11/05/09

Hakkasan

by MealSchpeal com

In years past, never would we have trekked 2 whole miles north of the Delano to some gigantic resort for Chinese food but into the breach of fine-dining Chinese restaurants comes Hakkasan at the Fontainebleau resort, South Beach. If fine-dining Chinese confuses you into contradiction, think more Shanghai Terrace at the Peninsula than the de-ree-verry place with extra MSG.

As we de-cabbed at one of The Fontainebleau’s 4 entrances, we began a lengthy and winding walk to the restaurant that appeared to be so lengthy and winding for no purpose other than to take diners on a tour of the resort. Neat trick. The first time. Next time I’m demanding a golf cart.

The menu was very pretty but vast and confusing. Luckily, Hakkasan, like many other restaurants in Miami, were part of the Miami Spice network thus making selections very easy. And cheap. Relatively. At a place where a noodle dish can cost $40 dollars, 4 healthy appetizer portions of popular items for $35 is a treat. Unluckily for us and luckily for the restaurant, it was a Friday and Fridays mean drinking time. So although our food tab (for 3 people) was around $90, 11 drinks @ $14/drink made all the difference.

I don’t know what to tell you about fine-dining Chinese. I wasn’t convinced at Shanghai Terrace and I’m not convinced here. The only place that exceeded my expectations was Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills but that was not an experience for the squeamish. Does anything justify a $40 plate of noodles? I’m not sure. I bet people asked if anything justified a $50 steak some years back. Clearly the answer was yes. But for now, all hail the Miami Spice tasting concept and may every other city start its own.

• Pros: Part of Miami Spice
• Cons: Cost!

05/17/09

Hotel: Beautiful Service: Not so much

by awm146

I just got back from my first trip to Miami and the Fontainebleau Resort. We got a good deal for the type of resort that it is so I was very excited to be living luxuriously for the week. The resort is beautiful. The pool area is amazing and very relaxing. The rooms are very comfortable and I enjoyed staying there. There were no king bed rooms left, so we were upgraded to an ocean view room for free. Great.

However, my one big problem with the resort is the lazy and unaccomodating staff. There were plenty of people out working by the pool and watched them assist other guests with towels and umbrellas and finding lounge chairs. Whenever I would ask one of these people, they responded by saying that isn't their job and I had to go find someone else. I even resorted to walking over to the pool hut just to get a towel and with a stack of towels behind them, they told me they didn't give out towels. The staff seemed like they were more interested in chatting with each other and working on their tans than actually paying attention to the guests.

• Pros: Gorgeous pool area, very comfortable rooms
• Cons: Lazy staff, unaffordable food

11/24/06

Beautiful beach, relaxing pool area w beverage hut, Comfortable quiet accomodations

by maryellenpearlman

I have stayed here several times, through various stages of construction and not. The fountainbleu is a complete resort, with an air of luxury that doesn't break your pocketbook. I love to lounge in the pool area and swim in the gorgeous pool.