Miami International Boat Show: New Venue, New Food

February 12, 2016
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Miami boat show
Credit: Miami Boat Show

One of South Florida's classic winter festivals, the Miami International Boat Show, held primarily at the Miami Beach Convention Center, is the place where you can see everything from cute kayaks to sleek fishing boats. Lots of marine eye candy, but little in the way of tasty food.
Now sporting a stylish new venue – the Miami Marine Stadium on Virginia Key – the show has raised the stakes, featuring 11 restaurants and bars spread across the venue. Under Jim Pastor, executive chef of The Rusty Pelican, the food and beverage experiences include:
    •    Waterside Cafe: Upscale dining with views of the bay
    •    Zignum Lounge: Waterfront mezcal bar with seafood options including spicy tuna rolls, oysters, and Alaskan crab
    •    Biscayne Bay Cafe: Lighter fare such as salads, prosciutto and melon, sushi rolls, and shrimp cocktails
    •    Havana Club & Cigar Bar: Cuban fare, frita sliders, Cuban sandwich and ceviche
    •    Roasted Pig: Tasty BBQ piled high in sandwiches or served alone with tasty sides. Options include brisket, ribs, burgers, pulled pork and grilled tuna.
    •    Beer Garden: Cold beer and pub fare like seared pork belly sliders, wings, sausage, bratwurst, salads, and churrasco skewers
    •    Kids Corner: Build Your Own Pizza, a Fro-Yo station
    •    Concessions: Hot dogs, hamburgers, pizzas, wraps and nachos
    •    Rusty Pelican and Whiskey Joe’s will remain open for sit-down, on-water dining experiences
Food prices range from $7–$26.

One other big change is getting to and from the Marine Stadium. Because there's very little parking on Virginia Key, shuttles to and from lots on the mainland and Water Taxis will be called into action. Choices range from Marlins Park ($5 plus a free shuttle) to valet parking at Whiskey Joe's ($50). A limited number of parking spaces are available on Virginia Key but must be prepaid – they will turn you away if you have not booked and paid in advance. Find details here.