Author Archives: timallen

Enjoy Pizza by the Beach

Pizza is definitely one of those foods that has near-universal appeal when it comes to how much it’s liked. With the huge variety of toppings available and crusty types, it’s also one of those foods that allow you to get very creative. If you’re looking for some pizza in Miami Beach, these suggestions may become your new favorite spot.

In the Flamingo Lummus area is Blocks Pizza Deli on Washington Avenue. A quick visit to Yelp reveals over four stars and more than 400 reviews. If pizza isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other foods to try with an Italian twist.
Another Italian spot is Spris, located in Miami Beach’s City Center. Like Blocks, it has over four stars and hundreds of reviews singing the eater’s praises. Try the pizza and then go for a walk on Lincoln Road.

In South Beach is Fratelli La Bufala, yet another Italian spot that also offers delectable pizza plus plenty of other Italian-themed food choices. With more than 700 reviews, it’s safe to say this place is definitely worth your time.
We’ve arguably saved the best for last. Mister 01 on Michigan Avenue remains the highest rated of Miami Beach’s many pizza hotspots.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team representing Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Continuum in South Beach. If you are interested in Miami Beach condos such as the Continuum South Tower for sale, call the Continuum experts at 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.

Enjoy These Spots During SOBEWFF

All eyes are on the South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF). If you have yet to figure out what you want to do, here are a few suggestions worth visiting among the profusion of food and drink-related events.

The Yappie Hour is perfect for those that are fans of man’s best friend. But what if your inclinations skew more towards felines? If so, The Cat Cafe South Beach on Washington Avenue invites you to enjoy coffee or tea and then walk over to the cat adoption area for some kitty cuddles.
The late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain was known to be a frequent patron of Mac’s Club Deuce on 14th Street, often considered to be the last genuine dive bar in the city. Not much about the bar has changed since its opening in the 1960s and you may still spot a culinary celebrity like chef and television personality Anne Burrell.

Inside of Villa Casa Casuarina (the former home of late fashion designer Gianni Versace) is Sushi by Bou, a restaurant measuring a mere 500 square feet. Some of the menu items you may wish to try include soy sauce-marinated ikura, though the menu changes every day. Make sure to request your reservation well in advance.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team representing Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Continuum in South Beach. If you are interested in Miami Beach condos such as the Continuum condos for sale, call the Continuum experts at 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day in South Florida

The South Florida ambiance is soon to be tinged with an extra aura of love as we celebrate the arrival of another Valentine’s Day. For those of you looking for a place to enjoy the day, it may be a little too late to make reservations, but here are a few to consider.

Atlantikós is located at the St. Regis Bal Harbour. True to its name, the restaurant will be serving up a four-course menu inspired by the Mediterranean that will include dishes such as cobia tartare, Kumamoto oysters, and much more.

The menu will be available beginning at 6:30 and costs $125 per person.
Right here in Miami Beach, Azabu Miami Beach on Ocean Drive will be offering an $80 prix fixe menu in its dining room. Try the Japanese Waygu beef tataki or the marinated Chilean sea bass. Upgrade to the $250 dining experience for something a little more private and romantic.

Bagatelle on 21st Street is featuring an “All You Need Is Love” menu. Bring your significant other and enjoy a welcoming glass of champagne followed by a four-course meal intended for sharing which includes whole stuffed Maine lobster, agnolotti pasta with black truffle, and more for just $75 a person.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team representing Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Continuum in South Beach. If you are interested in Miami Beach condos such as the Continuum condos for sale, call the Continuum experts at 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.

Check out These South Beach Wine & Food Festival Events

The time of the year food and drink lovers look forward to is soon to arrive. The 2019 South Beach Wine & Food Festival is returning, celebrating anything and everything that involves culinary. This year’s celebrations kick off on the 20th through the 24th and we’re here to share some of the highlights worth checking out.

English celebrity chef Robert Irvine is coming back to Miami Beach to host Craft-y Happy Hour at the Mondrian South Beach. Tickets are $95 and the party kicks off at 5:30. Enjoy cocktails while you potentially chat with the chef and former CW talk show host himself.
The Eden Roc Hotel is hosting the Rose Pool Party with American chef and restaurateur Geoffrey Zakarian on the 23rd at three o’clock. The event serves as something of an homage to rose and besides the party, attendees will also enjoy various bites courtesy of the hotel.

The South Beach Wine & Food Festival may be intended primarily for humans, but pooches can also get in on the fun during Nulo Pet Food’s Yappie Hour at Loews Miami Beach on the 23rd. Kids and four-legged friends are welcome at this event hosted by Katie Lee.

What events will you be attending?

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team representing Blackstone International Realty, specializing in Continuum South Beach.If you are interested in Miami Beach condos such as the Continuum North Tower for sale, call the Continuum experts at 305-588-2451 for information on current sales and rentals.

A Guide to Lincoln Eatery

The time has arrived, ladies and gentlemen! The Lincoln Eatery has finally opened its doors this week in Miami Beach, welcoming locals and tourists to what will likely be the coolest spot for many months to come. If you’re thinking of braving the curious crowds this weekend, here are a couple of foods you may wish to try while you’re there.

You may want to start things off with the pastrami sandwiches being served at Marble & Rye or you can head over to Necessary Purveyor and give its pimento cheese sandwich a try. Made from sustainable ingredients, it’s definitely worth a try. The turkey avocado is another delectable option worth trying.

No food hall in South Florida would be complete without a broad selection of Hispanic food. If empanadas sound like a great time, you’ll be pleased to know you can find plenty of them over at Patagonia Flavors including mushroom, chicken, cheese, and more.

Are you more of a raw fish fan? Look no further than the sushi being served at TYO. The spicy tuna served on top of a rice cake adorned with bits of ginger might just hit the right spot.

Lincoln Eatery is located at 723 North Lincoln Lane. Have fun and bon appétit!

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team representing Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Continuum in South Beach. If you are interested in Miami Beach condos such as the Continuum South Tower for sale, call the Continuum experts at 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.

Big Plans for Iconic Miami Beach Sign

For the countless numbers of residents and tourists that have entered Miami Beach via the Julia Tuttle Causeway, the “Welcome to Miami Beach” sign has been there to greet them. If all goes according to plan, it could be seeing some significant changes this year.

The company that’s taken care of many of the signs and displays in the barrier island recently submitted a proposal that would involve adding an LED display to the Miami Beach welcome sign. The current physical “Welcome to Miami Beach” letters would be swapped out in favor of a similarly sized rectangular screen. The display would use colors complementing the rings on the palm trees found behind the welcome sign that are able to change colors. These lights have been in place since 2007 and are typically changed to celebrate events and holidays.

The plans to update the Miami Beach welcome sign have not been embraced without some pushback. Miami Beach Commissioners have expressed concerns that the LED display could be used for advertising purposes. On the other hand, however, the LED sign could also be useful as a way to provide instructions in the event of an evacuation or a special event.

Do you think the Miami Beach welcome sign should stay as is or is it need of a makeover?

Scooters Are Returning to Miami Beach in March

Miami Beach made headlines last year when the city decided to crack down on the use of scooters. Frequently seen during the spring break festivities, citations and accidents involving scooters reach their peak during this time. To deal with this, the city decided to completely ban the rental of scooters during the entire month of March. The news was not well-received by scooter rental companies, for obvious reasons.

Changes are afoot, however. Last week, Miami Beach commissioners came together and decided to re-evaluate their scooter ban decision. While the scooters are no longer strictly banned during March’s entirety, business owners must ensure that all scooters have a kill switch and a GPS device. Additionally, each scooter must have unique identification and a phone number that is clearly visible should it be necessary to report the rider for being unruly. If the tip is confirmed, the scooter business would press an engine disabling button. The scooter will be towed and the rider would lose their deposit, which can be as much as $400.

Do you agree with Miami Beach’s decision to allow scooters in the city as long as they abide by the new rules? Perhaps you were an original supporter of the decision to entirely ban them. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team representing Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Continuum in South Beach. If you are interested in Miami Beach condos such as the Continuum condos for sale, call the Continuum experts at 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.

Pitbull’s iLov305 Celebrates in Miami Beach

Are you looking for a new Miami Beach hotspot to try this month? Well, have we got the place for you! “Mr. Worldwide” (better known by his stage names of Pitbull) is getting ready to open the doors to his highly anticipated new restaurant called iLov305, located right here in Miami Beach on the corner of 11^th and posh Ocean Drive.

Earlier this week, Pitbull threw a massive party to celebrate the grand opening of iLov305. Though the eatery won’t welcome guests until the end of January, the 9,000 square foot venue is already poised to become Ocean Drive’s newest place to be. Guests will be able to dine on a menu consisting of Latin steakhouse meets tropical cuisine and there will be plenty of people to get to meet. Besides the wait staff, iLov305 is expected to welcome acts such as singers to perform. Additionally, guests will have the opportunity to sip on more than forty different mojito types at the restaurant’s mojito bar.

Pitbull (real name Armando Christian Perez) has become synonymous with the Magic City. The Miami native has released ten albums, the most recent being Climate Change released in 2017. When he isn’t performing, the rapper has concentrated on educational initiatives aimed at reducing poverty.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team representing Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Continuum in South Beach. If you are interested in Miami Beach condos such as the Continuum condos for sale, call the Continuum experts at 305-588-2451 for information on sales and rentals.

Lincoln Road Seeks a Makeover

Is Lincoln Road in need of a facelift? The South Beach tourism mainstay hasn’t undergone a makeover in many years, and it could definitely use some sprucing up. Whether it’s replacing and installing some new lighting or replacing some of the worn pavement, the outdoor mall may benefit from some new touches to keep it competitive with Miami’s other notable tourism hotspots like the Brickell area and the artsy Wynwood neighborhood.

While Miami Beach figures out how to go about financing Lincoln Road’s $77 makeover, there is already a master plan in place developed by the same firm that designed the popular High Line over in New York City.

Plans to spruce up Lincoln Road have been in the works for about five years now. These plans would likely include adding more green spaces to the roadway, building additional spots for the public to sit, rethinking the organization of the outdoor tables seen at the many various cafes, adding performance spaces, as well as improving the artwork.

Do you think Miami Beach’s Lincoln Road is in need of a much-needed makeover or is its current state part of its unique charm? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team representing Blackstone International Realty, specializing in Continuum South Beach. If you are interested in Miami Beach condos such as the Continuum North Tower for sale, call the Continuum experts at 305-588-2451 for information on current sales and rentals.

Get Your Palate Ready for Lincoln Eatery

After much anticipation and coverage last month, the Lincoln Eatery is finally getting ready to open its doors on the 17^th of this month. Located just off of Lincoln Road near the new and improved Miami Beach Convention Center, the food hall was originally supposed to open during the fall of last year to take advantage of the holiday season.

When it opens, Lincoln Eatery will have lots of distinct dining and drinking options on the first floor of the building where Marshall’s stands. Visitors will also have the option of dining indoors or out and with seats for about 200, there will be plenty of spots to sit on busier days. Some of the vendors guests can expect to find include Manhattan Paletas, Necessary Purveyor, TYO Sushi, Patagonia Flavors, and more. Those that need their caffeine fix will also find XO Espresso Bar at Lincoln Eatery. The Tavern Bar, meanwhile, will serve a variety of cocktails plus wine and beer.

While Lincoln Eatery is the first food hall opening in the barrier island, it will eventually be joined by the Time Out Market, set to open its doors next month on Miami Beach’s Drexel Avenue. Lincoln Eatery’s address will be 723 Lincoln Lane.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team representing Blackstone International Realty, specializing in Continuum South Beach.If you are interested in Miami Beach condos such as the Continuum North Tower for sale, call the Continuum experts at 305-588-2451 for information on current sales and rentals.