WELCOME TO MIAMI

Question: When the temperature drops below zero in NYC, where do you go?

Answer: Miami baby!

A white Christmas sounds good, but as an Aussie girl, I was desperate to thaw out from the sub-zero temps. With endless choices of where to go...there was one place we couldn't pass on, Miami. Three hours on a plane, and hello summer.

Mr. S has been once before, but for me, this was a whole-new-world. With only a week to research and book everything, it was time to put my game face on. It was all about the food and the sun. So I'm going to share my tips & hot spots to check out.

What we ate (and drank):

Dessert at Michael's Genuine Food

Breakfast of champions; fried chicken with biscuits

A cocktail with it's own lip-balm, SLS

Bazaar at SLS hotel: Dragon fruit ceviche, compete with foam

News cafe breakfast plate, did I mention this is for ONE!

La Sandwicherie, the salad was smaller, than the sandwich

Amazing tacos from Ola

Where (we wished &) we stayed:

SLS (poolside)

W Hotel

We stayed at Surf Comber

Restaurant recommendations:
- Michael's Genuine Food & Wine, the food is delicious with an ever changing menu - try go at lunch and enjoy the design district.
- Ola, rated the number one Mexican restaurant in South Beach, it's not traditional but worth a visit.
- Barton G, get your instragram shots ready, the most inventive ways of serving food you may ever see, Pop Tarts (made to order) served in a toaster.
- Juvia, South Beach is known for its architectural-carparks, and this restaurant sits up top, great views, go at sunset.  
- Yardbird Southern Table, we came for brunch & dinner on the same day. Nothing further needs to be said, just go eat there.
- Pinocchio, you'll feel like you've stepped out of Miami and into Italy. Great coffee for the Aussies who miss home.
- Scarpetta, you can't argue with a restaurant that serves, good meat, fish, pasta, sides, and makes it's own bread.   
- News Cafe, a great people watching experience as well as a very filling breakfast.
- The Dutch, we enjoyed several breakfasts here. There's great variety for a delicious breakfast, and has a great indoor-outdoor feel.
- La Sandwicherie, if you don't mind waiting, or eating on the run, you have to have a sandwich or salad here. they're big but delicious.
- Lantao, Surfcomber Hotel, if you feel like, Thai, you can't go past Lantao. 
- Casa Tua, the outside is so inviting you can't help but step in for an Italian meal.
- The 660, recommended for breakfast, and go hungry.
- Jerry's Famous Deli, there's nothing like a good Matzo ball soup in Miami, and there's no better place to get it than Jerry's.


Hotel recommendations:
- Fontainebleu
- SLS
- Surfcomber
- Delano
- Shelborne
- Dream Hotel
- W Hotel  

COFFEE ADDICT IN NYC

OK, so my friends know this, and laugh at me, but I'll admit it to the world... Hi my name is Jordana, and I order a "weak, skim, latte, extra hot!" - yep that's my coffee order. Living in Sydney, I was totally spoiled with the coffee. The one hesitation I had when I knew we were moving was COFFEE. The US isn't known for it's Aussie-standard coffee. Or so I thought!

My coffee order is tres-complex, hubby however, depending on WWWH will order, macchiato, espresso, or cortado (like a 3/4 latte).

After three months in New York, I think I have a fairly comprehensive list of where I'm happy to drink (and order) my coffee.

OST
Location: 441 East 12th Street
It's a great place for a weekend-paper-read...and did I mention the Nutella biscuits!

THINK
Locations: 
248 Mercer Street
1 Bleecker Street 
73 8th Avenue 
123 4th Avenue 
730 Broadway (inside NYU bookstore)
Don't dis the chain! For a "chain-like" company I always feel a sense of home-coffee when I leave.

RUBY'S 
Location: 219 B Mulberry Street
Ok so I'm cheating a little, this cafe is owned by Aussies, but I can't resist! They serve a latte in a glass and they have vegemite toast on the menu.

BOWERY COFFEE
Location: 89 E Houston Street
Another cafe that serves latte's in a glass. Great coffee and it's only a stones throw away from my apartment - how could I go wrong?

MUD
Location: 307 9th Street 
I have to thank my sister-in-law. Having previously lived in NYC, and close by to our new apartment. MUD was her local and a "must-try."

BLUE BOTTLE
Locations:
450 West 15th Street 
1 Rockefeller Plaza, Concourse Level, Suite D
102 Franklin Street
160 Berry Street, Brooklyn
I can't take the credit for this, Tracy my BFF found them in San Fran (she used to live in Australia) and knew that it was up to my standards.

GROUNDED
Location: 28 Jane Street 
I'll be honest, I couldn't order my coffee when I saw the Nutella Latte on the menu!

88 ORCHARD
Location: 88 Orchard Street
It's a cozy locale in the LES. With a great menu to match the coffee. Plus free Wi-Fi.

71 IRVING PLACE 
Location: 71 Irving Place 
When I first moved to New York we lived around the corner. I spent many hours there, on my own, but never felt lonely. The Oatmeal with fruit is a perfect match to their iced coffee.

GASOLINE ALLEY COFFEE
Location: 331 Lafayette Street
Coffee served in a mason jar - wins everytime! Hubby and I stumbled on it while exploring our new hood and we haven't regretted it since!

BLUEBIRD CAFE
Location: 74 East 1st Street 
Originally set up by a Melbournian, its serves a mean latte (also in a glass)! Their granola and yoghurt is the perfect balance between sweet and tart.

TOBY'S ESTATE
Location: 125 North 6th Street, Brooklyn 
Yes another Aussie company has made its way over to the US shores. If you're an Aussie and feeling a little homesick, the coffee is the same, and they have Tim Tams!

IRIS CAFE
Location: 20 Columbia Place, Brooklyn
A cute cafe in amongst the terraces of Brooklyn Heights, this is a great breakfast lunch hang out. Thanks to Lauren Farmer for the intro to this place.

VINEAPPLE
Location: 71 Pineapple Street, Brooklyn
Another Lauren Farmer intro...the peppermint latte was delish, and we enjoyed many hours of "work" sitting at the tables, surrounded by chalkboard walls. Perfection.