Tag Archives: favorite

Brook Dorsch, a pioneer of Wynwood’s Arts District

When Miami’s Wynwood Arts District was beginning to take shape more than a decade ago, gallery owner Brook Dorsch immediately moved into a 3,600+-square-foot warehouse space and along with a handful of other daring and fellow gallery owners pioneered what is now considered a hotbed in Miami’s thriving arts community.

And with that, who better to dish about his favorite Miami spots, hangouts, etc…than someone who’s in the thick of it all, making it happen.

What is your favorite season in Miami?

My Favorite time in Miami is the Fall/Winter, it’s the best time to be outside, especially since biking is my favorite activity during the winter months. Als, the city is alive those months since it’s the time of the art fairs, so it is nice to be able to wear a jacket and not be drenched in sweat. I consider Spring/Summer more of a slow time, a time to relax.

What’s your favorite neighborhood for dining out, for nightlife?

My favorite Area for eating out is MIMO, the Biscayne corridor between 50th and 79th streets. Although Wynwood is adding new spots every week. Then there are always the food trucks which don’t tie you down to any neighborhood.

For nightlife I like the 14th street area in Downtown Miami, particularly for  The Bar and The Vagabond but my personal favorite is Churchills in Little Haiti. West of Wynwood has some new DYI spots that have just opened – Chum Bucket and Beelzebub’s Cave – and I can’t wait for the opening of Lester’s.

Where do you like to shop?

The best place to shop for Seafood is Casablanca market on the Miami river. I don’t generally just shop – but I stumble… I usually prefer smaller stores to any big chains. Sweat Records and some small secondhand shops on NE 2nd Avenue are fun. Markys on 79th for all things Russian. Everything else is online.

What inspires you about Miami?

The attitude. Miami has an attitude that most people don’t like, and scares away the people that can’t handle it. Sort of like being a tough New Yorker, that has been stuck in a Spanish sauna for 44 hours. I have lived in some of the toughest neighborhoods in Miami, and people are great! You just have to go with the flow. I couldn’t live anywhere without culture, or a diverse population – I feel that that is how we can become real Americans (by jumping into the middle of the melting pot). Miami has this strange mix of culture, sun and booze to create a place with character. Miami forces you to become resilient.

Do you have an insider tip for tourists visiting Miami for the first time?

Go with the flow. Don’t eat on Ocean Drive – unless someone else is paying! Seek the quiet spots, and absorb the local flavor – with an exception of the best tourist destination are the real kitschy ones, everything from Coral Castle way down South to Jimbo’s on Virginia Key.

Are you a regular somewhere, have a favorite local hangout?

Churchills, Buena Vista Deli in nearby Buena Vista near the District and Club Deuce and the Abby when I am on the beach. They don’t yell “Norm”, but they know who I am.

Do you have a secret spot in the city (to unwind, get away, people watch, read a book, escape)?

Simpson Park, Shark Valley, the Bird Sanctuary in Grenoylds Park, and Miami Beach, the actual beach at night…for places to chill and enjoy. For peoplewatching check out the alternative non-profit art spaces — Locust Projects, Dimensions Variable, Swamp-Space, the Little River Yacht Club and Bas Fisher. And when Lester’s in Wynwood – a coffee, beer and wine bar  opens – it will be my new second home.

What are your favorite restaurants/museums/parks/ shopping places/bars/etc?

I support all of the Museums – so I can’t pick favorites, but I will always recommend them. But the Private Art collections are fantastic as well. The Marguiles, De La Cruz, Rubell and World Class Boxing are great to visit. For Places to eat – Gigi’s, Metro Bistro, Magnum (for fun). Did I mention Churchill’s?

Jillian’s Boston

Bowling is a favorite winter pastime and Jillian’s is Boston’s premiere spot to knock some pins. With the Tequila Rain Bar on the bottom, Billiards on floor two, and Lucky Strike Lanes on top there’s something to keep everyone entertained during long winter hours. There’s even plasma screens throughout so you don’t miss out on any sport’s action while you’re playing. Jillian’s is a hotspot for celebrities like Clint Eastwood and Derek Jeter. Come with a few friends or a whole league!

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L.A. Burdick’s Handmade Chocolate

It’s no secret that a Boston winter can be brutal so take a break from your shopping and sightseeing to cozy up with a mug of luscious hot chocolate at L.A. Burdick’s Handmade Chocolates in Harvard Square. The hot chocolate options include dark, milk and white chocolate, but the choices don’t end there. There’s eight soul-soothing selections like the Bolivian- a dark chocolate blend made from wild cocoa that has hints of grapefruit, floral notes and a velvety mouth feel. Or the Ecuadorian- a robust earthy blend with a hint of mint, spices and coffee. And if you feel like going grown-up with America’s favorite childhood treat, be sure to ask about the hot chocolates with select liquors.

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Lesley Abravanel – the nightlife columnist shares her faves about the Magic City

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Lesley Abravanel knows her way around Miami and then some…comes with the territory. What does she do? What doesn’t she do. She’s the Miami Herald’s long running gossip/nightlife columnist/blogger (with column titles like Velvet Underground and Scene in the Tropics), editor of the food/drink blog Miami Eater, Miami listings editor for Black Book and author of guidebooks Frommer’s Florida and Frommer’s South Florida.

It’s no wonder Lesley is the perfect person to provide insider tips and faves about the city she knows so well.

What do you love about your city in the summer/fall?

What I truly love about summer and fall is as soon as summer is over, regardless of the temperature, natives tend to whip out the Uggs, the thigh high boots and the ski caps. It could be 100 degrees with a heat index of 120, but if it’s October, it’s boots and hats all the way.

What are some of your favorite neighborhoods?   For eating?  Museums?  Nightspots?

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The obvious answer to this would be Midtown Miami, the Design District and Wynwood for various reasons—food, culture, hipsters, nightlife. But I’ll give another shout out to the always evolving areas of Brickell and Sunset Harbour/Purdy, where on any given day, week, or month, a new restaurant or watering hole seems to emerge from nowhere. I’m also keen on developing downtown Miami.div>

What is your favorite place to shop in the city?


Why, Target at Midtown, of course.


What inspires you about your city?


The absolute inanity of it. And the insanity too. And the efforts of a sophisticated, educated group of many trying to change the aforementioned. That inspires me most.


Do you have an insider tip for tourists visiting your city for the first time?


Miami is not all about South Beach. Rent a car and explore.

Are you a regular somewhere?  Local hangout?

 

They seem to know my name at The Room and Clarke’s. (Both are on Miami Beach)


Do you have a secret spot in the city (to unwind, get away, people watch, read a book, escape)?


My balcony


What are you favorite restaurants/museums/parks/ shopping places/bars/etc?


Restaurants: Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, Joey’s, Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill (all in the Design District), Jimmy’s East Side Diner (on 72 Street and Biscayne Blvd. in the MiMo District)
Bars: The Room, Clarke’s, Fox’s Sherron Inn (South Miami), Ted’s, Deuce, Raleigh Bar (rest are on Miami Beach)


Shopping: Marky’s (a gourmet food store)
Parks: South Pointe Park (Miami Beach)

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Boo at the Zoo October 22-24

Boo at the Zoo

October 22-24

Boo at the Zoo is a Washington, DC favorite Halloween tradition. Children visit the National Zoo at dark and enjoy trick-or-treating, animal encounters, keeper talks, festive decorations, and haunted trails. Great for the whole family, come enjoy the holiday at one of the nations greatest Zoos.

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/activitiesandevents/celebrations/boo/default.cfm?hpout=wu&xtr=

Boo at the Zoo

The Hill’s Stacie Hall: Getting Away From The Drama

Citybuzz Los Angeles blogger Jessica Ingber interviews Stacie Hall

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How has the hills changed the way you view your city?

The Hills mainly focuses on Hollywood and the trendy places to go and hang out. Filming in different places really showed me there is a lot to do and see that’s not just clubs and glamour.

Was some of your favorite hang outs filmed on the hills? If so which ones?

The best place we filmed on the Hills was obviously Malibu for the summer. We were so fortunate to spend our days on the sand and have beach parties at night.

What do you love about your city?

I love that Los Angeles has it all. We have the city with cool restaurants and shops and only 20 miles from that is beautiful beaches. There’s not a lot of cities that have so many different things to do with very unique people.

What do you love about your city in the summer/fall?

Los Angeles has some of the most gorgeous weather. I love that everyone is very active riding bikes and going on hikes in the mountains.

What are some of your favorite neighborhoods? For eating? Museums? Nightspots?

I really like Hollywood and West Hollywood. I would highly recommend the Farmers Market for small restaurants that have a lot of character and have been around in Los Angeles the longest. The Griffith park observatory is also great and has great views of the city. My favorite Night spot is Teddy’s located in the Roosevelt hotel that has been around longer than most cubs and always draws a big crowd and is never too trendy.

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What is your favorite place to shop in the city?

I really enjoy the flea markets and farmers markets. You can spend your weekends browsing antiques and finding really original stuff. There’s a great place to find fresh fruit and a lot of local business’s at the farmers market near the grove.

What inspires you about your city?

I feel really lucky to be around so much history and old Hollywood glamour. Los Angeles is one of the places people can only dream about going and making there dreams come true.

Do you have an insider tip for tourists visiting your city for the first time?

If you’re a first time visitor I recommend going to check out Hollywood and Highland were the man Chinese theater and the Hollywood stars are.

Are you a regular somewhere? Local hangout?

I like trying new places whenever I can but I cant seem to get away from Venice beach!!! There’s always so much to do there including roller blading and riding bikes.

Do you have a secret spot in the city (to unwind, get away, people watch, read a book, escape) and why?

One of the most peaceful places is the top of Runyon canyon. It’s a short hike up the mountain and has views all the way to the ocean.

Kathy Sidell Trustman Loves Boston Harbor

Kathy Sidell Trustman Kathy Sidell Trustman, owner of the Metropolitan Club in Chestnut Hill, the MET Bar and Grille in Dedham and Natick and the soon to be opened new MET concept on Newbury Street, recently shared with us her favorite city haunts.

She can often be seen at Neptune Oyster because they feature “excellent, spanking fresh briny oysters and quintessential New England seafood.” Some of her favorite dishes include the lobster roll with butter, “perfectly fried clams with house made tartar and the best oyster cracker ever. Simply heaven.”

When it comes to nightlife, Kathy enjoys lounging at Trina's Starlight Lounge where they have “passionate bartenders making pristine cocktails. I like the lounge vibe without the nightclub noise.”

As a restaurateur, Kathy knows the keys to her success lie in fresh ingredients. Where are her favorite places to shop around town? “Formaggio for cheese, High Rise for bread, Sofra for hummus bar and Flour for ginger cookies,” she said. “Simply the best food shops in the city for an amazing picnic!!”

Some of her most favorite days are spent on Boston Harbor on a boat. “Looking back at the city during magic hour,” she said. “The vantage point of the city as you move further away and the skyline starts to take shape and capture the majesty of the city and its icons like Rowes Wharf and the Clock Tower. Being on the water leaving the bustling city behind puts one's own life in perspective again. A welcomed pause. A deep breath. The sanctity and quiet of the relationship between ocean and land. These moments, this view reminds me of my dad.”