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Weather isn’t everything here, but it’s ahead of whatever’s in second place. When the weather report chases everyone into the closet for boots, jackets, and hoodies to enjoy an upcoming cold front, we do what we do: sit outside and judge things. So here is a random, opinionated 2021 breakdown.
Local Treasures: La Sandwicherie Miami Beach, Sweat Records, Books & Books Coral Gables, The Biltmore, Joe’s Stone Crab, Versailles, Enriqueta’s, Tropical Chinese, El Carajo, Islas Canarias, Sergio’s Coral Way, French Bakery Delices De France, Bodega, Panther, Farm Store, Happy Wine Calle Ocho, Art Basel satellites, Aguacate Sanctuary of Love, lllPoints
Best Neighborhoods: The Grove, Sunset Harbor
Best Neighborhood to Live Near: South Miami
Weird Places: Downtown Doral, South Dixie Highway toward Homestead, West West West Kendall at rush hour
Landmark Oddities: the Bacardi Building, Cape Florida Lighthouse, That Thing at Shark Valley, The Coppertone Girl, Freedom Tower, The Biltmore Hotel, Venetian Pool, Opa-Locka City Hall, Earth n Us, the Boombox
Beautiful Drinking: Broken Shaker, Amara, Vista, Heartland, Redfish
Vegan: Aguacate, Love Life, Minty Z, Vegan Cuban Food, Planta
Great View + Huge Portions: Redfish
Cinema: Tower, Olympia, Coral Gables Art Cinema
Stood the Test of Time: Puerto Sagua, Versailles, Islas Canarias, 94th Aero Squadron, Whip n Dip, Walter’s Coffee Shop, Coral Bagels, La Carreta, Casola’s
Best Supermarket: Milam’s Pinecrest
Best Asian Market: Kimchi Mart
Best Italian Market: Origini Italian Market
Best Farmers/Flea Market: Redland Market Village
Various Degrees of Seriously Pretty: Heartland, Aguacate Sanctuary of Love, Casa Tua, Zak the Baker, Redfish, Amara, Fairchild Tropical Garden, Matheson Hammock
Funky: Lagniappe, Wynwood Brewery, Gramps, Zak the Baker, Shorty’s, Soya e Pomodoro, Caribbean Roti, Maxwell Brothers, Coyo
Rooftops for Deep Pockets: Sugar, Juvia, Area 31, Serena
Normal Rooftops: Cebada, Casa Florida, Terras
24/7 Pretentious: Brickell
Delicious: Bachour, La Social, La Latina, Havana Harry’s, Matsuri, Finka, Empanada Harry’s, Zak’s Sam & Cheese
Best Serious Bakers: Zak the Baker, Bachour, French Bakery, Fireman Derek’s, Salty Donut, Rosetta, Atelier Monnier, Sullivan Street
Best Cheap Bakers: Macita’s, Pinecrest, Party Cake, Ricky, Vicky, CAO
Best Food Writers: Carlos Frías, Ryan Pfeffer
Best Weather Forecaster: Luke Dorris
Most Pleasant Local News Anchor: Jenise Fernandez
Radio Person Most Missed: HOT 105 DJ Freddie Cruz
Best Miami Group that Still Sounds Great: KC and the Sunshine Band
Best Miami Musician You Never Hear Of: Willie Hale AKA Little Beaver
Best Record Store: Sweat Records
Best Independent Publisher: Jitney Books David Rolland
Best Mechanic and Cleanest Shop in Repair History: Trevor King at Car Care International
Old School/Retro: Books & Books, Lagniappe, Casa Florida
See and Be Seen: Greenstreet, Friends Market and Bistro, Bachour, Amara
Best and Worst at the Same Time: Miami sports teams, Wynwood, Ocean Drive, Lincoln Road, Downtown, Art Basel