MIAMI - It’s long after quitting time but the suits who work in the glass and steel towers gathered along Brickell Ave., appear in no rush to leave Miami’s business district. Instead, they loosen their designer ties and prop themselves up at the horseshoe-shaped bar at the “happiest” place in the city - the Four Seasons Hotel Miami.

But why the Four Seasons Hotel Miami instead of one of the other high-end properties along Brickell Ave., that cater to the business elite? Well, because the Canadian brand has an EDGE on its competitors in Miami thanks to its trendy main dining room, the EDGE Steak & Bar, which features the “Best Happy Hour” in this sun and fun capital.

Above: Public art in the hotel is museum worthy.

Each evening between 4 and 7 p.m., EDGE Bar quickly fills up with business types and hotel guests who order discounted exotic drinks - the Ice Breaker infused with Belvedere vodka, sparkling wine, ginger, grapefruit and sage tops our list of favourites - and seafood appetizers like giant Gulf shrimp, crab claws and freshly caught oysters. The small bites and adult beverages are reduced by 50 per cent during “Happy Hour” and are probably the best deals these bankers have made all day.

“It’s actually cheaper for me to eat here than go home,” one businessman tells me as he slurps down another oyster. “And besides, I can unwind at EDGE with my colleagues and friends after a long day in the office.”

Left: EDGE restaurant is stylish in desgn and the place to be seen in Miami. Right: Chef Aaron Brooks governs the kitchen at EDGE.

EDGE’s sleek, cutting edge design makes it stand out from the hotel dining room crowd in Miami’s downtown core bordering Biscayne Bay, which has become known as the sophisticated alternative to South Beach thanks to the influx of art galleries, high-end designer shops and 5-Star hotels in the business district.

After “Happy Hour” many at the bar drift into the main dining area at EDGE to enjoy some gourmet options from a kitchen governed by a culinary genius, Chef Aaron Brooks. The air in the main dining room is spiced with heavenly aromas and lots of relaxed laughter - the businessmen have even taken off their suit jackets.

A Latin American vibe fills the room as the courteous servers slalom around packed tables and booths where patrons are enjoying seafood and steak dishes that rank among the best in South Florida.

Appetizers like Beer Battered Scallops, Aioli & Salsa Verde, Date & Tamarind Mostarda, Buttered Brioche, Smoked Almonds and Date & Tamarind Mostarda tempt our palette but we elect to go straight to the Seafood Platter featuring a full compliment of freshly caught shellfish like East Coast Oysters, Jumbo Shrimp, Lobster and Stone Crab Claws the size of my fist. The fish is so fresh you can taste the sea in every delicious bite.

The EDGE kitchen is a firm believer in “Farm to Table” cuisine - no long haul truck veggies here - and ingredients sourced from local farms highlight every dish. The freshness comes through in every bite.

Each of the room’s signature dishes are tempting - Fire Roasted Lamb Chops look appetizing - but we go straight to the beef offerings in this restaurant renowned for its cuts that are char broiled at 1800 degrees ferinheight and treated with “cutting edge rubs” before being served. The preparation is what sets EDGE’s steaks apart from other steak houses in the business area.

Our New York Strip “Latin Cut” arrives tender and juicy and the medley of farm fresh vegetables accompanying it are crisp and delicious.

There’s no room left for desert, although it’s hard to turn down our server’s offerings of Chocolate Mousse, Passion Fruit Crème, Roasted Coconut Sorbet and Guava Gel.

EDGE also offers dining el fresco but getting a table overlooking the hotel’s splendid pool area is never easy.

Left: The business elite of Miami have made EDGE Bar their favourite watering hole. Right: The meals at EDGE Steak are from the sean and land with farm to table freshness.

The Four Seasons Hotel Miami offers far more than just fine dining, of course. Located in Miami’s tallest building - a 70 storey beauty that also includes awesome residences - the hotel features 221 tastefully decorated rooms with Art Deco touches to keep it true to its South Beach roots, a state-of-the-art Equinox spa and fitness centre, and a pool area that ranks among the best in the world.

From the pool area, guests get awesome views of Biscayne Bay and Miami’s giant cruise port off in the distance while taking in the city’s stunning skyline dotted with lots of futuristic designs that rival anything I’ve seen in Shanghai, Hong Kong or Singapore.

Walking the public areas of the Four Seasons Hotel Miami is like visiting one of South Beach’s legendary art galleries. Colourful works by some well known Latino artists adorn the walls and who can’t be impressed by the giant sculptures by Fernando Botero featured in the ground floor entrance and off the sleek lobby area. My favourite in this exclusive collection is Seated Lady.

Miami’s famed Wynwood art district is close to the Four Seasons and features over 70 galleries that appeal to every art taste. The Perez Art Museum, the legendary Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, the Bass Museum of Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art are a few we’d recommend you put on your “to do list” while staying at the Four Seasons Hotel Miami.

Left: Guests get glorious views of Biscayne Bay from the Bay View rooms. Right: The pool are at Four Seasons Miami is among the tops in the world.

Mary Brickell Village, one of Miami’s best kept secrets, is just a few blocks away from the Four Seasons and the historic area has become the sophisticated alternative to South Beach. The village is sprinkled with legendary restaurants - Toscana Divino is one of our favourites - and clubs and soon will be Ground Zero for shoppers when a new high-rise plaza, anchored by a Saks Fifth Avenue store, opens.

If you can’t wait, may we suggest you visit Miami’s Design District, a short cab ride away from the hotel, where high-end shoppers will think they’ve landed in Milan or Rome.

Fendi, Celine, Tom Ford and all the other top international brands can be found in the Design District along with many up and coming labels and some of Miami’s trendiest new restaurants.

Leaving the Four Seasons Hotel Miami, though, will be hard to do because this property has so much to keep guests entertained.

It certainly has an EDGE!