The SunPost 2008 Best
Of South Florida
ADVERTORIAL
BEST
BARGAINS THAT LOOK EXPENSIVE
Agora
640 Lincoln Road,
Miami Beach
305-673-5589
For anyone who wants
fabulous-looking interior décor without breaking the bank, Agora is the
place. This bright and unique space offers wares from the Far East and
other exotic locales, and has everything your little heart might desire,
from fixtures to furniture, knickknacks, lighting and jewelry. Agora has
been a well-kept secret for savvy shoppers, but if at first you don’t see
anything that tickles your fancy, fear not, because Agora has a completely
separate showroom in Miami. So whether you’re treating yourself or someone
special, Agora is the best place to go on a home shopping extravaganza —
and you’ll still have enough money for Starbucks when you’re done.
BEST
ANTIQUE MALL
Antique Mall Y’All
17430 S.W. 97th Ave.,
Palmetto
Bay
305-969-0696
Gone
are the days when you could go to the local general store to get a nice
ballerina-shaped lamp. Lucky for us, we have Antique Mall Y’All, the
largest antique mall in
Miami-Dade County. With 72,000 square feet of space, this mall hosts more
than 150 dealers under one roof, offering tons of merchandise ranging from
furniture and art to vintage and hard-to-find collectibles. Open seven
days a week, this is your one-stop shop for all things antique.
BEST EURO-FASHIONS
Stage
441 Lincoln Road,
Miami Beach
305-671-3367
www.stagesouthbeach.com
Stage presented
fashions from more than 200 suppliers this year alone. Throughout the
year, its buyers travel across Europe to visit exclusive trade shows so
Stage can continue providing costumers with the most up-to-date fashions.
Stage customers can be fashionable without crossing the ocean or going to
New York.
305-992-5337
www.leatherrockbands.com
Rock Bands have
healing properties, great energy and have been featured on E!,
Extra, Oprah, American Idol, The Big Idea and
other shows. Get ’em online or at Astoria Couture in Miami Beach and Coral
Gables.
BEST ECO FASHION
Green Roks
Organic Apparel
168 S.E. First
St., Suite 1104, Miami
212-502-0668
www.greenroks.com
Green Roks’
philosophy could be described as “intelligent green awareness.” The brand
consists of progressive, premium and environmentally friendly products for
the fashion-conscious consumer. Founded by one of this year’s SunPost
50, the power player and founder of Sugartime Productions, David
Sugarman, along with Natalia Diaz of Inside Fashion World Media and Cesar
Zapata. Using the finest natural materials available, Green Roks promotes
social and environmental awareness through design.
BEST NEW SHOE BOUTIQUE
La Scarpa
2765 Coral Way,
Coral Gables
305-441-6444
Presenting the best marriage of style and price, La Scarpa offers the most
unique selection of Italian- and Brazilian-made fashionable shoes for
ladies and a smart selection of men’s comfort shoes, all designed for
today’s professionals who need to combine modern style with comfort. And
they do it at reasonable prices and always with complimentary Italian
espresso and cookies.
BEST CHILDREN’S STORE
Eanie Meanie
Children’s Boutique
110 Washington
Ave., Unit
CU6, Miami
Beach
305-531-0200
www.eaniemeanie.com
A much-needed
addition to the Beach, Eanie Meanie has fun, trendy clothing for boys and
girls from newborns to size 7. It also carries toys, books and gift items,
as well as well-known brands such as Splendid, C&C California, Ed Hardy,
Joe’s Jeans and Haba.
BEST
UNIQUE JEWELRY
ArtConnection
100 16th St.,
Miami Beach
305-604-0603
www.artconnectionmiami.com
ArtConnection has
been delivering modern, unique jewelry to the area since 2000. Swiss-born
owner and designer Gabriela Provenzano takes pride in having a little bit
of everything for everyone in her store — a treasure trove of more than
10,000 pieces of precious, semi-precious and fashion jewelry, including
one of the largest steel ring collections around. European style dominates
at ArtConnection, and many of its pieces are one-of-a-kind trendsetters
produced in-house by Provenzano herself. Well-known celebrities seek out
ArtConnection to find the next best accessory to show off at an event or
concert. From rings to bracelets to handbags and cufflinks, you’re sure to
find something here you won’t see anywhere else.
BEST PLACE FOR QUICK CASH & BARGAIN BUYS
Gables
Pawn & Jewelry
1734
S.W. 57th Ave., Coral Gables
305-262-6020
If
you’re in need of fast money, hocking your bling may seem like the only
way to get it. Gables Pawn & Jewelry promises to make the parting as
painless as possible. Or if you’re looking to spend some cash on some nice
ice, such as Cartier and Bulgari, these folks can help you with that, too.
Specializing in the good stuff since 1986, you can’t go wrong. Plus, there
is a watchmaker and a diamond expert on hand to help you with your
purchase.
BEST PRE-OWNED WATCHES
Gray & Sons Jewelers
9595 Harding Ave., Surfside
305-865-0999
www.grayandsons.com
Gray & Sons specializes in buying and
selling fine pre-owned watches and estate jewelry. Its watches are
completely restored to like-new condition and come with one- or two-year
warranties. It carries the finest brands — including Rolex, Cartier, Patek
Philippe, Audemars Piguet, IWC, Piaget, Omega and Jaeger LeCoultre — and
repairs both watches and jewelry.
BEST QUALITY PAINTINGS
Tip Freeman’s
738 N.E. 79th St.,
Miami
305-754-8221
Since 1952, Tip
Freeman’s has been the place to get beautiful high-quality artworks at
great prices. It offers a multitude of services, including custom framing,
repair and restoration, dry mounting and mildew removal from fine art. It
has beautiful prints, limited editions and original oil paintings for
sale. You don’t have to be a designer or decorator to benefit from these
service and prices.
BEST NEW FURNITURE & HOME ACCESSORIES STORE
Open Doors
7300 Biscayne Blvd.,
Miami
305-751-1023
www.opendoorsmiami.com
This deliciously
stylish and diverse store offers shoppers a host of hard-to-find items: unique
accessories and finds from around the world, including Bali, Indonesia and
Thailand, paired with contemporary furniture, a wide selection of outdoor
furniture, a selection of pieces made from farm-raised and sustainable
materials, handmade screen-printed pillows from Indonesia and much more.
Open Doors owner Stephanie Tyler and her team at International Design
Concepts design much of the indoor and outdoor furniture inventory.
Many of the pieces are factory direct, allowing for affordable pricing.
Complimentary interior design consultations are available by appointment.
Open Doors even features emerging and established artist exhibitions and
art openings every three months, as well as regularly scheduled artistic
and cultural events in the historic
International Book Building built in 1964.
BEST MODERN FURNITURE STORE
Modani
181 N.W. 36th St.,
Miami
305-403-1838
www.modani.com
You don’t need an
interior designer to make your home look like it belongs in a magazine.
Modani features ultra-modern furniture at affordable prices, with
furniture packages pre-matched by a designer for every room of your home.
Edgy designs with personality and the best quality materials characterize
the selection at Modani. Already in 2008, Modani has furnished and
designed more than 16 model apartments of major real estate developments
and introduced 50 new furniture pieces. This summer, it plans to release
its new Barokai collection and launch a minimalist wholesale line in the
United States
and Canada. Very modern. Very convenient. Ultra cool.
BEST NEW LIGHTING STORE
Planet Lighting
5120 Biscayne
Blvd., Miami
305-757-5001
www.planetlighting.net
Planet Lighting is
an appreciated new addition to the home décor and design industry in
Miami. It features high-end, one-of a-kind, amazing lighting from the
dramatic to the clean-lined. It also carries some great furniture and
accessories and provides expert service.
BEST
LINENS
Threadcount
1935 West Ave.
(entrance on
20th
Street),
Miami
Beach
305-532-1222
When
it comes to comfort, excellent linens are essential. Think about it. Would
you want to sleep on sandpapery bed sheets, or use a cheap bath towel that
might as well be pumice stone? Well, neither do the folks at Threadcount.
That’s why they provide you with the highest-quality imported fabrics and
linens for your home. They’ve been saving locals from those evil
mass-marketed linens for four years now, and doing a great job at it too!
Come check out the expansive selection of luxury materials and home
accessories. They even offer baby products and custom sizing on rugs,
bedding and bath linens.
BEST OUTDOOR TEAK FURNITURE
Ascot
Outdoor Furniture
12951 Biscayne
Blvd., North Miami
305-892-2131
www.ascotteakmiami.com
Ascot Teak is an
international manufacturing and trading company, with its main factory and
supply source in Java, Indonesia. Quality control produces astounding
results. After aging and proper kiln-drying, craftsmen construct their
teak furniture using only pegged mortise and tenon joinery and solid brass
fittings. These quality benchmarks mean that all Ascot Teak furniture is
maintenance free (if you choose), impervious to water damage and
guaranteed not to rot or warp. Perfect for
South Florida
and a truly unique gift.
BEST FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS
Abbott
Florist
1008
71st St., Miami Beach
800-275-3758
www.abbottfloristmiami.com
The
staff at Abbott Florist is committed to providing customers with the
finest floral arrangements and plants, and it shows. Besides the large
inventory of fresh flowers, Abbott has tropical plants, high-style floral
arrangements and wedding and funeral floral designs. It also offers
gourmet food baskets, fruit baskets, gift baskets and candies. And to
ensure that you will make Abbott Florist your “first choice for flowers”
(as its motto goes), the staff is friendly, professional and willing to
lend their expertise.
BEST EXOTIC FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS
The Epicure
Florist
1656 Alton Road,
Miami Beach
305-672-1861,
ext. 4
www.epicuremarket.com
The Epicure Florist
is known for its innovative, fresh floral designs, extensive selection of
fresh exotic flowers and friendly, service-oriented team of award-winning
designers. Whether you know exactly what you want or need the advice of
these skilled professionals, the end result is sure to please and impress.
BEST FRUIT BOUQUETS
Edible
Arrangements
18280 W. Dixie
Hwy.,
North Miami Beach
305-933-4027
www.ediblearrangements.com
Edible Arrangements
specializes in creating delicious arrangements filled with fresh, hand-cut
fruits, including strawberries, pineapples, grapes, cantaloupes,
honeydews, apples, oranges, bananas, watermelons and pears. It also offers
gourmet chocolates that can be added to any arrangement. Its gift bouquets
can be customized with themes, Mylar balloons and stuffed animals. If you
visit the store, you can even purchase greeting cards to accompany your
order. Edible Arrangements, owned and operated by Sharon and Sandy Curtis,
is perfect choice for all of your gift-giving needs, servicing Hallandale
Beach, Miami Gardens, Aventura, Sunny Isles, North Miami Beach, North
Miami, Miami Shores, Bal Harbor, Surfside and North Bay Village. And it’s
certified kosher.
BEST
FLORIST, SOUTH BEACH
White Tulip Florist
1673 Alton Road, Miami Beach
305-672-9444
www.whitetulipflorist.com
A
handful of dirty daisies picked from your neighbor’s garden simply won’t
cut it at Miami’s fabulous functions. The floral arrangements at White
Tulip Florist in Miami Beach are elegantly put together by one of the
shop’s six designers, who work to create customized bouquets and blooming
centerpieces, with buds imported from Holland and Colombia. White Tulip’s
florists provide arrangements for many of Miami’s high-profile players, as
well as for many of the city’s luxurious hotels like the Ritz-Carlton,
Shore Club, the Hotel Victor and the Delano. White Tulip uses hundreds of
flower varieties including cacti, calla lilies, hydrangeas and orchids.
BEST BARSTOOLS
Barstools To Go
15532 Biscayne
Blvd., North Miami
305-947-1404
www.barstoolstogo.com
Bars are a terrific
use of space in houses or apartments and often have the added advantage of
being associated with libations. That makes it all the more important that
barstools be handsome, comfortable and appropriate to your décor.
Barstools To Go offers the largest in-stock selection around, great
variety and discount pricing.
BEST CUSTOM WINDOW COVERINGS
S. Ross & Co.
Inc.
946 41st St.,
Miami Beach
305-538-5454
S. Ross & Co.
specializes in custom-made window coverings of all kinds — draperies,
shades, blinds, valances and cornices, as well as upholstery, bedspreads
and cushions. S. Ross & Co. has been in business on Miami Beach for more
than 50 years, and has learned to do business right and satisfy all
customers’ needs.
BEST FLOOR INSTALLER
Floors For Less
2300 Biscayne
Blvd., Miami
786-271-5287
Tired of that floor
in your new single-family home or condo? Floors For Less has an assortment
of laminated and hardwood floors available for sale and a crew of
competent contractors who will snap your new surface into place
inexpensively.
BEST MATTRESS STORE
Supermattress
Warehouse
2751 S.W. 27th
Ave., Coconut Grove
305-285-2339
www.mattrex.com
With great prices
not found in department stores and quality not easily found in discount
mattress/bedding dealers, Supermattress Warehouse is a bargain financially
and in terms of quality mattresses, including Tempur-Pedic. Available
financing and routine special sales deals make Supermattress Warehouse
even more of a find, and its wide selection and a drive-to-your-door
showroom puts it over the top.
BEST PLACE TO BUY A
GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP
Mattress Town
1610 Alton Road,
Miami Beach
305-531-1452
Not all mattresses
are created equal, and no mattress store is like Mattress Town. Not only
will you find custom-made mattresses that are individually inspected upon
production, but you’ll also find everything to complement them, including
European furniture, unique futons, sofa beds, contemporary lighting,
chairs, tables and Miami-style window treatments. This family-owned
business has been operating for more than 40 years, priding itself on
unparalleled quality, service and total customer satisfaction.
BEST PAINTERS
Painting and Services Unlimited
9024 Dickens Ave., Surfside
786-326-1231
Giving
clients that “extra touch,” Painting and Services Limited has been coating
the walls of offices, bedrooms and houses all over South Florida since
1988. Twenty years of success in a competitive field testifies to the
company’s ability to keep its customers happy.
BEST FAUX FINISHES
Painting Chicks
305-450-2033
www.paintingchicks.com
Trompe
l’oeil and faux finish may sound, well, fake to those unfamiliar with
these time-honored decorative enhancements, but in the hands of trained
artists, such techniques transform the humblest home into an Old World
charmer and a work in and of itself. Fortunately, you don’t have to go far
to find experienced and talented artisans. Sarah Leddick and Magda Estrada
bring their combined education and training in design and painting
together as Painting Chicks. They offer faux stonework, woodwork and
metalwork, as well as wood repair, restoration and general painting. If
you’re in the market for mural, stenciling or similar treatments, Leddick
holds a master’s degree in painting from San Diego State University. These
“chicks” are also experts with plaster if you’re looking for something
along the lines of Venetian plaster or acid-washed cement floors.
Best Place TO REMODEL A Home or Office
Visionaire At
Home
9440 N.E. Second
Ave., Miami Shores
305-758-9900
This home accessory
store offers full interior design services. Its furniture lines and
lighting manufacturers have been carefully selected to offer clients the
highest quality and the best designs at reasonable costs. If you wish to
completely change a room, its skilled staff, led by Marco Martinez, can
help select the furniture, fabrics, lighting, flooring, paint, window
treatments, artwork and miscellaneous objects. They know it’s impossible
to carry everything in one store, so Visionaire At Home searches for
manufactures of item to meet clients’ needs and desires. If your
renovations require architectural modifications, Visionaire At Home can
have construction documents prepared for adding or removing walls, fixed
lighting or plumbing changes.
BEST SECOND-GENERATION INTERIOR DESIGN COMPANY
The Gershon Group
305-931-7381
For the past 55
years, The Gershon Group has offered interior design with quality service
and world-class design. Rory and her brother Scott have continued their
parents’ passion for design and complete projects that far exceed their
clients’ imaginations. Quality and function combined with excellent
service is why the Gershons are able to continue to offer interior design
without compromising anything. Their commitment helps them create spaces
that work for their clients’ lifestyles.
BEST VINYL RECORDS & CDS
Radio-Active
Records
1930 E.
Sunrise Blvd., Suite B, Fort Lauderdale
954-762-9488
www.radio-active-records.com
This is one of the
best record shops, not only in Broward and Palm Beach counties, but in the
whole state, because it is well-organized and well-stocked and has some of
the best informed, polite and helpful employees in the business. Weekly
live in-store performances, often tied to charity benefits and local
artists, are an exclamation point. A coffee and tea bar will be coming
soon.
BEST NEW STOP IN COCONUT GROVE
The Bookstore in the
Grove
3399 Virginia
St., Ste. 620, Coconut Grove
305-443-2855
www.thebookstoreinthegrove.com
It’s not just a bookstore. Wander into The Bookstore in the Grove and
you’ll not only find the latest new Chuck Palahniuk novel, but you’re also
apt to be met with the delicious aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked
muffins. Charming and community-oriented, this bookstore includes a café
and a plethora of gifts and cards — perfect for browsing away an afternoon
or for those last-minute stops. Open at 7 a.m., the café features a wide
variety of baked goods, sandwiches, salads and amazing empanadas. There
are magazines and newspapers, both national and international, and free
Wi-Fi for all customers. The book selection spans all categories from hot
new releases to a magnificent array of art and coffee-table books. It’s a
fresh alternative to the big chains, and the ambience embodies the spirit
of Coconut Grove.
BEST FULL-SERVICE VIDEO STORE
New Concept Video
959
West Ave., Miami Beach
305-674-1113
New
Concept is pretty much the only place on the beach where you can get a
great selection of foreign films, hard-to-find film festival fare and gay
and lesbian releases from smaller film companies, not to mention new
releases, cult classics, classic classics, a bit of adult entertainment
and hip magazines all in one spot. Residents of the West Avenue
neighborhood love the addition, and others find it a good reason to visit.
BEST ADULT DVD & NOVELTY STORE
The Adult
Supermarket
15657 S. Dixie
Highway, Miami
305-252-6434
It’s hard to beat an
adult novelty store where you wouldn’t be embarrassed to run into your
mother. Well, almost you wouldn’t. The Adult Supermarket is a
delightful shop, if not quite for the entire family. It is clean, bright
and well organized, with a large selection of videos and novelties for
women, men and couples. Its friendly, informative staff is a great help
and there are sales every day.
BEST ADULT MEGA-MART
Pleasure Emporium
1321 S. 30th Ave,
Hollywood; 954-927-8181
1019 Fifth St., Miami Beach; 305-673-3311
Gaydar, 1671 Alton Road, Miami Beach; 305-538-6434
20600 N.W. Second Ave., Miami; 305-654-9400
7020 N.W. 72nd Ave., Miami; 305-805-9095
224
SW Sixth St., Miami; 305-854-7977
What
more could you want from your neighborhood, ummm, intimate novelty shop
than that it is open 24 hours at some locations and offers 25,000 videos
and DVDs, private viewing booths, a decent (or indecent, rather) selection
of leather and lingerie, and dates of the, uh, manufactured type. There is
plenty more to prompt terrifically fun and titillating window shopping
before making your final decision. With multiple locations catering to
different neighborhoods, Pleasure Emporium is like the Starbucks of adult
marts.
BEST TATTOOS
Lucky Tattoo
405 15th St.,
Miami Beach; 305-673-0847
1059 Collins
Ave., Miami Beach; 305-538-5132
You want a couple of
things when you’re getting your first or 50th tattoo. Convenience is nice.
So too is a talented and experienced tattoo artist who is going to treat
you right. You get both at Lucky Tattoo, which has multiple locations and
experienced artists. Reasonable rates, safety and consistency make for an
experience you won’t forget — for the right reasons.
BEST SURF SHOP, COCONUT GROVE
Catch-A-Wave Surf
Shop
2990 McFarlane
Road, Coconut Grove
305-933-4027
Catch-A-Wave Surf &
Skate Shop in Coconut Grove has been in business for more than 25 years
and offers the most diverse, top-of-the-line new accessories around town.
As the oldest independently owned skate and surf shop in Miami-Dade,
Catch-A-Wave keeps its longtime customers returning and its first-time
customers satisfied. That’s because Catch-A-Wave offers top brands,
including Roxy bikinis, Billabong and Volcom boardshorts, O’Neill wetsuits
and other items by Ed Hardy and Salinas. It sells the new epoxy and
fiberglass surfboards, Cabrina kiteboards, boogie boards, skim boards and
rash guards for the harsh Florida sun. For all those boaters, it offers an
excellent selection of Hyperlite wakeboards and polarized sunglasses from
such brands as Spy and Arnette. Of course, Tony Hawk would feel at home
here, with a large array of skateboards from Element, Plan B, Girl,
Chocolate and Sector 9.
BEST SKATE, BIKE & SURF INSTITUTION
Fritz’s Skate,
Bike & Surf
730 Lincoln Road,
Miami Beach
305-532-1954
www.beachinlineskates.com
An honest to
goodness institution, Fritz’s has been providing the best customer
service, product knowledge and selection on Miami Beach since 1989.
Fritz's offers the best alternative transportation to get to work, school
or play, in addition to recreational opportunities. And it guarantees to
deliver superior products, services and prices.
BEST SKATE SHOP
Fritz’s
Skate, Bike & Surf
730 Lincoln Road,
Miami Beach
305-532-1954
www.beachinlineskates.com
For cool kids (of
all ages) who don’t ghoulishly stay out at the clubs all night, Fritz’s
Skate Shop is the favored location for stocking up on sporting goods.
Believe it or not, some of us do get up in time to greet the sunshine.
Rollerblades? Got ’em. Skateboards? Got ’em. Bikes? Got ’em. Clothing and
sunglasses? Got those too. How about those Heelys the kid is driving you
nuts about? Even the latest fads get serviced at this venerable Lincoln
Road shop. It’s so well-stocked that some frequent visitors to Miami claim
they always schedule a trip to Fritz’s just to check out the latest gear.
BEST PET-GROOMING SALON
City
Pooch
1686
Coral Way, Miami
305-859-7829
www.city-pooch.com
City
Pooch offers all its four-legged clients professional service and lots of
TLC. It uses all-natural products, has a quick turnaround time, and has a
large selection of retail goods. This pup salon also offers pickup,
delivery and curbside service for commuters who are in a hurry. Just give
them a call and they’ll come out to your car.
BEST DOG FOOD & ACCESSORIES
Dog
Bar
1684 Jefferson Ave., Miami Beach
259
Miracle Mile, Coral Gables
866-4-DOGBAR
www.dogbar.com
The
dogs of Miami, like their owners, are the most glamorous in the world.
These pooches poop on South Beach, doggie-paddle in the Atlantic and sniff
each other’s rear ends up and down Miracle Mile. The dogs of Miami don’t
wear ordinary collars; they wear Swarovski crystal-encrusted collars. And
these glamorous doggies all shop at Dog Bar. The unique pet boutique is
the four-legged shopaholic’s haven for everything from raw pet foods to
nutritional supplement powder for pups looking to beef up for shirtless
summers on muscle beach. Both Dog Bar locations feature a grooming spa,
complete with aromatherapy and massage treatments, obedience training
workshops and nutritional guidance seminars for pet owners. And after a
long day of shopping and spa treatments, Fido can stretch out on his
Bauhaus-inspired cowhide sofa, while wearing his wool shearling coat,
basking in the glory of being the most fabulous dog in Miami.
BEST CONCIERGE
SERVICE
Carefree
Lifestyle
1031 Fifth
Street, Miami Beach
www.carefreelifestyle.com
Carefree Lifestyles
doesn’t just rent Miami Beach McMansions, luxury cars, boats and jets to
vacationing Hollywood stars; it allows even the average Joe to momentarily
live like the rich and famous. Porsches, Ferraris, BMWs, Mercedes,
Lamborghinis, Bentleys and Rolls-Royces can be rented on a daily, weekly
or monthly basis. Carefree Lifestyles, which caters to the world’s
wealthiest individuals, knows how to make you feel like a king or a queen.
Its luxury rentals can be seen in music videos and on TV shows.
BEST MEN’S SPA & BARBERSHOP
Miles and Lyle
Luxury Barbershop
19044 N.E. 29th
Ave., Aventura
305-466-6665
www.milesandlyle.com
This upscale, Old
World barbershop and spa is unlike anything else in the market. Services —
including haircuts, straight-razor shaves, manicures, pedicures, facials,
massages, reflexology, hair coloring, beard and moustache trims, hair
removal, shoe shines, tanning and now even teeth-whitening — are delivered
in dedicated private rooms by highly skilled professionals. The rooms are
outfitted with the finest available equipment and products, and feature
your choice of programming on flat-screen satellite televisions or your
choice of digital music. There is little else like Miles and Lyle’s
services and luxurious environment.
BEST UNIQUE BARBERSHOP
Chop Shop
Barbershop
7283 Biscayne
Blvd, Miami
305-756-5755
www.chopshopbarbershop.com
The Chop Shop is a
uniquely conceptualized barbershop themed with cars and car culture in all
their glory. Patrons wait in comfortable car seats, and each workstation
has a shelf with a die-cast car and motorcycle and barber’s tools kept in
Craftsman toolboxes. When finished, barbers remove displaced hair with air
hoses identical to those used for tire inflation. Bathroom walls feature a
decoupage of urban car scenes and culture. Meanwhile, one shop wall
features photos of celebrity visitors (there have been many) and a second
wall features Polaroids of local patrons. There are flat-screen TVs
everywhere. Experienced barbers do their work well and help contribute to
a totally unique, cool and fun experience.
Best Parisian Salon
Franck Provost
1601 Collins
Ave., Miami Beach
305-534-0393
The French take
their hair as seriously as they take their baguettes, their brie and their
Bordeaux wine. French stylist Franck Provost owns more than 400 salons all
over the world — there is even a Franck Provost Salon in Kazakhstan. But
the only location in the U.S. is in Miami Beach. The Paris-based salon’s
Miami outpost offers all the services you can find at most high-end
salons, such as chic cuts and radiating highlights, as well as the Franck
Provost line of maquillage (that’s French for makeup). The team of
specialists can help you realize your Parisian beauty dreams right here in
Miami.
BEST SALON TEAM, MIAMI BEACH
Snip
456 Arthur
Godfrey Road, Miami Beach
305-532-7333
www.snipsnip.net
Co-owners Riley and
Dona McLachlan gained more than 25 years’ experience at Vidal Sassoon. As
both managers and creative directors of Vidal Sassoon, they have taken
those methods and employed a modern twist. Snip’s staff goes through the
most intensive training in the hairdressing world. The atmosphere is
modern, sleek and relaxing — you won’t find any attitude here — and the
service is superior. Whether you live on the beach or are flying in from
afar you can count on a warm greeting in a sophisticated setting.
BEST BEAUTY SALON, HOLLYWOOD
Dovetail
1930-C Harrison
St., Hollywood
954-929-6123
www.dovetailsalon.com
You’ll get bang for
very few bucks at this friendly and affordable Hollywood salon. Skilled
technicians provide friendly and excellent haircuts and hair colorings —
all using top-notch products. Dovetail’s customer service is what keeps
customers coming back.
BEST HAIR EXTENSIONS
Allure Salon
3405 Main
Highway, Miami
305-461-0020
Carlos Collazo,
owner of Allure Salon for the last 15 years, is a hair extension master.
He even instructs hair stylists how to install and remove hair extensions
at the Doral-based training center Socap Original. “A lot of people do a
lot of damage when they try to extract them,” Collazo says. “There’s a
life span.” Collazo’s staff of veteran hairdressers (each has 20 to 30
years’ experience in salons in Boston, New York and New Jersey) is well
aware of that. But Allure is about more than just hair extensions. The
full-service salon does all forms of styling, manicures, pedicures, hair
relaxing and massages, and regularly offers specials for chemical
services.
BEST SALON FOR
HIGHLIGHTING & BRAZILIAN RELAXERS
Richard &
Company Salon
17875 Collins
Ave., Sunny Isles Beach
305-918-6783
Richard & Company
Salon is progressive, forward and sophisticated, targeted to stylish world
travelers and fashionistas. This salon caters to locals who want a
beautiful work and want to keep up with the trends. Sophisticated and
stylish characterizes Richard & Company, and its exceptional staff is both
talented and friendly.
BEST BEAUTY SERVICES SETTING
L.M.H.
611
Lincoln Road, Miami Beach
786-273-2151
www.lmhsite.com
Talk about exquisite
service. At L.M.H.,
you’ll
feel like a celebrity and have your hair appointments in complete privacy
or while enjoying champagne with your entourage. Don’t expect to drop by;
this elite establishment is by appointment only. You must call ahead to
book your experience with Ms. Bridgé, the owner and C.E.O. You can book
the entire salon for yourself if you enjoy having your hair done in
private. If you’re the social type, you can book a treatment party with
friends with an array of appetizers and cocktails. Ms. Bridgé takes the
utmost care in doing all of her beauty regimes. By using only the best
products and methods, she will discover your “other you” and you will
leave looking naturally refreshed and beautiful. She offers an array of
treatments including hair extensions, infusions, semi-permanent eyelashes,
cuts, colors, waxing and nails.
BEST
FULL-BODY BEAUTY BOUTIQUE
Brownes & Co.
841 Lincoln Road,
Miami Beach
888-BROWNES
www.brownesbeauty.com
In the last 10-plus
years, Lincoln Road has transformed from an artsy street mall to the
purveyor of The Gap, Williams-Sonoma and Ghirardelli Soda Fountain.
Despite the commercial takeover of the McStores, Brownes & Co. beauty
lounge has stood strong on Lincoln Road for more than a dozen years. The
romantic boutique carries the best brands in skin care, body treatments,
cosmetics, hair care, perfumes and candles. Brownes & Co. is the only U.S.
carrier of Liz Earle cosmetics from the UK, as well as one of the few
sellers of the elusive Mario Badescu and T LeClerc skin care lines. The
owners are constantly searching for the best brands and items, tailoring
their inventory to meet the discriminating needs of the store’s clientele.
Brownes also offers spray tanning services on its second floor, adjacent
to its full-service salon and yoga studio.
BEST TREAT FOR FEET
Foot Solutions
3789 N.E. 163rd
St., North Miami Beach
305-957-8970
This wellness store
for the feet offers clients numerous services and personalized attention
stemming from a comprehensive examination. Foot Solutions includes a
lab/workshop where custom work, such as custom arch support, can be
crafted. It also offers specialty accessories, such as socks and pads,
stretch leather shoes for people with bunions, multiple-width shoes for
hard-to-fit feet all the way to size 16, mixed-size shoes, calorie-burning
fitness shoes and more.
BEST MANICURE & PEDICURE, HOLLYWOOD
Alto le Mani
Nails
Salonz Beauty
Suites, 4921 Sheridan St., Hollywood
954-478-7349
www.altolemanisalon.com
Natural nails are
protected in this full-service nail salon. No drills are used on the
natural nails during service. Relaxing and invigorating pedicures use a
seaweed and spearmint moisturizing mask, leaving your feet with a cool and
tingling feeling all day. A calm and relaxing atmosphere permeates Alto le
Mani, setting the stage for terrific treatments.
BEST TANNING SALON
Boca Tanning Club
723 North Lincoln
Lane, Miami Beach
305-695-1333
www.bocatanning.net
Got the hankering
for some tanning in the middle of the night? You can do that at Boca
Tanning Club because it is open 24 hours a day. The actual tanning process
is rather quick and efficient, whatever time of day you indulge. This
place features the fastest, most technologically advanced tanning beds in
the world and the state-of-the-art Versa Spa Spray Booth to boot.
BEST HAIR REMOVERS
A.B.B.
6815 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
305-756-7794
www.abbfashion.com
The
A.B.B. stands for American Brazilian Body. Its specialty: removing
unwanted body hair. That means the upper body, the lower body, the face
and other regions. For the uninitiated, a Brazilian bikini wax removes the
hair from the entire pubic region, except for a small patch just above the
vaginal area. Many women prefer it because the close waxing permits the
freedom to wear revealing swimwear and lingerie. Whether you are male or
female, A.B.B. uses unique techniques using wax, honey and aloe to remove
hair follicles in a relaxed atmosphere. It also does manicures and
pedicures.
BEST BRAZILIAN BIKINI WAX
Wax On Wax Off
3215 Grand Ave.,
Coconut Grove
305-444-8455
www.waxonwaxoff.com
First of all, the
SunPost thanks all those who submitted applications to judge
this particular category. Your applications will be kept on file. Wax on
Wax Off takes the title hands down, if not off. Wax On Wax Off offers the
best (and most glamorous) Brazilian bikini wax in all of Miami. Enjoy a
free glass of champagne and funky tunes while the friendly, knowledgeable
staff works gently and quickly with the utmost attention to detail. Its
skin-friendly wax from Paris leaves your nether region soft and smooth.
BEST LASER HAIR REMOVAL TREATMENTS
Laser Cosmetica
400
Arthur Godfrey Road, Miami Beach
888-458-5793
www.lasercosmetica.com
Laser
Cosmetica uses top-of-the-line technology to ensure the best possible
results, including a painless laser hair removal system. All treatments
are non-invasive and require no down time.
BEST MASSAGE DEAL
Miami
Spa Month
www.miamispamonth.com
From
July 1-31, enjoy special treatments for $99 at Miami’s premier spas. Use
your American Express Card to pay for your Miami Spa Month Treatment and
receive 10 percent off of additional spa services and regularly priced spa
products. Miami Spa Month is organized by the Greater Miami Convention and
Visitors Bureau and is presented by American Express. Visit the Web site
for details.
BEST HOLISTIC MASSAGE THERAPIST
Holly Reeves
Massage Therapist &
Health Care
499
Sheridan St., Unit 323, Dania Beach
954-923-1314
For more than 10
years, Holly Reeves has been a successful massage therapist with scores of
dedicated clients who receive a multitude of treatments. Over time, Reeves
began to take note of the different people’s conditions — clients would
come in and break down emotionally, would have cancer, be pregnant or
other things outside the scope of her expertise. So what did Reeves do?
She attended and graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in
New York City and earned the designation of holistic healthcare counselor,
which now empowers her to discuss healthy lifestyle choices from a number
of perspectives.
BEST
EXPRESS MASSAGE
Carol & Kim’s
305-270-0044
A
terrific service for those always on the go, chained to a work project or
just in need of good quality care, Carol & Kim’s has a network of licensed
massage therapists ready to come to you wherever you are. Swedish,
deep-tissue, reflexology and sports massages are Carol & Kim’s
specialties. They also provide massage service for hotels, office, home,
conventions and corporate events. Available seven days a week until
midnight.
BEST RESORT & SPA, SUNNY ISLES
Acqualina Resort
& Spa on the Beach
17875 Collins
Ave., Sunny Isles Beach
305-918-6770
www.acqualina.com
Acqualina is a
97-room resort with the amenities of a much larger property. The rooms are
unmatched by any other area hotel or resort. Acqualina’s backyard is the
beach; you only have to walk a few steps before your feet are in the sand.
ESPA at Acqualina is a 20,000-square-foot oceanfront spa with a private
pool terrace, Roman waterfall, Finnish saunas, crystal steam rooms and
experience showers. The treatment rooms are the most luxurious in the area
with their own showers. The private spa suite has its own shower, which
converts to a steam room and has a private oceanfront balcony.
BEST DAY SPA, MIAMI
BEACH
Le Spa
150 Eighth St.,
Miami Beach
305-674-6744
www.lespamiami.com
Taking a day away
from the everyday is a person’s birthright. OK, so maybe it’s a little
something we do for ourselves. But it also happens to be relaxing,
rejuvenating and healthy — not to mention that the delicious effects of a
day spent at the spa will stay with you for days to come. You can’t do any
better than Le Spa on Miami Beach for taking that special “you time” and
enjoying a little pampering. Le Spa (used to be known as Lancome Spa) is a
full-service spa with a wide range of services from manicures, pedicures,
massage and many other treatments guaranteed to make for a memorable and
thoroughly enjoyable break from everyday stresses. The services, staff and
comfortable, relaxing environment all contribute to making the very best
you that you can be.
BEST MOBILE SPA
Miami
City Massage
425
Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
305-534-5555
There
is nothing more luxurious than having spa services come to you. Miami City
Massage is the best spa/mobile spa company in town. It delivers stellar
luxury spa services in its ocean-side spa or in your home, office, hotel
room or special event. All spa services, even mobile ones, are
administered in special “spa surroundings” created by massage therapists,
estheticians and nail technicians. The staff dims the lights, closes the
drapes, lights white candles, scatters fresh rose petals and turns on
serene music. When they’re done, they’ll draw you a therapeutic bath with
their signature blend of exotic herbs and essences, coupled with sea salts
from Israel and rose petals. It just doesn’t get any better than that!
BEST MEDICAL SPA FOR
LASER & SKIN REJUVENATION
Sutera Med Spa
8099 S.
Dixie Highway, Unit 4, Miami
305-667-7888
www.Suteraskin.com
Sutera combines the
best laser and skin rejuvenation treatments of any medical facility with
the serenity and luxury of a spa in the beautiful South Miami area. As
featured in Ocean Drive, Sutera offers the ultimate in comfort and
convenience, with all of its procedures administered by licensed,
advanced, registered nurse practitioners. Safety, client service and
satisfaction are Sutera’s top priorities.
BEST COLONIC
Feel the Heal
21300 W. Dixie Highway, Aventura
305-466-9268
www.feeltheheal.com
At Feel the Heal,
you can get a wide range of services, from Swedish and deep-tissue
massages to stone therapy and pregnancy massages to spa treatments, ear
candling, ion foot detox and teeth whitening. Clients swear by the work of
esthetician and massage therapist Suzy
Herzfeld. But it is the colonic that many feel is particularly therapeutic
because it helps with portions of the body that many people, wrongly,
don’t consider when it comes to spa treatments. With so many ailments
associated with the colon —from irritable bowel syndrome to constipation
to colon cancer — a good cleansing makes sense. Procedures are done with
sensitivity and care and, heck, clients can even watch a movie while
undergoing the cleansing procedure.
BEST PRIVATE FITNESS TRAINING
ProperForm
1935
West Ave., Unit 208, Miami Beach
305-531-8818
www.proper-form.com
Every year, more and
more clients find their way to ProperForm. The effectiveness of its
training is demonstrated by its clientele, which includes the founding
partner of a large law firm, two owners of well-known restaurants, a
well-known club promoter, a federal prosecutor, a prominent art
collector/dealer, a highly successful real estate investor/developer, the
wife of a high-profile developer, one of the state’s top 10 real estate
agents, two reality show stars, an Olympic gold medal swimmer (who plans
to compete in 2008), two of Miami’s most successful architects and several
prominent attorneys and business owners. Of course, discretion is part of
the ProperForm policy and its client list is private. It also has one of
the few Bod Pod body composition measurement machines in South Florida,
and every client’s program is personalized. The personalized training,
high-end environment and clientele, cleanliness and service together have
helped elevate ProperForm in a crowded field of training centers.
BEST GYM FOR PERSONAL TRAINING & CLASSES, AVENTURA
Olympia Gym
20335
Biscayne Blvd., Aventura
305-932-3500
www.olympiagym.com
Serving the Aventura
area for an amazing 30 years, Olympia offers more than 25 nationally
certified personal trainers in a no-contract, high-end-machinery gym with
free aerobic classes, including spinning (more than 100 bikes), Zumba,
body forging, yoga, Pilates, boxing, step and sculpting. Olympia Gym is an
institution for healthy living in the Northeast Miami-Dade community.
BEST BEACH BOOT CAMP
Impact Sports
480-457-9779
Impact Sports’ Beach
Boot Camp has arguably trimmed more inches and fat off of beach bodies
than anyone else. Beach Boot Camp is prepared to help those people seeking
a real change in their fitness level with fundamental fitness on the sand.
Master trainer Matt Heringer has more than 15 years experience in the
field and knows how to motivate those in his program. Classes are broken
down by gender and type of activity, including regular cardio workouts and
exercise aimed at specific sections of the body. Men and women ages 10 to
70 can benefit from the program. Participants should attend regularly to
maintain bonds built among those taking part in the program.
BEST WATER EXERCISE PROGRAM
AquaFit
786-220-1799,
866-733-9980
www.aquafitevolution.com
AquaFit offers water
resistance personal training with innovative equipment for everyone, from
Navy Seals and major league athletes to senior citizens and rehab patients
who can’t use conventional ‘gravity’ exercises to pregnant women who need
strength training without impact. The real kicker — they get you in shape
with virtually no soreness and no sweating.
Best Aquatic Experience
Ronald W. Shane
Water Sports Center
6500 Indian Creek
Drive, Miami
Phone:
305-861-8837
Website:
www.shanecenter.com
At Ronald W. Shane
Water Sports Center, you can rent boats and take rowing classes or become
a member of one its renowned rowing clubs. If you are a competitive high
school student, you can become a member of the Junior Rowing Club
(scholarships are offered for those who cannot afford it). The Miami Beach
Rowing Club will take you from a beginner to a novice in a matter of
months for a modest cost. If you are a University of Miami student, you |