In the winter months, Nikki splits her time between Miami and NYC. Miami is a change of pace for Nikki, a New Yorker born and raised. It has an entirely different vibe regarding fashion and culture. So, she has found her favorite spots and ways to stay inspired. If you find yourself in Miami this winter–and we hope you do for the sake of your fingertips–you’ll want to check out these places. Pack a bag; we’re heading to Miami ☀️
The first order of business is where to eat. Getting dressed and heading out for a good meal is a regular activity. Just deciding where to eat is an activity in itself.
Look 2: Maria McManus pants and shirt, KULE Blythe sweater around shoulders, Isabel Marant shoes, YSL bag
Look 3: KULE Ribbed Lenny Tank, Miu Miu cardigan (another option here and here), Michael Kors pants (another option here), The Row bag, Le Monde Beryl shoes
One of Nikki’s favorite places is La Natural, which she says has the best vibe and food (especially the sourdough pizza and Japanese sweet potatoes). The owner, Javier Ramirez, is also incredibly welcoming and Nikki loved listening to his take on Miami food, and the chef, Diego Moya, just so happens to be from New York City. Fingers crossed for more locations 🤞.
Next, The Surf Club a Thomas Keller restaurant at The Four Seasons, a fun place with the best bar in Miami and the most elegant dining room experience. It’s also great for people watching. Any number of Nikki’s mirror selfies will be pre-Surf Club while waiting for the rest of her party to be ready (Ken) 😉. It has fantastic food and cocktails. She recommends the Surf Side Fizz.
Another Miami gem is Boia De, a small strip mall restaurant with unique modern Italian-influenced dishes. She particularly loved the pasta (before she became pretty much GF). This place is hard to get a table at, but it hits the top of the list if you can. Try their sister restaurant, Walrus Rodeo, in the same strip mall.
Other great places to visit are Macchialina (great authentic Italian in a cute little dimly lit space) and Mandolin (fresh Greek food in a beautiful outdoor garden), both super popular places where you may run into another New Yorker.
As for what to do in Miami, Nikki’s love of keeping busy and her interests in art and design have led her to find some great things and places to visit. Getting dressed for your day activities is also half the fun 🤪. She is not your typical Miami dresser — no cutouts here!
Look 2: KULE featherweight cotton Blanca shirt (coming soon!), B Sides jeans, Le Monde Beryl shoes, The Row bag
Look 3: KULE cashmere Betty sweater, Celine pants, Bottega Veneta belt (mens!), The Row shoes
Riding a Citi Bike from Surf Side to South Beach and back is a great way to see Miami and work off that pasta 🍝 also, so you can spend the rest of your day at the beach in a swimsuit.
Look 2: Left on Friday swimsuit, Lemaire shirt dress (another option here), Sensi Studio bag, Saint Laurent shoes
She also recommends visiting the Nina Johnson Gallery. She says it has the best exhibits of emerging and established artists. A couple of months ago, she saw a show of Katie Stout’s work, which are whimsical but intricate sculptures with baroque elements. Another great gallery to visit is Spinello Projects, a contemporary art gallery owned by Anthony Spinello, who is lovely himself.
The Rubell Museum also shows great curations of art. The private museum was founded in 2019 during Art Basel by longtime collectors and Miami residents Don and Mera Rubell. It’s a modern, airy space with many galleries, so you’ll want to spend an entire day here.
It’s hard to compete with New York, but Nikki has found a few gems for shopping in Miami.
Nikki recently visited the new Éliou store in Miami Beach, where she met founders Duda Teixeira & Cristina Mantilla. They have great style, and their brand lives up to that with great jewelry and accessories, all handmade on the premises (right behind the store). All the clothes are made in Brazil from dead stock fabrics and hand-crocheted by family members! Nikki fell in love with these silver rings, stacked.
Nikki also has an affinity for interior design and recommends visiting Casa de Barcelona, a store with curated vintage furniture in customized designer fabrics and art and sculptures. Nikki says the mid-century pieces are perfect for quintessential Miami design.
And we would be remiss to not mention the Webster store in South Beach. This original store location opened in 2009 in a huge historic hotel designed by Henry Hohauser. This three-story multi-brand luxury store in Miami Beach’s Art Deco district is a good visit whether you’re going to buy or just try on. You’ll always find brands there that you can’t find anywhere else.
Images via Eliou and Casa de Barcelona Instagram
And now… back to New York.