Maybe you love Jimmy and his island-friendly style and super-chill songs, or hey, maybe you just love drinking. Either way, we suggest making the short jaunt from Miami north to Hollywood. Here you’ll find the recently opened Margaritaville Resort, and its waterfront 5 O’Clock Somewhere bar.

The resort has been a boon to sleepy Hollywood. Before it opened, some neighbors wondered how such a large-scale resort with manufactured good vibes would fit into the ‘hood. Yet small business owners we spoke to raved that the influx of tourists with money to burn has been a very good thing — particularly this (relatively) chilly winter.

5 O’Clock Somewhere, Margaritaville

The sprawling, beachfront property includes multiple outdoor bars and eateries, swimming and wave pools, and an outdoor performance venue. Best of all for locals, Margaritaville spread itself across A1A, creating a mini drinking oasis known as 5 O’Clock Somewhere.

Perfect for sundowners, the bar sits alongside the sparkling intracoastal. Imagine unwinding in a colorful adirondack chair, watching boats sail past, listening to the chill tunes of a live band, while sipping a margarita. Of course, you can choose from beers like Buffet’s signature Landshark, as well as wine and cocktails. The big bonus is that the bar also dishes out mighty tasty food — we recommend starting with the buffalo sriracha shrimp.

Raise your glass, be proud of your imbibing habits, and remember…it’s 5 o’clock somewhere.

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Bahia Honda State Park

You’ve probably seen Bahia Honda as you zipped past on Route 1, en route to Key West. It’s hard not to notice the rickety bridge that rises in the distance alongside the highway — a remnant of Henry Flagler’s railroad to Key West. It’s sliced right in two, a missing hunk mysteriously vanished. The bridge rises from the island of Bahia Honda, which is now a designated park and home to some of the Keys’ prettiest and tranquil beaches, excellent fishing, vibrant offshore snorkeling and painfully beautiful sunset views.

Within the park, you’ll find picnic areas, a concession stand with chair and umbrella rentals, kayak and snorkel gear rentals, and a boat launch. Still, if you’re feeling lazy, you can simply sprawl out on a long stretch of soft sand.

Here’s the rub: Bahia Honda is popular — like, really, really popular. Tent, cabin and RV sites can be booked up to a year in advance and often are. And hey, we get it — Miamians are not the most reliable planners.Still, if you’re determined to see some of the prettiest sights the Keys have to offer, it’s worth your while to check the online reservation system for cancellations.

Of course, you can visit Bahia Honda for the day from Miami (though it’s solidly a 3-hour drive with traffic), or opt to stay overnight in nearby Key West. Yes, you’ve got options, people. But the thing is,  what makes a trip to Bahia Honda extraordinary is the freedom to explore it once the maddening crowds have vanished. As sunset grows near, day visitors depart, leaving blissful peace and quiet shores. The great irony here is that the island’s sunset views are simply brilliant.

Camping in Bahia Honda

Bahia Honda is home to 3 campgrounds which consist of 80 sites, including RV-friendly sites, and 6 cabins. When we traveled here on a recent weekend, we were able to book our lodging by chance: after studiously checking the reservation system, a cancellation popped up for a cabin and we jumped on it.

The cabins are completely amazing. Yes, they’re a bit rustic, but they sleep 6, have A/C and heat, and feature a fully stocked kitchen and dishwasher. A dishwasher!! No, it’s not roughing it, but yes, it’s mighty comfy. Plus, sheets and towels are also included.

Bring food and plenty of wine, whip up a meal on the outdoor, waterfront grill, and watch the stars twinkle in the evening sky from your cabin’s balcony. In two words: peaceful perfection.

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Thankfully, the 2016 event has you covered. As it celebrates its 15th anniversary the annual South Beach Wine and Food Festival is introducing Taste Fort Lauderdale, a series of events that brings the festival’s celebrity chefs and stellar food to the north.

Taste Fort Lauderdale opened with Seaside Eats, hosted by Restaurant: Impossible guru, Chef Robert Irvine. The event transformed the beloved Bonnet House Museum into an after-hours tasting party. The Fort Lauderdale area’s hottest restaurants provided the evening’s  small bites, including Steak 954, YOLO, and Dandee Donuts.

Taste Fort Lauderdale offers additional events through the weekend, like dinners hosted by kitchen gods Todd English, Debi Mazar, and Marc Vetri and a Bloody Mary brunch hosted by the cast of Chopped. Even better the Broward events have an added perk: an escape from the crowds and chaos that marks so many SOBEWFF events.

Elbow room at tasting tables? Yes, please! Like the city, Taste Fort Lauderdale is a wonderfully relaxed counterpart to the Miami Beach festival.

If you do escape north to Taste Fort Lauderdale events, don’t brave the late-night wilds of I-95 to return home. Spend the night in comfort at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort.

Guests of the beachfront resort enjoy modern, well-appointed rooms and suites, ocean and Intracoastal views, and a lush pool deck overlooking a sparkling stretch of sand. Enjoy a spa treatment, or sweat it out at the gym before sipping happy hour cocktails at ilios or the adults-only Balqony bar. If hunger strikes, head to the signature S3 restaurant for contemporary cuisine and waterfront views.

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Thankfully, if Magic City gets under your skin, there’s respite for your weary soul at the Carillon, one of Miami’s premiere addresses, housing both private condos as well as a stellar health and wellness resort with ample opportunities for taking care of numero uno.

Thankfully, the Carillon’s luxe services are open to everyone — not merely residents or hotel guests, and this opens up a world of pampering to locals.  In addition to a full-service spa, the Carillon offers a wealth of functional and alternative medicine options, including access to nutritionists and energy workers.

So, what wonders await you?

Courtesy: Carillon Miami Beach

When you arrive you’ll find yourself on a sprawling waterfront property along Collins Avenue in North Beach, one of the city’s most increasingly beloved neighborhoods. The Carillon’s meticulous property and stylish towers bear a storied history. Designed by renowned architect, Norman M. Giller, and originally opened in 1958, the property hosted the era’s most glamorous stars at shimmering cabaret performances. Today, there’s a quieter, but no less plush vibe.

Once you’ve finished ogling your surroundings, book an appointment to experience any of the following:

The Spa at Carillon

Courtesy: Carillon Miami Beach

Whether your weary muscles need a deep massage, your skin itches for a pick-me-up, or your cellulite needs vanishing, the spa has you covered with an array of treatments featuring Clarins products. We dig the 100-minute Deep Sleep treatment. You’ll experience a full-body exfoliation, unwind on a “floating” spa bed, and melt away every last bit of stress during a nose-to-toes massage complete with soothing plant oils. Zzzzzzzzz.

After your treatment (or before) take advantage of the spa’s thermal experience: a series of rain showers, whirlpools, steam rooms, saunas, and a visit to an “igloo” — yes, you read that right, an igloo. Wander through at your own pace, grow ever more relaxed, and experience total mind-body peace.

Wellness Medicine

Courtesy: Carillon Miami Beach

The Carillon also provides access to physicians and wellness professionals who specialize in a range of areas, including:

• Functional Medicine
• Acupuncture
• Nutrition
• Specialized physical therapy
• Healing energy work

Plan a Staycation — You’ll Thank Us!

If you’re still itching to escape reality for a wee bit longer than the average spa treatment, book one of the all-suite resort’s massive rooms. We dare you to try to ever return home willingly — even if home lies just down the block (we may or may not be speaking from personal experience…).

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No?

Then hightail it to Crystal River, Florida, where your manatee dreams become magical, sea cow reality.

Where to Get Your Manatee Fix

Plantation on Crystal River (Copyright Miamicito)

Crystal River, natch. There is an abundance of regional outfitters offering tours that allow visitors to swim with the creatures, and it can be overwhelming to select one. Check out the Plantation Adventure Center, which is affiliated with the Plantation on Crystal River. The hotel and dive shop are located directly on a waterway, so you don’t have to travel far for your ungodly early 7 am boat tour. When you’re not chilling with the manatees, you can enjoy the hotel’s pool and hot tub, eat at the restaurant, hit the golf course, or stroll the waterfront looking for manatees swimming past the property.

Rolling in the Deep

Credit: Plantation Adventure Center

Crystal River is a manatee mecca thanks to the natural springs that dot the area’s waterways. The warm water is like manatee crack, they congregate in droves around the springs during chilly weather. Of course, this means that the best time to see them are during cooler months, like January and February when they’re seeking warmth.

This also means that I got my rear out of bed in 45-degree weather, slithered into a wetsuit and jumped into 72-degree water which actually feels pretty darn cold at 8 am on a cloudy, January day. But I ask, what price a manatee sighting?

We made our way to the dive shop, where we were given wet suits and snorkel gear, and watched a video about how to swim with manatees in a way that doesn’t completely freak the big guys out. After that, we hopped aboard a boat with highly capable Captain Mike.

The man was a manatee whisperer. In fact, he sort of looked like a manatee, large and a bit lumpy, and the sea cows positively loved to swim up to him and chew on his beard. However, he was also a phenomenal guide, and gave us further detailed instructions and guidance, and made sure each person had a chance to get up close and personal with the manatees.

Will You Freak Out?

Credit: Plantation Adventure Center

Though it’s a little unnerving to see a hippo-sized creature making its way toward you underwater, trust me, it’s amazing and no, you won’t freak out. There are few experiences that compare to a monstrous beast slowly swimming up in your grill and gently pawing at you with giant flippers. When they’re excited, they begin to spin around like a corkscrew. One even sidled alongside me, and nudge me along for a few dozen yards as I lay paralyzed, trying not to break our bonding moment. They really are as magical, strange, and gentle as you would hope. Like sea puppies. And who the heck doesn’t like a PUPPY?

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That said, we were thoroughly surprised to find ourselves completely bowled over by a recent visit to Universal Orlando’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort. From the moment we pulled into the sprawling resort and gazed up at its wildly colorful exterior and retro finished, I felt like we had been transported to a mid-century modern mecca.

Walking into the lobby with its sky-high ceiling and funky design was no less spectacular. And yes, the “wow’s” continued for the entire two days we stayed at the property.

Whether we were gazing at the cocktail list at the Atomic Tonic poolside bar, sipping cocktails at a fire pit while others toasted s’mores, or exploring the two pools, lazy river, and bowling alley, we were awed by the perfection with which each detail at the resort had been executed. (Let’s pause for a moment to pay homage to the VO5 shampoos and Zest soap).

We planned our trip to Universal on a whim; at the last minute we decided to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. While searching for good hotel deals we stumbled upon Cabana Bay, which is billed as Universal’s most affordable accommodations. In my experience, “affordable,” can often translate into less amenities and an older property. Not so at Cabana Bay.

Like Universal’s other properties, Cabana Bay is run by Loews Hotels, a brand known for its quality service, and this could explain the well-designed and meticulously maintained property.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort (Copyright Miamicito)

Though we’re technically in the off-season (it’s early January), families filled the property. It’s understandable why. If I had kids crawling around me, I’d be thrilled to occupy them with Cabana Bay’s amenities, like the aforementioned pools and bowling alley, but also the regular outdoor “swim in” movie nights near the pool. Plus family-style suites with kitchenettes make bringing and storing food a breeze.

Still, if you did want to eat at the hotel, there are multiple options, including an enormous counter-service diner that dishes up breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Oh! And you can even have pizza delivered to your room by the hotel!

Of course, it’s assumed you’re here to visit the theme park, and even that is a snap. Because you’re on the property you can hop on a shuttle straight to Universal Orlando, Sir Harry Potter’s Wizarding World, and the many restaurants at City Walk.

The post Beyond the Mouse: Universal Orlando’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort appeared first on Miamicito.

The one exception is excellent, cheap Asian food. I miss it so much, and I’m often vocal about not being able to find it easily here. Yes, there is excellent Asian food in Miami, but generally it’s expensive. There’s also cheap Asian food in Miami, but usually it’s mediocre.

Of course, there are some hidden gems out there. Over time I’ve found one or two legitimately cheap, good spots for each type of cuisine. The exception has always been sushi; every place I heard about turned out to be either pricey or not great.

Finally, that’s changed. I got around to trying Japanese Market, a long-time locals’ favorite tucked away in a strip-mall on the JFK Causeway, and it’s accessible sushi at its best.

If you read the Yelp reviews of Japanese Market (yes, that is its full name) you’ll encounter three themes: 1) The decor isn’t all that inspiring; 2) There are a lot of rules/the staff can be rude; and 3) The food is excellent.

All of those are somewhat true, but there’s also a deeper story to each.

The decor is indeed pretty meh. The sushi bar is tucked inside an aging Japanese grocery store, and the restaurant takes up maybe a quarter of the space (at most); the rest is all shelves stocked with products. There are only a few tables, which means that there’s almost always a wait during peak times. Speaking of times, the sushi bar is only open noon – 4pm on Wednesday through Saturday, and noon – 3pm on Sunday, so plan accordingly.

Tap water is served in old nalgene sports bottles, and the rushed servers are clear that they’ll only take your order once (i.e., no additions). Basically, if you want ambiance or to be pampered, go somewhere else. That said, the place is clean, the service is quick, and there are a number of small things — like wet towels for your hands when you sit down — that show the restaurant takes pride in its offerings.

As for the rules and rudeness, the market has posted a set of guidelines — don’t talk on your cellphone, don’t bring drinks to the table until you’ve paid for them, etc. — and they’re strict about enforcement. Honestly, its all pretty commonsense stuff and wouldn’t be that big of a deal outside of this anarchy-loving city. Still, if you don’t like structure this isn’t your spot.

So why should you go to a restaurant with odd hours, a lot of rules, and little ambience? Because the food is absolutely delicious.

The core of the menu is simple and affordable — there are all the usual sushi, sashimi, hot plate, and roll standbys (spicy tuna, crunchy shrimp, etc.), as well as set combos ($7 – $15) and some experimental offerings (like the ceviche roll). All of it is very tasty and well-priced, including the accompanying soups and salads.

However, where Japanese Market really shines is off-menu. We ordered the omakase sashimi platter ($30), sushi (~$2 per piece), and rolls (~$14) — and were blown away.

Chef Michio Kushi takes deep pride in paring high-quality ingredients — house-cured salmon, bluefin tuna, whitefish, etc. — with creative garnishes and preparations. He is also a true artist, and has fun with everything from little touches, like slivers of peppers on the sashimi, to big statements like surprising eaters with huge tempura prawns.

The experience wasn’t just good (like I’d hoped), or excellent (like my memories of my neighborhood NYC favorites), it was truly spectacular. If you want sushi that’s affordable, fresh, and delicious, definitely give it a try.

The post Spectacular Sushi in Miami (Finally): Japanese Market appeared first on Miamicito.

As expected, Basel drew hordes of people to the 305: art world honchos, collectors, celebrity-seekers, artists, and even the occasional violent offender. In the blink of an eye, highways and streets grew clogged with traffic, and soon the paparazzi would descend, helpfully documenting Kylie Jenner’s every move.

Of course, in between the parties and see-and-be-seen events, there was art. Lots and lots of fantabulous art. The larger exhibitions showcase the works of the art world’s most iconic figures, such as Picasso, Basquiat, Miró, Dalí, Calder, and the like. Still, I prefer the smaller shows, where you’re privy to contemporary and emerging artists. Often, those settings are more intimate, and it’s possible to engage in a little chit chat with the creators.

Basel week is a whirlwind, but here’s a look at some of our favorites.

Brickell City Centre’s Illuminate the Night

This event was one of Art Basel’s kick-off events, and highlighted the $1.09 billion Brickell City Centre, which has been steadily rising above the heart of Brickell. The event was marked by the lighting of the 150,000-square-foot CLIMATE RIBBON, and the unveiling of the 6-ton Allen Jones “Dancers” sculpture. Oh yeah – and Elijah Wood and British musician Allen Jones were there DJing. Because Basel.

Art Miami

Wandering through Art Miami is like descending into the motherlode of contemporary and modern art. Here’s where you’ll see a lot of the “greatest hits” artists, mentioned above. The show gets crammed full of spectators and serious shoppers, because why not drop $400,000 on living room decor? If you’ve got it, spend it.

CONTEXT Art Miami

Another favorite, this sprawling exhibition showed an endless array of contemporary and modern art, but features more emerging and mid-career artists — which is probably why I loved it as much as I did.

Prizm Art Fair

This exhibition features the work of artists of color, promoting international artists from the African Diaspora and emerging markets. It was an intimate and thoughtfully curated affair. This show continues past the end of Basel’s hoopla, through December 13; if you’re in Miami’s MiMo district it’s an absolute must-see.

SATELLITE Artist-Run

Saving the best for last, this SATELLITE show blew me away, largely because it was housed in an abandoned motel. Each artist/curator/collective selected to participate was given one of the motel rooms to do with as they pleased. The effect was inspired, unusual, and completely interactive. It also pushed viewers boundaries of comfort as they entered what felt like people’s private rooms. The decaying structure of the motel only added to the show’s intrigue.

And that, friends, is a wrap — at least ’til next year’s madness commences.

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So said the one of the remarkably helpful and well-informed young men working at the Anne Kolb Nature Center. It’s true — most Miamians and folks living in Broward County have no idea that a 1500-acre oasis lies just north of Hollywood.

Truth be told, the only reason we discovered its existence was pure chance: we were looking for something on Google maps and noticed an enormous expanse of green stretching along West Lake. “What on Earth is THAT?” Ayaz asked.

Fast forward a few hours, and there we were, deep in the heart of a blissfully quiet mangrove wetland, spotting Great Blue Herons and egrets, while keeping our eyes peeled for pervasive, quick-footed (clawed?) tree crabs. After climbing to the top of a 60-foot observation tower that offered 360-degree views of sprawling wetlands and waterways, I wondered why more locals haven’t descended on Anne Kolb.

Surely, I’ll never know the answer, just as I’ll never be sure why so few people use their turn signals while driving in Miami-Dade. These are the mysteries that keep me up at night, you guys.

Start your visit to Anne Kolb at the Nature Center Complex, where you can pony up a $2.12 entry fee and explore a nature exhibit that highlights the plants and critters that call the wetlands home. (Note: Entrance to the park is free; you’ll only pay the $2.12 if you want to see the exhibit — don’t be cheap, just do it!) A 3,500-gallon saltwater aquarium houses fish.

Visitors can stroll along the 410-yard Lake Observation Trail, stopping at various lookout points to birdwatch and count crabs, or wander the Mud Flat Trail. A longer, 2.3-mile walk will take you even further afield, along waterways and past desolate stretches where birds a-plenty can be seen.

Take a deep dive into the wetlands on a guided boat tour, offered daily, or  — for more active crews — by driving up the road to the West Lake Marina, where you can rent kayaks, SUPs, and canoes.

For once, don’t be like a local; visit Anne Kolb.

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“Where invisible currents are concerned, magic and menace are always intertwined.”

The words are meant to address literal currents — those of electricity — but they also broadly apply to core idea of the show. Overtly the exhibition is about how people coped with the technological advances of the mid-nineteenth and twentieth centuries — the rise of steel, steam-ships, mass-production, planes, trains, etc. — as well as the dangers that came with them (shipwrecks, crashes, explosions, collapses, electrocutions, oh my!). Beneath that, though,  there is a grappling with the broader paradox of rapid technological change: that new magic is often paired with new menaces.

While Margin of Error sticks strictly to times past, it’s hard not to think about the effects of Facebook, smartphones, Google, SnapChat, Uber, and their ilk on our present-day lives while looking at the pieces, which range from Italian workplace danger signs to Titanic songs and photographs of factories. Silicon Valley-types may praise “disruption” as something that’s always good, but this show is a reminder that progress has always come with risks as well as rewards.

Margin of Error is showing at The Wolfsonian in South Beach through May 8, 2016. Definitely check it out — and perhaps put that magical and menacing iPhone away while you do.

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