Friday morning dawned sunny, and after the morning prayers, off we went to
Tasti Beach Cafe.
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AJK DDF, on Flickr
Though we read mixed-reviews on this place, we thought both the food and the service were very good. We unilaterally sat down at one of the outside tables, and a waiter quickly delivered menus unprompted.
We each ordered one of these:
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AJK DDF, on Flickr
Mrs. AJK ordered:
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AJK DDF, on Flickr
And I ordered:
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AJK DDF, on Flickr
The drinks were good, but the wraps were very good. If you're someone who likes spicy, I'd definitely recommend the Miami Heat, and Mrs. AJK would definitely recommend the Avocado Wrap for those who like their food a bit on the tamer, but no less tasty, side. Again, I must say that despite the reviews, we found the service to be quick and efficient. Would definitely return.
After breakfast, we went around the corner to Kosher Price Market to get some provisions for Shabbas. While there, I bumped into a friend of mine from Yeshiva who was in town for "draft day." Apparently, he came down to Miami because LeBron James and Chris Paul are in his fantasy league and they were going to attend in person the draft day. I couldn't help but doubt the story, but he whipped out his phone and showed me emails from LJ himself. Pretty cool for someone who is into the fantasy league stuff.
While in the store, I reached out to the Chabad Downtown (HT: Dan) and asked if they were having meals/minyanim that week and found out they were having minyanim and a lunch, but no dinner this week. So, after the Kosher Price Market, we went back to Tasty and ordered two salads for Friday night dinner.
We then went to the Frieze. And wow. If it isn't the best sorbet I've ever tasted, and it may be, it certainly is the most unique (and most expensive).
20150904_154501 by
AJK DDF, on Flickr
I got red wine + lychee sorbet:
Mrs. AJK got passionfruit and pomegranate:
All of that for the low price of around $13. But man were the flavors were rich and delicious, especially the red wine which was
out of control. Must get it if you're in the neighborhood.
With our sorbet in hand, we walked around the outdoor Lincoln Road Mall, where Mrs. AJK did some shoe shopping and I dutifully followed and offered my opinions
when solicited With our sorbets finished, and the temperature remaining constant, we headed back to the car and drove back to the hotel stopping at Walgreens for some further provisions for Shabbas (read: candy and iced coffee). On the way, we called the Conrad and requested a mini-fridge put in our room, a request which they were happy to accommodate. (Though, in fairness, it did take a follow up phone call to finally get it.)
Before shabbas, we wanted to check out the pool, which requires going from our room on the 22nd floor, up to the lobby on the 25th, down to the ground floor, heading across the entrance way to another tower part of the Conrad, which houses the gym on the bottom floor, and then heading to the 10th floor, where the outdoor pool is. It's a bit of shlep, but can't complain when I'm taking elevators, instead of the stairs which we've done on shabbas many times.
Once up there, we were treated to a pretty pool and beautiful rainbow (it had been raining 30 mins prior).
20150904_183953 by
AJK DDF, on Flickr
While we didn't go in, we had the pool to ourselves for most of the 20 mins we were there, and then headed back to the room to get ready for Shabbas. Friday night we stayed in, davened, ate our salads, which were just the ticket after being vegetable-starved the past few days.
Shabbas morning, I had my iced-coffee and Entenmann's donut and we left to Chabad at 9:45 AM, arriving there just as they started davening at 10:00 AM.
The building, owned entirely by the Chabad, is only a 10 min walk from the Conrad and is beautiful. The shul is on the second floor, a preschool and mikva on the third, and a nice rooftop at the top, while the first floor is occupied by commercial tenants, the rental income of which helps to offset the not insignificant costs of running such an operation in downtown Miami.
Though we didn't have a minyan by Barchu, we had one by Shemona Esrei, and ended up with 15 worshippers, all led by Rabbi Eli Lipskar. (The Chabad is run by two brothers, Rabbi Chaim, the older brother, and Rabbi Eli, the younger brother. This week, Rabbi Chaim was away at a simcha.)
After davening, everyone was invited to a Kiddush/Lunch with mashke, salads, deli, and cholent, and we stayed until about 3 PM shmoozing with Rabbi Eli and his wife about food, travels on miles and... Dansdeals. A really nice guy all around. Apparently, the Chabad, for the first time ever, is hosting a Kosher event for the
South Beach Food and Wine Festival in 2016, with food prepared by three top kosher chefs being flown in to cater. Event is limited to 100 diners at $250/pop. DO anyone?
Apparently, Rabbi Eli i quite the lurker around these parts. Perhaps he'll pop up and reveal himself
We walked home in a drizzle and spent the remainder of shabbas relaxing.
After shabbas, we drove over to Cine Citta, a dairy italian place for some melave malka.
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AJK DDF, on Flickr
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AJK DDF, on Flickr
We ordered:
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AJK DDF, on Flickr
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AJK DDF, on Flickr
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AJK DDF, on Flickr
Again, we were delighted by the service. The food though was a mixed-bag. The pasta, on the one hand, was actually excellent. We added a touch of parm to the top and it really was delicious. The pizza, though, was nothing special. It was just missing that *zing.* And the dessert was not worth getting; it just didn't compare to versions offered by similar restaurants.
Sunday morning, we woke up and decided to relax, so as DIA members, we partook of the Conrad's breakfast, where we had kosher yogurt, fruit, coffee, and juice on the balcony overlooking the bay. When we were finished we were presented with our most expensive breakfast check yet:
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AJK DDF, on Flickr
Luckily, most or all of that will be taken off.
Back to relaxing for now.