verywhere outside of all inclusive resorts and slacker communes, expediency has become revered. The world continues to get faster and faster. In this speedy climate, Miami is anomalous. During the day, beach-town lie-abouts are commonplace, yet nighttime revelry moves at a rapid pace. The freshly-revamped Maison d'Azur slows things down while paradoxically speeding things up.

Situated at Hotel Astor, Maison d'Azur is a multi-purpose endeavor of Sir Francis Bacon proportions. Though essentially correct, to call it a supperclub is dismissive. That trend-dependent term belies Maison's throwback allure. Miami as a whole can't escape its past (I blame the Art Deco architecture) and that's a good thing. At times, when it bows too heavily to neo-beach culture it sacrifices its hipness. Conversely, when it makes retro nods it usually does so coolly. Not only does Maison evoke comparisons to bygone, wayback beach culture, it also overtly references its namesake.

Côte d'Azur, or the French Riviera to laypeople, has been a bastion of refined coolness for hundreds of years. Everyone from aristocrats and heads of state to F. Scott and Zelda have used the beach for elegant respite. As inspirations go, it's a pretty good one for a resto-lounge.

Maison d'Azur toes a line between its progenitor and its location. Though it does have French nods, it's still of Miami. Billing itself as a "seafood brasserie," look for French-ish fare that adheres to the moniker's paradigm. While dinner is a nice touch, it's the lounge aspect that makes Maison intriguing.

Maison has a host of allures, including belly dancers and fashion shows. Look for DJs to amp up the post-dinner beats. While dancing is encouraged -- you don't have to show your belly -- nooks are available. Head out to the nearby terrace or duck into a private cabana. For a break, you can also hit the affixed Layala, a complimentary restaurant that serves up African bites.