If you walk through the Standard Spa Hotel, and through the lush gardens, you will find The Lido Bayside Grill, with breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay. I’m letting you in on a secret. There’s a new private social club that will get you into all trendiest places in Miami. As you know, Miami is a great party town, and if you are visiting, you’ll find lots of amazing public events.

Join me at The Renewal Summit

This will be an awesome day of great panels, speakers, exhibits, wine reception and connecting with other awesome Tomatoes. Get the details. 

Old Meets New at The Lido

Every month my husband and I host a dinner for the artists who are in residence at Fountainhead Arts. Since I am a board member, I want the dinners to be special. However, what is special to me may not be special to all three women who were guest artists this month. That’s why I picked the Lido Bayside Grill at the Standard Spa Hotel. It has something for everyone. You walk into the hotel, and you feel like you are in old Miami. You expect to see Jackie Gleason or Burt Reynolds suddenly appear. Instead, you see many guests walking around in white bathrobes which basically says they worked out or got a massage in the world class spa.

The next surprise is the long path that takes you to the restaurant. You can’t believe the quaint and charming gardens you pass through. Every tree and bush is manicured like you are in an English garden. It’s very intoxicating. Nevertheless, nothing beats the foliage archway that acts as a welcoming sign to the Lido.  The entire restaurant in the back of the hotel is composed of multi-level decks that sit on Biscayne Bay providing  diners with breathtaking panoramic views. Very few restaurants in Miami have such a choice spot.

The Lido was the perfect place for the artists who live in the north and Midwest. They loved being outside watching the moon shine directly on the surrounding waterways. The Mediterranean menu offered lots of unique dishes that fill you up without putting on the pounds. We were served by waiter Chad Hughes who turned out to be a great photographer and bartender. That all that anyone can ask for. Get the details.

Welcome to Everglades National Park! 

I am not sure what ever possessed us to walk through the muck in the Everglades National Park, but we actually did learn many interesting things about nature. Let me be completely honest.  We also did it because we liked the group that asked us to join them.  It turned out to be a really fun day and I recommend it to everyone who loves a new adventure.

The Everglades is an expansive area of land in south Florida, which consists of 1.5 million acres of wetland. The park offers many different activities starting with taking a short walk on the Anhinga Trail to spot turtles, herons and alligators! Or you can climb atop Shark Valley’s 65-foot observation tower for a bird’s eye view of the glades. Friends of mine often take boat tours or kayaks for a chance to see a crocodile, a manatee, or a dolphin. You can also watch sun sets over Flamingo, the southernmost point in mainland Florida.  Years ago my family explored the pine-lands by bike. Some of them even paddled amongst the mangroves on Nine-Mile Pond, and then toured the Nike Hercules missile base.

Photos by Eliot Hess

Our group joined a ranger on a slough slog deep into the heart of a cypress dome. We used walking sticks and stayed pretty close together to lend a helping hand to each other. I was the only one who needed assistance. At one point, my friend, John DeFaro, had to pull my foot out of the mud because I was stuck. My husband Eliot was busy taking photos. I was on my own. If it wasn’t for John, I would still be there today.

The rangers are smart enough not to take you into areas were there are bugs or wildlife.  It’s very safe. And there’s something very satisfying walking through muddy waters looking at plants and flowers. The rangers point out everything worth seeing. Get the details.

The Secret Is Out

For several weeks now I have been hearing about an exclusive membership club that gets you into the best Miami restaurants, clubs, and private events. No more having to call a restaurant 30 days in advance to get a reservation and no more finding out about events way after they happened. At first, I thought my friend didn’t know what she was talking about. After all, if there was such a club, I figured I would have heard about it from other pals. Apparently not. A business contact just gave me the poop.

There is a private social club that gives you access to all of the top events in Miami. It’s called “Select.” Not only will “Select” get you in to the trendiest events in Miami, but it is also the door opener for bars, hotels, beach clubs, and the most popular restaurants. Members of “Select” are entitled to VIP treatment in other cities across the United States as well. All members get a black metal membership card that you use to access all of the benefits. There is also a members only smartphone app. You keep all of your information with you.

Membership costs $395 a year. If you are a social butterfly, then the price is certainly worth it. You easily cover that cost with lots of fringe benefits. Select promises you complimentary cocktail hours, rooftop soirées, and menu tastings.

Membership includes access to your own personal concierge! All you gotta do is download the SELECT’s members-only app and message the white-glove concierge with whatever you need. From booking hotels, restaurants, and nightlife, to making personalized recommendations, they’ll help you find what you’re looking for.

SELECT is in 20 markets across the U.S. (plus Tulum), from the quieter suburbs to major cities like NYC and Miami, and benefits range from dining to nightlife to hotels to travel to lifestyle to entertainment. Over a million hotel properties are included for travel, and on average, members save 24 percent off the lowest available rate online! Get the details here.

Join the Party

We all know that Miami is a party town. Everyone looks for an excuse to party. That’s because the sun shines most of the time and the beach reminds us to have fun.

We are very lucky that so many people pick Miami’s festive climate to introduce new products and services, especially when it comes to wine. If you are visiting Miami, search the events sections of all the local newspapers for the open to the public gatherings. There’s a lot to learn and experience while you are having a good time.

By the way, many authors, comedians, artists, etc., plan social events at community centers as a way to reach new audiences. My condo, the Murano at Portofino had a wine tasting party last night and friends of friends all attended. These activities are a great way to meet new people. and get invited to other events. Last night the wine was so good that most folks bought several bottles to several cases to keep the party going for months to come.