I apologize for no recent articles. I am trying to catch up. For your enjoyment here is our latest trip to South Beach Miami with some specific top shelf recommendations and places not to be missed and some of the best Miami has to offer. I will try and get more articles out over the holidays.
Marriott Stanton South Beach
I am pleased to highly recommend Marriott Stanton South Beach to my readers and friends. Clark and I along with our neighbor Mary having rested from our previous 8 trips this year decided the travel bug was again raising its ugly head so we decided on a short weekend road trip to South Beach Miami. Last year we stayed at the Lord Balfour only a block or two from the Marriott and would have stayed there but the Marriott Stanton had a weekend staycation rate that was compelling and being a Marriott Elite customer I felt it would be a better deal and it was. What was most impressive was the staff dedication to superior and second to none customer service. In the recent past I have complained regarding the lack of customer service everywhere. Not at the Marriott Stanton. It was obvious that upper management had set a high standard of service demanding it be met. Every staff member made sure we were provided the highest level of service. Check in was enjoyable. Housekeeping agreed to our requests and provided everything we asked for the entire trip and we never had to ask again. The valet made a point of knowing us and helping our disabled friend, made sure our car was provided without delay, provided water, etc. Every staff member while we there regardless of position each time they saw us they thanked us for staying there. We spent two afternoons at a wonderful pool and hot tub and we had attentive pool attendants and servers who set up our pool lounges, took our orders for food and drink, and checked in every 15 minutes or so to make sure if we needed anything. Overall it was one of the best Hotel experiences we have had and all of us have committed to return soon for another short staycation in the future. We thank and congratulate the staff and management for setting and providing the highest standard at South Beach.
Santinori by Georges
We love Greek food and I recently wrote regarding Milos in NYC. We read I believe on Trip Advisor that this was one of the top dining places in Miami and we must agree. The food was great Greek recipes and the service was second to none. We started with a large wonderful Greek salad tossed and served table side. Then came the Greek prepared Lamb Chops that were tender succulent and as tasty as they come. Next came whole fish Branzino again served table side for 3 people with Greek lemon potatoes that was beyond outstanding. I also had added a side order of Florida Lobster as I love the Florida kind and it was prepared perfectly. We were totally stuffed but made sure we had room for homemade Baklava which was great. Overall the food was what we expected plus. We have to admit the dining room was especially noisy but it was so because the restaurant has a tradition and allows for special occasions diners to celebrate by breaking plates and glasses saying "OPA!". We also say "OPA!" to an outstanding dinner.
Osteria Del Teatro
For decades our favorite restaurant in Miami and specifically South Beach. Last year we dined at their new place which they had been at for around 6 years. Again this year they decided to move again farther north and their new décor is much more casual and younger. They have the same owner and chef and continue to source the U2 prawns from South Africa, what they now call Jurassic prawns, so I was happy to see that and as usual had one as my appetizer. They have been in this new digs now for only one month so they had a few “opening day” adjustments. Service was a little slow and the food was good but maybe not as well prepared in the past. But I gave them a pass because in essence it is a new place and there will be a period of adjustment for everyone. I will continue to look forward to returning again soon.
Prime 112
It has been years since we had dinner here and this trip the place did not miss a beat. The food and service continues to be top notch and the joint is jumping as they say. They continue with the Jurassic Baked Potatoes the size of an NFL football and the Steaks are perfect in every way and they continue to serve A5 Japanese Kobe and were one of the first establishments to offer it decades ago. Every dish here is monstrous so for 3 people we ordered one of everything and it was plenty enough food for us all. Our favorite dish was the deviled eggs topped with caviar and made with a white truffle sauce. They were requisite and I can still taste them. Dessert was a 2 mile high banana pudding freshly made we could barely eat half of it. They have an immense wine list with the prices to match and there were a few reasonable wines I would have been happy with. We brought our own wine and paid $75 corkage per bottle which is high but when compared to the mark up on their wine lists you come out much better bringing your own wine.
Big Pink
Restaurant is owned by same group that owns Prime 112 and is a block away from the Marriott Stanton so very convenient for a quick breakfast or lunch. We had a very good breakfast there with all of your standard Breakfast fare. Maybe a little pricey but in my opinion worth the price.
Isabella Lincoln Road
Had a spectacular lunch here. Service was top notch and the food was wonderful. The dessert was to die for. They had a good reasonably priced wine list. It is primarily an Italian Mediterranean restaurant with plenty of fresh regional dishes. We had a very nice and fun time here and I highly recommend it.
News Cafe
News Cafe has reopened and is located in the 800 block of Ocean Drive so they are now open in a new location a little north of their old location. We did not make there for breakfast but it is a South Beach icon and in the past a great place for breakfast. We hope to go back our next trip.
