The hostess greets me kindly, asks me how many people I am dining with, and conveys me to my table. It is a low, flat, Japanese-style table of a dark umber-like wood with even lower little benches that have white cushions over them. To my satisfaction, I am seated right by the big window with a magnificent vantage point of the outside. The lighting is quite dim and the music fills the air, making it difficult to hear and to be impervious to the exciting mood. An Asian waitress clad in black takes my drink order and gives me a menu. The restaurant is a Fancy Japanese - Brazilian - Peruvian Cuisine! They serve traditional platters from each of the countries and have a great variety of seafood. I focus on the Japanese entrees.

They offer all kinds of intricate, delectable rolls and cool appetizers. When my drink comes, a frozen strawberry daiquiri (virgin), the waitress asks if I would like any appetizers! I order the exotic Seaweed Salad. It is an exquisite dish of three kinds of delicious seaweeds presented on a lovely Japanese plate, big enough to share with three people! One of the seaweeds is thin and a dark forest green. It tastes like the sea and mostly feels like it  has salt in it. The next seaweed is the familiar, thicker, evergreen seaweed that is practically transparent. It has a soft satisfying crunch to it and it has more variety in its seasoning; it has a pretty sweet flavor. The last seaweed vaguely resembles the one you find scattered on the beach but on a much more diminished scale. It was a little plain for my liking but very interesting to chew on.

For the main course I order the Shrimp Tempera Roll, the Vegetable Roll, the California Roll, the Cucumber Roll, the Eel Roll, and the Spicy Fried Calamari! The calamari is sliced into an array of rings, fried, and is coated with a tangy, reddish-brown sauce. It's crunchy and delightful with a sweetness that is complemented with a dart of spice! The rolls arrive luxuriously set up! The shrimp tempera roll comes stacked in a shiny tower with the entire tail of a fresh shrimp brimming out of the top roll. The taste is a satisfying one that disseminates in your mouth and gives a feel of happiness. The vegetable roll was colossal and stuffed with various exotic vegetables. One bite was bursting with foreign garden flavor and juiciness. It reminds me of Earth with its vibrant warm colors. The California Roll is not cliché. It has bigger chunks of fresh crab and vivid avocado than any other I have had the pleasure of tasting.

As the music flows through my veins I feel a sense of harmony and placement in the setting.   As I survey the funky orange supernova that I am a part of, the eclectic menu, the out of this world decoration, I reach for an eel roll.  It has a long piece of soft fresh light eel that shines with the sauce that mildly glazes it.  With a big bite I take in the tangy sweet flavor of the eel sauce and the savory taste of the delicious fish.  The cucumber roll, though simple in its elements, provides a soft completion to the meal.  It's crunchy and it has a pristine, perfectly uninvasive sensation.  As I conclude the course, I draw a breath of untainted air and relax.  There is no brief way to describe the marvelous experience that I have had here!

International Mall is a great place to go for new trends and good prices.  Plus, with its just-off-the-highway location, it's easy to find and quick to get to.  Open 7 days! 

When we first got to the Studio Theatre, I was surprised that the small but open area was arranged with tables and chairs, similar to what you'd think of as a jazz club.  The relaxed atmosphere (sans the smoke you'd find in a real club) was airy and light, and the backdrop art and shiny black piano gave just enough contrast to make things interesting.

Not only did I not fall asleep, I bought a CD on my way out.  It's too late to see Jean Michel Pilc, but there are plenty of other events left to see this year at the Carnival PAC - I plan to visit again soon.

Here are the specifics in case you're in the area:
Kokoriko
8322 S Dixie Hwy
Miami, FL 33143
(305) 669-4944

The Reptile Show was in a convention hall at Flamingo Gardens, and it had lots of tables and some great bargains on all kinds of reptiles and turtles. There were lots of interesting critters, bugs, skunks, ferrets, rats, mice, various monkeys, flying squirrels, weird rabbits, guinea pigs, Iguanas, all kinds of snakes, turtles, spiders, scorpions, and more!

Lauren is the promoter of Florida's Reptile and Alternative Pet Shows. Lauren is a very nice and friendly person who manages these reptile shows with her husband and daughter to assist her. She can provide lots of information about alternative pets, as she has spent most of her life in the field of herpetology.

Just about everything at this reptile show had great deals compared to any pet stores. Nearly every dealer had one or more animals on display for children and their parents to touch, hold, and carry. From baby snakes to gigantic monitor lizards, just about every kind of critter was getting attention from the many children who were at this show.

The Reptile and Alternative Pet Shows are scheduled in different venues througout the year. The admission prices are usually around five dollars per person. Check their website for more information.

Visit my blog when you have a chance!

 Tropical Park has basketball courts, racketball courts, tennis courts, baseball fields, soccer fields, and lots of open areas. There is a large lake in the middle of the park. People can rent paddle boats there, and there are lots of paved trails for walking or riding your bike all over the park. There is a smaller pond on the west side of the park, and there is a dirt trail that goes by that pond and the perimeter of the park.

Tropical Park has lots of free picnic areas with picnic tables and barbecue grills. The park also has large party huts that are available for rental. There are several restrooms located around the park, along with water fountains and soda machines. On weekends there are also food vendors working in the park.

One of the best features of the park is that there are many gulls, ducks, squirrels and other wild creatures walking around the park. Often children feed them. The overall interactive experience of Tropical Park is hard to beat. You can walk, run, exercise, play sports, or just sit on a bench and feed the ducks!

Check out my blogs if you want to read more!

The inside of Duo is minimally decorated with modern decor and dim lighting, while the outside deck with its small tables has a more relaxed and intimate feel.  The servers were extremely knowledgeable and polite, and the food was amazing! 

Before our meal, the server brought us breadsticks with a delicious hummus dip.  It was so good we ate the whole thing and were worried we wouldn't have room for dinner.  But, not to worry, I found some extra space in my tummy for the lobster ravioli and when I go back, I'm going to have a hard time not ordering the same thing.  I have no idea how they cooked it, but it was sweet and delicious - one of the best meals I've had in Miami for sure.  The churrasco steak was also excellent!  For dessert we shared the apricot tart, which I highly recommend - amazing! 

One of the best parts about Duo is the wine list - I think it was six pages.  Ranging from $7 for a glass to bottles in the thousands, everyone can find something they like. 

 The specifics: 

http://www.duorestaurant.com/1421

(786) 497-4386 

Open until 10:30 on weeknights and 11 on Friday and Saturday. 

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