Winter Music Conference is here and many people -- tourists
and locals alike -- look forward to it all year long. It's a chance to watch and
listen to some of the biggest names in music and, of course -- get ripped beyond
existence. There's no denying that many patronize the week-long event while
under the influence of drugs that include -- but are not limited to -- ecstasy,
molly, LSD, shrooms, ketamine, alcohol, marijuana and cocaine.
Of course, we here at Short Order don't condone the use of drugs to enhance your WMC experience,
but we are not ignorant enough to deny their existence. So, if you must engage
in brain experimentation this week or any other, here are some perfect places
to regain your composure before attempting to make it home alive.
5. Jerry's Famous Deli
This South Beach staple with the motto "Where food and people mix" attempts to recreate the nostalgic ambience of restaurants in Manhattan's theater district, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Just as the first Jerry's Deli has harbored a wide range of loyal Studio City patrons in Southern California since 1978, Jerry's Famous on the corner of Española Way and Collins Avenue has built itself a loyal following among those who frequent SoBe. A night out wouldn't be complete without some of Jerry's specialty pizza, which ranges from the Hawaiian ($16.95) to the popular and massive Deli Pizza ($18.95) with pastrami, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions and olives. Not done drinking? Mojitos, martinis, margaritas and impressive specialty drinks like the Singapore Sling (Tanqueray, sloe gin, sweet & sour mix, cherry brandy and a splash of soda) are only $9.
4. Big Pink
Opened in 1996 on the south end of South Beach, Big Pink's trademarked creed is "Real food, for real people, really." Besides boasting comfort and location, Big Pink has an unbelievable 220 options on the menu, including the popular Myles high smoked salmon sandwich club named after the original owner. Also popular among the late night crowd is the Big Pink Daddy Mack with two juicy four-ounce patties and the TV Dinner, a multi-compartment steel tray with a varying daily selection of six delicious items. Many enjoy their delicious signature Bloody Mary's, perhaps at its best on the weekend when talented bartender Sakina is in the house.
3. Gigi
In just over a year and a half, Gigi's has become Midtown's premier late night stop. Described as serving "cutting-edge, high-performance, communal comfort food," Gigi features a popular barbecue rub entrée on its "basics" menu, a delicious roasted pork on its "buns" sandwich menu and delicate tuna with chocio, aji amarillo and micro radish on its "raw" menu. You can expect white linen food with a perfect laid back cafe ambiance to unwind in. It gets busy at brunch between noon and 4 p.m. Sunday and Saturday just as Space shuts its doors from the night before, but you can pretty much get a table any time after midnight on your way back home. For those interested in pounding some beers before getting home, Gigi offers two dollar, three dollar and five dollar beers for all wallets and palates.
2. La Sandwicherie
Opened in the cocaine-fueled heydays of the late '80s in a quaint alley in the heart of South Beach, scores of people under the influence have stumbled on La Sandwicherie looking to absorb a delicious mix of fresh ingredients on a French baguette. The artists behind the counter mix premium deli meat with the freshest local produce and imported French ingredients like little pickles called cornichons. The mix of flavors blend perfectly, no matter what the main ingredient, and compliment the famous Sandwicherie French vinaigrette. Its busy pretty much all day, but good luck finding a single open stool around 3 a.m.
1. La Moon
Even before moving to a larger, more welcoming location around a year ago, Le Moon had already wowed patrons for years with its massive Colombian-inspired hot dogs and burgers. In addition to the cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions and potato sticks, you can top your perros Colombianos (Colombian hot dogs) and hamburgers with sausage, quail egg, and your choice of six sauces. The servers recommend a variety of Colombian arepas or corn pancakes (the crispy, savory variety, not the soft, sweet kind sold at street festivals) for that hangover-taming 5 a.m. refill. You can add chicken, ham, sausage, bacon, even blood sausage or chicarrones (fried pork rind) to the cheese arepa to soak up whatever else you may have ingested throughout the night.
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