May 11th, 2012
Enjoy everything South Florida has to offer
The top ‘Tips From Benny’
It seems like there is an endless array of things to do near Trump Hollywood, but that certainly doesn’t make it easier to choose your itinerary on these gorgeous pre-summer South Florida days. If you’re looking for a great time out and about nearby, try some of these more popular tips from Trump Hollywood concierge extraordinaire, Benny Benson.
Explore the wilder side of South Florida at the famous Jungle Island in Miami. Having just celebrated its 75th anniversary, Jungle Island offers an assortment activities for all ages, including real animal interactions. The privately guided VIP Safari Tour lasts 90 minutes and gets you closer than ever to a variety of fascinating animals. Contact Benny for more information about booking the personal tour with a photographer to document your adventure.
Elevate your Senses at Juvia Miami on South Beach
Nestled within the busy hustle and bustle of Lincoln road you will find an oversized door leading to a private elevator, the gateway to Juvia Miami. This newly opened restaurant and lounge fits in perfectly with the Deco landscape, and showcases a fusion of flavors from a variety of regions thanks to the trio of esteemed chefs who hail from Asia, France & South America.
Billy’s Stone Crabs
If you’re craving some delicious seafood but don’t want to head to the crowded Joe’s Stone Crab on South Beach, Benny recommends Billy’s Stone Crab (son-in-law to Joe) in Hollywood, just a few short minutes from Trump Hollywood. Even after a bellyful of crab, make sure you save room for the signature key lime pie!
Ride in Style (and Safety) With RedCap
RedCap, a new kind of chauffeur service, pairs your car with a RedCap driver. If you’ve had a great night out and aren’t quite fit to drive, simply become a member, call, text or email ahead, and a driver quickly arrives to take you, in your car, safely to your next destination. When you’re through and home safely, the driver simply bids you adieu. (we’d tell you how they get home, but we were sworn to secrecy.)
Sage Bagel & Deli
If you’re looking for a great bagel near Trump Hollywood, stop by Sage Bagel & Deli on Hallendale Blvd. Unlike some other bakeries that have their bagels shipped in frozen, Sage Bagel & Deli bakes all of their goods in-house. You’ll swear you’re in NYC when you bite into one of their fresh-baked bagels – just remember to get there early!
Gulfstream Park
Last but certainly not least, head over to Gulfstream Park for an array of entertainment you won’t find anywhere else. With pony races, great happy hour specials, live music on the weekends and several great restaurants (make sure you try Christine Lee’s), Gulfstream has everything you need for a great time out and about.
April 9th, 2012
Juvia Miami on South Beach
Nestled within the busy hustle and bustle of Lincoln road you will find an oversized door leading to a private elevator, the gateway to Juvia Miami. This newly opened restaurant and lounge fits in perfectly with the Deco landscape, and showcases a fusion of flavors from a variety of regions thanks to the trio of esteemed chefs who hail from Asia, France & South America.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better view of South Beach and the Atlantic, which are both visible from Juvia’s outdoor dining terrace- to die for! A destination for tourists and locals alike, Juvia matches the amazing view with some of the best luxury cuisine on South Beach.
On the Menu:
The dining selection at Juvia is one of pure style and variety. The Cold Bar offers everything from king crab legs, stone crabs, Maine lobster and oysters, all fresh and served with a wide selection of delicious sauces. Juvia also specializes in light crudos (similar to a steak tartare), like their hamachi espuma made with Japanese yellowtail. If you’re more in the mood for red, the charcoal grill at Juvia features a selection of New York strip steak, tender bone-in rib eye, marinated short ribs and other mouth-watering meats.
No matter what your tastes, you’ll leave Juvia satisfied- if you can tear yourself away from the view!
Bottom Line: Come for the food, stay for the view!
Find Juvia Miami at:
1111 Lincoln Rd
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 763-8272
http://www.juviamiami.com/
March 5th, 2012
Sardelli’s Italian Steakhouse
Just minutes north of Trump Hollywood is the Sardelli family’s newest edition, Sardelli’s Italian Steakhouse. Hailing from Montreal, the owners of the wildly successful Fulvio 1900 (another Benny recommended spot) and Vino Winebar have done it again with their newest villa-style eatery, which recently opened in January. Fulvio Jr. was a gracious host, and even gave me a tour of the new establishment.
On the Menu
A few glasses of wine made for the perfect precursor of a wonderful meal to come, while the open kitchen layout and central bar created a welcoming ambiance. For dinner, I sampled scrumptious pasta and the mouth-watering pork belly entrée. Dessert here was definitely worth every calorie. There’s so much to choose from and you really can’t go wrong with anything you pick.
Bottom line: Minutes from Trump Hollywood, this family-owned restaurant is a wonderful choice for a night out close to home.
Benny Approved!
Find Sardelli’s Italian Steakhouse at:
331 Van Buren St
Hollywood, FL 33019
(954) 921-8331
http://www.sardellis.com
February 2nd, 2012
The Lucky Clover Irish Pub
The latest addition to Downtown Miami, The Lucky Clover Irish Pub, diverges from the typical lounge-scene of Miami with its distinctive concept and design. Sprawling across 10,000 square feet throughout two levels of the Axis in Brickell, this Dublin-esque pub leaves nothing to be desired when it comes to the exceptional décor and delectable eats.
As I took my seat in one of the welcoming leather booths I couldn’t help being entranced by an eclectic assortment of things to look at. The collection of sights ranging from paintings of the Irish countryside engulfed in ornate gold frames, antique mirrors, vintage advertisements, and hundreds of old period photos creates a vibe that is both elegant and comfortable. The Spanish-based design firm, Retromania, certainly left no detail unnoticed while designing this trendy new pub.
Whether you are coming here for the pub-grub, the weekly happy hour, or the live entertainment, the wonderful atmosphere of this new eatery is undeniable.
On the Menu
With a menu this mouth-watering, it was hard for me to choose from all of the tasty eats. After gazing over the selections, I just couldn’t decide between two of the appetizers- so I didn’t! The “Lucky Sliders” definitely stayed true to their name; they were a perfectly fortunate combination of caramelized onions, brie cheese, and chipotle mayo piled on top of an Angus beef patty. I also couldn’t resist the “Steak Tid Bits” served with Guinness BBQ sauce for dipping and garlic cheesy bread. There was more than enough for my entire table to share!
For my meal, I chose to go with some of the more conventional Irish fair and opted for the corned beef sandwich. Lucky Clover’s standard combination of spicy mustard, sauerkraut, and provolone cheese on rye bread proves that you don’t have to mess with tradition.
Bottom line: If you’re looking for a traditional Irish experience, the Lucky Clover provides a unique and unforgettable time… without the cost of the plane ticket!
Benny Approved!
Find The Lucky Clover Irish Pub at:
1111 SW 1 Ave
Miami, FL 33130
(786) 691-2750
www.luckycloverbar.com
January 17th, 2012
Villa Mayfair Restaurant and Lounge
New to Coconut Grove, Villa Mayfair is already known as “the place to be.” The décor alone is enough of a reason to visit – a step through the door instantly brought me to the elegance of 1920’s nightlife. Owner Timpo Kipp chose Francois Frossard, the designer behind some of South Beach’s most famous clubs such as LIV and ArKadia, to create the upscale look for Villa Mayfair.
Villa Mayfair functions as both a restaurant and lounge open Tuesday through Saturday from 7pm until 3am.
On the Menu
I assumed that matching the level of décor would be an impossible task, but executive chef Frederic Joulin does so with ease. The menu offers fresh seasonal products, boasting with Mediterranean variety that everyone can enjoy.
I started off with two appetizers: Sautéed Baby Calamari and the Jamón Ibérico pata negra. Not only was the calamari cooked to perfection, but it came with a delicious lemon basil pesto sauce which I have never experienced before. The balance between lemon and basil was flawless. The Jamón Ibérico pata negra was served with red and yellow pepper confit and allowed for the perfect balance between meat and vegetable.
For my main course, I ordered the Sea Bass a la plancha. I’ve not been able to stop dreaming about it since! The fish was moist and full of flavor without being too heavy. A knife wasn’t even necessary, as the fillet was tender and soft enough to slice with a fork. The sea bass was served with artichoke barigoule and topped with crispy pancetta. The saltiness of the marinated hearts of artichoke was complimented by the flavorful bites of pancetta. My recommendation? Scoop a bite of sea bass, artichoke, and pancetta onto the fork at once…you won’t regret it. Or you might, after your dreams are dominated by this meal for the next few weeks.
Bottom line: I left Villa Mayfair with a smile ear-to-ear. The dining lived up to, scratch that, exceeded my initial expectations and the dining experience left me feeling like a celebrity. Take the short trip and experience the glitz and glam of Villa Mayfair for yourself!
Benny Approved!
Find Villa Mayfair at:
2901 Florida Avenue
Coconut Grove, FL 33133
(305) 774-1500
January 6th, 2012
Hogzilla’s Inspired Barbeque
If you’re in the mood for some southern comfort, I’ve got just the place for you! The recently opened Hogzilla’s Inspired Barbeque in South Beach is a mecca of traditional, southern-style barbecue. Whether you’re in the mood for some baby back ribs, cornbread or good old fashioned fried chicken, you really need to make your way over to this place.
Hogzilla’s has already been racking up stellar reviews. I decided to give this place a try recently and I sure am glad I did.
On the Menu
To start off, the menu is extensive. You can find all of your familiar favorites, from fried green tomatoes to a pulled pork sandwich. But Hogzilla’s doesn’t just rely on the traditional, they’ve also whipped up some of their own unique dishes, and this is where they really excel. The mac and cheese croquetas are a cheese lovers delight. It’s a creamy mixture fried to a crispy perfection and it really hit the spot. There are plenty of other options to start off your meal; options range from Cajun seasoned frog’s legs to maple syrup marinated bacon.
I settled on a barbeque burger, smoked duck breast and beef brisket for the main course. Everything we tried had us licking our fingers! All three meats were cooked perfectly. The burger was juicy and the bourbon barbeque sauce was the perfect topping. The duck breast was really chock full of flavor; the meat was smoked and then grilled and came served with corn bread pancakes. As for the beef brisket, it really was the star of the show. This tender meat is marinated for 48 hours and slow-cooked for 18 hours. All that hard work really pays off because this is one of the best things I have ever eaten!
Bottom line: All in all, Hogzilla’s was a wonderful experience. A short 25-minute drive from Trump Hollywood will take you to the heart of South Beach, where you can find this southern-style gem. Hogzilla’s Inspired Barbeque is not to be missed!
Benny Approved!
Find Hogzilla’s Inspired Barbeque at:
1555 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 538-7201
November 17th, 2011
Sardinia Enoteca Ristorante
Sardinia is like no other Italian restaurant in Miami. The menu is chock-full of authentic and truly creative Italian dishes and an amazing wine offering. The staff is extremely courteous and helpful and always makes me feel welcome, and, if you’re in a hurry, you also won’t be waiting long to get your food – though I recommend you sit back and enjoy all the wonderful flavors and relaxing atmosphere. On my last visit we had a nine-course meal with wine pairing that was out of this world!
On the Menu
Like I said before, the menu at Sardinia is something you won’t find anywhere else in Miami. From their amazing ravioli, goat cheese and spinach in a light tomato sauce with butter or sage, to the Branzino Mediterranean sea bass baked in a delicious salt crust, Sardinia certainly will tickle your taste buds. Pair your meal with one of the many wonderful wine offerings (by the glass, quartino or bottle) and you’ll feel like you’re in Italy itself.
Bottom line: If you’re looking for an Italian restaurant on Miami Beach with a creative menu and superb wine list, Sardinia is the place to go.
Benny Approved!
Find Sardinia Risorante at:
www.sardinia-ristorante.com
1801 Purdy Avenue
Miami Beach, FL
(305) 531-2228
November 10th, 2011
Open Kitchen Miami
This week I enjoyed a delicious lunch at Open Kitchen in Bay Harbor. It’s an open kitchen style restaurant, but that’s what you’d expect from Chef Sandra Stefani’s newest creation. This new lunchery, opened only a few short months ago by my personal friends Sandra and Ines, gave me just what I was looking for – a flavorful meal that was as delicious and refreshing as is this new eatery.
During my visit I enjoyed the pasta special of the day, which featured an incredible arugula pesto sauce and was complimented with a smear of goat cheese – unbelievable! The flavors mixed together wonderfully and left me wanting more. For dessert I treated myself to the flourless and extremely moist chocolate cake, also known as the perfect ending to any meal.
A splash of Ines’ mint lemonade sealed the deal. I really couldn’t have asked for more.
On the Menu
Open Kitchen’s menu has something for everyone, including a PBLT (pork belly, lettuce and tomato sandwich), sweet and sour eggplant dip and balsamic-tomato braised short ribs – just some of the highlights. It also features nibblers, homemade soups, entrees, sandwiches, wraps and family-sized takeaways that will have you coming back time and time again.
Open Kitchen also offers cooking classes and wine pairing dinners if you’re in the mood to learn, or are looking for a great date night idea.
Stop by for a friendly smile and after you eat, you’ll tell everyone just like I am now!
Bottom line: Delicious food, great atmosphere and exclusive cooking classes make Open Kitchen a must-visit lunch spot.
Benny Approved!
Find Open Kitchen at:
www.openkitchenmiami.com
1071 95th St.
Bay Harbor, FL 33154
(305) 865-0090
November 3rd, 2011
La Terrazza
It’s on these cooler fall nights – the ceiling fans humming, a nice crowd all around you – that you really appreciate how great we have it here in South Florida. I’ve been in the mood for Italian this month and couldn’t help but share with you another one of my favorite local Italian spots. This week I dined at La Terrazza in Sunny Isles, located just five minutes from Trump Hollywood.
I have been going to La Terrazza for years, and each time I go I’m always very well received by their friendly and extremely knowledgeable servers. The live music every Thursday and “buy one, get one” happy hour specials during the week earn them bonus points. You can’t go wrong there.
On my last visit I enjoyed the Ravioli Terrazza (fresh ravioli stuffed with lobster, crab, scallops and shrimp served with a chardonnay aurora sauce), steamed mussels, and a refreshing tomato salad all topped off with the delicious limoncello frappé and chocolate mousse. That’s a slam dunk in my book.
Italian restaurants are plentiful in South Florida, each with its own distinct flavor and charm, but La Terrazza’s pristine location and inviting atmosphere make it one you absolutely have to visit.
Bottom line: Italian dining at its finest and just minutes from the Trump Hollywood luxury residences.
Benny Approved!
Find La Terrazza at:
www.laterrazzamiami.com
18090 Collins Avenue
Sunny Isles 33160
(305) 792-2355
October 27th, 2011
Fulvio’s 1900
This week I want to tell you about Fulvio’s 1900, located just minutes from Trump Hollywood in the heart of downtown Hollywood, Fl. Fulvio’s is a family-owned restaurant and comes with all the quaint offerings associated with its kind. The mood is generally very calming and laid back, making it the perfect place for a quiet, romantic dinner away from the noise and commotion of South Beach.
Chef Fulvio meets with guests regularly to make suggestions on meal selections. During my last visit I enjoyed the decadent diver scallops (braised beef with red wine Swiss chard), followed by the mouth-watering porcini ribeye steak with rosemary potatoes and a side of pasta. The wine selection at Fulvio’s 1900 is fantastic, as they have an EnoMatic gracing bar that allows you to taste a particular type of wine without opening a whole bottle – I recommend trying the Super Tuscan.
And don’t forget to leave room for dessert, because the menu is full of traditional and delicious items like the canoli and strawberry panna cotta. It doesn’t get any better than that!
Keep an eye out for more about Fulvio’s in the future. We are currently working on bringing Trump Hollywood residents a special, off-the-menu dining experience from Chef Fulvio himself!
Bottom line: The perfect place for a delicious and quiet meal near Trump Hollywood.
Benny Approved!
Find Fulvio’s 1900 at:
www.fulvios1900.net
1900 Harrison Street
Hollywood, FL 33020
(954) 927-1900
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