Miami: Page 1
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Miami: Page 1
With only 48 hours in Magic City, it was all systems go as we jumped in a cab from Miami International Airport. Golden hour in Miami really is something special, as the sun began to dip hundreds of palm tree silhouettes lined the glowing skies behind us as we flew down the freeway on route to our home away from home, Soho Beach House.
Tired from transit, we spent the evening dining on fresh squid, homemade pasta and a bottle of Malbec as candles flickered under the canopy at Cecconi’s, laughing and discussing our plans to conquer Miami in the little time we had.
In a restored art deco building on South Beach, Soho Beach House effortlessly combines bohemian charm with Old Havana flair. Cuban-tiled courtyards and glimmering string lights set the scene for drinking mojitos under the stars, whilst the majestic four-poster beds, freestanding tubs and brass fixtures make the bedrooms a home away from home and the perfect place to retire after a busy day exploring the city.
As with all Soho House properties, attention to detail is key and the Miami outpost of London’s iconic private members’ club is no different; the beautiful interiors and awe-inspiring views of the ocean and beyond make it a must visit whilst in town... even if just for a plate of tacos and a negroni.
Awaking to an awe-inspiring sunrise from our private terrace, we spent an hour relaxing by the pool before heading to the infamous Miami Beach Boardwalk to soak in the blissful Florida sunshine, a beautiful spot loved by tourists and locals alike.
"At the beach life is different. Time doesn't move hour to hour, but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides, and follow the sun."
An Uber ride later, we made our way to Miami Arts District and lunch at Mandolin Aegean Bistro. A huge hit with the locals and for very good reason, Mandolin is owned by husband and wife duo Anastasia and Ahmet and serves up vibrant recipes inspired by their Greek and Turkish heritage. The couple’s philosophy is simple: cooking is about food, friends, community and focusing on simple, authentic and quality cuisine made with love. It really shows. We recommend the Turkish sampler, greek salad, tiger prawns, manti dumplings and grilled catch of the day — delicious.
"We created Mandolin as a reflection of our home, a way of life, a way of enjoying valuable time with friends and family. Our priority is to remind our guests to appreciate again the simple joys of sharing food, stories and experiences."
— Anastasia Koutsioukis and Ahmet Erkaya
After lunch we set off on foot to explore the new Arts District, we wandered along pristine tree lined streets and dipped in and out of luxury boutiques already iconic for their vast industrial units. Next we stopped at Wynwood to admire the vibrant and eclectic graffiti art before heading to the iconic Ocean Drive, home of colourful art deco architecture and the place where ‘neon goes to die’.
Miami: Page 2
Miami: Page 2
As the day drew to a close, we had Joe’s Stone Crab on our minds. An iconic Miami institution, Joe’s has been serving the sweetest stone crab to locals since 1913. We had to wait the best part of two hours to be seated, that’s right, two… but the experience (and the lobster mac n’ cheese) was well worth the wait. The food was unlike anything we had eaten before, the freshest giant stone crab claws dipped in Joe’s secret sauce, mouthwatering lobster and ‘that’ Key Lime Pie. Our advice, be patient… we promise you, it is worth it.
