{"id":16397,"date":"2022-03-16T10:10:24","date_gmt":"2022-03-16T15:10:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.acqualinaresort.com\/blog\/?p=16397"},"modified":"2022-05-17T14:15:54","modified_gmt":"2022-05-17T19:15:54","slug":"the-perfect-miami-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.acqualinaresort.com\/blog\/activities\/the-perfect-miami-day\/","title":{"rendered":"The Perfect Miami Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Michelle Payer<\/p>\n

With decades of experience in luxury New York and Miami hotels, membership in the exclusive Les Clef\u2019s D\u2019or and South Florida Concierge Association, Acqualina Resort Chef Concierge Randy Ross is one of the top professionals in the business. Who better to tell us how to spend a \u201cperfect Miami day\u201d?<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"

First, fuel the day with breakfast at IL MULINO<\/strong><\/a>, with its robust selection of European and American cheeses, charcuterie, French toast, warm bread, freshly squeezed juices and many more delicacies prepared that morning as you dine with unparalleled views out to the pool and Atlantic Ocean.<\/p>\n

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ANCIENT SPANISH MONASTERY<\/strong> \u2013 an easy 10-minute drive from Acqualina, yet a world away, this serene monastery and garden was originally built in the 1100s and shipped to the U.S. stone-by-stone by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. \u201cIt\u2019s a zen oasis in the midst of one of the world\u2019s busiest cities,\u201d says Ross. \u201cSpanish masons reconstructed the monastery here; every column is a work of art with no two exactly alike; it\u2019s a magnificent treasure,\u201d he says. Ross says guests can explore it on their own in under an hour or he can assist in scheduling private tours by appointment.<\/p>\n

OR<\/em><\/p>\n

VIZCAYA MUSEUM AND GARDENS<\/strong> \u2013 This Gilded Age estate on Biscayne Bay\u2019s shores has been considered Miami\u2019s own beloved castle since James Deering of International Harvester built it as his winter home in the early 1900s. He spared no expense for the most modern interior of the time, sourced treasures from around the globe, constructed coral rock-walled and hand-painted tiled pools and fashioned a labyrinth of romantic gardens that some liken to a mini Versailles. \u201cIt was one of the first places I came when I arrived in Miami and I can\u2019t recommend it highly enough,\u201d says Ross, \u201cthe magnificent gardens, views, docent-led tours that bring history alive; it\u2019s a treasure beyond treasures,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

\"\"

NEXT:<\/em><\/p>\n

Head to the DESIGN DISTRICT<\/strong> for some shopping, where each store is a piece of art.\u00a0 Here is what Ross loves about the area:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe boutiques I mention below popped into my mind because they\u2019re appealing to the eye without even walking in; their aesthetic simply fits with the whole area by taking art to the next level through their design. The Design District is such a unique neighborhood I think everyone should visit, and don\u2019t forget to explore all the passageways that cut through the neighborhood. There you\u2019ll find public art, which is always changing. Some of these installations are enormous and it\u2019s remarkable how quickly they\u2019re replaced. Now onto the boutiques: Alexander McQueen<\/strong> (because his fashions are amazing to look at and the store is gorgeous); Louis Vuitton<\/strong> (for the outside of the building \u2013 it just pops at you); Balenciaga<\/strong> (the store\u2019s spiral staircase is magnificently unique); Tesla<\/strong> (it\u2019s an unusual showroom with no cars inside \u2013 they\u2019ve all be sold!), Chrome Hearts<\/strong> (I wish I were wealthy, I love their eyeglasses & their jewelry for men and their store is beautiful); Chanel<\/strong> is definitely worth checking out; Turkish jeweler Sevan Bicakci<\/strong> (his one-of-a-kind pieces are coveted by museums and collectors around the world and are brilliant masterpieces). Some boutiques were open by reservation only during the pandemic, so check with me before you go.\u201d<\/p>\n

After a robust morning, Ross recommends lunch at popular Design District spot, LE JARDINIER<\/strong>, whose chef was a prot\u00e9g\u00e9 of celebrated French chef, Jo\u00ebl Robuchon. Ross says the food is \u201calmost a work of art as there is so much thought going into every dish.\u201d The indoor\/outdoor garden oasis brings tropical Miami to the forefront, but Ross insists it\u2019s the food that keeps guests coming back. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s a clever menu. It\u2019s not formal or elegant, but not casual, either,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s one of my favorite places in the area for the menu\u2019s freshness and myriad options. I had their Quiche Lorraine, which was unbelievable; my dining companion had a cauliflower vegan dish and it was phenomenal. They were over the moon happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

After lunch, Ross recommends exploring a few more places in the Design District before leaving, because as he says \u201cArt is everywhere, from museums, private collections and galleries to exhibitions and cutting edge public art.\u201d<\/p>\n

With that in mind\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cStop into either the MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART,<\/strong> the DE LA CRUZ COLLECTION<\/strong> or the RUBELL FAMILY MUSEUM<\/strong>.\u00a0 All are in close proximity within just a few blocks and are absolutely worth seeing. As a very last Instagram snap, take a photo of the unique parking garage across the street. Once you see it, you\u2019ll know why,\u201d says Ross.<\/p>\n

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EVENING:<\/em><\/p>\n

From here, Ross recommends returning to Acqualina to freshen up before an early dinner at Francis Mallman\u2019s LOS FUEGOS<\/strong> Argentinian restaurant inside the Faena hotel. \u201cI\u2019m a New Yorker and this is a special Argentinian restaurant; in fact, I don\u2019t think I could go to another Argentinian restaurant, as it simply wouldn\u2019t measure up,\u201d says Ross.\u00a0 Beyond the South American-style grilled steak, seafood and vegetable dishes, Ross says, \u201cThe world falls away when you dine there. It\u2019s elegant. When you walk in, your jaw kind of drops. It\u2019s a stunning room.\u201d<\/p>\n

After dinner Thursday through Saturday, Ross recommends the TRYST CABARET<\/strong> show at Faena Theater for a walk on the wild side and \u201crisqu\u00e9 journey into suggestive tales of love and seduction.\u201d Master of ceremonies, Postmodern Jukebox\u2019s burlesque queen, Ariana Savalas, leads guests into a fantasy world of \u201cexplicit escapades, spellbinding music, riveting cirque nouveau, teasing burlesque and Miami\u2019s most captivating performance that ignites the luscious flame of plush eroticism before your eyes with tantalizing specialty acts and outrageous charm.\u201d<\/p>\n

For late night fun, walk a few steps into THE LIVING ROOM<\/strong> for a night cap \u2013 still in the Faena — it\u2019s one of Miami\u2019s most sizzling hotspots in a most lavish, intimate setting filled with plush couches and opulent fixtures. Either a DJ or live band plays every night and entry may sometimes be difficult, so check with Ross about getting on the list at least a day before you go.<\/p>\n

OR<\/p>\n

Experience Miami from a different perspective with a PRIVATE SUNSET DINNER CRUISE<\/strong> along Biscayne Bay, the Miami River and up the Intracoastal Waterway with Golden Yacht Charters. \u201cThey have great menus, and it\u2019s incredibly romantic, starting from Miami Beach Marina, going around Star Island, watching the sunset up the Miami River and seeing the Miami skyline, Venetian Islands and city\u2019s best restaurants from the water,\u201d says Ross.<\/p>\n

For an unforgettably romantic evening \u2013 or family gathering – Ross can help organize a special Acqualina BEACHFRONT DINNER<\/strong><\/a> that takes fine dining to another level on one of South Florida\u2019s longest and most pristine stretches of sand. Exquisitely arranged tables are dusted in white linens while fresh flowers sparkle in candlelight. Surroundings are illuminated by glass lanterns, while attentive waiters serve a special menu created in advance to guests\u2019 specifications. Reservations are required seven days in advance and Ross can help coordinate the details with the resort\u2019s Food & Beverage team. \u00a0Available Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.<\/p>\n

Consult with Acqualina Resort & Residence\u2019s Chef Concierge Randy Ross about reservations and travel times for The<\/em> Perfect Miami Day<\/em>. We wouldn\u2019t want you to miss a thing!<\/p>\n

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By Michelle Payer With decades of experience in luxury New York and Miami hotels, membership in the exclusive Les Clef\u2019s D\u2019or and South Florida Concierge Association, Acqualina Resort Chef Concierge […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":16404,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[219],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16397","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-activities"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nConcierge Randy Ross's Perfect Miami Day | Acqualina Lifestyle Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Acqualina's Chef Concierge Randy Ross shares his itinerary recommendations for the perfect Miami day, from food to museums to shopping.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta 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