Bravado Living

We remember when Coral Gables used to have a great Art Walk- free wine and appetizers every ten steps, live music, meet and greets, etc. With the passing of time, it saw a dying down. Fortunately for us, First Fridays in the Gables have continued to take advantage of the publicity and host a variety of events. It looks like a very Gables weekend– here’s what we have lined up:

TASTE OF THE GABLES — sample food tastings from 15 Coral Gables restaurants as the unofficial kick-off party to Coral Gables Restaurant Week. Tickets are $15 at the door tonight but, you can go here http://coralgablesrestaurantweek.com/ and grab the last of the $10 tickets. 6-8PM 6/4/10 @ 65 Miracle Mile.

Sushi Maki – Check out free bites and cheap sake 8-11:30PM @ 2334 Ponce de Leon Blvd

Morton’s – Dogfish Head Beer and Cheese Tasting! Sounds like a dream, I know! But, it’s really happening. If that’s not enough- Morton’s is also treating you to tuna tartar canapés, salmon wedges, lamb chops with brie, petite filet mignon sandwiches, and different types of cheese. $45 gets you a seat to the tasting.6-7:30PM 6/4/10 @ 2333 Ponce de Leon Blvd.

Books & Books – If Stephanie Meyer is your favorite author and you are willing to share that information in public, you should probably be ashamed of yourself. In other news, we have a great event for you- Books & Books is hosting a Midnight Launch Party of the newest book in the Twilight-esque series-“The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner”. Live music, Twilight series trivia contests, costume contests, and prizes are all included in the lure of the fiesta. 9:30- midnight 6/4/10 @ 265 Aragon Avenue

Coral Gables Restaurant Week starts! I still have a gripe as to why they refer to it as “week”. It lasts for 13 days! Anywho, 30 Gables restaurants are giving their run at three course prix fix lunch and dinner menus. We’ll be stopping by Ortanique on the Mile, Angelique Euro Café, and Graziano’s to check out their menu specials this “week”. 6/7/10 – 6/20/10

A couple tidbits: a) This isn’t the time to hit up the “cheaper” venues because you can cash in on a better deal at restaurant.com. Search the list and when you figure where you want to go type in promo code “eat”.  You just paid $3 for a $25 gift certificate.  b) sign up for Chef’s Table at Benihana. This month’s perk: the whole shebang (shrimp, mushrooms, soup/salad, rice, etc) as well as hibachi chicken AND filet mignon at 2 for $39.

Outside the Gables—

LASER SHOW— 7:00pm Legends of the Night Sky Family Laser Show, [ 7:30 free star show in the Planetarium followed by free telescopic observing in the Weintraub Observatory from 8 until 10 p.m. Additionally we have a new series of free lectures called FYI at 8 p.m. ] , 9:00pm The Doors, 10:00pm Best of Pink Floyd, 11:00pm Led Zeppelin, Midnight Pink Floyd: A Saucerful of Secrets. Tickets for each laser show are $8. The shows are AWESOME but, beware: the later it gets, the more the air smells like Mary Jane, and the higher your chances of seeing a kid pass out in line are (I swear this happened last time I went). Miami Museum of Science, 3280 South Miami Avenue

Burlesque/Absinthe Club— promoting itself as an invite only club, email info@clublafeeverte.com for your invite. Opening weekend is always the best time to head out anywhere since they are begging to impress you. Give it a try @ 912 71st St.

Dirty South – Four years ago, I would have been camped outside waiting for 11:00PM to roll around so I could see Dirty South. If you are able to deal with the crowd, head over to Mansion on 6/5/10 @ 1235 WASHINGTON AVENUE

Afrobeta – check them out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o6XjxBExes performing at Grand Central 697 N. Miami Ave

Movies at the Icon- 2 for 1 admission (all throughout June) playing Remember the Titans on 6/5/10 7:30pm Icon Brickell Spa @ 465 Brickell Ave

Paragon 13-The new Paragon 13 movie theatre in Coconut Grove is finally ready to open its doors to the public. In case you haven’t heard, the concession stand is selling beer and liquor. They are also allowing you to reserve your seat so that you don’t have to get to the theatre a half hour before your movie. In a nice twist, for a short time: stop by the Grove and spend $30 in any store or $50 in any restaurant and receive two complimentary tickets to check out the theatre

We know that when we mention Italy you immediately conjure images of a gondola ride in Venice, a tour of the Coliseum, or snapping that famous picture of you pretending to hold up The Leaning Tower of Pisa (you’re so clever).

You never thought of going wild boar hunting. Which is exactly why you should.

Noone wants to hear the boring story of how you sampled the finest wine on earth, or you saw the Ferrari museum. They want to hear how you went toe-to-toe with a wild boar (with 6 inch tusks, right? right?) and took it down in one of the most culture rich countries known to man, brought it back and cooked a giant feast for the entire village.

Rules are you must bring your own rifle (check the site on how to get your Red Ryder across the border). After that, there are no rules.

You follow a master boar tracker who will use the boar’s tree rubbings, hoof tracks, and his best John Locke impression to lead you to a clear shot of the wild beast. Sounds like a great male bonding experience if I ever heard of one.

Kind of puts to shame that “epic” trip the strip club you had last month, doesn’t it?

Timon and Pumba Sighting not Guaranteed

BOOK IT Authentic Boar Hunting in Tuscany 335EU

It’s that time of the year again gentlemen. Where your office “brown bagger” becomes a connoisseur of fine dining, and your foodie becomes a food snob- we are talking of course about Miami Spice. A phenomenal idea where Miami’s top restaurants create an exclusive 3-course menu prepared for this coveted event.

Every meal includes a choice of appetizer, main course, and dessert. All for the unabashedly low price of $22 for lunch, and $35 for dinner. I’ve spent more money at Flannigan’s on the “Joe’s Meals Deal” than I would have at these world-class restaurants.

These are restaurants that would normally charge $40 just for an entree, mind you.

You could easily scratch off 4 restaurants from your restaurant list for little more than a Benjamin. A feat that would easily cost you double that, if not more, if attempted outside of the months of August or September.

One look at the list of participating restaurants and it’s easy to see why this is such a great event.

Notables:

The Capital Grille

Devito’s

Hakkasan 

Loftin’s at the Versace Mansion

Meat Market

Azul

Morton’s Steakhouse

The Restaurant at the Setai

Are you convinced yet?

Take a look for yourself, we guarantee some of the names will shock you. Browse the menu’s, book a table, and enjoy your three-course meal for the price of a drink at Barton G.

What recession?

Home the Blue Monster, several PGA tournaments, and some of the most beautiful courses on the planet, the Doral golf resort is the stuff of legends. Unfortunately, it also comes with a price tag to match ($200+). So like that guy who knows all the hook-ups, we at THS are going to spill the goods on how we golf there for $4.

Now we must warn you. This technique isn’t for everyone. It requires a certain Je Ne Sais Qua of a man who is unshakably confident and able to “act the part.” But we have been doing it for years and have only been caught once, and that’s only because we were being reckless (see below).

Ok so here’s what you do.

1.) Drive  and park your car in guest parking ($4 for two hours and the only time you will use your wallet).

2.) Walk over to the golf carts and strap up your golf bag and drive off. If there’s an attendant there just ask “Grab any cart?” and they’ll always respond “Yes Sir, any cart you’d like.”

3.) Cart yourself over to the driving range. In most golf courses, you have to pay for a bucket of practice balls, but when you’re paying an absorbent amount of money just for a round, Doral throws in the practice balls for free. Every tee will have a giant bucket filled to the brim with golf balls. Feel free to use as many as you’d like while you warm up, and hell if you’re feeling extra bold, stuff a few into your club covers for later.

4.) When you’re done warming up, drive onto the course and find a hole that isn’t being used. Word of advice, stay away from the Blue Monster, because not only will it swallow most of your balls, you’re more likely to get caught. We personally use the Red Course as it’s considered the “Kiddie Course” (still world class standards) but it is less closely monitored. Stay away from hole 1 and 10 as they are the closest to the club house (how we got busted).

5.) If you do get caught, act innocent, foreign, stupid and say “Oh we just moved into the neighborhood and thought we could just grab a cart and go.” They’ll just scold you lightly for your feigned stupidity and let you drive your cart back for booking. Where you can just walk back to your car laughing that you just enjoyed one of the best courses in the world for under a lincoln.

Just in case: If they ask for your address say “We just moved, I haven’t even memorized it yet.”

And thats it gentlemen. Bring a 12 pack of beer, your favorite stogie, and live the good life.

You’re welcome.

If you are looking for a slice of Brazilian Rain Forest in the middle of South Florida, there’s no better place to look than Fairchild Tropical Gardens. Lush with greens, lakes, iguanas, and butterflies, the garden is a paradise of flora and fauna.

Normally $20 per adult, for the month of August, you can go free on Sundays. You have to specifically ask for this special or they will still try to charge you. Bring a blanket, a picnic basket full of goodies, mosquito repellent (trust us), and your best bubbly and pretend like you’re adam and eve in this secluded paradise.

Who knows. She may even take a bite out of your apple.

Fairchild Tropical Garden 10901 Old Cutler Road, Miami, Fl 305.667.1651

I know it seems like we are favoring the Mondrian here in Miami, but man are they coming up with some good stuff. Despite it’s beautiful weather, women, and beaches, Miami has yet to solidify a stellar pool party. We saw glimpses of hope last year at the Shore Club run by legendary South Beach Promoter Hassan, but unfortunately, word got out fast and the crowd went from European to Euro-trash in a matter of months.

Well it’s been almost a year and we finally a have a new contender– Launching this Sunday, July 19th is Mondrian Sundays at Asia de Cuba thrown by Miami Super-mogul Michael Capponi.

Watch as people arrive by boat or Ferrari while you bask in this beautiful paradise we call Miami. Complete with bayside pool, oversized cabana beds with privacy shades for bottle service, red victorian era furniture backdropped against gigantic white couches perfect for you and all your friends.

The brunch begins within the indoor dining room and spills out onto the sun-kissed patio deck. This party haven comes complete with a state-of the art sound system and live DJ to make sure the champagne sipping women will have something to dance to ( you will, of course, be what they dance with).

So bring your swimsuit, aviators, and your abs that you’ve been working on all year for (right?) and enjoy the closest thing to a Jay-Z video you will ever experience. That is of course unless you are Jay-Z, in which case- let’s talk.

On the all-you-can-eat menu: Asian Style Cured Salmon With Avocado Crème Fraiche, homemade Guava Pastelitos, Huevos y Bacalao (poached eggs on salt cod cakes), Grilled Mojo Rubbed 12 oz. Strip Steak With Miso Poached Eggs, and dessert-table treats like Lemongrass Flan and Café con Leche Cheesecake.

RSVP HERE, 1100 West Ave Miami Beach, Fl 33139

Sundays starting July 19, 12pm-12am, buffet $42 served until 4pm

EDIT: Apparently, this party is very calm. It’s more St. Tropez than Ibiza. While stationed in a beautiful location, noone was dancing, rather preferring to lay out and soak up the sun. Were not saying this is bad, just don’t expect to see “Rehab” of Miami.

EDIT: Show up early (12:15ish) and find metered parking because the valet is $24. Once you get in though, the service is unbelievable. We were treated like royalty.

You can reserve a seat for a $40 consumption fee which basically means you have to spend $40 worth of food and drinks- which shouldn’t be too hard considering how delicious the food and drinks look. Or you can just try and sit down on one when noone is looking. It’s still empty enough that you can get away with that.

There was still no party, but it was a great alternative to drinking sun at the beach.

If we can give you one piece of advice- Travel. Travel often. Go with a local if you can- do things locals would do.Take pictures. Stay away tourist traps. Stay safe, but stay adventurous. Don’t sleep in, you’ll have plenty of time to rest on the plane ride home.  Take a lot of pictures. Keep a diary of events. Don’t spend too long at national monuments, and use the extra time exploring hidden treasures. Live like a local. No seriously, take pictures and videos of everything. Everything. And keep some extra cash, id, and credit card in your sock. If you’re traveling right, you’re probably going to get robbed. And keep an extra camera in your suitcase so you can take pictures.

“The world is a book, and those who don’t travel read only one page… What no-one tells you is that the book is no easy read. If there’s one thing I can say is that whatever it is you’re looking for- beauty, salvation, enlightenment, danger, or just to disappear, will only be a fraction of what you find. I am just trying to read the whole book!”

Learn how to travel for a whole year for under $14,000.

If you’re like us, you probably include shampoo, conditioner, face scrub, shaving cream, toothpaste in your morning regimen. Now this is fine, if not a little metro, when you’re in the comfort of your own home. But what happens when you travel? Are you really going to pack everything in your toiletry bag and hope it doesn’t spill on all your clothes. Well chances are, that’s probably what you’ve been doing. Until Now.

Dr. Bonner’s Magic Soap is an organic marvel. It can be used as shampoo, body wash, shaving cream, even toothpaste if you’re in a pinch. We love it in the peppermint scent to revitalize you from the long nights out. Pick up a bottle and throw it in your bag on your next trip, that is, if you don’t use it all at home.

BUY IT Dr. Bonner’s Magic Soap $3.99

Who said you needed to deal with peanuts and baggage claim to go on a vacation. Why not treat yourself to a staycation in the beautiful city of Miami. There are a ton of great deals right here in our own backyard (sorry national readers, tell us where you live and we’ll find discounts for you too).

If there’s one good thing about this economy, it’s lowered prices on everything. So stay at the Mondrian on Miami beach for only $345 a night using the special code below. This seems like a lot but when you realize you’ll be getting a free room upgrade, 25% off all spa treatments, and a private poolside cabana for each day of your stay- it suddenly seems more reasonable.

And if that wasn’t enough, they threw in complimentary bottle of champagne just to sweeten the deal.

The hotel is has great reviews, great location, and amazing restaurants. Take advantage of this offer, before everyone else does.

BOOK IT Now until New Year’s, use code PKMOFN to book, 1100 West Ave, 305-514-1500

Nestled in the heart of the Caribbean, in the middle of St. Lucia, lies a hotel deeply invested in nature-Jade Mountain. Architecturally designed to flow with nature, each bedroom, living room, and infinity pool flow like platforms out into nature. With one wall specifically removed from every room, you don’t feel like you are in a hotel, but a sanctuary in nature.

Infinity Pool in Every Room

Specifically technology free, there are no televisions, telephones, or radios in any of the rooms to distract you from the serenity of paradise you are in. With room service catering to your every need, from in-room massages, sunset cocktails, and balcony dinners, Jade Mountain has created paradise on Earth.

Open Air Tub

If exploring is on your palate, there are plenty of water sports, two beaches, jungle excursions, and several restaurants to satisfy your desires. There is something for everyone in this cove of luxury, from the thrill-seeker to the relaxation junkie.

And we know it looks tempting, but try not to stay all day in bed.

BOOK IT Jade Mountain $950/$1250/ $1450 a night