Paragon Theater in Cocowalk

His Take

Ambiance: Busy; upscale

Food: Didn't eat, but available

Drinks: Moderate bar selection

The Paragon Theater is a clever new twist on cinematic experiences. I like to think of it as a "Modern Upscale" theater. In the last few years, the movie industry has been looking for options to revitalize the theater experience. The first attempt was a theater with a similar chain called "Cinebistro". The concept of that is a restaurant experience attached to the theater. I have not been there, so I won't attempt to review them here at this time. Paragon is now the direct South Florida competition to this chain with only two locations available nationwide.

Paragon offers a full bar with food options in addition to the standard "theater" snacks (popcorn, hotdogs, sodas, candy, etc). Their bar list offers beer, wine, and many mixed drinks. Prices are about average with the rest of the area.

The theaters themselves offer stadium seating with chairs the lightly recline. The best feature that I love about the Paragon is that when you purchase tickets, you reserve your seating! No need to squint to find your seat when someone can now guide you to your reserved seat. No need to buy tickets for the movie you have been dying to see and getting stuck in the front row unable to view anything comfortably! If nothing else, this "minor" feature makes it better than any other theater I have been to in South Florida.

Bottom Line: Highly Recommended

Her Take

Ambiance: Its a movie theater, its not really about ambiance, but it is clean with an upscale quality attempt. 

Food: Besides the regular movie food there is a restaurant attached.

Drinks: Alcohol available

Bottom Line:
The Paragon Movie Theater is great because of the one quality which in my opinion all movie theaters should incorporate especially during opening weekend of a big movie. You get to choose where you seat when you pay, so you already have an assigned seat when you walk into the theater and that is the biggest draw for me. There are no people saving a lot of seats for their friends or having to get to the theater to make sure you get a good seat instead of having to choose the first rows closest to the screen. Also stadium seating is nice, the ushers showing you to your seat is also nice, as are the seats themselves, they are a little like lazy -z- boys (a little).

Dolce Vita Gelato Cafe in Cocowalk

His Take

Ambiance: Bright and clean; busy

Food: Good

 After dinner, we stopped by for some Gelato. I've seen this chain around South Florida for many years, but I've never actually stopped or eaten at it. They have a well lit store with three ice cream display cabinets with approximately ten flavors per cabinet. One cabinet was dedicated to different variations of chocolate, where my focus was on the Ferrero Rocher ice cream mixed with a scoop of chocolate mousse ice cream. Decadence topped with ambrosia! Two thumbs up!  

Bottom Line: Recommended

Her Take

Ambiance: 

Food: 

Bottom Line: 
If your in the Coconut Grove area, have a sweet tooth, and love ice cream then this a place you want to stop at. There sell Italian Ice Cream/Gelato and it is amazing. Go to the last case on the left. To me that is the gold mine section, it is all different types of chocolate...Heaven!

GreenStreet Cafe in Cocowalk

His Take

Ambiance: Outdoors; busy in groups

Food: Good

Drinks: Didn't drink; full bar available

We decided to go see a movie in the nearby Paragon Theater and have dinner near by. GreenStreet provides a street corner, outdoor ambience allows for smokers (cigarette and cigar) to be able to eat and drink. I am very anti-smoking, but thankfully the outdoor environment allows for clear air when the wind blows. 

The bar area is wooden with tall comfortable stools. The area is lightly lit with a wide variety of liquor selection. They run a special of free house champagne for ladies during the their first happy hour. They have a second happy hour from 11:30 pm to close (with last call at 3:00 am). As a scotch drinker, their prices are reasonable and they have a "basic" selection.

I ordered the Blackend Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi) which was a good portion size and very filling. 

Bottom Line: Recommended

Her Take

Ambiance: Indoor and Outdoor Seating, not terribly clean, casual

Food:  Go with the seafood

Drinks: Full bar

Bottom Line:

Greenstreet years ago had a great menu, now its paper folded menu needs some work. However there seafood is good. Greestreet is primarily a casual outdoor restaurant that unfortunately  a lot of smokers go to. So if your allergic to cigarette smoke ( like me) or have no desire to inhale second hand smoke this is not the place for you. The wind really does not help the smoke.

But for those who do not mind the smoke and mostly mediocre food they have a full bar and many different drink specials on different nights. Fridays are free house champagne for the ladies and Wednesday are 50% of Scotch to name a few. Also it is pet friendly which is always nice.

Grand Lux Cafe in Aventura Mall

His Take

Ambiance: Moderate
Food: Good; Upscale American Diner selections
Drinks: Didn't Drink

I was shopping in Aventura Mall and needed to stop off for food. After going through a large menu, I mentally broke it down into burgers, sandwiches, and larger selections (steaks; pasta; etc). Since I was having lunch, I went with a DeLux Drive-In Burger with a salad (instead of French Fries). The burger was cooked to order and was very delicious. The salad left a little to be desired, but I did not have high expectations for a side salad.

The ambiance ranged from families with children to older retirees. Noise level was a "good" conversation level and service was quick.

Bottom Line: Recommended

Her Take

Ambiance:Casual
Food:Good, a little bit of everything on the menu
Drinks: Full Bar

Bottom Line:

I'm going to really bottom line this its "The Cheesecake Factory" just with a different name. 

Fado Irish Pub and Restaurant

His Take

Ambiance: Loud
Food: Good; Moderate pricing
Drinks: Moderate Selection; above average prices

I've been to Fado a few times now and this was the first time I've actually eaten there. I opted to go with the classic Fish and Chips for entree with a Glenmorangie 10 year neat on the side. I just happened to have an abnormally higher appetite that night so I ordered a full size serving which comprised of two large (Cod) fish over a bed of Chips (French Fries). The fish were nice and flaky and very flavorful. The overall selection of food options is good, traditional Irish. I wanted to order an appetizer, but I'm glad I didn't because there was more than enough food with the "Full" portion size I had. If you go with a smaller portion, the that would certainly be an option.

The ambiance was loud, louder than what I enjoy, but enough to have a small intimate conversation with the person immediately next to you. The clientele is mostly professionals in their late twenties to late thirties with upscale casual fashion.

Bottom Line: Recommended

Her Take

Ambiance:
Food:
Drinks:


Bottom Line: Another "Irish Pub" in Brickell, to bad it did not feel like an Irish Pub even though the decor seemed to suggest it. Don't get me wrong its beautiful decor but not the right "feel" to it. Anyway on a Saturday Night this place is great to drink, hear the DJ and hang out with friends and possibly meet new friends. However only if the drinks are liquor based and not wine or beer. Because there wine and beer selection leaves a lot to be desired. If you want beer go downstairs to Beer and Burger Joint and they even have a better wine selection then these guys. As for there food I have only eaten here with my friend once and we both had the fish and chips and quite honestly, it was not all that, it was okay but nothing excited. But this sauce tasted "wrong". Not sure how to describe it, but I am a big tarter sauce fan when it comes to fish and chips and for me this sauce did not taste right.

This place has good service and is an okay hang out place, but if your expecting something more this is not the place.