I'm in the 30 Percent Club (I Saw Denali's Peak)
Plus, Amara is divine, Root & Bone is Opening in NC, and Percival is a distinguished gentleman
Hello Miami friends — if you missed me last week, it’s because I was in our 49th state enjoying crisp air, gorgeous vistas, and gorging myself on fresh salmon.
There’s no other way to put it — Alaska is the most gorgeous place I’ve ever been on the North American continent. If you’ve been putting off Alaska because of the extremely long travel time to reach your destination or if you’re waiting to save up two or three weeks to go, my advice would be to not make any more excuses.
I was there only six nights and, while I wish I had another week, it was perfectly enough time to see Denali, ride the Alaska Railroad, meet the cat mayor of Talkeetna, drink with locals at a 100-year-old bar, hike, flightsee to a glacier, drink good local beer, and eat salmon that was so fresh and sweet it tasted like candy.
I stayed at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, which is about a two-and-a-half hour drive (or train) ride from Anchorage.
The lodge’s main lobby comes equipped with a two-story high fireplace that welcomes you right in — along with a 2,000-pound stuffed Grizzly that was shot by a ten-year-old girl.
While that sounds dramatic, it’s nothing compared to your direct view of Denali and her sister peaks — Mount Foraker, Mount Hunter, Moose’s Tooth, and Broken Tooth.
After a long day of traveling for more than 15 hours, Denali was right there as the sun set at around 11 p.m. I learned that it’s rare to see Denali’s peak in the Spring and Summer months — so rare that I am now a member of the 30 Percent Club — reserved for the only 30 percent of travelers who see the mountain in her full glory. Indeed, as the days went on, the mountain peak was hidden by clouds (yet still maintained her awe and majesty). Breathtaking!
More on Alaska to follow, now let’s catch up on Miami.
Amara’s Views Are Only Rivaled by its Food
Amara, Michael Schwartz’s gem of a waterfront restaurant has always had one of the most enticing views in Miami. Now, this Edgewater eatery has an amazing new executive chef. Ivan Barros maintains Schwartz’s credo of utilizing the freshest local ingredients and gives them a touch of Latin American flavors.
I can’t pass up a good fish dip, and Amara’s was sublime. Of course, the heirloom tomato salad drizzled with aji amarillo vinaigrette was perfection, as was the hamachi tiradito. I sat alone at the bar for dinner (having shown up for a planned dinner on the wrong date like a total moron), so I only had room for a few items, but the flavors we bold, fresh, and prepared by skilled hands. Then again, what else can you expect from Schwartz, Barros, and their team?
The restaurant is also hosting a special pop-up next month, featuring Uruguay’s La Huella. The restaurant’s executive chef, Vanessa González will turn the second floor of Amara into the Uruguayan gem with a special multi-course dinner (or brunch) complete with live entertainment, cocktails, and a four-course wine pairing meal served family style. The dinners ($250 per person) will take place on Friday, June 21st and Saturday, June 22nd at 7:30 p.m. and brunch ($150 per person) will be served on Sunday, June 23rd at 1 p.m. Brunch will be priced at $150 per person and dinner will cost $250 per person. Reservations can be made on Open Table here. Fresh!
Dine with a view at 3101 NE Seventh Ave., Miami; amaraatparaiso.com.
Root & Bone Opening in Hendersonville (Just Outside of Asheville)
While Jeff McInnis and Janine Booth have opened some absolutely stellar restaurants (I do love me some Stiltsville), their Sothern restaurant, Root & Bone has always been my absolute favorite. I may sound basic, but who among us would choose other food over a big heaping plate of sweet tea-brined fried chicken?
Now, McInnis and Booth are opening a new Root & Bone in a location that’s sure to welcome them with open arms: Hendersonville, North Carolina. Hendersonville, by the way, is a charming (and affluent) city about an hour south of Asheville.
If you haven’t been to Asheville, know that this rather small city has some of the greatest chefs in the country utilizing straight-from-the-farm ingredients. Plus, there are literally dozens of breweries. And Hendersonville is fast becoming another solid food city. No word yet as to an exact opening date, but it’s imminent — so plan a trip to North Carolina soon! Southern Hospitality!
Get ready for some good cookin’ at 4165 Brevard Rd., Horse Shoe, NC; instagram.com/rootnbonenc.
Percival is a Distinguished Gentleman
Do you like the finer things in life? Instead of an all night rave and some hot dogs, do you prefer afternoon tea and a Brigerton binge session? You need a distinguished gentleman in your life and there’s no creature on earth more distinguished than Percival. This fine fellow is a three-year-old gray American Bulldog currently teaching the dogs at MDAS the intricate rules of Polo. His number is A2518119 and his kennel number is J15. Elegant!
Percival is one of hundreds of dogs available at Miami-Dade Animal Services. If you’re looking to bring a new best friend into the family, this is the place to start your search. Adoptions are only done in person, and you should bring a current picture ID and proof of current address. Dogs older than four months carry a $65 adoption fee and puppies are $85 — all dogs come home fully vaccinated, are dewormed, and have been spayed/neutered. In other words, adopting a dog is the best deal in Miami.
Get Percival at Miami-Dade Animal Services. 3599 NW 79 Ave., Doral; 305-884-1101; miamidade.gov/animals
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