With the spring temperatures signaling the eventual arrival of summer, you may be looking for some easy ways to relax in South Florida. While the following ideas may not be groundbreaking, they can definitely help with relieving some stress.

Take a ride on the Metrorail. Miami traffic is terrible and can easily cause anyone to stress out. If you’re going somewhere such as downtown Miami, consider using the Metrorail instead if possible. Free yourself from the war zone that is I-95.

Enjoy a snuggle session. The health benefits of pets have been scientifically proven, and snuggling up with a pooch can instantly relieve stress. The Humane Society of Broward County provides a service called Snuggle Deliveries which will bring four-legged furry friends to the office with a donation.

Try some yoga. Right here in Miami Beach, Green Monkey will train everyone from experts to yoga beginners in the art of stretching and relieving stress. There truly is nothing quite like exercising near the ocean.

Sunbathe at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. Are you tired of trying to hunt down a parking space in Miami Beach? Historic Virginia Key Beach Park is easily reachable via the Rickenbacker Causeway and offers plenty of parking plus picnic spots, tiki umbrellas to provide shade, and more. In fact, Miami New Times rated it one of the best beaches in town.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-588-2451 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

You or someone you know may have found themselves in a scenario in which you order something from a restaurant such as a cocktail only to find a hefty service charge has been added to the bill. It’s quite common in South Beach where tourists often fall prey to the practice but it may soon become a thing of the past thanks to the efforts of the Miami Beach City Commission.

Restaurant owners overcharging customers via misleading sales tactics for their drinks or outdoor tables will soon have to abide by a set of rules implemented by Miami Beach city officials. These rules will require owners to display all of the prices for their food and drink menu items, including any service fees that may be attached. Owners that fail to abide by the new rules could face serious consequences, including having their business license revoked.

A popular Ocean Drive restaurant was closed earlier this year after it was discovered it was hiding menu prices for guests that chose to use its sidewalk tables. The restaurant will remain closed for a few more months so that the owners can come up with menu revisions and submit them for approval.

Have you ever been a victim of hidden menu prices?

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-588-2451 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

This Saturday, April 7, 2018, is the eleventh annual SWAN Spoken Soul Showcase, an event that highlights the talents of local female artists. These artists include dancers, musicians, comedians, disc jockeys, photographers, spoken word artists, visual artists, poets, filmmakers, designers, and vocalists. It will be held at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts inside the Peacock Foundation Studio. No need to worry about ticket prices; the event is free and open to the public. There will be a meet and greet beginning at 6 pm followed by the first performance at 7 pm. Women in America have been making tremendous progress in many fields the last couple of years and the arts are no exception.

SWAN (Support Women Artists Now) is an organization that provides free publicity to these artists by featuring them in their campaign. They also provide networking events over brunch as well as workshops for at-risk youth. Since launching in March 2008, it has received proclamations from Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami Beach. Several past-featured artists have been commissioned and have had work displayed at high profile events such as Art Basel and New York Fashion Week. Over 700 SWAN events across 21 countries around the world have held SWAN events.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-930-7844 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

Next time you happen to be on Jefferson Avenue in Miami Beach and happen to be looking for something sweet, keep an eye out for Sciuri Bakery Café. Pronounced “shuri”, you’ll find the Sicilian-themed bakery anchoring a small strip mall.

Exploring Sciuri Bakery Café, you’ll notice plenty of pastries, cakes, cookies, and other bites you’re likely to find in a bakery, in this case with a Sicilian twist plus appropriately Sicilian décor. Some of the suggestions you may wish to try include the arancini or stuffed rice balls available with a variety of fillings, fried calzone, or even ragu lasagna depending on which day of the week you visit. The ham and cheese croissants are a great “to go” bite if you’re in something of a hurry.

As for cakes, customers can purchase an entire one or go with an individually-sized one. Perhaps the most famous of these cakes is one that isn’t quite the standard definition of a cake at all. The cassata hails from Sicily’s capital Palermo and consists of a type of a non-baked sponge cake with powdered sugar and sheep’s milk ricotta plus citron peels and candied fruit.

Interested in visiting Sciuri Bakery Café? It is open every day from 7 am to 7:30 pm and its address is 541 Jefferson Avenue.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-588-2451 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

Every so often, it’s worth taking a look at the coolest restaurants serving great food in South Florida. Not surprisingly, several of them also happen to be located right here in Miami Beach. Let’s learn a little more about them!

Located inside of 1 Hotel South Beach, Habitat by Jose Mendin has become well-known for its Spanish influenced menu consisting of intriguingly named dishes such as wahoo “esqueixada”, patas arrubravas, and more. The restaurant is by one of the people who also masterminded the popular Pubbelly. The restaurant address is 2341 Collins Avenue.

If you’re a sushi fan and you haven’t tried Sushi Azabu in South Beach, what are you waiting for? The restaurant is so acclaimed, it has received Michelin honors in the past and it offers a full-service dining room. You’ll need to do a little detective work to find the “hidden” sushi counter, but in return, you’ll find some of the best sushi in the entire barrier island. Azabu is located at 161 Ocean Drive.

Stubborn Seed continues to be a popular South Beach hotspot. A project by a former winner of the reality competition show Top Chef, the restaurant serves up dishes like herb roasted wagyu and citrus braised celery root plus delicious desserts. Its address is 101 Washington Avenue.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-588-2451 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

With St. Patrick’s Day happening this Saturday, now is the perfect time to start thinking about where you plan to celebrate. If you need some suggestions, these Miami breweries (including one in Miami Beach) may be a good place to raise a toast.

The Wynwood area is one of the most popular when it comes to great food and drink. Veza Sur Brewing on 25^th Street is known for its distinctly Miami vibe and it features nearly twenty different beers on draft. Have a drink while enjoying tacos courtesy of Bao Bun taco truck or try one of the Bar Lab beer cocktails.

Located just one block southwest of Veza Sur Brewing, J Wakefield Brewing has five different original beers to choose from, including its famous signature La Nada beer. In keeping with Wynwood’s focus on art, the brewery is adorned in comic book and Star Wars décor.

Over here in Miami Beach, Abbey Brewing Co. on 16^th Street has offered a laid back ambiance since it opened its doors way back in 1995. It holds the distinction of being the only brewpub in Miami. Enjoy the house beers, the “guest” draft beers, wine, or even some delicious White Castle burgers.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-588-2451 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.

Have you been to Española Way recently? If you haven’t, you’re missing out on what is arguably Miami Beach’s finest destination for tourists and locals alike, Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road notwithstanding. The pedestrian-only street now has a series of events held for free every week which makes it even more appealing. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights.

For those that stick to a diet without meat, definitely, check out Meatless Mondays. Restaurants like Numero 28, Moshi Moshi, and A la Folie Cafe all offer dishes free of meat including wood-fired Neapolitan cheese pizzas and vegetable soba bowls.

On Tuesdays, Española Way turns into a canvas of sorts between the hours of four o’clock to nine o’clock. The Arts & Crafts Market has lots of handmade merchandise including jewelry, soap, candles, and much more, all by local artisans as well artists from around the country. It’s a great way to support someone’s passion and discover something new.

Slip on your dancing shoes on Thursday as the Washington Avenue side of Española Way becomes a street party featuring fun salsa music! Dance the night away (until 8:30 pm) as a live band performs music to get your body moving.

This update is presented by the Miami Beach real estate team at Blackstone International Realty, specializing in the Murano Grande South Beach. If you are interested in Murano Grande condos for sale, call one of the Murano Grande sales experts at 305-588-2451 for information on buying opportunities and rentals.