Yelpers Get Fedorable! Upstairs @ Van Dyke Cafe

In all my excitement with the move to NYC, I completely overlooked Monica S.‘s inaugural event as Unilocal Miami CM!
On the 2^nd floor of the always bustling and appropriately moodlit Van Dyke Café, I arrived that evening with my fedora propped on my head and lover at my side, unaware of what was ahead, and what to expect.
After signing in, a brief and warm welcome from Monica, and photobombing several Unilocalers photos.
Here’s was La Monica delivered :
1 free premium drink. any drink… this was your night to pick the most expensive thingon the menu and say with your nose in the air «I’ll have one of those, please.» as you sucked on a melon ball covered in prosciutto, and had Unilocalers buzzing around you, glasses clinking, fedoras flying, and mouths mostly smiling and laughing. Drinks were half off after that, which made for some pretty happy bill signings at the end of the night.
Although not an official official Elite event, it was elite enough to make us all feel special and appreciate the community we have, and the easiness of coming to a location with a new leader, and knowing that when the newness settles, we all still have Unilocal Miami on our side.

Dear Unilocal Miami,
I dont know how I missed writing this review! I feel like a Unilocal failure. :-/​Anyhow, let me proceed…
Monica’s first shindig with us Miami Elite (although it was not a full-​blown Elite event) was by far one of the most spectacular events we have had, and trust me, we have been spoiled properly! It was a jazzy & classy gathering, fedoras & all, in the upstairs section of Van Dyke Café, where we were treated like royalty and fed like kings (& queens!). And let me just say, the food was absolutely PHENOMENAL. I have always been a fan of Van Dyke’s, and this just sealed the deal for me even more.
We were given the pleasure of 1 free premium drink (Yay for drink tickets!), and then all drinks after that were at a discount of 50% off! Needless to say, we imbibed quite a bit! :-) Always safely, though. Then as the evening progressed there was live art and a phenomenally jazzy band to give us some theme-​tunes and eye candy. The artist was Italian and the band was definitely jazzy to match the night & location perfectly. It was very artsy indeed! And let me not forget the AMAZING Unilocal Sunglasses I scored here, which I don’t even really wear out of the house because I’m too afraid something will happen to them and I won’t have a pair…
Back to the food… From prosciutto with melon, to jumbo shrimp, to smoked salmon on toast, and my fave, the brie & guava, I devoured it all happily and my tummy was very grateful. :-)
My favorite part about all of these events is seeing the people of course! My fellow Unilocalers are what makes Unilocaling so worthwhile. And getting to know Monica was a special added treat. It’s a delight! I am looking forward to getting to know Ms. Monica better and seeing what she has in store for us.
Thank you to Monica, Unilocal Miami, and of course, Van Dyke Café for the amazing hospitality! A pleasure and an honor to be called an Elite Unilocaler.
Love Always,
SabrinaAnna*

Until this evening, I had only been to The Van Dyke (the Miami version of the Tower of Terror) a few times and had never been upstairs.
The surface joys of a Unilocal Elite event are easy to identify. You get to eat and drink without touching your wallet and can stand in a corner and a have a chismosa festival with a few friends.
But when a Unilocal Elite event really succeeds, it’s when we’ve gotten to learn something new about an establishment or, in this case, revisit one you’ve already learned to like. Top this off with our being able to welcome Monica to the captain’s chair of Unilocal Miami, and you have the makings of a fun evening.
I liked the upstairs jazz room at the Van Dyke a lot. Does it reinvent the wheel? No. But the drinks are good. The ambiance is cozy and on this night, the place was super clean. I mention this only because I tend to find Lincoln Road joints to be on the dirty side.
Our mojitos were fantastic as were the Fiocchi di Formaggio e pere. These pasta bags stuffed with cheese and sweet pears are delicious. I’ve had them before downstairs and was excited to see them shoveled out to us!
The Van Dyke is a fabulous spot and one of the few «VD’s» on Lincoln Rd. you don’t mind meeting.

Well, well, well. Look who made it to the party! Taking one from my SO’s playbook, I’m *fashionably* late to this Upstairs at the Van Dyke party. Getting to meet Miami’s new CM, Monica, was a blast! I was impressed that U @ VD (HA HA) honored our free drink ticket for ANYTHING on the menu. I took the opportunity to imbibe on Yamakazi 18yr Japanese whisky, neat. That’s a hard whisky to find by the glass around Miami.
Monica was welcoming, warm and a pretty cool chick. I’m looking forward to spending some more time with MIA’s CM. Thanks for the cool company & friendly conversations, Unilocal MIA — you rock!

The Upstairs Lounge at Van Dyke Café is an awesome, slightly hidden spot, that many Lincoln Road-​aholics have never set foot in. So it was a great place for Monica’s «Welcome (Back) to Miami» event.
From the moment we were greeted with smiles and hugs at the top of the stairs and handed our drink tickets (for essentially anything on the bar’s menu), we knew we were in for a treat. While I didn’t sport a fedora, I was definitely envious of all the cute chapiteaux adorning the heads of many a Unilocaler at this event.
The drinks were good (and strong), and the bites were tasty. I was able to try the smoked salmon on toast, and the melon and prosciutto, and the coconut shrimp. All very good. The unveiling of a painting (of the Miami skyline, some said) and the smooth stylings of The Elements of Jazz rounded out a very fun evening.
Huge thanks to Van Dyke Café, the Upstairs Lounge, and of course, Monica, for showing us a good time on a steamy Tuesday evening. I, for one, can’t wait to see what Monica has in store for us!

When our new CM Monica mentioned the word «fedora,» I was oddly inspired to get all 80s up in this shizz and channeled my inner Debbie Gibson to commemorate her first soirée in the land of ‘canes and heat.
Was it the cheap Old Navy rip-​off of «Only In My Dreams» for their recent jeans commercials? (‘only in my jeans’…really Old Navy? REALLY?!)
Or perhaps it was Ms. Gibson’s illustrious cameo at the end of Katy Perry’s «Last Friday Night» video?
Either way, me and my red booties, fedora and skin tight leggings, hightailed it to Upstairs at the Van Dyke Café where the Unilocal Miami community was treated to welcoming smiles and warm banter from the new CM herself. Armed with my free drink ticket, I was happily surprised that it was good for *anything* our little boozer hearts desired.
Umm…like, totally tubular dude!
The bartenders were adept, efficient (and friendly!) when handling our unruly clan… and be still my beating heart: Layer Cake Shiraz! Awesome!
While I didn’t sample the delicious noms being passed before me (brownies, shrimp, prosciutto and the holy Cuban duo of guava with cream cheese), the hubs took down his fair share of trays in between intense convo and photobombing unsuspecting Unilocalers.
The live performance art was an über cool surprise and when Sabs pointed me in the direction of the Unilocal shades being swagged out on the tables, I almost busted out in a roger rabbit/​kid ‘n play/​cabbage patch dance combo.
Cool venue, stiff drinks, yummy eats, music *and* swag… yeah, Mo’s alright in my book.

Weird to be in a «Jazz» joint with no smoke — cigarette or otherwise.
(I think I like it.)
Nice to know this place exists. Van Dyke’s should build a loyal — if not smokeless following –and I will spread the news.
Nice to see and hear and feel some jazzy jazz in a cozy setting. The band needed more smoke as well — but my feet did tap and fingers snapped a few times. Oh– and those pear and Gorgonzola pasta purses! GET OUT. I mean — no, gotta go back! Those babies alone were worth the trip.
Unilocal drink specials always go down so sweet. And our new Unilocal hostess with the mostest was pretty darn sweet too– and very San Fran mellow.
(I think I like it.)

I’d like a Pornstar please. Who wouldn’t LOVE an event where they get to utter those words?!?
All in all I would have to say this event was a hit, great intimate gathering to kickoff Monica’s welcome (back) to Miami. I didn’t get to try all the yummy food but I do have to say that the pear & Gorgonzola purses in cream sauce were absolutely divine. What gal doesn’t like sweet yummy-​ness of bursting cream in her mouth?!?
The fedoras were a brilliant touch, us Unilocalers looked so classy and distinguished in our drunken debauchery. It was the perfect setup for some fantastic jazz. This was my first time upstairs at Van Dyke and I have to say that I will indeed be returning.
Ohmigosh, I almost forgot to mention the painting reveal! What a way to top of your speech Monica; an amazing piece of art that the artist then proceeded to continue working on in front of the audience. My fedora is off to you Miss. Thank you for a wonderful evening with many of my favorite people.

I really enjoyed our first jazz incorporated Unilocal event at Van Dyke! Upon walking in we knew we were in for a good time. We started by checking in and getting our free drink ticket for any drink of choice! That was a treat. Unfortunately my cosmo didn’t taste anything like a cosmo but I just knew the second time around to stick with beer. I liked that Monica was at the front welcoming Unilocalers especially when it was a party to welcome her. Applause! Well done. My favorite appetizer was the coconut shrimp since for some reason the toast on the other appetizer was soft. Next the purse pasta and the chicken skewers came out. Now we’re talking! The pasta was so sweet and delicious. I hope it’s on their menu for when I return. The jazz music was fun and I loved watching everyone in their fedoras. Very spirited. The art showing was unique. It was a little crammed and a little hot but a tighter spot makes it easier to chitty chat chat!

Thank you Van Dyke’s, Macallan, and Monica! The event was amazing. The food was plentiful and delicious. The drinks were flowing and cheap. I’ll just say too much Macallan 18 is not necessarily a good thing. It was great to see all my fellow Unilocalers. I am excited to see what Monica has in store for us in the future.

Stranger: «Whose the new CM?»
Me: «She’s the one with the adorable fedora… Oh wait– She’s over there.»
Thank you Monica for a wonderful event with coconut shrimp and chocolate martini! Personally, one of the best I’ve been to.
I had the perfect 20’s insipred dress for this even! I was thrilled I got to wear it! I was also told the first song was chosen specifically so I could dance and have the fringe move all over the place. I didn’t really believe the music coordinator, but that’s what he said.
I also heard that I was called «pretty» by a certain Unilocal foe.
Overall it was a fantastic evening and I met some «cool cats» thought my fellow ketchup-​hater Rebecca, who is, for those of you who don’t know, LEAVING US to go catch vampires in Louisiana! I’m sure THEY were around in the 20’s! :’(
All the food provided by the Van Dyke was delicious (minus the prosciutto with melon, it was HUGE and awkward to eat) and the drinks were superb. We even had an Italian artist finish a piece of the Miami skyline from the Mondrian Hotel. They thought of everything.
I cannot wait for the next elite event! Who hoo!

What a lovely introduction to our new CM, and to a sweet little venue I never knew existed. The intimate upstairs at Van Dyke Café makes for an excellent spot to get to know your neighbors and sample from a fabulously extensive drink menu. Chocolate kiss, anyone?
We got one free drink and 50% off everything afterwards, a seriously sweet deal for Lincoln Road. I only tried one app, brie & guava, but it was a unique taste combination that I enjoyed.
Lots of my favorite Unilocalers were there, and I made the rounds and had a blast socializing with the lot of you. Everyone looked totally fedorable (other than myself, who neglected to find a fitting hat. Boo!).
I would absolutely return to this locale for a taste of live music. There’s definitely not enough of that in my repertoire, a fact which will have to change. The jazz band was impressive, and the artist simultaneously working on a skyline landscape of our fair city made me feel more cultured than I have in quite awhile.
Thanks for giving us such a warm welcome Monica. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for our thriving community! A lucky group, we are indeed. :)

I’ve heard about Van Dyke Café and had to have passed it many times in the past but I’ve never stopped through for a drink or a meal. Of course after last night’s Unilocal Miami event under our new CM, that is about to change.
I LOVED the 50% off drinks deal for Unilocalers. I got a HUGE delicious strong drink for $ 5.50! WHERE does that happen on Miami Beach? Nowhere, I tell you! Yes, the bar was SLAMMED. Yes, the wait was long. But my drinks were definitely worth it.
The Food… There were sweet & savory Guava & Brie Toasts followed closely by Coconut Shrimp that greeted us upon entry. The perfect snacks to get us ready for a night of drinking. Truly appreciated. Then those pasta purses of cheesy/​pear goodness in a cream sauce!!! Mmmm, *thoroughly* enjoyed by my tummy. And the huge skewers of Chicken/​Peppers/​Pineapple almost made for a whole meal.
Now, last but definitely not least, the Live Jazz. OMG, I LOVED hearing Elements of Jazz play! So happy we had this event here because otherwise, I wouldn’t have known about Van Dyke’s jazz offerings upstairs every night of the week! Can’t WAIT to go back and get my live jazz fix!
I’m glad I got the chance to finally meet our new CM, Monica, and see so many Unilocalers enjoying drinks, enjoying the music and having a good time.
Thank you Monica for your first successful event as our new CM! And huge thanks to the Van Dyke Café management and staff for welcoming us Unilocalers and helping us have a blast!

Van Dyke’s… How I missed you. And what a wonderful way to step back into your welcoming upstairs room… Celebrating our new CM’s first event!
It was crowded. I’m sad I didn’t get to say hey to her again but I’m sure there will be plenty of opportunities to mingle in the coming months! Excited!
Van Dyke’s is what I’d imagine my living room to look like if I were a big baller back in the 40s or 50s or something… Complete with my very own personal Jazz band and abounding food and drink!
Personal favs… Coconut shrimp and the Chocolate Kiss. There was so much food going around I found myself slightly disappointed that I’d taken time to have dinner before the event (for once in my life). But I still managed to savor a few things!
Thanks to Van Dyke’s and our new CM for putting it together… Welcome (back) to Miami, Monica :)

Alright
MO, this was a good start but I think you are holding back You got some more tricks up your sleeve or under your fedora The drink of choice was Scotch ’cause I love it and at one free plus half off the otherI was able to get my required three (1+50%*2=x)
Van Dyke was really nice, the lady and i will be back with less Unilocalers
Thanks for the fun evening

While this wasn’t theoretically an «Elite Event,» it kinda felt like one:
–Cool Unilocalers to hang out with, some new Elites to meet
–a venerable local business that I knew existed but never got around to checking out
–trays of bites floating around
–all of us looking, to varying degrees, stylish or marginally ridiculous in our fedoras (but that’s the point)
You all know I like my dim, kinda-​cramped illicit-​looking bars — I think I never went upstairs at the Van Dyke because somehow I thought it’d be trendy and fake. Well, it might be trendy, but I was impressed — while it certainly was crowded with all of us packed in there, it had a good feel to it. A real Bar, if you will.
There was one free drink, with successive drinks 50% off. While the beer selection wasn’t exactly that of the Toronado Pub, there was an lengthy cocktail menu, and by all accounts, some excellent whiskeys included in the one free, 50% off next deal. In fact, that deal held true for the whole menu, which was awesome.
I chose the Cucu Cucumber, which was a gin drink made with soda and cucumber — inexplicably, mine came out way too sweet, but I downed it anyway, as I do enjoy a good girly drink from time to time. Good potential with that cocktail, but it either needed more gin, or less of whatever was causing the sweetness.
I’ll go with «More Gin» for $ 600, Alex.
I loved the art that was situated in the stage area, a super-​cool rendering of our skyline. If someone wants to buy it for me, I can make room on my walls…
I’d also like to give a shout to Monica, who greeted everyone up front, and charmingly, disarmingly, worked the crowd a bit on the mic later on. Thanks for this event, it was a fun way to spend a Tuesday night!

Adorable Fedora’s everywhere! I had never been to the upstairs jazz lounge and what a nice space. Sure it’s small, intimate setting with such great service, no surprise. Let’s start with our new CM Monica and Lori greeting us at the front entrance with warm hugs and kisses. It started the evening off with such warmth and friendliness.
Monica handed us one free drink ticket each to get anything we wanted. The bartenders were great, the cocktail waitress was super friendly, fast, and ever so nice. The waiters were walking around with filled tray’s of all kinds of food. If you know me, you know I am usually to busy yapping to pay attention to food. LOL Hubby had fun sampling some Prosciutto and melon, amongst other delicious food. We are such dorks we had matching Fedora’s on… yeah, I know yikes! hee hee
The Italian artist was amazing. Watching him paint was a joy, he was a true artist, very talented. Hubby was so stoked talking to him in Italian, ha ha then found out what a small world, he lives above us in the same building. Um yeah, maybe a nice discount on one of your painting’s hee Show some neighbor’s love.
The room quickly got filled with Unilocalers, some I had never met, which was awesome to meet. Gosh, how I love meeting new faces. Seeing so many friends and being able to hang in a cool setting is always the very best!
I drank Rose Champagne with my daughter, hubby had several Campari cocktails and our bill was half price… SWEET!!!
The jazz band came on they were very good. I normally am not a huge fan of jazz but these guy’s were good. We did have to leave shortly after the band came on cause we had a very early morning but what a great time.
It was a small event with great people, good food, amazing service and a chance to just simply say hello to Monica and welcome her back to Miami. Her speech was short, sweet, and she is funny!
Huge thank you to Van Dyke’s and Monica to a great evening, we had a blast! Nice event, thank you, thank you!
To my Unilocal buddies, always a pleasure hanging with such coolness!

Love me some jazz… and what better opportunity than to share it with all the wonderful Unilocalers! thanks to Monica and Van Dyke for all the spoiling starting from the great drinks and the yummy food. So glad most of the options were vegetarian friendly! :)
Very intimate venue made it nice to chat and enjoy the awesome band.
50% off drinks? yes please!!. Overall, good times and great company. Looking forward to many more! It’s good to be Elite!

Fedoras… that’s a look typically associated with 1920s jazz clubs — prohibition, speakeasies and the like. Perhaps then it’s fitting that when I walked into VanDyke, there was a silent acknowledgement at the main entrance. My hat was my password as I walked up the «secret stairs» and greeted by our new CM Monica. After her friendly greeting and chitchatting with the Wine Goddess, Dom and the Beer Snob, I made my way to the bar. After Sabrina properly organized my hat and chatted with Jason, I started my celebration of National Rum Day with Van Dyke’s delicious and strongly poured French Mojito. Mixing the rum with Chambord, it had a smoothnes which characterized the rest of the evening.
By that time, my Plus 1 the lovely Lizette Q, had arrived. Back down the secret entrance :) and introducing her to Monica and my fellow Unilocalers.
On to the food, where I started with the fresh prosciuto and crisp, cool cantaloupe along with an amaretto on the rocks. That amaretto was so nicely poured that I may have found a new drink to «snob».
More socializing: my hiphop buddy «B Money», the «other» Power Couples Nate and Nicole, and Meesh and Ozzy. Finding out that Lizette and I have a bunch of friends in common on Unilocal.
More Yummies: a very delicious, filling chicken shishkabob with lean chicken and perfectly grilled onions and red peppers with a coup de grace of cheesy gnocchi with the unmistakeably sweet taste of pears.
An evening at a jazz club wouldn’t be complete without, well, jazz. That we were with a funky, sultry serenade by the cool and local Elements of Jazz. We also saw the unveiling of an awesome painting of our lovely city’s skyline.
Between the food, my fellow Unilocalers, the drinks and the music I have to say it was an awesome evening. A huge thanks to Monica for putting together this event, and the Van Dyke jazz lounge for hosting us.