Late Spring and Summer Events in Miami & Miami Beach

As the summer months and "low season" is upon us, there's much to do in Miami and Miami Beach. Even as the slower-paced time of year is here, there's so much to do and see in and around Miami Beach for year-round residents and homeowners.

Dining & Nightlife

Cozy Bar is a must for the nearby condo residents. This is where the owners and residents of The Continuum on South Beach, The Portofino Tower, Apogee, The Murano at Portofino, and the other local South of Fifth residents gather to hear live music, Wednesday - Sunday, beginning around 9:30pm. You can go to www.thecozybar.com to see their line up or stop by my desk for the calendar.

Joe's Stone Crab has officially begun it's summer hours: From now until July 31, 2011, they will be closed for lunch. Dinner hours are as follows: Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday: 6pm -10pm, Friday & Saturday: 6pm - 11pm, Closed: Mondays & Tuesdays. A Miami Beach South of Fifth Neighborhood classic is now available year-round!

Pied a Terre (1701 James Ave., 2nd floor of the Cadet Hotel) gets mentioned in the Miami Herald. Seems like it's a hidden jewel worth sampling: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/05/2200667/pied-a-terre-a-south-beach-hideaway.html

Thali Indian & Thai (754 Washington Avenue) gets a nice write up by Lee Klein in the Miami New Times: http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2011-05-12/restaurants/thali-indian-and-thai-fresh-and-affordable-in-south-beach/

Lou Lou Le Petit Bistro comes to Brickell. See what the Miami Herald has to say: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/12/2211841/lou-lou-le-petit-bistro-adds-french.html

Haven has just opened at 1237 Lincoln Road (next to Alta Mare). A "gastro-lounge" focusing on small bites with many local and organic offerings, Haven infuses a bit of nightlife into your dining experience. http://havenlounge.com/

The Brooklyn Water Bagel Company just opened on 1115 5th Street (ground floor at The newly completed Fifth and Alton Shopping Center). Owned and conceived by CNN's Larry King, the best Bagels from New York City and the water is supposedly brought in from New Jersey!http://www.brooklynwaterbagels.com/index.php

Other Greater Miami Highlights

Don't forget: MAY IS MUSEUM MONTH! Museum-hopping a bargain in May. Culture shouldn't break the bank this month. May is Miami Museum Month, with a record 17 participants offering buy-one-get-one-free admission.Anyone who is already a member of any of the museums -- or joins during May -- can go to any other museum for free throughout the month. Participating museums include Bass Museum of Art in Miami Beach (off of Collins and 23rd), the Haitian Heritage Museum, HistoryMiami, Miami Art Museum, Miami Science Museum and the Wolfsonian - FIU. The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau started the initiative in 2009. Four new museums joined this year: Ancient Spanish Monastery, Coral Gables Merrick House, Coral Gables Museum and Wings Over Miami Air Museum. A full list and more information can be found online at www.MiamiMuseumMonth.com.

Sleepless Night (the all-night arts extravaganza) returns to Miami Beach this year on November 5: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/05/2202992_sleepless-night-returns-to-miami.html#storylink=addthis

Cirque du Soleil's Eloizecomes to the Arsht Center July 26th - August 7, Tickets start at $25.00. http://www.arshtcenter.org/tickets/calendar/view.aspx?id=9525

Elle Magazine to open Elle Spa at the Eden Roc Hotel in June: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/03/2199266/elle-magazine-opens-spa-at-miami.html

Hair comes to the Adrienne Arsht Center from May 31 - June 5. Tickets can be found here: http://www.arshtcenter.org/tickets/calendar/view.aspx?id=7765

Performances & Concerts

Taylor Swift: June 2 @ 7pm BankAtlantic Center Sunrise http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0D0046448A144F5A?brand=&tm_link=tm_music_g7&hot_ticket_brand=music

Katy Perry: June 11 @ 7:30pm BankAtlantic Center Sunrise http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0D004631AAA0706C?artistid=1265325&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1

Martin Lawrence: June 25 @ Adrienne Arsht Center http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0D004696C89A6727?tm_link=tm_homeA_h2&crosssite=LN_US:770077:106742

Rihanna: Bank Atlantic Center July 14 @ 7:30 pm. http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0D004657C0276747?tm_link=tm_homeA_g13&crosssite=LN_US:1013826:107150

Sade: Friday, July 15, 2011Bank Atlantic Centerhttp://www.miamiherald.com/2010/12/09/1963240/fresh-takes-on-asian-favorites.html

Ke$ha: August 7, 20110 @ 7:30pm BayFront Park Amphitheater http://www.livenation.com/event/0D004687E3B479BC?brand=&tm_link=tm_homeA_g12&hot_ticket_brand=home

Marc Anthony: September 16 @ 8pm American Airlines Arena http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0D0046ABB4826732?crosssite=LN_US:759949:106601

I'd like to share with our readers my informal "Top 10" list of local Miami Beach restaurants. These are the ones I recommend to friends and clients who visit our South Beach paradise, and are all located within walking distance of all of the luxury condos that we specialize in selling (Murano at Portofino, Portofino Tower, Continuum South Beach, Apogee, Icon South Beach, Murano Grande, The Il Vilaggio, and The Bentley Bay.

Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse - Yes, it's an expensive chain steakhouse, but what really makes this place standout is the impeccable service, and the incredible location in the middle of South Point Park facing government cut. Request an outside table, with amazing views of the cruise ships, Fisher Island and the downtown Miami skyline.
Address: 1st street and Washington Avenue

DaLeo Trattoria on Lincoln Road- Affordable local favorite with homemade Italian dishes ranging from classic pastas to gnocchi and speciality chicken dishes. Extremely attentive and friendly staff, located just off the busy Lincoln Road and Meridian Ave. cross streets. THE place to people watch on the pedestrian Lincoln Road Mall.
Address: 819 Lincoln Road

Prime 112 Steakhouse- Another South of Fifth street local and tourist favorite. A bit pricey, but the service and food are outstanding. This is the "in" steakhouse to see and be seen.
Address: 112 Ocean Drive

Joe's Stone Crabs- Located next to South Pointe Park and the Nikki Beach club complex, this is probably one of the most famous stone crab restaurants in the country. A "must visit" for fans of stone crabbs and locally caught fresh seafood.
Address: 11th and Washington Avenue

Joe Allen's- Located on Purdy Avenue, across the street from The Sunset Harbour condominiums. This NYC transplant is an out of the way local favorite with great service and a diverse menu that features everything from salads to pastas and steaks. Reasonably priced and a great place to mix with local Miami Beach residents.
Address: 1787 Purdy Avenue

Burger and Beet Joint- Located right around the corner from Joe Allen's, the very best burgers with different meat choices (including Kobe beef) in Miami Beach with a friendly staff.
Adress: 1766 Bay Road

DeVito's South Beach- This is one celebrity-owned restaurant that beats expectations. Try the homemade meatballs and the Lemoncello martini, and to finish it all off the cotton candy dessert is not to be missed! Not cheap, but excellent & unique food, great ambiance, and conveniently located in Miami Beach's South of Fifth Street District.
Address: 150 Ocean Drive

Sylvano Italian Restaurant- This is another local favorite and not be missed. Reasonably priced (not a fancy ambiance & discreetly located on Alton Road and 9th Street) some of the best homemade pasta dishes in all of South Florida. Everything is homemade and the service/staff are friendly and aim to please.
Address: 820 Alton Road

Baires Grill- Recently relocated to Lincoln Road, featuring homemade empanadas (oven cooked, not fried), outstanding meats, and an extensive wine collection. The staff and service are friendly and relaxed and the prices reasonable. Located underneath the Regal Cinemas on the Western end of the pedestrian mall.
Address: 1116 Lincoln Road

Meat Market- A sexy and glamorous take on the traditional steakhouse, executive chef Sean Brasel creates truly unique dishes. Featuring contemporary and elegant decor, this restaurant provides one of the finest dining experiences in all of Miami Beach.
Address: 915 Lincoln Road