South Pointe Park, Miami Beach

South Pointe Park has been recently renovated and it is located next to the beach at the southernmost point of South Beach, in Miami. 

Kids area

This is an architectural wonder where natural space, light, functionality and incredible environment has been integrated harmonically. The restoration includes a natural sand dune next to a pathway, and an ocean-themed children's playground with sand dollar spinners and motion-activated water sprays.

The walkway links to the beach

The walkway links to the beach walk, and includes amenities like barbeques, picnic pavilions, restaurant, kids area, outdoor showers, scenic observation deck, and a dog park. The park has two entrances: one at Washington Avenue and a pedestrian entrance on Ocean Drive. 

The scenic observation deck

Bicycles and skateboards are allowed on paved walkways only, excluding the elevated portion of serpentine walkway. Fishing is prohibited in the park. There are doggie waste stations, with doggie bags and trashcans that have been strategically placed throughout the park. Even leashed dogs are welcome at the park.

The playground or adjacent areas with tables are not for rent, neither the Pavilion rooftop, however, the west lawn/field area can be rented by schools or youth organizations on a space available basis and only within the approved times.

Metered parking is available in the parking lot, but if you are not a resident; it might cost you around $20 for the day. The park closes at 10pm daily, but the walkway will remain open until 2am and neon light towers that shine on the walkway will light up the promenade.

The walkway at night

Driving directions 
From Eastbound on 395 to South Pointe Park:

• At the end of 395 (A1A Causeway) becomes 5th Street.
• Continue East on 5th Street 6 blocks to Washington Avenue.
• Turn Right (South) on Washington Avenue.
• The South Pointe Park is located at 1 Washington Avenue.

• At the end of 395 (A1A Causeway) becomes 5th Street. 
• Continue East on 5th Street 6 blocks to Washington Avenue.

• Turn Right (South) on Washington Avenue.

• The South Pointe Park is located at 1 Washington Avenue.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Miami

Viscaya Museum and Gardens

Viscaya, now considered a National Historic Landmark, was the former Villa and Estate of the American businessman James Deering (1859 – 1925), who lived in the Villa only during the winter months, from 1916–1925, when he died.

Deering was an agricultural industrialist in the family Deering Harvester Company, a farm equipment manufacturing company that grew in value, becoming one of America's wealthiest families by the end of the nineteenth century. The company later became the International Harvester Corporation, the largest producer of agricultural machinery in the nation, where Deering became vice-president. He was also a socialite, antiquities collector, international traveler and cultural ambassador.

He retired from International Harvester due to his health weakening, and in 1910 Deering purchased a land in Coconut Grove. He partnered with Paul Chalfin, who was an artist, interior designer and architect, to travel and create “Vizcaya.”

In 1912, the architect Burall Hoffman was hired as an associate architect for Villa Vizcaya, and in collaboration with Paul Chalfin and Colombian landscape architect Diego Suarez, to build the bay-front Italian Renaissance style villa with extensive gardens; native woodland landscape; and a historic village outbuildings compound, including a farm and a livestock. The Villa has 34 decorated rooms with 15^th through 19^th century antique furnishings and art objects. Suarez and Chalfin worked for seven years, perfecting the design of several themed gardens, and integrating fountains, a central pool, and a casino.

 

More than 1,000 workers between laborers and craftsmen from the Caribbean and Europe were employed on this project of 180 acres. At that time, Miami’s population didn’t exceed 10,000 people.

When Deering died in 1925, Viscaya was hit by the hurricane of 1926 and was extensively damaged. Viscaya restoration was overseen by the estate’s original designer, Paul Chalfin in 1933-34. Unfortunately, another major hurricane hit ion 1935 damaging the estate, and dissuaded Deering’s heirs’ attempts on using Viscaya as an attraction. In 1952, the main house and formal gardens were sold to Dade County for a sum below actual value, but in needed a significant restoration. In 1955, Deering’s heirs donated estate’s art and furnishing to the County on condition of becoming a public museum on perpetuity.

Viscaya is being continuously restored due to the effects of South Florida’s humid climate and salt air.

Since being in possession by Miami-Dade County, Viscaya has been diplomatic seat, having hosted some world’s most renowned dignitaries—such as Pope John Paul II, Queen Elizabeth II, President Ronald Reagan, and King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain—and major international events.

Attraction Details

Address: 3251 South Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33129

Hours: Daily, 9:30 am-4:30 pm

Closed: Christmas Day. All holidays are subject to change without notice.

Phone: 305-250-9133

Admission Price: Adult: $15.00 / Child: $6.00

Driving Directions

From I-95 S: Exit 1A. Turn right onto South Miami Avenue. Turn left at 3rd light into Vizcaya. From South: Take US 1 (South Dixie Highway) north to SW 17th Avenue. Turn right on SW 17th Avenue (east). Turn left onto South Bayshore Drive. Turn right at 5th light into Vizcaya.

 

The Forge Restaurant, Miami Beach

History

The Forge Restaurant has become a Miami Beach Legend of more than 40 years. When opened, it was initially an actual “forge” owned in the roaring ‘20s by Artisan and Blacksmith Dino Phillips. He designed decorative iron gates and sculptures for homes of Miami rich residents like the Vanderbilts and the Firestones. In the 1930s, Phillips transformed the “forge” into a sophisticated restaurant and casino. It was famous for its flavorful and open-hearth-grilled steak.

The Forge Restaurant's facade

In 1968, businessman and entrepreneur Alvin Malnik paired with his friend, Jay Wiss, purchased and demolished the existing restaurant transforming it into a South Beach trendy destination, and rivaling with the finest restaurants in Europe. Malnik traveled around the world searching and handpicking for fixtures, antiques, art and wine to decorate and convert the original Forge into a spectacular 30,000 square foot restaurant with eight dining rooms and a 12-foot Victorian fireplace.

The Forge’s famed underground and breathtaking Wine Cellar contains more than 300,000 bottles and is considered one of the finest collections in the world. The restaurant won international recognition for its exquisite dining experience, and was rewarded with multiples accolades throughout the years.

In 1991, a fire forced The Forge to be closed for several months, and in summer of the same year, the restaurant reopened in charge of Alvin’s son, Shareef Malnik, who became the owner of The Forge since then. The Forge has been a social epicenter, and celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Jackie Gleason, Arthur Godfrey, Richard Burton, Richard Nixon, Brian the Palma, Elizabeth Taylor, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Mikhail Gorbachev, Al Pacino, Michael Jordan and more have savored The Forge's delicacies for decades.

Glass tabletops and mirrors

The Forge Restaurant glass mirror

Hand-carved wood column

White crystal chandelier detail

In 2009, in honor of The Forge’s 40th Anniversary,the restaurant closed its doors for an extreme 180-degree renovation by François Frossard. After almost a full year, Shareef revealed the Miami Beach icon’s $10 million new look as well as its new approach to dinning: The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar. Malnik revamped not only the physical space and décore, but also the cuisine. It features new eclectic design and décor of hand-carved blonde wood walls, low-slung white leather couches, Murano-glass lilac and white crystal chandeliers, and hand-etched glass tabletops and mirrors accented by stainless steel and chrome detailing. Every piece of furniture is custom-made and in mostly designed by Frossard.

The dining room

Malnik also wanted to create a fabulous home ambience. More than 100 seats were eliminated in the main dining area to create an open floor plan, and included a large library collection from “books and books”.

“The concept is really a neighborhood restaurant you go to and you have this living space where you hang out and read a great book, have something to eat and have a glass of wine” says Chef Dewey LoSasso. Lo Sasso presents a menu of Savory Snacks, Starts, Pastas, Grains & Risotto, Principal Fish & Crustaceans, Principal Meats, Salads and Sides.

The exquisite dining experience at The Forge Restaurant is outstanding and the elegance in every minor detail is a banquet for all your senses. This is a restaurant that you can’t miss if you come to visit Miami.

The Forge specializes in seasonal fine dining

Accolades

• Miami New Times - Best Chef, Dewey Losasso 2010
• Miami New Times - Best Wine Selection in a Restaurant 2010
• The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences Five Star Diamond Award 2003 -2009
• Wine Spectator Best of the Best Award of Excellence 2003-2009
• DIRONA Distinguished Restaurants of North America Award 2003-2004
• AOL City Guide City’s Best Romantic Restaurant 2004
• The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences – Five Star Diamond Award 2005
• The Chaines des Rotissurs Plate 2 Times
• American Express Travel Holiday Award 8 Time Winner
• City Search - Best of Award 2008, 2009

Dining Style: Casual Elegant

Cuisine: American, French, Steakhouse

Address: 432 Forty First Street, Miami Beach, Florida 33140

Website: www.theforge.com

Email: info@theforge.com

Phone: 305  538 8533

Menu: View menu on restaurant's website

Price: $31 to $50

Hours of Operation: Sunday-Thursday 6PM until 11PM; Friday & Saturday 6PM until 1AM

Executive Chef: Chef Dewey LoSasso

Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables

The Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables

The Biltmore Hotel is a luxury hotel located in Coral Gables, Florida. Its stunning location is minutes away from South Beach, downtown Miami, Coconut Grove and the Coral Gables business district. It is Miami’s only four-star, four-diamond hotel for six consecutive years. Its exclusive Spa is spectacular, the relaxing view to the Golf Course is amazing, and the Palme d'Or is an award winning Restaurant. The world-famous pool with private caban suites was at one time, the largest pool in the world.

The world-famous pool

The Miami-Biltmore Hotel & Country Club was built in 1926, and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1996. It served as a hospital during World War II and as a VA Hospital and campus of the University of Miami medical school until 1968. It became a hotel again in 1987. There are some reports that claim this hotel to be "haunted". This legendary hotel has been a favorite of world leaders, celebrities, and sports stars since its opening. It has been used as a setting for movies and television programs.

The interior of the Biltmore Hotel is exceptionally luxurious with colorful decorative ceilings, marble columns and the huge bird cages in the lobby. Architect Barry Berg fashioned two nine-foot tall mahogany birdcages with porthole windows to house finches and nightingales. The cages' design is actually an inverted version of the chandeliers that hang in the lobby.

Biltmore decorative ceilings

Birdcage at the lobby

The Hotel features:

• 150 acres of lush and tropical landscapes, which include the Biltmore Golf Course, 18 holes designed by Donald Ross, 10 tennis courts, and the world-famous Biltmore pool with private cabana suites

• Acclaimed restaurants, such as Palme d'Or, ranked by Zagat as the best in overall excellence; Fontana; Cascade Poolside Bar & Grill; and the 19th Hole

• Biltmore Spa, a world-class spa and fitness center

• Miami culinary classes at Bilmore Culinary Academy

• The finest accommodations in Miami, comprising 273 guest rooms, 130 of which are suites

76,000 square feet of spacious state-of-art conference and meeting spaces

• Full-service catering for meetings, events and weddings

Perfect for events and weddings

Philippe Ruiz, Palm d'Or Chef