as a vegetarian, there are two things that i kind of miss (if any): burgers and bbq (oh, and pepperoni pizza, but, as that isn’t really fitting for this post, we’ll ignore that for now). so, when i saw that one burger had a veggie bbq burger, i about died with excitement. then the question was - is it good? or did they just cook a garden burger and throw some heinz sauce on it. if it was the latter, i was going to be livid. i hate a tease. especially when you’re dealing with something as important as burgers and bbq. but alas! they did not cheat me of this delicious duo. this veggie bbq sandwich is probably the best veggie burger i’ve ever had. (don’t get me wrong, i love chipotle black bean burgers, but real veggie burgers are another breed. and it’s hard to find one that is irresistible). one burger, you won me over. and then you added amazing spicy french fries on the side. and every time i say your time, you make me wanna say, ‘welcome to [one] burger, where you can have it your way. but don’t get crazy.’ and for some reason, that never gets old. thanks for making this veg VERY happy!
http://oneburger.com/
i bet you didn’t know miami has its very own dante club. i didn’t either. until i did a little google-ing. i had been dying to take a cooking class for forever. although i knew it would be hard for me to choose which ethnic cuisine i wanted to delve into, i was pretty sure i would choose italian. because, really. who doesn’t want to cook like an italian? and as much as i love sushi, i think i also like the idea of walking to planet sushi a mere 2 blocks from my apartment and having them make it for me. italian food though, i could do. as far as cooking classes are concerned, i found that most are out of my price range. but finally the clouds parted and a $65 cooking class for 3 hours showed up and sounded pretty reasonable to me. honestly, i had been waiting long enough. the cooking class was hosted by the dante club. being a huge fan of the inferno (yes, i was a lit major, and yes, i am a huge dork), i knew i could get behind this club and that whatever they offered was probably going to be good. and i was not disappointed. they held the class at la cuisine gormet in the gables. and they scored an amazing chef personality for the course - sandra stefani. i got to roll gnocchi, chop some lettuce, watch a real chef live in action, make some friends, and at the end break bread and share wine with the stellar sandra stefani. by the time the class ended at 1:30 pm we had made eggplant towers (which was like an explosion of flavor in your mouth with eggplant, tomato, garlic, spinach, balsamic, olive oil and gorgonzola cheese), gnocchi ignudi (that melted on your tongue), fish wrapped in lettuce (which was perfection) and semifreddo con gli amaretti (which should translate to a frozen piece of heaven). that doesn’t even include the bread with Italian olive oil and the wine. the italians like to eat; and if all italians can cook like that, i don’t blame them. needless to say, i needed to walk it all off on miracle mile after. but, i’m not complaining. actually, i want to do it all over again.
http://www.dantemiami.org/
the biltmore is like miami’s palace (go figure it would be yellow. which also happens to be my favorite color for a house. coincidence? i think not.). sometimes i like to walk around it, and pretend like it’s all mine. hmmm, which room would be my master room (the one with the biggest balcony of course)? which friends would i choose to stay with me (wouldn’t you like to know)? would i make the pool boys wear speedos, and would i ensure they were all from new zealand (probably)? but even when i’m not pretending to own the place, i still enjoy being in and around it. the pool is gorgeous. i like to sit at a little table, in the sun, drink champagne mixed with a splash of cranberry juice and eat brunch. the golf course is so peaceful (except when you remember that you kind of suck at golf. but thus is life.). the inside bars are cozy and warm. ahhhh, if only it really was all mine.
miami is a melting pot of culture. so why not spend a day exploring some of them? and more specifically, the amazing cuisines they have blessed us with. i say start with a little taste of europe. luckily for us, you can get a pretty good taste all in one spot: miracle mile. spend the morning in paris, eat lunch like a roman, and end your day relaxing like you’re in spain; with some shopping inbetween of course. you know the saying: when in the gables…
read your full itinerary here: http://www.miami.com/miracle-mile-daytrip-article
i refuse to choose between either location, because i love them both. the gables location is like a little haven, with an adorable cafe and bar, live jazz music, and great spaces for author talks or poetry readings. i always feel like a little kid when i’m there; like i’ve stepped into a magical maze of books, transported to the time of narnia or the wizarding world of hogwarts. i feel like something strange could happen within those walls (apparently i read too much).
the lincoln road location is more modern, set next to the contemporary ‘design within reach.’ i enjoy sitting near the magazine stands, drinking lemonade, eating a cupcake and reading my newest craze. still in the heart of miami, yet, consumed with another world of the written word and my imagination.
thanks books and books, for bringing literary culture to miami, and for giving me two places i like to call my second and third home. ;)
http://www.booksandbooks.com/
i am a dessert whore and these cupcakes own me. they are so delicious! i order them for every event. they have 18 flavors (including oreo - heavenly). if you have not had these, i completely recommend taking the trip to their adorable coral gables location and buying one (or five). you will not be disappointed!
http://www.buttercreamcupcakes.com/
