First is Bardot, an address-less, sign-less spot near Miami’s Midtown area.  Those in the know park around the back and look for the tiny red awning that lets them know they’ve found this little slice of urban bohemia.  The space is very swank without being uber-pretentious, and you can tell a LOT of effort was put into the detail of the decor (the faucets in the ladies’ restrooms are diving swans!).  There are drinks from basic to fancy (think agave, cayenne, elderflower liquor) and a solid selection of beers.  There’s pool and free pinball (a vintage Playboy machine no less), and they host DJs and live music on the regular – their in-house piano, drum kit and other instruments make impromptu drop-in sets a nice possibility.  What’s best is that Bardot is open seven nights a week unlike more weekly party-driven places around town.

Another cool place that’s so hip it hasn’t even officially opened yet is B Bar at the Betsy Hotel on Ocean Drive.  It’s a cozy space with great lighting but the most amazing aspect is that the ceiling is this hazily reflective black plexistuff that not only makes the place look twice it’s size, but if a tall person gives it a good push it wobbles and makes it look all watery.  Hard to explain but trust me it’s cool!  For now it’s just private bashes but once they open I’m sure they’ll have some regular parties and events.  The drinks are definitely South Beach prices though – last weekend my friend ordered two non-specific vodka Redbulls and the bill was $32.

On the topic of drinks, I crave a good smoothie or protein shake almost daily.  Washing blenders can be tedious but thankfully a new place has opened on Biscayne that will whet my whistle AND do the dishes. ONESUMO serves all natural smoothies so dank they call them “shakes” and they’ve got a Japanese hibachi grill there as well (which I haven’t tried yet – there’s only one vegetarian option and it sadly lacks tofu).  I’m obsessed with the banana nut blast which is banana, peanut butter, milk and whey protein, which I get replaced with soy milk and soy protein.  They don’t add any extra sugar or BS so they really are healthy and guilt-free.  Recommended!

It’s official: the Eastside of Austin is happening like crazy. Just one year ago, lone coffee shops and galleries dotted the rough community on the “wrong side” of giant interstate I-35. Now it seems that cute spots are opening every week; admittedly, I can’t get enough of it. Austin is many wonderful things, but historically it has been anything but a foodie mecca. As wonderful as Tex-Mex and Lone Star can be, I can’t help but want more from this sophisticated city. Now, this new scene cropping up really promises to change that and these spots are even open late! Another sad rarity.

I’ve been consistently impressed by new favorites in town: Eastside Showroom, Justine’s Brasserie and the Liberty. This powerhouse triumvirate offers a wonderful combination: amazingly sophisticated cuisine with local ingredients, beautiful outdoor spaces for lounging or bocce (always lovely since Austinites get to hang outside year round) and incredible drinks, many culled from the deep tombs of early twentieth century cocktails. I just can’t get enough.