The Miami International Film Festival returned this past Friday,
March 2 and continues through next weekend. For 10 days, Miami is treated to
some of today's brightest stars in the world of film. In an industry that
revolves around the dollar, art trumps box office sales for a brief moment. All
that excitement works up an appetite, so here are a few places to grab a bite
during the 2012 MIFF.
The main box office is located at the Regal South Beach
Cinemas on Lincoln Road in South Beach. After picking up your tickets, head
down Lincoln Road to Quattro Gastronomia Italiana. Opened in 2006, Quattro brings the taste of
Northern Italy to the heart of South Beach.Your hosts? Identical twins Nicola and
Fabrizio Carro from Alessandria in the Piedmont region. Bring your wallet, however, because the food is as expensive here as it tastes.
For a little cheaper outing, try Lincoln Road's more
reasonable options like Van Dyke Café. Located in a dramatic building with ivy
lining the entire side, patrons can enjoy the ambiance inside or sit under the
umbrellas and people watch the many faces of Lincoln Road. The
Festival Village will also take place on Lincoln Road every night of the MIFF
and will feature free shorts, previews of Festival films and the likelihood
that you might run into your favorite filmmaker. If you are in Miami Beach, you
can get a discount with your ticket stub at 5 Napkin Burger, Altamare Restaurant,
Books & Books and Meat Market.
The MIFF centers around the Olympia Theatre at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami, where most of the films premiere. Right around the corner from the Gusman is Sparky's Roadside Bar-B-Q, where you can find one of the best pulled pork sandwiches in town. Not in the mood for barbecue? Try the delicious Ozzi Sushi Bar, a reasonable sushi establishment that offers red tuna sashimi for just $3.50 and a California roll for only $2.50. Downtown partners with the MIFF include CLOS Bistro & Café and Largo Bar & Grill at Bayside.
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