Even though I've been based in Florida for over a decade, I'd never been inside Versace’s (infamous) mansion before until, recently I learned that -- following the designer's gruesome murder -- a portion of his fabled home has become converted into a boutique hotel/restaurant.
Naturally, curious, we decided to pay the swanky abode a visit, with out-of-town friends, and I was pleasantly surprised by how tasteful & restrained it is.
Initially, my intention was to show up, Miami-style, in shorts & tank top, but the missus wasn’t having any of it :)
In the terms of decadent French poet, there is an air of Luxe, Calme et Volupté that prevails -- an atmosphere that is more aesthetic/sensory experience than simply dining out.
And, because this is Miami, later that evening I learned that police were searching for a gunman who fatally shot a man in Miami Beach!
So, if you're ever in the area (and feeling bold) and wish to pay this cultural landmark a visit, make sure to reserve in advance, as there can be a long waiting list--with human peacocks and peahens, aka as models or wanna-bees, strutting around (in hopes that the resident glamor will rub off on them ;).
The food there was so-so, not nearly as sophisticated as the ambiance, but the experience, worth it! Here's a virtual tour:
