The Locals Guide to South Beach  

'The Locals Guide to South Beach'     
 Guide Book:

• Wings souvenir shop (page 40) renovated and moved across the street. Alvins Island took over the former Wings space and also sells souvenirs.
• Opium and Prive closed (page 44).
• Casa Casuarina (Versace's former mansion, p. 25) has stopped it's tours and has opened a new restaurant called Villa by Barton G (p. 28 - a second outpost of Barton G). It will continue to be run as a boutique hotel as well.
• The Mondrian opened (p.14) and is one of the newest hot spots and best places to see the sunset with your pricey cocktail.
• South Pointe Park is open (page 32). This is one of the best places for walks and views in all of South Beach.
• Marimekko (page 16) closed.
• The W Hotel is now open (page 19).
• Table 8 closed summer 2009 (page 29, 48) and the Front Porch (page 28) has moved here.
• Art Deco Welcome Center (p.25) has moved back to it's newly renovated location at 1001 Ocean Dr. All Art Deco tours start here.
• The South Beach Local Bus (p.13) has added a few new stops and now stops at the Standard (p. 38). For an updated map, go to: http://web.miamibeachfl.gov/WorkArea/showcontent.aspx?id=47508
• Another new bus service just started in December 2009 called the Airport Flyer with trips from South Beach to the Miami International Airport approximately every 30 minutes. For details go to: www.miamidade.gov/transit
• Miami Beach Botanical Gardens (p.17) is closed on Mondays and open 9-5 the rest of the week. Free admission with donations welcome. As of July 2011, it is closed for renovations due to be finished by October 2011.
• A great new place opened for bike rentals called 'Bike and Roll' at 210 Tenth St. (305.905.2055). Nice, new bikes, good maps and tours available.
• A new edition to places to eat in 'North' South Beach (p.20) in the 'cheap to moderate' category is Books & Books Cafe. The chef is born and raised in Miami and the menu is geared to local, organic and healthy food. Great people watching on Lincoln Rd from your table at 927 Lincoln Rd.
• Another night club casualty - The Fifth (p. 44) is now Club Play. The new owners include Aseni Samuel of the Philadelphia Eagles. The space has been extensively renovated and is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights 11pm to 5am. Phone: 786.525.9012.
• SoBe Gyro closed it doors (p. 27).
• The Miami Beach Cinemateque (p. 27) is closed on Espanola Way and moved to a new location at Historic City Hall, 1130 Washington Avenue, Ground Floor (305) 67-FILMS (673-4567) www.MBCinema.com
• Another spot bit the dust...Cafe Maurice (p.35) is no more.
• Creek 28 (page 20) closed.
• Ishq (page 28) closed.