Miami, Florida - Thompson Miami Beach Hotel

Salad by the pool

I just got back from a long weekend in Miami for the three day wedding extravaganza of my dear friend from London. People flew in from all corners of the world, and our combined jet lag notwithstanding, we all managed to party into the wee hours of the night as we celebrated this great couple over the course of 72 hours. Most of the wedding guests stayed at the Thompson Miami Beach Hotel, which served as our home base for the weekend.

The hotel is located right on the water, and gives you access to their private beach with lounge chairs reserved for hotel guests only. If you don't want to fry in the Florida sun, be warned that umbrellas cost $20 extra, even if you are staying at the hotel.

The Thompson is a block from the Soho Beach House and about two blocks from the famous Fontainebleau Hotel, so fairly high up from Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road, but certainly still close enough to get to all of the action.

My friend and I shared a deluxe double queen room with city view on the tenth floor, decorated by famous interior designer Martin Brudnizki. 

Breakfast in the morning was served al fresco on the terrace of the Seagrape Restaurant: 

We had cocktails one evening at the bar of the Seagrape as well, featured below:

It's certainly not a bad place to spend a weekend, especially when it is still freezing and grey in London and much of the States.

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Miami, Florida - Juvia

Juvia (named after the Brazilian nut tree) is the beautiful new 10,000 square foot indoor/outdoor restaurant and lounge located on the penthouse level of the 1111 Lincoln Road, adjacent to the architecturally-stunning Herzog & de Meuron building on South Beach. Recently opened on Valentine's Day, Juvia is owned and operated by celebrated restaurateurs Jonas and Alexandra Millan of Bonito restaurant in St. Barth's.

Baby iceberg, cripsy pancetta, figs, creamy gorgonzola salad

Hamachi Espuma: yuzu kosho espuma, micro cilantro

Tuna Poke: sesame chili, hijiki, red onion, scallions

Juvia’s menu, which is constantly changing, is described as a marriage of the regional cuisines of Asia prepared with classic French techniques and the vibrant flavors and ingredients of South America and Florida. Standout dishes include ceviches, tiraditos, fresh seafood and prime meats, served tapas-style.

Aji Panka Lamp Chops: quinoa couscous, bok choy, shimeji mushrooms

Milk Fed Pork Confit: shitake, sour cabbage, honey ginger glaze

Market mushrooms

Cheesy mashed potatoes

Chocolate Candy Bar: brownie, peanut croquant, coconut lime ice cream

Deconstructed Key Lime Pie: shortbread crumble, meringue fingers

The dining room features an open kitchen, a neutral decor with natural wood flooring and ceiling, accented with pops of bright plummy purple seat cushions and linens, and a show-stopping backlit amethyst bar top. Their penthouse location on the ninth floor (accessed by a private elevator on the street level) provides spectacular views of upper Miami Beach and Biscayne Bay, and attracts a sophisticated, classy, international crowd.

The fabulous views and the outdoor dining space:

The space features a vertical garden, designed by internationally acclaimed botanist Patrick Blanc, which invokes the lushness of the Amazon rainforest:

The bar is made out of a huge slab of back-lit amethyst: incredible!!

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Miami, Florida - Prime One Twelve

The only place with more Bentley’s parked curbside than a London city street, Prime One Twelve epitomizes the word “scene.” Don’t be surprised if Kim Kardashian or A-Rod is sitting at the next table, and come hungry, as the portions at this all-American steakhouse are massive, but more importantly, extremely well done. Prepare to be wowed by prime cuts of meat and fresh seafood, including caviar and crustaceans of all kinds. Next pile on the family-style sides to share such as lobster mac and cheese, truffle french fries, onion rings, creamed spinach and tater tots, to name a few. Come dessert time, what is the house special? Fried Oreos! 

I've been coming to this restaurant for years, and for me, Prime 112 is what South Beach is all about: flashy cars, great people watching, boisterous activity, a humming vibe, a famous athlete or celebrity across the room; All act as a backdrop to consistently succulent cuts of beef (and all the extras), enough to quell any carnivore's craving. 

Prime 112 Signature Chopped Salad with romaine, spinach, hearts of palm, cucumber, celery hearts, grape tomatoes, asparagus, applewood smoked bacon and green goddess dressing



8oz Filet Mignon with peppercorn sauce

12oz Filet Mignon

Sauteed spinach with garlic

Sauteed forest mushrooms

Crispy white truffle french fries

Fried Oreos with vanilla ice cream

Warm dulce de leche bread pudding with candied walnuts and vanilla ice cream

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Miami, Florida - The Restaurant at The Setai

Hands down one of the top five best dining experiences of the year! The Restaurant at the Setai ticks all of the boxes: service, striking and tranquil zen ambience, sense of pride in the kitchen, helpful and devoted waitstaff and superb, flavorful and inventive dishes. Menu items transport you through China, Thailand, Singapore, India, Indonesia and Malaysia. Order from a menu (and a kitchen) that is divided into five sections: The Wok, The Steam, The Tandoor, The Curries and The Rotisserie & Grill, each style of cookery prepared by its own individual chef. Sit at one of the tables that jut out from the open kitchen and watch as your meal takes shape by these masters of Western and Asian cuisine.

Amuse-bouche courtesy of the chef: cod with mint dressing and micro greens  

Blue fin tuna with sesame ginger dressing, green apple, wasabi peas and caviar

Dim Sum of Siew Mai steamed pork and shrimp dumplings

A line of rotisserie peking ducks

Homemade roasted peking duck with steamed pancakes, scallions, cucumbers, and hoisin sauce

Murgh Makhani Indian tandoor roasted butter chicken curry with tomatoes, butter, cream and traditional spices

Basmati rice

Macchi Tikka: Indian tandoor roasted chilean sea bass marinated with mint, cilantro, serrano pepper and yogurt served with tamarind sauce

Mee Goreng: Indonesian wok fried noodles with chicken, prawns, garlic, ginger, bean sprouts, herbs, fried shallots and lime juice

Cooking naan bread in the tandoor oven

Naan bread with garlic and cilantro, and a curry dipping sauce

Chocolate Valrhona fondant with molten center and hazlenut and lemon sorbet

Marshmallows and cookies from the chef

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