(Walking through Espanola Way) |
We ate a small breakfast, preparing ourselves for the noon tour that would last two and a half hours and take us to five restaurants in South Beach. At our meeting point we were greeted by a smiling blond hair, blue eyed Russian tour guide, Svetlana. Laughing she told us we must be very confused as to why we have a Russian taking us around Miami. Her story was that she used to work for a Russian airline helping chefs create dishes for the airline. During one of her travels to Cuba she met a man, fell in love, got married and moved to Miami, where she dances salsa, cooks Cuban food and speaks Spanish.
Our meeting point was at Manolos Restaurant where a large plate
of Dulce de Leche Churros was waiting for us. These churros are a classic Argentinean snack that can be eaten any hour of the
day and what better way to start a food tour than with such a sweet indulgence. Biting into the crunchy caramelized churro I knew that this I would not regret what I ate on this tour.
At Bolivar Restaurant, our second stop, we were served a glass
of chilled aguila beer and cream colombiana refajo. This Colombian drink is a
mix of local Columbian beer with a citrusy lemonade. Along with our drinks,
plates of passion fruit ceviche and beef and potato empanadas were passed
around. Colombian empanadas differ from other Latin American empanadas because
the dough is made with yellow cornmeal, giving it that golden color.
Leaving the Colombian cuisine behind we began to make our way east to Ocean drive
to try Cuban cooking.
(Sorry for the blurry photo, this was the delicious drink combination) |
For those of you familiar with Gloria Estefan, you will know
that her husband Emilio Estefan is a world renowned chef and owns a restaurant
on Ocean Drive, Larios on the Beach. Inside the underwater theme invites those
looking for an exceptional time enjoying some of the most delicious Cuban
comfort foods. As we walked in we were served beef picadillo, Malanga chips and
mojo dipping sauce, a trio that paired together very well. The mojo sauce had a
garlicy kick to it that I didn’t expect but so delicious when I dipped the Malanga chips in it.
(Larios on the Beach) |
(Interior of Larios on the Beach) |
In
my previous post (read here) I had briefly mentioned Ocean Drive and what a cultural
experience it was to people watch and walk the historic art deco district of South Beach. Svetlana guided us through the crowds of people and open air
restaurants and bars. After a few blocks we came up to the steps of Casa
Casuarina, also known as Versace Mansion, where the famous Italian fashion
designer Gianni Versace lived and sadly, was murdered. The property has been
turned into a boutique hotel with incredible rooms where no attention to detail
is overlooked. The design was influenced by the Mediterranean revival style
and built in 1930 by architect Alden Freeman. Throughout the years the mansion
has passed on to different owners but Gianni Versace, who purchased the
residence in 1992 ,made it famous. During the time he lived in the mansion,
Gianni did many restorations to the property, expanded the south wing and added
a pool. Mediterranean style has been a favorite of mine through my years of
studying architecture. A mixture of Spanish renaissance, Beaux-arts and Italian
renaissance, this style is can be found mainly along coastal resorts in Florida and
California (where I grew up).
(Casa Casuarina - Versace Mansion) |
After more than fifteen minutes of walking our group started
to get hungry so we stepped into the Tudor House Naked Taco by Ralph Pagano.
This restaurant served us Mexican style empanadas, different from the Colombian
ones we had earlier because flour is used to make the dough. These savory empanadas were filled with chicken chipotle and we could add a little extra spice
to it with locally made sauce. After this tour I can see myself learning to
make empanadas because they are such a delicious snack.
(Outdoor seating in front of Tudor House Naked Taco) |
Ocean Drive has a blend of Mediterranean revival and art
deco buildings. The Tides Hotel is an example of one of the preserved art deco
hotels from the 1930s in South Beach. Inside is an open lobby with an adjacent
bar and secret room that was used for drinking alcohol during the Prohibition
Era. During those times, drinking alcohol was prohibited throughout the US.
Hotels around the country had secret rooms that could be used to enjoy alcoholic
beverages or gambling. The way to know if a hotel had one of these rooms was
based on the geometric pattern on the lobby floor design. A rectangular shape indicated
that drinking was allowed and a circular pattern meant that gambling was
allowed. Frank Sinatra would come to the Tides Hotel and rent the secret room
so he could enjoy his favorite drink, a martini. Thankfully those times are
over and you can freely sip your cocktail at one of bars along Ocean Drive.
(Lobby of the Tides Hotel, the secret room is to the left, behind the palm tree) |
Along with the large Latino influence in Miami cuisine there is
also Italian inspired foods that have made an impact. To taste the Italian
influence we stopped at Blocks Pizza Deli, an Italian deli that uses the
freshest sourdough made on site. Each of us received a freshly baked pesto and
sundried tomato sandwich with feta cheese. The crunch of the sourdough mixed
with the variety of Italian flavors brought me back to Italy.
Our tour started with a creamy sweet Churro and ended with a scoop
of authentic Italian gelato. Tucked away along Espanola Way is Milani Gelateria
where we each choose our favorite flavor and enjoyed it under the shade of the
trees. Nothing beats a cool and refreshing cup of gelato after walking for two
and half hours.
(Our last stop with our tour guide, Svetlana) |
This tour was a great way to explore and see Miami from a different
perspective and learn how the different cultures from Latin America and Italy
have influenced Miami Cuisine. I highly recommend taking this tour next time
you are in Miami. The tour had an impressive variety of food and interesting
architectural stops along the way, you will not be disappointed.
(I went on the South Beach tour and next time I am in Miami I hope to enjoy one of the other tours offered)
x the Adventurer
Larios on the beach looks gorgeous! I am a sucker for beautiful interiors and i always try to do a food tour when i travel.
ReplyDeleteSher
www.shershegoes.com
You would really enjoy having a meal at Larios! Aren't food tours so much fun? Such a great way to see a city =o)
DeleteThat churro looks unbelievable! You have me wanting to book a flight to Miami just to try that! This looks like such a great way to spend an afternoon - I love when cities have food tours. It's always so fun to see what a city has to offer . . . and it's ALWAYS fun to eat!
ReplyDeletexx, Caitlin
www.wandererandwolf.com
It was so good! And I'm glad I sparked an interest to go to Miami =o) It was a great way to spend the day with my mom =o)
DeleteI can't wait to do a culinary tour of Miami next time I go...it's my favorite kind of tour! Those churros look amazing!
ReplyDeleteCharacters & Carry-ons
I hope you do =o) It's one of the best tours I've been on for sure!
DeleteWhat a great tour; an excellent way to discover local restaurants.
ReplyDeleteLUXESSED
It really was =o)
DeleteGreat pictures! I already feel hungry because of them haha! Loved the edit of the pictures as well!
ReplyDeleteKisses,
Andreea
http://couturezilla.com/
Thank you =o) I was getting hungryy while editing and writing this post =o)
DeleteALL THE FOOD IS MAKING ME HUNGRY!!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Animated Confessions
Haha it was some of the most delicious food I've ever had =o)
DeleteYUM! I'm literally drooling, that ice cream! xx
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thatnewdress.com
It was such a great end to the tour! I loved the hazelnut gelato =o)
Deletethank you so much for this post
ReplyDeleteXOXO FASHIONSOBSESSIONS | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | Find me on LB
Thank you and you are welcome =o)
DeleteLooks so yummy! ♡
ReplyDelete♡ Soaphoria Body suflé English breakfast ♡
All of the food was so delicious =o)
DeleteAw thanks so much for sharing my post! So glad you enjoyed it! Love your photos!
ReplyDeleteJamie
http://www.treatsandtrendsblog.com/
Of course! I had to share your post, it inspired me so much =o)
DeleteThanks for checking out my blog!
Beautiful post my dear! Amazing blog! I will be very glad if you will come to me! Please write comments to posts that you like! http://blondelafemme.blogspot.ru/2016/06/elegant.html http://blondelafemme.blogspot.ru/2016/06/barn-wedding.html
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and am definitely reading your blog =o)
Deleteah this all looks like so much fun! those churros look so amazing!!
ReplyDeletekelseybang.com
It was a blast eating my way through south beach! And yes the churros were amazing =o)
DeleteOmg, everything looks so good, made me so hungry lol! xo, Sophia from http://www.sistersandglitters.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sistersandglitters/
ReplyDeleteEverything was so good! It was one of the best tours I have been on =o)
DeleteSuch a great idea! I've never really thought of doing a food tour of a city before, which is weird because I always want to try all the local foods! It sounds like you had an amazing time! It looks lovely!
ReplyDeletexo April | April Everyday
Me neither and I am so glad I did it =o) I definitely recommend checking out food tours next time you travel, I know I will be =o)
DeleteI have never been to America but this post has made me want to go even more! All of the food looks incredible
ReplyDelete-Alice
alicejlorna.blogspot.com
I hope you get a chance to come to the US and Miami soon =o) The food is definitely worth the trip! =o)
Deletehttp://dreamofadventures.blogspot.com/
Always wanted to go to Miami, only been on long layovers! Saving this for next time I go!
ReplyDeleteOh you have to stay for a few days and soak in the Miami sun!
DeleteThis post makes me want to book a Miami Culinary tour too! If I'm just living near the area, I probably would! The Versace Mansion is a must visit! The foods made me hungry!! Btw, i love the story of the russian tour guide too! Haha :) So cute!!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
SHAIRA // BORACAY Travel Diary
Oh you definitely should! I had a blast exploring south beach and trying the foods =o) Glad you enjoyed my post!
DeleteOh my goodness, this food all looks SO AMAZING! I love the mural at Tudor House Naked Taco!
ReplyDeleteIt was some of the most delicious tours I've been on =o)
DeleteSuch a great tour. Beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteGood vibes, FOX
check out my latest VLOG and my blog
www.rochellefox.com.au
Thank you it was one of the best tours I've been on!
DeleteReally enjoyed this post thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWould love if you could check out my most recent post and leave you thoughts <3
Toula Rose xo
www.toularose.com
Glad you enjoyed my post =o) I will definitely be checking out your blog!
DeleteThis all looks SO good. I can't wait to go back to Miami. Referring to this post for sure.
ReplyDeleteMeghan | BeyondBasicBlog.com
It was delicious! You really have to check out this tour next time you are in Miami =o)
DeleteLooks like you had an amazing time! Food looks so yummy!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nourishyourglow.com
It was the best way to spend a sunday afternoon =o) And yes the food was delicious!
DeleteWonderful photos, have fun :)
ReplyDeletehttp://beautyfollower.blogspot.gr
Thank you! It was so fun =o)
DeleteLove these places!! Great photos!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Kisses and hugs from www.trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}
Aw thank you! It was such a fun tour =o)
DeleteBeautiful shots! I'd love to try that churros. I mean, I love churros so I feel like I wanna try every churros in the world. Haha! I love the food trip you did. Makes me hungry though.
ReplyDeleteLove, Fads
Instagram • Twitter
Haha then you would love these churros! They may have been the most amazing churros I have had =o)
DeleteYumm! The food looks delicious! I need to visit Miami again and eat all of these!
ReplyDeletexo
www.carinavardie.com
You definitely do! I am sure you would love it =o)
DeleteLarios on the Beach has such a stunning interior. I love it. Oh & all the food looks spectacular too. :]
ReplyDelete// ▲ itsCarmen.com ▲
It was so nice inside! Especially the entry area =o) And the food was incredible!! Thanks for checking out my blog!
Deleteawesome pictures !! all that food looks amazing :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.carolinapinglo.com/
It was so fun to stop in every restaurant and try something new =o) Thank you!
DeleteWhat a great post and photos! These food makes me want to eat asap hehe! I would really love to go on this culinary tour on Miami! Thank you for sharing and have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteStella
www.stellaasteria.com
Thank you! I still keep thinking about the food =o)
DeleteHope you had a great weekend and thanks for checking out my blog =o)