IA Summit News

An IA’s guide to Miami (with an emphasis on food)

March 25, 2008

By Eric Reiss, staff travel writer for the IA Summit and proud holder of a Florida driver’s license since 1972.

Miami, Florida boasts the largest Cuban population outside Havana, and the largest Haitian population outside Port-au-Prince. In fact, Miami is the only officially tri-lingual city in North America (Cajun is the third language). Add to that a generous mix of folks from throughout Central and South America and you get a cultural cocktail that is hard to beat.

Getting around

Miami is a car town. Although the “People Mover” a local shuttle train, stops at the Miami Convention Center, next to the Hyatt, it probably won’t take you anywhere you really want to go. Taxis are the best way to get to the more interesting spots – and the stand outside the Hyatt is always filled. To get back to the Hyatt, punch almost any number on your phone seven times and you’ll get a taxi service. I’m partial to 444-4444 and 888-8888. Ocean Drive on South Beach is one of the few places you can expect to hail a cab on the street.

If you’re renting a car, the Hyatt features 24-hour valet service at 27 bucks a day. The self-park posts a lower daily rate of USD 12.75. Two things to remember about driving in Miami: you can turn right on red, but Florida drivers have yet to discover turn signals.

Around the hotel

The Hyatt is at the top of Brickell Avenue in the heart of the financial district. To the south, you’ll find banks and expensive condos. To the east, there’s a major construction project. North and west are guarded by the Miami River. The official “downtown” section begins about five minutes by foot northeast of the hotel, which features the standard epicurean delights -- Starbucks, Pizza Hut, Quizno’s.

Alas, most of the restaurants within short walking distance of the hotel are dull, expensive, or both. That said, the Hyatt has a decent in-house venue, the Riverwalk Café. The hotel has also compiled a reasonably good list of Miami restaurants (download a PDF here). And here’s a great link to a Miami restaurant portal so you can review even more options. There are exciting things within 15-20 minutes in any direction, but mostly by taxi.

There are, however, a couple of places worth mentioning within a few minutes walk from the hotel.

Morton’s Steakhouse (305-400-9990) is just down the street at 1200 Brickell Ave. Keywords: charbroiled, costly, exhibition kitchen, national franchise. If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, try the tiny Cuban café, Las Palmas (305-373-1333) at 209 SE 1st St, a five-minute walk north of the hotel (breakfast and lunch only). I can personally vouch for the food -- whatever you do, don’t leave Miami without having tried a Cuban sandwich (ham and cheese, pickles and mustard on special Cuban bread. Or try black beans and rice (liberally doused with hot sauce), another favorite of mine. And complete your meal with a potent shot of Cuban coffee -- an espresso to die for.

Bayside Marketplace

About a 15-minute walk northeast from the Hyatt, you’ll find the Bayside Marketplace (corner of Biscayne Blvd. between NE 4th and 5th St. Best known for its kitschy Miami souvenirs, Bayside also features a busy marina, live bands from 8:30 PM and several good open-air bars and restaurants. Try “The Other Daiquiri Bar” for drinks with umbrellas or salt around the rim. And “Sharkey’s” features a fabulous selection of bottled beers. In addition to chains like Hooters and Hard Rock Café, Bayside also has several good local eateries with IA-friendly names such as “Latin American Food.”

South Beach

Miami (where the Hyatt is) and Miami Beach (where the action is) are two distinct cities. Don’t make the mistake of mixing these up in the presence of a Miamian (curiously, this label works for both demographic categories).

Miami Beach (actually an island) was first developed in the early 20s, but was flattened by a hurricane in 1925. Hence, the hotel boom really got started in the 30s along Ocean Drive. By 1940, the hotels had moved further north, and were both taller and more opulent. By the 50s, the hotels along Collins Ave., such as the Fontainebleau and Eden Roc, had become national icons. And by the 60s and 70s, the hotels had pushed so far north, they blurred the border to the next county.

In the 80s, the city started over again, rediscovering the decrepit Deco glory of South Beach and Ocean Drive. Actually, from an aesthetic point of view, Miami Beach deco isn’t particularly good. But nowhere else on earth will you see so much of it. Clearly, quantity sometimes outweighs quality, which is why the entire district was declared a national landmark in the late 80s. The window “eyebrows”, portholes, and streamlining are typical features of “tropical deco” as practiced in Florida.

A taxi will set you back about 15 dollars from the Hyatt. On your way across the MacArthur Causeway, you’ll pass Star Island, where Madonna, Gloria, Sylvester, and other luminaries maintain homes. On the opposite side, you’ll see cruise ship row. Have the driver drop you off around 11th St. and Ocean Drive. The big mansion, Casa Casuarina, on the corner once belonged to Gianni Versace. You may recall he was murdered on the front steps… Now it’s a classy hotel.

South of 11th, you’ll find loads of clubs, bars, and noisy sidewalk cafes. This represents the quintessential Miami Beach experience. For slightly quieter eating, head north of 11th (Check out the contemporary Mediterranean restaurant at the Tides Hotel, owned by Madonna and decorated by Phillip Starck). There are also good restaurants and clubs over on Washington Ave., which runs parallel to Ocean Dr.

Here are a couple of notable places:

Joe’s Stone Crab (305-673-0365) is a Miami Beach classic at 11 Washington Ave. Joe’s has been in operation since 1913, which is incredible considering how late Miami and the Beach were developed. Stone crabs are a Florida specialty and well worth trying. The claws are eaten cold, the meat is dipped a special tarter sauce. Get your server to crack them for you – the shells are thicker than those of a lobster, which creates a usability problem for most novice aficionados.

News Café (305-538-6397) is to Miami what Sears’ is to San Francisco. Best breakfast in town at 8th and Ocean.

Lario’s on the Beach (305-532-9577) is owned by Miami pop icon Gloria Estefan. Featuring contemporary Cuban cuisine, it’s a place to see and be seen. A bit pricy, but a great experience. 820 Ocean Drive.

If you’re into clubbing, check out the Mansion at 1235 Washington Ave. Formerly Prince’s infamous Glam Slam, this is an old Deco theater that’s been turned into a giant lounge. Caters to the bottle-service crowd.

Coconut Grove

Once the haven of flower children for whom 1968 never ended, the Grove is a good place for outdoor eating in a less noisy environment. Have the taxi drop you off in front of Coco Walk and stroll down Main Highway and check out the sidewalk cafes. My personal favorite is Señor Frog’s Mexican Grill (305-448-0999) on the corner of Commodore and Main Highway. They also do a mean Margarita.

There are a couple of spectacular restaurants that have become Grove icons. The Jaguar (305-444-0216) at 3067 Grand Avenue is a Lat-Am grill with exquisite seafood and the ability to handle large groups – a frequent Summit problem. The Chart House (305-856-9741) opened back in 1961, serves up fantastic fish and a fantastic view of the water. A tad pricy; entrees run about 27 bucks. I haven’t been back to the Chart House for several years, but my Miami friends tell me it’s as good as ever.

Little Havana

Centered around Calle Oche (SW 8th St.) between 12th and 17th Ave., Little Havana features an incredible number of small family owned restaurants too numerous to mention. But I must tell you the very best dining experience of all is found at the oddly named Versailles (305-444-0240). This Miami institution with its wall-to-wall mirrors is famed for its no-nonsense Cuban cuisine, incredible service, and low prices. You’ll find it at 3555 SW 8th St. They take groups, too. No website, but tons of patron reviews if you google the name.

Coral Gables

A little further west, you’ll find the city of Coral Gables, which boasts some decent restaurants along the famed “Miracle Mile” (SW 22nd St. between 37th and 42nd Ave.). But for the really good stuff, move one block north to Aragon Ave. or two blocks north to Giralda Ave. where you’ll find dozens of restaurants to fit every taste and pocketbook.

One of the very best of these (and my personal favorite) is the Cacao (305-445-1001) at 141 Giralda. Tell maitre d’ Adrian that Eric from FatDUX sent you.

Attractions that don’t involve food

If you’re getting to Miami early, or staying a day or two after the Summit, you might want to visit the Miami Seaquarium over on Key Biscayne This is the official home of “Flipper,” that irritatingly clever dolphin star of the 60s TV series. The killer whale show is great. And if you’re just looking to lounge on a beach less crowded than Miami Beach, check out Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park at the far end of Key Biscayne. Beach chairs and cafeteria food available. Five buck admission for cars; one dollar for walk-ins.

Just off the MacArthur Causeway on the way to Miami Beach, you’ll find the Jungle Island, filled with tropical plants and exotic animals (and loads of parrots). More fun than it sounds.

Miami boasts several first-rate art museums, including a terrific Museum of Contemporary Art at 770 NE 125th St in North Miami. But for IAs, perhaps the most interesting spot is the Wolfsonian-Florida International University Museum at 1001 Washington Ave. on the Beach. This is both a museum and research center that uses objects to illustrate the persuasive power of art and to tell how these objects have brought about social, political, and technological change.

Four hours by car in any direction

If you’re renting a car, here are a few tips when planning your excursions.

If you’re going to Naples or Fort Myers on the west coast, take the Tamiami Trail (Route 41) and NOT Alligator Alley (way up in Broward County). Alligator Alley is boring and has no gas stations. On the other hand, Tamiami will take you past several good roadhouses, plus the Miccosukee Indian Reservation, which has both airboat rides in the Everglades and a great alligator show. And if you get to Ft. Myers, be sure to check out the Edison Winter Home, which has a spectacular botanical garden. And I’ll buy a drink for the first person who spots something vaguely IA-related among the books in the gift shop.

Four hours to the north up the Florida Turnpike, you’ll find Disneyworld, Universal Studios and many other attractions. My fellow Slammer, Chris Chandler, is Creative Director for Disney Parks and Resorts. He assures me they have a decent website, so I won’t waste more words here.

If you head south down U.S. 1 (the Dixie Highway to the locals), you can be on Key Largo within a mere hour and a half. And a couple of hours (108 miles) later, you can be in Key West. The drive itself is wonderful and you can actually get down and back in a single day if you start early.

For sightseeing, the Hemingway House, with its six-toed cats is a Key West must. For snorkeling, check out John Pennekamp State Park on Key Largo. And for swimming, the best beach is at Bahia Honda State Park, just south of Marathon Key and the Seven-Mile Causeway.

For great Keys eating, check out the Crack’d Conch at Mile Marker 106 on Largo (closed Wednesdays) for fabulous BBQ shrimp, or Ganim’s Country Kitchen (MM 100) for a great greasy spoon breakfast. The Green Turtle Inn (MM 81.5, closed Mondays) has fantastic turtle chowder and alligator fritters. And if you make it all the way to Key West, check out either Louie’s Backyard (305-294-1061, corner of Vernon & Waddell), or the Rooftop Café (305-294-1061, 310 Front St.).

See you in Miami!

Check out a few pictures Eric took while he was there - ed

"See me Speak" and "Meet me" badges

February 16, 2008

Are you speaking at or attending the summit and want to let readers of your blog know so they can meet you in person? Here are a couple of badges you can use to link to the summit site. See you in Miami!

- Richard

Death by Powerpoint

September 30, 2007

We're about half-way through the submission period and some really interesting entries are coming in. As I was looking through them I started thinking about some of the really great ideas i've heard that have been compromised by a poor presentation or delivery (some of them done by me!) so I thought it would be a good time to mention that over the next few months (and in the hours before the summit when it seems most presenters finalize their slides!) we'll be providing some ideas and techniques to guide those new to giving presentations and to refresh the memories of those "old hands" (who will claim they knew everything anyway but will still read/watch and take mental notes)

So to start, here is a fantastic "presentation about presentations" that I found on Christina Wodtke's blog which is, as she eloquently states, "required".

The 2008 IA Summit Venue - comments & photos

August 31, 2007

Since we received so many comments about the 2007 venue in Vegas (almost all of them negative, in fact it incited "hotel rage" in some!) I thought i'd share some thoughts and pictures about the 2008 hotel.

Dick Hill (ASIS&T Executive Director) and I visited for a day in April and to sum up ... I liked what I saw! The hotel itself is much smaller than the Flamingo (about 600 guest rooms) and we should have the entire conference facilities to ourselves (much like Austin, Montreal and Vancouver).

There are ample open spaces which we plan to use for informal seating and chatting areas and we'll even try to find a way to use the outside space next to the river!

Next up in the news - i'll try to find someone who knows Miami (as opposed to myself who spent 23 hours there) to write about the area the hotel is in and what there is to do (i.e. where we can eat and drink!).

Upper hallway near conference meeting rooms. Possible use for this area is for the tea/coffee and snacks.

Lower hallway near conference meeting rooms, upper hallway is on the right. Likely use for this area is the reception desk and informal seating for between session discussions.

Typical meeting room.

Outside space accessed by doors from the upper hall.