Around October and through around April, those lovable tourists start flooding the streets of Miami wearing sun visors and holding flimsy Kodaks. Locals find themselves dodging groups of people speaking strange languages just to get to their favorite spots for a bite to eat. Thankfully, those same establishments compete for the tourist dollars and us locals reap the unexpected benefits.
This tourist season brings to Miami a plethora of attention-grabbing events and promotions. Shokudo has quickly become a Design District favorite thanks to dedicated owner Yoko Takarada. The trendy eatery, which specializes in Asian street food, will be starting a monthly series featuring an incredible five-course dinner paired with high-quality wine/sake selections for just $95 including tax and tip. For the October feature that takes place on the 18th, the theme will be "Miso Hungry," with all five courses featuring the Japanese soy wonder product miso. The special menu gives resident executive chef Armando Litiatco along with Chef Shin from Toni's Sushi freedom to be creative. Shin is trained in Japanese "Kaiseki" cuisine, a traditional multi-course cuisine featuring a set menu of select food served on individual trays.
If you are looking to get out of the house and celebrate the official month of beer, Brickell Festival's Samuel Adams Octoberfest has you covered. From October 5 to 8, Mary Brickell Village Lot at 1001 South Miami Avenue will be packed with patrons, with over 3000 tickets already sold for the weekend-long event. Tickets range from $25 for one day general admission to $40 for the VIP package. General admission gets you the Sam Adams sampling package including Boston Lager, Octoberfest, Cherry Wheat, Whitewater IPA and Angry Orchard Crisp Apple. VIP entry gets you that plus a complimentary Patron cocktail, a Sam Adams mug and appetizers served in the VIP Beer garden. The early bird special ($15) allows entry from only 4 to 7 p.m., but no one said anything about exiting!
Perhaps the biggest show will be at the Inaugural Miami Broward One Carnival, a series of events inspired by the Caribbean and South American festival of the same name taking place in separate venues from October 5 to 7. Saturday, October 6 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., the party is at Central Broward Regional Park. Attendees, who enjoy free admission, can have their bodies painted and participate in the parade, or just lay back and listen to the blaring horns and drums of dozens of j'ouvert bands. On Sunday, the biggest party of them all takes place starting at 2 PM at the enormous Sun Life Stadium. For just $20 admission, you can enjoy music by Machel Montado, Patrice Roberts, Farmer Nappy and many more Caribbean artists. Over 20 "Custome Mas Bands" parade the stadium starting at 11 a.m., with about a dozen well known restaurants outside serving a large variety of different foods. For more information on these and several other Carnival events, visit http://www.miamibrowardcarnival.com.
Keep checking the blog for our Weekend Guide and a look into the 2012 Grovetoberfest in Coconut Grove.
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