Thursday, July 24, 2008

Parmelat Gelateria












Hmmm, authentic Italian gelato on Lincoln Road. This milk and ice-cream maker and winner of many best in Miami awards churns out this delish gelato to the locals and tourists alike. With flavors like chocolate, dulce de leche, zabaglione, nutella, and other fruity flavors Parmelat can cool you off divinely. My first cone of the trip was chocolate and zabaglione, the wine custard like flavor I long for when I travel abroad. So smooth, silky and flavorfull with good locally made cones to enjoy your gelato experience. Killer shakes too. Be forewarned that lines out the door on Friday and Saturday nights are not uncommon.
MUST GO!

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill











Lime is the go to restaurant of choice on Alton Road not far from the Regal Cinemas when jonesing for a good, cheap Mexican comida. This spot cooks your food fix up fresh and serves up about 10 homemade salsas to go with your order. My veggie quesadilla at $6.99 was huge on a fresh flour tortilla packed with homemade guacamole, onions a peppers, some tortilla chips and sour cream. Very tasty though a few zucchini would not hurt, but what the hay. The homemade salsas rock and include a delish, suave(mild), spicy bean, mild bean and corn, spicy, and extras like limes and cilantro. There is a tropical outdoor space to eat your comida and a chill vibe to boot.
GO!

World Resources


This Lincoln Road mainstay offers up the freshest sushi as well as Thai cuisine. Outdoor and indoor seating offer up a relaxed atmosphere. Outdoor seating on the road is hot if you can stand the heat. The lunch special is one of the best deals on the Road. For $12.75 their grand bento box features sushi and sashimi, plus a california roll, small salad with homemade ginger or miso dressing, miso soup and a cantalope and orange piece. The fish is super fresh, from the ocean and artfully prepared. There are Thai specials like chicken massaman with avocado, potato with cashews in coconut milk for $10.50. Lunch salads like grilled salmon fillet with steamed asparagus and grape tomato with ginger dressing is $12. Another salad option is the crispy duck salad for $11 Remember that many restaurants in Miami include the tip in the bill so check first. People watching while dining alfresco at World Resources is also world class. Pics will follow.
Must Go!

The Standard Hotel and Spa


The Standard Hotel on Belle Island is a motel style hotel formerly the Lido that eschews a relaxed beachy feel and everyone walks around in robes and havana flip flops. I have been to the Standard many times where you can buy a day pass for $40 during the week and enjoy the luxe facilities which include a lovely pool on the bay, jacuzzi with waterfall, and spectacular vistas especially at sunset. Inside is the delectable, large hamam , and it is a traditional hamam with heated stone floors and heated marble. Off the hamam is a finnish sauna and supersteam with additional metal tubs if you need a soaking. This stuff is the real deal all top of the line luxe. Additionally there is a menu of yoga you can take when you come in for the day. If you do not want to make a day of it, you can take advantage of free yoga on Wednesday with Matteo at 4:15. In the airy though not airconditioned yoga room, Matteo starts the class surrounded by flowers and candles and chanting music. He has an assistant assist people with the postures. The class was about beginner-intermediate level and was a detoxifying experience. At the classes end while we were lying in corpse they came around and put oil on our foreheads. I hear there is bingo on Sunday nights from 8:30-11:00 with door prizes like complimentary spa treatments and free nights at the hotel. The Standard is about a 20 minute walk from the Regal Cinemas on Lincoln Road.
Must Go!