The Where South Florida Team (©Larry Marano)
Moona Masri-Whitice has recently joined Morris Media Network as the new Associate Publisher of Where South Florida. Moona was previously executive director of the Art of Business and Printcom and served as publisher of both Abode Qatar and Qatar Happening magazines in the exotic and beautiful city of Doha, Qatar. Moona worked for Mr. Ahmed Hassan Bilal’s group of companies and was responsible for media events, publications and marketing for the Art of Business.
Moona launched several successful new brand extensions through the Art of Business, including the successful re-launch of Qatar Happening Magazine in 2009 from a small brochure to an A4 size magazine, the celebrated Qatar Choice Awards, a public voting platform and award ceremony celebrating the best of the hospitality industry in conjunction with partners such as iloveqatar.com and IFP, and the production and delivery of Qatar Diabetes Association’s first mascots, Salam and Sarah, sponsored by Sasol Oil, for children suffering from type 1 diabetes.
Additionally, Moona is published author, “FabJob Guide to Become a Home Stager or Redesigner”, an interior decorator and color consultant, she was an adjunct professor at Broward College, teaching interior decor and has served on the board of Dewey Color Systems and American Women’s Association of Qatar. She is a graduate of The University of Miami and has an MBA from American Intercontinental University and lives in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
We are very happy to have her as part of our team in Where South Florida.
Where: How do you feel about being part of the Where South Florida team?
I am really excited about bringing all the knowledge that I have acquired throughout the years in the Middle East in the publishing industry to South Florida and I hope to be able to make the same connections within the hospitality industry that I made there, to help support the hospitality industry, as they are the backbone of a growing city, to grow the Where South Florida brand and to promote our beautiful city.
Where: Having lived as an expat in Doha, Qatar for 8 years, what made you the most excited about moving to South Florida?
I think that although I absolutely enjoyed living in Qatar, as it’s so beautiful, the people I met, so stylish and amazing, I am happy to be home in South Florida. I took so many things for granted. You know what I missed most? All the green foliage we have and how it looks again our wonderful blue sky!
Where: Since coming back, what are some of the top restaurants that you love to visit?
South Florida is awash with restaurants, it’s so hard to say. For me though, I have really enjoyed eating again at The Forge, The Rusty Pelican, and Joe's Stone Crab in Miami and in South Beach, lately I tired Siena Tavern and Semilla on Lincoln Road. My family loves the Sugar Factory, as their desserts are both mouthwatering and tempting! Just last week I had the pleasure of eating in Flemings Steakhouse in Coral Gables. They have a super moist teriyaki salmon that was superb! I have to say that my all-time favorite place to go is the St. Regis hotel. It reminds me of my time in Doha, as I had breakfast there almost every Friday! But when I am looking for a relaxed atmosphere next to home, I enjoy Mazza Mediterranean Cuisine, they serve wonderful hummus and tabouleh!
Where: South Florida is known for its great local attractions. Do you have any favorite ones that you have visited or some you might’ve missed while you were gone?
Well, actually since I returned, the first thing I visited was Vizcaya. I have been going there since I was a teenager. I love to walk around and take in the gardens. I absolute enjoy the house tour. I have also attended the Broward Center of the Performing Arts and the Adrienne Arsht Center and have seen Pippin, The Book of Mormon, the China Ballet and Phantom of the Opera. I must also say that I enjoy going to the comedy performances offered by the Hard Rock, I saw Seinfeld and Bette Midler.
Where: What are some of your favorite South Florida neighborhoods:
There are so many! I can't mention all of them! But having been gone for so long and returning to find Wynwood so beautifully developed has been a definite plus.
Where: What is your favorite activity, one that you consider being unique to South Florida?
Shopping! I love to shop at Sawgrass! Other things I like to do is have breakfast brunch on Sunday in Las Olas, Pembroke Pines or Miami Beach. However, my favorite thing to do is plan short weekend getaways up north to Mount Dora, West Palm Beach and St. Augustine looking for antiques. In fact, on one of our weekend drives we discovered the Old Spanish Sugar Mill, where each table is equipped with a griddle and they bring you pitchers of homemade pancake batter. So much fun!
I really missed doing small road trips. For some reason, in 8 years in Qatar, I only made 2 road trips, one to visit a Fort and the other to visit Sealine Beach Resort, as I wanted to ride dune buggies and camels!
Where: As publisher of Where South Florida magazine, what do you consider being one of the top things a visitor must experience in South Florida?
Everyone should experience a museum - there are so many to name. I love history and historical places, so I advise everyone to visit the Perez Art Museum, Bass Museum of Art, The Wolfsonian in South Beach, the Lowe Museum of Art and the Norton Museum in West Palm Beach. Other “not to be missed” places that are enjoyable are Cocowalk in Coconut Grove, Midtown shops and the Wynwood Art and Design District, the Lincoln Road Mall (open on Sundays as a farmers market), Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, Downtown Fort Lauderdale and Las Olas boulevard any time of day or night, Gulfstream Park in Hallandale ( horse racing with style) and the luxurious and high- end Bal Harbour Shops.