Skyline, the New Airplane Bar in Miami

MIAMI BEACH - Look for the new bar Skyline, an airplane themed bar-lounge. It was made with four retired commercial jets including a DC-9 and 747. Co-creators are Javier Maldonado, a Spanish entrepreneur with interests in Ibiza and Madrid, and Carina Burguete, a Mexican restaurateur.

The new Miami club houses a bar made of an actual airplane wing, booths which give clients the option of window or aisle, a private, high- rollers’, first-class lounge, and of course stewardesses that besides serving drinks will sing and dance. The cocktail list includes: Crash Landing Turbulence Drink, the High Jack shot, Flight 69, Airforce One, Red Eye, the Altitude, the Black Box Martini, and the most recent addition, the Miracle on the Hudson. The bar is at 645 Washington Avenue. See www.skylinemia.com

B Bar Opens In Miami’s Betsy

From Website-Floridasnapshot.com

MIAMI - Representing a fresh take on vintage glamour, the new B Bar, in the hotel Betsy, is a nightclub that evokes an older time.

The bar as envisioned by designer Callin Fortis of Big Time Design Studios, said it is “intentionally crafted with French mid century contemporary styling which rests delicately on top of true nightclub bones.”

It’s a true cocktail lounge, with drinks that include:

• Hendricks Gin based Blue Velvet is infused with blueberries and raspberries and shaken extra cold with Luxardo Maraschino Original.
• Black Pearl combines Corner Creek Bourbon, fresh blackberries and elderflower liquor,.
• The signature Josephine pays homage to The Fabulous Ms. Baker, created with apricot liqueur and Thousand Flower runny honey.

It’s had good writeups. On December 28, 2009 Urban Daddy said it was “Everything that was important in Miami….” The Sun Post included B Bar in their “Guide to Some of the Year’s Best Moments in Miami.”

You get to B Bar through The Betsy Hotel located on Ocean Drive. A hidden staircase brings you to the lower level of The Betsy hotel from Wednesday through Saturday evenings 9 pm to 3 am. See www.bbarmiami.com

Visit Cafe Bustelo In Miami’s South Beach

MIAMI - If you want to take a bit of Cuban Florida home, grab a package of Cafe Bustelo coffee to take home.

The espresso coffee is a Florida classic, made even more interesting because they sell a canned chilled version of the drink, and have a Cafe Bustelo shop at the Hotel Gaansevort. Read more

Visit Palm Beach Restaurants for September Deals

PALM BEACH - Flavor Palm Beach, the second annual Palm Beach County restaurant month is coming this September. For the entire month, the county’s finest restaurants, will offer a special three course Flavor menu for the fixed price of $19.09 for lunch and $30 for dinner. Flavor Palm Beach is poised and ready to excite, tantalize, and satisfy your every craving.

Flavor Palm Beach was established to allow residents and visitors alike to try many wonderful restaurants at lower prices, while the restaurants benefit from more patrons in a traditionally slower traffic month. The area benefits from increased commerce and tourism. Flavor Palm Beach truly is a win-win situation and an epicurean’s delight.

Some of the restaurants participating in Flavor Palm Beach include: Seasons 52, III Forks, Capital Grille, Forte, and Ironwood Grille that will offer 2 for $19.09 lunch and 2 for $30 dinner specials. Prices are per person and exclude beverages, tax, and gratuity. A complete list of participating restaurants and menus will be available at www.FlavorPalmBeach.com .

A kick-off event will be held the evening of August 28th at Centennial Square on Clematis Street benefiting The Palm Beach County Red Cross. This event will feature some of the participating Flavor restaurants, entertainment, gift bags, and more. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $15 at www.flavorpalmbeach.com or for $20 at the event. Last year this was a sold out event.

Reservations can be made at www.FlavorPalmBeach.com or by contacting the restaurant directly. Due to the popularity of this event, advance reservations are strongly encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.

Flavor Palm Beach is proud to partner with Zagat, Downtown Development Authority, SouthFloridaDines.com, Opentable.com, Store Self and Wine Storage, and the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Flavor Palm Beach is still accepting applications from restaurants and seeking partnerships for this event. Please contact Briana at BB@FlavorPalmBeach.com, 561-315-8803 or visit www.FlavorPalmBeach.com for more information.

Briana Bournique, Founder of Flavor Palm Beach, is a fifth generation Floridian. She studied Hospitality Management at the University of Florida and has worked for the Brazilian Court Hotel in Palm Beach and the Shore Club and Delano Hotels in Miami Beach. During her time in Miami, she enjoyed the fare and fun of Miami Spice and wanted to bring a similar event to Palm Beach palettes. It is now a mainstay on the South Florida calendars. Bon Appetit!

Top Classic Miami Region Restaurants

MIAMI - While in Miami, you will want to try at least a few of the classic restaurants. Each have figured in Miami history and will give you a flavor of this great city.

Joe’s Stone Crab: Who could ever go to Miami Beach without a stop here. Just remember, there are no reservations, but you can call ahead and find out how long the wait is. Yes, it was in Goldfinger. See www.joesstonecrab.com

Puerto Sagua: Classic old-school Cuban, white jackets and great prices. Classic vintage feeling, with lunch counter, 305-673-1115

Shorty’s: The venerable bbq restaurant, 9200 South Dixie Highway. www.shortys.com

Tobacco Road: This is Miami’s oldest bar; way cool neon at 626 S Miami Avenue.  www.tobacco-road.com

Got any more ideas?

Send them our way by commenting below:

A Few Favorite Miami Beach Restaurants

MIAMI BEACH -Just a few of our favorite eateries at Miami Beach.

Our quick handy snapshot list:

Ariston: A Greek restaurant with great prices that are authentic, traditional and without artifice. Fresh local ingredients www.aristonrestaurantmiami.com

Creek 28: A quiet and sophisticated but not flashy restaurant in the Indian Creek Hotel. The hotel is right out of the Noel Coward era; walk past the ancient elevator to the back courtyard, where Creek 28 sits. www.indiancreekhotel.com

Dynamo: The cafe at the Wolfsonian. All inspired by the design there; even silent films are shown. High style and designed by Lyon + Lyon. Daily lunch special is less than $10. Who can beat that? www.wolfsonian.com

Joe’s Stone Crab: Who could ever go to Miami Beach without a stop here. Just remember, there are no reservations, but you can call ahead and find out how long the wait is. See www.joesstonecrab.com

Michy’s: A Jewish and Argentinean bistro on the northern part of Biscayne Boulevard. Michy’s run by husband and wife team David Martinez and Michelle Bernstein. See michys@bellsouth.net or (305) 759-2001

Do you have other ideas? Feel free to add below:

Fontainebleau Restaurant Roundup

MIAMI BEACH - Fresh off a $1 billion renovation and expansion, a quick roundup of the restaurants at The Fontainebleau. If you aren’t staying at the Morris Lapidus fantasy, at least if you are in Miami, try to stop in if not for the high end steak, then a coffee and pastry at Solo.

Call ahead for hours; Gotham and Scarpetta recommend reservations.

Gotham Steak: High end way expensive steaks where the old Gigi Room used to be. Seafood tower or $75 steak anyone?

Scarpetta: A redux of the New York Italian restaurant.

Hakkasan, a restaurant by London chef Alan Yau. The food is Cantonese cuisine in a sleek, sophisticated space overlooking the Atlantic.

La Côte: This eatery by chef Sean O’Connell has a French atmosphere inspired by the Côte d’Azure. They serve cocktails, tapas and fresh seafood, salads and desserts.

Blade: Sushi for dinner.

Solo: A bakery at the hotel, with wild cakes and chocolates and coffee.

Fresh: Snacks and gelato, with “American comfort food.”

For more info, see www.fontainebleau.com

Angler’s Resort’s New 660 Mediterranean Kitchen

MIAMI BEACH - Located in the heart of South Beach on bustling Washington Avenue, The Angler’s Resort presents their new dining hotspot 660 Mediterranean Kitchen. Within the hideaway of luxurious Angler’s Boutique Resort the restaurant and lounge features local seafood infused with a touch of the Mediterranean.

Dubbed “Twilight Dining” guests are encouraged to dine under the stars on the terraces or enjoy the interior dining space, the newly refined twilight menu and cocktail selection features an assortment of tapas and old world cocktails including the Cuba Libre, Bloody Mary, or a Manhattan.

660 Mediterranean Kitchen provides guests with an enclave of exclusivity for style-savvy locals and international travelers with the casual elegance and comfort of a friend’s home and the allure of a five star restaurant and resort. Originally built in 1930 the resort echoes an earlier, more gracious era, suspended from the constraints and concerns of the real world, a charm that 660 Mediterranean Kitchen echoes and it delivers with a sensual and unparalleled dining experience.

Managed by Boutique Hospitality Management www.boutique-hospitality.com, The Angler’s Resort is more than just a flagship resort destination and restaurant; both are a testament to the quality of the management. Since founding Boutique Hospitality Management in 1997, President Keith Space and his team take a unique approach in managing the boutique hotel and fine dining experience. “At 660 Mediterranean Kitchen we encourage diners to start their night with us,” says Keith Space.

660 Mediterranean Kitchen makes its mark with an emphasis on fine dining. Starters, which are perfectly paired with signature cocktails from 660’s cocktail menu or as a prelude to dinner, include Andalusian Gazpacho, and Baked Brie Salad. Entrées include the decadent Pasta Carbonara “My Way,” Paella Del Mar, and Grilled Organic Chicken. 660 Mediterranean Kitchen offers a full bar along with an array of creative signature cocktails including Pick your Poison made with ice filtered fruit consommés and Blame it on The Angler’s.

660 Mediterranean Kitchen, located at 660 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139, has a capacity of 50 indoors and 100 on the expansive outdoor courtyard. The restaurant offers catering services for private parties and special events both onsite and offsite.

Call 305-534-9600 or see www.theanglersresort.com

Beringer Event at Smith & Wollensky

MIAMI - Smith & Wollensky, America’s famous steakhouse, will join Napa Valley’s premier winery, Beringer Estates, in hosting a delicious 5-course dinner paired with four wines from the region’s oldest continuously operating winery on May 20 at 6:30pm at their Miami location. The menu will include colossal-lump crab cocktail, filet mignon and vanilla panna cotta. Seating is limited; tickets are $125. Call 305-673-2800.

Brief: Orlando Marriott Chef Makes Chocolate Lighthouse

ORLANDO - Orlando World Center Marriott Resort & Convention Center Executive Pastry Chef, Lucy Martin will be one of four competitors vying for the $10,000 first place award in the Food Network Challenge: “Wonders of the World.”

Chef Martin has only eight hours to create out of chocolate one of the Seven Wonders of the World and she has selected the Lighthouse of Alexandria, which once stood as a beacon of light to mariners in Alexandria, Egypt. According to Martin, when this solid chocolate masterpiece is complete, it will stand over four feet tall and weigh nearly 60 pounds. “I am thrilled and proud to be a part of this competition,” said Martin in a Business Wire press release to FloridaSnapshot. “It’s a unique opportunity and I’m really looking forward to this challenge.”

The Executive Pastry Chef inside the world’s largest Marriott for the past six years, Martin oversees all pastries & breads for the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort & Convention Center’s 10 food & beverage outlets and banquets inside the largest pillar-free resort ballroom in the nation. She launched her career at the New York Marriott Marquis in 1991 while attending the Institute of Culinary Education in Manhattan. Chef Martin also apprenticed with Colette’s Cakes and has an extensive wedding cake clientele.

Over the years, this highly respected and award-wining chef holds one silver and two bronze medals for her awe-inspiring chocolate showpieces and is a silver medal recipient for the Super Team Challenge at the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show. In addition, Chef Lucy Martin was inducted into the Institute of Culinary Education Alumni Hall of Achievement in 2006.

This award-winning and eco-savvy meeting destination showcases a remarkable 450,000 total square-feet of event space, all under one roof and most entirely on one level. It is home to 2,000 beautifully designed guest rooms and suites, most with spacious balconies; 18-hole championship golf course and a full service spa and fitness center. The sprawling outdoor spaces and terraces, which surround or overlook the resort’s million-gallon pool complex, are also perfect venues to host outdoor functions.

For information, please call 407-239-4200, or visit www.marriottworldcenter.com.

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