Julie took a day off which allowed us to take a long weekend. She's never been to Miami, so we headed off to the east coast. It was my birthday and Julie loves birthdays... the day, the week the month. She likes to celebrate and is a Pro at doing it. As we neared our destination, the traffic was intense. Granted, it was a weekend and we had to pass airports, but the volume was nerve wracking. I thought Boston drivers were brazen, but they're rank amateurs in comparison. You're zipping along at 60 miles per hour, with people trying to make love to the rear bumper, while the Ferrari in the left lane in front of you suddenly busts a move that traverses across 4 lanes to an exit. Your temples are pulsing as you wonder how it is you survived the constant close to fatal accidents. But we made it there.
We stayed at the Biscayne Bay Marriott and had a Bayfront room on the 28th floor that offered sweeping views. It is billed as a getaway hotel that services the nearby cruise ships that sail off to the Caribbean and other exotic locales. I had been to Miami more than 12 years ago for business and don't have memories of the city one way or the other. This trip was different and you couldn't help noticing the construction there was, well, everywhere.
We got there mid-afternoon and enjoyed a late lunch at Tanka, a high end Asian restaurant that serves a wide array of Chinese, Japanese, Thai cuisine. They even offered Dim Sum, which was really good. It is nestled at the entrance to a small mall of interesting shops along the board walk. And the board walk was busy with people coming/going from/to cruise ships, bachelorette parties and like us, people looking to get away for the weekend. It is also a mecca for weddings, as we witnessed at least four within a mile radius.
The next day, we walked down to the Bayside Marketplace Shops, where we we trying to decide to take a bus tour of the city, or a cruise of the bay. When last here, I took work colleagues on a boat cruise that pointed out the homes of celebrities. Fun to be on a boat? Sure. Looking at celebrity homes? Not really. And that was what was available. The bus was a double decker and I thought learning more about the city's history would be a good way to enjoy the day It was a hop on/hop off arrangement, which we thought was pretty cool; sort of like the water taxis in Naples.
We were disappointed. I thought the tour would be narrated live, where you could ask questions. It was taped. The narration was by people we'd never heard of and it was a syrupy golly, gee whiz kind of thing, that to us seemed hokey. There was music during the narration and the bus didn't move along slowly to let you gather in the sights... it kept up with traffic, and the traffic was moving along at a good clip. As I read this, I'm embarrassed at seeming like a spoiled brat. My expectations were a lot higher than what was delivered. It was a let down, so we hopped off at Little Havana.
Here you find the heart of the Cuban life in Miami. The main drag, Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street), is filled with vibrant art, smells and music. It's worth the time to spend. There's a historic theater, plenty of food and locals who gather to talk and play dominos (nicknamed Domino Park), is actually named after a Cuban revolutionary general, Maximo Gomez. We had a late lunch at Old's Havana, which was bustling and delicious. Julie had a Cubano sandwich, which is pretty famous. Eat one and you'll know why. Afterward, we headed back to the hotel to rest.
Dinner was at Nobu. A little history. Nobu Matsuhisa, established his restaurant in Los Angeles in the late 80's At the time, his restaurant bore his last name. Enter Robert DeNiro who tried to get Matsuhisa to open a restaurant in Tribeca, but it didn't happen. DeNiro persisted and then Nobu was born and now enjoys worldwide locations. It is a dining experience offering Asian Fusion cuisine with knowledgeable wait staff and a robust wine list. The atmosphere is relaxed; no one rushes you. It's expensive, but well worth it, as it is an unforgettable culinary experience. Nobu was located in the Eden Roc hotel.
After dinner, we went next door to the famed Fontainebleau Hotel. My late father-in-law would stay here, either for business or pleasure. We'd decided it would be a good place for an after dinner drink. It is a lavish place. A lot of marble and beautiful artwork was everywhere. But the best part, I believe, was in the vending machine on the side of the lobby. Now if you think about it, a hotel of this stature wouldn't have a vending machine. Anything you wanted, day or night, was a simple phone call away. The staff there was impeccably trained and would quickly and quietly fulfill your slightest whim. I guess the Fontainebleau has not escaped the harsh reality of the times and has been forced to alter how they cater to their guests. Tough times, indeed!
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