Happy Wine

We all know Miami's 8 street, better know as " la calle ocho", apparently I didn't know it that well. Located in the center of 8th street, there's this wine warehouse hidden from the public, even if you manage to notice it and want to go in, a big sign in the main entrance( the one that looks toward 8th street) stops you from doing so,sending you to the back of the store. Once you are in, you will feel like you had just enter an underground world. As mentioned before it is a wine warehouse but they also sell tapas (Spanish cheeses, hams, chorizos, bread, etc.), there is also live music, a great vibe, and of course wine, plenty of it. I went on a thursday afternoon and the crowd on that day in particular ranged between the age of 40 to the age of 70, and even though I never hang out with this type of older crowd, I could say I had an amazing time. I went there to learn a little bit about the place, take some pictures, and ask some questions, but I ended up staying for 4 hours, meeting great people, and having a blast.

Happy Wine is located at: 5792 SW 8th ST.,Miami, FL.

 

Robert is here, fruit stand

This interesting and quite different fruit stand is not within the city of Miami's limitations, it is located in Homestead, Florida. But in my opinion it is worth the drive. It all started around fifty one years ago when a 6- years-old boy was told by his father to set himself in a corner to sell some of his father's cucumber crop. Unsuccessfully, the whole day went by and no one even stopped. The next day his father put up a sign that read, "Robert is here", and the rest is history. Robert is here, is more than just a fruit stand, it is a family owned business that specializes in rare and exotic fruits, you will find from an Anon ( Sugar apple) to a Monstera and everything in between. Moreover, you will find a vast and exotic variety of salad dressings, marinades/ grilling sauces, hot sauces, salsas, dips, jams, relishes, chutneys, mustards, preserves, pickles, flavored pure raw honey, and even fruit butters. However, I was told about this place from a friend who strongly recommended their milkshakes, It was hard for me to finally decide to go with the strawberry/passion fruit shake, because they have about twenty different strange combinations for their shakes, all of which sounded interestingly delicious.

Robert is here is located at: 19200 SW 344th St., Homestead, FL 33034.

Hoy Como Ayer

If you ever find yourself in the mood to hear real Cuban music in authentic surroundings, say no more this is the place for you. Hoy Como Ayer is a bar in Little Havana where the love for yesterday's Cuban music reigns, and takes over. Once you enter dim lighting, portraits of Cuban music icons, old Cuban Ads that adorns the walls will make you experience that Cuban nostalgia we are so used to hear about but probably don't understand quite well. Hoy Como Ayer also showcases new artist, and comedians. I actually learned about this place because a friend of mine kept telling to go listen to this band from Miami called Spam All Stars on thursday nights, and of course to enjoy the typical cuban "picaitos" and a delicious mojito.


Hoy Como Ayer is located at: 2212 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33135.

The Deering Estate at Cutler.

All of us who have spent most of our lives in Miami are well familiarized with Viscaya, this 1910 beautiful mansion, which has become one of South Florida's most recognized historic landmarks. Well, let me tell you of this other not so well- known"Viscaya" I learned of out of coincidence. One sunday morning ,while driving to my in-laws house, my husband decided to detour just for the heck of it. Surprisingly, we found this place called "The Deering Estate". A beautiful property that once belonged to Charles Deering, an industrialist who began purchasing the town of cutler in 1916, to then build a stone house in 1922 in which he died 5 years later. This amazing property now belongs to the State of Florida and it's being manage by the Miami-Dade parks and recreation department. If you wish to visit their hours of operation are from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and there is a cost of $10.00 per adult, although there is also this amazing pier right next to the house (free) in case you ever find the need to take some time alone, to contemplate nature or to get in touch with your senses.

The Deering Estate is located at: 16701 SW 72nd Avenue. Miami, FL 33157.