You don’t have to be Mexican to love Cinco de Mayo in Miami so grab yourself a margarita and get ready to party! Our game plan for an extra spicy weekend is filled with enough excitement to wear out a Mexican Jumping Bean!
Festivities kick off early Thursday morning with sidewalk socializing on Lincoln Road Mall at Rosa Mexicano and take you through midnight with a mariachi band and Miami’s Gourmet Food Trucks at Tobacco Road. The nightclubs keep the dream alive all weekend long at Arkadia, the Fillmore, and SET.
Before the sun sets on Sunday, remember to call your mom and wish her a Happy Mother’s Day or perhaps an outing to one of Miami’s famous Sunday brunches is in order? We like the overstuffed tables at Essensia at the Palms Hotel where the food is so fresh it deserves a smack on the booty!
Where to go…
Tobacco Road / 626 South Miami Avenue / Celebrate Cinco de Drinko at the Hot Chili PepperPalooza down by the Miami River featuring Miami’s favorite Food Truck brigade, with music from 6pm until midnight.
Rosa Mexicano / 1111 Lincoln Road / A brand new Mexican sidewalk cafe on the Mall celebrates the holiday all day long with a signature “French Margarita,” and a few special dishes added to the menu. As an added attraction, a DJ spins until midnight and the downtown location (900 S. Miami Avenue) will have a mariachi band.
Arkadia / 4441 Collins Avenue / Chilling near the pool is the Fontainebleau’s favorite after-hours nightspot where those notorious bikinis will drift by around at the night social swim party.
PAX Miami / 337 SW Eight Street / One reason you might not have been to PAX just yet is it’s hip, hot and definitely off-the-radar. The Performing Arts Exchange is a coffee house by day and tonight’s musical guests will rock the stage around 10pm. Look for a boxy black building set back from the street with no sign, no marquee – just a cool crowd gathering inside for some pretty hot Miami nights.
The Fontainebleau Resort brings back this elegant poolside sushi bar now sharing space with Vida Restaurant. Best part of the return engagement is the house signature dish with cured salmon, mozzarella cheese, garlic aioli and fried garlic. This is not your Daddy’s maki roll, but an oddly satisfying creation you’ve got to try to believe.
Fillmore Miami Beach / 1700 Washington Avenue / Few dance events on South Beach admit guests under 21 so we’re giving a big shout out to an all ages electronic event at 9pm. Forget your fake IDs and dance to the trippy mash ups of classic rock, hip hop and truly infectious beats. Did we mention the $15 ticket price? Go!
Art Center South Florida / 800 Lincoln Road / The travel-friendly pedestrian mall welcomes guests to “Winning Art!” a unique gallery event where the 40 artists-in-residence actually raffle off their work as part of a fundraiser for this cutting edge art collective. Buy a $10 ticket and be prepared to join the rarified world of connoisseurship! Your small investment gets you free drinks and sushi plus the chill tunes of a guest DJ starting at 7pm.
The Local Craft Food & Drink / 150 Giralda Avenue / Expanding your culinary horizons in the Gables/Grove area, this cool new brick and dark wooded gastro-pub is making major waves with local foodies who enjoy the craft brews, tapas style appetizers and friendly atmosphere. Chef Alberto Cabrera knows his way around pork belly, tater tots (a trendy Miami menu item topped here with cheese curds and oxtail gravy) and a damn good burger!
Mansion / 1235 Washington Avenue / The party faithful turn up around midnight where the line up sizzles! DJs achieve true greatness in the world of international dance music at Mansion.
Essensia Restaurant at the Palms Hotel / 3025 Collins Avenue / Try as you might, there is no getting around the fact that today is Mother’s Day and you’ve got to treat your mom, mother-in-law or baby momma to a great big brunch by the sea. We’re particularly fond of Chef Frank Jeannetti’s dedication to sustainable seafood, organic produce and hormone-free meat at the humongous all-you-can-eat buffet starting at 11:30am – 3pm which includes a free champagne mimosa. Toast Mom today!
Pied a Terre /1701 James Avenue / Another off-the-radar dining spot worth your attention is Pied a Terre at the Cadet Hotel where reservations are the only way inside and the chef is WILD about elegant ingredients like lobster, truffles and fine French wine. From a risotto di mare redolent of saffron and filled with fresh shellfish to lobster and spring pea tortellini, the entrees are delicate and delicious. For a special evening, enjoy a 6-course chef’s tasting menu with someone you love.
And for nightlife, SET / 320 Lincoln Road / An awesome night at this jewelbox nightspot as internationally renowned DJs take over the decks alongside Louis Dee for the party late night.
