July 2009

Serving the communities along the Biscayne Corridor, including Arch Creek East, Bay Point, Bayside, Biscayne Park, Belle Meade, Buena Vista, Design District, Downtown, Edgewater, El Portal, Hibiscus Island, Keystone Point, Miami Shores, Morningside, North Bay Island, North Miami, Oakland Grove, Palm Grove, Palm Island, Sans Souci, Shorecrest, Star Island, Wynwood, and Venetian Islands www.BiscayneTimes.com Volume 7, Issue 5 Dirt & Dreams By Christian Cipriani Cover photo by Silvia Ros Illustration by James Dougherty All those vacant lots in Edgewater? We have plans for them!

ew areas along the Biscayne Cor- small waterfront enclave was at the heart Real estate developers, a number of demolished what was already a rare com- ridor blossomed so brightly, then of Miami’s “Manhattanization” — a whom had no experience building high- modity in Miami: affordable housing. Fsuffered so deeply from the recent projected home to more than 6000 new rise condominiums (or much of anything In one sense, the frenzy of activity building boom and bust as Edgewater. luxury lofts and condos, and a hip, fresh else), swarmed over the low-rise neigh- was understandable. Geographically But Edgewater isn’t like most neighbor- destination for young professionals and borhood, gobbled up apartment buildings, hoods. Less than fi ve years ago, this Miami Beach exiles. evicted tenants by the hundreds, and Continued on page 14

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2 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 KJULYKNIGHT CONCERT HALL C CARNIVAL STUDIO THEATERZ ZIFF BALLET OPERA HOUSE P PARKER AND VANN THOMSON PLAZA SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 Fuerza Bruta Fuerza Bruta 3 Fuerza Bruta 4 7:30PM Z 2 7:30PM Z 7:30 & 10PM Z “A wordless fusion of “A mentally and Come early or stay INTERNATIONAL physical and visual sensually invigorating late and enjoy a drink feats, performed at experience!” at the G-Lounge! close range to the -The Miami Herald Hispanic Theatre Festival audience!” JULY 8-26 -The New York Times

5 Fuerza Bruta 6 7 Fuerza Bruta 89Fuerza Bruta Fuerza Bruta 10 Fuerza Bruta 11 Fuerza Bruta 7:30PM Z NOW 7:30PM Z 7:30PM Z 7:30PM Z 7:30 & 10PM Z 7:30 & 10PM Z “Explosion of PLAYING! “Not many shows can XXIV Intl. Hispanic XXIV Intl. Hispanic Flamenco Flamenco a show!” boast that they deliver Theatre Festival: Theatre Festival: “Gipsy Fusion” “Gipsy Fusion” - CBS4 something you’ve Carta de una Carta de una 8PM Z 8PM Z never seen before. Desconocida Desconocida THIS ONE DOES.” XXIV Intl. Hispanic 8:30PM C 8:30PM C XXIV Intl. Hispanic -New York Daily News Theatre Festival: Carta de una Theatre Festival: Desconocida Nezahualcoyotl 8:30PM C 8:30PM C XXIV Intl. Hispanic 14 Fuerza Bruta 15 Fuerza Bruta 16 Fuerza Bruta 17 Fuerza Bruta Fuerza Bruta 12 Theatre Festival: 13 7:30PM Z 7:30PM Z 7:30PM Z 7:30 & 10PM Z 18 7:30 & 10PM Z Nezahualcoyotl “Gobsmackingly “Wet and Wild.” 5PM C XXIV Intl. Hispanic XXIV Intl. Hispanic XXIV Intl. Hispanic incredible! A sexy, Theatre Festival: -Sun-Sentinel Theatre Festival: Theatre Festival: Fuerza Bruta heart-pounding Bodas de Sangre Bodas de Sangre El Evangelio XXIV Intl. Hispanic 7:30PM Z fantasy!” C Según Clark 8:30PM Theatre Festival: 8:30PM C -New York Daily News 8:30PM Flamenco Bodas de Sangre C “Gipsy Fusion” 8:30PM C 7:30PM Z Fuerza Bruta Fuerza Bruta 22 Fuerza Bruta 23 Fuerza Bruta Fuerza Bruta Fuerza Bruta 19 7:30PM Z 20 21 7:30PM Z 7:30PM Z 7:30PM Z 24 7:30 & 10PM Z 25 7:30 & 10PM Z XXIV Intl. Hispanic “Unexpected “Madness! A Truly one- “Dreamlike show... “Overhead water “A sexy, heart- Theatre Festival: magnificence. Be in of-a-kind diversion!” thrilling!” wonderland! ” pounding fantasy!” El Evangelio the mood for an -The Star-Ledger - The Miami Herald -CBS4 -New York Daily News Según Clark “A dazzling blend unusually beguiling XXIV Intl. Hispanic XXIV Intl. Hispanic XXIV Intl. Hispanic 5PM C of erotic, time!” XXIV Intl. Hispanic Theatre Festival: Theatre Festival: Theatre Festival: hypnotic, aquatic!” -The Star-Ledger Theatre Festival: Aire Frio Aire Frio Aire Frio Aire Frio – New York Post 8:30PM C 8:30PM C 8:30PM C 8:30PM C

Fuerza Bruta Fuerza Bruta Fuerza Bruta Fuerza Bruta Fuerza Bruta Party before and 29 30 31 26 7:30PM Z 27 28 7:30PM Z 7:30PM Z 7:30PM Z 7:30 & 10PM Z after the show in the “A holiday from the “A wordless fusion of “No spoken word...a “A gravity-defying from “A dazzling blend of G-Lounge by Barton G! real world!” physical and visual unique world of music the makers of De La erotic, hypnotic, -The Guardian, London feats, performed by and energy.” Guarda that has to be aquatic! Undeniably a cast of beauties at -CBS4 seen to be believed!” spectacular!” XXIV Intl. Hispanic close range to the -Variety -The New York Post Theatre Festival: audience!” Aire Frio -The New York Times 5PM C

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July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 3 COMMENTARY: FEEDBACK PO Box 370566, Miami, FL 33137 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Member of the Dade or Miami-Dade? You terrestrially” in the same sentence again. nothing,” and asserts “the value of the Florida Press Association Be the Judge At least I hope so. editorial content is even less.” D.C. Copeland This is utter garbage. As much as I’m rankled by the www.BiscayneTimes.com Miami Beach First because it is factually incorrect: county’s name change that Frank Rol- The editorial staff — which by the way lason wrote about (“Twisting History PUBLISHER & EDITOR is bigger than it has been in years — has Jim Mullin for Shameless Pride,” June 2009), if the Transcontinental Mash won more awards than ever before in the [email protected] old adage about history being written by Note last two years. We took the Investigative INTERNS the victor was held without exception, Kudos from a West Coast reader to Reporters and Editors prize last year for the Brian Horowitz then our county would have been called publisher/editor Jim Mullin and the Bis- best investigation in America after break- [email protected] Micanopy County, after the fi rst Semi- cayne Times staff. As mentioned in Jack ing news of the sex offenders living under nole to fi re his weapon at the Dade Battle King’s column “Miami’s Media Muddle” Alex Katechis the Julia Tuttle Causeway. And we have in 1835. (June 2009), they are putting out a marvel- [email protected] delivered more than 40 state and regional That was the shot that struck and ous monthly “clean-cut, hyper-local niche awards, better than ever in our history. killed Maj. Francis Langhorne Dade. Of newspaper-magazine hybrid” powerhouse! CONTRIBUTORS What has the Biscayne Times won? Ever? course back then the Seminoles were on My hopes are that the business com- Victor Barrenchea, Erik Bojnansky, Pamela Second because the piece is ethically Robin Brandt, Terence Cantarella, Bill the run, considered obstacles to progress. munity and readers will continue to sup- challenged. Not only did it fail to men- Citara, Wendy Doscher-Smith, Kathy They had no political clout, and hadn’t port the BT, recognizing the gem that it is. tion that after almost 20 years, Mullin left Glasgow, Margaret Griffi s, Jim W. Harper, yet fi gured out how to get mega rich Pat Burke Lisa Hartman, Jen Karetnick, Jack King, New Times in disgrace after the suicide through casino gambling. San Diego, CA Derek McCann, Frank Rollason, Silvia Ros, of a local African-American politician. We can only pray that if there is any Jeff Shimonski But it didn’t say that eight people listed justice in this world, Alex Penelas, who ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Full-force Smackdown on the masthead as “contributors” have initiated the county name change from Marco Fernandez received New Times paychecks. Perhaps Dade County to Miami-Dade County, Floors Discredited [email protected] bitterness drove the comments. But how will go the way of Chief Micanopy — Publishing Tycoon Marc Ruehle would the reader know? unheralded and nearly forgotten. I once thought Biscayne Times editor [email protected] I guess Jack King forgot to call for In that same June issue, but on a and publisher Jim Mullin was a prin- OFFICE MANAGER a response. He may not know better. more earthy note, someone must have cipled, smart journalist. I don’t anymore. Mullin should. Wilmer Ametin had a lot of fun writing the photo cap- Jack King’s commentary “Miami’s Chuck Strouse, editor [email protected] tion for Jeff Shimonski’s “Your Garden” Media Muddle” in the BT should embar- Miami New Times ART DIRECTOR column headlined “Things You Can rass both Mullin and the writer. It calls Marcy Mock Do With Palms.” I know it will be a Miami New Times “a shadow of its Continued on page 6 [email protected] while before I see “epiphytically and former self,” says the staff is “down to ADVERTISING DESIGN DP Designs TABLE OF CONTENTS [email protected] The Biscayne Times welcomes proposals for COVER STORY ART & CULTURE articles and press releases. Submitted material Dirt & Dreams ...... 1 Brook Dorsch: It’s Not Always About the Money ...... 30 may be edited for length, clarity, and content. Art Listings ...... 32 All submitted material becomes the property of COMMENTARY The Biscayne Times. Please be sure to include Culture Briefs ...... 35 your name, address and telephone number in Feedback: Letters ...... 4 all correspondence. Miami’s King: Jack King ...... 10 All articles, photos, and artwork in the Word on the Street ...... 12 PARK PATROL Biscayne Times are copyrighted by Biscayne Media, LLC. Any duplication or reprinting Greynolds Park: Where the Wild Things Still Are ...... 36 without authorized written consent from the OUR SPONSORS publisher is prohibited. BizBuzz ...... 8 The Biscayne Times is published the first COLUMNISTS Advertiser Directory ...... 8 week of each month. We are hand delivered Kids and the City: Into the Vortex of Family ...... 38 to all the homes along both sides of Biscayne Boulevard from downtown and the Venetian NEIGHBORHOOD CORRESPONDENTS Pawsitively Pets: Why Do Dogs Bark? ...... 40 Islands to Arch Creek. Kathy Glasgow: A Life Without Guard Gates ...... 18 Your Garden: Ants and Plants ...... 43 Frank Rollason: Opportunity in Adversity ...... 20 Advertise! Jen Karetnick: Never Too Late to Learn -- or Teach ...... 22 POLICE REPORTS 305-756-6200 Biscayne Crime Beat ...... 42 COMMUNITY NEWS WE NOW ACCEPT Spray Can Confidential ...... 24 DINING GUIDE School Dazed in El Portal ...... 24 CREDIT CARDS Restaurant Listings ...... 44 North Miami’s Great Divide ...... 25 From Crude to Prude ...... 25 Wine: Red, White, and You ...... 46

4 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 5 COMMENTARY: FEEDBACK

Letters spite of the recent massacre at the Ameri- see it, from an outside view. It used to many City of Miami employees are driv- Continued from page 4 can Civic Association, Binghamton is a be much different without the clogging ing city vehicles? wonderful, safe place to raise a family, near Rano Boulevard. I’ll return there We are renting in a Miami neigh- Jen, Is There Anything with good schools and a good quality of when I retire, and will be glad for it, borhood, and right by us there are two life (except for the climate). weather and all. We’ll split the time neighbors who work for the city and Left? Anything At All? I look forward to future contribu- between here and there. drive city vehicles. How much does Ever since our friend with multiple tions from this writer and will read, with I’m going to make my wife read this cost the city annually in vehicle mango trees moved from Miami Shores, “tongue-in-cheek” amusement, her accul- aloud your article and maybe, just maybe maintenance and insurance? Is it really we’ve been approaching summers with turation into her new community. you’ve described it in such a way as necessary? Just wondering. mango lust and no way of satisfying it. If I Gerry Vergason she’ll fi nally get what I mean when I say, Carol Cottrell read Jen Karetnick’s “Mango Mania” cor- Miami Shores “Cold... gray... ugly”. Miami rectly (June 2009), and she’s looking for I don’t know how long Wendy’s mango fans to cart off some of her excess been there, or how she found her way fruit, we’d like to volunteer to help out! Never See the Light of Day, Gravy Train: Just Wait, Practically there (I’d like to hear that one), but Bigger Problems Lie Ahead Wendy and Rich Wallace the next time she passes into Vestal, I read Wendy Doscher-Smith’s Congratulations to Erik Bojnansky on Davis Harbor she should blot out the commercial article on the American Civic Associa- “Gravy Train,” a great piece of journalism. stretch of the parkway and make her tion shooting (“Dark Skies, Cold Rain, Thank you for exposing the cronyism so Editor’s note: Response came fast way south on Route 26, find the old and Death,” May 2009) from a link on prevalent in the City of Miami. The even and furious to Jen’s call for local mango- cemetery just before Vestal Center my Yahoo home page, which has a link bigger problem comes later, when these heads to pick tons of fruit that might up on the left, then make her way to to Southern Tier news. I live in Titus- employees retire and start collecting otherwise go to waste. Drop us line at Gardner Road, turn right and get to ville, Florida, about three hours north of defi ned-benefi t pensions based on these [email protected] and we’ll Tracey Creek Road, turn right and Wendy’s former home in Biscayne Park. bloated salaries. respond with an update. pass by the two really old cemeteries I’m sorry to see what’s happened to the I’d like Erik to do a follow-up along Tracey Creek. Binghamton area, which I still call true about recent employees who have re- Open BT, Place Tongue Wendy will have seen the real home. I grew up in Vestal for my fi rst 24 tired on these infl ated salaries and what Vestal — quiet, old, settled. I make that Firmly in Cheek, Savor years, and here for the next 24. I get back it is costing us in annual pensions for trip every time I’m home. She’ll see that Wendy’s Latest once a year. such gross mismanagement. Vestal is as quiet as any place you can I want to let you know how much I I wanted to applaud Wendy’s sense James Sullivan fi nd. And on her way back she should enjoy reading Wendy Doscher-Smith’s of the real, which is the way she de- Edgewater be sure to stop at the Vestal Bakery. The articles each month. As a native of the scribed the weather. I have always said absolute best pizza in the county, and I’ll Binghamton, New York, area, I can relate that we have as many bad days as you pay if she disagrees. Gravy Train: The Common to her musings about living there. have good. It’s a depressing thought to Thanks again for the article. See you Thread — Unions Her laments about Binghamton’s know that you won’t see daylight from later. I’ve got to close the blinds. Has anyone else noticed the common dreary, cloudy weather and cold winters November until May (usually). Prob- Michael McDonough thread that seems to run through every are dead-on accurate, and it’s fun to hear lem is, the poor bastards who grow up Titusville story about infl ated salaries and wasteful mention of local references. and never leave there don’t know the spending, whether it involves fi refi ght- In “Changing Seasons — It’s a difference. ers, police offi cers, sanitation workers, or Killer” (June 2009), her recounting of a I could not function without a Gravy Train: A auto industry employees? conversation with a waitress at breakfast healthy dose of rays. I do take it for Midwesterner Wonders Unions! one morning did not paint the locals in granted now, as Wendy probably did. Yes, About Miami and Money They have gotten out of control. a very good light. However, I laughed, it’s hot and muggy sometimes, but for my I recently relocated to Miami from the Michael Murawski partially out of embarrassment, as I have money you can always get out of the heat, Midwest. Erik Bojnansky’s story “Gravy Miami-Dade County shared Wendy’s experience with the pre- as opposed to.... Train” (May 2009), regarding City of vailing mindset of the Binghamton area. Enough about what she already Miami employees who made more than As a single person, I found Bingham- knows. She also described Vestal using $200,000 last year, was not surprising. Feedback: [email protected] ton to be a wonderful place to be from. In just one word — Stepford — and I can However, I would like to know how

6 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 7 OUR SPONSORS BizBuzz: July 2009 Sales, special events, and more from the people who make Biscayne Times possible By Pamela Robin Brandt reading or listening preference, Trader it all. The company also keeps up to date something special.” BT Contributor John’s Book & Record (484 NE 125th on zoning, permitting, and homeowner Luxury real estate can be a hard St.; 305-899-7172) has it. Normal prices association requirements, and promises sell in this economy, but new advertiser hough summer has barely begun, at this jam-packed used-book shop “to get the job done right the fi rst time, on Nancy Batchelor, an associate of EWM the kids are already tired of having (which also carries audio and video time and within budget, guaranteed.” (305-903-2850), has a fi le full of thank- Tnothing to do but drive you nuts. But recordings) are already a steal, but just in Summer means cooking out, and not you letters praising her for doing a great MeteGoal Indoor Soccer (7616 NE 4th time for the peak of beach reading season, just in the USA. At the Royal Bavarian job in a tough market. Recognized at Ct.; 305-756-1700 or Katie@metegoal,com), owner John Martin is offering readers of Schnitzelhaus (1085 79th St. Causeway; EWM’s “Chairman’s Club” level (the top where patrons can play in air-conditioned his ad an additional ten-percent discount. 305-754-8002) chef/owner Alex Richter half of one percent of Realtors nation- (and secure, safe) comfort, has a solution: If reading at home, you’d naturally offers ribs, chicken, and various steaks ally) for the past fi ve years, Batchelor weekly summer soccer camps run by Coach like to be relaxing in your condo on a done the German way — marinated in is also a yachting enthusiast who loves Joao Moraes from the Brazilian Soccer Train- Roche Bobois couch. But that kind of dark beer before cooking on the biergar- showing waterfront properties by boat. ing Center. The fi ve-day, Monday-Friday ses- furniture can set you back as much as the ten’s outdoor grill — as well as a more During summer’s “dog days,” don’t sions (9:00 a.m. to noon for kids 4-6, 3:00 to condo, unless unique treat: forget the real dog. On July 4, the 6:00 p.m. for ages 7-10), formerly scheduled you fi nd it steckerl- Doggie Bag Café at Smiling Pets (7310 to run through mid-August, have just been among the Let BizBuzz be your guide as you fi sch, whole Biscayne Blvd.; 305-710-7266) will be extended with two more sessions that carry ever-changing indulge in a tasty treat, whip whitefi sh on initiating a self-service dog wash, offer- the camp through September 4, to accommo- but always yourself into shape, or go wild at a a stick, subtly ing all the tools for owners to clean up date students who return to school late. Price quality stock at seasonal sale. smoked over their pets. And on July 11, proceeds from is $150 per child per weekly session, with a new adver- coals. The the café’s “Dog Days of Summer Yappy 10 percent discount offered to those who sign tiser Midtown savory fi sh Hour” will benefi t Dachshund Rescue of up and pay for four weeks in advance. (Note: Consignment popsicles, South Florida. MeteGoal’s new Loyalty Program offers (2328 N. Miami Ave; 305-573-5307). At served with German potato salad, and Finally, speaking of reality, actual adult players a deal, too: For every fi ve hours this glam warehouse, you can consign other BBQ specials, will be served and virtual: Despite reports on sev- your team rents a fi eld at the $100 per hour your vintage 1960s coffee table and Friday-Sunday from 5:00 p.m. eral Websites, the News Lounge at regular rate, the sixth hour is 50 percent off.) 1920s cigarette cases, or buy similar Summer is ice cream season too, 55th Street Station has not changed If reading about all that exercise has gently used upscale treasures for prices and for those seeking to indulge without its name to Local 55. We’d defi nitely made you hungry, bring this issue’s ad that won’t break the bank. the guilt, new advertiser Yogen Früz is chide the rumor-mongers for inac- for Bagels & Company (11064 Biscayne Considering the dramatic storms now open (100 S. Biscayne Blvd., #109; curacy were it not for our own wee Blvd.; 305-892-2435) to the shop for this that heralded the start of 2009’s hur- 305-371-5117). The Canadian chain, peccadillo last month. Um, you readers month’s take-out special: Buy a dozen ricane season, readers will be happy to trendy since the mid-1980s, is particu- who showed up at the Station expecting bagels and get an additional dozen for hear about MFS Roofi ng (888-283-6820 larly known for its festive, customer- to fi nd a new shuttle to South Beach? free, a coupon good for the same, or a free or www.mfsroofi ng.com), new to the controlled mix-in blends. It’s is actually a virtual trolley, a new pound of cream cheese). The ad coupons BT family but a company with 35 years’ Belly dancing is a bonus every Sat- feature on the Station’s Website (www. are also good for two eat-in deals — on experience dealing with South Florida urday night at the Lebanese eatery Bistro the55thstreetstation.com). Sorry. Chalk Fridays, any half-pound deli sandwich for emergencies. In fact they have a 24-hour 82 (8201 Biscayne Blvd.; 305-403-2995), it up to too many of the Lounge’s four- $5, and on Tuesdays, a free entrée with the hotline so experts can respond immedi- but once each month owner Mona Issa buck happy hour cocktails. purchase of an entrée and beverage. ately, whether it’s a major reroofi ng or ups the ante with a kicked-up perfor- From science fi ction to self-help, minor leak. Traditional tile and natural mance. The special show July 25 will Something special coming up at your gaming to gay studies, art to animals, slate; mod metal and fi berglass; cost-ef- feature live Arabic music plus a classical business? Send info to bizbuzz@bis- mysteries to music: Whatever your fective asphalt — MFS has worked with belly dancer that Issa describes as “really caynetimes.com. For BT advertisers only.

FINANCIAL & LEGAL SERVICES LetterHeads MeteGoal Indoor Soccer INSURANCE Turnberry International Realty Metro Organic Bistro ADVERTISER DIRECTORY Page 43 Page 39 Page 2 Page 55 Allied Public Adjusters Allstate Insurance ART & CULTURE AUTOMOTIVE Page 41 Miami Beach Pebbles Nails Etc. Page 37 RESTAURANTS & FOOD Mike’s at Venetia Page 10 Page 37 Page 49 Adrienne Arsht Center Law Offices of Jake Miller PETS Bagels & Co. Miami Parking Authority Midtown Consignment NEW Page 3 Page 17 HOME IMPROVEMENT Page 50 Moriano Page 29 2328 N. Miami Ave. Adam’s Veterinary Clinic Page 52 Dacra Art + Design Law Offices of John Lodge Page 41 Bistro 82 305-573-5307 All Florida Pool & Spa Page 9 Plaza Tire & Auto Penson Page 31 Page 55 One Sumo Page 28 Page 24 Page 12 Smiling Pets Page 51 I.D. Art Supply Planet Lighting Page 40 The Bridge Restaurant NEW Page 26 Law Offices of Steven K. Baird Page 33 Arco Glass & Windows 2286 NE 123rd St. Pizza Fiore EDUCATION REAL ESTATE Page 33 Page 37 305-891-8282 Page 48 Miami Dade County Teak Only Children’s Village Montessori School Douglas Elliman Page 45 Page 41 FURNITURE & ACCESSORIES Page 34 Guarantee Floridian Red Light & Day Care Page 7 Page 20 Buena Vista Bistro Page 53 New Concept Video NEW Page 39 Alko Printing NEW HEALTH & BEAUTY 7699 Biscayne Blvd. 3208 NE 2nd Ave. Jeff Tomlinson Realty Group Page 53 MFS Roofing NEW Royal Bavarian 305-758-6808 305-573-3634 Dental Options Page 5 Live! Music School Dunkin’ Donuts Schnitzel Haus Page 6 Page 29 Page 39 1-888-664-4220 Page 39 Page 21 Miami Spaces Page 51 Page 54 Seraphic Fire Hiperfit Page 31 Ascot Teak Fish Corner Page 22 Miami Shores Presbyterian Page 25 Page 13 Power Marble Soyka Restaurant Nancy Batchelor NEW Page 54 Church School Page 43 Page 56 Trader John’s Records & Books Beau Living Holistic Healing Center 305-908-2350 Page 38 Page 38 The Girrrlz of Sandwich NEW Yogen Früz NEW Page 11 Page 28 Re: Design Studio Page 19 555 NE 15th St. 2nd Floor 100 S. Biscayne Blvd. #109 Upper Eastside Garden Miami Arts Charter School Imagine Gifts Humana Miami Architecture & Interiors Ruben Matz 305-374-4305 305-371-5117 Page 34 Page 18 Page 27 Page 41 Page 31 Page 23 Page 46 Page 47

8 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 ON SATURDAY, YOUWEREALWAYS THERE WITH US.+

SATURDAY / JULY 11 / 7-10 PM

/ BAS FISHER INVITATIONAL / You Were Always There With Us by Kathleen Hudspeth BFI is pleased to present the first solo show of works by Kathleen Hudspeth. “You Were Always There With Us” is an exhibition of drawings and prints, which address the seemingly contradictory ideas of oppression and inclusion. Located in Buena Vista Building_180 N.E. 39th Street_Suite 210

/ LOCUST PROJECTS / Inside: BALLS IN THE AIR / Not Just Talking Heads For one night only, Locust Projects is a Wet Heat Project documentary studio. “BALLS IN THE AIR, Not Just Talking Heads”: Come and play your part, it’s 60 seconds not “60 Minutes.” Make-up, green room, rushes... One art season is history, the next is what you'll make it. In the final cut, every answer counts.

Outside: Jason Hedges Jason Hedges presents “Untitled (Judd Caja China),” a new performance installation in Locust Projects’ courtyard area. Hedges’ artwork borrows from primitive cooking methods, in this case “Under Ground Pit Cooking,” and the evolution of this method in contemporary times. The union of these sources creates a dialogue between artistic expression, survival, community and current state of humanity on local and global levels. Located at Locust Projects_155 N.E. 38th Street_Suite 100

/ DIASPORA VIBE GALLERY / Diaspora Vibe Gallery is a local arts organization offering support and exhibition opportunities ART + to Emerging Artists from Latin America and Caribbean Diaspora. Working closely with young artists within the community, Diaspora Vibe Gallery continues to reach into the community at DESIGN local, national, and international levels, seeking fresh new faces and expanded support. NIGHT Located in The Madonna Building_3938 North Miami Avenue

2ND SATURDAY + OF EVERY MONTH IN You Were Always There With Us. Above:“Cutting The Passage” by Kathleen Hudspeth, 2009. Litho and Oil-Based Monotype, 41.75” x 30”

T / 305.573.8116 N.E. 2nd Avenue [ between 39th & 40th Streets ] miamidesigndistrict.net VALET PARK FOR ONLY $3. {4 VALET STATIONS ARE LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT}

July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 9 COMMENTARY: MIAMI’S KING It’s Summertime and You Know What That Means While you’re in cool North Carolina, local politicos will be making hot deals — for themselves By Jack King clowns — Commissioners Joe Sanchez, to continue to be a punching bag,” Gordon primarily because he’d never been in- BT Contributor Angel Gonzalez, and Michelle Spence- told the Herald. In 2000 Gordon himself dicted and has done nothing wrong. He’s Jones — didn’t quite get the job done. Hey was yanked from the campaign staff of done nothing right, either. As a matter of t’s July and the silly season (political guys, pony up more cash and try again! State Attorney Kathy Rundle after Miami- fact, he’s just done nothing, period. Crist version) is fully upon us. This is the ••• Dade homicide detectives informed her may be a really nice guy, but the cam- Itime of year when our local politicians Most everyone in Florida knows that that Gordon remained a suspect in the 1975 paign, especially the primary, will expose believe that we are not only stupid, but Florida’s Chief Financial Offi cer Alex murder of his fi rst wife. (Gordon was never him as lightweight and Rubio as a nut we’re also out of town on vacation and Sink is leading the Democratic fi eld in charged and has denied any involvement in case. If the Democrats can get through they can do anything they want because no the run for governor. She is from Tampa the crime.) the process without a self-infl icted gun- one is watching. For those of you not as old and is still trying to fi nd her way around Gordon heads up the PR fi rm of shot wound, Florida will then have two as I am, that’s what happened to Coconut South Florida politics. It really showed Gordon Diaz-Balart and represents Democratic senators, although I often Grove in August 1925, when the City of last month when her team sent out invita- heavy-hitter clients who want to pave wonder about Bill Nelson. Miami held an election to annex the Grove. tions to a fundraiser hosted by two of Mi- over all of Miami, and politicians who ••• No one was here to vote against it. ami’s least reputable characters, Johnny can help them do it. Oh yeah, that Diaz- As a write this I’m in Chicago on a City politicos found this ploy so Winton and Balart is Tia beautiful summer day. Yesterday I went to a successful that they’ve used it virtually Seth Gordon. Diaz-Balart, White Sox game (the Cubs are out of town) year since then to cut sweetheart deals Winton went The Coconut Grove marina operators wife of U.S. because I believe that baseball should be for themselves while sticking it to their a few rounds tried again to sneak through their Rep. Mario played outside and during the day. On the constituents, those morons. with airport waterfront offi ce scheme at the last Diaz-Balart. way to the stadium, I got a tour of McCor- This year looks to be no exception. police, lost commission meeting in June. Watch your mick Place, Chicago’s convention facility. The operators of a Coconut Grove marina his job as a step, Alex. The operation is 2.6 million square feet that sits on city land decided several years Miami city ••• and hosts more than 3 million visitors each ago that they would like to have a four- commissioner, Florida’s year. And when I say 3 million, I mean story offi ce building right on the water. The and pled out to lesser charges that didn’t U.S. Senate race is already generating 3 million who are actually registered to rationale was that they needed the space include head-butting a cop. a lot of interest, at least among Repub- attend the conventions, not bogus estimates for boat sales and executive offi ces. Forget The Sink campaign quickly removed licans. Marco Rubio, the Republican that come out of the Greater Miami Visitors the fact that they already had about 10,000 Winton from the host committee, but version of a Christian Atilla the Hun, has and Convention Bureau. This place actu- square feet of empty offi ce space. kept Gordon. And then Gordon defended garnered some serious right-wing support ally works. The issue has been bouncing around Winton by telling the Herald: “So he from the likes of Mike Huckabee and My friend here says all of Chicago city hall for about two years now, morph- mouthed off to a cop. Tempers fl ared and South Carolina’s Mark Sanford. (Let me loves the convention business because it ing with modifi cations to make it more people misbehaved, but it was no high repeat the warning I gave to Alex Sink: really does generate jobs and keeps the palatable, but it always seems to come crime and misdemeanors.” I always fi nd it Watch your step, Marco.) restaurant business (and others) busy all back looking like the thing it is: an offi ce interesting when Gordon defends people, They know that Rubio already has year. It’s such a simple concept: Build building on city parkland overlooking usually his public-relations clients, for 20 percent of the Republican primary something that will actually bring visitors Biscayne Bay. The operators tried to their less-than-stellar behavior. He did vote. Conventional election wisdom says to your area and let them spend money. sneak it through again at the last com- it again in late June when Sink booted that would be a great base upon which to If we would build a convention facility mission meeting in June. Thanks in no George Lindemann as co-chair of the very start building. Unfortunately the other 80 like Chicago’s, we could really generate small part to the effort of Commissioner same fundraiser. Lindemann, as reported percent of the party thinks he’s a right- enough money to pay for the Marlin’s Marc Sarnoff, the issue now appears to in the Herald, was convicted of insurance wing nut job. And they’re right. stadium. Somehow I think we are going be dead, at least for the moment. fraud in 1996 after ordering the death of So on the other side of the Re- about this backwards. I guess the campaign contribu- a valuable horse. He was sentenced to 33 publican coin we have our wonderful tions the operators made to the three months in prison. “George doesn’t deserve governor, Charlie Crist. He got elected Feedback: [email protected]

10 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 11 C OMMENTARY: WORD ON THE STREET Hurricane season is here. Are you worried? Compiled by Victor Barrenechea — BT Contributor

Fernan Hernandez Monica d’Achon George Cohen Victoria Chorsi Ann Mason Marie Philemom Architect Business Owner Manager Sales Nutritionist Multimedia Coordinator Midtown Upper Eastside Miami Shores MiMo North Miami Miami Shores Of course I’m always No. If we are prepared, I worry every year, mostly I’m not really prepared. I’m not worried. I live in a Hurricanes have never nervous. I just hope that there are no worries. We for the business. I prepare. I I know it’s going to be condo and I feel secure in freaked me out — not even whatever comes isn’t as have water, fl ashlights, check my roof, I check my crazy this year. Last year an apartment as opposed Andrew. I always feel really bad as what came before. I candles, our windows are shutters. Every year I check. we barely had any storms. to a freestanding house. safe when a hurricane hits. haven’t done anything to protected. In our home, Last year when they said It’s been a few years since The wind can’t blow it You put down the shutters. prepare. I have shutters on we tie down the trees so something was coming, we we’ve been hit. I feel down. Plus I’m inland and We have water, candles, my home, that’s basically they don’t fall over or get put up the shutters and left like this is the year. I’m I’m on the second fl oor. I fl ashlights. There’s no big all you can do besides uprooted. I’m not worried them up all season. I think expecting something like make sure I have water, body of water near me so I’m [stock] food and water. In at all. We’re prepared. We people in Florida are mostly 2005 when we had Katrina batteries, candles, ice. As not concerned about fl ood- the past three years, noth- know where we have to prepared. They have the and Wilma. After last year, long as I’m indoors I feel ing. I think after the series of ing major has happened, go if we have to evacuate. main, basic things: shutters, which was so calm, we’re safe. I think tragedy from hurricanes, like Katrina and but the weather’s been There’s always enough of generators. It’s something due for it. hurricanes comes when we everything, people are more changing so much recently a warning. we have to live with every live in poorly structured scared. I think it’s under- that you can’t really tell year. All those little things homes or low lands. That’s standable. Before people what’s going to happen. should be taken care of when it’s something to weren’t really prepared. before June. worry about. They’ve learned their lesson.

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12 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 COMMENTARY: FEEDBACK

July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 13 COVER STORY

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4 2 3 8 2 8 3 ST ST TERR TERR ST ST TERR TERR ST ST ST ST ST ST TERR TERR ST ST ST ST ST ST ST ST ST ST ST ST 3 th th th th th nd th th th th st th th th 8 8 4 ST ST NE 32 NE 32 31 NE 31 30 NE 30 30 NE 30 29 NE 29 29 NE 29 27 NE 27 26 NE 26 26 NE 26 25 NE 25 24 NE 24 NE 36 NE 36 35 NE 35 34 NE 34 2 th 4 8 8 8

8 28 NE 28 4 5 7 7 BISCAYNEB BLVD BISCAYNE BLVD BLVD BISCAYNE BLVD 8 4 4 7

Dirt & Dreams and Latino community, once known as that potential. They are an imagineer’s — or better yet a Whole Foods — would Continued from page 1 Miami’s fi rst suburb and dotted with wa- equivalent of the painter’s blank canvas. offer an attractive alternative for healthy terfront mansions and quaint bungalows, As a resident of Edgewater, I’ve eaters, luring foodies from the luxury the area couldn’t have been more prom- never materialized. The grandiose fantasy done my share of daydreaming about condos on Bayshore Drive all the way up ising. Edgewater extends from roughly was vaporized by the collapse of the real what might become of all these vacant to NE 36th Street. A neighborhood that NE 15th Street to the Julia Tuttle estate market. Today the neighborhood lots. And now, thanks to the power vested eats well lives well. Causeway, and from Biscayne Bay to is a patchwork of half-fi lled condos, a in me by Biscayne Times as its Real NE 2nd Avenue — precious bayfront handful of up-and-coming shops and Estate Potentate, I can wave my wand BETTER HOMES property central to every major destina- restaurants rubbing elbows with aging, and make dreams come true, at least 421 NE 22nd St.; 418-446 NE 22nd Terr.; tion in the county. down-market businesses — and many, fi guratively. I carefully surveyed my 413 NE 23rd St.; 513 NE 23rd St.; 601 NE But in another sense, the transforma- many vacant lots. neighborhood, consulted with everyone 23rd St.; 516 NE 26th Terr.; and more tional dreams made little sense. Edge- Many millions of dollars’ worth from civic activists to urban planners, Some of these parcels, like 513 NE water was one of Miami’s poorest areas. of dirt now lies fallow, from oversized and conjured some solutions. 23rd St., are already prepped for develop- Its streets were narrow, some of them so parcels whose owners abandoned major ment; others are the home of ill-fated proj- narrow two-way traffi c was impossible. development plans to a smattering of MARKET FORCES ects like Loft 26, down the road at 516 NE Public transportation for thousands of mini lots popular for illegal dumping. 1776 Biscayne Blvd. 26th Terr. Together they are worth millions. new residents was woefully inadequate. Depending on how you count them, there Having sat vacant since a developer These and similar lots are ideal places Infrastructure fundamentals like water in Houston shelled out $5.6 mil- for novel solutions to multifamily hous- mains, sewers, and storm-water runoff lion for it back in 1996, this ing, such as low-rise “Mat Buildings.” A systems were old and crumbling. A marina at the 28th Street inlet is one of the few lots where I concept that traces back to Le Corbusier’s None of that dampened the aspira- could also be a pick-up point for a don’t have a mere suggestion, Venice Hospital design, Mat Building is tions of developers who envisioned water taxi that shuttles residents to but rather a Draconian decree. a style of interconnected, modular archi- towering condos with alluring names the Upper Eastside, downtown, This must become a high- tecture in which living units are linked by like Onyx, Ice, Quantum, Blue, Aria. and Coconut Grove. end grocery store — and at communal courtyards (similar to Moroccan Advertising campaigns promised an 83,000 square feet it can. Most housing). Coupled with a wider range of urbane, sophisticated lifestyle fi lled with neighborhood residents are all unit prices, the Mat style would encourage gorgeous people, classy restaurants, and are somewhere around 50 vacant lots in too aware that Publix and Price Chopper resident interaction — something Edge- tree-shaded promenades. Edgewater. Some are fenced; most are leave a lot to be desired. (Note to Miami water’s diverse population needs. From a But the gentrifi cation of this work- not. All of them, however, have potential, Shores readers: Our Publix is nothing ing-class, predominately Caribbean and they invite creative thinking about like yours.) A Publix GreenWise market Continued on page 15

14 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 COVER STORY SUPPORT OUR

2 TERR TERR ST ST ST ST ST ST TERR TERR nd nd th rd 2 rd 6 NE 24 NE 24 22 NE 22 22 NE 22 NE 23 NE 23 ST ST TERR TERR ST ST TERR TERR ST ST ST ST NE 23 NE 23 th th th st th 2 th 4 7 7 NE 21 NE 21 20 NE 20 17 NE 17 15 NE 15 NE 19 NE 19 NE 18 NE 18 BISCAYNE BLVD BISCAYNE BLVD BISCAYNE BLVD BLVD 1 8 1 - UPSCALE GROCERY 2 - MODULAR HOUSING 3 - WATER SPORTS 4 - PUBLIC PARKS (c) 2008 Google Imagery, Digital Globe, Sanborn, Florida Department of 5 - INDIE CINEMA Environmental Protection, GeoEye, Tele Atlas 6 - SONESTA HOTEL Dirt & Dreams and supply shop, a café, boat and jet ski 7 - COMMERCIAL SPACES Continued from page 14 rentals — the works. This would liven up 8 - COMMUNITY GARDENS Edgewater’s midpoint and give residents planning standpoint, the effect of mixing a real reason to visit the waterfront. market, essentially extending Margaret — Margaret PacePPkbhidCié Park, behind Cité. income levels in close proximity tends to Water Taxi: A marina could also Pace Park north into the bay and creat- Then there’s Martell Park, a diminu- benefi t an area more than isolating people be a pick-up point for a water taxi that ing brand-new reasons for residents to tive pocket of green for humans and into groups. shuttles residents to the Upper Eastside, patronize the area. dogs behind Blue Condominium on Two large lots, one of them wa- downtown, and Coconut Grove. This Kayak and Canoe Launch: While NE 36th Street. Otherwise the neigh- terfront, at the foot of NE 32nd Street idea was the subject of a design class we’re at it, let’s create an offshoot of borhood is one big concrete jungle. would be ideal for mixed housing, and taught at the University of Miami by the marina on the vacant parcel six We need much more green space, and would be especially attractive by virtue blocks north (640 NE 34th all the shade we can get. of their proximity to a major commu- St.) by offering a launch Richard Strell, head of the Neigh- nity park just to the south. (See GREEN A few movie screens, some unique ramp for man-powered borhood of Edgewater Association of DREAMS below.) concessions, and a combination of watercraft. Set up a rustic, Residents (NEAR), believes that green independent and mainstream releases, open-air kiosk that rents spaces can soon be created on the canoes and kayaks (and cheap: “Even more lots may become BAYFRONT BENEFITS and people would line up, guaranteed. The NE 28th Street Inlet sells kites!), and also leases available in the coming years for pur- Public Marina: At the dead-end of storage space for privately chase from the county due to unpaid NE 28th Street a developer from Aven- owned paddle boats, and property taxes. If empty lots like these tura owns both the north and south lots, architect Ricardo Lopez. “The bay is soon residents will be flocking to are for sale at bargain-basement prices, while another owns the waterfront lots Miami’s greatest physical asset,” says check out the spoil island east of NE the city could purchase them for both on the north side of NE 27th St. The rest Lopez. “The Biscayne Water Trolley 22nd Street, take off on Biscayne Bay mini and full-size parks.” of the vacant space around the inlet is would offer solutions to a number of adventures, or just laze away a few owned by the City of Miami. With only issues: more transit options, reducing hours on the water in the sunshine. Major Community Park three major stakeholders — one being future congestion, enhancing parks, Waterfront lot between NE 30th Ter- the city, which could provide fi nancial in- increasing property values, and more.” GREEN DREAMS race and NE 31st Street centives for the private owners — there’s One of Lopez’s students designed a Edgewater has a couple nice green both the space and means to create a water-taxi station at the end of NE 20th spaces, but that’s about it. There modest public marina. Rental slips, a bait Street that included docks and a fi sh is, of course, the one major park Continued on page 16

July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 15 COVER STORY

Bayfront Benefi ts: The inlet at NE 28th Street will become a full-service marina, plus café. Courtesy of Ricardo Lopez BT photo by Christian Cipriani

Continued on page 17

Reel Potential: A state-of-the-art independent cinema will fi t nicely on UM student Priscilla Wood envisioned a marina complex just north of this lot at 345 NE 32nd Street. Margaret Pace Park.

Dirt & Dreams Shimonski and Jim W. Harper, this could we’re sick of it. Site of the unrealized, have 119 residences. An upscale restau- Continued from page 15 become a mini-Eden of exotic plants — not 33-story Park Lane Tower, this 1.4-acre lot rant, pool bar and grill, 45,000 square to mention a reason to step out and meet across the street from Walgreens would be feet of offi ce space, a fi tness center This perfect, three-acre lot of prime the neighbors. Also throw in some public perfect for a boutique theater like the one and destination spa, and a 12th-fl oor waterfront real estate was once home to WiFi to lure the laptop crowd. planned for the Design District’s outdoor pool deck are also in store — not to Bayfront Manor, a sprawling, horseshoe- Living Room site, which never mention 500 construction jobs over shaped apartment complex popular with happened. It could even have the next 22 months and more than 200 young professionals, especially journalists Community gardens — a great source a stage and double as a theater permanent positions. (for some reason). In 1991 it was purchased of fresh food, a reason to get out with for drama. The Miami Beach- for just $2 million. Last year it was valued based owner of the property ISLAND INSPIRATION neighbors, and more eyes on our streets? at more than $27 million! For 18 years the has been paying hefty taxes on I sat down with Nikolay Nedev, a New York-based owners have been biding Sounds like a recipe for success. the $1.8 million lot for more partner in the architecture fi rm NC- their time, but in the meantime it would than 20 years. A few screens, offi ce, to get additional urban planning make for a spectacular park. Just as Marga- some unique concessions, and a insights. Like UM’s Ricardo Lopez, ret Pace Park spawned a whole network of combination of independent and Nedev was trained to zoom out and valuable development around it, residential Bark Parks and Mini Parks mainstream releases, and people would line consider an area’s overall potential. and commercial interests within the radius 2300 Biscayne Blvd.; 411 NE 24th up, guaranteed. You’d also see clusters of Some of his low-impact solutions to around this park and the marina complex a St.; 325 NE 26th St.; 330 NE 27th St.; restaurants and bars pop up around it. Edgewater’s street layout (very long few blocks south would thrive. 3200 Biscayne Blvd. blocks with dead ends) include carving Horticultural Park A few benches, some shade trees, CHECKING IN north-south alleyways east of Biscayne. 246 NE 26th Terr. and doo-doo bags are all these plots need 1701 NE 4th Ave. This would make it much easier for At just under an acre, this shady slice to come alive as off-leash dog parks and This is one idea I can’t take credit residents to walk from one block to of green on the west side of Biscayne Bou- neighborhood mini parks. for, because it’s already in progress. another, which would encourage social levard was picked up in 2001 by a Brickell The Sonesta Mikado Hotel Miami, one interaction. Grander visions include a developer for $2.1 million. But there’s REEL POTENTIAL block west of Margaret Pace Park and new north-south street along Biscayne been no move to develop since, so we’re 345 NE 32nd St. Biscayne Bay, broke ground last month. Bay — sort of like Ocean Drive built thinking it would make a great horticultural Edgewater residents who want to The latest project from Florida East out over the bay and connecting all park. With a little help from the city and the catch a movie must trek to Miami Beach, Coast Realty tycoon Tibor Hollo, this BT’s resident plant and park experts, Jeff Aventura, or Coconut Grove — and frankly 252-room mixed-use hotel will also Continued on page 17

16 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 COVER STORY SPONSORS. BT photos by Christian Cipriani

Dirt & Dreams CRITICAL COMMERCE could support a variety of offices, cities, and the gardens could be struc- Continued from page 16 Nedev and Lopez both recom- stores, and businesses to support resi- tured so the development rights of the mend as much commercial density as dents working — and walking — in owner are not threatened when they’re those dead-end streets. “Once those possible. There are plenty of residen- the neighborhood. ready to build.” A great source of fresh streets are extended, you could create tial mixed-use projects, but dedicated food, a reason to get out and commune artifi cial islands built into the bay with retail and commercial areas allow GROWING GREENS with neighbors, and more eyes on our a loop road, similar to the Venetian people to work and play in Edgewater Community Gardens streets? Sounds like a recipe for suc- Islands but very close to land,” says — not just live in it. There are many Beyond bark and mini parks, activ- cess. I found 11 parcels, none of which Nedev. “This would create small lakes promising parcels: Several blocks of ist Richard Strell has another vision for fall in the shadow of a high-rise, that or large pools between the land and the vacant land on either side of NE 18th smaller vacant lots: community gar- would work well. There may be more. newly formed islands.” Street and Biscayne Boulevard, and dens. “They could be farmed by local This simple but brilliant idea is, as they This is probably the best — and most east toward NE 4th Avenue, as well residents, nonprofi ts, schools, inmates say, shovel-ready. unlikely — thing that could ever happen as tracts at 2655, 2701, and 2990 in for minor crimes, and so forth,” says to Edgewater. Biscayne Blvd. These and other plots Strell. “They already do this in other Feedback: [email protected]

July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 17 NEIGHBORHOOD CORRESPONDENTS: LIBERTY CITY A Life Without Guard Gates When there’s nothing between you and the harsh world, engage it By Kathy Glasgow I’ve noticed that when violent death BT Contributor touches the people on my block, they don’t mourn loudly. Last time a kid died, chool is out, hurricane season is a black spray-painted RIP appeared on back, and after a year of peace and what serves as a sidewalk in front of our Squiet, the sounds of violence are re- house. It freaked us out until the mother turning to our hood. About once a week, of two of the boys who did it explained usually around midnight, a fat burst of that our sidewalk was just the clearest gunfi re goes off, sounding like it’s right space they could fi nd. Everybody seems in our front yard. It stops after 15 sec- to get quiet after someone dies, but now I onds or so, then a breathless pause, and know they’re just regrouping, waiting to sometimes we’ll hear a car drive off and strike back. No one would consider let- sometimes we won’t. The dogs resume ting vengeance belong only to the police, their barking; soon another helicopter or even God. makes its shuddering sweep overhead. The revolving seasons in my neigh- After more than three years in Lib- borhood are linked less to the weather erty City, I’ve come to recognize the im- and more to the revolving prison and mutable cycles of life here. Everything husband, usually calm when disgusted, the street through tall weeds on either jail populations. So the wannabe thugs comes back. There are always babies was livid, growling, “You don’t even side of the house, still closing their who were taken off the street last year to replace the old-too-early children to see this in Cuba!”) We walked over and pants. In front of the house, almost in the and the year before have been coming replace the dead and imprisoned adults. asked them to stop, and they did. roadway, a dark blue T-shirt hangs on a back home all grown up into real thugs. One family moved out of the rental Next door to that family sits a little makeshift wooden cross. The beautiful It looks as though they’re beginning house next door, a new family moved in, lopsided wood-frame house, long ago defi ant face of a young black man adorns to reach another critical mass — big and suddenly we began to fi nd wads of painted sky blue. Several mornings I’ve the shirt. Another neighborhood dope dirty diapers tossed into our yard. (My seen different men picking their way to boy shot to death last month. Continued on page 19

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18 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 NEIGHBORHOOD CORRESPONDENTS: LIBERTY CITY TELL THEM

Guard Gates to say he doesn’t appreciate the haz- ice cream truck comes by. You don’t communities that have evolved across Continued from page 18 ards of life in Liberty City, but he is get the penthouse view and you aren’t the U.S. over the past 30 years. Luxury slightly more tolerant. Nevertheless he protected by barricades or civility; you towns like Seattle, San Francisco, Austin. enough to where law enforcement agen- agreed to go along with a short sale. have to engage with whatever’s out there. Bigger but with many similarities to the cies pay attention and start arresting After I decided to get the hell out of When I thought about it, I decided this Biscayne Corridor. again. Regardless, I know mass arrests the ghetto, I continued to frequent areas was an acceptable way to live. Where these metro areas develop, aren’t going to change the character of where I felt less foreign, such as the Bis- It’s actually what I and millions of Tsing Loh and her sources assert, proper- this hood any more than the decked-out cayne Corridor and the Design District. middle-class Americans have been pro- ty values increase at far higher rates than churchgoers down the block at Razor Neighborhoods reborn from inner-city grammed to avoid. We have grown up in less desirable cities; levels of educa- Sharp Ministries. decay, some enclaved by barricades prizing — requiring — security, privacy, tion also go way up, while racial, ethnic, You never know what will wake and guardhouses. Teeming with beauti- self-determination. In recent decades and philosophical diversity decline. “The you up at night or what you’ll fi nd ful, creative, successful people with the other values have become equal impera- age of narcissistic creative-class strivers when you go out to get the paper in means and the aesthetic will to create tives, such as self-expression, self-devel- has brought this country cool new neigh- the morning. You’re always hoping the their environment in their own image. opment, environmental protection. The borhoods and an infi nitely better selec- pops are fi reworks and not gunshots. Then I would have to drive home to trouble is, fulfi lling one’s human poten- tion of coffees and greens, but it has also The uncertainty and insecurity weigh Liberty City. I’ve always been depressed tial and controlling one’s environment brought shameful social stratifi cation on you. Finally I decided to give up by NW 79th Street. To me, it’s one of the have become so costly that only the elite and a consumer binge that our children’s and get out of our house and our neigh- ugliest stretches of real estate anywhere. can afford them. They’re the people who children may well be paying off,” Tsing borhood. Several months ago I fi gured (Last I heard, there exists some kind of can move to a city or a neighborhood Loh concludes. our only options were to short sell our 79th Street improvement association that because they like it, not because they can I can’t judge how directly this applies house or give it back to the bank. I I keep telling myself to contact.) get a job there. Sandra Tsing Loh calls to Miami, but it rings true to me. I’d spoke with a real estate agent who as- Anyway, during the past few months, them the creative class. At about the still rather live in a seventh-fl oor condo sured me he could get rid of our house, I began to get over the shock of switch- time I was beginning to rethink life in with a view of Biscayne Bay than in no problem, for a third of what we paid ing from paradise to hell, the sudden Liberty City, I read a beautiful piece she our bullet-pocked bungalow to the west. for it. My husband was less willing descent from society’s penthouse to its wrote for the March 2009 issue of The Who wouldn’t? For at least the next few to give up. He has lived in a baseball back porch. I started to like the back Atlantic Monthly, “Class Dismissed.” years, though, I’ve decided to relish the stadium in Havana, has been shot and porch. You may be slouched over sweat- What struck so close to home in view from the back porch. stabbed, and spent fi ve years in the ing and swatting mosquitoes, but you’re Tsing Loh’s essay was her discus- Combinado del Este prison. That’s not just a few steps away when the musical sion of the hip, progressive, expensive Feedback: [email protected]

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July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 19 NEIGHBORHOOD CORRESPONDENTS: BELLE MEADE Opportunity in Adversity The fi nancial crisis gives Miami a chance to get back to basics By Frank Rollason Before commissioners fi nalize the BT Contributor budget, they must fi rst set the maximum millage rate for the coming year. They t’s budget time for local governments, can lower it at the fi nal hour, but once and the pressure is on like never set, they cannot raise it. So to hedge their Ibefore. The county’s newly elected bets, they will almost surely raise the property appraiser has already sounded millage rate to a level that will produce the alarm, delivering the “bad news” to enough revenue to run the city — based municipal leaders that the assessed value on projected new property assessments. of real estate has dropped signifi cantly. Therefore it is our elected city commis- That will have a negative impact on sioners and no one else who ultimately governmental coffers. The leaders have determine what our taxes will be. only two choices — they can raise their The commissioners and the mayor set millage rate or cut their budgets. the tone for what kind of budget the city The millage is the rate at which we are administration will propose. For instance, taxed on our real property, and it is set by in the amount of $3300. Your total prop- millage rate is maintained, the available if the commission were to pass a resolu- our local elected offi cials. Right now in erty taxes, including those levied by all the property taxes to the city government tion directing the city manager to present a the City of Miami, we have a millage rate taxing authorities (the county, the school will drop by the same 20 percent. You budget requiring no millage increase, the of 8.25, which means that we pay $8.25 district, and the state) would be $8862. can see the dilemma facing our elected administration would have clear marching for every $1000 of assessed value. So if Now, let’s say your assessed value offi cials. They must either raise the mill- orders to develop a budget signifi cantly the value of your home is currently set at has dropped 20 percent to $320,000 age to make up the difference, cut the reduced from last year. $400,000, you multiply the millage rate and the millage rate remains the same. budget by the amount of lost tax revenue, Such a directive would, in turn, elicit (8.25) times 400 (the number of thousands Your new City of Miami taxes would be or enact some combination of the two. a response from the administration that at which your home was valued), resulting $2640 — a reduction of $660. How- No elected offi cial wants to sit in the in real-estate tax imposed by the city alone ever, here comes the rub. If the current “raise taxes” hot seat. Continued on page 21

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20 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 NEIGHBORHOOD CORRESPONDENTS: BELLE MEADE YOU SAW

Adversity have a tendency to grow in size and • Direct the city manager to employees will be greatly reduced as Continued from page 20 expenditures, consuming greater and develop a “zero-based budget” (ZBB) unnecessary programs and expenditures greater amounts of money until the squeal instead of the “line-item budget” cur- are ferreted out. services will most certainly have to be factor kicks in — that’s the point at which rently employed. A ZBB process re- • Eliminate all departments and cut, usually through staff layoffs. This is taxpayers start raising hell. When times quires city departments to begin with offi ces not specifi cally called for in known as the “sky is falling” scenario. All are good and residents are sharing in a zero dollars and build up their pro- the city charter. It’s time to get back to the doom-and-gloom predictions are de- booming economy, it’s easier to spend posed budgets from there, starting with basics, and there is no better way to trim livered to the elected offi cials with a basic more without sparking complaints. required or mandated expenses (union the fat than to eliminate those functions message: “Sure, we can cut the budget, but It’s been relatively painless for our contracts, service contracts, fees, and not dictated by the voters of the city. If a you commissioners will be responsible for elected offi cials over the past few years so on), and working their way toward function is truly necessary for the health, cutting those services your constituents because the cash fl ow has increased the end product. This method quickly safety, and welfare of the residents, just now enjoy, from police and fi re protec- as a result of property values rising at and clearly identifi es discretionary place it before the voters and have it tion to trash pickup, parks programs, road an unprecedented rate. The assessed expenditures that can be eliminated — approved and made a mandate of the maintenance, and much more.” values have increased so much, in fact, just as you and I do every day, depend- charter — plain and simple. You can imagine the commission- that Miami commissioners have been ing upon our available cash. It’s also time for our elected offi cials ers squirming, then posturing, as they able to lower the millage side of the The line-item-budget process allows to bring the mission of the municipal prepare us for the inevitable. tax equation while revenues actually departments to begin planning where government into focus. The pending We taxpayers recognize the reali- increased. Though they boast that they left off the previous year and make budget crisis should be viewed as an ties facing us and that something has they’ve lowered our taxes, they really adjustments, usually by implementing overdue opportunity to get the city back to give. First, our basic services (police, have not. They’ve just lowered the rate fi ve-percent or ten-percent reductions. on track providing the basic services fi re, solid waste) are not going to be at which taxes are calculated. Today, The “damaging results” of those cuts for which it was formed, building up cut — that would be political suicide. We however, the “cheese is binding,” as (the doom-and-gloom scenario) are then reserves for lean times, and making will probably end up with a hybrid of the they say, and something must change. I presented to the commission by the city this community an affordable place in two options, some cuts and some millage suggest the following actions be taken manager. Keep in mind that roughly 80 which to live, work, raise a family, and increase, with the hope that property by our elected offi cials: percent of Miami’s budget is consumed retire without the constant fear of being values will come rise over the next few • Keep the millage exactly where it by salaries and fringe benefi ts. Signifi - pushed out because of taxes that are out years and the millage can be lowered. is right now. Because that will mean a cant cuts are simply not possible with- of control. The main issue to be addressed is how drop in revenue, the stage will be set for out impacting employees. By utilizing we got into this position. Governments meaningful budget cuts. the ZBB process, the impact on the Feedback: [email protected]

July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 21 NEIGHBORHOOD CORRESPONDENTS: MIAMI SHORES Never Too Late to Learn — or Teach A new charter school opens doors for kids and adults alike By Jen Karetnick on a high, and like any addict, I wanted BT Contributor to experience that feeling again. Right away, if possible. hadn’t meant to take the poetry From that moment on, with Debo- class. What I really wanted to do, rah’s encouragement, I considered I as a Tufts University junior, was myself a writer, destined to go straight enroll in the fi ction-writing course. from college into a prestigious master’s But by the time my number was program — which may seem more called for course selection, all the common now, but back in 1990 was short-story workshops were fi lled. So unheard of, at least to my stockbroker I settled for Poetry Writing 101, and father. When I was accepted into the watched the rest of my life begin. University of California, Irvine (at that I’m not being too dramatic when time, ranked number two in the nation I say that my instructor, Deborah for poetry master’s degree programs), Digges, a poet who, at that time, had I received fi nancial aid in the form of one well-received book to her credit, a teaching assistantship and moving changed the direction of my future. I have accessed my subconscious in a type I don’t remember what course I expenses. And still my dad couldn’t help penned complete drivel for the fi rst of narcoleptic trance and wrote the fi rst was studying for or what I got on my but ask if I wanted to move to New York half of the semester, poems too bad to true poem of my life, a piece about a midterm, but with regard to poetry, I re- City instead, like many of my suburban present for criticism. friend battling an eating disorder that my member every detail of that week in my peers, and enter the fi eld of fi nance. Soon I had to pull an all-nighter peers said was so good it could “stand life. The impact it had on me was beyond Rather than scream “Hell, no!” I politely to study for a midterm in a class I’d up and walk out of the room.” Deborah signifi cant. I was bewildered because thanked him and went on to take the next barely attended, and I also was sup- agreed, called me into her offi ce, and I didn’t know where that poem and its steps on what I considered to be my life path. posed to turn in a poem. Sometime told me I had made a breakthrough. I language had come from. But I was also between 4:00 and 7:00 a.m., I must was what she called a “real” poet. elated. Writing that poem, I had been Continued on page 23

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22 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 NEIGHBORHOOD CORRESPONDENTS: MIAMI SHORES THEIR

Teach result, I’ve produced less creative work looking forward to teaching poetry and fi rst son, whom she rescued from Boston Continued from page 22 than I might have. fi ction workshops for grades 6-12 for the gangs and drugs. I speculate here be- I’d only very recently been contem- 2009-10 school year. cause I only know what was reported in I’ve never regretted it, though nearly plating this, along with the reduction of This is going to be challenging. I’m the papers — that she was found dead on 20 years and several books in a variety markets for my travel and food articles, not planning on giving up any of my April 10 outside the university football of fi elds later, I am making roughly the when an acquaintance at Miami Country writing for consumer publications — not stadium. The police investigated, and the same annual income I did in the fi rst few Day School stopped me on my way to this column nor my dining criticism for offi cial conclusion was that she jumped, years after I graduated from UCI and pick up my kids. “Have you heard about Miami Monthly magazine. I also have an apparent suicide. moved to Miami. Actually, less. the new charter school?” she asked. I book contracts to fulfi ll (I’m currently Deborah’s fourth book of poetry Though I led adjunct workshops at hadn’t. She explained that Miami Arts writing one about brisket with my sister, appears this fall, and she left behind a local colleges and spent a year at a pri- Charter, a new public school that would and co-authoring former Miami chef half-fi nished autobiography. It would vate school teaching English, I never occupy the former Biscayne Boulevard Carmen Gonazalez’s book on Puerto seem she had some things literary to live really used that degree, and a second headquarters of WPLG-TV (Channel 10), Rican cuisine). But Miami Arts wouldn’t for, in addition to a grandson. But it’s master’s degree in fi ction that I took would emphasize music, dance, art, pho- have it any other way. Like a university, useless to posit. She was a lovely and tal- from University of Miami a few years tography, acting, and creative writing. they only want working professionals as ented poet and memoirist, and I imagine later, in the spirit they were intended. Knowing my daughter was into the arts, instructors. that all her students, past and present, They’re designed to give writers a she thought maybe I’d like to send her. It’s going to be a challenge for me whether poets or teachers or lawyers or profession — in short, teaching — so “Are you kidding?” I joked. “I’ll probably emotionally, too. On the same evening computer programmers, feel the same they can have holidays and summers apply myself.” I sent my résumé, April 9, or perhaps sense of loss I do. in which to pursue their own craft. I’ve As a teen fl utist who attended New the next morning, my mentor Deborah I don’t have the conceit to believe she been lucky enough to fi nd steady work England Music Camp in the summers, I Digges drove from where she was teach- passed on some kind of mystical baton to as a writer, but I’ve missed out on would have adored the opportunity to go ing at Tufts University to Amherst. Per- me by the coincidence of her death and sharing an academic community, being to a middle or high school like Miami haps she was speculating on her life, her my career decision. But if I can give just around other poets and fi ction writers, Arts. But because, darn it, you can’t go two failed marriages — one to a pilot, one promising young person what she going to readings and being inspired backward in time, I decided I should one to a renowned poet — and her third gave me, then I’ll know it was a worth- by them. I’ve missed inspiring fl edg- apply to teach creative writing there. I to a fellow Tufts professor which ended while choice. ling writers myself, showing them the sent in my application that very night, prematurely when he died from cancer metaphoric light that Deborah Digges April 9. Alfredo de la Rosa, the director, only a couple of years into their relation- revealed to me. And I believe, as a called me the next morning, and now I’m ship. Perhaps she was musing about her Feedback: [email protected]

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July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 23 COMMUNITY NEWS Spray Can Confi dential A new book showcases Miami’s graffi ti artists, also known as criminals By Anne Tschida Special to BT

raffi ti has been controversial from its inception, when lovers in antiquity Gtagged their devotion on Greek pil- lars. (Yes, they actually did.) Its controversial nature has made it hip and edgy in cultural circles ever since, while at the same time re- maining, for many city dwellers, an unwant- ed, symptomatic marker of urban blight. 1492 by Miami artists BANE, SEGE, CROM, FIVE, DASK, and PRISCO.

A recently released book document- Photos courtesy of James and Karla Murray ing Miami’s graffi ti underscores these el- taggers, bombers, artists, and vandals. abandoned sites — and illegal tagging, in Miami-Dade. Hence much of Miami’s ements. James and Karla Murray started There’s a lot to be learned about Mi- done quickly and on the sly at night. most intricate graffi ti is hidden from public photographing the city’s walls back in the ami’s unique urban culture between the Another aspect peculiar to the Miami view in places like the interior walls of late 1990s, and some stunningly gor- covers of Miami Graffi ti, from the bold scene is the concentration on abandoned an old factory in Hialeah and the Miami geous paintings leap off the pages, along and beautiful to the ugly and dangerous. locations, called “penits” — short, we Marine Stadium on Virginia Key. with poignant imprints of Miami’s struc- For instance, there’s a fascinating dy- are told from graffi ti artist FREEK, for The striking, wild color schemes are tural decay. Accompanying the visuals is namic between the legal or “permission” “penitentiary.” An old penitentiary was also unique to Miami. It’s not unexpected revealing commentary — in untranslated walls — elaborate works that are either reportedly the fi rst unoccupied place to be street lingo — from our home-grown commissioned by an owner or painted on discovered and plastered with graffi ti art Continued on page 27 School Dazed in El Portal Church wants to sell, charter wants to build, neighbors want none of it By Rob Jordan Special to BT would amount to an “invasion,” in one three doors down from the church. Kirk the residents. Occasionally interrupted resident’s words. argued that, at 54,000 square feet includ- by peacock mating calls piercing the The target of their ire? A plan by MG3 ing the original building, the school night air outside, they asked whether the l Portal is the kind of place where Developer Group of Hollywood to expand would be out of scale with the residential hearing was for a variance or site-plan roof repairs and garage altera- the Rader United Methodist Church community. approval. The answer was not immedi- Etions often top the agenda at the property at the corner of NE 2nd Avenue Ken Hector, whose house is next door ately forthcoming. planning and zoning board’s bi-monthly and 87th Street. The vacant 58-year-old to the church, worried about trees lost More confusion ensued when meetings at Village Hall. But an April church would become a 50-classroom to construction and having an expansive Councilman Harold Mathis asked hearing before the board was something charter school with up to 1000 students. parking lot for a backyard view. whether MG3 had actually purchased all together different. Several angry Imagine Schools, a nonprofi t organization, Resident Deborah Tomkinson read the property. The answer was no. Then and at times perplexed residents spoke would run the school. The developers were from a lengthy letter to the board warn- on what grounds, Mathis asked, could adamantly against a proposal for the vil- requesting a zoning variance in order to go ing of “catastrophic change.” MG3 request a variance? Again no lage. They warned it would bring heavy forward with the expansion plans. Members of the planning and zoning clear answer. traffi c, litter, crime, “drug dealers all “It would change the character of the board, who double as members of the around,” and even “sexual deviance.” It town,” said Courtney Kirk, who lives village council, seemed as puzzled as Continued on page 27

24 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 COMMUNITY NEWS AD IN North Miami’s Great Divide A new mayor confronts east vs. west, white vs. black, rich vs. poor By Michael W. Sasser and Florida Interna- unprecedented infl ux of Haitian Ameri- Special to BT tional University’s north cans, who settled mainly on the city’s campus. “It was mostly western side. hen Scott Galvin fi rst entered about geography and eco- In 2001 the nation’s media paid close North Miami politics in the nomics then,” recounts attention as Joe Celestin became the fi rst early 1990s as president of the Galvin. “All but one of Haitian-American mayor in the United States. W BT photo by Silvia Ros West Side Property Owner’s Association, the city council members Subsequently North Miami was widely the sizable but generally unremarkable were from Keystone or lauded for electing the country’s fi rst Haitian- bedroom community already had a history Sans Souci, and elections American majority city council. of geographic division. “I heard, early on, were all at-large. There Unfortunately Celestin’s adminis- that there was a rivalry between Italians was a sense by some that tration was characterized mostly by theat- [on the west side] and the Irish [on the east the city was mostly in- rics. “It was a crazy time,” Galvin says. side] that dated back to the very beginning terested in what affected “During those years, there were several of the city,” recalls Galvin, now a ten-year the east.” Keystone Point high-level fi rings. I think it made it hard veteran of the city council. and Sans Souci are North North Miami Mayor Andre Pierre: The election to attract serious job applicants.” That’s saying something, given that Miami’s relatively tony “teaches us we’re making progress.” Despite well-publicized antics such North Miami was incorporated in 1926. waterfront communities, as having his car repossessed from the In the early 1990s, as Galvin began traditional home to many Anglo and transition to district elections in 1992, city hall parking lot, trying to have a his civic involvement, ethnic enclaves Jewish households. which gave rise to westside representa- street named after himself, and sport- had yet to develop in the city of about But much has changed since the tion on the city council and elsewhere. ing a police department badge, Celestin 60,000, then best known for housing early 1990s. North Miami’s political A burgeoning African-American the original Mario the Baker pizzeria environment was stirred up by the community was supplanted by an Continued on page 26 From Crude to Prude Once sin city, North Bay Village now battles bare breasts By Erik Bojnansky BT Contributor Bay, the former bayfront restaurant at hall visibility, but I don’t get to vote on it 1601 79th Street Causeway, for an undis- because I’m the Realtor.” closed sum. His plan: Transform it from So Kane and his client accepted orth Bay Village, a city dredged an Italian restaurant into a steakhouse the pending offer from Pulwer, whose from the bottom of Biscayne Bay, featuring nude female dancers. representatives then declared their intent Nhas seen its share of scandal. But Ironically the Realtor brokering the to turn Barchetta into a dual-purpose so far it’s never allowed a strip club within deal is one of North Bay Village’s own: fl esh pit — one part for eating, the other its borders, and many residents want to keep Commissioner George Kane, who once for ogling. it that way — even if it means spending tried to sell the property to North Bay Commissioner Kane’s constituents thousands of dollars at a time when money is Coming attractions: Prime rib and Village itself — for a new $11 million city were not amused. scarce. However, such a “gentlemen’s club” leg of stripper. hall. “Actually that was what I thought “You know who goes to those clubs?” may be opening for business nonetheless. would be the highest and best use for it, but asks 36-year resident Ann Bakst. “People This past March, Michael Pulwer, Emporium adult stores, entered into a it didn’t go anywhere,” Kane says. “That owner of Miami-based Pleasure contract to purchase Barchetta on the would have been a great place for city Continued on page 26

July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 25 COMMUNITY NEWS

Prude “singles out” his client. In addition, for the area. What’s it going to bring? A it Barchetta and opened for business as Continued from page 25 says Goldstein, for months the city liquor store? A condom store?” an Italian restaurant. That too ended in has used the old, unconstitutional law Jeff Morr, president and CEO of failure — at least as an eatery. In recent who are basically sexually not all together.” to block Pulwer from doing business. Majestic Properties, concurs in Lom- months, Barchetta has been operating Citing a 1964 law prohibiting adult “This is a fi ght that the city is ill-ad- bardi’s assessment, but allows that an as an after-hours club for special events. entertainment anywhere in North Bay vised to take on,” he asserts, warning upscale adult club — one that is low City manager Schwartz says neighbors Village, city offi cials refused to grant that Rogow’s fees plus damages owed key — may not be so bad for property began complaining about noise and an operating license to Pulwer, who to Pulwer could cost North Bay Village values. “It might bring in a little excite- fi ghts, but Gottardo has begun working promptly sued, claiming a violation of up to $300,000. (Federal Judge Cecilia ment,” he offers. with city offi cials and now has North his First Amendment right to free expres- Altonaga heard arguments from both Once upon a time, excitement was Bay Village off-duty police offi cers pro- sion — in this case, nude dancing. sides on June 24. No decision had ren- not foreign to these parts. In the 1950s, viding security. City commissioners then hired con- dered by BT’s press deadline.) a string of restaurants and nightclubs Although Ann Bakst has complained stitutional law attorney Bruce Rogow for Forking over several hundred thou- sprung up along the causeway, attract- about Barchetta’s late-night shenanigans, $35,000 to develop a new law, one that sand dollars is about the last thing North ing celebrities like Frank Sinatra and the longtime activist predicts that its doesn’t ban strip clubs outright but requires Bay Village needs right now. Facing a Judy Garland. For a time Dean Martin mutation into a nudie bar will be much that they be 500 feet away from residential 20 percent drop in its tax base, the city owned his own club, Dino’s. Alleged worse. “It is going to bring hookers!” areas, parks, religious institutions, and is already cutting services and slashing mafi a lieutenants were also hanging she exclaims. “More hookers than they schools. North Bay Village being less than staff salaries. “Basically we’re looking around, and quite possibly getting a had in the Sixties. Girls are going to be a square mile in size, this restriction would at how the city will survive the next two piece of the action. Prostitutes were walking the streets down here to meet leave just one specifi c place where women years without raising taxes,” says Rich- also busy, though discreet. the guys coming out of the strip joint, could entertain while naked — namely, ard Chervony, president of the watchdog Doing business where Barchetta now coming out fully erect!” Broadcast Key, an island that is home to group Citizens for Full Disclosure of stands was Nick and Arthur’s, which had Attorney Goldstein scoffs at such WSVN-TV (Channel 7) and an unused North Bay Village. Still, Chervony sup- a reputation for excellent food through- talk. He assures that the new club will radio tower owned by developer Scott ports the potentially costly fi ght against out the 1960s and 1970s. In the 1980s, be fi rst-rate. The only things it will at- Greenwald. (Greenwald did not respond to X-rated businesses. “If I want to frequent the property was taken over by Billy’s tract to North Bay Village are Mercedes, a BT request for comment.) a strip club,” he says, “I will get in my on the Bay. When Billy’s took off for Porches, and luxury power boats docking On June 22, the commission passed car and drive to a strip club. It is going Broward, Landry’s Seafood Restaurant from the bay. “We’re not talking about a fi rst reading of the proposed ordinance to further depreciate property values. It’s moved in, and after Landry’s closed in opening up a brothel in a residential by a vote of 4-0, with Kane abstaining. the wrong element to bring to the city.” 1996, the place changed hands so many area,” he stresses. “We’re talking about a A second and fi nal reading is scheduled David Lombardi, president of times locals lost track. high-end adult-entertainment facility in a for this month. Says city manager Matt Wynwood-based Lombardi Properties, By 2004 hotelier Frederic Puren had commercially zoned area.” Schwartz: “This new ordinance will pass agrees that a strip club won’t boost prop- become the owner and opened Roger’s, constitutional muster.” erty values. “It brings in all these cheesy, which lasted a couple of years. Puren Brandon Dane contributed to this report. Pulwer’s attorney, Mark Goldstein, horny idiots who want to get drunk,” he then leased the 12,300-square-foot facil- believes the new ordinance unlawfully says. “I really don’t think it’ll be positive ity to Claudio Gottardo, who renamed Feedback: [email protected]

North Miami points. As in every recent North Miami city’s great divide, but his appeal crossed with. We had no access.” Continued from page 25 election, Burns won the vast majority of over enough for him to win again, by a Given North Miami’s history of an votes in predominantly Anglo precincts margin of 54 to 46. It was the fi rst time east-west divide that also demarcates the served until 2005. And then something while Monestime won most precincts in 18 years a North Miami mayor had city racially and ethnically, this year’s happened that is rarely seen in South dominated by Haitian Americans. But there been re-elected without a runoff. mayoral showdown between city clerk Florida politics. was some apparent crossover for Burns. That success, however, was not (and former mayor) Frank Wolland An Anglo, openly gay candidate named That crossover appeal was put to the embraced by everyone. “Kevin Burns and attorney Andre Pierre, a relative Kevin Burns defeated Haitian-American test in 2007, when Burns ran for re- favored one side,” says Herntz Phanord, political newcomer, was considered a Jean Monestime, a moderate city council election, again against Monestime. The a popular Haitian-American radio host. member, by a whopping 22 percentage mayor may not have fully bridged the “He catered to people he had relationships Continued on page 27

26 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 COMMUNITY NEWS THE BT.

School apparent frustration. “Maybe El Portal amid a down economy. (Catholic arch- Continued from page 24 doesn’t get a lot of redevelopment.” dioceses nationwide, Miami’s included, Then Mathis took aim at MG3. “I just are shuttering churches and schools and Further complicating matters, MG3 can’t believe they came to us and they selling off property in the face of mas- representatives at fi rst said their contract didn’t own the property,” he complained. sive legal costs related to sex-abuse cases to purchase the property was not contin- “If you’re going to come to us and ask for and trends like low attendance, a priest gent upon receiving the needed zoning a variance, have all your ducks in a row.” shortage, and rising costs.) variance. Moments later they reversed The church has been silent and empty Addressing residents’ concerns themselves, saying they would not close since 2007, when the Catholic Archdio- during the hearing, the project’s archi- on the deal without it. cese of Miami purchased it for $3.6 mil- tect, Gustavo Carbonell, was confi dent Pamela Butler, a development coor- lion. At the time, Father John Madigan the school would be well received, and dinator with MG3, explained after the told the BT the church would be convert- In El Portal, the path from church would even raise local property values. hearing that the developer had “followed ed to a convent for Discalced Carmelite to charter school is far from He spoke glowingly of Imagine Schools, the instruction of [village] staff,” and nuns, a cloistered order whose members smooth. saying, among other things, that they had understood it was okay to apply for a avoid contact with the public and lead would “not tolerate” any misbehavior. variance while under contract to purchase lives of contemplation and prayer. But Mary Ross Agosta. “We just changed However, Carbonell acknowledged that the property. “I’m used to dealing with plans for the convent “kind of fell apart,” direction with that piece of property,” cities like Fort Lauderdale,” she said with according to archdiocese spokeswoman she noted, citing “serious budget cutting” Continued on page 28

North Miami crossover abound among the city’s 24 or as Burns puts it: “What to wade into opportunity to bring together North Mi- Continued from page 26 voting precincts. and what not to wade into.” ami’s disparate neighborhoods, and says Complicating the matter and revealing Community Relations Board member he appreciates the chance. “This election toss-up before the June 2 runoff. When perhaps the ethnic undercurrent of North and civic activist Roseline Philippe also teaches all of us that change has come the smoke cleared, Pierre had won 53 Miami’s east-west divide is the fact that sees identity politics as less important to North Miami,” Pierre tells the BT. “It percent to Wolland’s 46 percent. Pierre himself lives in Sans Souci. Which than other issues. “Most the time, I don’t is demonstrated in who came out to vote Although both candidates garnered raises an intriguing question: Can the political think it’s a racial thing,” she says. “I for me, and because this is the fi rst time strong support from their respective dynamics of a Haitian-American leader from think it’s more about economics and a Haitian candidate has gotten good sup- Haitian-American and Anglo communi- the east side, supported by many on the west opportunities. At election time, though, port from all over the city. This teaches ties, there was solid evidence of cross- side, surmount the city’s geographic and it’s like Democrats and Republicans — us that we’re making progress.” over voting. For example, in Precinct ethnic divisions? “I think he can be a transi- people gravitate to like kinds.” Change has certainly been the one con- 140 (polling place: the Haitian Baptist tion fi gure if he doesn’t repeat the mistakes Radio personality Phanord says he stant in the North Miami political landscape Church), Wolland won a respectable 111 Celestin made,” says Scott Galvin. would be surprised if, in the next election, over the past 20 years. But so has one other of 378 votes cast. Similarly, while Wolland Former Mayor Burns, who supported Pierre didn’t capture a higher percentage thing — namely, that those who believe they dominated Precinct 148 (polling place: Pierre in the runoff, believes that the of Anglo votes than this year. “I think the can predict what those changes will be are Temple Beth Moshe) with 73 percent of prospects of achieving something like moment is right,” he asserts, “and I hope very likely to end up with a Mario the Baker votes cast, Pierre’s 27 percent dwarfed civic harmony will be affected less by that Andre can be an agent for change.” pizza pie in their faces. the 7 percent Monestime collected two ethnic politics and more by Pierre’s ap- To his credit, the affable Pierre years earlier. Similar examples of limited proach to issues he’ll deal with as mayor, recognizes that he has been given an Feedback: [email protected]

Graffi ti schemes really took off after the arrival of a mural complete with tell-tale lettering graffi ti in Miami.” Continued from page 24 here of a specifi c European paint that signatures but also with images of Colum- The authors agree. “It’s true that Miami could withstand our withering weather. bus landing in the New World, we read offi cials and authorities come down very that Miami’s artists would use more Perhaps most interesting is the claim the story of CROME and CROOK’s arrest hard on graffi ti artists — New York takes tropical and bright colors than their by the artists and the authors that Miami is and prosecution. It was a highly publicized a tough stance on graffi ti as well but there northern counterparts, but it’s somewhat an especially hazardous place to practice case, after which the duo say the law came surprising to learn that the brilliant color graffi ti. In the book, under a photograph down hard and “changed the history of Continued on page 29

July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 27 COMMUNITY NEWS

School all Imagine schools. “government services.” Charter schools But just six residents attended, and Continued from page 27 At the hearing, El Portal council- are private, not public. they were outnumbered by MG3 archi- woman Linda Marcus seemed dubious of Geller also suggested MG3 had been tects, engineers, and legal counselors. his familiarity with the company was charter schools in general. She worried remiss, wondering aloud why they hadn’t Undaunted, the developer’s associates limited to its Website. aloud about what she said was a 50-per- contacted him for clarifi cation and stat- launched into their pitch: The church According to that Website, Imagine cent failure rate, and she questioned how ing that a related traffi c study was the was the only location in El Portal zoned Schools is the nation’s largest and fast- Imagine would guarantee enrollment, developer’s responsibility and not simply for a school, architects had reconfi gured est growing charter-school organization, especially in an area with several nearby a cooperative gesture, as Carbonell had the parking loop to minimize congestion operating 72 schools in 13 states, including schools. suggested. Finally Geller pointed out and noise, a “tot lot” would be built for Florida, where it runs 18. Nationally, 51 MG3 executive Gustavo Bogomolni, there was something seriously wrong public use. All this and more would be percent of Imagine’s students come from dressed in jeans and an untucked shirt, with MG3’s paperwork. Despite not yet discussed at one more community meet- low-income families; 39 percent are black, explained that Imagine’s research and owning the church property, MG3 had ing and then fi nally at a planning and 33 percent white, and 22 percent Hispanic. marketing would ensure a strong enroll- submitted a property owner’s affi davit zoning hearing on July 15. Imagine has received approval from ment. Marcus was dissatisfi ed with that signed by Bogomolni. Residents remained skeptical. PJ Miami-Dade’s school district to open its response and expressed frustration that MG3’s Pamela Butler explained that Mills, for one, had little faith in the pro- fi rst charter school in the county, says no Imagine representatives were on hand Bogomolni had signed the affi davit and cess. “We’re going to get it whether we district spokesman Tony Cotarelo. The to answer questions. added the written clarifi cation “under like it or not,” he grumbled. “It’d be nice charter company, however, has not yet Councilwoman Claudia Cubillos, an contract,” to specify that he was poised if El Portal could vote about this.” specifi ed a location for its new facility, experienced educator, remained silent to purchase the property. And with that, the meeting concluded even though it anticipates opening for the during the hearing. Cubillos runs the Not long after that public meeting sput- where it began — on the front steps of 2010-2011 school year. If that sounds a private Miami Preparatory School and tered to a somewhat confused close, an- Village Hall, not inside it. None of El little vague, school district offi cials likely Ms. Claudia’s Tutoring Service. other was scheduled at the behest of county Portal’s council members, or any other were reassured by the fact that Octavio Village attorney Joseph Geller waded Commissioner Audrey Edmonson, an El offi cials, showed up, and no one had a Visiedo and Alan Olkes, former Miami- into the discussion by questioning wheth- Portal resident and former mayor. That key to the building. Dade schools superintendents, work er a charter school was even permissible, gathering took place June 25, again at Vil- for Imagine. Olkes runs the company’s noting that El Portal’s outdated zoning lage Hall. Since the fi rst meeting, MG3 had Biscayne Times intern Alex Katechis operations and development in Florida, code was written before charter schools submitted the traffi c study to the village, contributed to this report Louisiana, and Texas, while Visiedo is in existed. Although the code mentions and now the developer hoped to address charge of tutoring and testing services at schools, it does so under the heading residents’ concerns in more detail. Feedback: [email protected]

28 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 COMMUNITY NEWS THANK

Graffi ti of upkeep, a lack of caring,” Continued from page 27 which he believes will eventu- ally bring down the whole are many areas that graffi ti artists can neighborhood. And like the still paint,” say the Murrays. “The City of accumulation of rubbish in a Miami does not want graffi ti in it at all and vacant lot, Loomis believes the is trying very hard to maintain a certain graffi ti has reached a critical image as a tourist destination.” mass: “It’s everywhere now, Obviously there is irony in graffi ti so much so that it almost artists complaining about the law while becomes invisible. Where is engaging in what is, in many cases, il- the responsibility?” Wild Things by Miami artists SEEL, FREEK, and MEKS. legal activity. And indeed graffi ti can be Upper Eastside resident Earle Loomis ugly, in both expression and execution — — the more illegally, the better. those who’ve long lived across the divide. is having none of it. While he doesn’t gangs leave their signatures, intentionally However, law enforcement isn’t the only When painting a wall in Overtown, ZAME object to some of the colorful murals, he defacing and marking their territory, an un- obstacle to creating graffi ti in Miami. An artist recalls that “some dude threw a bottle at us. complains to the BT that the rest is “de- settling message, to say the least, for people known as GS1, whose paintings include both We ran around the corner from the wall after facement, pure and simple.” Loomis says who live nearby. “We can understand the lettering and characters, notes that “Miami him and there were like 20 heads there and random tagging has become much worse public outcry against illegal graffi ti when neighborhood kids are tough.” He recounts a they yelled at us, ‘Yo, don’t heat up this spot.’ over the past six months, possibly mirror- it is purely destructive in nature and ruins time working at the “Hialeah Penit” when “a Although we had permission to paint the wall ing the bad economy, and that authorities, private property,” say the Murrays. “But we lot of rapes happened there. When the gang- from the bodega owner, all those guys were contrary to the opinion of artists in Miami don’t understand why the beautiful, colorful ster kids who lived in the trailer park besides selling drugs around the corner. They were Graffi ti, simply turn a blind eye. work that actually helps beautify a neigh- [sic] the place started realizing that ‘writers’ worried that we were going to heat things up.” Like the “broken window” theory of borhood gets lumped in with the ugly.” from good neighborhoods were going there, But of course if there weren’t an law enforcement, which posits that a broken Graffi ti artists highlighted in the book they started robbing them of their money, element of danger, graffi ti wouldn’t have window, if not repaired, inevitably attracts express contradictory views of controlling — good shoes, and watches…. Eventually the the attraction it has — for the people who more vandalism and then more serious crime, or nurturing — the form. Some say severe city bulldozed the place because so much create it, the galleries that highlight it, Loomis says the unchecked graffi ti he is crackdowns by authorities do indeed dampen crime was going on.” and the residents who despise it. now seeing in and around the Upper Eastside their interest in covering walls, while others It turns out that Miami graffi ti artists skirt- also leads to degradation. “It suggests a lack say it increases their desire to go out and spray ing the lines of authority constantly run into Feedback: [email protected]

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July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 29 A RT & CULTURE It’s Not Always About the Money A steady paycheck has allowed Brook Dorsch to follow his heart By Victor Barrenechea Barge, as well as other local artists BT Contributor working in various media. Soon he realized his passion lay in curating ou’ve heard it offered as advice, rather than painting, and he concen- either comically or seriously: trated on that. His apartment would YDon’t quit your day job. Brook host more than 50 shows over the Dorsch, founder and co-proprietor of the next few years. “There was a lot of Dorsch Gallery, took it seriously. Since energy back then,” Dorsch remem-

the early 1990s, when his fl edgling gal- Photos courtesy of Dorsch Gallery bers, “but there weren’t many sales.” lery enjoyed an auspicious opening and A breakthrough came in 1999, when operated out of his Coral Way apart- artist Robert Chambers curated a show ment, Dorsch’s role as a promoter of art of works by Robin Griffi ths, called “Ball has always been something more than a and Chain.” Chambers crammed the hobby. apartment so full of Griffi ths’ work that He was one of the early pioneers to only four or fi ve people could fi t in the set up shop the heart of Wynwood, and apartment at one time. It generated a over the years his eye for art has estab- buzz in New York City, the fi rst time lished the gallery as a trendsetter, ahead Dorsch Gallery had garnered attention of the gallery curve, fostering and infl u- outside Miami. encing Miami arts while maturing into Dorsch Gallery’s 7000 square feet allows for creative display. In 1997 the respected Ambrosino a legitimate business that still exhibits Gallery moved out of the Gables after challenging work. a four-year stint. Owner Genaro Am- Yet he never gave up his day job. brosino surprised many by taking over For years Dorsch has held a steady a sprawling, 10,000-square-foot ware- position with a local maritime satellite house in an obscure industrial area telecommunications company. That sandwiched between Coconut Grove and fi nancial foundation has allowed him Coral Gables. According to Dorsch, this and his wife and co-gallerist, Tyler launched a new phase for art in Miami, Emerson-Dorsch, the luxury of not being one in which vast warehouse spaces completely controlled by commercial presented new and exciting opportuni- considerations. “If it’s something that ties for exhibiting art. Soon they began needs to be shown,” says Dorsch, “I replacing traditional storefront galler- want to show it. I don’t need to show ies. “When Genaro got that big space, I something to make a sale.” thought, ‘Wow, this is on a completely Walking the tightrope between a new level!’” Ambrosino’s bold move do-it-yourself alternative space and a Brook Dorsch on the early days: Tyler Emerson-Dorsch, now gallery prompted him to scout around for a commercial salesroom, the gallery only “There was a lot of energy, but co-curator with her husband, is warehouse of his own. acquired air-conditioning within the past there weren’t many sales.” ushering in changes. By 1998 the alternative art space few years, and it did double duty as the Locust Projects had opened its doors in Dorsch home until August of last year. recalls Dorsch. “I realized the punks fi rst Friday of the month. Dorsch recalls, the Wynwood warehouse district, and The art they display may be daring, but were doing the same thing.” “It was a mass of galleries, but you Dorsch would follow in January 2000, the way they’ve run their business is not. In the early 1980s, the family moved to always saw the same thing every month, purchasing his own 7000-square-foot Dorsch was born in New Jersey Miami, where Dorsch’s stepfather opened with a few exceptions.” As a reaction to space and joining the Bakehouse Art in 1961, but his family soon migrated a designer jeans shop. For his part, Dorsch the safely predictable nature of a lot of Complex, the Martin Margulies Col- to New York, living in towns such as concentrated on taking computer classes, the work, Dorsch began putting on his lection, and the Bernice Steinbaum Nyak and New City, not too far north of eventually own art show in Gallery, which were already estab- Manhattan. In the late 1970s it would landing a good his Coral Way lished in the neighborhood. be music, not art, that dominated his job. But by apartment. Back then, the area was still crime- passions, specifi cally the burgeoning 1991 he’d Genaro Ambrosino’s bold move out of A small ridden. In fact a dilapidated bungalow punk scene in New York City, which had fallen in with the Gables prompted Dorsch to scout sidewalk on Dorsch’s warehouse property was a Dorsch regularly heading down to the Miami’s art around for a warehouse of his own. sandwich notorious crack house. “There was no city to catch bands on weekends. crowd, which board read- one here at night except for a few drug Only later in life would he cor- inspired him to ing “Dorsch dealers and homeless people,” Dorsch relate the underground music scene’s take up paint- Gallery” recalls. (The bungalow itself starred rebellious spirit with the world of ing for himself. led the way to the 500-square-foot in an early show called, appropriately, contemporary art in which he would In those days, Miami arts centered apartment, where visitors could see “Crack House.”) subsequently immerse himself. “When around an enclave of galleries in Coral early works by people like Franklin I started seeing contemporary art,” Gables that would host art walks every Einspruch and video pieces by Rene Continued on page 31

30 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 A RT & CULTURE YOU!

Dorsch where she curated an infl uential show Continued from page 30 featuring several art-world luminaries, Before long many more galleries she returned to Miami in 2007 and mar- migrated to Wynwood, including experi- ried Dorsch. mental spaces such as the now-defunct Only last year, however, did Tyler Rocket Projects, Gables refugees such as jump aboard as co-gallerist, bringing the Fredric Snitzer Gallery, and private along some big changes. For one, the gal- collectors like the Rubell family. “It was lery now keeps regular hours, something a real exciting time in Wynwood,” says Dorsch couldn’t do on his own. There is Dorsch. “It was a really fun time to be also a change in how shows are created, here. There was a lot of camaraderie in with the two alternating and sometimes the scene.” sharing curatorial duties, but also bring- Art Basel Miami Beach, which Dorsch ing in more talent from outside the city. describes as a “serious game-changer,” After nearly two decades of operat- canceled its 2001 debut fair following the ing a gallery while keeping a full-time attacks on September 11. But Miami’s day job, Dorsch remains passionate local art community managed to put on about that peculiar mixture of com- strong and well-attended exhibits origi- merce and aesthetics. “It’s a very strange nally designed to coincide with Basel. Says business to be in,” he observes, “because Dorsch: “Nobody had realized there was An opening party in early 2000, soon after the gallery’s Wynwood debut. it doesn’t really follow any business this welling-up of what was going on in model. You need to follow your eye and Wynwood. You didn’t realize how big the (now more than 50), and remains active Tyler Emerson and Dorsch met in you need to follow your heart. I get very scene had become.” in efforts to improve the neighborhood. 2004. By then Emerson was already excited when other people see what I see Two years later Dorsch helped Meanwhile the Dorsch Gallery itself curating exhibitions locally. She was a in work. Then it sells itself.” found the Wynwood Arts District As- has continued its growth, participating graduate of Bard College’s prestigious sociation, of which he is currently the in national and international art fairs curatorial studies center, a former Miami For more information call 305-576-1278 co-chairman. The association orga- and developing an impressive roster of Art Museum staffer, and director at the or visit www.dorschgallery.com nized monthly art walks, produced local artists such as Ralph Provisero, Fredric Snitzer Gallery. After a success- maps of all the galleries in the area Richard Haden, and Brandon Opalka. ful stint at the Baltimore Museum of Art, Feedback: [email protected]

July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 31 ART & CULTURE ART LISTINGS

ETRA FINE ART WYNWOOD GALLERY WALK & DESIGN DISTRICT 10 NE 40th St., Miami ART + DESIGN NIGHT 305-438-4383 SATURDAY, JULY 11 www.etrafi neart.com Call gallery for exhibition information. 85 NW 71st St. 85 NW 71st St., Miami FACHE ARTS July 25: 750 NE 124th St., North Miami #2 “THE COLLABO SHOW” a collaborative show with 305-975-6933 various artists www.fachearts.com Reception July 25, from opening to midnight Through July 20: “Color Exposure” by Carla Fache 101/EXHIBIT 101 NE 40th St., Miami FREDRIC SNITZER GALLERY 305-573-2101 2247 NW 1st Pl., Miami www.101exhibit.com 305-448-8976 Through July 18: www.snitzer.com “A Phantasy Pheast” by Jim Pollock Call gallery for exhibition information.

ABBA FINE ART GALLERY DIET 233 NW 36th St., Miami 174 NW 23rd St., Miami 305-576-4278 305-571-2288 www.abbafi neart.com www.gallerydiet.com July 11 through August 7: “Cuba” with various artists Through August 1: Reception July 11, 7 to 10 p.m. Robert Chambers, Impact Painting, Impact Drawing Machine, ceramic tea “Oh Nancy” curated by Brian Burkhardt with various artists ALEJANDRA VON HARTZ FINE ARTS saucers, ink, graphite, and paint, 2009, at the Art Gallery at Government Center. Reception July 11, 7 to 9 p.m. 2134 NW Miami Ct., Miami 305-438-0220 BERNICE STEINBAUM GALLERY DELUXE ART GALLERY GARY NADER FINE ART www.alejandravonhartz.net 3550 N. Miami Ave., Miami 2051 NW 2nd Ave., Miami 62 NE 27th St., Miami Through September 5: “Luna Park” with Daniel Arsham, 305-573-2700 786-200-4971 305-576-0256 Luis Gispert, Gean Moreno, Martin Oppel, Ernesto www.bernicesteinbaumgallery.com Call gallery for exhibition information. www.garynader.com Oroza, and Gavin Perry Through September 5: Call gallery for exhibition Reception July 11, 7 to 11 p.m. “Nine Lives: Dog Days of Summer” with various artists DIANA LOWENSTEIN FINE ARTS information. Reception July 11, 7 to 10 p.m. 2043 N. Miami Ave., Miami AMAYA GALLERY 305-576-1804 HARDCORE ARTS CONTEMPORARY SPACE 2033 NW 1st Pl., Miami CAROL JAZZAR CONTEMPORARY ART www.dlfi nearts.com 3326 N. Miami Ave., Miami 917-743-2925 158 NW 91st St., Miami Shores “2 Girls and a Boy” with Katherine Ordonez, Chottip 305-576-1645 www.amayagallery.com 305-490-6906 Nimla, and Michael Okey www.hardcoreartcontemporary.com Call gallery for exhibition information. www.cjazzart.com Through July 31: Through July 4: By appointment: [email protected] “Summer Exhibition” with various artists “Time Machine” by ARNO VALERE ART GALLERY BY RICART Call gallery for exhibition information. Reception July 11, 7:30 to 10 p.m. Robert Zuckerman 3900 NE 1st Ave., Miami 305-576-5000 CENTER FOR VISUAL COMMUNICATION DIASPORA VIBE GALLERY HAROLD GOLEN GALLERY www.valerericartgallery.com 541 NW 27th St., Miami 3938 NE 39th St., Miami 2294 NW 2nd Ave., Miami July 11 through July 25: Solo show by Carolus 305-571-1415 305-573-4046 305-989-3359 Reception July 11, 6 to 10 p.m. www.visual.org www.diasporavibe.net www.haroldgolengallery.com Ongoing: Through July 23: Call gallery for exhibition information. ART FUSION Solo show by Clarence Laughlin “Mr. Meyers, My Sweet Jane” by 1 NE 40th St., Miami Danny Ramirez INTERFLIGHT STUDIO GALLERY 305-573-5730 CHAREST-WEINBERG GALLERY 250 NW 23rd St., Loft 206, Miami www.artfusiongallery.com 250 NW 23rd St., Miami DORSCH GALLERY 305-573-1673 July 3 through September 23: 305-292-0411 151 NW 24th St., Miami www.fl ightstudiogallery.com “Esoteric Illusions” with various artists www.charest-weinberg.com 305-576-1278 Call gallery for exhibition information. Reception July 11, 7 to 10 p.m. Through August 8: Pedro Barbeito and Jason Gringler www.dorschgallery.com Through July 18: KELLEY ROY GALLERY ART GALLERY AT GOVERNMENT CENTER CHELSEA GALLERIA “F(r)acture: divisions in painting” curated by Brook 50 NE 29 St., Miami 111 NW 1st St., Suite 625, Miami 2441 NW 2nd Ave., Miami Dorsch, with Alicia Gibson, David Marsh, Jordan 305-447-3888 305-375-4634 305-576-2950 Massangale, Patrick McElnea, Brandon Opalka, Jane www.kelleyroygallery.com www.miamidadearts.org www.chelseagalleria.com Parshall, Carlos Rigau, Karen Seapker, and Kevin Through September 30: Through August 7: Through August 1: Van Gorp “Handmade Horizons and Songs” by Sebastian Spreng Solo show by Robert Chambers “Cosmos” by Tonel Reception July 11, 7 to 10 p.m. Reception July 11, 7 to 10 p.m. Reception July 11, 7 to 10 p.m. ARTFORMZ DOT FIFTYONE ART SPACE KEVIN BRUK GALLERY 171 NW 23rd St., Miami CS GALLERY 51 NW 36th St., Miami 2249 NW 1st Pl., Miami 305-572-0040 787 NE 125th St., North Miami 305-573-9994 305-576-2000 www.artformz.net 305-308-6561 www.dotfi ftyone.com www.kevinbrukgallery.com Through September 5: www.chirinossanchez.com Call gallery for exhibition information. Through July 31: “Hotter Than a Match Head” with Natasha Duwin, Sibel Call gallery for exhibition information. Summer show with various artists Kocabasi, Ray Paul, PJ Mills, Alette Simmons-Jimenez, EDGAR ACE GALLERY Reception July 11, 7 to 10 p.m. Rosario Rivera-Bond, Rai Escale, Anja Marais, Ramón DAMIEN B. CONTEMPORARY ART CENTER 7520 NE 4th Ct., Miami Williams, Guillermo Portieles, Donna Haynes, and 282 NW 36th St., Miami 305-877-2401 KUNSTHAUS MIAMI Gisela Savdie 305-573-4949 Call gallery for exhibition information. 3312 N. Miami Ave., Miami www.damienb.com 305-438-1333 BAKEHOUSE ART COMPLEX Call gallery for exhibition information. EDGE ZONES CONTEMPORARY ART www.kunsthaus.org.mx 561 NW 32nd St., Miami 47 NE 25th St., Miami Through August 30: 305-576-2828 DAVID CASTILLO GALLERY 305-303-8852 Group show with Armando de la Garza, www.bacfl .org 2234 NW 2nd Ave., Miami www.edgezones.org Ivan Puig, and Leonardo Ramírez Call gallery for exhibition information. 305-573-8110 July 11 through July 31: Reception July 11, 7 to 10 p.m. www.castilloart.com Group show with various artists BAS FISHER INVITATIONAL Through August 1: Reception July 11, 8 to 11 p.m. LEITER GALLERY 180 NE 39th St., #210, Miami Group show with Adler Guerrier, Aramis 6900 Biscayne Blvd., Miami By appointment: info@basfi sherinvitational.com Gutierrez, Quisqueya Henriquez, Susan Lee- ELITE ART EDITIONS GALLERY 305-389-2616 www.basfi sherinvitational.com Chun, Pepe Mar, Glexis Novoa, Javier Piñón, 151 NW 36th St., Miami Call gallery for exhibition information. Through July 11: Leyden Rodriguez-Casanova, Frances Trombly, 305-403-5856 Solo show by Kathleen Hudspeth and Wendy Wischer www.elitearteditions.com Reception July 11, 7 to 10 p.m. Reception July 11, 7 to 10 p.m. Call gallery for exhibition information. Continued on page 33

32 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 ART & CULTURE

Art Listings MUSEO VAULT 346 NW 29th St., Miami Continued from page 32 305-571-1175 www.museovault.com LOCUST PROJECTS Call gallery for exhibition information. 155 NE 38th St., Miami 305-576-8570 OUR HOUSE WEST OF WYNWOOD www.locustprojects.org 3100 NW 7th Ave., Miami July 11: 305-490-2976 “BALLS IN THE AIR” by Wet Heat Project www.oh-wow.com Reception July 11, 7 to 10 p.m. Through July 24: “IT’S NOT THE HEAT, IT’S THE HUMILITY” by Michael LUIS ADELANTADO GALLERY Genovese 98 NW 29th St., Miami Reception July 11, 8 to 11 p.m. 305-438-0069 www.luisadelantadomiami.com PANAMERICAN ART PROJECTS Call gallery for exhibition information. 2450 NW 2nd Ave., Miami 305-573-2400 LURIE – KAVACHNINA GALLERY www.panamericanart.com 46 NW 36th St., Miami Through July 4: 305-448-2060 “Primary Colors” with various artists www.lurie-kavachnina.com July 11 through August 13: Through July 11: Allison Layton and Leslie Shershow, Championship Rings, bronze and Shows by Leopoldo Romañach and the Cuban Group show with various artists gold plate, 2009, at Gallery Diet. Vanguardia and Héctor Molné Reception July 11, 7 to 10 p.m. Reception July 11, 6 to 9 p.m.

LYLE O. REITZEL GALLERY MIAMI ART GROUP GALLERY MIAM-DADE COLLEGE, CENTER GALLERY PRAXIS INTERNATIONAL ART 2441 NW 2nd Ave., Miami 21 NW 36th St., Miami 300 NE 2nd Ave., 2219 NW 2nd Ave., Miami 305-573-1333 305-576-2633 Bldg. 1, Room 1365, Miami 305-573-2900 www.artnet.com/reitzel.html www.miamiartgroup.com 305-237-3696 www.praxis-art.com Call gallery for exhibition information. Ongoing: www.mdc.edu July 11 through July 21: Solo exhibition by James Kitchens Call gallery for exhibition information. “MFANow 2009” with Andre Debus, Arina Gordienko, MARIO FLORES GALLERY Damien Mohl, Joyce Ho, Zachari Logan, and Sarah 12502 NE 8th Ave., North Miami MIAMI ART SPACE MIAMI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF ART AND Awad 561-201-2053 244 NW 35th St., Miami DESIGN Reception July 11, 7 to 10 p.m. www.mariofl oresgallery.com 305-438-9002 1501 Biscayne Blvd., Miami Through July 20:“Identity” by Luisa Elena Betancourt www.miamiartspace.com 305-428-5700 PRESSITON ART GALLERY Reception July 11, 7 to 10 p.m. July 11 through July 18: www.mymiu.com 4100 N. Miami Ave., Miami “EXTEMPORE” with Marisela Esteves, Through July 11: 786-925-2930 MIAMI CENTER FOR THE PHOTGRAPHIC ARTS Julie Pagano, Niko Yulis, and Samara Banks MFA exhibit with various artists www.pressitonart.com 1601 SW 1st St., Miami Reception July 11, 7 to 10 p.m. July 16 through August 14: Through July 4: “Madrigal” by Katherine Mann 305-649-9575, www.mcpagallery.com Reception July 16, 6 to 9 p.m. “Like Cats and Dogs” with various artists Call gallery for exhibition information. Reception July 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reception July 16, 5 to 8 p.m. Continued on page 34

July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 33 ART & CULTURE

Art Listings UNTITLED 2144 MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART 2144 NE 2nd Ave., Miami 770 NE 125th St., North Miami Continued from page 33 305-576-2112 305-893-6211 www.untitled2144.com www.mocanomi.org Call gallery for exhibition information. Through September 13: PUZZLEMENT GALLERY “Convention” with Julieta Aranda, Fia Backström, 81 NW 24th St., Miami WALLFLOWER GALLERY Xavier Cha, Anne Daems & Kenneth Andrew Mroczek, 917-929-8559 10 NE 3rd St., Miami Fritz Haeg, Corey McCorkle, Dave McKenzie, My www.puzzlementart.com 305-579-0069 Barbarian, Christodoulos Panayiotou, Sean Raspet, Ongoing show with Kevin Brady, Manuel Carbonell, www.wallfl owergallery.com Superfl ex and Jens Haaning, and Miami’s Jim Drain, Nichole Chimenti, Carter Davis, Stephen Gamson, myspace.com/wallfl owergallery Gean Moreno, and Bert Rodriguez Raquel Glottman, Jim Herbert, Jennifer Kaiser, Alex Call gallery for exhibition information. Paiva Lopez, Andy Piedilato, Tomy F. Trujillo, Jonathan MOCA AT GOLDMAN WAREHOUSE “Depoe” Villoch, and Giancarlo Zavala WOLFGANG ROTH & PARTNERS 404 NW 26th St., Miami FINE ART 305-893-6211 SPINELLO GALLERY 201 NE 39th St., Miami www.mocanomi.org 531 NE 82nd Terr., Miami 305-576-6960 Call for operating hours and exhibit information. 786-271-4223 www.wrpfi neart.com www.spinellogallery.com Through July 31 THE MARGULIES COLLECTION Through July 4: Summer group show with various 591 NW 27th St., Miami “Encore” with TYPOE and artists 305-576-1051 Santiago Rubino www.margulieswarehouse.com MUSEUM & COLLECTION EXHIBITS Luis Gispert, Stylus (Prototype), wood, Call for operating hours and exhibit information. STASH GALLERY 162 NE 50 Terr., Miami CIFO (Cisneros Fontanals Art halogen lighting fi xture, 2009, at Alejandra von THE RUBELL FAMILY COLLECTION 305-992-7652 Foundation) Hartz Gallery. 95 NW 29th St., Miami www.myspace.com/stashgallery 1018 N. Miami Ave., Miami 305-573-6090 July 10 through August 10: 305-455-3380 www.rubellfamilycollection.com “I don’t think he gave her the time that night but damn www.cifo.org LOWE ART MUSEUM, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI Call for operating hours and near - damn near” by Joseph O’Neal Call for operating hours and exhibit information. 1301 Stanford Dr., Coral Gables exhibit information. Reception July 10, 7 to midnight 305-284-3535 FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY FROST www.lowemuseum.org WORLD CLASS BOXING STEVE MARTIN STUDIO ART MUSEUM Through October 4: Debra and Dennis Scholl Collection 66 NE 40th St., Miami 11200 SW 8th St., Miami “Through the Lens: Photography from the Permanent 170 NW 23rd St., Miami 305-484-1491 305-348-0496 Collection” with various artists 305-438-9908 www.stevemartinfi neart.com http://thefrost.fi u.edu/ www.worldclassboxing.org/ Call gallery for exhibition Through August 16: MIAMI ART MUSEUM July 11 through August 31: information. “Because I Say So” sculpture from the Scholl Collection 101 W. Flagler St., Miami “Daydreams” curated by Tyler Emerson- Through August 23:“2009 Cintas Finalist Fellowship 305-375-3000 Dorsch with various artists UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI PROJECTS SPACE Exhibition” with various artists www.miamiartmuseum.org 2200 NW 2nd Ave., Miami Through September 16: Through September 13: “NeoHooDoo: Art for a 305-284-2542 “Genetic Portraits” by Nela Ochoa Forgotten Faith” with various artists Compiled by Victor Barrenechea Call gallery for exhibition Through September 20: Through October 11: Send listings, jpeg images, and events information to information. “What Comes After” by Nancy Friedemann “Recent Acquisitions” with various artists [email protected]

34 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 ART & CULTURE Culture Briefs Kids Only: Calling All be a special appearance by one of the contemporary swimsuit culture in puppet creator, the artist Pablo Cano, and Explorers! nation’s founding fathers, none other Miami Beach. Admission is $7. Seniors, the phenomenally skilled hands of master than Ben Franklin, who’ll be on hand to students, children $5. Museum galler- puppeteer James Hammond. In conjunc- Kids like to get out and explore their sign the Declaration of Independence — ies are open Wednesday-Sunday, noon tion with the painting and photography surroundings. The Historical Museum again. City of Miami residents $6; others until as late as 9:00 p.m. Free admission exhibition “Dog Tales: Words and Images, of Southern Florida (101 W. Flagler St.) $12; infants under one year free. Open Friday after 6:00 p.m. Call 305-531-1001 Facts and Fiction” at Miami-Dade’s main helps them take that one step further. 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Call 305-373- or visit www.wolfsonian.org. library downtown (101 W. Flagler St.), Dog, One giant step. Called the Tropical KIDS or visit www.miamichildrens- a shadow-puppet theater production for Explorers Summer Camp, it offers one- museum.org. all ages, will be presented free on Satur- week camps through August 21, taking All Hail the Mighty Mango! day, July 18 at 2:00 p.m. Call 305-375- kids ages 6 to 12 on fi eld trips to places The International Mango Festival, where 2665 for more information. like Metrozoo, Butterfl y World, and vari- mangoheads die and go to heaven, ous historical sites. Things to do could returns to Fairchild Tropical Botanic include riding an airboat, creating art Garden (10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral with sand, constructing a paddle boat, or Gables) Saturday and Sunday, July making an Egyptian water clock. HMSF 11-12. On display for viewing, tast- members $165. Nonmembers $190. ing, and buying will be an astonishing Weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call variety of the luscious fruit from all over 305-375-1492 or visit www.hmsf.org. the world. You’ll fi nd smoothies, cook- La Niña del Fuego ing demonstrations, learned lectures, Concha Buika has been hailed by critics and trees for sale, including a miniature and adored by fellow Spaniards. She’s species that grows full-size fruit. On There’s a Fish Story Down been called a “trailblazing force in con- Sunday the annual brunch is expected on the Farm temporary Spanish music.” And she’s not to sell out as usual, and no wonder when Miami-Dade County is one of the leading areas easy to categorize — a kind of modern the chefs are Mango Gang originals like for fish farming in the United States. Broadly cultural hybrid, a vocalist with family Allen Susser and Mark Militello. (Reser- known as aquaculture, it’s the cultivation of a roots in Africa and a Spanish fl air for fl a- vations required.) Admission excluding multitude of fresh and saltwater species, from menco, all of it blended with jazz, R&B, brunch is $20, seniors $15, children 6-17 tropicals for fish tanks to catfish and salmon for A Blazing Birthday Bash at funk, gypsy, and Cuban rhythms. Bui- $10. Call 305-667-1651 or visit www. dinner, but also crustaceans like shrimp, and ka’s 8:00 p.m. performance on Thursday, fairchildgarden.org. even aquatic plants. The Aquaculture Tour, Bayfront July 9 at the intimate Gusman Theater presented by the county’s Fruit and Spice Fireworks don’t get much better than (174 E. Flagler St.) is a do-over for a Park (24801 SW 187th Ave., Homestead) those lighting up the sky for “America’s Zo’s Free Block Party at Rhythm Foundation concert canceled will have Chris Rollins leading you Satur- Birthday Bash” at Bayfront Park (301 the Triple A last year after a visa snafu. Tickets range day, July 25 to a few of those farms to meet Biscayne Blvd.) on Saturday, July 4. Alonzo Mourning left the Heat, but from $27 to $52 and are available at the the proprietors and learn more about this This annual all-day event includes free not his fans and friends. Zo’s Summer Gusman box offi ce (305-372-0925) or growing industry. Fee is $25. Tour runs from admission, food kiosks galore, a free Groove Block Party and its all-star through Ticketmaster. 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Call 305-247-5727 or Kids’ Zone from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. with basketball game returns to the Ameri- visit www.fruitandspicepark.org. infl atable slides, a kiddie carousel, hoops, can Airlines Arena (601 Biscayne face painting, and more. The main event, Blvd.) on Sunday, July 12. Bring the the fi reworks display, is launched from family at noon for the free block party Seniors Are All Wet — and a barge fl oating in Biscayne Bay and outside the arena — great entertain- Loving It is said to be one of the largest in South ers, music, food, giveaways, and rides If you’re of a certain age, you may know Florida. It explodes at 9:00 p.m. Good continue until 6:30 p.m. Inside you’ll that exercise using water resistance helps views from anywhere in the park. No fi nd contests, giveaways, and possible aches and pains, especially arthritis. bottles, cans, or coolers allowed. Call encounters with very tall men who Good reason to sign up for Miami Shores’ 305-358-7550 or go to www.bayfront- Introducing the Bikini — make a living throwing a ball at a hoop. Arthritis Aquatic Program, at which low- parkmiami.com. Did we mention the game from 6:30 to impact water exercise is conducted at the Scandalous! 9:00 p.m.? Or the jamming half-time Shores swimming pool (10200 Biscayne Ben Franklin’s John Ten decades of bathing suits will be on show? NBA newbies take on the old Blvd.). Fun in the pool isn’t just for whipper- display July 10-October 11 in “Beauty pros. Game tickets $5-$60. Call 305- snappers! Open to all seniors. Bring your Hancock for Youngsters on the Beach — A Centennial Celebra- 476-0095 or visit ticketmaster.com. own towel. One-hour sessions are 10:00 The Miami Children’s Museum (Watson tion of Swimwear” at the Wolfsonian- a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 11:00 Island, MacArthur Causeway) will cel- FIU Museum (1001 Washington Ave., a.m. Sundays. Village residents $48.50 per ebrate America’s 233rd anniversary with Yes, It’s Even Better Than Miami Beach), appropriately within month, nonresidents $60.75. Reduced prices kids in mind (no surprise there). On Sat- Pinocchio walking distance of the beach. The for single sessions. For more information urday, July 4, museum festivities will If you’ve ever seen a sophisticated, profes- exhibition reveals how these garments’ call Lorne Salzar at 786-507-8836. include kids making art, playing games, designs and the marketing of them have sional puppet show, you know it’s some- and competing for a “patriotism prize” thing magical. Now children and parents refl ected our views of health, body shape, Compiled by BT intern Brian Horowitz for the best red-white-and-blue outfi t. In and beauty. Noted fashion photographer alike have a unique opportunity to see one addition (and here’s the surprise) there’ll Miles Ladin’s corollary exhibit explores that brings together Miami’s own famed Feedback: [email protected]

July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 35 PARK PATROL Where the Wild Things Still Are Sprawling and verdant, Greynolds Park has something for just about everyone By Jim W. Harper The most distinctive feature of BT Contributor the park, smack in the middle, is The Mound. Reaching to a non-Floridian ou wanna iguana? Need a little height of 46 feet, this verdant hill rises “Love-In”? This signature annual to a peak that is capped with a coral- Yevent for hippies takes place rock tower. For many years it was the each May, but the big green lizards are highest point in the county and served as on display daily at Greynolds Park. They Harper BT photos by Jim W. an outlook to the bay in the east and the fi t in with the park’s prehistoric past and Everglades in the west. its spacious wetlands. As lovely as The Mound may be, its Not to be confused with Greynolds guts are composed of leftover machinery Park East on Biscayne Boulevard, this from a rock pit that operated here in the Greynolds is the real deal. At 249 acres, early 1900s. In 1936 the land was dedicated it has miles of trails, a nine-hole golf as the county’s second park, beaten to the course, and even a real campground punch only by Matheson Hammock Park. for group rentals. But let’s put aside the But its history is much, much older. Ar- campers and golfers and focus on the cheological evidence points to Tequesta and average visitor. other tribes living here to at least around Greynolds Park is free on weekdays 500 B.C. but charges $5 per vehicle on weekends Once the highest point in the region, The Mound is capped with a coral- The park is named after A.O. Greynolds, and holidays. Two entrances make it rock tower. the owner of the Ojus Rock Company who easily accessible to the Biscayne Cor- ridor crowd and the surrounding North features warning signs for alligators, Miami Beach community, but the main tons of turtles, and schooling tarpons entrance on Dixie Highway holds special the size of 12-year-olds (tarpon don’t like Kix). Despite the signs that warn against feeding wildlife, The fi rst stop behind the entrance gate the turtles appear quite well features warning signs for alligators, trained. Alligators may not be tons of turtles, and schooling tarpons visible, but they are probably lurking somewhere. the size of 12-year-olds. You’re even less likely to see the highly endangered saltwater crocodile, but one appeal. People who enjoy feeding cereal has been spotted in the park in years to turtles know all about it (apparently past. Manatees are much more common they love Kix). visitors. Bats and owls reside here. This fi rst stop behind the gate The park’s rich menagerie of wildlife GREYNOLDS PARK

NE Miami Gardens Dr Park Rating

NE 24th Ave mi Gardens Dr NE MiaMiami Gardens Dr

NE 183rd St 17530 W. Dixie Hwy. How big is Greynolds? Big enough to include a nine-hole golf course, NE 183rd St NE 22nd Ave

y North Miami Beach where kids can learn to play. Greynolds 305-945-3425 NE 181st St Park Hours: Sunrise to sunset centers around two bodies of water: the donated 110 acres of land to the county. W Dixie HwHwy Picnic tables: Yes Oleta River and the bird rookery. The The park was the fi rst project developed by vd NE 179th St Barbecues: Yes e Bl rookery is a poorly marked tangle of Adrian Barnes and Charles Crandon. Picnic pavilions: Yes Greynolds dead-end trails through a thick man- Newest feature at Greynolds is the BiscaynBiscayne Blvd Tennis courts: No NE 20th Ave Park AthleticA fi elds: Yes grove forest. One entrance by the golf renovation of its sizable boathouse, near

ie Hwy Night lighting: Yes course is marked as both West Lake The Mound, which was dedicated on Trail and Lakeside Nature Trail. The June 13. By “boats” the house refers to NE 175th St W DixDixie Hwy Swimming pool: No Playground: Yes other main entrance has a quaint stone kayaks and canoes, which can be rented NE 174th St Special features: Golf course, bridge but no signage. Once inside, you between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. No campground, canoe rental will need at least a half hour to fi nd another exit. Continued on page 37

36 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 PARK PATROL

Wild Things the cereal-munching turtles to fi nd a the visitor’s center. If beach volleyball Continued from page 36 shady pathway leading into the woods. is your game, try picnic areas near the Soon you will come upon the charming north entrance. Some picnic areas over- fi shing is allowed within the park. covered wooden bridge, offering one look the water, some peer into the woods, This giant cottage is composed of an of several vistas over the river and the and some let you watch your kids on the attractive, sturdy mixture of coral rock lagoon. Across the water stands the two- playground. Take your pick. and timber. The central mess hall or meet- story Lagoon Shelter, where large BBQ The other main activity here is ing room is where campers gather to grab pits beckon for a big family cookout. wandering. By car you can wander down popsicles and listen to scary stories. Jogging is popular along this trail, Palm Drive, where a cluster of tower- Speaking of campers, the park is and a marked Mangrove Walk takes you ing Royal Palms peer down at you like crawling with them. There are kids deeper into the woods. Another trail, past giants. From here you can access the playing tug-o-war on The Mound, hit- the boathouse and near the playground, Oleta River Nature Trail. takes you into a hardwood ham- Or wander by the golf course and into mock. These woods are what the bird rookery, where you might spy a This park is ideal for a picnic. Some South Florida used to look like. fl ock of ibis or a single osprey. Here is where areas overlook the water, some peer Scattered around the park the saltwater crocodile has been spotted, into the woods, and some let you watch are some large sculptures. Mark- but don’t hold your breath looking for one. your kids on the playground. ers could not be found, so their Instead beware of stepping on an iguana. titles are up to your imagination. Greynolds is a great park, simply Look for Curvy Hairdo, Square because of its size and its natural assets. Jaws, and Happy Plane Crash. Family-friendly bike paths and Its major shortcoming, obvious in the ting the playground at the Mahogany The main problem with this park, be- hiking trails weave through the summer, is no place to swim — espe- Picnic Area, and getting back to nature sides a lack of signage, is the same prob- park for miles. cially with so much water around. But at Camp Manatee. The park is one of six lem at every park in the Miami-Dade signifi cant shade trees and breezes from in the county that runs a camp program County system. Dogs are not allowed. For families without dogs, though, the water help to keep things bearable. for children with disabilities, continu- My dog was chastised for not realizing this park is ideal for a picnic. The Oak The Indians who discovered this land ing until August 14. There is even a golf this rule, a rule that makes little sense Grove Picnic Area is a simple collec- could stand the heat, and you can too. camp for Miami’s young Tigers. in a place with hundreds of acres and tion of benches under live oak trees, Back at the front gate, turn way from thousands of iguanas. located in between the golf course and Feedback: [email protected]

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July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 37 COLUMNISTS: KIDS AND THE CITY Into the Vortex of Family Remember me? Before you had kids, we were friends By Jenni Person And then there’s the kind of friend BT Contributor who is so kid-friendly she doesn’t want to be without your kids. Until recently I remember when I fi rst met my part- had a close friend who fi t that descrip- ner almost 15 years ago, all I wanted tion. She was extremely generous with I to do was be with him. Any time not my kids, and fi t into our family much working was spent in his arms or doing like Uncle Mitch, treating Goldi and Izzi things together, including socializing and like family as she bestowed gifts from keeping up with a busy calendar of en- her long distance locale, traveled with gaging parties, get-togethers, and events. us, and spent some holidays with us. She But I had a couple of friends who would had been my closest friend for more than say to me: “Can we make a date to do 20 years, although after college, always something, just you and me? Like it used living in a different city. When I told her to be?” I tried to oblige. I’d become engaged, she said, “I can’t But the truth was, my social life believe you’re marrying someone I’ve changed when I met someone with whom never met!” I wanted to spend the rest of my life. Of That may have been the beginning course I maintained my independent iden- of the end. But we stayed close and I even tity, but I was most happy and content just pulled myself away from my beloved on being with my beshert, a Yiddish word that many occasions over the years to visit or can most closely be translated as destiny. travel with her. But then Goldi came along We quickly became engaged and about a people without kids who simply blend especially for parents who work. We and my life changed. I was less mobile, not year and a half after fi rst laying eyes on into our family and function as another basically want to spend any nonworking only because traveling with a kid and all each other, we were married. adult, another set of eyes, another person awake time surrounded by the family. their gear is a pain, but because I was nest- We moved a lot for the next seven — like a grandparent, uncle, or aunt — I have one friend who simply is not ing as I grew my family. years, continuing to make new friends. to whom we send photos of the kids’ a kid person. We’ve been close for nearly By the time Izzi was toddling, And then came Goldi. New friendships antics and adventures, or invite to the 20 years, a friendship dating way back my friend began to complain about with other parents emerged from baby/ school play. to when I was single, rushing home to no me seeming distracted, too busy, and family-related things like Torah Tykes, I’ve written here about the extraor- one. When we make plans these days, we about always having to visit me with no a kid-centered community we forged at dinary role of “Uncle Mitch” in our fam- very laboriously work around my kids. reciprocation. When I pointed out that I Temple Israel. And then came Izzi, born ily’s life. As a refresher, Uncle Mitch is a She’s actually perfectly fi ne hanging out at now required two and then three airfares right into our existing social network friend who pinch-hits for us with school my house while Goldi and Izzi play in the to visit her, I heard a litany of reasons of breeders and our glorious and more pick-ups, on date night, at karate, and is background, but she steers clear of most why I could afford it or that I should take diverse extended community, which in- often at our table for any old meal and events we host involving other families. a break and come by myself. Or in the cludes folks from all walks of life: single, for family gatherings and holidays. But And her real preference is solo-Jenni time. most uncomfortable of responses, my married, kids, no kids, gay, straight, then there are the folks who aren’t as in- And of course I enjoy — and on some level friend offered to pay for my travel. But single parents, divorced parents — you timately involved and for whom the fact need — the opportunity to have social what she never grasped was my lack of name it. that we have kids is more complicated. one-on-one time with an adult friend who time. Or that any available time I might But now it seems that one of the Perhaps you can relate to the experi- knows me as more than a mom. But it does have is time I want to spend as a family. many challenges of being a parent is ence of expanding your embrace around feel very fragile, as if too much exposure It’s hard enough to barely see your kids maintaining friendships with people friends who don’t necessarily need or to my mommy life would send this friend who don’t have kids. In my life there are want to be around your kids. It’s tough, running in the other direction. Continued on page 39

38 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 COLUMNISTS: KIDS AND THE CITY

Family just playing in the background, I do And she is forthcoming about her together with kids in tow. That takes a lot Continued from page 38 need and want to be around my kids. unencumbered life: free to take risks that of patience. But afterward I felt badly. I She is also don’t affect wondered if I should I have made the Ikea and partner all week while you’re work- very aware anyone else date at a time when my partner could have ing. Those fl eeting weekend hours are that everyone It’s hard enough to barely see your and free to stayed with the kids. And I wondered if prime time for being a family. has their own kids and partner all week while you’re make plans imposing my motherhood on her is really Now I have a new friend who has problems and working. Those fl eeting weekend hours without like salt on a wound. But then I’m assum- no kids. And she very much wants to issues, so considering ing she’d much just rather want to hang are prime time for being a family. be a family, with a partner. But she is while there is the needs of out with her friend Jenni and have deep, working on the family solo for now, and a brief nod to three other uninterrupted, adult conversations. unfortunately is challenged by fertility “Well, at least people. She It’s a delicate balance. issues. She accepts me for the mommy I you have kids,” any frustrations can be is happy to hang out at my house, talk to am and understands that even if they’re freely and naturally expressed. my kids. Recently we even braved Ikea Feedback: [email protected]

July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 39 COLUMNISTS: PAWSITIVELY PETS Why Do Dogs Bark? Because that’s what dogs do. Any more questions? Lisa Hartman just too much to think about for him, or I BT Contributor may not be rewarding his tries enough to keep down his frustration. he readers of Biscayne Times and Another note about training classes. I “Pawsitively Pets” have spoken! have witnessed a number of dogs in group- TSo this month I am answering training classes stuck in a Catch 22: The your questions on behavior and problem- dog is obviously stressed about practicing solving. Below are two of the e-mails “heel” or some other command the owner is I received recently. The fi rst is from barking at him, so he looks away and yawns. Sharon O., who asks: The class trainer tells the owner the dog is Hi, Lisa. Here’s a question I have not paying attention and to correct it, usually pondered for a while: My dog yawns with a leash pop or yelling. The dog is now a lot, and often times it seems to me, more stressed and looks away/yawns even inappropriately. She yawns, yes, when more, or stops to scratch himself and is cor- she is tired, but also when we are in rected/punished again. It’s a vicious cycle. training class, when we are driving Does your dog have allergies or some down the street, when we are about to trouble getting air for some medical or pull into my sisters house — replete dog in person, it would be hard for me to squealing and quick movements. Chil- structural reason? This too could pos- with children and dogs and more. I say for sure. dren should be taught to give dogs their sibly make her more apt to yawn. suspect that yawning in dogs is a lot of Try to be aware of what is going on space. In any case, she may be involun- Of course, you may just need to add things: boredom, excitement, tension. in her world. For example, if you are in a tarily telling you something. a nap into her schedule. Is this correct? And is there negativ- training class that uses harsh or primi- I have noticed that certain breeds Deborah Q. asks: I understand why ity in it? Am I doing something wrong tive techniques (leash pops, physically seem to use some signals more than dogs mark outside, but why does my so that she feels she needs to yawn holding dogs down on the fl oor on their others. For example, Dalmatians seem male dog mark in the house? so often? Or am I just a very boring side, prong collars, and so on), it will be to shake off and sneeze more. I watched Deborah, I am sorry for your problem. person looking for an excuse? Thank stressful. In fact just being in a class for almost every Dalmatian do this at the Dogs mark for a variety of reasons — to you for the opportunity to ask! an hour with other dogs and owners is Dalmatian National Specialty show mark territory, to say that “Rocky was Thanks for writing, Sharon. Great already a lot to deal with for the animal before their “down and back” routines here” because there is already another question! I am sure you are not a very — and human. (trot away and scent there. Your dog probably doesn’t see boring person, so stop worrying about that. Maybe you toward the a reason to discriminate where he performs Yes, dogs yawn for a variety of need to work “Am I doing something wrong so that judge). I have this natural behavior. And while unaltered reasons, but they mainly yawn from a little farther she feels she needs to yawn so often? not seen any males are the predominant markers, many being tired or bored or because they away from the Or am I just a very boring person data yet about neutered males and their female counter- are under some sort of stress. Yawning other dogs. looking for an excuse?” breed-specifi c parts can keep up with them. (My little is considered a “calming signal,” or a Riding in signals, it Crested female learned marking by watch- stress signal, as is lip-licking, shaking the car may be is just my ing her big brother.) House marking also off, looking away or ignoring you, and exciting for her, observation. happens a lot when two males live together. sneezing. It is a signal that the dog is or maybe the vibration of the car makes My Dalmatian seems to favor the “look The bottom line is, dogs mark because stressed, or she could be using yawns her a bit queasy. Perhaps she knows she away/ignore” behavior if he is not learn- that’s what dogs do. to calm something or someone in her will soon be near your sister’s little kids. ing a new trick we are practicing, even But marking outside is one thing, while environment. Without meeting with your Kids are scary for most dogs, with their when trained positively. Sometimes it is Continued on page 41

40 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 COLUMNISTS: PAWSITIVELY PETS

Why? marks. Each and every time. Usu- interactions. If they are not neutered, you including dog-on-dog aggression Continued from page 40 ally saying a quick “Ah ha!” or sharp may want to think about doing so, as this and reactivity. “Hey!” will suffi ce. But you Have a training or behavior ques- marking inside the house is quite another. must always be supervising tion you would like answered? Write to Yuk! You will have to address the problem him so you do not miss an Marking outside is one thing, while me. Your question may just show up in from different angles. First, you need to opportunity to stop him. On marking inside the house is quite this column! get rid of the scent already in the house. the fl ip side, you must manage another. Yuk! First, you need to get rid They say vinegar is one of the only things him during times you cannot of the scent already in the house. Lisa Hartman is head dog trainer that works well. If the dog has marked on watch. Crating him so he does for Pawsitively Pets. You can reach her carpeted areas, this will be a bit trickier to not have the opportunity to at [email protected] or clean. But it must be done. mark would be a good idea. www.pawsitivelypetsonline.com. In addition, you must be around If you have two males in the house, the many times takes the edge off and also to catch him and stop him before he same applies for both. Supervise all curbs a variety of behavior problems, Feedback: [email protected]

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July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 41 POLICE REPORTS Biscayne Crime Beat Compiled by Derek McCann Home Invasion Purse her $8000 diamond earrings and placed Snatch them on the hood of her vehicle. (What?) 300 Block NE 75th Street At this time a diamond afi cionado (Bis- It’s one thing to leave your purse in a cayne Corridor sleazebag) approached shopping cart then walk away, but it’s her and started some sort of asinine con- quite another when it happens at home. versation. Shortly afterward the earrings, This poor victim arrived to the sanctuary of course, were gone. (Huh?) of her home and placed her purse on her kitchen table. She walked away, hap- In Jail for a Buck pened to glance at the wall mirror, and and a Quarter was horrifi ed to see a strange man grab 1000 Block of Biscayne Boulevard her purse and run out the front door. She A neighborhood lush attempted to bravely followed and saw the man get leave a gas station food court with a into the passenger side of silver car with can of beer, though apparently with a license plate number of either 4B4LUV no intention of paying for it. A parked or 484LUV. No love loss here, but those police car was in front and an offi cer vanity plates will be easy to spot. Be on entered the store. The stumbling, tipsy he responded, “No one lives there. I was A customer had come in and was inter- the lookout for stalking silver cars. man placed the can in his pocket and just looking for something to steal.” ested in purchasing one. The customer walked to the other aisle. He then asked the proprietor if he could take the placed the can, he thought inconspicu- Strange Case of the Damp laptop outside so he could get a better Killer K9 ously, on a rack with potato chips. This Suitcase 3000 Block of NE 2nd Avenue view. (Perhaps he was a narcissist and 1700 Block of N. Bayshore Drive did not fool the cop as he was arrested A gated window had been pried open wanted to look at his refl ection in the Victim went to the closet to get his on the spot. The booze was returned to and broken as a burglar made his way screen?) Unfathomably, the victim (okay, bag when he noticed that the bag the refrigerator and the chips remained inside a business. Alarms had gone off let’s be honest: the idiot) let him take it was wet. The area surrounding the dry. The cost of the beer: $1.29. and police responded and set up a perim- outside. He never returned. However, the bag was also wet. This happened at eter. Undeterred, the thief ran anyway, victim did say he could identify the thief. a hotel, so the manager was called. He Finally Did It dashing between the police vehicles. Good luck! Unfortunately there is no video of a 7100 Block of Biscayne Boulevard However, a K9 unit had been dispatched possible intruder entering the room The victim was awakened by a man near the edge of the perimeter. When the Clearing Tables — Literally and no indication what the “wet sub- standing over him in his bedroom, but thug saw that, he stopped in his tracks 5500 NE 4th Ct. stance” might be. However, the closet was relieved when he realized it was and screamed, “You got me! You got me! A woman enjoyed a great dinner the is right next to the bathroom. only “Tattoo Mike,” a former tenant. Please don’t let the dog bite me!” He was News Lounge, but inadvertently left (Ex-tenants are welcome to trespass in arrested before the dog had a chance to her i-Phone on the table. (Thankfully his home?) He escorted Tattoo Mike to Crooks Leave a Little take a chomp. it was one of the earlier models.) She the door and told him not to come back. returned and found it was gone. From Something Behind Several hours later, the landlord realized another phone she called her own 3000 Block NE 2nd Avenue Are Criminals Really his television was missing. When police number. A raspy voice answered and Suspects broke into victim’s building This Dumb? arrived to create the required report, the said he would return the phone for a though a back window and ransacked 2000 Block of N. Bayshore Drive victim stated it was “probably” Tattoo fee. The woman obtained a list of num- the entire apartment, turning furniture With the bad economy, amateurs have Mike since he has “always” made threats bers dialed from her phone since the upside down and raiding the refrigerator. spurred a crime wave. This hapless to steal the television. Must be some theft and showed it to News Lounge They stole several items. To make mat- criminal tried to land a big score but television. ters worse, at least one of the suspects wound up in a condo’s trash room. management. One of the numbers defecated on the bathroom fl oor. Not in Security guards forced the door closed, belonged to an employee, a busboy. Fast Food Rage the toilet. On the fl oor. It is unknown if trapping him inside the dirty, skanky Restaurant security questioned him, DNA samples were taken. but he changed his story three times 200 Block of NE 62nd Street room while police were summoned. The store manager at a fast food es- The would-be criminal’s female look- during the interview. The i-Phone is still missing. The fate of the busboy tablishment admonished one of her A Criminal’s Moral out was detained as her male friend employees for working too slowly. The rolled around in fi lthy garbage. When who really knows how to clear a table Justifi cation is unknown. employee fl ipped (not the burgers) then 200 Block NE 82nd Street he was arrested, the man blurted out: ripped off his uniform and threw it into Police responded to a report of a bur- “I was only trespassing!” the deep fryer. He then took his headset glary in progress. Luckily an offi cer was Lost in Translation off and did the same. Uniform and head- Design District right around the block. When the house Are Victims Really set were destroyed as the now terminated Sometimes police reports are either was approached, the suspect was caught This Dumb? employee (we can assume) ran out the unclear or so ridiculous they defy in the act and was told to come out 7800 Block of N. Bayshore Drive front door. Next stop the Golden Arches? through the window. He did as ordered The victim operates a business — selling comprehension — and logic. According to this police report, a woman took off and was arrested immediately, to which laptop computers — out of his apartment. Feedback: [email protected]

42 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 COLUMNISTS: YOUR GARDEN Ants and Plants Hollow limbs make for cozy homes — if you’re very, very small By Jeff Shimonski One other interesting of a very hot rock cliff in full sun in BT Contributor benefi t that ants provide to Sarawak, Malaysia. These Dischidia, many species of plants is some of which are called shingle f you have ever pruned a Triplaris dispersal of their seeds. This plants, will grow very well in South tree, you will notice that no matter we see every day. Have you Florida if protected from temperatures Ihow small the branches, they have ever wondered how certain in the low 50s. hollow centers. Many other species of species of plants seem to Hydnophytum and Myrmecodia BT photo by Jeff Shimonski trees and shrubs that we grow here at grow in the most unlikely grow very easily from seed. They should Jungle Island also have branches with places, and how did they ever be kept in clay pots with excellent drain- hollow sections, Cecropia (sometimes get there? The Ficus genus is age or grown on wood or coconut panels. called yarumo or pumpwood) and notable for strangling other It is likely too cold in winter here to Clerodendrum (Glory Bower) immedi- trees and growing high up on plant them onto the trunks of trees. ately come to mind. If you look further rock walls and the concrete These are great conversation to other types of plants, there are orchids embankments of express- plants to have on a hot and sunny like Schomburgkia with hollow pseudo- ways. Those seeds were balcony or patio. Both genera have bulbs and some Epidendrum species brought there by ants. the same bulbous bases and get about with hollow stems. There are epiphytic A fi g or fi cus fruit, if the same size but are still distinct bromeliads like some Tillandsia species it was pollinated, some- enough to tell apart without getting that form bulb-like rosettes. times can contain hundreds too technical. The Hydnophytum What do all of these different species of seeds. These seeds get The beautiful fl owers of the Ant Tree, have smooth bases and the Myrmeco- of plants with their hollow plant parts dispersed by many differ- Triplaris cumingiana. dia have spiny bases. There are many have in common? They are all myrmeco- ent species of animals, from different species of Dischidia that philic, or ant plants. They all have some monkeys to birds. The seeds very nutrient-poor areas. Their tuber- we can also grow here, and of course kind of benefi cial relationship with one get passed intact by the animal and are ous bases can get quite large and are some species are easier to grow than or several particular species of ants. deposited in one compact little pile. Now, full of tunnels and cavities. It is in these others. All of them are very unusual- I learned many years ago to be this would not be a very effi cient way cavities that ants live. Ants not being the looking and most have quite interest- very careful what plants I grabbed or for a plant to disperse its seeds, because greatest of housekeepers, much debris ing flowers. held onto while I was hiking through upon germination all those little fi cus begins to accumulate and decompose in I have never seen ants here in South tropical forests. Touch or brush against plants would have to compete with each the tunnels. This becomes a great source Florida taking advantage of the living the wrong plant and hundreds or even other and most would not survive. of nutrients for the “ant plants,” as they quarters provided by these epiphytic ant thousands of aggressive, biting or It just so happens that the tiny seeds are commonly known. plants, other that the occasional wander- stinging ants would come out of the have a carbohydrate coating that ants Other epiphytic species that ing individual, so don’t worry about at- hollow stems and trunks to attack you. like to eat. The ants carry the seeds to harbor and utilize ants in this part tracting ants to your home garden if you The benefi cial relationship between their nests and eat the coating, leaving of the world are species of ferns like decide to grow these horticultural gems. ants and plants can be quite compli- the seed intact and unharmed. Some of Lecanopteris (known simply as ant cated, but usually it is based upon a the seeds germinate to eventually stran- ferns), and the very interesting and Jeff Shimonski is an ISA-certifi ed favorable home for the ants and protec- gle other trees or dismantle expressways. diminutive succulent vines, Dis- municipal arborist, director of horti- tion for the plants. Fortunately, it so far Some of the stranger and more horti- chidia. Photos of this diverse group of culture at Jungle Island, and principal appears that these types of aggressive culturally interesting groups of ant plants epiphytes can be seen on my Web- of Tropical Designs of Florida. Contact ant species have not relocated here in hail from Southeast Asia. These are the site www.MalaysiaFlora.com in the him at [email protected]. South Florida to inhabit their favorite tuberous epiphytes, Hydnophytum and gallery section titled Ant Plants. I plant species — so far. Myrmecodia. They are found growing in photographed these plants on the top Feedback: [email protected]

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July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 43 DINING GUIDE

R ESTAURANT LISTINGS The Biscayne Corridor’s most comprehensive restaurant guide. Total this month: 197.

luxuriantly custardy, egg yolk-enriched lobster and sea urchin wholesalers, ensured freshness. There have been recent NORTH MIAMI NEW THIS MONTH risotto, or any raw seafood item, especially the unique marlin changes, like a cafeteria counter to accommodate rushed with pistachio, apricot, and house-cured speck. $$$-$$$$ lunchers, but no compromises in quality. The Arroz Amarillo The Bridge con Mariscos behind the glass doesn’t get topped with 2286 NE 123rd St. MIAMI precision-cooked seafood till the last minute. The Minuta 305-891-8282 MIAMI sandwich is a whole yellowtail (served tail-on, as proof). And Since the original Mark’s Place, eateries in this space have BRICKELL / DOWNTOWN there’s still no permanent menu, because here, catches of come and gone rapidly, but with 18 successful restaurants MIDTOWN / WYNWOOD / DESIGN DISTRICT the day really do change daily. $-$$ in Uruguay, The Bridge’s owners have confidence in their Andú winning formula. Prices are affordable; ambiance is warm; 141 SW 7th St. The Girrrlz of Sandwich One Sumo cocktails are formidable. And food is a crowd-pleasing mix 786-871-7005 555 NE 15th St., 2nd floor (Venetia condo) 7281 Biscayne Blvd., 305-758-7866 of continental and Latin steakhouse fare: an entrana with www.andurestaurant.com 305-374-4305 The concept here is fast-food Fitness -- capital “F” intended. In fries for traditionalists; a pork chop with strawberry sauce, This space’s futuristic fairyland décor, highlighted by hanging Riot Grrrl DIY spirit shines in the homemade soups, sweets, fact, though some call this minimalist space a smoothie joint, apple mash, and glazed carrots for more elegant tastes. glass pendants, makes it popular as a stylish hangout as salads, and exceptionally tasty warm baguette sandwiches (like its numerous drink blends (categorized by function -- prework- Note: The chivito sandwich here (tenderloin steak, bacon, much as a restaurant -- and loungers are rewarded with a bar prosciutto and fresh mozzarella, dressed with a unique sumac out, low-glycemic, kid-pleasers, and more, all fruit-sweetened ham, melted cheese, and olives on a baguette) may be menu ranging from the traditional (zataar-spiked hummus) vinaigrette) at this concealed café, hidden on the Venetia condo’s without added sugars) are deliberately termed shakes to Miami’s most satisfying sinful pleasure. $$-$$$ to the trendy (artichoke purée with feta); calamari with Meyer mezzanine. Owners Ana Oliva and Fadia Sarkis scour local mar- differentiate them from not-necessarily healthy smoothies. lemon brown butter is especially recommended. Tip: While kets daily for the freshest of ingredients, and their breads (plus Additionally there’s solid sustenance that goes beyond stan- entrées and sides on the changing main menu are also mostly light-crusted empanadas and sinful Ghirardelli chocolate cake) dard gym snacks: Asian-inspired rice or low-carb salad plates, NORTH MIAMI BEACH Mediterranean, some of the kitchen’s best shots stretch the are all baked in-house. On Saturdays the grrrls’ll even deliver you topped with freshly flash-griddled beef, chicken, seafood, or concept considerably. So don’t miss the fries with chipotle/Key an elegant (yet inexpensive) breakfast in bed. $ veggie teriyakis. $-$$ Racks Italian Bistro and Market lime aioli. $$$ 3933 NE 163rd St. (Intracoastal Mall), 305-917-7225 Bistro 82 The complexity of the Racks concept makes a sound-bite Eos MIAMI 8201 Biscayne Blvd., 305-403-2995 description impossible. It’s part Italian market, with salumi, 485 Brickell Ave. (Viceroy Hotel) As with Latin American food, much Middle Eastern restau- cheeses, and other artisan products plus take-out prepared 305-503-0373 UPPER EASTSIDE rant fare blurs borders, making it hard to pinpoint individual foods; part enoteca (wine bar, featuring snacks like addictive Unlike their Michelin-starred New Adriatic restaurant Anthos, countries’ culinary characteristics. Here, though, national Portobello fritti with truffle aioli, especially enjoyable on the in Manhattan, this venture of chef Michael Psilakis and res- Fish Corner identity is strong. Virtually all dishes, from savory falafel waterfront deck); part ristorante (pastas and other Big Food); taurateur Donatella Arpaia has influences ranging way beyond 5555 NE 2nd Ave. to sweet k’nafeh (a traditional cheese breakfast pastry part pizzeria. What’s important: All components feel and Greece to the whole Mediterranean region, and even Latin 305-757-5056 that doubles as dessert), are crafted from the authentic taste authentically Italian. Just don’t miss the coal-oven pizza. America. Unchanged is Psilakis’ solid creativity, and a beautiful Inexpensive yet impeccable fish dishes have been the spe- Lebanese recipes of owner Mona Issa’s mom. Casually Superior toppings (including unusually zesty tomato sauce) sense of balance that makes even very unfamiliar combina- cialty at this casual eatery since it was opened, in late 2008, exotic décor makes the spot dateworthy too, especially on plus an astonishingly light yet chewy crust make Racks’ pies a tions taste accessible. So skip the safe stuff and go for the by Cuban-American owners whose day jobs, as seafood Saturday nights when belly dancing is featured. $$ revelation. $$

MIAMI Abokado fishing area 31, stretching from the Carolinas to South America) signature rijsttafel, a mix-and-match collection of small dishes Brickell / Downtown 900 S. Miami Ave., 305-347-3700 isn’t a glamorous dining setting. But we’d eat outside. From the and condiments to be heaped on rice. Note: bring cash. No www.abokadosushi.com expansive terrace of the Epic condo and hotel on the Miami plastic accepted here. $-$$ Hamachi chiles rellenos? Shiso leaf “nachos” topped with raw River, the views of Brickell’s high-rises actually make Miami look spicy tuna, kaiware sprouts, and other Asian ingredients? The like a real city. It’s hard to decide whether the eats or drinks are The Bar at Level 25 (Conrad Hotel) Restaurant listings for the BT Dining Viva, a sushi roll that starts with standard Japanese (spicy tuna, the most impressive. The food is impeccably fresh regional fish, 1395 Brickell Ave., 305-503-6500 Guide are written by Pamela Robin cucumber, avocado), adds Latin sabor (jalapeño, cilantro), prepared in a clean Mediterranean-influenced style. The cock- On the Conrad’s 25th floor, The Bar’s picture-windowed space Brandt. Every effort has been made wraps it in a flour tortilla, and garnishes it with heat (spicy tails are genuinely creative. Luckily you don’t have to choose is not just a watering hole with panoramic views. At lunch it’s snow crab mix)? Miami hasn’t tended to initiate too many food one or the other. $$$-$$$$ an elegant sandwich bar; at night it’s a raw bar (with pristine to ensure accuracy, but restaurants “firsts,” but this Japanese/Pan-Latin fusion place is surely one. coldwater oysters) and (best) a tapas bar serving pintxos. That’s frequently change menus, chefs, and Prices are higher than at neighborhood sushi spots, but in keep- Azul just the Basque word for tapas, but here there’s nothing mere ing with Abokado’s Mary Brickell Village neighbors. $$$$ 500 Brickell Key Dr., 305-913-8254 about the generously portioned small plates. They range from operating hours, so please call ahead Floor-to-ceiling picture windows showcase Biscayne Bay. traditional items like cod fish equixada and saffron-sautéed to confi rm information. Icons ($$$) Acqua But diners are more likely to focus on the sparkling raw bar Spanish artichokes to inventive inspirations like foie gras and represent estimates for a typical meal 1435 Brickell Ave., Four Seasons Hotel and open kitchen, where chef Clay Conley crafts imaginative goat cheese-stuffed empanadas. $$$ 305-381-3190 global creations – many of them combinations, to satisfy without wine, tax, or tip. Hyphenated Originally an Italian/Mediterranean restaurant, this comfortably those who want it all. One offering, “A Study in Tuna,” includes Blu Pizzeria e Cucina icons ($-$$$) indicate a signifi cant range elegant, upscale spot switched chefs in 2006, resulting in a tuna sashimi, Maine crab, avocado tempura, and caviar, with 900 S. Miami Ave. (Mary Brickell Village) in prices between lunch and dinner complete menu renovation. Thailand’s famed sense of culinary several Asian sauces. Moroccan lamb is three preparations 305-381-8335; www.blurestaurantsgroup.com balance is now evident throughout the global (though primarily (grilled chop, harissa-marinated loin, and bastilla, the famed If the super-sleek interior is too formal for you, opt for a menus, or among individual items on Asian or Latin American-inspired) menu, in dishes like yuzu/ savory-sweet Middle Eastern pastry, stuffed with braised shank. casual patio table while studying the menu over an order those menus. white soya-dressed salad of shrimp tempura, a tender pork $$$$$ of warm gnocchetti bread sticks, or creamy-centered suppli shank glazed with spicy Szechuan citrus sauce, or lunchtime’s alla romana (porcini-studded tomato and mozzarella rice cro- $= $10 and under rare tuna burger with lively wasabi aioli and wakame salad. For Bali Café quettes). The place looks upscale, but prices of even the fan- $$= $20 dessert few chocoholics can resist a buttery-crusted tart filled 109 NE 2nd Ave., 305-358-5751 ciest entrées don’t exceed $20. The fare is wide-ranging, but $$$= $30 with sinfully rich warm chocolate custard. $$$$$ While Indonesian food isn’t easy to find in Miami, downtown you can’t go wrong with one of the thin-crusted, brick-oven has secret stashes — small joints catering to cruise-ship and pizzas, whether a traditional margherita or inventive asparagi $$$$= $40 Area 31 construction workers. This cute, exotically decorated café has e granchi (with lump crab, lobster cream, mozzarella, and $$$$$= $50 and over 270 Biscayne Boulevard Way survived and thrived for good reason. The homey cooking is fresh asparagus). $$-$$$ 305-524-5234; www.area31restaurant.com delicious, and the friendly family feel encourages even the timid Not that the sleek interior of this seafood restaurant (named for of palate to try something new. Novices will want Indonesia’s Continued on page 45

44 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 DINING GUIDE

Restaurant Listings food onto its menu. To the familiar Latin American/Italian the champagne-cream-sauced housemade ravioli with black Le Boudoir Brickell equation, the owners add a touch of Cal-Mex (like Tex- truffles? Worth every penny. $$$$$ 188 SE 12th Terr.305-372-2333 Continued from page 44 Mex but more health conscious). Menu offerings range www.leboudoirmiami.com from designer pizzas and pastas to custardy tamales, but Indochine At this French bakery/café, mornings start seriously, with Café Sambal the bistro’s especially known for imaginative meal-size 638 S. Miami Ave. choices ranging from quality cheese, charcuterie/pâté, or 500 Brickell Key Dr. salads, like one featuring mandarin oranges, avocado, 305-379-1525; www.indochinebistro.com smoked salmon platters to chic Continental and complete 305-913-8358; www.mandarinoriental.com/miami apple, blue cheese, raisins, candied pecans, and chicken Indochine has succeeded by morphing from mere restaurant American breakfasts. At lunch, generously salad-garnished, Though the Mandarin Oriental Hotel describes this space as its on a mesclun bed. $$ into hip hangout. Copious special events draw everyone from open-faced tartines are irresistible. But sophisticated salads “casual hotel restaurant,” many consider it a more spectacular downtown business types to the counterculture crowd. Not that and homemade soups make the choice tough. And do not skip dining setting than the upscale Azul, upstairs, owing to the Garcia’s Seafood Grille and Fish Market there’s anything “mere” about the range of food served from dessert. Superb sweets include rich almond/fresh raspberry or option of dining outdoors on a covered terrace directly on the 398 NW N. River Dr., 305-375-0765 three Asian nations. Light eaters can snack on Vietnamese properly tangy lemon tarts, traditional Madeleines, airy layered waterfront. The food is Asian-inspired, with a few Latin and Run by a fishing family for a couple of generations, this vener- summer rolls or Japanese sushi rolls. For bigger appetites, there mousses, and addictive mini-macaroon sandwich cookies with Mediterranean accents. For the health-conscious, the menu able Florida fish shack is the real thing. No worries about the are Thai curries and Vietnamese specialties like pho, richly fla- daily-changing fillings. $-$$ includes low-cal choices. For hedonists there’s a big selection of seafood’s freshness; on their way to the dining deck overlooking vored beef soup with meatballs, steak slices, rice noodles, and artisan sakes. $$$-$$$$$ the Miami River, diners can view the retail fish market. Best add-in Asian herbs and sprouts. $$-$$$ Miami’s Chophouse preparations are the simplest. When stone crabs are in season, 300 S. Biscayne Blvd. Miami’s Finest Caribbean Restaurant Garcia’s claws are as good as Joe’s but considerably cheaper. Iron Sushi 305-938-9000 236 NE 1st Ave., 305-381-9254 The local fish sandwich is most popular – grouper, yellowtail 120 SE 3rd Ave., 305-373-2000 www.mannyssteakhouse.com Originally from Jamaica, proprietor Miss Pat has been serving snapper, or mahi mahi. $-$$ (See Miami Shores listing) Located directly opposite Prime Blue Grille, Miami’s most her traditional homemade island specialties to downtown office intentionally female-friendly steakhouse (light décor, lightened workers and college students since the early 1990s. Most Grimpa Steakhouse La Loggia Ristorante and Lounge dishes), is Manny’s, Miami’s most intentionally masculine steak- popular item here might be the weekday lunch special of jerk 901 Brickell Plaza, 305-455-4757 68 W. Flagler St. house. Here, ensconced in your black leather booth, everything chicken with festival (sweet-fried cornmeal bread patties), but www.grimpa.com 305-373-4800; www.laloggia.org is humongous: dry-aged choice-grade steaks like the Bludgeon even vegetarians are well served with dishes like a tofu, carrot, This expansive indoor/outdoor Brazilian eatery is sleekly This luxuriantly neo-classical yet warm Italian restaurant of Beef (a boldly flavorful 40-ounce bone-in ribeye, described as and chayote curry. All entrées come with rice and peas, fried contemporary, but no worries. The classic sword-wielding was unquestionably a pioneer in revitalizing downtown. With “part meat, part weapon”); king crab legs that dwarf the plate; plantains, and salad, so no one leaves hungry. $ gauchos are here, serving a mind-reeling assortment of alternatives like amaretto-tinged pumpkin agnolloti in sage cocktail shrimp that could swallow the Loch Ness monster skewered beef, chicken, lamb, pork, sausages, and fish. And butter sauce and cilantro-spiced white bean/vegetable salad whole; two-fisted cocktails that would fell a T-Rex. Not for the Dolores, But You Can Call Me Lolita included in the price (dinner $47, lunch $34) is the tradition- dressed with truffle oil, proprietors Jennifer Porciello and frail. $$$$$ 1000 S. Miami Ave., 305-403-3103 al belly-busting buffet of hot and cold prepared foods, salad, Horatio Oliveira continue to draw a lunch crowd that returns www.doloreslolita.com cold cuts, and cheeses. A pleasant, nontraditional surprise: for dinner, or perhaps just stays on through the afternoon, Novecento It’s hard to figure why a Mediterranean/Latin restaurant (with unusual sauces like sweet/tart passion fruit or mint, tomato- fueled by the Lawyer’s Liquid Lunch, a vodka martini spiked 1414 Brickell Ave., 305-403-0900 Asian touches) would be named after a line in a 1950s novel based BBQ, and mango chutney, along with the ubiquitous with sweetened espresso. $$$ www.bistronovecento.com about a New England pedophile. But everything else about chimichurri. $$$$-$$$$$ For those who think “Argentine cuisine” is a synonym for “beef this casually stylish spot is easy to understand — and easy La Moon and more beef,” this popular eatery’s wide range of more on the wallet. All entrées cost either $18 or $23, a price that Il Gabbiano 144 SW 8th St., 305-860-6209 cosmopolitan contemporary Argentine fare will be a revelation. includes an appetizer — no low-rent crapola, either, but treats 335 S. Biscayne Blvd., 305-373-0063 At four in the morning, nothing quells the munchies like Classic parrilla-grilled steaks are here for traditionalists, but like Serrano ham croquetas, a spinach/leek tart with Portobello www.ilgabbianomiami.com a Crazy Burger, a Colombian take on a trucker’s burger: the menu is dominated by creative Nuevo Latino items like a mushroom sauce, or shrimp-topped eggplant timbales. The Its location at the mouth of the Miami River makes this ultra- beef patty, bacon, ham, mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, and new-style ceviche de chernia (lightly lime-marinated grouper best seats are on the rooftop patio. $$$ upscale Italian spot (especially the outdoor terrace) the perfect a fried egg, with an arepa corn pancake “bun.” While this with jalapeños, basil, and the refreshing sweet counterpoint power lunch/business dinner alternative to steakhouses. And tiny place’s late hours (till 6:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday) of watermelon), or crab ravioli with creamy saffron sauce. Fresco California Bistro the culinary experience goes way beyond the typical meat mar- are surprising, the daytime menu is more so. In addition to Especially notable are the entrée salads. $$-$$$ 1744 SW 3rd Ave., 305-858-0608 ket, thanks in part to the flood of freebies that’s a trademark of Colombian classics, there’s a salad Nicoise with grilled fresh This festively decorated indoor/outdoor bistro packs a Manhattan’s Il Mulino, originally run by Il Gabbiano’s owners. tuna, seared salmon with mango salsa, and other yuppie lot of party spirit into a small space, a large variety of The rest of the food? Pricy, but portions are mammoth. And favorites. $-$$ Continued on page 46

July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 45 DINING GUIDE Red, White, and You Agreeable wine for $12 or less By Bill Citara Hill in the Napa Valley, several winer- nonvintage Pacifi c Rimm moremo complexity, with smoke and citrus BT Contributor ies in New York’s Finger Lakes region. and the 2007 Yalumba. ThThee aromasaro and an initial sweetness that Unfortunately these wines are produced Pacifi c Rim is the antithesishesis ggivesiv way to mild lemon-lime fl avors. ver there it’s considered one of in small quantities, are hard to fi nd, and of sweetish, fl oral Rieslings;lings; Sweet teeth will ache for the 2008 the world’s great wines, made exceed our skinfl int price limit. instead it is fl inty to thee PePetals,t a low-alcohol wine (9.5 percent) Oin styles ranging from bone dry Still, even on the other side of the point of austerity with a frofrom Germany with a colorful fl oral to syrupy sweet, capable of aging for tracks, where we drink, you can get tangy mineral edge. Thehe llabel.ab Inside is a very fl oral, tropically decades, and a delightful companion to some pretty good Riesling for the money. Yalumba, from southernn frfruityu wine with just enough acidity to all manner of foods. Styles range from dry to varying degrees Australia, adds a bit moreore kkeepee it honest, a good wine for barbe- Over here it’s considered — well, of sweetness, offering a smoky mineral- orange and peach fruit ccuesue and the beach, and at $7.99, a Ries- it’s hardly considered at all, is typically ity, lush fl oral fl avors, or some combina- to the mix, giving it a llinging worth caring enough to actually buy. made in styles ranging from tasty to tion of the two, which make it a good Meyer lemon-like soft- insipid, is capable of aging for days, even match with spicy Asian or Latin dishes, ness and backing off ThThe Jekel is available at the weeks, and is a delightful companion to as well as a simple, pleasing pour at the the minerals. AAventura ABC Fine Wine & Spirits all manner of foods — if anyone actually beach or in your backyard. Somewhere in the (1(16355 Biscayne Blvd., 305-944- cared enough to buy a bottle and drink it. Jekel Vineyards is probably one of middle are the 2007 66525) for $10.99. The Pacifi c Rim That “it” would be Riesling, the the best California wineries you’ve never Chateau Ste. Michelle aand Chateau Ste. Michelle are national grape of Germany, renowned in heard of, and its 2007 Riesling — sourced and a German import, aat the North Miami Crown Wine Alsace, respected in Europe, and gener- from cool-climate Monterey County vine- the 2007 Blitz (curi- & Spirits (12555 Biscayne Blvd., ally ignored in the U.S., where it ranks yards best suited to the grape — was easily ous name, no?). The 3305-892-9463) for $7.99 and somewhere between White Zinfandel the best of the tasting. Smooth, elegant, Ste. Michelle is very $$9.99, respectively. At the North and turpentine on the enological scale. with unusual complexity for the price, its fruity, almost can- MMiami Total Wine & More (14750 But despite the fact that most domes- creamy texture, beguiling fl avors of ripe died, with a bit of BBiscayne Blvd., 305-354-3270) tic Riesling seems to be consumed by peaches and apricots, and long lemon- spritz on the palate aare the Yalumba ($9.99), Blitz people whose local 7-Eleven is out of orange fi nish should make it appealing to and fl avors of orange, ($($8.99), and Petals ($7.99). Sprite, there are a handful of American wine phobes and philes alike. honeysuckle, and whitee vintners producing more complex and On the drier side of the equation peach. The Blitz deliv- exciting wines — Trefethen and Stony are a pair of New World Rieslings, the ers a richer texture and FeFeedback: [email protected]

Restaurant Listings (enhanced with a secret sauce whose recipe goes back Sunday’s $15.95 brunch buffet ($9.95 for kids) – fea- Pasha’s several generations) are the main draw at this Overtown turing an omelet station, waffles, smoked salmon and Continued from page 45 1414 Brickell Ave. institution. But the chicken is also a winner, plus there’s a bagels, salads, and more – remains one of our town’s 305-416-5116 full menu of soul food entrées, including what many aficio- most civilized all-you-can-eat deals. $$ The original branch on Lincoln Road was instantly popular, and nados consider our town’s tastiest souse. And it would be Oceanaire Seafood Room the same healthy Middle Eastern fast food is served at several unthinkable to call it quits without homemade sweet potato Provence Grill 900 S. Miami Ave. newer outlets. The prices are low enough that you might sus- pie or banana pudding, plus a bracing flop – half iced tea, 1001 S. Miami Ave., 305-373-1940 305-372-8862 pect Pasha’s was a tax write-off rather than a Harvard Business half lemonade. $-$$ The cozy dining room (and even more charming outdoor ter- www.theoceanaire.com School project, which it was by founders Antonio Ellek and race) evoke the south of France. But the menu of French bistro With a dozen branches nationwide, Oceanaire may seem more Nicolas Cortes. Dishes range from falafel and gyros to more Perricone’s classics covers all regions: country-style pâté maison with onion All-American seafood empire than Florida fish shack, but menus unusual items like muhammara (tangy walnut spread) and silky 15 SE 10th St. jam, roasted peppers, and cornichons; steak/frites (grilled rib- vary significantly according to regional tastes and fish. Here in labneh yogurt cheese. Everything from pitas to lemonade is 305-374-9449; www.perricones.com eye with peppercorn cream sauce, fries, and salad); and four Miami, chef Sean Bernal supplements signature starters like made fresh, from scratch, daily. $-$$ Housed in a Revolutionary-era barn (moved from preparations of mussels. Deal alert: An early-bird prix-fixe menu lump crab cakes with his own lightly marinated, Peruvian-style Vermont), this market/café was one of the Brickell area’s (5:30-7:30 p.m.) offers soup or salad, entrée, dessert, and a grouper ceviche. The daily-changing, 15-20 specimen seafood Peoples Bar-B-Que first gentrified amenities. At lunch chicken salad is a carafe of wine for $44 per couple. $$$-$$$$ selection includes local fish seldom seen on local menus: pom- 360 NW 8th St., 305-373-8080 favorite; dinner’s strong suit is the pasta list, ranging pano, parrot fish, amberjack. But even flown-in fish (and the raw www.peoplesbarbque.com from Grandma Jennie’s old-fashioned lasagna to chichi bar’s cold-water oysters) are ultra-fresh. $$$$ Oak-smoked, falling-off-the-bone tender barbecued ribs fiocchi purses filled with fresh pear and gorgonzola. And Continued on page 47

Free coffee w / any sandwich or FRESHLY BAKED BAGUETTES & CROISSANTS EVERY HOUR salad ALL DAY Quesadilla Fridays $4.99 Serving European Style Buy 1 Sandwich get 2nd for half price Cold - cut Sandwiches Salads with fresh ingredients Breakfast in & Bed Saturdays Desserts 305.374.4305 555 NE 15 ST. (2nd Floor) @ The Venetia DELIVERY WE CATER TO YOU DINE - IN TAKE - OUT

46 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 DINING GUIDE

Restaurant Listings Taste of Bombay to match the look. Classicists, however, needn’t worry. The Daily Creative Food Co. 111 NE 3rd Ave.; 305-358-0144 America’s favorite familiar north Indian flavors are here, 2001 Biscayne Blvd., 305-573-4535 Continued from page 46 Depending mostly on the predominant nationalities of down- though dishes are generally more mildly spiced and present- While the food formula of this contemporary café is familiar town construction workers at any given time, Taste of Bombay ed with modern flair. All meats are certified halal, Islam’s – sandwiches, salads, soups, breakfast food, and pastries, has also served sushi, Philippine, and Chinese food. Best version of kosher — which doesn’t mean that observant plus coffee and fruit drinks – a creative concept differenti- The River Oyster Bar bet, though, is the all-you-can-eat Indian buffet lunch spread, orthodox Jews can eat here, but Muslims can. $$$ ates the place. Signature sandwiches are named after 650 S. Miami Ave., 305-530-1915 featuring six changing entrées (a mix of meat, poultry, fish, and national and local newspapers, including Biscayne Times, www.therivermiami.com vegetable curries) plus veggie pakoras, rice, salad, chutneys, Bin No. 18 giving diners something to chat about. Sandwiches and This casually cool jewel is a full-service seafood spot, as evi- hot naan bread, and a dessert. The place looks plain outside, 1800 Biscayne Blvd. salads can also be do-it-yourself projects, with an unusually denced by tempting menu selections like soft-shell crabs with but it’s pleasantly exotic enough inside for a bargain business 786-235-7575 wide choice of main ingredients, garnishes, breads, and con- grilled vegetables, corn relish, and remoulade. There are even lunch. $$ At this wine bar/café, the décor is a stylish mix of diments for the creatively minded. $ a few dishes to please meat-and-potatoes diners, like short ribs contemporary (high loft ceilings) and Old World (tables with macaroni and cheese. But oyster fans will find it difficult to Tobacco Road made from wine barrels). Cuisine is similarly geared to Delicias Peruanas resist stuffing themselves silly on the unusually large selection, 626 S. Miami Ave., 305-374-1198 the area’s smart new residents: creative sandwiches 2590 Biscayne Blvd., 305-573-4634 especially since oysters are served both raw and cooked – fire- www.tobacco-road.com and salads at lunch, tapas and larger internationally Seafood is the specialty at this pleasant Peruvian spot, as roasted with sofrito butter, chorizo, and manchego. There’s also Prohibition-era speakeasy (reputedly a fave of Al Capone), gay themed Spanish, Italian, or French charcuterie platters at it was at the nearby original Delicias, run by members of a thoughtful wine list and numerous artisan beers on tap. $$$ bar, strip club. Previously all these, this gritty spot has been best night. Though the place is small and family-run friendly, the same family. The food is as tasty as ever, especially the known since 1982 as a venue for live music, primarily blues. chef Alfredo Patino offers sophisticated snacks like the reliably fresh traditional ceviches, and for those who like Rosa Mexicano But it also offers food from lunchtime to late night (on week- figciutto: arugula, gorgonzola dolce, caramelized onions, their fish tangy but cooked, a mammoth jalea platter. As for 900 S. Miami Ave., 786-425-1001 ends till 4:00 a.m.). The kitchen is especially known for its chili, pine nuts, fresh figs, and prosciutto. Free parking behind nonseafood stuff, Peru practically invented fusion cuisine (in www.rosamexicano.com budget-priced steaks, and burgers. There’s also surprisingly the building. $$ the 1800s), such as two traditional noodle dishes: tallerin This expansive indoor/outdoor space offers a dining expe- elegant fare, though, like a Norwegian salmon club with lemon saltado and tallerin verde. $$ rience that’s haute in everything but price. Few entrées aioli. A meat-smoker in back turns out tasty ribs. $$ Buena Vista Bistro top $20. The décor is both date-worthy and family-friendly 4582 NE 2nd Ave., 305-456-5909 18th Street Café – festive but not kitschy. And nonsophisticates needn’t If a neighborhood eatery like this one — which serves supremely 210 NE 18th St. fear; though nachos aren’t available, there is nothing Midtown / Wynwood / Design District satisfying bistro food — were within walking distance of every 305-381-8006; www.18thstreetcafe.com scary about zarape de pato (roast duck between freshly Miami resident, we’d be a helluva hip food town. Like true Most of the seating in this cool little breakfast/lunch room made, soft corn tortillas, topped with yellow-and-habane- Adelita’s Café Parisian bistros, it’s open continuously, every day, with prices so is in a sort of giant bay window, backed with banquettes, ro-pepper cream sauce), or Rosa’s signature guacamole 2699 Biscayne Blvd., 305-576-1262 low that you can drop in anytime for authentic rillettes (a rustic that makes the space feel expansive. This pioneer- en molcajete, made tableside. A few pomegranate mar- From the street (which is actually NE 26th, not Biscayne) this pâté) with a crusty baguette, steak with from-scratch frites, ing place deserves to survive, even if just considering garitas ensure no worries. $$$ Honduran restaurant seems unpromising, but inside it’s bigger, salmon atop ratatouille, or many changing blackboard specials. the roast beef sandwich with creamy horseradish – an better, and busier than it looks. Unlike many Latin American eater- Portions are plentiful. So is free parking. $$ inspired classic combination that makes one wonder why Soya & Pomodoro ies, this one sticks close to the source and proves a crowd-pleaser. more places in this town don’t serve it. Other culinary 120 NE 1st St., 305-381-9511 On weekends especially, the dining rooms are packed with families Captain Joe Seafood & Pasta Grill highlights include a turkey/pear/cheddar melt sandwich, Life is complicated. Food should be simple. That’s owner enjoying authentic fare like baleadas (thick corn tacos), tajadas 3401 N. Miami Ave. (Shops at Midtown) and really sinful marshmallow-topped brownies. $ Armando Alfano’s philosophy, which is stated above the (Honduras’s take on tostones), rich meal-in-a-bowl soups packed 305-573-6111 entry to his atmospheric downtown eatery. And since with seafood or meat and veggies, and more. $ This Shops at Midtown eatery begins at 8:00 a.m. with with Five Guys Famous Burger and Fries it’s also the formula for the truest traditional Italian food eggs, pancakes, French toast, and bagels. After that it’s a 3401 N. Miami Ave. (Shops at Midtown) (Alfano hails from Pompeii), it’s fitting that the menu is Bengal seafood-oriented menu of fast-casual food. Best values are 305-571-8345; www.fiveguys.com dominated by authentically straightforward yet sophisti- 2010 Biscayne Blvd. combo platters such as shrimp and a grilled kebab, a hefty fried No green-leaf faux health food here. You get what the cated Italian entrées. There are salads and sandwiches, 305-403-1976 or grilled fish sandwich, or a Caribbean paella. The last is more name says, period, with three adds: kosher dogs, veg- too. The most enjoyable place to dine is the secret, open- At this Indian eatery the décor is cool and contemporary: like a pilaf than Spain’s saffron-rich creation, but is packed with gie burgers, and free peanuts while you wait. Which you air courtyard. Alfano serves dinner on Thursdays only to muted gray and earth-tone walls, tasteful burgundy ban- enough mussels, fish, calamari, chicken, and small shrimp to accompany local musicians and artists. $-$$ quettes. And the menu touts “Modern Indian Cuisine” feed two. $ Continued on page 48

July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 47 DINING GUIDE

Restaurant Listings smattering of touches from elsewhere in Latin America, such setting. Fresh, organic ingredients are emphasized, but confusing, trust us: A meal that includes a butter-grilled aspara- as a Peruvian jalea mixta (marinated mixed seafood), or paella dishes range from cutting-edge (crispy beef cheeks with gus with prosciutto, soft-cooked egg Milanese, and preserved Continued from page 47 Valenciana from Spain, which many Miami eateries consider a whipped celeriac, celery salad, and chocolate reduction) to lemon; plus an Asian-accented creamy corn/leek soup with Latin country. What justifies the new millennium moniker is the simple comfort food: deviled eggs, homemade potato chips Peeky Toe crab dumplings, coriander, and mustard oil makes will, just a bit, since burgers are made fresh upon order. more modern, yuppified/yucafied ambiance, encouraged by an with pan-fried onion dip, or a whole wood-roasted chicken. perfect sense on the tongue. $$-$$$$ Available in double or one-patty sizes, they’re well-done expansive, rustic wooden deck. $$ There’s also a broad range of prices and portion sizes to but spurtingly juicy, and after loading with your choice of encourage frequent visits. Michael’s Genuine also features Pasha’s free garnishes, even a “little” burger makes a major meal. Lemoni Café an eclectic, affordable wine list and a full bar. $$-$$$$ 3801 N. Miami Ave. Fries (regular or Cajun-spiced) are also superior, hand-cut 4600 NE 2nd Ave. 305-573-0201 in-house from sourced potatoes. $ 305-571-5080 Mike’s at Venetia (See Brickell/Downtown listing) The menu here reads like your standard sandwiches/salads/ 555 NE 15th St., 9th floor, 305-374-5731 Fratelli Lyon starters primer. What it doesn’t convey is the freshness of the www.mikesvenetia.com Pizzafiore 4141 NE 2nd Ave. ingredients and the care that goes into their use. Entrée-size This family-owned Irish pub, on the pool deck of the Venetia 2905 NE 2nd Ave., 305-573-0900 305-572-2901; www.fratellilyon.com salads range from an elegant spinach (goat cheese, pears, condo, for more than 15 years has been a popular lunch and Dainty designer pizzas? At this New York-style pizzeria, it’s This Italian café has been packed since the moment it opened. walnuts, raisins) to chunky homemade chicken salad on a bed dinner hang-out for local journalists and others who appreciate all about heftiness. A special slice/soda deal features two No surprise to any who recall owner Ken Lyon’s pioneering Lyon of mixed greens. Sandwiches (cold baguette subs, hot pressed honest cheap eats and drinks. Regulars know daily specials are pizza triangles bigger than most Miami mini-skirts. Whole Frères gourmet store on Lincoln Road (1992-97), another joint paninis, or wraps, all accompanied by side salads) include a the way to go. Depending on the day, fish, churrasco, or roast pies come medium (large), large (huge), and extra-large that was exactly what its neighborhood needed. The restau- respectable Cuban and a veggie wrap with a deceptively rich- turkey with all the trimmings are all prepared fresh. Big burgers (think truck tire). And with fully loaded pizzas like the rant’s artisan salumi, cheeses, flavorful boutique olive oils, and tasting light salad cream. $-$$ and steak dinners are always good. A limited late-night menu Supreme Meat Lover priced only a few bucks more than a more are so outstanding that you can’t help wishing it also had provides pizza, wings, ribs, and salad till 3:00 a.m. $-$$ basic tomato/ cheese, it pays to think big about toppings a retail component. Entrées include properly al dente pastas, Lime Fresh Mexican Grill too. Other Italian-American fare is also available, notably plus some regional specialties like Venetian-style calves liver, 3201 N. Miami Ave. (Shops at Midtown) Moriano pastas and subs. $-$$ rarely found outside Italy. $$$ 305-576-5463 3221 NE 2nd Ave., 786-953-8003 Like its South Beach predecessor, this Lime was an instant hit, moriano.wordpress.com Primo’s Grass as much for being a hip new Midtown hangout as for its careful- Ultra-thin, crisp-crusted pizzas. Made-from-scratch specials like 1717 N. Bayshore Dr., 305-371-9055 28 NE 40th St.; 305-573-3355 ly crafted Tex-Mex food. The concept is “fast casual” rather than green bean and parmesan soup, or prosciutto and mozzarella- The imposing, cavernous lobby of the Grand doesn’t have that Chef Michael Jacobs’s menu travels beyond pan-Asian and fast food – meaning nice enough for a night out. It also means stuffed gnocchi that you really have not seen on every other “do drop in” locals’ hangout vibe. But this lively Italian spot is Mediterranean influences into the Americas. Entrées range ingredients are always fresh. Seafood tacos are about as exotic menu in town. High-quality ingredients, wine and beer, low actually a great addition to the neighborhood. The pizzas alone from comfort food (cunningly reinvented mini pot pies) to high- as the menu gets, but the mahi mahi for fish tacos comes prices, enthusiastic hands-on owners committed to arts-ori- – brick-oven specimens with toppings ranging from classic status extravagance (stone-seared, authentic Kobe steak). For from a local supplier, and salsas are housemade daily. Niceties ented creativity. A comfortable hang-out atmosphere. This tiny pepperoni to prosciutto/arugula – would be draw enough. But healthy grazers, raw-bar selections include ceviches and a large include low-carb tortillas and many Mexican beers. $ café, where “processed food” is a dirty word, has it all — except pastas also please: diners’ choice of starch, with mix-and-match seafood platter. There’s also a snack menu (pristine coldwater a high-visibility location or media hype. So discover it for your- sauces and extras. And the price is right, with few entrées top- oysters, a crab salad timbale, parmesan-truffle shoestring fries, Lost & Found Saloon selves. (There’s ample free street parking, too.) $-$$ ping $20. The capper: It’s open past midnight every day but mini-Kobe burgers) served till the wee hours, providing a wel- 185 NW 36th St., 305-576-1008 Sunday. $$ come alternative to the Boulevard’s fast food chains. $$-$$$$$ www.thelostandfoundsaloon-miami.com Orange Café + Art There’s an artsy/alternative feel to this casual and friendly 2 NE 40th St., 305-571-4070 Sake Room Joey’s Italian Café Wynwood eatery, which, since opening as a weekday-only The paintings hanging in this tiny, glass-enclosed café are for 275 NE 18th St., 305-755-0122 2506 NW 2nd Ave. breakfast and lunch joint in 2005, has grown with its neigh- sale. And for those who don’t have thousands of dollars to shell www.sakeroom.com 305-438-0488 borhood. It’s now open for dinner six nights a week, serving out for the local art on the walls, less than ten bucks will get Sake takes a back seat to sushi – and sophisticated The first new restaurant in the Wynwood Café District, this Southwestern-style fare at rock-bottom prices. Dishes like piñon you art on a plate, including a Picasso: chorizo, prosciutto, man- décor – at this small but sleek restolounge. Among the stylish indoor/outdoor Italian hangout is as casually cool as and pepita-crusted salmon, chipotle-drizzled endive stuffed with chego cheese, baby spinach, and basil on a crusty baguette. seafood offerings, you won’t find exotica or local catches, one would hope — and as affordable. There’s a five-buck lump crab, or customizable tacos average $5-$8. Also available: Other artfully named and crafted edibles include salads, daily but all the usual sushi/sashimi favorites, though in half-serving of spaghetti al pomodoro and respectable vino for big breakfasts and salads, hearty soups, housemade pastries soups, several pastas (like the Matisse, fiocchi pouches filled more interesting form, thanks to sauces that go beyond under $30. And few can resist delicately thin, crunchy-crusted like lemon-crusted wild berry pie, and a hip beer and wine list. $ with pears and cheese), and house-baked pastries. $ standard soy – spicy sriracha, garlic/ponzu oil, and many pizzas like the creative Dolce e Piccante or orgasmic Carbonara. more. Especially recommended: the yuzu hamachi roll, Pastas are fresh; produce is largely local; the mosaic-centered Maino Churrascaria Out of the Blue Café the lobster tempura maki, and panko-coated spicy shrimp décor is minimalist but inviting. And no need to be wary of the 2201 Biscayne Blvd. 2426 NE 2nd Ave., 305-573-3800 with hot-and-sour mayo and a salad. $$-$$$ warehouse district at night: Valet parking is free. $$-$$$ 305-571-9044 www.outofthebluecafe.net This very upscale Brazilian steakhouse has all the features you Forget impersonal chain coffeehouses. This artist-friendly, S & S Diner Kafa Café expect, including all-you-can-eat meats carved tableside and a independent neighborhood café serves a full selection 1757 NE 2nd Ave. 3535 NE 2nd Ave. lavish buffet. What sets Maino apart from typical rodizio palaces of coffee drinks made with the award-winning beans of 305-373-4291 305-438-0114 is its family-run feel, intimate rather than intimidating, plus its Intelligentsia, a roasting company that works directly with Some things never change, or so it seems at this classic www.kafamidtown.com attention to every detail. While it’s rare at most rodizio joints artisan growers to encourage sustainable agriculture. Also diner. Open since 1938, people still line up on Saturday Operated by a brother/sister team (both originally from to get meat done less than medium, Maino will cook to order. served: breakfast and lunch sandwiches, imaginative salads, mornings, waiting for a seat at the counter and enormous Ethiopia), nothing on the breakfast and lunch menus tops One other welcome difference: There are à la carte starters and soups, homemade pastries, and creamy fresh-fruit smooth- breakfasts: corned beef hash or crab cakes and eggs $8, and portions feed an army (or several starving art- pastas for lighter eaters and noncarnivores, and some lunch ies. With tables, sofas, and lounge chairs inside an old with grits; fluffy pancakes; homemade biscuits with gravy ists). Signature item is the formidable Kafa Potato Platter specials. Free parking, too. $$-$$$$$ Midtown house, plus free wireless Internet access, the space and Georgia sausage – everything from oatmeal to eggs — home fries mixed with bacon, ham, peppers, onion, is also just a pleasant place to hang out. $ Benedict. The lunch menu is a roll call of the usual suspects, and cheese; accompanied by eggs, fresh fruit, and bread. Mario the Baker but most regulars ignore the menu and go for the daily Lunch’s burgers, salads, and overstuffed sandwiches 250 NE 25th St. Pacific Time blackboard specials. $-$$ come with homemade soup or other sides, plus fruit. 305-438-0228 35 NE 40th St. Dinner features an authentic Ethiopian menu, plus beer (See North Miami listing) 305-722-7369 Sra. Martinez and wine selections. $-$$ www.pacifictimemiami.com 4000 NE 2nd Ave. Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink Everyone knew Jonathan Eismann’s original Pacific Time, for 305-573-5474 Latin Café 2000 130 NE 40th St. many years Lincoln Road’s only serious restaurant. How differ- No Biscayne Corridor resident needs to be told that this 2501 Biscayne Blvd., 305-576-3838 305-573-5550 ent is its new incarnation? Very, and it’s all good, starting with lively tapas bar is the second restaurant that Upper Eastside www.latincafe2000.com An instant smash hit, this truly neighborhood-oriented res- far superior acoustics, an admirably green ecological policy, homegrrrl Michelle Bernstein has opened in the area. But it’s The menu is similar to that at many of our town’s Latin taurant from chef Michael Schwartz offers down-to-earth and a neighborhood-friendly attitude. While the addition of cafés, largely classic Cuban entrées and sandwiches, with a fun food in a comfortable, casually stylish indoor/outdoor Mediterranean influences to the Pacific Rim menu may sound Continued on page 49

48 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 DINING GUIDE

Restaurant Listings past a guard desk and an elevator bank, behind an indoor/outdoor Brazilian restaurant and bar. Especially Casa Toscana unmarked door. Diners who find it discover an extensive bustling on nights featuring live music, it’s even more fun 7001 Biscayne Blvd., 305-758-3353 Continued from page 48 pan-Latin menu of breakfast food, salads, substantial on Sundays, when the fenced backyard hosts an informal www.casatoscanamiami.com meat and fish entrées, homemade pastas and soups, fair and the menu includes Brazil’s national dish, feijoada, Tuscan-born chef/owner Sandra Stefani cooked at no absentee celebrity-chef gig. Bernstein is hands-on at both desserts, and sandwiches, including Uruguay’s famed, a savory stew of beans plus fresh and cured meats. Norman’s before opening this Upper Eastside jewel, places. Her exuberant yet firmly controlled personal touch is overstuffed chivito, sometimes called “a heart attack on a But the everyday menu, ranging from unique, tapas-like whose 30 original seats have been supplemented by obvious in nearly four dozen hot and cold tapas on the menu. bun.” And naturally, from the rotisserie, there’s the zigna- pasteis to hefty Brazilian entrées, is also appealing – and a wine room/garden for tasting events and private Items are frequently reinvented. Keepers include wild mush- ture zuper chicken. $-$$ budget-priced. $$ dining. Stefani travels regularly to Italy to find excit- room/manchego croquetas with fig jam; white bean stew; crisp- ing, limited-production wines and inspiration for truly coated artichokes with lemon/coriander dip; and buttery bone Le Café Tuscan specials with honest, authentic flavors, such marrow piqued with Middle Eastern spices and balanced by tiny Upper Eastside 7295 Biscayne Blvd., 305-754-6551 as grilled wild boar sausages with lentil croquettes. pickled salads. $$$ For anyone who can’t get over thinking of French food as intimi- Menu favorites include pear and ricotta raviolini, grilled Andiamo dating or pretentious, this cute café with a warm welcome, and eggplant slices rolled around herbed goat cheese and Tony Chan’s Water Club 5600 Biscayne Blvd. family-friendly French home cooking, is the antidote. No fancy sun-dried tomatoes, and a light ricotta tart with lemon 1717 N. Bayshore Dr. 305-762-5751; www.andiamopizza.com food (or fancy prices) here, just classic comfort food like onion and rosemary. $$$ 305-374-8888 Sharing a building with a long-established Morningside car soup, escargot, daily fresh oysters, boeuf bourguignon (think The décor at this upscale place, located in the Grand, looks too wash, Andiamo is also part of Mark Soyka’s 55th Street Ultimate Pot Roast), Nicoise salad, quiche, and homemade Che Sopranos glitzy to serve anything but politely Americanized Chinese food. Station – which means ditching the car (in the complex’s crème brûlée. A respectable beer and wine list is a welcome 7251 Biscayne Blvd., 305-754-8282 But the American dumbing-down is minimal. Many dishes are free lot across the road on NE 4th Court) is no problem even addition, as is the housemade sangria. Top price for entrées is This branch of a Miami Beach Italian/Argentine pizzeria, far more authentic and skillfully prepared than those found if you’re not getting your vehicle cleaned while consuming about $14. $-$$ housed in a charming bungalow and featuring a breezy elsewhere in Miami, like delicate but flavorful yu pan quail. the brick-oven pies (from a flaming open oven) that are this patio, covers multicultural bases. If the Old World Rucola Moist sea bass fillet has a beautifully balanced topping of scal- popular pizzeria’s specialty, along with executive chef Frank Canela pizza (a classic Margherita topped with arugula, pro- lion, ginger, cilantro, and subtly sweet/salty sauce. And Peking Crupi’s famed Philly cheese steak sandwiches. Also avail- 5132 Biscayne Blvd., 305-756-3930 sciutto, and shredded parmesan) doesn’t do the trick, the duck is served as three traditional courses: crêpe-wrapped able are salads and panini plus reasonably priced wines and When this little neighborhood oasis opened, the formula was New World Especial (a Latin pie with hearts of palm and crispy skin, meat sautéed with crisp veggies, savory soup to beers, including a few unusually sophisticated selections like Cuban cooking at lunch, Catalan tapas at night. The menu boiled eggs) just might. Also available are pastas, salads, finish. $$-$$$ Belgium’s Hoegaarden. $$ is now more uniform: contemporary Spanish and pan-Latin sandwiches, dinner entrées (eggplant parmigiana with tapas, sandwiches, salads, sides, and entrées at all hours, spaghetti, lomito steak with Argentinean potato salad), W Wine Bistro Anise Taverna just a far more elaborate selection at night. The tapas list is and desserts (tiramisu or flan). $ 3622 NE 2nd Ave., 305-576-7775 620 NE 78th St. impressive, with an unusually large selection of seafood and Both bistro and retail wine shop, this Design District spot is 305-758-2929; www.anisetaverna.com vegetarian items such as spinach sautéed with pine nuts Chef Creole run by Florent Blanchet, an energetic young Frenchman who The new owners of this river shack are banking on Greek food and raisins. Don’t miss the ultra-creamy croquetas, grilled 200 NW 54th St., 305-754-2223 was previously a wine distributor. His former gig led to con- and festivity for success — a good bet, judging from their wildly asparagus with aioli, and habit-forming Brazilian cheese Sparkling fresh Creole-style food is the star at chef/owner nections that mean if wine lovers don’t find the bottle they popular previous eatery, Ouzo. The mainly mezze menu ranges bread. $-$$$ Wilkinson Sejour’s two tiny but popular establishments. want, Blanchet can probably get it within 24 hours. Food is from traditional Greek small plates to creative Mediterranean- While some meatier Haitian classics like griot (fried pork sophisticated light bites like a shrimp club sandwich with inspired dishes like anise-scented fish croquettes with Captain Crab’s Take-Away chunks) and oxtail stew are also available – and a $3.99 pancetta and sun-dried tomato aioli, and smoked duck salad spicy aioli. But don’t neglect large plates like whole grilled 1100 NE 79th St., 305-754-2722 roast chicken special – seafood is the specialty here: with goat cheese croutons and a poached egg. At night there Mediterranean fish (dorade or branzino), filleted tableside. The The drive-through window says “fast food,” and so do this long- crevette en sauce (steamed shrimp with Creole butter are tapas. $-$$ interior is charming, and the outdoor deck on the Little River is lived seafood shack’s low prices. But there the resemblance sauce), lambi fri (perfectly tenderized fried conch), pois- positively romantic. $$-$$$ ends. For about the price of a bucket of the Colonel’s chicken son gros sel (local snapper in a spicy butter sauce), garlic Zuperpollo Biztro Reztocafe you can get a bucket of the Captain’s savory garlic crabs. The or Creole crabs. The Miami branch has outdoor tiki-hut 3050 Biscayne Blvd. Boteco King’s burger meal or the Captain’s similarly priced fried (or gar- dining. $-$$ 305-573-8485www.zuperpollo.com 916 NE 79th St., 305-757-7735 lic boiled or New Orleans-spiced) shrimp meal? No contest. Also This bistro is a branch of the popular Uruguayan eatery This strip of 79th Street is rapidly becoming a cool alt- popular: crab cakes and conch. For fish haters, spicy or garlic Continued on page 50 Zuperpollo, on Coral Way since 1986. It’s way in back, culture enclave thanks to inviting hangouts like this rustic chicken wings are an option. $-$$

July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 49 DINING GUIDE

Restaurant Listings Gourmet Station grass-fed skirt steak with organic chimichurri and fresh-cut Royal Bavarian Schnitzel Haus 7601 Biscayne Blvd., 305-762-7229 fries. Vegetarians will love the organic portabella foccacia. 1085 NE 79th St., 305-754-8002 Continued from page 49 Home-meal replacement, geared to workaholics with Dine either inside the architect-designed restaurant or out- With Christmas lights perpetually twinkling and party noises no time to cook, has been popular for years. But the doors on the patio. Beer and wine. $-$$$ emanating from a new outdoor biergarten, this German res- Dogma Grill Gourmet Station has outlasted most of the competition. taurant is owner Alex Richter’s one-man gentrification project, 7030 Biscayne Blvd. Main reason: deceptive healthiness. These are meals Michy’s transforming a formerly uninviting stretch of 79th Street one 305-759-3433 that are good for you, yet taste good enough to be bad for 6927 Biscayne Blvd., 305-759-2001 pils at a time. The fare includes housemade sausages (mild www.dogmagrill.com you. Favorite items include precision-grilled salmon with Don’t even ask why Michele Bernstein, with a top-chef résumé, veal bratwurst, hearty mixed beef/pork bauernwurst, spicy What could induce downtown businessmen to drive to the lemon-dill yogurt sauce, and lean turkey meatloaf with not to mention regular Food Network appearances, opened garlicwurst) with homemade mustard and catsup; savory yet Upper Eastside to eat at a few outdoor-only tables just feet homemade BBQ sauce – sin-free comfort food. Food is a homey restaurant in an emerging but far from fully gentri- near-greaseless potato pancakes; and, naturally, schnitzels, a from the busy Boulevard? From the day it opened, people available à la carte or grouped in multimeal plans custom- fied neighborhood. Just be glad she did, as you dine on white choice of delicate pounded pork, chicken, or veal patties served have been lining up for this stand’s sauce-garnished, all- ized for individual diner’s nutritional needs. $$ almond gazpacho or impossibly creamy ham and blue cheese with a half-dozen different sauces. $$-$$$ beef, soy veggie, turkey, and chicken hot dogs. The 22 vari- croquetas. Though most full entrées also come in half-size eties range from simple to the elaborate (the Athens, topped Jimmy’s East Side Diner portions (at almost halved prices), the tab can add up fast. The Soyka with a Greek salad, including extra-virgin olive oil dressing) to 7201 Biscayne Blvd., 305-754-3692 star herself is usually in the kitchen. Parking in the rear off 69th 5556 NE 4th Court near-unbelievable combinations like the VIP, which includes Open for more than 30 years, Jimmy’s respects the most impor- Street. $$$-$$$$ 305-759-3117; www.soykarestaurant.com parmesan cheese and crushed pineapple. New addition: tant American diner tradition: Breakfast at any hour. Admittedly This expansive, contemporary hangout was often credited thick, juicy burgers. $ the place closes at 4:00 p.m., but still. There are blueberry hot Moonchine with almost single-handedly sparking the revitalization of the cakes and pecan waffles; eggs any style, including omelets 7100 Biscayne Blvd., 305-759-3999 Biscayne Corridor’s Upper Eastside. Soyka remains a solid East Side Pizza and open-face frittatas; and a full range of sides: biscuits and Like its Brickell-area sibling Indochine, this friendly Asian bistro neighborhood restaurant that is a perfect fit for its area. 731 NE 79th St., 305-758-5351 sausage gravy, grits, hash, hash browns, even hot oatmeal. Also serves fare from three nations: Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Comfortably priced yuppie comfort food like meatloaf with Minestrone, sure. But a pizzeria menu with carrot ginger soup? available are traditional diner entrées (meat loaf, roast turkey, Menus are also similar, split between traditional dishes like pad mashed potatoes, crab cakes with spicy-sweet slaw, a wild Similarly many Italian-American pizzerias offer entrées like liver and onions), plus burgers, salad platters, and homemade Thai and East/West fusion creations like the Vampire sushi roll mushroom/smoked mozzarella pizza, or a Cobb salad may not spaghetti and meatballs, but East Side also has pumpkin ravioli chicken soup. $-$$ (shrimp tempura, tomato, cilantro, roasted garlic). But it also be revolutionary fare, but Soyka continues to thrive while more in brown butter/sage sauce, wild mushroom ravioli, and other carves out its own identity with original creations, including yel- ambitious, nationally publicized restaurants have come and surprisingly upscale choices, including imported Peroni beer. Kingdom low curry-spiced fried rice. Nearly everything is low in sodium, gone. Take-out orders and breakfast are now available. $$-$$$ As for the pizza, they are classic pies, available whole or by the 6708 Biscayne Blvd., 305-757-0074 fat, and calories. A large rear patio is inviting for dining and slice, made with fresh plum tomato sauce and Grande mozza- This indoor/outdoor sports bar serves low-priced but high- entertainment. $$-$$$ Sushi Siam rella (considered the top American pizza cheese). Best seating quality steaks, plus more typical bar food that’s actually 5582 NE 4th Ct., 305-751-7818 for eating is at the sheltered outdoor picnic tables. $ far from the usual processed stuff. Philly cheese steak Moshi Moshi On the menu of sushi-bar specialties plus a small selection of sandwiches, big enough for two, are made from hand- 7232 Biscayne Blvd. Thai and Japanese cooked dishes, there are a few surprises, El Q-Bano Palacio de los Jugos sliced rib eye; sides include fries and beer-battered onion 786-220-9404 such as a unique lobster maki that’s admittedly huge in price 8650 Biscayne Blvd. rings, but also lightly lemony sautéed spinach. And the This offspring of South Beach old-timer Moshi Moshi is ($25.95), but also in size: six ounces of crisp-fried lobster 305-758-2550 burgers rule, particularly the Doomsday, a cheese/bacon/ a cross between a sushi bar and an izakaya (Japanese chunks, plus asparagus, avocado, lettuce, tobiko (flying fish), In case you were wondering if it’s too good to be true mushroom-topped two-pound monster that turns dinner tapas bar). Even more striking than the hip décor is the masago (smelt) roes, and special sauces. Thai dishes come — it isn’t. El Q-Bano’s owners are indeed related to the into a competitive sport. No hard liquor, but the beer list food’s unusually upscale quality. Sushi ranges from with a choice of more than a dozen sauces, ranging from tradi- family that operates the original three Palacios de los makes up for it. $$ pristine individual nigiri to over-the-top maki rolls. Tapas tional red or green curries to the inventive, such as an uncon- Jugos — which means no more schlepping way out west. are intriguing, like arabiki sausage, a sweet-savory pork ventional honey sauce. $$$ Recommended are moist tamales, tasty sandwiches (espe- Luna Café fingerling frank; rarely found in restaurants even in Japan, cially the drippingly wonderful pan con lechon), rich flan, 4770 Biscayne Blvd., 305-573-5862 they’re popular Japanese home-cooking items. And rice- UVA 69 and the fresh tropical juices that justify the aforementioned www.lunacafemidtown.com based plates like Japanese curry (richer/sweeter than 6900 Biscayne Blvd. excesses. For even heartier eaters, there’s a changing buffet The ground floor of the Wachovia Bank building may not seem Indian types) satisfy even the biggest appetites. $-$$$ 305-754-9022; www.uva-69.com of daily specials and sides. $-$$ a particularly evocative locale for an Italian eatery, but once Owned and operated by brothers Michael and Sinuhé Vega, inside, the charming décor and the staff’s ebullient welcome News Lounge this casual outdoor/indoor Euro-café and lounge has helped Europa Car Wash and Café indeed are reminiscent of a café in Italy. The kitchen’s outstand- 5582 NE 4th Ct. to transform the Boulevard into a hip place to hang out. Lunch 6075 Biscayne Blvd., 305-754-2357 ing feature is a brick oven, which turns out designer pizzas and 305-758-9932; www.the55thststation.com includes a variety of salads and elegant sandwiches like La Giving new meaning to the food term “fusion,” Europa crisp-skinned roast chickens. Otherwise the menu holds few Mark Soyka’s new News is, as its name suggests, more a Minuta (beer-battered mahi-mahi with cilantro aioli and cara- serves up sandwiches, salads, car washes, coffee with surprises – except the prices, unusually low for such a stylish friendly neighborhood hangout and watering hole than a full- melized onions on housemade foccacia). Dinner features a croissants, and Chevron with Techron. Snacks match place. No dish exceeds $22. $$-$$$ fledged eatery. Nevertheless the menu of light bites is — along range of small plates (poached figs with Gorgonzola cheese and the casual chicness: sandwiches like the Renato (pro- with other lures like an inviting outdoor patio and rest rooms honey balsamic drizzle) and full entrées like sake-marinated sciutto, hot cappicola, pepper jack cheese, red peppers, Magnum Lounge that resemble eclectic art galleries — part of the reason visitors salmon with boniato mash and Ponzu butter sauce, and crispy and Romano cheese dressing); an elaborate almond- 709 NE 79th St., 305-757-3368 stay for hours. Especially recommended are fat mini-burgers spinach. $$-$$$ garnished Chinese chicken salad; H&H bagels, the world’s It’s a restaurant. It’s a lounge. But it’s decidedly not a typical with chipotle ketchup; a brie, turkey, and mango chutney best, flown in from NYC. And the car cleanings are equally Miami restolounge, or like anything else in Miami. Forbidding sandwich on crusty baguette; and what many feel is the original Ver-Daddys Taco Shop gentrified, especially on Wednesdays, when ladies are from the outside, on the inside it’s like a time-trip to a cabaret café’s Greatest Hit: creamy hummus with warm pita. $ 7501 Biscayne Blvd.;305-303-9755 pampered with $10 washes and glasses of sparkling wine in pre-WWII Berlin: bordello-red décor, romantically dim light- At this soulful taco shop, the menu descriptions are in while they wait. $ ing, show-tune live piano bar entertainment, and to match the Red Light common English (“cinnamon puffs” drizzled with honey ambiance, elegantly updated retro food served with style and 7700 Biscayne Blvd., 305-757-7773 and lime, not “buñuelos”). But taco fillings range from Garden of Eatin’ a smile. For those feeling flush, home-style fried chicken is just From the rustic al fresco deck of chef Kris Wessel’s intention- ground beef and shredded chicken to more unusual pork 136 NW 62nd St., 305-754-8050 like mom used to make — in her wildest dreams. $$$ ally downwardly mobile retro-cool riverfront restaurant, you can in chili verde or Baja battered fish (authentically gar- Housed in a yellow building that’s nearly invisible from the enjoy regional wildlife like manatees while enjoying eclectic nished with Mexican crema and cilantro-spiked cabbage). street, the Garden has the comfortable feel of a beach Metro Organic Bistro regional dishes that range from cutting-edge (sour-orange-mari- And all offerings can be loaded with other garnishes from bar, and generous servings of inexpensive Afro-Caribbean 7010 Biscayne Blvd., 305-751-8756 nated, sous-vide-cooked Florida lobster with sweet corn sauce) the kitchen (refried beans, cheese, crema) or less perish- vegan food. Large or small plates, with salad and fried Big changes have come to Karma the car wash, the first to comfort (crispy-breaded Old South fried green tomatoes). able offerings from a salsa bar. For the heath-minded, sweet plantains (plus free soup for eat-in lunchers), are being a separate new name for the revamped restaurant: Not surprisingly, the chef-driven menu is limited, but several oils are nonhydrogenated, and sauces/seasonings are all served for five or seven bucks. Also available are snacks Metro Organic Bistro, an all-organic fine-dining restaurant signature specialties, if available, are not to be missed: BBQ housemade and free of preservatives. $ like vegetarian blue corn tacos, desserts like sweet potato where simple preparations reveal and enhance natural shrimp in a tangy Worcestershire and cayenne-spiked butter/ pie, and a breakfast menu featuring organic blueberry flavors. An entirely new menu places emphasis on grilled wine sauce, irresistible mini conch fritters, and homemade ice waffles with soy sausage patties. $ organic meat and fish dishes. Try the steak frites — organic, cream. $$-$$$ Continued on page 51

50 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 DINING GUIDE

Restaurant Listings Edy’s Chicken & Steak Shuckers Bar & Grill Tamarind Thai 1624 79th St. Causeway 1819 79th St. Causeway 946 Normandy Dr. Continued from page 50 305-864-9958 305-866-1570 305-861-6222; www.tamarindthai.us What differentiates Edy’s from other chicken joints is the sig- “Cheap eats and a million-dollar view” is the sound bite When an eatery’s executive chef is best-selling Thai cook- Wine 69 nature Peruvian pollo a la brasa, char-broiled in a wood-fired manager Philip Conklin uses to describe this outdoor beach book author Vatcharin Bhumichitr, you’d expect major media 6909 Biscayne Blvd. rotisserie. The rotation makes the bird self-baste, keeping even bar, hidden in back of a bayfront motel. The joint dates from hype, fancy South Beach prices, and a fancy SoBe address. 305-759-0122 the white meat juicy under its crispy, nearly fat-free skin. Spicing South Beach’s late 1980s revival, but the kick-off-your-shoes Instead Bhumichitr joined forces with Day Longsomboon (an You might think this is just a wine shop, but it’s actually about is also superior. Owner Edy Dernovsek’s dozen-ingredient mari- vibe couldn’t be farther from SoBe glitz. The food ranges from old Thai school pal who’d moved to Miami) at this unpre- wine, food, and art, and how they work together. Wines are nade recipe came from a visit to Peru, but has been tweaked classic bar favorites (char-grilled wings, conch fritters, raw or tentious, authentic (no sushi) neighborhood place. Some available retail (discounted 35-50 percent for in-house drink- with spices from her hometown — Chiang Mai, Thailand. The steamed shellfish) to full dinners featuring steak, homemade standout dishes here are featured in the chef’s latest tome, ers), with 40 sold by the glass. Food, designed for pairing, result is subtly mouth-warming heat absent from average chain pasta, or fresh, not frozen, fish. $-$$ but with Tamarind’s very affordable prices, you might as well includes a $25 three-course dinner. The menu is mostly light chickens. $-$$ let the man’s impeccably trained kitchen staff do the work bites with intriguingly inventive touches: a seared Cajun tuna Sushi Siam for you. $$-$$$ salad with wasabi sauce; crab cakes with Asian sriracha chili Japanese Market and Sushi Deli 1524 NE 79th St. Causeway, 305-864-7638 sauce. The art involves revolving exhibits, plus an art lecture 1412 79th St. Causeway; 305-861-0143 (See Miami / Upper Eastside listing) series featuring wines picked by owner Ben Neji. $$ Inside a small market that is widely considered Miami’s MIAMI SHORES premier source of Japanese foodstuffs, the “Sushi Deli” Yiya’s Gourmet Cuban Bakery restaurant component is nothing more than a lunch coun- NORTH BEACH Iron Sushi 646 NE 79th St., 305-754-3337 ter. But chef Michio Kushi serves up some sushi found 9432 NE 2nd Ave. A true community jewel, this bakery is also a most welcoming nowhere else in town. Example: traditional Osaka-style Ariston 305-754-0311 café, serving lunch specials from chef Delsa Bernardo (who sushi – layers of rice, seasoned seaweed, and marinated 940 71st St., 305-864-9848 www.ironsushi.com co-owns the place with attorney Abbie Cuellar) that are home- fresh mackerel, pressed into a square box, then cut into Ariston’s classical Greek cuisine is based on recipes of With three Biscayne Corridor outlets (plus several branch- made right down to the herbs grown on the bakery’s window lovely one-bite sandwich squares. While raw fish is always co-owner Thanasis Barlos’s mom Noni and executed by es elsewhere in town), this mostly take-out mini chain is sills. Bernardo’s pan con lechon sandwiches and flaky-crusted impeccable here, some unusual vegetarian sushi cre- CIA-trained chef Alexia Apostolidis. Concentrate on the fast becoming the Sushi Joint That Ate Miami. And why do Cuban pastries are legend. But she also crafts treats not found ations also tempt, as do daily entrées. $ menu’s authentic treats like the lightest, most savory Miamians eat here? Not ambiance. There isn’t any. But at average Cuban bakeries, like pizzas using housemade whipped tarama (caviar spread) west of Athens; ultra-rich when friends from the Pacific Northwest, where foodies Indian naan bread. Additionally Bernardo carries unique treats Mario the Baker tzatziki (Greek yogurt with cukes, garlic, and olive oil); know their fish, tout the seafood’s freshness, we listen. produced by a few friends: candies, cupcakes, and exotically 1700 79th St. Causeway bracing avgolemono (egg-thickened chicken/lemon soup); There are some surprisingly imaginative makis, like the flavored flans. $ 305-867-7882 char-grilled sardines with greens and citrus dressing; or Maharaja, featuring fried shrimp and drizzles of curry (See North Miami listing) an inspired eggplant/ground beef moussaka, bound here mayo. And where else will you find a stacked sushi (five with an almost sinfully custardy béchamel. $$-$$$ assorted makis) birthday cake? $-$$ NORTH BAY VILLAGE Oggi Caffe 1666 79th St. Causeway Café Prima Pasta Côte Gourmet Bocados Ricos 305-866-1238 414 71st St., 305-867-0106, www.primapasta.com 9999 NE 2nd Ave., #112 1880 79th St. Causeway; 305-864-4889 www.oggicaffe.com Opened in 1993 with 28 seats, this family-run landmark 305-754-9012 Tucked into a mall best known for its Happy Stork Lounge, this This cozy, romantic spot started back in 1989 as a pasta has now taken over the block, with an outdoor terrace If only every Miami neighborhood could have a neighbor- little luncheonette services big appetites. Along with the usual factory (supplying numerous high-profile restaurants) as well and multi-roomed indoor space whose walls are full of hood restaurant like this low-priced little French jewel. The grilled churrascos, there’s bandeja paisa, Colombia’s sampler as a neighborhood eatery. And the wide range of budget- photos of their clientele, including national and local menu is mostly simple stuff: breakfast croissants, crêpe, platter of grilled steak, sausage, chicharron, fried egg, avocado, friendly, homemade pastas, made daily, remains the main celebs. Particularly popular are homemade pastas, soups, sandwiches, salads, sweets, and a few more sub- plantains, rice, and beans. Don’t miss marginally daintier dishes draw for its large and loyal clientele. Choices range from sauced with Argentine-Italian indulgence rather than stantial specials like a Tunisian-style brik (buttery phyllo like sopa de costilla, if this rich shortrib bowl is among the daily homey, meaty lasagna to luxuriant crab ravioli with creamy Italian simplicity: crabmeat ravioletti in lobster cream pastry stuffed with tuna, onions, potatoes, and tomatoes) homemade soups. Arepas include our favorite corn cake: the lobster sauce, with occasional forays into creative exotica sauce, black squid ink linguini heaped with seafood. with a mesclun side salad. But everything is homemade, hefty Aura, stuffed with chorizo, chicharron, carne desmechada such as seaweed spaghettini, with sea scallops, shitakes, Though romantic enough for dates, the place is quite kid- (shredded flank steak), plantains, rice, beans, and cheese. $-$$ and fresh tomatoes. $$-$$$ friendly — and on the terrace, they’ll even feed Fido. $$$ Continued on page 52

July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 51 DINING GUIDE

Restaurant Listings Chef contender Howie Kleinberg, whose indoor electric smoker Chéen-huyae Maleewan Thai & Sushi turns out mild-tasting ’cue that ranges from the expected pulled 15400 Biscayne Blvd., 305-956-2808 2224 NE 123rd St. Continued from page 51 pork, ribs, brisket, and chicken to hot-smoked salmon and Diners can get some Tex-Mex dishes here, if they must. But the 305-895-0393 veggie plates. There are also creative comfort food starters specialty is Mayan-rooted Yucatan cuisine. So why blow bucks Redecorated (tasteful bamboo-matted walls, silk flowers) including all breads, and prepared with impeccable ingre- like BBQ chicken flatbread, salads, and sweets. Sides include on burritos when one can sample Caribbean Mexico’s most since the days — many days — this space was occupied dients, classic French technique, and meticulous atten- refreshing slaw; beans studded with “burnt ends” (the most typical dish: cochinita pibil? Chéen’s authentically succulent ver- by the kosher sushi spot Tani Guchi’s Place, Maleewan is tion to detail, down to the stylish plaid ribbons that hold intensely flavored outer barbecue chunks); and sweet potato or sion of the pickle-onion-topped marinated pork dish is earthily now a cozy, neighborly nook at which to enjoy all the stan- together the café’s baguette sandwiches. $-$$ chipotle-spiced fries. The cost is comparatively high, but such is aromatic from achiote, tangy from bitter oranges, and meltingly dard Japanese and Thai selections. Cooked sushi is the the price of fame. $$-$$$ tender from slow cooking in a banana leaf wrap. To accom- strong suit here, particularly the signature mammoth-size pany, try a lime/soy/chili-spiced michelada, also authentically Maleewan roll, given zing by pickled Japanese squash and NORTH MIAMI Burritos Grill Café Mexican, and possibly the best thing that ever happened to savor by a crispy yellowtail tempura topping. If you’re crav- 11717 Biscayne Blvd. dark beer. $$-$$$ ing more creative fare, check out the handwritten specials Los Antojos 305-891-1041 board on your way in. $$ 11099 Biscayne Blvd. www.burritosgrillcafe Chef Creole 305-892-1411 Originally a friendly little 125th Street hole-in-the-wall 13105 W. Dixie Hwy., 305-893-4246 Mama Jennie’s If it’s Sunday, it must be sancocho de gallina, Colombia’s that garnered raves for its limited menu of terrifically (See Miami listing) 11720 NE 2nd Ave. national dish. If it’s Saturday, it must be ajiaco. Both are thick tasty treats, Mario and Karina Manzanero’s café is 305-757-3627 chicken soups, full meals in a bowl. For Colombian-cuisine now in more sizable and atmospheric quarters. But D.J.’s Diner For more than 35 years this beloved red-sauce joint has novices, a bandeja paisa (sampler including rice, beans, carne the friendly, family-run (and kid-friendly) ambiance 12210 Biscayne Blvd., 305-893-5250 been drawing students and other starvation-budget diners asada, chicharron, eggs, sautéed sweet plantains, and an remains, as do the authentic Yucatan-style specialties. Located in a Best Western motel, this place, run by a with prodigious portions of lasagna, spaghetti and meat- arepa corn cake) is available every day, as are antojitos – “little Standouts include poc-chuc, a marinated pork loin; Chinese-American family, serves mostly basic American balls (the latter savory yet light-textured), veal marsala whims,” smaller snacks like chorizo con arepa (a corn cake with tacos al pastor, stuffed with subtly smoky steak, onion, diner fare – burgers, sandwiches, about a dozen din- topped with a mountain of mushrooms, and other Italian- Colombian sausage). And for noncarnivores there are several cilantro, and pineapple; sinful deep-fried tacos dora- ner entrées, fresh-baked apple pie, and, oddly, a whole American belly-busters. All pasta or meat entrées come hefty seafood platters, made to order. $$ dos; and signature burritos, including the Maya, filled section of Caesar salad variations. But it’s also a secret with oil-drenched garlic rolls and either soup (hearty mine- with juicy cochinita pibil, refried beans, and pickled source for Chinese food, mostly chow mien/chop suey- strone) or a salad (mixed greens, tomatoes, cukes, brined Bagels & Co. onions. $$ type dishes, but also a few dishes such as eggplant olives, and pickled peppers) that’s a dinner in itself. 11064 Biscayne Blvd. with garlic sauce and ma po tofu that are a step up in Rustic roadhouse ambiance, notably the red leatherette 305-892-2435 Canton Café authenticity. $-$$ booths, add to Mama’s charm. $-$$ While this place is often referred to as Guns & Bagels, one can’t 12749 Biscayne Blvd. actually buy a gun here. The nickname refers to its location next 305-892-2882 Here Comes the Sun Mario the Baker to a firearms shop. But there’s a lot of other stuff aside from Easily overlooked, this strip-mall spot serves mostly 2188 NE 123rd St, 305-893-5711 250 NE 25th St. bagels here, including a full range of sandwiches and wraps. Cantonese-based dishes. However, there are also about two At this friendly natural foods establishment, one of 305-891-7641 Breakfast time is busy time, with banana-walnut pancakes dozen spicier, Szechuan-style standards like kung po shrimp, Miami’s first, there’s a full stock of vitamins and nutri- www.mariothebakerpizza.com especially popular. But what’s most important is that this is ma po tofu, and General Tso’s chicken. And there are a tional supplements. But the place’s hearty soups, large At this North Miami institution (opened in 1969) food is one of the area’s few sources of the real, New York-style water few imaginative new items, like the intriguingly christened variety of entrées (including fresh fish and chicken as well Italian-American, not Italian-Italian: spaghetti and meatballs, bagel: crunchy outside, challengingly chewy inside. $ “Shrimp Lost in the Forest,” Singapore curried rice noodles, as vegetarian selections), lighter bites like miso burgers lasagna, eggplant parmigiana, and hot or cold subs. No crispy shrimp with honey-glazed walnuts, and Mongolian with secret “sun sauce” (which would probably make old imported buffala, arugula, or other chichi stuff on the New Bamboche beef (with raw chilis and fresh Oriental basil). Delivery is sneakers taste good), and daily specials are a tastier York-style medium-thin-crusted pizzas; the top topping 13408 Biscayne Blvd. available for both lunch and dinner. $$ way to get healthy. An under-ten-buck early-bird dinner is here is the savory housemade sausage. And no one leaves 305-947-6339 popular with the former long-hair, now blue-hair, crowd. without garlic rolls, awash in warm parsley oil and smashed Buried in a strip mall perpendicular to the Boulevard, Captain Jim’s Seafood Frozen yogurt, fresh juices, and smoothies complete the garlic. New branches are now open in Miami’s Midtown Bamboche is worth the hunt on one of those head-splitting 12950 W. Dixie Hwy. menu. $-$$ neighborhood and in North Bay Village. $ Saturdays, for a Haitian specialty not found in many area res- 305-892-2812 taurants: bouillon tet cabrit, a soup packed with greens (like This market/restaurant was garnering critical acclaim Le Griot de Madame John North One 10 spinach, cabbage, cress, string beans) and root veggies that even when eat-in dining was confined to a few Formica 975 NE 125th St. 11052 Biscayne Blvd. is reputed to be a miraculous hangover remedy. Along with tables in front of the fish counter, owing to the fresh- 305-892-9333 305-893-4211 bouillon, weekend specials include more unusual dishes like ness of its seafood, much of it from Capt. Jim Hanson’s When Madame moved her base of operations from her Little www.northone10.com fritay, fried street snacks. Haitian standards (griot, tassot) are own fishing boats, which supply many top restaurants. Haiti home to a real restaurant (though a very informal one, After helming several NYC restaurants for China Grill available daily, as are fresh-squeezed juices, lattes, and almost Now there’s a casual but pleasantly nautical side din- and still mostly take-out), she began offering numerous tradi- Management, the homegrown married team of chef two dozen desserts. $ ing room with booths. Whether it’s garlicky scampi, tional Haitian dishes, including jerked beef or goat tassot and Dewey and sommelier Dale LoSasso returned to do smoked-fish dip, grilled yellowtail or hog or mutton an impressive poisson gros sel (a whole fish rubbed with salt their own thing in their own neighborhood. The menu is Bar-B-Que Beach Sports Bar & Grill snapper, perfectly tenderized cracked conch or conch before poaching with various veggies and spices). But the dish “creative comfort food”: a shrimp waffle with basil but- 12599 Biscayne Blvd. fritters, everything is deftly prepared and bargain- that still packs the place is the griot: marinated pork chunks ter; “steak and eggs” (a grilled NY strip with truffled goat 305-895-3141 priced. $$ simmered and then fried till they’re moistly tender inside, crisp cheese frittata and herb demiglace); a stone crab hot On Friday nights, there’s karaoke, though from the décor — and intensely flavored outside. $ dog the chef invented for a Super Bowl party. The award- mixing Wild West rusticity with Key West flip-flops dangling Casa Mia Trattoria winning wine list inspires playfully themed pairing events. from the ceiling — it’s hard to know whether to brush up your 1950 NE 123rd St. Little Havana Prices are reasonable and parking is free. $$$-$$$$ Jimmy Buffett medley or “Tumbling Tumbleweeds.” There 305-899-2770 12727 Biscayne Blvd. are specials the other six days of the week as well, but don’t Tucked away, off to the side on the approach to 305-899-9069 Sara’s forget the biggest draw: the barbecue, honest stuff that has the Broad Causeway and the beaches, this charm- www.littlehavanarestaurant.com 2214 NE 123rd St. been low-temperature smoked for 12 to 14 hours till tender ing indoor/outdoor trattoria seems to attract mostly In addition to white-tablecoth ambiance, this place features 305-891-3312 yet resilient. Menu winners: succulent sliced brisket and neighborhood regulars. But even newcomers feel like live Latin entertainment and dancing, making it a good choice www.saraskosherpizza.com delightfully juicy chicken. $$ regulars after a few minutes, thanks to the staff’s when diners want a night out, not just a meal. It’s also a good While this mainly vegetarian kosher place is best known Italian ebullience. Menu offerings are mostly classic choice for diners who don’t speak Spanish, but don’t worry for its pizza (New York-style medium crust or thick-crusted Bulldog Barbecue comfort foods with some contemporary items as well. about authenticity. Classic Cuban home-style dishes like mojo- Sicilian, topped with veggies and/or “meat buster” imita- 15400 Biscayne Blvd. Housemade pastas are good enough that low-carb diet- marinated lechon asado, topped with onions, and juicy ropa tion meats), it’s also offers a full range of breakfast/ 305-940-9655 ers should take a break, especially for the tender gnoc- vieja are translated on the menu, not the plate, and fancier www.bulldog-bbq.com chi with pesto or better yet, delicate fagottini — “beg- creations like pork filet in tangy tamarind sauce seem universal Continued on page 53 The BBQ master at this small, rustic room is pugnacious Top gar’s purses” stuffed with pears and cheese. $$ crowd-pleasers. $$$

52 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 DINING GUIDE

Restaurant Listings finest pizza topper). Also on the menu are Italian- and steamed whole fish with ginger and scallions, plus Christine’s Roti Shop American pastas, a large selection of hot an cold subs, Chinese-American egg foo young. Default spicing is mild 16721 NE 6th Ave. Continued from page 52 simple salads, and a few new protein adds – grilled even in Szechuan dishes marked with red-chili icons, but 305-770-0434 chicken breast, fried fish, or a steak. $-$$ don’t worry; realizing some like it hot, the chefs will cus- Wraps are for wimps. At this small shop run by Christine lunch/dinner vegetarian cuisine of all nations, with many tomize spiciness to heroic heat levels upon request. $$ Gouvela, originally from British Guyana, the wrapper is dairy and seafood items too. Admittedly the cutesie Wong’s Chinese Restaurant a far more substantial and tasty roti, a Caribbean mega- names of many items – baygels, bergerrbite, Cezarrrr 12420 Biscayne Blvd. Blue Marlin Fish House crepe made from chickpea flour. Most popular filling for salad, hammm, meat-a-ball, schmopperrr – may cause 305-891-4313 2500 NE 163rd St. the flatbread is probably jerk chicken, bone-in pieces in a queasiness. But the schmopperrr itself is one helluva The menu reads like a textbook on how to please everyone, 305-957-8822 spiced stew of potatoes, cabbage, carrots, onions, and more high-octane veggie burger. $-$$ with food ranging from traditional Chinese to Chinese- Located inside Oleta River State Park, this casual outdoor chickpeas. But there are about a dozen other curries from American to just plain American. Appetizers include honey eatery is a rare surprise for nature lovers, especially since which to choose. Take-out packages of plain roti are also Steve’s Pizza garlic chicken wings or Buffalo wings. A crab-claw starter a young couple took over and upgraded the menu. The available; they transform myriad leftovers into tasty, portable 12101 Biscayne Blvd. comes with choice of pork fried rice or French fries. Seafood featured item is still the house-smoked fish this historic lunches. $ 305-891-0202 lovers can get shrimp chop suey, or salty pepper shrimp venue began producing in 1938, available in three varieties: At the end of a debauched night of excess, some paper- (authentically shell-on). And New Yorkers will find a number salmon, mahi mahi, and the signature blue marlin. But the El Gran Inka thin designer pizza with wisps of smoked salmon (or of dishes that are mainstays of Manhattan Szechuan menus smokehouse now also turns out ribs and delectable brisket. 3155 NE 163rd St. similar fluff) doesn’t do the trick. Open till 3:00 or 4:00 but not common in Miami: cold sesame noodles, Hunan Other new additions include weekend fish fries with live 305-940-4910 a.m., Steve’s has, since 1974, been serving the kind of chicken, twice-cooked pork. $$ music. Entry is directly from 163rd Street, not through the www.graninka.com comforting, retro pizzas people crave at that hour. As in main park entrance. No admission fee. $ Though diners at this upscale Peruvian eatery will find ceviches, Brooklyn, tomato sauce is sweet, with strong oregano Woody’s Famous Steak Sandwich a hefty fried-seafood jalea, and Peru’s other expected tradi- flavor. Mozzarella is applied with abandon. Toppings are 13105 Biscayne Blvd. China Restaurant tional specialties, all presented far more elegantly than most in stuff that give strength: pepperoni, sausage, meatballs, 305-891-1451 178 NE 167th St. town, the contemporary Peruvian fusion creations are unique. onions, and peppers. $ The griddle has been fired up since 1954 at this 305-947-6549 Especially recommended are two dishes adapted from recipes indie fast-food joint, and new owners have done little When you have a yen for the Americanized Chinese fusion by Peru’s influential nikkei (Japanese/Creole) chef Rosita Tokyo Bowl to change the time-tested formula except to stretch dishes you grew up with, all the purist regional Chinese cuisine Yimura: an exquisite, delicately sauced tiradito de corvina, and 12295 Biscayne Blvd. operating hours into the night and expand its classic in the world won’t scratch the itch. So the menu here, contain- for those with no fear of cholesterol, pulpo de oliva (octopus 305-892-9400 menu to include a few health-conscious touches like ing every authentically inauthentic Chinese-American classic topped with rich olive sauce). $$$-$$$$ This fast-food drive-thru (unexpectedly serene inside) Caesar salad, plus a note proclaiming their oils are free you could name, is just the ticket when nostalgia strikes – from is named for its feature item, big budget-priced bowls of trans fats. Otherwise the famous steak sandwich is simple egg rolls to pressed almond duck (majorly breaded Hanna’s Gourmet Diner of rice or noodles topped with cooked Japanese-style still a traditional Philly. Drippin’ good burgers, too. And boneless chunks, with comfortingly thick gravy). $-$$ 13951 Biscayne Blvd. items like teriyaki fish (fresh fish sautéed with veg- unlike MacChain addicts, patrons here can order a cold 305-947-2255 etables), curried chicken and veggies, spicy shrimp, or beer with the good grease. $-$$ Chipotle Mexican Grill When Sia and Nicole Hemmati bought the Gourmet Diner gyoza dumplings in tangy sauce. There’s also an all- 14776 Biscayne Blvd. from retiring original owner Jean-Pierre Lejeune in the late you-can-eat deal – sushi (individual nigiri or maki rolls) 305-947-2779, www.chipotle.com 1990s, they added “Hanna’s” to the name, but changed plus tempura, teriyaki, and other cooked items for $14; NORTH MIAMI BEACH Proving that national fast-food chains don’t have to be bad little else about this retro-looking French/American diner, three bucks more for sashimi instead of sushi. $-$$ for either diners or the environment, Chipotle serves what a north Miami-Dade institution since 1983. Customers Bamboo Garden the company calls “food with integrity.” The fare is simple, can get a cheeseburger or garlicky escargots, meatloaf Venezia Pizza and Café 1232 NE 163rd St. basically tacos and big burritos: soft flour or crisp corn torti- in tomato sauce or boeuf bourguignon in red wine sauce, 13452 Biscayne Blvd. 305-945-1722 llas stuffed with chipotle-marinated steak or chicken chunks, iceberg lettuce and tomatoes, or a mushroom and squid 305-940-1808 Big enough for a banquet (up to 300 guests), this vet- bolder shredded beef barbacoa, or herb-scented pork car- salad with garlic dressing. For oysters Rockefeller/tuna- No frozen pizza crusts or watery mozzarella here. No eran is many diners’ favorite on the 163rd/167th Street nitas. But these bites contain no evil ingredients (transfats, melt couples from Venus and Mars, it remains the ideal imported designer ingredients either. The pies are New “Chinatown” strip because of its superior décor. But the artificial color/flavor, antibiotics, growth hormones). And the dinner date destination. $$-$$$ York-style, but the dough is made fresh daily, and the menu also offers well-prepared, authentic dishes like food, while not the authentic Mex street stuff dreams are cheese is Grande (from Wisconsin, considered America’s peppery black bean clams, sautéed mustard greens, made of, is darned tasty, too. $ Continued on page 54 Buena Vista Bistro

Open Lunch & Dinner: 11AM – Midnight Sunday Brunch: 11AM - 3PM

Patio Open Weekends

4582 NE 2nd Ave ● 305.456.5909

July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 53 DINING GUIDE

Restaurant Listings pita is also stuffed with housemade cabbage and onion salads, pho (served with greens, herbs, and condiments that make Pasha’s plus unusually rich and tart tahina. $-$$ it not just a soup but a whole ceremony), and many other 14871 Biscayne Blvd. Continued from page 53 Vietnamese classics. The menu is humongous. $-$$ 786-923-2323 Kabobji www.pashas.com Hiro Japanese Restaurant 3055 NE 163rd St., 305-354-8484 Mary Ann Bakery (See Miami: Brickell / Downtown listing) 3007 NE 163rd St., 305-948-3687 www.EatKabobji.com 1284 NE 163rd St. One of Miami’s first sushi restaurants, Hiro retains an This place makes a very good tahini sauce. In fact that alone is 305-945-0333 Paul Bakery Café amusing retro-glam feel, an extensive menu of both sushi reason enough to visit. We prefer ours with this bright, cheery Don’t be unduly alarmed by the American birthday cakes 14861 Biscayne Blvd. and cooked Japanese food, and late hours that make it eatery’s delightfully oniony falafel or a veg-garnished wrap of in the window. At this small Chinese bakery the real finds 305-940-4443 a perennially popular after-hours snack stop. The sushi thin-sliced marinated beef schwarma. They also do a beautifully are the Chinatown-style baked buns and other savory www.paulusa.com menu has few surprises, but quality is reliable. Most spiced, and reassuringly fresh-tasting, raw kibbi naye (Middle pastries, filled with roast pork, bean sauce, and curried From one rural shop in 1889, the French bakery known simply exceptional are the nicely priced yakitori, skewers of suc- Eastern steak tartare). It’s hard to resist putting together a ground beef. Prices are under a buck, making them an as Paul has grown to a worldwide chain, which fortunately culently soy-glazed and grilled meat, fish, and vegetables; grazing meal of starters and wraps, but there’s also a roster of exotic alternative to fast-food dollar meals. There’s one chose to open its first U.S. outlet in our town. One bite of the the unusually large variety available of the last makes this full entrées (with soup or salad plus starch), including tempting table for eat-in snackers. $ crusty peasant loaf, the olive-studded fougasse, or another place a good choice for vegetarians. $$ vegetarian and seafood meals for noncarnivores. $$ of the signature artisan breads transports you right back to The Melting Pot France. As authentic as the boulangerie breads are, the patis- Hiro’s Sushi Express Kebab Indian Restaurant 15700 Biscayne Blvd. serie items like flan normande are just as evocative. For eat-in 17048 W. Dixie Hwy., 305-949-0776 514 NE 167th St. 305-947-2228; www.meltingpot.com diners, quite continental soups, salads, and sandwiches are Tiny, true, but there’s more than just sushi at this mostly 305-940-6309 For 1950s and 1960s college students, fondue pots were equally and dependably French. $$ take-out spin-off of the pioneering Hiro. Makis are the main- Since the 1980s this restaurant, located in an unatmospheric standard dorm accessories. These days, however, branches stay (standard stuff like California rolls, more complex cre- mini strip mall but surprisingly romantic inside (especially if you of this chain are generally the only places to go for this eating Pizza Fusion ations like multi-veg futomaki, and a few unexpected treats grab one of the exotically draped booths) has been a popular experience. Start with a wine-enriched four-cheese fondue; pro- 14815 Biscayne Blvd., 305-405-6700 like a spicy Crunch & Caliente maki), available à la carte or destination for reasonably priced north Indian fare. Kormas are ceed to an entrée with meat or seafood, plus choice of cooking www.pizzafusion.com in value-priced individual and party combo platters. But there properly soothing and vindaloos are satisfactorily searing, but potion (herbed wine, bouillon, or oil); finish with fruits and cakes “Saving the earth one pizza at a time” is the motto at are also bento boxes featuring tempura, yakitori skewers, the kitchen will adjust seasonings upon request. They aim to dipped in melted chocolate. Fondue etiquette dictates that this franchise of the only pizza chain to require third- teriyaki, stir-fried veggies, and udon noodles. Another branch please. Food arrives unusually fast for an Indian eatery, too. $$ diners who drop a skewer in the pot must kiss all other table party organic restaurant certification at all locations. is now open in Miami’s Upper Eastside. $ companions, so go with those you love. $$$ Their gluten-free crusts make it mighty friendly to pizza King Palace fanatics with food allergies. Starters, salads, desserts, Hiro’s Yakko-San 330 NE 167th St. Oishi Thai and organic wines/beers are also served. And delivery 17040 W. Dixie Hwy., 305-947-0064 305-949-2339 14841 Biscayne Blvd. is available — in hybrid cars, of course. Specials unique After sushi chefs close up their own restaurants for the night, The specialties here are authentic Chinatown-style barbecue 305-947-4338 to this NMB franchise include Sunday-Thursday happy many come here for a rare taste of Japanese home cooking, (whole ducks, roast pork strips, and more, displayed in a glass www.oishithai.com hours, a free Kids Organic Club class on Saturdays, served in grazing portions. Try glistening-fresh strips of raw tuna case by the door), and fresh seafood dishes, the best made At this stylish Thai/sushi spot, try the menu of specials, 10:00-11:00 a.m., and varied Monday-Wednesday can be had in maguro nuta – mixed with scallions and dressed with the live fish swimming in two tanks by the dining room many of which clearly reflect the young chef’s fanatical freebies. $-$$ with habit-forming honey-miso mustard sauce. Other favorites entrance. There’s also a better-than-average selection of sea- devotion to fresh fish, as well as the time he spent in include goma ae (wilted spinach, chilled and dressed in sesame sonal Chinese veggies. The menu is extensive, but the best the kitchen of Knob: broiled miso-marinated black cod; PK Oriental Mart sauce), garlic stem and beef (mild young shoots flash-fried with ordering strategy, since the place is usually packed with Asians, rock shrimp tempura with creamy sauce; even Nobu 255 NE 167th St., 305-654-9646 tender steak bits), or perhaps just-caught grouper with hot/ is to see what looks good on nearby tables, and point. $$ Matsuhisa’s “new style sashimi” (slightly surface-seared Unlike other Asian markets on this strip between I-95 and sweet/tangy chili sauce. Open till around 3:00 a.m. $$ by drizzles of hot olive and sesame oil). The specials Biscayne Boulevard, PK has a prepared-food counter, Lime Fresh Mexican Grill menu includes some Thai-inspired creations, too, such as serving authentic Chinatown barbecue, with appropriate Heelsha 14831 Biscayne Blvd., 305-949-8800 veal massaman curry, Chilean sea bass curry, and sizzling dipping sauces included. Weekends bring the biggest 1550 NE 164th St., 305-919-8393 (See Midtown / Wynwood / Design District listing) filet mignon with basil sauce. $$$-$$$$ selection, including barbecued ribs and pa pei duck www.heelsha.com (roasted, then deep-fried till extra crisp and nearly free If unusual Bangladeshi dishes like fiery pumpkin patey (cooked Laurenzo’s Market Café Panya Thai of subcutaneous fat). Available every day are juicy, soy- with onion, green pepper, and pickled mango) or Heelsha curry 16385 W. Dixie Hwy. 520 NE 167th St., 305-945-8566 marinated roast chickens, roast pork strips, crispy pork, (succulently spiced hilsa, Bangladesh’s sweet-fleshed national 305-945-6381 Unlike authentic Chinese cuisine, there’s no shortage of and whole roast ducks – hanging, beaks and all. But no fish) seem familiar, it’s because chef/owner Bithi Begum and www.laurenzosmarket.com genuine Thai food in and around Miami. But Panya’s chef/ worries; a counterperson will chop your purchase into her husband Tipu Raman once served such fare at the critically It’s just a small area between the wines and the fridge owner, a Bangkok native, offers numerous regional and/ bite-size, beakless pieces. $ acclaimed Renaisa. Their menu’s mix-and-match option allows counters – no potted palms, and next-to-no service in this or rare dishes not found elsewhere. Plus he doesn’t auto- diners to pair their choice of meat, poultry, fish, or vegetable cafeteria-style space. But when negotiating this interna- matically curtail the heat or sweetness levels to please Roasters & Toasters with more than a dozen regional sauces, from familiar Indian tional gourmet market’s packed shelves and crowds has Americans. Among the most intriguing: moo khem phad wan 18515 NE 18th Ave., 305-830-3354 styles to exotica like satkara, flavored with a Bangladeshi citrus depleted your energies, it’s a handy place to refuel with (chewy deep-fried seasoned pork strips with fiery tamarind Attention ex-New Yorkers: Is your idea of food porn one reminiscent of sour orange. $$-$$$ eggplant parmesan and similar Italian-American classics, dip, accompanied by crisp green papaya salad); broad rice of the Carnegie Deli’s mile-high pastrami sandwiches? housemade from old family recipes. Just a few spoonfuls noodles stir-fried with eye-opening chili/garlic sauce and Well, Roasters will dwarf them. Consider the “Carnegie- Iron Sushi of Wednesday’s hearty pasta fagiole, one of the daily fresh Thai basil; and chili-topped Diamond Duck in tangy style” monster containing, according to the menu, a 16350 W. Dixie Hwy. soup specials, could keep a person shopping for hours. tamarind sauce. $$-$$$ full pound of succulent meat (really 1.4 pounds; we 305-945-2244 And now that pizza master Carlo is manning the wood- weighed it), for a mere 15 bucks. All the other Jewish (See Miami Shores listing)? fired oven, you can sample the thinnest, crispiest pies Paquito’s deli classics are here too, including perfectly sour pick- outside Napoli. $-$$ 16265 Biscayne Blvd., 305-947-5027 les, silky hand-sliced nova or lox, truly red-rare roast Jerusalem Market and Deli From the outside, this strip-mall Mexican eatery couldn’t be beef, and the cutest two-bite mini-potato pancakes 16275 Biscayne Blvd. Little Saigon easier to overlook. Inside, however, its festivity is impossible ever — eight per order, served with sour cream and 305-948-9080 16752 N. Miami Ave. to resist. Every inch of wall space seems to be covered with applesauce. $$ Specialties like shawarma, spinach pies, kebabs, hummus, and 305-653-3377 South of the Border knickknacks. And if the kitschy décor alone kibbeh (a savory mix of ground lamb and bulgur) are native to This is Miami’s oldest traditional Vietnamese restaurant, doesn’t cheer you, the quickly arriving basket of fresh (not Sang’s Chinese Restaurant many Middle East countries, but when a Lebanese chef/owner, but it’s still packed most weekend nights. So even the packaged) taco chips, or the mariachi band, or the knockout 1925 NE 163rd St., 305-947-7076 like this eatery’s Sam Elzoor, is at the helm, you can expect place’s biggest negative – its hole-in-the-wall atmosphere, margaritas will. Food ranges from Tex-Mex burritos and a party- Sang’s has three menus. The pink menu is Americanized extraordinary refinement. There are elaborate daily specials not encouraging of lingering visits – becomes a plus since it size fajita platter to authentic Mexican moles and harder-to-find Chinese food, from chop suey to honey garlic chicken. The here, like lemon chicken or stuffed cabbage with a variety of ensures fast turnover. Chef/owner Lily Tao is typically in the traditional preparations like albóndigas – spicy, ultra-savory sides, but even a common falafel sandwich is special when the kitchen, crafting green papaya salad, flavorful beef noodle meatballs. $$-$$$ Continued on page 55 ORIGINAL BAVARIAN BIER GARTEN OPEN DAILY FROM 5:00PM TO 11:00PM FRIDAY &SATURDAY TO MIDNIGHT

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

54 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009 DINING GUIDE

Restaurant Listings three sauces: wasabi, teriyaki, and spicy mayo. Hawaiian Chef Allen’s Pilar King Crab contains unprecedented ingredients like toma- 19088 NE 29th Ave; 20475 Biscayne Blvd. Continued from page 54 toes, green peppers, and pineapple. Boutique wines, 305-935-2900 305-937-2777, www.pilarrestaurant.com artisan sakes, and cocktails are as exotic as the cuisine. www.chefallens.com Chef/owner Scott Fredel previously worked for Norman Van white menu permits the chef to show off his authentic $$$-$$$$ After 20 years of success in the same location, many Aken and Mark Militello. He has been executive chef at Chinese fare: salt and pepper prawns, rich beef/turnip chefs would coast on their backlog of tried-and-true Rumi, and cooked at NYC’s James Beard House. Armed with casserole, tender salt-baked chicken, even esoterica like Tuna’s Raw Bar and Grille dishes. And it’s doubtful that kindly Allen Susser would those impressive credentials, Fredel and his wife launched abalone with sea cucumber. The extensive third menu 17850 W. Dixie Hwy. freak out his many regulars by eliminating from the menu Pilar (named for Hemingway’s boat) aiming to prove that top offers dim sum, served until 4:00 p.m. A live tank allows 305-932-0630 the Bahamian lobster and crab cakes. But lobster-lovers restaurants can be affordable. Consider it proven. Floribbean- seasonal seafood dishes like lobster with ginger and www.tunasrawbarandgrille.com will find that the 20th anniversary menus also offer new style seafood is the specialty: fresh hearts of palm slaw and scallion. Recently installed: a Chinese barbecue case, The reincarnated Tuna’s has gained new owners, a new name, excitements like tandoori-spiced rock lobster, along with Caribbean curry sauce, rock shrimp spring rolls with sweet soy displaying savory items like crispy pork with crackling a dazzling outdoor bar and dining area, and a newly impressive what might be the ultimate mac’n’cheese: lobster crab glaze, yellowtail snapper with tomato-herb vinaigrette. Forget its attached. $$$ selection of raw-bar specialties: cold-water oysters from the macaroni in a Fris vodka sauce with mushrooms, scal- strip-mall location. The restaurant itself is elegant. $$-$$$ Northeast, plus Blue Points, Malpecs, Island Creeks, and more. lions, and parmesan. The famous dessert soufflé’s flavor Shing Wang Vegetarian, Icee & Tea House Traditional house favorites remain, and the emphasis is still on changes daily, but it always did. $$$$$ Pizza Roma 237 NE 167th St. fresh fish from local waters. Open daily till 2:00 a.m., the place 19090 NE 29th Ave. 305-654-4008 can get rather festive after midnight, but since the kitchen is Il Migliore 305-937-4884 www.shingwangrestaurant.com open till closing, Tuna’s draws a serious late-night dining crowd, 2576 NE Miami Gardens Dr. Despite its name, this homey hidden eatery serves not Rome’s At this unique Taiwanese eatery, run by a trio of Taipei- too. $$-$$$ 305-792-2902 wood-cooked, crunchy-crusted pizzas but New York-style pies trained female chefs, all seafood, poultry, and meats in the Chef Neal Cooper’s attractive trattoria gets the food right, as with medium-thick crusts pliable enough to fold in half for neat budget-priced entrées ($6.95) are mock – imitations made well as the ambiance. As in Italy, dishes rely on impeccable street eating. Unlike chains, though, this indie is accommodat- from wheat gluten, tofu, and vegetables. But don’t mock it AVENTURA / MIAMI GARDENS ingredients and straightforward recipes that don’t overcom- ing, so if you want your crust thin and crisp, just ask. Also fea- till you try the quite beefy pepper steak, or smokin’ duck, plicate, cover up, or otherwise muck about with that perfec- tured are Italian-American entrées like baked manicotti (that’s with slices that mimic the charcuterie item down to convinc- Anthony’s Coal-Fired Pizza tion. Fresh fettuccine with white truffle oil and mixed wild “mani-goat”, for those not from NJ) big enough to share, and ing faux fat. Other main dishes feature recognizable veggies 17901 Biscayne Blvd. mushrooms needs nothing else. Neither does the signature sub sandwiches, here called “bullets,” to put you in a Sopranos or noodles. As for the rest of the name: icee is shaved ice, 305-830-2625 Pollo Al Mattone, marinated in herbs and cooked under a frame of mind. $$ an over-the-top dessert that’s a sort of a slurpee sundae, www.anthonyscoalfiredpizza.com brick. And even low-carb dieters happily go to hell in a hand with toppings that vary from the familiar (fresh fruits) to Coal is what it’s all about here — a coal-fired oven (like basket when faced with a mound of potatoes alla Toscana, The Soup Man the weird (grass jelly, sweet corn, kidney beans, rice balls, that at Lombardi’s, Patsy’s, John’s, or Grimaldi’s in New herb-sprinkled French fries. $$-$$$ 20475 Biscayne Blvd. #G-8, 305-466-9033 chocolate pudding). And the bubble tea is a must-not-miss. York) producing the intense 800-degree heat to turn The real soup man behind this franchise is Al Yeganeh, an Using housemade syrup, the cold, refreshing boba comes in out, in mere minutes, a pie with the classic thin, crisp- Mahogany Grille antisocial Manhattan restaurant proprietor made notorious, numerous flavors (mango, taro, even actual tea), all supple- bottomed, beautifully char-bubbled crust that fans of the 2190 NW 183rd St. on a Seinfeld episode, as “the soup Nazi.” On the menu: ten mented with signature black tapioca balls that, slurped above legendary pizzerias crave. Expect neither bargain- 305-626-8100 different premium soups each day. The selection is carefully through large-diameter straws, are a guaranteed giggle. $ chain prices, a huge selection of toppings, nor much else Mahogany Grille has drawn critical raves and an inter- balanced among meat/poultry-based and vegetarian; clear on the menu. Anthony’s does just a few things, and does national clientele since retired major league outfielder and creamy (like the eatery’s signature shellfish-packed lobster Siam Square them right. $$ Andre Dawson and his brother transformed this place bisque); chilled and hot; familiar (chicken noodle) and exotic 54 NE 167th St. in 2007. Today it’s white tablecloths and, naturally, (mulligatawny). All soups come with gourmet bread, fruit, and 305-944-9697 Bella Luna mahogany. The menu is a sort of trendy yet traditional imported chocolate. Also available are salads, sandwiches, and Open until 1:00 a.m. every day except Sunday (when is closes 19575 Biscayne Blvd. Aventura Mall , soul fusion of food from several African diaspora wraps. $-$$ at midnight), this relatively new addition to North Miami Beach’s 305-792-9330 regions: Carolina Low Country (buttery cheese grits “Chinatown” strip has become a popular late-night gathering www.bellalunaaventura.com with shrimp, sausage, and cream gravy), the Caribbean Sushi Siam spot for chefs from other Asian restaurants. And why not? The If the menu here looks familiar, it should. It’s nearly iden- (conch-packed fritters or salad), and the Old South 19575 Biscayne Blvd. food is fresh, nicely presented, and reasonably priced. The tical to that at the Upper Eastside’s Luna Café and, with (lightly buttermilk-battered fried chicken). The chicken 305-932-8955 kitchen staff is willing to customize dishes upon request, and minor variations, at all the rest of Tom Billante’s eateries is perhaps Miami’s best. $$-$$$ (See Miami / Upper Eastside listing) the serving staff is reliably fast. Perhaps most important, kara- (Rosalia, Villaggio, Carpaccio), right down to the typeface. oke equipment is in place when the mood strikes. $-$$ But no argument from here. In a mall – a setting more accustomed to food court – dishes like carpaccio al sal- Scorch Grillhouse and Wine Bar mone (crudo, with portobellos, capers, parmesan slices, 13750 Biscayne Blvd. and lemon/tomato dressing) and linguine carbonara (in 305-949-5588 creamy sauce with pancetta and shallots) are a breath of www.scorchgrillhouse.com fresh, albeit familiar, air. $$-$$$ Though some food folks were initially exasperated when yet another Latin-influenced grill replaced one of our area’s few Bourbon Steak Vietnamese restaurants, it’s hard to bear a grudge at a friendly, 19999 W. Country Club Dr. casual neighborhood place that offers monster ten-ounce char- (Fairmont Hotel, Turnberry Resort) grilled burgers, with potatoes or salad, for $8.50; steaks, plus a 786-279-0658 side and a sauce or veg topper, for nine bucks at lunch, $15 to www.michaelmina.net $18.75 (the menu’s top price) at night; and three-dollar glasses At Bourbon Steak, a venture in the exploding restaurant of decent house wine. $-$$ empire of chef Michael Mina, a multiple James Beard award winner, steakhouse fare is just where the fare Sushi House starts. There are also Mina’s ingenious signature dishes, 15911 Biscayne Blvd. like an elegant deconstructed lobster/baby vegetable pot 305-947-6002 pie, a raw bar, and enough delectable vegetable/seafood In terms of décor drama, this sushi spot seems to have starters and sides for noncarnivores to assemble a happy taken its cue from Philippe Starck: sheer floor-to-ceiling meal. But don’t neglect the steak — flavorful dry-aged drapes, for starters. The sushi list, too, is over the top, Angus, 100-percent Wagyu American “Kobe,” swoonwor- featuring monster makis like the Cubbie Comfort: spicy thy grade A5 Japanese Kobe, and butter-poached prime tuna, soft-shell crab, shrimp and eel tempura, plus avo- rib, all cooked to perfection. $$$$$ cado, jalapeños, and cilantro, topped with not one but

July 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 55 DINING GUIDE

56 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com July 2009