miami

Originally launching in 2000 in Milan, the fashion powerhouse's home brand, Armani/Casa, now has over 60 stores worldwide, with the latest addition opening in Miami just this week. Giorgio Armani's vision was to merge his fashion philosophy with the world of interiors to create a lifestyle that celebrates all aspects of design.

The result is high-quality furnishings that resemble the sexy and luxurious aesthetic of the Giorgio Armani brand. The dimly lit, 3,700-square-foot space is filled with a large assortment of home goods including furniture, tableware, decorative accessories, fabrics, ornaments, lighting, and unique concepts for bathrooms and kitchens. Additionally, the store offers exclusive interior design service providing "made to measure" solutions for private clients and property developers.

A delicately patterned plate adds subtle texture but can easily blend with any dining environment.

Keep reading after the jump for more pictures of the new store!

We may have enjoyed foie gras ravioli and stone crab waffles during our weekend in Miami, but it was some of the simple fare at La Sandwicherie that impressed us the most.

This place first entered my radar when I passed it on an early morning run. I was drawn to the approachable nature of the open-air stand and the reasonable prices (fresh-pressed vegetable juice for $5 and change? Sign me up!). By the end of the trip, both Camilla and I were fighting La Sandwicherie cravings: we ate there twice, after longing for the watery crunch of fresh lettuce, the airy baguette, and the salty cornichons.

The Miami minichain's most popular sandwich, the Prosciutto and Fresh Mozzarella Combination, is one of my favorites, but the truth is, everything there is satisfying in a really elemental way. I chalk the comfort of these sandwiches up to a few things: La Sandwicherie's signature French vinaigrette — a perfect balance of Dijon tang, olive oil, and vinegar; the sandwich bar's sweet and hot peppers (more hot than sweet); and, naturally, the warm Miami air on your back as you finish the entire sandwich in a single sitting. With extra hot peppers on the side, of course.

Hot off the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, I scoured the Miami International Airport terminal for some viable food options, as I was still — believe it or not — hungry. But my choices were extraordinarily slim, unless I wanted to grab a three-inch-thick slice of pizza sitting under a heat lamp or a pile of greasy lo mein from Manchu Wok.

I continued walking until I came upon an eatery with the Spanish name La Carreta, which translates as "The Cart." I was getting down to the wire on time, so I hastily ordered a salad. That's when I spotted a machine full of empanadas. "What's that?" I asked the guy behind the counter, pointing to a round, puffy fritter. "Oh, it's a Papa Rellena — I like them very much and think you will, too," he told me.

He couldn't have been more spot-on — "loved" would've been a better word. It was shepherd's pie meets hush puppy, a battered exterior followed by a layer of impossibly creamy potato and a center of cumin-scented ground beef. I instantly regretted not having bought another. And as I settled into my plane seat with the latest edition of Saveur, I instantly regretted not adding a Cuban sandwich on top of that. Sigh. Anyone down to go to Miami this weekend?

I've had plenty of Cuban sandwiches in my lifetime, made by everyone from local San Francisco cafés to national chains like Quiznos. But until I visited Miami, I'd never had an authentic Cubano sandwich as it's served at a typical lonchería in South Florida.

What makes a real Cuban sandwich? Why, it's not just the slow-cooked pork, but also the bread. An authentic version of a storied sandwich is made from heavily-buttered pan Cubano, an elusive long, rectangular bread that tends to be flaky and crisp on the outside and tender and moist on the inside. In between goes sliced ham, roast pork, swiss cheese, and dill pickles, and the whole thing is warmed on the press, or plancha, where it's heated until the exterior's toasty and the interior steamy.

The variation I tried was made to order at David's Café, and it was so many things all at once: crispy, juicy, creamy, soft. I'd never eaten anything quite like it and decided that my pairing of the meal with a Dominican Presidente beer couldn't have been more spot-on. Have you ever had a real Cuban sandwich?

If you're going to Miami, let's face it: you're booking bikini time. So reserve a stay at The Raleigh Hotel in Miami Beach and dip your pedicured toes into the most glamorous pool on the Atlantic coast. Built in 1940 by famed architect L. Murray Dixon, The Raleigh is a world-renowned Art Deco hotel that defines style and glamour. The poolside "Oasis," as it's called, is dressed with chic, black and white striped, tasseled beach umbrellas; lushly cushioned outdoor sofas; hammocks hidden in the shade; and perfect, pink-striped lounge chairs. The interiors feature Floridian-style bamboo seating, midcentury modern-inspired furniture, and warm, inviting palettes of rich coral and sophisticated teal. Overall, the hotel's legendary Art Deco-era style has been tastefully and seamlessly modernized, offering a sense of history as well as contemporary style.Sold yet? Well it's your lucky year. To celebrate its 70th anniversary, the Raleigh is offering a complimentary room upgrade and $70 in food and beverage credits per day through December 25, 2010. Be sure to check out more photos of the interiors below!

Continue reading for the full tour.