What to Eat, See, Do, and Where to Stay at Art Basel Miami Beach

This week throngs of artists, dealers, collectors, lookers-on, and many a bon vivant descend upon the contemporary and modern art fair, Art Basel Miami Beach. If you happen to be among those tackling the half-million square feet of exhibition space, take along our short-list. It includes everything from Miami’s best vice (a lemongrass-kumquat mojito) to where to pick up a board for paddling (or skating) off the island.
We start with ‘Feet up at The Standard’…

Sandwiched between the Design District and historic Buena Vista, the Mandolin‘s Turkish and Greek delicacies are driven by produce and herbs from the adjacent garden. Recharge with tzatziki and tarama in the intimate indoor/outdoor dining spaces.

Despite a fertile climate, locally grown produce is scarce in Miami. Mandolin Aegean Bistro‘s garden is a noteworthy exception. Little River Cooperative‘s Tiffany Noe tends to the restaurant’s Mediterranean staples, including thyme, rosemary, sage, parsley, and oregano.

You’ll need carbs for navigating and negotiating. Zak’s Bakery in Wynwood has the best sourdoughs. Get one topped with avocado spread and heirloom tomatoes; pair it with Miami’s Panther Coffee (available at Zak’s and around the corner at the eponymous shop).

“We make smoked snapper instead of the usual smoked whitefish because it’s local,” explains Zak Stern, of Wynwood’s Zak The Baker. His culinary ventures began with five goats in Little Haiti. Bread lines run out the door but move quickly. (Closed Friday afternoon and Saturday for Shabbos.)

Ask The Standard‘s Chase Mollak for a Limonada de Coco, fresh coconut milk, coconut and a squeeze of lime juice.

Pick up a couple at the bar (Palm Juice and Tumeric Tonic, respectively). Executive Chef Mark Zeitouni at The Standard’s Lido Restaurant and Bayside Grill seeks out organic ingredients from local farms.

The Broken Shaker, a James Beard Award Semifinalist bar, is one of several reasons to stop at The Freehand hotel and hostel. This loveseat boasts a view of the on-site garden, a source of hand-crafted cocktails and dishes at the 27 Restaurant and Bar.

Most produce loses 30 percent of nutrients three days after harvest. The Broken Shaker‘s Randy Perez picked mint, kumquats and lemongrass in The Freehand’s garden minutes before making this mojito. Only the refreshing taste surpasses the vitamins and minerals.

“The Freehand’s garden is new this year but the bartenders and kitchen staff are on top of it; they harvest everything!” boasts gardener Tiffany Roe. Roe and her partner Muriel Olivares manage several Miami restaurant-owned gardens, as well as their own nursery and farm.

The new Nautilus serves up a Garden Elixir indoors and out. Squeeze in a few laps in the salt water pool (underwater techno tunes provided) after you rehydrate.

Combat dry hotel air with a living work or few from Paloma Tepa’s Plant the Future.

Even when overcast, nothing beats sunset at The Standard. Exhale with a Limonada de Coco, fresh coconut milk, coconut and a squeeze of lime juice.

Across from the Rubell Collection, refuel at The Wynwood Yard’s food trucks. Dubbed a culinary incubator, The Yard officially opens this month with communal tables, urban gardening lectures and a container-home prototype from startup WynBox. We recommend the plant-based bowls and juices from Della Test Kitchen. The Yard’s raised-bed herbs and produce are cultivated by Tiffany Noe and Muriel Olivares (pictured with daughter) of Little River Cooperative.

The Driftwood Room‘s Dinesh Gupta fashions a Garden Elixir with Teena’s Pride Dade County grape tomatoes. Recently harvested produce has the most nutrients, so relax and enjoy locally-sourced vitamins.

Best spot to stand on your head: Wynwood Yard’s Sound Trek Yoga with DJ Karri Elizabeth and Sound Off Experience LED Headphones.

Escape stuffy fair air and roll around Wynwood, or Stand Up Paddle over to The Standard for sunset. Rentals at Fritz’s Skate Bike & Surf (South Beach) and Miami Water Sports (Coconut Grove).