Marriott Reopens, New Best Place for Sunset Cocktails

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Lesley Elliott

The new and improved Catch Grill + Bar.

​The Marriott on Biscayne Bay held a preview of its $31 million renovation last night. Although Catch (the on-site restaurant) has been open for several months, the 28-year-old hotel has finally completed renovation on the remainder of the property.

A lounge-y atmosphere on the bay with a marina view makes the new terrace an ideal spot for sunset cocktails. The hotel has officially been modernized from Miami circa mid-'80s.

Lesley Elliott

The raw bar was stocked with stone crab, oysters, shrimp and ceviche.

​Guests were treated to fresh Gulf oysters (take that BP) and the last remainders of available stone crab, as well as a taste of the kitchen at Catch. The house paella was made en masse, and there was plenty of pulled pork sliders to go around.

Lesley Elliott

Paella cooking in crowd sized servings.

​Michael Perez showcased his pop art brush strokes, while Maria Zouroudis warbled for champagne swigging guests. DJ Vidal played in between sets, allowing attendees a hand-rolled cigar break.

Lesley Elliott

Hand-rolled cigars.

​The recent addition of an Illy cafe ups the ante, with free Wi-Fi and coffee that surpasses the nearby Starbucks by leaps and bounds. This is your new place for a midday business related meet-up. They are also going for an authentic Euro-coffee house theme, serving wine and beer along with espresso from 5 to 8 p.m. daily.

All in all, a good night to witness yet another example of the downtown overhaul. This refurbishment gives new life to old real estate; I would say that the Hilton's DoubleTree next door has some serious competition. I'll be putting my relatives up at the Marriott next visit, hands down.

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