Happy Friday! How’s the weather where you are at? SF has been cold and rainy! Let’s escape with our {guest blogger} wendy and travel somewhere warm. MIAMI here we come!

Like my previous guest bloggers, Wendy and I met in college. We met the summer both of us decided to stick around campus. Since that incredible summer, we’ve been through all the joys and sadness together. She’s talked me through my biggest growing pains and we’ve eaten our way out of it! Meet Wendy and let’s join her on her “Weekend escapades”  to Miami!

When Joody asked me to pick my top five spots in Miami, I didn’t know where to begin. After being here for almost three years, I can truly say that I’ll come across a hidden gem in this city that is worth spreading the word about almost every week: whether it’s going to that hole-in-the-wall restaurant along Calle Ocho, or grabbing a good book to read in that special little nook in town, I believe Miami has a spot for all types of people – you just need to venture out and find them! Lucky for you, I’m all over it. :) Here are my top spots and things to do for that special person that you are!

The caffeine addict: Pasion del Cielo – 100 Giralda Avenue, Coral Gables, FL 33134

Talk about enhanced customization for the caffeine addict: coffee beans from several exotic places (e.g., Colombia, Nicaragua, Hawaii, Brazil, and Jamaica, among others), yielding authentic flavors – everything freshly brewed to your liking. I love going to this place during the weekends, mostly because this is a little cozy nook in Coral Gables, a historic neighborhood reflecting architecture from as early as the 1920s and located in southwest Miami. Coral Gables is one of the first planned communities in the US, so the ambiance is a complete 180 degrees from the typical South Beach scene and a great escape from the hustle bustle of the city. At this small coffee shop, you can order everything from a Cuban Cortadito, which is the Cuban version of a double-shot espresso with sugar, to a calming chai tea latte. Bring a good book or meet up with close friends for afternoon coffee or tea, and I guarantee you won’t want to leave.

The late weekend riser: Front Porch Café – 1458 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Ahhh, brunch: a beautiful portmanteau that describes my most favorite meal and most favorite time of day. 1) I love breakfast food and the ability to mix the sweet and salty without being judged for ordering dessert after a heavy meal (yes, it happens quite often). 2) I’m a late weekend riser, so brunch timing accommodates to my sleeping schedule. When I discovered the Front Porch Café, I made sure I kept it on the top of my list of best brunch places to recommend in Miami – and it hasn’t disappointed me thus far. This hidden gem is located right on Ocean Drive, below the Z Ocean Hotel, and is steps away from the beautiful sandy beaches and crystalline waters of Miami Beach. (Oh, if you’re a beach bum, I would fully recommend sleeping off your food coma at the beach – just go north of 15th Street and Ocean Drive, which is less crowded.) Everything on the menu is fresh and healthy; my personal favorites include the California omelette, granola pancakes, french toast, and their signature Bloody Mary. Outdoor seating is available and recommended, as one of the most fun activities to do in Miami Beach include people-watching.

Other places to try: Green Street Café (Coconut Grove), Michael’s Genuine (Design District) 

The outdoor enthusiast: Shark Valley – Everglades National Park: 36000 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33194

Don’t be fooled by the name. You won’t be coming to Shark Valley for the sharks – you’ll be coming for the alligators. For those of you who are unaware, Miami is the only city in the US that is bordered by two national parks: Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park. I just found this out not too long ago myself, and I felt very proud that all this is right in my backyard. At Shark Valley, you can rent a bike, or bring your own, and pedal your way across approximately 15 miles of swamps and flat terrain. Sounds dull when I describe it, but I am telling you that you’ll feel as if you were in Africa (not that I’ve been yet, but so to speak). If you go during the summertime, however, I caution you that alligators are in hibernation – the most wildlife I saw in the middle of July was… a bug. That said, December through March are considered the best months to come to the Everglades, mostly because of the diverse fauna and flora. You’ll be able to spot alligators walking around and many different bird species, since these tend to migrate to the south during the winter months. I must say that if you’re coming here during the summertime, Miami will feel like an inferno. Bring tons of water and wear a generous amount of sun block – by the end of this, I was sporting five different tans… not cool.

The Latin lover: Baru Urbano – Brickell; 1001 South Miami Avenue, Miami, FL

Many hangouts and eateries are reflective of the melting pot that is Miami, an that’s why this city is unique. You’ll hear chit-chatter in different languages (mainly Spanish and Portuguese) and have a myriad of opportunities to immerse yourself in different cultures. That said, from time to time, I love going back to my Colombian roots. I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to hear any type of Latin music (e.g., salsa, merengue, bachata, reggaeton), so it comes to no surprise why a month after I moved to Miami, I fell in love with Baru. Geographically, Baru is an island off the coast of Colombia, where the waters are pristine and the beaches seem untouched. But this particular venue, located in the heart of Brickell (more recently referred to as the “Manhattan of Miami”), is a great hangout for you Latin lovers out there. My friend Geraldine and I always like to go to Baru when we want to feel like we’re not in the US anymore – you can eat local Colombian food, dance, grab a few cocktails (or guaro), and enjoy the crisp rhythm of the music. The outdoor patio is fantastic during the nighttime, with the christmas lights dimly lighting and surrounding the venue. Needless to say, this is my spot of choice for when I’m feeling homesick and a great spot for those of you wanting to experience something different.

The art connoisseur: Wynwood Art District/Walls - NW 2nd Ave and 25th St., Miami, FL 33127

Ladies and gents – this is the new way to experience art. Tell that cabbie to drop you off anywhere in the Miami Design District, but feel free to use those cross streets (above) as a point of reference. On the second Saturday of every month, you can partake in a guided art walk (approx. $15 per person) which takes you in and out little pockets within the neighborhood that showcase some of the most amazing avant-garde, jaw-dropping art – in every form possible. The great thing about Wynwood, a neighborhood located just a bit north of Downtown Miami, is that you can experience the beauty of art in the making, as I’ve seen many artists spend their Friday/Saturday nights painting murals or drawing graffiti on the sidewalk. It truly is inspiring. I go in the company of close friends and with mini wine bottles (courtesy of our local grocer, Publix) to just walk around! Wynwood features galleries housed in ominous and industrial-looking buildings as well as open patio areas that are accented with amazing murals. Many restaurants and bars have started popping up in this part of town lately, so I wouldn’t be surprised if this became a great late-night hangout in the near future – it already is for us locals. You can end your night with a feast, thanks to all the numerous food trucks that park along the street. And, if you do decide to venture out here one night, I recommend trying the Ms. Cheezious food truck: delectable grilled cheese sandwiches with an amazing combination of ingredients. Try the Grilled Blue & Bacon (bacon, blue cheese, and green onion grilled cheese sandwich) with maple syrup sweet potato fries. I guarantee that you will be coming back for more.

These are my top five spots for now! Stay tuned – I have many more adventures brewing. And, as Will Smith so classily put into lyrics decades ago, “Welcome to Miami – Bienvenidos a Me-ah-me.”

Yours truly,

Wendy

Thank you wendy for this amazing trip! Happy weekend everyone!