Bougainvillea's Old Florida   

'Old Florida' is an apt description for this tavern located on a quiet side street near the bustle of the Shops at Sunset Place. The bar was built entirely of wood in 1929 and has somehow managed to survive decades of fire seasons. Inside is the surprisingly quaint aura of a prairie lodge -- gingham curtains at the windows, a fireplace with faux burning logs, tackle on the walls -- as well as a chalkboard menu featuring hearty, country-style soups and burgers. On weekends, a vocalist accompanied by a three-piece band plays torch and lounge songs, and live jazz and blues are performed throughout the week. The small crowd is full of local characters, who might have stepped out of a Hemingway novel, rubbing shoulders with UM students from the nearby campus. The only thing quaint about the bar's drink offerings, however, are the vintages: old cognacs and ports are among the inventory, as well as a selection of about 50 wines from California, South America and Europe, and a variety of imported beers.