Miami's Biggest Weekend

Every other Friday, Wifey and I meet D1 and Joey for our "restaurant Shabbat." Joey's Mom Jacqui hosts actual shabbat dinners each week, and we have been privileged to attend several. But we've now started a pattern where the young couple alternate: one Friday with Joey's family, and the next with us. D1 picks the restaurant.

Last night we met at a quirky, great restaurant -- El Carajo. It's a former mini mart attached to a gas station that has evolved into the best tapas place in town. We first went 10 years ago -- my friend Kenny, new to town, found the place. Kenny always does that -- finds the coolest places before anyone else. We had a great time -- you can buy a bottle of wine from the store and they open it for you.  Last night Joey and I had beer, and D1 and Wifey each had a glass of vino...

The young folks complained that the traffic was worse than usual, which in Miami is saying something. I told them it was because this is President's Day Weekend -- the biggest tourist time all year -- bigger than 2 Super Bowls.

First, the Boat Show brings in tons of folks. Also, the Coconut Grove Arts Festival is a huge draw. Hotels are sold out each President's Day Weekend, and you can't dream of getting a rental car. And of course they all clog the roads...

The weather is typically the best now, and indeed last night it was beautiful. After dinner, we chatted with the young couple -- Joey was excited about his job. He gets to work with his brother and best childhood friends, and appreciates how awesome that is.

We missed D2 and Jonathan, but they'll be here in several weeks -- to scout out venues for their wedding. One possibility is the Betsy Hotel, on South Beach. We told D2 that I asked Wifey to marry me by the ocean in front of that Art Deco hotel, and that we celebrated our 10th anniversary there, in January of '97, so that property has sentimental meaning to us.

Wifey reminded me of that weekend. We fell asleep on some lounge chairs the hotel staff set up. It was a delightful nap. When I awoke, as if in a dream, we were surrounded by gorgeous naked Italian women, all sunbathing in our area. I kept quiet and took in the scenery, and then Wifey awoke and wondered why I was so quiet. She saw, and she felt it appropriate we leave the beach. Ah, South Beach can indeed be a magical place...

Today we have plans to visit Gulfstream. Paul is hosting his oldest Philly friends, Steve and Rose, and we plan to meet for lunch at the track, and maybe win enough to pay off the car leases. Ha. As if.

And then tomorrow night, we're going to North Beach with Norman and Deb, so have dinner and see "The Last Resort," a documentary about South Beach from the time my Grandmother Goldie lived there -- the 60s and 70s. Back then, it was "Schtetl in the Sun," and "God's Waiting Room." I remember visiting in those days, and Norman, a Miami native, also knew it well.

I suggested we dress for the movie: Deb and Wifey would get those bathing caps with all the plastic ruffles, and Norman and I would wear shorts with long black socks and shoes.

Probably we won't, but it's still awesome to be here this weekend. The traffic is bad. It's well worth it.