MEX IT UP
After fueling Wynwoods hordes of millennials with COYO Taco, chef partner Scott Linquist expanded to the beach with OLLA. Unlike his first fast casual concept, the more grown-up eatery delves further into his background of mastering regional Mexican cuisine from Oaxaca to the Yucatan. The restaurants name, a traditional ceramic jar for family-style meals, and Diego Rivera-inspired mural also deliver his message of authenticity. A tarro section features different combinations of ingredients layered in glass jars, such as remolachas with beets, queso fresco and poblano style walnut cream. Charros of pork cheek with cowboy beans is among the variety of larger olla. Crudos go beyond the typical kind around town to include sea urchin. Its also the place to get your fix for mole, enchiladas and mahi mahi tacos.
1233 Lincoln Road; 786.717.5400; ollamiami.com
LOSE YOUR MARBLES
Amid the Art Basel mayhem, Verona-based Citco launched its first U.S. showroom for all things fabricated in luxury marbletiles, walls, furniture and home accessories. The firm excels for its granite-hard materials and imagining every interpretation under the sun such as fantastical garden blooms and exotic animal skins. The 2,600-square-foot location in the Miami Design District also showcases its numerous collaborations with premier architects and creative visionaries. Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster, Daniel Libeskind and Arik Levys collections are available. For example, Hadids Mercuric tables of white Covelano marble come in organic shapes to mimic smooth river stones. The in-house Citco Priv, which evolves annually, traveled to the Far East for 2016a Koji wall in Azul Macaubas marble and copper, and Hiro mirrors in Carrara marble and brass.
3801 NE Miami Court; 786.542.7443; citco.it
SPICE GUYS
Need quick holiday gifts for gourmets? Head to the Spice Lab in Fort Lauderdale for the shops namesake wares, olive oils and teas. A wall made of Himalayan salt advertises over 500 spices, rubs and of course, salts in test-tube samplers. Owner Brett Cramer also specializes in 250 high-end teas that are far cry from the bags of weak leaves on grocery store shelves. He even stocks aged, pressed tea cakes known as pu-erh in a range of sizes from single servings to a seasonal supply broken off bit by bit. For grander presents for serious tea drinkers, pair tea selections with an Asian-themed kettle, some of which are handmade works of art from China. He loves to share his knowledge, so dont be shy with questions about products and preparation.
1201 North Federal Highway; 954.275.4478; thespicelab.com
FIRENZA IN FLORIDA
Edgardo Osorio, the Colombian, Miami and London-raised founder of Aquazzura, unveiled a permanent home here for his five-year-old Florentine footwear brand in Bal Harbour Shops. The boutiques wild dcor blends his signature, bold black-and-white stripes with only-in-Miami pink flamingo wallpaper. Its his fourth flagship worldwide and second U.S. store, with another due soon in Las Vegas. The brands other big news is the launch of Aquazzura Mini, so girls can wear child-friendly versions of their mothers favorite styles. The inaugural Spring/Summer 2017 collection offers iconic shoes like Christy flats with delicate laces, Wild Thing with ornate fringe, and adorable, colorful Pon Pon. Naturally its something that fashionable moms, which extends to a huge celebrity following, have been requesting for a long time.
9700 Collins Avenue; 305.330.6860; aquazzura.com
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