Category: travel log

Cape Cod: Provincetown

Mike

A trip to Cape Cod is not complete without exploring Provincetown (www.provincetowntourismoffice.org)—literally the last town on the Cape until you run out of land.

Located 120 miles from Boston along the National Seashore on the outermost tip of Cape Cod and surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Cod Bay, Provincetown is a year-round destination with a fascinating history and extraordinary qualities. From incredible beaches and boundless natural beauty to an eclectic arts and culture scene and world-class dining and shopping, Provincetown offers something for each of the diverse visitors it hosts throughout the year.

The entire Atlantic Ocean coastline of Cape Cod was preserved as the Cape Cod National Seashore Park (CCNSP) by then President John F. Kennedy in 1961. Provincetown – better known as Ptown – is bounded by the sea on three sides at the tip of Cape Cod and two thirds of the town’s natural resources are managed by the CCNS. From Long Point to the town line, the Cape Cod National Seashore provides miles of federally protected and preserved seashore, ponds, and woods. The CCNS is run by the National Park Service with the dual goal of protecting precious, ecologically fragile land, while allowing the public to enjoy incredible resources. Opportunities abound for swimming, picnicking, beach walking, dune hiking, biking, bird watching and viewing Ptown’s famous sunsets – one of the few places on the East Coast where it’s possible to see the sun setting over the Atlantic Ocean. Dune tours of the National Seashore are offered by Art’s Dune Tours and are a fantastic way to experience the dune landscape. A tour highlight is viewing the legendary dune shacks that were widely used by playwright Eugene O’Neil and poet Harry Kemp. For the hardy and adventuresome, hiking the dunes on foot is possible by entering at the Snail Road entrance. (www.nps.gov/caco/index.htm)

CCNSP is also home to the Old Harbor Life Saving Station, one of three of the original 13 life saving stations on Cape Cod. These oceanfront buildings were equipped to launch a rescue into the surf to pull survivors from sailing ships that had landed on the sand bars 1,000 feet off shore. It is open to visitors and is the only Life Saving Station where life saving history is preserved. A ‘breeches buoy’ rescue is re-enacted by Park Rangers every Thursday evening at 6 p.m. during the summer season. (www.nps.gov/maritime/park/oldhbrls.htm)

During the 19th century the only human dwellers in the Provincetown Dunes were transient campers from Provincetown who fished and hunted there seasonally, the lighthouse keepers and their families, and the hardy men who manned the Life Saving Stations and patrolled the beaches for shipwrecked sailors. The Life Saving service eventually evolved into the Coast Guard, but the CCNSP has moved an authentic 19th century Life Saving Station from Chatham to Race Point Beach to provide a permanent exhibit of the seminal government service which has saved many thousands of lives.

Besides these mariners, there were artists, writers, and playwrights who found creative space in dune shacks in the early 20th century and lived, mostly in isolation from each other, during the warmer months. Today a local non-profit, Peaked Hill Trust, manages the shacks for CCNSP and offers week-long stays at affordable rates in a lottery system.

Art’s Dune Tours (www.artsdunetours.com/index.html) is the only tour company offering four wheel drive access to the dunes. Art Costa began giving “dune buggy” tours in 1946. Today, the tours are given using modern SUVs and arrangements can be made for lobster bakes, and sunset and champagne tours. Tours depart daily from the center of town. For the hardy and adventuresome, hiking the dunes on foot is possible by entering at the Snail Road entrance. The hike in takes approximately 40 minutes, but is rewarded with incredible vistas and the quiet of the giant dunes.

Provincetown is surrounded on three sides by water and is home to some of the best beaches in the country, most of which are accessible by bike trails. At Herring Cove Beach, which is one mile from town, there is beautiful sand, gentle surf for swimming, opportunities for spotting whales in the distance, ample facilities, and great sunsets. Bonfires are allowed with a permit. Race Point Beach, which is two miles from town, is great for families for its Atlantic Ocean surf, facilities, and lifeguard station. Long Point is a local beach favorite. It’s literally at the end of Cape Cod, has a lighthouse, and offers splendid beaches for sunning, swimming, and picnicking. It can be accessed by walking across the West End Breakwater near the Provincetown Inn or by a shuttle boat that runs regularly during the season both from MacMillian Pier and Flyer’s Boatyard in the West End.

The recently renovated National Seashore Bike Trails, particularly the Province Lands Trail, provide unparalleled biking adventures – the bonus is the spectacular views of dunes, forest, ponds and the ocean along the way. Bike trails lead to Herring Cove and Race Point Beaches for swimming and sunning. Biking in and around town is free and easy. Commercial Street, Ptown’s main street, is “one way” for cars, but “two way” for bikes. Rentals shops are located on Commercial Street.

Provincetown is the closest port to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (SBNMS), a federally protected marine habitat that is home to an amazing variety of marine life, including whales, dolphins, sea turtles, deep sea fish, and sea birds. Its proximity to SBNMS makes Provincetown one the best places in the world to whale watch. Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch, a family run whale watch company since 1975, worked with the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies (PCCS), an internationally-known marine organization, to develop incredible science-based excursions to SBNMS. Today Dolphin Fleet has its own public education and research program run by Dr. Carole Carlson, a leader in the large marine mammal conservation internationally. Trips are appropriate and enjoyable for people of all ages. (www.whalewatch.com)

Shiver your timbers with the jewels and treasures recovered by world-renowned explorer Barry Clifford. Clifford discovered the pirate ship, the Whydah, which sunk off the coast of Provincetown in 1717. The Whydah is the only verified pirate shipwreck ever discovered. Recommended for “ages 6-98” visitors will learn how the discovery took place, how artifacts were rescued off the ocean floor, and how pirates lived and died. All of the excitement unfolds at the end of Macmillan Pier in the Expedition Whydah Sea Lab and Learning Center. (www.whydah.com)

The Pilgrim Monument, which commemorates the Pilgrim’s First Landing in the New World, is the largest granite structure in the United States, and the adjacent museum houses a collection of Provincetown art, artifacts, history, and culture. After a history lesson on Provincetown, climb to the top of the granite structure for beautiful views of Provincetown and beyond. The monument opens for special, free events during the off-season: Lightings before Thanksgiving (always the Wednesday before Thanksgiving) and during President’s Day/Valentine’s Day weekend, and on April 1st, April Fools Day and PMPM’s Opening Day. (www.pilgrim-monument.org)

No visit to Provincetown is complete without seeing the town’s historic and beautiful library. A replica of the famous schooner, The Rose Dorothea, is exhibited in the library, which offers gorgeous views of the harbor. It also contains a great children’s section, is open on Sundays, and offers free internet access. (www.ptownlib.com)

Dining Out: Bubala’s By The Bay (www.bubalas.com),at 183 Commercial Street, not only has a delightful menu for all three meals of the day. It also offers free parking, a true luxury on what is the best place for people watching in town. Before or after dining, take a walk and check out all of the interesting shops. You can also log on to (www.provincetownpocketbook.com) and order this neat little publication.

Bubala’s began in 1993 upstairs at the Cafe Edwige. Noreen Bahring ran the floor and Rose Kennedy was the executive chef. Bubala’s moved to its current location at the beginning of the West End of Provincetown in 1994. John Yingling is the owner, Liz Roberts runs the bar and floor, Tom Conklin is the general manager, and Gui Yingling is the kitchen manager. They even have a chef named Mike Cohen, who I was unsuccessful in meeting the night we went.

The clam chowder is outstanding. I would also recommend the Cajun calamari as an appetizer while the grilled lamb rack cuts like butter and is very tasty. The pan seared scallops and cod in parchment are also worth considering. A children’s menu for those 12 and under includes penne pasta, pasta alfredo, pasta with tomato sauce and chicken fingers.

There is a nice selection of homemade desserts to choose from, notably the chocolate truffle torte.

Cape Cod: Wellfleet

Mike

Wellfleet on Cape Cod offers something for everyone. Located some 30 miles out into the Atlantic Ocean, Wellfleet has an abundance of quaint seaside character and charm. Bounded on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and the west by Cape Cod Bay, 61 percent of the land area of Wellfleet is in the Cape Cod National Seashore Park. Wellfleet has a total upland area of approximately 13,100 acres (20.47 square miles). Of this total, about 8,000 acres (12.5 square miles) are within the Seashore boundaries, leaving 5,100 acres (8 square miles) outside.


The miles of beautiful sandy beaches are perfect for swimming, surfing, flying a kite or just relaxing. If you’re willing to walk a short distance, you can enjoy complete solitude on your own private beach.

The calmer waters of Cape Cod Bay and their harbor are a haven for boating, windsurfing, kayaking, swimming, and fishing. Don’t miss taking a refreshing dip in one of the many cool, clear, fresh water kettle ponds! If biking or hiking is what you’re looking for, there are many miles of trails both in the National Seashore and at the 1000 acre Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. So you’d rather go shopping? The quaint Central Village area offers a wide array of fine art galleries, and shops all within a short walk.

This unique town offers a variety of lodging choices including motels, bed and breakfasts, cottages and houses to rent and country inns. The comfort of Wellfleet motel and lodge accommodations will make your beach vacation complete. Dining can be anything from fried clams on the beach to white tablecloth restaurants. After dinner you can catch a movie, a theatre performance or live music ranging from classical to rock, or you can head down to the harbor for one of Wellfleet’s spectacular sunsets.

Do you prefer to travel in the quieter months? Wellfleet is usually blessed with great weather through October; most businesses are still open, crowds have dissipated, the beaches are nearly deserted. We celebrate the end of each season with a send up of our world famous shellfish at the Wellfleet Oyster Festival on the weekend following Columbus Day. Come join the fun!

The Wellfleet Drive-in, Mini-Golf, Flea Market and Cinemas (www.wellfleetcinemas.com) , located right on Route 6, are a popular spot. You can call 508-349-7176 for more details. There is also the Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater (WHAT) , Julie Harris Stage & WHAT For Kids (www.what.org) at 2357 Route 6 & 1 which we did not have a chance to experience this trip in.

Dining Out: We did venture to Wellfleet for dinner. Van Rensselaer’s (www.vanrensselaers.com) has been family owned and operated for over 35 years. In 1968, Howard and Anne Hall opened Southfleet Restaurant , serving a variety of Cape Cod fare. Many a customer today recalls those summer nights when a Wellfleet entertainer by the name of Arnie would fill the place with song. But 1980 marked the beginning of Van Rensselaer’s, a name chosen from Peter Hall’s Dutch ancestry. A trace of the family line leads to Steven Van Rensselaer, a name highly associated with New York’s Rensselaer County and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Today, Peter and Diane Hall proudly continue to serve the freshest locally caught seafood and superbly prepared meats. As Peter told me, his wife was originally a dental hygienist before they were married and assumed running the restaurant from April until October. It is fully wheelchair accessible, with an accessible washroom as well.

Van Rensselaer’s hosts two to three special wine dinners each year – generally, one in the spring and two in the fall. These five-course dinners are a wonderful opportunity to try some innovative, new wines paired with some delicious and creative courses from their chef and kitchen staff.

Located on State Highway 6 in South Wellfleet, opposite the entrance road to the Marconi area of the Cape Cod National Seashore, the restaurant actually draws diners from as far away as New Hampshire who drive in for the evening. My family enjoyed a wonderful dinner. The virgin pina colada was a quenching beginning while the salad bar and homemade New England clam chowder were excellent. We were urged to try the house speciality appetizer, lobster cakes, a creation of Peter’s brother-in-law. They were spectacular. For the main course I would recommend the barbeque beef short ribs, braised in red wine, green and wax bean sauté, corn bread and zesty barbeque sauce or the one and one quarter outer cape roasted lobster.

There are no kosher restaurants in Wellfleet, but Van Rensselaer’s has some excellent fish choices: the baked chatham scrod, with lightly seasoned crumbsm, fresh vegetables and mashed potatoes is light. Ditto for the sword fish, salmon and the tuna. For the kids there is a cute and low priced menu offering grilled cheese, hot dogs, mozzarella sticks, fried chicken tenders or penne pasta with marinara sauce.

If you are looking for a casual meal with plenty of choices, check out PJ’s. It is also on Route 6. Here you line up at the counter, select a meal and wait for your number to be called.

Miami: Sunny Isles Trump International

Mike

What is there not to like about Sunny Isles Beach, the city of Sun and Sea located on a barrier island in the northeast corner of Miami-Dade County, bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Intracoastal Waterway on the west. Situated midway between downtown Miami and Fort Lauderdale, with easy access to business centers, Sunny Isles also includes entertainment, sports and recreational facilities, and tourist attractions. Residents and visitors can fly into either Miami International or Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International airports, or cruise into the Port of Miami or Port Everglades and be in Sunny Isles Beach within 20 to 30 minutes.

Almost one million vacationers visit Sunny Isles Beach annually to enjoy the two and a half mile-long fine sand beach and outdoor amenities such as water sports, boating, fishing, and tennis as well as the abundant shopping, dining and entertainment options nearby. Sunny Isles Beach has a significant Jewish population and enjoys close ties with its Israeli sister city of Netanya. Mayor Norman Edelcup and a number of town commissioners are Jewish. There are no shortage of synagogues in the area. The Young Israel of Sunny Isles is located at 17395 N Bay Rd while the Temple Bnai Zion is at 200 178th St. The Chabad Lubavitch of Sunny Isles Beach (www.chabadsib.org) is at 17555 Atlantic Blvd. Jewish Snowbirds also line the many condos which line Collins Avenue.

THE TRUMP: My family and I recently returned to the spectacular Trump International Beach Resort in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida.

The Trump International Beach Resort is a lavish oceanfront oasis, complete with its own private and pristine beach and delightful grotto-style pool complex. This facility offers 390 over-sized guest rooms and suites, each with a private balcony and spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean or Intracoastal Waterway. Luxurious amenities at Trump International include a full-service spa and fitness center, two restaurants, three lounges, tennis, a business centre and 22,000 sq. ft. of meeting and banquet. The property opened in 2003 and has been consistently hailed as one of the best Miami Luxury hotels. It is managed by the newly-formed International Resorts Management Group.

This masterpiece was created by Donald Trump and Dezer Properties, and rises as a striking landmark to luxury amidst the white sands of South Florida. You can shop on site and at nearby boutiques that rival those of the world’s fashion centers or spend a relaxing day at the spa. There is no shortage of indulgences here.

FOR KIDS: When it comes to vacationing, kids are seeking to have the most fun. An interactive adventure designed just for the little one ages 5 to 12, “Planet Kids” is a high-energy program tailored to provide children with the opportunity to experience the many cultural and educational environments South Florida has to offer. Children are sure to enjoy the many activities that include off-property excursions, beach and pool games and arts and crafts projects. Recreation Director Tom Card and his staff play a very active role poolside. One of the highlights of each day is when Card tosses in a giant ball that the kids try to toss about.

While the kids are busy on their adventures, parents can indulge themselves and slip into a sultry oasis amidst the resort’s private stretch of pristine beachfront and its magnificent grotto-style oceanfront pool complex. Adults are invited to enjoy a taste of the tropics at Gili’s Pool Bar featuring a sensational Piña Colada menu promoting an extensive list of twelve one-of-a-kind Piña Colada concoctions or check out the trendy Lime Lounge featuring nightly entertainment and a selection of tapas and specialty cocktails.

Guests can also unwind at the resort’s cutting-edge full-service spa, Aquanox. The spa’s extensive menu includes an array of the following treatments: customized spa packages, massages, facials, body treatments, enhancements and waxing. Accommodating the most discriminating palates, especially those little picky eaters, the Trump International Beach Resort offers a variety of dining options where the whole family can spend time together over delicious cuisine. The resort offers Neomi’s Grill, a Mobil Award-winning restaurant featuring American and tropical-inspired fare in an elegant yet casual oceanfront setting and the Lime Lounge, serving a light, casual lunch and appetizers. While soaking up the sun, families can enjoy a poolside meal at Gili’s Pool Bar featuring a delightful menu of lighter fare with the added luxury of spectacular ocean views.

THE CABANA EXPERIENCE: For the true experience of luxury, try to reserve the new pool and beach cabana food and beverage experience. I cannot understate how strongly I recommend it. We have been fortunate to experience this on more than one occasion.

The over-sized air conditioned cabanas redefine the hotel experience and include a refrigerator stocked with soft drinks and water, a television, wet bar area and microwave, a table and chairs, couch and chaise lounges. Beach cabanas are equipped with private bathrooms and showers. Overlooking either the pool or beach, your cabana attendant will serve you three separate culinary offerings throughout the day, based on two adults. Additional items may be ordered and charged to the guest room directly. Start off with the Rise & Shine experience at 10 a.m. with some smoothies, fresh fruit and berry blend accented with Brazilian acai berry, French press coffee, citrus scented tea scones with agave honey, Vermont butter and sour cream pound cake with yogurt topping. The Siesta at 2 p.m. features a choice of fresh muddled Mexican margaritas or Miami mojitos, beef empanadas, cilantro chili salsa and mini Cuban sandwiches. In between , if you have room in the tummy, you can sample some dessert. The club sandwiches are extraordinary. At 4 p.m., our server stopped by the cabana with the Sunset snack: Floridian mango champagne cocktail, bittersweet chocolate dipped fruits and champagne biscuits. All cabanas can be rented on a daily or half day basis – they are simply the ideal place to conduct business, plan a family outing or simply unwind. Prices range from $200 for a half day to $325 for a full day.

For more information on Sunny Isles Trump International go to www.trumpmiami.com or call 305-692-5600.


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Miami: The South Beach China Grill Experience

Mike 1 Comment

South Beach is the section of Miami Beach, Florida that encompasses the southernmost 23 blocks of an island separating the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. This area was the first section of Miami Beach to be developed, starting in the 1910s, thanks to the development efforts of Carl G. Fisher, the Lummus Brothers, John S. Collins, and others. The area has gone through numerous man-made and natural changes over the years, including a booming regional economy, increased tourism, and the 1926 hurricane, which destroyed much of the area.


In both daytime and at nightfall, the South Beach section of Miami Beach is a major entertainment destination with hundreds of nightclubs, restaurants, boutiques and hotels. The area is popular with both American and international tourists (mainly from Europe, Latin America, Canada, Israel, the Caribbean and within the United States), with some having permanent or second homes. The large number of European and Brazilian tourists also explains their influence on South Beach’s lax and overall tolerance of topless sunbathing, despite it being a public beach.

The reflection of South Beach’s residents is evident in the various European languages, as well as Semitic languages and many other languages spoken. As of 2000, all of Miami Beach residents, including those of South Beach, spoke Spanish as a first language, which accounted for 54.89 percent of residents, while English made was spoken by 32.75 percent of the population. Reflecting the European and Brazilian community, Portuguese (mainly Brazilian Portuguese) was spoken by 3.38 percent of residents, while French (including Canadian French) was at 1.66 percent German at 1.1 percent Italian 0.99 percent and Russian was 0.85 percent of the population. Due to the large Jewish and Israeli community, Yiddish made up 0.81 percent of speakers, and Hebrew was the mother tongue of 0.74 percent of the population.[5]

Another unique aesthetic attribute of South Beach is the several colourful and unique lifeguard stands, still used today by South Beach’s lifeguards. After Hurricane Andrew, Architect William Lane donated his design services to the city and added new stops on design tours in the form of lifeguard towers. His towers instantly became symbols of the revived City of Miami Beach.

On a nice night, there is nothing better to do than find a good parking lot and spend some time walking the streets of South Beach.

Lincoln Road is an open-air pedestrian mall, considered South Beach’s premiere shopping area. It is home to many restaurants and several night clubs, such as Score and Funktion, as well as many retail outlets. While Lincoln Road was one time rather downtrodden, with its unique boutique shops and restaurants, since the 1960s it has had “an esoteric chic that maintains its trendy appeal.” It is located in between 16th Street and 17th Street and spans the beach in an east-west direction.

Ocean Drive is the easternmost street in South Beach, and stems from south of First to 15th Street, running in a north-south direction. Ocean Drive is responsible for the South Beach aesthetic that most out-of-town visitors expect. It is a popular Spring Break and tourist area, including the famous, yet predominantly local, Pearl and Nikki Beach night spots.

Washington Avenue is one of the best-known streets in South Beach. Running parallel with Ocean and Collins. Washington is notorious for having some of the world’s largest and most popular nightclubs, such as Crobar and Mansion. During “season” (October 15 to May 15) the street is jammed with traffic until early in the morning (as late as 6 am) every night of the week. In the 1990s explosion of South Beach as a nightclub venue, its nightclub moguls included Ingrid Casares, whose investors included the singer Madonna Ciccone.

JEWISH MUSEUM OF FLORIDA: If you’re vacationing in South Florida anytime soon and it begins to rain, here is a great indoor activity. The Jewish Museum of Florida chronicles the little-known nearly 250-year history of Jewish life in Florida as an example of the immigrant acculturation process of all people in Florida – and in America.

The Jewish Museum of Florida opened in April 1995 when a group of visionary Floridians rescued an abandoned art deco historic synagogue on Miami’sSouth Beach from demolition. They restored and transformed the building as a place to house the growing collections and as a bright and sunny showcase for an award-winning historical exhibit, MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida. This core exhibit project was begun in the mid-1980s in a statewide grassroots effort to collect and preserve photos, artifacts, documents and oral histories of thousands of Jewish families throughout the state of Florida. The Museum received accreditation in 2002 by the American Association of Museums, an honor granted to only 3% of the nation’s museums.

Florida hosts the nation’s third largest Jewish community – 850,000 people, but is perceived to have a “new” Florida Jewish history starting after World War II. In reality, Jews have been allowed to live in the state only since 1763 when Florida was taken from the Spanish, who permitted only Catholics, and turned over to the British in the Treaty of Paris following the French and Indian War. The first Jews settled in Pensacola that year. The man who brought Florida into statehood and served as its first U.S. senator (and the first Jew to serve in the U.S. Congress) was a Jew, David Levy Yulee.

The Jewish Museum of Florida has been heralded as a cultural jewel of Miami Beach and in 1980 earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. The building, with a unique copper dome, was completed in 1936. It was designed by noted Art Deco architect Henry Hohauser as an Orthodox synagogue for Miami Beach’s first Jewish congregation. Rabbi Moses Mescheloff, who served the congregation from 1937 to 1955, designed the marble Torah-reading bimah and 80 colorful stained glass windows, which are still intact. The Museum is located at 301 Washington Avenue. For more information call 305-672-5044 or log on to www.jewishmuseum.com. It is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on Mondays and civil and Jewish holidays .

CHINA GRILL: Prominent American restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow’s commitment to the idea that serious food and dazzling spectacle are not mutually exclusive has led him produce some of the most original, critically acclaimed and wildly popular dining hotspots across the globe. Today, Chodorow’s China Grill Management and its affiliates operate 26 restaurants in the US, UK and Mexico. His global restaurant group consists of an impressive array of first-class dining spots. CGM and its affiliates own, operate, create concepts, and /or consult in creating some of the most acclaimed and innovative restaurants in Miami, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, London, San Francisco, Chicago and Mexico City. His organization’s phenomenal reputation is a result of his culinary ingenuity and unyielding commitment to excellence. It is this combination of uncompromising vision and gourmet expertise that has enabled China Grill Management and its affiliates to provide the public with restaurants of the highest quality. CGM’s flagship restaurant, Manhattan’s venerable China Grill, opened in 1987. Without sacrificing China Grill New York’s distinctive atmosphere or the quality of its cuisine, a sister property in Miami was opened to rave reviews in 1995.

Instantly anointed the place to “see and be seen,” China Grill has become celebrity central for the international set in South Beach. Oprah Winfrey is crazy about the low fat cuisine and dines there whenever she’s staying at her Fisher Island home. Madonna, a really big fan, got a thrill dining there the same night as Miami Heat coach Pat Riley. Will Smith and Jada Pinkett enjoyed a honeymoon dinner following their New Year’s nuptials. Michael Caine dines there when in town. George Clooney had to be escorted in through the back door due to the many paparazzi trying to get a photo of him. Jack Nicholson likes to enjoy a cigar after a meal befitting a Hollywood legend. Supermodels Cindy Crawford, Nikki Taylor, Naomi Campbell, Daisy Fuentes and Vendela, superstars from Sly to Cher to Prince, Brooke Shields, Eddie Murphy, Jeff Goldblum, Lenny Kravitz, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, Julio Iglesias, Enrique Iglesias, Anna Kournikova, director Oliver Stone and actor/director Sean Penn, sport ‘s stars Ken Griffey Jr., Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, Livan Hernandez, Wayne Gretzky, and Emerson Fittipaldi have all wielded chop sticks here. Senator Bob Kerrey, Magic Johnson, Donald Trump, Placido Domingo and George Stephanopolous fill out the list of the legendary and the distinguished.

My family and I made our first visit to the China Grill South Beach location and I must tell you it was an experience to remember. This was an entire evening out. Our server, Stepha Diamond, has been with the place for three years. She is a walking encyclopedia of the menu. More importantly, she gives excellent suggestions and what to order and share.

Virtually every dish at China Grill is prepared on the grill or in a wok, using sauces strictly for flavor. Portions are generous, and artfully presented on bold, oversized plates, and above all, meant for sharing. We started off with some fabulous crab cake, some salads (crackling calamari and confucius chicken) lamb spareribs and regular calamari) and perhaps the best sushi rolls I have tasted in a long time – the kaleidoscope (salmon, tuna, cream cheese and spicy mango) and crunchy tuna.


Spectacular entrees, large enough for two to three people, include Shanghai lobster with ginger, curry and crispy spinach, Korean kalbi rib eye with truffled artichoke-potato hash, wild mushroom profusion pasta with sake Madeira cream sauce, duck two ways, sweet soy marinated skirt steak, tempura sashimi with hot mustard-champagne sauce, lobster pancakes with wild mushrooms and red chili and coconut milk. A selection of nine popular side dishes include wasabi mashed potatoes, crispy spinach, and five vegetable fried rice among others. Do not worry about over ordering. The staff will package any of the leftovers up so you can continue to enjoy the China Grill experience. Save some room for dessert. We receommend the cheesecake pot stickers (with the five spice chocolate raspberry, mango and ping sauce), the Great Wall (vanilla, chocolate and caramel ice cream, toasted meringue, fresh berry and whipped cream) and the hazel nut chocolate torte (blackberry and orange cream and anglaise sauce).

In an area known already for it’s architecture and design, China Grill stands out. Spectacular from the outside, breathtaking on the inside, the restaurant captures the pulse and energy of Miami. The landmark glass, onyx and limestone building encompasses three separate dining and drinking areas. A 250-seat main dining room pulsates at the center. Interiors designed by noted architect Jeffrey Beers include passages from Marco Polo’s travel diaries emblazoned in marble mosaics that run the length of the restaurant’s imported Egyptian limestone floors. One of the most striking features of the restaurant is Beers’ signature — almost ethereal custom light fixtures that hang from the restaurant’s soaring ceilings like clouds.

One of Florida’s most highly acclaimed restaurants, China Grill has twice received from the Miami Herald their highest rating, EXCEPTIONAL. The restaurant has been featured as one of the region’s “hot new restaurants” in the March 1996 issue of Esquire and hit the cover of New York Magazine’s February 12, 1996 edition, accompanied by a story that tracked the migration of chic from New York to Miami Beach. The April 6, 1997 issue of The New York Times’ travel section, China Grill was praised for its invigorating, light and inventive food. The October 1997 issue of Travel & Leisure deemed the restaurant’s Shanghai lobster a to-die-for dish. Voted one of Miami’s most popular ( top 40s) restaurants by the ZAGAT Survey.


Special Needs: The China Grill offers valet parking. This establishment is handicapped accessible. If any member of your party is in a wheelchair, ask to be seated at the main level. There are special handicapped accessible washrooms for males and females. For those with vision problems keep in mind that the restaurant is very dark, with candles at each table. The servers will be happy to provide you with a small flashlight to help you better navigate the menu.

China Grill is located at 404 Washington Avenue in Miami Beach, with easy access directly off the MacArthur Causeway from 1-95. Dinner Sunday through Thursday from 6:00 p.m. – midnight, Friday/Saturday from 6:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. Major credit cards accepted. For reservations, call (305) 534-2211. You can see their entire menu at www.chinagrillmgt.com.


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Maine: Kennebunkport

Mike

Kennenbunkport-Inn

I first heard about Kennenbunkport, Maine, like most others I know, as the place where former US President George Bush Sr. had a summer home known as the Bush Compound First built by Bush’s grandfather, George Herbert Walker, it has been a family home ever since, and has been owned by Bush since shortly after he became vice president in the 1980s. During his presidency, Bush often invited world leaders, from Margaret Thatcher, Mikhail Gorbachev and Yitzhak Rabin, to Kennebunkport. In 2007, his son George W. Bush invited Russia’s Vladimir Putin and France’s Nicolas Sarkozy to meet there.

This is an astoundingly picturesque town in York County, Maine, with a population of less than 4,000. The town center is located along the Kennebunk River, approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) from the mouth of the river on the ocean. Historically a shipbuilding and fishing village, for well over a century the town has been a popular seaside tourist destination. Kennebunkport has a small district of souvenir shops, art galleries, seafood restaurants, and bed and breakfasts. Its reputation as an upscale community comes from the numerous large seaside estates along Ocean Avenue and other coastal thoroughfares. In the summer months, many wealthy people from across the Northeast vacation in Kennebunkport and nearby Goose Rocks Beach. It is regarded as one of the most expensive vacation areas in the Northeast. During the fall, Kennebunkport is a frequent stop for tour buses showing visitors the famous New England fall colors.

Kennebunkport’s Dock Square is the commercial centre of town and is certainly worth an afternoon shopping adventure. You will find unique boutiques offering one-of-a-kind wares, t-shirt shops and some great places to pick up a gift for family and friends. Be sure to visit the many local galleries as Kennebunkport has long been known as one of the region’s greatest artists’ enclaves.

One-Dock-Square

A night of entertainment is easily found in a number of playhouses, where you can enjoy some of the funniest, dramatic or vocally inspiring shows you can imagine. The Maine coast has been a summer haven for Hollywood actors to come and “hit the boards” since the forties, and they still come today to stretch their acting muscles and enjoy the beauty and relaxation of our coast.

Maine has more than 5,000 miles of coast and some of the most beautiful beaches in the entire state can be found here in the Kennebunks. Whether you’re a family looking to set up for that perfectly relaxing day at the beach or a surfer hoping to catch the ultimate wave, the beaches in Kennebunk and Kennebunkport offer some of the best fun in the sun. You need to buy a parking pass and hope there is actually a spot when you get there. Seek out Mother’s Beach, where we enioyed some wonderful days and park your chairs at the very back of the sand because by mid-afternoon the surf comes up pretty high. The ocean water is cold, but my family and I had no trouble wading in and jumping the waves. It was relaxing and a lot of fun.

One activity we had planned, but not succeed in experiencing due to the weather was a 90 minute trip on Kylie’s Chance. The boat tour gives you a chance to see how Maine Lobsters are caught. You also get a nice view of former President Bush’s estate and seals in their natural habitat on Bumpkin Island. Try to call 207 967 5507 ahead of time.

WHERE TO STAY: For the past few years I have been on the email list of The Kennenbunkport Inn, receiving their always interesting newsletter. So, when I decided to make my very first trip to Maine, naturally I contacted them immediately. This is a charming intimate hotel, with 49 guest rooms in the Victorian Mansion, Riverhouse or Wharfside buildings right in Dock Square, the heart of all of the shopping, dining and attractions. From the elegant style of the Federal and Mansion rooms to the charming ambiance of the Riverhouse to the Maine beach cottage style of the Wharfside, there is a room perfect for every taste and need.

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We had a Wharfside family suite., which is large enough to fit at least six people. I cannot remember when I last felt this comfortable away from home. It features standard rental style furnishings, three bedrooms, a large living room with sleeper sofas, kitchen facilities and a private bath. The Wharfside is a short walk across the street from the main building, which contains the One Dock Restaurant, the piano bar, patio dining, an outdoor pool, spa services and a guest library. There is a delicious complimentary deluxe continental breakfast served each morning and private off-street parking.

Perfectly located in Dock Square, the heart of this seaside resort village, you are steps away from the bustling collection of shops, galleries, historic sites, restaurants and the Port Walk Shops that don the Kennebunk Rivers edge.

The Inn is owned by the husband and wife team of Debbie Lennon and Tom Nill. Debbie’s parents have a home nearby. The couple got married here in 2000 and had their rehearsal dinner at the Inn. They immediately fell in love with the property and a few months later they approached the then owners and began negotiations to purchase. Debbie and Tom are hands on owners who have hired a lovely and caring staff. The Inn itself was originally built as an elegant family home in the late 1890’s by Captain Burleigh S. Thompson, a wealthy tea and coffee merchant. Captain Thompson lived here with his wife and daughter until 1926, when he sold the mansion to Lloyd and Murray Hackenburg. It was in that year that the mansion first became The Kennebunkport Inn.

DINING: As we prepared for our trip, the names of two restaurants in Kennenbunkport kept coming up: Bartley’s Dockside Dining, located right by the bridge at 4 Western Avenue and Mabel’s Lobster Claw at 124 Ocean Road.

For over a quarter century, three generations of the Bartley family has been serving great food. During those years, they’ve made countless friends that have entered through the restaurant doors simply to enjoy the flavors of a good meal and left a devoted fan for life.

There are so many photos of President Bush on the wall you’re sure he’s just around the corner chomping on a lobster roll! There is a new photo, personally autographed to the Bartley family, from Bush of his latest skydiving experience in the area.

Vacationing celebrities enjoy the anonymity of dining in a place they call their own and being called a regular This was the favorite watering hole for the White House Staff and the intimate bar offers full liquor choices. Bartley’s has free parking for their guests while dining in air conditioned comfort. Since we were staying at the Kennenbunkport Inn, we had a barely five minute walk.

Bartley’s air conditioned restaurant, situated on the river that flows through town, boast of having the freshest lobster. Indeed they do! Lobsters swim in a salt water tank located inside the restaurant, making your choice for dinner as fresh as you’ll ever have! Brian Bartley jokes that you’ll need a chain saw to cut into the gigantic size of their lobster, and at 3 1/2 pounds…he’s right! The baked stuffed lobster here is superb. This house specialty involves the chef first splitting and cracking open the lobster. After breading is added to the inside it is cooked for 20 minutes in the oven and served so easy to enjoy. The lazy man’s lobster is another favourite. Here all the work has done before you, with the lobster meat taken out of the shell and served on a casserole dish with butter. It is so beautifully prepared, even the kids will enjoy it.

Other choices include the caramelized salmon, haddock ala Dockside and steaks. Most vegetables are an afterthought , but not at Bartley’s. Gail Bartley hand picks the freshest vegetables form the farmer’s markets daily during the summer and fall seasons. For an appetizer try the fresh native crab-meat cocktail or the fried whole clams with tartar sauce.

If you look up Blueberry Pie in the dictionary, Dorothy Bartley’s smiling face would be right next to it! Mrs. B’s Blueberry Pie was a staple on Air Force One. I would strongly recommend you save room for this specialty.

Mabel’s is legendary in Kennenbunkport. In the summer season, with its terrace, about 70 people can be seated at a time. The place is always packed, so be sure to make reservations (207-967-2562) in advance. Owners Robert and Stephanie Fischer bought the place 12 years ago and take a real hands on approach. Their kids work here as well and they take only one day off a week. The night we were there, we were told President Bush dropped by for ice cream a few days earlier. Then Robert brought over a special guest to the table, award winning Jewish composer Marvin Hamlisch. He had just finished his meal and was quite a gentleman.

The menu here is pretty comprehensive, with everything from lobster and a variety of fish selections to chicken, beef and pasta. There is a special children’s menu of chicken, fish, burgers, spaghetti and even hot dogs. The lazy lobster is a favourite. I sampled the sword fish and it was absolutely out of this world. Their homemade clam chowder is superb as are the fried scallops. For dessert, try one of their pies (made fresh daily) or the chocolate cake topped with hot fudge sauce.


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Quebec: Super Aqua Club

Mike

super-aqua-club

A few days upon my family’s return from Maine and New Hampshire, we felt that there was one activity which passed us by. Yes, we did experience a fabulous indoor water park at the Red Jacket Mountainview Resort in North Conway (see www.sandboxworld.com/travel). However, inconsistent weather in Maine forced us to forego the two outdoor water parks in that area.

Upon our return, friends told us that we actually have one of the nicest water parks in Canada only 40 minutes from West End Montreal called Super Aqua Club (www.superaquaclub.com) in the community of Pointe-Calumet. It is just past St. Eustache and easily accessible via Highway 640. There were many tourists the day we went as English was being spoken in many lines.

This facility has been around for more than 20 years, yet for some reason it took me until now to discover it. There are over 40 slides, a giant wave pool, lazy river, large sandy beach and large children’s areas. Parking is free and unlike most of attractions of this kind which try to get every penny out of you, they encourage you to bring your own canteens of food as long as no alcohol is included.

Picnic tables are scattered throughout this vast complex and even on the day we went, where there were easily thousands of visitors of all ages, we had no trouble finding a table to keep our towels and snack box. You can rent lockers for a nominal fee and, if you wish, there are concession stands. General Manager Réjean Julien Proulx supervises an excellent staff. He arrives at work at 6 a.m. each day and usually does not leave until 8:30 p.m. “I have been working here for 25 years,” he says. “I started when I was a student.”

I personally liked the wild river, toboggan and sonora rides. The drop-offs were a real surprise as you literally end up “dropping” into the lake. The tornado is perhaps the most daring experience, as four people drop into what can only be described as a giant toilet bowl and move back and forth with great speed. Water temperature here is very nice, so you are not particularly cold while waiting in line.

Super Aqua Club is open until August 30. You can call 450-473-1013 for more information.


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