Miami Meet and Greet,, October 18, 2008
Written: Oct 18 '08 (Updated Oct 19 '08)
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The Bottom Line: If there is a Meet and Greet in your area, you would be missing out on a special day if you didn't attend
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| TheSmartTraveler's Full Review: |
I first received an email from Christal on a Saturday morning telling me about the Miami Meet and Greet from Epinions. I immediately emailed her back saying what a wonderful way to wake up to a Saturday morning by reading this email, and that Mr. and Mrs. Smart Traveler would attend. October 18 came, and we definintely made it to the Trump International Beach Resort for the Meet and Greet. Only 16 people including spouses made it to this grand resort. The Carey's from Houston with their two kids were part of the 16. So Miami, where da heck were U?????????????????
This Meet and Greet was a blast. The two hour program before dinner gave us plenty of time to ask questions and exchange ideas. The Oldie Goldies, which TheSmartTraveler is part of, gave Christal, Joel, and Jonnie an earful. One point made was, most attendees had owned a maximum of seven cars in their lifetime, some reviewers have done reviews on hundreds and hundreds of cars. I think the point was well made that it wasn't possible that these folks could have not possibly owned or even driven that many cars! Another point made was that Epinions had evolved into a college fraternity or sorrority of Advisors or Top Reviewers. I think Christal, Joel, and Jonnie got the drift.
On to the food and drinks. After the two hour question and answer period, TheSmartTraveler turned to Mrs.SmartTraveler, and to Consumer Lady from Sunrise, Florida, and said, "Did I miss the cocktails"? They both said, "I don't see them either." Christal then advised all attendees to take the elevator down to the second floor for an outdoor feast and drinks. We went down to the second floor to an outdoor setting, with the Atlantic Ocean lapping in the background, and TheSmartTraveler lapping up the double single malt scotches on the rocks. I made a comment to Ifif's husband that this was like a flight to Asia. If my memory serves me right, after two wonderful doubles, the appetizers of cerviche, olives, and mozzaralla were serrved along with the most delicious bread and rolls with a side serving of butter that looked like cream cheese and garilic. TheSmartTraveler wasn't satisfied with one roll that had olives and garlic. He asked the waiter for another double single malt scotch and another one of those wonderful olive rolls. The guy next to me who writes camera and electronic articles joined in and also asked for another roll. I don't know if the roll was wonderful or the third double scotch, but they were both wonderful.
Shortly after that, the waiter brought either a seabass plate or filet mignon. The waiter also asked if we wanted white or red wine. I looked at Mrs.SmartTraveler and explained to her that she would be driving the Z4 home tonight. Mr. and Mrs. SmartTraveler are not into seabass, so we ordered the filet mignon. These filets were fit for Da Donald. big, plumpy, and cooked to perfection. I loved every bite and every sip of the two huge glasses of red wine. When the waiter poured a little red wine into the huge glass and asked me to sample it, I told him, if it was good enough for Da Donald to serve it to me and to fill er up and keep it filled. I think I drank at least two huge glasses of the red wine. What brand it was, I can't remember. I can tell you that it gave me a wonderful head.
They then served a fantastic dessert of a fruit platter or a fantastic mousse. Mr. and Mrs. SmartTraveler opted for the mousse. I also ordered two double Amarettos on da rocks. After drinking the first, I asked the waiter where my second one was. He smiled and said, "I'll bring it in a second." While drinking the second, I was feeling like I was halfway on a flight to Asia and about to take a nap. Another Epinions member who lives in Sunrise and her husband were totally full from the steak and appetizers. They ordered two large fruit plates that they had not eaten. TheSmartTraveler asked her husband if they were going to eat the fruit, and he said they were sooooooooo full from the meal that they couldn't, TheSmartTraveler asked him after three scotches, wine, and amareto, if he and the camera guy sitting next to me could eat their fruit, and he graciously said yes. The blackberries, strawberries, melon, blueberries, and pineapple were spectacular.
Ater everyone had left, I gave, Joel, Johnnie, and Christal specific recommendations on what to see and do for the next couple of days in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. Joel, Johnnie, and Christal, please leave a comment if my suggestions for restaurants in South Beach, the Grove, and the Gables were right on or off the mark. Also, I think my comments to these employees regarding Epinions Advisors who have rated hundreds and hundreds of cars were not possible, and other Advisors who have reviewed hundreds and hundreds of hotels over the years was not realistic struck a cord with them. It is possible it was all of the alcohol that I ingested that gave me this inkling, but I truly believe they got the gist of what I was converying.
The Meet and Greet ended at 9pm; however, Mr.and Mrs. SmartTraveler stayed until almost 10pm talking to the crew from Epinions. I explained to Mrs.SmartTraveler that she would have to drive the Z4 home tonight. We gave the ticket to the valet who brought up our Z4. As soon as we got in, we put down the top and drove home topless in our wonderful Miami climate.
Thank you Epinions for a wonderful night. I highly recommend any
Epinions members going to a Meet and Greet if one is near your area. Bryan Carey, his wife, and two kids flew in from Houston to be here. I think they had a special time in Miami.
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Epinions.com ID:
TheSmartTraveler
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 - Top 500 |
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Member: John Isaacs
Location: Miami, Florida
Reviews written: 493
Trusted by: 178 members
About Me:
I get the shakes if I don't take at least 5 good trips a year.
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