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  • Shireen’s Spotlight: Rouge Miami Beach

     

    Shireen's Spotlight: Rouge Miami Beach

    Shireen's Spotlight: Rouge Miami Beach

    Shireen's Spotlight: Rouge Miami Beach

    Shireen's Spotlight: Rouge Miami Beach

    Shireen's Spotlight: Rouge Miami Beach

    What:

    Rouge, 908 71st Street, Miami Beach, Florida, 33141

    Why:

    Besides having incredibly delicious French and Moroccan cuisine, Rouge has the most romantic garden in its backyard, filled with pretty mosaic tables, colorful candle lanterns, a fire place and lots of lush greenery. It’s truly a small slice of paradise. Rouge calls it: “a green oasis in the midst of urban chaos.”

    Inside, the mood is rich, dark and decadent. I especially love the waiting area by the long wooden bar (just as you enter the restaurant.) It reminds me of some of my favorite pubs in England with rich textures, warm lighting and a vintage piano to entertain guests.

    I easily gobbled up the Beet and Goat Cheese Napoleon salad. It was sweet, succulent and extra yummy with pesto dressing. My absolute favorite, though, was the Tajine de Caille Farcis au Couscous, Merguez et Raisins (traditional Moroccan quail stuffed with lamb sausage, couscous and raisins.) I’ve never tasted anything quite like it: clean, flavorful and slightly spicy, made all the more interesting thanks to a saffron flare. I washed it all down with a suggested house Bordeaux. Perfection.

    Last, but definitely not least, I split the Choco Crunch & Red Berries with my crew. It was beyond decadent with rich chocolate, a crumbly base, powdered sugar and just enough bite from the berries to balance out the sweetness. Believe you me, there were NO leftovers.

    I absolutely adore Rouge. It was recently voted (and I’m not surprised) one of the “Most Romantic Restaurants in America” by OpenTable Diner’s Choice. It’s not only the perfect place to spend Valentine’s Day (they’re offering a special dinner menu,) it’s a great place for any kind of date.

    Where:

    It’s right in the heart of Normandy Village, a few steps from its famous Art Deco fountain. It’s a sweet little neighborhood with great restaurants and a nice farmer’s market on the weekend. Parking is easy; they have a lot in the back that boasts plenty of room.

    When:

    Sunday-Thursday 12:00pm-11:00pm, Friday-Saturday 12:00pm-12:00am

    Reservations: www.RougeMiamiBeach.com or call 305-720-9125.
    IG: @RougeMiamiBeach
    FB: Rouge

    Great food is like great sex. The more you have, the more you want.Gael Greene

    Editor: Matthew Auerbach
    Photo: James Woodley
    Writer: Shireen Sandoval
    Media Liaison: Ambar Rodriguez

    Friday, February 13, 2015 Shireen's Spotlight , , , ,

  • Layers of Love

    Layers of Love

    Layers of Love

    Layers of Love

    Layers of Love

    Layers of Love

    I saw love’s face on a perfect December afternoon in a small garden in front of a white gazebo on the west side of Miami. I wept openly at the site of her. She was beyond beautiful and everything I thought she would be; compassionate, caring, graceful and unconditional. I had seen her before, but never like this: so powerful, raw and awe-inspiring. The experience changed me forever.

    I’m not sure why, as I had seen love many times before in my life. Especially in my relationships (marriage, motherhood, parents and friends,) but watching my good friends, Jessie and Jesse (the universe wasn’t messing around when it came to pairing these two) get married under a perfect blue sky, with the people they loved most surrounding them, was undeniably one of the most moving experiences of my life. I had never afforded myself such an opportunity.

    The first time I got married, I eloped with a man almost twice my age. We ran away to Corpus Christi, Texas and found a small, quaint chapel by the sea to exchange vows. My mother begged me not to do it and honestly, it’s probably why I went through with it. I rebelled against her because I didn’t want to end up like her, but my decision itself was a complete incarnation of her life. She, too, had married early and found out too late she had made a mistake. Nonetheless…

    I wore a pretty short, white summer dress with a high collar and a lace back. I paired it with a string of fake pearls and delicate, white strappy sandals. My brother, who found out about my not-so-secret elopement, showed up at the last minute to walk me down the aisle. My parents were right behind him; making me unspeakably mad. I hated everyone for crashing my party of independence, but looking back at it now, I realize it’s because they loved me.

    Read the rest of my “Layers of Love” journey at www.wsvn.com or shop the looks…

    Layered bracelets by Levinson Jewelers
    www.LevinsonJewelers.com
    Twitter: @LevinsonJeweler
    IG: @levinsonjewelers
    FB: Levinson Jewelers

    Shot on location at www.wildsealasolas.com
    620 East Las Olas Boulevard
    Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
    Reservations: 954-467-2555
    Twitter: @WildSeaLasOlas
    IG: @WildSeaLasOlas
    FB: Wild Sea Oyster Bar & Grille

    Wardrobe by Magenta Couture
    www.MagentaCouture.com
    Twitter: @MagentaCouture
    IG: @magentacouture
    FB: Magenta Couture

    Thursday, February 12, 2015 Shireen's Favorite Things , , ,

  • Shireen’s Spotlight: Lou’s Beer Garden & Gastro Pub

    Shireen's Spotlight: Lou's Beer Garden & Gastro Pub

    Shireen's Spotlight: Lou's Beer Garden & Gastro Pub

    Shireen's Spotlight: Lou's Beer Garden & Gastro Pub

    What:

    Lou’s Beer Garden, 7337 Harding Avenue, Miami Beach, FL. 33141

    Why:

    It’s one of the hippest, hottest, well-hidden gems in Miami. Tucked into a canopy of lush, tropical green trees, Lou’s is truly unique: serving great food, unusual craft beers and delicious drinks. Its centerpiece is a pretty pool that sits right in front of the always buzzing open-aired bar.

    Although it’s kicked-back and relaxed, don’t mistake this place for some kind of local joint; it’s way more than that. The quality of the food is beyond excellent. I’ve tried almost everything on the menu and I’ve never been disappointed. Matter of fact, this place serves cuisine that I would easily compare to a fancy-schmancy restaurant.

    My favorite things on the dinner menu include the Big Angus Burger, Our Carbonara and the Diavola Pizza. Brunch is fabulous, too. The Mary Jane Veggie Frittata, Oppenheimer Death Row Pork Cutlet and Bodacious BLT are crazy good. You’re definitely gonna wanna wash your midday meal down with one of Lou’s famous hot-&-spicy Bloody Mary’s. There’s so much garnish on the drink, it’s like a meal in itself. I hang out at Lou’s when I want to get away from the madness of Miami. The only problem – when I go, I never want to leave.

    Where:

    Lou’s is right off Harding in North Beach. Parking is tricky because it’s literally right off the side of the road, but there’s a parking lot one block South that’s easily walkable. From my experience, Lou’s is the kind of place where you wanna linger, so it’s always better to cab or uber it.

    When:

    Monday – Friday 5pm-2am, Saturday & Sunday 11:30am-2am

    www.lousbeergarden.com
    IG:@LousBeerGarden
    Twitter: @LousBeerGarden
    FB: Lou’s Beer Garden

    (The pictures in this blog are from a “Shireen’s Favorite Things” photo shoot I did at Lou’s last year and some personal candids. Trust me, this place is totally worth going out of your way for. Everyone I love, including my Deco Drive/Channel 7 colleagues, always go to Lou’s and that says a lot.)

    But the greatest love – the love above all loves, even greater than that of a mother – is the tender passionate, undying love, of one beer drunken slob for another.An Irish saying

    Editor: Matthew Auerbach
    Photo: t4two photography
    Producer: Jessie Rosario
    Writer: Shireen Sandoval

    Thursday, February 5, 2015 Shireen's Spotlight , , , , ,