Topic Wiki

South Florida Kosher Restaurant and Attraction Map (HT: Yaalili).

DD Trip Notes:
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/16322 (2011)
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/26692 (2012)
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/49206 (2014)
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/61082 (2015)
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/72957 (2015)
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/trip-notes/trip-notes-miami-foodies-delight-finally-cracking-sunpass-tolls (2021)
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/trip-notes/trip-notes-miami-2023-great-food-awesome-cholov-yisroel-chocolate-workshop-weekend-fun/ (2023)

Trip Reports:
@Yehuda's 1st trip to Miami https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=63986.0
@Yehuda Miami Weekend Getaway at SRBH https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=100169.0
@Alexsei Surfside 2018 https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=452.msg1896122#msg1896122
@Alexsei Surfside/Bay Harbor 2019 https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=452.msg2055841#msg2055841
@jj1000 ideal foodie oriented day in Miami based on what I've had/done so far https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=452.msg1387809;topicseen#msg1387809
@BOOKY trip report for Miami https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=452.msg1062268;topicseen#msg1062268
@jack Short trip report https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=452.msg745120;topicseen#msg745120
@Chachem Balaileh South Florida mini trip report https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=452.msg726747;topicseen#msg726747
@dealfinder85 somewhat of a TR https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=452.msg1059208#msg1059208
@JayR 3 Days In Florida https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=50450.msg1088383#msg1088383
@AJK Labor Day Hop https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=55342.0
@twentie4hrs Miami Beach for a Relaxing 4 days (Including Shabbos) https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=59239.0
@srulky Mini TR for quick 3 day/2 night Jaunt down to Ft. Lauderdale/Miami https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=452.msg1354473#msg1354473
@Adam101 Chanukka '15 trip MIA & BNA https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=59271.0
@mgoldhammer18 A different kind of trip to Miami beach https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=61518.0
@shnoz Quick TR from N Miami https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=452.msg790875;topicseen#msg790875
@Amusch low-key low-cost trip https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=452.msg1413855;topicseen#msg1413855
@joe999 4 Days in Miami https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=452.msg1201938#msg1201938
@mochjas Saturday Night @Meat Bar (Surfside) Sunday Night at SOHO https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=452.msg2184097#msg2184097

Hotels

41st and Collins Area
Four Points (Shabbos friendly)
Lexington
Courtyard by Marriott
Holiday Inn
Grand Beach
Best Western Atlantic Beach Resort
Fontainebleau
Eden Roc
Alexander
Confidante (Hyatt)
The Cadillac (Marriott)

Bal Harbour/Surfside/Bay harbor - Walking Distance To Shul
hotels in walking distance to shul:

Surfside:
Residence Inn by Marriott $$ (confirmed shabbos friendly)
Four Seasons $$$ Ocean front hotel
Sun Harbour Boutique Hotel $$
Grand Beach Surfside $$ Ocean front hotel
Grand Beach Surfside West $$

Bal Harbour:
St Regis $$$ Ocean front hotel
Ritz Carlton $$$ Ocean front hotel
Bal Harbour Quarzo $$ inter-coastal front hotel
Sea View $$ Ocean front hotel

Bay Harbour:
Grand beach Bay Harbour $$ inter-coastal front hotel
TRYP by Wyhndam $ CLOSED
The Landon $
The Altair(kosher)

Aventura
Turnberry Isle Resort (Marriott)

Hollywood
Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa (Leaving SPG 10/30/14)


Fort Lauderdale
Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort and Spa
W Fort Lauderdale
Hyatt Place
Hyatt House

Boca
Waldorf Astoria
Boca Hilton Suites


Rent a villa/apartment
horarentals.com
floridakoshervillas.com
northmiamirental.com
northmiamivilla.com
lxure.com
reservekosher.com
flamingokosher.com
motelchai.com


 
Miami Kosher Restaurants 

map with kosher restaurants under Kosher Miami
http://koshermiami.org/
41st and Collins Area
Name                               Style   Price    Kid Friendly?RecommendationsNotes
Miami Beach’s Chocolate Dairy  $$$                                    CLOSED. They opened on Harding
Lenny’s Pizza                      Dairy      $      Yes                                             Multipule Locations   
Asi’s Grill (CLOSED)                      Meat      ??           ??                                           
Carlos & Gabby's                      Meat      $      Yes                                                     
Grill House                      Meat      ??           ??                                           
MONTEFIORE CAFE              Dairy      ??      Yes                                               
17 Restaurant & Sushi Bar        Dairy      $$$                                                  
Tasti Cafe              Dairy Not CY      ??      Yes                                               
Bagel Time              Dairy      $      Yes                                             off 41st street, on Alton Rd. 
Florida Grill                      Meat      ??           ??                                           
Kikar Tel Aviv                      Meat      ??           ??                                          Shabbos Meals



Bal Harbor / Surfside / Bay Harbor
Name                               Style   Price    Kid Friendly?RecommendationsNotesCertificationOnline Ordering
Cine Cite Cafe Dairy  $$YesClick HereCholov Yisroel / Pas YisroelOKUberEats
Foozo Artisan Pizza Dairy  $YesCholov Yisroel / Pas YisroelKMChowNow
Cafe Vert              Dairy   $$Yes Click HereCholov Yisroel / Pas YisroelOKEat24
Rustiko Dairy  $$Yes Click Here   KMChowNow
26 Sushi& Tapas        Dairy   $$$YesClick Here   KMUberEats
Serendipity Yogurt Cafe    Dairy  $YesClick Here    KMUberEats
Yossi's Out Of Home Pizza Dairy  $YesClick HereCholov Yisroel / Pas YisroelTheShulCall/WA (786) 352-1913
Rachel's Baked Goods & Dips Parve  $YesClick HereFree Delivery??Call/Text (786) 447-9809
Harbor Grill                      Meat   $$$No                                   KM??
Harbor Bistro                      Meat   $$$NoClick Here    KMEat24 pickup Only
Kosh                  Meat   $$$NoClick Here    KM??
Chai Wok                  Meat   $$YesClick Here    KMUberEats/GrubHub/ChowNow/Eat24
The Backyard BBQ & Brew                      Meat   $$$Yes Click Here   KMUberEats
The Carrot                      Meat   $$??                                  KMUberEats/GrubHub/Eat24
King David Cuisine Meat ??Yes                                 KM
Meat Bar (Bay Harbor) (New 2019) Meat ????                                 KMUberEats
Street Kitchen (New 2019) Meat ????                                 KM??
Surf-n-sides Meat $$                                 MDKComing Soon
pokado Take out & Delivery Only (New 2021) Meat/sushi $Yes                                 KMAll
So Heavenly Take out & Delivery Only Meat/shabbos $Yes                                 KMAll
Rolling Pin Bakery              Parve   $Yes                                  StarK??
Kosherland+Maven baker Grocery bakery and deli??Yes                               Shabbos Packages+Free Hot PlateKMDeli Has online ordering
Newtime Catering Meat   ????                               Takeout/Shabbos MealsKM
Miami Beach Chocolates Surfside Parve/dairy $$??KM
BON Chocolatier Bay Harbor Parve $$??Click HereVegan Chocolate BoutiqueKMPickUp Only

Shabbos Meals in Bal Harbour/Surfside
  • Kosher Kingdom Takeout (15 drive)
  • KosherLand Takeout (was bought by The Grove and now has a massive shabbos selection as well as prepared foods all week long. no more hot plates as far as I know. jj)
  • Esti Englander - Pickup in NMB (305) 502-4611
  • Fromowitz 347-680-1099
  • Backyard BBQ Friday Night and Shabbas Day Meal Service
  • Kosh Friday Night Meal Service
  • Meat Bar (Bay harbor) Friday Night and Shabbas Day Meal Service
  • OVO at Altair (Bay harbor) Friday Night and Shabbas Day Meal Service
  • For Shabbat day people usually eat in the SHUL

Shabbos Friendly Hotels in Bal Harbour/Surfside
  • Residence Inn Surfside

COVID Testing

Aventura/North Miami Beach/Sunny Isles
Name Style   Price    Kid Friendly?RecommendationsNotesCertificationOnline Ordering
Fresko Dairy     $$$                                                          
China Bistro                      Meat      $$$              No                                             
Dixie BBQ    Meat     $      Yes                                               
Foozo    Dairy     $      Yes                                               
Fuego                      Meat      ??           ??                                           
Grill Time                        Meat      ??      Yes                                                     
Mozart Grill                      Meat      ??           ??                                           
Holy Bagel              Parve/Dairy      ??      Yes                                               
Soho Asian Grill        Meat      ??                                                  
Mozart Cafe              Dairy      $$      Yes                                               
The Frieze              Dairy Not CY      ??      Yes                                               
Vgan    Vegan     $$                                                     
Grand Cafe              Dairy Not CY      ??      Yes                                             Stirling Road- Hollywood, Israeli breakfast joint 


Boca Raton
Name StylePrice    Kid Friendly?RecommendationsNotesCertificationOnline Ordering
Mozart CafeDairy. 4/5$$??     Nice outdoor area tooORB??
Jon's Place (pizza)Dairy$Yes     ---??
Pita N GoDairy 4.5/5????     They currently have a unreliable hechsher according to R Goldberg of BRS/ORB????
BOCA BAGEL FACTORY CAFEDairy 4/5????     ORB??
MenchiesDairy 5/5????Incredible non C'Y frozen yogurt????
AsiaMeat. 4/5$$??     ORB??
Boca GrillMeat????     ORB??
Century GrillMeat 4/5????     ORB??
Orchid's Garden ChineseMeat 4/5????     ????
Butcher Block GrillMeat 4/5$$$??     ORB??
Ditmas Kitchen BocaMeat&Sushi????     ORB??

Butcher Block Grill, Asia, and Mozart are adjacent to each other at the Fountains Center at Camino Real.
Update Jan 2021: all 3 establishments above closed. They are being replaced by a new set. Carmela’s (dairy) rave pizza (not open yet) roadshow (meat) Eden wok (Chinese, not open yet) oak & ember (steakhouse, not open yet)

Great website for all things kosher in Boca - https://www.kosherbocaraton.org/

Hollywood
Name                              Style   Price   Kid Friendly?RecommendationsNotesCertificationOnline Ordering
Cafe Noir (open till 2 AM) Dairy  $$YesCholov Yisroel / Pas YisroelORBhttps://www.kosher24.net/
Cafe 56 Dairy  $YesCholov Yisroel / Pas YisroelORBNo
Toast Avenue Cafe Dairy  $YesCholov Yisroel / Pas YisroelORBDoorDash
Yum Berry Cafe & Sushi Bar Dairy  $YesCholov Yisroel / Pas YisroelORBNo
Sara's Pizza Dairy  $YesCholov Yisroel / Pas YisroelORB?
Lenny's Pizza Dairy  $YesCholov Yisroel / Pas YisroelORBSliceLife
Mizrachi's Pizza Kitchen Dairy  $YesCholov Yisroel / Pas YisroelORBChowNow
Ariels Delicious Pizza Dairy  $YesCholov Yisroel / Pas YisroelORB?
Grand Cafe Espresso Bar Dairy  $Yes NOT Cholov Yisroel / Pas YisroelORBChowNow
HBK Burger Meat $$?? Glatt Kosher, Pas Yisroel ORBOn Website
China Bistro & Sushi Meat $$?? Pas Yisroel ORBMany
Hummus Factory Meat $$?? Pas Yisroel ORBMany
Nava's Kosher Kitchen & Restaurant Meat $$?? Pas Yisroel? ORB?
Pita Star Meat $$?? Pas Yisroel ORB?
Pita Express Meat $$?? Pas Yisroel? ORB?
JZ Steakhouse Meat $$$?? Glatt Kosher, Pas Yisroel ORB?
Pita Plus Meat $$?? Pas Yisroel? ??


Lauderhill

Sunrise Pita - 2680 N University Dr, Sunrise, FL 33322
(954) 748-0090


Fort Lauderdale
PX Grill (next door to chabad)



Supermarkets

41st and Collins Area
Kastner's Market
Kosher Price Market - 460 West 41st St. (305) 763-8524
YES Market

Bal Harbour/Surfside
Kosher land
Publix (regular big supermarket - Some Kosher items are available)


Aventura
Sara's Tent -Aventura
Kosher Kingdom - Aventura
Winn Dixie - 20417 Biscayne Blvd, Aventura

Hollywood
Kosher Central
Aroma Market
Grove - Hollywood
Sylvia's


Coral Springs/Parkland
Fooderie - 5651 Coral Ridge Drive, 954-752-0008


Boca
Grove - Boca
Kosher Marketplace , with full take out
22191 North Powerline Road, (561) 391-3318
Winn-Dixie (Kosher take-out, bakery,meat,fish,pizza, large kosher section)
7024 Beracasa Way, (561) 368-5442
Aroma Boca
Glicks

Delray Beach
Glick's Kosher Market, with full take out - now under ORB
7351 W. Atlantic Avenue, (561) 637-5771


Things to do
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Miami Zoo
Seaquarium
Jungle Island
Lincoln Road Mall
Bal Harbour Shops
Aventura Mall
Sawgrass Mills outlets - Ft. Lauderdale
Lion Country Safari
rent bikes
watersports
Gulfstream
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Segway
Kayak or canoe
Hanglidng
Scuba diving by the keys

Jay Why's List of things to do with kids:

Airboat or swamp buggy in the Everglades.
MODS museum in FLL.
Drive Loop Rd in the Everglades.
Jungle Island.
Fruit and Spice park.
Glass bottom boat in key largo.
Fairchild Gardens. (It’s mango season currently)
Kayaking in Oleta river SP.
Sugar sand park in boca.
Frost Museum.
Lion country safari
If all else fails, beach and pool

JJ1000's list of top restaurants and dishes in Miami:

1. Backyard BBQ (New chef in mid 2017 totally new menu): Burnt ends, 2nd cut brisket, Dinosaur Rib, BBQ Sundae, BBQ Burger.

2. 26: Sushi pizza is  a must I prefer it with baked salmon, then the Passion Mojito, Sushi Teriyaki tempuraed, Cilantro Aioli dip and truffle fires, all of their soups are good. Miso Bass is incredible as well.

3. Harbour Bistro, new menus in early 2018: Chicken and waffles just perfect, duck a l'orange pot stickers, millionaire ramen, lamb shank, charcuterie platter if that's your thing... Also serving brunch, Chicken and waffles again, eggs Benedict with bacon on top,

4. Fuego: Flatbreads are a must, then the back ribs, pastrami egg rolls, smores dessert, perfect date drink are good. (Update March 2017, the app chef and bbq chef isn't there anymore and the quality has been spotty from recent reviews.)

5. Zak The Baker. Menu changes too often to recommend stuff. Not Cholov Yisroel.

6. Kosh: Chocolate souffle and korean beef with extra sauce are good.

7. Rustiko: Spinach and Artichoke Dip, (Quinoa Salad is very good), (Pappardelle Mushroom if lunch), Mushrooms Panzerotti is an absolute must order only down side is it's a dinner only item. Oreo cheescake dessert but make sure it's fresh.

8. Harbour Grill: The Harbour Grill Filet or TheKing Reserve steaks are great. Supreme Burger is very good as well.

9. Pizza type options:

Foozo: Foozolis, the caprese foozoli with extra balsamic sauce and garlic aoili, their pastas are good as well.

Jerusalem Pizza: Best plain pie, get it fresh in store, coated fries good as well.

Lenny's pizza: Gan Eden Pie.

Also notable unique places are The Freeze which makes ices, serendipity makes ice cream (there is one next door to ZTB now), and Miami Beach Chocolates turtles and bark now also in Surfside!


#2020 Restaurants with outdoor seating

Soho - large semi enclosed patio, perfect for a rainy day

Fuego - large semi sheltered area outside the restaurant, indoors area has a new $20k air filtration system

Mozart Sunny isles -  large semi sheltered area outside the restaurant

Foozo - streetside tables

Zak The Baker -  streetside tables

Cine Cita, Backyard BBQ, Street Kitchen, 26, Kosh - streetside tables on Harding Ave 

Karne


Dan's Steakhouse Recommendations
Food: Street>Mendel's>Kosh>Fuego>Harbour Bistro>Meat Bar
Ambiance: Kosh>Meat Bar>Fuego>Harbour Bistro>Mendel's>Street
Service:  Kosh>Fuego>Mendel's>Street>Meat Bar>Harbour Bistro

Dan's 2024 Update
Moran (pastries) 9.5/10
Neya 9/10
Hadekel 9/10
Bambu Boca 8.5/10
Bambu NMB 8/10
Asiatiko 8/10
Ostrow Brasserie 8/10
Levy's 8/10
Street 7.5/10
26 7/10
Vish 7/10
Rustiko 6.5/10
Fresko 6/10
Smash House 6/10
Foozo 6/10
SoHo 6/10
Kosh 5.5/10
Carmela's Boca 5/10
Fuego 5/10
Ditmas Boca 4.5/10
China Beach 4/10
Cine Citta 3/10 Can't recommend due to service failures.
Meat Bar 2/10 Can't recommend due to service failures.
Cafe Noir: 0/10 Can't recommend due to service failures.
G7: 0/10 Can't recommend due to service failures.
Harbour Grill: 0/10 Can't recommend due to service failures.

« Last edited by Joe4007 on March 13, 2024, 01:41:55 PM »

Author Topic: South Florida Master Thread  (Read 3007534 times)

Offline Adam101

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Re: South Florida Master Thread
« Reply #4180 on: December 20, 2015, 04:49:26 PM »
House of Dog, Mozart, Fresko, Shemtovs
From what I understand house of dog is not exactly kid friendly

Offline Sowhat

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Re: South Florida Master Thread
« Reply #4181 on: December 20, 2015, 05:16:15 PM »
Not sure if I did or not. But if you're getting a rental car that for like four dollars per day that you use it they will give you an automatic Sunpass

I don't understand?

Offline Adam101

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Re: South Florida Master Thread
« Reply #4182 on: December 20, 2015, 05:19:39 PM »
I don't understand?
I'm not sure about the roads and the sun pass but I do know if you Rent a Car there is automatically one in there and if you use it they will charge you about four dollars extra per day

Offline mochada

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Re: South Florida Master Thread
« Reply #4183 on: December 20, 2015, 05:21:59 PM »
From what I understand house of dog is not exactly kid friendly

Been there during the day and families were there with kids sitting outside.

Offline CS91

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Re: South Florida Master Thread
« Reply #4184 on: December 20, 2015, 08:23:04 PM »
I'm not sure about the roads and the sun pass but I do know if you Rent a Car there is automatically one in there and if you use it they will charge you about four dollars extra per day
Even for the days that you don't use the Sunpass. At least that's how it is with Hertz.

Offline Adam101

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Re: South Florida Master Thread
« Reply #4185 on: December 20, 2015, 08:32:10 PM »
Even for the days that you don't use the Sunpass. At least that's how it is with Hertz.
-1 with me I rented from alamo

Offline ilherman

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Re: South Florida Master Thread
« Reply #4186 on: December 20, 2015, 09:24:21 PM »
Does anyone have experience with the local rental cars? Do they ask for ID when booking with corporate codes?
You can say what you think when you think what you say.

Offline yakrot

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Re: South Florida Master Thread
« Reply #4187 on: December 20, 2015, 10:22:41 PM »

Does anyone have experience with the local rental cars? Do they ask for ID when booking with corporate codes?
i was recently with someone in national at FLL and they did not ask

Offline rookie

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Re: South Florida Master Thread
« Reply #4188 on: December 21, 2015, 10:09:09 AM »
Any good breakfast places near a mall?

Offline yelped

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Re: South Florida Master Thread
« Reply #4189 on: December 21, 2015, 10:26:36 AM »
Does anyone know of any shuls, breakfast place, grocery near Biscayne park?

Offline rookie

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Re: South Florida Master Thread
« Reply #4190 on: December 21, 2015, 10:41:44 AM »
How is the service by feugo? Can I be in and out within an hr? Appitiezer, main and dessert?

Offline Crazy tools

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Re: South Florida Master Thread
« Reply #4191 on: December 21, 2015, 11:40:20 AM »

How is the service by feugo? Can I be in and out within an hr? Appitiezer, main and dessert?
I was there when they were packed. Service was excellent. I was totally blown away.
I would assume you can be out within an hour if you order right away.

Offline srulky

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Re: South Florida Master Thread
« Reply #4192 on: December 21, 2015, 11:46:13 AM »
I was there when they were packed. Service was excellent. I was totally blown away.
I would assume you can be out within an hour if you order right away.
+1

Offline mochada

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Re: South Florida Master Thread
« Reply #4193 on: December 21, 2015, 12:35:52 PM »
Does anyone know of any shuls, breakfast place, grocery near Biscayne park?

It's about 8-10 min drive from The Shul & the surrounding kosher restaurants in BH/Surfside.

Offline srulky

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Re: South Florida Master Thread
« Reply #4194 on: December 21, 2015, 01:34:16 PM »
Mini TR for quick 3 day/2 night Jaunt down to Ft. Lauderdale/Miami. ). I’m not going to write negative restaurant reviews here because of LH.
 
Spirit airlines to FL, went smoothly and was on time flight. Booked a car through Costco travel saving at least 20% below anything else I had seen (although prices did come down on the regular Alamo site -  started at $90 for a standard car for 3 days but had come down to $66.) Through Costco Travel I paid just $51. At FLL took shuttle to Rental Car HQ and checked in with no line at the kiosk. Was given any choice of car I wanted by a very jolly employee with an overload of cars during the low season, so drove out in a Chrysler 300 with keyless entry and leather seats. The Camaro we originally tries was so uncomfortable so I took the next decent car we saw.
 
Headed to Chabad of Ft. Lauderdale to daven. Very nice Shliach runs it and its open all day. We had tried some of the other Chabad houses in the area which we thought were closer to us but they were all closed at 11am! After davening went for a very late breakfast/early lunch to Café Emunah. It was empty which is never a great sign,  but the food was decent. I had the tuna wrap ($10) and my wife had a salmon salad ($15).
 
Then we headed to the beautiful W Hotel of Fort Lauderdale. Parking is officially $35/day but we found parking right next to the hotel in front of a building under construction and took the risk of parking for free.  We did not get towed and we were there in and out throughout our 3 day stay with no problems.

I had booked with SPG points and paid extra points (2500 per night) to upgrade from the standard “Wonderful” room to a guaranteed partial ocean view in the “Spectacular” room, although I really wanted the full ocean view. Thankfully we were upgraded to a beautiful “Fabulous” room with the full ocean view. Originally they placed us on the 8th floor which overlooked the large pool which I found very unappealing, after asking to be moved up they went all the way and gave us an amazing room on the 21st floor. Sometimes it pays to be a bit persistent.
 
Early check-in at 1:30 pm was a real bonus and the special line and personal treatment as an SPG Gold member was very nice. Dinner was at Levy’s of Hollywood, where I had the most delicious, if not hard to handle, shwarma of my life. My wife was totally overwhelmed by her Pargiot (dark boneless chicken) Lafa. The food is delicious and plentiful and quite affordable.
 
Shachris at Chabad (really quick) after which we got to enjoy the beach before it filled up.  We spent our afternoon at Bill Braggs National Park on the tip of Key Biscayne which is off the tip of Miami Beach. It’s a beautiful drive but you need a Sunpass to enter for the toll. Alamo told us we can use a Sunpass for $3.95 per day aside from the toll and to avoid the hassle we just opted to use it. Bill Braggs has $8 entrance fee (CC accepted) and has amazing views of the bottom tip of Florida where you get a full almost 360  degree view of the water. You can rent bikes (cash only - $10/hour, $15/1.5 hours) and you can enjoy the paths up and down the water and the small inlet where some boats dock. Its very flat and a very enjoyable ride. We saw plenty of iguanas, raccoons, and some large spider webs.  There is also a lighthouse you can explore and a beach if you are interested.
 
Mincha and Maariv at the Chabad Yeshiva in South Beach was a surprise. Who built a yeshiva in the middle of South Beach?  but Mincha, shiur and Maariv was enjoyable. Dinner followed at 17 (free parking behind the restaurant with a pass you can get inside), which we got a Groupon with the extra 20% off which helped. Its not super cheap but the food was quite good. My wife’s favorite restaurant this trip.  The mushroom soup was authentic and delicious, the Sushi was fresh and creative, and the Quesadilla was also very tasty.
 
Our 3rd began as Day 2. We then planned to go to buy some stuff for the kids and with the weather being so nice, we wanted a boatride on the water. Someone had recommended to check out Swap Shop, a large 80 acre flea market. Turns out that a large portion of it is people selling junk out of their cars and trucks. There is an indoor portion with some organized stores but a lot of riff raff all over. There is also a produce section where you can get a fresh cold green coconut chopped open by a wiry man with a huge machete for just $3. We had a hard time finding anything till we came across some decently priced watches. Overall I would not recommend this as a stop. It had the feel of a poor Carribean/African open air mall full of junk. It was interesting but not overly productive.
 
We then headed to the Jungle Queen which rated high on Trip Advisor, but I would be hard pressed to recommend it (the Water Taxi might be a better option). Found tix on Groupon (2 for $33 which saved us a bundle off of the $27/person standard price). Its officially a 3 hour boat ride up the New River in Ft Lauderdale highlighting the millionaire mansions and other homes built along the river. Thousands of people live along the water, some being man made to encourage people to settle in South Florida. Personally I found it boring. The homes in Ft Lauderdale don’t compare to the celebrity appeal of the Millionaires Row in Miami – Star Island, Fisher Island, etc. There is also an hour-long stop at a small island with some parrots and other small tropical animals. It was was small and we were done in about 5 minutes. There is a cafe there for snacks as well. One nice thing was a short alligator show. The hour ride back was a good time to catch up on some sleep.
 
Dinner was highly anticipated and we were surprised to hear that we had to be lucky to get a table inside at Feugo at its new Aventura Waterways location. It was nice to be able to make and update (traffic….grrrr) reservations online.  As a loyal DDF’er I had to try out the Pastrami eggrolls and the pulled beef flatbreads. They were both delicious, but not as good as I had fantasized based on Dan’s and JJ’s recommendations. Feugo burger with its sunnyside up egg was delicious. The ribsteak and other dishes we ordered were nice. We felt $6 for fries and another $6 for a bowl of rice was a bit much and were surprised at the final bill but overall everything was delicious and a great vibrant restaurant.
 
From dinner we headed to MIA airport. Our first time there, I found it too big and spread out. We had booked First Class tickets on American but found even the Priority line to be very long and barely moving. The plane took off late and arrived even later. Upon arrival we waited almost a half hour for the luggage to be unloaded, and a half hour later we realized our luggage did not show up. Apparently it had never made it onto the plane, despite having priority status. So we arrived home at 2:30 am and did not get our luggage delivered the next day (Friday)  till after Shabbos started. But it was nice to be home.
« Last Edit: December 21, 2015, 01:43:44 PM by srulky »

Offline Joe4007

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Re: South Florida Master Thread
« Reply #4195 on: December 21, 2015, 02:14:58 PM »
Nice write up.

I’m not going to write negative restaurant reviews here because of LH.
What does negative restaurant reviews have to do with Lufthansa?  :P

Offline FlyFirst

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Re: South Florida Master Thread
« Reply #4196 on: December 21, 2015, 02:21:33 PM »

 
Then we headed to the beautiful W Hotel of Fort Lauderdale. Parking is officially $35/day but we found parking right next to the hotel in front of a building under construction and took the risk of parking for free.  We did not get towed and we were there in and out throughout our 3 day stay with no problems.


I asked one of the valet parking guys if I can park there, so he said 100% GUARENTEE that you will get towed.

nice TR thanks!

Offline yelped

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Re: South Florida Master Thread
« Reply #4197 on: December 21, 2015, 02:31:36 PM »
It's about 8-10 min drive from The Shul & the surrounding kosher restaurants in BH/Surfside.

Thanks!

Offline srulky

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Re: South Florida Master Thread
« Reply #4198 on: December 21, 2015, 02:36:53 PM »
I asked one of the valet parking guys if I can park there, so he said 100% GUARENTEE that you will get towed.

nice TR thanks!
obviously it's not 100% :) there was no reason why we should have been towed. There were parking spaces marked, there was no sign. The worker on site sa7id people were parking there. Obviously nothing is guaranteed but it worked for us. Also would you really trust the valet who you are taking $ from?
« Last Edit: December 21, 2015, 02:43:02 PM by srulky »

Offline yakrot

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South Florida Master Thread
« Reply #4199 on: December 22, 2015, 12:04:29 AM »
+1 to bill baggs it's a nice pleasant activity, I always recommend ppl to go and rent bikes there
« Last Edit: December 22, 2015, 12:10:35 AM by yakrot »