Writes of Passage

Yesterday, SoBe was like a hell, an ocean … today, it’s all sunny and beautiful. What a few hours would make.

…March 30th

… March 31st

450 NW 37th Ave,
Miami, FL 33125

… more pix and videos on google maps, Yelp n TA

Came here for jai-alai but it’s not on everyday. I could only watch cc tv.

Banks after banks of slot machines.

The dog race arena is fairly big.

Bathroom is clean

Miami, FL 33132

… more

Styled as PortMiami, came from Dante B. Fascell Port of Miami, is a major cruise ship seaport/terminals located in Biscayne Bay at the mouth of the Miami River in Miami, Florida. We drive by this place when we go to SoBe.

Friends’ ship is at 1015 N American Way, it took us two tries to find it. Among gigantic ships, theirs with mere 600 passengers to cross Atlantic Ocean looks tiny.

It’s on 3 historical islands: Dodge, Lummus and Sam’s Islands.

2912 Collins Ave,
Miami Beach, FL 33140

… more pix on google maps

Will return.

This review only for their cafe.

This is a Marriott property in South Beach. Calm, dark and efficient. The al carte breakfast American with two eggs, bacon, harsh brown is very good, came quickly.

3585 NW 83rd Ave,
Doral, FL 33122

… more pix on Google Maps, Yelp, TA

(Dream Host lost my data at CH last year, without a trace.)

Will not return

We came here because our dinner plan @ CviChe105 (1245 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach) was ruined by the rain.

We’ve choice of a few but opted for CH because we just wanted mellow, wines and decent food at a familiar place, near by our hotel.

Parking is limited. They’ve valet.

We’re seated right away, without a reservation.

Then the cries and humming from infants, toddlers and kids begin to symphony. It’s a full house at 5:50. Our server Andy said it’s unexpected busy due to the weather. All slowness is forgiven.

We didn’t go for a bottle – not in mood with all the noise. We taste house wine of the month – CA Riviera: very good. Then we settle on Petite Syrah (sharp) and Vin Veloute (smooth): both are very good.

We’ve a few small plates:

1. Tuna sashimi: is terrible – the tendons
2. Burrata tomato: very good
3. Drunken shrimp: good although I don’t taste any alcohol
4. Meatball: very good

10855 SW 72nd St,
Miami, FL 33173

… more pix n videos on Google Maps, Yelp, TA

Typical, but will return for the service.

Decor, service and food are slightly above average. It’s pleasant, and staff are nice. Food is not greasy. A few dishes could have been hotter.

Loose leave Jasmine tea is nice although I don’t taste jasmine but my taste is not all that sharp anyway.

They slide the menu up front – maybe they expect you to order off it, even there are multiple carts circulating the room – the ladies all dressed in a burgundy color Chinese style top, which is neat and nice. One lady is clearly pretty old whom I found cute: she came to our table, open the covers of the dishes two at the time in her cart continuously until I signal the chicken feet. All the while she utters nothing.

Yellowish 8 River hot pepper sauce is a discovery -:)

Small plates – dim sum we’ve:

韭菜饺Chives cakes – bit cold and the shrimp is overcooked
凤爪Chicken feet – tender
虾饺 shrimp dumplings
烧卖 meat dumplings
肠粉 shrimp rice rolls
煎 Friend stick rice ball – bit cold and very little red bean paste – as most of other restaurants’. But I like their small size.

Temperature is just right – I don’t have to wear a sweater or shawl: thanks for saving the energy.

Cox Science Building
1301 Memorial Dr,
Coral Gables, FL 33146

… more pix n videos on Google Maps

Passing by this little garden on the campus of University of Miami, so we stopped by.

Nice neighborhood. Tiny area. Nothing to write home about. Part of university of Miami. Free to visit, meter parking.

There is a two stories building at the end. Upon inspection, it’s a democracy center, consisting of a few other departments.

^{this scene reminds me of Wanzhu Garden 万竹园 in Ji’nan, China}

13501 NW 107th Ave,
Hialeah, FL 33018

… more pix n videos on google maps

May not return but this garden is pretty and well maintained. Plants, bamboos, koi pound – but we saw a few aggressive blue African cichlids – shouldn’t have been there. Did someone don’t want them anymore, so left them there?

It’s raining and I’m having my sun glasses on … hmmmm … well, it was sunny when we first went …

1242 NE 163rd St,
North Miami Beach, FL 33162

… more pix n videos on google maps, Yelp

Will return for the food.

A few black and white photos are interesting. The restaurant changed hand about a year ago. The neighborhood, N Miami Beach is dingy. Parking in rare too. The name is bit interesting: Sichuan is a landlocked province.

It’s a great choice after the Miami Open when there was a rain delay, damp, then Pegula lost in straight sets.

Food is authentic:

– Beef with cilantro: wonderful
– Tiger pepper: great but (too spice for me)
– Spicy flavored boiled Fish: super, huge portion

The house pickled cabbage is good too. All foods are delicious. My lips are numb with medium hot selection.

When we got there at 6:30, there’s one table; when we left a little over an hour later, three more groups came. All are Chinese. Hong Kong pop songs plays in the background.

When I called to reserve a table (thinking it’s Saturday night…), the woman who answered has a strong accent. So I spoke to her in Mandarin. She insisted in English.

Three servers are doing minimum. Never changed our plates: essential minimum service in a restaurant is just right for me. If I can reduce raising my hand I would, like using empty plate or bowls for the discards. But there isn’t any that I can transfer the fish bones. So my small plate piling up quickly, to the brim. They never offered to change. I didn’t ask. The boiled fish has a lots of discards. The fish is fresh but it isn’t scaled clean – this, I do mind.

The white rice in the bowl is shiny – very yummy. Should have asked them what kind of rice it is.

9690 NW 41st St,
Doral, FL 33178

… more pix n videos on google maps, Yelp, TA

Definitely will return.

We were looking for a First Watch then saw this one. So glad – this one is so above FW, from decor, to food. Good service at both places.

No wait before 10am but it’s nearly full on this Saturday. Love the tennis rackets on the wall – that drew us in – as we’re heading to Miami Open afterward. Btw, Jessica Pegula is playing this afternoon for the championship: do send your cheers and positive vibes to her. TIA

The server is upbeat, and sold me on their croissants even I can’t even finish my omelette. Their portion is large. The bread / baguettes are heaven. Coffee is delicious but comes with creamers in the smaller packs.

Their doggie bag container and bag are the best I’ve seen so far: nicely designed and produced. Many clothing department stores’ bags are not this nice.