Shireen’s Spotlight: Spris Artisan Pizza

Shireen’s Spotlight: Spris Artisan Pizza

Shireen’s Spotlight: Spris Artisan Pizza

Shireen’s Spotlight: Spris Artisan Pizza

Shireen’s Spotlight: Spris Artisan Pizza

Shireen’s Spotlight: Spris Artisan Pizza

Shireen’s Spotlight: Spris Artisan Pizza

Shireen’s Spotlight: Spris Artisan Pizza

Shireen’s Spotlight: Spris Artisan Pizza

Shireen’s Spotlight: Spris Artisan Pizza

Shireen’s Spotlight: Spris Artisan Pizza

What:

An early Sunday night dinner at one of the best Artisan pizza places in South Florida — SPRIS. And they do way more than just pie really, really well. BTW, #PizzaIsMySoulMate 🍕😍

Why:

Every time I drive into Midtown Miami, I’m in awe — the buildings, the businesses, the restaurants, the shops. It’s a bustling mini-city within the Magic City and the crazy thing is, I remember when it used to be a huge empty field. #NotAnymore. It’s become such a popular part of town, I’m there at least once a week, shopping at Target or HomeGoods or eating at one of the handful of fabulous restaurants. One of my favorites is “Spris Artisan Pizza.”

If you know anything about the history of pizza in Miami, you probably know Spris was the first Artisan Pizzeria to open shop on Lincoln Road more than 20 years ago. Now, the restaurant is in practically every part of the city, but the Midtown location is my favorite. Not only is it convenient, it has a relaxed trattoria atmosphere. More importantly, it offers some of the best food and drink deals in town. There’s…

“Beat The Clock,” which goes down everyday from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. The price you pay is determined at the time you order — ask for your pie at 6:05pm you pay $6.05; cool, right? You get to choose between a delicious Margherita, Diavola or Genovese. On Wednesdays, all bottles of wine are 50% off and be sure to ask about the “Pizza of the Week” — it’s a great way to expand your Artisan Pizza taste for under twenty dollars. Try pies like “Smoked Scamorza” and “Mozzarella Fior Di Latte,” just to name a few.

While I’m a sophisticated foodie/fashionista, a good deal is never beneath me and Spris definitely delivers. In fact, all of the aforementioned specials are available at their Lincoln Road, Downtown and South Miami locations, too. That’s not all…

Everything at Spris is incredibly fresh and delicious. When I stopped by last Sunday, I couldn’t believe the diversity of the menu because I usually stick to pizza, but “When in Rome,” you’ve gotta try a little bit of everything. I started my #Spotlight experience with a light Pinot (they have a great wine list) and a fabulously creamy “Burrata” which comes on top of arugula, cherry tomatoes with toasted bread and EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil.) #MouthWatering BUT…

It was the “Trio” from the “Bruschetta Bar” that really knocked my socks off! My absolute favorite was the “Romana” with mozzarella, roasted cherry tomatoes, anchovies and Oregano. Yes! Anchovies! #ComeToMama. The “Avocado” was a close second with brie, avocado and seasoned tomatoes and if you like classic bruschetta, the “Originale” is simple, yet satisfying with tomatoes and basil. Anything from the Bruschetta Bar is definitely a must-try.

From the Antipasto part of the menu, I tried “Calamari Fritti” — which is a basket filled to the brim with crispy squid rings. It’s YUMx2 especially with freshly squeezed lemon and spicy marinara for dipping. I tried it with a glass of Italian Prosecco called Cin Cin, which is light and fruity with notes of pear.

Usually, when I’m doing a food blog, the last thing I wanna eat is chicken. I associate it with diet food because it’s what I usually eat during the week, but once I tried “Pollo E Palate” (the all-natural semi-boneless chicken with roasted potatoes cooked in an iron skillet,) I was a changed woman. It’s AMAZING. In fact, I think it actually rivals Spris’ pizza. It’s tender, juicy and practically falls off the bone. I need the recipe STAT. More of a sandwich person? The “Ruspante Panini” is great, too, with grilled chicken breast, avocado, lettuce, tomato and mayo. Summertime means it’s perfect with an ice cold beer (they have draft and bottle.)

Straight from the wood-burning oven, I tried “Pizza al Salmone” with mozzarella, smoked salmon, arugula and red onions & “Pizza Margherita” with mozzarella & fresh basil (btw, whole wheat and gluten-free doughs are also available) and — drum roll, please — for my absolute favorite… “Speck E Burrata,” which is smothered in the most amazing smoked prosciutto. #HelloLovah. Honestly, it’s hard to pick a favorite because they’re all fresh and yummy; maybe I need to taste every pizza on the menu to adequately decide. 😁🍕🙀

Glory be to the food gods, I still had room for dessert and the heavenly “Tiramisu” didn’t disappoint. It’s made with lady fingers, mascarpone cream and sprinkled cocoa. I couldn’t resist pairing it with an amazing Segafredo espresso which, of course, is one my favorite coffees (read about Segafredo here.)

Eating at Spris is always a great meal, but more importantly, it’s an intricate part of the food culture in Miami and for me, that means it always tastes like home and that’s why it’s one of my #FavoriteThings. Cheers!

Where:

Spris Artisan Pizza
Buena Vista Boulevard
3201 N. Miami Avenue
Miami, Florida 33127

Planning a party or a fun get together? Check-out Spris cool Mobile Pizza Truck.

www.sprispizza.com

When:

Monday – Thursday: 11am-10:30pm
Friday & Saturday: 11am-11:30pm
Sunday: 11am-10pm

Be Social:
IG: @sprispizza
FB: @SprisPizza
Twitter: @SprisPIzza

Unless you are a pizza, the answer is YES, I can live without you.Bill Murray
James Woodley Photography
Dress: @redcarterofficial
Jewelry: @handmademiamibeach
Clutch: @ximenakavalekes
Hair & Make-up: Odett Hernandez
Digital Editor: Jessie Neft-Swinger
Editor: Matthew “Midtown” Auerbach

Shireen’s Spotlight: Segafredo L’Originale

Shireen’s Spotlight: Segafredo L’Originale

Shireen’s Spotlight: Segafredo L’Originale

Shireen’s Spotlight: Segafredo L’Originale

Shireen’s Spotlight: Segafredo L’Originale

Shireen’s Spotlight: Segafredo L’Originale

Shireen’s Spotlight: Segafredo L’Originale

Shireen’s Spotlight: Segafredo L’Originale

Shireen’s Spotlight: Segafredo L’Originale

Shireen’s Spotlight: Segafredo L’Originale

Shireen’s Spotlight: Segafredo L’Originale

Shireen’s Spotlight: Segafredo L’Originale

Shireen’s Spotlight: Segafredo L’Originale

Shireen’s Spotlight: Segafredo L’Originale

What:

Lunching on Lincoln Road at Segafredo, the best place to people-watch, have a yummy cocktail, reminisce and celebrate 100 years of Negroni – I’ll drink to that! 🍹

Why:

When I first moved to Miami, I was obsessed with Lincoln Road. I had an unadulterated love affair with the eclectic shops, art galleries, busy bars and of course, the restaurants. Especially Segafredo. It was always one of my favorite spots. Every weekend, there I was, taking it all in: the sunshine, the retail therapy, the drink-y poo’s and oh, that flea market. My house is still bathed in treasures I unearthed there all those years ago.

Who could blame me for being so gung-ho? I had just moved from Indiana, where my entertainment reporting consisted mostly of midwest pubs and proper antique stores, but now, I was in MIAMI. The Magic City. The Big Orange. The 305. The place where director Mike Nichols brought the movie, “Bird Cage”, to life. The city that birthed “Scarface,” one of the best gangster films of all time.

The city that gave Cuban singer, Gloria Estefan, her superstar wings and produced two of the best rappers to ever walk the face of the earth: Rick Ross & Ace Hood. It was ALL a dream come true and so was my job at Deco Drive. I was in career heaven and nothing could stop me. Especially on my days off, when I basked in the beauty of South Beach. More specifically, hanging out on Lincoln Road. Then, well, life happened.

The demand of a high octane job put a major crunch in my extra-curricular activities, especially as I traveled the world interviewing movie, television and reality stars. Then came the quest to become a bonafide film critic, to tell engaging feature stories and nab a hosting position on Deco Drive. I assure you, none of the aforementioned included strolling down my favorite SoBe road, but then, the blog was born and…

Becoming a tv host allowed me to stay in one place long enough to gain stability, zip code wise, and explore all my #FavoriteThings. So, here we are, present day and accepting an invite from my beloved Segafredo (the original South Florida location.) A place that, through the years, has been busy growing and changing, just like myself.

Last year, it went through a major renovation, but its excellent quality, intimate charm and amazing coffee remains the same. I know first-hand: I was there last week for #Spotlight and yes, I love it just as much as I did back in my “wet behind the ears” journalism days. Especially when you bump into good, old and new friends. I’ll get to that in a minute…

First, I sipped on a decadent “Sexy Colada” made with rum, pineapple juice, re’al coconut cream, coconut water, ginger and a secret ingredient 🤫. A tropical drink always makes people-watching all the more fun. In full disclosure, when I first arrived, they sent out a #dirtymartini right away. In case you’re not a regular blog reader, it happens to be my favorite, especially when made with Tito’s and big juicy olives. Hmmm… #SlowDownSandoval 🍸

This year, Segafredo is Celebrating 100 years of Negroni and naturally, I wanted to help. So, we toasted the major milestone with a “Classic” from the “Italians Do It Bitter,” part of the menu; made with Campari, Gin and sweet vermouth. The “Antipasto Segafredo” signature platter, piled high with cured meats, cheeses and veggies, was the perfect accompaniment. I especially liked the Brie, which is something you don’t always see on an Italian meat board. If you’re drinking your calories and prefer to eat light, ask for the “Swordfish Carpaccio.” It’s not on the menu, but it’s a special they serve almost every day. The “Pizza Capricciosa”, with yummy toppings like mozzarella, baked ham, mushroom, artichoke, olives and oregano, was my favorite part of lunch. #NomNom

Last but not least, I savored every morsel of the “Torta Caprese (chocolate cake) with Pistachio Gelato Almond” and what’s dessert without a famous Segafredo coffee? The “Marocchino” espresso with hazelnut spread and milk foam to be exact 🤗☕️.

Now to that friend part — just as I was wrapping up Spotlight, my good buddy Craig walked by and a short time later, so did my new friend Chad. Both joined me for a drink; we talked, laughed and watched the cute dogs and people meander by. Thirty minutes later, I saw an old television colleague. We hugged, reminisced a bit and vowed to get together soon.

That’s the thing about “Segafredo L’Originale”. It’s not just about the great drinks, delish appetizers and Sobe atmosphere, it’s a place where friends meet, mark milestones and remember days gone by — that’s why it’s one of my #FavoriteThings.

Where:

Segafredo
1040 Lincoln Road
Miami Beach, Florida 33139

When:

Sunday – Thursday: 10:00am-1:00am
Friday & Saturday: 10am-2am

FYI: Segafredo on Lincoln has complimentary cocktails for ladies every thursday 8pm-10pm.

Be Social
IG: @segafredolr
FB: @SegafredoLR
Twitter: @SegafredoLR

sze-originale.com/

The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind.Humphrey Bogart
James Woodley Photography
dress: @born2dress_ #born2dress_
jewels: @baublebar #BaubleBar
cactus purse: a gift from my TV Wife, Lynn Martinez
heels: @stevemadden #SteveMadden
Hair & Make-up: Odett Hernandez
Digital Editor: Jessie Neft-Swinger
Editor: Matthew “Sexy Colada” Auerbach

Thanksgiving, it’s a booty-ful thing

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Shireen Sandoval, Shireens Favorite Things, Fashion blog, holiday, thanksgiving, segafredo, brickell, best, year, new year, 2014, boots, wsvn, deco drive, photoshoot

Shireen Sandoval, Shireens Favorite Things, Fashion blog, holiday, thanksgiving, segafredo, brickell, best, year, new year, 2014, boots, wsvn, deco drive, photoshoot

Shireen Sandoval, Shireens Favorite Things, Fashion blog, holiday, thanksgiving, segafredo, brickell, best, year, new year, 2014, boots, wsvn, deco drive, photoshoot

Shireen Sandoval, Shireens Favorite Things, Fashion blog, holiday, thanksgiving, segafredo, brickell, best, year, new year, 2014, boots, wsvn, deco drive, photoshoot

Shireen Sandoval, Shireens Favorite Things, Fashion blog, holiday, thanksgiving, segafredo, brickell, best, year, new year, 2014, boots, wsvn, deco drive, photoshoot

Shireen Sandoval, Shireens Favorite Things, Fashion blog, holiday, thanksgiving, segafredo, brickell, best, year, new year, 2014, boots, wsvn, deco drive, photoshoot

When the waitress threw the drink in my face at the stroke of midnight, I was horrified, to say the least. When I got over the initial shock of what she had done, I tried opening my eyes, but they stung with a vodka vengeance. It must have been a “martini,” I thought to myself. I held back my tears of public humiliation and a botched New Year’s Eve, as my friend and co-worker, Danny Cohen, tried wiping the excess liquid from my face and party dress.

Just moments before, I had been planting a kiss on Danny’s roommate, Leeor, who had voluntarily offered himself up as my New Year’s Eve smooch buddy. It all started a few weeks earlier, when Danny graciously invited me out with a group of his closest friends to ring in 2014 at Segafredo’s on Brickell.

At first I was hesitant, because in the past, New Year’s Eve had always been such a let down. Despite buying a fabulous dress, dinner and dancing, it always ended up in some way, shape or form, as a depressing debacle. The date would be wrong, the dinner would be ungodly expensive and the dancing? Well, put it this way: I’m way past the “clubbing it at LIV” age.

So, as most sane and reasonable adults do, I retired my ridiculous pipe dreams of the perfect New Year’s Eve night. Instead, I spent the last few years at home, in my furry pajamas, with a bottle of bubbly and the holiday blues. Watching the ball drop in Times Square wasn’t such a bad thing, but what girl doesn’t dream of more? Like that scene in the movie, “When Harry Met Sally.” Just before the stroke of midnight, Harry rushes to Sally’s side and admits his undying love for her and all of her crazy idiosyncrasies and then he sweeps her off her feet and in unison they fall into a deeply romantic, passionate kiss. Sigh. That’s why I accepted Danny’s invitation.

Besides, he sold it to me pretty hard. Danny promised the party would have great food, affordable drinks and a dynamic crowd. At first, I hemmed and hawed over the prospect because of a weird superstition I’d developed thanks to “When Harry Met Sally,” which I explained to Danny in no uncertain terms: “I can’t celebrate New Years Eve without kissing someone at midnight. It’s bad luck.”

Read the rest of my New Year’s Eve journey that turned into a very Thanksgiving Day kind of year at www.wsvn.com or shop for a new pair of boots featured in the blog at www.kokopalenki.com.