This is my Miami Life column for http://www.thethreetomatoes.com, June 9, 2023

Not only does Miami have great weather, the best beaches, plenty of sunshine, outstanding restaurants and an exciting nightlife, it now has City Life Guru.

The new digital publication is like no other. Co-founders,  Alison Davis and Michelle Roth Maloy, have created a new type of newsletter that provides hidden gems all over Miami that most of the mainstream publications will never talk about. 

While City Life Guru may occasionally cover the typical glitz and glamour of Miami, the newsletter is going to provide a platform where local experts recommend specialty restaurants, pop-up exhibits, boutique clothing shops, native theater productions, unique marketplaces, and home furnishings from all over the world.

Miami has needed a publication like this for a long time. It’s a city that embraces a multicultural population. People who live in Miami, or tourists who visit here, are usually curious, sophisticated world travelers who enjoy different cultures, ethnic food and diverse social practices. 

Here are some of the areas that most folks know very little about: 

Allapattah—Diverse Latin neighborhood

Aventura—World class shopping

Bal Harbour—Luxury open air mall and fancy restaurants.

Coconut Grove—Historic hamlet filled with jungle/lush landscaping and bayfront and sidewalk cafes.

Coral Gables—Mediterranean architecture, luxury suburban life.

Doral—World class golf courses and parks.

Downtown Miami/Brickell —Industry and entertainment meet city life.

Everglades Area—Hiking, biking, camping, canoeing, and airboats. Explore the wetlands.

Hialeah—Hispanic culture and fun and games.

Historic Overtown—A Black heritage with rich history.

Key Biscayne—Sandy beaches, nature preserves, and outdoor restaurants.

Little Haiti—Lively arts and culture to Creole flavors.

Little Havana —The heart of Miami’s Cuban diaspora.

Miami Beach: Mid Beach—Enjoy South Beach cool and North Beach calm.

Miami Beach: North Beach—The relaxed Miami Beach neighborhood from 60th streetto Surfside.

Miami Beach: South Beach—Life of the rich and famous. Very seasonal. Fancy restaurants.

Miami Design District—The luxurious destination for fashion, art, architecture, and five dining.

Miami Gardens —International food and quiet parks

North Miami Beach Area—Home to 44,000 multicultural residents celebrating inclusivity, creativity, and innovation.

South Dade—Farmland, exotic fruit stands, and the unique ecosystems of two national parks.

Sunny Isles Beach—Quiet beaches, family activities, romantic hotels.

Surfside —Lavish resorts, Jewish comfort food, Sandy white beaches.

Wynwood —Home to art galleries, retail stores, antique shops, eclectic bars, artisanal eateries and street art.

One of the recent “finds” that Alison and Michelle just uncovered in Little River is a vegetarian restaurant that offers healthy, clean, homemade style food that you can purchase by the pound. Maria Laura Alemann, along with her husband, opened Plantisserie in order to introduce Miamians to all of her new dishes. She “veganized” all of her childhood favorite recipes: curries,lasagnas, stuffed eggplants, empanadas and even pizzas.

Plantisserie is located at:

7316 NE 2ND AVE
Little River
Miami, Fl 33138

The restaurant now has a cult-like following among non-vegetarians and vegans alike. One of the secrets is that Maria hires actual grandmothers to cook traditional recipes. I personally think that’s brilliant. Everyone appreciates a home cooked meal even if it’s done remotely.

Alison and Michelle have a knack for gallivanting around to find new things and places for all of us. They have been doing it for years. They met in their 20s. Alison said, “Michelle’s dad is from Argentina and her mom is from Brooklyn. My mother is from Argentina and my father is from Maine. We had a lot in common when we met in Buenos Aires.  I was working in advertising. She had an internship with a law firm. We  quickly became great friends. She moved in with me for a year and a half. We traveled around Buenos Aires and discovered  it was very multicultural. We both loved the differentneighborhoods. There was so much to do. We loved exploring together.”

Every weekend they went to markets, galleries, restaurants, and bars uncovering unique places. Michelle returned to her hometown of Miami a few years later and continued her law career becoming an Assistant State Attorney and then a defense attorney. Alison’s advertising career took her to New York, Singapore, Indonesia and eventually to Miami

Alison added, “We are both married now. Michelle has children. We still find plenty of time to enjoy Miami together the way we did in Buenos Aires”.

Michelle lives in Miami’s Bay Harbor. She actually grew up in Miami Beach. Alison lives in Williams Island. She also lived in Morningside for several years and before that across from the Standard Hotel in Miami Beach. They are both well acquainted with Miami.

The women point out that unlike most other cities many Miami residents are grateful that both English and Spanish are spoken here. “The Cubans and the South Americans love living in Miami and they want to stay here forever,” added Alison. “They are just nostalgic about their native tongue. They make every effort to speak English but they don’t to forget the Spanish language. Many Americans who live in Miami speak enough Spanish to communicate with their new friends and neighbors.”

One of the most valuable elements of City Life Guru are the city guides that allow you to walk through the different areas of Miami and know exactly where you are going. Alison explained “We want people to take our guides and walk through the streets and discover things on their own. We just finished Little Haiti. It’s such a fantastic neighborhood. The area has the most unique places plus  incredible galleries and restaurants. Look for the Caribbean marketplace on Saturdays. It’s incredible.”

Alison and Michelle invite everyone who are interested in Miami to go to their website and sign up for the newsletter.www.citylifeguru.com.

Alison and Michelle will shortly be launching a major advertising and marketing campaign for their new venture. It should be the talk of the town.

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