Miami FL Golf Weekend

Golf Channel, 5/11

Drinking Made Easy, 10/11

T&L Golf, Nov/Dec 2003 & 2005; Nov 2006

Playboy After Dark, 2006

GolfNow Miami Itinerary
By Lauren Thompson, Golf Channel
May 17, 2011

Day 1 Miami Sea Planes Welcome to Miami Seaplane Tours, the sightseeing sensation that gives you the opportunity of a life time to enjoy an unparalleled Miami tour experience from the sky in our Cessna 172 Seahawk Seaplane. 3401 Rickenbacker Causeway Key Biscayne, FL 33149 (305) 361-3909

Doral Golf Club Five Championship courses stretch out for over 34,000 yards of premier golfing. Try your hand at the expertly designed Jim McLean Signature Course or experience the part-course, part-work-of-art Great White Course, as envisioned by Greg Norman. And you can always step to challenge the infamous Blue Monster and see why the pros love to play here. 4400 NW 87th Avenue Miami, FL 33178  

Joe’s Stone Crab In 1913, Joe Weiss opened up a small lunch counter on Miami Beach. Back then, Miami Beach was just a quiet, backwater town. Folks stopped in to chat and for a top-notch fish sandwich and fries. This, of course, was only the beginning, and what happened next is a story worth telling… 11 Washington Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33139-7395 (305) 673-0365

DAY 2 Biltmore Golf Club The lushly landscaped Biltmore golf course surrounds The Biltmore hotel and was designed by the legendary Donald Ross. Completed in 1925 and now meticulously restored, the exquisite Biltmore Golf Course has challenged the likes of Walter Hagen, Tiger Woods, Babe Ruth and Gene Sarazen. Book a Tee Time 1210 Anastasia Avenue Coral Gables, FL 33134-6340

La Carmonera The Garcia Brothers, eleven in total, were born into a family of fishermen in the province of Las Villas, Cuba. As early as the age of 9, the boys would join their father and head out to sea to learn the trade and help the family. They fished, they processed, and they sold their fresh catch – first in Las Villas and later expanding to the neighboring province of Matanzas and today to Little Havana in Miami. 1952 West Flagler Street Miami, FL 33135-1615 (305) 642-3322

Country Club of Miami Country Club of Miami is comprised of two beautifully manicured Florida golf courses, with lush fairways, newly re-grassed greens and 36 championship holes. A Robert Trent Jones design, the club was founded in 1961, with Arnold Palmer as its first professional. As Country Club’s most famous member and resident, comedian-actor Jackie Gleason played host to celebrity golfers including Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. Jack Nicklaus played his first professional tournament and Lee Trevino won his fourth professional at the club. 6801 NW 186th St Hialeah, FL 33015-3407 (305) 829-8456 Book a Tee Time East Course; Book a Tee Time West Course; Book at Tee Time Hialeah

DAY 3 The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa Nestled amongst 3,000 Coconut and Royal Palm trees, 50-year-old Shady Banyans and lakes guarding 16 of the 18 holes, rests The Diplomat Country Club & Spa’s championship golf course. This par 72, Joe Lee design offers a challenge to even the most accomplished golfer, while giving the less advanced player a great excuse to spend a few hours relaxing in the sun. Book a Tee Time 501 Diplomat Parkway Hallandale, FL 33009-3710

Cardozo Hotel Elegant, chic, and sophisticated, describes the Art Deco Jewel known as the Cardozo Hotel. Owned by International Superstar Gloria Estefan and her Grammy Award winning producer–husband, Emilio, this prestigious hotel possesses the couple’s flair, pizzazz, and multi-cultural ambience. Conveniently located on Ocean Drive, the hotel offers a variety of magnificent deluxe suites, superior ocean view suites, and standard room accommodations. Set in the heart of South Beach, you are within walking distance of the best restaurants, lounges, and nightclubs Miami Beach has to offer. 1300 Ocean Drive Miami Beach, FL 33139-4210 (305) 535-6500

Larios on the Beach At Larios on the Beach (a Bongos Cuban Café restaurant) the essence of Old Cuba is masterly captivated by the exotic decor, portraying its 1950’s Glory Days. Featuring traditional Cuban fare, celebrated classic & flavored “Mojitos” and a magnificent beach view as you dine along South Beach’s famous Ocean Drive. This exclusive location is one that has become a “must” during your vacation on South Beach. 820 Ocean Drive Miami Beach, FL 33139-5801 (305) 532-9577

DAY 4 South Beach Volley We are a group of local players that made part of the beach our backyard. Our courts are located on 8th and Ocean Drive, in South Beach Miami. Everyone is welcome to play.

Crandon Park Key Biscayne Crandon Golf Key Biscayne is a championship 18-hole golf course located on the "island paradise" of Key Biscayne, just 10 minutes from downtown Miami. It is the perfect alternative to civilization where you can spend a day enveloped by the tropics. Crandon Golf is an explosion of color and light surrounded by water, mangroves and lush, tropical foliage. You can experience the local wildlife in its natural habitat too! Secluded and inviting, Crandon is the only public golf course on the Bay. Book a Tee Time 6700 Crandon Blvd. Key Biscayne, FL 33149-3200

WHERE WE WENT
Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink Neighborhood bistro that features modern American foods using fresh local ingredients with menu items that changes depending on the fruits and vegetables that are in season. Grab a fresh cocktail during their infamous Sunday Brunch.
130 Northeast 40th Street, Miami, FL 33137 | (305) 573-5550

Clarke’s Casual bar and grille inspired by the collective cultures of Miami, Dubin and New York City. Irish and international beers on draft, and extensive wine list and full bar. Boozy breakfast items include Sazerac Eggs that uses Absinthe and French toast with vanilla cognac syrup.
840 First Street, Miami, FL 33139 | (305) 538-9885

Sugarcane Raw Bar and Grill– Part Gastropub, part Raw Bar, their menu is inspired by flavors influenced from the Caribbean and South America. Weekday happy hour from 4-7pm featuring $25 pitchers of cocktails.
3252 Northeast 1st Avenue #115, Miami, FL 33137 | (786) 369-0353

The Beer & Burger Joint Local beer and burger joint that serves a 10lb burger and more than 15 other gourmet burgers. They also feature a soda fountain that serves egg creams and XXX rated adult milkshakes with names like the Fluffer, the O Face and the Money Show.
900 South Miami Avenue #130, Miami, FL 33130 | (305) 523-2244

Jimbo’s Place A genuine, original Florida establishment since 1954. Located on Virginia Key, its accessible via car or boat. You won’t find a bar or restaurant here, but you can grab an ice cold beer, some smoked fish and play a round of bocce ball.
4201 Rickenbacker Cswy, Key Biscayne, FL 33149 | (305) 361-7026

Sunset Lounge at the Mondrian Hotel, South Beach Watch the sunset over Miami’s downtown skyline from their outdoor lounge and sip on one of their exclusive handcrafted specialty cocktails. Featuring one of the largest collections of of Cachaças in the US, try a flavored Caipirinha made from exotic and local ingredients, as well as house-made sodas, syrups and juices.
1100 West Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 | (305) 514-1941

The Florida Room in The Delano Hotel, South Beach Lucite grand piano adorns this modern day piano bar/speakeasy inside the Delano Hotel. Décor evokes the spirit of South Floridian Glamour. Cuban/Latin inspired specialty cocktails.
1685 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 | (305) 674-6152

To sample some local microbrew flavor, grab some Jai Alai Beer, made by Cigar City Brewing Company in Tampa. This IPA is named after Jai Alai, a game native to the Basque region in Spain where players hit a ball off the wall which reaches speeds of up to 188 mph.

Swing City
With iconic and newly renovated golf courses and resorts, plus the electric nightlife of South Beach, Miami is hotter than ever 
T&L Golf, November 2006
by Tom Harack

By the time you read this, minds will no doubt have been made up as to which is cooler, this year’s film version of Miami Vice or the vintage 1980s television original. For most Miamiphiles, though, the point is moot: The arrival of the movie, two decades after the celebrated show completed its run, simply underscored the city’s enduring status as a nexus of style. Whoever you think makes the more nuanced Crockett, the more complex Tubbs, the sleek art deco and neon backdrop of South Beach continues to play a starring role. Propelled by Miami’s popularity, the city is experiencing what’s been described as a golden age of architecture, with some of the world’s finest architects designing eagerly anticipated civic, commercial and residential spaces. The rapid growth is a double-edged sword, however, when it comes to golf. Given the various demands on real estate here, the greater Miami area hasn’t attracted the profusion of new course construction seen almost everywhere else in Florida—home to more than 1,200 courses, the most of any state in the country. On the other hand, several of Miami’s iconic golf resorts—Doral, Turnberry Isle and The Biltmore—are reopening this fall and winter after extensive renovations and have never looked better. A paucity of golf is not the problem in Miami; it’s the abundance of so much else—hip restaurants and nightclubs, modish hotels and pools—that may overwhelm you. So break out the T-shirt-and-blazer ensembles and start growing that stubble.

Where to Play
DORAL GOLF RESORT & SPA, BLUE **** 1/2
The Blue Monster, as it’s universally known, is one of those larger-than-life courses, though the reason for its renown is a running debate. Yes, certain holes are legendary, particularly the 437-yard par-four eighteenth, an object lesson in risk- reward, with water running along the entire left side and pinching in at key places. But, some argue, that’s mainly because Doral has hosted a televised PGA Tour event annually since 1962, the year after it opened; and besides, the decision to stage the tournament at the expansive Doral Golf Resort & Spa has much to do with logistics. The Blue Monster, this line of argument goes, can no longer even be considered monstrous, as it stretches "only" 7,100 yards from the back tees. I say rubbish. In addition to the copious water hazards and some 120 bunkers, the course is defended forcefully by the frequent winds. The layout boasts some great par threes, including the 237-yard fourth. Furthermore, the resort staff is adept at moving golfers around Doral’s five courses (which receive 150,000 rounds a year), and walking—a rarity in Florida golf—is allowed. Finally, the Blue Monster recently underwent a four-month renovation, during which the greens were resurfaced to roll more smoothly and the bunkers rebuilt to restore some of Dick Wilson’s tricky strategic elements.
4400 N.W. 87th Avenue, Miami; 305-592-2000, www.doralresort.com. Yardage: 7,125. Par: 72. Slope: 130. Architect: Dick Wilson, 1961. Greens Fees: $225–$250.

CRANDON GOLF AT KEY BISCAYNE****
The perfect antidote to pricey resort golf, this affordable municipal course lies tucked away in a lushly tropical county park on Key Biscayne. The unspoiled natural setting—replete with palm trees, white and red mangroves and a dazzling assortment of waterfowl—belies its proximity to downtown Miami, a mere fifteen-minute drive away. A number of holes offer mesmerizing views of the city skyline across Biscayne Bay. Originally opened in 1972—the work of Robert von Hagge and Bruce Devlin—Crandon Park, the name commonly used for the course, hosted a Champions Tour event for years, entertaining the likes of Chi Chi Rodriguez, Lee Trevino and Gary Player. The layout received a thorough redesign (courtesy of von Hagge) in the early nineties following Hurricane Andrew. From the championship tees, it can play as long as 7,300 yards, with a whopping 145 slope, and includes a collection of par fives ranging from 555 to 638 yards. The layout features numerous doglegs as well as tons of sand and water. But the biggest challenge may be securing a tee time, as reservations are taken only five days in advance and discounts for Dade County residents make the course extremely popular.
6700 Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne; 305-361-9129, www.miamidade.gov/parks. Yardage: 7,301. Par: 72. Slope: 145. Architects: Robert von Hagge and Bruce Devlin, 1972. Greens Fees: $58–$148.

THE BILTMORE GOLF COURSE*** 1/2
It seems that no golf trip is complete, at least in the eastern United States, without a dose of Donald Ross, and The Biltmore is a poster child for the phenomenon. Built alongside the ornate 1920s-era hotel of the same name, the course rings with history. Thanks to a renovation in 1992, it also remains a viable test. Short by modern standards, the holes nonetheless pose their share of intrigue in the form of Ross’s uncanny bunker deployment and baffling green contours. The number-one handicap hole, the 406-yard par-four seventeenth, plays into the prevailing wind and requires an approach over a stream to a green perched above a bulkhead. Still, this is a true resort course: Most of the fairways are wide enough for snowbirds to swing away. The Biltmore also happens to be walkable, and a high proportion of golfers opt to play it on foot. Even the housing that lines parts of the course—mostly palatial and well-landscaped Old Florida–style homes—lends a measure of charm. The course accepts public play and has a local membership as well, so be sure to book early.
1210 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables; 305-669-9500. Yardage: 6,800. Par: 71. Slope: 126. Architect: Donald Ross, 1925. Greens Fees: $85–$175.

FAIRMONT TURNBERRY ISLE RESORT & CLUB, SOUTH *** 1/2
A more recent golf heritage belongs to the South course at Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club. The layout, a rather benign Robert Trent Jones Sr. eighteen that opened in 1971 (along with a more modest sister course, the North), is being redesigned by Raymond Floyd as part of a renovation of the entire resort; closed during the project, Turnberry Isle reopens on December 15. Although the South course stretches to more than 7,000 yards and water looms on all but four of the holes—most famously at the island-green par-five eighteenth—the layout lacks some of the penal aspects (encroaching fairway bunkers, well-guarded greens) commonly associated with Jones. Still, the South is stern enough to have hosted professional tournaments including the 1980 Senior PGA Championship, won by Arnold Palmer. The resort holds a place in golf lore as the site where the idea for a senior circuit (long before its rechristening as the Champions Tour) was hatched.
19999 West Country Club Drive, Aventura; 305-933-6929, www.fairmont.com. Yardage: TBD. Par: 71. Slope: TBD. Architect: Robert Trent Jones Sr., 1971. Greens Fees: TBD.

MIAMI BEACH GOLF CLUB *** 1/2
This course is remarkable not so much for its topography as its location: just five blocks from Collins Avenue, the epicenter of South Beach. And then there’s the backstory of Miami Beach Golf Club. Opened as Bayshore Golf Course in 1923, it served as an Army training ground during World War II and then was purchased by Miami in the late forties to foil out-of-town real estate speculators who wanted to build homes on the property. The city, which owns the land, eventually took what had become a barely playable muni and spent $10 million to revamp it in 2002 under the direction of Arthur Hills and Steve Forrest. They replaced the Bermuda grass with heat-tolerant seaside paspalum to yield greener fairways and fuller lies, and drained and reshaped a dozen ponds. The result is an artful, well-manicured course that packs plenty of punch. Pay particular attention on the par-three seventeenth, a 183-yarder that requires a carry over water and sand to a steeply sloping green.
2301 Alton Road, Miami Beach; 305-532-3350, www.miamibeachgolfclub.com. Yardage: 6,813. Par: 72. Slope: 131. Architect: Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest, 2002. Greens Fees: $120–$200.

BEST OF THE REST
Don Shula’s Golf Club (305-820-8106) is a pleasant resort course that enjoys almost a cult following, thanks in part to the coach’s original steakhouse in the adjoining hotel. With its gentle greens and manageable length, the Gold course at Doral (305-592-3000) serves as either an ideal warmup to the mighty Blue Monster or a much needed confidence-restorer afterward; the resort also boasts Greg Norman’s desert-style Great White, whose bite was recently softened by the Shark himself. Also worthy are the Country Club of Miami (305-829-4700), home to a pair of Robert Trent Jones Sr. eighteens, and the Diplomat Country Club & Spa (954-883-4444), which displays the touch of Florida design legend Joe Lee.

Where to Stay
The Biltmore This grande dame and National Historic Landmark has been a hub of South Florida social activity since it first welcomed sun-seeking guests in 1926. Nods to contemporary tastes include a fitness center and wellness spa, while the 23,000-square-foot pool, where Esther Williams and Johnny Weissmuller once cavorted, remains a favorite. So do its festive Sunday brunch and the Tuesday-night "Cigars Under the Stars."
1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables; 305-445-1926, www.biltmorehotel.com. Rooms: $319–$359. Suites: $389–$1,995.

Doral Golf Resort & Spa It’s no wonder PGA Tour pros look forward to this annual stop on the Florida swing. Just seven miles from Miami International Airport, Doral is the quintessential Florida golf resort: five courses and a Jim McLean school, a leading spa, on-site shopping and a camp for the kids. The resort, now operated by Marriott, began its ongoing $40 million renovation in 2004.
4400 N.W. 87th Avenue, Miami; 305-592-2000, www.doralresort.com. Rooms: $129–$219. Suites: $399–$489.

Ritz-Carlton, South Beach Opened on New Year’s Eve 2003, this oceanfront palace sits squarely in the art deco district and is itself a lavishly retrofitted iteration of an art moderne hotel designed by the architect Morris Lapidus in 1953. The new incarnation includes a 16,000-square-foot spa with a tanning butler and, by next fall, a restaurant to be run by Daniel Boulud.
One Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 786-276-4000, www.ritzcarlton.com. Rooms: $239–$999. Suites: $400–$5,000.

The Sagamore This mainstay along bustling Collins Avenue is referred to as the "art hotel," thanks to its sculpture- and picture-lined lobby extending the length of the building. There’s also a gallery as well as original artwork in every guest room and, from the original 1948 design, touches like the restored marble and red-mahogany front desk. The lawn stretching from the back terrace to the beach is a favorite at cocktail hour.
1671 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305-535-8088, www.sagamorehotel.com. Suites: $295–$4,000.

The Setai Art deco yields to Asian minimalism at this Zen-like South Beach temple of cool. Originally built in the late 1930s as the Dempsey Vanderbilt Hotel, the Setai fully opened a year ago with the building’s interior transformed. The grand lobby announces the studied aesthetic: A veritable palace of teak, bronze, Shanghai brick and artwork from the Far East, it leads you into a courtyard designed around a tranquil pond.
2001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305-520-6000, www.setai.com. Suites: $900–$6,000.

Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club The stucco facades, arched promenades and terra-cotta roofs suggest the Mediterranean, but this resort actually lies in the exclusive South Florida enclave of Aventura. Most appealing of all is its Ocean Club, which features a fine restaurant with Atlantic views. The resort is nearing completion of a $100 million renovation.
19999 West Country Club Drive, Aventura; 305-932-6200, www.fairmont.com. Rooms: $189–$899. Suites: $469–$4,900.

Where to Eat
Blue Sea (Sushi) Strategically located in an alcove above the main lobby of the Delano Hotel—another of South Beach’s beachfront art deco destinations on Collins Avenue—this is a great place to partake of the young-and-trendy ethos, even if you are staying elsewhere. The long communal table encourages socializing, the atmosphere is casual, and the food—sushi, caviar and other seafood entrées—is light and reasonably priced.
1685 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305-674-6400. $$

Cantina Beach (Coastal Mexican) The restaurant’s open-air, thatched-roof dining area makes it a hit with kids. But mom and dad will have plenty to interest them as well, including offerings from the Mexican-trained "tequilier." Cantina Beach’s cuisine consists of Cabo San Lucas–inspired food, such as fish tacos, lobster quesadillas and ceviche. Convenient to downtown Miami, the restaurant fronts the beach at the Ritz-Carlton in Key Biscayne.
455 Grand Bay Drive, Key Biscayne; 305-365-4500. $$$

Casa Tua (Italian) A secluded villa on a residential street sequestered from the throbbing South Beach scene, Casa Tua serves "progressive" Italian cuisine in a choice of settings. There is outdoor and indoor seating, including a twenty-seat communal chef’s table especially amenable to solo diners.
1700 James Avenue, Miami Beach; 305-673-1010. $$$$

Chispa (Latin fusion) The name means "spark," and Chispa draws its inspiration from several Hispanic sources, especially Spain and Cuba. The large dining room is contemporary but comfortable, and the menu offers something for everyone. Standards such as empanadas are reliable, but more adventurous options, like cava fondue with crisp root vegetables or seared octopus, are the way to go. Located in what seems a sedate neighborhood of Coral Gables, the long friendly bar draws a lively happy-hour crowd.
225 Altara Avenue, Coral Gables; 305-648-2600. $$$

Joe’s Stone Crab (Seafood) Sure, this large, columned place has tourista written all over it, but some institutions come by their reputations honestly, in Joe’s case because of family ownership that dates back to 1913 and a menu that specializes in irresistible hard-shell stone crabs. They don’t take reservations here, but after you’ve visited once you can resort to Joe’s Take-Out or Joe Goes Direct Shipping. The hours and menu vary by season, so check before you go.
11 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305-673-0365. $$$

The Veranda (New World) As formal as this generally informal town gets—the dress code for dinner hours is "resort elegant"—this restaurant overlooks the promenade and pool gardens at Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club. The wine list is extensive, and while the cuisine is gourmet, signature dishes tend toward familiar favorites like Florida yellowtail snapper and herb-crusted Colorado rack of lamb. Closed during the resort’s renovation, the Veranda reopens December 15.
19999 West Country Club Drive, Aventura; 305-932-6200. $$$

Tapas & Tintos (Spanish) Situated in Española Way, a small enclave of upscale shops and restaurants off the main drag in South Beach, this is a cordial if sometimes raucous neighborhood joint known for its paellas, tapas, mojitos and flamenco nights. It offers an extensive selection of Spanish wines.
448 Española Way, Miami Beach; 305-538-8272. $$

Vix (Fusion) The menu here draws on what the chef, James Wierzelewski, calls "the four palates": Asia, the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Latin America. These worldy influences show up, among other places, in a Chinese noodle dish with barbecued duck and lobster, and in a seafood medley over coconut rice.
1144 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach; 305-779-8888. $$$$

Orientation
GETTING THERE
Like many major urban airports, Miami International Airport (MIA) can resemble a construction zone as much as a transportation hub. But the place seems much less a work in progress of late. It is served by nearly a hundred airlines and is an easy commute to and from downtown Miami (twenty minutes away) and points south, including the Florida Keys. A less congested alternative, especially for destinations north and west of Miami, is Fort Lauderdale International, about twenty-five miles north of MIA.

CLIMATE
Escaping wintry conditions up north is an absolutely legitimate motive for scheduling a trip to Miami during the peak season of December through March. Average high temperatures hover in the low to mid-seventies, and it rains less than at any other time of year. That said, spring and summer aren’t without their appeal: Daylight hours last longer, prices drop considerably, tee times become easier to get, and there are fewer minimum stays. Sure, it’s hot—it’s Miami.

Architecture
ART DECO TOURS
South Beach possesses the largest collection of art deco buildings of any neighborhood in North America. For a full appreciation of this elegant Jazz Age school of design, accented in the Miami vernacular of pastel-hued and neon-emblazoned facades, take a guided walking tour offered by the Art Deco Welcome Center (305-531-3484), located at Tenth Street and Ocean Drive.

WORKS IN PROGRESS
An impressive roster of internationally acclaimed architects have projects currently in the works in Miami. Among them are Frank Gehry, Richard Meier, Enrique Norten and the team of Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron. What’s more, by year’s end Cesar Pelli’s $461 million Carnival Center for the Performing Arts is due to open. The complex will feature a towering lobby, a 2,400-seat opera house, a concert hall that holds 2,200 and a small theater, all connected by a foot bridge over Biscayne Boulevard.

Into the Wild
THE EVERGLADES
Miami’s dazzlingly built environment makes it easy to forget that the city lies just thirty-five miles from Everglades National Park (www.nps.gov/ever). The third largest national park in the lower forty-eight states, the Everglades encompasses one and a half million acres, a vast subtropical wilderness of mangrove forests, hardwood hammocks, shallow flats, cypress groves and sawgrass marshes. It harbors more than three hundred species of birds, along with copious aquatic life including alligators and manatees, and more than one thousand species of plants. Most visitors tour the Everglades by car, opting for the eighty-mile round-trip drive from Royal Palm Visitor Center to Flamingo, on Florida Bay.

SPORT FISHING
Miami is also blessed with proximity to the prime fishing grounds of the Gulf Stream. A host of charter services offer half- and full-day sport-fishing excursions, supplying all the bait and tackle—and even hauling in your catch, should you happen to hook a hefty marlin, sailfish, tuna, wahoo, snapper or kingfish. One convenient option is Sea Cross (www.seacrossfishingmiami.com), a charter service that docks at Bayside Marina, minutes from downtown Miami.

From Nov/Dec 2003 and Nov/Dec 2005 T&L Golf articles:

Often kitschy but never boring, Miami and it's golf are best described as deluxe.

Where To Stay: Yes, the pastel motels and J.Lo look-alikes are still in force, but you can find high-end serenity at Four Seasons Miami (305-381-3381), a 70-story tower. OR try Ritz-Carlton South Beach (800-241-3333). OR Doral Golf Resort and Spa is a popular stop-over for those who want to tackle the Blue Monster. The timeless horseshoe arrangement of Doral's lodges set below the smoked-glass clubhouse and the 1964 NY World's Fair fountain remain at this 90-hole golf mecca. Check out the 148,000 sq ft Spa at Doral, fresh off a $75 million 21st-century makeover.

Where To Play: After the obligatory Blue Monster hommage (for further info on this course, and Miami's best bars and restaurants, see Doral GR&S), try Greg Norman's Great White at Doral, or the Red course, the friendliest of the 5. OR, a $10 million Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest rennovation turned former muni Bayshore GC into brand-new urban-oasis Miami Beach GC ($75-$150, 305-532-3350), just a few blocks north of the Art Deco district. Hills and Forrest recontoured the fairways, reshaped all 10 lakes, installed 80+ bunkers, all new tees and greens, and reseeded the entire course. The virtually new course is as captivating as the city that surrounds it.

Just over the Rickenbacker Causeway in Key Biscane is Crandon Park ($59-$149, 305-361-9120, www.miamidade.gov/parks/golf.asp), one of FL's best munis. This Robert von Hagge/Bruce Devlin layout hosted a Champion's Tour event until recently, after a post-Andrew touch-up. A stone's throw from the sea and the only course on barrier island Key Biscayne, it's a beautifully landscaped track routed through a forest of mangroves with numerous saltwater lagoons in play. Noted for steep greens and swirling winds. The par-5 18th has the Biscayne Bay right and the glistening Miami skyline in the distance.

Where To Grub: T&L Golf says brave the line at South Beach insitution Joe's Stone Crab (305-673-0365), where they boil the claws of these delectable crustaceans and serve them chilled with a mustard dressing on the side. Try Restaurant St. Michel (305-446-6572, Coral Gables) or Palme d'Or at the Biltmore Hotel (305-445-1926, Coral Gables) for elegant continental dining.

Best Beach Bar:  Travel Channel named the Sagamore Art Hotel Bar in sexy South Beach to it's 21 Sexiest Beach Bars in the world, "which literally makes beachside entertainment into an art. At the Sagamore Art Hotel Bar, Miami's beautiful unwind amidst signature cocktails, balmy beach breezes and an impressive selection of art. But even if art isn't your thing, the stunning pool bar and grill is one of Miami's hottest scenes."


PLAYBOY AFTER DARK RECOMMENDS:

Best Dive Bar: Playboy digs Tobacco Road (626 S Miami, 305-374-1198), with the oldest existing liquor license in Dade County, and serving many limited edition libations.

Best Bar: South Beach socialites flock to the Redroom at Skybar (@ Shore Club, 1901 Collins, 786-276-6772), and flop onto the red felt floor cushions and antique slipper chairs. OR choose from 75 different rums served at the Rumbar. Just don't get too enthusiatic and jump into the club's pool. Moroccan Night Thursdays are a crowd fave.

Coolest Club: Not an easy choice at ground zero for coolest clubs, but Playboy digs Tantra (1445 Pennsylvania, 305-672-4765) for it's sensual trimmings, including fresh grass on the dance floor (no, not that kind).

Funkiest Club: Dimly lit Mynt (1921 Collins, 786-276-6132) is as sexy as the celebrity/sick beautiful people clientele. Come patient for a line around the block.

Best Drink: The mojito was Hemmingway's favorite libation, and he may be responsible for it's popularity in Miami. The best and mintiest is served up at Bolero (661 Washington, 305-673-6516).

Best Tunes: According to their slogan, Jazid (1342 Washington, 305-673-9372) offers jazz and a DJ "every damn night". Big names in jazz drop by unannounced occasionally.

Best People Watching: The sport of sports in Miami. Sit on the patio of Van Dyke Cafe (846 Lincoln, 305-534-3600) to check out passersby and savor the sumptuous chocolate soufflé.

Best Shopping: Premium shopping abounds in Miami despite the barely-there fashion sense. Splurge on designer and boutique at Bar Harbour Shops (9700 Collins, 305-866-0311), the Spanish Mission style of CoCo Walk Shops, or outdoor waterfront extravaganza Bayside Marketplace (401 Biscayne, 305-577-3344) which comes complete with street performers.

Best Upscale Restaurant: French cuisine with a Brazilian flair at Delano Hotel's Blue Door (305-674-6400). The crabavocat, a misture of guacamole and blue-crab salad, is a must. OR the only thing better than the seafood at Baleen (4 Grove Isle, 305-860-4305) is the locale--on a private island. Try the lobster martini.

Best Ethnic Restaurant: Brazilian-style steakhouse Porcao (801 Brickell Bay, 305-373-2777) will test the limits of your belt buckle with rodizio-grilled lamb, filet, and sirloin skewered and sliced tableside, and served with Brazilian side dishes like fried yucca and breaded bananas.

Best Quick Eats: Join the crowds for late/early Cuban fare at Versailles (3555 SW 8th, 305-444-0240). The finest lechon asado (roast pork) in town, and hit the bakery next door for dessert. OR San Loco (235 14th. 305-538-3009) for Miami's best value Mexican food.

Best Pizza: Gino's Pizza & Brew IV (1535 Washington, 305-538-3009).

Where To Crash: The Delano Hotel (1685 Collins, 800-606-6090) is named after FDR but the decor is far from Americana. The 250-foot long lobby is straight out of the Greek Isles, and the rooftop spa Agua offers bird's eye views of Miami Beach. For a trip back to 1930's glamour, hit the Avalon Hotel (700 Ocean, 800-933-3306).

Best Mode of Transportation: Your feet. South Beach is only a dozen blocks wide.

Playboy Pick: South Florida's largest adult store (and that's saying something) is the 15,000 sq ft Pleasure Emporium (1019 Fifth, 305-673-3311). It'll make your Miami nights hotter.

Zane Lamprey's Drinking Made Easy Guide To Miami (2010):

MOJITOS IN MIAMI

Miami is the 2^nd largest city in the state and South Beach, also nicknamed SoBe, is a neighborhood that encompasses roughly the southernmost 23 blocks of the main barrier island that separates the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. A major entertainment destination with hundreds of nightclubs, restaurants, boutiques and hotels, it draws in the rich, famous and trendy. But South Beach is more than just a nightlife hub, it’s also a historic district, a people-watching haven, a beach-lover’s dream and a great place to find a Mojito.

This sprawling metropolis is a mecca for entertainment, food, culture and nightlife. From Downtown Miami to South Beach, this venerable hot bed of activity is overflowing with places to find great food and drink. Whether you’re looking for a trendy upscale hotel bar, a nightclub, or a local dive bar to catch a baseball game on the tube, Miami’s nightlife scene has something for everyone. Follow Zane as he stumbles across some of the city’s best mojitos, shares a cold one with a local legend, and explores the Miami’s sexy mixology scene.

To soak in some of the local Cuban culture and cuisine, and to taste one of Miami’s best Mojitos, venture to Larios on the Beach, for this traditional Cuban highball. Owned by Gloria and Emilio Estefan, this landmark ocean front bistro, which opened in 1992 boasting Cuba’s culinary delicacies, led way for other successful ventures for the Estefan’s like Bongos Cuban Café.

Larios Mojito
Combine and muddle Mint, ½ lime (squeezed) and 1 oz of Simple Syrup
Add ice and Rum and shake
Add a splash of club soda and garnish with sugar cane

Larios on the Beach | 820 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139 | (305) 532-9577

Mojitos can be found in bars, restaurants and nightclubs all over Miami, but one of the best, and most affordable, can be found at Tap Tap Haitian Restaurant which makes its Mojito with Barbancourt Rum and all fresh ingredients. Part restaurant, part art gallery and cultural center, Tap Tap, founded in 1994, features authentic Haitian “home cooking” and a dazzling collection of culturally interpretive art by some of the island’s most acclaimed masters.

Luxury hotels have gotten into the cocktail game as well, and in South Beach you’ll find the well-known Ritz-Carlton South Beach, whose Dilido Beach Club Bar carries a unique type of Mojito. Made with the addition of cucumber, this sorbet-like drink is actually frozen by a unique process involving liquid nitrogen. And at the Delano Hotel, you’ll find the Florida Room, a Latin-style speakeasy piano bar that creates pricey Mojitos using different fruit varieties.

Ritz-Carlton South Beach |1 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139 | (786) 276-4000