UrbanDaddy is a free exclusive email magazine devoted to keeping you in the know.
Miami Home > Leisure > Oh, Nine
12/28/09
Oh, Nine
Everything That Was Important in 2009
Down here in tropical wonderlandsville, it's tough to notice a year's gone by (87 degree heat in December will do that). So we're here to remind you that, yes, 2009 is drawing to a close. And with it, some pretty fantastic moments. This ought to jog your memory.
Bars Went Underground
Bardot and B-Bar
In a city where bottle service and VIP hookups are par for the course in nightlife, two bars dared to boldly
go where none had gone before: under the radar. Drawing on a '60s film icon for inspiration,
Bardot impressed Wynwood regulars with cushy couches and vintage cocktails. While
B-Bar staked a claim to the basement at the Betsy, hosting DJs like the Misshapes and exclusive Basel
parties.
The Irish Invaded Brickell
Brickell Irish and Waxy O'Connor's
The condo canyon became home to two stout-laden Irish megapubs dispensing copious beer and shepherd's pie to
an attractive mix of Brickell office refugees and downtown dwellers.
Brickell Irish is where you'll go for live music on the weekends, while
Waxy's has great views of the river and Chimay on tap. Either way, you luck out.
- 411:
- Brickell Irish Pub, 1471 S. Miami Ave, 305-381-6651; Waxy O'Connor's, 690 SW 1st Ct, 786-871-7660
A Food Truck Rolled Out
Latin Burger
Miami finally hopped on the food-wagon bandwagon with this sassy mobile restaurant from Food Network chef
Ingrid Hoffmann. Which means on any given night in this city, juicy chorizo burgers and mahimahi tacos with
cilantro mayo are here to satisfy your street-food cravings.
Underground Dining Got a Mascot
Cobaya Gourmet Guinea Pigs
Gather a group of the city's food-obsessed, add a dash of secret dinners executed by chefs whose identities
remain a mystery until the first course, sprinkle in a smattering of experimental-yet-delicious dishes and
voilà—a covert dining group is born. Plus, we all learned the word for guinea
pig in Spanish.
A Palace of Chow Fun
Mr. Chow
The maven of fancy Chinese food—the Chow behind Mr. Chow—unveiled a dim sum palace at the W
South Beach, and socialites came running. You'll have to pay a hefty price for everything from champagne to
lo mein, but if you can score a reservation (and we know you can), you'll be treated to some of the best
people-watching in the city.
- 411:
- Mr. Chow, 2201 Collins Ave, 305-695-1695
Choice Became Overrated
Naoe
One of our favorite restaurants to open this year, Naoe has no menu, no wine list and only 17 seats, but it
has managed to garner the glowing praise of everyone from sushi lovers to food critics. Chef Kevin Cory's
meticulous omakase menu—a bento box of oceanic delights for an insanely low $26—makes this the
dining scene's most exciting newcomer.
- 411:
- Naoe Miami, 175 Sunny Isles Blvd, 305-947-6263
Burgers Were the New Steak
Bar Burgers at Bourbon Steak
If last year's meatification of the city centered on glitzy steakhouses in all their dry-aged glory, this
year was all about the burger and its humble bid to curry favor with carnivores. Bourbon Steak led the pack
with its exquisite Bar Burgers, four different specimens of bun-bound beauties, and a short but
necessary menu of alcoholic milk shakes.
- 411:
- Bourbon Steak, 19999 W. Country Club Dr, 786-279-6600
Brunch Got Sexy
Mondrian Sundays at Asia de Cuba
This mimosa-soaked brunch is still going strong, months after launching in a haze of bikinis, bling and
cabana beds (our favorite kind of haze). Start off at the buffet of Asian-Cuban dishes like Mojo Rubbed
Strip Steak With Miso Poached Eggs, then stay for the informal swimsuit show that is the pool scene.
- 411:
- Sundays, 12-4pm, at the Mondrian, 1100 West Ave, 305-514-1940
Brickell Got a Mile-High Club
Viceroy Miami
Much to the delight of downtown's nightlife denizens, the "members only" clause at the Viceroy's 50th-floor
club has yet to kick in, meaning those skyscraper views (and the attractive people who love them) are yours
to enjoy on a weekly basis. Get 'em while they last…
- 411:
- At the Viceroy Miami, 485 Brickell Ave, 305-503-4400
Only what you need to know.