Stone Crab Season 2023 Begins Today – All You Need To Know Posted on October 15, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs Today is the day! It is the quintessential Miami holiday. The opening day of Stone Crab Season 2023-2024. Running every year from October 15 – May 1, Stone Crab Season is a rite of passage in South Florida with 99% of all stone crabs harvested in the world coming from this area despite the fact that they exist from North Carolina down to Belize. This year, the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) has made some changes to the harvesting regulations. We won’t go over all of these because frankly, I am not an expert fisherman. I’m more of an expert at ordering my stone crab at an al fresco restaurant with a crisp glass of white wine. What I will say is that the regulations are meant to protect the population so that we will have plenty of stone crab for years to come in the future. If you are a fisherman and would like to get down and dirty with the new regs, you can find them here. What we can expect is that due to the new regulations, the price of stone crab is slated to increase. Commercial Stone Crab Market Estimates 2023 | Image Credit: Carter Weinhofer Best Places To Find Stone Crab In Miami Now that we have that business out of the way, let’s chat about something more pleasant. TimeOut.com has ranked the top places in Miami to find stone crab. They rank the quality of the claw, the atmosphere and the price. Here are our picks from their list… South Beach Seafood Festival – Stone Crab South of Fifth Joe’s Stone Crab We have discussed Joe’s Stone Crab a few times recently, most notably during Miami Spice where I mentioned that you absolutely will not receive your Miami card until you have eaten there at least once. It is a staple and this is when it shines the most. You have three options at Joe’s. You can dine in, or you can visit Joe’s Takeaway next door if you are in a hurry or want to get takeout. You can also order stone crab to be shipped to your loved ones if they are not here to indulge with you. Joe’s Stone Crab is located at 11 Washington Avenue in Miami Beach. Smith & Wollensky Located on the very Southern tip of Miami Beach at 1 Washington Avenue, Smith & Wollensky is where you are going to sit in the afternoon for one of Miami Beach’s top happy hours as the sun sinks into the horizon. As you sip your crisp white wine and enjoy the buttery crab claws, you can wave at the tourists as they pass through Government Cut, headed on their much anticipated cruise vacations. Pay no attention to the fact that this is a chain restaurant. This location is a full-on experience. Prime Fish If you are into celebrity sightings, Prime Fish is where you will want to station yourself. Located at 100 Collins Avenue, Prime Fish is the sister restaurant to Prime 112 and Prime Italian. These are popular haunts for celebrities, musicians and sports stars alike. Prime Fish boasts an elegant tree-strewn terrace or a formal black and white mermaid-themed dining room. You won’t be disappointed. CJ’s Crab Shack Ok so being at 600 Collins, CJ’s isn’t TECHNICALLY in South of Fifth but it is just across the street from the technical border. It is in tourist-land and sort of looks like a tourist trap, but don’t be fooled. CJ’s knows its seafood and this is no Bubba Gump chain. When crab is in season, it’s a full on smorgasbord with a Key West flare. The nice thing about CJ’s too is that it is open late, so if you are hungry for a delicacy as a midnight snack they can hook you up. Coconut Grove Bayshore Club At 3391 Pan American Drive on the historic Dinner Key, you will find an airport-themed al fresco eatery that opened last summer to much fanfare. Located in the spot where Miami’s original airport once existed, Bayshore Club represents the history of the area and offers some really good food while they’re at it. Bayshore Club is also an all-around fun spot to hang out. With cornhole boards in the entertainment area along with fire pits, ping pong and a marina. The cocktails are all airline-themed and the vibe offers a Jetsons/Mad Men feeling to take you back to the glory days of aviation. It’s definitely a spot to check out. Monty’s Raw Bar Monty’s is the OG casual Grove hangout. It is located at 2550 South Bayshore Drive and there is nothing pretentious about it. It is good old fashioned casual and quirky Coconut Grove fun. Despite the fact that Monty’s is a boozy hangout that is oftentimes riddled with UM students, it is also a popular place for people to bring the entire family. A band plays island music and the kids can dance and clown around while the parents enjoy a frozen drink and a few pounds of stone crab claws. Of course there are things for the kids to eat as well and we always suggest responsible imbibing, but Monty’s has a laid back island vibe that will help you to relax after a hard week of work. There are also plenty of options to deliver yourself home after your relaxing jaunt under the thatched roof that don’t include driving. Stay safe! Little Havana/Miami River La Camaronera In Little Havana at 1952 West Flagler, you will find the ultimate Cuban seafood joint. It started as a walk-up ventanita (window), but now is a full-fledged restaurant that has been featured on the Food Network. Aside from the Stone Crab, people flock to the fried snapper sandwich with Cuban bread. It is nothing fancy but everything delectable. Garcia’s Fish Market Garcia’s is another hurdle newcomers must cross in order to earn their Miami cards. Beginning in 1966 along the Miami River at 398 NW North River Drive, the Garcia brothers were Cuban exiles with a dream and lots of dedication. Today they have one of the most popular fish markets around. This is one of the only spots in Miami where the fish comes straight from the boat to the restaurant and onto your plate. Please note that very soon they will be moving from their original location to the new Wharf Miami Riverside development when it is completed. If you would like to enjoy the OG location, now would be the time. Don’t miss it! Mail Order Stone Crab If you don’t like being in places that are too people-y, don’t live in Miami currently or if you would like to treat friends and relatives in other cities, these are going to be your options. Of course, Joe’s Takeaway has mail order stone crab as we mentioned above, and these two spots also offer the service. Holy Crab Delivery I have to admit that I chuckled over the clever name, but Holy Crab delivers more than just stone crab. You can also ship or pick up wagyu steaks, key lime pie and other varieties of crab. The stone crab range in size from medium to colossal and your order options range from Miami store pickup to 1-hour local delivery or overnight shipping anywhere in the continental United States. The claws are caught in the Florida Keys and shipped out within 24-hours in styrofoam coolers with frozen gel packs to keep them cool. They come with the signature mustard sauce and can be stored in your fridge for a couple of days after delivery, although they are usually eaten prior to that. George Stone Crab Specializing in stone crab claws, colossal king crab legs and caviar, George Stone Crab is a startup venture from Key Biscayne that began in 2008 when George grew tired of the fast-paced life of an investment banker. He bet the farm on a shipment of claws and sold them to his neighbors and VIOLA! The business took off. Today George Stone Crab has been featured in the New York Times, ABC News, The Miami Herald, The SoBe Wine & Food Festival, and the Food Network. They offer different family meal kits and also offer a special recipe key lime pie. If you are a military servicefamily or veteran, they offer a discount as a thank you for your service. So there are our picks to keep you occupied and full during the 2023-2024 Stone Crab Season in Miami. We hope you are able to try each option and enjoy every morsel! Image Credit: Joe’s Stone Crab
Miami Holiday Events For Families And Kids Posted on December 4, 2022December 12, 2022 by Sarah Elles Boggs Now that the fall academic semester is coming to a close, the holidays are upon us! There aren’t many of us who adore and cherish the holidays quite like the kiddos, so here is a list of ideas for things to do with your brood during the festive season. Miami City Ballet – The Nutcracker While this does involve sitting quietly for extended amounts of time, it is also a holiday institution for millions of families for over a century. The Miami City Ballet’s reenactment of the classic work brings a vibrant and animated winter wonderland to life with the Sugarplum Fairy, toy soldiers, sneaky mice, iconic choreography and the timeless score by Tchaikovsky. To prepare for the crowds, this year will usher in performances in both Miami Dade and Broward counties. The Ziff Opera House at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Downtown Miami will host the ballet from December 16-24. Fr0m December 16-18, The Nutcracker will take place at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale as well. Tickets can be purchased here. Santa’s Enchanted Forest Speaking of holiday institutions, if you are a kid who has spent any time in Miami during the holidays, chances are you have been to Santa’s Enchanted Forest. It truly is an attraction like no other. With over 100 rides, games, shows and attractions, Santa’s Forest is a little bit fair, a little bit carnival, a little bit amusement park and all centered around the jolly one himself. Santa’s Enchanted Forest is open daily until January 6, 2023. More information & passes can be found here. Flamingo Gardens’ Garden of Lights Enjoy an evening of self-guided tours through the lush botanical gardens, that are trimmed with thousands of lights and decorations. Each evening until December 30 (with the exception of Christmas Eve & Christmas Day), visit Flamingo Gardens for live outdoor musical performances, visits with Santa and holiday treats and beverages. Tickets are $16 for adults, $13 for children and can be purchased here. Pinecrest Gardens’ Nights of Lights If you are looking to stroll through a decorated and illuminated botanical garden in Miami-Dade County, look no further than Pinecrest Gardens’ annual Nights of Lights event. Also offered is a magical story time, signature Pinecrest Gardens cocktails and visits from Santa. Tickets are available nightly from December 11-December 30. Adults are $20, children age 2-17 are $15. Discounts are available for members. Gulfstream Park Symphony of Lights Back up in Broward County, Gulfstream Park has programmed over 250,000 LED lights to the sounds of holiday favorites from the past as well as modern popular music. Enjoy the 10-minute show at the top of every hour from 6pm-11pm until New Years’ Eve 2022. The show is free, also inviting guests to enjoy shopping, dining, entertainment and visits with Santa in the village’s open-air setting. NightGarden: A Magical Light Experience – Fairchild Tropical Gardens Step into a magical wonderland at Miami’s annual smash hit NightGarden! Prepare to be left in awe as the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is brought to life with breathtaking illuminations, spectacular special effects, and unbelievable surprises! You can talk to the wise tree, interact with the light and sound experiences, and explore the FairyScope augmented reality app. Plus, there will be plenty of delicious food and drinks from some of Miami’s most popular food trucks. Get your tickets for NightGarden: A Magical Light Experience in Miami! NightGarden takes place Wednesday-Sunday nights each week until January 8, 2023. Get your tickets here. Homestead-Miami Speedway Magic of Lights With a short drive to Homestead, you are invited to meander through the Homestead-Miami Speedway at a leisurely pace, enjoying an elaborate holiday display of lights, digital animations, scenes from popular holiday stories and carols. In addition to the 200 foot Enchanted Tunnel of Lights, this year’s display also features Prehistoric Christmas, where dinosaurs celebrate the festive season. Book your car or party bus here. Winterland at the Farm – Pinto’s Farm With cool weather, what better way to warm up and get ready for the holidays with family and friends than with some Holiday Treats, hot chocolate & much more while you can meet Santa Claus, Nix the snowman & Sprinkle the Gingerbread cookie at a beautiful illuminated Forest. Come, join us this winter holiday season to have a great time in a family atmosphere! Admissions will include unlimited access to all of our rides and several photo opportunities to capture your memories at the Farm. Purchase tickets here.
Miami Holiday Events For Adults Posted on December 4, 2022December 12, 2022 by Sarah Elles Boggs Just because we won’t see any natural snow in the Miami during the 2022 holiday season doesn’t mean we’ll be at a loss for something to do. There are so many options that we are going to have to break these suggestions down into a series of lists. Since the kids are still in school and pets cannot tell which day it is, let’s start with events for adults. These are the perfect spots for a romantic date night, pulled right out of a Hallmark movie, something to do on the off chance that you have a babysitter for the night, or elegant soirees that the kids would just not enjoy. Holiday Sip & Stroll – Zoo Miami 12400 SW 152nd St, South Miami This Holiday Cheers event will open the park from 7pm-10pm for attendees aged 21 and over only on December 8, 2022. A stroll through an intimate area of the zoo offers special lighting displays, live DJ, unlimited complimentary boat rides, a photo booth, animal appearances and plenty of refreshments to try. Bonus if you find Mr. & Mrs. Grinch along the way! Tickets are $25 and can be found here. Riverside Holiday Village at The Wharf Miami 114 SW North River Drive, Miami One of the more festive event spaces in The Magic City, The Wharf will bring Christmas magic to the 21+ crowd every Thursday through Sunday in December from 4:00pm until late. Enjoy holiday-themed cocktails, over 500,000 lights, holiday inflatables and decorated boats cruising past. No reservation is necessary, general admission is free. Visit their events page for a lineup of different holiday-themed weekends. Y100 Jingle Ball by Capital One 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise On December 18, 2022, the iHeartRadio Y100 Jingle Ball by Capital One will take place at the FLA Live arena in Sunrise. This year’s lineup includes Charlie Puth, Backstreet Boys, The Blackeyed Peas, Tate McRae, Anitta, Big Time Rush and more. Tickets can be found at Ticketmaster. Andrea Bocelli FTX Arena, Downtown Miami If you are feeling more classical and romantic on December 18th, consider attending Andrea Bocelli’s concert at FTX Arena in Downtown Miami. The world’s most beloved tenor will be presenting his Christmas concert on this day as well as a more intimate concert on December 16th in Aventura. We guarantee there will not be a dry eye in the house. Tickets can be found at Ticketmaster. “A Jazzy Holiday” Historic Holiday Decor Deering Estate -16701 SW 72nd Avenue, Miami During the month of December and carrying over until January 6, The Deering Estate is holding a special holiday display featuring holiday decorations from historic times in Miami. There are over a dozen holiday trees including the grand 17-foot tree in the Great Hall. This year is especially festive as the Deering Estate continues its celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Stone House, which was built in 1922. As an homage to the roaring 20’s and the cultural explosion of jazz and film from this era, the rooms of the Stone House and the Richmond Cottage will be designed and decorated as they would have been at the time On December 14th, the estate will remain open until 9:30pm for a special evening stroll amongst all of the decorations and lights. Admission is free for members, general admission is $15 for adults and $7 for children. Mistletoe & Martinis Deering Estate -16701 SW 72nd Avenue, Miami In a more formal event on December 9, The Deering Estate will honor the 100th anniversary of the Stone House with a roaring 20’s-themed soiree, Mistletoe and Martinis. From 7:30pm-11pm on this Friday, guests are encouraged to don their most festive Gatsby-era attire and join in for music, martinis and the magic of the holiday season. Tickets are $175/person for members and $200/person for non-members. All proceeds from this event will benefit The Deering Estate Foundation’s community, conservation and cultural programming. Vizcaya Late | Holiday Evening 3251 S Miami Avenue, Coconut Grove Also celebrating the 2022 holidays by honoring the design and decor from 100 years prior is Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Coconut Grove. On December 14 and 15, the museum & gardens will open from 6pm-9pm for a special celebration. Few know that the first time Vizcaya opened its doors as a private residence on Christmas Day was back in 1916. To celebrate this, the main house is decorated as it would have been 100 years ago. Guests are invited to make lanterns, learn more about the history of the estate and explore the illuminated formal gardens, hear Christmas carols, and participate in a gingerbread house competition. Tickets are $10.