Escape-Live/Solo-"The Redemption"-12/02-09/2017...

[sid_9169]

Moving on to the best happy hour spot in Brickell... I'm going to let you in on a secret. This may look like a tiny taco stand at the entrance to a larger restaurant, but the owner here is the mind behind the Tobacco Road menu on the Escape. It's called Socal Taco, and they serve the best cocktails in Miami... First round, the original Grass Clippings...

 

 

And, round two: the Gardner's Margarita... Reposado tequila with red bell pepper and serrano peppers, for a spicy kick... I shouldn't be giving away my secret locations, but this place is worth it if you're ever in Miami...

 

 

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[sid_9169]

 

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[LeesaB]

I've never seen bell pepper in a margarita... but it sounds quite tasty. What is that leaf in the other one?

[OceanBlueWaters]

You had me at Amorosa...but it got even better. Note to self to write down these drinks for future taste tasting. Not fond of veggies in my cocktails, but heck! :cocktail:(y)

[sid_9169]

Go big or go home... Next stop, the Capital Grille on the riverfront... First drink: Fire and Ice...

 

 

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[sid_9169]

For whatever reason, the drink picture did not come through... Here it is, Fire and Ice...

 

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[keeponcruising]

All those drinks look delicious. Enjoy your cruise!

[sid_9169]

I'm going to give you the honest verdict on "fine dining" in Miami... I was hoping to be blown away by the number one rated restaurant in Miami on TripAdvisor... Instead, I was left with over $100 tab for one person, and only slightly better experience than last time at Wolfgang's steak house... I routinely cook a better steak at home than the Kona crusted dry aged NY strip they are serving for over $50... In addition, the lobster mac and cheese had exactly one small piece of lobster in it. ($18) The best thing I had was the brussels sprouts with bacon ($12) but it didn't quite make up for the hundred plus dollar tab I'm about to receive...

 

The $52 Kona crusted dry aged NY strip...

 

 

 

The (alleged) lobster mac and cheese...

 

 

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[sid_9169]

There was one redeeming quality about the Capital Grille... The view from my table...

 

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[sid_9169]

You would think that after spending over $200 on food and drinks that I would be full and drunk by now, but alas the drunkenness and fullness evades me... I think I'm just going to start packing a brown bag lunch and buying a bottle of tequila from now on...

 

 

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[sid_9169]

 

 

 

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[sid_9169]

 

 

 

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[sid_9169]

I guess I will throw in a couple of pics of the hotel room before I destroy it...

 

 

 

Also, this is what Miami looks like through a filthy subway car window...

 

 

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[jimbri]

Great photos and review!!

[sid_9169]

Couple of pics from my morning walk about...

 

 

 

 

 

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[CostaFortune]

Thank you for this review, am following along. Where did you stay the night before the cruise? Great pics btw x

 

 

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[Mellylucy]

Great pictures.

Enjoy your cruise!

[Jim The Lizard]

Happy Sailing!

 

 

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[sid_9169]

10:09 am, entering the latitudes Platinum waiting area...

 

 

Apparently this is also a "tug zone"...

 

 

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[sid_9169]

Thank you for this review, am following along. Where did you stay the night before the cruise? Great pics btw x

 

 

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The Atton Brickell... Decently nice hotel, and at around $130 per night, much less than others in the area...

 

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[CostaFortune]

The Atton Brickell... Decently nice hotel, and at around $130 per night, much less than others in the area...

 

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Thank you, have made a note.

 

 

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[sid_9169]

I dinged on board at 11:07, with the Platinum group... A few minutes later drew number 24 for my Vibe pass... Apparently there were 20 or so Haven passengers that got the first several passes...

 

 

 

A few minutes later, and I was enjoying my ceremonial first drink of the cruise, from Vincent (Curly)

 

A Patron silver fresh lime margarita...

 

 

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[stefmaia]

I will be following your adventures, this will hopefully be me in February. Hope you have a wonderful time!!<br>

[sid_9169]

Look who I found at the Spice H2O bar... Norwegians famous Bong!...

 

 

Now that it's getting hot, I switched it up to a Patron mango margarita, frozen...

 

 

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[sid_9169]

YorkVillian, are you in there?...

 

 

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