Designed by Bernardo Fort-Brescia, this iconic structure will be the second tallest observation tower in the country. The steel and glass giant will be situated on the waterfront of Bayside Marketplace in Downtown Miami. Skyrise will have a sleek, hairpin-like form, which will help the tower withstand strong hurricane winds. The tower will feature an upscale restaurant, a formal ballroom, three observation decks and a nightclub perched 1,000 feet above ground. SkyRise will also offer a number of attractions for the adrenaline rush seekers; a bungee jump-like SkyRise Drop system, a SkyPlunge free fall ride and a Flying Theater simulating a ride through Miami, the Everglades and the Ocean.
The construction price of this phenomenal project? SkyRise might end up costing $430 million and while Berkowitz hopes to raise $270 in investments, he will also be contributing a “significant” amount of his own money, Miami News Today reports. Not only will this development draw foreign investors to the area, but it will also help create jobs for Miami residents. According to the Washington Economic Group Report, SkyRise will create some 7,100 jobs during its construction phase and an additional 17,000 once it opens its doors to the public. And the local economic stimulus doesn’t end there! The SkyRise website boasts that the tower is projected to attract 3.2 million visitors every year upon opening, which should help further boost the 305 economy.
In the corner of a Sunny Isles strip mall there is a hidden gem of authentic Indian food that should truly be on everyone’s best of Miami list. Copper Chimney is amazing, hands down the best Indian food in Miami! Copper Chimney specializes in Tandoor (clay oven) dishes. The food is spicy; the kind of spicy where your tongue is burning but you still can’t stop eating because it is so delicious. Unless you like your dishes with a lot of heat, ask for mild. We went for medium, it was almost too hot to handle but with the spice came an irresistible burst of flavor.
Copper Chimney is family owned. The owners are gracious hosts who clearly have a lot of pride for the quality of both food and service. Bollywood movies play in the background while patrons feast on simmering dishes, succulent sauces and baskets of fresh naan. Here is a link to Copper Chimney’s menu, check it out before you go because there are over 50 delicious Indian dishes for you to choose from.
For those of you who feel that Sunny Isles is a little out of your way, there is still hope. I was told Copper Chimney plans to open a second location in Downtown Miami, which we are very excited about.
It’s the new place to see and be seen in Miami. Reservations are booked for months and already glowing reviews are being spread. So what’s this next trendy Miami hot spot? Swine, a BBQ restaurant from the creators of Yardbird and Khong River House.
Now let’s get this straight—BBQ and Miami are not a great fit together. I hail from the great Atlanta, Georgia and went to school in gamecock country (South Carolina for all the college sports illiterate folk) so I’m fairly up to speed on the difference between great BBQ and imitation BBQ.
Moving down to Miami was a BBQ culture shock. When I first moved to Brickell and started walking around to get to know the area, I saw Brother Jimmy’s. I immediately was intrigued. How did this BBQ place get to Miami? Is it any good? Obviously, I tried it out that night. You know those movies that have the servers dressed up to please the tourists and their food is nothing like what they advertise? That was Brother Jimmy’s and an “Oh Brother” it was. I felt like Jennifer Anniston and her “flair” were going to come up behind me and bring the check. I was heartbroken. I figured if I ever wanted to have the BBQ I have grown accustomed to, it would have to be when I crossed the Georgia-Florida line. Luckily I was wrong.
The redneck-flannel-down-and-dirty-BBQ made its way down to Miami in the form of a posh and popular restaurant aptly named Swine. Despite our 10:30 reservation (all that was available on a Saturday night), the place was crowded and loud enough so that you knew people were there but quiet enough so you could carry a conversation. But really, enough about the place—let’s get to the food.
My favorite kind of BBQ has always been brisket, so we went with the Black Angus Burnt Ends as our appetizer. It. Was. Amazing. Perfectly tender and juicy with an authentic BBQ sauce. Add in the fried cornbread and dare I say they were the best burnt ends I’ve ever had.
Our main meal was the ribs. Now you may want to ask me, “Stephanie, if your favorite is brisket, why go with ribs as the main and brisket as the appetizer?” Well, let me answer that for you: the place is called Swine. How was I going to go with something other than pork the first time eating there? And people, I got it right. Next time, sure I’ll get the 14-hour smoked brisket; but this time the ribs were absolutely necessary. Again, cooked perfectly and full of flavor (And not that gross smoky flavor that tends to infiltrate the meat but a real made-in-my-backyard-next-to-the-moonshine flavor). It’s something you can’t describe but you feel. Trust me—it sounds crazy but go get you some ribs and brisket (and wash it down with some whiskey) and get for “y’all” to become a part of your vocabulary.