Floridian View / October 2011 / Culturally Miami

Culturally Miami

When people think of Miami, many automatically conjure up visions of South Beach with its deco hotels, crazy beach parties, and scantily dressed visitors. While South Beach is a fascinating place we plan to cover in the future, we wanted to discover the deeper side of Miami. We take a look at the innovative hub the Arts & Design District, Midtown and Downtown have become.  As an international destination for the most discerning art collectors, critics and trend setting contemporary artists in the Americas, we welcome you to Miami.

 

During our visit, we were privileged to get to chat with former Miami Beach Mayor, Manny Diaz. Diaz is largely recognized as being a driving force in leading Miami toward a renaissance of growth and opportunity during his time in office through 2009.  Realizing that “the arts are not just the transfer of beauty and culture between generations, but a business that lends itself to international appeal and economic growth,” Diaz is largely credited with creating an environment where the arts became an economic engine for the city’s redevelopment. It was during his time in office that Miami hosted its first Art Basel in 2002, experienced a boom in the arts scene with the development of the Wynwood Arts District in 2003 and the opening of the second largest performing arts center in the United States in 2006 to name a few. While crediting the many players that took part in the redevelopment of Miami as a great center of art, Diaz is proud of the way the city reimagined itself through the arts and the real impact it has had on the city’s economy and international image.

 

HOW TO GET THERE

A direct four and a half hour drive down I-95 to I-195 lands you in the middle of all the hustle and bustle Miami has to offer. We definitely recommend coming armed with a GPS to get around the different areas as visitors may find the roads and local drivers a bit overwhelming. Most parking comes with a fee, so getting around the town by taxi won’t cost you that much more and will be super convenient.

 

WHERE TO STAY

Located at 485 Brickell Avenue, Viceroy Miami merges East Asian accents, international service standards and a posh vibe to create an incomparable resort destination. This luxurious Miami boutique hotel is centrally located near the city's many distinctive neighborhoods, cultural institutions, sporting venues and area attractions. Viceroy Miami’s 162 residentially-appointed guestrooms and suites feature the latest technology, along with luxurious comforts and sumptuous design. Opulent amenities and modern necessities include custom-designed Sferra linens as well as full and partial kitchens in select room types. The hotel provides guests and residents the use of a 28,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, the longest infinity pool in Florida (300 ft), an 80 person hot tub, poolside bar and fireplace, and life-size chess set. Perched atop the 50th floor of Viceroy Miami, Club 50 offers the city's most exclusive lounge, while the private pool deck with bar offers dramatic skyline views unequalled in Miami. As our top choice for high end stay, the Viceroy Miami currently offers a Florida resident rate starting at $179, which includes your choice of complimentary valet parking or daily breakfast for two.

Just minutes away from Miami’s top tourist attractions, the 65-room Hotel Urbano at Brickell has been providing guests with an affordable, art-inspired boutique hotel experience since 2010. Contemporary guestrooms and tropical pool area give way to one of Hotel Urbano’s most unique features, its seasonal art displays available for purchase that are curated by internationally acclaimed artist and Director/Curator of Miami's Art Fusion Galleries, William Braemer. Braemer has helped transform Hotel Urbano into Miami's one-of-a-kind "Art Hotel." The current installation includes a remarkable bust made with 10,000 pennies. Take advantage of the hotel’s limited time Florida resident rate that starts as low as $96. Valet parking is a bit steep at $24 per night, so we suggest finding a free parking spot across the street.

 

ARTSY THINGS TO DO

 

Every 2nd Saturday of the month, the independent galleries in the Wynwood Art District open their doors for their Second Saturday Wynwood Art Walk, offering unique exhibitions, entertainment, and refreshments. The main area of the Wynwood Art Walk is between 20 St & 36 St and from NW 2nd Ave to NE 2nd Ave. Most of the galleries are open between 7pm and 11pm. Parking is best before 7pm. There are currently over 60 art galleries, complexes and collections in Wynwood so it’s hard to get to all of the venues unless you plan to spend your entire night walking. Our favorite galleries include the Bernice Steinbaum Gallery, a true New York gallery in a Miami setting opened in 2000 by the fabulous, Bernice Steinbaum.  During our visit to the gallery at 3550 N Miami Ave, we caught up with the larger than life queen of Miami galleries and witnessed contemporary art at its best with an interactive performance of the Strung Out art installation by Karen Rifas and dancers from New World School of the Arts. Hardcore Art Contemporary Space (HACS) is another one of our favorites with its new location at 72 NW 25th Street. Currently featuring an exhibition by artist Natasha Duwin that explores the ideas of female-ness and womanhood, HACS presents the work of local and international artists who use innovative and provocative mediums that touch on present universal subject matters. Both are must do’s on the list of galleries in the district.

 

The favorite winter meeting place for the international art world for the past 10 years, Art Basel Miami Beach is one event you cannot miss! The sister event of the most prestigious art show worldwide, Switzerland's Art Basel - Basel Miami Beach is considered the most important art show in the United States.  A cultural and social highlight for the Americas, it combines an international selection of more than 260 leading art galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa with an exciting program of special exhibitions, parties and crossover events featuring music, film, architecture and design. From December 1-4 2011, exhibition sites are located in the city's beautiful Art Deco District, within walking distance of the beach and many hotels. For more information, check out their website at www.artbaselmiamibeach.com.

 

Beyond the world of Art Basel Miami, there are at least 15 other art fairs, including Scope Miami and Art Miami,  going on simultaneously with some starting as early as November 29 and all ending by December 4. Check out the complete listing at www.art-collecting.com/artfairs.

It’s not all visual arts, however, as Miami Beach became home to the second largest performing arts center in the country in 2006. Second in size to Lincoln Center in New York, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, commonly called The Arsht Center, is located on Biscayne Boulevard in Downtown Miami and is the home of the Florida Grand Opera and Miami City Ballet. Whether you are looking for Broadway shows or the traditional Nutcracker performance, check out their website for upcoming performances www.arshtcenter.org/perform.

WHERE TO EAT

Well known for its ethnic diversity, Miami’s dining selections reflect its multiculturalism. From upscale eateries and food trucks to Asian tapas and authentic Latin specialties, you are sure to enjoy eye-rolling, over the top food. With hundreds of great restaurants to choose from, here are our top picks.

 

Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink creates ever evolving menu items that not only appeal to your palate, but provide patrons with a visual masterpiece.  From serving up Greek yogurt and honey in cute little jars to fresh zeppole in petite brown bags, chef/owner Michael Schwartz presents a meal you will want to photograph as well as savor. Open regularly for lunch and dinner during the week, it’s their Sunday brunch that will have you raving. With new menus printed weekly, you are sure to discover a new favorite with every visit. During our meal we enjoyed the Local Avocado & Grapefruit Salad with rock shrimp, arugula, and radish and the Burrata, usually served with heirloom tomatoes when in season, was for us a sensational combination of brown turkey figs, local basil, extra virgin olive oil, and fleur de sel. Both dishes seem so simple, but the combination of these super fresh ingredients will take you by surprise. Don’t skimp out on dessert- we promise the homemade Nutter Butters, Snickers, and Oreos are worth every calorie! Make sure to toast to your fabulous feast with some creative libations like the Cabrete, made with fresh watermelon juice or the Passion Fruit Caipirinha, made with local passion fruit. Located at 130 Northeast 40th Street in the Miami Design District, Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink has perfected simply-prepared dishes made fresh from local ingredients along with fantastic service.

 

The words “food truck” may not mean much to most, but when you have experienced the food truck madness all over town, especially during the 2nd Saturday Wynwood Art Walk, you will never be the same. With at least 25 different trucks to choose from at 210 NW 22nd Ln, offering everything from meatballs and sushi to cake pops and gelato, there’s sure to be something for every palate. Our favorite has to be the Stuffed Plantains from Chamo’s on Wheels, which we love with shredded beef, cabbage, tomatoes, and potato sticks, sandwiched between two fried sweet plantains instead of bread. Super yummy!

 

PULL QUOTE: For daily locations of different food trucks visit their website at www.miamifoodtrucks.com/locations.

 

Whether you are looking for a bento box lunch or an original sushi creation for dinner, Little Lotus is definitely one of the hidden treasures worth uncovering in downtown Miami. Indonesian born owner and entrepreneur, Sari Maharani has created a menu of Japanese and Asian tapas that will wow your taste buds. The Crispy Bok Choy is a great starter, as well as the White Fish Carpaccio which is served thinly sliced with garlic stir fried in olive oil and a citrus sauce. Her sushi chef offers beautiful creations like the 8 Crazy Nite roll with tuna, salmon, white fish, masago, tamago, shrimp, peach, asparagus all rolled up in a thin layer of rice and rice paper topped with a soy mustard glaze sauce- we promise you will never be able to eat ordinary sushi ever again.  For those vegetarians, we highly recommend the Veggie Pancake or the delicious Ramen Noodle & Kimchi bowl. The best way to end this perfect Asian meal is with the Shrek Don dessert roll; blissful bites of Nutella, banana, raspberry, and shredded coconut wrapped up in a bright green crepe with a side of warm homemade rice pudding. Nestled inside 25 N Miami Ave, this superb eatery takes a little searching for- therefor make sure you are paying attention so you don’t miss it. Also keep an eye out for Sari’s new restaurant, Banana & Leaf, set to open in October across from Miami/ Dade College, which will offer ready to go sushi and other Asian options for as low as $5 for 2.

 

Looking to try something new? Stop by Jimmy’z Kitchen Wynwood at 2700 N Miami Ave for some Mofongo (an FV favorite food). A Caribbean dish made from fried green plantains mashed together with broth, garlic, olive oil, and pork cracklings or bits of bacon, it is served with a variety of options from churrasco to shrimp. Our favorite is the Mixed Seafood Mofongo with saffron broth. Their coconut flan is unlike any flan you will ever taste- it’s amazing!

 

WHERE TO SHOP

If you are able to tear yourself away from the arts scene for a bit and are looking for some retail therapy, Bayside is the way to go. Although there are a limitless supply of top-notch stores all over town,  Bayside combines national brand name stores with a vibrant marketplace full of interesting vendors, quality restaurants, children’s rides, boat tours of the bay and daily live entertainment. It offers something for every age in a beautiful setting located at 401 Biscayne Blvd. While at times touristy, everyone needs a break from the über high-browness of the art scene.

 

With influences from around the world, Miami Beach is truly a one of a kind city where visitors are sure to experience a fusion of art, food, and culture unlike anywhere else in the world. The ultimate Floridian arts getaway, it has reinvented itself to become an international destination at the cutting edge of contemporary visual and performing arts. With the height of the season ahead of us, make it a point this season to experience the culturally Miami.

 

INSIDER TIP

For more info about the Miami Beach area, check out the official website at www.miamigov.com as well as www.miamiandbeaches.com.