Raw + Rooftop
The poke trend is taking over Miami. Following a Brickell eatery named after Hawaiis famous raw fish dish, 1 Hotel & Homes unveiled watr, a poke and sushi restaurant on its rooftop. The menus light fare fits the brands wellness angle. Three poke combinations feature octopus in a smoked chili vinaigrette; sockeye salmon with pickled veggies, and the classic kind, tuna, with kimchi and avocado; all come with organic quinoa or rice. On the sushi side, traditional rolls are fully represented along with a couple of vegetarian standouts including burdock root tempura, or bean and alfalfa sprouts with cashew cream cheese. Starters read like a list of Asian cuisines greatest hits: miso roasted Japanese eggplant, rock shrimp and pork belly buns to satisfy the whole table.
- 2341 Collins Avenue; 305.604.6580; 1hotels.com
The Notebook
Jean-Michel Basquiats body of work went far beyond painting. As a pioneer of downtown New Yorks art scene during the eighties, the self-taught artist also left behind a trove of poetry, sketches and other multimedia ephemera that documented his keen insight into street life, human nature and history. Basquiat: The Unknown Notebooks, which opens August 12 at PAMM, is the first major exhibition devoted to his musings on subjects such as love, race relations and the cultural zeitgeist of which he was at the very center. The shows complementary works on paper and large-scale paintings relate to 160 pages selected from the Brooklyn natives notebooks by Brooklyn Museum, where the exhibit premiered in 2015. Previews for Museum Circle Members and PAMM Members will be held August 10 and 11, respectively.
- 1103 Biscayne Boulevard; 305.375.3000; pamm.org
Dive In
Scuba divers have a new destination to explore. Located less than one mile off Pompano Beach, Shipwreck Park opened in late July with the sinking of Lady Luck, a 324-foot tankerthats longer than a football fieldas the focal point for an artificial reef that incorporates nearly 20 other wrecks bustling with marine activity. Organizers are planning events and rotating art exhibits at the site so every visit offers a different experience and draws local and international tourism; think of it as the underwater version of Wynwood Walls. To promote selfies, yet another comparison, they also created themed displays for sections of the ship, such as the decks casino with enormous dice. Mermaids, starfish, sharks and an octopus are more treasures to find like Pokemon characters.
- 954.786.4607; shipwreckparkpompano.org
Urban Cowboy
For months, South of Fifth residents have watched the stunning transformation of a long-shuttered building dating from the twenties into the Meridian Hotel, the third boutique property from Buenos Aires-based Urbanica hospitality group. Its linked to two other structures including a new, 4-story tower for a tranquil oasis with a pool, sun deck and landscaping. Seventy rooms range from the 360-square-foot terrace suite with a large outdoor area to the 180-square-foot mini suite. All have Sealy mattresses (rumor has it they spent a fortune on delicious bedding) and C.O. Bigelow bath products. The onsite Food Marchand serves a locally sourced selection (Panther Coffee, Jugofresh), while Previa bar features an Italian theme with Campari cocktails and antipasto platters. They plan to expand with the 30-room Sofi Hotel at 426 Euclid Avenue soon.
- 418 Meridian Avenue; 305.763.8934; urbanicathehotels.com.es
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