Flavorpill Miami Events

Lunch at Garden of Eatin'

2009-07-10T11:00:00Z

Ongoing

Mondays–Saturdays (7am–9pm)

@ Garden of Eatin'

With all the tropical flora found in Florida, you'd think the natives would be a bit more appreciative of fruits and veggies. Not so in Miami, where most of us throw every part of every animal onto our grills as often as we can. That's not the practice at Garden of Eatin', however, a Rastafarian restaurant hidden away on 62nd Street that draws all manner of government workers, accountants, boho musicians, artists, and designers to its creative vegetarian fare. Rounded out by fresh juices and tasty baked goods, Chef Immanuel's menu offers enough to keep the less carnivorous among us sated and safe.

Mac's Club Deuce

2009-07-10T12:00:00Z

Ongoing

Daily (8–5am)

@ Mac's Club Deuce

Freaks, geeks, drag queens, hipsters, club kids, and straight-up drunks commingle at South Beach's most notorious dive bar. The second-oldest watering hole in Dade County (it opened in 1926, 14 years after Tobacco Road), Mac's Club Deuce boasts a solid juke, a beat-up pool table, cheap booze, and, opening each morning at 8am and serving till 5am, operating hours that are accommodating, to say the least. To sop up the drinks, you've even got two perfect hole-in-the-wall Miami eateries, San Loco and La Sandwicherie, right across the street.

The Honey Tree

2009-07-10T12:00:00Z

Ongoing

Mondays–Thursdays (8am–8pm)

Fridays (8am–7pm)

Saturdays (9am–6pm)

@ The Honey Tree

Sandwiched between an inexpensive sushi joint and a popular Cuban restaurant, health-food store and vegetarian eatery the Honey Tree appears to face some stiff competition. But come lunchtime, it's obvious which is the favorite. Every weekday around 11:30am, a line begins to snake away from the store's lunch counter, where a bounty of drool-inducing, just-made dishes are served: highlights include vegetarian lasagna, sweet 'n sour tofu, white-bean soup, and vegan key-lime pie. This is the kind of veggie place that even hardcore carnivores rave about.

Christine's Roti Shop

2009-07-10T13:00:00Z

Ongoing

Mondays–Saturdays (9am–9pm)

@ Christine's Roti Shop

Christine's Roti Shop is a North Miami Beach institution. Just after Hurricane Wilma, when the power was out across the city for three weeks in some places, patrons lined up outside as Christine slaved over a camping oven in the back preparing spicy rotis — thick, doughy chickpea flatbreads stuffed full of stewed potatos, vegetables, and various meats, such as chicken, beef, or duck. Hell, even when there isn't a hurricane there's a line. Thankfully, it's always worth the wait.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Lighthouse Tour

2009-07-10T14:00:00Z

Ongoing

Mondays (10am–1pm)

Thursdays–Sundays (10am–1pm)

@ Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Nestled on the far end of Key Biscayne — a world away from the razzle dazzle of South Beach — is Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, a stretch of sand and sea that takes the cliché out of the term "urban oasis." The park has all the usual amenities, but don't miss the climb up the lighthouse's 109 steps for a killer view of the bay (all the way to Stiltsville and beyond). The free tour of the lighthouse and keeper's quarters offers up interesting nuggets of local history and lore.

Captain Jim's Seafood

2009-07-10T14:00:00Z

Ongoing

Mondays–Saturdays (10am–9pm)

@ Captain Jim's Seafood

For years, Captain Jim's has been the fish market of choice for many North Miami residents, but not everyone takes the time to check out the adjoining restaurant. Inside, you'll find the most recent haul of fresh seafood — everything from mahi-mahi to conch and shrimp — done up in a variety of manners that'll get your taste buds juicing for dear life. Truth be told, you could get a slab of mahi-mahi at a million and one other fish joints in the city, but Captain Jim's stands tall above almost all of 'em.

Luminaire X

2009-07-10T15:00:00Z

Ongoing

Tuesdays–Saturdays (11am–6pm)

@ Luminaire X

The success of a "pop-up store" is dependent on brands and atmosphere — if the place doesn't deliver on those fronts, it's just another soulless marketing ploy. The Luminaire X pop-up in the Design District works, thanks to its airy, pleasant space and the diversity of goods on offer. There are products from Base, Lincoln Road's one-stop-shop for everything cool; new coffee machines from Lavazza; high-end electronics from Bang & Olufsen; and limited-edition art volumes from Books & Books. Everything is for sale, of course, but you can also just drop by to chill out and marvel at the commercial goodness.

Bin No. 18

2009-07-10T15:00:00Z

Ongoing

Mondays–Saturdays (11am–3pm & 6–11pm)

@ Bin No. 18

Miami's midtown crowd has really caught on to wining, thanks to bars like the much-missed Stop Miami, which closed earlier this spring. Bin No. 18 has picked up the torch admirably, offering a wide selection of wines and tapas in a classy, downtown setting. A DJ spins world music on Friday nights, but Tuesday is just as good an evening to gather with an intimate group of friends and drink (er, taste) yourselves silly.

Captain Crab's Take-Away

2009-07-10T15:00:00Z

Ongoing

Mondays–Saturdays (11am–11pm)

@ Captain Crab's Take-Away

You'd think there'd be more crab shacks like this one all over Miami, but it seems as if California's the only place for that. That's precisely why Captain Crab's — a tiny drive-thru shack on the edge of the North Bay Causeway — is such a gem. It's probably the only place where you can get garlic crab legs, fried shrimp, clams, and other kinds of seafood this cheap. Better yet, it's all fresh.

W Wine Bistro

2009-07-10T15:30:00Z

Ongoing

Mondays (11:30am–3:30pm)

Tuesdays–Saturdays (11:30am–10:30pm)

@ W Wine Bistro

Hidden away under an overpass on the outskirts of the Design District, this tiny wine bistro has shown a lot of resiliency over the past few years; the way restaurants and bars come and go around here, the mere fact that it remains open is a wonder. Unlike 7-Eleven — even the very, very best ones — W offers a bounty of wines that can be delivered on scooter to your house or business. But if you can, make sure to swing by and have a drink, because the intimate, charming ambiance is probably far more romantic than your dingy couch.

Moonchine

2009-07-10T15:30:00Z

Ongoing

Daily (11:30am–11pm)

@ Moonchine

Miami's Upper Eastside isn't lacking in cozy restaurants that feature both Japanese and Thai cuisine, but new eatery Moonchine trumps them all, adding Vietnamese fare to the menu. While you can eat in, delivery is recommended — these folks can get a heaping plate of pad thai, a dragon roll, and Vietnamese rice noodles to your door mere minutes after you place your order.

Rusty Pelican

2009-07-10T15:30:00Z

Ongoing

Mondays–Thursdays (11:30am–11pm)

Fridays–Saturdays (11:30am–midnight)

Sundays (11:30am–11pm)

@ Rusty Pelican

If you're not a churchgoer, but still need a Sunday-morning ritual, the Rusty Pelican is a good place to start. Nestled on the edge of Key Biscayne, with a gasp-inducing view of Biscayne Bay and the Downtown Miami skyline, the restaurant serves up one of the most reliable Sunday brunches in town. An all-you-can-eat affair featuring champagne, pasta, and omelet stations, as well as delectable seafood, pastries, and salads, the Pelican's brunch has become a haven for large families — not to mention Saturday-night clubbers sobering up from their evening's misadventures.

Canela Café

2009-07-10T16:00:00Z

Ongoing

Mondays–Saturdays (noon–11:30pm)

@ Canela Cafe

There are tons of Latin-American restaurants to be found around greater Miami, but Canela has this stretch of Biscayne Boulevard on lock. Diners can enjoy a Pan-Latin menu that rocks everything from classic entrées like churrasco and palomilla to Spanish tapas (don't miss the pincho de tortilla or the garbanzo fritos), all of which can be complemented by a nice selection of Argentine wines. The setting foregoes the traditional lunch-counter vibe for a laidback café layout that features artwork by Lebo; and to make it an even more tantalizing (and inexpensive) spot for an evening out, word is that it's soon to add live music.

Abbey Brewing Company

2009-07-10T17:00:00Z

Ongoing

Daily (1pm–5am)

@ Abbey Brewing Company

There are a few watering holes on South Beach that feature an endless selection of excellent international beers, and, of this small group, there's only one that actually brews comparable elixirs of its own. That magical place is the Abbey, where neighborhood boozers big and small happily lap up delicious beers such as the hearty Abbey 12. It's always a low-key, laid-back affair, so no need to get dressed up; it's all about the dartboard, the good conversation, and, of course, the beer.

Tuna's Garden Grille

2009-07-10T19:00:00Z

Ongoing

Mondays–Saturdays (3pm–2am)

Sundays (1pm–2am)

@ Tuna's Garden Grille

The original Tuna's was a charming waterfront eatery where you could sit on a rickety-but-romantic patio with plates of lobsters and oysters, then watch moneyed Aventura locals drink themselves silly inside at the bar. That old location has since been cleared to make way for condos, but thankfully Tuna's has returned in a "secret garden" location just a few blocks away. Although the surroundings are different, the seafood is still some of the most exquisitely prepared around, and (thank god) the bar keeps pouring until 2am.

Haitian Dining at Tap Tap

2009-07-10T21:00:00Z

Ongoing

Daily (5pm)

@ Tap Tap

Those who've passed a lazy evening in the rocking chairs on Tap Tap's front porch, sipping Miami's best mojitos while listening to Haitian compas music, will be pleased to know that the restaurant is back after its usual midsummer hiatus. Those who've never been there had better skedaddle over to experience this backpackers' paradise. Lose yourself in the colorful murals of Haiti's cultural life, which decorate every inch of the venue; dip some malanga fritters into that succulent cilantro sauce; suck up some sugary rum mixed with mint leaves; and contemplate the age-old Afro-Caribbean chanting that permeates the air.

The Room

2009-07-10T22:00:00Z

Ongoing

Daily (6pm–2am)

@ The Room

Miami might be one of the only places in America where you recover from a weekend of partying and drinking by partying and drinking on a Monday night, just in a much more low-key manner. The Room is one of the best spots in this crazy city for that type of activity, with the dim lighting, obese beer menu, and unbelievable selection of music (controlled by the bartender, your DJ for the evening) enveloping you in the best kind of cozy bliss.

Spyro

2009-07-10T22:00:00Z

Ongoing

Mondays–Saturdays (6pm–midnight)

@ Spyro

Biscayne Boulevard, the main thoroughfare through the northern end of this fair city, is a complete and utter mess thanks to recent construction projects. Thankfully, the good folks at nearby Japanese/Thai restaurant Spyro are soldiering on, although they've had to suspend daytime operations. That's just fine, since dinner is the best time to show up for full portions of spicy salmon in Panang curry, Massaman tofu, or any of the sushi rolls with mango. Most importantly, you can actually hear the live pianist tickling out old standards without jackhammer accompaniment. Dig that.

Casa Toscana

2009-07-10T22:00:00Z

Ongoing

Mondays–Saturdays (6–11pm)

@ Casa Toscana

Go somewhere to deflate after the crush of Art Basel, eat a good meal, and connect with either yourself or your sweetie. Casa Toscana is the kind of tiny, romantic Italian restaurant where every moment is a serene indulgence, even though it's located on Biscayne Boulevard, the city's main thoroughfare. Try for a table in the Wine Room, the restaurant's more intimate dining room and private gardens. It's the perfect place to dive into the delish Tuscan cuisine that has won raves all over town.

Sushi Square

2009-07-10T22:30:00Z

Ongoing

Daily (6:30pm–midnight)

@ Sushi Square

Sushi Square is more like a cube — a block of Biscayne Boulevard restaurant so tiny that you might miss it even when you're looking for it. That would be a shame, as the Square serves up fresher sushi than any of its competition in these parts. Try a roll with mango, something a little more exotic like shark, or just stick with traditional fare. Even the California Roll here is a revelation, and the fact that the back door opens out onto the Upper Eastside Garden, a popular lounge/mini-golf course, makes a visit that much more worthwhile.

Paley Pavilion for Contemporary Glass and Studio Arts

2009-07-11T02:00:00Z

Ongoing

Tuesdays–Wednesdays (10–5pm)

Thursdays (noon–7pm)

Fridays–Saturdays (10–5pm)

Sundays (noon–5pm)

@ Lowe Art Museum - University of Miami

A stellar selection of more than 150 glass masterpieces greets visitors to the new Myrna and Sheldon Palley Pavilion for Contemporary Glass and Studio Arts at the Lowe Art Museum. On display are seminal works by international glass artists William Morris, Dale Chihuly, and Richard Jolley, among others. Four separate galleries house works such as Robert Carston Arneson's comic self-portrait "Nasal Flat" and Morris' elaborate installation "Dinka Woman Hearth." The new real estate is part of the Palley family's generous donation to the University of Miami, along with its comprehensive glass collection.