Ellek and Nicolas Cortes. Dishes on snacks, too, making happy hour a great time to sample skewered beef, chicken, lamb, pork, sausages, and fish. Martini 28 range from falafel and gyros to more unusual items like $2.50 tapas like conch fritters with spicy Argentine pink And included in the price (dinner $47, lunch $34) is the 146 SE 1st Ave., 305-577-4414 muhammara (tangy walnut spread) and silky labneh sauce and palmito salad, sparkling-fresh Amarillo chili- traditional belly-busting buffet of hot and cold prepared This stylish little lunch-only spot, a labor of love from yogurt cheese. Everything from pitas to lemonade is made spiked Peruvian shrimp ceviche, or festive fish/lump crab foods, salad, cold cuts, and cheeses. A pleasant, nontra- a husband-wife chef team, serves what might well be fresh, from scratch, daily. $-$$ sliders, along with half-off drinks. $$$-$$$$ ditional surprise: unusual sauces like sweet/tart passion the most impressive meal deal in town. From an ambi- fruit or mint, tomato-based BBQ, and mango chutney, tious, daily-changing menu of fare that’s geographically Peoples Bar-B-Que Soya & Pomodoro along with the ubiquitous chimichurri. $$$$-$$$$$ eclectic but prepared with solid classic technique, diners 360 NW 8th St., 305-373-8080 120 NE 1st St., 305-381-9511 get a choice of about ten entrées (substantial stuff like Oak-smoked, falling-off-the-bone tender barbecued ribs Life is complicated. Food should be simple. That’s owner Il Gabbiano steak au poivre with Madeira cream sauce and roasted (enhanced with a secret sauce whose recipe goes back Armando Alfano’s philosophy, which is stated above the 335 S. Biscayne Blvd., 305-373-0063 potatoes, or pignolia-crusted salmon with Dijon mustard several generations) are the main draw at this Overtown entry to his atmospheric downtown eatery. And since Its location at the mouth of the Miami River makes this sauce, potatoes, and veggies), plus soup or salad and institution. But the chicken is also a winner, plus there’s it’s also the formula for the truest traditional Italian food ultra-upscale Italian spot (especially the outdoor terrace) housemade dessert. For just $9.99. Told ya. $ a full menu of soul food entrées, including what many afi- (Alfano hails from Pompeii), it’s fitting that the menu is the perfect power lunch/business dinner alternative cionados consider our town’s tastiest souse. And it would dominated by authentically straightforward yet sophisti- to steakhouses. And the culinary experience goes way MIA at Biscayne be unthinkable to call it quits without homemade sweet cated Italian entrées. There are salads and sandwiches, beyond the typical meat market, thanks in part to the 20 Biscayne Blvd., 305-642-0032 potato pie or banana pudding, plus a bracing flop – half flood of freebies that’s a trademark of Manhattan’s Il At this expansive, ultra-glam restolounge, the eclectic, iced tea, half lemonade. $-$$ Continued on page 57

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Restaurant Listings plated with orange-ginger sauce. But there are tomato- contemporary (high loft ceilings) and Old World (tables made Midtown / Wynwood / Design District Continued from page 56 sauced meatballs with ri’gawt for Grandpa Vinnie, too. from wine barrels). Cuisine is similarly geared to the area’s $$-$$$ smart new residents: creative sandwiches and salads at Adelita’s Café lunch, tapas and larger internationally themed Spanish, too. The most enjoyable place to dine is the secret, open- Urbanite Bistro 2699 Biscayne Blvd., 305-576-1262 Italian, or French charcuterie platters at night. Though the air courtyard. Alfano serves dinner on Thursdays only to 62 NE 14th St., 305-374-0662 From the street (which is actually NE 26th, not Biscayne) place is small and family-run friendly, chef Alfredo Patino accompany local musicians and artists. $-$$ Ambitious but neither pretentious nor pricey, this multi- this Honduran restaurant seems unpromising, but inside offers sophisticated snacks like the figciutto: arugula, gor- room, indoor/outdoor bistro is just the sort of friendly it’s bigger, better, and busier than it looks. Unlike many gonzola dolce, caramelized onions, pine nuts, fresh figs, and Thai Angel hangout the neighborhood needs. Chef Frank Imbarlina’s Latin American eateries, this one sticks close to the prosciutto. Free parking behind the building. $$ 152 SE 1st Ave., 305-371-9748 menu features hip contemporary fare like natural boar source and proves a crowd-pleaser. On weekends espe- Inside a colorful courtyard that rather resembles chops with a savory-sweet soy/chopped pecan crust. Fish cially, the dining rooms are packed with families enjoying Buena Vista Bistro Munchkinland, this downtown “insider’s secret” serves fans and vegetarians will find equally enjoyable large and authentic fare like baleadas (thick corn tacos), tajadas 4582 NE 2nd Ave., 305-456-5909 serious Thai food till 9:00 p.m. daily. Tasty classics like small plates: potato-wrapped local pompano; beautifully (Honduras’s take on tostones), rich meal-in-a-bowl soups If a neighborhood eatery like this one — which serves the four curries (red, green, panang, and massaman) seasoned veg siu mai; shrimp corndogs with mustard and packed with seafood or meat and veggies, and more. $ supremely satisfying bistro food — were within walking come custom-spiced -- mild to authentically brain-searing mango dips. Other pluses include an imaginative late- distance of every Miami resident, we’d be a helluva hip -- and are so affordable there’s no guilt in splurging on night menu and free valet parking. $$-$$$ Bay View Grille food town. Like true Parisian bistros, it’s open continu- superb house specials like crisp-coated duck or fresh 1633 N. Bayshore Dr. (Marriott Hotel) ously, every day, with prices so low that you can drop in snapper (whole or filleted) in tamarind sauce. The young Waxy O’Connor’s 305-536-6414 anytime for authentic rillettes (a rustic pâté) with a crusty chef has a heavenly hand at tofu, too, so vegetarians are 690 SW 1st Ct., 786-871-7660 This expansive restaurant has no outdoor component, but baguette, steak with from-scratch frites, salmon atop rata- very well-served. $$ While the menu of this casually craic (Gaelic for “fun”) floor-to-ceiling windows and a multi-level layout means every touille, or many changing blackboard specials. Portions Irish pub will be familiar to fans of the South Beach Waxy’s, table has a Biscayne Bay view, which we find particularly are plentiful. So is free parking. $$ Tobacco Road the location is far superior -- on the Miami River, with enjoyable in the morning, over a fresh asparagus and 626 S. Miami Ave., 305-374-1198 waterfront deck. And none of Miami’s Irish eateries offers Boursin cheese omelet or huevos à la cubana (fried eggs The Cheese Course Prohibition-era speakeasy (reputedly a fave of Al Capone), as much authentic traditional fare. Especially evocative: and cheese on black beans). Lunch and dinner menus are 3451 NE 1st Ave., 786-220-6681 gay bar, strip club. Previously all these, this gritty spot has imported oak-smoked Irish salmon with housemade brown a “greatest hits” mix (steaks, pasta, Caesar salad), featuring Not so much a restaurant as an artisanal cheese shop with been best known since 1982 as a venue for live music, bread; puff-pastry-wrapped Irish sausage rolls; lunchtime’s appealing local accents like a hefty fried or blackened grou- complimentary prepared foods, this place’s self-service café primarily blues. But it also offers food from lunchtime imported Irish bacon or banger “butty” sandwiches on per sandwich on ciabatta roll, with remoulade sauce. $$-$$$ component nevertheless became an instant hit. Impeccable to late night (on weekends till 4:00 a.m.). The kitchen is crusty baguettes, served with hand-cut fries, the latter par- ingredients and inspired combinations make even the especially known for its chili, budget-priced steaks, and ticularly terrific dipped in Waxy’s curry sauce. $$ Bengal simplest salads and sandwiches unique -- like bacon and burgers. There’s also surprisingly elegant fare, though, 2010 Biscayne Blvd., 305-403-1976 egg, elevated by hand-crafted cream cheese, roasted red like a Norwegian salmon club with lemon aioli. A meat- Wok Town At this Indian eatery the décor is cool and contemporary: peppers, avocado, and chipotle mayo. Cheese platters are smoker in back turns out tasty ribs. $$ 119 SE 1st Ave., 305-371-9993 muted gray and earth-tone walls, tasteful burgundy ban- exceptional, and customized for flavor preference from mild Judging from the takeout window, the minimalist décor quettes. And the menu touts “Modern Indian Cuisine” to bold, and accompanied by appropriate fruits, veggies, Tre Italian Bistro (with communal seating), and predominance of American to match the look. Classicists, however, needn’t worry. nuts, olives, prepared spreads, and breads. $$ 270 E. Flagler St. veggies on the menu, this Asian fast-food eatery, owned America’s favorite familiar north Indian flavors are here, 305-373-3303 by Shai Ben-Ami (a Miss Yip and Domo Japones veteran) though dishes are generally more mildly spiced and pre- Clive’s Café “Bistro” actually sounds too Old World for this cool hang- may initially seem akin to those airport Oriental steam sented with modern flair. All meats are certified halal, 2818 N. Miami Ave., 305-576-0277 out, from the owners of downtown old-timer La Loggia, tables. Wrong. Custom-cooked by Chinese chefs, starters Islam’s version of kosher — which doesn’t mean that obser- Some still come for the inexpensive, hearty American but “restolounge” sounds too glitzy. Think of it as a neigh- (like soy/garlic-coated edamame), salads, and have-it- vant orthodox Jews can eat here, but Muslims can. $$$ breakfasts and lunches that this homey hole-in-the-wall borhood “bistrolounge.” The food is mostly modernized your-way stir-fries, fried rice, or noodle bowls burst with has served for more than 30 years. Since about 1990, Italian, with Latin and Asian accents: a prosciutto-and-fig bold, fresh flavor. The proof: a startlingly savory miso beef Bin No. 18 though, when owner Pearline Murray (“Ms. Pearl” to pizza with Brazilian catupiry cheese; gnocchi served either salad, with sesame/ginger/scallion dressing. Bubble tea, 1800 Biscayne Blvd., 786-235-7575 as finger food (fried, with calamata olive/truffle aioli), or too! $$ At this wine bar/café, the décor is a stylish mix of Continued on page 58

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Dining Guide

Restaurant Listings sandwiches (like prosciutto and fresh mozzarella, dressed Continued from page 57 with a unique sumac vinaigrette) at this concealed café, hidden on the Venetia condo’s mezzanine. Owners Ana Oliva and Fadia Sarkis scour local markets daily for the regulars) and cook Gloria Chin began emphasizing their freshest of ingredients, and their breads (plus light-crust- native Jamaican specialties, the intensely spiced grilled ed empanadas and sinful Ghirardelli chocolate cake) are jerk chicken has been the main item here. Other favorites: all baked in-house. On Saturdays the grrrls’ll even deliver savory rice and pigeon peas; eye-opening onion/vinegar- you an elegant (yet inexpensive) breakfast in bed. $ flavored escovitch fish; sweet plantains; and cabbage that redefines the vegetable. $ Joey’s Italian Café 2506 NW 2nd Ave., 305-438-0488 The Daily Creative Food Co. The first new restaurant in the Wynwood Café District, 2001 Biscayne Blvd., 305-573-4535 this stylish indoor/outdoor Italian hangout is as casually While the food formula of this contemporary café is cool as one would hope — and as affordable. There’s familiar – sandwiches, salads, soups, breakfast food, and a five-buck half-serving of spaghetti al pomodoro and pastries, plus coffee and fruit drinks – a creative concept respectable vino for under $30. And few can resist differentiates the place. Signature sandwiches are named delicately thin, crunchy-crusted pizzas like the creative after national and local newspapers, including Biscayne Dolce e Piccante or orgasmic Carbonara. Pastas are Times, giving diners something to chat about. Sandwiches fresh; produce is largely local; the mosaic-centered décor and salads can also be do-it-yourself projects, with an is minimalist but inviting. And no need to be wary of the unusually wide choice of main ingredients, garnishes, warehouse district at night: Valet parking is free. $$-$$$ breads, and condiments for the creatively minded. $ La Provence Delicias Peruanas 2200 Biscayne Blvd., 305-576-8002 2590 Biscayne Blvd., 305-573-4634 (See Brickell / Downtown listing.) Seafood is the specialty at this pleasant Peruvian spot, as it was at the nearby original Delicias, run by members of Latin Café 2000 the same family. The food is as tasty as ever, especially 2501 Biscayne Blvd., 305-576-3838 the reliably fresh traditional ceviches, and for those who The menu is similar to that at many of our town’s Latin like their fish tangy but cooked, a mammoth jalea platter. cafés, largely classic Cuban entrées and sandwiches, with As for nonseafood stuff, Peru practically invented fusion a smattering of touches from elsewhere in Latin America, cuisine (in the 1800s), such as two traditional noodle such as a Peruvian jalea mixta (marinated mixed seafood), dishes: tallerin saltado and tallerin verde. $$ or paella Valenciana from Spain, which many Miami eateries consider a Latin country. What justifies the new millennium 18th Street Café moniker is the more modern, yuppified/yucafied ambiance, 210 NE 18th St., 305-381-8006 encouraged by an expansive, rustic wooden deck. $$ Most of the seating in this cool little breakfast/lunch room is in a sort of giant bay window, backed with banquettes, Lemoni Café that makes the space feel expansive. This pioneer- 4600 NE 2nd Ave., 305-571-5080 ing place deserves to survive, even if just considering The menu here reads like your standard sandwiches/ the roast beef sandwich with creamy horseradish – an salads/starters primer. What it doesn’t convey is the inspired classic combination that makes one wonder why freshness of the ingredients and the care that goes more places in this town don’t serve it. Other culinary into their use. Entrée-size salads range from an elegant highlights include a turkey/pear/cheddar melt sandwich, spinach (goat cheese, pears, walnuts, raisins) to chunky and really sinful marshmallow-topped brownies. $ homemade chicken salad on a bed of mixed greens. Sandwiches (cold baguette subs, hot pressed paninis, or Five Guys Famous Burger and Fries wraps, all accompanied by side salads) include a respect- Shops at Midtown Miami able Cuban and a veggie wrap with a deceptively rich- Buena Vista Avenue, 305-571-8341 tasting light salad cream. $-$$ No green-leaf faux health food here. You get what the name says, period, with three adds: kosher dogs, veg- Lime Fresh Mexican Grill gie burgers, and free peanuts while you wait. Which you Shops at Midtown Miami will, just a bit, since burgers are made fresh upon order. Buena Vista Avenue, 305-576-5463 Available in double or one-patty sizes, they’re well-done Like its South Beach predecessor, this Lime was an but spurtingly juicy, and after loading with your choice of instant hit, as much for being a hip new Midtown hangout free garnishes, even a “little” burger makes a major meal. as for its carefully crafted Tex-Mex food. The concept Fries (regular or Cajun-spiced) are also superior, hand-cut is “fast casual” rather than fast food – meaning nice in-house from sourced potatoes. $ enough for a night out. It also means ingredients are always fresh. Seafood tacos are about as exotic as the Fratelli Lyon menu gets, but the mahi mahi for fish tacos comes from 4141 NE 2nd Ave., 305-572-2901 a local supplier, and salsas are housemade daily. Niceties This Italian café has been packed since the moment include low-carb tortillas and many Mexican beers. $ it opened. No surprise to any who recall owner Ken Lyon’s pioneering Lyon Frères gourmet store on Lincoln Lost & Found Saloon Road (1992-97), another joint that was exactly what its 185 NW 36th St., 305-576-1008 neighborhood needed. The restaurant’s artisan salumi, There’s an artsy/alternative feel to this casual and friend- cheeses, flavorful boutique olive oils, and more are so ly Wynwood eatery, which, since opening as a weekday- outstanding that you can’t help wishing it also had a retail only breakfast and lunch joint in 2005, has grown with its component. Entrées include properly al dente pastas, plus neighborhood. It’s now open for dinner six nights a week, some regional specialties like Venetian-style calves liver, serving Southwestern-style fare at rock-bottom prices. rarely found outside Italy. $$$ Dishes like piñon and pepita-crusted salmon, chipotle- drizzled endive stuffed with lump crab, or customizable Grass tacos average $5-$8. Also available: big breakfasts and 28 NE 40th St., 305-573-3355 salads, hearty soups, housemade pastries like lemon- Chef Michael Jacobs’s menu travels beyond pan-Asian crusted wild berry pie, and a hip beer and wine list. $ and Mediterranean influences into the Americas. Entrées range from comfort food (cunningly reinvented mini pot Maino Churrascaria pies) to high-status extravagance (stone-seared, authen- 2201 Biscayne Blvd., 305-571-9044 tic Kobe steak). For healthy grazers, raw-bar selections This very upscale Brazilian steakhouse has all the fea- include ceviches and a large seafood platter. There’s also tures you expect, including all-you-can-eat meats carved a snack menu (pristine coldwater oysters, a crab salad tableside and a lavish buffet. What sets Maino apart from timbale, parmesan-truffle shoestring fries, mini-Kobe typical rodizio palaces is its family-run feel, intimate rather burgers) served till the wee hours, providing a welcome than intimidating, plus its attention to every detail. While alternative to the Boulevard’s fast food chains. $$-$$$$$ it’s rare at most rodizio joints to get meat done less than medium, Maino will cook to order. One other welcome The Girrrlz of Sandwich difference: There are à la carte starters and pastas for 555 NE 15th St., 2nd floor (Venetia condo) lighter eaters and noncarnivores, and some lunch spe- 305-374-4305 cials. Free parking, too. $$-$$$$$ Riot Grrrl DIY spirit shines in the homemade soups, sweets, salads, and exceptionally tasty warm baguette Continued on page 59

58 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2010 Dining Guide

Restaurant Listings Pacific Time 35 NE 40th St., 305-722-7369 Continued from page 58 Everyone knew Jonathan Eismann’s original Pacific Time, for many years Lincoln Road’s only serious restaurant. Maitardi How different is its new incarnation? Very, and it’s all 163 NE 39th St., 305-572-1400 good, starting with far superior acoustics, an admirably Though we admired the ambitious approach of Oak green ecological policy, and a neighborhood-friendly Plaza’s original tenant, Brosia, this more informal, inex- attitude. While the addition of Mediterranean influences pensive, and straightforwardly Italian concept of veteran to the Pacific Rim menu may sound confusing, trust us: Lincoln Road restaurateur Graziano Sbroggio seems a A meal that includes a butter-grilled asparagus with pro- more universal lure for the Design District’s central “town sciutto, soft-cooked egg Milanese, and preserved lemon; square.” The mostly outdoor space remains unaltered plus an Asian-accented creamy corn/leek soup with Peeky save a wood-burning oven producing flavorfully char-bub- Toe crab dumplings, coriander, and mustard oil makes bled pizza creations, plus a vintage meat slicer dispens- perfect sense on the tongue. $$-$$$$ ing wild boar salamino, bresaola (cured beef), and other artisan salumi. Other irresistibles: fried artichokes with Pasha’s lemony aioli; seafood lasagna with heavenly dill-lobster 3801 N. Miami Ave., 305-573-0201 sauce. $$-$$$ (See Brickell/Downtown listing) Mandolin Aegean Bistro Pizzavolante 4312 NE 2nd Ave., 305-576-6066 3918 N. Miami Ave., 305-573-5325 Inside this converted 1940s home’s blue-and-white dining At this tiny pizza/mozzarella bar, Jonathan Eismann’s room -- or even more atmospherically, its tree-sheltered inspired topping combos and astonishingly high-quality garden -- diners feast on authentic rustic fare from both ingredients prove that star-chef skills are not wasted on Greece and Turkey. Make a meal of multinational mezes: humble fare. Carnivores must try the Cacciatorini, an a Greek sampler of creamy tzatziki yogurt dip, smoky egg- ultra-thin and crispy crust with indescribably rich guancia- plant purée, and airy tarama caviar spread; and a Turkish le (cured, unsmoked pork cheek bacon), pungent artisan sampler of hummus, fava purée, and rich tomato-walnut pepperoni, grana padano, locally made mozzarella, and dip. The meze of mussels in lemony wine broth is, with Italian tomatoes. For meatless pies, we recommend the Mandolin’s fresh-baked flatbread, almost a full meal in Bianca, a thyme-seasoned pizza whose plentiful cheeses itself. $$-$$$ are beautifully balanced by bitter arugula. Bring a crowd and taste half-a-dozen different mozzarellas. $$ Mario the Baker 250 NE 25th St. Primo’s 305-438-0228 1717 N. Bayshore Dr. (See North Miami listing) 305-371-9055 The imposing, cavernous lobby of the Grand doesn’t Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink have that “do drop in” locals’ hangout vibe. But this lively 130 NE 40th St., 305-573-5550 Italian spot is actually a great addition to the neighbor- An instant smash hit, this truly neighborhood-oriented res- hood. The pizzas alone – brick-oven specimens with taurant from chef Michael Schwartz offers down-to-earth toppings ranging from classic pepperoni to prosciutto/ fun food in a comfortable, casually stylish indoor/outdoor arugula – would be draw enough. But pastas also please: setting. Fresh, organic ingredients are emphasized, but diners’ choice of starch, with mix-and-match sauces and dishes range from cutting-edge (crispy beef cheeks with extras. And the price is right, with few entrées topping whipped celeriac, celery salad, and chocolate reduction) to $20. The capper: It’s open past midnight every day but simple comfort food: deviled eggs, homemade potato chips Sunday. $$ with pan-fried onion dip, or a whole wood-roasted chicken. There’s also a broad range of prices and portion sizes to Primo Pizza Miami encourage frequent visits. Michael’s Genuine also features 3451 NE 1st Ave., 305-535-2555 an eclectic, affordable wine list and a full bar. $$-$$$$ Just a few years ago, chain pizza joints were dominant most everywhere. Today many places now offer authen- Mike’s at Venetia tic Italian or delicate designer pizzas. But a satisfying 555 NE 15th St., 9th floor Brookyn-style street slice? Fuhgedit. Thankfully that’s 305-374-5731 the speciality of this indoor/outdoor pizzeria: big slices This family-owned Irish pub, on the pool deck of the with chewy crusts (made from imported NY tap water) Venetia condo, for more than 15 years has been a that aren’t ultra-thin and crisp, but flexible enough to fold popular lunch and dinner hang-out for local journal- lengthwise, and medium-thick -- sturdy enough to support ists and others who appreciate honest cheap eats and toppings applied with generous all-American abandon. drinks. Regulars know daily specials are the way to go. Take-out warning: Picking up a whole pie? Better bring the Depending on the day, fish, churrasco, or roast turkey SUV, not the Morris Mini. with all the trimmings are all prepared fresh. Big burgers and steak dinners are always good. A limited late-night Sakaya Kitchen menu provides pizza, wings, ribs, and salad till 3:00 a.m. Shops at Midtown Miami $-$$ Buena Vista Avenue, 305-576-8096 This chef-driven, fast-casual Asian eatery is more an Orange Café + Art izakaya (in Japan, a pub with food) than a sakaya (sake 2 NE 40th St., 305-571-4070 shop). But why quibble about words with so many more The paintings hanging in this tiny, glass-enclosed café intriguing things to wrap your mouth around? The con- are for sale. And for those who don’t have thousands of cept takes on street-food favorites from all over Asia, dollars to shell out for the local art on the walls, less than housemade daily from quality fresh ingredients. French ten bucks will get you art on a plate, including a Picasso: Culinary Institute-trained Richard Hales does change his chorizo, prosciutto, manchego cheese, baby spinach, menu, so we’d advise immediately grabbing some crispy and basil on a crusty baguette. Other artfully named and Korean chicken wings and Chinese-inspired, open-faced crafted edibles include salads, daily soups, several pastas roast pork buns with sweet chili sauce and homemade (like the Matisse, fiocchi pouches filled with pears and pickles. $$ cheese), and house-baked pastries. $ Sake Room Out of the Blue Café 275 NE 18th St. 2426 NE 2nd Ave. 305-755-0122 305-573-3800 Sake takes a back seat to sushi – and sophisticated Forget impersonal chain coffeehouses. This artist-friendly, décor – at this small but sleek restolounge. Among the independent neighborhood café serves a full selection seafood offerings, you won’t find exotica or local catches, of coffee drinks made with the award-winning beans of but all the usual sushi/sashimi favorites, though in Intelligentsia, a roasting company that works directly with more interesting form, thanks to sauces that go beyond artisan growers to encourage sustainable agriculture. standard soy – spicy sriracha, garlic/ponzu oil, and many Also served: breakfast and lunch sandwiches, imaginative more. Especially recommended: the yuzu hamachi roll, salads, soups, homemade pastries, and creamy fresh-fruit the lobster tempura maki, and panko-coated spicy shrimp smoothies. With tables, sofas, and lounge chairs inside an with hot-and-sour mayo and a salad. $$-$$$ old Midtown house, plus free wireless Internet access, the space is also just a pleasant place to hang out. $ Continued on page 60

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

Restaurant Listings as three traditional courses: crêpe-wrapped crispy skin, But the everyday menu, ranging from unique, tapas-like Dogma Grill Continued from page 59 meat sautéed with crisp veggies, savory soup to finish. pasteis to hefty Brazilian entrées, is also appealing – and 7030 Biscayne Blvd., 305-759-3433 $$-$$$ budget-priced. $$ What could induce downtown businessmen to drive to the Upper Eastside to eat at a few outdoor-only tables just Salsa Fiesta W Wine Bistro Le Café feet from the busy Boulevard? From the day it opened, 2929 Biscayne Blvd., 305-400-8245 3622 NE 2nd Ave., 305-576-7775 7295 Biscayne Blvd., 305-754-6551 people have been lining up for this stand’s sauce-gar- The first stateside offshoot of a popular Venezuelan mini Both bistro and retail wine shop, this Design District spot For anyone who can’t get over thinking of French food as nished, all-beef, soy veggie, turkey, and chicken hot dogs. chain, this “urban Mexican grill” serves health-conscious, is run by Florent Blanchet, an energetic young Frenchman intimidating or pretentious, this cute café with a warm The 22 varieties range from simple to the elaborate (the made-fresh-daily fare similar in concept to some fast- who was previously a wine distributor. His former gig led welcome, and family-friendly French home cooking, is Athens, topped with a Greek salad, including extra-virgin casual competitors. But there are indeed differences to connections that mean if wine lovers don’t find the the antidote. No fancy food (or fancy prices) here, just olive oil dressing) to near-unbelievable combinations like here, notably pan-Latin options: black beans as well as bottle they want, Blanchet can probably get it within 24 classic comfort food like onion soup, escargot, daily fresh the VIP, which includes parmesan cheese and crushed red; thin, delightfully crunchy tostones (available as a hours. Food is sophisticated light bites like a shrimp club oysters, boeuf bourguignon (think Ultimate Pot Roast), pineapple. New addition: thick, juicy burgers. $ side or as the base for a uniquely tasty take on normal sandwich with pancetta and sun-dried tomato aioli, and Nicoise salad, quiche, and homemade crème brûlée. A nachos). Other pluses include weekday happy hours with smoked duck salad with goat cheese croutons and a respectable beer and wine list is a welcome addition, as East Side Pizza two-for-one beers -- and free parking. $-$$ poached egg. At night there are tapas. $-$$ is the housemade sangria. Top price for entrées is about 731 NE 79th St., 305-758-5351 $14. $-$$ Minestrone, sure. But a pizzeria menu with carrot ginger S & S Diner Upper Eastside soup? Similarly many Italian-American pizzerias offer 1757 NE 2nd Ave., 305-373-4291 Captain Crab’s Take-Away entrées like spaghetti and meatballs, but East Side also Some things never change, or so it seems at this classic Andiamo 1100 NE 79th St., 305-754-2722 has pumpkin ravioli in brown butter/sage sauce, wild diner. Open since 1938, people still line up on Saturday 5600 Biscayne Blvd., 305-762-5751 The drive-through window says “fast food,” and so do mushroom ravioli, and other surprisingly upscale choices, mornings, waiting for a seat at the counter and enormous Sharing a building with a long-established Morningside this long-lived seafood shack’s low prices. But there including imported Peroni beer. As for the pizza, they are breakfasts: corned beef hash or crab cakes and eggs car wash, Andiamo is also part of Mark Soyka’s 55th the resemblance ends. For about the price of a bucket classic pies, available whole or by the slice, made with with grits; fluffy pancakes; homemade biscuits with gravy Street Station – which means ditching the car (in the of the Colonel’s chicken you can get a bucket of the fresh plum tomato sauce and Grande mozzarella (con- and Georgia sausage – everything from oatmeal to eggs complex’s free lot across the road on NE 4th Court) is no Captain’s savory garlic crabs. The King’s burger meal or sidered the top American pizza cheese). Best seating for Benedict. The lunch menu is a roll call of the usual sus- problem even if you’re not getting your vehicle cleaned the Captain’s similarly priced fried (or garlic boiled or New eating is at the sheltered outdoor picnic tables. $ pects, but most regulars ignore the menu and go for the while consuming the brick-oven pies (from a flaming open Orleans-spiced) shrimp meal? No contest. Also popular: daily blackboard specials. $-$$ oven) that are this popular pizzeria’s specialty, along with crab cakes and conch. For fish haters, spicy or garlic El Q-Bano Palacio de los Jugos executive chef Frank Crupi’s famed Philly cheese steak chicken wings are an option. $-$$ 8650 Biscayne Blvd., 305-758-2550 Sra. Martinez sandwiches. Also available are salads and panini plus rea- In case you were wondering if it’s too good to be true 4000 NE 2nd Ave., 305-573-5474 sonably priced wines and beers, including a few unusually Casa Toscana -- it isn’t. El Q-Bano’s owners are indeed related to the No Biscayne Corridor resident needs to be told that this sophisticated selections like Belgium’s Hoegaarden. $$ 7001 Biscayne Blvd., 305-758-3353 family that operates the original three Palacios de los lively tapas bar is the second restaurant that Upper Tuscan-born chef/owner Sandra Stefani cooked at Jugos -- which means no more schlepping way out west. Eastside homegrrrl Michelle Bernstein has opened in the Anise Taverna Norman’s before opening this Upper Eastside jewel, Recommended are moist tamales, tasty sandwiches area. But it’s no absentee celebrity-chef gig. Bernstein 620 NE 78th St., 305-758-2929 whose 30 original seats have been supplemented by a (especially the drippingly wonderful pan con lechon), rich is hands-on at both places. Her exuberant yet firmly The new owners of this river shack are banking on Greek wine room/garden for tasting events and private dining. flan, and the fresh tropical juices that justify the afore- controlled personal touch is obvious in nearly four dozen food and festivity for success — a good bet, judging from Stefani travels regularly to Italy to find exciting, limited- mentioned excesses. For even heartier eaters, there’s a hot and cold tapas on the menu. Items are frequently their wildly popular previous eatery, Ouzo. The mainly production wines and inspiration for truly Tuscan specials changing buffet of daily specials and sides. $-$$ reinvented. Keepers include wild mushroom/manchego mezze menu ranges from traditional Greek small plates to with honest, authentic flavors, such as grilled wild boar croquetas with fig jam; white bean stew; crisp-coated creative Mediterranean-inspired dishes like anise-scented sausages with lentil croquettes. Menu favorites include Europa Car Wash and Café artichokes with lemon/coriander dip; and buttery bone fish croquettes with spicy aioli. But don’t neglect large pear and ricotta raviolini, grilled eggplant slices rolled 6075 Biscayne Blvd., 305-754-2357 marrow piqued with Middle Eastern spices and balanced plates like whole grilled Mediterranean fish (dorade or around herbed goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, and Giving new meaning to the food term “fusion,” Europa by tiny pickled salads. $$$ branzino), filleted tableside. The interior is charming, and a light ricotta tart with lemon and rosemary. $$$ serves up sandwiches, salads, car washes, coffee with the outdoor deck on the Little River is positively romantic. croissants, and Chevron with Techron. Snacks match Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill $$-$$$ Chef Creole the casual chicness: sandwiches like the Renato (pro- 3250 NE 1st Ave. 200 NW 54th St., 305-754-2223 sciutto, hot cappicola, pepper jack cheese, red peppers, 786-369-0353 Bistro 82 Sparkling fresh Creole-style food is the star at chef/owner and Romano cheese dressing); an elaborate almond- This chic indoor/outdoor space is an offspring of Lincoln 8201 Biscayne Blvd., 305-403-2995 Wilkinson Sejour’s two tiny but popular establishments. garnished Chinese chicken salad; H&H bagels, the world’s Road’s SushiSamba Dromo and a sibling of Sugarcane As with Latin American food, much Middle Eastern res- While some meatier Haitian classics like griot (fried pork best, flown in from NYC. And the car cleanings are equally lounges in NYC and Las Vegas, but more informal than taurant fare blurs borders, making it hard to pinpoint indi- chunks) and oxtail stew are also available – and a $3.99 gentrified, especially on Wednesdays, when ladies are the former and more food-oriented than the latter, as vidual countries’ culinary characteristics. Here, though, roast chicken special – seafood is the specialty here: pampered with $10 washes and glasses of sparkling wine three kitchens -- normal, raw bar, and robata charcoal grill national identity is strong. Virtually all dishes, from savory crevette en sauce (steamed shrimp with Creole butter while they wait. $ -- make clear. Chef Timon Balloo’s LatAsian small plates falafel to sweet k’nafeh (a traditional cheese breakfast sauce), lambi fri (perfectly tenderized fried conch), pois- range from subtle orange/fennel-marinated salmon crudo pastry that doubles as dessert), are crafted from the son gros sel (local snapper in a spicy butter sauce), garlic Garden of Eatin’ to intensely smoky-rich short ribs. At the daily happy hour, authentic Lebanese recipes of owner Mona Issa’s mom. or Creole crabs. The Miami branch has outdoor tiki-hut 136 NW 62nd St. select dishes (like steamed pork buns with apple kimchi) Casually exotic décor makes the spot dateworthy too, dining. $-$$ 305-754-8050 are discounted. $$-$$$ especially on Saturday nights when belly dancing is fea- Housed in a yellow building that’s nearly invisible from the tured. $$ DeVita’s street, the Garden has the comfortable feel of a beach Tony Chan’s Water Club 7251 Biscayne Blvd., 305-754-8282 bar, and generous servings of inexpensive Afro-Caribbean 1717 N. Bayshore Dr., 305-374-8888 Boteco This Italian/Argentine pizzeria, housed in a charming bun- vegan food. Large or small plates, with salad and fried The décor at this upscale place, located in the Grand, 916 NE 79th St., 305-757-7735 galow and featuring a breezy patio, covers multicultural sweet plantains (plus free soup for eat-in lunchers), are looks too glitzy to serve anything but politely Americanized This strip of 79th Street is rapidly becoming a cool alt- bases. If the Old World Rucola pizza (a classic Margherita served for five or seven bucks. Also available are snacks Chinese food. But the American dumbing-down is mini- culture enclave thanks to inviting hangouts like this rustic topped with arugula, prosciutto, and shredded parmesan) like vegetarian blue corn tacos, desserts like sweet potato mal. Many dishes are far more authentic and skillfully indoor/outdoor Brazilian restaurant and bar. Especially doesn’t do the trick, the New World Especial (a Latin pie with pie, and a breakfast menu featuring organic blueberry prepared than those found elsewhere in Miami, like deli- bustling on nights featuring live music, it’s even more fun hearts of palm and boiled eggs) just might. Also available are waffles with soy sausage patties. $ cate but flavorful yu pan quail. Moist sea bass fillet has a on Sundays, when the fenced backyard hosts an informal pastas, salads, sandwiches, dinner entrées (eggplant parmi- beautifully balanced topping of scallion, ginger, cilantro, fair and the menu includes Brazil’s national dish, feijoada, giana with spaghetti, lomito steak with Argentinean potato Continued on page 61 and subtly sweet/salty sauce. And Peking duck is served a savory stew of beans plus fresh and cured meats. salad), and desserts (tiramisu or flan). $

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

Restaurant Listings Kingdom time-trip to a cabaret in pre-WWII Berlin: bordello-red Moshi Moshi 6708 Biscayne Blvd., 305-757-0074 7232 Biscayne Blvd., 786-220-9404 Continued from page 60 décor, romantically dim lighting, show-tune live piano bar This indoor/outdoor sports bar serves low-priced but high- entertainment, and to match the ambiance, elegantly This offspring of South Beach old-timer Moshi Moshi is quality steaks, plus more typical bar food that’s actually updated retro food served with style and a smile. For a cross between a sushi bar and an izakaya (Japanese Gourmet Station far from the usual processed stuff. Philly cheese steak those feeling flush, home-style fried chicken is just like tapas bar). Even more striking than the hip décor is the 7601 Biscayne Blvd. sandwiches, big enough for two, are made from hand- mom used to make — in her wildest dreams. $$$ food’s unusually upscale quality. Sushi ranges from 305-762-7229 sliced rib eye; sides include fries and beer-battered onion pristine individual nigiri to over-the-top maki rolls. Tapas Home-meal replacement, geared to workaholics with rings, but also lightly lemony sautéed spinach. And the Metro Organic Bistro are intriguing, like arabiki sausage, a sweet-savory pork no time to cook, has been popular for years. But the burgers rule, particularly the Doomsday, a cheese/bacon/ 7010 Biscayne Blvd., 305-751-8756 fingerling frank; rarely found in restaurants even in Japan, Gourmet Station has outlasted most of the competition. mushroom-topped two-pound monster that turns dinner Big changes have come to Karma the car wash, the first they’re popular Japanese home-cooking items. And rice- Main reason: deceptive healthiness. These are meals into a competitive sport. No hard liquor, but the beer list being a separate new name for the revamped restaurant: based plates like Japanese curry (richer/sweeter than that are good for you, yet taste good enough to be bad for makes up for it. $$ Metro Organic Bistro, an all-organic fine-dining restaurant Indian types) satisfy even the biggest appetites. $-$$$ you. Favorite items include precision-grilled salmon with where simple preparations reveal and enhance natural lemon-dill yogurt sauce, and lean turkey meatloaf with Luna Café flavors. An entirely new menu places emphasis on grilled News Lounge homemade BBQ sauce – sin-free comfort food. Food is 4770 Biscayne Blvd., 305-573-5862 organic meat and fish dishes. Try the steak frites — 5582 NE 4th Ct., 305-758-9932 available à la carte or grouped in multimeal plans custom- The ground floor of the Wachovia Bank building may not organic, grass-fed skirt steak with organic chimichurri and Mark Soyka’s new News is, as its name suggests, more a ized for individual diner’s nutritional needs. $$ seem a particularly evocative locale for an Italian eatery, fresh-cut fries. Vegetarians will love the organic portabella friendly neighborhood hangout and watering hole than a but once inside, the charming décor and the staff’s ebul- foccacia. Dine either inside the architect-designed restau- full-fledged eatery. Nevertheless the menu of light bites Go To Sushi lient welcome indeed are reminiscent of a café in Italy. rant or outdoors on the patio. Beer and wine. $-$$$ is — along with other lures like an inviting outdoor patio 5140 Biscayne Blvd., 305-759-0914 The kitchen’s outstanding feature is a brick oven, which and rest rooms that resemble eclectic art galleries — part This friendly, family-run Japanese fast-food eatery offers turns out designer pizzas and crisp-skinned roast chick- Michy’s of the reason visitors stay for hours. Especially recom- original surprises like the Caribbean roll (a festively green ens. Otherwise the menu holds few surprises – except 6927 Biscayne Blvd., 305-759-2001 mended are fat mini-burgers with chipotle ketchup; a brie, parsley-coated maki stuffed with crispy fried shrimp, avo- the prices, unusually low for such a stylish place. No dish Don’t even ask why Michele Bernstein, with a top-chef turkey, and mango chutney sandwich on crusty baguette; cado, sweet plantain, and spicy mayo), or a wonderfully exceeds $22. $$-$$$ résumé, not to mention regular Food Network appearanc- and what many feel is the original café’s Greatest Hit: healthful sesame-seasoned chicken soup with spinach, es, opened a homey restaurant in an emerging but far from creamy hummus with warm pita. $ rice noodles, and sizable slices of poultry. Health ensured, Luna Corner Pizza fully gentrified neighborhood. Just be glad she did, as you you can the enjoy a guiltless pig-out on Fireballs: fried 6815 Biscayne Blvd., 305-507-9209 dine on white almond gazpacho or impossibly creamy ham Red Light dumplings of chicken, cabbage, and egg, crusted with At this cheerful takeout/delivery place (masterminded by and blue cheese croquetas. Though most full entrées also 7700 Biscayne Blvd., quills -- really a delectable crunchy noodle mix. $ the Amatruda family, pizza-makers in Italy since 1968), come in half-size portions (at almost halved prices), the tab 305-757-7773 the concept is fast but high-quality whole pies or single can add up fast. The star herself is usually in the kitchen. From the rustic al fresco deck of chef Kris Wessel’s inten- Jimmy’s East Side Diner slices. Sauce is from flavorful San Marzano tomatoes, and Parking in the rear off 69th Street. $$$-$$$$ tionally downwardly mobile retro-cool riverfront restaurant, 7201 Biscayne Blvd. toppings include imported salami picante, pleasantly spic- you can enjoy regional wildlife like manatees while enjoy- 305-754-3692 ier than American pepperoni. Proprietary electric ovens, Moonchine ing eclectic regional dishes that range from cutting-edge Open for more than 30 years, Jimmy’s respects the most designed to transform Luna’s secret 24-flour formula into 7100 Biscayne Blvd., 305-759-3999 (sour-orange-marinated, sous-vide-cooked Florida lobster important American diner tradition: Breakfast at any perfectly pliable/foldable crusts in under five minutes, Like its Brickell-area sibling Indochine, this friendly Asian with sweet corn sauce) to comfort (crispy-breaded Old hour. Admittedly the place closes at 4:00 p.m., but still. ensure consistently street-neat eats despite the slices’ bistro serves fare from three nations: Japan, Thailand, and South fried green tomatoes). Not surprisingly, the chef- There are blueberry hot cakes and pecan waffles; eggs massive size (big pies are 20-inchers). $ Vietnam. Menus are also similar, split between traditional driven menu is limited, but several signature specialties, any style, including omelets and open-face frittatas; and dishes like pad Thai and East/West fusion creations like if available, are not to be missed: BBQ shrimp in a tangy a full range of sides: biscuits and sausage gravy, grits, Magnum Lounge the Vampire sushi roll (shrimp tempura, tomato, cilantro, Worcestershire and cayenne-spiked butter/wine sauce, hash, hash browns, even hot oatmeal. Also available are 709 NE 79th St., 305-757-3368 roasted garlic). But it also carves out its own identity with irresistible mini conch fritters, and homemade ice cream. traditional diner entrées (meat loaf, roast turkey, liver It’s a restaurant. It’s a lounge. But it’s decidedly not a original creations, including yellow curry-spiced fried rice. $$-$$$ and onions), plus burgers, salad platters, and homemade typical Miami restolounge, or like anything else in Miami. Nearly everything is low in sodium, fat, and calories. A large chicken soup. $-$$ Forbidding from the outside, on the inside it’s like a rear patio is inviting for dining and entertainment. $$-$$$ Continued on page 62

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

Restaurant Listings publicized restaurants have come and gone. Take-out Yiya’s Gourmet Cuban Bakery Japanese Market and Sushi Deli orders and breakfast are now available. $$-$$$ 646 NE 79th St., 305-754-3337 1412 79th St. Causeway, 305-861-0143 Continued from page 61 A true community jewel, this bakery is also a most wel- Inside a small market that is widely considered Miami’s Sushi Siam coming café, serving lunch specials from chef Delsa premier source of Japanese foodstuffs, the “Sushi Deli” 5582 NE 4th Ct., 305-751-7818 Bernardo (who co-owns the place with attorney Abbie restaurant component is nothing more than a lunch coun- Revales Italian Ristorante On the menu of sushi-bar specialties plus a small selec- Cuellar) that are homemade right down to the herbs ter. But chef Michio Kushi serves up some sushi found 8601 Biscayne Blvd., 305-758-1010 tion of Thai and Japanese cooked dishes, there are a few grown on the bakery’s window sills. Bernardo’s pan con nowhere else in town. Example: traditional Osaka-style Owned by two couples (including former Village Café chef surprises, such as a unique lobster maki that’s admittedly lechon sandwiches and flaky-crusted Cuban pastries are sushi – layers of rice, seasoned seaweed, and marinated Marlon Reyes), this eclectic eatery occupies the former huge in price ($25.95), but also in size: six ounces of legend. But she also crafts treats not found at average fresh mackerel, pressed into a square box, then cut into space of Frankie’s Big City Grill, and fulfills much the crisp-fried lobster chunks, plus asparagus, avocado, let- Cuban bakeries, like pizzas using housemade Indian naan lovely one-bite sandwich squares. While raw fish is always same purpose in the neighborhood as an all-day, family- tuce, tobiko (flying fish), masago (smelt) roes, and special bread. Additionally Bernardo carries unique treats pro- impeccable here, some unusual vegetarian sushi cre- friendly place with affordable prices. The menu includes sauces. Thai dishes come with a choice of more than a duced by a few friends: candies, cupcakes, and exotically ations also tempt, as do daily entrées. $ wraps and elaborate salads of all nations. But simple dozen sauces, ranging from traditional red or green cur- flavored flans. $ yet sophisticated Italian specialties like spaghetti ai ries to the inventive, such as an unconventional honey Mario the Baker fiume (with pancetta, tomato, garlic, basil, and a touch of sauce. $$$ 1700 79th St. Causeway, 305-867-7882 cream) or yellowtail française (egg-battered, with lemon- NORTH BAY VILLAGE (See North Miami listing) caper-wine sauce) are the must-haves here. $$-$$$ UVA 69 6900 Biscayne Blvd., 305-754-9022 Bocados Ricos Oggi Caffe Royal Bavarian Schnitzel Haus Owned and operated by brothers Michael and Sinuhé 1880 79th St. Causeway, 305-864-4889 1666 79th St. Causeway, 305-866-1238 1085 NE 79th St., 305-754-8002 Vega, this casual outdoor/indoor Euro-café and lounge Tucked into a mall best known for its Happy Stork This cozy, romantic spot started back in 1989 as a pasta With Christmas lights perpetually twinkling and party nois- has helped to transform the Boulevard into a hip place to Lounge, this little luncheonette services big appetites. factory (supplying numerous high-profile restaurants) as es emanating from a new outdoor biergarten, this German hang out. Lunch includes a variety of salads and elegant Along with the usual grilled churrascos, there’s bandeja well as a neighborhood eatery. And the wide range of bud- restaurant is owner Alex Richter’s one-man gentrification sandwiches like La Minuta (beer-battered mahi-mahi with paisa, Colombia’s sampler platter of grilled steak, sau- get-friendly, homemade pastas, made daily, remains the project, transforming a formerly uninviting stretch of 79th cilantro aioli and caramelized onions on housemade foc- sage, chicharron, fried egg, avocado, plantains, rice, and main draw for its large and loyal clientele. Choices range Street one pils at a time. The fare includes housemade cacia). Dinner features a range of small plates (poached beans. Don’t miss marginally daintier dishes like sopa de from homey, meaty lasagna to luxuriant crab ravioli with sausages (mild veal bratwurst, hearty mixed beef/pork figs with Gorgonzola cheese and honey balsamic drizzle) costilla, if this rich shortrib bowl is among the daily home- creamy lobster sauce, with occasional forays into creative bauernwurst, spicy garlicwurst) with homemade mustard and full entrées like sake-marinated salmon with boniato made soups. Arepas include our favorite corn cake: the exotica such as seaweed spaghettini, with sea scallops, and catsup; savory yet near-greaseless potato pancakes; mash and Ponzu butter sauce, and crispy spinach. hefty Aura, stuffed with chorizo, chicharron, carne des- shitakes, and fresh tomatoes. $$-$$$ and, naturally, schnitzels, a choice of delicate pounded $$-$$$ mechada (shredded flank steak), plantains, rice, beans, pork, chicken, or veal patties served with a half-dozen dif- and cheese. $-$$ Shuckers Bar & Grill ferent sauces. $$-$$$ Ver-Daddys Taco Shop 1819 79th St. Causeway, 305-866-1570 7501 Biscayne Blvd,. 305-303-9755 The Crab House “Cheap eats and a million-dollar view” is the sound bite Soyka At this soulful taco shop, the menu descriptions are in 1551 79th St. Causeway, manager Philip Conklin uses to describe this outdoor 5556 NE 4th Court, 305-759-3117 common English (“cinnamon puffs” drizzled with honey 305-868-7085 beach bar, hidden in back of a bayfront motel. The joint This expansive, contemporary hangout was often credited and lime, not “buñuelos”). But taco fillings range from Established in 1975, this Miami fish house was acquired dates from South Beach’s late 1980s revival, but the with almost single-handedly sparking the revitalization of ground beef and shredded chicken to more unusual pork by Landry’s in 1996 and is now part of a chain. But kick-off-your-shoes vibe couldn’t be farther from SoBe the Biscayne Corridor’s Upper Eastside. Soyka remains in chili verde or Baja battered fish (authentically gar- the classic décor (knotty pine walls, tile floors, booths, glitz. The food ranges from classic bar favorites (char- a solid neighborhood restaurant that is a perfect fit for nished with Mexican crema and cilantro-spiked cabbage). outdoor waterfront deck) still evokes the good old days. grilled wings, conch fritters, raw or steamed shellfish) to its area. Comfortably priced yuppie comfort food like And all offerings can be loaded with other garnishes from Though the all-you-can-eat seafood/salad buffet ($20 full dinners featuring steak, homemade pasta, or fresh, meatloaf with mashed potatoes, crab cakes with spicy- the kitchen (refried beans, cheese, crema) or less perish- lunch, $30 dinner) is a signature, freshness fanatics not frozen, fish. $-$$ sweet slaw, a wild mushroom/smoked mozzarella pizza, able offerings from a salsa bar. For the heath-minded, will be happiest sticking to à la carte favorites like the or a Cobb salad may not be revolutionary fare, but Soyka oils are nonhydrogenated, and sauces/seasonings are all All-American fisherman’s platters, or global specials like Continued on page 63 continues to thrive while more ambitious, nationally housemade and free of preservatives. $ Szechuan shrimp, that change seasonally. $$$-$$$$

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

Restaurant Listings fast becoming the Sushi Joint That Ate Miami. And why do beans, carne asada, chicharron, eggs, sautéed sweet sinful deep-fried tacos dorados; and signature burritos, Continued from page 62 Miamians eat here? Not ambiance. There isn’t any. But plantains, and an arepa corn cake) is available every day, including the Maya, filled with juicy cochinita pibil, refried when friends from the Pacific Northwest, where foodies as are antojitos – “little whims,” smaller snacks like cho- beans, and pickled onions. $$ know their fish, tout the seafood’s freshness, we listen. rizo con arepa (a corn cake with Colombian sausage). And Sushi Siam There are some surprisingly imaginative makis, like the for noncarnivores there are several hefty seafood platters, Canton Café 1524 NE 79th St. Causeway, 305-864-7638 Maharaja, featuring fried shrimp and drizzles of curry made to order. $$ 12749 Biscayne Blvd. (See Miami / Upper Eastside listing) mayo. And where else will you find a stacked sushi (five 305-892-2882 assorted makis) birthday cake? $-$$ Bagels & Co. Easily overlooked, this strip-mall spot serves mostly 11064 Biscayne Blvd., 305-892-2435 Cantonese-based dishes. However, there are also about NORTH BEACH Côte Gourmet While this place is often referred to as Guns & Bagels, two dozen spicier, Szechuan-style standards like kung po 9999 NE 2nd Ave., #112, 305-754-9012 one can’t actually buy a gun here. The nickname refers shrimp, ma po tofu, and General Tso’s chicken. And there Café Prima Pasta If only every Miami neighborhood could have a neighbor- to its location next to a firearms shop. But there’s a lot of are a few imaginative new items, like the intriguingly 414 71st St., 305-867-0106 hood restaurant like this low-priced little French jewel. The other stuff aside from bagels here, including a full range christened “Shrimp Lost in the Forest,” Singapore curried Opened in 1993 with 28 seats, this family-run landmark menu is mostly simple stuff: breakfast croissants, crêpe, of sandwiches and wraps. Breakfast time is busy time, rice noodles, crispy shrimp with honey-glazed walnuts, has now taken over the block, with an outdoor terrace soups, sandwiches, salads, sweets, and a few more sub- with banana-walnut pancakes especially popular. But and Mongolian beef (with raw chilis and fresh Oriental and multi-roomed indoor space whose walls are full of stantial specials like a Tunisian-style brik (buttery phyllo what’s most important is that this is one of the area’s few basil). Delivery is available for both lunch and dinner. $$ photos of their clientele, including national and local pastry stuffed with tuna, onions, potatoes, and tomatoes) sources of the real, New York-style water bagel: crunchy celebs. Particularly popular are homemade pastas, with a mesclun side salad. But everything is homemade, outside, challengingly chewy inside. $ Captain Jim’s Seafood sauced with Argentine-Italian indulgence rather than including all breads, and prepared with impeccable ingre- 12950 W. Dixie Hwy. Italian simplicity: crabmeat ravioletti in lobster cream dients, classic French technique, and meticulous atten- Bulldog Barbecue 305-892-2812 sauce, black squid ink linguini heaped with seafood. tion to detail, down to the stylish plaid ribbons that hold 15400 Biscayne Blvd., 305-940-9655 This market/restaurant was garnering critical acclaim Though romantic enough for dates, the place is quite kid- together the café’s baguette sandwiches. $-$$ The BBQ master at this small, rustic room is pugnacious even when eat-in dining was confined to a few Formica friendly — and on the terrace, they’ll even feed Fido. $$$ Top Chef contender Howie Kleinberg, whose indoor elec- tables in front of the fish counter, owing to the freshness Village Café tric smoker turns out mild-tasting ’cue that ranges from of its seafood, much of it from Capt. Jim Hanson’s own Tamarind Thai 9540 NE 2nd Ave., 305-759-2211 the expected pulled pork, ribs, brisket, and chicken to hot- fishing boats, which supply many top restaurants. Now 946 Normandy Dr., 305-861-6222 After closing for several months in early 2009, this smoked salmon and veggie plates. There are also creative there’s a casual but pleasantly nautical side dining room When an eatery’s executive chef is best-selling Thai café, spruced up to look like a bistro rather than a lun- comfort food starters like BBQ chicken flatbread, salads, with booths. Whether it’s garlicky scampi, smoked-fish cookbook author Vatcharin Bhumichitr, you’d expect cheonette (but with the same bargain prices), has been and sweets. Sides include refreshing slaw; beans stud- dip, grilled yellowtail or hog or mutton snapper, perfectly major media hype, fancy South Beach prices, and a fancy reopened. The kitchen has also been rejuvenated, with ded with “burnt ends” (the most intensely flavored outer tenderized cracked conch or conch fritters, everything is SoBe address. Instead Bhumichitr joined forces with Day head honcho Adam Holm (Whitticar’s original sous chef) barbecue chunks); and sweet potato or chipotle-spiced deftly prepared and bargain-priced. $$ Longsomboon (an old Thai school pal who’d moved to serving up new, globally influenced dishes like mint/ fries. The cost is comparatively high, but such is the price Miami) at this unpretentious, authentic (no sushi) neigh- pistachio-crusted lamb or tuna tartare with sriracha aioli, of fame. $$-$$$ Casa Mia Trattoria borhood place. Some standout dishes here are featured plus reviving old favorites like pork tenderloin with ginger- 1950 NE 123rd St. in the chef’s latest tome, but with Tamarind’s very afford- caramel sauce. $$-$$$ Burritos Grill Café 305-899-2770 able prices, you might as well let the man’s impeccably 11717 Biscayne Blvd., 305-891-1041 Tucked away, off to the side on the approach to the trained kitchen staff do the work for you. $$-$$$ NORTH MIAMI Originally a friendly little 125th Street hole-in-the-wall that Broad Causeway and the beaches, this charming indoor/ garnered raves for its limited menu of terrifically tasty outdoor trattoria seems to attract mostly neighborhood MIAMI SHORES Los Antojos treats, Mario and Karina Manzanero’s café is now in regulars. But even newcomers feel like regulars after 11099 Biscayne Blvd., 305-892-1411 more sizable and atmospheric quarters. But the friendly, a few minutes, thanks to the staff’s Italian ebullience. Iron Sushi If it’s Sunday, it must be sancocho de gallina, Colombia’s family-run (and kid-friendly) ambiance remains, as do the Menu offerings are mostly classic comfort foods with 9432 NE 2nd Ave., 305-754-0311 national dish. If it’s Saturday, it must be ajiaco. Both are authentic Yucatan-style specialties. Standouts include With three Biscayne Corridor outlets (plus several branch- thick chicken soups, full meals in a bowl. For Colombian- poc-chuc, a marinated pork loin; tacos al pastor, stuffed es elsewhere in town), this mostly take-out mini chain is cuisine novices, a bandeja paisa (sampler including rice, with subtly smoky steak, onion, cilantro, and pineapple; Continued on page 64

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

Restaurant Listings Miami’s first, there’s a full stock of vitamins and nutri- topped with a mountain of mushrooms, and other Italian- teriyaki fish (fresh fish sautéed with vegetables), curried Continued from page 63 tional supplements. But the place’s hearty soups, large American belly-busters. All pasta or meat entrées come chicken and veggies, spicy shrimp, or gyoza dumplings in variety of entrées (including fresh fish and chicken as well with oil-drenched garlic rolls and either soup (hearty mine- tangy sauce. There’s also an all-you-can-eat deal – sushi as vegetarian selections), lighter bites like miso burgers strone) or a salad (mixed greens, tomatoes, cukes, brined (individual nigiri or maki rolls) plus tempura, teriyaki, and some contemporary items as well. Housemade pastas are with secret “sun sauce” (which would probably make old olives, and pickled peppers) that’s a dinner in itself. other cooked items for $14; three bucks more for sashimi good enough that low-carb dieters should take a break, sneakers taste good), and daily specials are a tastier Rustic roadhouse ambiance, notably the red leatherette instead of sushi. $-$$ especially for the tender gnocchi with pesto or better yet, way to get healthy. An under-ten-buck early-bird dinner is booths, add to Mama’s charm. $-$$ delicate fagottini — “beggar’s purses” stuffed with pears popular with the former long-hair, now blue-hair, crowd. Venezia Pizza and Café and cheese. $$ Frozen yogurt, fresh juices, and smoothies complete the Mario the Baker 13452 Biscayne Blvd., 305-940-1808 menu. $-$$ 13695 W. Dixie Highway, 305-891-7641 No frozen pizza crusts or watery mozzarella here. No Chéen-huyae At this North Miami institution (opened in 1969) food is imported designer ingredients either. The pies are New 15400 Biscayne Blvd., 305-956-2808 Le Griot de Madame John Italian-American, not Italian-Italian: spaghetti and meat- York-style, but the dough is made fresh daily, and the Diners can get some Tex-Mex dishes here, if they must. 975 NE 125th St., 305-892-9333 balls, lasagna, eggplant parmigiana, and hot or cold subs. cheese is Grande (from Wisconsin, considered America’s But the specialty is Mayan-rooted Yucatan cuisine. So why When Madame moved her base of operations from her No imported buffala, arugula, or other chichi stuff on the finest pizza topper). Also on the menu are Italian- blow bucks on burritos when one can sample Caribbean Little Haiti home to a real restaurant (though a very New York-style medium-thin-crusted pizzas; the top top- American pastas, a large selection of hot an cold subs, Mexico’s most typical dish: cochinita pibil? Chéen’s informal one, and still mostly take-out), she began offer- ping here is the savory housemade sausage. And no one simple salads, and a few new protein adds – grilled authentically succulent version of the pickle-onion-topped ing numerous traditional Haitian dishes, including jerked leaves without garlic rolls, awash in warm parsley oil and chicken breast, fried fish, or a steak. $-$$ marinated pork dish is earthily aromatic from achiote, beef or goat tassot and an impressive poisson gros sel (a smashed garlic. New branches are now open in Miami’s tangy from bitter oranges, and meltingly tender from slow whole fish rubbed with salt before poaching with various Midtown neighborhood and in North Bay Village. $ Wong’s Chinese Restaurant cooking in a banana leaf wrap. To accompany, try a lime/ veggies and spices). But the dish that still packs the place 12420 Biscayne Blvd., 305-891-4313 soy/chili-spiced michelada, also authentically Mexican, is the griot: marinated pork chunks simmered and then Petit Rouge The menu reads like a textbook on how to please and possibly the best thing that ever happened to dark fried till they’re moistly tender inside, crisp and intensely 12409 Biscayne Blvd. everyone, with food ranging from traditional Chinese beer. $$-$$$ flavored outside. $ 305-892-7676 to Chinese-American to just plain American. Appetizers From the mid-1990s (with Neal’s Restaurant and later include honey garlic chicken wings or Buffalo wings. A Chef Creole Little Havana with Il Migliore), local chef Neal Cooper’s neighborhood- crab-claw starter comes with choice of pork fried rice or 13105 W. Dixie Hwy., 305-893-4246 12727 Biscayne Blvd., 305-899-9069 oriented Italian eateries have been crowd-pleasers. While French fries. Seafood lovers can get shrimp chop suey, (See Miami listing) In addition to white-tablecoth ambiance, this place fea- this cute 32-seat charmer is French, it’s no exception, or salty pepper shrimp (authentically shell-on). And New tures live Latin entertainment and dancing, making it avoiding pretense and winning fans with both classic and Yorkers will find a number of dishes that are mainstays of D.J.’s Diner a good choice when diners want a night out, not just a nouvelle bistro fare: frisée salad with lardons, poached Manhattan Szechuan menus but not common in Miami: 12210 Biscayne Blvd., 305-893-5250 meal. It’s also a good choice for diners who don’t speak egg, and bacon vinaigrette; truite Grenobloise (trout with cold sesame noodles, Hunan chicken, twice-cooked pork. Located in a Best Western motel, this place, run by a Spanish, but don’t worry about authenticity. Classic Cuban lemon/caper sauce); consommé with black truffles and $$ Chinese-American family, serves mostly basic American home-style dishes like mojo-marinated lechon asado, foie gras, covered by a buttery puff pastry dome; perfect diner fare – burgers, sandwiches, about a dozen din- topped with onions, and juicy ropa vieja are translated pommes frites, and equally perfect apple or lemon tarts Woody’s Famous Steak Sandwich ner entrées, fresh-baked apple pie, and, oddly, a whole on the menu, not the plate, and fancier creations like for dessert. $$$ 13105 Biscayne Blvd., 305-891-1451 section of Caesar salad variations. But it’s also a secret pork filet in tangy tamarind sauce seem universal crowd- The griddle has been fired up since 1954 at this indie source for Chinese food, mostly chow mien/chop suey- pleasers. $$$ Sara’s fast-food joint, and new owners have done little to type dishes, but also a few dishes such as eggplant with 2214 NE 123rd St. change the time-tested formula except to stretch operat- garlic sauce and ma po tofu that are a step up in authen- Mama Jennie’s 305-891-3312 ing hours into the night and expand its classic menu to ticity. $-$$ 11720 NE 2nd Ave., 305-757-3627 While this mainly vegetarian kosher place is best known include a few health-conscious touches like Caesar salad, For more than 35 years this beloved red-sauce joint has for its pizza (New York-style medium crust or thick-crusted plus a note proclaiming their oils are free of trans fats. Here Comes the Sun been drawing students and other starvation-budget diners Sicilian, topped with veggies and/or “meat buster” imita- Otherwise the famous steak sandwich is still a traditional 2188 NE 123rd St, 305-893-5711 with prodigious portions of lasagna, spaghetti and meat- tion meats), it’s also offers a full range of breakfast/ Philly. Drippin’ good burgers, too. And unlike MacChain At this friendly natural foods establishment, one of balls (the latter savory yet light-textured), veal marsala lunch/dinner vegetarian cuisine of all nations, with many addicts, patrons here can order a cold beer with the good dairy and seafood items too. Admittedly the cutesie grease. $-$$ names of many items – baygels, bergerrbite, Cezarrrr salad, hammm, meat-a-ball, schmopperrr – may cause queasiness. But the schmopperrr itself is one helluva NORTH MIAMI BEACH high-octane veggie burger. $-$$ Bamboo Garden Steve’s Pizza 1232 NE 163rd St. 12101 Biscayne Blvd. 305-945-1722 305-891-0202 Big enough for a banquet (up to 300 guests), this vet- At the end of a debauched night of excess, some paper- eran is many diners’ favorite on the 163rd/167th Street thin designer pizza with wisps of smoked salmon (or “Chinatown” strip because of its superior décor. But the similar fluff) doesn’t do the trick. Open till 3:00 or 4:00 menu also offers well-prepared, authentic dishes like a.m., Steve’s has, since 1974, been serving the kind of peppery black bean clams, sautéed mustard greens, comforting, retro pizzas people crave at that hour. As in and steamed whole fish with ginger and scallions, plus Brooklyn, tomato sauce is sweet, with strong oregano Chinese-American egg foo young. Default spicing is mild flavor. Mozzarella is applied with abandon. Toppings are even in Szechuan dishes marked with red-chili icons, but stuff that give strength: pepperoni, sausage, meatballs, don’t worry; realizing some like it hot, the chefs will cus- onions, and peppers. $ tomize spiciness to heroic heat levels upon request. $$ Tokyo Bowl Blue Marlin Fish House 12295 Biscayne Blvd., 305-892-9400 2500 NE 163rd St., 305-957-8822 This fast-food drive-thru (unexpectedly serene inside) is Located inside Oleta River State Park, this casual outdoor named for its feature item, big budget-priced bowls of rice or noodles topped with cooked Japanese-style items like Continued on page 65

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

Restaurant Listings El Gran Inka Heelsha Kebab Indian Restaurant 3155 NE 163rd St., 305-940-4910 1550 NE 164th St., 305-919-8393 514 NE 167th St., 305-940-6309 Continued from page 64 Though diners at this upscale Peruvian eatery will find If unusual Bangladeshi dishes like fiery pumpkin patey Since the 1980s this restaurant, located in an unatmo- ceviches, a hefty fried-seafood jalea, and Peru’s other (cooked with onion, green pepper, and pickled mango) spheric mini strip mall but surprisingly romantic inside eatery is a rare surprise for nature lovers. The featured expected traditional specialties, all presented far more or Heelsha curry (succulently spiced hilsa, Bangladesh’s (especially if you grab one of the exotically draped booths) item is still the house-smoked fish this historic venue elegantly than most in town, the contemporary Peruvian sweet-fleshed national fish) seem familiar, it’s because has been a popular destination for reasonably priced began producing in 1938, available in three varieties: fusion creations are unique. Especially recommended are chef/owner Bithi Begum and her husband Tipu Raman north Indian fare. Kormas are properly soothing and salmon, mahi mahi, and the signature blue marlin. But two dishes adapted from recipes by Peru’s influential nik- once served such fare at the critically acclaimed Renaisa. vindaloos are satisfactorily searing, but the kitchen will the smokehouse now also turns out ribs and delectable kei (Japanese/Creole) chef Rosita Yimura: an exquisite, Their menu’s mix-and-match option allows diners to pair adjust seasonings upon request. They aim to please. Food brisket. Other new additions include weekend fish fries. delicately sauced tiradito de corvina, and for those with their choice of meat, poultry, fish, or vegetable with more arrives unusually fast for an Indian eatery, too. $$ Entry is directly from 163rd Street, not through the main no fear of cholesterol, pulpo de oliva (octopus topped with than a dozen regional sauces, from familiar Indian styles park entrance. No admission fee. $ rich olive sauce). $$$-$$$$ to exotica like satkara, flavored with a Bangladeshi citrus King Palace reminiscent of sour orange. $$-$$$ 330 NE 167th St., 305-949-2339 China Restaurant Hanna’s Gourmet Diner The specialties here are authentic Chinatown-style barbe- 178 NE 167th St., 13951 Biscayne Blvd., 305-947-2255 Iron Sushi cue (whole ducks, roast pork strips, and more, displayed 305-947-6549 When Sia and Nicole Hemmati bought the Gourmet Diner 16350 W. Dixie Hwy., 305-945-2244 in a glass case by the door), and fresh seafood dishes, When you have a yen for the Americanized Chinese fusion from retiring original owner Jean-Pierre Lejeune in the late (See Miami Shores listing)? the best made with the live fish swimming in two tanks dishes you grew up with, all the purist regional Chinese 1990s, they added “Hanna’s” to the name, but changed by the dining room entrance. There’s also a better-than- cuisine in the world won’t scratch the itch. So the menu little else about this retro-looking French/American diner, Jerusalem Market and Deli average selection of seasonal Chinese veggies. The menu here, containing every authentically inauthentic Chinese- a north Miami-Dade institution since 1983. Customers 16275 Biscayne Blvd., 305-948-9080 is extensive, but the best ordering strategy, since the American classic you could name, is just the ticket when can get a cheeseburger or garlicky escargots, meatloaf Specialties like shawarma, spinach pies, kebabs, hum- place is usually packed with Asians, is to see what looks nostalgia strikes – from simple egg rolls to pressed in tomato sauce or boeuf bourguignon in red wine sauce, mus, and kibbeh (a savory mix of ground lamb and bul- good on nearby tables, and point. $$ almond duck (majorly breaded boneless chunks, with iceberg lettuce and tomatoes, or a mushroom and squid gur) are native to many Middle East countries, but when a comfortingly thick gravy). $-$$ salad with garlic dressing. For oysters Rockefeller/tuna- Lebanese chef/owner, like this eatery’s Sam Elzoor, is at Lime Fresh Mexican Grill melt couples from Venus and Mars, it remains the ideal the helm, you can expect extraordinary refinement. There 14831 Biscayne Blvd. Chipotle Mexican Grill dinner date destination. $$-$$$ are elaborate daily specials here, like lemon chicken or 305-949-8800 14776 Biscayne Blvd. stuffed cabbage with a variety of sides, but even a com- (See Midtown / Wynwood / Design District listing) 305-947-2779 Hiro Japanese Restaurant mon falafel sandwich is special when the pita is also Proving that national fast-food chains don’t have to be 3007 NE 163rd St. stuffed with housemade cabbage and onion salads, plus Laurenzo’s Market Café bad for either diners or the environment, Chipotle serves 305-948-3687 unusually rich and tart tahina. $-$$ 16385 W. Dixie Hwy. what the company calls “food with integrity.” The fare is One of Miami’s first sushi restaurants, Hiro retains an 305-945-6381 simple, basically tacos and big burritos: soft flour or crisp amusing retro-glam feel, an extensive menu of both sushi Kabobji It’s just a small area between the wines and the fridge corn tortillas stuffed with chipotle-marinated steak or and cooked Japanese food, and late hours that make it 3055 NE 163rd St., 305-354-8484 counters – no potted palms, and next-to-no service in chicken chunks, bolder shredded beef barbacoa, or herb- a perennially popular after-hours snack stop. The sushi This place makes a very good tahini sauce. In fact that this cafeteria-style space. But when negotiating this inter- scented pork carnitas. But these bites contain no evil menu has few surprises, but quality is reliable. Most alone is reason enough to visit. We prefer ours with this national gourmet market’s packed shelves and crowds ingredients (transfats, artificial color/flavor, antibiotics, exceptional are the nicely priced yakitori, skewers of suc- bright, cheery eatery’s delightfully oniony falafel or a veg- has depleted your energies, it’s a handy place to refuel growth hormones). And the food, while not the authentic culently soy-glazed and grilled meat, fish, and vegetables; garnished wrap of thin-sliced marinated beef schwarma. with eggplant parmesan and similar Italian-American Mex street stuff dreams are made of, is darned tasty, the unusually large variety available of the last makes this They also do a beautifully spiced, and reassuringly fresh- classics, housemade from old family recipes. Just a few too. $ place a good choice for vegetarians. $$ tasting, raw kibbi naye (Middle Eastern steak tartare). It’s spoonfuls of Wednesday’s hearty pasta fagiole, one of hard to resist putting together a grazing meal of starters the daily soup specials, could keep a person shopping for Christine’s Roti Shop Hiro’s Sushi Express and wraps, but there’s also a roster of full entrées (with hours. And now that pizza master Carlo is manning the 16721 NE 6th Ave., 305-770-0434 17048 W. Dixie Hwy. soup or salad plus starch), including tempting vegetarian Wraps are for wimps. At this small shop run by Christine 305-949-0776 and seafood meals for noncarnivores. $$ Continued on page 66 Gouvela, originally from British Guyana, the wrapper is Tiny, true, but there’s more than just sushi at this mostly a far more substantial and tasty roti, a Caribbean mega- take-out spin-off of the pioneering Hiro. Makis are the crepe made from chickpea flour. Most popular filling for mainstay (standard stuff like California rolls, more the flatbread is probably jerk chicken, bone-in pieces in complex creations like multi-veg futomaki, and a few a spiced stew of potatoes, cabbage, carrots, onions, and unexpected treats like a spicy Crunch & Caliente maki), more chickpeas. But there are about a dozen other cur- available à la carte or in value-priced individual and party ries from which to choose. Take-out packages of plain roti combo platters. But there are also bento boxes featuring are also available; they transform myriad leftovers into tempura, yakitori skewers, teriyaki, stir-fried veggies, and tasty, portable lunches. $ udon noodles. Another branch is now open in Miami’s Upper Eastside. $ Flamma Brazilian Steakhouse 3913 NE 163rd St. Hiro’s Yakko-San (Intracoastal Mall) 17040 W. Dixie Hwy. 305-957-9900 305-947-0064 The rodizio formula is familiar: Pay one price ($39.90 After sushi chefs close up their own restaurants for the for dinner, $29.90 at Sunday brunch), then eat till you night, many come here for a rare taste of Japanese home drop from a groaning salad/appetizer bar and a massive cooking, served in grazing portions. Try glistening-fresh selection of beef, pork, lamb, poultry, sausage, and fish strips of raw tuna can be had in maguro nuta – mixed (16 varieties at dinner; 5 at brunch) carved tableside with scallions and dressed with habit-forming honey-miso by costumed waiters. What spectacularly differentiates mustard sauce. Other favorites include goma ae (wilted Flamma: its setting on the Intracoastal Waterway. But spinach, chilled and dressed in sesame sauce), garlic also spectacular is a Monday-Thursday two-for-one dinner stem and beef (mild young shoots flash-fried with tender deal with a coupon available at Flamma. Unbelievable but steak bits), or perhaps just-caught grouper with hot/ true. $$$$ sweet/tangy chili sauce. Open till around 3:00 a.m. $$

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

Restaurant Listings Oishi Thai Paul Bakery Café Salsa Fiesta 14841 Biscayne Blvd., 305-947-4338 14861 Biscayne Blvd., 305-940-4443 2929 Biscayne Blvd., 305-400-8245 Continued from page 65 At this stylish Thai/sushi spot, try the menu of specials, From one rural shop in 1889, the French bakery known The first stateside offshoot of a popular Venezuelan mini many of which clearly reflect the young chef’s fanatical simply as Paul has grown to a worldwide chain, which chain, this “urban Mexican grill” serves health-conscious, wood-fired oven, you can sample the thinnest, crispiest devotion to fresh fish, as well as the time he spent in fortunately chose to open its first U.S. outlet in our town. made-fresh-daily fare similar in concept to some fast- pies outside Napoli. $-$$ the kitchen of Knob: broiled miso-marinated black cod; One bite of the crusty peasant loaf, the olive-studded casual competitors. But there are indeed differences rock shrimp tempura with creamy sauce; even Nobu fougasse, or another of the signature artisan breads here, notably pan-Latin options: black beans as well as Little Saigon Matsuhisa’s “new style sashimi” (slightly surface-seared transports you right back to France. As authentic as the red; thin, delightfully crunchy tostones (available as a 16752 N. Miami Ave., 305-653-3377 by drizzles of hot olive and sesame oil). The specials boulangerie breads are, the patisserie items like flan side or as the base for a uniquely tasty take on normal This is Miami’s oldest traditional Vietnamese restaurant, menu includes some Thai-inspired creations, too, such as normande are just as evocative. For eat-in diners, quite nachos). Other pluses include weekday happy hours with but it’s still packed most weekend nights. So even the veal massaman curry, Chilean sea bass curry, and sizzling continental soups, salads, and sandwiches are equally two-for-one beers -- and free parking. $-$$ place’s biggest negative – its hole-in-the-wall atmosphere, filet mignon with basil sauce. $$$-$$$$ and dependably French. $$ not encouraging of lingering visits – becomes a plus since Sang’s Chinese Restaurant it ensures fast turnover. Chef/owner Lily Tao is typically Panya Thai Pizza Fusion 1925 NE 163rd St., 305-947-7076 in the kitchen, crafting green papaya salad, flavorful beef 520 NE 167th St., 305-945-8566 14815 Biscayne Blvd., 305-405-6700 Sang’s has three menus. The pink menu is Americanized noodle pho (served with greens, herbs, and condiments Unlike authentic Chinese cuisine, there’s no shortage “Saving the earth one pizza at a time” is the motto at this Chinese food, from chop suey to honey garlic chicken. The that make it not just a soup but a whole ceremony), and of genuine Thai food in and around Miami. But Panya’s franchise of the only pizza chain to require third-party white menu permits the chef to show off his authentic many other Vietnamese classics. The menu is humon- chef/owner, a Bangkok native, offers numerous regional organic restaurant certification at all locations. Their Chinese fare: salt and pepper prawns, rich beef/turnip gous. $-$$ and/or rare dishes not found elsewhere. Plus he doesn’t gluten-free crusts make it mighty friendly to pizza fanatics casserole, tender salt-baked chicken, even esoterica like automatically curtail the heat or sweetness levels to with food allergies. Starters, salads, desserts, and organic abalone with sea cucumber. The extensive third menu Mary Ann Bakery please Americans. Among the most intriguing: moo khem wines/beers are also served. And delivery is available — in offers dim sum, served until 4:00 p.m. A live tank allows 1284 NE 163rd St. phad wan (chewy deep-fried seasoned pork strips with hybrid cars, of course. Specials unique to this NMB fran- seasonal seafood dishes like lobster with ginger and 305-945-0333 fiery tamarind dip, accompanied by crisp green papaya chise include Sunday-Thursday happy hours, a free Kids scallion. Recently installed: a Chinese barbecue case, Don’t be unduly alarmed by the American birthday cakes salad); broad rice noodles stir-fried with eye-opening Organic Club class on Saturdays, 10:00-11:00 a.m., and displaying savory items like crispy pork with crackling in the window. At this small Chinese bakery the real finds chili/garlic sauce and fresh Thai basil; and chili-topped varied Monday-Wednesday freebies. $-$$ attached. $$$ are the Chinatown-style baked buns and other savory Diamond Duck in tangy tamarind sauce. $$-$$$ pastries, filled with roast pork, bean sauce, and curried PK Oriental Mart Shing Wang Vegetarian, Icee & Tea ground beef. Prices are under a buck, making them an Paquito’s 255 NE 167th St., 305-654-9646 exotic alternative to fast-food dollar meals. There’s one 16265 Biscayne Blvd., 305-947-5027 Unlike other Asian markets on this strip between I-95 and House table for eat-in snackers. $ From the outside, this strip-mall Mexican eatery couldn’t Biscayne Boulevard, PK has a prepared-food counter, 237 NE 167th St., 305-654-4008 be easier to overlook. Inside, however, its festivity is serving authentic Chinatown barbecue, with appropriate At this unique Taiwanese eatery, run by a trio of Taipei- The Melting Pot impossible to resist. Every inch of wall space seems to be dipping sauces included. Weekends bring the biggest trained female chefs, all seafood, poultry, and meats 15700 Biscayne Blvd., 305-947-2228 covered with South of the Border knickknacks. And if the selection, including barbecued ribs and pa pei duck in the budget-priced entrées ($6.95) are mock – imita- For 1950s and 1960s college students, fondue pots were kitschy décor alone doesn’t cheer you, the quickly arriving (roasted, then deep-fried till extra crisp and nearly free tions made from wheat gluten, tofu, and vegetables. But standard dorm accessories. These days, however, branch- basket of fresh (not packaged) taco chips, or the mariachi of subcutaneous fat). Available every day are juicy, soy- don’t mock it till you try the quite beefy pepper steak, or es of this chain are generally the only places to go for this band, or the knockout margaritas will. Food ranges from marinated roast chickens, roast pork strips, crispy pork, smokin’ duck, with slices that mimic the charcuterie item eating experience. Start with a wine-enriched four-cheese Tex-Mex burritos and a party-size fajita platter to authentic and whole roast ducks – hanging, beaks and all. But no down to convincing faux fat. Other main dishes feature fondue; proceed to an entrée with meat or seafood, plus Mexican moles and harder-to-find traditional preparations worries; a counterperson will chop your purchase into recognizable veggies or noodles. As for the rest of the choice of cooking potion (herbed wine, bouillon, or oil); like albóndigas – spicy, ultra-savory meatballs. $$-$$$ bite-size, beakless pieces. $ name: icee is shaved ice, an over-the-top dessert that’s a finish with fruits and cakes dipped in melted chocolate. sort of a slurpee sundae, with toppings that vary from the Fondue etiquette dictates that diners who drop a skewer Pasha’s Racks Italian Kitchen familiar (fresh fruits) to the weird (grass jelly, sweet corn, in the pot must kiss all other table companions, so go 14871 Biscayne Blvd., 786-923-2323 3933 NE 163rd St. (Intracoastal Mall) kidney beans, rice balls, chocolate pudding). And the bub- with those you love. $$$ (See Miami: Brickell / Downtown listing) 305-917-7225 ble tea is a must-not-miss. Using housemade syrup, the The complexity of the Racks concept makes a sound- cold, refreshing boba comes in numerous flavors (mango, bite description impossible. It’s part Italian market, with taro, even actual tea), all supplemented with signature salumi, cheeses, and other artisan products plus take-out black tapioca balls that, slurped through large-diameter prepared foods; part enoteca (wine bar, featuring snacks straws, are a guaranteed giggle. $ like addictive Portobello fritti with truffle aioli, especially enjoyable on the waterfront deck); part ristorante (pastas Siam Square and other Big Food); part pizzeria. What’s important: All 54 NE 167th St., 305-944-9697 components feel and taste authentically Italian. Just don’t Open until 1:00 a.m. every day except Sunday (when is miss the coal-oven pizza. Superior toppings (including closes at midnight), this relatively new addition to North unusually zesty tomato sauce) plus an astonishingly light Miami Beach’s “Chinatown” strip has become a popu- yet chewy crust make Racks’ pies a revelation. $$ lar late-night gathering spot for chefs from other Asian restaurants. And why not? The food is fresh, nicely pre- Roasters & Toasters sented, and reasonably priced. The kitchen staff is willing 18515 NE 18th Ave., 305-830-3354 to customize dishes upon request, and the serving staff is Attention ex-New Yorkers: Is your idea of food porn one of reliably fast. Perhaps most important, karaoke equipment the Carnegie Deli’s mile-high pastrami sandwiches? Well, is in place when the mood strikes. $-$$ Roasters will dwarf them. Consider the “Carnegie-style” monster containing, according to the menu, a full pound Scorch Grillhouse and Wine Bar of succulent meat (really 1.4 pounds; we weighed it), for 13750 Biscayne Blvd., 305-949-5588 a mere 15 bucks. All the other Jewish deli classics are Though some food folks were initially exasperated when here too, including perfectly sour pickles, silky hand-sliced yet another Latin-influenced grill replaced one of our nova or lox, truly red-rare roast beef, and the cutest two- area’s few Vietnamese restaurants, it’s hard to bear a bite mini-potato pancakes ever — eight per order, served with sour cream and applesauce. $$ Continued on page 67 ORIGINAL BAVARIAN BIER GARTEN OPEN DAILY FROM 5:00PM TO 11:00PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY TO MIDNIGHT

JOIN US FOR EASTER!

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

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

Restaurant Listings crusty, flattened specimens (poppy seed or sesame seed) Il Migliore Pilar 2576 NE Miami Gardens Dr. 20475 Biscayne Blvd., 305-937-2777 Continued from page 66 are the ultimate bagel/soft pretzel hybrid -- and a special- ty at this bustling Jewish bakery/deli, which, since 1988, 305-792-2902 Chef/owner Scott Fredel previously worked for Norman opens at 6:30 a.m. -- typically selling out of flagels in a Chef Neal Cooper’s attractive trattoria gets the food right, Van Aken and Mark Militello. He has been executive chef grudge at a friendly, casual neighborhood place that couple of hours. Since you’re up early anyway, sample as well as the ambiance. As in Italy, dishes rely on impec- at Rumi, and cooked at NYC’s James Beard House. Armed offers monster ten-ounce char-grilled burgers, with pota- elaborately garnished breakfast specials, including unusu- cable ingredients and straightforward recipes that don’t with those impressive credentials, Fredel and his wife toes or salad, for $8.50; steaks, plus a side and a sauce ally flavorful homemade corned beef hash and eggs. For overcomplicate, cover up, or otherwise muck about with launched Pilar (named for Hemingway’s boat) aiming to or veg topper, for nine bucks at lunch, $15 to $18.75 the rest of the day, multitudes of mavens devour every that perfection. Fresh fettuccine with white truffle oil and prove that top restaurants can be affordable. Consider (the menu’s top price) at night; and three-dollar glasses of other delectable deli specialty known to humankind. $$ mixed wild mushrooms needs nothing else. Neither does it proven. Floribbean-style seafood is the specialty: fresh decent house wine. $-$$ the signature Pollo Al Mattone, marinated in herbs and hearts of palm slaw and Caribbean curry sauce, rock Bar Rosso cooked under a brick. And even low-carb dieters happily shrimp spring rolls with sweet soy glaze, yellowtail snap- Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill 19004 NE 29th Ave., 305-933-3418 go to hell in a hand basket when faced with a mound per with tomato-herb vinaigrette. Forget its strip-mall loca- 3250 NE 1st Ave., 786-369-0353 Bar Rosso calls itself a “vinoteca,” and we’d agree the of potatoes alla Toscana, herb-sprinkled French fries. tion. The restaurant itself is elegant. $$-$$$ This chic indoor/outdoor space is an offspring of Lincoln snappy, made-up word suits this casually stylish wine $$-$$$ Road’s SushiSamba Dromo and a sibling of Sugarcane bar and restaurant, where the fare is Italian, American, Pizza Roma lounges in NYC and Las Vegas, but more informal than and Italian-American. There are plenty of pastas and Mahogany Grille 19090 NE 29th Ave., 305-937-4884 the former and more food-oriented than the latter, as wood-grilled meat and fish entrées, but artfully garnished 2190 NW 183rd St. Despite its name, this homey hidden eatery serves not three kitchens -- normal, raw bar, and robata charcoal grill cured meat or cheese selections and small plates are the 305-626-8100 Rome’s wood-cooked, crunchy-crusted pizzas but New -- make clear. Chef Timon Balloo’s LatAsian small plates best way to sample chef Josh Medina’s creativity, from Mahogany Grille has drawn critical raves and an interna- York-style pies with medium-thick crusts pliable enough to range from subtle orange/fennel-marinated salmon crudo espresso-braised short ribs to salad specials like fresh tional clientele since retired major league outfielder Andre fold in half for neat street eating. Unlike chains, though, to intensely smoky-rich short ribs. At the daily happy hour, golden beets with grilled radicchio, goat cheese, arugula, Dawson and his brother transformed this place in 2007. this indie is accommodating, so if you want your crust select dishes (like steamed pork buns with apple kimchi) and a unique cumin-raisin vinaigrette. $$-$$$ Today it’s white tablecloths and, naturally, mahogany. thin and crisp, just ask. Also featured are Italian-American are discounted. $$-$$$ The menu is a sort of trendy yet traditional soul fusion of entrées like baked manicotti (that’s “mani-goat”, for those Bella Luna food from several African diaspora regions: Carolina Low not from NJ) big enough to share, and sub sandwiches, Sushi House 19575 Biscayne Blvd. Aventura Mall Country (buttery cheese grits with shrimp, sausage, and here called “bullets,” to put you in a Sopranos frame of 15911 Biscayne Blvd., 305-947-6002 305-792-9330 cream gravy), the Caribbean (conch-packed fritters or mind. $$ In terms of décor drama, this sushi spot seems to have If the menu here looks familiar, it should. It’s nearly iden- salad), and the Old South (lightly buttermilk-battered fried taken its cue from Philippe Starck: sheer floor-to-ceiling tical to that at the Upper Eastside’s Luna Café and, with chicken). The chicken is perhaps Miami’s best. $$-$$$ The Soup Man drapes, for starters. The sushi list, too, is over the top, fea- minor variations, at all the rest of Tom Billante’s eateries 20475 Biscayne Blvd. #G-8, 305-466-9033 turing monster makis like the Cubbie Comfort: spicy tuna, (Rosalia, Villaggio, Carpaccio), right down to the typeface. Mo’s Bagels & Deli The real soup man behind this franchise is Al Yeganeh, an soft-shell crab, shrimp and eel tempura, plus avocado, jala- But no argument from here. In a mall – a setting more 2780 NE 187th St. antisocial Manhattan restaurant proprietor made notori- peños, and cilantro, topped with not one but three sauces: accustomed to food court – dishes like carpaccio al sal- 305-936-8555 ous, on a Seinfeld episode, as “the soup Nazi.” On the wasabi, teriyaki, and spicy mayo. Hawaiian King Crab con- mone (crudo, with portobellos, capers, parmesan slices, While the term “old school” is used a lot to describe menu: ten different premium soups each day. The selec- tains unprecedented ingredients like tomatoes, green pep- and lemon/tomato dressing) and linguine carbonara (in this spacious (160-seat) establishment, it actually tion is carefully balanced among meat/poultry-based and pers, and pineapple. Boutique wines, artisan sakes, and creamy sauce with pancetta and shallots) are a breath of opened in 1995. It just so evokes the classic NY delis vegetarian; clear and creamy (like the eatery’s signature cocktails are as exotic as the cuisine. $$$-$$$$ fresh, albeit familiar, air. $$-$$$ we left behind that it seems to have been here forever. shellfish-packed lobster bisque); chilled and hot; familiar Example: Lox and nova aren’t pallid, prepackaged fish, (chicken noodle) and exotic (mulligatawny). All soups Tuna’s Raw Bar and Grille Bourbon Steak but custom-sliced from whole slabs. And bagels are hand- come with gourmet bread, fruit, and imported chocolate. 17850 W. Dixie Hwy., 305-932-0630 19999 W. Country Club Dr. rolled, chewy champions, not those machine-made puffy Also available are salads, sandwiches, and wraps. $-$$ The reincarnated Tuna’s has gained new owners, a new (Fairmont Hotel, Turnberry Resort) poseurs. As complimentary pastry bites suggest, and the name, a dazzling outdoor bar and dining area, and a 786-279-0658 massive size of the succulent, sufficiently fatty pastrami Sushi Siam newly impressive selection of raw-bar specialties: cold- At Bourbon Steak, a venture in the exploding restaurant sandwiches confirm, generous Jewish Mo(m) spirit shines 19575 Biscayne Blvd., 305-932-8955 water oysters from the Northeast, plus Blue Points, empire of chef Michael Mina, a multiple James Beard here. $$ (See Miami / Upper Eastside listing) Malpecs, Island Creeks, and more. Traditional house award winner, steakhouse fare is just where the fare favorites remain, and the emphasis is still on fresh fish starts. There are also Mina’s ingenious signature dishes, from local waters. Open daily till 2:00 a.m., the place can like an elegant deconstructed lobster/baby vegetable pot get rather festive after midnight, but since the kitchen is pie, a raw bar, and enough delectable vegetable/seafood open till closing, Tuna’s draws a serious late-night dining starters and sides for noncarnivores to assemble a happy crowd, too. $$-$$$ meal. But don’t neglect the steak — flavorful dry-aged Angus, 100-percent Wagyu American “Kobe,” swoonwor- thy grade A5 Japanese Kobe, and butter-poached prime AVENTURA / MIAMI GARDENS rib, all cooked to perfection. $$$$$ Anthony’s Coal-Fired Pizza Chef Allen’s 17901 Biscayne Blvd., 305-830-2625 19088 NE 29th Ave Coal is what it’s all about here — a coal-fired oven (like that 305-935-2900 at Lombardi’s, Patsy’s, John’s, or Grimaldi’s in New York) After 20 years of success in the same location, many producing the intense 800-degree heat to turn out, in mere chefs would coast on their backlog of tried-and-true minutes, a pie with the classic thin, crisp-bottomed, beauti- dishes. And it’s doubtful that kindly Allen Susser would fully char-bubbled crust that fans of the above legendary freak out his many regulars by eliminating from the menu pizzerias crave. Expect neither bargain-chain prices, a the Bahamian lobster and crab cakes. But lobster-lovers huge selection of toppings, nor much else on the menu. will find that the 20th anniversary menus also offer new Anthony’s does just a few things, and does them right. $$ excitements like tandoori-spiced rock lobster, along with what might be the ultimate mac’n’cheese: lobster crab Bagel Cove Restaurant & Deli macaroni in a Fris vodka sauce with mushrooms, scal- 19003 Biscayne Blvd., 305-935-4029 lions, and parmesan. The famous dessert soufflé’s flavor One word: flagels. And no, that’s not a typo. Rather these changes daily, but it always did. $$$$$

April 2010 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 67 Dining Guide

68 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com April 2010