Mojito Review

Adriana Restaurant
9477 Harding Avenue
Surfside, FL 33154
(305) 867-1220
AdrianaRestaurant.com

Related Articles:

Mojito Review – Adriana Restaurant in Surfside originally appeared on Miamism on February 11, 2012.

We had to turn your attention from our regularly scheduled Miamism Fridays to this phenomenal video by two dear colleagues across the US.  There is nothing like laughing at yourself and I thank both Brian Copeland  and Maura Neill , for allowing me that pleasure.

Brian Copeland sells none other than Nashville real estate and can be found at NashvilleandBeyond.com.

Maura Neill sells real estate in Atlanta and can be found at MauraNeill.com.

Thank you guys!

Related Articles:

Sh*t Real Estate Agents Say originally appeared on Miamism on February 10, 2012.

We are reviving an old article about historic windows since we have received so many questions about windows this week. I wrote this back in October 2007 – remember to look in the category section of the blog under “historic homes” or “architecture” for informative articles that may help you with restoration of historic homes or even remodeling of your existing one. We always appreciate your feedback!

You are going to think I am crazy for writing an article about the correct use of windows.  But you need to know that windows are my pet peeve.  Windows are a key element in a building’s architecture, and the incorrect use of a window can ruin a building’s facade. When doing the Miami Beach Real Estate thing I am always shocked at what I see.

I drive around every day looking at Miami Architecture shaking my head.  You see Spanish Mediterranean homes with Colonial windows, Colonial homes with casement windows, or Mid-century modern homes with single-hung windows.  This drives me absolutely crazy, so instead of complaining, I’ll try to explain some basics.

Vitruvius, known as the first Roman architect to have written on his field, always talked about architecture as an imitation of nature, and ultimately defined the Vitruvian Man (drawn by Leonardo da Vinci).  The Vitruvian Man, represents perfect human proportions and fundamental geometric patterns of the cosmic order.  I will not go into detail about the human proportions but will only tell you that the first windows were vertical in nature made to represent the human body, or better yet, were designed according to human proportions.

I have sketched a common window to show what proportions are about – notice the vertical nature of the window.  Different styles of architecture call for different window proportions.  And although I’m not going into detail about what type of window is appropriate for what type of architecture, my purpose is to help you “see” and discern the different proportions.

You have no idea how good it feels when friends and loved ones start noticing things that they really never paid attention to.  It’s great that Rick can go into a house now, with his “accountant eye” and say, “too bad they replaced the windows with the wrong type”.  It’s a big YESSSssss in my book.

Here are 3 sketches of the same house with different types of windows – please excuse my primitive pen and inks, but I think it helps to make a point.

The house is a small scaled Mediterranean Revival typical of the 1920′s in South Florida.  One of the three window types is correct for the style.

Sketch “A” shows the house with a horizontal awning window,

Sketch “B” shows the house with a vertical casement window,

Sketch “C” shows the house with a colonial window.

The differences may be a bit subtle for the untrained eye, but the correct use for a Mediterranean Revival home is the casement window.  If we want to go into detail, the proportion of the window lights and the placement of the muntins is also very important.  But I would much rather see a plain casement without muntins, than the other 2 applications.

So what’s the purpose of this blog and how does it apply to you?  Start looking at windows, notice differences, that way when you are ready to replace a window in your home, you will know which type to use.  Please don’t ask window companies, most of them will not care what you use and which window type is appropriate; when in doubt, ask a professional.  There are plenty of architects that do consulting and would be glad to answer questions.  There are also historic boards throughout that may be able to help you.

If you have a question about windows, let me know……I’ll try my best to answer.

Related Articles:

Please don’t use the wrong window originally appeared on Miamism on February 6, 2012.

You may remember us telling you back in May of last year, that Anna Kournikova’s Sunset Island home was for sale.

Yes, sexy tennis star Anna Kournikova is selling her Miami Beach home for $9.4 Million.  The home is not open bay and is located on Sunset Island number 3 in Miami Beach and unlike what you may think, it doesn’t have a tennis court either.  We love to get the scoop on Miami Celebrities and their crash pads and I have to add that Anna seems to have great taste, based on her choice of finishes, decor, and boyfriend. (cough….Enrique Iglesias….cough).

The Wall Street Journal just published that,

Russian tennis player Anna Kournikova has sold her 6,630-square-foot home on Miami Beach’s exclusive guard-gated Sunset Island for $7.4 million.

The property does not appear as closed or even under contract on the multiple listing service, but we will take the WSJ’s word for it.  Anna Kournikova bought back in 2000 for $5 Million…and sold at $2 Million under asking price.  What does that tell you?  It’s not about the low ball offer, it’s about getting comps and paying what the home is worth!  We told you in our yearly real estate analysis for Miami Beach waterfront homes, that the average price per square foot in The Sunset Islands was $924 and this celebrity home sold at $1,116 …. which means the home sold at comparable market value and the $2 Million discount just means the house was overpriced.

Congratulations to Kournikova and the new lucky home owners!

Related Articles:

Anna Kournikova sells her Miami Beach Home originally appeared on Miamism on February 3, 2012.

Local Mojito Reviews – Miami / Miami Beach

BEST MOJITOS (rated 4.5 to 5 out of 5)

• Cafe Prima Pasta in Miami Beach – rated 5 out of 5

• Adriana Restaurant in Surfside – rated 5 out of 5

• Bacardi Mojito Bar at MIA (Miami International Airport) – Rock Coconut Mojito rated  5 out of 5

• Mojito Bar at Bayside Marketplace – rated 5 out of 5 (guest of Social Buzz TV)

• Ortanique on The Mile – rated 5 out of 5

• The Angler Boutique Hotel – rated 5 out of 5

• Il Gabiano – rated 4.5 out of 5

• Sugarcane Raw Bar & Grill – rated 4.5 out of 5

• Area 31 at The Epic Hotel – rated 5 out of 5

• Cvi.che 105 – Picojito rated 5 out of 5

• Flamma Steakhouse in North Miami Beach – Coconut Mojito 4.5 out of 5

• Deco Cigars on Lincoln Road - rated 5 out of 5

• Eos at The Viceroy – rated 5 out of 5

• Bacardi Mojito Professionals at The Temple House for REBarCamp Miami – rated 5 out of 5

• Larios on The Beach – rated 4.5 out of 5

• Lucky Strike South Beach – rated 5 out of 5

• Carpaccio at Bal Harbour Shops – rated 4.5 out of 5

• Michael’s Genuine in Miami’s Design Distrcit – rated 4.5 out of 5

• PF Changs Aventura – Asian Pear Mojito rated 4.5 out of 5

• The Sagamore Hotel – rated 5 out of 5

AVERAGE MOJITOS (rated 3 to 4 out of 5)

• Five Napkin Burger -  Frizante Mojito rated 3 out of 5

• Cecconi’s at Soho Beach House – rated 3 out of 5

• Baru Urbano – Mojito rated 3.5 out of 5 – Treetini is 5 out of 5

• III Forks Steakhouse at The Village of Gulfstream Park – rated 4 out of 5

• Gordon Biersch in Brickell -Dragon fruit Strawbery Mojito rated 4 out of 5

• Novecento in Brickell - Regular Mojito rated 3.5 out of 5,and Passion Fruit Mojito rated 4.5 out of 5

• Tarpon Bend in Coral Gables – rated 3.5 out of 5

• Sushi Samba in South Beach – rated 4 out of 5

• UVA69 – rated 3.5 out of 5

• Moonchine – Saki Mojito rated 4 out 5

• Los Ranchos Restaurant in Bayside Marketplace – rated 4 out of 5

• Brio Tuscan Grille in Pembroke Pines – rated 4 out of 5

• Miami Prime Grill in North Miami – rated 3.5 out of 5

BELOW AVERAGE (rated 2.5 and under out of 5) << DRINK SOMETHING ELSE

• Duffy’s Sports Grill  – North Miami Beach – rated 2 out of 5

• Finnegan’s River on The Miami River – rated 2 out of 5

• The Shore Club Hotel – rated 1 out of 5

• Casablanca Seafood Bar & Grill – rated 2 out of 5

• Little Havana Restaurant – rated 2 out of 5

Other US cities

• Salt Creek Grille in Valencia, California – rated 3 out of 5

• Mo’s in Houston, Texas – rated 4 out of 5

• Town Hall Grill in Chapel Hill, North Carolina – rated 4.5 out of 5

• Fire and Vine in Virginia Beach – rated 2.75 out of 5

• Macaroni Grill in Virginia Beach – rated 4 out of 5

• Studio Bar California – rated 4 out of 5

• Marmalade Cafe in Sherman Oaks, California – rated 4.5 out of 5

• OSHA Thai Restaurant in San Francisco, California – Green Tea Mojito rated 5 out of 5

• Oreganos in Scottsdale, Arizona – rated 4 out of 5

• Gallo’s Seafood in Philadelphia – rated 2.5 out of 5

International Mojito Reviews

• Nick’s in Sydney, Australia – Baja Mojito – rated 2 out of 5

• Arehucas Rum from Spain

CLOSED ESTABLISHMENTS

• The Water Club – rated 4 out of 5 – 3969 NE 163rd Street, North Miami Beach, FL 33160

• Q American Barbeque – rated 5 out of 5 – Miami Design District, 4029 N Miami Ave

• Grass Restaurant & Lounge – rated 3.5 out of 5 – 28 NE 40th Street, Miami, Florida 33137

• Pacific Time in Miami’s Design District – rated 3.75 out of 5 – 35 NE 40th Street, Miami, FL 33137

• Brosia Restaurant in Miami’s Design District – Moroccan Mojito rated a 4.5 out of 5 – 163 NE 39th Street, Miami, FL 33137

• Scorch Grillhouse – rated 5 out of 5 – 13750 Biscayne Blvd, North Miami Beach, FL 33181

MOJITO BLOOPERS

Related Articles:

Mojito Reviews – The List originally appeared on Miamism on February 2, 2012.

As I am getting ready to go speak at RETSO again this year and discussing conference topics with colleagues on twitter, I remembered writing this post in March of 2009 which remains so relevant in today’s social space. The changes are drastic in 3 years and technology has come a long way. But the human aspect of our web interactions and the tangible side of relationships is still there and we cannot ever lose track of it.

I just came back from speaking at RETechSouth RETSO (a Real Estate Technology conference) and meeting with colleagues around the nation (the ones that get the Internet and Social Media) helped reinforce how I feel about real estate in general, but most importantly, how Rick and I approach Miami Beach Real Estate.

It’s not about sales sales sales!  It’s not about what the media will say next – It’s so much more than “how is the Miami Real Estate Market doing?” – It’s about LIVES!  How trivial can that really be?  Everyone needs a place to live, whether it’s temporary or not….feeling at home is one of the most important factors in everyone’s life, whether you choose to get help to achieve that or not – HOME is such a powerful word and some of us really care about how people achieve that.

The reason we like and live social media and blogging is because we get the opportunity to give a piece of us – to open up and be vulnerable because it shows our human side and ultimately will help you decide whether or not you want to do business with us.  Yes we make a living from real estate – but the connections and friendships we make in the process mean so much more than the commission check at the end of a transaction.

One of the highlights of the trip was a presentation I did with Teresa Boardman and Jeff Turner.  Teresa is also a Realtor and has become a dear friend because she also “gets” relationships and is never boggled down by irrelevant technical details and politics behind real estate and social media (you NEED to check out her St.Paul Blog).  Jeff Turner is the owner and president of Real Estate Shows (those virtual shows I embed here in miamism and use for all of our listings), and president of Zeek Interactive (“a people-focused design and development company dedicated to finding world-class solutions to real-world problems” << gotta love that).  Jeff is a strange breed (and hopefully he won’t read this) – he is a strange breed because he NEVER sells his business, people just gravitate to him because he is a genuinely nice guy with no agenda and willing to help everyone.  It doesn’t hurt that these two have awesome spouses that I am also extremely fond of – and have become very close friends through this medium…amazing no?

The presentation was about Flickr but it was so much more than that – being on stage with Teresa and Jeff made me realize that technology gives us the opportunity to connect with like minded individuals at a level that I would have never thought possible.  There we were, the 3 of us talking like old friends, so comfortable and finishing each other’s sentences as if we had known each other all of our lives.  All that because of social media!

So as technically savvy as I may be and ahead of the latest marketing trends- it’s all about people.  It’s about you and how we can help you achieve your goals and give ourselves in that process.  Sorry to sound corny here but thank you to all our clients who have allowed us to be a part of that process and who are now important part of our lives.

**photo compliments of Stacie Wells (AugustaGALiving) **

Related Articles:

Real Estate = relationships = life originally appeared on Miamism on January 30, 2012.

Mojito Review

Cafe Prima Pasta
414 71 Street
Miami Beach, FL 33141
(305) 867-0106
CafePrimaPasta.com

Related Articles:

Mojito Review – Cafe Prima Pasta in Miami Beach originally appeared on Miamism on January 29, 2012.

Miami rides and Miami pads….they are everywhere you look, it’s like candy for the soul.  But this image gets mojito points from us – The Versace Mansion and a gorgeous Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster!  Phenomenal shot by Jason Thorgalben from VOD Cars (wait until you see the rest of his pics).

….another Miamism !!

** Share your MIAMISMS and we will feature them!! send them to us via email (info@miamism.com), Facebook, Twitter (@ines), or post them on Flickr in the Miamism Group **

NOTE: this and other miamism photos are copyrighted© – contact owner for permission

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Miamism Fridays – Versace & Lambo originally appeared on Miamism on January 27, 2012.

This month’s edition is on North Bay Road (Sunset Lake subdivision). This is definitely a WOW type of home but location is a bit disappointing, right behind the Sunset Islands with more of a canal front location than bay.  At least you don’t have any fixed bridges to the bay and you do have protection from the elements, but this house would almost be perfect with open bay water frontage.

Miami Beach Mod Home at 2040 N Bay Road

listed for $16,500,000

The massing and volumes of this North Bay Road home make me smile from ear to ear.  Straight angles, not over designed, sultry, sexy and functional….doesn’t get better than that.  This home is 11,857 square feet! and the lot is unusually long with 308 feet in-depth compared to its 100 feet of width – hence the long and narrow construction.  The homes on this portion of North Bay Road seem to be on top of each other because they take advantage of every inch of “buildable” land on their properties.  But in reality, they do keep a comfortable distance from each other.

I am sure that when the current owners decided to build this beauty, they knew that the location and unusual direction of the lot would be a struggle for any future buyer.  So they decided to make up for any of those objections by really building an amazing house.  Take a look at an aerial of the property showing the skewed lot on the water.  The positive aspect of the angle is that it gives them 135 feet of water frontage instead of the 100′ you expect.

The house has double gourmet kitchens as well as summer kitchen equipped with pizza oven.  We can certainly assume that these people love to entertain and cook.  I love the fact that the “caterer’s kitchen” is something that is becoming popular in Miami Beach within the mega luxury real estate realm.  Nothing like keeping your kitchen clean and untouched while caterers make a mess of their own kitchen.

I wish I knew who the architect and interior designers were in this property – the use of materials in the secondary spaces are not what I would expect, but they work and the minimalist feel is never jeopardized.

I think the master suite is my favorite part of this home.  It seems to float above the rest of the space with perfectly framed views and private terrace that completes the exterior facade – solemn, dignified and perfect.

The exteriors are all perfectly orchestrated.  From the approach to the house with a play of window proportions and water element, to the use of every flat roof as a roof terrace and finally with a lap pool and spa that mimic the proportions and extended house foot print.  When you start scrutinizing the elements used throughout the house, you notice that nothing is there by chance, but instead you will find a well throughout out approach to architecture that is refreshing.

As for the wood finish in the back terrace, not even if it was IPE wood from Brazil would I have that as a choice, the maintenance can be brutal.  I would be more apt to selecting a raw limestone or concrete finish to avoid the constant treatment of the wood.

As for that small triangular patch of grass between the dock and the pool deck – it just seems it is wasted space when in reality it has not yet been designed.  Any lucky owner of this North Bay Road modern mansion will be able to complete the space as a transitional element between their vessel and their home.

The property was bought in 2007 for $4.1 Million, completely demolished and built from scratch.  The $16.5 Million price tag may be a far reach considering the location, but only time will tell.

Related Articles:

Miami Mod Homes – January 2012 edition originally appeared on Miamism on January 23, 2012.

If you are not in awe of the talent evident in murals around Miami, it’s time to check for a pulse.  Take this Miami Heat mural, for example, by Serge Toussaint, one of the thousands left for us to devour around town.  Lucky enough to be captured by WALLYG.  And the theme is one we happen to love – GO HEAT!

….another Miamism !!

Make sure to check out the other murals wallyg photographed in the Wynwood/Midtown area.

** Share your MIAMISMS and we will feature them!! send them to us via email (info@miamism.com), Facebook, Twitter (@ines), or post them on Flickr in the Miamism Group **

Related Articles:

Miamism Fridays – Miami Heat Mural originally appeared on Miamism on January 20, 2012.