If you haven’t been to the cute Upper East Side wine bar and hangout that is BarMeli69 {6927 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami; 305.754.5558}—which, aside from its location, makes you feel like you’ve taken a trip to the Mediterranean—you’re missing out. Helmed by none other than the Liza Meli (the bar’s cute, spunky owner), at BarMeli69, you’re not just a customer; you’re part of the family. The perfect place to grab a glass of vino and Mediterranean tapas after work, come with your girlfriends, a date, your family, or even a coworker, and settle in as Liza makes you feel right at home.
To find out more about the MiMo gem we love, we sat down with Liza herself and let her explain what makes her haunt so charming. We’ll give you a hint: it’s passion.
Read below to find out what she had to say.
What made you decide to open BarMeli69? Was it new for you in any way?
After owning several Greek or Mediterranean restaurants, BarMeli was my first that focused on the wine more than the food. I wanted to introduce to Miami eclectic, unknown grape varietals from the Mediterranean region that are made as naturally as possible and come from small-production, family-owned wineries.
How did you choose your location?
I love my ‘hood! I have been living and doing business in this neighborhood for 10 years and had already established a customer following, so I didn’t want to stray too far. Uber wasn’t around yet, and I was hoping to attract serious wine drinkers.
What’s your favorite bottle of wine on the BarMeli menu? What do you love to eat with it?
My favorite wines are from the volcanic regions, like Santorini, Greece and Sicily. They have high minerality and little or no fruit. I love pairing them with salty, briny foods like anchovies, sardines or sea urchin. That said, wine is alive and complex; so there is a time and a place for all varietals to be enjoyed. It’s all about the mood you’re in at the moment.

What makes BarMeli special?
BarMeli has become a very local hangout. Everyone that enters is happy and this happiness is contagious. I often hear people say they feel they are walking into my home, and not a restaurant. The vibe is relaxed and not pretentious; we even have live music four nights a week. Dining at BarMeli is a memorable occasion—it’s not just a place to eat and go. I feel like that’s why I have so many returning customers. We offer the whole package, from healthy food, interesting wines, and friendly service, to a charming ambiance and affordable prices.
You’re all about atmosphere. What makes BarMeli so charming?
Things happen naturally at BarMeli; but when I’m in the mood and the room is full of energy, I break a plate or two. This really gets the crowd going. It’s a Greek thing! I did this at all my prior restaurants, too. It just feels good.
What’s the first thing you do when you get there everyday?
The first thing I do is stock up the wine fridge from the night before and see what the most popular wine of the night was.
What (or who) keeps you inspired?
Hmmmmm. Inspiration? It’s a very important emotion for the “creative” and “artistic” side of the business. I think it’s too easy to get caught up in the “American way” of life with too much technology, stress and politics, feeling overworked, and unfortunately, watching too much gun violence. I take a yearly trip to Greece—alone. There, I’m able to switch off and absorb the natural beauty and live the way we were meant to be living. I also feel inspired when I have the ability to inspire others, especially young people seeking to be entrepreneurs. As a female restaurant owner (there are only a few of us in this city), growing up in the 1980s without the #MeToo movement was very challenging. Sexual harassment in the workplace was the norm! But we overcome and embrace change. I have zero tolerance for any kind of abuse in the workplace; work should be a safe haven enjoyed by all.
If you weren’t running BarMeli, what would you be doing?
I would be running another restaurant. It’s in my blood, it defines who I am, it gives me pleasure and pain, it is what I love to do. There is no other profession I would rather be doing.
Fast forward five years from now. What will BarMeli be like then?
Five years from now?! I can’t say. I just live, enjoy and am grateful for the moment.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

Here is this week’s Miami food news:

Monday, July 9: Monday Social Hour
Head to the bar area at BarMeli69 {6927 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami; 305.754.5558} for complimentary cheese and wine. This deal is available every Monday, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Tuesday, July 10: Snail Social
Slow Food Miami’s “Snail Social” roaming Happy Hour is back, and this month, it’s taking place at Miami’s first vegan gastropub, Soul Tavern. Hosted by restaurateur and healer, Jason Gordon, and Chef de Cuisine, Kinsler Josaime, guests who attend will be treated to cocktails and specially-created bites, like Hearts of Palm Cakes, Hemp Encrusted Edamame Cakes, and Crunchy Forest Maki. While this monthly event used to be free and open to the public, since Hurricane Irma, guests have been asked to make a $15 donation, which goes straight to South Florida farms affected by Hurricane Irma. As an added benefit, guests will also be able to enjoy the Happy Hour menu from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and get a 15% discount off their check if they stay for dinner after. This event will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Soul Tavern is located at 1801 West Avenue. Tickets are required and can be purchased here. To receive the 15% discount off dinner, Snail Social attendees must show their purchased Snail Social ticket.
Tuesday, July 10 + Wednesday, July 11: The Semifinals
Watch the World Cup Semifinals at Artisan Beach House {10295 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbor; 305.455.5460}, and you’ll get the chance to eat and drink for free! During the game, guests wearing a jersey from a team playing in the semifinals will get a complimentary Artisan Beach House cocktail paired with the chef’s “tapa of the game.” Along with that, a special a la carte menu will feature house favorites at reduced prices, like Grilled Octopus, Pimento Cheese Croquette, Shishito Peppers, Brussels Sprouts, Gambas al Ajillo, and Cobia Ceviche. This deal is available on Tuesday and Wednesday, starting at 2 p.m.
Friday, July 13: Ladies Love R House
C’mon, ladies! Head to R House Wynwood {2727 NW 2 Avenue, Wynwood; 305.576.0201} on Friday for its weekly “Ladies Night,” where DJ EFX will keep the party going until the wee hours of the morning. Here, the drink deals don’t disappoint, either: happy hour runs from 10 p.m. to Midnight, ladies get $1 glasses of Champagne all night long, margaritas are priced at $6 for everyone who goes, and girls who come with at least four friends will get a FREE bottle of Champagne. This deal is available every Friday, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations are required for groups and can be made by contacting the restaurant at [email protected].
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

Haven’t made your Fourth of July plans yet? If you’re thinking about going to some of Miami’s biggest fireworks shows, we know just the places to eat and drink. Read below!
DOWNTOWN MIAMI
It’s hard to miss America’s Birthday Bash—it takes place every year at Bayfront Park; has a free all-day event with a kid’s play zone, food and beverages, giveaways, a Sam Adams Beer Garden, and live music; and is undeniably one of the largest holiday fireworks displays in South Florida. Plan to get there early, before it fills up! The beer garden and live music will start at 2 p.m. and the Kids Zone will be open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Watching these fireworks? In between all the fun, plan to get food and drinks here:
Cipriani
Cantina La Veinte
Boulud Sud Miami
The River Seafood & Oyster Bar
Wolfgang’s Steakhouse by Wolfgang Zwiener
NORTH MIAMI BEACH
Every year, throngs of beach-goers head to North Shore Park Bandshell for the “Fire on the Fourth Festival!” This Fourth of July celebration has an all-day schedule of yoga, fireworks, live music, food trucks, and more, and all of it right on the sand. Like most events on this holiday, bring your beach chair or blanket and plan to find a spot early. We can’t always promise good weather in South Florida; but we can guarantee a crowd!
Watching these fireworks? Here’s where you can eat and drink before the fun:
Nobu
Scarpetta by Scott Conant
The Strand Bar & Grill
OCEAN DRIVE
There are always Fourth of July fireworks on Ocean Drive. They’re set off right over the Atlantic Ocean! To get the best view of them, plan to dine at one of Ocean Drive’s streetside cafés or rooftop bars, and once the clock strikes 9 p.m., let that (firework) freedom ring.
Watching these fireworks? Reserve a table at one of the restaurants below and enjoy dinner and drinks with a (patriotic) view:
A Fish Called Avalon
Azabu
Cibo Wine Bar South Beach
Lolo’s Surf Cantina
KEY BISCAYNE
A Fourth of July event doesn’t get more cliché than the Key Biscayne Fourth of July Celebration, but we love it too much to knock it. There are marching bands, decorated golf carts, red-white-and-blue floats, live music and even jets flying overhead. The parade starts at 11 a.m. and the fireworks start at 9 p.m., and in between, there’s a Kiwanis Picnic on the Village Green and plenty of open space to relax, let your kids run around, and take in Key Biscayne’s beautiful views.
Watching these fireworks? Here’s where we love to eat and drink in Key Biscayne:  
Artisan Kitchen & Bar
Costa Med Bistro + Wine
Kazumi
CORAL GABLES
Like it does every Fourth, the Biltmore Hotel will once again throw one of Miami’s most popular fireworks shows. If you’re going to this event, grab your picnic blanket or lawn chair and plan to arrive at 5 p.m. (when the gates open!) to snag a spot on the grass. Fireworks will begin promptly at 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. concert beforehand. This event is free and open to the public, so when we tell you to get there early… get there early.
Watching these fireworks? Plan to get food and drinks at one of the places below:

The Biltmore Fontana
The Biltmore Palme d’Or
Sawa Restaurant & Lounge
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

Looking for a new place to eat this summer? Head to The Strand Bar & Grill {6801 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.514.7474}—they’ve got something special for you every day of the week.

SUNDAYS: Beach After Brunch
Starting July 1, brunch-goers can go to The Strand Bar & Grill for both a themed brunch and exclusive access to Carillon Miami’s beach. The first brunch buffet will kick off with a BBQ theme to celebrate July 4, complete with breakfast classics; a carving station with smoked brisket and whole roasted pig; an outdoor grilling station with build-your-own sliders and vegetable, shrimp, and chicken skewers; and side dishes like roasted potatoes, corn on the cob, mac ‘n cheese, crispy brussels sprouts, and cornbread. Don’t forget to save room for dessert! Those mini apple pies and ganache-filled star cookie pops are sure to please. Beach After Brunch will take place on the first Sunday of every month, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Brunch is priced at $65 per person, and bottomless prosecco, mimosas, rosé, and Bloody Marys can be purchased for an additional $25 per person. Beach lounges are included at no additional cost. 
MONDAYS, TUESDAYS, AND WEDNESDAYS: Miami Locals Club
Head to The Strand Bar & Grill Monday through Wednesday, flash your Miami-Dade County driver’s license, and you’ll get 15% off your lunch or dinner bill.
THURSDAYS: Wine Night
Dine in the restaurant for dinner, and get your wine half-off. All bottles on the wine list are 50% off every Wednesday night!

FRIDAYS: Live Music at The Lounge
Like live music? This is just the place to get it. Every Friday night, pair your perfect views and good-for-you-good food and drinks with equally-awesome tunes. Live music takes place every Friday night, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Find out who’s playing by clicking here.
SATURDAYS: Champagne Saturdays
Does anything sound sweeter? The Carillon Miami turned 60 earlier this year, and to celebrate,  guests can enjoy select bottles of champagne for just $60 per bottle. This deal is available every Saturday during lunch and dinner, through the end of 2018.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor