Since last Friday…
As the headline states, since last Friday, a lot went on, starting with…
Beers at The Leinster
A Friday night date night with Vance where we stopped by the new bi-monthly NoMi Night Market at the MOCA Plaza where we chatted with vendors and I bought a few goodies to take home. After stopping by home to drop them off, we headed to The Leinster Irish Pub in the Omni/Arts & Design District area on the street level of The Canva condo for some Shepherd’s Pie and an Irish draft beer. We loved the vibe of the place and our server Jess was friendly and attentive. The place wasn’t too crowded which actually made it perfect.
View from our bar stools at Hacienda Monterrey.
On the way home we stopped by the Upper Buena Vista complex to check out what they’ve done with the place and have an after-dinner drink at Hacienda Monterrey’s bar where we chatted with the bartender and listened to the music of a talented singer/guitarist who performed several popular Hispanic songs that the bartender schooled me on. He also made me a great old-fashioned cocktail.
Random mascots sitting amongst the crowd at the Marlins game.
Saturday we watched the Marlins beat the Phillies at LoanDepot Park at a game that was full of Phillies fans but where we also saw a home run!
Slice and a soda at Steve’s Pizza in North Miami.
Sunday we attempted and failed to find parking for the PrintFest at the Wolfsonian-FIU on South Beach. I flaked and completely forgot there was a huge F1 Grand Prix Race Fan Fest happening on the sands of Miami Beach which meant the streets and parking lots were packed. Instead, we headed back home and made a stop at Steve’s Pizza for a slice. That night, my cousin’s wife Becky spent the night. She was in town judging a synchronized swimming competition and wanted some company. She’d been out in the sun poolside all day so was a bit tired so we had dinner, chatted for a bit and both turned in early. It’s always nice to catch up with her.
Monday, during my food rescue run at Whole Foods in Midtown, I was catching up with the young guy who works for the non-profit Gang Alternative who come every week to split the donation with me. Turns out he was a running back for Central High School on one of their state championship teams, attended FIU and graduated early, and had it not been for a torn ACL in a college game, he might’ve played for the NY Jets or the San Francisco 49ers.
Cast of “The Notebook” after their final bow at the Arsht Center.
Tuesday was Elizabeth’s birthday, she turned 22! I’m looking forward to seeing her this weekend for Mother’s Day. It’s also when I attended opening night of “The Notebook” at the Arsht Center with my sister Susy. It was a beautiful theater adaptation of the movie where they did a seamless job of portraying the two main protagonists, Noah and Allie, throughout various stages of life. I especially loved when the trio of couples were all on stage simultaneously which gave the story depth, warmth and an extra layer of interest. There wasn’t a dry eye in the place. And just a reminder that if what I’ve described is something you’d like to experience, the Arsht is offering a discount code through the final show on Sunday. Click here for details.
Peacocks commanding a corner in Biscayne Park.
Wednesday morning I went for a very long walk through the neighborhood where I encountered the peacocks that like to hang around the corner of one of my favorite tree-lined streets.
Freedom Tower lobby
The grandness that is the Freedom Tower.
One of my favorite pieces on display, by local artist Edouard Duval-Carrié.
There is some very powerful photography on display and being Cuban-American, this one of depicting a powerful protest certainly resonated with me.
And Thursday, oh Thursday, I finally decided to take a day and play tourist in my own city, which I’d been planning to do for weeks! I parked my car, walked to the Brickell Metromover Station, took it to the Freedom Tower station and spent the day marveling at the beauty that is that building. The exhibitions in that building, the way it’s been beautifully restored, it just took my breath away. I spent several hours meandering the floors and taking it all in. The pictures above tell it all! I cannot wait to return and spend more time there. The history of the building, from it’s days as the newsroom of The Miami Daily News to later becoming the Cuban Refugee Center “El Refugio” is extensively covered on the first and second floors through video installations filled with first hand accounts as well as replicas of the building’s interior as a processing center/medical facility/food resource for the newly-arrived Cuban refugees. It was incredibly moving.
My alma mater, Miami Senior High School.
I spent a long time sitting in the second floor Knight Skylight Gallery, watching a gorgeous video featuring Miami’s many diverse neighborhoods, the footage is absolutely breathtaking and… I spotted my alma mater, Miami Senior High School in the video! I also walked around admiring the many photographs and video stories of Miamians that make up the exhibition Reflections.
One of my favorite pieces in the Languages of Migration exhibit. The maps and artifacts in this show are also fabulous.
The Languages of Migration exhibition on the first floor (a permanent exhibition) and the temporary exhibition of Cuban artists Belkis Ayon and Carlos Alfonzo on the second floor were equally impressive.
Delicious tacos, chips & guac lunch special from The Wolf of Tacos.
After a full day at the Freedom Tower, I walked over to the Central Fare Food Hall in the Downtown Brightline Station which was just a few blocks away and there, I treated myself to a delicious lunch at The Wolf of Tacos. I had met The Wolf’s Chef/Owner Eduardo Lara at our Food Rescue volunteer party at Taquiza Tacos a few weeks back, introduced myself and told him I’d be coming by his place. And wouldn’t you know it, he was there at The Wolf of Tacos and I got a chance to say hello again!
That’s all for this week. I’m looking forward to spending time with family this weekend, celebrating my great niece Isabelle’s graduation.
Until next Friday, have a great weekend.
