flip flops & prada: Miami 2011

Welcome to Miami

Bienvenido a Miami

May 19 - May 23

New York City has been grayer, gloomier and rainier than say London, so Dina and I decided to plan a trip to the sunshine state for some sun, fun and salt water.

When the blaring sound of my alarm woke me at 3:30am, I wasn’t so sure this was a good idea, but by 11am we were lounging by the pool sipping berry smoothies; it was a very good idea indeed!

Ahh, welcome to Miami!

The W Hotel is located in the heart of South Beach. And for the next five days it would be our home.

And what a great place to be your home! Why you ask? Well, the entire staff is attentive & friendly and most of all their wish is to make sure your stay is everything you wish.

Have a wish, a question, need a reservation just stop by the Whatever/Whenever desk.

Basically, whatever you want, whenever you want it as long as it is legal is their motto.

Dina and I concur that it was fun to have a whatever person in your life for a few days.

Lazy days at the beach.

Ahh, life is good.

Nothing but blue skies

and ocean waves

Dinner at Mr. Chow, reservations made by the Whatever guy.

The evening began with two glasses of the absolute perfect bubbly Laurent-Perrier Rose served to us by Rolando.

With the help of the well educated staff we decided to go with the Mr. Chow prix fixe. And so, we started with the crispy duck rolls and the squab with lettuce, and for our main we had the beef with oyster sauce and the dungeness crab sauteed with egg white. An odd combination egg whites and crab but it was one of the most exceptional dishes, so light and fluffy, simply off the charts.

We were on a food high and so we ordered another glass of the champagne and decided to indulge in the coconut cake which was AMAZING!

It was a decadent dinner at Mr. Chow -- who knew that Chinese food could be so amazing! And so we went back on our last night and are looking forward to going to Mr. Chow in NYC!

Morning Walks on the beach.