Harbor Beach Hotel Magazine by anderson greene

FORT LAUDERDALE RESORT & SPA

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FORT LAUDERDALE RESORT & SPA

Publishing and Editorial Mark Gauert Editor & Publisher Lori Jacoby Associate Publisher Anderson Greene Art Director/ Designer Elyse Ranart Fashion and Style Director Elizabeth Rahe Contributing Editor Advertising

Dear Harbor Beach Guests, It is truly a pleasure to welcome you to Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Fort Lauderdale’s premier oceanfront resort.

We appreciate the opportunity to serve you.

The Resort features breathtaking views from our guest rooms and suites, award winning culinary and banquet teams, and an expansive Spa and fitness center. Take in the unobstructed views of our beautiful private beach from our Oceanview Terrace and our 10,000 square-foot Ocean Ballroom overlooking the Atlantic – the only one of its kind in South Florida. We have been welcoming guests from around the globe since we opened our doors over 28 years ago, October 22, 1984. Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa offers a unique experience for anyone traveling on business or pleasure, visiting for the day, or just stopping by to savor one of our three unique restaurants: 3030 Ocean Restaurant and Raw Bar, Sea Level Restaurant and Ocean Bar, and Riva Restaurant. Our location is ideal for both relaxing, with 16 acres of private beachfront property, and getting adventurous with our fabulous water sports; we encourage you to make time to explore the local area. Also known as the Venice of America, Fort Lauderdale offers more than 300 miles of navigable waterways, many of which are alongside the Resort. Other local favorites are the charming shops, boutiques, galleries, fine dining and cafés on Las Olas Boulevard, all located just minutes from the Resort. Our Associates welcome you with a Spirit to Serve! They are dedicated to exceed your expectations and showcase our service, hospitality and professionalism. Thank you for choosing Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.

Enjoy your stay,

Valerie Chocron Holly Svekis Account Executives Production Slade Wentworth Production Manager Christine Palermo-Wallach Print Production Manager Shawn T. Lee Senior Prepress Operations Manager Anna Pizzoferrato Creative Designer Barry Monroe Operations Manager Distribution Fernando Alon

Magazine

HARBOR BEACH MAGAZINE IS A PUBLICATION OF CITY & SHORE MAGAZINE City & Shore is published monthly by the Sun Sentinel Co., 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Harbor Beach Magazine is available in a digital form at http://cityandshore.com/otherpublications.html. Copyright © 2012 by the Sun Sentinel Co. Material may not be reproduced without written permission.

CONTRIBUTORS

Robyn A. Friedman wrote all the stories in Harbor Beach magazine.

Kimberly Wilson General Manager kimberly.wilson@marriott.com 6

HARBOR BEACH Magazine

Mateo Garcia photographed the fashion story, beginning on page 48.

T he M us e uM

of A rT | f orT L Aude rdALe invites you to experience a season of

Demons ~ Beasts ~ Angels ~ Sharks! All in the Family: Paintings and Works on Paper by Members of the Glackens Family October 15, 2011 through October 7, 2012 William Glackens, The Artist’s Daughter in Chinese Costume (1918) Oil on canvas. Bequest of Ira Glackens

Primordial: Paintings and Sculpture by Isabel De Obaldia, 1985-2011 September 25, 2011 through May 27, 2012 Isabel De Obaldiá Bestia Nocturna 2001 Kiln Cast Glass

Offering of the Angels: Old Master Painting and Tapestries from the Uffizi Gallery November 19, 2011 through April 8, 2012 Sandro Botticelli Madonna della loggia, ca. 1466-1467 Oil on Panel. Collection of the Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy

SHARK! A multimedia spectacular of these incredible creatures of the sea as depicted by artists Guy Harvey, John Singleton Copley and others. May 13, 2012 through November 4, 2012 Guy Harvey Dive with Shark

The Museum is home to AutoNation Academy of Art & Design, Books & Books and Museum Café. Hours: Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11am-6 pm with extended hours on Thursdays until 8 p.m. Sundays 12-5 p.m. Closed Mondays.

One East Las Olas Blvd. at Andrews Avenue

954-262-0221

www.moafl.org

HERE TO SERVE

Welcome to Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa Experience the luxurious accommodations, exciting amenities and world-class service for which this resort is known. There’s a reason why many guests have joined The Club at Harbor Beach so they can return time after time. What makes Harbor Beach so special? “Our associates,” says Resident Manager Manny Rappenecker. “Our 770 associates know their jobs inside and out — and they still have fun doing it. They enjoy coming to work every day and creating memories for guests while they’re here.”

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Perhaps that’s why the associates have received numerous Spirit to Serve awards that exemplify the utmost of service and attention that Marriott expects and demands. The beach is another asset that makes Harbor Beach special. Unlike other resorts, Harbor Beach sits on a quarter mile of private beach. You can laze on the beach, dine on the beach, exercise on the beach or get married on the beach — and it’s all just a few steps from your guest room. Enjoy your stay here at Harbor Beach. And welcome to the Harbor Beach family.

TROPICAL GEM

The Spirit to Serve is backed by the rich resources of Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is unique. It’s a tropical oasis in the heart of beautiful Fort Lauderdale. It boasts the largest private beach in the area and offers a plethora of daily activities to keep kids — and adults — as busy as they’d like to be.

The Pool and Sports The 8,000-square-foot tropical lagoon pool is the perfect setting for family fun. Be as active or lazy as you’d like: it’s your vacation. Try a relaxing soak in the whirlpools, a romantic night swim or some earlymorning laps. There are tennis and basketball courts on site and world-class golf, boating and fishing just minutes away. See page

training and invigorating classes like Zumba. See page

other Marriotts and hundreds of private clubs. See page

The Surf Club

The Gatherings

Kids have a place to call their own at Harbor Beach. The Surf Club offers exciting activities and hands-on educational programs. Plus, there’s a surf simulator and every computer game imaginable. See page

With a ballroom and terrace overlooking the ocean, plus numerous other gathering spots of varying sizes, Harbor Beach is the perfect setting to create memorable weddings, reunions, meetings or conventions. Certified event and wedding planners can help. See page

The Beach

The Dining

Harbor Beach sits on the largest private beach in Fort Lauderdale — some 16 acres of sand to enjoy. At a quarter mile long and 75 feet deep, there’s plenty of beach to explore and make your own. It’s big enough for beach umbrellas and cabinettes, catamarans and wave runners. And sand castles, of course. See page

Whether it’s an oceanfront lunch — complete with tropical breezes — or an elegant candlelit dinner, the restaurants at Harbor Beach offer flavors and experiences to suit any taste — and experiences to remember. From the bountiful breakfast buffet at Riva to sunset drinks at Sea Level Restaurant & Ocean Bar to a candlelit oceanfront evening at 3030 Ocean Restaurant & Bar, you’ll find it all here at Harbor Beach. See page

The Spa at Harbor Beach and the Fitness Center A tranquil oasis within an oasis, The Spa at Harbor Beach offers rejuvenating treatments performed by a dedicated and experienced staff — the perfect combination for renewing your body, mind and spirit. The ocean-view Fitness Center offers the latest in cardio equipment and weights as well as personal

Harbor Beach’s assets include a world-class spa, acclaimed dining opportunities, retail outlets so distinctive that guests from other hotels come to shop and the perfect backdrop for any event, business or personal. Here are just a few of the assets that set us apart.

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The Club Many guests find that one visit to Harbor Beach is simply not enough. Club members enjoy access to all the amenities of the Resort, plus special events and valuable discounts. Plus, members receive privileges at

The Associates Face to face or behind the scenes, the 770 talented and experienced associates at Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa exemplify the Spirit to Serve. Their goal is to ensure that every guest has a first-rate experience. See page

The City Who doesn’t love Fort Lauderdale? It’s a vibrant beachfront city filled with megayachts, outdoor dining, world-class shopping, natural wonders, cultural arts, exciting sports and, of course, the worldfamous beach. Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding areas offer a wide menu of entertainment. See pages throughe

HOW TO REACH US Concierge Desk 954-766-6184 (internal extension 51)

Sea Level Restaurant & Ocean Bar 954-765-3041 (internal extension 3041)

Recreation Department (pool and beach activities) 954-765-3029 (internal extension 6735)

Starbucks 954-765-3040 (internal extension 3040)

Aloha Watersports (for water rentals) 954-462-7245

In-room Dining and Ice Cream Internal extension 53

Surf Club 954-765-3029 (internal extension 6735)

The Spa at Harbor Beach 954-765-3032 (internal extension 3032)

Tennis 954-263-8306 (internal extension 4798) Recreation/Group Activities 954-765-3141 The Club at Harbor Beach 954-765-3021 (internal extension 3021) Dining Reservations Concierge extension 51

Spa Salon Featuring Sullo 954-766-6102 (internal extension 6102) Conventions and Celebrations 954-766-6133 (internal extension 6133) Business Center 954-766-6190 (internal extension 6190)

3030 Ocean 954-765-3030 (extension 3030)

HARBOR BEACH Magazine

TURN ON THE FUN

Private beach, pool, water sports, tennis – nearly all types of recreation are here Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is the perfect tropical oasis. Not only does it offer guests a palm-lined private beach, world-class dining and a lushly landscaped lagoon pool — complete with waterfalls — it also offers nearly any type of recreation, right on-site. “We are a hidden gem,” says Steven Woytko, director of recreation at Harbor Beach. “We have a private beach and all of our amenities

right there. Guests just come out of their room, grab a towel and they’re on the beach. It’s perfect.” Looking for a game of tennis? Harbor Beach has four courts, with your choice of surface. How about an indulgent spa visit? The Spa at Harbor Beach is just steps from your room. Basketball? Banana boat ride? Snorkeling? It’s all right here. And nearly everything else — boating,

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fishing, world-class golf, scuba diving and even gambling — are just minutes away. Kids will find tons of activities to keep them busy. Or they can meet new friends in the Surf Club, their own activity center. Whatever type of fun you seek — whether it’s high-energy sports or just lazing around in a hammock — Harbor Beach has a program or place for you. For more information about recreational activities, visit the poolside Towel Booth or call 954-765-3029 (internal extension 6735).

Pool pursuits Grab a chaise lounge and relax out at the 8,000-square-foot tropical lagoon pool. Go for a dip or unwind in the whirlpools. Or maybe you’ll 16

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just prefer to delight in the ambience of the cascading waterfalls and lush tropical foliage. Want a bite to eat? Not to worry — you don’t even have to leave your chair. Just raise your flag, and a server from Sea Level Restaurant & Ocean Bar will appear to satisfy your appetite for a snack or yen for a cool drink. If you’re looking for a bit more privacy, or some shade, reserve a cozy poolside bungalow. Each bungalow has a double lounge bed, two lounge chairs, two upright chairs, end tables and a 32-inch flat-screen television. Our Pool Ambassador will check in with you to ensure that your every need is satisfied. Need extra towels or an umbrella moved to block the sun? He’s the guy to ask. It’s like having your own private pool concierge.

Beach business If you prefer the feel of the warm sand between your toes, hit our private beach, the largest in Fort Lauderdale. Everything you need to enjoy the sun — from beach mats to umbrellas to cabinettes — is available. You can even check out complimentary volleyballs, soccer balls, footballs, Frisbees and other recreation equipment from the Towel Booth. Just be careful to avoid the turtle nests from March through October. They’re clearly marked with yellow tape. Interested in a little more action? Our beach sports vendor, Aloha Watersports, rents catamarans, kayaks, paddleboards, surfboards, boogie boards and wave runners. You can take surf and paddleboard lessons, go for a banana boat ride or try parasailing over the beautiful

Fort Lauderdale coastline. Snorkeling equipment is available for rental for those interested in exploring the underwater life residing just offshore. To make advance reservations, or for more information on rentals, call Aloha Watersports at 954-462-7245 (internal extension 6705) or visit www.alohawatersports.com.

Tennis, anyone? With two clay and two hard-surface courts, as well as a full slate of lessons, clinics, round robins and kids camps, there’s something for every tennis aficionado at Harbor Beach. The tennis program is under the direction of Eddie Sposa, a USPTA professional who has over 30 years of teaching experience. He offers private lessons, HARBOR BEACH Magazine

cardio tennis classes and even a Fit-Tennis Boot Camp, which combines tennis drills with circuit training. The pro shop is available for racquet stringing, demo/loaner racquets and tennis accessories, including grips, headbands, wristbands, hats and visors. Call Sposa at 954-263-8306 (internal extension 6735).

The staff can even build bonfires or paint corporate logos or special messages on the beach with biodegradable milk paint. Those messages are viewable from oceanfront guest rooms. For more information on planning a group activity, contact the Recreation Sales coordinator at 954-765-3141.

Group activities

Golf, scuba, fishing and boating

The recreation staff excels at group outings, whether you’re here on business or pleasure. Activities can be planned for groups from 10 to 300 people. Popular activities include Beach Olympics and Survivortype events in which guests break into teams and compete against each other for points. “We arrange a lot of wacky games that are really fun and engaging,” Woytko says. “And we can pair the events with a barbecue, either before or after.” Smaller groups can compete in boat-building or shelter-building events. And for a casual day at the beach, the recreation staff can arrange leisure games that guests can play on their own, such as coconut bowling, bocce, horseshoes or volleyball.

The best of South Florida recreation is available just a few minutes away from Harbor Beach. Championship golf courses are a short drive away, and guests of the Harbor Beach Marriott enjoy guest-playing privileges. South Florida is also known for its boating, fishing and scuba diving. Contact the Concierge at 954-766-6184 (internal extension 51) for more information or reservations for any of these pursuits. The Concierge can also be reached at harborbeach.concierge@marriott.com.

HARBOR BEACH Magazine

SEA OF TRANQUILITY

The Spa at Marriott’s Harbor Beach revitalizes body and mind The minute you turn the corner and enter the lobby of The Spa at Marriott’s Harbor Beach, you can feel yourself start to relax. Maybe it’s the cool soft hues of blue in the lobby or the gentle ripples of water cascading down the walls, reminding you of the ocean just steps away. Perhaps it’s from the welcoming tones of the associates who greet you and the knowledge that you’re in good hands — literally — and soon will have the tension kneaded, scrubbed or wrapped out of your body.

“This is a very tranquil environment,” says Spa Manager Deborah Pollman. “It’s an oasis to take a break from the everyday and decompress — to disconnect and get back to yourself.” The Spa menu includes some new treatments that Pollman introduced recently as well as old favorites that are popular among the guests, many of whom come back time after time. Whether you want to make a day of it or just get a quick 25-minute refresher, there is something at The Spa to please every taste.

HARBOR BEACH Magazine

TRANQUILITY BOUTIQUE Hoping to make your spa experience last as long as possible? Now you can relive your visit to The Spa at Harbor Beach — every day — through the scents and soothing sensations of the spa products used by your therapist. Tranquility Boutique, located right off The Spa, allows you to take your nurturing spa experience home. Here, you’ll find products from Decléor, Kerstin Floridan, MD Skincare and Éminence, as well as our Spa Signature line of products, created exclusively for The Spa, which combine rich botanical extracts, essential oils, vitamins and nutrient-rich sea kelp. Whether you’re looking for a skin-care product that moisturizes, brightens or addresses the effects of aging, the Tranquility staff will guide you to the product that’s perfect for you. The shop also offers soy wax candles in The Spa’s signature Sage Pine scent, as well as workout and sportswear clothing lines by Calvin Klein Performance, Royal Plush and Life is Good. Inspirational jewelry and luxurious spa robes and slippers also are available. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. 954-525-4000, extension 6529

One of the newly introduced treatments is the Harbor Beach Signature Tropical Tiki Bliss, in which therapists use heated bamboo sticks of varying lengths and sizes to glide and roll over muscles, providing a therapeutic and luxurious massage. Benefits of this 80-minute service include an extreme sense of relaxation and well-being, reduced tension and anxiety, stimulation of the lymph system to rid the body of harmful toxins, and of course, revitalization of the body and mind. The Coco-Luscious Organic Body Wrap — just the name sounds delicious — is another new treatment. It includes an exfoliating coconut sugar scrub and detoxifying mango enzyme body wrap, followed by an application of citron age-defying soufflé to tone, hydrate and visibly lift skin. Facials, reiki, couples massages, manicures and spa pedicures are also available, as are packages and special services for gentlemen and expectant mothers. Beach massages are available as well. The Spa also offers makeup application for every occasion, including weddings and holiday celebrations. Body composition analysis, computerized fitness assessments and personal training sessions aid in the design of individualized nutrition and exercise programs. Spa guests have access to the Fitness Center and a host of classes offered there, including Zumba, spinning and kickboxing. The Spa features 17 treatment rooms and separate facilities for women and men, with steam rooms, saunas, whirlpools and spa amenities. Relaxation areas include comfortable furnishings, and the men’s area offers a large-screen television. Guests may also extend their Spa experience by enjoying a soothing swim in the private Spa pool, 20

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which features saline purification and an underwater music system. “The staff here consists of true professionals,” Pollman says. “From the spa desk to the locker room to the therapists, they know how to take care of guests from start to finish.” The Spa at Marriott’s Harbor Beach is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The minimum age for guests is 16 for facials and access to The Spa and Fitness Center or 18 for massage and body treatments. Reservations are strongly recommended. 954-765-3032 (internal extension 3032). Spa Salon featuring Sullo offers hair cutting and styling, coloring, perms and conditioning treatments. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. 954-766-6102 (internal extension 6102).

Fitness with a View The Spa at Harbor Beach features a fully equipped Fitness Center and Movement Studio, complete with classes and personal instruction. Enjoy your workout on state-of-the-art Life Fitness equipment, including cardio machines with individual TV screens — or gaze at the Atlantic. A full slate of classes is offered, from spinning to kickboxing to salsa dancing. Full access to the Spa facilities, including the private pool and other amenities, is included with purchase of a Spa service. Additionally, resort guests may purchase a Spa Access pass for the day. The Fitness Center is open 24 hours a day and is accessible to guests via their room key.

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CHILD’S PLAY

Kids (and their families) have plenty to do at Harbor Beach Harbor Beach has a plethora of activities and programs to keep adults happy. There’s The Spa at Marriott’s Harbor Beach, fine dining, water sports – or maybe just a hammock is calling your name. But there’s plenty to keep kids and active families busy as well. After all, Harbor Beach was built for fun. Many kids make Surf Club their home base while visiting Harbor Beach. Launched in 2010, Surf Club is a free supervised activity center

for kids 5 through 12. Kids can come and go as they please and select the activities in which they’d like to participate. Surf Club features a Hawaiian Surf Simulator, custom built for Harbor Beach, allowing children to surf the waves. For those in need of more practice, a simulated hotel associate will pop up on the video game to suggest surfing lessons.

Surf Club is packed with activities for kids, including a surﬁng simulator HARBOR BEACH Magazine

Surf Club also features a media room with four Apple computers, two Xbox 360s and two televisions. Kids can enjoy arts and crafts, games, puzzles and more. There’s even a theater room with a 65-inch television and stadium seating. “We’ve got just about every puzzle, toy, game or manipulative that you could think of to encourage imaginative play and keep kids occupied,” says Steven Woytko, director of recreation. “It’s a great chance for them to meet each other.” Outdoors, there’s the Splash Pad, with alternating fountains. Surf Club also offers theme days. And Beach Ranger Rob stops by often to lead nature hikes and turtle talks. Kids can even borrow underwater digital cameras and use their photos to make personalized souvenirs, such as puzzles, mousepads and mugs. With an ever-changing slate of activities, children — and families — are bound to stay busy, have fun and create lasting memories. Among the activities offered at Harbor Beach are Potato Sack Races, Tie-Dye Time, Bingo, Egg Toss, Limbo Contests, Bead Fun and much more. Fees may apply to certain activities that require materials.

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Dive-in movies are another popular offering at Harbor Beach. These movies out at the pool are offered on weekend nights and holidays. They’re fun for the whole family. “Every week we change up our activity calendar,” Woytko says. “We have things that go on every hour for kids and families. It’s a mixture of free and paid activities. And everything is fun.” Three outside vendors offer services at Harbor Beach as well. There’s a hair braider, an artist who does henna tattoos and caricatures and a new vendor called Sandbox Creations. Located right on the beach every Saturday and Sunday, Sandbox Creations features molds in which kids (or adults!) put shells, sea glass, wire or other decorations. The mold is then filled with sand and plaster. After it dries, it looks like sandstone. “It’s their own custom piece of artwork that they can take home with them,” Woytko says. “So everybody can take a little piece of the beach home.” For more information about recreational activities for the family, visit the poolside Towel Booth or call 954-765-3029 (internal extension 6735).

WAT E R F R O N T D I N I N G & PAT I O B A R

FORT LAUDERDALE | EST. 1989

H A PPY H O U R ever yday 4pm-8pm FRESH SE AFOO D GRE AT D R I N KS SU N DAY B RU N CH 11A M - 3PM

954.525.7400 1555 SE 17th Street

| |

scan with your smartphone for menus, specials, directions and more.

www.biminiboatyard.com Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316

TO YOUR HEART’S CONTENT Wine and dine without ever leaving Harbor Beach

Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is home to several of South Florida’s most acclaimed restaurants. Whether you’re in the mood for chilled Maine lobster, grilled beef tenderloin or something simpler — like a bacon cheeseburger — there’s no need to leave the Resort to sate your appetite. “We have a little bit of something for everyone, and some great dining experiences,” says Patrick Manley, director of food and beverage at Harbor Beach. “We’re very fortunate that we have so much culinary

talent here. It’s the people and their creativity that make dining at this hotel so special.”

3030 Ocean This unique oceanfront restaurant offers the perfect ambience for business or pleasure. Launched over a decade ago by Chef Dean James Max, whose signature Modern American seafood has earned him a reputation as one of our region’s most innovative chefs, 3030

3030 Ocean's Raw Bar serves up the freshest offerings. HARBOR BEACH Magazine

Mussel Bucket with Garlic-Lemon Broth

Ocean is a chic, candlelit dinner bistro that serves stylish American cuisine, with an emphasis on fresh local seafood. “The restaurant works closely with small fish farmers in the area so that the product is as fresh as can possibly be,” Manley says. Savor some of the chef’s succulent specialties, such as Crispy Tuna Tempura, Salt Block Seared Wahoo, Grilled Octopus or White Water Clams B.B.L.T. Or, if you’re willing to be a bit daring, opt for the Chef’s Surprise Tasting Menu, which offers the table three courses, paired with wines, if desired. 3030 Ocean serves dinner daily from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations are recommended. 954-765-3030 (internal extension 3030), www.3030Ocean.com. 28

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The Bar at 3030 Ocean The 3030 Bar is the perfect spot to meet friends, family or business associates. It offers a full slate of cocktails, wine and other drinks as well as a light bite to eat. Happy hour takes place every evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with daily specials on all house wines, domestic beers and well drinks. The Bar at 3030 is open daily from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. The Raw Bar, which features fresh oysters, shrimp, stone crabs and a signature Coconut Ceviche, opens at 6 p.m.

Sea Level Restaurant and Ocean Bar What better way to experience South Florida than to enjoy a meal right on the beach? At this oceanfront hotspot, every seat — indoors, or out

on the casual deck — enjoys an expansive view of the ocean. Open for lunch and dinner, Sea Level’s menu features Harris Ranch Natural Black Angus Beef, Tanglewood Farms All-Natural Chicken and the freshest sustainable fish available. Daily specials are listed on the wall-mounted blackboard, while regular menu items are featured on the unique oversized light-up menus. Signature items on the menu, which was developed under the experienced eye of Chef Jason Connelly, include Prince Edward Island Mussels in a lemongrass broth, served with grilled baguettes; Thai Spiced Wings in a sweet Thai chili sauce; and a deliciously refreshing Jumbo Lump Crab and Arugula Salad. A variety of sandwiches, steaks, salads and burgers are available as well.

“We really encourage the chefs to flex their culinary muscles at Sea Level,” Manley says. “Our blackboard menu allows them to experiment and play with new items — maybe some things that they can only get seasonally or in small quantities. So we’ll utilize the blackboard, and they do some terrific items and really have fun with it.” Sea Level also offers grab-and-go selections that include fruit, salads, burgers, sandwiches and soft-serve yogurt. The open-air bar is a place to relax in a casual setting or to enjoy a light bite while taking a break from working on your tan at the lagoon pool or beach. The menu includes a variety of innovative mojitos, margaritas, piña coladas and daiquiris, plus Florida craft brews, imported beers, wines and non-alcoholic drinks. Happy hour

Sea Level Restaurant HARBOR BEACH Magazine

Sea Level Restaurant's deck presents sea-breeze dining.

Sea Level's dining room offers panoramic views. is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily, and there are drink specials as well. Sea Level is open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily. During peak periods, it’s open for breakfast as well, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. 954-765-3041 (internal extension 3041), www.sealevelharborbeach.com.

Riva Located just off the lobby — and overlooking the sparkling Atlantic Ocean — Riva offers memorable meals that will satisfy nearly every taste. Start your day off with a hearty breakfast — or enjoy the expansive breakfast buffet. Lunch and dinner choices are extensive. Don’t miss the succulent Marriott burger, served with cheddar cheese and crisp bacon. Breakfast specialties focus on eggs made to order as well as dishes that take advantage of the fresh seafood available in South Florida, such as Florida Eggs Benedict with Crab. Opens at 6:30 a.m. for breakfast and lunch. Dinner hours vary and are subject to change. Riva’s award-winning Sunday Brunch is from noon to 3 p.m. 954-765-3100 (internal extension 3100).

Starbucks Stop at Starbucks for a morning cup of coffee to accompany your muffin, a refreshing iced coffee to enjoy in the afternoon or a relaxing cappuccino at the end of the day. Your favorite drinks are just steps away at our very own Starbucks, located in the lobby. Open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. 954-765-3040 (internal extension 3040). 30

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Beach Bar The quintessential South Florida experience, Beach Bar is a tiki bar located right on the sand. It’s a great hangout spot for guests and members of The Club at Harbor Beach. Beach Bar serves up handmade tropical cocktails, a full bar menu and special events right on the beach. Enjoy Happy Hour every day from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Beach Bar opens daily at noon during high occupancy periods.

In-Room Dining and Ice Cream If you prefer not to leave the comfort of your luxurious pillow-clad Revive bedding, then just order in — any time of day. With in-room dining, you can enjoy anything from a light breakfast to a gourmet dinner with wine 24 hours a day. And if you don’t see what you like on the room service menu, just ask for it. “I’m a firm believer that if folks want steak for breakfast and eggs for dinner, then we should meet those expectations,” Manley says. “We have it in house, so there’s no reason why we can’t deliver.” In the mood for some dessert? The Living Room Ice Creamery will roll right up to your door, scoop you a sundae and garnish it with the toppings of your choice. For in-room dining or ice cream, dial extension 53.

PHOTO: GINNY DIXON

TOP CHEF

John Leslie brings over 30 years of restaurant industry experience to his role as Executive Chef at Harbor Beach Marriott. He’s had a hands-on role in many aspects of the business, from grilling steaks to bartending, bussing tables, menu planning, marketing, management and even serving as pastry chef to 1,500 sailors on the USS Canopus, a submarine tender that served the Atlantic Fleet in the mid-1980s. “I’ve been in the industry since I was 15 years old,” Chef John says. “I started out cooking steaks for 1,000 people a day.” Chef John was surrounded by cooks growing up. “My mom’s a phenomenal cook. She always makes all her own candies for the holidays,” he says. “And my dad was always in the kitchen.” Chef John, a graduate of Johnson & Wales University, has worked for many prestigious hotels and restaurants, such as the Hickory Ridge Marriott Conference Hotel in Lisle, IL., the Chicago Marriott O’Hare and Landry’s Seafood. While working at the corporate level for Marriott, he participated in opening the culinary operations - providing training and support to all food and beverage departments - for resorts such

as the JW Marriott San Antonio, JW Marriott Marquis Miami and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Now Chef John oversees all the food and beverage operations at Harbor Beach. Since Chef John joined the staff at Harbor Beach in July 2011, his influence on the menus is just starting to be felt. “In the future, you’ll probably see some Caribbean or Pan-Asian influences,” he says. “Or maybe some Tex-Mex or Gulf Coast cuisine.” Chef John is also influencing the way the kitchen operates, as he adds more “green” and sustainability initiatives. “We recycle and manage power, water and gas,” he says. “We recently built an herb and vegetable garden that runs off drip irrigation and timers to reduce wastewater — and we now use a lot of fresh herbs in our outlets, like mint for the mojitos at the bar.” Much of the new banquet furniture and equipment that Chef John has ordered is made from bamboo, a sustainable wood. He also shops locally, within 300 miles of the hotel, and won’t bring any fish onto the property that’s not sustainable or local. The recipient of numerous awards, Chef John prides himself on his ability to reduce food costs while increasing quality, develop new menus from scratch and increase revenues from food and beverage operations. On a personal note, he considers seafood to be his specialty and eats “healthy and organic” all the time. His favorite meal: a simple green salad and a seared piece of salmon. HARBOR BEACH Magazine

RECIPES

(provided by Chef John Leslie)

Salmon Eggs Benedict Ingredients: 2 oz. smoked salmon 4 oz. roasted potato and caramelized shallots 2 poached eggs 2 oz. hollandaise sauce 1 oz. white vinegar Fresh dill to garnish Procedure: In a hot pot, add water and 1 oz. white vinegar and bring to a light simmer. Crack two eggs and place carefully into the water. Cook eggs until soft in the middle, approximately six minutes. Fry potatoes in deep fryer until golden brown. When potatoes are done, mix them with shallots. To serve, place potato mixture on plate. Place smoked salmon over the potatoes and top with the poached eggs. Drizzle hollandaise around as shown. Garnish with fresh dill.

Mango Basil Peppercorn Vinaigrette (for salads) Ingredients: 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard 5 tablespoons chopped garlic 5 tablespoons chopped shallots

2 cups rice vinegar 1 cup chopped fresh basil 1 quart mango purée 2 teaspoons kosher salt 3 tablespoons cracked black pepper 2 tablespoons sugar 1 quart blended olive oil/vegetable oil Combine all ingredients except oil. Mix well with a handheld blender. Slowly emulsify oil into mixture. Cover, label, date and refrigerate for up to seven days.

Banango BBQ Sauce

(for wings, ribs, grilled seafood, etc.) Ingredients: ¼ cup rice vinegar ¼ cup chopped fresh thyme 3 overripe bananas ¼ cup chopped garlic 1 quart mango purée 2 cups Thai sweet chili sauce (Mae Ploy brand is the best) 1 tablespoon corn starch Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan. Mix with a handheld blender for two minutes, and heat to a rolling boil. Remove from heat and transfer to a container. Cool to below 40 degrees as quickly as possible. Cover, label, date and refrigerate up to five days.

Salmon Eggs Benedict

PHOTO: GINNY DIXON

HARBOR BEACH Magazine

PHOTO: GINNY DIXON

Banango BBQ Chicken

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Tipsy Turtle Cocktail We are proud to introduce you to the amazing Harbor Beach Tipsy Turtle. This potent drink conjures up the crystal blue waters of the Atlantic. The sugar rim evokes the sand of Fort Lauderdaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest private beach. This drink honors the baby sea turtle, who is born here and heads out to sea via our beach. Ingredients: 1 oz. Smirnoff Blueberry vodka 1 oz. Parrot Bay Key Lime rum 1.5 oz. Blue CuraĂ§ao 4 oz. pineapple juice Key lime sugar for rim Gummy candy turtle for garnish Dip rim of a 20-oz. glass into lime juice and then Key lime sugar. Fill the glass with ice. Add liquid ingredients to shaker filled with ice and shake 20 times. Strain the liquid ingredients into the sugar-rimmed glass. Garnish with gummy turtle.

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THE DOWNTOWNER SALOON WATERFRONT DINING ON THE NEW RIVER

HAPPY HOUR 4-7PM MON-FRI 1/2 PRICE DRINKS

LIVE BLUES SAT. 8:30PM

A Fort Lauderdale Landmark for over eighteen years!

Make It Your Destination Today. Located on the south side of the New RIver, behind the Courthouse. www.downtownersaloon.com 954.463.9800 | 10 South New River Drive East HARBOR BEACH Magazine

GREENER PASTURES

Harbor Beach is committed to sustainability Every year, the Resort recycles nine tons of copy paper, 54 As a corporation, Marriott International is committed to sustainability. In fact, with more than 3,600 hotels around the tons of cardboard and 12 tons of newspaper, as well as water from washing machines in the laundry. world, Marriott views sustainability as a critical responsibility. “Our recycling efforts are something to be proud of,” Whelan says. The associates at Harbor Beach devote substantial time and energy to recycling and other green initiatives. With a beautiful “It takes an effort by everybody.” Indeed, to encourage all 770 associates to recycle, Harbor Beach shoreline — and endangered sea turtles who return each year to lay eggs on the Resort’s beach — these associates understand has created a “Green Team” comprised of representatives of each the critical importance of conservation initiatives to preserve department of the hotel, including accounting, stewarding, the our natural assets and to help address some of the world’s most kitchen, laundry and housekeeping. “It’s about making sure that everyone who has a desk and computer also has a box underneath pressing environmental issues. “Our environment needs saving, and it’s the ethical thing to do,” their desk and that every piece of copy paper they don’t need goes says Dan Whelan, Harbor Beach’s director of engineering. “But it’s into that recycling box,” Whelan says. “Everybody wants to feel good about recycling, so everybody is proactive about participating.” also smart business.”

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To encourage guests to participate as well, all guest rooms have signs that read, “In room linen replacement by request.” After all, every time a guest reuses towels, the Resort saves water. Under Whelan’s stewardship, Harbor Beach has reduced its annual water usage by 40 million gallons a year. “That’s a big number,” he adds. Harbor Beach also has an on-site cistern to catch water that drains off the expansive outdoor terrace. The cistern holds 2,500 gallons of water, which is then used for the air-conditioning system. Over 100,000 gallons are recycled this way each year. The Resort also uses green products, including cleaning chemicals, and recycled bathroom tissue and copy paper. There is an energymanagement system on-site that controls the central plant for the airconditioning system and other operations. And one of Whelan’s green initiatives has been the installation of motion sensors in the sales and engineering offices so lights go out when people do. On a corporate level, Marriott’s Spirit to Preserve goals include: • Further reducing energy and water consumption by 25 percent per available room by 2017. • Expanding green hotel development tenfold in five years. • Greening the corporation’s multi-billion dollar supply chain. • Educating and inspiring associates and guests to support the environment. • Addressing environmental challenges through innovative conservation initiatives, such as rainforest protection and water consideration. Marriott already has reduced its energy consumption by 11 percent, greenhouse gas emissions by 10.7 percent and water consumption by 38

HARBOR BEACH Magazine

8.2 percent per available room in the past two years. That’s one reason why the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has honored Marriott with its Sustained Excellence Award for three consecutive years and has awarded the Energy Star label to approximately 320 Marriott hotels. Helping the Hatchlings Year after year, sea turtles come ashore at Harbor Beach to lay their eggs in the sand. Most females return faithfully to nest on the beach where they were born, so these turtles have a lifelong connection to our beautiful shoreline. During turtle season, a female sea turtle will crawl out of the ocean under cover of night and scoop out a hole with her flippers. She then lays 80 to 120 soft, leathery eggs in the hole and pushes sand over them with her rear flippers. After the nest is covered, the turtle makes her way back to the sea. Once a female sea turtle leaves her nest, she never returns to tend it. Incubation takes about 60 days — and then the hatchlings emerge and scurry to find their way to the ocean. Harbor Beach works diligently to help preserve — and conserve — these endangered turtles. All exterior lights that face the ocean are equipped with shades so the beach remains dark during nesting season, making it easier for hatchlings to find their way to the sea. Associates try to avoid using heavy machinery to clean the beach, relying instead on manual cleaning. That way, they avoid disturbing the nests, which are marked with yellow tape. To educate guests about the importance of preserving these ancient reptiles, the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale conducts “turtle walks” on the beach to scout for nesting females and offers complimentary turtle talks during the summer. The Resort’s Beach Ranger Rob talks to kids about the turtles, shows them the nests and teaches them what they can do to help protect the animals.

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THE PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERSHIP Now that you’ve spent some time at Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, don’t you want to come back? Often? It usually takes just one visit for guests to realize that Harbor Beach Marriott is a unique destination — an oceanfront paradise offering every possible amenity to enjoy: the beach, spa, world-class dining, shopping and, ahh, the tropical breezes. For many guests, one visit is simply not enough. And for those guests, The Club at Harbor Beach is the perfect way to extend your Harbor Beach Marriott experience and enjoy all that the resort has to offer — 24/7. “Membership is like you’re on your vacation, but it’s year-round,” says Pam Cook, director of membership sales. “You get full use of our resort, which is an amazing place.” Looking for a private escape, a bit of pampering at the spa or a perfect venue for some quality time with the family? You can find it all right here. Plus, there are exclusive private events for members, Cook says — such as an Oktoberfest, complete with German feast; or wine tastings. Holidays present special opportunities to spoil members. Whether it’s a three-legged race for Father’s Day, a Fourth of July pirate treasure hunt or a live animal show on Labor Day, there’s something for every member of the family. Children from 5 to 12 have access to the Surf Club, which features a surf simulator, computers, outdoor Splash Pad and plenty of planned activities. Members receive generous discounts for a variety of services and activities at Harbor Beach Marriott, including preferred pricing on spa and salon services, resort dining outlets, retail shops and stays at selected Marriott hotels and resorts. Aloha Watersports, the supplier of water sports such as parasailing, paddle boarding and many other beach and water activities, also offers preferred pricing to Club members. The Club also offers members reciprocal privileges at other hotels in Florida, including Marriott’s Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach, Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort and the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes. In addition, members are enrolled in ClubCorp, which entitles them to privileges and special offers at over 150 golf and country clubs worldwide. Perhaps the best reason for membership, however, is the opportunity to become part of the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa family. “Everyone uses the Club a little bit differently,” Cook says. “We have families that enjoy the pool and beach, adults who want a workout at our amazing fitness center that overlooks the ocean and other members who hold business meetings here. We’ve seen kids grow up here, as members return year after year. The Club is truly a way to make lifelong friendships.” To learn more about the benefits of becoming a member of The Club at Harbor Beach, call 954-765-3021 (internal extension 3021).

HARBOR BEACH Magazine

Membership Privileges and Benefits Include Access to the private beach, with complimentary cabinettes, umbrellas and chaise lounges Preferred access to The Spa at Harbor Beach, including discounts on treatments and salon services Access to cardiovascular fitness center and weight room, including daily fitness classes such as spinning, yoga and water aerobics Access to the 8,000-square-foot tropical lagoon swimming pool and adults-only spa pool Activities and programs for the entire family, including dive-in movies, arts and crafts, basketball, ping pong and beach volleyball Preferred member rates on private cabanas equipped with shower and lounge facilities and poolside bungalows equipped with flat-screen televisions Member preferred pricing on all food and beverage in resort restaurants Complimentary Surf Club for kids Complimentary valet and self parking and member’s only parking lot Member preferred pricing in all resort retail shops Complimentary tennis privileges, with preferred court reservations seven days in advance (space available basis); on-site tennis pro and equipment shop Special events and resort events at member preferred pricing Personal fitness trainers Complimentary lockers Reciprocal membership privileges at other Marriott resorts Guest rates at selected golf clubs Special member rates for catered/ private parties Preferred Harbor Beach room rate Preferred member rates at select Marriott hotels and resorts Members earn Marriott Rewards points for all spending at the rate of 10 points per dollar

CELEBRATE IN STYLE Harbor Beach is the perfect backdrop for any social gathering

MUNOZ PHOTOGRAPHY

Looking for the perfect spot to exchange your vows or celebrate one of life’s special occasions, such as a birthday, engagement, baby shower, Bar or Bat Mitzvah or quinceañera? Look no further. Whether your function is an intimate affair, a formal gathering — or anything in between — there’s no better venue than Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, one of The Knot magazine’s Best of Weddings Picks as a top reception site. One reason why the Resort is ranked so highly by real brides is the 10,000-square-foot Ocean Ballroom, a spectacular venue for a bridal reception — or any celebration. The Ballroom

features an 18-foot-tall window wall that makes the azure waters of the Atlantic part of the décor. The interior design also takes its cues from the ocean, with walnut-tone Bubinga veneers evoking the ripples and light reflecting on the waves, multicolor carpet resembling the currents and patterns of the ocean floor, and a ceiling that flows in wave shapes that are highlighted by clusters of soft geometric chandeliers that resemble a coral reef. Another reason why Harbor Beach is so popular among brides and grooms is, no doubt, the beach. “We are the largest oceanfront property in Fort Lauderdale,” says Deborah Colip, a senior catering

The 10,000-square-foot Ocean Ballroom offers a window on the sea. HARBOR BEACH Magazine

sales executive, who along with her colleague Delette Matheus handles celebrants’ every need. Harbor Beach specializes in destination weddings. “A lot of our clients have dreamed from the time they were little girls of getting married barefoot on the beach,” Colip says. “We can do that.” Indeed, with 16 secluded tropical acres on a private beach, Harbor Beach can make any bride’s dreams come true. Whether you opt for an informal ceremony on the sand or an elegant celebration on the lushly landscaped oceanfront terrace, you and your guests will experience the utmost in personal service and attention to detail from an experienced and dedicated staff. Imagine a barbecue, complete with a bonfire on the beach, for your rehearsal dinner. Or an all-inclusive destination wedding where everything is planned for you — right down to the boutonnières — making your special day easy and stress-free. The experts at Harbor Beach even arranged an Indian wedding in which the groom rode a horse through the lobby. “We can handle it all,” Colip says. “Whether the party is for two or 200.” During downtime, celebration guests can relax and enjoy all that the Resort has to offer, including The Spa at Harbor Beach; three restaurants, including the acclaimed 3030 Ocean; on-site water sports; an 8,000-square-foot lagoon pool with waterfalls (perfect for those all-important photo ops!) and on-site tennis. When you host your wedding at Harbor Beach, you can relax and enjoy your special day, knowing that your certified event planner will handle every last detail, from table settings to floral arrangements, menus and even your farewells, ensuring that your event is picture perfect and filled with lasting memories. It’s just another way that Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa not only meets but exceeds your expectations. For information about celebrations, call 954-766-6188 (internal extension 6188) or visit www.weddings.harborbeachmarriott.com.

HARBOR BEACH Magazine

BUSINESS AS USUAL Harbor Beach Marriott offers a unique setting for any business gathering, whether it’s an executive retreat for 20 or a trade show for 2,000. After all, Harbor Beach boasts the largest private beach in Fort Lauderdale, offering business guests the opportunity to enjoy signature events right on the sand, such as bonfires, picnics and team-building activities. And it’s located just 10 minutes from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. With 100,000 square feet of combined indoor/outdoor meeting space — including 32 separate function areas — and a host of certified event planners, the staff at Harbor Beach can put together a distinctive event for any group, no matter what size. “Our event team is extraordinary,” says Jamie Jordan, director of group sales. Perhaps that’s why the resort has such a high number of repeat group customers. The 10,000-square-foot Ocean Ballroom, with its 18-foot window wall overlooking the Atlantic, makes a memorable backdrop for any corporate event, while the adjacent Oceanview Terrace extends the gathering space, allowing guests to congregate outdoors to enjoy the tropical breezes, fire pits and comfortable seating areas with views of the ocean. The resort features the latest in audio-visual technology, including a full line of projection, lighting, staging and audio equipment, as well as all other meeting essentials needed to deliver your message. Our on-site destination management company, Hello Florida, creates customized experiences for your attendees that fortify your meeting’s objectives. This corporate concierge service will greet your guests at the airport, provide transportation to Harbor Beach, plan dine-arounds for restaurants in the Fort Lauderdale area and arrange tours or other activities. Once at Harbor Beach, our event planners can assist with planning every detail, and our creative recreation staff can put together a team-building program that will achieve your group’s goals. Options include Beach Olympics, volleyball tournaments, problem-solving games and survivor-type challenges, to name just a few. And for unforgettable receptions, banquets, luncheons or awards dinners, the Harbor Beach culinary team offers menus that emphasize seasonal specialties and the use of local ingredients whenever possible. Our banquet chefs will design custom menus to suit any occasion. Of course, a full range of resort amenities are available for business guests as well. Whether it’s a luxurious treatment at The Spa at Harbor Beach, a delicious dinner at one of South Florida’s most acclaimed restaurants or world-class shopping, it’s all available at the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. “Harbor Beach is a very special place,” Jordan says. “”We want to create a memorable experience for each and every guest. I think it’s our service that sets us apart.” For convention and meeting information, call 954-766-6133 (internal extension6133).

ALL IN A DAYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WORK

All 770 associates at Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa are committed to providing guests with the utmost of service â&#x20AC;&#x201D; some in face-to-face interactions and others, behind the scenes. Many have spent years honing their skills by working at the Resort or for Marriott International. Here are just a few who make your stay their priority.

HARBOR BEACH Magazine

Orlando Arroyo

, Mini Bar Replenisher

Orlando Arroyo may be known to adult guests as the associate who replenishes the drinks and snacks in their guest room mini bars, but to kids he’s known by a far simpler name: Cookie Boy. “Every time I see a kid crying, I will give them an Oreo or a can of gummy bears,” Orlando says. “Anything just to make them happy.” It’s that love of people that first drew Arroyo to the hospitality industry. As a boy growing up in Puerto Rico, he originally planned to become a firefighter, police officer or flight attendant. “I love working with people,” he says. “I have to help and do everything I can to provide whatever they need. That’s just me.” Orlando says he loves everything about his job — his supervisor, co-workers and of course, the guests. He prides himself on always trying to exceed guest expectations. Whether it’s presenting a complimentary bottle of wine to a couple celebrating their anniversary or providing directions to a guest unfamiliar with Fort Lauderdale, Orlando always tries to go “a step beyond.” Perhaps that’s why he’s been named “Employee of the Month” on more than one occasion. In his downtime, Orlando enjoys watching movies — he owns over 1,000. His favorites: comedies and love stories. His own personal love story with Marriott began when he moved to Fort Lauderdale after the 9/11 tragedy. “I think I work for one of the best companies here in Fort Lauderdale,” he says. “I guess I’m stuck like glue to Mr. Marriott.”

HARBOR BEACH Magazine

Banquet Bartender

Mitch Stein knows his way around a Marriott hotel. After all, he’s been with the company for 20 years, the past 15 at Harbor Beach. Mitch, who has a degree in hotel and restaurant management from Pennsylvania State University, originally started his career at Marriott as an assistant manager and then department head. But he soon found his interests leading him in another direction. “When you’re a restaurant manager, you have to know how to do everything, and when I was helping out behind the bar, I really liked it,” Mitch says. “It’s just stuck with me ever since.” Now he bartends at group functions and also works for Sea Level a few days a week, driving a beach cruiser and serving cocktails to guests on the beach. “I enjoy bartending,” Mitch says. “There’s no stress, there’s no pressure, and I get to have lots of fun with people.” And no, his job isn’t like Tom Cruise’s gig in the movie Cocktail. “I don’t flip bottles,” Mitch says. “But I do tell bad jokes.” Mitch says he enjoys seeing the same guests year after year as they return for group functions. And they remember him as well. Perhaps they know him for his amazing memory, which allows him to recall what up to 100 people are drinking. “They just come up to the bar, and I have their drink ready and waiting for them,” he says. It’s that level of service that has earned Mitch the “Employee of the Month” title and several “Spirit to Serve” awards. But what many people don’t know about Mitch is that despite his extroverted enthusiasm at work, he actually considers himself to be a quiet person. He’s a cat aficionado (he has five) and in his spare time enjoys crossword puzzles and spending time with his wife. “I try to give people a good time when I’m at work,” he says. “But basically, I’m the opposite of that at home.”

PHOTOS: GINNY DIXON

Mitch Stein,

Claudia Lupo,

Audain Georges,

Human Resources Supervisor

Audain Georges always has been interested in education. As a boy growing up in Connecticut and Fort Lauderdale, he aspired to be a high school principal. So it’s no surprise that one of the things he likes best about his current job as a human resources representative is educating his fellow employees about their health insurance benefits or 401(k). Audain became part of the Harbor Beach family in 2008, after working as a front desk supervisor and housekeeping supervisor at other Marriott hotels in Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale. “I prefer working in human resources and dealing with the associates,” he says. “It allows me to work with them at a deeper level than I would have in housekeeping.” After the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010, Audain joined other Harbor Beach employees on a weeklong mission to visit orphanages and help victims. While there, he was reunited with his mom, whom he hadn’t seen since he left Haiti with his father 23 years before. “She was there to welcome us,” he says. “It was because of this company that I was able to have a wonderful reunion.” Audain’s mom has since left Haiti and is now living with him. Audain, who recently celebrated his one-year wedding anniversary, loves children — and particularly enjoys hanging around with his nephew, Kasey. He’s also attending Broward College and plans to graduate this year with a degree in finance. “I love this company,” Audain says. “It’s affected my life in so many different ways — far above and beyond what a regular employeremployee relationship would be.”

Senior Account Executive

Claudia Lupo is a competitor. She loves to play golf — “my husband will tell you I’m very competitive,” she says with a chuckle — and originally wanted to pursue a career in sports broadcasting. Perhaps it’s Claudia’s competitive spirit that makes her so good at her job as a senior account executive, booking large conferences for Harbor Beach Marriott since 2004. “I’ve won many awards, but I cherish one — the ‘Manager of the Quarter’ I won in 2009,” Claudia says. “It was a difficult award to get as a salesperson, so I was pretty emotional.” Originally from Massachusetts, Claudia moved to South Florida 28 years ago. She began her career in the food and beverage side of the hospitality industry but gradually moved into sales so she could have weekends off to spend with her husband and son, who recently graduated from medical school and is pursuing a specialty in pediatrics. Not surprisingly, Claudia’s favorite thing about her job is the thrill of the chase: attracting potential clients to Harbor Beach, closing the deal and establishing a long-lasting relationship with the client. “The best part of my job is getting people interested in coming to this world-class resort,” she says. “I’m very passionate about this property. It’s the best-kept secret.” Claudia, who was at a Marriott property in Miami, first experienced the Resort when she came to enjoy a day at The Spa at Harbor Beach. “I thought, gee, this is like being in the Caribbean,” she recalls. “And I never left.”

PHOTOS: GINNY DIXON HARBOR BEACH Magazine

PHOTOS: GINNY DIXON

Francette Augustin-Lee

, Housekeeping Manager

It was late in the evening when the guest, a Gold Elite member, checked into Harbor Beach, but Francette Augustin-Lee remembers it well. “He was horribly sick, and he had an early meeting,” she says. “I asked if there was anything I could do, but he said he was OK and he was just going to lie down.” Francette, who was then working at the front desk, thought she needed to do something. So she went into the kitchen and asked one of the chefs to make some chicken soup for the guest. She grabbed some orange juice and ginger ale and delivered it all to the guest’s room. “He said no one had ever done anything like that for him before,” she says. “You really made my day,” he later told Francette. That kind of devotion to duty is why she has won numerous Spirit to Serve awards. Now a housekeeping manager, Francette supervises 77 employees and is responsible for the cleanliness of all guest rooms. She adores her job, but it’s a far cry from her original goal to become a lawyer. In fact, some may call Francette an eternal student. She has an undergraduate degree in criminal justice, master’s degrees in both criminal justice and business and is currently working on her doctorate at Nova Southeastern University, also in business. Someday she hopes to become general manager of a resort like Harbor Beach. Even with a demanding job, school, a husband and three kids — all under six — Francette still has time for reading (her house is filled with books, and her eReader holds even more), singing and spending time with her family. She also enjoys playing basketball, football and video games with her kids. “I’m just a kid at heart,” she says.

Richard Amparo,

Front Desk Supervisor

It was only natural that Richard Amparo would find himself working in the hospitality industry. After all, his dad owned restaurants when he was growing up and now works for Marriott. Richard worked as a waiter and bartender while attending college at Florida Atlantic University and then joined Harbor Beach about two years ago. He was recently promoted from an Elite Ambassador, serving as a personal concierge for arriving VIP guests or Elite members, to Front Desk Supervisor, a role in which he will assume management duties as well. “I love interacting with people,” Richard says. “I think the reason I’ve been successful is because I love conversation. I love problemsolving. And that’s pretty much what I do — it’s interacting and creating relationships.” To say that Richard is good at his job is an understatement. He’s received 33 Spirit to Serve awards, an exceptional amount of recognition for someone who has been with the Resort for such a short time. “The award is for exceeding all expectations,” explains Richard, whose goal is to establish relationships with guests. He recalls the Platinum Elite member who was visiting Harbor Beach for the first time. He planned her entire visit and impressed her so much that she reached out to him later to plan a special anniversary celebration with her husband. Later, she wrote him a personal note in which she not only expressed her gratitude but also asked about his family. “It was like we were friends, rather than me just helping her out with a reservation,” Richard says. “It was really nice.” In his spare time, Richard enjoys spending time with his wife, Lindsey, and his toddler, Tristan. 46

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MAKING A CONNECTION

Follow Harbor Beach on Facebook, Twitter, online and on the go

Connect with us to keep up with the latest news about Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, as well as special events and promotions, through our ever-expanding social media network. Here’s how: a

Visit our website, www.MarriottHarborBeach.com, for special offers and packages.

Become a fan on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/ HarborBeachMarriott. You’ll always be among the first to know about special promotions and events, exciting news about the resort and everything else relating to Harbor Beach Marriott. Learn about our history, view resort photos, read up on our latest packages and even book a room — right on Facebook.

Follow us on Twitter, @HBMarriottFL, to get immediate updates on your smartphone or other mobile device. You can also keep up with Bill Marriott’s latest blog posts.

Download our free Marriott Mobile App, the perfect travel companion for any smartphone. Available for iPhone, BlackBerry and Android devices, the app allows you to book a room at any of Marriott’s 3,600+ hotels in 70 countries — anytime, anywhere. Browse hotel photos, amenities, city guides or maps. You can even enroll, access and earn points with your Marriott Rewards account.

Visit www.Marriott.com on any smartphone.

Join the Harbor Beach Marriott family today. We look forward to connecting with you!

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PRIVATE MOMENTS A time and a place for every pursuit at Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

PHOTOGRAPHY: MATEO GARCIA STYLIST: ELYSE RANART

Cotton-stretch trousers by Theory, $195, from Neiman Marcus, Boca Raton. Tunic by Beaded Goddess, $104, and bikini by Huit, $166.50, from Underwraps, Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale. HARBOR BEACH Magazine

HARBOR BEACH Magazine

Linen shirt byÂ Vilebrequin, $200, and Polo Ralph Lauren jeans, $125, from Neiman Marcus, Boca Raton. Silk dress by Etro, $1,195, from Neiman Marcus, Boca Raton. HARBOR BEACH Magazine

Swim trunks by Vilebrequin, $200, from Neiman Marcus, Boca Raton. Slacks byÂ Stella McCartney, $1,165, and cardigan, $995, from Neiman Marcus. 52

HARBOR BEACH Magazine

Poplin-stretch shirt by Prada, $420, and Polo Ralph Lauren jeans, $125, from Neiman Marcus, Boca Raton. Dress by Missoni, $1,280, from Neiman Marcus, Boca Raton. 54

HARBOR BEACH Magazine

Jeans by Polo Ralph Lauren, $125, from Neiman Marcus, Boca Raton. Limited Edition for Neiman Marcus dress by Roland Mouret, $1,690, from Neiman Marcus, Boca Raton. HARBOR BEACH Magazine

Shirt byÂ Etro, $385, and cottonstretch trousers by Theory, $195, from Neiman Marcus, Boca Raton. Jumpsuit byÂ Michael Kors, $2,495, from Neiman Marcus, Boca Raton.

On the cover: Tunic by Beaded Goddess, $104, and bikini by Huit, $166.50, from Underwraps, Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale. Models: Silvia Riberio & Bernardo Arriagada, both from Next Miami Hair & Makeup: Stefanie Osofsky, from Agency Gerard Artists Assistant Stylist: Marcia Ranart Shopping Guide Neiman Marcus: Town Center at Boca Raton, 5860 Glades Road, Boca Raton, 561-417-5151, 800-680-9039; The Galleria, Fort Lauderdale, 2442 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954566-6666, 800-274-0094. Underwraps: 610 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-522-2227. 58

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ON THE TOWN

Activities abound in every direction South Florida — comprised of three counties, Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade — is a diverse playground with something for everyone. Whether you want to shop at some of the finest boutiques in the world, game at a glitzy casino, be entertained in a state-of-theart venue, catch a sporting event or get a taste of some history, you can find it close to Harbor Beach. Boating, scuba diving and deep-sea

fishing top the list for many guests, and the Harbor Beach Concierge Desk (954-766-6184, internal extension 51) is ready to assist with recommendations and reservations for water sports as well as myriad other activities. Here’s just a sampling — please note listing information is subject to change. Call ahead in advance of your visit.

Flamingo Gardens 60

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Broward County Attractions Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum Located on Big Cypress Reservation, 17 miles north of Interstate 75 (Alligator Alley), exit 49, Clewiston. 877-902-1113, www.ahtahthiki. com. Learn about the history and culture of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and visit a living Indian village. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (call for holiday hours). $9, adults; $6, students and seniors. Anne Kolb Nature Center/ West Lake Park 751 Sheridan St., Hollywood, 954-357-5161, www.broward.org/parks. This 1,500-acre coastal mangrove wetland is home to a wide variety of plants and animals. Boat trails offer access to the area for sightseeing and fishing. Tour the Exhibit Hall, rent a canoe or kayak, take the elevator or stairs to the top of the 68-foot Observation Tower, fish or hike a scenic trail. Open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Billie Swamp Safari Located on Big Cypress Reservation, 17 miles north of Interstate 75 (Alligator Alley), exit 49, Clewiston. 800-949-6101, www.billieswamp. com. Explore 2,200 acres of untamed Florida Everglades preserved in its pristine state by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Take an airboat or swamp buggy tour, attend an educational alligator or snake show or enjoy authentic Seminole food at the Swamp Water Café. Open every day except Christmas. Prices vary based on activity.

gardens, thousands of live butterflies, hummingbirds and an insectarium. Open daily. $24.95, adults; $19.95, children 3-11; 2 and under, free. Carrie B Cruises 440 N. River Drive East, Fort Lauderdale. 954-768-9920, www.carriebcruises.com. Enjoy a ninety-minute sightseeing cruise on the New River and Intracoastal Waterway. Cruises depart at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. daily. $22.95, adults; $12.95, children 3-12; kids under 3, free. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays in summer. Charter One Yacht Charters 3555 S. Ocean Drive, Hollywood. 954-7710102, www.charter1now.com. Luxury charter yacht cruises, including the new Floridian Princess mega-yacht. Dave & Buster’s 3000 Oakwood Blvd., Hollywood. 954923-5505, www.daveandbusters.com. A huge sports bar and family restaurant with billiards, video games, virtual reality games and numerous televisions for sports viewing. 11:30 a.m. to midnight, Sunday through Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m., Friday and Saturday. Everglades Holiday Park 21940 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale. 954-434-

8111, www.evergladesholidaypark.com. See the Florida Everglades from an airboat, camp out, fish or rent a boat to explore on your own. Flamingo Gardens 3750 S. Flamingo Road, Davie. 954-4732955, www.flamingogardens.org. Enjoy a touch of Florida history on 60 acres of lush gardens showcasing rare, exotic and native plants, or explore native wildlife in the aviary and wildlife sanctuary. Closed Mondays during the summer; closed Christmas and Thanksgiving. $18, adults; $15, seniors; $10, kids 4-11; 3 and under, free. Fort Lauderdale History Center 219 SW Second Ave., Fort Lauderdale. 954463-4431, www.fortlauderdalehistorycenter. org. Historic buildings, the museum’s permanent collection and changing exhibits depict the development of Fort Lauderdale from 1870 to 1930. The center includes the 1905 New River Inn Museum of History, 1905 Philemon Nathaniel Bryan House and 1907 King-Cromartie House. Open Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. $10, adults; $5, students (through age 22). Hugh Taylor Birch State Park 3109 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. 954564-4521, www.floridastateparks.org/ hughtaylorbirch. This park is an oasis of tropical hammocks nestled between the

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens 900 N. Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale. 954-5635393, www.bonnethouse.org. Experience a slice of Old Florida at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, set on a verdant 35-acre tract that Hugh Taylor Birch gave to his daughter, Helen, and her husband, artist Frederic Bartlett, as a wedding gift in 1919. Take a guided tour of the home and tropical gardens - and keep your eyes open for a view of the swans or wild monkeys. Closed Mondays and some holidays. Hours and prices vary. Boomers 1700 NW First St., Dania Beach. 954-921-1411, www.boomersparks.com. Go-karts, bumper boats, arcades, miniature golf, thrill rides and batting cages. Call for hours and prices. Broward Center for the Performing Arts 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale. 954-4620222, www.browardcenter.org. Year-round theater, dance and musical performances at a state-of-the-art facility. Butterfly World Located in Tradewinds Park, 3600 W. Sample Road, Coconut Creek. 954-977-4400, www. butterflyworld.com. The largest butterfly park in the world, with three acres of lush tropical HARBOR BEACH Magazine

and under and college students, free. Museum of Discovery and Science & AutoNation IMAX 3D Theater 401 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, 954-467-6637, www.mods.org. Visitors can ride the Everglades Airboat Adventure, experience hurricane force winds, dig for fossils alongside a giant prehistoric megalodon, enjoy the playful antics of river otters, meet an alligator and be charmed by a 6-foot-long snake. Take a ride to Mars or soar through the skies in an FA-18 cockpit simulator. Family fun, for all ages. Open daily, including Thanksgiving and Christmas. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. AutoNation IMAX has extended hours most evenings. Call for pricing and times. Stranahan House 335 SE Sixth Ave., Fort Lauderdale. 954-5244726, www.stranahanhouse.org. Built in 1901 by Frank Stranahan, Fort Lauderdale’s first postmaster, and his wife Ivy Cromartie Stranahan, the area’s first teacher, Stranahan House is the oldest surviving structure in Broward County. Tours given at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. daily. $12, adults; $11, seniors; $7 children. River Ghost Tours every Sunday at 7:30 p.m., $25.

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. Rent a canoe and paddle along a freshwater lagoon, or fish from the seawall. You can also hike, picnic or enjoy the beach. Open daily 8 a.m. to sundown. IFGA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum 300 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach. 954-9224212, www.igfa.org. The museum includes five galleries, an outdoor marina, a theater and indoor/outdoor demonstration areas. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday; noon to 6 p.m., Sunday. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. $8, adults; $5, seniors and children 3-16; free for kids under 3. International Swimming Hall of Fame 1 Hall of Fame Drive, Fort Lauderdale. 954-4626536, www.ishof.org. The Museum, Library and Archive contain the world’s largest collection of aquatic memorabilia and the single largest source of aquatic books, manuscripts and literature. View Johnny Weissmuller’s Olympic medals, Mark Spitz’s starting block and tributes to American presidents who were swimmers, or request a showing of Million Dollar Mermaid, with Esther Williams, or Tarzan the Ape Man, with Weissmuller. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 62

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2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. $8, adults; $6, seniors; $4, students. Jungle Queen Riverboat Located in the Bahia Mar Yachting Center, at 801 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. 954462-5596, www.junglequeen.com. Enjoy a barbecue rib, chicken and shrimp dinner, and entertainment, as this 550-passenger riverboat cruises past interesting sites and beautiful homes. Departs daily at 6 p.m. $39.95, adults; $21.75, children. Narrated sightseeing cruises also available and depart at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. $17.50, adults; $12.75, children. Museum of Art/ Nova Southeastern University One E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. 954525-5500, www.moafl.org. One of the area’s leading cultural attractions, with major traveling exhibits and a permanent collection of over 6,000 works reflecting the cultures of South Florida and the Caribbean. The collection includes significant works by the American painter William Glackens, by the artists of the northern European CoBrA movement, and by contemporary Cuban artists. Closed Mondays. $10, adults; $7, seniors, military and children 6-17; children 5

Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District www.goriverwalk.com. Stroll along Fort Lauderdale’s New River, and enjoy shopping, dining, nightlife and historical sites as well as venues for theater, music, dance and visual arts. Water Taxi 413 SW Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale. 954-4676677, www.watertaxi.com. Enjoy a leisurely cruise along Fort Lauderdale’s beautiful waterways and explore "The Venice of America." Routes run along the Intracoastal Waterway from Oakland Park Boulevard to Southeast 17th Street and west along the New River into downtown Fort Lauderdale. There is also continuing service to Hollywood. Fare: $10-$18 for an all-day pass. Water Fantaseas Luxury Yacht Charters 786-220-6603, www.waterfantaseas.com. Charters from half-day to full-day excursions — and beyond. The fleet includes megayachts, speed boats, fishing charters, sailboats, catamarans and more. Palm Beach County Attractions Mizner Park 327 Plaza Real, Boca Raton. 561-362-0606, www.miznerpark.com. An outdoor shopping plaza with unique boutiques, sumptuous eateries, energizing music and inspiring art. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach. 561-495-

0233, www.morikami.org. A center for Japanese arts and culture in South Florida, with rotating exhibitions in its galleries, tea ceremonies performed monthly in its Seishin-an tea house and Japanese traditional festivals celebrated several times a year. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Mondays and major national holidays. $12, adults; $11, seniors; $7, children and students. Palm Beach Kennel Club 1111 N. Congress Ave., West Palm Beach. 561-683-2222, www.pbkennelclub.com. Yearround greyhound racing and simulcast action, as well as poker and dining. Worth Avenue 561-659-6909, www.worth-avenue.com. One of the best known shopping venues in the world, Palm Beach’s Worth Avenue features legendary international boutiques as well as unique specialty stores found only on the Avenue. Miami-Dade County Attractions Art Deco District Art Deco Welcome Center, 1001 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach. 305-672-2014, www.mdpl.org. Art Deco District walking tours are conducted seven days a week. $20. For information, call 305-531-3484. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables. 305667-1651, www.fairchildgarden.org. One of the world’s leading botanical gardens, this 83-acre oasis features extensive collections of rare tropical plants, including palms, cycads, flowering trees and vines. 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Christmas. $25, adults; $18, seniors: $12, children 6-17; children 5 and under, free. Jungle Island 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami. 305-4007000, www.jungleisland.com. Jungle Island is home to over 500 species of plants and 3,000 animals. Check out the bird show, flamingo lake and everglades habitat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekends. $32.95, adults; $30.95, seniors; $24.95, children 3-10; free for 2 and under. Zoo Miami 12400 SW 152nd St., Miami. 305-251-0400, www.zoomiami.org. Enjoy over 100 exhibits at this 740-acre park, with more than 2,000 animals, representing over 500 species (including 40 endangered species). 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. $15.95, adults; $11.95, children 3-12; children 2 and under, free.

a historic planetarium and a rehabilitative wildlife center and clinic. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. $14.95, adults; $10.95, seniors, students and children 3-12; free for children 2 and under. Miami Seaquarium 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne. 305-361-5705, www.miamiseaquarium.com. Located on a 38-acre tropical paradise with spectacular skyline views. Enjoy dolphin, killer whale and sea lion shows, or swim with the dolphins. 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. $38.95, adults; $28.95, children 3-9. Shopping Las Olas Boulevard www.lasolasboulevard.com. Fort Lauderdale’s stylish boulevard offers fashionable boutiques, eclectic galleries and a diverse selection of restaurants and outdoor cafes. Visit the website to learn more about special events such as art walks, outdoor movies, a farmer’s market and Christmas on Las Olas. The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale 2414 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. 954-564-

1015, www.galleriamall-fl.com. A destination for fabulous restaurants, sophisticated stores and world-class service, The Galleria is anchored by Neiman Marcus, Macy’s and Dillard’s. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday; noon to 6 p.m., Sunday. Sawgrass Mills 12801 W. Sunrise Blvd., Sunrise. 954-846-2300, www.sawgrassmills.com. Florida’s largest outlet destination, with more than 350 stores plus great dining and entertainment options. The Oasis at Sawgrass Mills and The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills enhance the mall’s popularity with outdoor dining, entertainment and shopping. 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Downtown Hollywood Hollywood Boulevard between Young Circle/ Arts Park and Dixie Highway. 954-924-2980, www.downtownhollywood.com. On the brick-lined walks of downtown Hollywood, you’ll find an eclectic collection of art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, bars and sidewalk cafes. It’s a great place to find out-of-theordinary artwork, gifts and clothing, or to just stroll and then grab a bite to eat.

A Fort Lauderdale Tradition

WORLD

FAMOUS

“ALL YOU WISH TO EAT” HILARIOUS VARIETY SHOW CRUISE TO OUR TROPICAL ISLE ON NEW RIVER

Venice of America also

3 HOUR DAILY SIGHTSEEING CRUISES 9:30AM & 1:30PM SEE MILLIONAIRES ROW • INDIAN VILLAGE ALLIGATOR EXHIBIT • BIRDS • MONKEYS

Reservations: (954) 462-5596

Bahia Mar Beach Resort • Rt A1A Fort Lauderdale Beach • www.junglequeen.com

Miami Science Museum 3280 S. Miami Ave., Miami. 305-646-4200, www.miamisci.org. Featuring award-winning educational programs, family focused exhibits, HARBOR BEACH Magazine

The Village at Gulfstream Park

Aventura Mall 19501 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura. 305-9351110, www.aventuramall.com. Aventura Mall offers over 300 fine retailers and is home to some of the most desirable names in fashion and a variety of culinary delights. 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday; noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. The Village at Gulfstream Park 501 S. Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach. 954378-0900, www.thevillageatgulfstreampark. com. One of South Floridaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most exciting and picturesque attractions, combining over 17 signature restaurants and outdoor cafes, extraordinary fashion boutiques and top-of-the-line home stores. Adjacent to the Gulfstream Park horse racing and entertainment complex. Professional Sports Baseball: Florida Marlins - Watch the Marlins play in their new world-class 64

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baseball stadium located just two miles from downtown Miami. The ballpark has a retractable roof, natural grass playing field and 37,000 seats. 877-MARLINS, www.marlins.com. Basketball: Miami Heat - AmericanAirlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. 786-7771250, www.miamiheat.com. Football: Miami Dolphins - Sun Life Stadium, 347 Don Shula Drive, Miami Gardens, 305-9438000, www.miamidolphins.com. Hockey: Florida Panthers - BankAtlantic Center, One Panther Parkway, Sunrise. 954-835-PUCK, www.floridapanthers.com. Jai-Alai: Dania Jai-Alai - 301 E. Dania Beach Blvd., Dania Beach. 954-920-1511, www.betdania.com. Jai-alai, poker, cocktail bars and sports bar, along with simulcast betting.

Racing and Gaming Gulfstream Park 901 S. Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach, 954-4547000, www.gulfstreampark.com. Year-round casino action, with over 850 Vegas-style slot machines, poker, seasonal thoroughbred horseracing, simulcast wagering and a bustling nightlife. Mardi Gras Racetrack & Gaming Center 831 N. Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach. 954924-3200, www.playmardigras.com. A casino and gaming destination that features greyhound racing, slots, poker, entertainment, dining and an outdoor flea market on weekends. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood. 954-327-ROCK, www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com. This spectacular complex features over 90 gaming tables and 2,500 slots, as well as 17 restaurants and lounges, 22 boutique shops, 12 nightclubs, the 400-seat Paradise Live theater and the 5,500-seat Hard Rock Live concert arena.

RESTAURANT SAMPLER EDITOR’S NOTE: Information compiled by Sun Sentinel and City & Shore dining writers, except those noted with ++, which indicates information provided by the merchant. Listing information is subject to change. Please phone in advance.

Sea Level Restaurant

(see story, page 28)

BIG CITY TAVERN 609 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954727-0307. Comfortable, just like the old-time taverns it’s meant to evoke. The modern American menu includes very good meat and seafood. Moderate-expensive. Lunch, dinner. Reviewed 6/17/11. – J.T.

nightly yacht parades as well as outdoor dining on their dock. Open for dinner and lunch daily. Nationwide shipping. Private party room available. For more information about Billy’s or to order online, visit www. crabs.com or call 800-4FLCRAB.

++BILLY’S STONE CRAB RESTAURANT 400 N. Ocean Drive, Hollywood, 954-9232300 or 800-435-2722. World famous, with a view! Now in its fourth decade in business, Billy’s Stone Crab Restaurant and Market is a South Florida institution offering some of the freshest stone crabs and seafood. Specialties include: stone crab claws, Key West pink shrimp, Florida lobster, fresh Florida fish, as well as steaks and chicken. Billy’s second-floor dining room with floorto-ceiling windows has a magnificent view of the Intracoastal Waterway, capturing its

++BIMINI BOATYARD BAR & GRILL 1555 SE 17th Street, Fort Lauderdale, 954-525-7400, www.biminiboatyard.com. Celebrating 22 years as Fort Lauderdale’s premier waterfront-dining experience, serving remarkable cuisine infused by our Caribbean wood-ﬁred grill. Dine at our waterfront patio or enjoy an expertly crafted cocktail at the Bimini Bar. Happy Hour 4 p.m.-7 p.m. every day. Serving lunch, dinner and a fabulous Sunday Brunch. ++CAFÉ DE PARIS 715 E. Las Olas Blvd., 954-4672900, www.

cafedeparislasolas.com. Under same owner since 1962. The restaurant has expanded over the years, with three indoor dining areas as well as outdoor seating on beautiful Las Olas Boulevard. The atmosphere is reflected in the French décor and piano bar. Café de Paris offers superb French and Continental cuisine at affordable prices, an extensive wine list and table service including flambé entrées and desserts. Open 5-11 p.m. every night. Private room available. EDUARDO DE SAN ANGEL 2822 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-772-4731. A jewel box of a restaurant offering a chance at sophisticated Mexicaninfused international cuisine. Discover grilled cactus paddle paired with achiote-marinated loin of pork and guajillo chili sauce and the wonders of epazote-infused in pasilla chiliflavored chicken broth. Homemade desserts HARBOR BEACH Magazine

excel. Excellent wine list. Caring service. Expensive. Dinner. – J.S. ++15TH STREET FISHERIES & DOCKSIDE CAFÉ Visit 15th Street Fisheries for an unforgettable waterfront dining experience in an authentic marina. The Fisheries, at Lauderdale Marina, provides fantastic food and fun along the Intracoastal Waterway near Port Everglades. Dine in a relaxing old-time Florida seafood house. Step out onto the docks to feed the tarpon! The Fisheries was voted “Best Waterfront Restaurant in South Florida” in a 2011 Sun Sentinel readers’ poll. Only five minutes from the Marriott Harbor Beach; call for easy directions. Open Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. 1900 SE 15th St. at Lauderdale Marina, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, 954-763-2777, www.15streetfisheries.com. ++FULVIO’S 1900 Harrison St., Hollywood, 954-927-1900. Fulvio’s will give you the feeling of eating fine pastas and Italian specialties in the heart of any major city with an Italian district. You can sense the detail and love in every dish. And don’t be surprised to find local and national celebrities dining next to you. The veal, seafood, meats and pasta are the freshest available. The intimate setting paired with delicious delicacies will make for a lovely evening or celebration. Open for dinner only. Call for reservations. HIMMARSHEE BAR & GRILLE 210 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale, 954-5241818. This oasis on a street known for its bar scene features a solid new American menu with very good seafood. Moderate-expensive. Lunch, dinner. Reviewed 3/11/11. – J.T.

++JOHNNY V 625 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-761-7920, www.johnnyvlasolas.com. Johnny V Las Olas is acclaimed chef Johnny Vinczencz’s upscale oasis in the heart of Fort Lauderdale. Here, guests will find the iconic chef’s sophisticated barbecue and islandinfluenced contemporary American cuisine, served in an unpretentious yet elegant space. Lunch Sunday-Friday, dinner nightly. ++JUNGLE QUEEN RIVERBOAT Bahia Mar Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale, 801 Seabreeze Blvd., Route A1A. World Famous “All You Wish to Eat” BBQ Ribs & Shrimp Dinner Cruise & Variety Review. Departs nightly at 6 p.m. Also, three-hour fully narrated Sightseeing Cruises up the historic New River past plush waterfront homes and downtown Fort Lauderdale with a stop-off at our tropical isle to see rare birds, monkeys and an alligator exhibition. The only true way to see Fort Lauderdale! Sightseeing Cruises depart daily at 9:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. For reservations and pricing, please call 954-462-5596. 66

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MARKET 17 1850 SE 17th St. Causeway, Fort Lauderdale, 954-835-5507.Chef-driven, farm-to-table restaurant. Florida shrimp fritters and panbasted Florida red snapper among highlights. Expensive. Dinner. Reviewed 1/28/11. – J.T. SERAFINA WATERSIDE BISTRO 926 NE 20th Ave., Fort Lauderdale, 954-4632566. This romantically positioned waterfront bistro is on the canal running through downtown Fort Lauderdale. Seating is either inside or outside, but both are intimate. New owners from Italy aspire to provide outstanding service, traditional Italian dishes and a picture-perfect setting. ++TROPICAL ACRES 2500 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale, 954-9892500 or 954-761-1744. This classic, down-toearth American restaurant has been serving locals and visitors some of the finest fare going on 60 years. This landmark maintains its much-envied hold on consistency, moderate prices and a well-schooled wait staff. Whether it be a dinner of the sensational seafood or the world-renowned western beef you can’t go wrong at Tropical Acres, “A reputation worth tasting.’’ Open 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. MondaySaturday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday; piano Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations honored. TUSCAN GRILL 1105 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954766-8700. Enjoy great Italian food indoors or outside on the Venice-style patio. Have outrageous entrées, including salt-baked sea bass or luscious lamb chops in rosemary reduction. Try baked Bosc pear in chianti reduction or wonderful zuccotto for dessert. Excellent wine list. Moderate-expensive. Dinner.— J.S. SUGAR REEF

600 N. Surf Road (on Hollywood Broadwalk), 954-922-1119. Funky but utterly professional beachfront restaurant

right out of the French Caribbean. Don’t miss the portobello in red wine and calamari in a garlicky broth to start or, for a main course, the tropical fish stew, Vietnamese noodle soup with a Caribbean twist and the fresh fish dishes that change daily. Moderate. Lunch, dinner. — L.F.

ELSEWHERE IN BROWARD COUNTY SEASONS 52

2428 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-537-1052. A beautiful spot with seasonally inspired cooking, nutritionally balanced meals and each menu item under 475 calories. The menu changes quarterly with full satisfying flavors. Have one (or more) “mini-indulgences” for dessert - three or four mouthfuls packed into tall square shot glasses. Great wine list. Moderate. Lunch, dinner. — J.S. RAINBOW PALACE

2787 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-565-5652. Sophisticated Chinese dining in pretty surroundings complete with marble pillars and jade. The wait staff is tuxedoed, but best of all, they’ve mastered the fine art of invisibility while being attentive. Start with portobello mushroom and Chinese eggplant, then have anything with big meaty shrimp, especially the ones glazed with Grand Marnier. Expensive. Dinner. — J.S. SUNFISH GRILL

2761 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-564-6464. Excellent blue marlin dip, onion-crusted salmon, sea scallops and steak. House-made desserts are a must. Moderateexpensive. Dinner. – J.S.

SEASONS 52

Enjoy lunch or dinner in our historic marina setting. Then stay to feed the giant tarpon from our docks.

15th Street Fisheries was voted BEST WATERFRONT RESTAURANT IN SOUTH FLORIDA *2011 Sun-Sentinel Readers Poll

1900 SE 15th Street at Lauderdale Marina • 15StreetFisheries.com • 954-763-2777