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Times
13-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Times
I live in Miami. This is where you should go instead of South Beach
To many, a trip to Miami means South Beach, the flashy, celeb-speckled peninsula famous for its white sand beaches, nightlife and scantily clad, excessively smooth Beautiful People. Some may venture to the part of the city that's on the mainland, particularly the Design District, South Florida's public art-infused luxury zone, or Wynwood to explore the street art. But to me, a Miami native, the most exciting neighbourhood is Little River, which sits just north of those two and is named after one of the city's four rivers, which it straddles. In a predominantly Haitian community, it has become a hive of repurposed warehouses and strip malls, a bastion of non-commercial cool. Grit has everything to do with my zeal for this quadrant. You see, since 2021, Miami has become excessively manicured. This shiny new Miami developed courtesy of the Covid pandemic, when balmy climes and lax lockdown rules enticed tech, finance and real estate honchos to migrate south, escalating the demand for luxury. Miami Beach is now stippled with fancy shops and outposts of glitzy NYC restaurants such as Carbone, Blue Ribbon Sushi, Ha Salon and Estiatorio Milos. When it comes to hotels, in addition to the Setai, Faena, St Regis Bal Harbor, Four Seasons Surf Club and a new Andaz already open, properties from the luxury chains Aman, Cipriani, Rosewood, Bulgari and Auberge are in the works. The Design District, for a long time considered a posh paradise, is even more so now. Its palm tree-lined streets teem with the designer boutiques of Balenciaga, Dior and Fendi; its alleys, car parks and inner courtyards are accented with A-list art installations. Restaurants include Simon Kim's Cote, the only Korean steakhouse in the world to hold a Michelin star, and Mother Wolf, the chef Evan Funke's opulent paean to Roman flavours. • This boho backwater is now Miami's hottest neighbourhood And Wynwood? The graffiti murals are fun, and the calibre of restaurants — Hiyakawa, Pastis, Sparrow Italia and Ghee — is impressive. But the proliferation of high-rise residential buildings and touristy shops, including one that sells 'Wynwood Walls' merchandise, has corporatised the vibe. Which brings me back to Little River. Where Miami 2.0 is swanky, Little River's maze of single-storey warehouses turned creative enterprises burbles with edge. Caribbean holes-in-the-wall live alongside trendy breweries and coffee shops packed with headphoned hipsters. Art galleries bloom next to seedy mini-marts. Across from residential bungalows and a commercial boat-rigging service is the Cyclades-inspired studio of the artist Carlos Betancourt, whose work hangs in the Smithsonian's Portrait Gallery and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and his architect partner Alberto Latorre (he designed the space), who spend their summers in Greece. It has become a magnet for Miami's cognoscenti. The area is all anchored by St Mary's cathedral and school, where the lawn buzzes with rowdy children. 'We, along with many other art galleries, recreated our creative communities in Little River when Wynwood rents skyrocketed,' says Paloma Teppa, the artist behind Plant the Future, a biophilic design studio known for its preserved moss installations. 'We are all small, independent businesses. There's a real soul here.' • 12 of the best hotels in Miami If you like the artsy, cross-cultural grit of Dalston and Hackney in London, you'll feel at home in Little River, where high-end shops, botanicas and goat butchers inhabit the same block. If you do not have a car, you can Uber (Miami does not have an efficient public transportation system) to one destination and then walk from one spot to the next using Google Maps. My recommendation is to go in the late morning for a coffee, a wander and lunch, or later in the day for cocktails and dinner. Check independent shop opening times as they can vary. Here's my guide to Little River: Start at Imperial Moto, a motorcycle-themed coffee shop where 'hog' enthusiasts (Harley-Davidson fans) and locals gather for sustainably farmed, Miami-roasted coffee. The distressed leather seating inside is cosy, but I prefer bringing my nitro brew and empanada to the front patio, where I can watch the scene unfold to the clang of church bells (coffee from £3, empanadas from £4; Across the street is Casa de Barcelona, a warehouse turned showroom selling high-end sculptural furniture from the 1970s. Best friends Duda Teixeira and Cristina Mantilla of Éliou design costume jewellery inspired by seaside living using cowrie seashells, freshwater pearls and colourful beads. Their whimsical baubles shot to fame when Harry Styles wore their necklace in his Golden music video ( @casadebarcelona). At Carolina K, the Argentine designer Carolina Kleinman serves up wowza prints and home goods that channel faraway markets. Kleinman, a sustainable fashion pioneer, collaborates with artisans in Mexico, Peru, Bolivia and India to make contemporary pieces with ancestral craftsmanship. My favourites? The statement-making silk jumpsuits and swimwear upcycled from plastic containers ( As an avid second-hand shopper who hates clutter, I appreciate Mids Market, which offers 12,000 sq ft of reasonably priced clothing, arranged into easy-to-navigate categories such as music, TV and movies, college, sports and denim. There's more: clothing has been pre-washed, so no contending with noxious odours. A 'rework station' (sewing machine and fabric shears) lets you personalise your purchases ( Housed in a Standard Oil petrol station from the 1960s, Plant the Future is a fairytale of a plant emporium with decorative objects designed to generate a deeper connection to nature; think groovy zodiac moss constellations for the wall and floating gardens dripping with plumes of Spanish moss. Outside, a lushly landscaped garden (overlooking the actual Little River) is a perfect perch for repose ( From the midcentury palm-tree mirrored screens to the martini-filled elephant ice buckets and the massive, twinkle light-adorned banyan tree, Sunny's is so of the moment. It's a place you want to dress up for, even though the decidedly non-fancypants co-owner Will Thompson, a former bartender, will insist it's not exclusive. 'Sunny's is a democratic dinner party. People can drink a Miller Light at the bar or spend the big bucks on a wagyu strip.' Atmosphere aside, that's the beauty of this restaurant; you'll rub shoulders with artists, the local stone crab fisherman, billionaires and tech bros. The menu's centrepiece is steaks cooked over fire, and there's an excellent raw bar — oysters, Hokkaido scallops topped with lime zest and torched aguachile (seafood in lime juice) and pasta, specifically corn agnolotti with blue crab and saffron (mains from £20; Sushi is omnipresent in Miami, but omakase? Not so much. Alvaro Perez Miranda, who spent 15 years in Japan, changed that in 2023 when he opened Ogawa (which means Little River in Japanese), a bamboo-ceilinged, burgundy-walled, Michelin-starred bolt hole with just 11 seats. The 19 or so courses (really, each is a bite) feature fish flown in from Tokyo — spiny king crab and fatty sandfish — along with cooked dishes such as a dashi-doused vegetable dumpling and marbled A5 wagyu (tasting menu £258pp; • Florida, US travel guide La Natural, with its zen whitewashed wall and tropical funk playlist, is my go-to for pizza. The 40-seat space excels at sourdough-started, perfectly charred, simply topped Neopolitan-style pizza pies and a standout list of minimal-intervention wines (mains from £14; For cheap eats, I like the Citadel, a chic 14-vendor food hall for churros, burgers, burritos or ramen. The rooftop bar is popular with the cool kids. The sister/brother duo behind Macchialina, a South Beach hotspot, have expand its rustic Italian footprint when it opens Bar Bucce, an open-all-day eatery for espresso and pastries, pizza (New York crust with Neapolitan toppings), antipasti and hard-to-find Italian wines. 'We have been eyeing this neighbourhood for almost a decade,' says the co-owner Jacqueline Pirolo. 'Our 150-seat patio will expand café culture in Little River' (mains from £23; Art is the backbone of Little River's dynamism. At Dot Fiftyone, contemporary work ranges from large-scale charcoal drawings by the emerging Colombian artist Gonzalo Fuenmayor to Anastasia Samoylova, whose environmental themed photography has been exhibited at the V&A, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Kunst Haus in Vienna. What began with street-art 'urban takeovers' has evolved into Primary, when Books Bischof, Cristina Gonzalez and Typoe Gran opened their sleek, Terence Riley-designed gallery devoted to boundary-pushing exhibitions. Two more galleries of note are Homework and Nina Johnson. Oolite Arts, a 40-year-old visual arts nonprofit, is slated to open a massive campus in 2026. The complex of five converted warehouses designed by the Spanish architecture firm Barozzi Veiga will be devoted to artist residencies, exhibition galleries, a theatre, an interior garden and programmes for the public. This article contains affiliate links that can earn us revenue Since 2004, the Setai has been South Beach's swankiest hotel. A stay here means you'll be mingling with locals before you even leave as the restaurants — the beachfront Ocean Grill and the alfresco Asian-style courtyard Jaya — are staple dining spots for Miamians. There are several pools surrounded by tall palms, and modern Room-only doubles from £602 ( This newly opened oceanfront property in Mid-Beach, formerly the art deco gem the Confidante, features an open-air lobby, rooftop pool and beachfront restaurant by the renowned chef José André Room-only doubles from £258 ( A few walkable blocks from the ocean, a former artists' colony spread across eight Spanish-Mediterranean revival buildings offers 145 rooms, five restaurants and a rooftop pool. The hotel runs alongside lively Espanola Way in the heart of South Room-only doubles from £120 ( Have you visited Little River? Let us know in the comments
Condé Nast Traveler
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Condé Nast Traveler
The Moore
Why book? This boutique hotel in the heart of the Design District, Miami's luxury retail hub, is built into the 100-year-old Moore building. It has excellent dining, access to a members-only club, and blue-chip art amidst high-style rooms. Set the scene Opened in 2024, this 13-room hotel is nestled inside the four-story landmark Moore building, which also houses a posh coworking space, private club, art gallery, and restaurant on the ground floor. Upon walking inside, you're immediately struck by the Zaha Hadid site-specific installation Elastika that spans the light-filled atrium connecting the different levels with stretches of web-like material. It's both cheeky and iconic. With all the different elements at play, the building now functions as a clubhouse for the city's creative set to gather over dinner or cocktails, attend cultural programming, take a meeting, or spend the night. Light-filled corridors surround the hotel's central atrium, and as you explores the different floors, a warren of beautifully designed spaces emerge: handsomely designed offices and 'Zoom booths' on the coworking floor, a cozy karaoke room, a speakeasy, cocktail lounges, private dining rooms (the one outfitted in pineapple decor was my favorite), and an indoor courtyard with soaring ceilings and terracotta tile floors. The crowd that circulates through the multiple floors varies from digital nomads and executives with flexible work commitments to artists and fashion lovers who work in the neighborhood's upscale boutiques. The backstory The 90,000-square-foot building dates back to the 1920s when architect and entrepreneur David P. Davis built the Art Deco jewel on a former pineapple plantation. Over the years, it served as a furniture showroom and event space, and in 2005, developer and Dacra founder Craig Robins transformed the building into a cultural hub by hosting the inaugural DesignMiami fair there, ushering in a new era for the neighborhood. WoodHouse, a hospitality company, is the developer and operator of the new hotel within the building. The rooms Sometimes, in high-concept properties, the finer details can get overlooked. That's not the case here. The residential-style rooms were conceived by Los Angeles firm Studio Collective in collaboration with iCrave and feature an inspired mix of custom furniture, art, and decorative elements by furniture brand Mous and Sossego, a sustainably-focused collection based out of Brazil. The minibar in my suite was stocked with full-sized bottles of liquor and a fancy Chemex pour-over coffee maker. My king-size bed was from Swedish brand Duxiana and delightfully plush with nice, crisp bedsheets, and the shower amenities were the divine-smelling Byredo Mojave Ghost, also Swedish. The rooms all feature oversized soaking tubs and bathrooms outfitted with porcelain slab walls and floors. You're not missing much by booking the cheapest room—the action is in the public areas—but if you feel like splurging, the suites include dining tables and seating areas with boucle-covered sofas. Food and drink The main spot here is Elastika, located on the ground floor of the atrium and named after the sculpture that hovers above the impressive dining room. The menu focuses on farm-sourced, modern American cuisine and includes dishes like heirloom tomato gazpacho with house-made focaccia and roasted local mahi with celery root puree and Champagne sauce. Guests of the hotel can also dine on the second-floor balcony restaurant that is part of the members' club. My lunch there included a delicious hen-of-the-woods mushroom pizza and spicy tuna crispy rice from the sushi bar. The neighborhood/area If you love art and luxury shopping, this location is an advantage. High-end retailers like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel are all within walking distance, as is the Institute of Contemporary Art. You'll also find a world-class collection of public art and murals scattered across the neighborhood. Wynwood and Downtown Miami are a quick cab ride away, and the beach, though a bit farther, is just over the causeway. For guests who want to stick their toes in the sand, the hotel has partnered with the W South Beach to offer access to beach chairs and service (although you're on your own for transportation to and from the coveted spot). The service The staff are warm, friendly, and helpful—from the front desk attendants to the folks who take care of members at the coworking space to the servers in the restaurants. For families The hotel caters mostly to an adult crowd and business travelers, but families with small children can book suites that offer separate sleeping quarters. Eco effort Both the restaurant and bars work with sustainable, local suppliers whenever possible. Accessibility There are elevators and ADA-compliant rooms available. Anything left to mention? A major perk of staying at the Moore is the chance to moonlight as a private club member during your stay, and gain access to wonderfully designed spaces like The Courtyard, a chic living room of sorts, featuring museum-quality art and two signature bars: The Banyan Bar, where bubbles and caviar await, and Miwa Sushi Bar, serving sake and Japanese-inspired dishes. There's also a game room, cigar room, photo booth, and The Chapter Room, filled with curated books and art. Weekly programming includes artist talks, musical performances, and fitness events. During city-wide events like Art Basel and Formula 1, the place is a hive of activity.
CBS News
24-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Rising rent forces Dallas restaurant to close after 15 years
As the Dallas-Fort Worth restaurant industry continues to expand, rising rent prices are forcing some longtime establishments to shut down. After 15 years of serving customers, Meddlesome Moth closed its doors for good on Wednesday. Owner Shannon Wynne designed every inch of the space — from the three famous stained-glass windows that once belonged to the Hard Rock Cafe to the Texas-themed art in every corner. For him, this goodbye is personal. "Oh, we will miss it terribly," Wynne said. "But I think we've done a lot to develop this area." A pioneer in Dallas' Design District CBS News Texas Wynne says Meddlesome Moth was the first restaurant to open in Dallas' Design District, paving the way for growth and development in the area. "I think that my satisfaction comes from the fact that when we opened, everybody told me it was a dangerous area and nobody would come," Wynne said. "I've lived here my entire life. I knew it was going to be fine." Rent hikes force closure Despite its success, Wynne said skyrocketing rent made it impossible to continue operating. "In order for us to have stayed here, we would have had to raise prices 20%," Wynne said. "When they raised the rent so much that we couldn't afford it, we knew it was time to go." Other restaurants facing similar struggles Meddlesome Moth is just one in a string of restaurant closures. Fernando's Tex-Mex shut down both locations in April after 20 years, citing an inability to reach a lease agreement. Trompo, a beloved taco spot in East Dallas, also closed last year due to rent increases. Restaurant real estate expert Andy Anderson of Restaurant Properties Group says the city's booming food scene is pushing out longtime operators. "I think we have the most competitive restaurant market in the United States," Anderson said. "Growth and demand definitely drive prices higher. Many local favorites are being squeezed out by operators with deeper pockets." Anderson advises restaurant owners to secure long-term leases, as rental rates are expected to continue rising. A bittersweet farewell As patrons ate their last meals at Meddlesome Moth, chef Chad Kelly returned to say goodbye to the restaurant that gave him his first job. "Oh, so many emotions, so many different things, you know—kind of disbelief. It has been such a great run," Kelly said. Wynne, who still operates multiple restaurants across North Texas, said Meddlesome Moth will always hold a special place in his heart. "It's a bittersweet thing, but we're happy to let somebody else come in and try to make their mark," Wynne said.
Business Recorder
18-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
‘Design District' launches its flagship store in Karachi
KARACHI: Design District officially launched its flagship brand store in Karachi on Saturday, introducing a premium range of international fashion products alongside convenient online shopping services. Located in the upscale DHA area, the new store offers an extensive collection of both formal and casual wear— all under one roof. They have the current collections from all the brands. From ties, belts, suits, shoes, and trousers to shorts, polo shirts, T-shirts, socks, caps, wallets, and handkerchiefs, the store is designed to meet the diverse style needs of discerning customers. As an authorised retailer, Design District proudly showcases globally acclaimed fashion labels such as BOSS, Giorgio Armani, Lacoste, Vans, and others. The grand opening drew a large number of brand-conscious visitors who explored the store's stylish offerings. To mark the occasion, Design District partnered with June Coffee and Fede Cookies, enhancing the event experience with gourmet treats and refreshments. Event marketing, PR and DVC production were managed by Filed Under, the brand's official licensed partner. The launch featured lively music by a DJ, while children enjoyed interactive games including 'Pin the Gibtz,' adding a fun, family-friendly element to the celebration. 'It's exciting to have access to international brands right here in Pakistan,' said Aryaan Aslam, an enthusiastic shopper. 'Now we don't need to travel abroad to find the products we love.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Free Urban Village Fete to return to Greenwich this weekend with music and food
London's biggest free festival is set to return in 2025. The Urban Village Fete will take place on May 18 at the Design District. The event, now in its tenth year, will have a variety of eclectic performers and hands-on activities and will aim to be a true celebration of creativity and community in the heart of south east London. This year, the event takes place at Greenwich Peninsula, which has been part of the festival for a number of years now. Community, creativity, and culture celebrated at 2025 Urban Village Fete (Image: Design District) The festival will showcase a mix of activities, ranging from panel discussions and kid-friendly workshops to an array of food stalls. A special edition Peninsulist Tote Bag, designed by Head, the global sports brand, will be introduced at this year's fete. The bag design reflects the community and architecture of the district and is set to become a symbol of creativity and innovation. Sunset Sessions bring music and cocktails to Canteen Food Hall & Bar (Image: KrisHumphreysPhotography) Karl Heasman, Head's senior designer, said: "We feel so lucky to be part of the Design District community, surrounded by brilliant creatives – from florists and potters to designers, photographers and AI innovators. "Being asked to design this year's Peninsulist Tote (launching at Urban Village Fete) was a real honour. "We wanted the bag to celebrate the spirit, creativity, and unique energy of everyone who makes this place so special – and we hope you love it as much as we loved creating it!" Curated by Hemingway Design, the fete is a modern take on the traditional village fete, combining performers with local talent. Throughout the day, visitors can engage in activities ranging from pottery painting to hair braiding and 3D printing. Youngsters and adults alike can enjoy panel talks hosted by Robert Elms. The district will also be bustling with diverse food and drinks options, served by the Canteen Food Hall and Bar, famed for its global cuisine. One of the event's highlights is the Creative Conversations talk series, focusing on vital topics around education, collaboration, and fashion. Entry to the fete is free. However, some workshops require tickets. A number of the district's tenants such as Made by Manos, Pottery Studio LDN, and Champion 3D will also be showcasing their talents through interactive workshops. The district's acclaimed Canteen Food Hall and Bar, with six international street food kitchens, will ensure festival goers are spoilt for choice with their diverse menu. The likes of Greeko, Southern Soul, Hermanos, Juk Pou, Pasta Rebels, and Tapas Bravas will serve a range of dishes ensuring a treat for the tastebuds. From 7pm, the food hall will be transformed by the Sunset Sessions. This feature will have attendees enjoying great music by DJs and special guests alongside delicious street food vendors and an extensive selection of hand-shaken cocktails and craft beer. Maritza Masiello, Pottery Studio LDN founder, said: "Being part of Urban Village Fete is an incredible opportunity for Pottery Studio LDN to directly engage with the amazing amount of festival goers on site at Design District throughout the day. "Hosting these workshops, which invite people to get creative and experience the hands-on joy that defines Pottery Studio LDN, is just one of the many benefits of being a tenant at Design District, where collaboration, creativity, and connection are part of our daily life. "It's so motivating to be around innovative people who strive to do things differently, and it definitely inspires us in our own practice."
