Miami Beach Food & Wine

Dear Imagine Lifestyles,

I read your luxury blog daily and love the variety of information you provide, especially the luxury restaurant tips for our area. 

That is actually how I discovered your blog, I had been searching for restaurants in Miami that I may not be aware exist, and found your blog about Nobu Sushi.  The added bonus is that you also cover exotic cars, which I love nearly as much as exotic food.  The content variety is awesome and a nice lunchtime read for me at the office.

Anyways, I am writing to get your take on the South Beach Food and Wine Festival this weekend, is it something to just stop by, or to plan on devoting the entire weekend to? 

Thanks guys you are awesome,
Tomas, South Beach

If you live or are planning to be in the Miami area this weekend, the 2010 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine is on.  The Wine & Food festival will take place Thursday, February 25 through Sunday, February 28th.  Read on to find out why it is a “can’t miss”.

Some of the most well-respected and recognized industry principals will again congregate in Miami Beach to educate and entertain the thousands of fans of this annual event. 

If you live in Miami, or are visiting us soon, and have a weakness for all that is culinary, Miss Yip Chinese Café is a must-try. 

South Beach is famed for its excess, lifestyle and its luxury hotels.  Today we will explore and compare the luxurious Gansevoort South Beach with the (equally?) exotic Shoreclub South Beach. 

Both luxury South Beach hotels are oceanfront.  Both are considered upscale, decadent and indulgent.  You can enjoy a delicious upscale culinary adventure at both.  The differences will lie in the types of cuisine, the vibe of the bar areas, the spa, amenities and of course, the accommodations.  So let’s compare.

This Saturday, February 13th, will mark the 47th annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival.  The event will take place in beautiful Coconut Grove, Florida, from February 13th-15th.   Hours for the festival are 10am-6pm all three days.

Luxury restaurants are concepts that never go out of style in fashionable South Beach.  The great international flavors of the world meet here, hook-up, and produce infusions so stellar, the area has become famous for it.  Yet inventive and upscale cuisine does not come without a price tag. 

Dear Imagine Lifestyles,

My girlfriend and I just made it to Miami for Super Bowl week.  We previously read in your luxury blog about the Top 5 Luxury Restaurants in South Beach, and are thinking of trying some of them.  We are hoping to get into Nobu, as we love sushi, but are unsure of how difficult it will be to get in on such short notice and during Super Bowl week.  I will call Nobu today, but in the event that we do not get in, are there any other good sushi restaurants we can hit?

Thanks guys,
Adam, New York

STK steakhouse has just made its South Beach debut, opening a new location within the luxurious Gansevoort Hotel.  The long awaited arrival of this popular culinary treasure has come to a mouth-watering end with the opening of the doors.

This is no ordinary steakhouse, but a celeb sought-after dazzler with quite the following, including Fergie, Josh Duhamel, Michael Bay, Robin Givens and more.  Prior to the South Beach debut, STK Gansevoort held a several tastings and “friends and family” trials for a select lucky few.

Those who know and love Miami for its cultural offerings are well aware that Latin food and Miami are not strangers.  It is for that reason it can often be difficult for Latin restaurants to stand out in the city.  Meet “Ola”, an exotic Latin restaurant that is so good, it is decidedly naughty.

Located within the Sanctuary Hotel, which is tucked away discreetly, Ola feels modern, soft and relaxing.  The recessed lighting and cucumber and melon hues are accented with rich dark wood, a hip décor complemented by soft modern music.

With the big game just 3 weeks out, Miami and all of South Florida has been busily preparing itself for the onslaught of football fans, visitors and excitement.  Here are some of the ways Miami is prepping for Super Bowl XLIV:

•    Hotels altering arrangements
•    Restaurants creating special menus
•    Clubs booking high-profile entertainment
•    Exotic rental cars booking up
•    Boutiques and shopping options stepping it up

Dear Imagine Lifestyles,

I am a fan of your blog and a businessman in New York who is looking to treat my family to a tropical escape this winter.  I know that you have operations based out of Miami, Florida, and would like to know what activities, accommodations and expectations I could have for bringing my family to South Beach for an extended winter escape. 

Also, I do not wish to drive my own Ferrari as I can’t see the logic in putting the extra mileage on her, my family obviously will not fit, and I would enjoy driving a different type of exotic rental car during my stay.  What do you recommend for the area that can accommodate my wife and two kids without boring me to tears?

It is New Year’s Eve, and everyone knows Miami is the hottest spot to bring in the New Year, especially star-studded South Beach!  Yes, celebrities and self-proclaimed stars alike flock to this exotic city by the sea annually to celebrate what lies ahead.

It is nearly time for the annual Art Deco Weekend, sponsored by the Miami Design Preservation League.  Art Deco Weekend is one of South Florida’s most well-known and highly attended festivals, and this will mark its 32nd year.

During this year’s Art Basel Miami Beach, attendees will find the once coveted dinner parties hosted by Rosa (pictured at right) and Carlos de la Cruz drastically scaled down.  In fact, guests will find the Biscayne Bay mansion of the couple not only less populated, but also relatively empty.

As strange as it seems, Christmas is just around the corner, as they say, leaving many to contemplate plans for their holidays once again.  You are free, of course, to follow the same traditional routes, or you could give a Miami style Christmas a try if that is possible for you and yours!  Even if you do not celebrate Christmas, the weather in Miami is perfect this time of year, a true semi-tropical escape from the everyday.  Here are our top five ideas for a luxurious Miami Christmas: