New Homepage | Shireen's Favorite Things - Part 88

Shireen’s Spotlight: The District Miami

What:

The District Miami, 190 NE 46th Street, Miami, Florida 33137

Why:

With sultry amber lighting, beautiful contemporary artwork and interesting Pan-American cuisine, The District Miami is one of the most sophisticated restaurants the Magic City has to offer. From the moment I walked in the door, I felt cozy, comfortable and connected. Feeling at home…

I bee-lined it to the bar: its exposed brick and stucco-colored wood walls made it incredibly warm and inviting. Because I went on a “Frid-Yay,” I was itching to start the weekend off right, which for me means something strong and something spicy. The El Limo (with tequila, grapefruit pure, lime and aji limo) definitely did the trick. It went down super-fast and super-easy.

While waiting for another round, the bar served up a plate of mini Lobster Tacos (with aji amarillo, escabeche, pickled cabbage and crispy shallots.) It may have been a small portion, but it was BIG on flavor; I loved it. Matter-of-fact, I didn’t think things could get any better, until I wrapped my hands around the Buenavista Basil Julep (with whiskey, bruised basil, lime and honey syrup.) This bold and beautiful drink, served with a mini mountain of crushed ice, is a definite must-try.

Actually, most drinks at The District Miami are worth trying because of their fabulous Monday through Friday Happy Hour. With half price drinks and affordable menu items, you get quantity and quality. If I can’t get there during the week, though, I really like their affordable bottomless mimosa weekend brunch special (for more info, see the *When” part of the blog.)

I started the sit-down part of my meal with the Colorado Lamb Tartare appetizer (with toasted pine nuts, mustard oil, shallots, capers and a quail egg.) Honestly, I’m not a big raw meat fan, but I would definitely eat this again. The taste was fresh, rich and wonderful. I washed it down with The District Passion (with light rum, passion fruit puree, muddled raspberries, lime juice and aji amarillo.) This drink was freaking fan-tab-u-lous! It’s sweet, tangy and spicy all at once! Mmmmm…

For dinner, I tasted three dishes all while sipping on the yummiest Lycheetini (made with vodka, lychee puree, fresh watermelon, St. Germain, lime and mint.) The Lamb Duo which, by the way, was my absolute favorite, totally knocked my socks off. It was beautifully plated, had a generous portion and was unbelievably succulent (made with smoked pomegranate BBQ lamb ribs, pickled purple cabbage, a grilled half lamb rack, sweet potato puree and butternut pumpkin salad.)

The Branzino (with malanga foundue, artichoke escabeche and clam mojo) reminded me of a Scandinavian dish: clean and creamy. The Caribbean Cobia (with Caribbean-jerk adobo rub, blue potato goat cheese mash and hearts of palm escabeche) was a spirited spicy dish with amazing mash! I’d never had taters look so blue and taste even better. Just when I thought I couldn’t eat anymore…

Out came the most amazing gooey concoction. I whispered “hello lover” to the 4-Leches Parfait (with macadamia nuts, vanilla caramelized pineapples and Italian merengue.) I sucked it down like I had never eaten before. Last but definitely not least, came the sinful and sexy Black Magic (with semi-sweet chocolate mousse, homemade marshmallows, chocolate ganache, sweet potato vanilla bean drizzle, sweet potato vanilla bean drizzle, pistachio cookie and vanilla ice cream.) Okay, I can die now.

Where:

The District Miami is located on the outskirts of Miami’s Design District in the Buena Vista neighborhood. The restaurant actually used to be a house, but was remodeled and restored into this beautiful eatery. With that being said: its location has limited parking, because you’re basically surrounded by other houses. The good news, though: they provide a very affordable and efficient valet.

When:

First things first, Happy Hour! Monday-Friday 5pm-7pm with a fun bar menu featuring $5 to $7 dollar dishes and HALF OFF all cocktails. The District Miami also hosts “Wine Down Wednesdays” with 1/2 off wine bottles under $100 bucks.

Dinner is Sunday-Thursday 5pm-11pm, Friday-Saturday 5pm-12pm. Brunch is amazing, too! I love their $14 dollar bottomless mimosas on Saturday & Sunday from 10am-4:30pm. Lunch is Monday-Friday 12pm-4:30pm.

Reservations: www.TheDistrictMiami.com
Twitter: @DistrictMiami
IG: @TheDistrictMiami
FB: The District Miami

It’s absolutely unfair for women to say that guys only want one thing: sex. We also want food.Jarod Kintz

Shirt: Koko & Palenki
Belt: @KoreBoutique (Instagram)
Vintage St. John pants: Hollen & Jen Vintage Showroom
Shoes: BCBG
Purse: JustFab

Editor: Matthew Auerbach
Producer: Jessie Rosario
Writer: Shireen Sandoval
Photographer: James Woodley

Specials thanks: TARA Ink. Public Relations

Friday, May 8, 2015 Shireen's Spotlight BCBG, Happy Hour, Hollen & Jen, James Woodley Photography, JustFab, Koko & Palenki, Kore Boutique, Pan-American, Restaurant, The District Miami
Filomena: A Style of Her Own

I have this recurring dream: I’m driving along the sun drenched hills of Highway One in Malibu and it’s the most glorious day. I’m headed north to Santa Barbara to rendezvous with the man of my dreams. When I grow restless behind the wheel, I pull to the side of the road to stretch my legs and walk to my favorite spot: the ledge of the steepest cliff the road has to offer.

After planting my espadrille-flanked feet securely on the very edge of the rocky drop, I inhale the thick, salty ocean air as if my very life depends on it, letting the wind whip my hair and clothes around me. As I toss my head back, I throw my arms open and let the beauty of life wash over me. It’s undeniably my moment.

One that always reminds of the scene in Joe Wright’s “Pride & Prejudice,” when actress Kiera Knightley, who plays Jane Austen’s beloved Elizabeth Bennet, stands at the edge of the most amazing, awe-inspiring cliff with her dress flapping in the wind, contemplating the wonderment of life.

In the dream, though, I’m not wearing an opulent 18th Century dress. I’m in the chicest clothes: a crispy blue and white blouse, roomy buttery-blue slacks and a loose colorful scarf is tied easily around my unruly brown locks. The day is perfect; stunning actually, as the waves crash against the rocks creating the kind of soundtrack only Mother Nature can compose.

I sigh at my good fortune, as I’ve designed my life just as I’ve always wanted it and living it is a blessing. When I’ve had my fill of the seascape, I turn around, walk back to my car and drive off into the warm, golden-hued sunset and then I wake up: peaceful, centered and longing to make my dream a reality.

I’ve written of this very moment before in my blog, “The Elegant Espadrille,” when the aforementioned dream used to be somewhat of a fantasy. For whatever reason over the past year, it’s sunk its way into my psyche and now visits me on a regular basis in my most vulnerable unconscious state: while I’m sleeping.

I’m glad for my new recurring dream because my old one was incredibly haunting: a nightly torment of me vomiting thousands and thousands of black butterflies. For a solid year, I woke up screaming and clutching my mouth and stomach. The dream was so disturbing, I sought the help of a professional dream analyst to help me make sense of it.

She quickly reassured me that black butterflies were a symbol of good luck and a sign of deep and profound transformation. Man, was she right. If you’re a regular blog reader, you already know about most of the events that have unraveled in my life over the past few years: the loss of a child, a horrible illness and a painful divorce. During that time, things weren’t just changing, my entire life toppled over and yes, I transformed. Undoubtedly, for the better.

This year, though, the black butterflies finally flew away and my trek up the golden Pacific Coast Highway took its place. Coincidentally, it was right around the same time that I discovered Maritza Filomena Fernandez, the Founder and Designer of Filomena Fernandez and I had something serendipitously in common, despite never meeting face-to-face.

Read the rest of the blog at www.WSVN.com or shop the looks at www.filomenafernandez.com
Twitter: @FilomenaFashion
IG: @FilomenaFashion
FB: Filomena Fashion

Twitter: @ShireenSandoval
IG: @ShireenSandoval
ssandoval@wsvn.com
www.shireensandoval.com

Photographer: James Woodley
Twitter: @BritFloridian
IG: @BritFloridian
www.James-Woodley.com

Hair & Make-up: Odette Hernandez
Twitter: @Odettehernandz
IG: @O.D.E.T.T

Styling & Assist: Jackie Kay
Blog ideas: jackie211@yahoo.com

Editor: Matthew Auerbach
MattAuerbach@yahoo.com

Wednesday, May 6, 2015 Shireen's Favorite Things Boho, Dresses, Filomena, Filomena Fernandez, James Woodley Photography
Shireen’s Spotlight: Ola Miami inside the Sanctuary Hotel

What:

Ola Miami, 1745 James Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 33139

Why:

When you walk into Ola Miami, it’s as if you stumbled onto the best party in town. A lot of locals call this hot spot one of Miami’s rare, hidden gems. I went last Friday and the scene was incredibly vibrant, the energy electric and the food? It keeps getting better with time and frankly, who wouldn’t drink to that!? So…

I started the night by tasting three of Ola’s yummiest martini’s: a sweet coconut concoction rimmed with sugar; a clean cucumber number and, last but not least, my favorite: “The Devil’s Garden,” made with cucumber vodka, fresh watermelon juice and homemade Aji Limo syrup. It’s simply amaze-ballz! For me, there’s nothing sexier than a pretty drink when you’re enjoying a night out on the town.

Even though the Latin American-inspired eatery, which is a fusion of Spanish, Pan Latin, and Caribbean flavors, is a Magic City staple (it’s been in business for over eleven years,) it continues recreating itself and is still one of the best places to eat in town. The Ceviches are phenomenal and an absolute must-try on the menu.

The Fluke (with fresh Meyer lemon, chives and basil) is zesty, clean and fresh. The Wahoo is really wonderful (with watermelon jalapeño juice, basil, diced cantaloupe, red onions and cucumber sorbet,) but it’s the Mixto that’s absolutely marrrrvvvvvvelous with shrimp, octopus and cobia (in lime, orange juice, limo pepper, cilantro, Kalamata olives, served with a side of fried yuccas.) I could eat that seafood mix everyday for the rest of my life. How do you top that?

With enough Tapas for a small army, that’s how! The kitchen sent out a feast of Kobe meatballs (with foie-gras sherry sauce, black trumpet chimi and crispy shallot,) crispy Rock Shrimp (coated with rice and corn flour with a sweet and spicy panka sauce and cilantro) and two types of empanadas; Corn (served over mushroom salad with huitlacoche and sweet corn sauce) and Short Rib (with creamy habanero sauce and smoked orange rosemary marmalade.) Both were the perfect blend of puffy, fried dough filled with gooey goodness.

Finally, I was DYING to try Ola’s campy dessert that looks like a cigar and matches. It’s an almond chocolate cake enrobed in semisweet chocolate mousse with coffee ice cream and a candy matchbox. After that, it was sweet empanadas for everyone! If you’re looking for a lively night, with amazing food and a great atmosphere, this should be high-up on your fashionable foodie list and that’s why it’s one of my favorite things.

(A special thank you to Brian Lieberman for always being so generous and affable toward the press! It’s very much appreciated.)

Where:

Ola is located inside the Sanctuary Hotel on South Beach, just a hop, skip and a jump away from Collins Avenue. The Art Deco boutique hotel has long been a hang-out for the fun and fabulous crowd of Miami. It’s also a big hit with tourists, who love its intimate, cozy feel. Parking is really tight in this particular area of the beach, but there’s a valet right in front of the building for restaurant customers.

When:

Monday-Sunday 6:30pm – 11:00pm

Reservations: 305-695-9125
Twitter: @OLARestaurant
IG: @OlaRestaurant
FB: OLA Restaurant

One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.Luciano Pavarotti

Wardrobe: @KoreBoutique (Instagram)
Necklace & Earrings: Magenta Couture
Rings: @SerendipityBoutique (Instagram)
Shoes: Prada
Purse: Monsoon

Editor: Matthew Auerbach
Producer: Jessie Rosario
Writer: Shireen Sandoval
Photographer: James Woodley

Friday, May 1, 2015 Shireen's Spotlight Caribbean, James Woodley Photography, Kore Boutique, Latin, Magenta Couture, Martini, Miami Beach, Monsoon, Ola Restaurant, Prada, Restaurant, Sanctuary Hotel, Serendipity Consignment Boutique, South Beach, Spanish