February 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 6, Issue 12
Don Alfonso and his fi rst true love, Doña Edelmira Sampedro y Robato.
TRAGIC DRAMA Under the Miami Moon In 1938 a future king met his fate on the Boulevard By Antolín García Carbonell
ildred Gaydon left Frank Hotel, where he had been living for Den, a raucous nightclub located on Driving south on the dark Boulevard, White’s Casino, a fashion- the past year. The time was around a branch of the Miami River. She had a two-lane stretch of asphalt running M able after-hours club at 3:00 a.m. The date was Tuesday, spent that Labor Day evening with through an undeveloped portion of 10990 Biscayne Blvd., and began September 6, 1938. Don Alfonso in their usual routine northeast Miami, they had just passed the driving south on the Boulevard to take Mildred, known as “Merry Millie,” — after dinner and a movie, they had Little Farm sheds at 84th Street (which her gentleman friend, Don Alfonso de was the popular, 25-year-old ciga- visited a couple of nightspots before Borbón, back to the Miami Colonial rette girl at Don Dickerson’s Pirate’s returning home. Continued on page 14
BizBuzz Our Correspondents Community News Dining Guide
Patronize our What a cat North of Seven new local businesses. learns on the Wynwood -- the restaurants It’s positively streets of the artist’s new added this month. patriotic! Shores. frontier. Total: 197! Page 8 Page 22 Page 37 Page 46 2 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 FEBRUARYK KNIGHT CONCERT HALL C CARNIVAL STUDIO THEATERZ ZIFF BALLET OPERA HOUSE P PARKER AND VANN THOMSON PLAZA SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Defendiendo al FREE Family Fest Defendiendo al Defendiendo al 11:30AM–1:30PM P 1 2 3 4 Cavernícola 5 Cavernícola 6 Cavernícola 7 (Defending the Caveman (Defending the Caveman - FREE Family Performance (Defending the Caveman Carnival of the Animals - in Spanish) in Spanish) - in Spanish) 2PM Z 7:30PM C 7:30PM C 7:30PM C Defendiendo al Cavernícola “Outrageously “Caveman is a “Hysterically Funny!” 2 & 7:30PM C funny and nationwide comic -Variety Miami City Ballet: surprisingly sweet phenomenon!” Program III exploration of the -The New York Times Miami City Ballet: 8PM Z February 5-15 gender gap.” Program III Whirling Dervishes of Rumi -Chicago Sun-Times 8PM Z 8PM K Defendiendo al Defendiendo al Defendiendo al Defendiendo al Defendiendo al Defendiendo al 89Cavernícola 10Cavernícola 11Cavernícola 12Cavernícola 13 Cavernícola 14 Cavernícola (Defending the Caveman - (Defending the Caveman - (Defending the Caveman - (Defending the Caveman - (Defending the Caveman - (Defending the Caveman - in Spanish) in Spanish) in Spanish) in Spanish) in Spanish) in Spanish) 2 & 7:30PM C 7:30PM C 7:30PM C 7:30PM C 7:30PM C 2 & 7:30PM C “The fireworks of Miami City Ballet: “A comic Flamenco Festival “So perceptive, so the sexual revolu- Flamenco Festival Miami: Carmen Program III phenomenon!” witty, you can't help tion have been Miami: Carmen 8PM K Z -The New York Times feeling exhilarated!” 2PM melted into friendly 8PM K “Stunning flamenco -The Boston Globe The St. Olaf Choir fire.” “Heart-stopping!” virtuosity” 3PM K -Chicago Sun-Times - The Times, London -The Miami Herald 15 Defendiendo al 16 17Grammy Award-winning 18Liberty City 19 Liberty City 20 Liberty City 21 FREE Lecture by Cavernícola vocalist Patti Austin! 7:30PM C 7:30PM C 7:30PM C Dr. Dorothy Fields (Defending the Caveman - “Evoking an entire “Definitive example 12:30PM C in Spanish) Flamenco Festival African-American February 20 of the solo show” 2 & 7:30PM C Miami: community of the Liberty City -Village Voice Estrella Morente 1970s” -Variety 2 & 7:30PM C FREE Gospel Marvin Hamlisch in 8PM K Sundays Jazz Roots Series: Lakmé Concert “Best show of 2008” 4PM K A Tribute to Ella and 7PM Z 8PM K -Flamenco.com Basie 8PM K 22 Liberty City 23 24 Liberty City 25Liberty City 26 Liberty City 27 Liberty City 28 Liberty City 2 & 7:30PM C 7:30PM C 7:30PM C 7:30PM C 7:30PM C 2 & 7:30PM C “S corching insight on “Touches eloquently Lakmé Lakmé “Solid and endearing” on race, politics, Lakmé Featuring special events, how history both 2PM Z -The New Yorker 8PM Z frees and chains us 8PM K and the legacies of including a free lecture by the '60s move- at the same time!” New York Mark O'Connor Dr. Dorothy Fields on 2/21, ments.” Flamenco Festival -Variety Philharmonic 8PM K Liberty City, and Jazz Roots: A -Village Voice Miami: Tribute to Ella & Basie. 8PM K Los Farruco Lakmé Lakmé 8PM K 8PM K 8PM K BOOK YOUR EVENT TODAY! Combine your entertainment February 12-28 in a stunning setting with first- class THIS IS BLACK HISTORY! dining by Performing Arts Catering February 18 - March 1 by Barton G.
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February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 3 COMMENTARY: FEEDBACK PO Box 370566, Miami, FL 33137 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Member of the Should Have Been Riding corridor was used for commuter rail a newspaper or magazine remembers Florida Press Association the Rails Long Ago with a stop at “Freedom Tower Station” there is an icon in our backyard, and (http://miamivisionblogarama.blogspot. Bunny once again recounts the tale of www.BiscayneTimes.com Terence Cantarella’s cover story “Wait- com/2006/08/fec-tracks-for-commuter- hand-sewing the fi rst bikini in America, ing For the Train” was a great article PUBLISHER & EDITOR rail-in-our.html). The second one looks at and of course helping launch Bettie Page (January 2009). Thank God someone else creating a monorail connection between to stardom — or infamy, depending on Jim Mullin is aware that studying the FEC corridor [email protected] Miami and the Beaches (http://miami- who you ask. for possible commuter trains should have beachmonorail.blogspot.com/). On hearing of Bettie’s death, I im- INTERNS been done long ago. Margaret Griffi s’s story about mediately thought of Bunny, who I once Andrew Leins Can you believe that Miami charges Bunny Yeager in the same issue (“She had the pleasure of interviewing. She [email protected] one of the highest fares for bus travel Remembers Bettie”) reminds me that I is gracious and engaging, and always David Rodriguez in the nation? Remember the previous discovered her in the early 1960s, when happy to talk about her old friend Bettie. [email protected] county mayor said that if we voted for I, like thousands of other randy boys, Even today she still takes pictures of CONTRIBUTORS a sales tax increase, bus fares would be came across her series of books on local girls and runs a Website devoted to Victor Barrenchea, Pamela Robin Brandt, basically free for the folks who use this how to shoot the nude. I can’t remem- her photography. Terence Cantarella, Bill Citara, Wendy overpriced system? What a joke! ber learning anything except that Ms. After the interview, Bunny gave me Doscher-Smith, Kathy Glasgow, Jim W. Bill Clark Yeager sure knew how to take pictures two autographed books of her work and Harper, Lisa Hartman, Jen Karetnick, Jack Belle Meade of naked women. a signed self-portrait from her modeling King, Derek McCann, Frank Rollason, Bunny is as legendary as Bettie Page, heyday. After a lot of procrastinating Silvia Ros, Jeff Shimonski Riding the Rails Is a but unlike Bettie, Bunny is alive and well and moving, I fi nally framed it and it ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Visionary Solution and living right here in “Biscayne City.” now hangs in my home. Every visi- Marco Fernandez Regarding “Waiting for the Train,” it’s She deserves a parade! tor loves seeing “The World’s Prettiest [email protected] nice to see this transportation solution D.C. Copeland Photographer,” and I get to tell the story being addressed in the media. I too have Miami Beach all over again. Marc Ruehle Thanks, Bunny, for taking us all [email protected] been following the issue over the years and I think Miami Shores years ago down memory lane. And sorry about OFFICE MANAGER Bunny and Bettie and Bettie. She will be missed. declined to have a commuter station built America’s First Bikini Wilmer Ametin in its fair burg. How short-sighted. Christian Cipriani [email protected] By the way, here are links to some vi- Like Don Bailey, whose tribute to Burt Edgewater Reynolds’s 1971 Cosmo nude still adver- ART DIRECTOR sionary solutions for South Florida mass tises his fl ooring business, Bunny Yeager transit. The fi rst one paints a great picture Continued on page 6 Marcy Mock is a classic Miami story. Every few years [email protected] about what life could be like if the FEC ADVERTISING DESIGN DP Designs TABLE OF CONTENTS [email protected] COVER STORY COMMUNITY CONTACTS The Biscayne Times welcomes proposals Tragic Drama Under the Miami Moon ...... 1 Neighborhood Associations ...... 28 for articles and press releases. Submitted material may be edited for length, clarity, POLICE REPORTS and content. All submitted material becomes COMMENTARY Biscayne Crime Beat ...... 30 the property of The Biscayne Times. Please Feedback ...... 4 be sure to include your name, address and Miami’s King ...... 10 ART & CULTURE telephone number in all correspondence. Word on the Street ...... 12 All articles, photos, and artwork in the The High Cost of Selling Art...... 32 Biscayne Times are copyrighted by Biscayne Art Listings ...... 34 Media, LLC. Any duplication or reprinting OUR SPONSORS Culture Briefs...... 37 without authorized written consent from the BizBuzz ...... 8 publisher is prohibited. Advertiser Directory...... 8 COLUMNISTS The Biscayne Times is published the Kids and the City: Haircuts Are Trauma or Treat ...... 38 first week of each month. We are hand Your Garden: From Garbage to Garden ...... 39 delivered to all the homes along both sides NEIGHBORHOOD CORRESPONDENTS Harper’s Environment: World-Class Gluttons ...... 40 of Biscayne Boulevard from downtown and Frank Rollason: Clean Government in Five Easy Steps ...... 20 Pawsitively Pets: Entertainment vs. Reality ...... 44 the Venetian Islands to Arch Creek. Jen Karetnick: Life on the Streets of the Shores ...... 22 Wendy Doscher-Smith: More Dangerous Than Roving Santeros 24 Advertise! PARK PATROL Hidden Park, Open Views ...... 42 305-756-6200 COMMUNITY NEWS WE NOW ACCEPT Tiny Little Burgers Make a Big Comeback ...... 26 DINING GUIDE Citizens on Patrol Are Volunteers in Need ...... 26 Restaurant Listings ...... 46 CREDIT CARDS Go North, Young Artist! ...... 27 Wine: Red White & You ...... 48
4 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 5 COMMENTARY: FEEDBACK Letters least they keep up the appearance of it, We’re Shorecrest Too, and participation and the value of understand- Continued from page 4 even though the chain-link fence is ugly. We Own That Beautiful ing the personal, professional, and col- Unfortunately it’s not within the control lective voices responsible for ringing the We’re Shorecrest, Not of our neighborhood to do much about Piece of Land, So liberty bell in our great democracy. Fisher Island, So Give Us a making it into a park. But perhaps we Let’s Talk! I would like to offer some additional Break, Okay? can appeal to the owners to make it into Jim W. Harper, in “A Tale of Two Minis,” views on the topic of “activists,” since I have a couple of comments regarding a park, at least during this downtrodden noted that Miami has fewer parks and I have been labeled as such and lumped Jim W. Harper’s “Park Patrol” review of economy when development is unlikely. open space per capita than most Ameri- together with the “wild herd” that cannot the Shorecrest dog park (“A Tale of Two In 2008 the Shorecrest Homeown- can cities. He went on to suggest that, be broken but must be separated for Minis,” January 2009) and that empty piece ers’ Association accomplished the given the current depressed real estate fi nger-pointing and identifi cation. of beautiful land along E. Dixie Highway following: Installation of speed bumps market, now may be an opportune time As advocates we are not offi cially in Shorecrest. And also about comparing on NE 81st Street, which took years of to acquire several unbuilt parcels for accepted, since the two minutes we’re our neighborhood to Belle Meade. effort. Installation of a new Shorecrest public parks and open space. His article given to express our formal views on an 1. Belle Meade is a gated, middle- to community sign on NE 10th Avenue at mentioned and included a photograph of issue do not match the time lobbyists upper-class neighborhood, gentrifi ed NE 87th Street. The planting of 20 oak an undeveloped 3.5-acre, tree-covered, get to generate a compelling case before with a long and wonderful history of trees, donated by the city, throughout coastal-ridge parcel located on E. Dixie commission members, overriding the neighborhood participation. Shorecrest our neighborhood. The launching of a Highway in Shorecrest as having prime taxpayers’ voices and votes — if they is a lower- to middle- to upper-income Shorecrest homeowners Website. The park potential. were even allowed those in the fi rst place. neighborhood with many immigrant demolition of a former fi sh restaurant at As one of the property’s owners, (Mr. Norman Braman, a patriot, speaks families who are living below the poverty Biscayne Boulevard and 87th Street that we applaud that idea and Mr. Harper to this matter in his recent legal briefs, in line and are struggling. had become a drug den and hangout for for trying to make lemonade out of a which he questioned “fast-track politics” We in Shorecrest can hear the derelicts. The initiation of Crime Watch currently sour situation. At the time the and bundles of projects that seem to have mixed rhythms of Creole, Spanish, and meetings (a continued goal in 2009). And property was purchased, we hired an appeared as if by some magic wand pass- English; and the wonderful crow of the donations to the Phyllis Miller Elemen- arborist to help us save all the trees. And ing over the taxpayers’ heads.) rooster in the early morning. We also tary School toy drive and Adopt-a-Class- when it came time to remove the dilapi- It is a waste of time to try advocat- have a couple of streets in Shorecrest room program. dated homes and clean the site, rather ing for truth when a project is in the bag where there is extensive drug and gang- That’s a lot for a neighborhood than bulldozing everything, we invited and the political drive-through window related activity. The police are address- where, sadly, few residents participate in the neighborhood to take many of the has signage allowing only the rich and ing this issue in many ways, but resi- our association. But just wait until you property’s wonderful plants and small famous. Advocates are not allowed a dents on these streets, usually Haitian see the list of goals we have for 2009! palms for their yards. fair playing fi eld on which to activate immigrants who often come to the U.S. Maggie Steber, secretary As owners, we work hard with our participation in a positive and productive terrorized from gang activity in Haiti, Shorecrest Homeowners’ Association fi ne neighbors to maintain the grounds of manner. The Citizens Bill of Rights is are very scared of the repercussions. the property in excellent condition so it simply not being enforced. is an asset to Shorecrest, because we live Advocates are activists who resist the Most are good, hard-working folks who We’re Shorecrest and We’re help their families back home and con- here too. bartering away of our taxpayer assets to tribute to their new country. Generous A park would be a wonderful asset special interests, who attempt to protect Belle Meade residents don’t have Thanks so much for Margaret Griffi s’s ar- for Shorecrest. We are open to exploring our democracy from ruin. They are true to contend with this, although perhaps ticle “Teachers vs. Attorneys: Guess Who this option with the Shorecrest Hom- American patriots who express their great in the past they did. Belle Meade is also Got the Money” (January 2009), about eowners’ Association, the Upper Eastside love and passion for their nation in a con- lucky to have some great activists, such the Adopt-A-Classroom program and our Miami Council, and City of Miami staff. structive, instructive, and protective way as Fran and Frank Rollason, who con- wonderful neighborhood Phyllis Miller It takes everyone in the Upper East- by reminding government offi cials of their tribute to the whole Upper Eastside. We Elementary School. I would encour- side to make positive things happen. We responsibility to uphold the rule of law. adore them for it. We’ll get there, but it’s age everyone to make a small donation encourage the kind of ideas expressed Doris Hall unfair to admonish Shorecrest. (minimum $25 to adopt a teacher) to the in Mr. Harper’s “Park Patrol” column, Miami 2. If Jim Harper had done his school of their choice. In these tough and hope more readers take the lead to homework, he would have learned of the economic times, our children and their encourage neighborhood interest and The Melodrama That Is efforts made by the former Shorecrest teachers need our support more than ever. enthusiasm for positive changes. Miami Politics homeowners’ board to get the dog park Regarding Jim Harper’s article “A Michael Maxwell Maxwell and Partners Real Estate Regarding Frank Rollason’s defi nition of approved in the fi rst place. It was one Tale of Two Minis”: Five years ago the activists and their counterparts: Outstand- resident who fought the idea of installing Shorecrest Mini Park was an undefi ned Development Miami ing discourse! While Webster’s defi nition a bench in the park because she didn’t eyesore with a street running through it. is somewhat psychological (Apathist One want people loitering near her home. Finally our homeowners’ association and who is destitute of feeling), Frank’s more People do use the park for their dogs, a few dedicated volunteers worked with modern interpretation is perfect for local though it would be wonderful to have a the city to design and implement what Activists vs. Lobbyists = David vs. Goliath politics anywhere. bench there. Maybe this will become one you see today. And there is this from the Urban Dic- of our goals for 2009. The potential park that Mr. Harper Frank Rollason’s column “Stand Up and tionary: Apathist 1. One who is apathetic. As for that beautiful, vacant piece mentioned is privately owned and will, Be Heard! Or Maybe Not” (January 2009) They may be disinterested through their of land that is fenced off along E. Dixie one day, be developed. I doubt the city was wonderful for getting a mental x-ray own intention or naturally uncaring. In Highway, which Harper suggested could would appropriate the funds to purchase of the different types of reactions gener- severe cases this may lead to a distinct be made into a park: That is private prop- the property even if it were for sale. ated by “apathists,” activists, extremists, lack of effort toward all tasks. Chronic erty. It would be very sweet if the owners Jack Spirk wackos, lobbyists, et al. Our friend Frank would donate the property as a park. At Shorecrest initiated an excellent debate on citizen Continued on page 19
6 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 7 OUR SPONSORS BizBuzz: February 2009 Sales, special events, and more from the people who make Biscayne Times possible By Pamela Robin Brandt offering, for the month of February, what They’re calling their new place Anise It’s not too early to reserve for Valen- BT Contributor we (not they) call a “Sucky Economy Taverna, and it’s located in a familiar tine’s Day at Ariston, where dinner will Special”: free space planning advice for old spot along the Little River, just off include four courses of Greek specialties, hough always awash in heart- the whole month. And while you’re there, Biscayne Boulevard. They’ve been open two glasses of Mionetto Prosecco, live warming Old World charm, the be sure to have a look at the life-affi rming long enough to work out the kinks and are music by cellist Erick Riesgo, free entry TRoyal Bavarian Schnitzel Haus work of February’s artist of the month, ready to welcome you for a special Valen- into a raffl e, and for female Valentines, a once again turns up the heat for its annual young Venezuelan painter Nestor Paz. tine’s Day dinner: “Romance by the River.” rose. Meanwhile last summer’s Miami “Lovers and Other Strangers” Valentine’s Like our produce season, South Florida’s Candlelight, soothing water, a bottle of Spice deals continue with three specially Day celebration, with both interior and wedding season is backward. Peak is winter, wine — sounds like all the essential ingre- priced ($17.50-27.50) tasting menus, two beer garden festooned in over-the-top not June. And national stationery companies dients are in place. featuring conventional three-course din- decorations and a fi ve-course dinner ($99 might not know or care, but local Let- Personally our idea of the ultimate ro- ners, the other highlighting assorted meze per couple), featuring what chef/owner terHeads does. The shop is offering two mantic experience is breakfast in bed with (tapas) platters. All include wine. Alex Richter calls “a digestive surprise.” specials for February brides (or whoever is bagels, nova, and cream cheese — an expe- After more than three years at 110th Courses include a prelude of creamed red paying the bills): Order wedding invitations rience facilitated by February’s special offer Street and Biscayne Boulevard, Teak Only peppers with herbs and vodka; a starter of from trend-setting Arabella Papers and re- from David Cohen at Bagels and Compa- (a family-owned company that offers out- shrimp, smoked salmon, and caviar with ceive free reply cards. Order 100 thank-you ny: Buy a dozen of their hand-rolled bagels door teak furniture and also unique items creamy horseradish dip; a veal chop or cards from luxury stationers William Arthur and get another dozen bagels, or a pound for inside the home, all crafted in central duck entrée; and a dessert of passion fruit and get an additional 25 free. of cream cheese, free. The second dozen Java) is moving. But no worries. It’s just 27 with berries and edible rose petals. To celebrate the grand opening of its comes in mighty handy if there’s someone blocks south. “We’ll be inside Don Bailey The recently opened YiYa’s Bakery, luxe 11,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor else sharing this romantic repast. If not, a Flooring, which will increase our hours, the Upper Eastside’s only gourmet Cuban Midtown Miami facility (which includes coupon enabling you to score the additional exposure, and better access for our custom- bakery and yet another fresh face on the a fi fth fl oor “Sky Deck” with lap pool and dozen later is also an option. ers,” explains owner Doug Tannehill. bustling eastern stretch of NE 79th Street, is Internet lounge), Asian-inspired Shuichi No longer do lovers of nicely priced Long known for its excellent, eclectic now serving breakfast and lunch specials in Take Fitness Club is throwing a house- Far Eastern furniture and art objects have wine stock (and expert advice on selecting addition to fresh baked pastries and breads, warming party on Wednesday, February to make the long trek to the Far North same), Laurenzo’s Italian Market is rein- plus a host of unique fl ans: jasmine, rose 4, from 7:00-10:00 p.m. The event will (Hollywood). Chantik Imports, which stituting weekly wine tastings, every Friday petal, crème brulee, and chocolate mousse. feature complimentary drinks as well as carries not just Indonesia’s familiar, centu- from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The themed events Owner Delsa Bernardo has also created a samples from a menu of healthy eats cre- ries-old traditional designs but also unique, will feature either wines from one wine- sleek, comfortable dining area so you can ated exclusively for the club by Pasha’s. artisan-personalized modern work (and maker or from one country. For specifi cs sample those fl ans immediately. (Note: For those who feel it best to delay even encourages customers to offer input about upcoming tastings, plus wine specials A new year means a new start, like their fresh start on fi tness till the next day, into their own custom-designed pieces), at the store, join the wine director’s mailing redoing your old, karma-clogged living there is an after-party at the Forge restau- now has a Biscayne Boulevard showroom. list: [email protected]. space, except that once you pay the inte- rant in Miami Beach.) And to celebrate the opening, says fi rm rior decorator, new furniture or other décor The same folks who brought you Ouzo, spokesperson Stuart Gitlin, a sale running Something special coming up at your often becomes unaffordable. Fortunately the popular Miami Beach Greek restaurant, throughout February offers prices of up to business? Send info to bizbuzz@bis- for you, design showroom Casca Doce is have settled into Miami’s Upper Eastside. 35 percent off. caynetimes.com. 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8 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 9 COMMENTARY: MIAMI’S KING Unanswered Questions About Race The older you are, the harder it is to change By Jack King dead in my of asking her out worse than a pack of mongrels want to BT Contributor tracks because with the guys have anything to do with us? That kind a “why” ques- to drink even of stuff doesn’t go away easily. ith the election of Barack tion didn’t yield more beer. She On the up side of this discussion, I Obama in November, I began a reasonable politely declined. was struck by a comment Colin Powell Wto wonder whether the state response. And it That brought made in an interview a few weeks ago. of racism in the United States would was the fi rst time two more “why” He was talking about the election of really begin to change. Racism in this that the awful questions: Why Obama and observed that the people who country can be very subtle. You can see glare of man’s didn’t she want were the driving force in his victory, the it everywhere, but you can’t always put inhumanity to to hang around under-30 crowd, really had no fi rsthand your fi nger on it. man hit me right with us, and why knowledge of Vietnam, Desert Storm, We have what amounts to a separate- in the face. did she help us in or just about anything that happened but-equal system, but not the one that was Years later, in the fi rst place? before 1990. He is so right, and that’s in place in the 1950s and 1960s. That one my freshman year And that why race relations are so much better was certainly separate, but in no way was at the Univer- brings us to the among young people than they are with it equal. This one is more like separate but sity of Florida, present. I have my generation. equal — if you have the capability and I was strug- lots of black So what to do about my generation? sometimes the luck needed to get yourself gling through a acquaintances, Do you write us off? In the Civil Rights up to the equal level. No matter what you particularly rough but none I can era of the 1960s, I often thought the do, it is still separate. Why is that? class. When the call a buddy. We only way we could achieve true equality I had to look back in my own life to mid-term grades came out, I was near the are all sociable together, but do not really was to start in kindergarten and move up fi nd answers, and there seem to be two bottom, along with a large group of very socialize. Granted, I’m not the easiest one year at a time. Unfortunately that’s incidents that would point me in the right white, very beer-drinking friends. At the person to get along with, but there must be not the way governments work when direction for understanding what is going top was a young lady who was black. She at least one black person who would like they fi nally identify a problem and try on today. The fi rst one took place in my was articulate, smart, good looking even me as a friend. And so I’ve been wonder- to resolve it. They say many mea culpas early teens and was a defi ning moment to us (and we thought we had very high ing whether I’m taking this too personally. and throw tons of money at it. But the that shaped my philosophy of life. Some standards in such matters), and she offered Probably I am. This is not just about me. truth is that most people simply can’t older kids were walking by my house to help us with It’s about all change as fast as governments would one day and I asked what was up. “We’re our studies. I have lots of black acquaintances, of us. like them to. going over to throw rocks at the [expletive One of our but none I can call a buddy. We are There’s Which brings me to a sad reality. The deleted for those who may be offended].” fi rst thoughts sociable, but do not really socialize. no question mixed-marriage couple living in a trailer I was invited along and readily went, be- was: How There must be at least one black that President park is doing a far better job with race re- cause it was cool to hang with the older guys. did she ever Obama has lations than the ex-hippie, Vietnam/civil When we got to what was then get into the person who would like me as a friend. set the tone rights era, aging boomer. And the prob- referred to as “colored town,” the rock- University of for interper- lem is on both sides of the racial divide. throwing commenced. After a few min- Florida, in 1963? sonal rela- This is a situation in which everyone is utes, I asked the older kids why we were Occasionally the “why” questions escaped tions among all races, colors, and creeds. right and everyone is also wrong. throwing rocks. “Well, you know, they’re me, especially in young boy packs, but we But he’s at the top and that’s easier to do There may not be an answer in my [expletive deleted again].” took her up on the offer because we had a when you’re looking down rather than up. lifetime, but that doesn’t mean I’ll stop Gaining no intelligent answer, I put greater cause: to stay out of Vietnam. Back to one of my “why” questions: asking “Why?” the rocks down and walked home. It was It worked, and we got to hang around Why would any group of people we one of the fi rst times in my life I stopped another semester. Our gratitude consisted enslaved, killed off, and generally treated Feedback: [email protected]
10 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 11 C OMMENTARY: WORD ON THE STREET What’s the worst gift you’ve ever been given by a sweetheart? Compiled by Victor Barrenechea — BT Contributor
Katya Tsvetkova Sinuhé Vega Michelle Valle Tasha López de Victoria Tom Hoffmann Valerie Duardo Sales Restaurant Owner Manager Artist Bartender Visual Merchandiser Wynwood Buena Vista MiMo North Miami Upper Eastside Downtown Getting nothing is the I think the worst gift was An electric toothbrush. He I got a rose made out of Probably a “couples book.” A sex toy. It was a little, worst, I think. I’m a very a shirt that had no tags had one himself, so I guess surf wax once. And it It’s a book that has like cheap, key-chain vibrator. easy-going girlfriend. and smelled like it had he just wanted to pass smelled bad. It had fi n- different questions [about It’s not really practical. I’d Even if it’s a bad gift, I been worn already — you along the “good times.” It gerprints, was very badly you and your lover], and rather get jewelry. I just think at least they tried. know, it had the smell was so unromantic. It’s not made and had nail imprints has things like, “Place a thought it was inappropri- It’s just the thought that of sweat. I guess with that it’s such a terrible gift all over it. It was used wax picture of you and your ate, too, because it was counts. I’m not very into this person, I was always — I liked it and I use it — and very smelly surf wax. signifi cant other here and someone I wasn’t really the whole Valentine thing getting a bad shirt every it’s just that he was killing It looked like earwax. He write a caption.” It’s to dating seriously. It was just because I’m from Russia year. And then to top it all me with practicality. He was just so proud of it. keep memories or some- an awkward, standoffi sh and my ex-boyfriend was off, this one time I get this meant well, not to throw He would stalk me, too. I thing. It was really corny. kind of thing. I’ll never from Russia. It was only sweaty shirt, which was the guy under the bus didn’t really like him. It’s just something Hall- talk to him again. I didn’t later that we started ex- even more insulting. or anything. Just next mark made. Valentine’s like him in the fi rst place. changing gifts, because it’s time he should be a little Day is a bunch of crap not our culture, it’s really more romantic. made up by Hallmark to American. But the holiday get boyfriends in trouble. is picking up everywhere around the world.
12 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 13 COVER STORY
Tragic Drama royal patronage became a factor in the Continued from page 1 downfall of the house of Romanov and the rise of communist rule in Russia. now houses a coin laundry) when a Don Alfonso’s parents learned from the northbound truck’s lights blinded Millie. errors of their Russian cousins and did Startled, she veered right to avoid a colli- a better job of managing the condition sion, but faulty steering on her car caused that eventually affl icted two of their the wheels to lock. She then overcom- sons. But then as now, there was no cure pensated, veering left to keep from going for hemophilia and the uncontrollable off the pavement, and crashed into a util- bleeding that could result from even ity pole on the east side of the Boulevard routine bruises. at 82nd Street. King Alfonso XIII ruled until 1931, The front end of Millie’s 1930 Model when the social unrest that would lead A Ford was smashed, and both of the to the Spanish Civil War prompted the vehicle’s occupants were a little banged royal family to fl ee into exile. The crown up, though their injuries didn’t appear prince, while a patient at a Swiss sani- to be life-threatening. Don Alfonso tarium in 1933, fell in love with a Cuban was conscious, but had suffered a skull beauty named Doña Edelmira Sampedro fracture and traumatic shock, conditions y Robato, whose wealthy father owned most healthy 31-year-old men could a sugar mill in the present-day province survive. As someone affl icted with hemo- of Cienfuegos. But Doña Edelmira was a philia, however, he was not completely commoner, and Spanish law forbade the healthy. In fact within hours he would heir to the crown from marrying a com- be pronounced dead at Victoria Hospital. moner. So Don Alfonso, following his Despite Don Alfonso’s death-bed plea heart and pressured by his father, abdicat- that his dear friend not be blamed for the ed his right to the throne. He and his true accident, Millie would be charged with love, both 27 years old, were married in manslaughter. Switzerland and took the title Count and The accident happened too late to Countess of Covadonga. Don Alfonso’s make that morning’s Miami Herald, younger brother, Don Juan, was named but the afternoon Miami Daily News played the story big, on the front page, On the town in New York with fashion model Marta Rocafort y Altuzarra, 1936. Continued on page 15 with this headline: “Count Dies From Accident Injuries. Spanish Nobleman Is Fatally Injured As Car Hits Pole. He- reditary Disease Thought Responsible For Death After Bruises In Boulevard Crash; Girl To Be Questioned.” Don Al- fonso, though, was not your run-of-the- mill European aristocrat. By birthright, he was to inherit the Spanish throne and would one day become that country’s king. For the next four days, the world’s press descended upon Miami to report details of the fatal accident. Proclaimed Prince of Asturias at his Courtesy Historical Museum of Southern Florida birth in Madrid’s royal palace on May 10, 1907, Don Alfonso was the fi rst-born son of King Alfonso XIII (1886-1941) and Victoria Eugenia de Battenberg (1887- 1969), granddaughter of Queen Victoria of England. Like her better-known cousin, Alix of Hesse, later Tsarista Alex- andra of Russia, both were carriers of the hemophilia gene, a legacy they inherited from Queen Victoria and passed on to their sons. Alexandra and her husband, Tsar Nicholas II, attempted to control their son’s hemophilia through the mysti- cal powers of a charismatic monk Biscayne Boulevard, 1935, looking north from about 79th Street, near the scene of the crash. known as Rasputin, whose abuse of
14 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 COVER STORY
Tragic Drama the crown jewels to help bail out the Continued from page 14 company’s president. Matters were made worse when a summons for his arrest the new Prince of Asturias. was issued for failure to appear in court Don wAlfonso’s marriage to Doña regarding a traffi c violation. Meanwhile Edelmira began falling apart after just his bother Juan, the new crown prince, a year, following the death in an auto- and his father were making news of a dif- mobile accident of his youngest brother, ferent sort. They were actively trying to Don Gonzalo, who also suffered from assist Generalissimo Francisco Franco’s hemophilia. (The accident bore many side in the Spanish Civil War. eerie similarities to his own car crash In August 1936, Don Alfonso was four years later.) once again hospitalized with uncon- According to the unpublished memoirs trolled bleeding. This time his mother of the Countess of Covadonga, Don Al- and sister rushed to his bedside as the fonso became irrational after he instructed press kept a tally of the number of blood his Swiss bodyguard/nurse, Gottfried Sch- transfusions he received. With his moth- weizer, to administer morphine dosages er’s assistance, all the sordid matters in to numb the psychic pain of his brother’s New York were settled and Don Alfonso loss, even though he was not in physical returned to Cuba by the end of that year. pain. Unable to change this behavior, a It was probably during a stopover in terrifi ed Doña Edelmira fl ed to Cuba, but Miami on his way to Havana that he met after exchanging many letters and a case Mildred “Millie” Gaydon. of Scotch, the couple reconciled. Don By May 1937, Don Alfonso and Alfonso arrived Doña Edelmira in New York in were divorced. May 1935, and Two months Don Alfonso was not your run-of-the-mill Doña Edelmira later he mar- joined him aristocrat. For the next four days, the ried Marta there. The world’s press descended upon Miami to Rocafort in press reported report details of the accident. a lavish civil that the two ceremony had decided with a guest to move to Hol- list headed lywood to work in motion pictures. by Cuban President Federico Laredo Bru. But after several months in New This second marriage, however, began York, they moved instead to Havana, to disintegrate after just two weeks, and with Gottfried Schweizer in tow, where ended in another contentious Cuban Don Alfonso nearly died after an attempt divorce several months later. to lance a cyst on his leg provoked In the fall of 1937, Don Alfonso severe bleeding. During this crisis, Doña and his new bodyguard, Jack Fleming, Edelmira confi rmed her previous suspi- left Cuba and set up camp at the Miami cions that Schweizer, who disliked life Colonial Hotel at 146 Biscayne Blvd., in Cuba, exerted his own Rasputin-like which today is known as the Riande Con- From the collection of Myrna and Seth Bramson: The Colonial Hotel on infl uence over her husband. When Don tinental Miami Bayside Hotel. Shortly Biscayne Boulevard at NE 2nd Street, where Don Alfonso was living at Alfonso and Schweizer sailed for New after arriving, he visited the Pirate’s the time of the crash. York en route to Paris, Doña Edelmira Den, described in a contemporary review stayed behind in Havana. as a “private-styled night club where alimony payments to Doña Edelmira bracelet on the night before the car ac- On landing in New York, his leg still patrons are encouraged to break bottles and the impact of the Spanish Civil War cident, but by all accounts theirs was a in a cast, Don Alfonso announced that he and release inhibitions,” and where the on the family’s fi nances, was forced to platonic relationship. had taken an advisory position with Brit- staff dressed in period costumes as part maintain a low profi le in Miami, quietly Don Alfonso and Jack Fleming ap- ish Motors Ltd. Shortly afterward he was of the entertainment. (The site, at 2300 going out for a night on the town with the parently visited Madam Sherry’s, then photographed in nightclubs accompanied NW 14th St., is now home to the Miami Gaydon sisters and later just with Millie. Miami’s second-best brothel, located by the stunning fashion model Marta Ro- Police Benevolent Association’s banquet In April 1938, he traveled to New York to just off Biscayne Boulevard at NE 54th cafort y Altuzarra, daughter of a Havana and park facility.) Don Alfonso became appear on the radio program Ripley’s Be- Street. (See “Madam Sherry’s Moorish dentist. Faced with this outrage, Doña a regular, and would ask the band to play lieve It or Not, but that kind of publicity Castle,” BT, May 2008.) Madam Sherry Edelmira fi led for divorce in Havana, set- his favorite song, “There’s a Tavern in was, for him, now a thing of the past. told Robert Tralins, coauthor of her ting off a huge scandal. the Town.” He also renewed his acquain- The worsening political situation memoir, Pleasure Was My Business, that During the summer of 1936, as Spain tance with “Merry Millie” and her sister made a return to Europe diffi cult, and Don Alfonso had a preference for heavy descended into war, Don Alfonso was Mary, who together ran the tobacco and Don Alfonso discussed with Millie the women and that she hired a prostitute frequently in the New York papers after hat-check concessions. possibility of taking off for the South named Jewell to address his desires. British Motors encountered fi nancial dif- Don Alfonso, his allowance reduced Seas. There was talk of a romance, and fi culties and he borrowed money against by legal and medical bills, as well as Don Alfonso did give Millie a charm Continued on page 16
February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 15 COVER STORY
Photo on left shows sisters Mary and Millie Gaydon. At right is Don Alfonso.
Top photo shows bodyguard Jack Fleming with Don Alfonso shortly before his death. Center photo, headlined “Cigaret Girl Sobs in Court,” Below is Mildred “Millie” Gaydon. shows Jack Fleming, Mary and Millie Gaydon.
Tragic Drama since GliiFthldiGeneralissimo Franco, then leading ththat t hihis marriage i tto DDoña ñ EEdelmira had Rocafort, and Millie Gaydon, the three Continued from page 15 his troops to victory in the bloody Span- produced no children were major strikes women identifi ed as love interests in Don Jewell reportedly was much taken with ish Civil War, was going to reinstate him against him.) Alfonso’s life, were all svelte, strikingly Don Alfonso and became distraught as monarch. (A restoration of the Spanish “Jewell” was probably Madam beautiful women. So why would he be so when she learned about Millie Gaydon’s monarchy was indeed under discussion Sherry herself, a pleasingly plump, taken with a 170-pound madam? relationship with him. in 1938, but Don Alfonso’s chances of middle-age seductress, who may or may Speculation about Don Alfonso’s Jewell in turn blamed Millie for Don regaining the throne, even if he had re- not have satisfi ed Don Alfonso’s physical female preferences aside, there was no Alfonso’s death and claimed that Millie mained married to Doña Edelmira, were needs and ended up becoming infatuated was part of a conspiracy to murder him, minimal. His poor health and the fact with him. But Doña Edelmira, Marta Continued on page 17
16 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 COVER STORY
Tragic Drama serious that he had him immediately Daily News and a personal friend of Don and history are written in Miami, and Continued from page 16 admitted to Victoria Hospital at 955 NW Alfonso, to handle the funeral arrange- this time it is history that concerns the 3rd St. He died there at noon, calling for ments with the W.H. Combs Funeral world, a history that involves nations question he was with Millie as they left his mother and insisting to Fleming that Home. Don Alfonso was laid to rest and monarchs. For here was climaxed Frank White’s Casino in the early-morning he had distracted Millie Gaydon as the dressed in a white sharkskin suit. Father and concluded the career of a man born hours of September 6, 1938. After crashing truck was approaching and that he was the F.D. Sullivan from downtown Miami’s to be king…, [that] ended violently and into the utility pole where today’s Bistro one responsible for causing the accident. Gesu Catholic Church recited prayers yet prosaically, like that of many a com- 82 is located, Don Alfonso and Millie were The possibility that his death would create over the coffi n at the funeral home before moner, in an automobile crashed against rushed by ambulance to Jackson Memorial problems for Millie was a cause of im- the cortege wound its way down Bis- a utility pole. Tragic melodrama of the Hospital’s emergency room. Millie was mense distress during his last moments. cayne Boulevard and past the Colonial middle years of history; drama under the treated for bruises and released. Ironically, the cause of death, as recorded Hotel on its way to Graceland Memorial Miami moon, under the tropic sun.” According to the Miami Daily News, by Don Alfonso’s doctor, was Although Marta Rocafort, who had the emergency room physician admin- not uncontrolled bleeding but Shortly after arriving in Miami, Don married a Miami Beach police offi cer, istered a small amount of morphine rather “skull fracture and result- Alfonso visited the Pirate’s Den, was living in Miami, she did not attend to stabilize his condition and quoted ing traumatic shock.” the funeral. Doña Edelmira was too dis- a “nightclub where patrons are Don Alfonso as saying he had taken That same afternoon Judge turbed to attend but was represented by four or fi ve grains of morphine (about Thomas Ferguson issued a war- encouraged to break bottles and her brother-in-law. She subsequently paid one-third of a gram) daily for the past rant charging Millie with man- release inhibitions.” to have the marble marker on the crypt year because of his hemophilia. The slaughter, pending a coroner’s inscribed. Daniel Mahoney, Jack Fleming, doctor wanted to have him admitted to inquest scheduled for the end of the Gaydon sisters, Millie’s attorney Otto the hospital so his condition could be that week. The wife of Don Dickerson, Park, on SW 8th Street in Coral Gables. Stegeman, and W.D. Bartlett, a former monitored, but Don Alfonso insisted on Millie’s employer, came to the city jail to There he was entombed in a crypt that, slot machine operator and close friend being released in order to be treated by post bond for her, but Justice Ferguson according to the cemetery’s archives, of Don Alfonso, were the only mourners. his personal physician. released her on a promise not to leave the Mahoney had purchased for $400 on Employees of the funeral home served as Over the doctor’s objections, body- court’s jurisdiction. behalf of the estate. pall bearers. Family members in Europe guard Jack Fleming took Don Alfonso Don Alfonso’s mother, in London at On the day of the funeral, the sent fl oral arrangements, as did Don back to his room at the Colonial Hotel, the time, contacted the U.S. Ambassador, Miami Herald published an editorial Alfonso’s Cuban doctors and the staff of where he was examined by his personal Joseph Kennedy, and through him asked that summed up Don Alfonso’s days physician, who found his condition so Daniel J. Mahoney, editor of the Miami in Miami: “Once more, dramatic news Continued on page 18 %ULQJ\RXUEXVLQHVV WRWKH 6+25(6 1(QG$YHQXH Downtown Miami Shores is set for an exciting makeover. Sidewalks will be nearly doubled in size, with new, lush landscaping, benches, attractive ligh ting and an exciting decor. For the street, special “Hybrid Alternative” will be utilized with two lanes in each direction during peak hours and the outside lane converted to parking during non-peak evening and weekend hours. We are looking forward to a pedestrian friendly downtown!
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February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 17 COVER STORY
Tragic Drama by a motorcycle honor guard Continued from page 17 of offi cers representing every police department in Miami- the Colonial Hotel. Dade County. While the Spanish At the coroner’s inquest, Millie Consul, Emilio Marti Martiny, Gaydon was absolved of the manslaugh- and Colonel Fernandez watched, ter charges and she quickly disappeared the coffi n was loaded into the from the front pages of the world’s news- cargo hold of an Iberia 747 and
papers. Initially she remained in Miami, Antolin Garcia Carbonell Photo by fl own overnight to Madrid. On then moved to New Mexico, where she April 25, 1985, Don Alfonso was joined the U.S. Women’s Army Corps fi nally laid to rest with all the during World War II. honors due a crown prince of During the 1950s, three of Don Al- Spain. fonso’s siblings visited his grave during Millie’s wrecked Model A Ford at Doña Edelmira remained in Miami stops while visiting the U.S. and the scene of the accident. touch with the royal family, and Cuba. Following the 1975 restoration of Don Alfonso’s crypt as it appears today at despite her divorce, retained the the Borbón dynasty in Spain after Fran- Queen Victoria Eugenia from England, Graceland Memorial Park. title Countess Covadonga. She cisco Franco’s death, King Juan Carlos, the Infante Gonzalo from Austria, the died in Miami in 1994, as had Don Alfonso’s nephew, began making Infante Jaime from Switzerland, and Don have not completely decomposed, and Marta Rocafort a year earlier. plans to bring back to Spain the bodies Alfonso from Miami. fragments of the white sharkskin suit Neither was buried in Don Alfonso’s of all the Spanish royals who had died in Col. Luis Fernandez de Mesa y de remained. The body was transferred crypt, which, according to José Vera exile. But before that could happen, the Hoas, special envoy from Don Juan de to a coffi n and a wake was held that of Graceland Memorial Park, remains royal pantheon at El Escorial, outside Borbón, Don Alfonso’s brother, arranged evening at Rivero Funeral Home on SW empty and the property of Don Alfonso’s Madrid, had to be expanded. for Rivero Funeral Home to exhume and 8th Street, where the rosary was recited estate. King Alfonso XIII’s body was ship Don Alfonso’s body to El Esco- before many local dignitaries, as well The fate of Mildred “Merry Millie” repatriated from Italy in 1980. In 1985 rial. According to the funeral home’s as Doña Edelmira, who had moved to Gaydon could not be determined. If still the other tombs were ready, and in a Enrique Rivero, when the crypt was Miami after the Cuban revolution. alive, she would now be 95 years old. carefully timed ceremony, the royal opened on the morning of April 23, 1985, The following day, Don Alfonso was remains were fl own in over two days: Don Alfonso’s remains were revealed to escorted to Miami International Airport Feedback: [email protected]
18 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 COMMENTARY: FEEDBACK
Letters Also the fact that Reverend McRae streaming videos and many download- cream connoisseur, as she and Jeremy excelled in his ministry despite a severe able brochures. Also their books and seem to be. Continued from page 6 stuttering problem makes him a role DVDs are read and viewed all over the I’m afraid she will have to learn to affl iction is as yet incurable. 2. Someone model for young people who are facing world. This nonprofi t organization offers eat crow during these winter months, whose political and/or religious beliefs similar challenges. The Reverend did a Spanish-language version if its website: when the other ice cream store owners stem from a lack of care. not let his speech problem hold him back www.tartamudez.org. are in Miami enjoying the most perfect Frank’s take on the melodrama that from pursuing his dreams in any way. In this day and age of so many nega- weather we’ve had in years. She deserted is Miami’s political scene hits all the There is a famous article that can be tive articles appearing everywhere in the us and now she’s paying the price. Yes, right nails on their heads! One example: found on the Internet called “Refl ections press and on television news, reading $8 for two cones is a bit hard on the The correct balance must come from of a Stuttering Rabbi” by Rabbi Mark Kathy’s story this morning will make wallet, but so is $10 to see a movie in the willingness of the folks at the top of Glickman. It chronicles Glickman’s trials my day more positive. I wish Reverend South Florida. the command chain to follow the Miami and tribulations while leading a congre- McRae many more years helping addicts Wendy, start learning to make your Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan. gation despite stuttering. and other people in need. The beauty own ice cream so on a cold winter day That’s why it’s there. Also someone brought to my attention of his legacy is that no one can put a you can keep busy and get even with the Paul Mann an article entitled “Stuttering Shouldn’t number on the countless lives he has Ice Cream Nazi at the same time. Coconut Grove Stop a Religious Vocation” that appeared turned around over 50 years. Sue Lynn in The Catholic Post, the newspaper for Michael Y. Shapiro Davie Rev. George McRae: An the diocese of Peoria, and later appeared Boca Raton Inspiration for 50 Years in other newspapers around the country. Correction: Dialing Yoga in The article explained how priests and nuns Although I am not a Christian, I was Chilly Winter Recipe: the Park did not let stuttering hold them back in Homemade Ice Cream most inspired to read Kathy Glasgow’s their religious vocations. In last month’s “Culture Briefs,” we some- article about Rev. George McRae, who People who stutter should not let this Wendy Doscher-Smith’s Ice Cream Nazi how managed to transpose a couple of digits is celebrating his 50th anniversary in the speech problem stand in the way of their article was a treat to read (“In the Land in the telephone number for yoga instructors ministry (“After 50 years, Still Going desired profession, whatever that may be. of No Sun,” December 2008). But I think Anamargret Sanchez and Vanessa Van Dyne, Strong,” January 2009). The work that There are many successful speech thera- she had better get used to the idea that who offer free yoga classes Saturday morn- Reverend McRae has done for recovering pies available. The Website of The Stut- store-bought ice cream will be in her ings in Legion Park (Biscayne Boulevard at addicts is a valuable contribution to soci- tering Foundation (www.stutteringhelp. future unless she learns that Miami isn’t 66th Street). Here are the correct numbers ety. I wish he could get some recognition org) has a national directory of qualifi ed compatible with upstate New York cold for more information about the 10:00 a.m. in the national media. speech therapists, in addition to several weather, especially when one is an ice sessions: 305-298-0416 and 786-457-1996.
February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 19 NEIGHBORHOOD CORRESPONDENTS: BELLE MEADE Clean Government in Five Simple and Easy Steps Okay, so they may be simple, but they’re never easy By Frank Rollason doing more and more brazen stuff. Just BT Contributor recently we had the case of three mayors from up the road in Broward and Palm t’s no illusion that every time we Beach counties who attended a confer- open the paper or turn on the tube, ence in Miami and charged their local Iit seems we hear about government communities for staying overnight be- corruption. It’s reality. Just this morning cause the 35-mile trek was just too gruel- I opened the local paper to fi nd that we ing for their frail little bodies. One even have three individuals currently serving complained that traffi c congestion would on Miami’s Downtown Development have forced him to get up at 4:00 a.m. If Authority who have potential confl icts of these public servants regularly had to interest because they want to do busi- fi ght the traffi c they helped create with ness with the city. Not one of them chose their pro-development policies, maybe to resign from his volunteer position. they’d actually do something about it. Rather each sought a waiver from the Well, if they won’t, we will. And I city commission. Why? In order to con- have a few suggestions. tinue their public service, of course! 1. Elect honest representatives. Con fl icts of interest and opportuni- After you stop laughing, think about ties for corruption (or the “appearance” how nice it would be to have a feel- of them) aren’t limited to the local level. with a college that hired him at more than from the legislature itself. ing deep in your gut that the person They pervade our very existence. We’ve $100,000 per year — after he steered tens This is a kind of Matrix movie you elected truly is devoted to the best become so numb to such shenanigans of millions of taxpayer dollars to the col- reality in which those of us living inside interests of the community. How we that we shrug them off. It’s just business lege. So how does he address the growing the Matrix are fed crap and kept happy, accomplish this consistently is unclear, as usual. We have a Speaker of the House controversy? He resigns from the college but remain ignorant. Which may explain in Tallahassee up to his eyeballs in a deal job, not from the Speaker’s position or why we’re seeing our elected offi cials Continued on page 21
20 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 NEIGHBORHOOD CORRESPONDENTS: BELLE MEADE
Clean Government have term limits already, but those it. Why should elected offi cials have any one and the same, what do you think the Continued from page 20 that do could improve upon them. For say over who is awarded a contract to chances are the boat will ever get to that instance, in the City of Miami, we have perform work for a local government? distant island? Elected offi cials do have but if we could fi gure out how to do it, a two-term limit of four years each, for That responsibility should lie fi rmly the ultimate power, if you will, by way of most of our problems with corruption a total of eight years. The reality is that with the administration, whether it’s a the budget process. By setting policy and would disappear. as soon as an individual is elected, he or manager or a strong mayor. Our local approving dollars, they alone determine 2. Elected offi cials must stop she immediately begins running for the administrators are certainly in a more if a project is worthy of going forward. meeting with lobbyists. A novel idea, second four-year term. I say eliminate the professional position to evaluate bid Without those approvals, administrators I know. But don’t forget there’s no re- second four years and make it a one-term, responses and make decisions about cannot award anything because they quirement that our elected leaders meet six-year offi ce. If elected offi cials can’t who receives contracts. Actually they won’t have been authorized to do so and privately with lobbyists. They could put their stamp on their chosen issues in do that currently, but they can only offer they would have no money. simply take the position that lobbyists six years, they shouldn’t be there in the recommendations to the elected body 5. Make the offi ces of the auditor have nothing to say to them that can’t fi rst place. At the county commission, — to be accepted or, as happens all too general and head of the ethics com- be said at a public meeting. Imagine the there are no term limits, so we’ve ended often, rejected. The logical question then mission elected positions. This removes dialogue between, say, a city commis- up with political dynasties, individuals becomes: How do our elected offi cials internal politics from the two watchdog sioner and a lobbyist about a proposed who are virtually impossible to remove. decide who gets what? By voting in the agencies that oversee our public offi cials, high-rise development adjacent to a Dynastic politicians survive by falling in best interests of taxpayers? The real both elected and appointed. Again, this residential community if the project had line with those who fi nancially support answer is simple: It’s not their job to con- would seem to be a simple solution to to be pitched in the sunshine? What kind them, which makes it extremely dif- trol who gets contracts. It’s their job to eliminating any confl ict between those of secret deal could be negotiated with a fi cult for newcomers to succeed. County legislate policy for the administration to who scrutinize public servants and the whole bunch of public fl ies on the wall? commissioners will do nearly anything follow. Period. They make the rules and public servants themselves, who have the How would our commissioner extract to protect the status quo. Just look at the the administration follows those rules. power to fi re them if they get ticked off. that extra little perk or campaign contri- rules they’ve tried to impose in order to In other words, the politicians chart the Just remove the problem altogether. bution or job for a friend without reveal- thwart the will of the public, the latest course and the administration pilots the Now a fi nal question: What are the ing himself or herself to be a slimeball? being their failed attempt to curtail recall boat. Neither should perform both jobs chances any of these changes will be Could be kind of fun, don’t you think? petition drives. because each has inherent confl icts. The implemented? Answer: They want ice 3. Institute mandatory term limits. 4. Remove elected offi cials from navigators may want to get to a distant water in Hell, too! This is an issue I continually harp on. To the bid process. This one would turn the island but the pilots may be too tired me it’s a no-brainer. Some communities system on its head, but just think about to go that far. If navigator and pilot are Feedback: [email protected]
February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 21 NEIGHBORHOOD CORRESPONDENTS: MIAMI SHORES Life on the Streets of the Shores For one feline, it was a felicitous experience By Jen Karetnick who are quite possibly the most threaten- BT Contributor ing of all the species she’s ever encoun- tered, Riley has retreated even more. rarely look at anything while I’m Today she lives as far away from the brushing my teeth fi rst thing in the rest of the clan as possible — upstairs, I morning. But this particular school behind a bookshelf — and only comes day I woke up with my eyes 20-20, out for bodily functions. She’s nearly thanks to having fallen asleep with con- 16 years old, and some of our closest tacts in (I know, bad girl). And so I was friends have never even seen her. perusing the lawn when I saw a black cat Jon, who was running water for his slink by, almost hugging the eastern wall shower, looked a bit sheepish. “That’s of the house. because it is Riley.” He quickly ducked Ordinarily I’d take no notice, this into the curtain of water that he hoped being Miami Shores, de facto Hame- would shield him from my questions, in- lin for stray felines. But I took another credulity, and worry — or all three. As if. glance for a couple of reasons: Most of So how the hell did the cat who the cats who now call my yard their own avoids all contact with the outside world are males, and the only black one is a big wind up, well, in the outside world? How tom with even bigger cojones who has would we get her back into her seques- no reason to skulk, as he is the fi rst to maybe even balding in a couple of places, like kidnapped, from her point of view) tered environment? proudly proclaim night after night. And kind of like — on South Beach in 1993 when she was a It appears that Riley escaped when the second? From the double take I could “Hey, Jon,” I pointed. “Doesn’t that starving-to-death, six-month-old kitten, one of my daughter’s friends left a back sort of see before it disappeared that the kitty look a lot like Riley?” As I’ve and she’s never recovered. With each door open. I still fi nd this astonishing. cat wasn’t completely black but tortoise- mentioned in this column before, Riley successive animal we’ve added to the shell with golden-tipped fur, skinny and is our feral cat. We adopted her (more family, and that includes the children Continued on page 23
22 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 NEIGHBORHOOD CORRESPONDENTS: MIAMI SHORES
Streets Yao should thank me. Bribery doesn’t including rabies. She had no claws. For lay down on the deck and continued to Continued from page 22 work either; she’s too wary a creature the past six months she’d been losing watch me. to be tricked by something yummy. To weight along with her coat. In fact she The next day, the same thing. Like all our other lovable beasts, that cat move her to Miami Shores, I had to might be dying, possibly of cancer. (I Encouraged, I locked up the barking must have had innumerable chances to hire a raccoon catcher to cage her, and fear fi nding her body one day, but for canines. She approached the doors and get outdoors over the years. Because I it was done not with bait but with force. obvious reasons diagnosis and treatment glanced in before fl eeing. I repeated this run a more-or-less (admittedly chaotic) We chased her into one room, then the aren’t options.) Perhaps she actually for fi ve days until, two months after she open house with guests, babysitters, raccoon catcher got close enough to get found her way outside so she could run ran away, Riley calmly padded into the housekeepers, and friends, I’ve found my a loop around her head. I’ll never forget off and die as animals do. When Riley house and up the stairs to her bookcase. pets occasionally misplaced. I once came the sight of her lifting that squalling, ter- eventually disappeared six weeks later, Today Riley is a different cat. She home from a very long day of work, rifi ed cat and shoving her into the cage. Jon and I fi gured this was the case, or walks instead of skulks. She sleeps opened the refrigerator, and one of the It was entirely awful, and the trauma that she had been killed. on my daughter’s bed during the day cats jumped out. But Riley? A reliable stayed with both of us for a long time. Meanwhile, the big black tom ate her and associates with the other cats; she hermit, all the way. The point being, we couldn’t get food that we continued, faithfully, to put particularly likes the newest member of Coaxing her back inside would be Riley back into the house. Every time we out every day. the household, a very shy, male Turkish another problem entirely. While you can saw her and approached her, she’d hide Then one day about two weeks later Angora. The other day she greeted me at occasionally stroke her if she’s particu- under the deck. If I left open the French I was eating lunch when I felt a stare. the door with the other cats and the dogs, larly hungry and you happen to be the one doors that led to the deck, the other Riley was looking at me through the and then let me pet her without hissing holding the feed bag, Riley’s instincts are animals would run out. I’d lock them up French doors. She mewed for food, so or spitting. purely feral, honed by generations of an- at various points and swing the doors I headed outside with the bag of kibble. I don’t know what happened to Riley cestors. Corner her and you’ll fi nd your- wide so she’d be alone, but the skittish And instead of running from me, she on the streets of Miami Shores, but self in a feline version of The Exorcist. cat wouldn’t budge. She became just as hung around — purring! — while I fi lled the result is that she now appreciates Indeed, Riley is so fearful of being attached to her spot under the deck as her bowl. She allowed me to stroke her what she has. Apparently even a nearly trapped that she will not only bite the she was to the bookcase. We shrugged head. Operating on a whim, I picked 16-year-old feral cat can change. It makes hand that feeds her, she’ll puncture it and and began feeding her on the deck. After up her bowl and tip-toed back inside. me optimistic at a time when pessimism infect it with bartonella bacteria and who more than 15 years inside a house, Riley She followed me until one of the dogs rules, when nothing but the blooming knows what else. Though we were able became an outdoor cat. lunged at her, at which point she raced mango trees look bright. to spay her initially, she doesn’t go to the I worried, of course. She hadn’t off. I placed her bowl back outside and vet, a state of affairs for which Doctor had shots since she was six months old, she returned immediately and ate, then Feedback: [email protected]
February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 23 NEIGHBORHOOD CORRESPONDENTS: BISCAYNE PARK More Dangerous Than Possum Pyres and Roving Santeros You may think of it as frozen water, but up here it is Death in Waiting By Wendy Doscher-Smith the hard varieties, such as Death by Slip BT Contributor and Fall. Death by Spinning Out on Ice and Hitting Pole/Bridge/Median. Also t occurred to me the other morning Death by Debilitating Back Injury Due that I am living through an episode To Excessive Shoveling. And Death by Iof every B-horror fl ick I have ever Homicidal Snowplow Drivers (who are seen. Only this one won’t end. There is honorary members of the exclusive club no remote to mute the tortured screams. “La Familia de Miami Metrobus Driv- There are no credits. And the popcorn is ers”). And of course Death by Losing an stale. You see, on that particular morn- Doscher-Smith BT photo by Wendy Eye To Falling Icicles. ing, as I sipped my unspiked coffee and Then there are the soft-serve variet- looked outside through my large, panel ies, including but certainly not limited windows, I spied the Grim Reaper. to Death by Claustrophobia, Death by He looked younger than I expected, Suicide Brought on by Lack of Suf- and the walk was more of a lope than a fi cient Sunlight/Vitamin D, Death by rigid death shuffl e. But it was him. I’m Suffocation Due To Required Amounts sure of it. It was the hat that gave it away. of Layered Clothing, Death by Shock of Black (of course), pointy at the top, and New York State Property Taxes (which hooded around the face. interest in me or my dogs or ferret. I’m scary thing is, in actuality they are just rival or may even beat Miami’s); Death I placed my mug down and dashed not surprised. trying to skirt death themselves. by Chapped Lips/Dry Skin, and Death off to the bathroom to check my hair The fact is that, unlike Biscayne Park That is because, especially in winter, by Snow-Glare Blindness. and makeup. I surely did not plan on and environs, up here, in the Merciless death is everywhere in upstate New And it is for these reasons I have going down all bed-headed. However, Frozen Tundra (MFT) that is Bingham- York. And as it turns out, death comes decided that this place is infi nitely more the Grim Reaper loped along, passing ton, New York, there are, quite literally, in many tasty, wintry fl avors — none my house. This specifi c Reaper had no Grim Reapers on every corner. The truly of which is native to Miami. There are Continued on page 25
24 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 NEIGHBORHOOD CORRESPONDENTS: BISCAYNE PARK
Dangerous is startling, and I suspect the real Grim good for whacking smug, walkway It was beyond cathartic. It was tran- Continued from page 24 Reapers benefi t from a hardy chuckle over snow appendages). scendental. At one point, sweat dripping such shattering outbursts. Then there are What I used to regard as a benign down my numb face, I found myself dangerous than Biscayne Park and the eerie snow swirls that occur after the substance reserved for complimenting going old-school Britney on the ice and, environs, despite the fact that certain un- blizzard halts, and a breeze (usually with root beer, ice has been transformed into while shaking my plastic shovel at it, named former neighbors of mine on the a -12 wind-chill factor) blows by, and the a deadly WMD in the FMT. asking — no, demanding — to know if it outskirts of BP created a dead-opossum fi ne white particles band together into I am no longer innocent. I will never “wanted a piece of me.” pyre on the sidewalk, and despite of what I can only describe as a Mist of look at frozen water the same way again. That was not a rhetorical question. roving Santeros, gangs, and summertime Doom. Think: The Fog. Here, ice is a by-product of Ma Nature And as the ice cap that used to be my lawn temperatures that actually melt eggs on Being trapped inside a living snow that is to be approached with as much wari- did not answer me, I interpreted it as in- asphalt. (Really true! Try it!) globe may be fi ne for reindeer, shut-ins, ness as your psycho ex- who keyed your subordination and continued whacking and It only makes sense that the Grim and the agoraphobic, but for this Miami car and then ate the evidence. I give it the whacking until I hit soft earth. Unfrozen Reaper and his kin would choose a nesting girl it is down- respect, even tundra. Wow. I didn’t even know it still ground like this, one that is, for all practi- right unnatural. reverence, existed. So I did a happy dance. Then I fell cal purposes, an aesthetic ghost town. Or So is ice ac- Unlike Biscayne Park and environs, up it deserves. on my ass. Oops. Missed a patch of death. at least, in my view, a place ghosts would cumulation. At here, in the Merciless Frozen Tundra Then I try to I am aware this method of de-icing feel comfortable inhabiting, because it is fi rst I assumed (MFT), there are, quite literally, Grim kill it. may sound excessive, but it is necessary. not really suited for the living. For example, a demure Reapers on every corner. Ice is the Besides, picking up the dog poop in your asphalt streets, like Michael Jackson, do attitude and very reason house because your furry friends refuse not maintain their God-given shade of rebuffed the my husband to go ankle deep in a snow cone that black. They, like Michael Jackson, turn many tools o’ now has a used to be their lawn? That gets old. And progressively more white (from necessary winter, like snow shovels and boots with new nickname for me. Not honey or it wears on the soul. road-saltings) as winter progresses. menacing, cleat-like structures that are sweetie or love bunkins. Mangler. That Come to think of it, maybe next time For another example, things here go required to clear a path simply in order to is me. I rightfully earned this reputation I will invite one of the Reapers into my Crash! day and night. Usually it is some leave your house. Then I almost slipped after smacking the thing I had formerly house. After all, they could probably use random piece of ice falling off your car on my driveway. Then I got pissed. known as concrete, which had morphed a cup of tea. And chances are the Mist of or off of a roof after melting slightly. Or Out came the shovels, brooms, and into a two-inch-thick ice-skating rink. Doom will not faze them. it is some brat bullying another kid with at one point the oversized coarse salt Smacked it repeatedly for two hours a fi erce snowball tirade. Either way it shaker (nice blunt edge on that one, until it was clear. Feedback: [email protected]
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February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 25 COMMUNITY NEWS Tiny Little Burgers Make a Big Comeback North Miami’s 53-year-old Royal Castle is back in the slider business By Pamela Robin Brandt interior — from major appliances to the lighting fi xtures, new air condition- What is it about an old-fashioned BT Contributor plumbing pipes — is brand new. Con- ing, new appliances. The only things we slider that makes even dignifi ed govern- structed in 1956, the miniature MiMo could salvage were one refrigerator and ment offi cials go weak in the knees? hough the lunchtime crush has mini-burger palace had been in continu- a freezer.” Not Kobe beef, for sure. Nor the foie long passed on a recent Saturday ous 24/7 operation on its North Miami The sad story’s heroes turned out to gras, truffl es, or other luxury ingredients afternoon at Arnold’s Royal Castle, corner (NW 7th Avenue at 125th Street) be North Miami’s Mayor Kevin Burns topping the so-called “sliders” on today’s
T BT photo by Marc Ruehle veteran manager Carlene Cunningham until a fi re in August of 2005 wiped out (who has said that Arnold’s Royal Castle trendiest menus. In fact most high-end is still dashing around in a tear. When a everything but the exterior shell, forcing defi nes the city) and the city’s slider- “sliders” (like those at Table 8, or the new, and still very green, cook slaps one its closure for more than three years. scarfi ng Community Redevelopment $23 four-pack at Prime One Twelve) of the recently reopened eatery’s signa- “I intended to rebuild and reopen Agency, which contributed $80,000 aren’t sliders at all, but rather overly ture tiny burgers (known to the initiated as soon as possible,” says owner Wayne toward the repair bill. “I never went to lean clones of regular hamburgers, often as sliders) on the griddle atop coal-black Arnold, who bought the location in them,” Arnold reveals. “They contacted cooked rare. They’re mere mini burgers. onions, she lets out a primordial shriek 1982 after Royal Castle, once a thriving me. Many people on the board had been True sliders, based on the model of a sort not heard since the release of Florida-based chain, went belly up. “This customers since they were kids.” invented by White Castle in 1921, were Jurassic Park. restaurant always did good business. But That sounds familiar to the 71-year- so-named because of their grease compo- “How many times do I have to tell the initial repair estimate was $120,000. I old Arnold. “It’s like me — I had my fi rst nent, which makes them slide right down you? This is not our system! This means your gullet — and, say many, explosively burnt burgers,” Cunningham scolds, fl ip- Wayne Arnold himself at the griddle: “We’re doing twice as good as right out the other end. Hence sliders’ ping the thin, square patty off the offend- before the fi re, about 1100 sliders a day.” other traditional nickname: gut-bombs. ing veggies with one hand, dumping a tub The diminutive patties (roughly 12 per of water on the hot griddle with the other couldn’t manage that.” slider in 1953 when my family moved to pound) are also thin, a quarter of an inch as she scrubs vigorously with her spatula. The fi nal bill turned out to be more Miami, and there were Royal Castles all — vital, says Arnold. “She tell it like it is. With a Castle than $200,000. “We had to make the over town. But I still eat a couple a day. “We make them like Royal Castle burger, you need that grease. But it’s structure hurricane-compliant. The origi- The mayor is a frequent customer, too.” originally did since 1938,” the owner gotta be good grease,” chuckles a woman nal iron plumbing pipes were crumbling, Except for one other Royal Castle notes: square, preformed patties on the at Royal Castle’s counter. so we couldn’t just attach new PVC. (not affi liated, and serving a quite dif- liberally oiled griddle; a mountain of The counter, like almost everything It’s all new plumbing. We put in new ferent burger), Arnold’s is Miami-Dade else in the diminutive (950 square feet) walls, a whole roof, a fl oor, booths, all County’s only remaining Castle. Continued on page 28 Citizens on Patrol Are Volunteers in Need They extend the reach of police, but don’t have much reach themselves By Andrew Leins Despite these constraints, it is a rigorous Special to BT program, and it requires a signifi cant amount of dedication to the task. radel Denis and the men and Each of Miami’s fi ve commission women of Citizens on Patrol, Little districts has a Citizens on Patrol chapter, PHaiti chapter, gather at dusk for BT photo by Silvia Ros but the largest by far is this one, in Dis- their block assignments. On this evening trict 5, with more than 75 active mem- they are meeting at the corner of NE 1st bers. (In the entire city, there are just 120 Avenue and NE 43rd Street, just north COP volunteers.) of the Design District in the neighbor- Pradel Denis is one of their lead- hood known as Buena Vista East. They ers. An imposing fi gure, he looks like all wear blue polo shirts or windbreak- he could be a real police offi cer. But by ers with “Police Volunteer” printed on Pradel Denis (rear) and Schiller Jerome (right) with volunteer members profession he is an engineer, and he also the back. Soon they’ll break into small of the Little Haiti chapter of Citizens on Patrol. happens to be president of the Buena groups and begin walking the streets Vista East Historic Neighborhood As- of this racially and ethnically mixed people who care enough about their commu- must then complete an eight-hour police sociation. Denis believes in the COP pro- community with its lush tree canopy and nities that they devote time to patrolling the training course and commit to serving a gram, but thinks it’s time for an upgrade. collection of historic old Spanish Revival streets as extra eyes and ears for the Miami minimum number of hours each week. For one thing, he’d like to see more homes and modest bungalows. They’ll be Police Department. In fact they’ve all been They have no powers of arrest, are not al- fi nancial support from the police depart- on patrol from about 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. screened and trained by the department. lowed to patrol later than 11:00 p.m., and ment, which oversees Citizens on Patrol. Citizens on Patrol, or COP, is not a Aspiring volunteers must be over the are advised by police to avoid getting di- “If this program were properly structured,” Neighborhood Watch group. Nor are its age of 18 and either live, work, or own a rectly involved in crime-fi ghting. Instead he says, “we could make a big dent on members the type who would take the law business in the City of Miami. After pass- they are supposed to observe and report Continued on page 28 into their own hands. They are ordinary ing a criminal background check, they to police anything suspicious they see.
26 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 COMMUNITY NEWS Go North, Young Artist! The Upper Eastside and Little Haiti attract creative talent at affordable prices By Anne Tschida A little farther north, at 531 NE 82nd Special to BT Terr., one of Wynwood’s most popular galleries will be transplanting. Anthony Spinello is moving his operation uptown onstruction barriers have disap- for a variety of reasons, but he knows what peared from the thoroughfare, he will be gaining — a pedestrian-friendly Cmore restaurants have popped BT photos by Silvia Ros neighborhood with some foliage and res- up, and pedestrians have reemerged. But taurants. For better and worse, Wynwood another noticeable shift in the makeup of remains a lonely place to stroll, to grab a the neighborhoods bordering Biscayne cup of coffee, or to fi nd shade. Campos and Boulevard in the Upper Eastside may Spinello will be able to walk to any number be taking place, in the form of a cultural of places, and visitors to their places will awakening. be able to do the same. Spinello plans his Thanks to Art Basel and the Adrienne fi rst exhibition for February 13. Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, A little west and a bit south, next to most talk of a culture hub in Miami has the train tracks on NE 1st Place, develop- focused on Wynwood, and rightfully so. er Denis Peters is unveiling his sprawling But something is happening to the north studio and exhibition complex, Railroad that could change — or expand — our Arts. Behind walls already covered in artistic landscape. commissioned murals are artists’ studios One example: the stretch of NE 4th for $800, and soon-to-be smaller spaces Court between 71st and 79th streets, in Performance artist Octavio Campos tried Wynwood but was outbid by for a whopping $150. Peters began the colorful warehouses lining the west Basel interlopers. Then he discovered NE 4th Court. developing places specifi cally with side. That’s where experimental perfor- artists in mind a decade ago in Wyn- mance artist Octavio Campos is opening wood, along with well-known Wynwood up a multidisciplinary event and studio property owner David Lombardi. And complex, to be called The Platform. now, he says, it’s a natural progression Right now it’s still pretty raw, but the for him to move north, where there are developer and owner of many of these still undeveloped properties. “I want it to warehouses, Ofer Mizrahi, is rehabbing be totally dedicated to local artists and the area, preserving some of the indus- creators, and I want to keep it affordable” trial feel of the warehouses, but modern- Peters explains, after describing the twin izing them in an eco-friendly manner. Oh, pleasures of his life as “art and culture, and there are houses and trees just across sprinkled with real estate.” the street. It all made Campos fall in love One project he’s already planned. at fi rst sight. “Wait, are you ready?” he asks. “The Campos, who heads up Camposition, Miami Art Idol.” Together with the New a nonprofi t arts organization dedicated World School of the Arts and Miami In- to new work, had been shopping around ternational University of Art and Design, for a bigger space than his digs in Little Ofer Mizrahi’s NE 4th Court Railroad Arts, off NE 2nd Avenue a jury will choose a single winner from Havana. His natural fi rst choice, he warehouse complex of studios and in Little Haiti, offers artist studios one of the schools (“Remember, it’s says, was Wynwood. But he ran into offi ces also includes an indoor for as little $150 per month. Idol, so there can only be one!” Peters one headache after another, including soccer fi eld. exclaims) who will then get a free studio unairconditioned spaces and Art Basel in- for a year. terlopers outbidding him, even though he spaces, likening them to the architecture as a prospective performance location. One of the larger spaces, he says, would be a permanent presence and not a of Berlin and Chicago. During the day, The Platform will be will be used as a gallery and exhibition December-only resident. Campos, whose theatrical produc- studio-space for artists, and on Friday, space for artists in the complex. Expect Then fate led him to Mizrahi’s prop- tions are themselves sometimes com- Saturday, and Sunday nights it will be an offi cial unveiling of Railroad Arts, erty. It’s down the street from the Israeli pared to Berlin-style cabarets and are per- open for performances by the residents along with a Website, sometime in businessman’s corporate showroom for formed worldwide, already has lined up and others, and might just include a mid-February. Coverings Etc., an international company likely residents for what he says will be 10:00 p.m. cabaret show by Campos It’s too early to say which of the that sells natural stone and mosaics, is “the fi rst center for interdisciplinary arts himself. All of it coming, says Campos, projects will succeed, and art scenes proud to be part of the “green build- dedicated entirely to new and boundary- about mid-March. tend to be organic, never really planned, ing” movement, and sits in a stunningly pushing work.” People such as sound- Already ensconced on NE 4th Court and often fl eeting. But something seems restored, slate-gray warehouse. “That artist Gustavo Matamoros, musician are architect Richard Levine, a trom- to be percolating, and it could be an was it. I found a match [with Mizrahi],” Alfredo Triff, and choreographer Heather bone player, and a skateboard designer. interesting brew. effuses Campos. “He gets it,” he says Maloney, who has eyed the neighboring It will be a “campus” for the arts, pre- about the sophisticated aesthetic of these indoor soccer fi eld that Mizrahi installed dicts Campos. Feedback: [email protected]
February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 27 COMMUNITY NEWS
Patrol watched with care. discuss Citizens on Patrol. In preparation with no compensation or benefits of Continued from page 26 Schiller Jerome, who lives in Buena he gathered information on similar volun- any sort. Denis believes that if some Vista East and is a member of the neigh- teer programs from cities all across Florida. incentives were in place, more people crime in the city.” As currently structured, borhood association’s board of directors, He pointed out that the City of North would volunteer. “We have one man however, the volunteers receive no radios shares Pradel Denis’s enthusiasm for the Miami provides patrol cars for their Citi- who has been volunteering for 12 or fl ashlights from the city, nor do they COP program. “People feel safer when zens Mobile Patrol, whose members have years, and he hasn’t received any receive any mode of transportation or they see them around,” he says. “They direct radio contact with the city’s police compensation,” he says. “If the city reimbursement for gas. (The city does go outside.” In the months since the department. Says department spokeswom- would give some reward, that would provide the blue polo shirts.) volunteers began patrolling his neighbor- an Sgt. Patricia Fishel: “This is an effective be a nice touch.” “Priority number one,” says Denis, hood, at Jerome’s request, “we saw crime tool for community policing. They’re the Recognition like that, Denis argues, “is to have a direct [radio] channel with drop substantially during the hours they eyes and ears of the community.” would also encourage younger men to the police. We need radios, and licensing were patrolling,” he says. Also like Denis, Commissioner Spence-Jones was join. Today there are few. “They may see for the radio signal.” As it is, volunteers Jerome believes the program should be impressed enough with Jerome’s advo- their father or cousin doing this and think must use their own cell phones to alert better funded. “There’s money available cacy that she asked the city manager and that they are getting nothing out of it,” he police to potential trouble. to assist them,” he asserts, “but it’s not police department to carefully consider says. “The young people don’t see that On this night, after receiving their being used.” To his mind, it would be his ideas, as well as look at programs in they are helping their community. They block assignments, the volunteers form money well spent. other cities. She asked them to provide want to know what is in it for them. But into groups of four. Each has a radio, but “With the current budget cuts, the commission with a feasibility and it’s up to the community to get organized only to communicate with each other. services still need to be maintained,” cost-analysis report by April 1. Spence- and stop crime.” (The radios and their operating costs Jerome notes. “The city needs to tap into Jones says that if the report fi nds there Schiller Jerome estimates that each were made possible by a grant from Sant all available resources. They [the COP will be a budget impact, she’ll recom- member of the Little Haiti COP chapter La, the nonprofi t community organiza- volunteers] can monitor quality-of-life mend the commission address it during puts in an average of 12 hours every tion serving Little Haiti.) The streets issues, code enforcement, community the midyear budget briefi ng. If there week. That’s manpowerW the city can are very quiet, the Design District to safety, and they can help guests to the is no budget impact, then plans for the use to its advantage. In addition, he says, the south mostly deserted. There is little area, assist them with directions and upgrades Denis and Jerome would like to it has intangible benefi ts: “It creates a chatter on the radios, only routine checks. make them feel safe.” see could begin quickly. sense of ownership in the community.” Nonetheless, every block in Buena Vista Recently Jerome met with District 5 In the meantime, the Little Haiti East will be covered, and every home Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones to patrol volunteers continue their work Feedback: [email protected]
Burgers “When I bought the place, I did cut up in Miami. My fi rst slider was a Royal go ($4.99 for regular Castles, $5.99 for Continued from page 26 down the percentage of fat in the meat a Castle, 47 years ago. I don’t eat any fast cheese Castles). “We’re doing twice as little, from 25 percent to about 20 percent,” food stuff anymore,” explains the fi t-looking good as before the fi re, about 1100 slid- diced, reconstituted dried onions on top says Arnold. “But you have to have the fat, runner. “But I just had to pull off the road for ers a day. It’s a wonderful, unique taste (many more than White Castle uses). even if it isn’t so good for you.” some sliders — plural.” that makes you want to eat more than When the thing’s fl ipped and immediately Bill Gross agrees. Now a New Yorker, Most customers since the eatery’s one. So business is booming. Mostly I’m topped with a soft bun, the slider’s skinni- Gross was driving into town to run the Miami reopening are equally enthused, says just grateful to the CPA to be back open.” ness enables the sizzling onions’ fl avor to Marathon on January 25 when he spotted the Arnold, downing four or so sliders on the completely permeate both meat and bun. Royal Castle sign from the highway. “I grew premises and then getting a six-pack to Feedback: [email protected] COMMUNITY CONTACTS / NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS
MIAMI Hattie Willis, executive director Palm Bay Condominium Inc. Venetian Causeway Central [email protected] Bill Mathisen, president Neighborhood Alliance Michael McDearmaid, president Bayside Residents Association 305-754-3993 [email protected] Barbara K. Bisno, president [email protected] Louis Bourdeau 305-759-2455 [email protected] 305-893-0566 [email protected] Lake Belmar Home Owners Association 305-374-2566 / 786-390-4134 Manuel Fente, president http://baysideresidents.homestead.com/ Palm Bay Towers Enchanted Place 305-379-4900; [email protected] Jorge Bosch, president www.lakebelmar.org EL PORTAL Ken Di Genova, president Belle Meade Homeowners [email protected] [email protected] 305-373-0553 El Portal Homeowners Association Margret Tynan, president Little River Neighborhood 305-892-1710 Ana Moré, president [email protected]; 305-759-3848 Improvement 305-494-6978; [email protected] Lavon Williams, president Palm Bay Yacht Club Keystone Point Homeowner’s Association Brentwood Neighborhood Association [email protected] Paul Kushukian, president (KPHA) [email protected] Carlos A. Carrillo, Jr. 305-490-3160 MIAMI SHORES Bruce M. Gibson, president 305-757-3500 786-287-3110; [email protected] 305-606-8662 Miami Shores Property Owners Association Magnolia Park bgsofl [email protected] Buena Vista Heights Geoffrey Bash Palm Grove Neighborhood Bekky Leonard, president Bob Powers, president 305-759-2235 Karen de Leon, secretary Evelyn Andre, president [email protected]; 305-401-9001 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.keystonepoint.org 305-528-4148 Miami Neighborhoods United 305-299-0052 www.miamishorespoa.org Grace Solares, president Sans Souci Gated Homeowner Buena Vista East Historic [email protected] Palm-Hibiscus-Star Islands Association NORTH MIAMI Neighborhood Association www.miaminu.org Tim W. Rose Jr., executive director Ernie Long, president Pradel Denis, president 305-299-2617 Alhambra Heights [email protected] 305-931-4284 [email protected]; 305-754-6781 Morningside Civic Association [email protected] Beverly Hilton, president William Hopper, president [email protected] Buena Vista Homeowner’s Association [email protected] Shorecrest Homeowner’s Association Sunkist Grove Homeowners 786-553-8555 Julia Colas, president 305-877-1479 Millie Santana, president Joyce Mumford, president [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Neighborhood of Edgewater Area Residents Arch Creek East Neighborhood Association 305-915-8922 Citizens on Patrol Richard Strell, president Upper Eastside Miami Council (ACENA) Henry Patel, president Fred St. Amand, chairman [email protected] Ilana Burdick, president Westside Neighborhood [email protected] Neighbors of Oakland Grove [email protected] Association [email protected] 305-754-5454; 786-236-1545 Cel Agusto L. Newell, president 305-757-9780 Clarence Merke, president Communities United newella@fi u.edu; 305-751-2415 www.uppereastsidemiami.org archcreekeast.com; 305-945-1704 305-681-5552
28 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 29 POLICE REPORTS Biscayne Crime Beat Compiled by Derek McCann How to Get Rid of The victim expressed optimism that the Intruders pilfered weed would be returned. The Belle Meade thieving pothead evidently did not get Victim was alone in her home when she the munchies as all items in the victim’s heard a rattling noise emanating from the refrigerator were accounted for. kitchen. Fearing for her life, she called upon an invisible sibling to spook the intruding More Evidence That presence. In a strong yet purposely hushed Men Are Dogs voice she exclaimed, “Sister, get your gun!” Omni Hearing this, the burglar immediately exited It is one thing to rob someone, but quite the home, leaving the startled homeowner another to pretend you are in love with safe and secure. Criminals know full well someone in order to rob them. This scoun- that in Miami, anyone can be packing. drel initiated a relationship with a very young woman, sweeping her off her feet in Mother and Child Reunion classic Boulevard fashion. He came to her Not Likely home one evening, then engaged in sexual intercourse with her while the babysitter Omni week earlier because he was continuous- was in another room. As he was leaving, A woman came home and discovered ly downloading pornography to her com- Stolen Cannabis Sparks lover man stole jewelry resting on a night- that her bedroom had been ransacked puter. But it turns out the son had not Police Inquiry stand. The suspect later took to bragging and several items were missing. The been “legally” evicted, and his driver’s 400 Block NE 24th Terrace to a witness about his exploits (make that point of entry was through a wall- license matched the address in question, Upon entering his home, this stoner saw exploitation). Police were called and the mounted air-conditioner. She admitted to so there was no cause for arrest. The that his kitchen window was broken and romancing thief was arrested. police that she knew her son was behind computer, no surprise, was not damaged the door was slightly ajar. Nothing was the break-in as she had evicted him a during the course of the “burglary.” taken save “a small amount of cannabis.” Continued on page 31
30 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 POLICE REPORTS
Crime Beat opened his trunk and discovered that contractor’s crew he’d get the rest in a Boyfriend’s Shady his spare tire was missing. At least the day or two. The next morning witnesses Continued from page 30 Company technology works. saw the crew remove the windows and 300 Block NE 24th Street Next Time, Be Home carry them into a waiting vehicle. The Woman arrived home and found that businessman then received a phone call for Delivery The Unobservant Mind her boyfriend had two new friends over. 400 Block of NE 70th Street and was told, “Pay up and we’ll make 6600 Block of Biscayne Boulevard One of the friends brandished a handgun, Signing for a package matters, right? An things right.” At least they didn’t break Man got into a cab after leaving a casually spinning it around. The other expensive electronic device was being his legs. By press time payment had not downtown nightclub. Unexpectedly blithely inhaled a marijuana cigar. Not delivered to a home by Federal Express, been made and the windows had not there were two females in the back seat. approving of these new pals, the woman but the intended recipient was not home. been returned. Just another day in the Apparently hoping to make the most left the home. When she returned an A kindly neighbor allegedly took the lib- world of inscrutable Miami contractors of the situation, he asked the cabbie to hour later, she saw the irksome twosome erty of signing for the package. However, and their unreliable clientele. take him to the most “happening place” loading her personal belongings into when the rightful purchaser asked for in Miami. The driver asked for his their car. She called police. Time she the package, the neighbor claimed she credit card as collateral. The passenger One-Night Stand unloaded that irksome boyfriend. never signed for the package, despite her then asked the cab to stop so he could Becomes One-Night name and signature being confi rmed by buy cigarettes. When he returned after FedEx. Amazingly, no arrests have been Robbery — Yet Again Sympathy for the Drunk? his cigarette purchase, the cab was made, which begs a question: What’s the 7200 Block of Biscayne Boulevard Downtown nowhere to be seen. Police asked for a purpose of signing for a package? Our victim picked up a “date” at a local An off-duty police offi cer observed a description of the driver, of the women, singles haunt and decided he wanted man remove a bottle of rum from behind Watch Those Valets! of the cab — anything. The man could to take this relationship further. He a nightclub’s bar, then slowly walk 100 Block of NE 40th Street only recall that “the cab was yellow.” booked a room at a local Boulevard outside with it. The offi cer approached After a man received his car back from motel and got to know her better. Af- the man, who was clearly inebriated. He a valet parking attendant, he noticed that Pay Up! terward his new squeeze suggested he forthrightly admitted he had just stolen the tire-sensor light was on. He checked 500 Block of NE 62nd Street take a shower. As he was showering, the bottle. A cry for help from a helpless all four tires and even took the car to an A businessman hired a contractor to she extracted $225 from his wallet and drunkard? Perhaps, but he was promptly auto shop, but nothing could be found to install windows at a construction site. disappeared into the night. Experienced arrested anyway. indicate that something was wrong with After installation, the businessman said Boulevard partiers never carry more the tires. Days later, however, the man he didn’t have full payment and told the than $20 in their wallets. Feedback: [email protected] TAX & ACCOUNTING OFFICE of Mary Robbins
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February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 31 A RT & CULTURE The High Cost of Selling Art Miami’s premier international gallery shuts its doors By Victor Barrenechea local artists to be represented by Perrotin BT Contributor shortly after the opening of the Miami space, laments the gallery’s closing. “I ust take a drive up Biscayne Boule- think it’s disappointing,” she says. “It vard and you’ll notice a disturbing might make Miami more local in terms Jcontrast to what was happening of what gets shown. That was our only a year and a half ago. Where once glimpse into that world. Miami doesn’t the Boulevard seemed to be lined with really have that connection to the rest of promise — newly opened shops, bou- the art world. There really isn’t another tiques, and restaurants — today you space that does that.” see more and more empty storefronts The fi nal group show came to a close with “for lease” signs in their windows, last month, and already the gallery’s opera- a clear indicator of economic woes. It’s tions are being dismantled. Gallery direc- often said that the art market is nor- tor Gen Watanabe has left. Other employ- mally one of the last to experience the ees have been released. While the future effects of economic downturns like that of the gallery’s relationship with some in evidence along the Boulevard and Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin on NW 30th Street and NW 2nd Avenue in Miami artists may still be uncertain, most elsewhere. So when the fi rst big inter- Wynwood. national gallery to set up shop in Miami closes its doors, you can take it as a sign form the successful yet short-lived artist- up-and-coming Wyn- of troubled times ahead. run Placemaker Gallery. As Miami’s wood area and trans- Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin, the creativity began to crescendo, it seemed formed it into a gallery acclaimed Paris-based gallery that to be only a matter of time before the art that would be very ambi- opened a Miami branch in 2005 to great world would take notice. tious in scope, twice the art-community fanfare, is offi cially on Oppel clearly remembers meeting size of the one in Paris. hiatus. They’re calling it a year-long-sab- Perrotin around this time, and could see The fi rst show took place Photo by Mariano C. Peuser batical with plans to reopen for Art Basel the gallery owner’s excitement about the during Art Basel 2004, 2009, but the gallery’s future after that burgeoning Miami scene. “He looked at but the gallery didn’t remains uncertain. “Because of the eco- my work, as well as other Miami artists, offi cially open until nomic crisis, it’s not a good time to keep and invited us to show in a group show December 2005. the gallery open,” says assistant director at his gallery in Paris,” Oppel recalls. “It was a beautiful Kristia D. Moises, who adds that many Says Arsham: “He just saw some- space,” comments Arsham. collectors are reluctant to spend money thing happening here and decided to do “I was ecstatic. I was partic- on art in this bleak economic climate. this exhibition.” ularly excited about seeing Miami was a very dif- exhibitions from artists in ferent place in 2004, when Europe who we wouldn’t Emmanuel Perrotin was Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin, the usually get to see.” thinking of opening a new acclaimed Paris-based gallery that Indeed the great space. The Paris gallery had opened a Miami branch in 2005 to strength of the gallery been making a name for itself great art-community fanfare, is was its ability to bring in since early 1990s, helping to offi cially on hiatus. internationally known launch the careers of interna- artists such as Peter tionally renowned and high- Coffi n, Aya Takano, and selling art stars such as Takashi Paola Pivi, effectively Murakami and Maurizio Cattelan. Art The show was called “Miami Nice,” creating a dialogue with Basel Miami Beach was only begin- and was curated by prominent Miami Miami’s own emerg- ning to shine a light on Miami, where collector George Lindemann, featuring ing scene. “It gave local Wynwood was something like the wild all local talent. “A little after that show,” collectors an even larger west of contemporary arts, with a scene remembers Oppel, “he asked some of us opportunity to view art Cristina Lei Rodriguez’s Pirate Booty at Perrotin: quickly developing around alternative to do solo shows with him.” that’s not usually seen “Miami doesn’t really have that connection to the and artist-run spaces like as the Dorsch By this time, Perrotin was repre- there and is not acces- rest of the art world.” Gallery and Locust Projects, not mention senting Baxter, Oppel, Arsham, and sible in Miami unless now-defunct names like Rocket Projects another leading Miami artist, Naomi it’s during Basel time,” assistant director will continue to be represented in Paris. and The House, operated by artists Tao Fisher. (Fisher parted ways with the gal- Moises points out. Because Perrotin still owns the building, it Rey, Bhakti Baxter, Martin Oppel, and lery in 2006.) Next the gallerist purchased With the gallery now on indefi nite will not abandoned. In fact it will soon be Daniel Arsham. Those last three would a 13,000-square-foot Miami Modern sabbatical, it seems Miami is losing an available for events on a rental basis. eventually be represented by Perrotin, building that used to be an unsuspect- important link to the outside art world. but not before Oppel and Arsham would ing 1950s refrigerator warehouse in the Cristina Lei Rodriguez, one of the fi rst Continued on page 33
32 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 A RT & CULTURE
High Cost are affected by it. I can say that Decem- Continued from page 32 ber was not as good as it was in years’ “People are not necessarily investing previous. But my gallery has never been in art right now,” says Arsham. “I think as dependent on sales as others.” it’s diffi cult. Rather than losing money Still working a full-time job to supple- for a while, it’s better to cut your loses ment his gallery, Dorsch is able to put up and come back. We’ll see what happens.” shows that feature more challenging work. Moises notes that foreign collec- “It’s not all about the commercial end,” he tors made up a majority of the gallery’s says. “It’s about artists totally experimenting.” buyers, and most came to town but once a year. “The bulk of the year’s business and traffi c One Art Basel show, busy or slow, is is usually during Basel,” she not enough to keep any gallery afl oat, says. But one Art Basel show, especially one as big as Perrotin’s, with whether it’s busy or slow, is its carrying costs and upkeep. not enough to keep any gallery afl oat, especially one as big as Perrotin’s, with its high carry- ing costs and expensive upkeep. Further Daniel Arsham agrees with this line exacerbating the problem, according of thinking. “I think the galleries and to Moises, is the fact that many foreign artists [in Miami] need to take risks in Gallery receptions made the most of the spacious building and outdoor area. collectors are now unwilling to travel order to propel the city to where it could because of the state of the economy. be,” he says. “This is the sort of time every downturn there is some opportunity,” Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin will no As might be expected, the fi nan- when artists in Miami will band together. says Dorsch. “I’m optimistic about it.” longer be used as an art gallery, but the cial crisis is also having an impact on It’s a really brilliant time for artists now.” Perhaps a new scene will emerge that space, with its kitchen and large yard, smaller galleries. Says Brook Dorsch of As the economic downturn continues, is centered around fresh, new artist-run will be available to rent for special events. Wynwood’s Dorsch Gallery: “I’ve been not only will more galleries close, but so alternative spaces. Who knows? Maybe For more information call 305-576-0595 doing this for 17 years. I’ve seen a lot of will other businesses, which creates vacant it will evolve into a scene as vibrant and or visit www.wynwoodartgarden.com galleries come and go, and I defi nitely spaces that artists can transform into af- exciting as the one that originally at- think there are going to be galleries that fordable studios and exhibition spaces. “In tracted Emmanuel Perrotin to Miami. Feedback: [email protected]
February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 33 ART & CULTURE ART LISTINGS WYNWOOD GALLERY WALK & DESIGN DISTRICT BARBARA GILLMAN GALLERY Charo Oquet, Grit Ruhland, Jasper Sebastian Sturup, ART + DESIGN NIGHT 4141 NE 2nd Ave. #202, Miami Joao Simoes, and Tom Skipp SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14 305-573-1920 Reception February 14, 8 to 11 p.m. www.artnet.com/bgillman.html 101/EXHIBIT Call gallery for exhibition information. ELITE ART EDITIONS GALLERY 101 NE 40th St., Miami 151 NW 36th St., Miami 305-573-2101; www.101exhibit.com BERNICE STEINBAUM GALLERY 305-403-5856 Through February 20: 3550 N. Miami Ave., Miami www.elitearteditions.com “Trismegistus” by Marilyn Manson 305-573-2700 Call gallery for exhibition information. www.bernicesteinbaumgallery.com ABBA FINE ART Call gallery for exhibition information. ETRA FINE ART 233 NW 36th St., Miami 10 NE 40th St., Miami 305-576-4278 CAMINERO ART STUDIO 305-438-4383 www.abbafi neart.com 598 NE 77th St., Miami www.etrafi neart.com Through February 10: 786-597-8467 Call gallery for exhibition information. “Recent Installation and Photographs” by Jayoung Yoon Through February 27: February 14 through March 11: “Last Works of Maximo Caminero” by Maximo FREDRIC SNITZER GALLERY “Forces of Nature” by Suzan Woodruff Caminero 2247 NW 1st Pl., Miami Reception February 14, 7 to 10 p.m. 305-448-8976 CAROL JAZZAR CONTEMPORARY ART www.snitzer.com ALEJANDRA VON HARTZ FINE ARTS 158 NW 91st St., Miami Shores February 14 through March 9: 2134 NW Miami Ct., Miami 305-490-6906 “Sculpture Without A Skin” by Yasue Maetake 305-438-0220 www.cjazzart.com Reception February 14, 7 to 9 p.m. www.alejandravonhartz.net By appointment: carol February 14 through March 29: Through March 14: GALLERY DIET “Everything is Borrowed” by Jaime Gili “OTHERWORLD” by Guerra de la Paz 174 NW 23rd St., Miami Reception February 14, 7 to 10 p.m. 305-571-2288 CENTER FOR VISUAL COMMUNICATION www.gallerydiet.com AMAYA GALLERY 541 NW 27th St., Miami Through February 7: 2033 NW 1st Pl., Miami 305-571-1415 “Counters” by Abby Mannock 917-743-2925 www.visual.org February 14 through March 7: www.amayagallery.com Call gallery for exhibition information. “The Best of Intentions” by Daniel Milewski Call gallery for exhibition information. Reception February 14, 7 to 10 p.m. CHAREST-WEINBERG GALLERY ART FUSION 250 NW 23rd St., Miami Radcliffe Bailey, Storm at Sea, GARY NADER FINE ART 1 NE 40th St., Miami 305-292-0411 piano keys, African sculpture, 62 NE 27th St., Miami 305-573-5730 www.charest-weinberg.com 305-576-0256 www.artfusiongallery.com Through February 7: model boat, paper, acrylic, glitter, www.garynader.com Through March 8: Solo show by Marc Séguin gold leaf, 2007, at the Miami Art Call gallery for exhibition information. “Exploration of the Spirit” with various artists February 14 through April 4: Reception February 14, 7 to 10 p.m. Solo show by Larry Estridge Museum. HARDCORE ARTS Reception February 14, 7 to 10 p.m. February 14 through March 7: CONTEMPORARY SPACE ART FUSION “Pigment Coast” by Dario Basso 3326 N. Miami Ave., Miami 1 NE 40th St., Miami CHELSEA GALLERIA Reception February 14, 7:30 to 10 p.m. 305-576-1645 305-573-5730 2441 NW 2nd Ave., Miami www.hardcoreartcontemporary.com www.artfusiongallery.com 305-576-2950 DIASPORA VIBE GALLERY Through March 7: Through March 8: www.chelseagalleria.com 3938 NE 39th St., Miami “Daily Scenes” by Ignacio Goitia, “La Ventana “Exploration of the Spirit” with various artists Through February 9: 305-573-4046 Indiscreta VI” by Alexis Perez Montero, and a group Reception February 14, 7 to 10 p.m. “eARTh Part Two: TERRA” with John Westmark, John www.diasporavibe.net show with various artists from Valencia Mack, Eduardo and Mirta del Valle, TONEL, Scherer February 12 though March 25: Reception February 14, 7 to 10 a.m. ART GALLERY AT GOVERNMENT CENTER and Ouporov, Tina Spiro, and Helga Griffi ths “Juxtaposition” with Hubert Neal Jr., Francesca 111 NW 1st St., Suite 625, Miami February 14 through March 10: Lalanne, and Adrienne Chadwick HAROLD GOLEN GALLERY 305-375-4634 “Walking on Air” by Garie Waltzer Reception February 12, 7:30 to 10 p.m. Temporary location: www.miamidadearts.org Reception February 14, 7 to 10 p.m. 314 NW 24th St., Miami Call gallery for exhibition information. DORSCH GALLERY 305-576-1880 DAMIEN B. CONTEMPORARY ART CENTER 151 NW 24th St., Miami www.haroldgolengallery.com ART ROUGE 282 NW 36th St., Miami 305-576-1278 Call gallery for exhibition information. 46 NW 36th St., Miami 305-573-4949 www.dorschgallery.com 305-448-2060 www.damienb.com Through February 28: JULIO BLANCO STUDIO www.artrouge.com Call gallery for exhibition information. “A Perfect Human” curated by Milena Hoegsberg 164 NW 20th St., Miami Through February 11: and Megha Ralapati with Zhao Bandi, Martin Basher, 305-534-5737 “From Warsaw to Mexico City via New York” with Luis DAVID CASTILLO GALLERY Melissa Dubbin and Aaron S. Davidson, Joergen Leth, www.onemansho.com Sanchez, Leseks Skorski, and Ben Freeman 2234 NW 2nd Ave., Miami Patrick McElnea, and Sreshta Premnath February 14 through March 30: February 14 through March 11: 305-573-8110 Reception February 14, 7 to 10 p.m. “Abstractions” by Julio Blanco “Art of Deception: abstract and ethnic sculptures and www.castilloart.com Reception February 14, 7 to 10 a.m. paintings” with Terence Carr, Dee Sands, and John Call gallery for exhibition information. DOT FIFTYONE ART SPACE LaHuis 51 NW 36th St., Miami KELLEY ROY GALLERY Reception February 14, 7 to 11 p.m. DIANA LOWENSTEIN FINE ARTS 305-573-9994 50 NE 29 St., Miami 2043 N. Miami Ave., Miami www.dotfi ftyone.com 305-447-3888 ARTFORMZ 305-576-1804 February 14 through March 30: www.kelleyroygallery.com 171 NW 23rd St., Miami www.dlfi nearts.com “Bazaar” by Pancho Luna Through February 28: 305-572-0040 Through February 7: Reception February 14, 7 to 10 p.m. Solo show by Soile Yli-Mayry www.artformz.net “Spill-Over” with Felice Grodin, Perry Hall, Gye-Hoon Through February 8: Park, Udo Noger, Silvia Rivas, Sterz, Karina Wisnieska, EDGAR ACE GALLERY KEVIN BRUK GALLERY “Creatures” with Natasha Duwin, Natalia Reparaz, and and Xawery Wolski 7520 NE 4th Ct., Miami 2249 NW 1st Pl., Miami Ray Paul “Fantastic Voyage” with Luis Alonzo-Barkigia, Carlos 305-877-2401 305-576-2000 February 14 through March 9: Betancourt, Vicenta Casañ, Rabindranat Diaz Arjona, Through March 1: www.kevinbrukgallery.com “Faith, Fear, and Fortune” with PJ Mills and Ramon Michael Loveland, Marc Hello, Cecilia Paredes, and “Textures of the Soul” by Nestor Paz Through February 13: Williams Michael Scoggins Reception February 16, 6 to 10 p.m. “Deal or No Deal” by Mika Tajima Reception February 14, 7 to 10 p.m. “$999¢” with Luis Alonzo-Barkigia, Sergio Bazan, February 14 through March 11: Carlos Betancourt, Trisha Brookbank, Vicenta Casañ, EDGE ZONES CONTEMPORARY ART “PAINTHINGS” curated by BAKEHOUSE ART COMPLEX Clifton Childree, Julie Davidow, Tulio De Sagastizabal, 47 NE 25th St., Miami Sam Gordon with Lecia Dole-Recio, 561 NW 32nd St., Miami Rabindranat Diaz Arjona, Nina Ferre, Felice Grodin, 305-303-8852 Jake Ewert, and Jacob Robihcaux 305-576-2828; www.bacfl .org Jill Hotchkiss, Rosa Irigoyen, Laura Kina, Michael www.edgezones.org “48 Hours in Miami” by Sam Gordon February 13 through March 1: Loveland, Katrin Moller, Marc Hello, Cecilia Paredes, February 14 through February 28: Reception February 14, 7 to 11 p.m. “NWSA9@BAC” juried exhibition with various New Silvia Rivas, Graciela Sacco, Jorge Simes, Nicole “FIFTEEN” curated by Berta Jayo with Luis Bezeta, World School of the Arts Soden, Guillermo Srodek-Hart, Sterz, Annie Wharton, David Buob, Svea Duwe, Luise Johnson, Yoshiaki Reception February 13, 7 to 10 p.m. Karina Wisniewska, and Xawery Wolski Kaihatsu, Marlena Kudlicka, Dirk Lang, Marco Miersch, Continued on page 35
34 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 ART & CULTURE
JUMP www.mdc.edu PRAXIS INTERNATIONAL ART February 5: 2219 NW 2nd Ave., Miami Continued from page 34 “Focus the Nation” lecture by Xavier Cortada 305-573-2900 February 7 through March 1: www.praxis-art.com KUNSTHAUS MIAMI “African-American Art Exhibit” with various artists Call gallery for exhibition information. 3312 N. Miami Ave., Miami Lecture February 5, 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. 305-438-1333 PUZZLEMENT GALLERY www.kunsthaus.org.mx MIAMI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY 81 NW 24th St., Miami Call gallery for exhibition information. OF ART AND DESIGN 917-929-8559 1501 Biscayne Blvd., Miami www.puzzlementart.com LEITER GALLERY 305-428-5700 Ongoing show with Kevin Brady, Manuel Carbonell, 6900 Biscayne Blvd., Miami www.mymiu.com Nichole Chimenti, Carter Davis, Stephen Gamson, 305-389-2616 Through February 13: Raquel Glottman, Jim Herbert, Jennifer Kaiser, Alex “Visual Art’s MFA Graduate Exhibition” by Andrew Paiva Lopez, Andy Piedilato, Tomy F. Trujillo, Jonathan Call gallery for exhibition information. Grodner “Depoe” Villoch, and Giancarlo Zavala February 20 through March 14: LOCUST PROJECTS “Luciano Franchi Memorial Exhibition” by Luciano SPINELLO GALLERY 105 NW 23rd St., Miami Franchi 531 NE 82nd Terr., Miami 305-576-8570 786-271-4223 www.locustprojects.org OUR HOUSE WEST OF WYNWOOD www.spinellogallery.com Through February 28: 3100 NW 7th Ave., Miami February 13 through March 7: A solo show by Loriel Beltran and a solo show by Mike 305-490-2976 “I WANT TYPOE SO EFFIN BAD” by TYPOE Swaney www.oh-wow.com Reception February 13, 7 to 10 p.m. Reception February 14, 7 to 11 p.m. February 13: “Confection” Charity Bake Sale Art Exhibition to benefi t STASH GALLERY the Daily Bread Food Bank with Jim Drain, Aranzazu 162 NE 50 Terr., Miami. LUIS ADELANTADO GALLERY Gayoso, Michael Genovese, Jason Hedges, Alvaro 305-992-7652 98 NW 29th St., Miami Ilizarbe, Susan Lee-Chun, Nick D. Lobo, Justin Long, www.myspace.com/stashgallery 305-438-0069 Dario Basso,Voz Sobre Amarillo, Lee Materazzi, Hugo Montoya, Bert Rodriguez, Leyden Call gallery for exhibition information. www.luisadelantadomiami.com Rodriguez-Casanova, TM Sisters, Jen Stark, Jonathan Through February 28: oil, acrylic, varnish, 2008, at Diana Thomas, and Kyle Trowbridge STEVE MARTIN STUDIO “Hidden Treasures” by José Noguero Lowenstein Fine Arts. Reception February 13, 7 to 11 p.m. 66 NE 40th St., Miami 305-484-1491 LYLE O. REITZEL GALLERY PANAMERICAN ART PROJECTS www.stevemartinfi neart.com MIAMI ART SPACE 2441 NW 2nd Ave., Miami 2450 NW 2nd Ave., Miami Call gallery for exhibition information. 244 NW 35th St., Miami 305-573-2400 305-573-1333; www.artnet.com/reitzel.html 305-438-9002; www.miamiartspace.com www.panamericanart.com TWENTY TWENTY PROJECTS Call gallery for exhibition information. February 12 through March 27: Through February 28: 2020 NW Miami Ct., Miami “Cars of Cuba” by H. Allen Benowitz “...Click” with Anankè Asseff, Oscar Bony, Carlos 786-217-7683 MIAMI ART GROUP GALLERY Reception February 12, 7 to 10 p.m. Gallardo, KADIR, Rickee Mahoney, Gian Paolo Minelli, www.twentytwentyprojects.com 126 NE 40th St., Miami Elsa Mora, Ronald Morán, Vik Muniz, Santiago Porter, Call gallery for exhibition information. 305-576-2633 MIAM-DADE COLLEGE, CENTER GALLERY and Pablo Soria www.miamiartgroup.com 300 NE 2nd Ave., Bldg. 1, Room 1365, Miami Continued on page 36 Call gallery for exhibition information. 305-237-3696
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February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 35 ART & CULTURE
JUMP Alessandro Balteo Yazbeck, Daniel Joseph Fontaine, K48, Chris Kraus, Cristina Lei Rodriguez, Martinez, Judith Barry, Priscilla Monge, Paolo Nicolas Lobo, Martin Oppel, Philip (a novel written by Continued from page 35 Canevari, Carlos Motta, Stan Douglas, Antoni Mark Aerial Waller, Heman Chong, Cosmin Costinas, Muntadas, Jimmie Durham, Shirin Neshat, Rosemary Heather, Leif Magne Tangen, Francis UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI PROJECTS SPACE Cao Fei, Julian Rosefeldt, Regina José McKee, David Reinfurt, and Steve Rushton), Lisi 2200 NW 2nd Ave., Miami Galindo, Laurie Simmons, Carlos Garaicoa, Raskin, Julika Rudelius, and Mungo Thomson 305-284-2542 Eve Sussman, Mathilde ter Heijne, Frank Call gallery for exhibition information. Thiel, Thomas Hirschhorn, Susan Turcot, THE MARGULIES COLLECTION Jenny Holzer, and Monika Weiss 591 NW 27th St., Miami UNTITLED 2144 305-576-1051 2144 NE 2nd Ave., Miami FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY www.margulieswarehouse.com 305-576-2112 FROST ART MUSEUM Through April 25: www.untitled2144.com 11200 SW 8th St., Miami “Hurma” by Magdalena Abakanowicz, “Western Union: Through February 4: 305-348-0496 Small Boats” by Isaac Julien, “Oil Rich Niger Delta” “ARTITALIA” with Luca Artioli, Andrea Bianconi, http://thefrost.fi u.edu/ by George Osodi, and “Photography and Sculpture: A Maurizio Galimberti, Emanuela Gardner, Domiziana Through February 28: “Intersections” by Correlated Exhibition” with various artists Girdano, Patrizia Guerresi Maimouna, Benedetta Florencio Gelabert Pignatelli, and Alberto Rizzo Through March 1: “Modern Masters from THE RUBELL FAMILY COLLECTION the Smithsonian American Art Museum” with 95 NW 29th St., Miami WALLFLOWER GALLERY various artists 305-573-6090 10 NE 3rd St., Miami Through March 9: “Drawing in Space: The www.rubellfamilycollection.com 305-579-0069 Peninsula Project Illustrated” by John Henry Through May 30:“30 AMERICANS” with Nina Chanel www.wallfl owergallery.com Through April 4: “Simulacra and Essence: The Abney, John Bankston, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Mark myspace.com/wallfl owergallery Paintings of Luisa Basnuevo” by Luisa Maria Bradford, Iona Rozeal Brown, Nick Cave, Robert Call gallery for exhibition information. Basnuevo Colescott, Noah Davis, Leonardo Drew, Renée Green, Daniel Milewski,Black Square on White David Hammons, Barkley L. Hendricks, Rashid WHITE VINYL SPACE LOWE ART MUSEUM, UNIVERSITY OF Ground, chenille, 2008, at Gallery Diet. Johnson, Glenn Ligon, Kalup Linzy, Kerry James 3322 NW 2nd Ave., Miami MIAMI Marshall, Rodney McMillian, Wangechi Mutu, William 305-776-1515 1301 Stanford Dr., Coral Gables Pope.L, Gary Simmons, Xaviera Simmons, Lorna www.whitevinylspace.com 305-284-3535 Simpson, Shinique Smith, Jeff Sonhouse, Henry Call gallery for exhibition information. www.lowemuseum.org MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART Taylor, Hank Willis Thomas, Mickalene Thomas, Kara Through April 5: 770 NE 125th St., North Miami Walker, Carrie Mae Weems, Kehinde Wiley, and MUSEUM & COLLECTION EXHIBITS “Los Artes de Mexico” with various artists 305-893-6211; www.mocanomi.org Purvis Young Through March 1: CIFO (Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation) MIAMI ART MUSEUM “Purchase Not By Moonlight” by Anri Sala WORLD CLASS BOXING 1018 N. Miami Ave., Miami 101 W. Flagler St., Miami Debra and Dennis Scholl Collection 305-455-3380 305-375-3000 MOCA AT GOLDMAN WAREHOUSE 170 NW 23rd St., Miami; 305-438-9908 www.cifo.org www.miamiartmuseum.org 404 NW 26th St., Miami Appointment only: dennis Through March 1: Through February 22: 305-893-6211; www.mocanomi.org Call for operating hours and exhibit information. “The Prisoner’s Dilemma: Selections from the Ella “Objects of Value” with various artists Through March 21: Fontanals-Cisneros Collection” with Francis Alÿs, February 22 through May 24: “The Possibility of an Island” with Cory Arcangel, Compiled by Victor Barrenechea Barbara Kruger, Alexander Apóstol, Rafael Lozano- “NeoHooDoo: Art for a Forgotten Faith” with Davide Balula, Tobias Bernstrup, Heman Chong, Peter Send listings, jpeg images, and events information to [email protected] Hemmer, Alexandre Arrechea, Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle, various artists Coffi n, Matias Faldbakken, Cao Fei, Kim Fisher, Claire
36 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 ART & CULTURE Culture Briefs Cuba in Sound and travel through the Redland using their Break/s is recommended for ages 16 Rhythm own vehicles, driving in caravan forma- and up and will be on stage Febru- tion, to visit a number of orchards and ary 20 and 21 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are Miami Light Project celebrates its farms. The tour is Saturday, February 7, $5 for Miami-Dade College and New 20th anniversary and the diversity from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tickets are World School of the Arts students and of contemporary Cuban music with $25 per person. Visit www.fruitandspi- staff, and $18, $22, and $26 for the the second annual Global Cuba Fest cepark.com or call 305-247-5727. general public. Call 305-237-3010. February 6-8, three nights of perfor- mances by some of the best innovators of the Cuban form. Two-time Grammy Sunset and Moonrise in Golden Oldies Will Rock
winner Albita kicks off the festival One Easy Paddle the Shores Historical Museum of Southern Florida with a broad range of musical styles, Get off the couch and out on Biscayne You may not have heard of George Pan Am and the Wings of from her country roots to timba. On Bay! You can do it on Sunday, Febru- Goehring, but if you’re of a certain age, Saturday singer-songwriter Alex Cuba ary 8, by joining Crandon Park’s Sunset you’ve heard his music. He was one Miami: A Tour will present his uniquely cross-cultural and Moonlight Kayak Adventure on of those prolifi c songwriters from the Did you know that Florida helped brand of Cuban music, which mixes Key Biscayne. You’ll paddle (kayaks 1950s and 1960s who worked in New pioneer aviation in the United States? rock, pop, and soul. Jazz saxophon- and equipment provided) out onto the York’s Tin Pan Alley, cranking out one Did you know that Miami itself played ist and composer Yosvany Terry bay to watch the sunset. Then, thanks hit after another. Goehring gave Connie a crucial role? You can learn all about closes the festival on Sunday with his to felicitous celestial timing, you’ll head Francis her mega hit “Lipstick on Your that and more from a brand-new tour driving, rhythmic quartet. All shows through Bear Cut and around the bend Collar.” Gene Pitney scored big with organized by the Historical Museum of begin at 8:00 p.m. at the North Beach for a spectacular view of the rising full “Half Heaven, Half Heartache,” as did Southern Florida. They’re calling it the Band Shell (7275 Collins Ave., Miami moon. Tickets are $40 per person (ages the Platters with “The Mystery of You.” Pan Am Artifacts and Aviation in South Beach). Tickets for individual perfor- nine and up). Adventurers are asked to Goehring has put together a captivating Florida Coach Tour. Pan American mances are $20; a festival pass is $50. wear closed-toe water shoes. The guided show called My Life in the Brill Build- World Airways was created in 1927 with Purchase them online at www.miami- tour fl oats from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Reser- ing (where songwriters labored) that a single route: Key West to Havana. Over lightproject.com or call 305-576-4350. vations are required and space is limited, includes music and tall tales from that the next several decades, the airline set so don’t delay. Call 305-361-6767. great period of American popular music. the standard for commercial fl ight. Pan Goehring and his band roll into Miami Am’s list of industry breakthroughs is You, the Kids, and the Arsht long (visit www.panam.org), and until its Center — Free! Shores for one night, February 20. The show takes place at the Shores Com- demise in 1991, it maintained a special Looking for an afternoon outing that munity Center and begins at 7:30 p.m. place in the American psyche. The His- doesn’t cost a dime? Want to stimu- Tickets are $20. Call 305-758-8103 to torical Museum’s Paul George and Jorge late your kids’ imaginations beyond reserve a seat. Zamanillo will take visitors on a guided Facebook and Playstation? How about tour to see memorabilia donated to the inspiring an appreciation for the fi ne art museum by the airline and to visit the of storytelling? The Arsht Center for the Crazed Bikers Invade Wings Over Miami Museum at the Ken- Performing Arts provides the answer Downtown! dall-Tamiami Executive Airport, where a with Family Fest First Saturdays Febru- The Bike Miami movement is gaining number of historically signifi cant planes ary 7 (and each fi rst Saturday through momentum. If you haven’t yet enjoyed are on display. The tour takes place May). Bring the kids for outdoor arts the fun of biking or skating or even Saturday, February 21, from 9:30 a.m. and crafts, hands-on demonstrations in Hip-Hop History and strolling along downtown streets with to 1:00 p.m. Tickets are $39 for HMSF theater production, plus performances Dance: Simply Brilliant no automobile traffi c, you’ll have an- members, $44 for nonmembers. Reser- and a variety of activities. The fun other chance on February 21, when the vations are required. Call 305-375-1492. runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Lehman Theater at the Miami- Dade College north campus (11380 city-sponsored Bike Miami Days hosts the Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., its fi rst Saturday event. One Sunday Big Boulevard, Small Bites 305-468-2000. NW 27th Ave.) will host The Break/s: A Mixtape for Stage, a multimedia ex- each month since last November, from Eat your way through the MiMo Historic travaganza that depicts the evolution of 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the city has District on Saturday, February 28, as The Redland’s Bounty: hip-hop through the eyes of a man who blocked traffi c on S. Miami Avenue the second of four Taste of MiMo events Exotic and Delicious grew up to its rhythm. Using dance, from Brickell to downtown, and on offers up samples from Boulevard No part of the continental United States fi lm, music, and projected images, New Flagler Street from Biscayne Boulevard restaurants between noon and 5:00 p.m. enjoys the unique climate of the Red- York performance artist Marc Bamuthi to (most recently) the Miami River. Small dishes ranging in price from $2 land, that rural stretch of horse country Joseph’s personal narrative expresses Bicyclists have swarmed over the empty to $5 will be available at, among other and agriculture just north of Homestead. his fascination with the history of this streets like frisky puppies taken off the places, Le Café, Ver Daddy’s, Moon- Fruits and vegetables from many far- genre and its effect on his own life. leash. This month it’ll be on a Saturday chine, Moshi Moshi, Che Soprano’s, fl ung parts of the globe fl ourish there. The show has been called “riveting” to coincide with Flagler Fest, another Wine 69, Casa Toscana, Kingdom, Anise For more than 25 years the Fruit and and “brilliant.” Here’s what the New celebration of all things Miami. For up- Taverna, Uva 69, and Red Light. For Spice Park (24801 SW 187th Ave.) has York Times had to say: “Mr. Joseph is dates and more information, including details call 305-609-4288 or visit www. raised awareness of the area through its a naturally captivating dancer, moving where to park, how to rent a bike, where mimoboulevard.org. annual Redland Farm Tour. Guided by with transfi xing grace…. The perfor- to have lunch, and much more, visit park manager Chris Rollins, guests will mance is gloriously eloquent.” The bikemiamiblog.wordpress.com. Feedback: [email protected]
February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 37 COLUMNISTS: KIDS AND THE CITY Haircuts: They’re Either Trauma or Treat In this case it was a pleasure, and I learned something new By Jenni Person I was pretty sure It’s always great to discover locally BT Contributor I wouldn’t fi nd a based kid-product entrepreneurs. I re- kiddie salon open cently came across another. Not long ago I razy as it may sound to some on December 25. bumped into an old classmate from Brook- of you, my kids, at ages three Plus I liked the idea lyn, who is now here in town. Turns out Cand fi ve and a half, just got of a family stylist. she, Karen Rappaport, and her business their fi rst haircuts. Yes, on Christmas Hannah, who partner, Denise Goldman, Miami Beach Day, while those of you who partake in graciously came moms of two each, have created My Royal those festivities gathered ‘round your to work for us on a Heinie, a kid-business selling really smart trees, we met Hannah Lasky of Hannah holiday, was abso- and stylish baby products which are, if I & Her Scissors at her space in Arcayne lutely amazing with may be so bold, state-of-the-art. In particu- Salon at 55th Street Station. Armed with the kids. She had a lar the products, including their new diaper two knotty-headed kids and a bottle of special seat insert to bag, incorporate into their designs a refi ll- Prosecco, the whole mishpacha (Yiddish raise them up high able, integrated SmartWipes dispenser. At for family), including my mom, arrived enough for her to the moment they’re looking for 100 moms for the big day. cut, and she made to whom they can give a free bag with the A fi xture on South Beach during its them feel special and comfortable without that I could really believe in, that worked following announcement: early renaissance, Hannah, who is also patronizing them or speaking to them like together and left the hair feeling natural “Are you a W.O.M.A.N. in the know? a painter, has been cutting my hair since they were babies. My kids’ comments and healthy,” she says of the kid-friendly Do friends consider you the go-to gal for our move back to Miami in 2004. I went upon the fi rst major snips: products, made from a host of natural, advice on the latest products? Are you to her a year after Goldi’s birth, and she Goldi, with the initial chop of a good parent-approved ingredients, including always among the fi rst to know about chopped off my hair, which hadn’t been eight inches all the way around: “I feel spirolina and aloe vera. the next best thing? We want you to join cut since before my pregnancy. I donated so fresh!” W.O.M.A.N. (Word-of-Mom Ambassa- it to Locks of Love. Izzi, upon the very fi rst dor Network). W.O.M.A.N. is a national It was around this time that Hannah cut, which created bangs: “I Armed with two knotty-headed kids team of Mom Ambassadors spreading the decided to move off the Beach and out can see!” and a bottle of Prosecco, the whole word about My Royal Heinie. As a mom- of her own salon. I went to her a couple Hannah went on to give mishpacha (Yiddish for family), including owned company, we strongly believe in of times between pregnancies and then them age-appropriate and the power of Word-of-Mom. We want my mom, arrived for the big day. again a year after Izzi was born, when stylish looks. Although baby to connect with other moms who love to my hair was once more ready to be do- hair and beautiful ringlets were fi nd great products and want to share their nated to Locks of Love in what seemed gone (she also did a good job fi nds. If you love My Royal Heinie, you’ll to have become a ritual for me. dealing with me, the emotional mom), Her newest product is called Han- be excited to tell other moms about it. When I called Hannah about the spe- their hair looked healthier and incredibly nabanana, and is specifi cally for infants And they’ll be happy you did. cial appointment for my kids — asking cute. She gave us tips about care, and then but also intended for older babies and kids. “Join W.O.M.A.N. and we’ll send her to work on a national holiday — I I learned for the fi rst time in four years It is an all-natural, tearless, nonallergic, you a free My Royal Heinie diaper purse wondered if I was making a mistake, of visits, that Hannah had her own line of vegan, hair and body wash with a mild to use and enjoy! Register at www.my- that perhaps I should take them to one of kids’ hair-care products. banana scent. Another product is her Mist, royalheinie.com/woman or e-mail us at those places that specializes in children’s The products, which are currently which is great for untangling children’s [email protected] haircuts, people accustomed to dealing being redesigned and repackaged, have hair as a light, leave-in conditioner. At the Spread the word. Support local pro- with screaming and tears. But given been around since 1997, when her popu- moment the products are available at the ducers of kids’ products! my usual complicated schedule, I had lar salon was located on Lincoln Road. “I salon or by contacting Hannah directly at only that day to get the deed done, and realized that I needed to work with a line 305-772-8426 or [email protected] Feedback: [email protected]
38 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 COLUMNISTS: YOUR GARDEN From Garbage to Garden Vegetables, fruits, spices — they all love your compost By Jeff Shimonski mature trees killed Recently I wanted to start a small, BT Contributor by the heat generated clean composter at home because we from mulch piled on grow vegetables and need a source of ast year I had to plant an organic top of their root zones! compost. We also dump quite a bit of vegetable garden at Jungle Island After a couple of food waste and organic material in the Lfor a large cooking and food event. weeks, the compost garbage each week, and this is defi nitely It had been years since I had grown veg- was placed in large a great resource. I purchased a small BT photo by Jeff Shimonski etables, but I remembered the success I’d containers that were vermicomposter and a couple of pounds had at Parrot Jungle with many species sunk halfway into of earthworms online and got started. of food plants that had been grown on the ground. I prefer to We now are not only recycling our food top of our compost pile. It was sort of an use containers as this and junk-mail waste, but we have a great accident that vegetables were used. My keeps the compost product in which we plant and grow our main purpose had been to keep weeds from mixing with the vegetables and spices. from growing on top of this large pile of surrounding soil and The worms will continue to reproduce, fi nished compost, and some of the plants keeps bad organisms and they also make great additions to a worked very well. They grew as ground out and away from the garden. In fact, earthworms are a sign of a covers, with long tendrils like vines, plant roots. Planting in healthy soil. They not only digest organic such as the different species of melons, containers is also a con- matter and turn it into a nutritious sub- cantaloupe, and sweet potatoes. venient way to grow strate, but they also help to aerate the soil. Eventually we added to that list of vegetables and spices in The tunnels they create aid in decom- food plants things like peppers, bush small spaces like patios This tiny relative of the watermelon, Citrullus pacting the soil and allow much needed beans, cherry tomatoes, and jalapeños. and balconies. colocynthis, is found in the Middle East. Desert oxygen and water to reach plant roots. The quality of the vegetables and fruit I wanted to grow Bedouins are said to make a type of bread from the Eight years ago, when I fi rst was excellent, and they were never fertil- a variety of plant spe- ground seeds. started working at Jungle Island and ized or sprayed with pesticides. cies, and began with was moving in trees, I never observed For the new organic vegetable garden, the aromatic spices. Last year I visited are many ways to compost — aerobic earthworms in any of the excavations we I decided to plant in compost, but since the Peace Garden in Sharm el-Sheikh, or anaerobic, in-vessel or windrow. You made. The soil was highly compacted the park doesn’t have the extra space Egypt. This is a very large, ethno-botan- can even use earthworms. This is called and very poor in organic matter. Now, for a large composting operation, it was ical collection of native and naturalized vermicomposting, which uses these after years of adding hundreds of yards necessary to purchase compost. I had 20 herbs that have been collected through- little critters to turn organic wastes into of mulch to the garden each year (to de- tons shipped in and dumped. out Egypt and the Sinai. While walking very high-quality compost. It is one compose), every time it rains or we dig It arrived at bit hot and unfi nished, through this large site, I was amazed of the best ways to compost kitchen a hole to put in more plants, we always so I left it to sit for a couple of weeks to at the great variety of rich fragrances I wastes, paper, and cardboard. The fi nd earthworms. We have created one let all the micro organisms fi nish their encountered. For the garden at Jungle only organic wastes that should not be very large organic garden. work and allow the pile to cool off. The Island, I chose different varieties of basil, composted this way are meat and milk feedstock used in making compost fi rst coriander, oregano, dill, rosemary, and products, because of potential bacterial Jeff Shimonski is an ISA-certifi ed mu- goes through a very hot stage, a result of other spices along with the typical tomato issues. The worms eat the garbage, and nicipal arborist, director of horticulture the heat generated by micro organisms plants, malanga, and papaya. The garden as it passes through their bodies, the at Jungle Island, and principal of Tropi- devouring the organic matter, and each was a success and is now a permanent micro organism within digest (compost) cal Designs of Florida. Contawct him at other. This hot stage can be deadly for addition to the park. the material and pass it through. The [email protected]. plants. Even freshly chipped tree mulch I have always been interested in the resulting byproduct makes an excellent goes through a hot stage. I have seen large, science and art of composting. There soil or soil additive. Feedback: [email protected]
February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 39 COLUMNISTS: HARPER’S ENVIRONMENT World-Class Gluttons When it comes to pigging out on just about everything, we’re tops By Jim W. Harper Number One!”). Our rate of consump- BT Contributor tion is calculated at 32 times higher than the rate of poor nations, which may be irst the good news. Over the past two understandable considering our relative decades, the amount of paper each wealth. But what is disturbing is that FAmerican consumes has declined. our consumption patterns trounce other Yeah for us! The obvious bad news is that developed (mostly European) nations, in- our population has grown, thereby erasing cluding those with a very high standard the savings we might have gained per of living. America’s heritage may be capita. Overall consumption of paper has mostly European, but its level of waste is actually increased. Boo-hoo. in a class by itself. Some more good news: The rate of When it comes to consumption, energy consumption is growing slower America is the bad guy. Per-capita con- in the U.S. than in rapid-growth econo- sumption of paper in the U.S. is nearly mies such as China and India. Yeah! The twice the level of the United Kingdom. obvious bad news is that we started out of a car, we trade it in for an upgrade. back to haunt us as pollution (especially An average American uses more than at such high levels of consumption that When our television isn’t fl at enough, ex-friends, who can mutate into “fren- three times the amount of gasoline con- these two developing countries, despite we acquire something with “digital” in emies.”) Frankly, nothing in this world is sumed by an average Japanese. Some- having populations much larger than the title and show it off to the neighbors. truly disposable. Biodegradable, some- thing is clearly wrong with our habits. ours, still consume much, much less When our friends earn less money than times. But disposable, never. The worst element of this addiction energy than we do. Dagnabbit! we do, we drop them for a more fashion- America is addicted to stuff. Oil, is that the rest of the world wants to copy International comparisons can get able crowd. paper, energy, toys big and small, our unsustainable, grotesque, gluttonous twisted, and statistics can bore you in But those cars, televisions, and meat, shoes — you name it. We tend habits. They all want the materialistic many ways, so let’s get real. We are a people do not disappear after disposal. to consume more of it than any other disposable society. When we get tired They linger and rot and rust and come country on earth (see sidebar “We’re Continued on page 41
40 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 COLUMNISTS: HARPER’S ENVIRONMENT
Gluttons of your own home, you can conserve this temperature at other times, such as 78 de- buying a new one. Think “use it until it Continued from page 40 way: If it’s yellow, let it mellow. grees. We live in Miami, after all. We’re breaks,” and only then recycle it. Go native. When buying new plants, accustomed to the heat. As Beyoncé says, Listen to children. Today’s kids are American Dream. But if everyone lived choose the native varieties. They don’t a little sweat never hurt nobody. much better educated about environmen- like an American, like a Miamian — need constant watering and maintenance, Buy less. Less is more, and often less tal issues than we adults are, and they well, you would not be reading the BT and they are hurricane-proof. Plus they is healthier. Less processing and packag- can adapt quickly to a more sustainable, right now. You would be waging a war support native wildlife. ing of food is better. Choose the whole less wasteful lifestyle. As Whitney says, for fresh water and clean food. Drive less. You did it when gas apple instead of the little slices in a let them lead the way. If you would rather not wage another prices went up, and you probably felt plastic bag. A smaller car consumes less Over it? It’s hard not to get completely war for natural resources, the time has better, right? People who drive less and gasoline, and a smaller house needs less frustrated and overwhelmed when point- come to make a change. Everyone across walk more are healthier, period. Don’t energy. A homemade gift may be less ing the fi nger at ourselves and screaming, America, and each of us living right here drive to 7-Eleven for another Big Gulp. attractive than one made in China, but it “We’re destroying planet Earth, and it’s along the Biscayne Corridor, must learn Stay home and drink water instead. will always be worth more. the only Earth we have!” But we do have to sit down, shut up, and stop trashing Turn off the A/C. When you’re not Reuse before recycling. Think choices and the power to change. this planet. home, let things heat up a little. Program cloth napkins instead of disposable Instead of the world’s greatest glut- Here are some practical steps you your thermostat higher than 80 degrees paper. Think of sharing one computer tons, we could become the world’s great- can take right now. during those hours you’re away. Train and printer among many users. Think est conservers. Let’s become known for Eat less meat. Meat takes a lot of yourself to adapt to a slightly higher of maintaining that old jalopy instead of having the highest growth rate of saving, energy to produce, and most people not destroying. Instead of disposing of survive just fi ne consuming it only WE’RE NUMBER ONE! our material wealth, let’s learn how to occasionally. If you are an addict, try Per-Capita Consumption U.S. United Kingdom Sweden Japan Argentina use and reuse it. the meatless patch — one day a week Please, please do not throw this without red meat. Eat more beans and Gas in liters (2000) 1679 480 600 449 119 copy of Biscayne Times into the garbage. eggs instead. Meat in kg (1998) 122 76 71 42 98 Recycle it. Or better yet, pass it around. Flush less. Do you really need to Give it to a friend at work. Spread the fl ush every time you look at a toilet? Paper in kg (2000) 331 189 280 250 45 word! Share a paper, save a tree, and Consider fl ushless urinals, low-fl ow Energy (1997) 7.96 3.89 5.86 4.09 1.73 preserve our Earth and dignity. toilets, or simply using the bushes. Urine (thousand metric tons of oil equivalent) is mostly water anyway. In the privacy Feedback: [email protected] Source: World Resources Institute, “EarthTrends: Environmental Information,” earthtrends.wri
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February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 41 PARK PATROL Hidden Park, Open Views The lucky residents of Bayside have this lovely spot to themselves By Jim W. Harper As it stands, Baywood Park is 1.9 BT Contributor green acres framing the calm indigo waters of Biscayne Bay. The lights of magine for a moment that the entire downtown and Miami Beach twinkle in dappled shoreline of Biscayne Bay the distance, although the park is only Ihad been designated a public space, open offi cially from sunrise to sunset. as most of our beaches are, and how the Also offi cially — according to the people would gather here every day at Harper BT photos by Jim W. parks department “list of don’ts” sign sunrise and sunset to walk their dogs, con- standing next to the “welcome” sign — tort themselves into yoga positions, and no domestic animals are allowed. Last let the children run free. Most people in time I checked, dogs were domesticated, Miami cannot do that, but the lucky deni- so it stands to reason that many, many of zens of the hidden and historic neighbor- the neighbors here are blatantly thumb- hood of Bayside have their own slice of ing their nose at the law. I even saw an waterfront where they can, and do, bask in unleashed Chihuahua named Rocco the daily ritual of “sunrise, sunset” — to scampering through the grass (not across borrow from Fiddler on the Roof. the grass, as the blades were taller than This lovely spot is their little secret, he). At both ends of the park are boxes of too. No sign on Biscayne Boulevard free pooper-scooper bags, which cater to points out that a City of Miami park sits the enemy. The people I talked with said just two blocks to the east, nor does it that no one has had a problem with dogs register on the city’s Parks and Rec- in the park for several years. reation Website. (Also missing from Safe, quiet, and a great waterfront view. Who could ask for more? And what’s up with the name the city’s Website is an active link to the 2007 Parks Master Plan. Oops….) of fencing here is covered in razor wire, Recently upgraded as part of a drainage as if the Clipper condos, adjacent to the project, Baywood Park is a delight only park, anxiously expected some kind of for those in the know. amphibious assault. And it is delightful, but it could have At the park’s northeastern border is been, should have been, so much more. The Wall. On the other side of this fi ve- The park’s open seawall is choked at foot concrete curtain lies the burial site both ends, particularly at the southern of the Prescott mansion, which had been corner where a crazed razor-wire “door” empty for years and was torn down after stands on permanent lockdown, hover- Hurricane Katrina. Now it is an empty ing over the bay. In fact the entire length lot with gorgeous views and creepy
BAYWOOD PARK Park Rating
NE 72nd St e
NE 70th Street at
NE 10th Av Ave 10th 10th NE NE NE 71st St Biscayne Bay The view south toward downtown Miami. Miami NE 70th St Park Hours: Sunrise to concrete ruins of what must have been Baywood? There are a few mangroves a grand entrance. This waterfront lot is huddled along the seawall and a row of Baywood Park sunset Picnic tables: No selling for a cool $3.5 million, according royal palms standing at attention, but I NE 69th St Barbecues: No to Barclay’s Real Estate Group. could see no woods or even shade trees Picnic pavilions: No Next to that vestigial acre is another to speak of. The park is slated to receive Tennis courts: No empty lot of equal size that has been more shade trees as part of the city’s Athletic fi elds: No slated for multiple residences. What a Parks Master Plan (the one that has gone Night lighting: Yes shame. If the City of Miami had bought missing), but don’t count on it. After the Playground: No these two lots several years ago when drainage project that disrupted the park they were relatively affordable, it could last year, some skinny trees were planted, have nearly doubled the size of Baywood Park and made it the envy of the East. Continued on page 43
42 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 PARK PATROL
Bayside while another sign a few paces away Continued from page 42 qualifi es the no parking edict as applying only between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and but it appears that the lion’s share of new 6:00 a.m. To park or not to park at the trees, mostly sable palms, went into the park? That is Bayside’s question. medians along 69th and 70th streets. There is also a discrepancy between the Baywood Park tends to attract an upscale, newer and wider southern seawall and the family-friendly crowd. One character I met older, narrower northern seawall. Not that it there, a middle-age man who declined to pro- really matters. But I did fi nd litter in the park vide his name, was cleaning up litter from the two days in a row, which does matter. For the rocks below the seawall. When asked why, he most part, though, the park sparkles. said it was on behalf of Mother Earth and that What really lingers is the view, everyone should be responsible. Yes he can! which is one of Miami’s best -- even As the sun set on bucolic Bayside, though it remains something of a secret. a youthful man and woman curled into poses on colorful yoga mats laid out in Park Event the pasture. They live in the neighbor- On Saturday, February 21, the Bayside hood and visit twice a week, along with Residents Association will sponsor a their friend Matias Debuno, who kicked mini festival at the park to kick off a around a soccer ball. drive to establish a unique entrance to “I love it. It’s quiet and safe. This area Welcome to your park. Now here are 13 things you’d better not try. this historic neighborhood. Festivities is much better than north and west,” said run from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Assorted poli- Debuno, who hails from Argentina and more wide-open views of Biscayne Bay watercraft, including kayaks. ticians are scheduled to speak around has lived in Miami for one year. When than Legion Park, and its seawall is Parking is readily available on the 2:30, so time your arrival or departure asked about much larger Legion Park, clean and sturdy. But the water remains street alongside the park, but the signage accordingly. For more information visit three blocks to the south, Debuno and his at a distance. It is possible to jump the can be confusing. One sign next to baysideresidents.homestead.com. friends seemed unaware of its presence. wall and slither down to the rocks below, several clearly marked parking spaces Baywood Park offers much better, but the wall makes the park useless for states that there is no parking at any time, Feedback: [email protected] HOME SERVICES
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February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 43 COLUMNISTS: PAWSITIVELY PETS Entertainment vs. Reality Isn’t it amazing what those TV dog trainers can do! By Lisa Hartman and didn’t rely on theatrical gimmicks, BT Contributor nobody had heard of them. One example was Barking Mad on very week I meet new customers the Animal Planet channel. This was who have given armchair dog- a wonderful show, produced in Britain Etraining a try. Here are the kinds and since discontinued, in which skillful of comments I hear from them: “But trainers worked with all kinds of ani- Caesar said to hiss and jab two fi ngers in mals, from horses to iguanas. There was his neck. It worked with the dog on the no melodrama or showmanship, which, show.” Or this: “The English woman said alas, may have contributed to its demise. to make a silly noise and turn around. For it’s undeniably true that the more a The dog on TV seemed to understand, show gains attention (or notoriety), the but my stubborn dog didn’t get it.” And more a network is going to run with it, more of the same. cashing in while it’s a hot commodity. It is easy to see why these shows are Some seem to be on the air around the so incredibly seductive. There are atmo- clock, instantly fi xing peoples pet prob- spherics. Intense, horror-fl ick music plays lems at even 2:00 a.m. as The Trainer enters the room (think My experience as a professional Jaws). There are startling close-ups of the trainer likely accounts for the fact that growling, snapping dogs, who are prob- I always seem to be watching programs ably even more infl amed because a bunch other people never see, while avoid- of strangers have invaded their homes and ing those popular shows in which my shoved cameras in their faces. The star of critical eye easily sees through the the show either rollerblades with several staged “reality.” Just last week a man dogs at once, wears a skin-tight domi- at a pet-clothing boutique was talking natrix outfi t complete with high-heeled about an episode of It’s Me or the Dog boots (even while walking an unruly everyone wants to see the part where keeps them coming back week after (another Animal Planet show I do like, Great Dane), or has access to all manner they actually catch the predator. On week. It’s entertaining. by the way). He was commenting that of state-of-the-art hidden cameras, gad- American Idol, the more antisocial Two years ago there were no less the featured dog was one of the worst gets, and gizmos. It’s all too dramatic. or poorly trained the participant, the than fi ve dog-training shows on the air at he’d ever seen. It ate everything in the However, what really makes televi- better the the same time. house and knocked everybody down. sion training shows fun for people to ratings. The When people It didn’t like the husband, and always watch is the fact that, by the end of the same holds would ask my snapped at him. He couldn’t believe the The star of the show either rollerblades program, the previously uncontrollable for dramas, opinion of a trainer was able to fi x the dog — and in dog appears to be miraculously trans- which is why with several dogs at once, or wears a specifi c show, just one show! formed. That’s right — 30 to 60 minutes almost every skin-tight dominatrix outfi t complete I would say I Funny, but I saw things very dif- and presto! A new dog! Even less time other un- with high-heeled boots. prefer those ferently. The dog ate everything in the when you consider commercials. Won- scripted reality with educated, house because the kids and the adults derful! And best of all, armchair viewers show uses an positive left boxes of doughnuts everywhere don’t have to get dirty in the process. elimination trainers, and and no one supervised him. The dog Simply put, it’s entertainment. formula that leaves viewers praying their would name the programs. But be- On the show To Catch a Predator, favorites are not voted into oblivion, and cause the shows were straightforward Continued on page 45
44 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 COLUMNISTS: PAWSITIVELY PETS
Entertainment insane they didn’t seem real. Any wonder Continued from page 44 they had pet problems? A friend of mine, whom I sometimes knocked everyone down because, when counsel on his dogs, recently said he wants he was young, family members would to get one of them, his schnauzer, on It’s hold food over their heads and laugh as Me or the Dog. the puppy tried to jump up for it. Cute “But he doesn’t have a problem,” I re- then, dangerous later. The dog didn’t plied. “He’s great. We fi xed everything!” hate the husband; the poor thing was His response? “Well, I really just frightened of him. Gaining back trust want to get my dog on TV.” would take time. Enough said. Enjoy your favorite The gentleman at the boutique also seemed to miss the part where the narrator said You couldn’t ask for a better mess of a Victoria, the trainer, spent the television family! They were so insane entire day with the family, and they didn’t seem real. Any wonder they sternly informed them they had pet problems? had a long road ahead if they wanted to fi x their dog’s problems permanently. animal-training program, but remember I saw another episode of It’s Me or that, for the most part, it is not magic. the Dog that featured a family with two It’s entertainment. wild Great Dane puppies. The adults used walkie-talkies to communicate with each Lisa Hartman is head dog trainer for other. They allowed themselves to be Pawsitively Pets. You can reach her at dragged around and knocked over by the [email protected] or dogs. And they yelled and were hysterical www.pawsitivelypetsonline.com all the time. You couldn’t ask for a better mess of a television family! They were so Feedback: [email protected] GET INVOLVED Participate in a raffl e to help dogs in need! February 22nd, from 12pm - 4pm OUR THANKS GOES OUT TO: Soyka • Andiamo Pizza • News Lounge at 55th Station • Yeye • Style Lab • Mille Fleurs • Paws Pet Hotel • Catering by Maribel • Royal Bavarian Schnitzel Haus • Pets Raw Edge
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February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 45 R ESTAURANT LISTINGS The Biscayneypg Corridor’s most comprehensive restaurant guide. Total this month: 197.
of her absentee celebrity-chef gigs. She is hands-on at both El Q-Bano Palacio de los Jugos NEW THIS MONTH places on any given night. Bernstein’s exuberant yet firmly 8650 Biscayne Blvd. NORTH MIAMI BEACH controlled personal touch is obvious in nearly four dozen hot 305-758-2550 and cold tapas that, except for a few conventional entrées In case you were wondering if it’s too good to be true -- it isn’t. El Tuna’s Raw Bar and Grille MIAMI for die-hards, make up the whole menu. Items are frequently Q-Bano’s owners are indeed related to the family that operates 17850 W. Dixie Hwy., 305-932-0630 reinvented, depending on seasonal ingredients and diner feed- the original three Palacios de los Jugos -- which means no more www.tunasrawbarandgrille.com MIDTOWN / WYNWOOD / DESIGN DISTRICT back. Keepers include wild mushroom/manchego croquetas schlepping way out west for the chicharrones against which all When Tuna’s moved in 2006 from the marina space it had with fig jam (different from Michy’s, but equally flawless); white others pale. Also recommended are moist tamales, tasty sand- occupied for more than 30 years, it lost its waterfront loca- Joey’s Italian Café bean stew (duck/foie gras sausage and favas in an intense wiches (especially the drippingly wonderful pan con lechon), rich tion, its old-fashioned fish-house ambiance, and its outdoor 2506 NW 2nd Ave. port wine reduction); crisp-coated artichokes with lemon/cori- flan, and the fresh tropical juices that justify the aforementioned deck. But now it has gained new owners, a new name, a 305-438-0488 ander dip; simple but addictive Padron-style shishito peppers; excesses. For even heartier eaters, there’s a changing buffet of dazzling outdoor bar and dining area, and a newly impressive The first new restaurant in the Wynwood Café District, this and buttery bone marrow piqued with Middle Eastern spices daily specials and sides. And those ordering the combo platter of, selection of raw-bar specialties: cold-water oysters from the stylish indoor/outdoor Italian hangout is as casually cool and balanced by tiny pickled salads. $$$ basically, Cuba’s Greatest Hits had better take advantage of the Northeast, plus Blue Points, Malpecs, Island Creeks, and as one would hope -- and as affordable. The highest ticket free delivery, since waddling home will be difficult. $-$$ more. Traditional house favorites remain, and the emphasis items are $24 lamb chops with balsamic reduction, and a is still on fresh fish from local waters. Open daily till 2:00 few $1000 wines. For starving artists, there’s a five-buck MIAMI a.m., the place can get rather festive after midnight, but half-serving of spaghetti al pomodoro and respectable NORTH BAY VILLAGE since the kitchen is open till closing, Tuna’s draws a serious vino for under $30. And few can resist delicately thin, UPPER EASTSIDE late-night dining crowd, too. $$-$$$ crunchy-crusted pizzas like the creative Dolce e Piccante Edy’s Chicken & Steak (with figs, gorgonzola, honey, and hot pepper) or orgas- Anise Taverna 1624 79th St. Causeway mic Carbonara (mozzarella, pancetta, asparagus, and 620 NE 78th St. 305-864-9958 AVENTURA / MIAMI GARDENS eggs). There are also numerous surprise specials, as the 305-758-2929 It might initially seem that the steaks (sirloin, filet, or a chewy energetic young chef from Italy’s Veneto region changes www.anisetaverna.com “marucha” top round) are what differentiate Edy’s from Miami’s Pizza Roma the menu twice daily. Pastas are fresh; produce is largely In the past 15 years this river shack has housed at least five many other chicken joints. But what really makes the place 19090 NE 29th Ave. local; the mosaic-centered décor is minimalist but inviting. different restaurants. Now new owners Liza and Gigi are bank- stand out is the signature Peruvian pollo a la brasa, char- 305-937-4462 And no need to be wary of the warehouse district at night: ing on Greek food and festivity being the concept that sticks broiled in a wood-fired rotisserie rather than simply plonked Despite its name, this homey hidden eatery serves not Valet parking is free. $$-$$$ -- a good bet, judging from their wildly popular previous eatery, on a grill. The rotation makes the bird self-baste, keeping even Rome’s wood-cooked, crunchy-crusted pizzas but New Ouzo. The mainly mezze menu ranges from traditional Greek the delicate white meat juicy under its crispy, nearly fat-free York-style pies with medium-thick crusts pliable enough to small plates like the pikilia (combo dip plate of tzatziki, tarama, skin. Spicing is also superior. The original recipe of owner Edy fold in half for neat street eating. Unlike chains, though, this Sra. Martinez hummus, and smoky eggplant purée) or tender grilled octopus Dernovsek’s secret dozen-ingredient marinade came from a indie is accommodating, so if you want your crust thin and 4000 NE 2nd Ave. to creative Mediterranean-inspired dishes (like anise-scented visit to Peru, but has been tweaked with typical spices from crisp, just ask. Also featured are Italian-American entrées 305-573-5474 fish croquettes with spicy aioli) that never stray too far from her hometown -- Chiang Mai, Thailand. The result is subtly like baked manicotti (that’s “mani-goat”, for those not from No Biscayne Corridor resident needs to be told that this lively the fold to remain evocative. But don’t neglect large plates like mouth-warming heat absent from average chain chickens. NJ) big enough to share, and sub sandwiches, here called tapas bar, in the historic former Buena Vista Post Office, is whole grilled Mediterranean fish (dorade or branzino), filleted Nothing leaps out at you, but there’s just enough of a taste- “bullets,” to put you in a Sopranos frame of mind. The neigh- the second restaurant that Upper Eastside homegrrrl Michelle tableside. The interior décor is charming, and the outdoor deck bud tease to make the poultry’s own flavors jump. For serious borhood friendliness extends to kids, and there’s a TV, plus Bernstein has opened in the area. But know this: It’s not one on the Little River is positively romantic. $$-$$$ fire, green chili sauce comes with all orders. $-$$ coolers of beer and plonk, for sports fans. $$
Restaurant listings for the BT Dining MIAMI harissa-marinated loin, and bastilla, the famed savory-sweet chef Michael Gilligan, there’s nothing mere about the generous- Middle Eastern pastry, stuffed with braised shank), plus feta and ly portioned small plates. They range from traditional items like Guide are written by Pamela Robin Brickell / Downtown smoked eggplant. Finish with a vanilla soufflé your way, a choice cod fish equixada (a zingy bacalao salad) and saffron-sautéed Brandt. Every effort has been made of toppings: chocolate, raspberry, or crème anglaise. $$$$$ Spanish artichokes to inventive inspirations like foie gras and Acqua goat cheese-stuffed empanadas, or Asian-inspired soft-shell to ensure accuracy, but restaurants 1435 Brickell Ave., Four Seasons Hotel Bali crab in airy tempura batter. $$$ 305-381-3190 109 NE 2nd Ave., 305-358-5751 frequently change menus, chefs, and Originally an Italian/Mediterranean restaurant, this comfortably While Indonesian food isn’t easy to find in Miami, downtown Blu Pizzeria e Cucina operating hours, so please call ahead elegant, upscale spot switched chefs in 2006 (to Patrick Duff, has secret stashes -- small joints catering to Asian-Pacific cruise- 900 S. Miami Ave. (Mary Brickell Village) formerly at the Sukhothai in Bangkok), resulting in a complete ship and construction workers. Opened circa 2002, this cute, 305-381-8335; www.blurestaurantsgroup.com to confi rm information. Icons ($$$) menu renovation. Thailand’s famed sense of culinary balance exotically decorated café has survived and thrived for good More than a mere pizzeria, this spot sports a super-sleek Upper is now evident throughout the global (though primarily Asian reason. The homey cooking is delicious, and the friendly family Eastside (of Manhattan) interior. If that’s too formal, opt for a represent estimates for a typical meal or Latin American-inspired) menu, in dishes like yuzu/white feel encourages even the timid of palate to try something new. casual patio table while you study the menu over an order of without wine, tax, or tip. Hyphenated soya-dressed salad of shrimp tempura (with watercress, Vidalia Novices will want Indonesia’s signature rijsttafel, a mix-and-match warm, just-made gnocchetti (zeppole-like bread sticks, with pro- onion, avocado, pomegranate), a tender pork shank glazed with collection of small dishes and condiments to be heaped on rice. sciutto and savory fontina fondue dip), or creamy-centered suppli icons ($-$$$) indicate a signifi cant range spicy Szechuan citrus sauce (accompanied by a chorizo-flecked Once you’re hooked, there’s great gado-gado (veggies in peanut alla romana (porcini-studded tomato and mozzarella rice cro- in prices between lunch and dinner plantain mash), or lunchtime’s rare tuna burger with lively sauce), nasi goring (ultimate fried rice), and laksa, a complex quettes). And don’t worry. The place looks upscale, but prices of wasabi aioli and wakame salad. For dessert few chocoholics coconut-curry noodle soup that’s near-impossible to find made even the fanciest seafood or veal entrées don’t exceed $20. The menus, or among individual items on can resist a buttery-crusted tart filled with sinfully rich warm properly, as it is here. Note: bring cash. No plastic accepted here. fare fashioned by chef Ricardo Tognozzi (formerly from La Bussola chocolate custard. $$$$$ $-$$ and Oggi) is wide-ranging, but as the name suggests, you can’t go those menus. wrong with one of the thin-crusted brick-oven pizzas, whether a $= $10 and under Azul The Bar at Level 25 (Conrad Hotel) traditional margherita or inventive asparagi e granchi (with lump 500 Brickell Key Dr., 305-913-8254 1395 Brickell Ave., 305-503-6500 crab, lobster cream, mozzarella, and fresh asparagus). $$-$$$ $$= $20 Floor-to-ceiling picture windows showcase Biscayne Bay. But On the Conrad’s restaurant/lobby-level 25th floor, the expan- diners are more likely to focus on the sparkling raw bar and sive, picture-windowed space around the corner from the check- Café Sambal $$$= $30 open kitchen, where chef Clay Conley crafts imaginative global in desks used to be just a lobby extension. Now it’s The Bar, 500 Brickell Key Dr. $$$$= $40 creations – many of them combinations, to satisfy those who which is not just a watering hole with panoramic views. At lunch 305-913-8358; www.mandarinoriental.com/miami want it all. One offering, “A Study in Tuna,” includes tuna sashimi, it’s an elegant sandwich bar; at night it’s a raw bar (with pristine Though the Mandarin Oriental Hotel describes this space as its $$$$$= $50 and over Maine crab, avocado tempura, and caviar, with several Asian coldwater oysters) and (best) a tapas bar serving pintxos. That’s sauces. Moroccan lamb is three preparations (grilled chop, just the Basque word for tapas, but as interpreted by Atrio’s Continued on page 47
46 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 DINING GUIDE
Restaurant Listings part to the flood of freebies that’s a trademark of Manhattan’s Il Mulino, originally run by Il Gabbiano’s owners. (Free starters: Continued from page 46 A generous hunk of parmegiano-reggiano with aged balsamico dip, assertively garlicky fried zucchini coins, and tomato-topped “casual hotel restaurant,” many consider it a more spectacular bruschette.) The rest of the food? Pricy, but portions are mam- dining setting than the upscale Azul, upstairs, owing to the moth. And the champagne-cream-sauced housemade ravioli option of dining outdoors on a covered terrace directly on the with black truffles? Worth every penny. $$$$$ waterfront. The food is Asian-inspired, with a few Latin and Mediterranean accents (sushi, plus creative fusion dishes like Indochine tangerine-anise spiced short ribs with scallion pancake, or a 638 S. Miami Ave., 305-379-1525 tempura-battered snapper sandwich with lemon aioli). For the www.indochinebistro.com health-conscious, the menu includes low-cal choices. For hedo- Indochine has succeeded by morphing from mere restaurant into hip nists there’s a big selection of artisan sakes. $$$-$$$$$ hangout. Copious special events (art openings, happy hours with DJs, classic movie or karaoke nights, wine or sake tastings) draw every- Caribbean Delight one from downtown business types to the counterculture crowd. Not 236 NE 1st Ave., 305-381-9254 that there’s anything “mere” about the range of food served from Originally from Jamaica, proprietor Miss Pat has been serving three Asian nations. Light eaters can snack on Vietnamese summer her traditional homemade island specialties to downtown office rolls or Japanese sushi rolls, including an imaginative masago-coated workers and college students since the early 1990s. Most model with mango, spicy tuna, and cilantro. For bigger appetites, popular item here might be the weekday lunch special of jerk there are Thai curries and Vietnamese specialties like pho, richly fla- chicken with festival (sweet-fried cornmeal bread patties), but vored beef soup with meatballs, steak slices, rice noodles, and add-in even vegetarians are well served with dishes like a tofu, carrot, Asian herbs and sprouts. $$-$$$ and chayote curry. All entrées come with rice and peas, fried plantains, and salad, so no one leaves hungry – doubly true Iron Sushi thanks to the home-baked Jamaican desserts. $ 120 SE 3rd Ave., 305-373-2000 (See Miami Shores listing) Dolores, But You Can Call Me Lolita 1000 S. Miami Ave., 305-403-3103 La Loggia Ristorante and Lounge www.doloreslolita.com 68 W. Flagler St., 305-373-4800, www.laloggia.org It’s hard to figure why a Mediterranean/Latin restaurant (with This luxuriantly neo-classical yet warm-feeling Italian restau- Asian touches) would be named after a line in a 1950s novel rant was unquestionably a pioneer in revitalizing downtown; about a New England pedophile. But everything else about when it first opened, eating options in the courthouse area this casually stylish spot is easy to understand — and easy were basically a variety of hot dog wagons. With alternatives on the wallet. All entrées cost either $18 or $23, a price that like amaretto-tinged pumpkin agnolloti in sage butter sauce, includes an appetizer — no low-rent crapola, either, but treats cilantro-spiced white bean/vegetable salad dressed with truf- like Serrano ham croquetas, a spinach/leek tart with Portobello fle oil, and soufflé di granchi (crabmeat soufflé atop arugula mushroom sauce, or shrimp-topped eggplant timbales. And all dressed with honey-mustard vinaigrette), proprietors Jennifer desserts, from tiramisu to mango carpaccio with lemon crème, Porciello and Horatio Oliveira continue to draw a lunch crowd are a bargain $2.50. The best seats in this hip hangout, housed that returns for dinner, or perhaps just stays on through the in the old Firehouse 4, are on the rooftop patio. $$$ afternoon, fueled by the Lawyer’s Liquid Lunch, a vodka mar- tini spiked with sweetened espresso. $$$ Fresco California Bistro 1744 SW 3rd Ave., 305-858-0608 La Moon This festively decorated indoor/outdoor bistro packs a lot of 144 SW 8th St., 305-860-6209 party spirit into a small space, a large variety of food onto its At four in the morning, nothing quells the post-clubbing menu, and a very large amount of informal retro California-style munchies like a Crazy Burger (a heart-stopping Colombian fusion food onto its plates. To the familiar Latin American/ take on a trucker’s burger: beef patty, bacon, ham, moz- Italian equation, the owners add a touch of Cal-Mex (like Tex- zarella, lettuce, tomato, and a fried egg, with an arepa corn Mex but more health conscious). Menu offerings range from pancake “bun”) unless it’s a Supermoon perro, a similarly designer pizzas and pastas to custardy tamales, but the bistro’s overloaded hot dog. For less dainty eaters, there’s a bandeja especially known for imaginative meal-size salads, like one fea- paisa, a mountainous construction containing char-grilled turing mandarin oranges, avocado, apple, blue cheese, raisins, steak, pork belly, pork-enriched beans, rice, plantains, eggs, candied pecans, and chicken on a mesclun bed. $$ and arepas. One hardly knows whether to eat it or burrow in to spend the rest of the night. While this tiny place’s late hours Garcia’s Seafood Grille and Fish Market (till 3:00 a.m. Thursday, 6:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday) are 398 NW N. River Dr., 305-375-0765 surprising, the daytime menu is more so. In addition to all the Run by a fishing family for a couple of generations, this cholesterol-packed Colombian classics, there’s a salad Nicoise venerable Florida fish shack is the real thing. No wor- with grilled fresh tuna, seared salmon with mango salsa, and ries about the seafood’s freshness; on their way to the other yuppie favorites. $-$$ rustic outside dining deck overlooking the Miami River, diners can view the retail fish market to see what looks Latitude Zero freshest. Best preparations, as always when fish is this 36 SW 1st St., 305-372-5205 fresh, are the simplest. When stone crabs are in season, Potted plants are the only sign outside this narrow storefront Garcia’s claws are as good as Joe’s but considerably that the room inside is worlds more charming than standard cheaper. The local fish sandwich is most popular – grou- downtown Latin eateries. This urban oasis is an artsy little white- per, yellowtail snapper, or mahi mahi, fried, grilled, or tablecloth place (with alternating red tablecloths warming up the blackened. The place is also famous for its zesty smoked- feel), but with no-tablecloth prices. While much of the menu is fish dip and its sides of hushpuppies. $-$$ Miami’s generic Latin mix, there ia a separate Ecuadorian section that’s a playlist of that country’s culinary greatest hits. Standouts: Grimpa Steakhouse encebollado, a centuries-old fishermen’s soup given national 901 S. Miami Ave., 305-455-4757 individuality by yuca and zingy hits of lime; lighter caldo de bola, www.grimpa.com veggie-packed broth with plantain dumplings; and cazuelas, thick This expansive indoor/outdoor Brazilian eatery at Brickell Plaza layered casseroles of mashed plantains and tomato-enriched is more sleekly contemporary than most of Miami’s rodizio seafood. No clue? Try a bandera, a mixed plate of Ecuador’s joints, but no worries. The classic sword-wielding gauchos are most distinctive dishes, including shrimp ceviche. $$ here, serving a mind-reeling assortment of skewered beef, chicken, lamb, pork, sausages, and fish -- 16 cuts at dinner, Novecento 12 at lunch. And included in the price (dinner $47, lunch $34) 1414 Brickell Ave., 305-403-0900 is the traditional belly-busting buffet of hot and cold prepared www.bistronovecento.com foods, salad, cold cuts, and cheeses, plus additional accompa- For those who think “Argentine cuisine” is a synonym for niments -- like irresistible cheese bread -- served tableside. A “beef and more beef,” this popular eatery’s wide range of pleasant, nontraditional surprise: unusual sauces like sweet/ more cosmopolitan contemporary Argentine fare will be a tart passion fruit or mint, tomato-based BBQ, and mango chut- revelation. Classic parrilla-grilled steaks are here for tradi- ney, along with the ubiquitous chimichurri. $$$$-$$$$$ tionalists, but the menu is dominated by creative Nuevo Latino items like a new-style ceviche de chernia (lightly lime- Il Gabbiano marinated grouper with jalapeños, basil, and the refreshing 335 S. Biscayne Blvd., 305-373-0063 sweet counterpoint of watermelon), or crab ravioli with www.ilgabbianomiami.com creamy saffron sauce. Especially notable are entrée salads Its location at the mouth of the Miami River makes this ultra- like the signature Ensalada Novecento: skirt steak slices upscale Italian spot (especially the chic outdoor terrace) the (cooked to order) atop mixed greens coated in rich mustard perfect power lunch/business dinner alternative for those vinaigrette with a side of housemade fries. $$-$$$ wanting something beyond steakhouses. And the culinary experience goes way beyond the typical meat market, thanks in Continued on page 48
February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 47 DINING GUIDE Red, White, and You Agreeable wine for $12 or less By Bill Citara many of the inexpensive wines from earthy it tastes like a spoonful of black-cherry/cassis character, with nu- BT Contributor California and Australia. Instead these dirt was dissolved in each bottle. On ances of mushrooms, olives, and anise. Spanish bottles are light- to medium- the other hand, you might be able to It might be a little much for paella, but f you’ve heard anything about Spanish bodied, with tangy, restrained fruit and grow tomatoes in it. that’s not the only dish in the sea. wines, you’ve probably heard of Rioja. relatively high acidity. So never mind that one. IIt’s the vinous equivalent of paella — In the price-to-value department, it’s Take a ten spot and pick up a Get the Bodegas Borsao at ubiquitous, tasty, damn hard not to like. tough to beat the 2007 Bodegas Borsao, bottle of one of Spain’s best- Laurenzo’s Italian Market in But just as Spanish cuisine runs a lot which sells for the princely sum of nine known bargains, Torres’s North Miami Beach for $9 deeper than saffron-colored rice cooked bucks. Fresh, simple, almost candied fruit “Sangre de Toro” (“Blood of (16385 W. Dixie Hwy., 305-945- with assorted meats and shellfi sh, so too aromas carry through to the palate, where the Bull”). Not only do you get 6381), and the El Prado and does Spanish winemaking encompass a it sits lightly but quite pleasantly. This is a nifty little plastic bull tied Viña Rubican at North Miami’s lot more than the Tempranillo-based wine the perfect wine to chill and take to the around the neck, but the 2006 Total Wine & More for $5.99 produced in the region south of Spain’s beach. Or just drop a few ice cubes into it; vintage delivers surprisingly and $11.99, respectively Cantabrian mountains. even the Wine Police won’t care. complexity for the price, with (14750 Biscayne Blvd., 305- Red varietals like Garnacha, Garna- One of the new-style Spanish wines notes of toast, cassis, and anise 354-3270). The Biscayne cha Tintorera, Carinena, Monastrell, and is the 2007 El Prado from Valencia. A in the nose, and fl avors of tart Commons Publix (14641 Bobal, as well as such “world varietals” blend of 70 percent Tempranillo and cherries shaded by mint and Biscayne Blvd., 305-354- as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are 30 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, like anise. A very nice wine, even 2171) carries Sangre de Toro grown in regions from Almansa to Ju- the Borsao it’s also very approachable, without the toy. for $9.99, while the Carchelo milla to Navarra. though with a fi rmer structure and some A pair of 2004 vintages mine rather Monastrell costs $10.99 and the A lot of these regions and wines vaguely funky aromas that blow off after heartier territory. The Viña Rubican Castillo de Almansa goes for may not have the cachet of Rioja, but a few minutes of being opened. Crianza dishes a stiff shot of oak and $9.99 at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits they make up for it in very reasonable Or sometimes they don’t, like the fi rm tannins to go along with its minty, in North Miami Beach (16355 prices for well-made wines that partner 2005 Castillo de Almansa. Unusual in cherry-berry fruit; while the Carchelo Biscayne Blvd., 305-944-6525). especially well with food. Don’t expect that it’s exclusively Garnacha Tintorera, Monastrell (Mourvedre in most of the any 15-percent-alcohol fruit bombs like it’s also odd in that it’s so unrelievedly rest of the world) plays up that grape’s Feedback: [email protected]
Restaurant Listings without homemade sweet potato pie or banana pudding, plus a The River Oyster Bar Taste of Bombay Continued from page 47 bracing flop – half iced tea, half lemonade. $-$$ 650 S. Miami Ave., 305-530-1915 111 NE 3rd Ave.; 305-358-0144 www.therivermiami.com No surprise that a place called Taste of Bombay would be an Perricone’s This casually cool Miami River-area jewel is a full-service Indian restaurant. And depending mostly on the predominant Oceanaire Seafood Room 15 SE 10th St. seafood spot, as evidenced by tempting menu selections like nationalities of downtown construction workers at any given 900 S. Miami Ave., 305-372-8862 305-374-9449; www.perricones.com soft-shell crabs with grilled vegetables, corn relish, and remou- time, Taste of Bombay has also served sushi, Philippine, and www.theoceanaire.com Housed in a Revolutionary-era barn (moved from Vermont), lade. There are even a few dishes to please meat-and-potatoes Chinese food. Best bet, though, is the all-you-can-eat Indian With a dozen branches nationwide, Oceanaire may seem more this market/café was one of the Brickell area’s first gentrified diners, like short ribs with macaroni and cheese. But oyster buffet lunch spread, featuring six changing entrées (a mix of All-American seafood empire than Florida fish shack. But while amenities. At lunch chicken salad (with pignolias, raisins, fans will still find it difficult to resist stuffing themselves silly on meat, poultry, fish, and vegetable curries) plus veggie pako- many dishes (including popular sides like bacon-enriched apples, and basil) is a favorite; dinner’s strong suit is the pasta the unusually large selection of bivalves (often ten varieties per ras, rice, salad, chutneys, hot naan bread, and a dessert. The hash browns and fried green tomatoes) are identical at all list, ranging from Grandma Jennie’s old-fashioned lasagna to night), especially since oysters are served both raw and cooked place looks plain outside, but it’s pleasantly exotic enough Oceanaires, menus vary significantly according to regional chichi fiocchi purses filled with fresh pear and gorgonzola. And – fire-roasted with sofrito butter, chorizo, and manchego. To inside for a bargain business lunch. $$ tastes and fish. Here in Miami, chef Sean Bernal (formerly at Sunday’s $15.95 brunch buffet ($9.95 for kids) – featuring an accompany these delights, there’s a thoughtful wine list and Merrick Park’s Pescado) supplements signature starters like omelet station, waffles, smoked salmon and bagels, salads, numerous artisan beers on tap. $$$ Tobacco Road lump crab cakes with his own lightly marinated, Peruvian-style and more – remains one of our town’s most civilized all-you- 626 S. Miami Ave. grouper ceviche. The daily-changing, 15-20 specimen seafood can-eat deals. $$ Rosa Mexicano 305-374-1198; www.tobacco-road.com selection includes local fish seldom seen on local menus: pom- 900 S. Miami Ave., 786-425-1001 Prohibition-era speakeasy (reputedly a fave of Al Capone), gay pano, parrot fish, amberjack. But even flown-in fish (and the raw Prime Blue Grille www.rosamexicano.com bar, strip club. Previously all these, this gritty spot has been best bar’s cold-water oysters) are ultra-fresh. $$$$ 315 S. Biscayne Blvd., Miami, 305-358-5901 A branch of the original Rosa Mexicano that introduced New known since 1982 as a venue for live music, primarily blues. www.primebluegrille.com Yorkers to real Mexican food (not Tex-Mex) in 1984, this But it also offers food from lunchtime to late night (on week- Pasha’s This truly 21st-century steakhouse targets today’s health- expansive indoor/outdoor space offers a dining experience ends till 4:00 a.m.). The kitchen is especially known for its chili, 1414 Brickell Ave., 305-416-5116 minded gourmets by serving only certified-organic Brandt beef that’s haute in everything but price. Few entrées top $20. budget-priced steaks, and burgers, including the mega-mega The original branch on Miami Beach’s Lincoln Road was – antibiotic- and hormone-free, as well as dry-aged, butchered The décor is both date-worthy and family-friendly – festive burger, a trucker-style monster topped with said chili plus ched- instantly popular, and the same healthy Middle Eastern fast in-house, and smoke-seared by Prime Blue’s intense wood- but not kitschy. And nonsophisticates needn’t fear; though dar, mushrooms, bacon, and a fried egg. There’s also surpris- food – made with no trans fats or other nutritional nasties – is burning grills and ovens. For noncarnivores, the menu gives nachos aren’t available, there is nothing scary about zarape ingly elegant fare, though, like a Norwegian salmon club with served at the three newer outlets. The prices are low enough equal time to fish, all caught wild, and offers dozens of cooked de pato (roast duck between freshly made, soft corn tortillas, lemon aioli. A meat-smoker in back turns out tasty ribs, perfect that one might suspect Pasha’s was conceived as a tax write-off vegetable and salad options, including build-your-own. There’s topped with yellow-and-habanero-pepper cream sauce), or accompaniment to the blues. $$ rather than a Harvard Business School project, which it was by also a raw bar and a small steak/seafood retail counter. The Rosa’s signature guacamole en molcajete, made tableside. A founders Antonio Ellek and Nicolas Cortes. Dishes range from décor is as modern as the menu. Instead of the stuffy men’s few pomegranate margaritas ensure no worries. $$$ MIDTOWN / WYNWOOD / DESIGN DISTRICT common classics like falafel and gyros to more unusual items club look, you have a soaring, light-hued, open-plan, indoor/ like muhammara (tangy walnut spread), silky labneh yogurt outdoor space, with panoramic Miami River view. $$$$ Soya & Pomodoro cheese, and chicken adana kebabs with grilled veggies and 120 NE 1st St., 305-381-9511 Adelita’s Café aioli sauce. Everything from pitas to lemonade is made fresh, Provence Grill Life is complicated. Food should be simple. That’s owner 2699 Biscayne Blvd., 305-576-1262 from scratch, daily. $-$$ 1001 S. Miami Ave. Armando Alfano’s philosophy, which is stated above the entry From the street (which is actually NE 26th, not Biscayne) this 305-373-1940 to his atmospheric downtown eatery. And since it’s also the Honduran restaurant seems unpromising, but inside it’s bigger, Peoples Bar-B-Que The cozy, terracotta-tiled dining room (and even more charming formula for the truest traditional Italian food (Alfano hails from better, and busier than it looks. Unlike many Latin American 360 NW 8th St., 305-373-8080 outdoor dining terrace) indeed evoke the south of France. But Pompeii), it’s fitting that the menu is dominated by authenti- eateries, which serve a multinational mélange, this one sticks www.peoplesbarbque.com the menu of French bistro classics covers all regions, a Greatest cally straightforward yet sophisticated Italian entrées such as close to the source and proves a crowd-pleaser. On weekends Oak-smoked, falling-off-the-bone tender barbecued ribs Hits of French comfort food: country-style pâté maison with onion spinach- and ricotta-stuffed crêpes with béchamel and tomato especially, the two casual dining rooms are packed with families (enhanced with a secret sauce whose recipe goes back several jam, roasted peppers and cornichons; steak/frites (grilled rib-eye sauces. There are salads and sandwiches, too, including one enjoying authentic fare like baleadas (thick corn tacos), tajadas generations) are the main draw at this Overtown institution. But with peppercorn cream sauce, fries, and salad); four preparations soy burger to justify the other half of the place’s name. The (Honduras’s take on tostones), rich meal-in-a-bowl soups packed the chicken is also a winner, plus there’s a full menu of soul of mussels; a tarte tatin (French apple tart with roasted walnuts, most enjoyable place to dine is the secret, open-air courtyard, with seafood or meat and veggies, and more. To spend ten bucks food entrées, including what many aficionados consider our served à la mode). Deal alert: An early-bird prix-fixe menu (5:30- completely hidden from the street. Alfano serves dinner on on a meal here, one would have to be a sumo wrestler. $ town’s tastiest souse. Sides include collards, yams, and soft 7:30 p.m.) offers soup or salad, entrée, dessert, and a carafe of Thursdays only to accompany his “Thursday Night Live” events mac and cheese. And it would be unthinkable to call it quits wine for $44 per couple. $$$-$$$$ featuring local musicians and artists. $-$$ Continued on page 50
48 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 49 DINING GUIDE
Restaurant Listings Mediterranean than anything else, from old-fashioned favor- Charcuterie 18th Street Café ites like lasagna to contemporary creations like gnocchi with 3612 NE 2nd Ave., 305-576-7877 210 NE 18th St. Continued from page 48 sun-dried tomatoes, sweet pea purée, pine nuts, and ricotta This Design District old-timer has hung on for close to 20 years 305-381-8006; www.18thstreetcafe.com salata. But a few seafood sauces reflect Asian influences, as the District has gone through its mood swings. But it’s no Most of the seating in this cool little breakfast/lunch room is in Bengal and tropical Latin touches abound. Some of the most charm- worse for the wear. The upstairs/downstairs space looks good a sort of giant bay window, backed with banquettes, that makes 2010 Biscayne Blvd., 305-403-1976 ing dishes are modernized American, and done well enough as new, and is still almost impossibly cute. The menu, chalked the space feel expansively light-filled, and quite nicely gentrifies At this Indian eatery the décor is date-worthy, with the typical to make you nostalgic for 1985: creamy (but not gunky) daily on a blackboard, still features well more than a dozen its whole evolving Midtown block. This pioneering place deserves garish brass/tapestry/elephants everywhere replaced by a lobster bisque, lump crab cake with fried capers, and a retro typical French bistro specials like chicken Dijonaise or almond- to survive, even if just considering the roast beef sandwich with cool, contemporary ambiance: muted gray and earth-tone arugula salad with caramelized walnuts, bacon, gorgonzola, crusted trout in creamy, lemony beurre blanc. And the salads, creamy horseradish – an inspired classic combination that walls, tasteful burgundy banquettes. And the menu touts fresh berries, and raspberry vinaigrette. $$$$ soups, and sandwiches are still, invariably, evocative. Rough- makes one wonder why more places in this town don’t serve it. “Modern Indian Cuisine” to match the look. Classicists, cut pâté de campagne, topped with cornichons on a crusty (We’ll debate later.) Other culinary highlights of the classic “Six S” however, needn’t worry. Some dishes’ names are unfamil- Brosia buttered baguette is an instant trip to Paris. Though weekend repertoire (soups, sandwiches, salads, sweets, smoothies, spe- iar, but America’s favorite familiar north Indian flavors are 163 NE 39th St., 305-531-8700 nighttime hours were instituted several years ago, dinner is an cials) might include a turkey/pear/cheddar melt sandwich, and here, though dishes are generally more mildly spiced and www.brosiamiami.com on-again, off-again thing, so call first. $$-$$$ really sinful marshmallow-topped brownies. $ presented with modern flair. Definitely don’t miss starting The reputation that Arthur Artile amassed after years with salad-garnished Deshi Samosas (which come with ter- as executive chef at Norman’s and Chispa has made The Daily Creative Food Co. Five Guys Famous Burger and Fries rific cilantro/mint dip) or ending with mango kulfi, Indian ice the Design District’s Brosia an instant hit. The menu is 2001 Biscayne Blvd., 305-573-4535 3401 N. Miami Ave. (Shops at Midtown) milk. All meats are certified halal, Islam’s version of kosher Mediterranean-inspired, with a few items — like gazpacho While the food formula of this contemporary café is familiar – 305-571-8345 — which doesn’t mean that observant orthodox Jews can eat Caprese — fusing cuisines, but most retaining regional sandwiches, salads, soups, breakfast food, and pastries, plus www.fiveguys.com here, but Muslims can. $$$ individuality: Moroccan mussels in curry broth; shrimp coffee and fruit drinks – a creative concept differentiates the place. Like the West Coast’s legendary In-N-Out Burger chain, this and clams (with garlic, chorizo, and sherry) that scream Signature sandwiches are named after national and local newspa- East Coast challenger serves no green-leaf faux health food. Bin No. 18 “Spain!” The stylish space is a draw, too. Inside, all mahog- pers (like the Biscayne Times: tuna salad with hummus, cucumber, You get what the name says, period, with three adds: kosher 1800 Biscayne Blvd., 786-235-7575 any, leather, and luxuriant intimacy; outside, seating on an roasted peppers, arugula, and sprouts on multigrain bread), giving dogs, veggie burgers, and free peanuts while you wait. At this wine bar/café, located on the ground floor of one of extensive patio shaded by a canopy of old oaks. And the diners something to chat about. For those who’d rather Have It Which you will, just a bit, since burgers are made fresh upon midtown’s new mixed-use condo buildings, the décor is a convenient all-day hours (even breakfast) give it the feel of Their Own Way, both sandwiches and salads can be do-it-yourself order, not steam-tabled. Available in double or one-patty stylish mix of contemporary cool (high loft ceilings) and Old a real neighborhood restaurant. $$$ projects, with an unusually wide choice of main ingredients, gar- sizes, they’re well-done but spurtingly juicy, and after loading World warmth (tables made from old wine barrels). Cuisine is nishes, breads, and condiments for the creatively minded. $ with your choice of 15 free garnishes, even a “little” burger similarly geared to the area’s new smart, upscale residents: Buena Vista Bistro makes a major meal. Fries (regular or Cajun-spiced) are also creative sandwiches and salads at lunch, tapas and larger 4582 NE 2nd Ave., 305-456-5909 Delicias Peruanas superior, hand-cut in-house from sourced potatoes; a chang- internationally themed Spanish, Italian, or French charcuterie If a neighborhood eatery like this one -- which serves 2590 Biscayne Blvd., 305-573-4634 ing sign reports the spuds’ point of origin. $ platters at night. Though the place is small and family-run supremely satisfying Italian, American, and French bistro Seafood is the specialty at this pleasant Peruvian spot, as it was friendly, Venezuelan-born chef Alfredo Patino’s former execu- food -- were within walking distance of every Miami resident, at the original Delicias, run by members of the same family, Fratelli Lyon tive chef gigs at Bizcaya (at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove) we’d be a helluva hip food town. Located in the intimate eight blocks north on the Boulevard. There are differences here, 4141 NE 2nd Ave. and other high-profile venues are evident in sophisticated space that formerly housed Restaurant A, it’s the love child notably karaoke on weekends - and a kitchen that doesn’t shut 305-572-2901; www.fratellilyon.com snacks like the figciutto, a salad of arugula, gorgonzola dolce, of Quebequoise chef Claude Postel and his wife Callie, who down till the wannabe American Idols shut up, around 2:00 This Italian café has been packed since the moment it opened. caramelized onions, pine nuts, fresh figs, and prosciutto. Free runs the front of the house with exuberantly friendly charm. a.m. But the food is as tasty as ever, especially the reliably fresh No surprise to any who recall owner Ken Lyon’s pioneering Lyon parking in a fenced lot behind the building. $$ Like true Parisian bistros, it’s open continuously, every day traditional ceviches, and for those who like their fish tangy but Freres gourmet store on pre-gentrified Lincoln Road (1992-97), (until midnight!), with prices so low (starters $5-8, entrées cooked, a mammoth jalea platter (lightly breaded, fried seafood another joint that was exactly what its neighborhood needed. The Bleu Moon $8-15) that one really can drop in anytime for authentic ril- under a blanket of marinated onions - the fish and chips of your restaurant’s artisan salumi, cheeses, flavorful boutique olive oils, 1717 N. Bayshore Dr., 305-373-8188 lettes (a scrumptious spiced meat spread, like a rustic pâté) dreams). As for nonseafood stuff, no one who doesn’t already and more on the ingredient-driven menu are so outstanding that Deep inside the Doubletree Grand, this restaurant, which with a crusty baguette, steak with from-scratch frites, salmon know that Peru practically invented fusion cuisine (in the one can’t help wishing this restaurant also had a retail component. has panoramic Biscayne Bay views and an outdoor deck, atop ratatouille, or many changing blackboard specials. 1800s) will doubt, after sampling two traditional noodle dishes: Well, maybe later. Meanwhile console yourself with the sort of is one of the few upscale dinner spots near the Arsht Portions are plentiful. So is free parking. And it’s well worth tallerin saltado (Chinese-Peruvian beef or chicken lo mein) or Center for the Performing Arts. The eclectic menu is more a drive. $$ tallerin verde (Ital-Latin noodles with pesto and steak). $$ Continued on page 51
50 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 DINING GUIDE
Restaurant Listings Latin Café 2000 Maino Churrascaria from the Miami Herald, for more than 15 years has been a 2501 Biscayne Blvd. 2201 Biscayne Blvd., 305-571-9044 popular lunch and dinner hang-out for local journalists – and Continued from page 50 305-576-3838 This very upscale Brazilian steakhouse has all the features others who appreciate honest cheap eats and drinks (not to www.latincafe2000.com one expects at a rodizio-style restaurant, including all-you- mention a billiard table and 17 TV screens). Regulars know salamis and formaggi you’ll never find in the supermarket (as The menu is similar to that at many of our town’s Latin can-eat meats carved tableside and a lavish buffet of salads, daily specials are the way to go. Depending on the day, fish, well as rare finds like culatello – prosciutto royalty), including a cafés, largely classic Cuban entrées and sandwiches, with sides, salumi, and hot prepared dishes. What sets Maino churrasco, or roast turkey with all the trimmings are all pre- mixed antipasto esplosione that would feed Rhode Island. Entrées a smattering of touches from elsewhere in Latin America, apart from typical rodizio palaces is its family-run feel, intimate pared fresh. Big burgers and steak dinners are always good, include properly al dente pastas, plus some regional specialties like such as a Peruvian jalea mixta (marinated mixed seafood), rather than intimidating, plus its attention to every detail and happy hour appetizers (like meaty Buffalo wings) are Venetian-style calves liver, rarely found outside Italy. $$$ or paella Valenciana from Spain, which many Miami eateries (immediately obvious in the classy rustic/elegant décor, high- always half-price. Additionally, a limited late-night menu pro- consider a Latin country. What justifies the new millennium lighted by striking onyx accents -- bars, tabletops, and more). vides pizza, wings, ribs, and salad till 3:00 a.m. $-$$ Grass moniker is the more modern, yuppified/yucafied ambiance, While it’s rare at most rodizio joints to get meat done less 28 NE 40th St.; 305-573-3355 encouraged by an expansive, rustic wooden deck. Delivery is than medium, Maino’s eager-to-please servers here are happy Moriano After a couple of years in hiatus, this Design District restolounge now available. $$ to convey custom-cooking preferences to the kitchen -- and 3221 NE 2nd Ave., 786-953-8003 has reopened in the same outdoor courtyard space. What’s they’re English-speaking, too. One other welcome difference: Ultra-thin, crisp-crusted pizzas as good as Piola’s in South new: “MediterAsian” chef Michael Jacobs and a menu that trav- Lemoni Café As well as the one-price (hefty) feast, there are à la carte start- Beach. Made-from-scratch daily specials like green bean els beyond pan-Asian and Mediterranean influences into the 4600 NE 2nd Ave. ers and pastas for lighter eaters and noncarnivores, and some and parmesan soup, or prosciutto and mozzarella-stuffed Americas. Entrées range from lowbrow comfort food (cunningly 305-571-5080 lunch specials. Free parking, too. $$-$$$$$ gnocchi that you really have not seen on every other menu in reinvented mini pot pies) to high-status extravagance (stone- The menu here reads like your standard sandwiches/ town. A homemade white chocolate/raspberry cake, choco- seared, authentic Kobe steak). For healthy grazers, raw-bar salads/starters primer. What it doesn’t convey is the spar- Mario the Baker late ganache cake, and other pastries to die for. High-quality selections include ceviches and a large seafood platter (lobster, kling freshness of the ingredients and the care that goes 250 NE 25th St., 305-438-0228 ingredients, wine and beer, low prices, enthusiastic hands-on shrimp, and lump crab with housemade dipping sauces). into constructing these mostly healthy snacks. Entrée-size (See North Miami listing) owners committed to arts-oriented creativity. A comfortable There’s also a snack menu (pristine coldwater oysters, a crab salads range from an elegant spinach salad (with goat hang-out atmosphere. This tiny café, where “processed food” salad timbale, parmesan-truffle shoestring fries, mini-Kobe cheese, pears, walnuts, and raisins) to chunky homemade Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink is a dirty word, has it all — except a high-visibility location or burgers) served till the wee hours, providing a welcome alterna- chicken salad on a bed of mixed greens – a hefty help- 130 NE 40th St., 305-573-5550 media hype. So discover it for yourselves. (There’s ample tive to the Boulevard’s fast food chains. $$-$$$$$ ing of protein without typical deli-style mayo overload. Long-awaited and an instant smash hit, this truly neighborhood- free street parking, too.) $-$$ Sandwiches (cold baguette subs, hot pressed paninis, or oriented restaurant from Michael Schwartz, founding chef of Kafa Café wraps, all accompanied by side salads) include a respect- Nemo’s in South Beach, offers down-to-earth fun food in a com- Orange Café + Art 3535 NE 2nd Ave., 305-438-0114 able Cuban, but the deceptively rich-tasting light salad fortable, casually stylish indoor/outdoor setting. Fresh, organic 2 NE 40th St., 305-571-4070 www.kafamidtown.com cream that dresses a veggie wrap might tempt even hard- ingredients are emphasized, but dishes range from cutting-edge The paintings hanging in this tiny, glass-enclosed café are for Opened in late 2007 by a brother/sister team (both originally core cholesterol fans to stick with the sprouts. $-$$ (crispy beef cheeks with whipped celeriac, celery salad, and sale. And for those who don’t have thousands of dollars to shell from Ethiopia, via San Francisco), this casual spot is located chocolate reduction) to simple comfort food: deviled eggs, out for the local art on the walls, less than ten bucks will get in the stylish indoor/outdoor, multi-roomed Midtown space Lost & Found Saloon homemade potato chips with pan-fried onion dip, or a whole you art on a plate, including a Picasso: chorizo, prosciutto, man- formerly housing Uva and Stop Miami. Nothing on the break- 185 NW 36th St., 305-576-1008 wood-roasted chicken. There’s also a broad range of prices and chego cheese, baby spinach, and basil on a crusty baguette. fast and lunch menus tops $8, and portions feed an army (or www.thelostandfoundsaloon-miami.com portion sizes ($4-$8 for snacks and small plates to $24-$39 for Other artfully named and crafted edibles include salads, daily several starving artists). Signature item is the formidable Kafa There’s an artsy/alternative feel to this casual and friendly extra-large plates) to encourage frequent visits from light-bite as soups, several pastas (like the Matisse, fiocchi pouches filled Potato Platter -- a mountain of wondrously textured home fries Wynwood eatery, which, since opening as a weekday-only well as pig-out diners. Michael’s Genuine also features an eclec- with pears and cheese), and house-baked pastries. $ mixed with bacon, ham, peppers, onion, and cheese; eggs breakfast and lunch joint in 2005, has grown with its neigh- tic and affordable wine list, and a full bar, with cut-rate weekday (any style), fresh fruit, and bread accompany. Lunch’s burg- borhood. It’s now open for dinner six nights a week, serving happy hour cocktails. $$-$$$$ Out of the Blue Café ers, salads, and overstuffed sandwiches (like the roast beef Southwestern-style fare at rock-bottom prices. Dishes like 2426 NE 2nd Ave., 305-573-3800 supreme, a melt with sautéed mushrooms, onion, sour cream, piñon and pepita-crusted salmon, chipotle-drizzled endive Mike’s at Venetia www.outofthebluecafe.net and cheddar on sourdough) come with homemade soup stuffed with lump crab, or customizable tacos average 555 NE 15th St., 9th floor, 305-374-5731 Forget impersonal chain coffeehouses. This artist-friendly, or other sides, plus fruit. Not full yet? The pair has recently $5-$8. Also available: big breakfasts and salads, hearty www.mikesvenetia.com independent neighborhood café serves a full selection expanded to include night hours with an authentic Ethiopian soups, housemade pastries like lemon-crusted wild berry There’s no sign out front, but this family-owned Irish pub, dinner menu, plus beer and wine selections. $-$$ pie, and a hip beer and wine list. $ on the pool deck of a waterfront condo building across Continued on page 52
February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 51 DINING GUIDE
Restaurant Listings Sake Room including Uruguay’s famed chivito, sometimes called “a heart there are three Captain Crab’s Take-Aways (the others 275 NE 18th St., 305-755-0122 attack on a bun”: beef, bacon, ham, eggs, mozzarella, plus are in Carol City and Fort Lauderdale), all related to the Continued from page 51 www.sakeroom.com sautéed mushrooms and red peppers. And naturally, from the sit-down Crab House restaurants. But there the resem- Sake takes a back seat to sushi – and sophisticated décor – at rotisserie, there’s the zignature zuper chicken. $-$$ blance to McFauxFood ends. For about the price of a of coffee drinks made with the award-winning beans of this small but sleek restolounge, which offers South Beach bucket of the Colonel’s chicken you can get a bucket of Intelligentsia, a roasting company that works directly with sophistication without the prices or attitude, thanks to charm- the Captain’s savory garlic crabs. The King’s burger meal artisan growers to encourage sustainable agriculture – and ing proprietor Mario Cicilia. Among the seafood offerings, you Upper Eastside or the Captain’s similarly priced fried (or garlic boiled one helluva good cup of java. Also served: breakfast and won’t find exotica or local catches, but all the usual sushi/ or New Orleans-spiced) shrimp meal? No contest. Also lunch sandwiches, imaginative salads, soups, homemade sashimi favorites are here, but in more interesting form, thanks Andiamo popular: crab cakes and conch (fried or in fritters and pastries and creamy fresh-fruit smoothies. With tables, to sauces that go beyond standard soy – spicy sriracha, garlic/ 5600 Biscayne Blvd., 305-762-5751 chowder). For fish haters, spicy or garlic chicken wings sofas, and lounge chairs inside an old Midtown house, plus ponzu oil, and many more. Especially recommended: the yuzu www.andiamopizza.com are an option; for kids, cut-price “first mate” meals. $-$$ free wireless Internet access, the space is also just a pleas- hamachi roll (chopped Pacific yellowtail with scallions, sesame, Sharing a building with a long-established Morningside car ant place to hang out. Owner Carmen Miranda (real name) roe, citrusy dressing, and refreshing shiso leaf), the lobster wash, Andiamo is also part of Mark Soyka’s 55th Street Casa Toscana says beer and wine will soon be available. $ tempura maki (with veggies, chive oil, and an oddly wonderful Station – which means ditching the car (in the complex’s 7001 Biscayne Blvd., 305-758-3353 tomato sauce), and panko-coated spicy shrimp with hot-and- free lot across the road on NE 4th Court) is no problem even www.casatoscanamiami.com Pacific Time sour mayo and a salad. $$-$$$ if you’re not getting your vehicle cleaned while consuming Tuscan-born chef/owner Sandra Stefani cooked at Norman’s 35 NE 40th St., 305-722-7369 the brick-oven pies (from a flaming open oven) that are this (and briefly ran the Indian Creek Hotel’s restaurant) before www.pacifictimemiami.com S & S Diner popular pizzeria’s specialty. Choices range from the simple opening this Upper Eastside jewel, a wine market/eatery Everyone knows Jonathan Eismann’s original, now-defunct 1757 NE 2nd Ave., 305-373-4291 namesake Andiamo (actually a Margherita) to the Godfather, whose 30 original seats have been supplemented by a wine Pacific Time, for many years Lincoln Road’s only serious Some things never change, or so it seems at this diner, which is a major meat monster. Extra toppings like arugula and goat room/garden for tasting events and private dining. Stefani contemporary restaurant. The question is: How different so classic it verges on cliché. Open since 1938, it’s still popular cheese enable diners to create their own designer pies. Also travels regularly to Italy to find exciting, limited-production is its new incarnation? Very, and it’s all good, starting with enough that people line up on Saturday morning, waiting for available are salads and panini plus reasonably priced wines wines and inspiration for truly Tuscan-tasting daily special far superior acoustics (no more voice-shredding conversa- a seat at the horseshoe-shaped counter (there are no tables) and beers (including a few unusually sophisticated selections dishes with honest, authentic flavors, such as grilled wild boar tions!), an admirably green ecological policy, and a neigh- and enormous breakfasts: corned beef hash or crab cakes like Belgium’s Hoegaarden). $$ sausages with lentil croquettes. Favorites that show up often borhood-friendly attitude (including kid-oriented dishes, and eggs with grits; fluffy pancakes; homemade biscuits with on the menu include pear and ricotta raviolini with sage but- plus continuous service of inventive small plates and bar gravy and Georgia sausage – everything from oatmeal to eggs Boteco ter sauce, grilled eggplant slices rolled around herbed goat snacks). The food is also more intriguing – simultaneously Benedict, all in mountainous portions. The lunch menu is a roll 916 NE 79th St., 305-757-7735 cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, and a light ricotta tart with complexly refined and accessibly clean. While the addition call of the usual suspects, but most regulars ignore the menu This strip of 79th Street, formerly known for its live bait and lemon and rosemary. $$$ of Mediterranean influences to PT’s former Pacific Rim and go for the daily blackboard specials. $-$$ auto repair shops, is rapidly becoming a cool alt-culture menu may sound confusing on paper, trust us: A meal enclave thanks to inviting hangouts like this rustic indoor/out- Che Sopranos that includes a butter-grilled asparagus with prosciutto, Tony Chan’s Water Club door Brazilian restaurant and bar. Especially bustling on nights 7251 Biscayne Blvd., 305-754-8282 soft-cooked egg Milanese, and preserved lemon; plus an 1717 N. Bayshore Dr., 305-374-8888 featuring live music, it’s even more fun on Sundays, when the This branch of a Miami Beach Italian/Argentine pizzeria, housed Asian-accented creamy corn/leek soup with Peeky Toe The décor at this upscale place, located in the Grand, a huge bay- fenced backyard hosts an informal fair and the menu includes in a charming bungalow and featuring a breezy patio, covers crab dumplings, coriander, and mustard oil makes perfect side condo/resort hotel, looks far too glitzy to serve anything but Brazil’s national dish, feijoada, a savory stew of beans plus multicultural bases. If the Old World Rucola pizza (a classic sense on the tongue. $$-$$$$ politely Americanized Chinese food. The presentation is indeed fresh and cured meats. But the everyday menu, ranging from Margherita topped with arugula, prosciutto, and shredded elegant, but the American dumbing-down is minimal. Many unique, tapas-like pasteis (shrimp and hearts of palm-stuffed parmesan) doesn’t do the trick, the New World Especial (a Latin Pasha’s dishes are far more authentic and skillfully prepared than those turnovers) to hefty Brazilian entrées, is also appealing – and pie with hearts of palm and boiled eggs) just might. Also avail- 3801 N. Miami Ave., 305-573-0201 found elsewhere in Miami, like delicate but flavorful yu pan quail budget-priced. $$ able are pastas, salads, sandwiches, dinner entrées (eggplant (See Brickell/Downtown listing) (minced with mushrooms in lettuce cups). Moist sea bass fillet parmigiana with spaghetti, lomito steak with Argentinean potato has a beautifully balanced topping of scallion, ginger, cilantro, Le Café salad), and desserts (tiramisu or flan). $ Pizzafiore and subtly sweet/salty sauce. And Peking duck is served as three 7295 Biscayne Blvd., 305-754-6551 2905 NE 2nd Ave., 305-573-0900 traditional courses: crêpe-wrapped crispy skin, meat sautéed with For anyone who can’t get over thinking of French food as intimi- Chef Creole Those seeking dainty designer pizzas can fuhgeddaboudit here. crisp veggies, savory soup to finish. $$$-$$$$ dating or pretentious, this cute café with a warm welcome, and 200 NW 54th St. At this New York-style pizzeria (which has roughly the same family-friendly French home cooking, is the antidote. No fancy food 305-754-2223 menu as North Beach’s original Pizzafiore, but independent W Wine Bistro (or fancy prices) here, just classic comfort food like onion soup, Sparkling fresh Creole-style food is the star at chef/owner ownership), it’s all about heftiness. A special slice/soda deal 3622 NE 2nd Ave., 305-576-7775 escargot, daily fresh oysters, boeuf bourguignon (think Ultimate Wilkinson Sejour’s two tiny but wildly popular establish- features two pizza triangles bigger than most Miami mini- Both bistro and retail wine shop, this Design District spot is Pot Roast), Nicoise salad, quiche, and homemade crème brûlée. ments. While some meatier Haitian classics like griot (fried skirts. Whole pies come medium (large), large (huge), and run by Florent Blanchet, an energetic young Frenchman who A respectable beer and wine list is a welcome addition, as is the pork chunks) and oxtail stew are also available – and a extra-large (think truck tire). And with fully loaded pizzas like was previously a wine distributor. His former gig led to connec- housemade sangria. Top price for entrées is about $14. $-$$ $3.99 roast chicken special is a hard deal to resist – the the Supreme Meat Lover priced only a few bucks more than tions that mean if wine lovers don’t find the bottle they want glistening fish display that greets diners as they walk in a basic tomato/ cheese, it pays to think big about toppings in W’s selection of roughly 200-labels (which emphasizes bou- Canela makes it clear that seafood is the specialty here: crevette too. Other Italian-American fare is also available, notably pas- tique and organic growers), Blanchet can probably get it within 5132 Biscayne Blvd., 305-756-3930 en sauce (steamed shrimp with Creole butter sauce), lambi tas and subs. $-$$ 24 hours. Food is sophisticated light bites like a shrimp club When this atmospheric little neighborhood oasis opened, the fri (a mountain of perfectly tenderized fried conch), poisson sandwich with pancetta and sun-dried tomato aioli; smoked formula was Cuban cooking at lunch, Catalan tapas at night. gros sel (local snapper in a spicy butter sauce), garlic or Primo’s duck salad with goat cheese croutons and a poached egg; The menu is now more uniform: contemporary Spanish and Creole crabs. Note for ambiance-seekers: The Miami branch 1717 N. Bayshore Dr., 305-371-9055 and chocolate fondant. At night there are tapas. $-$$ pan-Latin tapas, sandwiches, salads, sides, and entrées at all has outdoor tiki-hut dining; North Miami’s outlet, a former Relatively few people except hotel guests and condo resi- hours, just a far more elaborate selection at night. The tapas Carvel, has the same food but lacks the tropical charm. $-$$ dents are familiar with the Grand’s restaurants (except for Zuperpollo Biztro Reztocafe list is especially impressive, with all the usual Hispanic meat Tony Chan’s). The imposing, cavernous lobby just doesn’t 3050 Biscayne Blvd., 305-573-8485 and cheese favorites but also an unusually large selection of Dogma Grill have that “do drop in” locals’ hangout vibe. But this lively www.zuperpollo.com seafood and vegetarian items such as espinaca à la catalaña 7030 Biscayne Blvd., 305-759-3433 Italian spot is actually a great addition to the neighbor- Occasionally there’s a sign out front of the office building (spinach sautéed with pine nuts and raisins). Must-not-miss www.dogmagrill.com hood. The pizzas alone – brick-oven specimens with top- housing this bistro, indicating that a branch of the popular items include ultra-creamy croquetas (ham, cheese, chicken, What could induce downtown businessmen to drive to the pings ranging from classic pepperoni to trendy prosciutto/ Uruguayan eatery Zuperpollo (on Coral Way, since 1986) is spinach, or bacalao), grilled asparagus with aioli, and habit- Upper Eastside to eat at a few outdoor-only tables just feet from arugula – would be draw enough. But pastas are also within. Otherwise, since the restaurant opened in 2006, locals forming Brazilian cheese bread. $-$$$ the busy Boulevard? From the day it opened, people have been planned to please: diners’ choice of starch, with mix-and- have basically had to intuit its presence – way in back, past a lining up, even in summer’s sweltering heat, for this stand’s match sauces and extras. And the price is right, with few guard desk and an elevator bank, behind an unmarked door. Captain Crab’s Take-Away sauce-garnished, all-beef, soy veggie, turkey, and chicken hot entrées (whether traditional veal piccata or seared ahi Once there, diners discover an extensive pan-Latin menu of 1100 NE 79th St., 305-754-2722 dogs. The 22 varieties range from simple (the Classic, with tuna) topping $20. The capper: It’s open past midnight breakfast food, salads, substantial meat and fish entrées, The drive-through window says “fast food,” and so do every day but Sunday. $$ homemade pastas and soups, desserts, and sandwiches, this long-lived seafood shack’s low prices. And indeed Continued on page 53
52 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 DINING GUIDE
Restaurant Listings Hiro’s Sushi Express fillets in a mouthwatering tangy/sweet/hot sauce), silky a pastry chef. There’s more substantial fare, too. Innovative 5140 Biscayne Blvd., 305-759-0914 Asian eggplant slices in Thai basil sauce, and other remark- wraps like Caribbean shrimp salad with tropical fruit salsa; Continued from page 52 (See North Miami Beach listing) ably low-priced specialties of Matilda Apirukpinyo, who salads such as warm goat cheese with fresh greens, toma- operated a critically acclaimed South Beach Thai eatery in toes, dried cranberries, and candied cashews. Also offered are ketchup, relish, and chopped onion) to the elaborate (the Jimmy’s East Side Diner the 1990s. Though the casually cute indoor/outdoor place tempting take-out baskets like the Tea for Two (with tea, jam, Athens, topped with a Greek salad, including extra-virgin olive oil 7201 Biscayne Blvd., 305-754-3692 is only open for weekday lunches, “cantina” dinners can be scones, and cookies), great for gifts or for at-home teas. $-$$ dressing) to near-unbelievable combinations like the VIP, which Open for more than 30 years, Jimmy’s respects the most ordered and picked up after hours. $ includes parmesan cheese and crushed pineapple. $ important American diner tradition: Breakfast at any hour. Red Light Admittedly the place closes at 4:00 p.m., but still. There are Michy’s 7700 Biscayne Blvd., 305-757-7773 East Side Pizza blueberry hot cakes and pecan waffles for sweet-tooth eaters; 6927 Biscayne Blvd., 305-759-2001 Only in Miami: From the rustic al fresco deck of chef Kris 731 NE 79th St., 305-758-5351 eggs any style, including omelets and open-face frittatas for Don’t even ask why Michele Bernstein, with a résumé that Wessel’s intentionally downwardly mobile retro-cool riverfront Minestrone, sure. But a pizzeria menu with carrot ginger those preferring savories; and a full range of sides: biscuits includes top-chef gigs at upscale eateries like Azul, not to restaurant, located in a refurbished old motel, you can enjoy soup? Similarly many Italian-American pizzerias offer entrées and sausage gravy, grits, hash, hash browns, even hot oat- mention regular Food Network appearances, opened a homey regional wildlife like manatees (Florida’s own half mammal/ like spaghetti and meatballs, but East Side also has pumpkin meal. Also available are traditional diner entrées (meat loaf, restaurant in an emerging (but far from fully gentrified) neigh- half meatloaf) while enjoying eclectic regional dishes that range ravioli in brown butter/sage sauce, wild mushroom ravioli, roast turkey, liver and onions), plus burgers, salad platters, borhood. Just be glad she did, as you dine on white almond from cutting-edge (sour-orange-marinated, sous-vide-cooked and other surprisingly upscale choices. The East Side Salad and homemade chicken soup. $-$$ gazpacho or impossibly creamy ham and blue cheese croqu- Florida lobster with sweet corn sauce) to comfort (crispy- includes goat cheese, walnuts, and cranberries; quaffs etas. Though most full entrées also come in half-size portions breaded Old South fried green tomatoes). The menu is limited, include imported Peroni beer. As for the pizza, they are clas- Karma (at almost halved prices), the tab can add up fast. Table-to- which makes sense with a chef-driven place; and it changes sic pies, available whole or by the slice, made with fresh plum 7010 Biscayne Blvd., 305-759-1392 table conversations about the food are common, something daily, which also makes sense at an ingredient-driven place. But tomato sauce and Grande mozzarella (considered the top A real car wash with meticulous detailing takes time. But kill- that only happens at exciting, if not flawless, restaurants. And several signature specialties, if they’re available, are not to be American pizza cheese). Best seating for eating is at the shel- ing an hour is a pleasure at this stylish car wash/tapas bar, at this one, the star herse lf is usually in the kitchen. Parking in missed: BBQ shrimp in a tangy Worcestershire and cayenne- tered outdoor picnic tables. $ where the elegant light fare occasionally even outshines the the rear off 69th Street. $$$-$$$$ spiked butter/wine sauce, irresistible mini conch fritters, and hand-washed automobiles. Vegetarians do especially well, homemade ice cream. $$-$$$ Europa Car Wash and Café with crusty baguette sandwich combos like brie, walnuts, and Moonchine 6075 Biscayne Blvd. honey, or another featuring grilled artichokes and buttery St. 7100 Biscayne Blvd., 305-759-3999 Royal Bavarian Schnitzel Haus 305-754-2357 Andre cheese. Lower carb items range from an imported olive Like its Brickell-area older sibling Indochine, this friendly indoor/ 1085 NE 79th St., 305-754-8002 Giving new meaning to the food term “fusion,” Europa serves assortment to an antipasto platter with Spanish Cantimpalo outdoor Asian bistro serves stylish fare from three nations: With Christmas lights perpetually twinkling and party up sandwiches, salads, car washes, coffee with croissants, and chorizo, manchego cheese, and garbanzos. There are break- Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Menus are also similar, split noises emanating from a new outdoor biergarten, this Chevron with Techron. Those who remember this former no-frills fast and dessert pastries too. Beverages include organic between traditional dishes like pad Thai and East/West fusion German restaurant is owner Alex Richter’s one-man filling station only as one of the Boulevard’s cheapest sources of coffee and soy chai lattes, as well as wines and an extensive creations like the Vampire sushi roll (shrimp tempura, tomato, gentrification project, transforming a formerly uninvit- brand-name gas will be astonished at the invitingly expanded interi- beer list featuring Belgian brewskis. On Thursday nights the cilantro, roasted garlic). But the café also carves out its own ing stretch of 79th Street one pils at a time. The fare or. Snacks match the casual chicness: sandwiches like the Renato car wash transforms into a chic lounge until 2:00 a.m. $-$$ identity with original creations, including yellow curry-spiced includes housemade sausages (mild veal bratwurst, (prosciutto, hot cappicola, pepper jack cheese, red peppers, Moonchine fried rice or Popeye’s Salad (spicy tuna, avocado, hearty mixed beef/pork bauernwurst, spicy garlicwurst) and Romano cheese dressing); an elaborate almond-garnished Kingdom spinach, masago roe, sesame seeds, and a scrumptious with homemade mustard and catsup; savory yet near- Chinese chicken salad; H&H bagels, the world’s best, flown in from 6708 Biscayne Blvd., 305-757-0074 sweet/hot kimchee dressing). Nearly everything is low in sodi- greaseless potato pancakes; and, naturally, schnitzels, a NYC. And the car cleanings — done by hand, not finish-scratching This newly renovated, indoor/outdoor sports bar serves um, fat, and calories – except desserts (notably the chocolate choice of delicate pounded pork, chicken, or veal patties machines — are equally gentrified, especially on Wednesday’s low-priced but high-quality steaks, plus more typical bar bomb). There’s also an impressive sake list, too. Coming soon: served with a half-dozen different sauces. $$-$$$ “Ladies Day,” when women are pampered with $10 detail washes food that’s actually far from the usual premade, processed a large rear patio for dining and entertainment. $$-$$$ and glasses of sparkling wine while they wait. $ stuff. Philly cheese steak sandwiches, big enough for two, Simplee Salad are made from hand-sliced rib eye; sides include fries and Moshi Moshi 7244 Biscayne Blvd. Garden of Eatin’ beer-battered onion rings, but also lightly lemony sautéed 7232 Biscayne Blvd., 786-220-9404 305-754-3100; simpleesalad.blogspot.com 136 NW 62nd St., 305-754-8050 spinach. And the burgers rule, particularly the Doomsday, “Spruced up” is a supreme understatement for the space, This is actually a restaurant within a restaurant: Sushi Square. Low profile would be an understatement for this place. Housed a cheese/ bacon/mushroom-topped two-pound monster formerly the Haitian hole-in-the-wall Fidele. Now a boutique But don’t be confused. There’s an explanation. The original in a yellow building that’s tucked in back of a parking lot behind that turns dinner into a competitive sport. But even the Japanese eatery, this younger sibling of South Beach old-timer eatery’s Paris-trained chef/co-owner Julien Durosini wanted a small grocery store, it’s nearly invisible from the street. Inside, smallest Queenburger (a half-pounder that’s no sissy) is a Moshi Moshi is a cross between a sushi bar and an izakaya to open for lunch, but couldn’t lower sushi prices to lunchtime though, it has the comfortable feel of a beach bar, and generous perfectly seasoned contender. No hard liquor, but the beer (Japanese tapas bar). Even more striking than the hip décor is levels without compromising quality. So he decided on a mid- servings of inexpensive Afro-Caribbean vegan food. Rastafari list makes up for it. $$ the food’s unusually upscale quality. But this isn’t surprising given day morph from sushi bar to salad bar. Choose a green (mixed, owner Immanuel Tafari cooks up meat and dairy-free specials, the owners’ previous work: Toshi Furihata and Hiro Terada were romaine, or spinach); load on four choices from an extensive like Jamaican pumpkin/chayote stew in coconut milk, that Luna Café executive chefs at SushiSamba and Doraku; Yani Yuhara is an list of veggies, fruits, nuts, olives, and cheeses; pick a dressing, depend on what looks good at that morning’s produce market. 4770 Biscayne Blvd., 305-573-5862 ex-Benihana manager. Sushi ranges from pristine plain individual all housemade (tangy ranch, creamy-rich gorgonzola, and exotic Large or small plates, with salad and fried sweet plantains www.lunacafemidtown.com nigiri (all the usuals plus rarer finds like toro) to over-the-top maki sesame-ginger are especially good); and pay six bucks — or an (plus free soup for eat-in lunchers), are served for five or seven The ground floor of the Wachovia Bank building may not rolls like the signature Moshi Moshi (tuna, white tuna, salmon, extra $3 if you want an added protein like shrimp or marinated bucks. Also available are snacks like vegetarian blue corn tacos, seem a particularly evocative locale for an Italian eatery, avocado, masago, tempura flakes, spicy mayo). Tapas also go white anchovies. If doing it yourself is a brain strain, there are desserts like sweet potato pie, and a breakfast menu featuring but once inside, the charming décor and the staff’s ebul- beyond standards like edamame to intriguing dishes like arabiki also two daily chef-created salad combos. $ organic blueberry waffles with soy sausage patties. $ lient welcome indeed are reminiscent of a café in Italy. The sausage, a sweet-savory pork fingerling frank with a superior kitchen’s outstanding feature is a brick oven, which turns pop/spurt factor; rarely found in restaurants even in Japan, Soyka Gourmet Station out designer pizzas (greater in variety, lesser in cost on the they’re popular Japanese home-cooking items. And rice-based 5556 NE 4th Court 7601 Biscayne Blvd., 305-762-7229 lunch menu, in effect till 4:30 p.m.) and crisp-skinned roast plates like Japanese curry (richer/sweeter than Indian types) 305-759-3117; www.soykarestaurant.com Home-meal replacement, geared to workaholics with no time chickens. Otherwise the menu holds few surprises – except satisfy even the biggest appetites. $-$$$ This expansive, contemporary hangout was often credited to cook, has been trendy for years. But the Gourmet Station the prices, surprisingly low for such a stylish place. No dish with almost single-handedly sparking the revitalization of has outlasted most of the competition. Main reason: decep- exceeds $22. $$-$$$ Pineapple Blossom Tea Room the Biscayne Corridor’s Upper Eastside. Now that the hype tive healthiness. These are meals that are good for you, yet 8214 Biscayne Blvd., 305-754-8328 has calmed down, Soyka remains a solid neighborhood taste good enough to be bad for you. Favorite items include The Lunch Room www.pineappleblossom.com restaurant that, like restaurateur Mark Soyka’s previous precision-grilled salmon with lemon-dill yogurt sauce, and lean 7957 NE 2nd Ave., 305-722-0759 The interior of this pineapple-yellow building is a soothing ventures (notably Ocean Drive’s pioneering News Café turkey meatloaf with homemade BBQ sauce – sin-free com- Hidden in Little Haiti, this Thai/Japanese spot, which opened oasis offering traditional full English tea service – or a more and the Van Dyke on Lincoln Road) is a perfect fit for its fort food. For lighter eaters, there are wraps and salads with in 2005, remains one of the Upper Eastside’s best-kept zingy tropical fruit-flavored Caribbean variation. Whether your area. Comfortably priced yuppie comfort food like meat- a large, interesting choice of dressings. Food is available à la secrets. But chef Michelle Bernstein (of Michy’s) and other chosen brew is steaming Earl Grey or pineapple-mint iced tea, loaf with mashed potatoes, crab cakes with spicy-sweet carte or grouped in multimeal plans customized for individual knowledgeable diners wander over from the Boulevard for the scones (with thick cream and jam), tea cakes, cookies, diner’s nutritional needs. $$ simple but perfect pad Thai, chili grouper (lightly battered and desserts, are hometown treats. Owner Frances Brown is Continued on page 54
February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 53 DINING GUIDE
Restaurant Listings Ver-Daddys Taco Shop Biscayne Bay is priceless. Floor to ceiling picture windows favorites (char-grilled wings, conch fritters, raw or steamed 7501 Biscayne Blvd. serve as the expansive indoor dining space’s rear wall, but shellfish) to full dinners featuring steak, homemade pasta, Continued from page 53 305-303-9755 the primo seats are outdoors, in sheltered banquettes and or fresh, not frozen, fish. And since about half of the estab- At this soulful taco shop, the menu descriptions are in com- patio tables where the water view, and carefree tropical lishment is sheltered, the bites and bay view rock even when slaw, a wild mushroom/smoked mozzarella pizza, or a mon English (“cinnamon puffs” drizzled with honey and lime, party feel, is unimpeded. $$-$$$$ the weather sucks. $-$$ Cobb salad may not be revolutionary fare, but Soyka not “buñuelos”). But taco fillings range from the commonplace continues to thrive while more ambitious, nationally publi- (ground beef, shredded chicken) to more unusual pork in Bocados Ricos Sushi Siam cized restaurants like OLA have come and gone. $$-$$$ chili verde, fried potato, or Baja battered fish (authentically 1880 79th St. Causeway; 305-864-4889 1524 NE 79th St. Causeway, 305-864-7638 garnished with Mexican crema and cilantro-spiked cabbage). Tucked into a mall best known for housing the Happy Stork (See Miami / Upper Eastside listing) Sushi Siam And all offerings can be loaded with other garnishes from the Lounge, this little luncheonette joint services big appetites. 5582 NE 4th Ct., 305-751-7818 kitchen (refried beans, cheese, crema) or less perishable offer- Along with the usual grilled churrascos, there’s an especially NORTH BEACH On the fairly standard menu of sushi-bar specialties plus a ings from a salsa bar. For the heath-minded, oils are nonhydro- belly-busting bandeja paisa (Colombia’s sampler platter of small selection of Thai and Japanese cooked dishes, there genated, and sauces/seasonings are all housemade and free grilled steak, sausage, chicharron, fried egg, avocado, plantains, Ariston are a few surprises, such as a unique lobster maki that’s of preservatives. $ rice, and beans). But do not miss marginally daintier dishes 940 71st St., 305-864-9848 admittedly huge in price ($25.95), but also in size: six like sopa de costilla, if this rich shortrib bowl is among the daily It took a Greek place (Ouzo’s, which moved to bigger SoBe ounces of crisp-fried lobster chunks, plus asparagus, avo- Wine 69 changing homemade soups. Arepas include our favorite corn quarters in 2007) to break the curse of this former restaurant cado, lettuce, tobiko (flying fish), masago (smelt) roes, and 6909 Biscayne Blvd. cake: the hefty Aura, stuffed with chorizo, chicharron, carne jinx location. And Ariston continues the lucky streak with clas- special sauces. Also popular are red and orange dragon 305-759-0122 desmechada (shredded flank steak), plantains, rice, beans, sical Greek cuisine based on recipes of co-owner Thanasis rolls, similarly sauced makis of fried shrimp plus veggies, From the name, one might think this is just a wine shop. and cheese. Garnished with even more over-the-top abandon Barlos’s mom Noni Barlou, and executed by CIA-trained chef topped with, respectively, raw tuna and salmon. Thai It’s actually about wine, food, and art, and how they work are Colombian-style hot dogs like the Perro Rico, topped with Alexia Apostolidis. Skip the menu’s puzzling Italianesque and dishes come with a choice of more than a dozen sauces, together. Wines, about 200 labels, are available retail (at chicharron, chorizo, cheese, a quail egg, and pineapple to can- generic Euro-American selections and concentrate on authentic ranging from traditional red or green curries to the inven- 35-50 percent of their marked prices, which are for in- cel out the cholesterol. Ha! But who cares? Strap on the med treats like the lightest, most savory whipped tarama (caviar tive, such as an unconventional honey sauce. $$$ house drinkers), with 40 sold by the glass. But the place’s emergency bracelet and bring it on. $-$$ spread) west of Athens; ultra-rich tzatziki (Greek yogurt with specialty is comparative flights of various wine types from cukes, garlic, and olive oil); bracing avgolemono (egg-thickened UVA 69 different regions. Food, designed for pairing, includes a Japanese Market and Sushi Deli chicken/lemon soup); char-grilled sardines with greens and 6900 Biscayne Blvd. new $25 three-course dinner. But the menu is mostly light 1412 79th St. Causeway; 305-861-0143 citrus dressing; or an inspired eggplant/ground beef moussaka, 305-754-9022 bites with intriguingly inventive touches: a seared Cajun Inside a small market that is, nevertheless, widely consid- bound here with an almost sinfully custardy béchamel. $$-$$$ www.uva-69.com tuna salad with wasabi sauce; crab cakes with Asian ered Miami’s premier source of Japanese foodstuffs, the Owned by the Vega brothers (chef Michael and art- sriracha chili sauce; a three-cheese soufflé. Especially “Sushi Deli” restaurant component is nothing more than a Café Prima Pasta ist Sinuhé) of Cane á Sucre – now defunct, but one of impressive are some nicely priced cheese/charcuterie lunch counter to the left of the entrance. But chef Michio 414 71st St., 305-867-0106, www.primapasta.com Midtown Miami’s first cool, contemporary cafés – this platters, served with fig tapenade, cornichons, fresh fruits, Kushi, who worked for years at the Sushin, Miami’s first full- Opened in 1993 with 28 seats, this family-run North Beach more ambitious yet casual outdoor/indoor Euro-café and bread, and multiple sauces. And the art part encompasses service Japanese restaurant, serves up some sushi found landmark has now taken over the block, with an outdoor ter- lounge serves the same purpose on the Upper Eastside, revolving exhibits, plus an art lecture series featuring wines nowhere else in town. Example: traditional Osaka-style sushi race and multi-roomed indoor space whose walls are full of helping to transform a commuter strip into a hip place to picked by owner Ben Neji to compliment the art. $$ – layers of rice, seasoned seaweed, more rice, and marinat- photos of their clientele (including national and local celebs). hang out. The menu has grown more sophisticated along ed fresh mackerel, pressed into a square box, then cut into Particularly popular are homemade pastas, sauced with with the neighborhood. Lunch includes a variety of salads lovely one-bite sandwich squares. While raw fish is always Argentine-Italian indulgence rather than Italian simplicity: crab- and elegant sandwiches like La Minuta (beer-battered NORTH BAY VILLAGE impeccable here, some unusual vegetarian sushi creations meat ravioletti in lobster cream sauce, black squid ink linguini mahi-mahi with cilantro aioli and caramelized onions on also tempt, as do daily entrées, like curried beef stew, that heaped with seafood. Veal dishes, such as piccata with white housemade foccacia). Dinner features a range of small Barchetta on the Bay typify Japanese home cooking. $ wine-lemon-caper sauce, are also a specialty. Though romantic plates (poached figs with Gorgonzola cheese and honey 1601 79th St. Causeway, 305-861-2228 enough for dates, the place is quite kid-friendly — and on the balsamic drizzle) and full entrées like sake-marinated Location, location, location. The truth of the old real estate Mario the Baker terrace, they’ll even feed Fido. $$$ salmon with boniato mash, Ponzu butter sauce, and crispy cliché could not be better illustrated than at this reasonably 1700 79th St. Causeway spinach. Drink specials and live music on weekends. priced Italian restaurant. While pastas like lobster ravioli in 305-867-7882 Tamarind Thai $$-$$$ tomato/cream vodka sauce are under $20, and no meat (See North Miami listing) 946 Normandy Dr., or seafood entrée exceeds $30, the spectacular setting on 305-861-6222 Oggi Caffe www.tamarindthai.us 1666 79th St. Causeway When an eatery’s executive chef is best-selling Thai cookbook 305-866-1238; www.oggicaffe.com author Vatcharin Bhumichitr, you’d expect major media hype, This cozy, romantic spot started back in 1989 as a pasta fancy South Beach prices, and a fancy SoBe address. Instead factory (supplying numerous high-profile restaurants) as Bhumichitr joined forces with Day Longsomboon (an old Thai well as a neighborhood eatery. And the wide range of bud- school pal who’d moved to Miami) at this unpretentious, get-friendly, homemade pastas, made daily, remains the authentic (no sushi) neighborhood place. Some standout dishes main draw for its large and loyal clientele. Choices range here (like shrimp and corn cakes with plum sauce, deep-fried from homey, meaty lasagna to luxuriant crab ravioli with sweet and sour fish, and roast duck with tamarind sauce) are creamy lobster sauce, with occasional forays into creative featured in the chef’s latest tome, Vatch’s Thai Kitchen, but exotica such as seaweed spaghettini (with sea scallops, with Tamarind’s very affordable prices (especially at lunch), you shitakes, and fresh tomatoes). For those tempted by too might as well let the man’s impeccably trained kitchen staff do much, ultra-accommodating servers have been known to the work for you. $$-$$$ allow half orders of two pastas. $$-$$$ MIAMI SHORES Shuckers Bar & Grill 1819 79th St. Causeway, 305-866-1570 Iron Sushi “Cheap eats and a million-dollar view” is the sound bite 9432 NE 2nd Ave. manager Philip Conklin uses to describe this outdoor beach 305-754-0311 bar, hidden in back of a bayfront motel. The joint dates from www.ironsushi.com South Beach’s late 1980s revival, but the kick-off-your-shoes With three Biscayne Corridor outlets (plus several branches vibe – not to mention the pool tables and jukebox – couldn’t elsewhere in town), this mostly take-out mini chain is fast be farther from SoBe glitz. The food ranges from classic bar Continued on page 55
54 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 DINING GUIDE
Restaurant Listings and wraps. Breakfast time is busy time, with banana-walnut tables in front of the fish counter, owing to the fresh- Chef Creole pancakes especially popular. But what’s most important is ness of its seafood (much of it from Capt. Jim Hanson’s 13105 W. Dixie Hwy.; 305-893-4246 Continued from page 54 that this is one of the area’s few sources of the real, New own fishing boats, which supply many of Miami’s most (See Miami listing) York-style water bagel: crunchy outside, challengingly chewy upscale eateries). Now there’s a casual but pleas- becoming the Sushi Joint That Ate Miami. And why do inside. Those puffy half-donuts most places pass off as antly nautical side dining room with booths, and more Chipotle Mexican Grill Miamians eat here? Not ambiance. There isn’t any. But when bagels aren’t even contenders. $ recently added, a sushi bar stocked largely with flown- 14776 Biscayne Blvd., 305-947-2779 friends from the Pacific Northwest, where foodies know their in Japanese fish just as pristine as the local catch. www.chipotle.com fish, tout the seafood’s freshness, we listen. And though the Bamboche Whether it’s garlicky scampi (made with sweet Key Proving that national fast-food chains don’t have to be bad bargain prices, and many menu items, are similar to those at 13408 Biscayne Blvd, 305-947-6339 West shrimp), housemade smoked fish dip, grilled yel- for either diners or the environment, Chipotle serves what other fast-food sushi places, there are some surprisingly imag- Buried in a strip mall perpendicular to the Boulevard, Bamboche lowtail (or some more exotic local snapper, like hog or the company calls “food with integrity.” The fare is simple, inative makis, like the Maharaja, featuring fried shrimp and is worth the hunt on one of those head-splitting Saturdays, for a mutton), perfectly tenderized cracked conch, or conch basically tacos and big burritos: soft flour or crisp corn drizzles of curry mayo. And where else will you find a stacked Haitian specialty not found in many area restaurants: bouillon tet fritters (with just enough batter to bind the big chunks tortillas stuffed with chipotle-marinated steak or chicken sushi (five assorted makis) birthday cake? $-$$ cabrit, a soup packed with greens (like spinach, cabbage, cress, of Bahamian shellfish), everything is deftly prepared chunks, bolder shredded beef barbacoa, or herb-scented string beans) and root veggies that is reputed to be a miraculous and bargain-priced. $$ pork carnitas, all with choice of fresh garnishes. But these Village Café hangover remedy. Along with bouillon, weekend specials include bites contain no evil ingredients (transfats, artificial color/ 9540 NE 2nd Ave. more unusual dishes like fritay, fried street snacks. Haitian stan- Casa Mia Trattoria flavor, antibiotics, growth hormones). Additionally, all pork, 305-757-6453; www.villagecaferestaurant.com dards (griot, tassot) are available daily, as are fresh-squeezed 1950 NE 123rd St., 305-899-2770 plus a large and growing percentage of the grill’s beef and There’s an official Village Hall a few blocks up the road, but a juices, lattes, and almost two dozen desserts. $ Tucked away, off to the side on the approach to the Broad poultry, is raised via humane and ecologically sustainable popular vote would probably proclaim Village Café the commu- Causeway and the beaches, this charming indoor/outdoor methods. And the food, while not the authentic Mex street nity center of Miami Shores. Few residents can resist starting Bar-B-Que Beach Sports Bar & Grill trattoria seems to attract mostly neighborhood regulars. stuff dreams are made of, is darned tasty, too. $ the workday with unique breakfast treats like a pressed panini 12599 Biscayne Blvd., 305-895-3141 But even newcomers feel like regulars after about ten of ham, Brie, and caramelized apples. Later locals gather over a On Friday nights, there’s karaoke at this expansive eatery, though minutes here, thanks to the staff’s genuinely Italian ebul- D.J.’s Diner balsamic-dressed cranberry blue chicken salad (a grilled breast from the décor -- mixing Wild West rusticity with Key West flip- lience. The delightful Italian accents don’t hurt, either. As 12210 Biscayne Blvd., 305-893-5250 on romaine with gorgonzola, walnuts, and dried cranberries), flops dangling from the ceiling -- it’s hard to know whether to for the menu offerings, they’re mostly classic comfort foods Located in a Best Western motel, this place, run by a Chinese- pan-fried blue crab cakes with beurre blanc and crisp cayenne- brush up your Jimmy Buffett medley or “Tumbling Tumbleweeds.” with some contemporary items as well. Housemade pastas American family, serves mostly basic American diner fare – burg- fried onions, wonton-topped salmon Oriental, or homemade There are specials the other six days of the week as well, are good enough that low-carb dieters should definitely ers, sandwiches, about a dozen dinner entrées, fresh-baked apple pasta. As for dessert, the pastry case speaks for village resi- from early-bird discounts to open-mike nights to kids-eat-free temporarily fuhgeddaboudit, especially for the tender gnoc- pie, and, oddly, a whole section of Caesar salad variations. But it’s dents: Let them eat (fresh-baked) cake! $-$$ Tuesdays. But don’t forget the biggest draw: the barbecue, hon- chi with pesto or better yet, delicate fagottini -- “beggar’s also a secret source for Chinese food, mostly chow mien/chop est stuff that has been low-temperature smoked for 12 to 14 purses” stuffed with pears and cheese. $$ suey-type dishes, but also a few dishes such as eggplant with garlic Côte Gourmet hours till tender yet resilient. Ribs are meaty (except for the aptly sauce and ma po tofu that are a step up in authenticity. $-$$ 9999 NE 2nd Ave., #112 named, bargain-priced “bucket of bones,” and while chopped Chéen-huyae 305-754-9012 pork may not totally satisfy North Carolina pulled pork purists, 15400 Biscayne Blvd., 305-956-2808 Hanna’s Gourmet Diner If every Miami neighborhood had a neighborhood restaurant nothing within a 1000-mile drive ever does. Biggest winners: suc- Diners can get some of the usual Tex-Mex dishes at this 13951 Biscayne Blvd., 305-947-2255 like this low-priced little French jewel, it’d be one fantastic culent sliced brisket and delightfully juicy chicken. $$ cute spot, if they must. But the specialty is Mayan-rooted When Sia and Nicole Hemmati bought the Gourmet Diner from food town. The menu is mostly simple stuff: breakfast Yucatan cuisine. So why blow bucks on burritos when one retiring original owner Jean-Pierre Lejeune in the late 1990s, croissants, crêpe, soups, sandwiches, salads, sweets, and Burritos Grill Café can sample Caribbean Mexico’s most typical dish: cochinita they added “Hanna’s” to the name, but changed little else a few more substantial specials like a Tunisian-style brik 11717 Biscayne Blvd., 305-891-1041 pibil? It’s currently LA’s trendiest taco filling (and morning- about this retro-looking French/American diner, a north Miami- (buttery phyllo pastry stuffed with tuna, onions, potatoes, www.burritosgrillcafe after hangover remedy). But that city couldn’t have a more Dade institution since 1983. Customers can get a cheese- and tomatoes) with a mesclun side salad. But everything is Originally a friendly little 125th Street hole-in-the-wall that authentically succulent version of the pickle-onion-topped burger or garlicky escargots, meatloaf in tomato sauce or boeuf homemade, including all breads, and prepared with impec- garnered raves for its limited menu of terrifically tasty treats, marinated pork dish than Chéen’s – earthily aromatic bourguignon in red wine sauce, iceberg lettuce and tomatoes, cable ingredients, classic French technique, and meticulous Mario and Karina Manzanero’s café is now in more siz- from achiote, tangy from bitter oranges, meltingly tender or a mushroom and squid salad with garlic dressing. For oysters attention to detail, down to the stylish plaid ribbons that hold able and atmospheric quarters. But the friendly, family-run from slow cooking in a banana leaf wrap. To accompany, Rockefeller/tuna-melt couples from Venus and Mars, it remains together the café’s baguette sandwiches. $-$$ (and kid-friendly) ambiance remains, as do the authentic try a lime/soy/chili-spiced michelada, also authentically the ideal dinner date destination. $$-$$$ Yucatan-style specialties. Standouts include poc-chuc, a pork Mexican, and possibly the best thing that ever happened to loin marinated in sour orange juice and topped with pickled dark beer. $$-$$$ Continued on page 56 NORTH MIAMI onions and chiltomate sauce (roasted tomato/chili); tacos al pastor, stuffed with subtly smoky steak, onion, cilantro, and Los Antojos pineapple; sinful deep-fried tacos dorados (like fat flautas); 11099 Biscayne Blvd.; 305-892-1411 and signature burritos, including the Maya, filled with juicy If it’s Sunday, it must be sancocho de gallina, Colombia’s cochinita pibil, refried beans, and pickled onions. $$ national dish. If it’s Saturday, it must be ajiaco. Both are thick chicken soups, full meals in a bowl. But veggies and garnishes Canton Café vary, and this modest Colombian eatery is a handy spot to 12749 Biscayne Blvd, 305-892-2882 comparison-test such typical stews. Adventuresome eaters may Easily overlooked, this strip-mall spot serves mostly Cantonese- want to try another Saturday special, mondongo (tripe soup, based dishes, ranging from all the old Chinese-American classics similar to Mexico’s menudo). For Colombian-cuisine novices, (chop suey, moo goo gai pan, pu pu platters) through newer a Bandeja Paisa (sampler including rice, beans, carne asada, Americanized fusion favorites like honey garlic chicken, teriyaki chicharron, eggs, sautéed sweet plantains, and an arepa corn beef, and crab Rangoon. But there are also about two dozen spic- cake) is available every day, as are antojitos – “little whims,” ier, Szechuan-style standards like kung po shrimp, ma po tofu, smaller snacks like chorizo con arepa (a corn cake with and General Tso’s chicken. And there are a few imaginative new Colombian sausage). And for noncarnivores there are several items, like the intriguingly christened “Shrimp Lost in the Forest,” hefty seafood platters, made to order. $$ Singapore curried rice noodles, crispy shrimp with honey-glazed walnuts, and Mongolian beef (with raw chilis and fresh Oriental Bagels & Co. basil). Delivery is available for both lunch and dinner. $$ 11064 Biscayne Blvd., 305-892-2435 While this place is often referred to as Guns & Bagels, one Captain Jim’s Seafood can’t actually buy a gun here. The nickname refers to its loca- 12950 W. Dixie Hwy., 305-892-2812 tion next to a firearms shop. But there’s a lot of other stuff This market/restaurant was garnering critical acclaim aside from bagels here, including a full range of sandwiches even when eat-in dining was confined to a few Formica
NOW OPEN FOR LUNCH “Ariston is derived from the Greek aristos, meaning 'the best,' and it just might be.”--VVictoria Pesce Elliott, Miami Herald AND DINNER ALL WEEK LONG! “A restaurant that pleases its patrons. Ariston has started out doing just that.”--- Lee Klein, Miami New Times “Ariston continues the lucky streak with classical Greek cuisine based on recipes of owner Thanasis Barlos’s mom.”--- Biscayne Times MIAMI SPICE LIVES ON AT ARISTON WITH OUR “TASTE OF GREECE” SET MENUS!
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940 71st Street, Miami Beach ● 305-864-9848 ● www.aristonrestaurantmiami.com
February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 55 DINING GUIDE
Restaurant Listings Le Griot de Madame John squash and savor by a crispy yellowtail tempura topping. If you’re sophisticated global fare. Haitian-born, Montreal-schooled chef 975 NE 125th St., 305-892-9333 craving more creative fare, check out the handwritten specials Ivan Dorval formerly cooked at the Oasis Café in Miami Beach, Continued from page 55 When Madame moved her base of operations from her Little board on your way in. $$ as well as the Delano, and the varied background is reflected Haiti home to a real restaurant (though a very informal one, in cuisine that’s chiefly creative Caribbean but with influences Here Comes the Sun and still mostly take-out), she began offering numerous tradi- Mama Jennie’s from the Middle East, Asia, Greece, and Italy. Homemade, 2188 NE 123rd St. tional Haitian dishes, including jerked beef or goat tassot and 11720 NE 2nd Ave., 305-757-3627 health-oriented dishes include velvety ginger pumpkin bisque, 305-893-5711 an impressive poisson gros sel (a whole fish rubbed with salt For more than 35 years this beloved red-sauce joint has been unusually refined conch fritters (light batter, monster chunks of At this friendly natural foods establishment, one of Miami’s before poaching with various veggies and spices). But the dish drawing students and other starvation-budget diners with pro- conch), West Indies crab cakes with citrus aioli, and a signature first, there’s a full stock of vitamins and nutritional supple- that still packs the place is the griot: marinated pork chunks digious portions of lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs (the latter lavish, but only slightly sinful, Citadel Raw Fruit Pie. $$-$$$ ments. But the place’s hearty soups, large variety of entrées simmered and then fried till they’re moistly tender inside, crisp savory yet light-textured), veal marsala topped with a mountain (including fresh fish and chicken as well as vegetarian selec- and intensely flavored outside. $ of mushrooms, and other Italian-American belly-busters. All Oishi Thai tions), lighter bites like miso burgers with secret “sun sauce” pasta or meat entrées come with oil-drenched garlic rolls and 14841 Biscayne Blvd. (which would probably make old sneakers taste good), and Lime Fresh Mexican Grill either soup (hearty minestrone) or a salad (mixed greens, toma- 305-947-4338 daily specials are a tastier way to get healthy. An under-ten- 14831 Biscayne Blvd., 305-949-8800 toes, cukes, brined olives, and pickled peppers) that’s a dinner www.oishithai.com buck early-bird dinner is popular with the former long-hair, Like its South Beach predecessor, this Lime was an instant hit, as in itself. Rustic roadhouse ambiance, notably the red leather- At this stylish, dramatically minimalist Thai/sushi spot, the regu- now blue-hair, crowd. Frozen yogurt, fresh juices, and smooth- much for being a hip hangout as for its carefully crafted Tex-Mex ette booths, add to Mama’s charm. $-$$ lar Thai and Japanese dishes are as good as anywhere in town. ies complete the menu. $-$$ food. Though Lime is now franchising, the chain’s concept is “fast But the way to go is the menu of specials, many of which clearly casual” rather than fast food – meaning nice enough for a night Mario the Baker reflect the young chef’s fanatic devotion to fresh fish, as well as Ichi out. It also means ingredients aren’t canned-type crapola. Seafood 250 NE 25th St., 305-891-7641 the time he spent in the kitchen of Knob: broiled miso-marinat- 13488 Biscayne Blvd., 305-944-9334 tacos are about as exotic as the standard menu gets, but the mahi www.mariothebakerpizza.com ed black cod; rock shrimp tempura with creamy sauce; even Half sushi/sashimi, half cooked Japanese dishes, the mahi for fish tacos comes fresh, never frozen, from a local supplier, At this North Miami institution (opened in 1969) food is Nobu Matsuhisa’s “new style sashimi” (slightly surface-seared menu is relatively small but covers most of the traditional and salsas are housemade daily. Niceties include low-carb tortillas Italian-American, not Italian-Italian: spaghetti and meatballs, by drizzles of hot olive and sesame oil). Formerly all Japanese- favorites and a few surprises. Popular makis include the for dieters and many Mexican beers for partiers. $ lasagna, eggplant parmigiana, and hot or cold subs. No influenced, the specials menu now includes some Thai-inspired Dream (shrimp tempura, avocado, Japanese mayo, and imported buffala, arugula, or other chichi stuff on the New creations, too, such as veal massaman curry, Chilean sea bass masago), the vegetarian Popeye spicy spinach roll, and the Little Havana York-style medium-thin-crusted pizzas; the top topping here curry, and sizzling filet mignon with basil sauce. $$$-$$$$ deep-fried Crispy, a riceless salmon and veggie roll. Among 12727 Biscayne Blvd is the savory housemade sausage. And no one leaves with- cooked items, there’s a large list of teriyakis, and a few 305-899-9069; www.littlehavanarestaurant.com out garlic rolls, awash in warm parsley oil and smashed gar- La Paloma dishes prepared with a different twist – panko-breaded In addition to white-tablecoth ambiance that’s several steps up in ele- lic ($4 a dozen, $3 per half-dozen, which won’t even last the 10999 Biscayne Blvd., 305-891-0505 pork or chicken katsu cutlets, for instance, that eschew the gance from the majority of neighborhood eateries, this place features ride home). New branches are now open in Miami’s Midtown Step into La Paloma and you’ll be stepping back in time, circa standard sweet sauce for curry. $$ live Latin entertainment and dancing, making it a good choice when neighborhood and in North Bay Village. $ 1957. Adorned with antiques (some even real) and chandeliers, diners want a night out, not just a meal. It’s also a good choice for the over-the-top plush décor was the American fine-dining ideal Jerusalem Market and Deli diners who don’t speak Spanish, but don’t worry about authenticity. The Melting Pot – half a century ago (though actually the place only dates from 16275 Biscayne Blvd., 305-948-9080 Classic Cuban home-style dishes like mojo-marinated lechon asado, 15700 Biscayne Blvd., 305-947-2228 the 1970s). Cuisine is similarly retro-luxe: old-fashioned upscale Specialties like shawarma, spinach pies, kebabs, hum- topped with onions, and juicy ropa vieja are translated on the menu, www.meltingpot.com steaks, chops, and lobster, plus fancier Continental fare. If mus, and kibbeh (a savory mix of ground lamb and bulgur, not the plate, and fancier creations like pork filet in tangy tamarind For 1950s and 1960s college students, fondue pots were you have a yen for chateaubriand, duck a l’orange, oysters arguably the world’s most interesting meatball) are native sauce seem universal crowd-pleasers. $$$ standard dorm accessories. These days, however, branches Rockefeller, French onion soup, trout almondine, wiener schnit- to many Middle East countries, but when a Lebanese of this chain (originating in Maitland, Florida, in 1975) are zel, and peach Melba, it’s the only place in town that can deliver chef/owner, like this eatery’s Sam Elzoor, is at the helm, Maleewan Thai & Sushi generally the only places to go for this blast-from-the-past them all. A huge wine list fuels the fantasy. $$$$ you can expect extraordinary refinement. There are elabo- 2224 NE 123rd St., 305-895-0393 eating experience. Fondues are available à la carte or as full rate daily specials here, like lemon chicken or stuffed cab- Redecorated (tasteful bamboo-matted walls, silk flowers) since the dip-it-yourself meals. Start with a wine-enriched four-cheese Paquito’s bage with a variety of sides, but even a common falafel days — many days — this space was occupied by the kosher sushi fondue; proceed to an entrée with choice of meat or sea- 16265 Biscayne Blvd., 305-947-5027 sandwich is special when the pita is also stuffed with spot Tani Guchi’s Place, Maleewan is now a cozy, neighborly nook food, plus choice of cooking potion – herbed wine, bouillon, From the outside, this strip-mall Mexican eatery couldn’t be housemade cabbage and onion salads, plus unusually at which to enjoy all the standard Japanese and Thai selections. or oil; finish with fruits and cakes dipped in your favorite easier to overlook. Inside, however, its festivity is impossible rich and tart tahina. For home cooks, there’s also a lim- Cooked sushi is the strong suit here, particularly the signature melted chocolate. Fondue etiquette dictates that diners who to resist. Every inch of wall space seems to be covered with ited selection of imported spices and staples. $-$$ mammoth-size Maleewan roll, given zing by pickled Japanese drop a skewer in the pot must kiss all other table compan- South of the Border knickknacks. And if the kitschy décor alone ions, so go with those you love. $$$ doesn’t cheer you, the quickly arriving basket of fresh (not ORIGINAL BAVARIAN packaged) taco chips, or the mariachi band, or the knockout North One 10 margaritas will. Food ranges from Tex-Mex burritos and a party- BIER GARTEN 11052 Biscayne Blvd size fajita platter to authentic Mexican moles and harder-to-find 305-893-4211 traditional preparations like albóndigas – spicy, ultra-savory OPEN DAILY FROM 5:00PM TO 11:00PM www.northone10.com meatballs. $$-$$$ FRIDAY & SATURDAY TO MIDNIGHT For most chefs a Miami-to-Manhattan move is generally Join Us for considered one of those offers you can’t refuse. But after Pasha’s Valentine’s Day helming several NYC restaurants for China Grill Management, 14871 Biscayne Blvd., 786-923-2323 the homegrown married team of chef Dewey and sommelier www.pashas.com Dinner! Dale LoSasso returned to do their own thing in their own (See Miami: Brickell / Downtown listing) Reserve your neighborhood. The menu is “creative comfort food”: a shrimp seat today. waffle with basil butter; “steak and eggs” (a grilled NY strip Paul Bakery Café with truffled goat cheese frittata, herb demiglace, and hash 14861 Biscayne Blvd., 305-940-4443 browns); a stone crab hot dog the chef invented for a Super www.paulusa.com Bowl party. The award-winning wine list inspires playfully From one rural shop in 1889, the French bakery known themed pairing events like an Italian food/wine “Godfather” simply as Paul has grown to a worldwide chain, which fortu- dinner. But it’s not South Beach, so prices are reasonable, nately chose to open its first U.S. outlet in our town. One bite and parking is free. $$$-$$$$ of the crusty peasant loaf, the olive-studded fougasse, or another of the signature artisan breads transports you right TEL: 305-754-8002 www.schnitzelhausmiami.com Nuvo Kafe back to France. As authentic as the boulangerie breads are, 13152 W. Dixie Hwy., 305-892-1441 the patisserie items like flan normande (a buttery-crusted, 1085 N.E. 79th Street/Causeway, Miami, FL 33138 Though the neighborhood is decidedly ungentrified, the interior of this café is an oasis of cultivated Caribbean cool and subtly Continued on page 57
56 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 DINING GUIDE
Restaurant Listings sauce-drenched Hawaiian King Crab, containing unprec- our town’s best-kept secrets. But the perfectionist chef/ China Restaurant edented ingredients like tomatoes, green peppers, and pine- owner’s concentration on quality and freshness of ingre- 178 NE 167th St., 305-947-6549 Continued from page 56 apple. To drink there are boutique wines, artisan sakes, and dients has made Zipang the pick of sushi cognoscenti like When you have a yen for the Americanized Chinese fusion cocktails as exotic as the cuisine. $$$-$$$$ Loews’s executive chef Marc Ehrler, who has named the dishes you grew up with, all the purist regional Chinese almond-topped apple-and-custard tart) are just as evocative. unpretentious place his favorite Miami eatery, while admit- cuisine in the world won’t scratch the itch. So the menu For eat-in diners, quite continental soups, salads, and sand- Tokyo Bowl ting the obvious: “Nobody knows it.” $$-$$$ here, containing every authentically inauthentic Chinese- wiches are equally and dependably French. $$ 12295 Biscayne Blvd., 305-892-9400 American classic you could name, is just the ticket when This fast-food drive-thru (unexpectedly serene inside) is nostalgia strikes – from simple egg rolls to pressed Sara’s named for its feature item, big budget-priced bowls of rice NORTH MIAMI BEACH almond duck (majorly breaded boneless chunks, with 2214 NE 123rd St., 305-891-3312 or noodles topped with cooked Japanese-style items like comfortingly thick gravy). $-$$ www.saraskosherpizza.com teriyaki fish (fresh fish sautéed with vegetables), curried Bamboo Garden While this mainly vegetarian kosher place is best known for its chicken and veggies, spicy shrimp, or gyoza dumplings in 1232 NE 163rd St. Christine’s Roti Shop pizza (New York-style medium crust or thick-crusted Sicilian, tangy sauce. There’s also an all-you-can-eat deal – sushi 305-945-1722 16721 NE 6th Ave. topped with veggies and/or “meat buster” imitation meats), it’s (individual nigiri or maki rolls) plus tempura, teriyaki, and Big enough for a banquet (up to 300 guests), this 305-770-0434 also offers a full range of breakfast/lunch/dinner vegetarian other cooked items for $14; three bucks more for sashimi veteran is many diners’ favorite on the 163rd/167th Wraps are for wimps. At this small shop run by Christine cuisine of all nations, with many dairy and seafood items too. instead of sushi. $-$$ Street “Chinatown” strip because of its superior décor. Gouvela, originally from British Guyana, the wrapper is a far Admittedly the cutesie names of many items – baygels, berger- But the menu also offers well-prepared, authentic more substantial and tasty roti, a Caribbean mega-crepe rbite, Cezarrrr salad, hammm, meat-a-ball, schmopperrr – may Venezia Pizza and Café dishes like peppery black bean clams, sautéed mustard made from chickpea flour. Most popular filling for the flat- cause queasiness. But the schmopperrr itself is one helluva 13452 Biscayne Blvd. greens, and steamed whole fish with ginger and scal- bread is probably jerk chicken, bone-in pieces in a spiced high-octane veggie burger. $-$$ 305-940-1808 lions, plus Chinese-American egg foo young. Default stew of potatoes, cabbage, carrots, onions, and more chick- No frozen pizza crusts or watery mozzarella here. No spicing is mild even in Szechuan dishes marked with peas. But there are about a dozen other curries to choose Scorch Grillhouse and Wine Bar imported designer ingredients either. The pies are New red-chili icons, but don’t worry; realizing some like it from, including beef, goat, conch, shrimp, trout, and duck. 13750 Biscayne Blvd., 305-949-5588 York-style, but the dough is made fresh daily, and the hot, the chefs will customize spiciness to heroic heat Take-out packages of plain roti are also available; they trans- www.scorchgrillhouse.com cheese is Grande (from Wisconsin, considered America’s levels upon request. $$ form myriad leftovers into tasty, portable lunches. $ Though some food folks were initially exasperated when finest pizza topper). Also on the menu are Italian-American yet another Latin-influenced grill replaced one of our area’s pastas, a large selection of hot an cold subs, simple sal- Blue Marlin Fish House El Gran Inka few Vietnamese restaurants, it’s hard to bear a grudge at ads, and a few new protein adds – grilled chicken breast, 2500 NE 163rd St. 3155 NE 163rd St. a friendly, casual neighborhood place that offers monster fried fish, or a steak. $-$$ 305-957-8822 305-940-4910 ten-ounce char-grilled burgers, with potatoes or salad, for Located inside Oleta River State Park, this casual outdoor www.graninka.com $8.50; steaks, plus a side and a sauce or veg topper, for Wong’s Chinese Restaurant eatery (which is covered, but otherwise open-air) is a rare Somehow, when setting off to try Key Biscayne restau- nine bucks at lunch, $15 to $18.75 (the menu’s top price) 12420 Biscayne Blvd. surprise for nature lovers, especially since an eager-to- rants (like Miami’s original Gran Inka), we never make it at night; and three-dollar glasses of decent house wine. 305-891-4313 please young couple took over the daytime-only conces- past Jimbo’s. So luckily, the newer branch of this upscale Many other grilled meat and seafood items are also offered, This old-timer’s menu reads like a textbook on how to please sion, upgrading the menu, at the start of 2008. The fea- Peruvian eatery offers the same menu. Though diners will plus pastas, salads, gooey desserts, and specials (events as everyone, with food ranging from traditional Chinese to tured item is still the house-smoked fish this historic venue find ceviches, a hefty fried-seafood jalea, and Peru’s other well as food). $-$$ Chinese-American to just plain American. Appetizers include first started producing in 1938 – three varieties (salmon, expected traditional specialties, all presented far more ele- honey garlic chicken wings or Buffalo wings. A crab-claw mahi mahi, and the signature blue marlin), available in a gantly than most in town (notably a picture-perfect causa Steve’s Pizza starter comes with choice of pork fried rice or French fries. sampler, salads, sandwiches/wraps, or a delightfully mild con camarones, mashed potatoes layered with shrimp), 12101 Biscayne Blvd., 305-891-0202 Seafood lovers can get shrimp chop suey, or salty pep- smoked fish dip that may be Miami’s best. But the smoke- the contemporary Peruvian fusion creations are unique. At the end of a debauched night of excess, some paper-thin per shrimp (authentically shell-on). And snowbirds will be house now also turns out ribs and delectable brisket. Other Especially recommended are two dishes adapted from designer pizza with wisps of smoked salmon (or similar fluff) pleased to find a number of dishes that are mainstays of new additions include roasted red pepper hummus, crab recipes by Peru’s influential nikkei (Japanese/Creole) chef doesn’t do the trick. Open till 3:00 or 4:00 a.m., Steve’s has, Manhattan Szechuan menus but not common in Miami: cold cakes, a delightfully light homemade Key lime chiffon pie, Rosita Yimura: an exquisite, delicately sauced tiradito de since 1974, been serving the kind of comforting, retro pizzas sesame noodles, Hunan chicken, twice-cooked pork, Lake daily specials, and on weekends, fish fries (with live music). corvina, and for those with no fear of cholesterol, pulpo de people crave at that hour. As in Brooklyn, tomato sauce is Tung Ting shrimp, and peppery kung po squid. $$ For basic diners there are burgers and hot dogs. Entry oliva (octopus topped with rich olive sauce). $$$-$$$$ sweet, with strong oregano flavor. Mozzarella is applied with is directly from 163rd Street, not through the main park abandon. Toppings are stuff that give strength: pepperoni, Woody’s Famous Steak Sandwich entrance. No admission fee. $ Continued on page 58 sausage, meatballs, onions, and peppers. $ 13105 Biscayne Blvd. 305-891-1451 Sun City Café The griddle has been fired up since 1954 at this indie fast- 15400 Biscayne Blvd., 305-940-6955 food joint, and new owners have done little to change the Super-stuffed crêpes, made to order from scratch, are the time-tested formula except to stretch operating hours into the main specialty here – some sweet (the Banana Split: fresh night and expand its classic griddled-or-fried-things menu to strawberries, sliced bananas, candied walnuts, ice cream, include a few health-conscious touches like Caesar salad, plus and Nutella or dulce de leche), some savory (the Sun a note proclaiming their oils are free of trans fats. Otherwise the City Steak: beef, mushrooms, onions, red peppers, Swiss famous steak sandwich is still a traditional Philly – thin-sliced cheese, and A1 sauce). But there’s also a smaller selection beef, cheese, and onions on a buttered Italian roll (with tasty of custom-crafted wraps, salads, sandwiches, and sides, housemade sour cream/horseradish sauce served on the plus smoothies, coffee drinks, even beer or wine. Free Wi-Fi side so as not to offend purists). Extras like mushrooms are encourages long, lingering lunches. $ possible, not imposed. Drippin’ good burgers, too. And unlike MacChain addicts, patrons here can order a cold beer with the Sushi House good grease. $-$$ 15911 Biscayne Blvd., 305-947-6002 In terms of décor drama, this sushi spot seems to have Zipang taken its cue from Philippe Starck: Delano-like sheer floor- 14316 Biscayne Blvd. to-ceiling drapes, for starters. The sushi list, too, is over 305-919-8844 the top, featuring monster makis: the Cubbie Comfort It’s appropriate that the name of this small strip-mall sushi (spicy tuna, soft-shell crab, shrimp and eel tempura, plus spot refers to Japan’s first and only sparkling sake – some- avocado, jalapeños, and cilantro, topped with not one but thing most Americans have never heard of, making the three sauces: wasabi, teriyaki, and spicy mayo); the Volcano, reference pretty much an insider’s joke. Since opening topped with a mountain of tempura flakes; the spicy/sweet several years ago, the restaurant itself has been one of
February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 57 DINING GUIDE
Restaurant Listings Heelsha sesame, sugar, garlic, and more. Lovers of fiery food can are the Chinatown-style baked buns and other savory 1550 NE 164th St., 305-919-8393, www.heelsha. customize with dipping sauces, or the eatery’s many little pastries, filled with roast pork, bean sauce, and curried Continued from page 57 com banchan (included side dishes, some mild, others mouth- ground beef. Prices are under a buck, making them an If unusual Bangladeshi dishes like fiery pumpkin patey searing). Pa jun, a crispy egg/scallion-based pancake, is exotic alternative to fast-food dollar meals. There’s one Hiro Japanese Restaurant (cooked with onion, green pepper, and pickled mango) a crowd-pleasing starter. And if the unfamiliarity seems table for eat-in snackers. $ 3007 NE 163rd St., 305-948-3687 or Heelsha curry (succulently spiced hilsa, Bangladesh’s too scary altogether, there’s a selection of Chinese food. One of Miami’s first sushi restaurants, Hiro retains an sweet-fleshed national fish) seem familiar, it’s because $$-$$$ Matador Argentinean Steakhouse amusing retro-glam feel, an extensive menu of both sushi chef/owner Bithi Begum and her husband Tipu Raman 3207 NE 163rd St. and cooked Japanese food, and late hours that make it once served such fare at the critically acclaimed Renaisa. Kebab Indian Restaurant 305-944-6001 a perennially popular snack stop after a hard night at the Their new menu’s mix-and-match option also allows din- 514 NE 167th St., 305-940-6309 With Latin parilla places spreading here as fast as kudzu, area’s movie multiplexes (or strip clubs). The sushi menu ers to pair their choice of meat, poultry, fish, or vegetable Since the 1980s this restaurant, located in an unatmo- it’s hard to get excited about yet another all-you-can-eat has few surprises, but quality is reliable. Most exceptional with more than a dozen regional sauces, from familiar spheric mini strip mall but surprisingly romantic inside meat spread. But Matador offers far more for the money are the nicely priced yakitori, skewers of succulently soy- Indian styles to exotica like satkara, flavored with a (especially if you grab one of the exotically draped booths) than most. One dinner price ($24.95, $27.95 weekends) glazed and grilled meat, fish, and vegetables; the unusu- Bangladeshi citrus reminiscent of sour orange. Early-bird has been a popular destination for reasonably priced includes a salad bar of more than 30 items, unlimited ally large variety available of the last makes this place a dinners (5:00 to 6:30 p.m.) are a bargain, as some dishes north Indian fare. Kormas are properly soothing and grilled proteins (many cuts of beef, sausages, chicken, good choice for vegetarians. $$ are almost half-price. Lunch is served weekends only vindaloos are satisfactorily searing, but the kitchen will pork, assorted veggies, and even fish upon request), except by reservation, so call ahead. $$-$$$ adjust seasonings upon request. They aim to please. Food crunchy steak fries, a dessert (typically charged extra Hiro’s Sushi Express arrives unusually fast for an Indian eatery, too. $$ elsewhere), and even more fun, a bottle of quite quaf- 17048 W. Dixie Hwy., 305-949-0776 Iron Sushi fable wine per person. $$$ Tiny, true, but there’s more than just sushi at this mostly take- 16350 W. Dixie Hwy., 305-945-2244 King Buffet out spin-off of the pioneering Hiro. Makis are the mainstay (See Miami Shores listing) 316 NE 167th St., 305-940-8668 Panya Thai (standard stuff like California rolls, more complex creations like In this restaurant’s parking lot, midday on Sundays, the colorful 520 NE 167th St., 305-945-8566 multi-veg futomaki, and a few unexpected treats like a spicy JC Food display of vivid pinks, greens, and blues worn by myriad families Unlike authentic Chinese cuisine, there’s no shortage Crunch & Caliente maki), available à la carte or in value-priced 1242 NE 163rd St., 305-956-5677 arriving for dinner in matching going-to-church outfits is equaled of genuine Thai food in and around Miami. But Panya’s individual and party combo platters. But there are also bento Jumbo’s regular menu offers a large percentage of hard- only by the eye-poppingly dyed shrimp chips and desserts dis- chef/owner, a Bangkok native, offers numerous regional boxes featuring tempura, yakitori skewers, teriyaki, stir-fried veg- to-find traditional Chinese home-cooking specialties played inside on the buffet table. Though there’s an à la carte and/or rare dishes not found elsewhere. Plus he doesn’t gies, and udon noodles. Another branch is now open in Miami’s (many using fresh and preserved Asian vegetables): pork menu, the draw here is the 100-item (according to advertise- automatically curtail the heat or sweetness levels to Upper Eastside. $ with bitter melon, beef with sour cabbage, chicken with ments) all-you-can-eat spread of dishes that are mostly Chinese, please Americans. Among the most intriguing: moo khem mustard green, cellophane noodle with mixed-vegetable with some American input. It’s steam-table stuff, but the price is phad wan (chewy deep-fried seasoned pork strips with Hiro’s Yakko-San casserole. Still, most diners come for dim sum, a huge right and then some: $5.95 for lunch, $8.95 for dinner. $-$$ fiery tamarind dip, accompanied by crisp green papaya 17040 W. Dixie Hwy., 305-947-0064 selection served at all hours. These small plates include salad, a study in sour/sweet/savory balance); broad rice After sushi chefs close up their own restaurants for the chewy rice noodle rolls filled with shrimp or beef, leek King Palace noodles stir-fried with eye-opening chili/garlic sauce and night, many come here for a bite of something different. dumplings, crisp-fried stuffed taro balls, savory pork- 330 NE 167th St., 305-949-2339 fresh Thai basil; and chili-topped Diamond Duck in tangy The specialty is Japanese home cooking, served in graz- studded turnip cake, pork/peanut congee, custard crois- The specialties here are authentic Chinatown-style barbe- tamarind sauce. $$-$$$ ing portions so diners can enjoy a wide variety of the sants, and for the brave, steamed chicken feet. $$ cue (whole ducks, roast pork strips, and more, displayed unusual dishes offered. Standard sushi isn’t missed when in a glass case by the door), and fresh seafood dishes, PK Oriental Mart glistening-fresh strips of raw tuna can be had in maguro Kyung Ju the best made with the live fish swimming in two tanks by 255 NE 167th St. nuta – mixed with scallions and dressed with habit-forming 400 NE 167th St., 305-947-3838 the dining room entrance. There’s also a better-than-aver- 305-654-9646 honey-miso mustard sauce. Dishes depend on the market, Star of the show at this long-lived Korean restaurant age selection of seasonal Chinese veggies. The menu is While there are three other sizable Asian markets on but other favorites include goma ae (wilted spinach, chilled (one of only a handful in Miami-Dade County) is bulgogi. extensive, but the best ordering strategy, since the place this strip between I-95 and Biscayne Boulevard, PK and dressed in sesame sauce), garlic stem and beef (mild The name translates as “fire meat,” but isn’t a refer- is usually packed with Asians, is to see what looks good has the only prepared-food counter, serving authentic young shoots flash-fried with tender steak bits), or perhaps ence to Koreans’ love of hot chilis. Rather it refers to on nearby tables, and point. Servers will also steer you to Chinatown barbecue, with appropriate dipping sauces just-caught grouper with hot/sweet/tangy chili sauce. Open Korean-style barbecue, which is really not barbecued but the good stuff, once you convince them you’re not a chop included. Weekends bring the biggest selection, includ- till around 3:00 a.m. $$ quickly grilled after long marination in a mix of soy sauce, suey kinda person. $$ ing barbecued ribs and pa pei duck (roasted, then deep- fried till extra crisp and nearly free of subcutaneous Laurenzo’s Market Café fat). Available every day are juicy, soy-marinated roast 16385 W. Dixie Hwy. chickens, roast pork strips, crispy pork, and whole roast 305-945-6381 ducks – hanging, as tradition dictates, beaks and all. www.laurenzosmarket.com But no worries; a counterperson will chop your purchase It’s just a small area blocked off by grocery shelves, buried into bite-size, beakless pieces. $ between the wines and the fridge counters – no potted palms, Buena Vista Bistro and next-to-no service in this cafeteria-style snack space. But Roasters & Toasters when negotiating this international gourmet market’s packed 18515 NE 18th Ave. shelves and crowds has depleted your energies, it’s a handy 305-830-3354 place to refuel with eggplant parmesan and similar Italian- Attention ex-New Yorkers: Is your idea of food pornography American classics, steam-tabled but housemade from old fam- one of the Carnegie Deli’s mile-high pastrami sandwiches? ily recipes. Just a few spoonfuls of Wednesday’s hearty pasta Well, Roasters will dwarf them. Even a mouth like Angelina fagiole, one of the daily soup specials, could keep a person Jolie’s couldn’t fit around a “Carnegie-style” monster contain- shopping for hours. $-$$ ing, according to the menu, a full pound of succulent meat (really 1.4 pounds; we weighed it), for a mere 15 bucks. All Lemon Fizz the other Jewish deli classics are here too, including just-sour- 16310 W. Dixie Hwy., 305-949-6599 enough pickles, just-sweet-enough slaw, silky hand-sliced www.lemon-fizz.com nova or lox, truly red-rare roast beef, and the cutest two-bite Like wraps? Then you’ll love this Middle Eastern café’s mini-potato pancakes ever — eight per order, served with sour version made with saj, a circular Syrian flatbread similar cream and applesauce. $$ to pita but much thinner, moister, and all-around better. Upon order, diners can watch the chef custom-cook their Sang’s Chinese Restaurant saj (on a scorching-hot, flying-saucer metal dome of the 1925 NE 163rd St., 305-947-7076 same name), then roll the beautifully surface-blistered Open late (12:30 a.m. most nights) since 1990, Sang’s bread around one of 27 stuffings, including za’atar and has an owner who previously cooked in NYC’s Chinatown, EVOO, brined olives and labneh (creamy yogurt cheese), and three menus. The pink menu is Americanized Chinese falafel, steak, even dessert fillings like strawberries and food, from chop suey to honey garlic chicken. The white Nutella. Also available: soups, salads, and substantial menu permits the chef to show off his authentic Chinese globally topped rice bowls, plus fresh fruit juices and fare: salt and pepper prawns, rich beef/turnip casserole, smoothies. $ tender salt-baked chicken, even esoterica like abalone with sea cucumber. The extensive third menu offers dim Little Saiwwgon sum, served until 4:00 p.m. A limited live tank allows 16752 N. Miami Ave., 305-653-3377 seasonal seafood dishes like lobster with ginger and scal- This is Miami’s oldest traditional Vietnamese restaurant, lion. More recently installed: a Chinese barbecue case, but it’s still packed most weekend nights. So even the displaying savory items like crispy pork with crackling Open Lunch & Dinner: 11AM – Midnight place’s biggest negative – its hole-in-the-wall atmosphere, attached. $$$ not encouraging of lingering visits – becomes a plus since Sunday Brunch: 11AM - 3PM it ensures fast turnover. Chef/owner Lily Tao is typically Shing Wang Vegetarian, Icee & Tea House in the kitchen, crafting green papaya salad, flavorful beef 237 NE 167th St, 305-654-4008 noodle pho (served with greens, herbs, and condiments www.shingwangrestaurant.com that make it not just a soup but a whole ceremony), and At this unique Taiwanese eatery, run by a trio of Taipei- Patio Open Weekends many other Vietnamese classics. The menu is humon- trained female chefs, all seafood, poultry, and meats gous. $-$$ in the budget-priced entrées ($6.95) are mock – imita- tions made from wheat gluten, tofu, and vegetables. But Mary Ann Bakery don’t mock it till you try the quite beefy pepper steak, or 1284 NE 163rd St., 305-945-0333 smokin’ duck, with slices that mimic the charcuterie item ● Don’t be unduly alarmed by the American birthday cakes 4582 NE 2nd Ave 305.456.5909 in the window. At this small Chinese bakery the real finds Continued on page 59
58 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009 DINING GUIDE
Restaurant Listings legendary pizzerias crave -- at any cost. Expect neither Chef Allen’s several African diaspora regions: Carolina Low Country bargain-chain prices, a huge selection of toppings 19088 NE 29th Ave; 305-935-2900 (buttery cheese grits with shrimp, sausage, and cream Continued from page 58 (these aren’t the kind of clunky crusts you overload), www.chefallens.com gravy), the Caribbean (conch-packed fritters or salad), and nor much else on the menu except a hefty salad and After 20 years of success in the same location, many the Old South (lightly buttermilk-battered fried chicken). down to convincing faux fat. Other main dishes feature some onion-topped chicken wings that are also coal- chefs would coast on their backlog of tried-and-true dish- The chicken is perhaps Miami’s best, made even better recognizable veggies or noodles, including appealingly oven tasty. Anthony’s does just a few things, and does es. And it’s doubtful that kindly Allen Susser would freak with the Grille’s waffles. $$-$$$ chewy curried chow fun. As for the rest of the name: icee them right. $$ out his many regulars by eliminating from the menu the is shaved ice, an over-the-top dessert that’s a sort of a Bahamian lobster and crab cakes (with tropical fruit Pilar slurpee sundae, with toppings that vary from the familiar Bella Luna chutney and vanilla beurre blanc). But lobster-lovers 20475 Biscayne Blvd. (fresh fruits) to the weird (grass jelly, sweet corn, kidney 19575 Biscayne Blvd. Aventura Mall , will find that the 20th anniversary menus also offer new 305-937-2777; www.pilarrestaurant.com beans, rice balls, chocolate pudding). And the bubble tea 305-792-9330 excitements like tandoori-spiced rock lobster, along with Chef/owner Scott Fredel previously worked for Norman is a must-not-miss. Using housemade syrup (as opposed www.bellalunaaventura.com what might be the ultimate mac’n’cheese: lobster crab Van Aken and Mark Militello. He has been executive chef to most establishments’ store-bought stuff), the cold, If the menu here looks familiar, it should. It’s identi- macaroni in a Fris vodka sauce with mushrooms, scal- at Rumi, and cooked at NYC’s James Beard House. Armed refreshing boba comes in numerous flavors (mango, taro, cal to that at the Upper Eastside’s Luna Café and, lions, and parmesan. The famous dessert soufflé’s flavor with those impressive credentials, Fredel and his partners even actual tea), all supplemented with signature black with minor variations, at all the rest of Tom Billante’s changes daily, but it always did. $$$$$ launched Pilar (named for Hemingway’s boat) aiming to tapioca balls that, slurped through large-diameter straws, eateries (Rosalia, Villaggio, Carpaccio), right down to prove that top restaurants can be affordable. Consider are a guaranteed giggle. $ the typeface. But no argument from here. In a mall – a Il Migliore it now proven. Floribbean-style seafood is the specialty, setting more accustomed to food court, steam-tabled 2576 NE Miami Gardens Dr., 305-792-2902 dishes like fried Bahamian cracked conch with fresh Siam Square stuff – dishes like carpaccio al salmone (crudo, with Reminiscent of an intimate Tuscan villa, chef Neal hearts of palm slaw and Caribbean curry sauce, rock 54 NE 167th St; 305-944-9697 portobellos, capers, parmesan slices, and lemon/toma- Cooper’s attractive trattoria gets the food right, as well shrimp spring rolls with sweet soy glaze, and yellowtail Open until 1:00 a.m. every day except Sunday (when is to dressing) and linguine carbonara (in creamy sauce as the ambiance. As in Italy, dishes rely on impeccable snapper with tomato-herb vinaigrette and a potato/leek closes at midnight), this relatively new addition to North with pancetta and shallots) are a breath of fresh, albeit ingredients and straightforward recipes that don’t over- croqueta. Don’t let the strip-mall location fool you. The Miami Beach’s “Chinatown” strip has become a popu- familiar, air. $$-$$$ complicate, cover up, or otherwise muck about with restaurant itself is elegant. $$-$$$ lar late-night gathering spot for chefs from other Asian that perfection. Fresh fettuccine with white truffle oil restaurants. And why not? The food is fresh, nicely pre- Bourbon Steak and mixed wild mushrooms needs nothing else. Neither The Soup Man sented, and reasonably priced. The kitchen staff is willing 19999 W. Country Club Dr. does the signature Pollo Al Mattone, marinated in herbs 20475 Biscayne Blvd. #G-8 to customize dishes upon request, and the serving staff is (Fairmont Hotel, Turnberry Resort) and cooked under a brick, require pretentious fancifica- 305-466-9033 reliably fast. Perhaps most important, karaoke equipment 786-279-0658 tion. And even low-carb dieters happily go to hell in a The real soup man behind this franchise is Al Yeganeh, is in place when the mood strikes. $-$$ www.michaelmina.net hand basket when faced with a mound of potatoes alla an antisocial Manhattan restaurant proprietor made At Bourbon Steak, a venture in the exploding restaurant Toscana, fried herb-sprinkled French fries. Located west notorious, on a Seinfeld episode, as “the soup Nazi.” On empire of chef Michael Mina, a multiple James Beard of Biscayne Boulevard in the Davis Plaza shopping mall, the menu: ten different premium soups each day (from AVENTURA / MIAMI GARDENS award winner, steakhouse fare is just where the fare across from Ojus Elementary School. $$-$$$ a rotating list of about 50). The selection is carefully starts. There are also Mina’s ingenious signature dishes, balanced among meat/poultry-based and vegetarian; Anthony’s Coal-Fired Pizza like an elegant deconstructed lobster/baby vegetable pot Mahogany Grille clear and creamy (like the eatery’s signature shellfish- 17901 Biscayne Blvd. pie, a raw bar, and enough delectable vegetable/seafood 2190 NW 183rd St. packed lobster bisque); chilled and hot; familiar (chicken 305-830-2625 starters and sides (duck fat fries!) for noncarnivores to 305-626-8100 noodle) and exotic (mulligatawny). All soups come with www.anthonyscoalfiredpizza.com assemble a happy meal. But don’t neglect the steak — Formerly Ruby and Jean’s Soul Food Cuisine, a popular gourmet bread, fruit, and imported chocolate. Also available The last four digits of the phone number actually spell flavorful dry-aged Angus, 100-percent Wagyu American but strictly neighborhood cafeteria, Mahogany Grille has are salads, sandwiches, and wraps, à la carte or in soup-plus “COAL.” And that’s what it’s all about here -- a coal- “Kobe,” swoonworthy grade A5 Japanese Kobe, and but- drawn critical raves — and an international as well as local combos. $-$$ fired oven (like that at Lombardi’s, Patsy’s, John’s, ter-poached prime rib, all cooked to perfection under the clientele — since retired major league outfielder Andre or Grimaldi’s in New York) producing the intense supervision of on-site executive chef Andrew Rothschild, Dawson and his brother Vincent Brown acquired the place Sushi Siam 800-degree heat to turn out, in a mere three or four formerly of the Forge, meaning he knows his beef. (Mina in early 2007. The diner décor is gone, replaced by white 19575 Biscayne Blvd. minutes, a pie with the classic thin, crisp-bottomed, himself is absentee.) $$$$$ tablecloths and, naturally, mahogany. The food is a sort 305-932-8955 beautifully char-bubbled crust that fans of the above of trendy yet traditional soul fusion, heaping platters from (See Miami / Upper Eastside listing) JUST OPENED!
Take-out Delivery! Great Food, & perfect ambiance & beautiful artwork... all in the same place. we do catering! 3221 NE 2 Ave MIDTOWN 786.953.8003/4 open 7 days a week for lunch & dinner from 11am to 1am
February 2009 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com 59 60 Biscayne Times • www.BiscayneTimes.com February 2009