Greater Miami Convention and Visitor's Bureau

I recently had the opportunity to roam around the website for the Greater Miami Convention and Visitor's Bureau.  They have a lot of useful and informative information about Miami and vacation planning in the area.  

They offer planning guides, lists of attractions, travel advisors, restaurants, spas and golf course, etc.  They even have apps with local information.

This may be a good resource in addition to this blog, of course, for information about Miami and the beaches.

I hope you find everything you are looking for and hope you have a terrific vacation!

Come back and post your comments.  Let us know what you like to do while 

in South Florida on vacation.

Graziano's Next Door

For years Graziano's was known for its restaurant and market.  Recently they added a pizzeria to their list of accomplishments.  They serve several Italian dishes but they specialize in brick oven pizza.  As soon as you walk in you can smell the pizza baking in the oven. Each pizza is made to order with the freshest ingredients.
They don't serve alcohol, but they have sodas and other refreshments. 
 
The pizza is out of this world, its worth the drive over to the restaurant.  I always love to order any of the white pizzas.  They leave out the tomato sauce and you choose the ingredients you'd like.  No matter the combination, I always love the way the pizzas come out.  Try it and you'll be hooked!!!
 
They have several restaurant and market locations, but just one pizzeria location.  See below for details:
 
Graziano's Restaurant

Bird Road: 9227 SW 40th Street, Miami, FL 33165, Phone: 305 225 0008 / 305 223 4933 Fax: 305 221 1949
Coral Gables: 394 Giralda Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134, Phone: 305 774 3599 Fax: 305 221 1949
Brickell: 177 SW 7th Street, Miami, FL 33130, Phone: 305 860 1426 / 305 860 1428
Hialeah: 5993 W 16th Ave, Hialeah, FL 33012, Phone: 305 819 7461 Fax: 305 819 9611

Graziano's Market
Bird Road: 3922 SW 92nd Ave, Miami, FL 33165, Phone: 305 221 6818 / 305 221 7981 Fax: 305 221 1949
Coral Gables: 2301 Giliano Street, Coral Gables, FL 33134, Phone: 305 460 0001 / 305 460 0004 Fax: 305 221 1949
Hialeah: 5999 W 16th Ave, Hialeah, FL 33012, Phone: 305 821 8052 Fax: 305 819 9611

Graziano's Pizzeria
Bird Road: 9209 SW 40th Street, Miami, FL 33165,   Phone: 305 225 3696 Fax: 305 221 1949

Bistro Bisou

Bistro Bisou was an unexpected surprise.  Unexpected because it has a small unassuming presence in a strip mall off of US1 between South Miami and Pinecrest. I didn't even know it was there.  A friend recommended it.
The restaurant is simple, there is no extravagant decor.  The furniture is simple.  Yet once you arrive, the staff is attentive and helpful. The meals are elaborate. The experience is positive.

We were seated promptly and had a relaxing meal.  The restaurant was quiet without a lot of traffic.  I enjoyed my meal of rack of lamb tremendously.  My husband ordered the Filet Mignon and was very pleased. 

I did find the meal a little pricey, but it was a good experience.

Giardino Gourmet Salads

I love Giardino's salads.  I can't get enough.  I love the concept...it's like a fast food salad place.  You can make gourmets salads to order and then you can take them with you or enjoy them at the restaurant.

My favorite is Mama Mia.  It is simply heavenly!!!  My husband's favorite is the Napa, which is also very good.

I have a feeling that if I were to try others, I'd like them just as much, but since I can't get enouch of Mama Mia, I guess I'll never know.

Until then, try out some of their salads and let me know what you think and which you recommend!

Casavana

Casavana is owned by the Garcia brothers who owned the original Latin American restaurant and who have been in the restaurant industry for over 30 years.  After several ventures in the restaurant industry such as Pollo Tropical, Pollo Dorado, Sergios and others, they launched the Casavana Restaurant chain with 4 locations.

They serve authentic Cuban cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  They are extremely well priced especially since their portions are huge, and their meals are delicious.

Go with a big appetite, because you will receive a very generous portion. Or better yet, ask for a to-go container and take a portion for next day's lunch.  Then you'll be able to enjoy it twice as many times!!!

Greater Miami Convention and Visitor's Bureau

I recently had the opportunity to roam around the website for the Greater Miami Convention and Visitor's Bureau.  They have a lot of useful and informative information about Miami and vacation planning in the area.  

They offer planning guides, lists of attractions, travel advisors, restaurants, spas and golf course, etc.  They even have apps with local information.

This may be a good resource in addition to this blog, of course, for information about Miami and the beaches.

I hope you find everything you are looking for and hope you have a terrific vacation!

Come back and post your comments.  Let us know what you like to do while 

in South Florida on vacation.

The Miami Seaquarium

On a 38-acre tropical paradise with spectacular skyline views lies a South Florida attraction like no other. Welcome to Miami Seaquarium®, a place where dolphins walk on water and killer whales fly through the air. Where sea lions delight children of all ages and endangered sea turtles and manatees find a safe haven. Enjoy a world-class marine-life entertainment park with eight different marine animal shows and astonishing daily presentations. Miami Seaquarium® is a place of inspiration, education – and fun! 


Top Deck Dolphin Show
Thrill to the high-flying antics of bottle nose dolphins as they perform breathtaking leaps and rolls. Guests thrill to the acrobatics of these agile marine mammals as they brave the “splash zone” for a closer look. The Top Deck dolphins can be viewed anytime throughout the day from above and below the water. Keep your eyes open you might be able to spot a baby dolphin depending on when you visit.


Golden Dome Sea Lion Show
Enjoy the hilarious adventures of Salty the Sea Lion and his unflappable co-stars. This hilarious play let allows the sea lion stars to show off their athletic and comedic abilities. The show also features Salty the Sea Lion and a cameo appearance by Salty’s comical harbor seal friend.


Flipper Dolphin Show
TV Superstar Flipper and his Atlantic bottle nose dolphin friends perform in the lagoon which served as the set for the original Flipper TV show. The Flipper dolphins demonstrate the grace and intelligence of Atlantic bottle nose dolphins. The show includes jumps, spins, tail walks and flips, all choreographed to music and accompanied by lively and informative narration. Audience participation segments personalize the performance for park guests.


Killer Whale and Dolphin Show
Be amazed and delighted by Lolita the Killer Whale and exotic Pacific white-sided dolphins as they show off their natural grace, beauty and intelligence through the interaction of animal, trainer and guest. Guests watch as Lolita and her trainer “walk on water.” It’s behavior that must be seen to be believed!



Shark Channel Presentation
When Miami Seaquarium first opened in 1955, one of the main attractions was the Shark Channel. Today, guests are still entranced by these fearsome creatures. At the Shark Presentation, animal care specialists feed 200-pound sharks while explaining the various species of shark that exist worldwide.


Tropical Reef Presentation
A favorite among park visitors, the Main Reef Aquarium features a 750,000-gallon saltwater aquarium teeming with reef fishes of every size, color and description. During the Reef Presentation, a diver slowly works his way around the tank allowing visitors to watch as he/she hand-feeds the colorful tropical fish, large groupers, cobia, loggerhead turtles and moray eels. This presentation is accompanied by an environmental narration.


Manatee Presentation
At the Manatee Exhibit, guests come face-to-face with Florida’s state marine mammal through poolside and underwater viewing areas. The Manatee Presentation provides an opportunity to learn about this fascinating and federally endangered animal and, more importantly, explains ways that guests can help save these gentle creatures of the sea. The manatees featured are part of the rescue and rehabilitation program at Miami Seaquarium.


Seal and Sea Lion Feeder Pool
The Feeder Pool is adjacent to the The Golden Dome, a Miami landmark designed by architect Buckminster Fuller. Throughout the day, guests may enjoy the Seal and Sea Lion Exhibit, where they can observe Sea Lions and Seals as they frolic in the South Florida sun. Daily feeding sessions provide the opportunity for guests to feed some of these playful and boisterous mammals. Feeding time is preceded by an informative and entertaining presentation about our playful California Sea Lions and Harbor Seals.



Discovery Bay Presentation
View sea turtles, alligators, Florida birds, fish and other wild-life in a natural mangrove forest environment.



Topical Wings
View tropical birds, reptiles and other fascinating rainforest's inhabitants.


New Stingray Exhibit
All new! Meet the newest creatures to call Miami Seaquarium their home - Southern and Cownose Stingrays who have taken up residence in a new 10,000 gallon touch pool, located inside the Tropical Wings Exhibit at Miami Seaquarium. The new interactive exhibit, gives park guests the opportunity to feed and feel the gentle glide of these amazing creatures at their fingertips.



Caribbean Fish Aquariums
Explore the stunning variety of tropical marine life that inhabits the aquarium lining the walls of the Top Deck Dolphin area.

Crocodile Flats
Twenty-five Crocodylus niloticus, also known as Nile Crocodiles, are the center of attention in their home at Discovery Bay's Upper Island, known as Crocodile Flats. This exhibit is made up of 32 tons of rock, 72 tons of beach sand, coconut and sable palm trees. Nile Crocodiles can be found in fresh and saltwater habitats like the Nile and estuarine areas of the Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean. The crocodiles are 6 ½ to 8 feet long and when fully grown can reach a size of 16 feet and nearly 1,000 pounds. The largest one recorded was found to reach an excess size of 20 feet long. Their main diet consists of chicken, fish, and rabbit.



Dolphin Harbor
Salty’s Pirate Playground
Remote Controlled Boats and Cars

 

The Miami Seaquarium is located at:

4400 Rickenbacker Causeway

Miami, Fl 33149

(305) 361-5705

 

For more information, visit the Miami Seaquarium website:    http://www.miamiseaquarium.com/

*Information and photos were copied directly from the Miami Seaquarium website.  http://www.miamiseaquarium.com/

Bruschetta & Co.

When Bruschetta & Co. opened their doors in 1999, their mission was to introduce a growing population to a more extensive selection of Italian dishes.  In essence to provide lovers of Italian cuisine an opportunity to taste not only the popular well-known dishes such as pizza and Fettucini Alfredo, but also to introduce them to other authentic meals such as ossobucco or gnocchi, which were normally only available in expensive, upscale restaurants.

They have achieved their goal of providing authentic favorites while maintaining their reasonable prices.
They were even voted “Best Inexpensive Italian Restaurant” in Miami by The Miami New Times.


You can't go wrong at Bruschetta.  The restaurant is spacious and beautifully decorated.  The service is impeccable, with much attention to detail.  The meals are fantastic.  Enjoy!

Jungle Island

Formerly know as Parrot Jungle when it was located in Pinecrest, FL, Jungle Island now located on Watson Island opened its doors to its new home in 2003.  Jungle Island is a fabulous place for children and adults. 

In addition to enjoying the exciting animals and exotic plants, you also enjoy beautiful views of Miami and wonderful bay breezes as well as many species of tropical plants and flowers native to the rainforest. 

There are many, many attractions at Jungle Island which include:  Manu Encounter (an interactive experience with squirrel monkeys, free-flying macaws and parrots and other exotic animals), monkey chats, lorikeet feeding and aviary, Kangaroo konnection, Evergaldes habitat and walk, feed the birds around the park, interact with trainers and animals, penguin exhibit, plant nursery and tortoise exhibit. 

Additionally you will be able to see hundereds of birds, and several mammals, primates, reptiles and fish.  Two shows are held several times throughout the day and they are:   Winged Wonders and Tale of the Tiger.

They also have seasonal activities throughout the year such as:  an annual Easter Egg Hunt and a Halloween Event.

Jungle Island is a beautiful and fun place to visit. I recommend it highly. Visit their website for more information about hours, pricing and special events.

Los Ranchos

Los Ranchos is an all-time favorite in Miami.  With several locations, including Bayside and the Falls, its a great place to go for churrasco.
The ingredients are always fresh and the meals and ambiance always inviting.  I normally order the baby churrasco (becuase it's big enough)  and it is serves with rice and beans, tostones and fried plantains.
Stop in and you'll enjoy a meal you won't soon forget!

PowerPizza, established in 2004, is a family-owned business, where a family has joined forces to offer a unique  healthier pizza.  They offer delivery & take-out service as well as family-friendly restaurants featuring a vast array of healthy alternatives such as low fat salads, wraps, multigrain pastas, strombolis and calzones to individuals, offices and schools.



I love the concept.  I'm always happy to hear about healthier alternatives.  However, I wish the pizza would be a bit tastier.  I can't really pinpoint the issue but I'd rather have New York style or pan pizza.

My kids like it and do eat it more often, so it must taste good.  Try it!