portofino

Step Back in Time With a Visit to Miami’s Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

April 5, 2016 by portofino

Millionaire James Deering built Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Coconut Grove to serve as his tropical winter getaway. Deering’s interest in landscaping is apparent in the mansion’s grounds, which include mazes, flowers, sculptures, and fountains.

Today the estate is open to the public for group and private tours. The recently launched audio tour is a 90-minute experience that allows visitors to explore the main house, gardens, and grounds at their own pace. The tour is offered in 5 languages (English, Spanish, French, Portugese, and Haitian Creole) for $5. Visitors can grab a bite to eat the the Vizcaya Café and Shop with a view of the main swimming pool.

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays. Admission costs $18 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for students, and $6 for children 6-12. Admission is free for kids under six.

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
3251 South Miami Ave
Miami, FL 33129
(305) 250-9133
www.vizcaya.org

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Carodean Road Designs

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: Miami Attractions, Things to Do in Miami, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Essential Kitchen Items Any Aspiring Home Chef Should Own

March 22, 2016 by portofino

Stocking your kitchen with cooking utensils may seem daunting, and one look at the price tag on a new set of knives will make it seem even more so. When it comes to creating a functional home kitchen, however, all it takes are a few key items to help you make just about any recipe under the sun. Take this list of essential kitchen tools with you to the store and leave with your budget still in tact.

Chef’s knife. This do-everything knife can replace almost an entire set if you’re trying to save space (or money). Choose one with an 8- or 9-inch blade and a sturdy handle.
Tongs. Metal or rubber tongs can be used for flipping meats and veggies, removing hot garlic bread from a pan, and everything in between.
Ladle. This is one of those items that you just can’t replicate. Instead of making a mess with too-small serving spoons, add an affordable ladle to your utensil collection.
Rubber spatula. There’s nothing better for removing batters, sauces, and the last bit of peanut butter from the bottom of the jar.
Measuring cups and spoons. They don’t have to be expensive, but they are necessary.
Vegetable peeler. If you’re cooking from scratch, this will make your life a whole lot easier.
Cutting board. A sturdy wooden or plastic cutting board will keep your counters safe.

The Kitchn's Guide to Essential Prep Tools & Utensils [The Kitchn]
Essential Kitchen Tools Checklist [Real Simple]
Stock Your Kitchen With These 12 Essential Kitchen Tools [Cooking Light]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr eblaser

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Apartment Decoration, Cooking, Kitchens

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

March 17, 2016 by portofino

May your day be touched with a little bit of the luck of the Irish!

Filed Under: Life at Portofino at Biscayne Apartments Tagged With: Portofino at Biscayne Holiday Greeting

Vero Italian Restaurant: Rustic and Authentic Cuisine in Miami

March 15, 2016 by portofino

Vero Italian Restaurant in Downtown Miami is considered a hidden gem among Miami natives. Tucked away among the hustle and bustle of First Street, this go-to Italian eatery offers a laid back, rustic atmosphere with wine barrel tables, outdoor seating, and wood panel covered walls whimsically decorated with pasta machines.

The casual ambiance isn’t indicative of a bland menu: fresh pastas, original pizzas, and an extensive wine list bring diners in for lunch and dinner. The menu includes appetizers like fresh burrata and bruschetta, and the Diavolo Pizza is a spicy patron favorite.

Vero also offers free Wi-Fi for those looking to connect while they dine, and takeout for those on the go. Vero is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, until 10 p.m. Thursdays through Fridays, from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays and closed on Sundays.

Vero Italian Restaurant
90 SE First Street
Miami, FL 33131
(305) 533-1357
www.veroitalian.com

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr loustejskal

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Miami Dining, Restaurants in Miami, Vero Italian Restaurant

Toro Toro: Swanky Sophistication in Downtown Miami

March 8, 2016 by portofino

Located within the InterContinental Miami hotel, Toro Toro offers a uniquely chic and romantic atmosphere with low lighting and large communal-style tables. Upscale cocktails and an abbreviated menu are available at the bar. In the main dining room, a full menu of pan-Latin tapas and steakhouse favorites are brought out at a leisurely pace ideal for enjoying company and conversation. If you have a sweet tooth, the La Bomba is a crowd favorite with a unique presentation!

Toro Toro offers a weekday happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the $45 Sunday brunch with unlimited Bloody Marys and mimosas was voted best brunch by the Miami New Times. Business casual attire is required if you’d like to check out this swanky spot. Don't miss the weeknight and holiday specials, like ladies’ night and the Easter Bunny brunch!

Toro Toro Restaurant
InterContinental Miami
100 Chopin Plaza
Miami, FL 33131
(305) 372-4710
www.torotoromiami.com

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr blackmachismo

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Miami Dining, Restaurants in Miami, Toro Toro

Beat the Heat with Treats from Bianco Gelato

March 1, 2016 by portofino

If you’re looking for a delicious way to beat the Miami heat, duck in to Bianco Gelato for a tasty, frozen treat. This popular local gelato shop offers authentic Italian gelato that has a richer consistency and denser flavor than traditional ice cream, so you’ll only need a small scoop to really get the full experience. You’ll find tried-and-true flavors like chocolate, vanilla and stracciatella, as well as more unique options like fig, hazelnut and coconut.

Each type of gelato is made with organic, non-GMO ingredients that you don’t have to feel guilty about eating, and there are even sugar-free and non-dairy, vegan options for those with restricted diets. Spice up your gelato with a Bianco cup topped with homemade whipped cream and cookie crumbles, or grab a frozen pop if you’re looking for a handheld treat. With a hip, stylish décor and friendly service, there’s a lot to enjoy at Bianco Gelato.

Bianco Gelato
3137 Commodore Plaza
Miami, FL 33133
(786) 717-5565
www.biancogelato.com

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr SanguineSeas

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: Bianco Gelato, Miami Attractions, Things to Do in Miami

Bring Some Green Inside With These 5 Unique Ideas for Displaying Houseplants

February 23, 2016 by portofino

Instead of displaying all of your favorite herbs, flowers and succulents in simple terra cotta pots, create more artistic plant displays with these fun DIY projects. From the kitchen to the living room, these plant hangers and pots will show off your greenery in any room in the home.

Living Monogram Wreath [BHG.com]
Create unique wall art and a fun planter in one with this monogram frame. Simply line a plywood back with 2-inch cedar boards in the shape of your initial, then fill the inside with peat moss and cover with chicken wire. Plant succulents inside, and then hang the whole thing on your wall.

Copper Hanging Rod [morganours.com/]
Looking for a way to hang plants over the kitchen sink? Simply balance a copper rod across the tops of your kitchen cabinets (or any other type of cabinet). Hang lightweight plants or herbs from the rod using your favorite hangers.

DIY Rope Pot [nostalgiecat.blogspot.sg]
With this rustic DIY project, you can add colorful rope to your cheap terra cotta pots. Simply wrap a simple cotton rope with colorful thread in your choice of colors, and then wrap the whole thing tightly around various sized pots.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Janitors

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Apartment Decoration, Home Decor, Houseplants, Plants

Store Your Bike Indoors Without Wasting Space With These Savvy Tips

February 16, 2016 by portofino

Commuting by bicycle is a great way to save money, cut down on pollution, and get some exercise, but creating storage for your bike can be tricky. If you’re looking for savvy ways to store your bicycle inside, check out these smart spots and innovative products.

Hang it on an all-in-one shelf. Many modern bike companies now offer floating shelves that pull your bicycle up off of the floor in an attractive way. As a bonus, these smart shelves also feature hooks for hanging your helmet, messenger bag and other small belongings.
Store it vertically in a slim wall space. Even if you only have a slim space between two windows or a doorway, that’s just enough space to hang your bike. Invest in sturdy mounting hardware and store your bike vertically on the wall.
Hang it over a door. If you have high ceilings, use them to your advantage. Hang your bike in the unused space over a doorway with a DIY pulley system or reliable mounts.
Use a two-bike gravity stand. If you have more than one bike, you can stack them on a tiered gravity stand. This attractive, minimal stand uses gravity to keep the bikes upright, and best of all, it doesn’t require any drilling into the wall.

6 Smart Attractive Ways to Store Your Bike Indoors [Dwell]
4 Places to Stash Your Bike Inside (Even if You Think You Don't Have Room) [Apartment Therapy]
The 10 Best Ways to Store Your Bike in a Small Apartment [Complex]