If you think Sunday is a day for church and a long family dinner at Grandma’s, wake up and smell the sunscreen- you’re in Miami! If you’re already familiar with the Sunday parties, chances are you’ve grown tired of the same old scene at Nikki Beach and The Shore Club. Thankfully, there’s a refreshing new option if you want to spend the day lounging in the sun and sharing pitchers of cocktails with friends.

The Mondrian is now home to Miami’s hottest new Sunday pool party and I just had to check it out. I called the hotel to get the scoop. The party begins at noon, Asia de Cuba serves up a tempting brunch, signature drinks are offered by the pitcher, and the DJ guarantees a party atmosphere. Giant beds are scattered about for those who want bottle service, and a dock is available if you happen to arrive by boat. The cost for a poolside lounge chair, complete with a towel, is $30, at the doorman’s discretion.

Getting In and Getting your Chair

I didn’t like this. What would he base it on- Whether or not I had the latest Louis Vuitton beach bag and Prada sunglasses? Whether or not I called ahead to reserve the above mentioned docking services? If I carried in my own raft with zinc oxide on my nose I’m sure the price of the chair would go from free to $30, so I needed to strategize. I planned on wearing my new Pucci bikini, but how would the doorman notice? I bought a new pair of sparkly bronze wedge sandals that looked amazing with my bohemian cover-up, in the hopes that I would look fashionable enough to warrant a lounge chair on the house.  Although I ran into the Mondrian’s doorman sans sunglasses, (huge mistake when you’re going for that casual beach chic look), he smiled and I was only asked to give him my lounge chair preference. I arrived around 2pm, and plenty of chairs in the sun were available. After strategizing, I decided on a chair at the middle of the pool, facing the breathtaking skyline and Bay. Be warned, if you sleep late you’ll be placed on the dreaded lounge chair waiting list.

I immediately loved it. I anticipated a more sophisticated vibe than most Sunday parties and I was right. The music was at a tolerable level. Cracking open a book was acceptable. It was a scene, but on a smaller scale. Designed by Marcel Wanders, the surroundings feel surreal against a backdrop of the Bay and stunning skyline.  It wasn’t that crowded yet, and after an hour in the sun action I decided it would be the perfect time for brunch, since I didn’t want to miss any of the action. And it was the only way to make the high profile chatterbox next to me, who insisted on name dropping and complaining about her size zero frame, stop talking. 

Brunch at Asia de Cuba

Sampling the lavish Sunday brunch, priced at $42, by Asia de Cuba is a must.  You can dine inside or outside. I opted for inside to get a break from the heat and surround myself in the opulent white décor.  This is not your typical brunch. There’s no soggy French toast or overcooked eggs sitting for hours on the buffet table. Select one of the tempting entrées on the menu, and it’s freshly prepared by the chef, especially for you.  I heard rumors about an omelet that held not only Maine lobster, but also blue crab. It’s the dish they’re known for, and with tomatoes, shitake mushrooms, asparagus and Manchego cheese, I decided on that rather than the Chinese five spice scented Cuban French toast, with sugarcane rum and sweet banana caramel flambé. Next time. The waiter told me the ropa vieja (sweet corn and jalepeno pancakes with avocado relish) was popular as was the Asia de Cuba style steak and eggs.

While the chef toils away in the kitchen, you’re free to peruse the elegant, long brunch table complete with candelabras to remind you you’re someplace special. Some of the offerings were: Carribbean style seafood ceviche served on a coconut wedge, Spanish style tortilla with potatoes, chorizo and plantains, Cuban black bean and edamame salad, Asian style cured salmon, mixed green salad with crispy wontons and hot and sour dressing, an array of breakfast pastries, and unique deserts.  I enjoyed the tropical sun ripened fruit and berries with aged balsamic, orange, and island rum Chantilly, my heavenly omlette, and I admit I visited the deserts.  My Cuban espresso coffee mousse shooter and vanilla flan were delicious, but just a few bites since I was spending the remainder of the day in a bikini. In typical South Beach style, my bill rose to $68 when you factor in the $5 surcharge for my entree, $7 cappuccino, taxes and 20% gratuity. If you want to skip the sit down brunch, you can order from The Mondrian’s pool menu that consists of typical lunch fare, with an Asia de Cuba twist and some unexpected dishes.

See and Be Seen

After brunch I returned to my lounge chair and suddenly the party was in full swing! So much for the mellow scene! The DJ was spinning house with a somewhat chill vibe, and the turquoise pool was swarming with tanned and toned bodies.  There were several models sprawled out on a bed across the pool, drinking champagne. The private bungalows made entirely of green shrubs were full of friends chatting and sitting in the shade. The truly glamorous, who arrived by boat, were making their way up the dock.

It’s officially a party and I was in need of a cocktail. There were so many to choose from. My usual of vodka, club soda, with a splash of cranberry juice seemed too dull. Pitchers of White Sangria, Passion Fruit and Vodka are perfect for a hot day ($60), and ideal to share with friends. I tried their two Signature Caipirinhas. The Classic was made with limes, Hawaiian sugar, and Leblon Cachaca ($15), and the Chili Passion ($16) got its name from the fresh passion fruit and Siracha spice added in. No need to report how many.

The crowd was a nice mix, consisting of the usual Miami scenesters, happening locals, sophisticated tourists, some hotel guests, wealthy entrepreneurs, and models. As I sipped my Caipirinha from my lounge chair, and took in the view, I realized that not only was I at the hottest party in Miami, I was part of it.

Sungal, a recent addition to Miami Beach 411’s talented writers, is new to South Beach and offers a fresh perspective on life and style in Miami. See more articles by sungal >