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Miami’s Acqualina popular with
Montrealers
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Spotlight
on Travel - Mike Cohen
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SUNNY ISLES,
Fla - While I focused on Sunny Isles Beach, Florida in a recent column,
I do so again, this time with a focus on a spot where I bumped into
many Montrealers.
With panoramic vistas
of
the sea and Miami's glittering skyline, The Acqualina Spa and Resort on
the Beach (www.acqualina.com),
a Rosewood Resort, is a grand 51-storey
Mediterranean-inspired tower on Collins Avenue featuring a 97-room
ultra-luxury boutique resort and 188 lavish residences.
Guests of Acqualina enjoy world-class services and amenities;
including three restaurants - famed Il Mulino, Aaria and Costa Grill - a
two-storey oceanfront ESPA, three swimming pools, tropical garden areas
and a private beach club. My family and I had the opportunity to spend
the day recently at this gorgeous three year old facility.
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Montrealer Joanna Naimer and
friend Bonnie Altrow,
formerly of Montreal and now residing in Colorado,
enjoy the Acqualina pool. (photo by Mike Cohen)
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When we arrived a pool attendant prepared three comfortable deck chairs
for us right by a nice cabana and at the entry of a zero-depth pool -
ideal for young children. The water was warm as a bath. As my visit
coincided with the Christmas winter break, there were many familiar
faces seated at poolside. They included my namesake, Michael Cohen.
Michael attended the same high school as me (Wagar). I had lost touch
with him, but quickly learned that he and his wife Bonnie Altrow moved
to South Florida 20 years ago. They now reside in Aspen, Colorado where
he is a European institutional stock broker. Bram Naimer, a prominent
Montreal businessman from Union Lighting was there too with his family.
So was Bert Dana, wife Lori and kids Kyle and Ashley. Bert works for
Positron 9-1-1 Systems.
The feeling of being on a plush Caribbean island, only steps away from
the sandy beach, was enhanced by the amazing lunches served up by the
Costa Grill. You can order at the bar, be seated beachside or order a
meal to your poolside chair. The Costa Grill serves an array of gourmet
cuisine including sandwiches, burgers, wraps and salads from 11 am to
6 pm. Kids will love the Hebrew National kosher hotdogs. And
do not leave without drinking one of their quenching smoothies. They
come in an array of flavors such as Pina colada and lemonade.
For dinner stay at the Acqualina, where the acclaimed Italian
restaurant Il Mulino New York (www.ilmulinonewyork.com) has become a
favorite spot. Renowned for its bustling and energetic atmosphere,
market fresh daily specials, extensive selection of fine Italian wines
and an impeccably polished wait staff, this is one
of more than a dozen (and counting) Il Mulino locations. It
has already become a much sought-after establishment, frequented by
both locals and visitors in the know. Regional Director of
Operations Susan Buckley shared with me the possibility of a Montreal
locale one day.
The 110-seat indoor restaurant spreads onto a 24-seat veranda
overlooking the ocean. Service here is absolutely spectacular.
Experienced Maitre ‘D Roberto is there to greet you while
regional director of operations Susan Buckley is often on site and she
is your contact to book private functions.
The menu draws upon the rustic and hearty Abruzzi region in Italy with
complimentary antipasto tastings of soppresatta, bruschetta, reggiano
parmesan, fried zucchini and garlic/cheese bread sticks, and dishes
like spaghettini bolognese, rack of lamb (a half rack will probably be
sufficient), scampi oreganta, veal picata and langoustines,
with old-world service and tableside cooking provided by the staff. Ask
for the fish specials, such as Mediterranean sea bass. The
wine list includes over 200 selections of Italian varieties and guests
are offered a complimentary glass of signature house Grappa prepared by
Roberto himself. Also on the dessert menu, the flourless chocolate
cake, the cheesecake and the tiramisu are to die for. If there are kids
in your party ask for the waiter who performs magic tricks.
Mike Cohen’s email address is info@mikecohen.ca.
Log on to his travel advice column at www.sandboxworld.com/travel
.
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