Miami has another first—the world’s first distilled beer cocktail. There’s a rare tour this month of the Craig Robins Collection in Miami, comprised of over 1,200 pieces of contemporary art and innovative design and I get you an invite. Eliot and I love hanging out with Miami’s young art enthusiasts—it makes us feel younger. I’m singing the praises of Via Emilia, an Italian restaurant of authentic Emilia Romagna tradition right here in Miami and the food can’t be beat anywhere!

A Wynwood Brewery Just Created The World’s First Distilled Beer Cocktail 

I always felt that beer was a man’s drink even though I know many women enjoy it as well.  Now, beer has gone mainstream thanks to a Miami brewery that has just concocted what they claim is “the world’s first distilled beer cocktail,” and the flavors are wild.

The popular Wynwood brewery, Cerveceria La Tropical, has just launched a series of distilled beer cocktails. They simply distilled beer three times and mix it with a top-shelf spirit.

The Wynwood brewery claims they may be the first to make such a concoction. The special spirit is made by passing the beer through a pot until it’s clear, creating a spirit with floral and malty notes. They then blend this with vodka or rum for two cocktails: a passionfruit vodka martini called “Pasióntini” and a rum mojito called “Havanito,” both at 5.9 percent alcohol.

Cerveceria  La Tropical also features a restaurant serving Caribbean dishes with Miami twists, plus a stage for nightly live music. The beer lineup still features La Original, a Vienna-style amber lager based on the 1888 recipe, newer Miami additions like Nativo Key, a tropical IPA, and the 88-calorie Tropi Flaca Light Lager.

Cervecería La Tropical. 42 NE 25th St., Miami; 305- 741-6991; cervecerialatropical.com.

Feb. 20. A Rare Miami Opportunity

Every once in a while, Craig Robins, the well-known real estate developer of the high end, and very popular Design District, makes himself available to give certain prestigious groups a tour of the area and his personal art collection. His art collection is one of the most talked about in the world.

Craig Robins has personally invited Fountainhead Arts to take this tour on February 20, 6 to 8pm. He will lead the tour along with Dacra curator Karen Grimson. If you have any intentions of becoming a member of Fountainhead I can get you on the tour. Call me immediately.

Craig Lewis Robins is an American businessman, investor, and philanthropist. He is the founder and CEO of Dacra Development, the co-founder and co-owner of Design Miami and developer of the Miami Design District

The Design District is known for its sleek modern architecture, upscale interior design stores and art galleries. Luxury fashion and jewelry boutiques, cafes and celebrity-chef restaurants draw a well-heeled crowd. Public art dotting the area includes the Fly’s Eye Dome, a geodesic dome designed by inventor Buckminster Fuller. The Institute of Contemporary Art shows cutting-edge work in an ultra-modern building.

The Craig Robins Collection in Miami is comprised of over 1,200 pieces of contemporary art and innovative design and exhibited within the Dacra headquarters in the Miami Design District. Each year, the Dacra collection is reorganized to underscore dialogues between artists and works within the collection. On view in 2025, The Sleep of Reason highlights works by Fountainhead alumni artists like Austin Lee, Bony Ramirez, Christina Quarles, Tschabalala Self, and Lauren Halsey.

The Fountainhead Experience membership program is for those who want to see the world differently and develop intimate relationships with artists and art appreciators.

This season, Fountainhead members will be immersed in the local landscape, with behind-the-scenes tours of private collections, artist-led experiences, and more.

Please read all about Craig Robins here.

When You Hang with Young Folks

There is one thing about Miami that other cities don’t necessarily have. The young and older folks socially mix. Maybe it’s because the constant warm weather allows people from all age groups to bond together. All ages play golf and tennis, hang by the pool, do yoga on the beach, bike ride, and walk their dogs for hours each day.

In my case it’s art. We go to a dozen art openings a month and so do young people. We seem to connect with young couples at these events and get invited to meet them for dinner at a restaurant, parties at their homes or even join them when they go to the theater, concerts, movies, or book clubs.

Tonight was a case in point. Our young friends decided to rent out a movie theater in Coconut Grove because it’s relatively inexpensive compared to larger cities. Eliot and I were invited to watch a private screening of Casablanca. Most of the group we were with were in their 30s.  There were one or two who heard of or saw the movie before.  They make a habit of watching old award-winning movies. The rest were clueless.

Fortunately, everyone loved the movie so there was plenty of good conversation after. We have to suspend our belief that we are forty years older than everyone else to enjoy their company as if they were contemporaries. Once you get used to it, it does get a little easier. The only time I really cringe is when one of them gives us what seems like a compliment to everyone else but me. “We want to be just like you when we get older.”

Reality sets in. These kids could be my grandchildren. Yikes! It’s still a pleasure having lots of younger friends. The conversations are much more alive and well.

Via Emilia Is One of The Best Meals You Will Have in Miami

The husband and wife owners of Via Emilia, Chef Giancarlo “Wendy” Cacciatori and Valentina Imbrenda

If you don’t trust me, trust the founder and publisher of The Three Tomatoes, Cheryl Benton. She has been to Via Emilia every trip to Miami. The food can’t be beat anywhere. It’s simply an Italian restaurant of authentic Emilia Romagna tradition. Emilia-Romagna is a region in northern Italy, extending from the Apennine Mountains to the Po River in the north. It’s known for its medieval cities, rich gastronomy and seaside resorts. Its capital is Bologna.

I took some friends to Via Emilia the other night. They loved it. They were tired of all the fancy dancy places that are super expensive and the food is mediocre. The food is always superb at Via Emilia.

Everyone walks away happy. They are once again reminded that you can get the best meal in the world in a neighborhood restaurant that has the finest ingredients in the most desired recipes.

Don’t miss this wonderful experience. My friends are still thanking me days later. GET THE DETAILS.