1. Fairmont Turnberry Isle
City: Aventura, FL
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (305) 932-6200
Address: 19999 West Country Club Dr.
Description: Two championship 18-hole golf courses can be found on this 300-acre tropical oasis. The resort is the creation of shopping-mall magnate Don Soffer, after whom one of the courses is named. Soffer spent $100 million transforming Dade swampland into a luxury resort, which also includes a private beachfront club, a tennis facility, and a spa. World Golf Hall of Famer Raymond Floyd redesigned both of Fairmont’s 18-hole courses. The par 71, 7,047-yard Soffer course features contoured greens, fairways, and a 64-foot waterfall as a dramatic finish at the 18th hole. With a par 70, the 6,417-yard Miller course is slightly easier although it has its share of elevation challenges, doglegs, and fairways as well. Indigenous fauna are unexpected course additions—the resort is home to an Audubon-sanctioned bird refuge. Both of Fairmont’s courses are private and only open to guests of the hotel and members of the resort’s club. In addition to both courses, membership includes access to many of Turnberry Isle’s other facilities. Those interested in learning more should contact member services at (305) 933-6590. The hotel also offers various golf packages for those only in town for a couple of days. Check the website for a full list of options. The dress code is strict for both courses, requiring collared shirts or mock turtlenecks and golf shoes with soft spike or flat soles. Green fees are $250 during high season, $125 at twilight. The fees include a cart, range balls, and a forecaddie fee. Between June 1 and Sept 30 greens fees are complimentary but a $40 cart fee still applies. The resort also has warm-up facilities and a golf shop.
2. Chef Allen’S Modern Seafood Grill
City: Aventura, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (305) 935-2900
Address: 19088 NE 29th Ave.
Description: Chef Allen Susser’s Caribbean and Latin–inspired approach to seafood makes his eponymous restaurant not your typical seafood shanty. Opened in 1986, the restaurant has earned Susser numerous awards (including a James Beard). Those worried about foams, towers, and other 80s remnants can rest assured—Susser has kept with the times. The current menu could best be described as laid-back sophistication—red snapper with plantains, crab cakes with mango chutney, rock shrimp mac and cheese. Oatmeal cookie key lime pie and Tahitian vanilla crème brulee are just two of the sweets to finish the meal off with.
3. Bourbon Steak
City: Aventura, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (786) 279-6600
Address: 19999 West Country Club Dr.
Description: Although it’s part of acclaimed San Francisco chef Michael Mina’s mini empire, Bourbon Steak does not taste like a chain steakhouse. Some of the restaurant’s best entrees are beef-less like the creamy lobster pot pie and the flavorful miso-glazed black cod. Of course the menu is full of bone-in rib eyes, New York Strips and filet mignons, all of which dissolve upon entering the mouth, a result of being poached in butter before grilled. Fanatical carnivores with high credit card limits can order an A-5 grade Japanese Kobe beefsteak for $30 an ounce. Along with standard steakhouse sides like baked potatoes and creamed spinach, the popular trio of duck fat french fries is a crowd favorite. “Adult” milkshakes such as the Grasshopper and the Bourbon Malted make for fun nightcaps. There is also an available cigar menu for stogie lovers.
4. Baby Posh Garage
City: Aventura, FL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (305) 932-9655
Address: 18060 West Dixie Hwy.
Description: A list of items they “need” is an especially good way to know if what you’ve got is what they want. In the past, items have included nursery articles such as cribs, mattresses, and changing tables, playtime items such as dolls, puzzles, and a variety of toys as well as miscellaneous items such as books, CDs and DVDs, picture frames, and a variety of baby items. Consignment at Baby Posh offers the seller 50 percent of the selling price and 60 percent for those who use it as store credit. As a store that specializes in the 7-and-under crowd, with a teen extension store, there is plenty to buy as well. In addition to the consignment items, the store offers a variety of locally handmade items to purchase. There is also an eBay store for those who can’t make it to the Aventura location.