58 June 27- July 3, 2024 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times b e s T o f m i a m i ® 2 0 2 4 BEST CHARITY Voices for Children Foundation, Inc. 601 NW First Court, 10th Floor Miami, 33136 305-324-5678 beavoice.org More than half a million kids in the U.S. are in the foster care system for many different reasons — none of them good. It’s an experience that is both traumatizing and disempowering for families, especially children who are largely at the mercy of adult decisions. Often, they’ve experienced abuse, abandonment, and neglect at home and in the system. Here in Miami, we’re lucky to have a guiding light for these kids with Voices for Chil- dren. Cofounded by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava in 1984, this nonprofit raises funds to ensure that every child in this vul- nerable group has guardian ad litem representa- tion, which means they’ll have an advocate with them in court. They also work to make sure kids have the things they need that give us dignity, like school supplies, toiletries, and enriching ex- periences that open up their worlds. BEST HOTEL Arlo Wynwood 2217 NW Miami Court Miami, 33127 786-522-6600 arlohotels.com Wynwood has been hot for quite some time now, but it wasn’t until 2022 that the neighborhood got its first hotel. Arlo, a boutique hotel company with spots in Chicago and New York City, de- cided to finally bestow our little arts district with sleek and stylish lodging. The hotel has been a hit since it opened, featuring 217 well-appointed rooms, artwork that reflects its setting, a rooftop pool, and Higher Ground, its third-floor bar and terrace that fits perfectly with the area’s vibe. Right now, its onsite restaurant is in the middle of a refresh, with a new concept from chef Brad Kilgore coming this fall. The average room price is relatively affordable, around $200, particularly on weekends, but you can expect to pay much more during busier times, like when the city hosts Art Basel Miami Beach or Ultra Music Fes- tival. More hotels are on the horizon for Wyn- wood (Marriott’s Moxy brand will open this summer), but it’s going to be tough to beat Arlo. BEST MALL Upper Buena Vista 5040 NE Second Avenue Miami, 33137 305-539-9555 upperbuenavista.com Buena Vista Mall is like a hidden oasis just blocks from the Design District. Head up for the vibes and then serve some vibes while you’re there. It’s well worth your time to make it an af- ternoon adventure, exploring the many mer- chants in the earthy space. You’ve got jewelry like Kathee Cuervo, vintage and second-hand stores like the House of Findings, plenty of cof- fee options, and great dining (Branja, anyone?). If the shopping doesn’t do it for you, it’s a dreamy space that’s ideal for just sitting under the lush tree canopy and enjoying the breeze. You can even do a cold plunge at KOV or get your haircut at classically hip Contesta Rock Hair, a former Miami Beach staple. Name an- other mall that does it all like this. We’ll wait. BEST PUBLIC RESTROOM Bal Harbour Shops, 2nd Floor 9700 Collins Avenue Bal Harbour, 33154 305-866-0311 balharbourshops.com When ya gotta go, ya gotta go. But finding a loo that woos can be a challenge. Head to Bal Har- bour Shops for a really nice place to pop a squat. This public restroom is located on the second floor, just north of the beloved Hillstone Restau- rant, which offers seasonal American fare. Now, to get to this best bathroom in town, you’ll have to venture down the exterior pathway overlook- ing the parking lot. Always impeccably clean and perfectly cold, this WC has modern white slabs of marble, circular and well-lit mirrors, and even black and gold fans. With Simplehu- man silver trash cans (the equivalent of seeing Molton Brown in a residence), Bal Harbour went as far as installing electric toilet-seat cov- ers to spare your bottom some germs. BEST WINE SHOP Vinoteca 3070 Grand Avenue Coconut Grove, 33133 786-360-3099 vinotecamiami.com Charming and inviting Vinoteca is a new wine shop nestled in the heart of Coconut Grove. It quickly established itself as Miami’s premier destination for seasoned wine connoisseurs or dilettantes. Whether you’re searching for a ro- bust Spanish Rioja, a delicate French Bordeaux, or an aromatic Argentinian malbec, Vinoteca’s curated selection of wines focuses on varieties from Europe and Latin America. A world trav- eler with a master’s degree in viticulture, owner Alex McDonnell brings unparalleled knowledge and passion to her shop. Her expertise ensures that every customer receives personalized and insightful guidance in selecting the right wine. Vinoteca also has a wine club that costs $120 a month. Members receive four different wines each month, along with a write-up about the backgrounds of each vino. BEST LIQUOR STORE Bryson’s Irish Pub 3790 Curtiss Parkway Virginia Gardens, 33166 305-871-9534 facebook.com/BrysonsIrishPub Bryson’s Irish Pub, founded in 1952 just north of Miami International Airport, has drawn some of the same thirsty loyal customers for decades. Its green walls and three-leaf shamrock insignias — which stand for faith, hope, and love — reference the Irish heritage of the original owner. But as we know, luck comes with a fourth leaf, and that lucky leaf is the pub’s liquor store, or “package” store. It has “90 percent of everything you need,” says owner William “Dutch” Shelow. You can en- ter the well-stocked, friendly shop from the street, about a block from NW 36th Street, or just waltz in from the adjacent bar with its laidback ’70s time capsule energy. Bryson’s may remind you of long-running Happy’s Stork Lounge, a bar and liquor store that moved from its original North Bay Village home in 2023. Bryson’s has had an uptick in traffic since rolling out its Satur- day “Hurricane” steak night with a recipe passed down from the now-defunct legendary Hurri- cane Bar and Grill in Miami Springs. So, whether your charter jet just landed at Signature across the street or you want to keep the party going at home before that steak settles, Bryson’s offers the bottle of booze you want, along with a lot of history and atmosphere. BEST DRIVE-THRU LIQUOR STORE Barbarita’s Liquors 400 E. 41st Street Hialeah, 33013 786-332-2440 Barbarita’s Liquors in Hialeah has a drive- through that’s a step above the makeshift setup typical of liquor-store window service. It’s orga- nized, clean, and designed to get customers in and out quickly. Barbarita’s already merits props for a wide selection of spirits and friendly ser- vice; the drive-thru is a bonus that area residents on-the-go and in-the-know have relied on for years. Located on E. 41st Street near Sedano’s supermarket, the store’s large red sign and brightly colored wraparound geometric designs make it hard to miss. BEST JEWELRY STORE Link’d Jewelry shoplinkd.com Founded by South Florida natives Carla Caval- canti and Andrea Ocejo, Link’d is all about af- fordable jewelry that fuses everyday luxury with sustainability and ensures it’s clear that you’re living that coastal life with nautical themes. Their products, from rings and necklaces to body chains and bracelets, go through rigorous testing to ensure longevity and quality control, and their timeless styles will make sure you’ll be wearing them for a lifetime. Although their storefront is digital-only, you can often find them popping up at local vintage and creator markets like the bustling Little River Flea. BEST JEWELRY DESIGNER Aiden Jae Jewelry aidenjae.com instagram.com/aidenjaejewelry Have you been feeling like an exhausted pile of laundry? Are you ready for an immediate glow- up that will not only restore your faith in yourself but also in humanity? Look no further than Fort Lauderdale’s Aiden Jae Jewelry. Brooklyn-bred veteran jewelry designer and mom Randi Sal- vado created a stunning and sustainably crafted collection that works perfectly as a capsule, with stackable rings, necklaces to layer, and huggies fitting for multiple millennial ear holes. Inspired by the flora of South Florida, you’ll find delicate studs that honor fragrant plumeria blooms, an el- egant banyan collection that reflects the wrapped roots of this iconic tree, and sunlight, daybreak, and starlight pieces with sustainably sourced gems that reflect Miami’s kaleidoscopic skies. Aiden Jae only uses recycled gold, ensur- ing affordability with 9K or 14K options. Salvato guarantees that Aiden Jae’s carbon footprint is next-to-nothing and donates one percent of an- nual sales to environmental causes — important since, after the polar bears, we’ll be the next to bear the brunt of the climate crisis. You’ll gasp when you open her handcrafted pouches to re- veal delicate forever pieces that moms will cher- ish and tweens will be borrowing. BEST BRIDAL SHOP The Find Bridal Outlet 3306 Ponce de Leon Coral Gables, 33134 305-445-5095 thefindbridal.com If you’re a bride who loves a good deal, look no further than The Find Bridal Outlet. Situated be- yond black-and-white-striped awnings on Ponce de Leon Boulevard in Coral Gables, next door to the long-running Chic Parisien bridal, the small sample sale boutique is filled with racks of daz- zling designer dresses marked down to excep- tionally affordable prices. The shop sells floor sample gowns from renowned high-end design-
