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thegrassisaalwaysgreener · 5 years

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Bienvenidos A Miami

Will Smith’s “Miami”, was forever in my head for this 5 night, 6 day trip to Miami, Florida. My friend Lafonda, who I had met at my previous Crossfit gym, had mentioned she was probably going to Wodapalooza (more details on the event coming up) in January and asked if I was interested. At this time, it was November and we had already had a huge snowstorm and I was on my first of 2 weeks up north and itching for a vacation. She was planning on going with a few others from the gym to hang out and support one of their coaches. I was all on board and booked my flights almost immediately (thanks Aeroplan☺). We were heading out two days before the actual event started and staying an extra day to see what the city had to offer. While I was a bit nervous, as I had just had knee surgery in the beginning of December, I had applied to volunteer to save on admission costs but was wait listed. Lafonda and I lucked out and scored a pair of free tickets for the weekend (which saved a few bucks). We were set to fly with Air Canada to Miami to stay in a sweet Airbnb on the water on the 16th, returning home to the cold winter late on the 21st.

Wednesday January 16, 2019 (Woah! Haven’t typed 2019 much and it looks funny) Lafonda and I had booked early morning flights so that we could have a full day to enjoy Miami. Our flight was just after 0700 so we left bright and early to drop off the car and have plenty of time at security. We ended up meeting up with Andrea, Craig and Des who also go to the gym and would be some of our roomies for the weekend. They seemed super lovely and we chatted until it was time to board. The flight from Toronto to Miami is about 3.5 hours and was relatively smooth. We all grabbed our bags and hopped in a cab just after 11 to our Air bnb- which cost about $30 American. We were staying on Brickell in the residences attached to the W hotel. Thankfully, the hotel was able to store our luggage so that we could explore sans suitcases. We headed out and wandered around the downtown core. Since most of us had never been to Miami, it was fun to just mosey around – once we had coffee of course. We made our way to the Bayside Marketplace on the water that was filled with shops, restaurants and bars. It was really neat to look around and enjoy the nice weather. We grabbed some lunch at various restaurants in the food court (which made me feel like I was in a foreign country or somewhere, where everyone was trying to get us to buy their food). Other than the birds that flocked us, we enjoyed our lunches before making our way back towards Brickell to check into our Airbnb. The airbnb was part of a larger organization who rented out “residences” attached the W hotel. We called our contact for the Airbnb and she let us into a beautiful apartment overlooking the water with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. There was plenty of room for everyone and there were even extra couches we could have slept on which was great. We started to get all settled when we realized that the wifi password and room number did not match up with what we had in our confirmation emails. After some back and forth with our contact, we realized we were actually in the wrong apartment! We gathered up all our stuff and headed down the hall to our actual apartment. Our apartment was just as nice, however a bit smaller. There were two bedrooms with a futon couch that doubled as Lafonda and mine’s bed. We rested and hung out while waiting for Nancy and Nikki to arrive. Once they arrived, we all decided on heading out for a yummy dinner down the street in the Brickell City Centre. It was an outdoor-esque mall with some very high-end stores, boutiques and restaurants. We settled on Tacology, which was a great choice! The menu was on the ipad (similar to AYCE Sushi restaurants) and took us a while to figure out. The open-air feeling of the mall and restaurant was really fun. The ambience, decorations and general atmosphere were great. We mixed and matched tacos, salsas and guacamole until we were all full. My favourite part of the meal was definitely the ceviche that Lafonda ordered. It was spicy, fresh and delicious. After paying the bill and getting our geographical bearings, we headed up the street to Publix to grab groceries. The Airbnb only provided a limited amount of toilet paper and paper towels so we grabbed the essentials, along with breakfast foods and snacks of course. By the time we made it home, we were all pretty tired so we figured we would start setting up for bed including inflating the air mattress for Andrea to sleep on. Sadly, both of the mattresses that were brought seemed to have holes in them. The girls headed out to Target to grab a new one while Craig and I watched videos on weightlifters and the copious amounts of calories they eat in one day. Once the girls returned, we all headed to bed after a very long, but fun and exciting day.

Thursday January 17, 2019 It was a bright, sunny, gorgeous day in Miami! We were all really excited about today as we were heading to Bayfront Park for Nikki to check in and then wander vendor village before heading to South Beach. We also had to keep our eyes peeled for all of the Crossfit “celebs” we would be seeing. It was really neat to just roam around and see so many fit people (including many we follow on social media haha). The highlight of the morning was meeting the beautiful and kind Sara Sigmunsdottir. She is smaller but somehow more jacked in person than she appears on social media and was more than happy to pose for a photo with us. We hopped in an Uber to take the 15 or so minute ride from Downtown Miami into South Beach. South beach is known for its beaches, nightlife, celebrity chef eateries and of course the shopping. Our first stop was… Duh, the beach! Since it was pretty cold at home, we were all excited to enjoy the sand and water. After making a pit stop at the art deco clock on Ocean Drive (mostly to use the washroom), we checked out the workout areas and beach for a bit. Some of the exercises people were doing were really funny to watch but it was nice to see people out and enjoying the nice weather. The water was definitely chillier than I had anticipated… I was decked out in my bather and was hoping to go in the water. It was a hard pass for me but I did enjoy the sand and water on my feet. After countless selfies, we walked along the path in between the water and Ocean Drive before realizing we were pretty hungry. After wandering up and down Ocean Dr., enjoying the cool art deco facades of the hotels and shops, we settled on one of the standard restaurants for lunch. Our meal at Majestic was less than stellar but it did the trick and we continued on our wander of South Beach. As a group, we had decided on a few places that we had wanted to check out (the gelato store from Jersey Shore, the Tattoo Parlour from Miami ink and the Lincoln Road Mall). En route, to these places (sadly the gelato store is now a really neat looking hostel), we went into an innumerable amount of Surf Shops to check out all of the fun 80s gear they had. It seemed as though the theme for WZA (and all of South Beach) was bright neon pinks and blues. Our “tour” of South Beach continued down to the “Love Hate Tattoo Studio” and then down towards the Lincoln Road Mall. Since we missed out on the gelato at the Jersey Shore Gelato place, we grabbed some on our tour of Espanola Way. This street was probably my second favourite part of the day (second to being on the beach of course) as it had a great vibe filled with lots of cute shops and restaurants. The gelato we grabbed at Gelato-Go was delicious and satisfied my sweet tooth. We wandered around towards Lincoln Road and enjoyed the shops and a coffee while catching up on our social media and checking for any WZA updates for Nikki’s exciting first day. Since Nikki had to be back for athlete briefing, we ordered an Uber to head back towards downtown and our Airbnb. Our Uber arrived and it was hands down, the best one I had ever been in. Neyla, or Rose as she preferred to be called drove a Chevrolet Suburban that was decked out with a disco ball, mardi gras beads and fun party headbands. She had little signs that said things like “need a charger?” or “let me know what kind of music you like”. Rose was the best and even played my request of “Miami” as we rolled into our Airbnb. We grabbed her number so that we could utilize her awesome ride throughout the trip. After relaxing and putting on an extra layer, we headed back over to Bayfront Park to get some shopping done before the briefing. We wandered around the vendor village and met some of my fave athletes including David Hippensteel and got a signed copy of Jason Khalipa’s book AMRAP mentality (and a cheeky photo). While we were there, Nancy had received a message from a friend who was volunteering on the medical team stating that they needed additional volunteers. I, was of course, totally down to volunteer and headed over to meet the gentleman that was heading up the team. After asking me a few questions (like what my credentials were and if I could start in the am), I was in and was to be there bright and early. Once the briefing was over (and so many amazing athletes had walked past us including Jess Griffith, Alec Smith and the buff BKG), we headed to the Whole Foods down the street to grab dinner and some snacks. Whole Foods was SO busy and was filled with so many fit people. It was actually funny until we noticed there was barely any food to chose from. In any case, we grabbed food and enjoyed our dinner at home while planning for an exciting day of competition (for Nikki), volunteering for me and spectating for the rest of the crew.

Friday January 18, 2019 Day 1 and go! The majority of the crew was up and out early to watch Nikki and the rest of the athletes do a Run, Swim, Run over at Crandon Park. Lafonda was a bit under the weather so she headed to a walk in clinic and I headed over to the park to meet the rest of the medical crew. I should probably give a bit of an explanation of what WZA (or Wodapalooza) is. WZA is one of the biggest fitness festivals in the world. It started in 2012 with only 145 athletes and 500 spectators for the one day event. Since then, it has been become the premier Functional Fitness Festival (it could not call itself a Crossfit event until this year when it became a Crossfit Sanctioned event). Now it is a 4-day event involving over 1500 athletes, 30,000 spectators and 500 volunteers. It started off with the Gauntlet this year, that allowed anyone and everyone to throw down on the same courts as the best of the best followed by a Weightlifting Faceoff and then the 3 day Crossfit competition. This event is not just for the Elite athletes but hosts over 30 divisions including Scaled, RX, Intermediate, Teams, Masters and Adaptive athletes. Its vendor village is second to none with tons of big names in the Crossfit world including RomWod, RPM, Reebok, Zevia, CBD Medic, Born Primitive and so many more. One of the best parts about volunteering/competing is all of the free swag you get at many of the vendors. Ok, back to the fun! While Nikki and the crew enjoyed the morning at Crandon Park, I was getting to know my medical team. I met Josh (the Medical Lead) and he showed me to the volunteer tent where I could check in and received my swag (which included new black Nano 8.0s). I grabbed my breakfast (individually packaged meals by Fia’s Fresh Meals, that had to be put in the microwave and were made up of eggs, a form of breakfast meat and sweet potatoes). Once I was fed and all set, I met up with the rest of my team to figure out where and when we were starting. The medical team at previous WZA events has not always been the best and didn’t have much in terms of policies. Since the Crossfit Games format has changed, so have the legal implications of volunteering as a medical staff. From what I was told, many people were skeptical about volunteering as a medical staff due to these issues. Our main role was decontamination (decon for short) and handing out band-aids. As a Canadian RN, I was only to assist in life threatening times (e.g CPR) and encourage any other injuries to be seen either in clinic or by the EMTs that were on standby. Not that this was much different from my previous Regional experience, but not having the coverage in terms of liability and insurance was definitely something to consider. The athlete medical tent was located in the middle of Athlete village on the other side of the security fence that was manned by a guard. It was much quieter (for the most part) in athlete village as the only people back there were the athletes, their coaches, volunteers and those working in the CBD Medical Tent. Of course, there were washrooms (that were pretty digusting by noon each day), hammocks, seating areas and volunteer services that housed our check in stuff, shirts and food. After we finished our tour of the area and had our roles, our team headed out to Flagler, which was the largest and main stage. Our head, Slab was still away at the Run, Swim, Run event so he would meet up with us soon. We grabbed our gear buckets (filled with disinfectant spray, towels, gloves and band-aids) and took our spots. For the most part, we would just stand, watch and wait. If there was an issue on the field, the plan was that the primary judge would flag down the head judge who would then flag us down. In between heats, we would check the equipment for blood or bodily fluids and give them a clean. During the heats, we would hang out and enjoy the amazing show of athletics. During the day, we would spell each other off for breaks. Unlike Regionals, there wasn’t a specific rotation or anything, which made things easier in some ways and trickier in others. I was able to get out a few times during the day to get some shopping done and hang out with the crew. Since meals were provided for us (the pulled pork and yuka fries were definitely my fave meal of the weekend), we would have to wait in the huge line to warm them up (3 microwaves for hundreds of people) before heading out to enjoy the time with friends or the action. Each team (Flagler, The Deck and Bayside) stayed at their location for the whole day despite talk of rotating the groups throughout the day. Flagler field was probably one of the most fun places to be as you got to see a bit of everything from the scaled athletes to elite and teams. The crew had decided to go to Wolfgang’s Steakhouse for dinner which I sadly missed since I didn’t finished “work” until just after 2000. I grabbed dinner at the park and headed over to pick up the key from everyone at dinner. One of the downsides of the Airbnb was that we only had 1 key fob for all of us, so we had to keep in touch and figure out who needed the key and when. I was exhausted, sweaty and wanted to shower so I started heading back to the Airbnb for the night. We enjoyed a chill evening, catching up on our days before bed (Lafonda sleeping on the air mattress to spare me from getting her gross cold- thanks;)

Saturday January 19th, 2019 Day two of competition was on! I had to be at the park bright and early (7am) so I tried my best to be a quiet mouse and head out without waking anyone else. I was scheduled to be at the Deck (smallest stage, newest and in the middle of the park) with my team however, the first event wasn’t until later in the morning so I headed to Bayside to help out. The first event of the morning was another swim event (apparently the run, swim, run was more of a wade and this swim was going to be a lot more challenging than the day before). After the swim, athletes ran back onto the “field” and took on the ski erg and heavy double unders. The amount of swimmers that needed help was scary. There were 4 fire/rescue staff out on the water for the dozens of swimmers that were out each heat, which made me, as a former lifeguard very uncomfortable. Despite my discomfort and concern for the swimmers, we had a good crew (the Scaled Canadian Broads/Baysite B*tches) and the sun was shining. It was going to be a glorious day and I even had a few moments to relax, bayside in the hammocks. Once more staff arrived and the events started on the Deck, I was back over there to help out and ensure safety there. Our team was a bit short staffed as two members of the team were dealing with a medical issue. I was sad that I was going to be missing out on the Christmas Abbott meet and greet (Christmas is a Crossfit athlete and author of the Bad Ass Body Diet as well as Big Brother Contestant). Thank goodness for Lafonda who was able to stand in line and meet her and even get an autographed poster! After watching some amazing scaled athletes and teens, it was time for me to grab some lunch (C4 Xtend BCAAs are not considered meals despite drinking 20 a day it seemed). I grabbed my lunch and caught up with the group, who had just finished watching Nikki’s morning event and were wandering around. Funny enough, we ended up running into Christmas Abbott! She is just the sweetest! I was so happy that we met her and were even able to sneak in a photo and a selfie that she posted to her insta(twice;)). After my break, I headed back to the Deck to watch some amazing intermediate/RX athletes and some masters compete. The Deck events were finished around 6 pm and so I joined the rest of the crew at Flagler to cheer Nikki on in her last event of the day. It felt good to be up in the stands, cheering others on (and resting my very sore feet and legs). After Nikki’s event, I went to Bayside to help out with the final events. The last heat of the final event of the day was the first of the Adaptive competitors that I had seen and was in awe. They divided the athletes into groups of standing and wheelchair along with scaled and RXed. Each Athlete had an “aid” of some sort to help them either hold their wheelchair so they could lean forward to pick things up or just for support. This event involved the ski erg and skipping which was amazing to watch. To me, this is what the whole event is really about, being inclusive of all ages, stages and abilities. I was really inspired after an amazing 2nd day and was reflecting on my own abilities post knee surgery (which pales in comparison to having lifelong limitations in many ways). Once I was finally done for the day (around 2000), I headed over to meet the group at Farfalle for an Italian dinner. I had anticipated that they would be inside, seated already, however we ended up waiting 30 mins after our reservation This was not ideal for a large group of hungry people. The service was subpar and the food was average but it was nice to be all together to catch up on the day’s activities. Niki (1K as opposed to 2 Ks;)) had flown in earlier in the morning and I hadn’t spent much time with her, so it was very nice to catch up. After figuring out how to split the bill (or attempting to do so), we grabbed our take out cannoli and walked the 10 mins back to the Airbnb. Once again, we had a bit of a hang out before heading to bed for a final day of competition, volunteering and spectating.

Sunday January 20, 2019 Today was the last day of competition- So bittersweet! The forecast had called for some rain this morning so I was anxious to get over to Bayfront before the torrential downpours started. And boy did it ever! It poured rain for quite some time and bouts of lightening were seen and thunder was heard all throughout the park. We had to go into the Emergency Action Plan and anyone that was at the park had to head across the street to the Intercontinental Hotel. Luckily, it was still early, so most of the athletes and spectators weren’t there yet. After sweeping the park and telling people that they had to leave, we made our way across the street for some shelter and coffee. It was quite the sight to see- so many people just sprawled out on the floor of the lobby with huge lines for the Starbucks (of course) and the restaurants. We waited in the 30 min or so line at Starbucks for treats and coffee before sitting down to wait out the storm. The time for us to return kept changing but we had planned to be back for about 10am. The hope was that the rain would stop and we could get everything cleaned up and ready for the 11 am start. I had told the crew at the Frat House that the morning event was cancelled (which meant so was Nikki’s first event) so they headed to do some shopping in South Beach before coming back for the final event. One of the head Medical team members and I walked back around 10 am and were almost told we couldn’t go back in. He smoothed talked his way in and we hung out in the medical tent, reorganizing and cleaning up while enjoying Lesser Evils Paleo Puffs (The non cheese, cheesy ones are bomb if you haven’t tried them). Around 1045, everyone else was allowed back in, which meant the events would not realistically start by 11. Not that I am an event planner, but I thought it was interesting the events they decided to run and which ones they cancelled. To me, it would’ve made the most sense to cancel the whole first event and continue on with the 2nd event and ensure the Elite, Masters and Teens got to compete as they were the ones who were competing for Games spots. In any case, the event restarted around 1145 and I was stationed Bayside. Once the rain clouds left, it ended up being a lovely day and I was glad to be near the water. I caught up with the group for a quick photo by the spectator workout area and Reebok sign before grabbing a sushi burrito from Wasabi Juan’s (which was underwhelming but still better than eating the provided food I had eaten for 3 days). I headed back to Bayside to enjoy the rest of the afternoon watching some amazing athletes. The final group to take the Bayside court were the adaptive individuals who again, were amazing. Once the final heat was done, there were group photos and even an emotional proposal in front of everyone that made us all tear up. While we were gathering up our stuff, I noticed that Ben Bergeron was on the court with one of his younger adaptive athletes (who kicked butt). I was so excited to meet him as I listen to his podcasts and have read his book and think the way he trains his athletes, is a family man and maintains a well-established box is amazing. Of course, I could barely speak while we were chatting but it was awesome to meet him and take a selfie with him and his daughter Harley. After kicking myself for not saying more to Ben, I wandered around picking up a few more things (mostly things from Reebok that went on sale) before heading to Flagler to watch the Elite teams. I found the Elite Teams amazing to watch, especially because a lot of my faves were on the field kicking butt. I ended up at the end of the field watching from the sidelines, nice and close to Crossfit Mayhem Independence and the 4 time Fittest Man on Earth, Rich Froning. It was incredible to watch them all in the final event that involved the assault bike, muscle ups, the barbell and of course, the worm. Once the teams were finished, it seemed as though tons of spectators left so I managed to cut through and join my friends in the stands (after stepping in a huge mud puddle). It was super fun and exciting to watch the final event for both the elite male and females. Obviously, we were super stoked to watch Pat Vellner kill it but also excited to see some of the other athletes hyped up for the last event. The ladies race was also super exciting as Sara and Tia were both doing super well and were almost tied until Sara was no repped on a clean which opened the margin for Tia to take the event and then take the ticket to Madison (which was already hers due to a 90 some-odd point lead). I really enjoyed the final events and all of the energy at Flagler but was super disappointed in a lot of the fans that didn’t stay to finish watching the event. There were still plenty of great athletes (even some games athletes), on the field competing and tons of people were leaving. Not only were they leaving, but they were blocking the way for those that wanted to watch. I sat and stayed until the timer went off out of respect and interest to see who would come in under the time cap. I ended up getting lost from the group but managed to find Lafonda and grab all my stuff from the medical tent and say my goodbyes. We caught up with the rest of the crew at the Intercontinental and ended up having dinner there at Toro Toro. There were tons of people watching the football game and cheering on the Pats (cough Ben Bergeron). We had a lovely final dinner together of burgers and beers (for some) before heading back to the Airbnb for our last night. Lafonda and I spent a while organizing all my sweet swag (including a workhorse and media WZA shirt) and attempting to make it all fit into our bags (thank goodness her’s had tons of room in it). We started to clean up and organize the main areas as Lafonda and I would be leaving early in the morning for a tour of the Everglades and Nikki and Nancy had a mid morning flight. We finished our packing and organizing before enjoying our last night with the beautiful views from our Airbnb.

Monday January 21st, 2019 Sadly, it was our last day in beautiful Miami. Thank goodness it was a picture perfect morning! We were up and ready for our exciting day around 8 ish. We had some breakfast before cleaning up and finalizing the packing. We said our goodbyes and made our way down to the W to give them our suitcases for our day trip. As a confession- I LOVE CSI Miami and in particular, Horatio Caine (which Craig did a great job of mimicking for my benefit). I had always wanted to check out the Everglades, especially on one of the airboats featured in the opening credits of CSI. I had gotten us a Groupon (tour with 305 Miami) so we had cheap tours of the Everglades including a gator show that I was looking forward to. Lafonda was a good sport and came with me. We made our way back to Bayside, where we were being picked up and checked in. Since we were a bit early, Starbucks was a must visit (until I was told I couldn’t bring my coffee onto the bus). The drive was about an hour towards the Everglade National park. During the drive, we learned random facts like the Miami International airport sees 1000 flights a day and there is an estimated 2 million gators in the area. Apparently, more people die of vending machine accidents than gator accidents per year (Not sure what that says about ‘Muricans, but I digress). Once we arrived, we went to watch the Gator show with Chris (Who was super cute, smart and I think single;)). We learned many fun facts about the gators like that they can hold their breath for 6 hours but don’t breathe under water, that in Florida there are both crocs and gators but that gators are different in their shape, snout and often colouring. Gators have 80 teeth at one time and go through many hundreds throughout their lifetime. They can bite down with the force of about 2 tones, which is pretty crazy. During the show, Chris spent time up close and personal with the gators and showed us their teeth, how hard they can chomp (the sound is scary) and some other neat physical characteristics of the gator. After the show, we wandered around and checked out the other small animals in the area (including some raccoons, a pig and a goat), before getting in line to hop on our airboat. If you don’t know what an airboat is, it is basically a flat-bottomed watercraft that is propelled by an aircraft-type propeller. It is powered by either an aircraft or car engine and is typically made out of aluminum. They are WAY louder than I had thought but also smoother than anticipated and can go about 60 mph. Our tour guide for the boat tour was Dylan and he was super funny with a quirky personality. He made some really great dad jokes and was very knowledgeable about the Everglades. The Everglades are roughly 4000 square miles of a large ecosystem with many smaller interdependent ecosystems. Most people think the Everglades are just a big swamp when it is actually a slow moving river. It is an endless river of grass, mainly Cattail grass that helps with filtration by absorbing the impurities from the water, which is pretty cool. We saw many different types of wildlife including American black vultures, turkey vultures, a few other birds and of course the gators! We learned a bit more about the gators including the fact that they have lateral vision, eat most fish and small animals. Dylan also taught us about the spatterdock, heart shaped lily pad looking plants that can grow up to 6 feet tall and are a good indicator of how deep the water is. We learned how to tell if there was a caterpillar living in the plant (called a bonnet worm which Dylan pretended he was going to eat). Dylan also showed us how to make a gauze type band-aid from the cattail grass , which was super neat and helpful. The 2nd grass that is found in the Everglades and is called saw grass which can be very sharp if you rub down the grass. If you take a closer look, you can see the saws that can cut you. If you rub up the grass, it feels like a normal piece of grass. The whole boat tour was about and hour in total before we made our way back to the meeting spot. We hopped back on the bus for the 45 min drive back into the city. Unfortunately, about 10 minutes into the drive, there was an issue with the bus’ engine. There was a bit of delayed communication from the driver so we ended up sitting around waiting to find out what was wrong for a good 15 minutes. Apparently a belt had come loose and we were unable to continue the drive in our bus. I decided to take a snooze for a bit, since we were told it was going to be a 20-30 min wait for another bus to get to us. I managed to nap while Lafonda chatted with the lovely mother-son duo from New Zealand on our tour. Once I woke up, I joined them and got to know that he had actually come in 7th in the Teen division at Wodapalooza. It was nice to hear about his experiences in not only the comp but also in the states. We discussed some spots in NZ that I had been to and a bit about their hometown of Christchurch. They were super lovely and made the long wait for a new bus more bearable. Finally, after about an hour and a half of waiting, a new bus arrived to take us back into Downtown. We managed to make it back downtown before rush hour to meet up with Craig and Des who were chilling near Bayfront after a few delicious mojitos. We made a few last minute stops before heading towards the Brickell Centre. We grabbed coffee and enjoyed some chill time before grabbing our stuff at the hotel. Of course, Neyla was our driver to the airport and we enjoyed some great tunes and an updated decor (she had swapped the pink decorations for blue). We were a bit worried about the airport due to the TSA agents being on strike, so we went to the airport with plenty of time to spare. Somehow, we were through security in less than 15 minutes- even quicker than Lafonda and her VIP line. We had known that our flight was delayed so we found a nice spot near our gate to hang out and drop our stuff. Unfortunately, most of the vendors and restaurants closed around 9 so we had less of variety to choose from for dinner. I had a delicious Cuban sandwich from Earl of Sandwiches that was way better than expected. We boarded our flight around 10pm or so. I napped and listened to a podcast for the 3ish hour flight back home. We were all super tired and very glad to make it home just before 1 am. Security was a breeze as was grabbing out bags. Lafonda and I waited a few minutes for my car to be dropped off before heading home on the sketchy roads (thanks to the huge snow storm the GTHA got). While I didn’t have the typical “Miami” experience, I had a great trip. I always like a trip that involves fitness, good food, weather and some learning. I would definitely go back to Miami for a more relaxing vacay and to spend a bit more time chilling on the beach. Until next time Miami!

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joof19 · 6 years

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This gelato was lit🔥🍧🍦. #gelato #holiday #powerlifteronholiday #florida #miami #september #2018 #foodporn (at Bayside Marketplace) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnjQczzAulw/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=r7k5wuws0tvl

#gelato #holiday #powerlifteronholiday #florida #miami #september #2018 #foodporn

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queenseats · 7 years

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If you cannoli have one dessert for the rest of the summer, this could definitely be it 🍨😍 This is the #chocolatecake (on the bottom) and #cannoli #gelato from @pessosices in #bayside #queens #nyc and it's our favorite places for warm summer nights (or when you want to just pretend it's a warm summer night) and ideal for #mdw2017, don't miss out! Their gelato is rich and flavors are spot on, full of cannoli shells and pieces of cake 😍😍😍 #queenseats #mdw #pessosices (at Pesso's Italian Ices)

#nyc #chocolatecake #queenseats #mdw2017 #pessosices #gelato #mdw #queens #cannoli #bayside

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blogtriptravelguide-blog · 4 years

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7 best cities to visit in the USA

From thousands of cities to choose from, especially if you are traveling to the USA for the first time, it can be quite hard to choose. You can never be done with exploring America even if you have visited hundreds of times. Every city has something great to offer, but there are some which stand out from them all. We have chosen the 7 best cities to visit in the USA by most famous attractions, entertainment, culinary offerings, diversity, art, and architecture.

1. San Francisco

The city of San Francisco has a population of more than 800,000 people and it is a top destination for many US nationals as well as tourists. -If you think of San Francisco, the first thing that comes to mind is probably The Golden Gates Bridge. Shown in hundreds of movies, printed on every postcard, and declared as the modern world wonders, this bridge is a stunning steel giant. No one leaves San Fran without taking a photo with the bridge in the background; -If you are visiting San Francisco make sure to stop by the Waterfront at Fisherman’s Wharf, this place offers the best seafood in the city and many fun tours; -Ride around the city with the San Fran Cable Car which is the last manually operated system today; -Sports lovers will enjoy watching a game at the world-famous AT&T Park stadium which is the home of San Francisco Giants - one of the most popular and famous teams in the league.

2. Chicago

The hub of finance, culture, education, and technology has thousands of fun activities to offer: -Visit the Garfield Park Conservatory where you will see more than 100,000 plants; -If you are on a time crunch get on a Chicago’s First lady architecture tour which will tell you a history of 50 buildings while riding on a boat; -Want to see Chicago from above and you are not afraid of the heights, get on the Willis Tower Skydeck and get a view from 103rd floor; -Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo and see thousands of mammals, birds, and reptiles; -Check out mummies and other biological and anthropological collections at the Field Museum; -Grab a slice of pizza at the famous Vito and Nick’s pizzeria who have been open for business since 1932; -Sip a cold beer at the Half Acre Brewery Balmoral.

3. New York

The city that never sleeps gives you a different experience every day: -Visit the Statue of Liberty which will be only a ferry ride away from Staten Island, you might also want to catch a tour; -See the city from above from the Empire State Building; -Visit one of the 80 museums and learn the history, art, and culture of New York and USA; -If you love sports then you will definitely enjoy a game at the Yankees Stadium in Bronx; -Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and take stunning photos of NY; -Have a picnic and throw some ball at the Central Park; -Watch the live broadcast of Today show from the Rockefeller Plaza; -Take photos at the Times Square; -Watch the sunset from the West Street highway.

4. Los Angeles

The city of Angels is home to entertainment, dreams, and the movie industry: -See the Hollywood sign by hiking up the Griffith Park; -See paintings by Van Gogh and Rembrandt at the Getty Museum; -Relax and read a book at the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens; -See LA from the highest peak in the city – The Griffith Observatory which was completed in 1935; -Visit LACMA which is the largest museum in the western United States; -Roller-skate on the Venice break boardwalk and catch a beautiful sunset; -Take a Warner Bros Studio Tour and see how your favorite American TV shows and movies are made; -Enjoy the weekend and maximum fun at the Disneyland resort; -Experience the creativity of local street artist at the Hollywood Walk of Fame; -Live in luxury and spend some big bucks at the Rodeo drive where you will find hundreds of high-end designer stores.

5. San Diego

The easy-going city of San Diego has endless monuments, museums and theaters for all the USA culture lovers: -Enjoy the Spanish architecture and over 2000 plants at the Balboa Park and Botanical house; -Take a stroll on the Embarcadero and watch the sunset from the harbor; -Go on a hike on the Rocky Point Loma which was the first landing point of the European expedition; -Surf at the La Jolla beach; -Visit the historical San Diego Old Town which is built and designed to look like you have gone back in time to1820´s; -Visit pandas and other 650 species at The San Diego Zoo; -Cruise through the San Diego Harbor, on this 1-hour long tour you will be able to see more than 50 landmarks of the city; -If you are lucky enough you can catch a glimpse of whales that pass through San Diego shores between the months of December and April.

6. Miami

The perfect weather and stunning beaches will make you want to stay in Miami forever! -Get some tan at the Miami Beach; -Visit the Jungle Island where you will able to hold a lemur, take a photo with a slot and pet one of the capybaras; -Wander through the Art Deco district which is located just in front of the Ocean drive; -For a real touristic experience visit the Bayside Marketplace, it has over 150 tourist shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars; -View over 2000 animals at the Miami Zoo and enjoy the wildlife from up close; -Visit one of the interactive physics, biology and chemistry exhibits of The Miami Science Museum; -Take your kids to the Miami Children’s Museum and entertain your youngsters; -Stroll through the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden which has a collection of rare flowers, trees, and cycads -See a performance at the Olympia Theater located at Flagler Street.

7. Las Vegas

The City of Las Vegas will offer you endless fun and sleepless nights: -See the dancing fountain of Bellagio which performs every 30 minutes; -Gamble at the Caesars Palace on one of the oldest machines in Las Vegas; -Have a classic dinner and fun cocktails at the Peppermill which is open 24hrs a day; -Catch a show at the Park Theater which has hosted such superstars as Britney Spears, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars; -Ride the wave simulator at the FlowRider, Planet Hollywood; -Visit The Venetian resort and eat gelato while riding a gondola; -Look into the criminal world and visit The Mob Museum where you can find a vintage electric chair and try out the firearm simulator; -Eat at one of the many Michelin Star restaurants; stop by Gordon Ramsey’s Hell’s kitchen and watch the chef’s work side by side. Read the full article

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blogtravelingabroad-blog · 4 years

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7 best cities to visit in the USA

1. San Francisco

2. Chicago

3. New York

4. Los Angeles

5. San Diego

6. Miami

7. Las Vegas

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la-appel-du-vide · 5 years

Text

12•27•18

Headed downtown today. Took a speedboat tour around the bay, saw four dolphins, and sailed past Millionaire Row, where we saw the gorgeous and enormous homes of Rocky, Ricky Martin, Will Smith and more. Plus drove past the island where the cheapest house is 3 million dollars, and is also home to Oprah, Justin Biber and Julia Roberts.

Super fun.

Went to see American Airlines Arena where the Miami Heat play for Walt. And then wandered around the Bayside shopping area. Had lunch at a cute little Italian place, and got some exceptionally good gelato.

It’s a real chill time, and we are definitely loving being in the warm air. 😩

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frecklensunshine · 5 years

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7 days in Jamaica ( Runaway Bay, Ochos Rios, Montego Bay, Nine mile)

Montego Bay airport

After watching some YouTube videos I was expecting the worst. To my surprise the process was efficient although can be confusing. They have automatic system now which made it much faster! We bought one person with the vip service but the fast track line took longer!

Value 4/5

Atmosphere 3/5

Service 3/5

Quality 3/5

13/20

Mobay vip arrival services

Could be a nice service for very busy times but the people without the pass actually got through customs earlier this time due to the line in fast track as there is only one line for this. Not worth it if flight is arriving earlier than 2pm. They hurry you out the arrival club too.

Value 1/5

Atmosphere 2/5

Service 2/5

Quality 2/5

7/20

Jewel paradise cove

Major cons with few pros.

Cons- loud resort not that people are partying type as many are older crowd.. but they insist on blaring music till 2 am and we got no sleep! Stay away from building 3! There are also obnoxious people screaming at midnight every night.

The staff is a kid some friendly some very unfriendly. Although it’s suppose to be all inclusive true Hilton style they like to Nickle and dime you not providing earplugs which are like 10 cents! They try to make you get bottle of wine for charge, other dinners at charge. I also never had hot water during my stay.

Pros the free falls tour although it could of been way shorter. The tour around the ground was boring. Luckily I stayed during the week they offered free yoga and other fitness classes which were great but it’s not offered normally. We were celebrating birthday but no acknowledgement even though they ask you in check in form. The other pro is they offer transportation from airport which is crazy expensive. Jamaica is not cheap!

I would not stay here again.

Value 2/5

Atmosphere 2/5

Service 2/5

Quality 2/5

8/20

Nine mile bob Marley museum

Pretty cool tour but also sounds better than it is. It’s about 1.25 hour from Runaway Bay through towns and lush forests with great views of bay but the museum itself is very small. As soon as you arrive vendors will try to sell you bob Marley weed quite expensive at $20usd for a very fat joint and $30-$55 for slice of special brownies. Not sure what the going rate is elsewhere since I don’t partake but most visitors were smoking throughout the short tour. You see the house he was born and where he is buried. Did not realize his dad was some old English guy in 50s when his teen mom got pregnant so he only knew his father with a photo. Don’t understand why this tour is so expensive! It should’ve been 1/2 of the cost!

Value 1/5

Atmosphere 4/5

Service 3/5

Quality 2/5

10/20

Koroko falls

In Ochos Rios a cool waterfall to climb. You will get wet and the guides take care of you finding the best way up. It’s a lot of fun and once at top you will be rewarded with a beautiful view. The garden tour takes too long and could be shorter.

Value 3/5

Atmosphere 4/5

Service 3/5

Quality 3/5

13/20

Sandals Carlyle inn

I was hesitant about booking here with so many mixed reviews. I can understand the reason for some of the mix. First the service is very friendly and everyone is quick to say hello and introduce themselves. Yes it’s small and not much to do but the quietness we actually enjoyed. The rooms are definitely hit and mix and if you are in the old unrenovated rooms I can see people complain, they need to upgrade this resort! The older rooms are simply not acceptable for sandals. The renovated rooms are fine, and I think it’s a good compromise for the savings although I think it can improve it’s not horrible as some has reviewed if you get the renovated rooms. Our first rooms was full of bugs but they were quick to accommodate us to change rooms right away and manager even came to apologize next day which I thought was nice. The drinks are fabulous and love the espresso machine. I think with a little renovation they can make this place amazing as it’s service. The food is rather disappointing but you can just hop over to other resorts for the restaurants.

Value 3/5

Atmosphere 3/5

Service 5/5

Quality 3/5

14/20

Sandals Montego Bay

Probably the favourite resort of the 3 play in all resorts in Montego Bay sandals. The watersport is fun but pools are small more to just dip in. The stewfish dinner was fine but over cooked the lobster which was disappointing. The French bayside had excellent food but service could be slow. The buffets are pretty average and the gelato shop is cute touch but not the best. Although it says they will do lessons for windsurf they seem lazy and constantly say there’s no wind for windsurfing as the sail is in the back and they don’t seem to get it..

Value 3/5

Atmosphere 4/5

Service 4/5

Quality 4/5

15/20

Sandals Royal Carribean

The cool feature here is the little island you can go to for some jerk chicken during the day and Thai restaurant for dinner. The main area is just ok with the gym needing new machines and the food average at best. It’s ok resort better for older quieter crowd. There doesn’t seem enough room or things to do here. I also found it least friendly of the 3 for the cost.

Value 2/5

Atmosphere 3/5

Service 2/5

Quality 2/5

9/20

#jamaica #relaxation #travel

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izayoi1242 · 6 years

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A Bayside Italian Ice, Bursting With (80) Flavors

By KAYA LATERMAN Pesso’s Ices & Ice Cream is constantly offering new options, like Swedish Fish ice, butterbeer ice cream and salted butter caramel gelato. Published: June 20, 2018 at 09:00AM from NYT New York https://ift.tt/2yrriK5 via IFTTT

#IFTTT #NYT #NEWS

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instantdeerlover · 4 years

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Portland, Maine Restaurants Reopened For Outdoor Dining added to Google Docs

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There is nothing like Maine in the summer. And Portland has been able to take full advantage with outdoor dining starting June 1st and indoor seating beginning just a little over two weeks later on June 17th.

Maine has provided clear, state-mandated restrictions for restaurants with guidelines for guests including wearing a mask at all times where social distancing is difficult (like waiting in line for pickup, entering or exiting, walking to the restrooms), providing physical barriers to protect waitstaff, and allowing no more than 50 people per room, including outdoor seating areas.

Now that we got all those logistics out of the way, here’s a running list of Portland restaurants where you can sit outside. A lot of these spots have also chosen to open for outdoor dining only. For these places, which we’ve listed out below, make sure to bring along a few extra layers in case it randomly rains for twenty minutes and you won’t have the option to move inside. Remember, there’s no bad weather, just bad gear.

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Parkside

West End

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Old Port

East End

Bayside

Washington Ave.

Off-Peninsula

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INFATUATION NEWSLETTER Get our newest guides & reviews first,

plus more restaurant intel you won't find anywhere else. ATL ATX BOS CHI LDN LA MIA NYC PHL SF SEA DC Subscribe Smart move. Excellent information will arrive in your inbox soon. Do you have friends and family who also eat food? Enter their emails below and we’ll make sure they’re eating well. (Don’t worry, we won’t subscribe them to our newsletter - they can do that themselves.) Help Your Friends No Thanks Well done. You’re a good person. All good. We still like you. Want to quickly find restaurants on the go? Download The Infatuation app. Parkside Figgy’s Takeout and Catering $$$$ 722 Congress St

Outdoor only

It’s business as usual at Figgy’s where you can order fried chicken and homemade ice cream sammies at the counter Tuesday through Saturday from 3-8pm or whenever they sell out. Picnic tables are available while you wait for takeout or enjoy a winner of a chicken dinner under a shaded picnic table.

Hot Suppa! $$$$ 703 Congress St

The covered patio behind the building is open for brunch with four to five four-top tables set up. Reservations for the remote waitlist are available, and the restaurant is open Monday-Friday from 7am- 2pm, and Sunday from 7:30am-2pm.

Isa Bistro $ $ $ $ American in Bayside $$$$ 79 Portland St

Outdoor only

Serving a full menu of Mexican-inspired dishes, Isa is open with a fenced-in and tented patio with an additional side area for outdoor seating. They’re open Wednesday-Monday, from 3-8pm, for dinner service and Sunday brunch from 11am-3pm. Reservations are required, and the largest party size allowed is six people.

Pizza Villa $$$$ 940 Congress St

Basically a historical landmark for Portlanders, Pizza Villa has opened up a patio in their parking lot with around seven tables with covered seating. There is plenty of open space to enjoy a beer, soup, or pizza on Valley Street also - they’re open from 4pm until close.

Quinn's Bardega $$$$ 79 Mellen St

Open every day within Mellen Street Market, Quinn’s Bardega has six to eight covered picnic tables set up on a roped-in patio from 11am-8pm. The menu varies from bánh mì wraps to braised beef shanks with a full bar and beer on tap.

Salvage BBQ $ $ $ $ BBQ in West End $$$$ 919 Congress St

Outdoor only

Salvage BBQ has a full-service patio and some tent-covered outdoor tables with limited seating available Tuesday-Saturday from 12pm-8pm (or until they sell out). Reservations are recommended but not required for BBQ platters, sandwiches, and more. They also have a full bar available as well.

West End Bonobo $$$$ 46 Pine St

Outdoor only

Sidewalk seating is available at this cozy and quiet corner of the West End. Bonobo is serving their wood-fired pizzas, salads, and cocktails Monday-Thursday from 2-8pm, and Friday-Saturday from 2-9pm.

Chaval $$$$ 58 Pine St

Outdoor only

Chaval’s colorful back patio is full of planters, benched seating, and about six or seven tables. This West End neighborhood brasserie’s French and Spanish menu is served outdoors alongside their extensive wine list and dessert menu. Dinner on the patio is open from Tuesday-Saturday from 4-9pm.

Little Giant $$$$ 211 Danforth St

Outdoor only

Little Giant has a couple of larger tables for parties of four or smaller, and some more intimate two tops on a twinkle-lit patio and garden where you can enjoy items such as fried clam tacos, lobster rolls, cocktails, and natural wine. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Quiero Cafe $$$$ 3 Deering Ave

Located right In Bramhall Square, Quiero Cafe serves Latin American cuisine seven days a week, 11am-8pm, except on Mondays, when they’re open from 11am-2pm. Beer and cocktails are available as well as a long list of coffee options and tropical juices to have with homemade empanadas, Cubanos, and more.

Arts District Ada's Portland $$$$ 642 Congress St

Outdoor only

In partnership with Sagamore Hill, the cocktail bar around the corner, Ada’s Portland offers fresh and homemade pasta and pizza with a full bar right on Congress Street. Ada’s is open Tuesday-Saturday from 12-9pm, and offers Sunday brunch from 11am-3pm. Wine and meal kits are also available for takeout.

David's Restaurant $$$$ 22 Monument Sq STE 600

Outdoor only

This New American spot has patio dining available for lunch and dinner, Tuesday-Saturday, 12–8pm. The restaurant has detailed safety guidelines on their website so you can check them out before you arrive for comfort food and cocktails.

El Rayo Taqueria $$$$ 26 Free St

One great way to experience a Maine summer is having margaritas and tacos on a patio overlooking the water. El Rayo’s bright patio is open daily from 11am-9pm with Mexican dishes like rice and beans plus rotating specials like Maine lobster quesadillas and micheladas.

Emilitsa $$$$ 547 Congress St

This upscale Greek spot serves a menu featuring the best local produce a Maine summer has to offer, like Maine day-boat scallops in a creamy Ouzo sauce, North Star Farm baby lamb chops, and Greek yogurt cheesecake with Maine blueberries. That along with their list of Greek liqueur, wine, cocktails, and excellent location for people watching makes this is one of our favorite outdoor situations in the city.

Lazzari $$$$ 618 Congress St

Wood-oven pizza, soft serve, cocktails, and beer are back at Lazzari’s outdoor picnic-style tables. For parties of four people or more, online reservations must be made 24 hours in advance on their website. And parties are limited to eight people with reservations lasting for a maximum of one hour and fifteen minutes unless you call ahead and arrange to have more time.

Leeward $$$$ 85 Free St

Leeward opened three days before Portland shut down and started quarantining. But they’ve sprung back into action with an intimate, built-in patio where they offer handmade pasta, local produce-forward specials such as fresh corn polenta with Maine fava beans and a great dessert menu with items such as olive oil cake with Maine raspberries and buttermilk creme anglaise, brown butter pizzelles, and ever-rotating gelato and sorbetto trios.

Lio Restaurant $$$$ 3 Spring St

Outdoor only

Open Tuesday through Saturday, you can go to Lio’s patio for Happy Hour starting at 5pm or for dinner which goes from 5:30pm until close. The menu changes frequently at this wine and tapas bar, but you can count on good pastas, steak frites, and housemade bread. Dinner reservations can be made online or over the phone (call 207-808-7133) and are especially recommended for parties of six or more people.

Nura Hummus and Falafel $$$$ 1 Monument Sq

Right in the heart of Monument Square, Nura’s a great place to stop at during a walk through the city to grab housemade falafel and hummus with fluffy pita. Order from their vegetarian- and vegan-friendly menu at the counter then enjoy on their patio where they have four or five tables available.

Slab Sicilian Street Food $$$$ 25 Preble St

Outdoor only

As the name suggests, you can enjoy slabs of pizza, meatball sandwiches, and other Sicilian-style street food on this Preble street spot’s patio that has ample picnic-table seating. They also offer a hefty local draft list that rotates regularly. Slab is not accepting parties larger than eight people.

Yosaku $$$$ 1 Danforth St

Open seven days a week for lunch (12pm-3pm) and dinner (4:30pm-8pm), Yosaku is a Portland classic. Their beautiful Japanese-style garden has always been a highlight, and now more so than ever, you can enjoy the best of Maine seafood on their spacious patio. Reservations are recommended but not required.

Old Port Black Cow Burgers & Fries $$$$ 83 Exchange St

Outdoor only

Black Cow is one of the restaurants on Exchange Street that’s benefitting from the blocked-off traffic - they’ve set up umbrella-covered tables overlooking Kennedy Park along with some covered seating along Exchange Street. This hamburger joint is also reliable, serving a bunch of different burger options, shakes, and fries, with easy-to-follow safety guidelines and online ordering.

Central Provisions $ $ $ $ American , Seafood in Old Port $$$$ 414 Fore St

Outdoor only

Central Provisions has launched Tiki Takeover 2020, where they are serving up cocktails like mai tais and daiquiris as well as small plates like Maine lobster tempura, caviar, and coconut fried chicken on their ever-changing menu. Their patio has around five individual picnic tables, allows dogs, and operates seven days a week, Monday-Thursday from 4pm-10pm, and Friday-Sunday from12pm-3pm for lunch and 5pm-10pm for dinner.

Eaux $$$$ 90 Exchange St

Outdoor only

Eaux serves items like grits and cornbread with Maine haddock as well as Southern-inspired cocktails like spiked sweet tea and local beer. They’re open for dinner Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 5pm-10pm, and do Sunday brunch from 10am-3pm.

Evo Kitchen + Bar $$$$ 443 Fore St

Featuring local Maine produce, meat, and seafood, this Mediterranean spot has an outdoor seating setup that includes four tables on cobblestone. Evo is open for dinner four days a week, Wednesday-Saturday from 5pm-close. Reservations, guidelines, and more are available on their website.

Flatbread Company $ $ $ $ American , Pizza in Old Port $$$$ 72 Commercial St

This spot on Commercial Street serves wood-fired flatbread plus local beer and great salads on a deck overlooking Casco Bay, seven days a week from 11:30am-9pm. The deck has around a dozen umbrella-covered picnic tables, calling in advance is recommended, and the maximum party size is eight people. Before being seated, you will be screened by a host who will ask you a couple of general health and wellness questions.

Gilbert's Chowder House $$$$ 92 Commercial St

Open daily from 11am-9pm, Gilbert’s serves seafood and chowder with bread bowls on a deck right over the water. There are about 10 large and small picnic tables in the shade.

Gross Confection Bar $$$$ 172 Middle St

This dessert bar and bakery is now open Wednesday-Sunday serving baked goods outdoors from 8am-3pm. After that, they switch to their full restaurant menu which starts at 4pm and features gelatos, desserts, and meat/cheese boards. Their outside seating includes around 10 socially-distanced high tables under umbrellas and some smaller tables as well. No reservations are needed.

J's Oysters $$$$ 5 Portland Pier

“If it swims, we’ve got it on our menu!” is the catchphrase at J’s Oyster, a place Anthony Bourdain once claimed he wished he could live above. Right on the water, J’s has expanded patio seating for waterfront dining with around 10 small tables under a covered awning where parties up to four people can enjoy fresh seafood and cocktails.

Luke's Lobster Portland Pier $$$$ 60 Portland Pier

Outdoor only

Luke’s Lobster on Portland pier is open for full-service outdoor dining Sunday-Thursday from 11am-9pm, and Friday-Saturday from 11am-10pm. Reservations are required (you can make them here), parties cannot exceed eight people, and guests will have an hour and a half for each reservation. Along with fresh-picked lobster, Luke’s also does New England seafood classics like mussels and clam chowder.

Mami $$$$ 339 Fore St

Outdoor only

The Japanese street food at Mami is back as they’re doing first-come, first-served patio dining Tuesday-Thursday from 12pm-7pm, and Friday and Saturday from12pm-9pm. You can enjoy spicy cod katsu, squid ink buns, miso chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches, a heavy local beer list, wine, and sake.

N To Tail $$$$ 29 Exchange St

Outdoor only

N To Tail does Korean dishes like bibimbap, Korean fried chicken, and pitchers of Sapporo in the middle of Exchange Street where you can people watch and admire the cobblestone and cute shops around you. Reservations are recommended for their outdoor and generously spaced and tented “dining room.”

Novare Res Bier Cafe $$$$ 4 Canal Plaza #1

Outdoor only

Novare Res is famous for their beer selection that includes over 33 taps and 400 bottled beers, along with their menu of bar food like crab rangoon grilled cheese and charcuterie boards. Right now, they’re open Wednesday and Thursday from 4pm-10pm, and Friday-Sunday from 12-10pm. Their large and mostly-covered deck requires no reservations to have a socially distanced beer, but they’re only accepting credit cards at this time.

Old Port Sea Grill & Raw Bar $$$$ 93 Commercial St

This seafood restaurant and raw bar overlooking Commercial Street is open on Sunday, Monday, and Thursday from 12-9pm, and Friday and Saturday from 12-9:30pm for sidewalk seating. Reservations are recommended.

Portland Lobster Co $$$$ 180 Commercial St

Outdoor only

Portland Lobster Company has a large, outdoor sunny deck where you can have a full steamed lobster dinner or one of the city’s best lobster rolls on the water. Open every day of the week from 11am-9pm, the outdoor deck has a full bar with beer on tap and lots of high bar seating as well as picnic tables. The menu also has what they call the “Lobster Roll World Tour,” which might be the closest we can get to international travel right now.

Rosie's Restaurant & Pub $$$$ 330 Fore St

Outdoor only

Open 11am-11pm, seven days a week, Rosie’s is practically a historical landmark in the Old Port. They have opened up a patio on Fore Street with cute tables under umbrellas and twinkle lights where you can take advantage of daily specials including $2 beers, soups, and sandwiches.

Scales $$$$ 68 Commercial St

Patio seating at Scales is open by reservation only Wednesday-Thursday from 2-8pm, and Friday-Sunday from 12pm until close. Enjoy waterfront dining and upscale, classic New England food, a raw bar, and a dessert menu with dishes like baked Alaska and Indian pudding.

The Highroller Lobster Co. $$$$ 104 Exchange St

Outdoor only

From lobster ghee to lobster cheese crisp tacos, High Roller serves fun takes on Maine classics. The restaurant has a spacious patio, and is also located on Exchange Street which will be closed to traffic through November 1st to allow more outdoor seating for restaurants. Not only do they have a bunch of lobster dishes, but they also have a diverse raw bar, burgers, and frozen beverages like frosé slushies and a great local beer list. They’re open Wednesday-Sunday from 10am-10pm.

The Thirsty Pig $$$$ 37 Exchange St

With two outdoor seating areas that include a dog-friendly portion, the Thirsty Pig is a great place to enjoy a beer from their large list and one of their housemade sausages. At the moment, Thirsty Pig is doing counter service on a first-come, first-served basis Monday-Saturday from 11am-10pm, and Sunday from 12-8pm.

East End Eventide Oyster Co. $ $ $ $ Seafood in Old Port $$$$ 86 Middle St

Outdoor only

Eventide’s famous brown butter lobster rolls can once again be yours on their airy, enclosed patio. Tables are spaced evenly and there is a mix of picnic-style and traditional tables. They’re open weekdays from 12pm-10pm, and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. There don’t take reservations, but you can sign up for a table on their mobile waiting list. Parking is available in a lot across the street after 5:30pm.

The Honey Paw $ $ $ $ Korean , Vietnamese , Fusion in Old Port $$$$ 78 Middle St

Outdoor only

Honey Paw is open every day for outdoor dining from 12-4pm for lunch and 5-10pm for dinner - their patio holds eight larger tables with umbrellas along with three smaller tables. You can find a how-to for their online, mobile waitlist on their Instagram story highlights (which works similarly for their sister restaurant, Eventide).

Blue Spoon $ $ $ $ American in East End $$$$ 89 Congress St

Open Tuesday-Saturday starting at 4pm, Blue Spoon serves up American cuisine and a great Happy Hour with items like homemade Cheez-Its and canned wine on the patio. Outdoor seating features about a half dozen four-top tables on a quiet part of Munjoy Hill near the Eastern Promenade.

Duckfat $ $ $ $ American , Sandwiches in Old Port $$$$ 43 Middle St

Seven days a week from 11am-10pm, this spot’s famous duck-fat french fries, paninis, gelato milkshakes, and more are available on their enclosed, covered patio that is first come, first serve. Beer, cider, and wine are also available. Parking can be found at the lot next door.

Tomaso's Canteen $$$$ 18 Hampshire St

Outdoor only

Tucked just behind most of the restaurants on Middle Street, Tomaso’s is open 11am– 1am, Monday-Friday, and 10am-1am on Saturday and Sunday for wings, burgers, and fries. They also do brunch on the weekends, setting up around ten tables under umbrellas in a roped-off area.

Bayside Austin Street Brewery $$$$ 1 Industrial Way #8

Outdoor only

Patio seating at Austin Street is open Monday-Saturday from 12-8pm, and on Sunday from 12-5pm. The patio, which is also dog-friendly, has around six socially-distanced tables.

Baharat $$$$ 91 Anderson St

Outdoor only

This Meditteranean spot is open Thursday-Sunday, from 4-9pm, for walk-in-only parties up to eight people on their enclosed, covered patio that has lots of space around the tables and benches. Baharat is also utilizing single-use compostable flatware and having guests clear their own tables as additional safety precautions.

Bayside Bowl $$$$ 58 Alder St

Bayside Bowl’s rooftop is open for table service every day from 4-10pm on a first-come, first-serve basis in good weather. They are 21+ after 7pm on Friday and Saturday nights, but every other day their outdoor bar, comfy chairs, and spacious rooftop layout are available to all. They also show movies at sundown twice a month (check their website for details).

Miss Portland Diner $$$$ 140 Marginal Way

Miss Portland is open seven days a week from 8-2:30pm with around four small, umbrella-covered tables. Eat breakfast or grab a milkshake outdoors with a view of the restored diner car.

Rising Tide Brewing Company $ $ $ $ Brewery in Bayside $$$$ 103 Fox St

Outdoor only

This summer, Rising Tide has joined forces with mobile pizza company Fire&Co for wood-fired pizza and fresh donuts that you can eat while you sit outside. Seating is limited to eight people per table on their multiple patios - one gets a lot of shade and the other is dog-friendly. A host will screen and seat guests or use a text-based waiting list if the patio is full as they don’t allow people to wait on the premises, and you order your food and drinks at outdoor service stations.

Washington Ave. Anoche $$$$ 43 Washington Ave

Outdoor only

Anoche serves draft ciders, giant gin and tonics, slushies, and pintxos for outdoor dining on their patio with comfy furniture, padded benches, picnic and traditional tables, a carpet, and a bunch of plants. The cider bar also hosts a DJ on weekend evenings that blasts tunes out of their window.

Forage Market $$$$ 123 Washington Ave

Outdoor only

Forage Market has opened outdoor seating where you can enjoy their wood-fired bagels, sandwiches, coffee, and fresh baked goods. There is a counter set-up outside, benches, and a few tables along Washington Ave.

Izakaya Minato $ $ $ $ Japanese in East End $$$$ 54 Washington Ave

Outdoor only

Izakaya Minato is open Wednesday and Thursday for lunch from 11:30am-1pm, and dinner Wednesday-Saturday 5-9pm. There are only five uncovered tables outside so reservations via email ([email protected]) or phone (207-613-9939) are recommended for parties up to six people. Their menu features dishes like their Japanese fried chicken, sashimi, and sake.

The Duckfat Friteshack $$$$ 43 Washington Ave

Outdoor only

Duckfat’s sister location, the Duckfat Frite Shack, is a walk-up fry window tucked down the alley of Washington Ave. with Oxbow Blending & Bottling. Featuring Belgian-style fry cones and a menu of changing specials from their wood-fired grill, the Friteshack is open Wednesday-Saturday from 12pm-9pm, and Sunday from 12pm-6pm. Wander to the window to place an order, grab a seat at a shady picnic table to have your food with an Oxbow, or mosey along Washington Ave. if tables are full.

The Shop By Island Creek Oyster $ $ $ $ Seafood in East End $$$$ 123 Washington Avenue

Outdoor only

Island Creek Oyster’s Portland outpost is open for outdoor dining Wednesday-Sunday from 11am-9pm. Their airy patio includes tables, a bar area, and high tables where you can have Bloody Marys, wine, and beer alongside raw bar options. The menu changes frequently but there is always a solid list of oysters from Maine, tinned fish, caviar, and snacks like clam dip and chips.

Off-Peninsula Bird & Co $$$$ 539 Deering Ave

Bird & Co serves beer and cocktails like toasted coconut margaritas with tacos that range from bean and cheese to fried chicken ones. Their fenced-in and covered patio has around eight tables in Woodford’s corner, and reservations for five or more people are required.

Bruno’s Restaurant & Tavern $$$$ 33 Allen Ave

Temporarily closed until August 18th

This large, old-school Italian restaurant and tavern has been in Portland since the 1980s. This summer, they’ve opened up a large tented and covered patio with over a dozen tables. No reservations are required.

The Great Lost Bear $$$$ 540 Forest Ave

Outdoor only

A Portland staple for over 40 years, the Great Lost Bear is now open for dining and drinking for parties of six or fewer people. There are around six umbrella-covered tables plus their “big top” section that includes larger picnic tables under a huge awning. Their famously large beer list has 80+ beers on tap and a food menu that includes wings, burgers, nachos, and cheesesteaks.

Tipo Restaurant $$$$ 182 Ocean Ave

Tipo has a cozy patio with around eight tables under umbrellas where you can have Italian food for dinner Wednesday-Sunday from 4pm-9pm. You can book a reservation here, but they are not required.

Veranda Noodle Bar $$$$ 14 Veranda St

You can find Southeast Asian food (mostly Thai and Vietnamese dishes) at Veranda Noodle Bar ranging from spring rolls to phở and spicy tamarind duck. They have four tables with optional umbrellas on Veranda street, and they’re open daily from 11am-9:30pm.

Woodford Food & Beverage $$$$ 660 Forest Ave

Outdoor only

Woodford F&B has created a summer-long pop-up called Woodford Boat Club that is open daily from 4pm-close. The Boat Club includes coolers of mini Miller High Lifes and cocktails, menu items like their beloved burger, and seasonal summertime New England dishes like shellfish towers. Reservations are available here along with a mobile waitlist for a two-hour-max reservation, and parking is available in the adjacent lot.

via The Infatuation Feed https://www.theinfatuation.com/portland-me/guides/portland-maine-restaurants-reopened-outdoor-dining Nhà hàng Hương Sen chuyên buffet hải sản cao cấp✅ Tổ chức tiệc cưới✅ Hội nghị, hội thảo✅ Tiệc lưu động✅ Sự kiện mang tầm cỡ quốc gia 52 Phố Miếu Đầm, Mễ Trì, Nam Từ Liêm, Hà Nội http://huongsen.vn/ 0904988999 http://huongsen.vn/to-chuc-tiec-hoi-nghi/ https://trello.com/userhuongsen

Created August 15, 2020 at 02:42AM /huong sen View Google Doc Nhà hàng Hương Sen chuyên buffet hải sản cao cấp✅ Tổ chức tiệc cưới✅ Hội nghị, hội thảo✅ Tiệc lưu động✅ Sự kiện mang tầm cỡ quốc gia 52 Phố Miếu Đầm, Mễ Trì, Nam Từ Liêm, Hà Nội http://huongsen.vn/ 0904988999 http://huongsen.vn/to-chuc-tiec-hoi-nghi/ https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xa6sRugRZk4MDSyctcqusGYBv1lXYkrF

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