Miami's Best Eats & Drinks This Weekend: Bruschetta, Beer, and Yoga

Happy weekend. We're officially back from our extended holiday and, hopefully, refreshed and ready for a new year of possibilities filled with lots of eating and drinking. 

This weekend has a lot going for it. You can try a brand new happy hour filled with craft cocktails for only five bucks, dine under the stars in Coral Gables, or have a taste of authentic Tuscan bruschetta (which is nothing like the dough-bombs you've been eating). And there's a chance to actually get healthy with a bit of yoga followed by a pint of fresh, local beer.

The weekend starts now!

Happy Hour at Beaker & Gray
It's Friday afternoon and it's five o'clock somewhere. That somewhere, ladies and gents, is Wynwood. Time to check out Beaker & Gray, the brand-spanking new eatery, bar room, and purlieu by chef Brian Nasajon and bartender Ben Potts. With a team like that, it's a sure thing that your food and drinks will be equally delicious. The best time to discover Beaker & Gray is during its happy hour today from 5 to 7 p.m. Drink specials include $5 craft cocktails including Moscow mule, Tom Collins, daiquiri, margarita, and old fashioned. Beer lovers can nab a $5 cold one, choosing from Pacifico, 6 Point Crisp, Funky Buddha Floridian, and Cigar City Hard Cider. There's also a bevy of wines by the glass for — you guessed it — five bucks. Those Lincolns also get you your choice of small plates including Oaxaca with wax pepper, oregano, and tomatillo; pork belly sandwichitos; onion rings; ricotta with black mission fig, Thai basil, and Citterio chorizo; and glass noodles. Happy hour goes down weekdays from 5 to 7 p.m., and there's a late-night happy hour Monday through Thursday from midnight to 2 a.m.

Giralda Under the Stars
Giralda Under the Stars returns tonight, January 8, turning Coral Gables' Giraalda Avenue (between Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Galiano Street) into an outdoor party. From 7 p.m. until midnight, over a dozen restaurants will set up tables outdoors as the streets are closed to traffic and open for pedestrians to stroll, eat, drink, and relax. The evening also features Zacapa rum, a live art installation by graffiti artist Orgie, live beats by Steven B., and music by violinist Monty Bloom. The evening also features kid-friendly activities until 9 p.m. and an interactive community mural. Participating restaurants include Bangkok Bangkok, Castelluccio, Divino Ceviche, GreenLife Miami, Ikura Sushi Lounge, Miss Saigon Bistro, Spritz of Coral Gables, Talavera, the Bar, the Local Craft Food & Drink, La Dorada Restaurant, and Amore Gelato Art Caffe.

Via Verdi's Bruschetta Bar
MiMo favorite Via Verdi hosts Tuscan chef Paola Ugolini for an evening of authentic bruschetta tonight, January 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. The Florence-born chef will make some of her special bruschettas and treats on the spot, including stracciatella cheese with anchovies and lemon zest, goat cheese mousse with Italian prosciutto and fig marmalade, bresaola bruschetta with zucchini "trifolati" and shaved parmesan, and fiasconaro panettone. 

Free Yoga and Beer at Schnebly Redland's Winery
On Sunday, January 10, join Om Brew for a free yoga session at Schnebly Redland's Winery. At 10:45  a.m., you'll be led in a series of poses by the Om Brew yogis. Then, after you're all balanced and centered and feeling great, you'll be rewarded with free pint of Miami Brewing Company beer. The one-hour yoga session is normally $15, but the good beer-loving people at Om Brew want you to keep your resolutions to do more yoga and drink more beer by giving away a limited number of sessions free. All you have to do is RSVP on Om Brew's Facebook page to get in on the yin and yang of yoga and beer. (Please bring your own towel or yoga mat.)