My usual travel routine goes something like this: check into hotel and head out into field to survey the scene. But on my last trip to Miami Beach I was so mesmerized by the view from my 14^th-floor room at the One Bal Harbour Resort & Spa (oneluxuryhotels.com) that I lingered and lingered and lingered in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows in the super luxurious bathroom. One morning I soaked in the deep tub, which seemed to be on the edge of the building, memorizing the vista of Haulover Cut and its adjacent freshly raked sandy shore. My eyes scanned left taking in the thick green Intracoastal islands behind the slips of Haulover Marina. In the distance the “designer” towers of Sunny Isles Beach and Aventura sparkled in the crisp 49-degree air. Another morning I showered in the all-glass rain shower laughing that I could see out but no one could see in until I noticed the fishermen on the bridge looking up. Oops! No, they can’t see in, the bellman assured me the windows were tinted. OK it’s one of those airplanes pulling a banner touting the latest South Beach party that caught their eye. Whew!

I was among the rousing crowd of amateur cooks donning aprons and toques at the SoBe Wine & Food Festival’s FT+L-sponsored Barilla Interactive Luncheon last Saturday at the Biltmore Hotel. Leading the show was chef Scott Conant (scottconant.com) The American-Italian chef (remember him from Top Chef, Chopped and 24 Hour Restaurant Battle), whose Scarpetta restaurant recently opened at Miami Beach’s Fontainebleau Resort, teamed up with Barilla chef Lorenzo Boni. Together they taught us on table-top portable burners how to make farfalle with garlic shrimp (Conant gave his dish a kick with crushed red pepper flakes) and campanelle with artichoke, tomato and buffalo mozzarella with ricotta cheese (Boni’s liberal use of EVOO put the dish over the top). But the real stars of the show were the guests who prepared the fab pasta we all happily devoured. It was a fun event that I’m putting on my calendar for next February!

I’m a Food Network junkie. I admit it; I love to watch chefs on TV. My senses go into overdrive when I’m glued to the tube, so imagine my joy at being in the thick of things at the foodie and star-sated hot ticket in town, the  annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Despite attending year after year, I’m always excited at the prospect of who I’ll see, what I’ll taste and what I’ll imbibe (flowing Perrier Jouet, no less). The BubbleQ hosted by Emeril Lagasse, held in a tent behind the stunning Delano Hotel, was a blast. Chef Emeril’s crowd pleaser was a Creole pulled pork sandwich with spicy coleslaw, Bam! bbq sauce and homemade pickles. Happily, I got a chance to see friends in the biz, like Norman and Janet Van Aken, whose new restaurant— Norman’s 180—opens in Coral Gables in April. Norman’s deep fried version of a Cuban sandwich was delish. I also chatted with Geof Manthorne from Ace of Cakes (a serious fave of mine) and Aaron McCargo Jr. of Big Daddy’s House (winner of season four, Next Food Network Star). Susan Feniger of Border Grill fame offered up an option to all the pork and beef with yummy mahi tacos. The evening concluded with one too many Godiva chocolates. Sleep did not come easy. My mind kept roaming the BubbleQ (sobewineandfoodfest.com) and its talented cast of characters.

With South Beach Wine & Food Festival tickets in hand, I decided to call One Bal Harbour Resort & Spa (oneluxuryhotels.com) home for two nights. Just fifteen minutes north of South Beach, I thought it would be perfect. Was it ever. Eighteen gleaming stories, the property’s view leaves you breathless. The location—at the edge of the Haulover inlet and the Atlantic Ocean—is memorable. And it’s exactly that watery scenery that makes this a knockout destination. Here, the bathroom is a place to linger; thanks to a minimalist free-standing tub that’s a thing of beauty and a step-in glass enclosed rain shower. The room’s full-length windows let you admire the blue beyond. The studio I stayed in was maximum comfy at 510 square feet. A stylish design attribute: access to the closet from inside the bathroom. How’d you like that at home? Relaxing in this gorgeous surround, I watched pelicans roosting in the trees adjacent to the Inlet, while a rainbow appeared over the ocean. Now, that’s what I call an escape.

Vauthy, Popovic & Symon

Last week at a kick-off dinner to the South Beach Wine & Food Festival I joined meat-loving foodies at Red, The Steakhouse. Rightly so, the star of the show was the beef and more specifically Certified Angus Beef (certifiedangusbeef.com); however there was some tough competition for the limelight. Food Network’s Iron Chef Michael Symon was preparing the meal–along with fellow Cleveland chefs Peter Vauthy from Red and Scott Popovic for Certified Angus Beef. Contrary to the usual sexy SoBe dress code, I found myself surrounded by Stetsons and cowboy boots. My dining partners were Steve and Ginger Olson whose ranch in North Texas is probably where the beef that graced the table originated. (Ginger told me they have about 200 of the finest mama cows for breeding.) Hors d’oeuves like the Prime Natural cap of rib with charred scallion and sweet soy glaze couldn’t have been more tender. Meaty three-inch-high smoked chuck short ribs, butchered strategically for height, and served with cheddar grits, and the Prime Natural filet of ribeye with king crab and Bearnaise sauce were amazing; however, the unanimous winner of the evening was the Natural petit filet with foie gras mousse and fresh truffles. You could cut it with a fork and let it melt in the mouth. How can you ask for more?

Walking into the Contemporary Resort (disneyworld.disney.go.com) in Lake Buena Vista had me feeling like a kid again. I instantly craved one of those great Mickey Bars (vanilla ice cream enrobed by divine dark chocolate). Yum. Resort rooms are beautifully appointed. The bathroom is especially posh. And still, from the interior halls (as you enter and exit your room), you glimpse the monorail running through. Dining-wise, the Wave is casual cool with a sea blue interior. A delicious butternut squash soup coupled with a grilled cheese sandwich hit the spot. I also visited the Contempo Cafe for a few tasty bites (on the 4^th floor where all the great shops are). Here, you place your food order on ATM-style touch screens. Brilliant! Around 10 p.m., I was taken by surprise when a musical Electric Light Flotilla Water Pageant appeared on the lake (outside my balcony) comprised of jumping porpoises,  sea horses, King Neptune and more. What fun! Sweet dreams guaranteed. I also checked out the latest Disney Vacation Club property, the Bay Lake Tower (pictured above). This is a deluxe Disney Villa Resort, with an adjoining Sky Walk to the Contemporary. “Welcome Home” is the property’s credo. It fits. These vacation abodes are lux, with gorgeous modern furnishings, full kitchens and loads of flat screen TVs. In particular, the three-bedroom loft-like unit on the lake offers stupendous views of the Magic Kingdom, a perfect perch for the nightly fireworks display. Or, guests can catch a table with a view at the Top of the World Lounge, the exclusive gathering place for Bay Lake Tower residents.

Prima Ballerina Katia Garza

I was wowed by a recent performance of the Orlando Ballet (orlandoballet.org). For one night at the Linda Chapin Theater at the Orlando County Convention Center, my imagination was unfurled by !Bailamos! — a beautiful series of vignettes choreographed by artistic director Robert Hill. Sensual, sultry and unexpected, minimalist stage sets were the perfect foil for this magnificent dance troupe’s amazing pas de deux after pas de deux. Hill’s sophisticated choreography expressed the thrill of romance while mixing it up with love’s despair. Paired with music to further evoke the emotive aspects of each dance, the evening’s theme, executed with an inimitable Latin beat concluded with a rousing salsa finale. Hill spoke eloquently in-between sets and promises that the next special program (March 19-21 at the Carr Performing Arts Center in Orlando), entitled “Battle of the Sexes,” will be yet another reason to support ballet. I certainly second that.

It is decidedly rare when packing for a getaway inside the Sunshine State that I ever take much more than sundresses and strappy sandals, but this weekend I was throwing sweaters and scarves into my case–and not just for fashion reasons either. I was off to Amelia Island, which is about as north as Florida gets before treading into Georgia territory, and this cold and rainy weekend it really did feel Northern. As the temperature dropped to a high of 52 (eek!) I braved Amelia Island Plantation’s (aipfl.com) stunning 3-½ mile stretch of gusty white-capped beach and wow did I feel the better for it. Call me crazy, but I actually relished the departure from lazy Florida tropics for an invigorating hike along the wind-swept dune ridge followed by a morning kayak through the salt marsh. I could feel the chill in the air and even see my own breath as I climbed up the wet wooden lookouts that peek out over the property’s thick tree canopy to catch a glimpse of the Atlantic Right Whales that swim along the coast every winter. Besides, how else could I justify having the warm salt stone massage and lavender steam shower at the Plantation’s holistic spa? That certainly warmed me up nicely. Not to mention the Red House grouper in sauvignon blanc sauce and Amelia mud pie I had at the Verandah restaurant that night.

The Living Room at the Four Seasons Resort in Palm Beach (fourseasons.com/palmbeach) has been transformed into a Think Pink! Gallery (through March 16). In total, there are 30 works by 23 artists including photography, mixed media and sculpture. Shades of pink abound. Think Pink! is beautifully curated in this traditional ambience by best of friends, art collector and curator Beth Rudin DeWoody and Sarah Gavlak, owner of the Gavlak Gallery on Worth Avenue (gavlakgallery.com). The duo shares a love of the color pink and superlative art instincts. The whimsical piece by artist Takashi Murakami (dubbed the Japanese Andy Warhol) acts as the official greeter. A neon sign alternatively flashing “Pretty and Ugly” is alluring too. I was smitten by a primitive figure in bronze and Mad Men-esque portraits (Christoper Milne’s Pinko Six). Don’t miss the Kenmore dryer as art. View on Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m., with a guided tour. While there, sip Cosmos or Pink Ladies. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Two very special Think Pink! spa treatments are also available. Sales of featured cocktails and spa treatments will support Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Also visit the Gavlak Gallery for a much larger Think Pink! exhibition.

Photo: Amy Mikler

Last night I experienced DRIP (ilovedrip.com), a performing arts troupe unlike any I’ve seen in Central Florida. Their latest show “Fresh” (through Feb. 14 at the Cameo Theater) is a daring, sensual spectacle. I wandered through the art-filled space, picking bits of food from hanging planters or garden-like sculpture walls, and watched dancers on stage move erotically under a 10-foot waterfall and on a mound of dirt and coffee beans. Freedom, openness and sensuality are among DRIP’s credos; guests are encouraged to interact with each other among the environments at this avant-garde dinner theater experience. DRIP also performs at downtown’s Blank Space, blending dance and body painting—performers paint each other using hands and feet as makeshift brushes—in their visually dazzling performances. I’ve followed the Orlando art scene for many years, and this group is the most innovative I’ve seen in a long time, culling local and national performers. As DRIP Art Director Christie Brock puts it, the group tries to create “a fun, child-like world; get messy, have fun, try to do things that seem impossible. Don’t hold back!”