Wynwood Walls: Warehouses Are Now Works of Art

Visit Wynwood Walls to get inspired. Back in 2009, Tony Goldman transformed this warehouse district into an impressive piece of larger than life art. Today, the warehouses are decorated with amazing art and graffiti. When you have a free afternoon, head to this section of Miami, and wander around to take in all the different genres of art that are represented here. You'll see everything from cartoons and pop art, to graffiti and more. Plus, on the first of each month, all the galleries here are open for Art Walk with a DJ playing, which is always great fun. As you would expect, Art Walk can get very busy, and parking can be hard to come by. While you're here, if you get hungry, stop in at Wynwood Kitchen and Bar for delicious Latin-inspired fare. 

Wynwood Walls
2528 Northwest 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33127
(305) 722-8959
http://www.yelp.com/biz/wynwood-walls-miami

Improve Your Kitchen: 3 Easy, Low-Cost Ways To-Dos

Is your kitchen in need of some TLC? We've compiled a few budget-friendly ideas that are easy to do, and will help you to organize and improve the functionality and aesthetics of your kitchen!  

Add or change lighting.
Don't put up with bad or inadequate lighting, especially in your kitchen. Get a new overhead fixture, add a charming lamp to the corner or your counter, or install under-cabinet task lighting. Often, by simply updating or improving the lighting, it can enhance the entire look and feel of your kitchen work space!

Add a rug.
We're always on our feet in the kitchen, and a little cushion underfoot can go a long way. Also, rugs really cozy up the space, and allow you to add a touch of style and personality. 

Add extra storage.
Cabinets overflowing? Why not purchase some wire shelves or wire baskets that can serve as additional storage in your cabinets, or even in your fridge and freezer. By maximizing your storage, you can clear off your counters, which will make your kitchen appear bigger, and keep you more organized.

 

Blue Collar: Southern Comfort Food

Classic Southern comfort food gets a modern twist at Miami's Blue Collar. This petite eatery, with open and airy interior with light wood floors, big glass windows, and white chairs, serves up tasty food with quick, friendly service. Blue Collar is known as a great family restaurant, where all can enjoy delicious, hearty food. The menus are overflowing with Southern favorites as well as American classics, such as cheeseburgers and grilled cheese. For a traditional plate, start with an order of the Shrimp and Grits with cheese, bacon, and New Orleans style BBQ sauce. If you're a fan of succulent duck, order the Duck "McMuffin" topped with duck bacon, gouda, a duck egg, and duck au jus. Also, make sure you read over the chalkboard offerings for the daily specials. If you can, save room for a tasty serving of the homemade Bread Pudding for dessert. 

Blue Collar
6730 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL 33138
(305) 756-0366
http://www.yelp.com/biz/blue-collar-miami

The Cheese Counter: For The Love Of Cheese

For an outstanding gourmet sandwich or to purchase a wedge of artisan cheese, head over to The Cheese Counter. For a lovely meal, dine in the rustic bistro section of the store, where you can enjoy a menu with a great selection of sandwiches and salads made with a creative mix of ingredients and quality cheeses, of course. If you're a fan of great cheese, opt for one of the tasty cheese plates — you can choose your own combination of cheeses from over 100 cheeses and accompaniments to match. On nice days, take your meal or snack outside in the garden, and people watch as you dine. Once you're finished eating, peruse the store, where you can purchase an array of cheeses, breads, spreads, and more. Plus, samples are plentiful, so you can try before you buy! Visit the website for a schedule of events like cheese tastings. 

The Cheese Counter
3451 Northeast 1st Avenue
Miami, FL 33137
(786) 220-6681
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-cheese-course-miami

The Federal: A Contemporary Dining Experience

The Federal is a contemporary, American tavern in Miami. Inside this modern bistro, you'll find a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere, friendly service, and a delicious menu of American dishes that are both classic and innovative. When it comes to the food, you'll be treated to plates like Pan-Roasted Black Bass, New England Lobster Roll, Fisherman’s Stew, Pan-Roasted Airline Chicken Breast, Grove Farms Lamb Burger, Federal Steak, and Venison Sausage. Round out your meal with traditional, hearty sides like Freshly Shucked Corn, Whipped Potatoes, Creamed Collard Greens, and Crispy Brussels Sprouts. Start your meal with a charcuterie platter of artisan cheeses and cured meats. Or, visit on Sunday for brunch, and enjoy unlimited mimosas for $16 while you fill up on a tasty variety of breakfast items. The Federal is open daily for dinner, and for brunch on Sundays.

5132 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL 33137
(305) 758-9559
 

Michy’s: Upscale Comfort Cuisine

At Michy's in Miami, diners are treated to upscale comfort food. At the helm of this eatery is owner/chef Michelle Bernstein who makes use of fresh, local seafood and seasonal ingredients from local producers to craft a delicious menu of amazing comfort food dishes. At this brightly decorated bistro, you can enjoy appetizers such as White Gazpacho, a delectable chilled blend of white grapes, marcona almonds, and cucumbers; Peruvian-style Ceviche, Tuna Tartare; Heirloom Tomato Salad; as well as classic Duck Confit. As for the main dishes, you can enjoy Short Ribs, Whole Yellowtail Snapper, Seared Halibut, and Lemon Ricotta Gnocchi. If you can't decide what to get, ask for the family-style tasting menu, and let Chef Michelle treat you to an array of delectable dishes. If you can, save room for one of the delectable desserts, like Deep Fried Pineapple Pie with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream.

6927 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL 33138
(305) 759-2001 
 

Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink: A Vibrant Miami Bistro

This sophisticated Miami bistro is known for finely crafted dishes prepared with fresh, local ingredients. At Michael's Genuine Food & Drink, start your meal with a specialty cocktail, or craft beer, as you peruse the menu of savory dishes like Steamed Mussels, Chili Chicken Wings, and Crispy Hominy with Chili and Lime. Patrons raves about the delicious, well-prepared food, such as the Wood-oven Roasted Swordfish, Bone-in Ribeye, and Whole Poulet Rouge Chicken. For a weekend treat, visit for Sunday Brunch where you can partake in an array of tasty dishes like Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Duck Confit Hash, Breakfast Pizza topped with smoked bacon, Monterey Jack cheese, and eggs, and Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder with Cheese Grits. If you're able, try to save some room for one of Pastry Chef Hedy’s amazing desserts, like the Peach Hungarian Shortcake or the Brown Butter Cake with bing cherries. 

130 NE 40th Street
Miami, FL 33137
(305) 573-5550
 

Wine Vault: A Great Place For A Great Glass

The Wine Vault is a sophisticated, friendly spot to chill out from the Miami heat. Here, you can enjoy a great glass of a wine from the Wine Vault's robust list of vintages. If you get hungry, order up some tasty tapas-style small plates to share! Found at the Shops of Midtown Miami, the Wine Vault's brick-walled interior in warm and inviting, and its centerpiece is the sleek, glass tube elevator that bridges the two floors. On the menu, you'll find tapas items such as White Anchovy Crostini, Shredded Duck Salad, Mini Empanadas, Tuna Stuffed Piquillo Peppers, and Fresh Chorizo with New Potatoes. For something uniquely decadent, try the Chocolate-dipped Bacon, or you can always opt for a classic platter of artisan cured meats and cheeses. Patrons love this place, and say there's really not a bad thing on the menu! For a deal, visit during happy hour for $3 glasses of wine and reduced prices on tapas. Wine Vault is open Mondays through Sundays from 3 p.m. until 3 a.m.

6927 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL 33138
(305) 759-2001
 

Edge: Classic Steakhouse Dining

You'll find Edge housed within the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Miami. This upscale, sophisticated restaurant is a fabulous choice for an elegant evening on the town. When you enter Edge, you'll undoubtedly see the sleek horseshoe-shaped marble bar at the eatery's center, where you can enjoy one of their signature well-crafted cocktails like the BBQ Collins made with Knob Creek Bourbon and BBQ bitters. As you would hope, the food is delicious, and on the menu you'll find preparations such as Black Angus Filet Mignon, Prime Churrasco Steak, Butcher’s Cut Filet, Ahi Tuna, Aussie Lamb Chops, Florida Snapper, or the Seafood Grill with scallops, lobster, mahi-mahi, and shrimp, much of which is charbroiled over an 1800 degree grill. For a more reasonably priced outing, visit at lunch, and try one of the hearty sandwiches, salads, burgers, grilled steaks, or seafood dishes that you'll find on the mid-day menu. Or, to start your day off right, visit for breakfast or Sunday brunch. Edge is open Mondays through Sundays from 6:30 a.m. until 11 p.m.

1435 Brickell Avenue
Miami, FL 33131
(305) 381-3190
 

Amway Center: Orlando Magic Home Court

The Amway Center, which opened in 2010, is home to the Orlando Magics, and is a huge community centered space that even has a helipad! On any given day, you can enjoy sports, concerts, ice shows, and Celebrity Mascot Games at the Amway Center which can house audiences of up to 20,000. In fact, the center is nearly 3 times as large as the old arena. So, whether you enjoy watching ice hockey, wrestling, So You Think You Can Dance, Enrique Iglesias, extreme sports, or Marc Anthony, the Amway Center is your venue! Inside, you'll find cool bars, snack vendors, and The Club Restaurant. To remember you're visit, you can purchase a few Magical souvenirs, and, as you wander around, check out intriguing displays to hone your trivia brain. Plus, young kids will just love visiting the special play area designed with them – as well as their parents – in mind. And, to top it all off, the Amway Center was designed in keeping with the high standards of LEED Gold Certification to help satisfy our environmental conscience. 

Amway Center and Orlando Magic
400 West Church Street – Suite 200
Orlando, Florida 32801
(407) 440- 7000
www.amwaycenter.com