Christmas Tree Lighting, Christmas Park Opening

It's all Friday, December 4, people. Staring at 5 PM, it's a night of fun stuff.

What you can expect: face painting, cartoon artist, the Village of Merrick Park Yuletide Carolers and special presentations by Miami Children’s Theater, Actors’ Playhouse and Maria Verdeja School of the Arts. And of course, the holiday park will open, which, thank goodness, because my son is about to explode from how badly he wants to go.

Santa Claus will arrive at 7 PM for the lighting of the tree in front of City Hall.

For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 305-460-5600.

Thursdays are now *the* Night in the Gables

This week marks the launch of "Get Your Gables On Thursdays", where bars and restaurants will be offering special deals on Thursdays, deals that you'll hopefully find so good you have to check it out for yourself. In these rough times (and really, all the time, because I tend to be kinda cheap), I'm all about spreading the word about special deals.

So, starting this Thursday and continuing every Thursday, here's what you can expect:

Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill
THE DEAL: Fresh fruit mojitos for $3.50 (choose from pineapple, watermelon, blackberry, grapefruit and blackberry); $1 soft tacos, 3 – 9 p.m.
65 Miracle Mile / 305-444-3210

Da Vittorio
THE DEAL: $5 domestic and imported beer, all wines by the glass, and vodka beverages,
6 – 9 p.m.
270 Giralda Ave / 305-445-8783

Novecento
THE DEAL: $10 gets you a glass of sangria and two beef empanadas, 5 – 10 p.m.
121 Alahambra Paza / 305-444-7701

Red Koi Sushi Bar and Lounge
THE DEAL: 2 for 1 lobster bites, sunkist mojitos and Singha bombs, 6:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.
317 Miracle Mile / 305-446-2690

Peterbrooke Chocolatier
THE DEAL: Free wine tasting and chocolate samples, 6 – 10 p.m.
227 Aragon Ave. / 305-446-3131

Ortanique on the Mile
THE DEAL: Complimentary champagne and sparkling wine tastings from 5:30 p.m.; half price bottles of champagne / sparkling wines and $4 off all beer and cocktails, 5 – 7 p.m.
278 Miracle Mile / 305-446-7710

Bangkok Bangkok II
THE DEAL: Purchase one dinner entrée and receive the second half off; 2 for 1 Thai beer,
4 – 10:30 p.m.
157 Giralda Ave. / 305-444-2397

Ben & Jerry’s
THE DEAL: 20% off ice cream shakes, 6 – 11 p.m.
80 Aragon Ave. / 305-442-1800

Caffe Abbracci
THE DEAL: Complimentary glass of wine with ossobuco dinner entrée, 6 – 11 p.m.
318 Aragon Ave. / 305-441-0700

The Bar
THE DEAL: A free extra ounce of liquor in all mixed drinks, 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.
172 Giralda Ave. / 305-442-2730

Morton’s The Steakhouse
THE DEAL: $5 bar bites including petite filet sandwiches, chicken goujonettes and jumbo lump crab, spinach and artichoke dip; $4 - $7 select wines by the glass, beers and cocktails, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. and 9 – 11 p.m.
2333 Ponce De Leon Blvd / 305-442-1662

Por Fin Restaurant & Lounge
THE DEAL: 50 percent off red or white sangria; $5 appetizers, 6 – 10 p.m.
2500 Ponce de Leon Blvd. / 305-441-0107

California Pizza Kitchen
THE DEAL: Free red and white wine tastings, 6 – 10 p.m.
300 Miracle Mile / 305-774-9940

Las Vegas Restaurant
THE DEAL: $7.95 shrimp creole, grilled chicken breast or vaca frita with fúfú de platano and $2.75 mojitos, 6 – 11 p.m.
112 Giralda Ave. / 305-461-2729

Thursday lunch specials:

Sacha’s Café
THE DEAL: $10.50 three cheese chicken lasagna, side salad and apple strudel
2525 Ponce de Leon Blvd. / 305-569-1300

Sub Serious
THE DEAL: $8.40 12-inch cheese steak with chips and fountain soda
262 Andalusia Ave. / 305-445-1820

I have to say, there are some nice deals here that I'm going to have to try!

Halloween on the Mile

It's time again for Halloween on the Mile, people! W00t! I'm a fan of this event and have taken my son these last few years.

Here are the details:

From 3 to 6 p.m., you can expect trick-or-treating at participating stores, a scavenger hunt, costume contests for kids and dogs, scary storytelling, a haunted house and other good stuff.

What I like about this event is that it's fun and safe. People get out there and really have a good spirit, and it's fun for all. Crowded as hell (and avoid driving over if you can, or prepare for bad traffic if you do drive), but fun nonetheless.

Here's the schedule breakdown:

3 p.m.

* Trick-or-treating and scavenger hunt begin
* Haunted house at Baptist Medical Plaza (320 Giralda Ave.)

3:30 p.m.

* Doggie costume contest hosted by NBC 6’s Ryan Phillips and sponsored by The Humane Society of Greater Miami

4 p.m.

* Halloween stories at Books & Books (265 Aragon Ave.)

4:30 p.m.

* Special performance by the Magical Miracles at the Miracle Theatre

5 p.m.

* Kids costume contest at the Miracle Theatre

In years past, people are still roaming around after the sun's gone down, so that may be the case this year as well.

Try to make it out there if you can, folks.

The Kind of Babysitting Service We've Been Needing Around Here

Here's the problem when you're a parent and don't have your own parents or relatives or trusted people to watch your child for you: your life sucks. Without some kind of stable babysitting system, you're generally screwed, unable to enjoy dates or adult activities, unless you're willing to leave your child strapped to a chair at home with the TV blaring some snacks within touching distance.

And you know what happens from there? Your marriage suffers, or, if you're a single parent, you never have a real chance to meet people, and - basically - you are very limited in what you can do and how you can live your life.

A lot hangs on the ability to find quality childcare.

But there just might be a viable solution in our town, finally. I recently heard about this place, Fun Club (in South Miami), where you can leave your child in trusted hands and have some fun of your own for a bit (or maybe not, since technically you might need a babysitter so you can go to a funeral or job interview, but whatever, you get my point). The thing that caught my attention about this place (besides the fact that they're fully licensed and offer enriching, entertaining programs) is the fact that they're open realistic hours. As in, until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturdays (but closed Sundays, because you really should spend some quality time with your kids, at least one day a week, you know?). I mean, how much does it suck to finally find someone to stay with your kid, only to have to be back like at 10:30 or 11 because they need to get home or sleep or whatever? Here, you can just drop your kid off (but really, at least pass by and check the place out first), and come back as late as 1 a.m. Although, they also offer traditional daycare services as well. Or hey, even if you do have regular sitters - what if they're busy or you have something come up last minute? You have another option now. There's even webcam monitoring, so if it turns out your date is a dud or your event sucks, you can log on and check in on your child.

Fun Club has a number of programs and offers its services for kids up to 12 years old. Check out the website for more info.




Fun Club
6710 SW 80 Street
South Miami, FL 33143
(behind Big Cheese)
305-669-1700
info@funclubkids.com

Hallelujah: Coffee Comes to Casola's

Well now, this is much-welcome news: Casola's Pizzeria & Sub Shop now serves coffee! Yay!

Or rather, cafecito. Which, double yay!

Do you know how many times I've gorged on pizza there and have been left wanting, desperately wanting, a shot of the Cuban goodness? It's simply too many to count.

I just had a cortadito, and it was excellent. Seriously, great move on their part.

And check it out: for a limited time, you get a free cafecito when you buy anything off the menu. So it's not just that there's coffee: it's free!

I've been going to Casola's since high school and still go all the time. Love it there, love the folks who run it.

Now, go get your cafecito!

Casola's Pizzeria & Sub Shop
2437 SW 17 Ave.
305-858-0939

Wine Dinner at Cacao Restaurant

For all you wine lovers out there - check out this wine dinner at Cacao this Wednesday the 29th at 7:30 p.m.

The menu will feature a Tangerine Corvina Ceviche accompanied by a glass of San Rafael Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Valle del Maule 2008, followed by Andean Chicken Anticuchos with Paprika and Botija Olives served with a glass of San Rafael Reserva Merlot Valle del Maule 2008. The main course will boast a Sizzling Grilled Rib Eye with Black Truffle Oil Mashed Potatoes with San Rafael Private Reserve Beurre Rouge Sauce paired with a glass of San Rafael Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Valle de Colchagua 2007. And for desert “ El Rey” Dark Chocolates and Coffee Mousse served along with a glass of San Rafael Private Reserve Syrah Valle de Colchagua 2007.

The dinner is $59 per person (tax and gratuity not included), and is presented by local sommelier and wine enthusiast Richard DiGiacomo.

The restaurant is located at 141 Giralda Avenue. Call 305-445-1001 or visit their website.

That is one delicious-sounding menu. If I weren't throwing my own dinner party that night.... I'd house that entire menu.

Bacardi Mojito Madness and Taco Kick-Off Party at Tarpon Bend

Yo peeps, head out to Tarpon Bend on Miracle Mile this Thursday for the Premium Bacardi Mojito Madness and Taco Kick-Off Party.

The party starts at 5 p.m., and will feature mojitos for $3.50. And until 9 p.m., three of the restaurant's tacos will be offered at $1 each.

Basically, you can get sloshed off your butt and nibble on some tacos for, like, $10.

That's probably the best deal I've heard of yet.

New Restaurants in the Gables

Here's an update on some restaurants I had previously told you would open in downtown Gables.

Now Open:

The Sports Exchange
45 Miracle Mile

Pasha’s
130 Miracle Mile

Randazzo’s Little Italy – New Location
375 Miracle Mile
(You know, I was expecting a bigger to-do with the new location's opening and was keeping my eyes peeled for any info on it, but it seems as if they just quietly opened back in March without much of anything going on around it.)

Chilorio’s
Casual-dining Mexican
130 Miracle Mile

Opening some time this year:

Norman’s 180
Chef Norman Van Aken’s take on a more casual dining experience
180 Aragon Ave.

Charlotte Bistro
French bistro
264 Miracle Mile

Talavera
Casual-dining Mexican (more Mexican? Sweet!)
2271 Ponce de Leon Blvd.

Fatburger (At this point, I refuse to believe this one anymore. They've been "opening" since 2007!)
232 Miracle Mile


If you've been to any of the new places, be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section!

Father's Day Specials in the Gables

Here's a list of specials for dad in Coral Gables. There's some nice stuff in here.


Avant-Garde Salon & Spa
155 Miracle Mile / 305-442-8136
On Saturday, June 21, Avant-Garde is featuring discounts on their MANicure/pedicure combo and anti-aging facials. Also, stress-relieving scalp massages are free for dad with the purchase of a haircut.

Men-n-cure Salon for Men
208 Andalusia Avenue / 305-460-9993
Five different Father's Day packages are available that feature hair cuts, facials, massages and more. Buy a treatment for dad and receive a free manicure for you! And this is really cool: they have a “Cure Crew” that will travel to any location in the 33134 area code to perform services.

Razzledazzle Barbershop
224 Miracle Mile / 305-461-4666
Offering annual membership that includes 12 hair cuts ($180) or one that includes 12 hair cuts complete with a straight-edge razor neck shave and wash ($300).

EmaginNation Collectibles and Memorabilia
277 Miracle Mile, 2nd Floor / 786-493-5399
All sports and music related memorabilia will be reduced 40 percent for the entire week before Father’s Day.

Signori Fine Men’s Clothing­­­­­­­­­­
374 Miracle Mile / 305-461-4969
Designs by Robert Graham, Stone Rose and MEC Shirts are 10 - 30% off with complimentary gift wrapping services.

Riviera Jewelers
369 Miracle Mile / 305-445-4000
New Rolex watches available at a savings of 10 - 15%.
(you know who else would love a new Rolex at 10-15% off? Tere the Blogger, that's who.)

Metro PCS
262 Miracle Mile / 305-446-4835
Customize dad’s phone with 50 percent off accessories throughout the month of June.

Paper Emporium
231 Aragon Avenue / 305-445-7090
Pick up a charming cigar box filled with fine stationery and paperweights depicting vintage images of Cuba, priced at $35 – 50. Also, all Swing photo albums, picture frames and stationery are 20% off.

The America’s Collection
2440 Ponce de Leon Blvd / 305-446-5578
Dads with a love for art deserve a piece from the America’s Collection. The gallery is offering a 10 percent discount on custom framing in honor of Father’s Day.

Morton's The Steakhouse
2333 Ponce de Leon Blvd / 305-442-1662
Treat the “steak and potatoes” dad to his choice of filet mignon or New York strip at Morton’s. Morton’s is offering a three-course, pre-fixe menu for $65 per person. Price excludes tax and gratuity. Reservations recommended. (Complete menu posted below, with some additional info).

The Sports Exchange
45 Miracle Mile / 305-774-1222
Mention the Father’s Day promotion and Dad will receive 50 percent off his entrée when accompanied by one paying kid (of any age!)

Red Koi Thai and Sushi Lounge
317 Miracle Mile / 305-446-2690
Red Koi Thai & Sushi Lounge will be offering all dads two for one beers, house wine and house sake on Father’s Day.

Por Fin Restaurant and Lounge
2500 Ponce de Leon Blvd / 305-441-0107
All cabernet sauvignon wines by the bottle will be half price on Father's Day.

Pasha’s Healthy Mediterranean Cuisine
130 Miracle Mile / 305.572.1150 Ext: 310
Receive a special Father’s Day gift certificate by e-mailing your name, phone number, e-mail and address to marketing@pashas.com.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
2525 Ponce de Leon Boulevard / 305-569-7995
Toast to father-son bonding during an exclusive Scotch pairing dinner June 12 at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar featuring an exquisite range of fine blended whiskies from Johnny Walker. Reservations are required for this all-inclusive dinner that starts at 7 p.m., $65 per person.

Ben & Jerry’s
80 Aragon Ave / 305-442-1800
How about a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream cake for your celebration? Order at least five days before Father’s Day and receive a 15% discount on large cakes and sheet cakes.

Peterbrooke Chocolatier
227 Aragon Avenue / 305-446-3131
Offering special "dad-themed" chocolates including tennis rackets, golf balls, golf bags, ties and even a huge chocolate golf bag.


Morton's The Steakhouse Father's Day Menu:

Choice of Soup or Salad

Baked Five Onion Soup, Crusted with Swiss Cheese
Caesar Salad, Classic Dressing
Center Cut Iceberg, Our Version of the Wedge

Choice of one Entree

Filet Mignon, Double Cut, Bearnaise Sauce
New York Strip Steak, Signature Cut
Cajun Ribeye Steak
Broiled Salmon Fillet, Chef's Beurre Blanc Sauce
Chicken Christopher, Garlic Beurre Blanc Sauce

Choice of One Vegetable or Potato

Dessert

Carrot Cake or Key Lime Pie


Morton’s The Steakhouse’s also has a new cookbook out: “Morton's The Cookbook: 100 Steakhouse Recipes for Every Kitchen,” co-authored by Morton’s co-founder, Klaus Fritsch. It features over 100 recipes for Morton’s signature cocktails, steak specialties and other main dish favorites, appetizers, soups and salads, side dishes, and delicious and decadent desserts. It also includes favorite Morton’s recipes and Celebrity Clip stories from celebrities such as Val Kilmer, Larry King, bestselling author James Patterson, famed artist LeRoy Nieman, Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman and comedian DL Hughley.

The cookbook is available wherever books are sold, on mortons.com and in all 81 restaurants for $32.50.

For a chance to win your Father his very own copy of Morton’s The Cookbook and a set of Morton’s Grilling Salts, nominate him in Morton’s “Best Dad” contest.

No Barriers Festival

The Miami Herald wrote about this today, which might make this old news, but I was really impressed when I received this info, so I'll share it here anyway.

Beginning this Thursday, June 4th, Shake-A-Leg Miami, a community-based aquatic activities center serving able bodied individuals as well as those with physical, developmental and economic challenges, will host Miami’s first-ever No Barriers Festival, a four-day festival where interaction, innovation and inspiration help shift the paradigm of possibility.

The No Barriers Festival, now in its fourth year, is a unique, international event that combines land and water-based adaptive sports with cutting-edge techniques and technologies that enable people with challenges to live as actively as possible and to break through their own personal barriers.

The stories of the individuals participating are awe inspiring; from the journalist who was strangled and left paralyzed, and now competitively sails against able-bodied sailors, to a man who’s paralyzing accident inspired him to start Shake-A-Leg. From the only blind man to have climbed the Seven Summits of the world, to the wounded Iraqi veterans who are trying to cope with their new disabilities. From a three-legged pony that has inspired and brought hope to disabled people around the country, to a bilateral below-the-knee amputee who has set world records in the 100-meter, 200-meter dash and long jump at the Paralympics. These individuals will challenge society’s perceptions of disability by their stories of courage and breaking through barriers.

The schedule for the rest of the festival is as follows:

Friday, June 5 - Saturday, June 6

· 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Symposium “Technology Meets Physical Disability II” – Featuring latest research and development in assistive technology located at the Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove.

· 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Youth Interactive Clinics – Offering a wide range of both land and water based activities including swimming, kayaking, sailing, photography, boat building, marine science, team building and more. (Ages 7 – 15)

· 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Innovation Village – Featuring demonstrations and supervised use of the newest adaptive products.

· 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Interactive Activities and Clinics – Including climbing wall, pictures with Molly the “amputee” Pony, art in the outdoors, adaptive golf, wheelchair fencing, scuba diving, standup paddling, outrigger canoeing, adaptive fishing, hand cycling, adaptive yoga, blind guided GPS sailing tour and more. Off-Site Activities: Dolphin Encounter at Miami Seaquarium, Shark Valley, Bill Baggs State Park, Kennedy Park, Therapeutic Equestrian, and more.

Saturday, June 6

· 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Symposium “Technology Meets Physical Disability II”

· 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Youth Interactive Clinics

· 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Innovation Village (details above)

· 8:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Film Festival - Educational and Inspirational Family Film Series featuring two award-winning inspirational films: “Coming Home: Military Families Cope with Change” and “Blindsight.”

· 8:45 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Moonlight Sail

Sunday, June 7

· 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Innovation Village

· 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Interactive Activities and Clinics

· 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Roundtable Discussions

· 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Finale Regatta Event


The No Barriers Festival will take place primarily on the campus of Shake-A-Leg, 2620 South Bayshore Drive in Coconut Grove. Call 305-858-5550 if you've got questions.

Learn Calligraphy at Paper Emporium

True story: when I was like nine or ten, my decided I should learn calligraphy. So he bought me all these supplies - I remember how fresh and new and exciting everything looked - and let me have at it. The problem was that he just gave me the supplies and like, left me there to figure it out, not factoring in the fact that I had no idea what exactly calligraphy was or how to do it correctly.

In lieu of any actual lessons, I used all the materials and fancied myself a 15-century princess who was against her parents' evil ways, and I would write letters to the "good guys" who were helping me escape and hatch a plan to free the people.

Anyway.

I remembered this because I got word that Paper Emporium is offering a Calligraphy Class Series, so now you can learn the "time-honored art of fine hand lettering using the pointed pen in the Copperplate style." W00t!

The four classes will cover introduction to materials, fundamental strokes that form upper and lower case letters, and practice in writing words and sentences. You'll come out of there with a finished calligraphy piece. The class will be taught by professional calligrapher Monica Mirones, who is an experienced calligrapher and member of the South Florida Calligraphy Guild, as well as other national calligraphy organizations.

The details:

Tuesdays, June 9 – June 30
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Paper Emporium, 231 Aragon Avenue

The cost for this four-week workshop is $200, which includes all materials. Space is limited, so get movin'! Call 305-445-7090 to reserve your space.

Taste of the Gables & Restaurant Week

Silly me, I thought I'd posted about this already. Ah well... here you go, info on tomorrow's event and next week.

The Coral Gables Business Improvement District is hosting Taste of the Gables on Friday, May 29, from 6 to 9 p.m. It will take place in the via between Tarpon Bend and Fritz & Franz. It's a free event that will feature samplings from participating Restaurant Week restaurants. Entertainment will include live music and a feature performance by the Grammy-nominated Negroni’s Trio, an appearance by Tamera G. of 97.3 The Coast’s Those Two Girls in the Morning Show, a $500 Downtown Coral Gables shopping spree giveaway and more. The event is sponsored by Bacardi USA.

What's this?? An event on a night that I'm actually free? Could it be? I don't even remember what this feels like!

Then, Restaurant Week runs June 1 – 14 (so that should be Restaurant WeekS). Menus are available at lunch and dinner at a savings of at least 20% off of regular menu prices. Participating restaurants include Archie’s Gourmet Pizza, Bangkok Bangkok II, Cacao Restaurant, Caffe Abbracci, California Pizza Kitchen, Da Vittorio, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, Fritz & Franz Bierhaus, JohnMartin’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, Le Provencal, Morton's The Steakhouse, Ortanique on the Mile, Randazzo’s Little Italy, Pardo’s Chicken, Por Fin Restaurant & Lounge, Red Koi Thai & Sushi Lounge, Spris, Les Halles, Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, The Grill Club, The Sports Exchange, Two Sisters and the Westin Colonnade.

Check out their website for more info.

20% off is nothing to scoff at, so take advantage and support local restaurants.

Italian Cooking Show at Mia Cucina

This Thursday evening, Mia Cucina on Miracle Mile is hosting an Italian Cooking Show. I thought the flyer did a nifty job of explaining it all, so here you go (click to enlarge):

The participating chefs, restaurants and recipes are as follows:

JOEY’S ITALIAN CAFÉ, Chef Ivo Mazzon, with the regional cuisine of LIGURIA.

Recipes:

-Frittata Con Tonno E Fagiolini (Omelette with Tuna and String Beans)

-Stoccafisso in Agrodolce (Sweet and Sour Baccala`)

-Mousse Di Ricotta, Mascarpone E Basilico Con Pinoli Caramellati (Ricotta, Mascarpone and Basil Mousse with Caramelized Pine Nuts)

SUBZERO & WOLF, Chef Will Ratley, with the regional cuisine of UMBRIA

Recipes:

-Parmigiana Di Melanzane Ripiene (Stuffed Eggplant with Parmigiana & Ricotta)

-Stinco D'agnello (Braised Lamb Shank with Chestnuts)

-San Giuseppe Fritters (Umbria Rum Rice Fritters)


Sounds like a fun way to spend a Thursday night!

Marshall's Opens This Week

This is totally worthy of its own post. The official grand opening for the Marshalls at the new Miracle Market Place (née Center) is this Thursday, May 21.

8 a.m., people. Get your comfy shoes on and get ready to clean the place out.

Seriously, the store I'm most excited about is this one. I love Marshalls. The only thing they could have done to really outdo themselves was to also have a Home Goods. Wow, that would've killed me.

I believe DSW is also days from opening.

On a side note, readers have been using an older post about the shopping center to post updates and comments - let's please use this one now, so that the most current information stays closer to the top.

If anyone's there right when they open, please be sure to share in the comments!

Create a Guide, Support a Good Cause

So how 'bout you do something relatively easy and fun and at the same time do some good for a local charity?

Yes? You in? Good. Here are the deets (I know, me with the *hip* lingo; what's up with that?):

Nextstop.com, a site with collective guides about cities where people share the places and experiences they love most, invites everyone to create a guide of 5 local places in the Miami area that they love and recommend. For doing that, Nextstop will donate $5 to Miami's Daily Bread Food Bank.

How cool is that? Seems easy enough, no? So go create your guide!

For those of you that don't know, the Daily Bread Food Bank is a not-for-profit organization that "empowers other South Florida not-for-profit organizations to feed needy people and improve their lives... by providing food and other grocery products; and by educating and engaging the community to fight hunger and poverty."

You'd be a really awesome person if you popped over and shared your 5 favorite spots -restaurants, parks, theaters, beaches, etc.

Mom's Day Menu (and Contest) at Morton's

Do you love your mother? Really? So then you're planning on taking her to Morton's for Mother's Day? Because I tell you, if I was your mother, that'd be one sweet way to show me your love.

All three Morton's locations will have the following menu for Mother's Day for $59 p/p:

Salad (choice of)

Morton’s Salad, Morton’s Blue Cheese Dressing, Chopped Egg, Anchovies

or

Caesar Salad, Classic Dressing


Entree (choice of one)

Single Cut Filet Mignon, Bearnaise Sauce

Filet Oskar, Asparagus, Jumbo Lump Crab, Bearnaise Sauce

Broiled Salmon Fillet, Chef’s Beurre Blanc Sauce

Colossal Shrimp Alexander, Beurre Blanc Sauce

Chicken Christopher, Garlic Beurre Blanc Sauce


Side Dishes

Select One Vegetable or Potato


Dessert

Creme Brulee or Double Chocolate Mousse


The three locations are also hosting a Mother’s Day contest: each location is providing mothers the chance to receive a complimentary cooking demonstration with Morton’s renowned chefs, for the whole family to enjoy together. Children are invited to nominate their favorite meal cooked by their mom and must explain how this meal makes them feel special. Nominations must specify their nearest Morton’s location (Miami, Coral Gables or North Miami Beach) in the subject line. Nominations should be sent to scasey@krepspr.com by Friday, May 8. The winner will be notified on Sunday, May 10.

How suspicious will it be if my three-year-old "nominates" me by "writing" a cute, funny email?

The Mother’s Day hours of operation for Morton’s The Steakhouse Miami are 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Morton’s North Miami Beach; and 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Morton’s Coral Gables.

The Details on Nordstrom Rack at Miracle Marketplace (or Mircale Center, because I just can't stop calling it that)

O.k., so based on comments on my last post about Miracle Center Marketplace, most of you have seen the pretty sign that heralds "Nordstrom Rack" - a sign, I have to say, that I very gleefully welcome.

The folks over at Talisman (the company that owns MMP) sent me some details on this latest addition. See for yourselves:

"Seattle-based Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN), a leading fashion specialty retailer, announced it will open a 35,000-square-foot Nordstrom Rack, a unit of the company's off-price retail division, at Miracle Marketplace located in Coral Gables, Fla. in spring 2010.

...

Nordstrom Rack is the company's off-price retail division offering savings of 30 to 70 percent on apparel and accessories for women, men and children, including one of the most extensive collections of name-brand shoes available. Nordstrom Rack merchandise is made up of products from Nordstrom full-line stores and the company's online store at Nordstrom.com, as well as special purchase items."

Two things stick out: 35,000 square feet! WOOT! That's some serious space! Also, SPRING 2010. Which is pretty much a year from now. Meaning, we have to be patient. Meaning, this blows, because I have no patience.

Still, the mall is coming to life little by little. It's fun to see what's new every few days as I drive by (with son being eternally fascinated and I being eternally frustrated by that crane that closes one lane on Coral Way westbound every morning). I haven't gone yet, am waiting for more stores (mainly, Marshalls and DSW) to open, but the activity surrounding the place is good as far as I'm concerned!

Cacao Restaurant's Bringing You the Symphony

Well, sorta.

This Friday, May 1 (from 10:30 p.m. to midnight), stop by Cacao Restaurant on Giralda and meet Miami Symphony Orchestra Music Director and Conductor Maestro Eduardo Marturet and classical guitarist Angel Romero. For $20, you get to enjoy wine, hors d’oeuvres and a meet-and-greet with these two fine gentlemen.

The event takes place after the Miami Symphony's performance at the Guzman Concert Hall at the University of Miami (scheduled for 8 p.m.).

This reminds me that I haven't been to a symphony in ages. Not in the last six years, at least. What a great way to spend an evening. O.k., gotta add that to the to-do list.

If you want more info on the event at Cacao, call 305-445-1001. For the Miami Symphony, call 305-275-5666.

Remember to Vote Tomorrow!

Hey, Coral Gables residents:

VOTE TOMORROW!

April 14 is election day in the Gables, so please make some time and get your vote in.

I'll tell you what my parents have always told me: "We didn't flee an evil, murderous regime, leave everything behind, not see our families for decades, and start from scratch in a foreign land just so you could waste your God-given right to vote! What would all the people who died for their right to be free think of that? Did they die for nothing?"

My family. So heavy on the guilt.

But you get the point: it's your civic duty and the right thing to do. So do it.

Free Meal for CPAs at Morton's

Well, at least, a chance to WIN a free meal, if you're a CPA. Check it:

Morton’s is designating Thursday, April 16th as CPA Appreciation Day and offering CPAs the chance to “file” for a complimentary Steak and Seafood Dinner for two that will be awarded to one lucky CPA and a guest on that date at the steakhouse to celebrate the end of the tax season.

If you’re a CPA and want to try your luck, call either Morton’s Miami at 305-400-9990 or Morton’s Coral Gables at 305-442-1662 before April 14th and give them your name, phone number and email address. On Tax Day (Wednesday, April 15th), one winning CPA in the Miami/Coral Gables area will be randomly selected and notified by phone. The winner will then enjoy Morton’s Steak and Seafood Dinner for two on April 16th. If you win, you must provide proof that you're a CPA (a state-issued certificate, a business card with name and a CPA title on it, or CPA license card.)

If you're a CPA, and you're reading this, and you enter, and you win, you should totally take me as the guest. Because you won because of me. And I love food.