Santorini is located at Hilton Bentley (Pool Side), 101 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
By Josie Goldberg
Miami Beach, FL (The Hollywood Times) 01/08/2024
One of my favorite hotels in Miami Beach is the “Hilton Bentley”. It is in the exclusive neighborhood called “South of Fifth” which goes from South Pointe Park north to Fifth Street: from east to west. The area is surrounded by water on three sides from Ocean to Biscayne Bay. The Hilton Bentley in my opinion has the best location. Being a Real Estate Broker for many years they teach you (location, location, location) Its beach is on the southernmost tip (water is crystal clear and the sand is white), Its walking distance to all the exclusive nightclubs, and quite enough to get some (R & R). As a Real Estate Broker in California, this affluent neighborhood would be my top choice to purchase a luxury condo, one day when I make my big bucks. Since we are starting the New Year, this would be my manifestation for building my real estate portfolio. In the meantime, I can just go to the Hilton Bentley as a Diamond Honors member and be a guest which is very luxurious for me.
Beauty, Health, Fitness Expert
@ lana_secrettobeautyandhealth
In my recent stay my friend Lana Perkins who is a beauty, health and fitness expert accompanied me to the beach club. It was the winter holiday and Miami Beach was packed. We had fun in the sun and did some frolicking on the beach. You know when you swim and are in the sun, hunger strikes.! I said let’s go eat! We did not want to go far because we wanted to get back to catch the sun before it goes away. Usually in the wintertime, the Miami sun goes away around 4 pm. We decided to go eat lunch at my hotel where “Santorini” Greek restaurant is “Hilton Bentley.”
It was fate because the owner “Georgios Vogiatzis and his brother Saki Vogiatzis (beverage director) were there, and I was able to participate in some Greek traditions and eat some flavorsome Greek dishes and drink some Greek alcoholic drinks recommended by Georgios himself. The most exciting tradition was breaking plates with Georgios and yelling “OPA”, which his brother Sakis said means “Celebrating life.”
Enjoy our YouTube video:
“Plate smashing is a Greek custom that peaked in the 60s and 70s, involving the intentional smashing of plates or glasses during celebratory occasions. In popular culture, the practice is most typical of foreigners’ stereotypical image of Greece, and while it occurs more rarely today, it continues to be seen on certain occasions, such as weddings, and or other joyous events.”
Being a Russian Jew, when any glass broke that was an omen for good fortune. So, I had some fun breaking plates. My friend Lana and I had the most amazing variety of dishes, deserts and cocktails. We felt like Greek Gods. Georgios gave us various fresh seafood, fish, and a variety of Greek Salads. For dessert he brought us a variety of Greek deserts which include (Yalaktoboureko, chocolate cake, pineapple with Greek Yogurt& fruits”. Our drinks we had were the “Greek Mojito” and some Tequila” We went overboard. However, my friend who is a health expert said that we ate a balanced meal, and we would not be gaining weight or getting sick. The food was very fresh, little oil and our desert “The Greek Yogurt was Gluten free” Lana said that she keeps her body fit and toned by eating gluten free and very little breed. She also stays away from inflammatory foods i.e. Dairy Products. …
- Wheat, Rye, and Barley. …
- Fried Foods. …
- Refined Flour. …
- Red Meat. …
- Processed Corn. …
- Artificial Chemicals and Additives. That’s why Lana Perkins looks the way she does at 53 with no invasive plastic surgery. She has a body of an 18-year cheerleader.
We ate so much that I did decide to weight myself and I did not gain a pound. Lana loved the Greek Yogurt with the Miami staple fruit as Georgios say, “The Pineapple.”
Georgios was born in the small island of Thassos, Kavala in the North region of Greece in 1966. The island is known for activities like fishing, farming, olive trees fields, and feta cheese production. He grew up with his grandparents and learned from them the love for authentic natural ingredients and food. His grandfather taught him how to select ingredients with both his heart and his mind. At the tender age of seven, he started helping at his father’s fresh market and Greek restaurant in Munich. And by the time he reached 17, he opened his first restaurant on his own.
At the age of 30, Georgios took his next big leap in life and bravely moved his family to America. It was there that he took the divine lessons from his family and used them to shape what would become a landmark establishment on the shores of Southern Florida.
Come check out “Santorini” Greek Restaurant by Georgios at the Hilton Bentley South beach and break some plates like I did. So far, I have been having some good fortune, “OPA” 2024
