Here are some of our favorite classics that are kept on repeat.

Spending most of her time behind a computer and talking on the phone with her boyfriend Rob (Food & Beverage Director for Menin Hotels). Sami frequently stumbles upon the newest and best restaurants to go to. Top of our list for the Miami Edition of Live Like a Local Series is Sami’s favorite places to “grub.” Now don’t be fooled by her size because this girl can eat!

1) “Right now my favorite restaurant (for any meal of the day) is Khong River House for some Northern Thai Food. Every time I’m there I order a minimum of 5 dishes.” Favorite Dish- Chicken Curry Noodles

2) “If you’re looking for something a little unconventional I suggest The Eleventh Street Diner.” Straight out of the 1940s, the diner brings a little bit of New York Flavor to the streets of Miami Beach. Favorite Dish- The Full House

3) Sylvanos. “Tucked away and walking distance from our offices makes it a go to lunch spot for me” Favorite Dish- Mussels

Why penguin prison?
I wanted a name that would intrigue people and go along with my theme of music, that is serious with a sense of humor. Penguin Prison. You’ll see that in my music, there are some serious beats with a lighthearted humouus emotion.

What’s your favorite type of music to listen to?
My favorite music is probably music from the 70′s like Fleetwood Mac. The 1970s brought music to another level with the introduction of multi track recording, which made it possible to record instruments and singers separately on different tracks.

What was your most memorable concert you attended?
One of the best was when I saw Jay-Z at Madison Square Garden. It made me realize how many hits he has and how long he has been around.

Tell us what your favorite performance was that you’ve done
My favorite show was at the music hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn the night before New Year’s Eve in 2011. It was sold out and everyone was going crazy having a good time.

Favorite cocktail?
I only drink whiskey, scotch or bourbon. If I drink a cocktail it has to have tequila and salt on the rim.

Good thing he’s coming to Drumbar and will be able to taste our vast selection of whiskeys, bourbons and scotches! Catch him this Saturday for Spotlight Nights in our Drumbar Live Memorial Day Weekend Lineup

Beat the heat and cool off at one of our rooftop pools.
See if you can name each hotels pool shown above.

Need some tunes? Check out our Poolside Playlist.

Answers: A: Bentley South Beach, B: Gale South Beach, C: Sanctuary South Beach

View full menu of services here.

SpaBar is located on the 2nd floor
Monday – Friday 10AM to 8PM
Saturday 9AM to 7PM
Sunday 10AM to 6PM

To make a reservation call: 312.280.6949

Sundays at Drumbar are back! The patio is open, the DJ’s are on deck, and the rosé is chillin.

Raise your glass to the warm weather and join us for #RoséSundays at Drumbar starting at 12PM.

Craig Schoettler, our Beverage Director’s recommendations:

1. Whispering Angel
Provence, France – Still

2. Blackbird “Arriviste”
Oakville, California – Still

3. Jansz
Tamar Valley, Tasmania – Sparkling

4. Brundlmayer
Kamptal, Austria – Sparkling

5. Vilmart & Cie
Champagne, France – Sparkling

View our full Rose Menu Here

To kick off our summer beats schedule is Bridget Marie along with DJ Step who will be doing an improv set with the live jazz band.

Stay tuned! Well be sharing interviews, playlists and behind the DJ booth series all summer long.

For the full lineup check out Drumbars Facebook page.

Call it what you want, but late night food is sometimes a necessity for all of us once in a while. Unfortunately after 10 p.m. the easiest places to find are mostly of the drive-thru variety.

Not to worry, we have compiled a list of some of the best late night spots all the way from Miami to Chicago to satisfy your late night cravings.

This isn’t just another Instagram. It’s a whole new platform for showing off your creativity and Menin Hotels is now a part of the action!
Start following our visual diary (search “Menin Hotels”) and you’ll get a peek into the world of all things Menin.

Our concierge at Sanctuary South Beach has put together a list of the top BBQ spots in Miami.

• Pride and Joy BBQ
Must Try: BBQ Nachos

• Brother Jimmy’s at Marlins Park
Must Try: Southern Style Ribs

• Sakaya Kitchen: Korean BBQ
Must Try: Dirty South Korean Pulled Pork Sliders

• Have Your Own BBQ On The Beach!
Must Try: Keep it Simple, Bubba Burgers & Buns

With all that walking you are sure to work up quite an appetite. Before, after, or during a quick intermission, take your pick of Wynwood’s collection of restaurants or grab a quick bite at one of the many food trucks located throughout the streets.

Our favorites:
Restaurants:
• Wynwood Kitchen & Bar (located in the Wynwood Walls)
• Joey’s Wynwood
Food Trucks:
• The Rolling Stove
• Ms. Cheezious

Meet May, she has worked in the hospitality industry for over 12 years at a variety hotels from Wardman Park Marriott in Washington DC, to The Setai Miami Beach, to her current position at the Gale South Beach.

What made you choose your career in Hospitality?
I enjoy interacting with guests and meeting new people from all over the world. After having the opportunity to work in several departments at different venues I found my love for the housekeeping department because I loved taking on the challenge of empowering and motivating the “back of the house” staff members. I am always thinking of new ways to “wow” the guests with extraordinary amenities.

Name the weirdest thing you have found in a guests room?
A fully decorated Christmas tree along with gifts underneath it.

What are some special requests you have received?
Australian Honey for a guest’s hot tea

Who are the messiest types of guests? (ex: Athletes, Musicians)
Production groups

What is the most popular mini bar item?
“Love Box” (Retails for $20.00 and includes two lubricated prophylactics, two personal lubricants, two mint packets, one massage lotion, one feminine fresh wipe, and two lovers scratch off games.)

What’s your tip for sprucing up a boring room?
Adding color and non-typical reading materials!

The housekeeping department is a difficult one to manage (one commonly not held to high esteem) How do you motivate your employees to have the biggest impact on a guest’s experience?
Cross training staff member to learn all areas of the department, training staff members in decision making then allowing them to make the decisions and respect the ones that are made. Staff members have the opportunity to share their thoughts and make their recommendations.

Where can we find you on your day off?
Relaxing at home =]

Take a closer look at all of Leo Caillard’s Miami Houses on our Pinterest Page or visit www.leocaillard.com

Cupcakes are no longer just for kids.

The cupcake has transformed. Adult versions of our childhood favorite have become increasingly popular lately. These sweet treats aren’t you average cupcake but rather a “cuptail”; an original, delicious marriage between a cupcake and a cocktail.

 Where to find these delectable concoctions?

Sweet &Tipsy!

These “cuptails” combine the soft cupcake you love with a flavorful twist of your favorite liquors to give it a little kick that’s both sweet & tipsy, all inspired by your favorite cocktails.

]]> http://meninhotels.com/table-talk-sweet-tipsy-cupcakes/feed/ 0 http://meninhotels.com/cinco-de-mayo-at-radio/ http://meninhotels.com/cinco-de-mayo-at-radio/#comments Sun, 05 May 2013 01:41:04 +0000 daddydesign http://meninhotels.com/?p=2116 Take our tequila shot tips! You have all day to practice at Radio, opening at 1:00PM for its Cinco De Mayo Fiesta!

HOW TO DOWN A TEQUILA SHOT LIKE A PRO…

Step 1: Lick the skin between your thumb and forefinger or the back of your hand.

Step 2: Sprinkle a small pinch of salt onto the area.

Step 3: Hold one slice of lime with your thumb and index finger, using the same hand that contains the salt.

Step 4: Breathe out, lick the salt, down your tequila shot and bite the lime. (Some people prefer biting the lime before they breathe in, so they don’t taste the liquor as much.)

Step 5: Throw your head back and try to swallow all of the tequila in one gulp. You are taking a shot, after all!

You have all day to practice at Radio, opening at 1:00PM for its Cinco De Mayo Fiesta!

Meet Sean! Our front office manager at Raffaello Chicago. Sean gave us his favorite place to unwind after work (aside from Drumbar of course)

“My favorite little spot in the city is a bar called Watershed. It’s located downstairs from a popular champagne bar called Pops. It’s comfortable and quiet and has a retro feel. They feature local micro-brews, wines and spirits from Chicago to NY. They also have a great cocktail list and appetizer portions featuring daily specials to try.”

We got up close and personal on what inspired her DJ career.

Menin Hotels: What made you want to become a DJ?
Michelle Pesce: I won tickets on Kroq in LA to go to Woodstock ’99 in New York…fast forward to the after party where Moby was deejaying and a female DJ started spinning at one point. She was just bouncing around with her blonde ponytail, and I remember thinking I could do this!

MH: But you didn’t become a DJ right after that?
MP: At around the same time in LA I was going to clubs 3-5 times a week, listening to DJ AM play, and I kept thinking, I really want to do that. I made myself wait to buy turntables to make sure it wasn’t just a whim. SIX MONTHS later I was still had my heart set on Deejaying. So I finally purchased those turntables.

MH: Did you have a mentor during this transition your life?
MP: I happened to meet Spinderella (salt-n-pepa). She took me under her wing and taught me the fundamentals of deejaying. I never looked back!

MH: Who is your biggest inspiration?
MP: DJ wise-my biggest inspiration is DJ AM. I used to watch him at these small spots in LA and I became mesmerized by his fingers and the way he’d take you on a journey. He’d take a cheesy old song that deep down u loved and mix it just right to get a flavor of it but still always keep a hip vibe. That’s in the days where people were at the club to dance and sweat!

MH: Your Favorite Artist
MP: I love Robyn and Lykke Li. They can be vulnerable, they can be sexy, they can tough, kind of all rolled into one.

MH: Favorite cocktail
MP: Jameson Neat

MH: What’s next for your career?
MP: Tomorrow I’ll be spinning for the People and Time Magazine White House Correspondents Dinner Pre-Party. I’m also going on tour for ‘Yahoo! On The Road’ in May with a bunch of Grammy award winning bands, which is different than my usual Hollywood type gigs. I’m stoked about it and getting to travel all summer.

While cupcakes may never truly fade, artisan doughnuts are making their way onto the scene.
Just to be clear, when we say doughnut, were not talking about your typical flavors. We’re trading in Boston Cream for Crème Brulee and Traditional Glazed for Maple Glazed Bacon.

Our favorite shop to grab a doughnut? Glazed and Infused! With four locations across Chicago, we’re excited that Raffaello is included on that list! Our guests can pick up a coffee & doughnut or a box to go.

**Special Mother’s & Father’s Day promotion!
Book your stay at Raffaello during one of these weekends and you’ll receive a sweet treat from Galzed and Infused upon arrival.

Here’s a list of some essentials to pack for your vacation!

1. Swimsuit: Let’s face it; you’re in a swimsuit more than regular clothes while on vacation in Miami.
2. Sunglasses: These are a must! Our new favorites are the Crystal Blue Ray Bans.
3. Flip Flops: Nothing’s worse than getting sand in your socks!
4. Hat: A floppy hat is the perfect way to catch some rays yet still be in the shade.
5. Sunscreen: A white cotton shirt may be equivalent to SPF 7 but that’s still not enough coverage!
6. Beach Cover-up: One that can go from day to night

Menin Hotels: What was your most memorable concert?
Will Galvan: No way I can pick just one…I’d have to say New Order, A Tribe called Quest, Daft Punk and Questlove.

MH: Tell us about a stand out DJ moment for you?
WG: DJ’ing at the House of Blues in Chicago last year. I’ve seen so many amazing shows at that venue and it felt great to actually be playing there.

MH: Do you have a lucky charm?
WG: My gold chain

MH: Who was your most starstruck moment with?
WG: When it comes to celebrities I’m usually pretty chill, but I DJ’ed before Questlove at a Lollapalooza after party a few years back and I definitely geeked out a bit. The dude is a huge inspiration for me when it comes to DJ’ing.

MH: You’ve grown up here your whole life; name a must-visit spot for anyone who is visiting Chicago for the first time?
WG: Chicago’s Lakefront. It’s a great place to go biking, running, walking along the coast of Lake Michigan.

MH: Cuisine of choice?
WG: Korean food

MH: Is there a place in Chicago you can tell us about that you would only know if you grew up in Chicago?
WG: Buyers Flea Market on Cicero and Division, they have a hat store there that’s a real gem.

MH: What is your favorite season in Chicago?
WG: Fall

MH: A must know…your favorite cocktail?
WG: Old Fashioned (from Drumbar)

Stay up to date on who will be going head to head!

Order online at Pizzabar.com for you NBA Playoff Party!

Why you ask? Since joining our team as Beverage Director, Craig Schoettler has been introducing Menin Hotels to a whole new world of whiskey drinking.

Drumbar has an exclusive menu featuring a scotch list from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America as well as our own bottled Eagle Rare Drumbar Edition.

We’ve held countless tastings and done all the research. Now let’s get down to business so you can become a whiskey whiz.

• Whiskey refers to whiskeys distilled in Ireland and the United States. Whisky, on the other hand, is generally used for whiskies distilled in Scotland, Wales, Canada, Japan and other countries.
• When whiskey comes out of the distillery, it’s clear in color. The dark brown color comes from the barrels it’s aged in.
• A whiskey stops maturing once it’s bottled.
• An open bottle can last for up to 5 years.
• Adding a few drops of water to whiskey will bring out the flavor.
• The world’s largest producer & consumer of whiskey is India.
• There are over 500 different types of single-malt whiskeys

Thirsty for more?
Coming soon, our tips on how to stock your whiskey bar.

See what we love about summertime in the Sunshine State on our Pinterest Page!

Coming soon, our Concierge Approved advice on how to stay cool during the summer months.