In 1982 Tobacco Road was given a new face on life - the property was purchased by Michael Latterner and Associates Realtors. Latterner asked two FIU hospitality majors to run "a beat up little dive" he has just acquired. One of them, Patrick Gleber, at the time manager of a trendy wine bar was apprehensive at first - the neighborhood was rather undesirable. However, it was one block west of Brickell Avenue, booming with all of its new skyscrapers, business offices, towers, and international banks. Gleber took a gamble and hired friends to help. The idea to make the bar a blues nightclub like those found in New York and Chicago was formulated. One friend and customer, Tom Moon, said when he first saw the bar that it was "a great neighborhood bar without a neighborhood." We found it. In a Miami Herald cover story in 1993, a Miami Judge said "they're turned a dying operation that used to be a hangout for many of the city's down-and-outers into a thriving business patronized by yuppies."
Hosting acts like Blues greats B.B. King, Koko Taylor, Albert Collins and Jr. Washington have helped Tobacco Road become one of the city's hot spots. Our customers run the gamut from lawyers and bankers to bikers and tuxedoed party revelers. Today, the bar is known worldwide. We feature the best live music Miami has to offer seven nights a week and we serve the highest quality food at very reasonable prices - and of course, we are famous for our great drinks! The bar itself is said to be the longest in Miami's history; it is dark and soothing - an old town sort of feel with all of the comforts of a neighborhood bar and home style cooking to make the comfort reach an even higher level. We are known for our 100% sirloin burgers and hand cut French fries, but if you are smart you'll try the specials - always a treat!
---www.tobaccoroad.citysearch.com
Tags: tobacco road, miami, events, reviews
Map this on Platial
]]>
And today, protected by ordinances that preserve the past by encouraging restoration and revival of this community's historic places, the City Beautiful lives up to its name, existing just as Merrick planned it should be.
In the midst of one of Coral Gables' residential neighborhoods, hidden behind pastel stucco walls and wrought iron gates, is found one of the most special attractions of this special city - Venetian Pool. Perhaps the only swimming pool anywhere to be included in the National Register of Historic Places. Certainly it is the only swimming pool of its kind with its vine-covered loggias, shady porticos, spanish fountain, three-story observation towers and cascading waterfalls that spill into a free-form lagoon complete with coral rock caves and palm-fringed island. Even now, Venetian Pool would still put a twinkle in George Merrick's eye, as it did so many years ago.
Fed by underground artesian wells, Venetian Pool was once a quarry pit, its only value being limestone it produced for the construction of that time. Through the creative efforts of Merrick's artist-uncle Denman Fink, and architect Phineas Paist, this eyesore was transformed in 1924 to what was then called Venetian Casino.
During its heyday gondolas plied its waters. Esther Williams and Johnny Weismuller of Tarzan fame swam its length. The orchestras of Paul Whitman and Jan Garber serenaded pool side dancers as they swayed beneath the stars on outdoor terrazzo dance floors. Bathing beauties by the hundreds promenaded across specially constructed walkways, while visiting dignitaries passed through the circular aquarium room entry to tour the "world's most beautiful swimming hole." They often listened to three-time Democratic presidential nominee William Jennings Bryan deliver speeches for his annual fee of cash and Coral Gables real estate.
Today, over one hundred thousand visitors a year come to Venetian Pool. And three generations of Gables residents, together with their Miami neighbors, have learned to swim here, all captivated by the charm of the setting, and invigorated by the clear, cool water. For Venetian Pool is drained nightly in summer months, its 800,000 gallons of water replenished each day from the subterranean aquifer that flows beneath it. Recently this practice was scheduled to be discontinued in order to preserve South Florida's water supply for an ever increasing population. But, in 1988, a method was found that would allow the pool to replenish its water without diminishing natural resources by recycling the water, via natural ground filtration, back into the aquifer. This new technology together with a concentration on complete restoration of all the surrounding buildings and loggias will insure that this place of beauty will be a joy for many more visitors to discover, for many years to come.
---www.venetianpool.com
Tags: venetian pool, miami, events, reviews
Map this on Platial
]]>
Vizcaya was built by agricultural industrialist James Deering, who wintered on the property from 1916â1925. Today, the extraordinary European-inspired estate includes a Main House filled with art and furnishings, ten acres of gardens on Biscayne Bay, a hardwood hammock (native forest), and an historic village that weâre restoring for public enjoyment.
---www.vizcayamuseum.org
Tags: vizcaya museum and gardens, miami, events, reviews
Map this on Platial
]]>