All work and no play makes for a dull day, and that’s why Chef Concierge Jay Baldridge at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami has curated the perfect business trip for weekend warriors.
Morning Boost
Begin the day with a stop at Eternity Coffee Roasters in downtown Miami to shake the jet lag and prepare for your upcoming meeting. While sipping a cup of joe and nibbling on fresh-baked pastries, check email, schedule your day ahead or sit back and watch the bustling coffee masters at this small-batch roaster. Here, baristas craft one cup at a time using the pour-over method that allows coffee’s true flavor to emerge. (eternitycoffeeroasters.com)
Work it Out
After that first conference call, lace up a pair of sneakers and enjoy the views of Biscayne Bay while jogging on the Brickell Key path around the island’s edge. After a heart-pumping run, head over to The Juicery Bar for a healthy, refreshing pick-me-up. Try signature juices like the Early Bird (orange and carrot) or Glow (pineapple, green apple, celery and cucumber). Extras, from bee pollen to ground flaxseed, can be added for extra energy boosts. (thejuicerybar.us)
Lunch Break
With back-to-back meetings, time is of the essence for a midday meal that fuels the soul. Luckily, there are plenty of premier options right inside the city’s hotels, including La Mar by Gaston Acurio at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami. Take in views of the skyline and Biscayne Bay while enjoying Peruvian cuisine: There’s a ceviche bar, reinvented “anticuchos” (street food), “causa” (potato dumplings) and an express lunch menu—at $25 for three courses, the expense report will be approved in record time. (mandarinoriental.com)
Relax and Revitalize
To prepare for an all-too-important business dinner, take an hour to de-stress and re-energize by indulging at the renowned Roberto Giordano Salon & Spa in Brickell. Enjoy being pampered with a manicure to make sure hands and nails are in top shape for signing contracts in front of an important client. For those with a little more time, hair styling and treatments, makeup application and waxing services are also offered to polish up any look. (robertogiordano.us)
Happy Hour
After the last meeting of the day, introduce colleagues to Batch Miami, a laid-back Brickell gastropub where locals enjoy the game on TV and sip on beers such as Wynwood Brewing Co.’s La Rubia or Funky Buddha Brewery’s Floridian. Of course, the 305 Collins, a signature cocktail of mint-infused vodka, fresh passion fruit and house-made lemon soda, is another excellent choice to toast the day’s end. During happy hour, snack on herb and Parmesan fries, margherita pizza or cheese and charcuterie. (batchmiami.com)
Closing the Deal
For that important business dinner, look no further than Nothing But the Best, which offers French fusion cuisine by Yann Rio, the acclaimed chef who also owned the Michelin-recognized Sequoia in Montpellier, France. Far from the tan lines of South Beach and closer to the pinstripes of Miami’s business elite, a reservation here signifies a sophisticated palate, perfect for impressing a client. Try the paprika butter lobster or scallops served with Champagne risotto. (nbtbmiami.com)
—Written by Sharon Stello
