Coral Gables January 2023

CORAL GABLES

new year new you

GETTING FIT IN THE GABLES ALSO ENTREPRENEURS WINTER BIRDING NEW RESTAURANTS

Who dreamed we would find America’s #1 Senior Community right here in the Gables?

“ WE WANTED AN EVENT THAT ENCOMPASSED WHAT THE CITY STANDS FOR, TO SHINE A LIGHT ON THE GREAT THINGS THE CITY IS DOING, WHILE RAISING FUNDS FOR THE LEAGUE AGAINST CANCER,

MAYOR VINCE LAGO SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL MAYOR’S BALL. SEE PAGE 18.

”

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

Every New Year’s Eve, 75 percent of Americans make a promise to themselves: our resolutions to eat better, workout more, or knock that bad habit. So, pull on those yoga pants, strap on your Fitbit, and join the vaunted club of Americans who successfully keep their New Year’s resolutions.

WINTER’S WINGED WONDERS

Most Coral Gables neighborhoods have their own little parks where we can reconnect with nature, and we’re blessed to have the wonderful Matheson Hammock county park within our borders. The 630-acre sanctuary is a birder’s paradise.

THE ART OF THE GABLES ENTREPRENEUR

Entrepreneurship in Coral Gables takes many forms, from the solo accountant at a co-working space, to partners starting a wealth management firm, to shipping executives automating payments and going global with $100 million-plus in investments.

Why It Matters: Jacky and Matthew Horowitz

Jacky Horowitz suffered from frequent headaches for nearly 10 years. But when she began to experience blurred vision and numbness in her face, she knew something was seriously wrong. After several tests, she received the diagnosis: a brain aneurysm.

Jacky was treated by Italo Linfante, M.D., director of interventional neuroradiology at Baptist Health. Dr. Linfante, whom Jacky describes as “the most calming person I ever met,” inserted a stent via a minimally invasive endovascular procedure, alleviating the aneurysm and preventing a dangerous rupture. Now an advocate for taking control of your health, Jacky is immensely grateful for the lifesaving treatment and compassionate care — what she calls “science and support” — she received.

This kind of care is available thanks to the generosity of donors to Baptist Health Foundation. Philanthropy is helping fund research, enhance patient care and recruit the best minds in medicine – physicians like Dr. Linfante. “We’re lucky we’re in Miami with an excellent hospital and all these resources,” Jacky says. “I’m very grateful to the donors, because without them, the resources really wouldn’t be there.”

Generosity supports the science that saves lives.

Photo by Lynn Parks

You can help provide life-changing care for patients like Jacky. BaptistHealth.net/GenerosityHeals or 786-467-5400

It’s Your City. Now Use It.

On a pleasant weekday morning last month, several dozen people assembled in the Sanctuary of the Arts auditorium across the street from City Hall. They came to hear “The State of the Arts in Coral Gables,” a presentation by the Coral Gables Community Foundation. Onstage was the muscle of arts in the city: the directors of the Coral Gables Museum, GableStage, the Gables Art Cinema, Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, the city’s Cultural Affairs Department, Books & Books, and The Sanctuary of the Arts, along with Mayor Vince Lago, Chamber of Commerce President Mark Trowbridge, and Mary Snow of the Foundation.

The presenters each talked about their institutions. Brenda Moe of the Arts Cinema described how they were offering ‘pay what you can days.’ Mitchell Kaplan of Books & Books talked about how Millennials and Gen Zs were buying lots of books. Rafi Maldonado-Lopez of the Sanctuary described how they had already held 32 performances.

What became clear was how rich the culture of Coral Gables is, and how much there is to take in here. The same goes for our cover story about the places where you can get into

great physical shape. In this, too, Coral Gables punches above its weight class with so many excellent choices.

What was missing from the Sanctuary stage, however, was someone from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music. It is a woefully under-used institution by the residents of this city. It is beyond comprehension why every Frost Symphony concert conducted by maestro Gerard Schwarz is not sold out. A $25 ticket for a world class performance at Gusman Hall?

That may be the takeaway from the State of the Arts presentation. While the Frost Symphony leaves too many vacant seats, so does the Mainly Mozart series which is produced on that very stage.

So, make it your New Year’s resolution to take advantage of the cornucopia of arts available in this city, from indie films at the Arts Cinema, to author lectures at Books & Books, to art shows at the Gables Museum, to dance at the Sanctuary of the Arts, to music at UM’s Gusman Hall, to live theater at GableStage and Actors’ Playhouse. And while you’re at it, try getting back in shape from all that sitting around.

CEO & PUBLISHER

Richard Roffman

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

J.P. Faber

EVP / PUBLISHER

Gail Scott

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Amy Donner

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

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VP SALES

Sherry Adams

MANAGING EDITOR

Kylie Wang

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Gabrielle Lord

ART DIRECTOR

Jon Braeley

EDITOR-AT-LARGE

Grace Carricarte

SENIOR WRITERS

Mike Clary

Doreen Hemlock

WRITERS

Andrew Gayle

Amy Poliakoff

PROOFREADER

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PHOTOGRAPHERS

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Jonathan Dann

Tiege Dolly

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Toni Kirkland

CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION

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photograph or illustration without prior written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Send address changes to subscriptions@coralgablesmagazine. com. General mailbox email and letters to editor@coralgablesmagazine.com.

a bank that cares about you.

Each month, we print letters we receive from our readers. We encourage all commentary, including criticism as well as compliments, and any thoughts about our community. If you are interested, please send your thoughts to letters@coralgablesmagazine.com. Letters are edited for brevity.

About Those Lions

Thanks for the story about the Merrick Festival [November issue] and the great last page in the December issue [photo of one of the black lion statues in front of the 550 Biltmore Way building, wearing a red Santa hat]. But by the way, the lions are not cast iron. They are solid bronze. A building manager painted them black because she didn’t like the green streaks as they started to age. And each weigh about eight tons.

Sally Baumgartner

Sign Clutter

I am not the sharpest tack in the box, so I need to get this one straight. We have a bunch of signs around our city which in and of themselves do nothing more than create visual clutter. We clearly also have a bunch of decrepit signs around our city that makes us look like a third-world country. Now the city is contemplating hiring outside vendors

to install more signs. Is this a joke? We need to urge our commissioners to implement a policy for the removal of needless signs. And we need to urge our commissioners to implement a policy to address requests for the installation of new signs in our city. I suggest that just asking for a sign to be placed on public property should not be sufficient to get one.

Leo Bueno

No Voice for Burger Bob’s Clients

On December 8th, a “symposium” was held by the city to hear a presentation about Burger Bob’s. Was I informed by the city? No. I was taking my daily walk when I picked up what I assumed was litter. It was a flyer from the city inviting only those residents living nearby to join the meeting. As any patron would, I felt betrayed by a city that doesn’t want to hear my voice.

I called six of my friends and only one

Make Coral Gables Your Year-Round Playground

knew of it. Low turnout proved we weren’t alone in feeling clueless. Then the meeting proved we were not heard.

The golfers’ request for a pick-up window was ignored. The charging stations (for laptops) encourages squatting, not paying customers who prefer tablespace. And the design missed all charm. The description and images shown to us look like a McDonald’s mixed with Starbucks, only cheaper. Does that matter to the architects? No, but it matters to us, the residents. Losing the essence of BB means losing the heart of our community.

And where did our eco-friendliness plan go? Where are the discussed solar panels, repurposed materials, and use of original BB interior? And what about keeping the kitchen as gas, not electric? Remember, it’s the only place to get a warm meal after a hurricane.

Drucilla Raymond

JJ Snow Hansen Real Estate Advisor 305.608.8750 jj@jjsnowhansen.com

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With tailored care levels and enriching educational programs designed to enhance growth and connection, the community is a place to thrive. Be among the first to experience Coral Gable’s most anticipated residential offering of 2023. Offering Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care, The Watermark at Coral Gables is rich with possibilities.

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Streetwise The Burger Bob’s Update Page

22

From City Hall

AT ITS DECEMBER MEETING, THE CORAL GABLES CITY COMMISSION:

VOTED 4-0 TO SUPPORT “CODEMANIA,” a coding competition for high school students. The three-week competition will culminate with an event on March 3 at the University of Miami. Students will be prompted to provide “real-world solutions for things that involve the city, such as helping a resident connect with community groups or resources or helping someone plan a day in the city or... figure out how to take public transit,” said assistant city attorney Naomi Levi Garcia. The solution may be used in the city’s website. (Sponsored by Commissioner Menendez)

LISTENED TO AN UPDATE ON PLANS TO IMPROVE Biltmore Way. The update: initial street improvements, including suggestions for a bike lane, will be presented on January 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the First United Methodist Church, 536 Coral Way. (Sponsored by Commissioner Anderson)

ON SECOND (FINAL) READINGS, CONFIRMED 4-0 the new city ordinances: 1) requiring residents to cooperate with FPL in the undergrounding of power lines attached to homes, 2) prohibiting smoking in any city-owned parks, and 3) limiting the heights of plants set in public rights of way.

VOTED 4-0 ON FIRST READING TO OFFICIALLY dissolve the special Business Improvement District (BID) in the downtown.

VOTED 4-0 ON FIRST READING TO CHANGE the way letters of historic determination are issued. Currently, such letters are sent only to the homeowner. The new ordinance requires the historic designations (or lack thereof) to be posted online, along with all supporting documents. There is then a 10-day period for anyone to request an appeal of the decision, followed by three weeks to provide a full report by the person making the appeal. After that, the decision cannot be challenged. (Sponsored by Commissioner Anderson)

VOTED 4-0 TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER and City Attorney to negotiate the sale of the Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs) for Miracle Theatre and Fink Studio. These are rights – to build an extra floor, for example – that can be sold to a developer for use in another location. Monies raised would go into a historic building fund. “This is part of an ongoing effort by this commission to get additional funds for our landmarks, historic buildings, and historic structures,” said Commissioner Menendez, and a “very helpful and creative way” to get funds for the upkeep of older buildings.

LISTENED TO A PRESENTATION BY COMMISSIONER Menendez regarding the first free-run dog area in the city at Catalonia Park. “I pulled over because I couldn’t believe what I saw,” he said. “I walked over and introduced myself… The most interesting thing was that, without me asking, they started chanting, ‘Thank you Coral Gables.’”

LISTENED TO A PRESENTATION BY CITY Communications Director Martha Pantin on plans to celebrate the city’s Centennial in 2025. The city will begin a year’s worth of festivities at the end of 2024 with the lighting of the city Christmas tree. “We want to build and strengthen the sense of community,” said Pantin. “We want it to be a celebration that is not only in Coral Gables, but one that recognizes us… as a great city.” Among numerous ideas suggested were lighting up buildings, opening the police and fire departments to public visits, and commissioning a sculpture to commemorate the importance of the Bahamian immigrants and workers to the community. The city will coordinate centennial celebrations with the University of Miami, the Coral Gables Garden Club, and the Church of the Little Flower, all also founded in 1925.

VOTED 4-0 TO APPOINT FORMER MAYOR Jim Cason to fill the City Commission seat vacated by Jorge Fors (see story pg. 18). Prior to the vote, the Commission listened to pro and con comments about Maria Cruz, a resident who also applied for the position. Mrs. Cruz, a citizen advocate who regularly criticizes the Commission, was endorsed by the Coral Gables Neighbors Association. Opponents to Mrs. Cruz’ appointment had sited an old ethics violation, and Mrs. Cruz tearfully read from a 15-year-old letter exonerating her from the charges. She asked to read the letter into the public record for the sake of her reputation.

“Miss Cruz, I’m sorry you had to experience this. It’s tough,” Vice Mayor Michael Mena then told her. “It’s part of sitting up here, though. A lot of us have felt the way you felt today,” he said, then naming City Asset Manager Zeida Sardinas, City Attorney Miriam Ramos, Mayor Lago, and City Manager Peter Iglesias, all of whom have come under attack by blogs associated with Mrs. Cruz. “I think their spouses and children have felt the way you felt today, when ethics complaints are filed against people with no basis, when articles are written that are baseless, and based on a lot of misinformation.” Mena then added, “Rather than decide [the Commission seat] based on internet polls and neighborhood associations, let’s decide who the people’s choice is the way Americans do it – with an election in April.” ■

COMMISSIONER MENENDEZ’S

PHOTO OF CATALONIA PARK

Talk of the Town

A New City Commissioner

FORMER MAYOR PICKED TO FILL FORS’ SEAT

Former Mayor Jim Cason returned to Coral Gables government last month when he was tapped to fill the commission seat vacated by Jorge Fors, Jr. Commissioner Fors resigned to run for a seat on the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners, an election he lost in a runoff in November.

Cason, who served three terms as mayor from 2011 to 2017, was the unanimous pick of the four city commissioners who voted on Dec. 13. He was sworn in the next day. Mayor Vince Lago said he had vetted many candidates for the post and saw in Cason “someone who can hit the ground running… somebody who is clearly seasoned.” Vice Mayor Michael Mena called Cason “the obvious choice.”

Cason said he does not plan to run for election to the seat in April, and urged others who had offered to fill the temporary post to become candidates for a full four-year term. “I didn’t lobby for this job, and I have no intention to run again,” he said. “I was drafted, [but] I am happy to help the city fill a gap.”

Cason is a retired career U.S. Foreign Service officer who served in 15 countries, including Cuba. He moved to Coral Gables in 2008. During his brief time back in office, Cason said he would “like to take a look at code enforcement; there is a lot of enforcing not being done.” He also listed improving trash recycling as one of his interests.

Meanwhile, there is no word yet as to whether Fors will run again in April to reclaim his former seat. Stay tuned. – Mike

Clary

The Latest Ball in the Gables

THE

MAYOR RAISES THE BAR FOR FUNDRAISING

With such annual seasonal events as The Coral Gables Community Foundation Gala, the Lowe’s Beaux Arts Ball, and Fairchild’s Gala in the Garden, among others, you would think there would be little interest in another fancy, charitable gathering in the Gables. But you would be wrong.

Last month, Mayor Vince Lago inaugurated the annual Mayor’s Ball with resounding success. Held at the newly opened Loews Hotel in The Plaza Coral Gables, the ball attracted more than 400 guests and raised more than $100,000 for the League Against Cancer charity and the Community Foundation.

Guests at the dinner and dance were regaled by renowned Cuban songstress Aymée Nuviola and her band, and were also treated to a salad of poached pear and an entrée of filet mignon and Nigerian prawns, followed by a dessert of Valrhona chocolate cake. “It was glamorous and gorgeous,” said guest Mark Trowbridge, president and CEO of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce.

“We wanted an event that encompassed what the city stands for, to shine a light on the great things the city is doing, while raising funds for the League Against Cancer,” said Mayor Lago. “We sold out, so we’re going to have to expand next year.”

TOP: FORMER MAYOR JIM CASON (LEFT) WAS SWORN IN ON DEC. 14 AS A CORAL GABLES CITY COMMISSIONER BY CITY CLERK BILLY URQUIA (RIGHT). ALSO PRESENT WERE CASON’S SON JAMES CASON, JR., AND HIS SON’S WIFE, MICHELLE CASON.

ABOVE: THE ANNUAL MAYOR’S BALL WAS A RESOUNDING SUCCESS, RAISING MORE THAN $100,000 FOR CHARITY.

Photo by Tiege Dolly

Talk of the Town

A “Million Dollar” Romance

Anyone who tried to get tickets to the “Million Dollar Quartet Christmas” between December 14 and 18 would have been surprised to find the Actors’ Playhouse at Miracle Theatre dark for those five days. The musical’s run had been set for November 16 through January 1, uninterrupted.

What ticket buyers probably did not know was that the play was closed for reasons of romance – the marriage of one of the musical’s main stars, Jeremy Sevelovitz, who played Carl Perkins in the semi-factual mashup of Perkins, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Sevelovitz first met his bride to be, Sofia Porcel, at Actors’ Playhouse in 2016 when Sevelovitz was starring in the original run of “Million Dollar Quartet” and Porcel was assisting with the set build. A romance flowered, and in 2021 the couple got engaged under the Actors’ Playhouse marquee, which read “SOFIA, WILL YOU MARRY ME?” They even shared the stage in the Playhouse production of “Hank Williams: Lost Highway” last summer, solidifying their bond with each other – and the theater where they first met. The knot was finally tied last month, when the playhouse closed its doors to celebrate the couple’s nuptials in Puerto Rico. On their special day, the pair was surrounded by their loved ones, including fellow “Million Dollar Quartet Christmas” stars Dom Scott (Jerry Lee), Eddie Clendening (Elvis), and Sky Seals (Cash).

“It’s been an absolute joy to be a part of their journey as a couple,” says Brooke Noble, General Manager of Actors’ Playhouse. Our congratulations to the newlyweds. – Gabrielle Lord

Twinning and Winning

If you’ve been on TikTok over the last few months, you’ve likely seen Haley and Hanna Cavinder dancing, cheekily joking about their dating lives, or showing their 4.1 million followers what a day in the life of a college athlete looks like. The twins are the latest social media phenom – and gifted basketball players at the University of Miami. They’ve been featured in the New York Post, The Athletic, and Forbes, among others, as well as on ESPN.

With the advent of the NIL rule, which allows college athletes to make money from the use of their names, images, and likenesses, the Cavinder twins have raked in close to $2 million in sponsorships and endorsements, making them some of the top NIL earners in the country. But the two 21-year-old seniors – transfers from Fresno State last offseason – have proved they’re not just Insta-models or TikTok celebrities. They’re also intensely focused athletes who have been playing basketball since age six, now helping UM to a 7-4 record at the time of writing. – Kylie Wang ■

TOP: ACTOR JEREMY SEVELOVITZ, WHO STARS IN “MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET CHRISTMAS,” WITH BRIDE SOFIA PORCEL.

ABOVE: HALEY AND HANNA CAVINDER, BASKETBALL PLAYERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI.

LOVE BLOSSOMS AT ACTORS’ PLAYHOUSE

THE CAVINDER TWINS REAP NIL REWARDS

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The Burger Bob’s Update

REOPENING THE GABLES’ ICON MAY TAKE UNTIL NEXT DECEMBER

BY MIKE CLARY

It has been nearly a year since Burger Bob’s closed its doors. The old-fashioned diner on the first hole of the Granada Golf Course, which had served lowcost American food (cheeseburgers, chili, BLTs) for nearly three decades, ended its run in February 2022.

The city at first looked for a new restaurateur to take on management of the city-owned property, but renovation costs were prohibitive, especially if the same $5 burgers were to stay on the menu. Instead, driven by public pressure to see a low-cost classic diner remain, the city agreed to take on the project and then lease the facility to an experienced operator.

Now, it may take as much as another year before diners hankering for the return of Burger Bob’s can again sit down and order breakfast or lunch. That was the timeline for reopening revealed at a community meeting last month by Community Recreation Department Director Fred Couceyro.

Renderings of the remodeled diner show a “modern style” version, with an expanded seating area absorbing space from the next door pro shop and surrounding patio. There will also be an upgraded kitchen, hurricane impact windows, and a single unisex bathroom that meets Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Previously there had been no bathroom. Estimated cost: $610,000, with a completion date of December 2023.

Couceyro called the proposed design “a nod to the oldstyle diner, but with a refreshed look.” Said architect Daphne Gurri, “[We] wanted to have something that was very neutral

and relaxed but at the same time having a remembrance of what Coral Gables is and referencing what the old diner was.”

The handful of residents attending the presentation –which they say was not adequately announced – were not entirely pleased. Some were

disappointed that the project was taking too long. Others were unhappy with the design, which they say its too sleek, modern, and soulless, erasing much of the character of the original Bob’s – like the red faux-leather bar stools and chairs, with their linoleum tables, now in storage. Marlin Ebbert, chair of the city’s Sustainability Advisory Board, suggested that as many of the orginal elements as possible be repurposed. Others objected to a long bar along the outer windows, where people can sit and charge their laptops – not in keeping with the old gathering spot and likely to attract non-diners.

The lengthy time needed, Couceyro responded, is for

“permitting, procurement, and then the construction. It takes a while.” Mayor Vince Lago, who was so infuriated by delays last year that at one point he threatened to personally take over the project, promised to push the renovation forward.

“What we are facing right now is a once in a generation situation in construction, with a shortage of competent manpower and delays due to material shortages,” he told Coral Gables Magazine. “We are trying to find the most appropriate way to move it forward,” including overriding the procurement process by using the contractor already working on the pro shop. “I’m hoping it will be done by the end of summer,” he said.

The likely operator of a revamped Burger Bob’s is Rita Tennyson, a community favorite who worked with former Burger Bob’s proprietor Bob Maguire for more than 28 years. While no contract has been signed, the City Commission last year declared her to be its preferred candidate. She has been asked to come up with a sample menu and has a tentative meeting with city officials this month, according to her attorney Diane Wells. ■

TOP: EXTERIOR OF BURGER BOB’S, WHICH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR ALMOST A YEAR.

ABOVE: ARCHITECT’S DEPICTION OF THE RENOVATED MODERN INTERIOR; TOO SLEEK, SAY SOME RESIDENTS.

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Elevated Waterfront Living in Coral Gables

Absolutely stunning waterfront property with private boat slip offers a luxurious and private retreat. This two-story townhome has upscale designer finishes throughout and is equipped with an elevator. A covered terrace and pool offer year-round outdoor living.

The future owner will be minutes away from the Riviera Country Club. A Very Special Home.

Living

‘Personalized Pores’ Beauty Report Page 32

THE SLEEK MINIMALIST INTERIOR OF CORAL GABLES’ FIRST ULTRA-LUXE SELF-CARE SANCTUARY, THE ALEXIS LAUREN COLLECTIVE

Best Bets for January

about two hours. The tour starts at the museum and the $10 ticket includes museum admission. Children under 12 and museum members pay half-price. You will need to provide your own bike and helmet (required for children under 16). Attending cyclists will learn how to stretch and warmup before the ride begins, ensuring your year will begin with a fun, healthy activity. Visit coralgablesmuseum. org or bikewalkcoralgables.org for tickets.

A FESTIVAL OF CHOCOLATE

Dessert junkies and sweet tooth owners, rejoice! Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is putting on the best chocolate festival of the year – and it lasts two whole days! On January 21 and 22 from 10 am to 5 pm, taste your way through chocolate confections, decadent desserts, and savory bites. There will be chocolate pairings with wine and spirits, classes, demonstrations, and more. Non-member tickets for each day are $25 for adults, $18 for seniors, $16 for students, and $12 for children ages six to 17. Children under six and Fairchild members can attend for free. For tickets and more information, visit fairchildgarden.org.

“GREEN

EGGS AND HAMADEUS” FAMILY CONCERT

Family concerts have returned to University of Miami’s Frost School of Music this season. On Saturday, January 21 at 2 pm, join the “Pied Piper of classical music” Rob Kapilow and the Frost Live Entertainment Management students in a musical and theatrical adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham.” The concert will take place at Gusman Concert Hall. Tickets are $10 for children, $20 for seniors, and $25 for adults, and can be found at events.miami.edu.

HEALTHY START BIKE TOUR

Start off your new year with a new healthy habit! This fun and educational bike ride presented by Bike Walk Coral Gables and the Coral Gables Museum starts at 10 am on January 15 and lasts

AMERANT BANK 5K

On Saturday, January 22 at 7:30 am, Amerant Bank is hosting its 12th annual 5K event benefitting United Way Miami. The 3.1 mile run (or walk, depending on your preference) will begin and end at City Hall and finish with an Activity Zone full of fun activities, food, refreshments, and music. Early registration is $30 and will increase closer to race day. To register, visit unitedwaymiami.org/ amerant5k.

WOOP WOOP BEER FEST

Woop Woop is Bay 13’s first annual beer festival celebrating Australia Day. On Saturday, January 21 beginning at 5 pm, attendees

can enjoy beer and food from local vendors in support of the Coral Gables Art Cinema. General admission tickets are $50 and include unlimited samples from about 20 participating breweries and a cup to sip them. VIP tickets are $150 and offer early access plus entry to the indoor Australian Hospitality Suite (food boards, premium liquor tastings, etc.). Also included are a festival t-shirt, a Bay 13 branded pint glass, a four-pack of barrel-aged beers, and one ticket to the Brewers Brunch event on January 22. For tickets, visit bay13brewery.com/beer-fest.

music of composer and bandleader Jihye Lee, who joins the band for the night at Gusman Concert Hall. Tickets are $25 for seniors, $30 for adults, and can be found at events.miami.edu.

“WE

WILL NOT BE SILENT”

GableStage’s newest production, “We Will Not Be Silent” follows German college student Sophie Scholl as she courageously stands up for social justice in a major act of civil disobedience against Hitler and his fascist regime. While being interrogated for her crimes, she must decide whether to save her own life or continue her righteous crusade. Based on true events, this production runs from January 7 to 29. Tickets start at $40. For tickets and more information, visit gablestage.org.

BEAUX ARTS FESTIVAL AT UM

The 72nd Annual Beaux Arts Festival of Art returns January 14 and 15 to the University of Miami campus. The festival attracts more than 175 juried fine art exhibitors from across the country and awards more than $20,000 in prizes to exhibiting artists. The two day outdoor event takes place from 10 am to 5 pm in front of the Watsco Center. Admission is free thanks to the support of presenting sponsor Mercedes Benz of Coral Gables and Cutler Bay. New for 2023, the festival will feature a beer and wine garden presented by Bay 13 Brewery & Kitchen. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital will sponsor a community art tent and family entertainment zone.

JOHN DAVERSA AND THE FROST CONCERT JAZZ BAND

For those who would like music with a more adult spin, Grammy-winning composer and trumpet player John Daversa will direct the Frost Concert Jazz Band for an evening of jazz on Thursday, January 26 at 7:30 pm. The concert will highlight the innovative

CORAL GABLES ART & MEGA FESTIVAL

With an estimated turnout of 35,000 people and 350 exhibitors, this art festival and trade show on January 28 and 29 from 10 am to 6 pm is one of Coral Gables’ biggest annual events. The family-friendly festival takes place at 355 Alhambra Circle and features six events, including world class art, a kid’s fest with activities like face painting and a talent competition, a fashion fest, a dog & pet fest, and the Miami Beer, Wine, and Spirits Festival. Admission is free, although if you want to sample some beverages, you’ll have to buy a $39 ticket; VIPs can snag early entry for $89. For more information and registration, visit coralgablesartfestival.com. ■

JOHN DAVERSA

4111

DISTINCTIVE LIVING MEETS BEST-IN-CLASS

Belmont

Gables to Redefine Senior Living

A unique collaboration between leading senior housing provider Belmont Village Senior Living and renowned Baptist Health South Florida is redefining senior living. Belmont Village Coral Gables, opening in 2023, is the first in a series of senior living communities coming to South Florida through this innovative partnership. Along with five-star hospitality and amenities, first-class accommodations, a rich social environment, and first-rate care, Belmont Village Coral Gables will feature Live Healthy by Baptist Health on the ground floor, a wellness-focused center for its residents and seniors in the greater Coral Gables area.

Finding Shopping Serenity

IF STRESS IS OVERWHELMING YOU DURING THE HIGH SEASON, THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE OHM

BY GABRIELLE LORD

How many times have you screamed, “I have nothing to wear!” while staring at a closet stuffed full of clothes? Between happy hours, weddings, work events, and whatever else, the list of events coming up this year can seem never-ending. With so many looks to shop for, the typical thrill that comes with finding just the right piece can quickly be overshadowed by the stress of the last-minute search. Suddenly, you’re anxiously darting in and out of dressing rooms, praying to find something that fits your fashion vision – without breaking the bank.

Insert OHM Boutique. Located on Sunset Drive, OHM first opened its doors in 2010 with the slogan: “You don’t have to splurge to look good.”

“We’re not too trendy,” says founder and owner Vanessa Sauma. “I go by what I feel will sell well and what the customer will like. We have customers from 15 to 65, so I’m not buying for a particular person; I’m buying for the type of woman that she grows into.”

This is the mindset Sauma has carried with her since opening the shop at 23 years old, and what has kept her business successful for the last 12 years.

However, running a boutique isn’t just about carrying items shoppers love, but also curating an experience that keeps them coming back. Referencing the mantra that is frequently used by those who practice meditation (that word is actually “OM” vs “OHM,” a homophonic measure of electrical resistance), the space generates a sense of Zen tranquility with its light-colored interior, spacious dressing rooms, and open layout. The in-store stylists are trained to listen and help the

customer find what they need, rather than push them to buy items they ultimately don’t want.

“I always encourage our customers to try [clothing] on because you never know,” says store manager Sydney Johnson as she scans the racks, helping customers uncover overlooked items. “On the hanger, sometimes it might not catch the eye. But once you try it on, you realize it’s the perfect outfit for you.”

While shoppers can find statement pieces and pops of color here and there, the majority of OHM Boutique’s items are neutral, transitional pieces that can be worn day to night and season to season. From simplistic tops like the white “Nashville Ribbed Tank” ($65) to bold dresses like the “Alexandra Deep V Dress” in black ($110), OHM Boutique carries pieces that can work for any event, big or small, from parties to career fairs.

“Usually I come here [when shopping] for events,” says Tere Pujol Burns, a teacher at Sunset Elementary who left with a white blazer dress accented by feathers for a holiday party. “They have some cute, unique pieces that you know a lot of people aren’t going to have.”

Although the shop has started to outgrow its space, Sauma doesn’t plan on leaving anytime soon. “I want to keep my costs really low, so I can give [customers] the best quality, without having to pay that price tag we’re seeing everywhere else,” she says, noting that moving to bigger storefronts typically leads to higher prices. “For the next two years, I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing – with all the love.” And with a sense of serenity now. ■

“ WE HAVE CUSTOMERS FROM 15 TO 65, SO I’M NOT BUYING FOR A PARTICULAR PERSON; I’M BUYING FOR THE TYPE OF WOMAN THAT SHE GROWS INTO. ”

1561

305.284.8455

VANESSA SAUMA, OWNER ABOVE LEFT: ALEXANDRA DEEP V DRESS, $110 ABOVE RIGHT: NASHVILLE RIBBED TANK, $65

OHM BOUTIQUE

SUNSET DRIVE

Consuelo T. Stewart 305.216.7348

cstewart@sheltonandstewart.com

Tere Shelton Bernace 305.607.7212

tbernace@sheltonandstewart.com

THE FINEST HOMES DESERVE THE FINEST MARKETING

We have recently enhanced our marketing plans to include:

Prominent global media brands such as The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Robb Report, UPMKT, Mansion Global and MarketWatch,

...and Global exposure in over 90 prominent Real Estate search sites around the world targeting affluent buyers and investors, including China, Russia, Canada, Germany, Brazil, France, Singapore, Colombia, UAE and many others.

These complement our well-established client network and time-tested and proven local visibility through elegant brochures, direct mail, targeted local ads, and digital and social media marketing.

• Our strong values of service, fairness and cooperation.

• Our reputation among repeat clients and real estate colleagues.

Personalized Pores

THE LATEST PLACE TO IMPROVE YOUR SKIN HAS ARRIVED, APPARENTLY FROM A STREAMLINED FUTURE

BY GABRIELLE LORD

The art of minimalistic grandeur was not lost upon husband-and-wife duo Dr. Michael and Alexis Renda when creating Coral Gables’ first ultra-luxe self-care sanctuary, Alexis Lauren Collective, which opened in November. From the curvature of the walls to the curation of the menu – which consists of five bespoke treatments – every defining detail seems selected to echo the mantra, “Less is more.”

“We believe in eliminating the paradox of choice for our clients by not overwhelming them with a myriad of services and products,” says Alexis Renda.

Partnering with sciencebacked brands SkinBetter Science, isClinical, and Biologique Recherche, every service at the high-end wellness space is tailored to custom-fit the needs of each client.

Stepping into the membership-based beauty destination myself, I immediately felt I’d been transported to a whitewalled version of Arizona’s famed Antelope Canyon. The interior is bare and undecorated except for a few shelves lined with beauty products, blending into the concave swells of walls designed to mimic stone. Strings of lights at the base of the walls illuminate a winding hallway of white doors that lead to the treatment rooms, the contents of which seem almost secret.

Inside one of these stark rooms, I was given a moment alone to change into a plush robe and settle myself under the sheet before the aesthetician returned to ask me questions regarding my skin and take a deeper look under the light.

After a weekend of “forgetting” to take my makeup off before bed, I was fully aware

that my skin was not in tip-top shape. My skin tone was uneven. My keratosis pilaris, a skin condition characterized by tiny bumps and rough patches, was acting up. My eyes were plagued by dark circles. Luckily, this is exactly what the Alexis Lauren personnel are trained for.

My aesthetician selected a personalized combination of products which were methodically pressed and massaged into my skin in an upward motion. According to Alexis, this application technique is used for “deeper penetration and to encourage lymphatic drainage.” To clear any congestion that remained hidden beneath the skin barrier, I also opted for extractions, which consists of pressing and squeezing to remove excess buildup of debris, makeup, etc.

Next came the mask portion. Typically the most boring part of any facial is waiting while the solutions sink in. This time, it was complemented by a décolleté massage (shoulders and neck) followed by a face massage using chilled cryo globes, which reduce redness and puffiness. After removing the mask, I was treated to a curated cocktail of lotions and serums designed to specifically target my skin’s imperfections.

I left the Collective with the most vibrant, clear, and glowing skin I’ve possibly ever had, wishing I could afford the $300 monthly membership, which includes one monthly facial, 20 percent off smoothing treatments, and 10 percent off all other services. Despite the high price, however, I’ve not entirely written the place off. I’ve already started saving for my next service, which is also available a la carte. ■

TOP: HUSBAND-AND-WIFE TEAM DR. MICHAEL AND ALEXIS RENDA.

ABOVE: THE MINIMALISTIC INTERIORS WITH CONCEALED LIGHTING EVOKE A SERENE PLUSH SETTING.

Our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have made our success possible. It is in this spirit that we say Thank You and send our best wishes for The New Year! OUR

THE LUXURY PROPERTY PROFESSIONALS

Bumpy But Beautiful

THE OLD CUTLER TRAIL IS A HIKER’S ASSET IN THE GABLES

BY MIKE CLARY

On a recent Saturday, an especially leafy section in the southern half of Coral Gables was busy with people out to connect with nature, take in some history, and get some exercise. Some rode bicycles. Others walked or ran. Some had backpacks and carried cameras and water bottles. Scores wore uniforms, many displaying stitched-on merit badges.

The draw was the Old Cutler Trail, a historic path that heads south from Cocoplum Circle through a tunnel of banyan, gumbo limbo, and oak trees to provide a deep-shade start to a four-mile urban path through Coral Gables. Once a wagon track from the Cutler Bay area to Coconut Grove, the Old Cutler Trail extends past the Gables to the north and south. Within the Gables, heading south from Cocoplum Circle, it parallels Old Cutler Highway as it passes stately homes, thick vegetation, and weathered coral rock walls on its leisurely course. About two miles from the Circle, the trail ducks into Matheson Hammock Park, a 630-acre nature retreat where picnic tables, a water fountain, and bathrooms are available.

Just south of Matheson is Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, the city’s oasis of rare plants and scenic walkways created in 1938. From there, a sign directs walkers and bikers across Old Cutler Road to the west side of the roadway, near the Maud Black Cottage. Built as a barn in 1866 by Charles Siebold, it was converted to a home in 1899 and is now privately owned.

The trail then takes a turn into Snapper Creek Lakes, a gated residential neighborhood of 124 homes. In half a mile,

signs direct trekkers to a narrow pedestrian bridge over the Snapper Creek Canal near the entrance to Pinecrest Gardens.

The bridge has become the subject of controversy after residents of Snapper Creek Lakes deluged county commissioners with emails urging them to install a locked gate to impede night-time prowlers from entering the neighborhood from Red Road. In 2020, the commission unanimously approved a resolution in support.

The city of Pinecrest responded in March 2022 with its own resolution, opposing any gate because it would restrict access to the trail and Matheson Hammock Park from Pinecrest and other communities to the west. The gate has not been installed. “We are waiting for the county to act,” said Gables Mayor Vince Lago, a strong proponent of installing an unlocked gate with lighting and cameras to deter crime.

Swelling the normal complement of hikers, runners, and bikers on the Saturday when we visited were more than 500 scouts taking part in a 13.7-mile trek from Downtown Miami to St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Red Road. The hike was the 48th annual long-distance adventure sponsored by the Tequesta District of the Boy Scouts of America’s South Florida Council, veteran hike master Fred Kimball told us.

Among the hikers was

Luke Moorman, assistant scoutmaster of Troop 32, Ft. Lauderdale, whose grandmother, Jeanne Ann Seghers Moorman, was a driving force behind the movement to create Old Cutler Trail in the early 1960s. The daughter of the founder of Carroll’s Jewelers, a longtime Miracle Mile fixture, Jeanne Ann Moorman served on the Gables city commission from 1989 to 1991. When she died in 2018 at the age of 89, her

obituary included a tribute from the March 17, 1964, edition of the Miami News which declared that “Almost single-handed, she persuaded the Metro Commission and Coral Gables to pitch in for a bicycle path along scenic Old Cutler Road. In fact, she’s done everything except put down the paving.” ■

AN OLD CUTLER TRAIL SIGNPOST, WITH IMAGES FROM THE PATH. MIDDLE IMAGE: THE CONTROVERSIAL SNAPPER CREEK BRIDGE.

Custom Candle Creations

BY GABRIELLE LORD

Candle making is one of those artisanal crafts that harkens back to the days of the early settlers, when tallow (animal fat) and whale oil were used to dip wicks. Today’s use of wax is, thankfully, a far cry from those odiferous times.

You’ll learn this firsthand at Candle Land, a unique candlemaking store on Giralda Plaza that doubles as a hotspot for date nights and birthday parties. With bright pink walls, buoyant background beats, and the smell of intermingling fragrances, Candle Land walks you through the hour-long process of crafting a candle.

It begins with choosing your candle holder. With dozens of colors ranging from white

chrome to matte black, you can find your preferred aesthetic easily. Next comes picking your fragrance – you can choose from options like fresh & clean, woody & spicy, fruity, floral, and seasonal scents, the latter of which are typically the most popular. “Sugar Plum” and “Pumpkin Pie,” for example, have been top contenders this holiday season, says store associate Greisi Monzon.

Most candle-makers stick to one scent, but you have the option of mixing it up to create your own custom fragrance. Monzon said she’s seen every sort of combination, from the seemingly conflicting pairing of “Lemon Cake” and “Apple Spice,” to more conventional

blends like sandalwood and teakwood. “It’s always an experiment,” she says. “I love seeing how creative people get with fragrances and designs.”

Next comes the actual making of the candle, a step-bystep process that will make you feel like a self-sufficient pioneer. After 24 hours (needed for the fragrance to settle into the wax), it’s time to light up the night. ■

The Next Move Is Yours

Bites

Quick Bites from the Sea

COURTYARD SEARED

Being Italian automatically confers comfort food status to Villagio restaurant in Merrick Park; being able to sit outside makes it more so. The menu includes a large array of seafood, including a tasty St. Tropez salad of seared yellowfin tuna on a bed of romaine with potatoes, string beans, boiled eggs, and artichokes ($24.95). 358 San Lorenzo Ave. 305.447.8144

BE IT EVER SO HUMBLE

The old Irish pub John Martin’s is back on the Mile, with a bright new facelift. Fortunately for diehards, they still serve traditional Irish pub grub. That includes fish & chips, which consists of chunks of cod deep-fried in a Guinness beer batter ($18). Crunchy on the outside, soft within, and served with fries and mushy peas. 253 Miracle Mile. 305.209.0609

A STONE’S THROW AWAY

Crab lovers need look no further than MKT Kitchen, where Holy Crab offers Alaskan king, snow, and Dungeness crab – plus that seasonal delight, stone crab claws. Have them delivered to your door within a day of being caught – or in just two hours if you live in their express delivery zone. The jumbo stone crab claws with mustard sauce ($76.99/lb) are deliciously addicting.

1831 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.781.4808

THE WHOLE DEAL

Khaosan Road, the updated version of what we knew for years as Bangkok, Bangkok, continues to wow us with their authentic Thai dishes that go way beyond the typical Pad Thai and green curries. One of them is the whole fried snapper bathed in sweet chili sauce (market price, $20-$30). Superb. 157 Giralda Ave. 305.444.2397

PATIENCE REQUIRED

Good things come to those who wait. In the case of Bellmont Spanish Restaurant, that means about 25 minutes to prepare one of their wonderful servings of Paella de Mariscos ($25), aka seafood paella, with its mix of saffron rice, calamari, shrimp, mussels, clams, and lobster. Muy auténtico. 339 Miracle Mile. 786.502.4684 ■

JOHN

HOLY

KHAOSAN

FROM THE TOP: VILLAGIO: ST. TROPEZ SALAD

MARTIN’S IRISH PUB: FISH & CHIPS

CRAB: JUMBO STONE CRAB CLAWS

ROAD: WHOLE FRIED SNAPPER

BELLMONT SPANISH RESTAURANT: PAELLA DE MARISCOS

A Taste of Five New Places

Eating House

It’s back, it’s back, it’s finally back! Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli’s maiden Coral Gables restaurant has returned with fanfare after closing in the summer of 2021, ending a successful 10-year run. Now it’s back, this time on Giralda Plaza, just steps from its sister restaurant, Luca Osteria.

“We’ve been able to go back, study what we loved, evolve and mature, and come back a little more elevated,” Rapicavoli said on a packed Thursday night during the eatery’s opening week. “This was always the dream, to have a restaurant like this.”

The basic concept is still the same: a constantly evolving menu of highly creative, out-of-the-box dishes. But unlike the first iteration of Eating House, famous for its “stoner food” dishes like Captain Crunch pancakes, this is Eating House 2.0. Here, Rapicavoli has matured, as have his dishes. Rather than wild fare like fried cheese with guava paste or pork belly with banana mole, the new Eating House serves halibut with Jerusalem artichokes or chilled sweet potatoes with spiced cashews. Still fascinating flavor profiles, but less shocking.

One fan favorite from the old Eating House did survive, however: the cavatelli carbonara (egg yolk, bacon, black truffle, breadcrumbs). Rapicavoli was talked into bringing it back by one of his chefs, but only if they did things “the right way.” The pasta is made from scratch, the ingredients only of the finest quality, and the egg yolk drizzled and mixed into the dish table-side. Eating a single bite is a walking tour of flavor, from a sharp, almost acidic beginning to a smooth savory finish at journey’s end. The flavor profile is echoed by a new “gnudi” dish (meaning “naked” in Italian), which can only be described as undressed ravioli – ricotta and broccoli innards sans the pasta shell, deceptively light.

“This is my baby,” Rapicavoli said of the new Eating House, with a smile. “I never realized the impact [the original restaurant] had on people and how special it was to so many.” If he didn’t before, he must now: reservations at Eating House are going fast, so book yours soon.

128 GIRALDA AVE.

786.580.3745

EATINGHOUSEMIAMI.COM

Sweet Melody

This aptly named ice cream joint indeed brings to mind the sound of a sweet melody as you taste its flavorful creations. Its Gables location opened at the end of October on Calle Ocho and features Miami-inspired flavors like “Abuela’s Flan,” “Guava Cream Cheese,” and “Mamey.” There are also more common flavors with eccentric twists like the “Kooki Monster,” with bright blue vanilla ice cream, Oreos, and

homemade chocolate chip cookies, and the “Hella Nutella” (Nutella ice cream with brownies and roasted hazelnuts). Our personal favorite: “Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli” – cannoli shells filled with ricotta ice cream, citrus, chocolate flakes, and roasted pistachios. Yum.

3814 SW 8TH STREET 305.381.0597

SWEETMELODYICECREAM.COM

The Crown Pasta & Risotto

The Crown is the rebranded iteration of Tempo, which had been open on the bottom floor of the Aloft Hotel on Le Jeune Road before moving to a new location on Miracle Mile. A smart move

TOP: EATING HOUSE AND THE CAVATELLI CARBONARA

ABOVE: SWEET MELODYS “COOKIE MONSTER” ICE CREAM

We are a team of dedicated, luxury real estate professionals offering a wealth of experience in all types of real estate transactions, from building a home to forecasting market trends. We are local, hyper-focused and always going the extra mile for clients.

It’s no wonder we have successfully overseen over $1 billion in real estate transactions, we’re really good at what we do.

#ChooseLowell

SUZANNE SANTOS, BLAIR SONVILLE, LILIANA QUINTERO, S. LANI KAHN DRODY, MARIANNA E. PEREZ, PATTI CECCHERINI, LAUREN UZAREK, LAUREN DOWLEN

SUZANNE SANTOS, BLAIR SONVILLE, LILIANA QUINTERO, S. LANI KAHN DRODY, MARIANNA E. PEREZ, PATTI CECCHERINI, LAUREN UZAREK, LAUREN DOWLEN

to make, considering restaurants seem doomed in that location. Now rebranded as The Crown Pasta & Risotto late last year, the brainchild of chefs Carlos Garcia and Richard Ortega has dropped some of its edgier dishes – like grilled branzino with kimchi sauce, or ossobuco with hazelnuts, pearl onions and pecorino cheese – in favor of a heavy emphasis on (you guessed it) pasta and risotto.

Good choice. While you can also order meat and fish dishes, like a whole branzino or lamb rack, the pasta might be the best we’ve had on the Mile. The tagliolini al tartufo is simple but exquisite, with homemade pasta, fresh butter, black truffle, and parmesan cheese. The addition of the truffle doesn’t overpower but adds a tipping point of umami to an otherwise salty dish. The risottos are also top notch. The risotto caccio e pepe is a creamy, buttery delight with just a hint of pepper, melting in the mouth with soft carnaroli rice (a somewhat rare Italian grain famous for its use in risottos) and a garnish of crispy parmesan cheese, wafer-thin and delicate, for extra texture.

Less impressive is the interior, which has still not managed to overcome the same Spartan feeling that underwhelmed diners for its previous occupant, Well Fed. Not quite romantic enough for the quality of the food.

271 MIRACLE MILE

305.614.1378

THECROWNREST.COM

Cortadito Coffee House

The newest Cuban coffee shop and bakery to hit the Gables, Cortadito offers all the classics, like cafe con leche, espresso, and – of course – cortaditos, as well as signature drinks, like iced matcha latte and their Cafe Bon Bon (espresso and condensed milk.) The drinks are high in caffeine, so start small.

The coffee house also has a full breakfast/lunch menu with items like the Cuban Breakfast (scrambled eggs, two ham croquetas, and a tostada with your choice of bacon or sausage), the Cuban Sampler (three traditional Cuban meats served with white rice, black beans, and mojo vinaigrette), and empanadas for a quick on-the-go bite. With ample seating, it occupies the former Ponce/Miracle Mile corner location of Starbucks before that franchise moved down the Mile next to Miracle Theatre.

200 MIRACLE MILE

786.410.0175

CORTADITOCOFFEEHOUSE.COM

Just Salad

Despite the implications of its name, Just Salad features a wide variety of other healthy eats. In addition to popular salads like the Modern Greek (romaine, feta, pita chips, chickpeas, sliced grape tomatoes, pickled onions, and cucumbers), the fast-casual eatery also offers warm bowls, wraps, avocado toasts, soups, juices, and smoothies. And if you’re not seeing anything on the menu that tingles your taste buds, there’s always the option to create your own salad, bowl, or wrap. Just Salad is also dedicated to

TOP: THE CROWN PASTA & RISOTTO AND ITS TAGLIOLINI AL TARTUFO

ABOVE: JUST SALAD’S MYBOWL PROGRAM

sustainability. Its MyBowl program encourages diners to reuse their bowls, which are available for $1. Every time you reuse the bowl in-store, you receive one free topping as a reward. The menu also gives customers information regarding the amount of carbon emitted in the creation of each salad.

2346 PONCE DE LEON

866.673.3757 JUSTSALAD.COM

Magnificent Mamey

CHEF NIVEN PATEL’S MAMEY IN PASEO CONTINUES TO AMAZE

BY ANDREW GAYLE

There is something inherently thrilling about sitting in a restaurant in Coral Gables that the New York Times recently ordained as one of the top 50 in the United States. You read that correctly. One of the top 50 in the entire country.

What we wanted to find out was whether the restaurant measures up to that accolade. It does. And then some.

At any given restaurant there is good food and sometimes great food. Some dishes are better than others. At Mamey, every dish is stunning. There are no weak items on the menu. The culinary creations of Chef Niven Patel are simply spectacular, and his growing reputation as one of the most important young chefs in America is well deserved.

The overriding culinary proposition of Mamey, with some Southeast Asian exceptions, is Caribbean cuisine infused with the spices of India. Patel has a background in both, having spent years as a chef in Turks and Caicos and subsequently at the helm of his successful Ghee Indian restaurant in Dadeland. That tells only part of the story, however. The rest is Patel’s ingenious combinations and contrasts of tastes and textures that create deliciously complex flavor profiles.

Take, for example, one of the newer items on the menu, the shrimp spring roll. This consists of a single, large shrimp wrapped in spring roll pastry. The roll itself comes out warm, with a thin crust that contrasts with the cool, plump shrimp inside, both in texture and temperature. A sweet chili sauce for dipping adds a piquant edge. We could have ended the night right there, with plate after plate of these succulent crustaceans.

Or take the glazed lamb ribs. These are first baked with a rub of spices like coriander and cumin, then served in a plate with sliced, pickled star fruit, the plate itself pooled with sweet and sour vinegar tamarind sauce. We were instructed by our waitress to take a bite of the starfruit with each bite of lamb, to offset the lamb fat with the penetrating sour of the pickled fruit. The combination was a delightful dance between opposites.

All of Patel’s dishes are like these, with surprising layers of complementary and contrasting tastes. His jerk pork belly is a perfect example. The pork belly, dusted with Jamaican spices, sat atop sliced maduros that had previously been sauteed in Indian ghee butter and then drizzled with a spiced yogurt. Each bite of pork broke the jerk crust and flayed the meat inside into soft juicy strands,

TOP: CHEF NIVEN PATEL OF MAMEY, VOTED ONE OF THE TOP 50 RESTAURANTS IN THE USA BY THE NEW YORK TIMES

ABOVE: SUPPER CLUB SEATING FRAMED BY A FULL BAR AND TROPICAL MURALS

OPPOSITE TOP: SHRIMP SPRING ROLL WITH SWEET CHILI GLAZE.

MIDDLE: GLAZED LAMB RIBS WITH STAR FRUIT & TAMARIND.

BOTTOM: MOJO ROASTED CHICKEN WITH RICE, BEANS, & AVOCADO.

MAMEY 1350 S. DIXIE HWY. (THESIS HOTEL)

MAMEYMIAMI.COM 305.266.2639

grounded by the sweet banana flavor of the maduros.

Even something as simple or common as mojo chicken becomes an elevated, celebrated dish at Mamey. The chicken breast is cooked just enough that it remains moist and rich with the garlicky flavor of mojo marinade. Excellent by itself, but then further served atop a bed of rice cooked with adzuki black beans, avocado, spinach, and coconut milk, then topped with pickled onions. Another dish we sampled, the tuna tartare, also took the expected to another level. The tuna was laced with a creamy aoli and smoked soy, along with sesame seeds sprinkled throughout, so that each bite regaled the tongue with soft, citrusy yellowfin tuna and a spackling of the tiny seeds, contrasted by tostones that were thinner and crunchier than the standard Cuban varieties.

The ambience of Mamey is nearly as exotic and layered as the food. Most of the seating in the main room is at low tables with comfortable chairs, so that it feels like you’re in an elegant but informal supper club. One whole wall is dominated by a bar, the sound of the cocktail shaker adding to the ambience. Two of the other walls are comprised of jungle murals a la Rousseau, with tropical plants staged in front of the murals. A large wicker chandelier overhead only adds to the feeling that you are somewhere on the border between Zanzibar and a Rain Forest Café. Outside seating consists of a long, high-ceilinged breezeway with its own parade of Moroccan-style lanterns. With a soundtrack of contemporary upbeat African rhythms, it feels remarkably like Rick’s Café in “Casablanca.”

Mamey is a restaurant that would awe even the snootiest food critics in cities like New York, London, or Paris. The fact that it is here in Coral Gables is something everyone should take advantage. ■

Teatime

AN ENGLISH TRADITION RETURNS TO THE BILTMORE

BY GABRIELLE LORD

Originally a small bite intended to satisfy that “sinking feeling” in the late afternoon, the tradition of afternoon tea was popularized during the reign of Queen Victoria. It has since become an opulent event, characterized by “tea services” of fine porcelain and bone china, as well as dainty finger foods, served in the elegant settings of London’s finest homes and hotels.

This is no different at the historic Biltmore Hotel. One of the only spots in Miami where patrons can still delight in the afternoon treat, the Biltmore has brought back this graceful practice after suspending it during the pandemic. And the tone is perfect, with seating beneath the hotel’s iconic vaulted lobby ceilings, accompanied by the dulcet tones of a live harpist.

It begins with the selection of tea, a choice between black, green, and Oolong varieties. This is followed by a petite offering of foie gras with sweet gelee, before the arrival of a three-tiered assortment of sweet and savory bites.

At the top sits a warm scone that can be dressed with Devonshire cream, apple butter, and orange marmalade. The middle tier has sandwich options, including our favorite, the classic cucumber sandwich. The final tier flaunts an array of confections, including a lemon bar, mini fruit tart, and chocolate caramel mousse. You can also upgrade to champagne, which comes with fresh strawberries soaked in Grand Mariner. Just don’t forget to lift your pinky as you sip the tea. ■

AFTERNOON TEA AT THE BILTMORE WED. THROUGH SUN., 1 TO 3 PM $69 PER PERSON (+$20 FOR CHAMPAGNE)

People

Featuring:

Danny and Lorraine

Guiteras

Heidi Grace Engerman

Greg Berbusse

Photo by Rodolfo Benitez

Danny and Lorraine Guiteras

The Guiteras family has owned and operated The Globe Cafe on Alhambra Circle since 1997, when they converted the 1950s building into Mediterranean-style architecture with a stone-trimmed pediment framing a large globe. Using wood from a European church, the feeling inside is a combination of Old New York and the golden era of French culture at the turn of the 19th century, paintings and chandeliers included. Besides serving lunch and dinner daily, The Globe has kept the flame of jazz alive in the Gables with its three sets every Saturday night.

LATEST ACHIEVEMENT

After calling a halt during the pandemic, The Globe brought back its annual Cuba Libre block party (Danny’s parents fled Cuba in 1960) last October and will continue the tradition this year. They have also expanded their rare whiskey collection under the curation of Lorraine, who is from Ireland. The couple has also turned The Globe into a top private party locale with their back bar room and, most recently, become a popular location for weddings – performed in The Globe itself, priests and all. The couple also expects to expand their live music performances to Fridays and possibly Wednesday nights.

WHAT THEY SAY

“The Globe is a portal to another time and place that increasingly doesn’t exist anymore. We hear that from our customers all the time, and that was our goal, to create something ‘fin de siècle Paris,’” says Danny. “That is what we try to do every single day. We are in the theater and art business as much as we are in the hospitality business… Every time Lorraine and I step on that floor, we are on stage. We have to perform with the food, the ambiance, and the service.” Says Lorraine, “It doesn’t come more hands on than us.” ■

PROPRIETORS, THE GLOBE CAFE

“EVERY DETAIL IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO US, WHETHER IT’S THE VINTAGE LIMOGES ASHTRAYS, OR THE EARLY 19TH CENTURY GILDED SCONCES.”

DANNY GUITERAS

Photo by Rodolfo Benitez

Jenny Cipoletti Jersey City NJ

Heidi Grace Engerman

UM GRADUATE, ACTRESS

Born and raised in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, University of Miami graduate

Heidi Engerman is making a name for herself on the big screen. Though she was involved in community theater as a child, it wasn’t until Engerman signed herself up for an acting camp meant to help young actors get agents in middle school that she got her start. Her first gig? Modeling for American Girl Doll. It was around this time that the young star also took up ballet, where she fell in love with performing. Soon after, her animated facial expressions and natural charisma led her to theater. The up-and-coming actress studied for a year at the prestigious Walnut Hill School, a boarding school for the arts in Massachusetts, before attending the University of Miami, where she graduated a semester early, magna cum laude, with degrees in theater arts and marketing.

LATEST ACHIEVEMENT

Engerman is best known for her role in the 2021 horror flick “Candyman,” where she plays high school student Haley Gulick. She’s in the current season of “Chicago Fire,” an NBC drama about firefighters and paramedics in which she plays Tracy Herrmann, the niece of firefighter Christopher Herrmann. She also had a brief role in one episode of “Power Book IV: Force,” an American crime drama on Starz. Following her graduation last month, the young actress is now planning to move to New York City to continue her career in acting.

WHAT SHE SAYS

“Although I have a business degree, I’m ready to give 100 percent of my attention to theater. There’s nothing in life that I want to do more,” says Engerman. “The University of Miami has been great in supporting me and helping me get where I want to go, but now I just need to really put myself out there. It’s really scary, but I want to do this, and you have to make those sacrifices to get where you want to go.” ■

Photo by Rodolfo Benitez

“IT’S REALLY SCARY, BUT I WANT TO DO THIS, AND YOU HAVE TO MAKE THOSE SACRIFICES TO GET WHERE YOU WANT TO GO.”

Greg Berbusse

As Bay 13’s in-house brewer, Greg Berbusse spends his days peering into huge tanks of beer, fermenting, choosing hops (usually Australian, the nationality of owner Nick Sharp), and brewing the golden ambrosia of Coral Gables’ only brewery. Berbusse is self-taught, originally having learned the art of beer-making with his college roommate under the “misguided impression” they would save money by making it themselves. He then collected a master’s degree in cell biology and was three years into a PhD in medical sciences at the University of Arkansas when he dropped out to pursue his old passion. After working at several brewing companies in Arkansas, he was hired for the job at Bay 13 in 2020.

LATEST ACHIEVEMENT

This month, Bay 13 will be putting on the Woop Woop Beer Festival, which will feature two collaborative beers courtesy of Berbusse – a smoked honey lager in partnership with the Coral Gables Art Cinema, the event’s beneficiary, and another beer made with Shōjō Beer Company. (For more information on that event, see Best Bets.) Berbusse has also just finished a new hazy IPA, available this month at Bay 13 – an updated iteration of the “Deadly Hedley” beer that the brewery released last year in collaboration with Lou Hedley, the University of Miami’s Australian punter.

WHAT HE SAYS

“I started brewing beer 14 years ago,” Berbusse says. “I bought a bunch of books and watched way too many YouTube videos and there was a lot of trial and error with the same recipe over and over and over again.” Fourteen years and three professional brewing jobs later, he’s learned a lot more. “It’s just an almost infinite opportunity to be creative,” the brewer says. “They’re always developing new malts, new hops; different yeasts and water treatments do different things. So, there’s a way to tweak every little thing to make it your perfect Pale Ale or IPA or whatever you want…. I just like it.” ■

Photo by Tiege Dolly

HEAD BREWER, BAY 13 BREWERY AND KITCHEN

“IT’S JUST AN ALMOST INFINITE OPPORTUNITY TO BE CREATIVE.”

Facelift Variations

There might be some confusion these days among prospective patients, caused by claims made on social media, that one type of facelift might be better, more effective, or longer lasting. Confusion leads to anxiety and more confusion, which is not helpful. So, let’s focus on what matters when it comes to your face.

Most facelift patients care about safety and want to end up with an aesthetic and natural looking result. They wish to look younger, refreshed but still like themselves - not pulled, not weird, not different, and certainly all with minimal or no unnecessary risk. How a surgeon proposes to accomplish this goal, isn’t really their concern, it is the surgeon’s job and challenge. In aesthetics and plastic surgery there isn’t always one way of doing things. Different approaches and innovations are fundamental to progress. With years of training in plastic surgery and actual facelift experience, capable surgeons will evolve different, personalized techniques and nuances which work best in their hands and optimize their patients’ safety and aesthetic outcomes. Imposing one particular ‘technique’ on every patient isn’t sensible. Patients are different, anatomically, medically, and emotionally, and surgical techniques should allow for these variations.

It is worth noting that your result is created by your plastic surgeon, not a particular technique. Excellent surgeons generally create excellent results, and consistently, with whatever technique they have evolved, and which has proven itself safe and effective in their hands. One particular ‘technique’ applied inappropriately or poorly by a less experienced or less skillful surgeon will not guarantee a happy result. Thus claiming one particular ‘technique’ to be superior to another is really more about marketing and selfpromotion than the patient. With that in mind, let’s briefly review variations in facelifting.

Facelifts started decades ago as a skin-only procedure, sometimes resulting in a pulled or ‘surgical’ appearance. Despite its potential shortcomings, it remains a reasonable option in certain patients.

Anatomic face studies in the 1970’s revealed the presence of a strong support layer below the skin. The difficult to pronounce name given by anatomists to this layer was abbreviated as ‘SMAS’. Plastic surgeons began to add this layer to their previous skin-only facelifts and learned that, when skillfully performed, this new SMAS lift did improve aesthetic outcomes and generally provided longer lasting

results when compared to most skin lifts. Why? Because the tension to lift the face was transferred from the skin to the deeper and stronger SMAS layer. The skin was thus allowed to re-assume its natural function to cover the face, not to lift and hold it up, which really is the job of the deep support (SMAS) layer.

In the late 80’s, early 90’s, some surgeons ventured below the SMAS, and while keeping the skin and SMAS together, lifted it as a single (or composite) unit. Though initially called a ‘composite lift’, the name was soon simplified to the ‘deep plane lift’. But this deeper layer, below the SMAS, is the territory of glands, the muscles of facial expression and their nerves. Careful evaluation and experience with the ‘deep plane lift’ by plastic surgeons, along with live, simultaneous

... Your plastic surgeon should be experienced and flexible in his/her approach to your anatomic uniqueness ...

comparison operations at scientific meetings of our principal plastic surgery societies (ASPS, ASAPS) unfortunately (or fortunately?) did not demonstrate better or more effective or longer lasting results, despite its potentially increased risks to sensitive deeper structures, which could result in months of patient distress. Most plastic surgeons therefore abandoned this technique a few decades ago.

Despite the ‘deep is dangerous’ concern by experienced plastic surgeons, the ‘deep plane lift’ of the 1990’s remains a technique that some surgeons may prefer and select for their patients. In recent years, however, graduates from ear, nose and throat (ENT or Otolaryngology) training programs, self-designated as ‘facial plastic surgeons’, have engaged in marketing campaigns, especially on social media, to resurrect the ‘deep plane lift’, and claiming it to be superior with regard to result and longevity. Any claims of superiority of the ‘deep plane lift’ are simply opinions, not fact!

Returning to what matters to you, the patient. There is more than one way to get a good or excellent and long-lasting facelift result. Your plastic surgeon should be experienced and flexible in his/her approach to your anatomic uniqueness and select the appropriate technique he/she is most experienced and comfortable with to give you the result you seek, and in the safest way possible!

There is agreement that a modern facelift today should in most patients provide ‘deep support’ with tightening of the strong connective tissue (SMAS) layer in the cheek, along the jawline,

as well as the superficial muscles of the neck (platysma). Yet it is equally important to mobilize and remove lax, sagging skin, particularly in the jowl and neck areas. The combination of ‘deep support’ and skin tightening, when skillfully performed, will provide a smooth jawline (the key feature of youth and beauty!) and a pleasing, refreshed appearance, and with the least amount of risk to deeper structures. The skill required to do so well will vary greatly among surgeons, so research and evaluate your prospective surgeon with care before entrusting your face.

Dr. Baker is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, with decades of experience in facelifting, and a Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

STEPHAN BAKER, MD, FACS Plastic Surgery of the Face Breast and Body

Certified

... Patients are different, anatomically, medically, and emotionally, and surgical techiques should allow for these variations ...

BY GABRIELLE LORD AND KYLIE WANG

About 4,000 years ago, the Babylonians began the tradition of New Year’s resolutions, celebrating their spring barley harvest by resolving to improve something about their lives. Today, on every New Year’s Eve, three quarters of adult Americans make similar promises to themselves: our resolutions to eat better, workout more, or knock that bad habit. Nobody can make you quit smoking or stick to a good workout routine (which is what 48 percent of Americans resolved to do in 2022), but we can provide you with some great options for a fit, healthy lifestyle. If you’re a real go-getter, maybe you’ll try all of these gyms, find the perfect fit for you, and sign up for a yearly membership to hold yourself accountable in 2023.

To save you from that daunting task, we’ve provided a range of choices for you to peruse, from traditional workouts like Pilates, to funkier options like kickboxing, to the completely unique experience you can have contorted high in the air on the silks at Forever Aerial. All of these gyms offer some form of membership to keep you coming back, and several of them even offer free classes so you can try them out first. So, pull on those yoga pants, strap on your Fitbit, and join the vaunted club of Americans who successfully keep their New Year’s resolutions. We’ll see you back in 2024!

Forever Aerial

There’s no doubt that other studios veer more to the traditional side when it comes to fitness. However, if you’re looking to really shake up your routine, Forever Aerial is a great place to start. With sessions on silks, lyra hoops, and poles, the studio offers aerial classes sure to leave you with the delicious soreness of a good workout –and a new skill. Our favorite is the silks.

While hanging from the ceiling on silks might not seem so challenging, it requires a lot of strength and stability. From using your arms to climb up the silk to maneuvering your legs overhead for intricate poses, each trick requires you to engage your entire body, working muscles that you might not get to in your average

gym. Aerial fitness also offers a slew of health benefits like strengthening postural alignment muscles, increasing circulation to the pituitary gland, and improving flexibility, stability, and balance.

Whether you’re new to the aerial scene or have been there a while, Forever Aerial stresses the importance of working your way up through small progressions to decrease the risk of injury. Each class begins with a warm-up consisting of stretches and core exercises to prepare your body to be twisted, turned, and generally contorted. Once your muscles are properly stretched, the instructor takes you through conditioning exercises designed to build strength and endurance.

The instructor personalizes the session to each student, meeting you at your skill level and introducing you to new things only when you’re ready. The class is open to all levels, so if you see someone doing something you couldn’t imagine yourself doing, don’t worry –

Photo by Rodolfo Benitez

Forever Aerial

you’ll get there.

For newbies, the first thing you’ll work on is “climbing” the silk, twisting your feet around the cloth to give yourself the appearance of stepping up. Once you can do that, you’ll move on to creating a foot lock, which serves as a foundation for many of the poses you’ll learn. After twisting, turning, soaring, and dropping through the air, you’ll end the class by moving through a series of stretches that relax the muscles and reduce the accumulation of lactic acid in the body.

A single class is $30, with new students receiving a 15 percent discount on their first purchase. The studio also offers packages of two, four, and 10 classes at $50, $80, and $180, respectively, as well as an unlimited week at $100 and an unlimited month at $300. Check foreveraerial.com for the full schedule of classes and their descriptions.

FOREVER AERIAL

1001 PONCE DE LEON UNIT B

786.361.7710

Orangetheory Fitness

You’re probably familiar with HIIT, or high-intensity interval training, which has become a fitness phenom in the last few years. HIIT is characterized by short periods of intense anaerobic exercise with brief recovery periods, designed to max out your heart rate, burn fat, and build muscle. As a bonus, it also boosts your metabolism. Many people have turned to HIIT since its explosive fitness strategy saves more time than if you were to work out at a steady pace, plus it requires little to no equipment.

Orangetheory Fitness is just one studio in Coral Gables that does HIIT, but its unique approach makes it one of our favorites. Combining running, rowing, and weightlifting, you get a little bit of everything in each 45 to 60-minute workout. Each group class involves all three types of exercise, usually split somewhat evenly between treadmill running and strength training with shorter spurts of rowing between. Guided by a trained coach, each session is different, focusing on different kinds of workouts (for example, “endurance days” involve longer stints on the treadmill, while “power days” tend to involve more sprints) and different muscle groups (some days it’s a full-body workout, while on other days you’ll focus on upper or lower body).

If you’re not a runner, don’t worry – Orangetheory has three levels for treadmill usage, from power walking to jogging to running. Power walkers remain at a fast walk through the whole treadmill stint but increase their elevation. Joggers and runners spend more time at a faster base pace with occasional all-out sprints. And if you don’t know what you’re doing with those weights, that’s what the coaches are there for!

Started in South Florida back in 2010, Orangetheory also makes an interesting claim: if you earn enough “splat points,” you’ll burn up to half the calories you burned in class for roughly 36 hours after. You earn splat points by spending time in “The Orange Zone,” which is when your heart rate reaches the peak level for calorie-burning. Spend 12 minutes in the orange zone and you’ll do your body a favor – and Orangetheory makes it easy to reach those 12 minutes.

The first class is free if you’d like to try it out, and there are two membership options – Elite members get eight classes a month for

a monthly fee of $119, while Premier members can take unlimited classes for a monthly fee of $169. There’s also an option to buy classes in packs of 10 ($225), 20 ($375), or 30 ($499) if you can’t make it on a regular basis. Classes run every day, roughly every 75 minutes. For more information, visit orangetheory.com.

Another boutique gym focusing on high-intensity interval training, SWEAT440 has comparable exercises to OrangeTheory Fitness. But that’s where the similarities end. For those who want a high intensity session but need a flexible workout schedule – or for those who run on “Cuban time” – this is the gym for you.

At SWEAT440, you’re never late. Classes start every 10 minutes, meaning you never have to plan your day around your workout. The 40-minute sessions rely on circuit training, meaning you’ll do four 10-minute circuits of exercises. During each circuit, you complete three exercises for 45 seconds each, repeating them three times for a total of nine sets with short breaks in between. At the end of each 10-minute circuit, you get a slightly longer break to cool down and move to the next set of exercises. These range from resistance training to weightlifting to cardio, all designed to work up a sweat and shred calories while building muscle. Even better, SWEAT440 claims you can burn up to 800 calories during your workout, and

Orangetheory Fitness

you’ll still be burning calories up to 48 hours after completing the class.

It can be difficult to make a workout plan when you don’t know which muscle groups you’ll be working out beforehand. At SWEAT440, you know exactly what you’ll be getting: Mondays and Thursdays are focused on lower body, Tuesdays and Fridays are devoted to upper body, Wednesdays are all about core conditioning, and weekends put it all together with total body conditioning.

At each station, you’ll find everything you need for your sets, whether it’s dumbbells, medicine balls, benches, or resistance bands. Coaches are also on-hand for advice and positive reinforcement. Members get free monthly guest passes if they want to bring a friend, so it makes sense to bring a gym buddy – and the first SWEAT440 class is free for everyone.

With no contract, memberships are flexible, running from four visits per month ($79) to an unlimited annual plan ($1,099) with plenty of options between. There are also class packs, ranging from single classes at $27 to 20 classes at $349. Memberships also get you discounts at other venues, from healthy restaurants in the Gables like Laki Bowls, Carrot Express, and Pura Vida, to wellness spots like Anais Nail Spa, Cryo Miami, and Cima Med Spa. For a full list of membership options and perks, call or visit SWEAT440 Gables.

SWEAT440 GABLES

301 ALTARA AVE., SUITE 111 (SHOPS AT MERRICK MANOR)

888.507.9328

If you love interval training, but don’t like the stress it puts on your joints, low-impact interval training (LIIT) might be for you. Like high-intensity interval training, LIIT pairs an intense workout period with a slower recovery to maximize results. However, the impact is lower and the recovery time longer.

One of our favorite LIIT studios is Bünda Coral Gables, which bases its workouts on form and progression and targets the lower body – specifically the glutes. This is because the glutes stabilize your lower back and knee joints, and strengthening them decreases your risk of injury, according to Bünda. They also offer classes targeting the arms, abs, and full body.

Backed by science, the 50-minute workout alternates between the floor station and the StairMaster. On the floor, strength workouts target the muscle group of the day with exercises like goblet squats, hip thrusts, and side lunges. During the StairMaster portion, you’ll start at your “base” speed, a level of intensity you can easily maintain while having a conversation. From there, you’ll be taken through a series of step-based movements that you wouldn’t normally do on a stair stepper. Some step differentiations include skipping a step, stepping sideways, and crossing one foot over the other as you step up. There’s also a “push” period, where you can increase your speed up to three levels above your base. It’s during this period that you maximize your caloric burn and tap into fat

Bünda

Bünda

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storage instead of burning sugar, which can sometimes be the case with HIIT workouts. The StairMaster is also great for those who are susceptible to injury since it’s a low-impact workout that strengthens the joints and allows participants to move in all three planes of motion – laterally, rotationally, and front to back.

The class is led by a certified personal trainer who demonstrates each floor exercise before the round begins and leads the step pattern variations. The instructor watches over each person to ensure proper form, correct mistakes, and prevent injury.

For those interested in trying a workout at Bünda, the first class is free – just bring a water bottle and a towel. For those who choose to continue, the studio offers both credit packs and monthly membership options ranging from three class credits at $40 to a paid-in-full six-month membership at $1,199. You can also drop in at a rate of $30 per class. For more information about classes and membership options, visit trainbunda.com.

BÜNDA CORAL GABLES

25 MERRICK WAY

305.200.3117

Pilates Strong Studio

Chances are you’ve heard of Pilates. It’s currently all the rage in the fitness community, combining exercise of both the mind and body for a low-impact workout that focuses on slow, controlled move-

ments to target different muscle groups. It strengthens the core, improves posture and flexibility, and leaves gym-goers with long, lean muscles.

The first form of Pilates was introduced in the early 1920s and relied on six principles: breath, concentration, centering, control, precision, and flow. Founder Joseph Pilates used these principles as the basis for his conditioning workouts to teach his students how to control their bodies. While this form is still alive and in-use today, there are lots of variations now, including the intense megaformer Pilates, which incorporates aspects of cardio, as well as toned down sequences like mat Pilates, which can be practiced without the use of any equipment.

When it comes to true, contemporary Pilates classes, Pilates Strong Studio is your best bet in Coral Gables. Its classes combine the traditional with the new, utilizing the classic Pilates reformer machine to provide users with resistance training in different positions, as well as other, less common equipment, like spine correctors, Cadillacs (a specialized piece of equipment that can tone almost every muscle group in your body), and ladder barrels (used for core strength and flexibility exercises). During your 45-minute class, you’ll be taken through a series of movements that target the entire body, from leg lifts that activate the core to cable pulls that target the triceps. Since each movement requires precision to form, Pilates Strong Studio keeps its classes small – seven people or less – so that the instructor can give proper attention to each student and provide corrections throughout the session.

Although the studio does offer classes seven days a week, there are limited evening sessions, and the earliest morning classes start at 7 am, meaning you’ll have to have a somewhat flexible schedule

Pilates Strong Studio

Tapout Fitness

to attend. Your first class will cost $20, a special newbie rate, but the studio also offers packages of five, 10, and 20 classes, as well as private classes that start at $65. Private classes are a great way to focus on your individual goals if you want a more personalized fitness approach. Monthly memberships with unlimited classes are $259 per month. For more information, visit pilatesstrongstudio.com.

PILATES STRONG STUDIO

320 MIRACLE MILE, SUITE 204

305.401.2665

Tapout Fitness

Have you ever wondered how supermodels like Adriana Lima, Gigi Hadid, and Gisele Bündchen are able to maintain their toned physiques? While a lot goes into physical aesthetics, like genetics, diet, etc., one workout all three have credited with sculpting their bodies is boxing. Unlike other strength programs that focus on one muscle group at a time, kickboxing works out your entire body, with the shoulders, arms, core, and legs being the primary muscles used. However, boxing isn’t just good for dropping extra pounds; it enhances heart health, decreases stress, and improves balance.

Tapout Fitness Coral Gables, located just steps away from Miracle Mile, combines martial arts with cardio, weight training, and HIIT in 45 to 60-minute classes. The studio has a little something for everyone, offering five uniquely formatted classes for adults and one for children, all involving some form of boxing. For kids, there’s martial arts training, and for those who want something a little less intense, there’s Power Pilates.

The Tapout Fusion class is the best way to experience all three areas of the gym before you decide which specific session you might like best. The 45-minute class begins with striking the Focusmaster G-1000 machines, which are essentially soft mannequin dummies with targets positioned for the accompanying strike combination. After rotating through a few machines and combos, you’ll then move on to the 100-pound heavy bag, where an instructor demonstrates the combination before you try it. Finishing the class is the strength training portion, where you’ll use dumbbells and other weightlifting gear to target different muscle groups and achieve a full-body burn.

Other classes include Tapout Fit, which combines striking and weight exercises; Tapout Strike, which focuses entirely on boxing; Tapout Sweat, which uses modern equipment like kettlebells and battle ropes; and Tapout Strong, a total body workout that combines strength building and striking. Tapout Martial Arts for children teaches kids self-defense in a fun, engaging class that builds self-confidence and focus.

The studio offers your first session free and has membership packages for those who wish to continue their kickboxing fitness. Pre-paid packages start at $135 for five classes and go up to $950 for a pack of 50 classes. Basic monthly and yearly memberships (eight classes per month or unlimited) are also available with prices upon request. Classes run seven days a week, starting as early as 6:30 am and ending as late as 7:15 pm, with two morning classes on the weekends. Go to tapoutfitness.com for all the offerings and be aware that the gym will soon be changing its name to Method X Fitness –classes will not be affected. ■

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Winter’s Winged Wonders

SEASONAL BIRD SPOTTING IN MATHESON HAMMOCK

BY DR. JOSÉ FRANCISCO BARROS

Living in the Gables definitely has its advantages. Most neighborhoods have their own little parks where we can reconnect with nature, and we’re blessed to have the wonderful Matheson Hammock county park within our borders.

The 630-acre sanctuary is a birder’s paradise comprised of two key habitats: Coastal Mangrove Forest and Tropical Hardwood Hammock, the latter an upland “tree island” once common along the Miami Rock Ridge before development

AMERICAN REDSTART BY TOM WARREN

FROM THE TOP:

BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER BY FEDERICO ACEVEDO

WHITE-CROWNED PIGEON BY LUIS GONZALEZ

JOSÉ FRANCISCOBARROS IN MATHESON HAMMOCK BY FEDERICO ACEVEDO

GREAT BLUE HERON BY FEDERICO ACEVEDO

leveled most of them. The few that remain attract and nurture a wide array of birds and other wildlife.

Matheson Hammock Park opened in 1930 on 80 acres donated by William J. Matheson. He wanted the land to be used as a park “to preserve the wild and natural beauty.” Setting aside a natural oasis along the shores of Biscayne Bay had the effect its benefactor intended: The park is a stopover for migrating birds every spring and fall, and serves as a winter home for myriad avian species.

Birders have been flocking to Matheson Hammock for nearly a century now, and over the course of the last 50 years, the Tropical Audubon Society has been leading bird walks there. That’s where I come in.

Many folks don’t realize there are two Mathesons, one inland and one bayside.

For the inland preserve, take an early morning hike through the Tropical Hardwood Hammock lying just west of Old Cutler Road (and slightly south of the park’s main entrance) between now and May and you’re bound to encounter an array of bird species.

During high winter especially, you may hear the squawking of Orange-winged Parrots or the lighter sounds of Yellow-chevroned Parakeets as they fly overhead. The beauty and post-dawn coolness of the hammock are reasons enough for getting up early, but you may also catch a glimpse of the stealthy and reclusive White-crowned Pigeon perched in the canopy. This rare and threatened stately gray pigeon with iridescent feathering and a stark white cap is found throughout the Caribbean, but in the U.S., it favors South Florida exclusively. It’s therefore a bucket-list species for any birder visiting our neck of the woods.

Wander further into the heart of the hammock (staying on the established trail) and listen for the zee zee zeet of the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. This small, active, long-tailed woodland bird with a white eye-ring is often seen leading a mixed flock of companions.

Keep your senses tuned for the red flame-like flickering movements and the explosive chip of the American Redstart, aptly known as “Candelita” by Spanish speakers.

It will be flitting high and low within the foliage foraging for its breakfast.

The number of species spotted on any given fair-weather winter morning can really climb if you remain attentive. Be on the lookout for the yellow throat and breast, and bright white wing bars on a blue-gray body, to identify the Northern Parula, an innately curious bird who will often branch-hop to get a closer look at you.

Deeper into the hammock canopy, you may encounter the distinctive Black-andwhite Warbler creeping along a tree trunk, gleaning insects from the branches. On the hammock fringes you may detect the slow, methodical movement of the Blue-headed Vireo or delightful Yellow-throated Vireo. At the hammock’s edge, where it opens to grassland, look for the American Kestrel as it hunts for insects, small reptiles, and small rodents in the open field. This sleek bird of prey is North America’s smallest falcon. You may also spot a Short-tailed Hawk circling for slightly larger prey. The Great Horned Owl is another hunter who can be seen in West Matheson, where it is known to nest. Look for it at dawn or at dusk.

For the bayside preserve, go east of Old Cutler in the main park, where wading birds and shorebirds can be readily spotted on winter days along the rocky shoreline and sand beaches; chief among them are Ruddy Turnstones, Semipalmated Plovers, and Semipalmated Sandpipers. On just about any given day, elegant Great Egrets and Great Blue and Little Blue herons can be seen fishing in the mangrove shallows and more prominently along the beach that rims the atoll pond. Look skyward for Ospreys, Double-crested Cormorants, Brown Pelicans, and Royal Terns scanning the bay waters for breakfast.

After a full morning of birdwatching, find a palm-shaded bench to sit back and tally up your list of winter wonders spotted at this local treasure of a park.

To learn more about each species, download the Merlin or eBird apps, and be sure to tell me all about it on the Tropical Audubon Society Bird Board, located on the tropicalaudubon.org website. Here you will also find an Events calendar that includes our society’s April 29 Matheson Hammock Bird Walk. Join us! ■

Coral Gables resident José Francisco Barros is an endodontist and president of the Tropical Audubon Society.

FROM THE TOP: ROYAL TERN BY FEDERICO ACEVEDO RUDDY TURNSTONE BY WALKER GOLDER GREAT HORNED OWL BY FEDERICO ACEVEDO JOSÉ FRANCISCO BARROS IN MATHESON HAMMOCK BY FEDERICO ACEVEDO

BUSINESS QUARTERLY

Me

The Intersection of Passion, Ideas, and Expertise

The spirit of entrepreneurism is alive and well in The City Beautiful and in this latest issue of Coral Gables Magazine you will read about some of the exciting companies that have embraced this ethos.

This is not a new phenomenon for our Coral Gables community; it is just that we have done a better job of shining a spotlight on these success stories over time, some dating back more than 60 years.

Think about a venerable company like Arthur Murray – the acclaimed dance studio whose singular mission is to improve people’s lives through dance. This business began in Miami Beach in the late 1930s with the opening of its original studio by revered ballroom dancer and American entrepreneur Arthur Murray.

For the past 60 years, Arthur Murray International has been headquartered on Ponce de Leon, home to its training center as well. With more than 270 locations around the globe today, people come to learn salsa or the tango, or choreograph their highly anticipated wedding day disco.

Most might not think of a company like Arthur Murray as part of the local entrepreneurial landscape, but it fits the bill perfectly; it many ways it helped set the stage for other pioneers in their respective fields to take risks, follow their dreams and shoot for the stars, especially here in South Florida.

Fast forward more than half a century, and entrepreneurs continue to strive for a Coral Gables address as a marker of prestige and success. Many of our outstanding shared workspaces help incubate these companies from the very beginning as they go from start-up to scale-up. These open-format offices not only encourage greater collaboration; they also reduce the barriers to entry for brilliant ideas not quite ready for prime time.

Layer upon that network resources like Gables-based eMerge and Endeavor, and you have a potent mix for an entrepreneurial ecosystem. This is not unique to Coral Gables, but I would suggest it is more successful here because of the support system of other companies just steps away who also desire to grow their footprint. Contemplate the bankers, law offices, CPAs, professional service firms, and other engaged partners who stand ready to lift these ideas and help turn them into reality.

That is our competitive advantage in the Gables as a community, and one that we are proud to offer entrepreneurs who want to leave the kitchen table and throw open the doors to even greater opportunities for their growing business models.

Not all entrepreneurs will end up like Arthur Murray, who, along with his wife, relentlessly pursued both his passion and expertise. That unique intersection is where success lies and heralds how their truly American story is one of lore.

Ideas abound every single day in our community from business leaders just like Mr. Murray, so why can’t we fan the flames of entrepreneurism with our own spirit and passion? The opportunity is there – it just needs to be grasped and relentlessly pursued. ■

“ Fast forward more than half a century, and entrepreneurs continue to strive for a Coral Gables address as a marker of prestige and success... ”

ENTREPRENEURISM IS PART OF THE GABLES ECOSYSTEM

Mark A. Trowbridge is the President and CEO of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce.

Legal issues aren’t always fun, but we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Our diverse team of professionals and executives bring unmatched perspectives and expertise to pioneer solutions for your toughest legal challenges.

CONCIERGE INTERNATIONAL LAW FIRM

Building a Local Reputation

WHY BRASFIELD & GORRIE MOVED TO THE GABLES

BY DOREEN HEMLOCK

Here’s a sign of the strength of the construction industry in South Florida: One of the country’s largest private contractors has opened an office in Coral Gables, employing an initial 45 people in the Colonnade building downtown.

Brasfield & Gorrie may not be a household name here, but you’ve likely seen some of its local projects, like the new Waterford office buildings in Miami’s Blue Lagoon area and the updated medical facilities at Mercy Hospital in Miami. In 2021, the company was named Contractor of the Year for the U.S. Southeast by industry magazine ENR. Its revenues that year reached $4.2 billion.

Founded in Birmingham, Alabama in 1964, Brasfield & Gorrie has been working in South Florida since Hurricane Andrew struck in 1992. It initially handled South Florida business from its Orlando office, but decided in 2015 to make the area a focus.

Two experienced managers then moved from Orlando and began developing a local portfolio. The company now handles some $150 million in South Florida projects annually, up from $20 million to $30 million a year in the early 2010s, “and climbing,” says Mike Peters, vice president and division manager for South Florida.

“We’ve built a team. We’ve built a backlog. We’ve proven this is a good, productive market to work in, with a bright future,” he says. “Then, we got the green light to open the office.”

Key to the contractor’s local growth is South Florida’s fast-rising population, a recent Florida law that makes approvals for hospital expansions easier, and long-term relationships with clients that include hospital giant HCA Healthcare.

Brasfield & Gorrie also handles more work in-house than many contractors, allowing greater control over scheduling and quality. Besides the 45 staffers at its Gables office, the company employs an-

other 50-plus craftspeople in South Florida, from carpenters to crane operators, says JT Sanders, vice president and general superintendent. That local in-house capacity is one reason HCA Healthcare keeps awarding Brasfield & Gorrie competitive bids, says Russell Maass, senior construction manager for the hospital powerhouse. Brasfield & Gorrie proved itself renovating Mercy Hospital, mobilizing fast to rebuild Mercy’s seawall after Hurricane Irma in 2017. That helped its selection to build HCA Healthcare’s largest project ever: the new $235 million hospital by Nova Southeastern University in Davie.

“They’re just good at what they do,” says Maass about Brasfield & Gorrie. “They take care of us no matter what we throw at them –hurricane remediation, window replacement, interior renovations or new hospitals.”

Why the Gables? Sanders and Peters say they chose Coral Gables for the new office because its small-city vibe blends well with the company’s culture. The Gables also is home to some of the company’s design partners and many employees already lived in the area. Having Miami International Airport nearby didn’t hurt. “And we fell in love with the Mile,” says Sanders, lauding the restaurants, shops, hotels, and walkability of Miracle Mile and Coral Gables’ downtown.

Of course, South Florida’s busy construction market has its challenges. Labor can be tight, and materials sometimes take time to arrive because of supply-chain disruptions since COVID-19. And some locals also aren’t yet familiar with the Brasfield & Gorrie brand name. Two big South Florida projects underway could raise the company’s profile, however: a new surgical tower at the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital just outside the Gables, and the headquarters for Spirit Airlines in Dania Beach. ■

“ We’ve proven this is a good, productive market to work in, with a bright future...”

MIKE PETERS (WITH JT SANDERS, ON RIGHT) OF BRASFIELD & GORRIE

A Taste of Home... Flavors of Nostalgia

HOW GABLES ENTREPRENEUR ANDREW GONZALEZ IS BUILDING A COOKIE EMPIRE

BY AMY POLIAKOFF

It’s the primary longing of childhood, those sugary sweets only allowed on special occasions: things like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, birthday cake, Fruity Pebbles, dark chocolate s’mores.

Now they’re available from Night Owl Cookies, packaged as a gourmet treat. With more than 10 locations in South Florida, the cookie haven is home to some of the most creative flavors in the culinary cookie craze. “It’s all about nostalgia for the Miami community,” says Gables resident Andrew Gonzalez, founder of Night Owl. “I’m Cuban American, and for me, all my flavors reflect a nostalgia from childhood. For example, the Sunday Pop Tart cookie. That reminds me of elementary school and loving that Pop Tart smell.”

It all started across from the FIU campus, with Gonzalez taking advantage of the college crowd by delivering cookies only at night. Now, there are stores in North Miami Beach, Wynwood,

the Design District, and Pembroke Pines, among others, with more on the way. Baking over 10,000 cookies a day with about 100 employees, Night Owl Cookies is becoming a South Florida staple.

“When I started 10 years ago, I never imagined anything like this could happen,” Gonzalez said. “It was me, my mom, my grandma, and a couple of neighbors. Looking at where the company is now, I know anything is possible.” It’s the perfect recipe for the American dream: an entrepreneurial spirit and a great product. And with plans to franchise next year, Gonzalez and Night Owl are taking America by storm one cookie at a time.

Currently, each store garners over $1.3 million in sales per year. The FIU location, Gonzalez’s baby, is the top producing store with $2.5 million in annual sales. And it’s not just about the cookies. With homemade furniture and over 150 pounds

of sprinkles in clear acrylic countertops, the décor is perfect for Instagrammable moments. The upbeat music creates a feeling of fun and makes the store more than just a stop in the world of childhood remembrance.

With a recipe book of over 100 rotating flavors and 12 permanent cookies on the menu, Night Owl Cookies is constantly creating new flavors. The cookies do not come cheap, however. With prices ranging from $2.99 for the regulars to $4.50 for limited time flavors, Gonzalez is doing for gourmet cookies what Starbucks did for coffee: upping the game with quality.

It’s not just for the locals either. Celebrities Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez, and Neil Patrick Harris have all sought them out. On “305 Day,” a March 5 special when Night Owl produces flavors celebrating Miami, lines for the specialty one-day only cookies can last up to two hours. The Ave Maria cookie, featuring guava cookie

dough and white chocolate chips, is a favorite in the Cuban community. And on April 20 – their top grossing day of the year – they sell a special 4/20 Munchie cookie.

“Our goal is to outdo ourselves every year,” Gonzalez says. “One of my favorite things to do is go to a grocery store, look at things I grew up with and what I love, and think, ‘How can we turn this into a cookie?’ Nine times out of 10, we are successful.” ■

“When I started 10 years ago, I never imagined anything like this could happen. It was me, my mom, my grandma, and a couple of neighbors...”

ANDREW GONZALEZ, GABLES RESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF NIGHT OWL.

Presents

by David Meyers

Directed by Bari Newport

Risking everything to stand up for social justice, German college student Sophie Scholl courageously led a major act of civil disobedience against Hitler and his fascist regime. Scholl’s moral strength is tested while being interrogated for her crimes, leading her to question whether to save her own life or continue her righteous crusade. Based on true events, We Will Not Be Silent is a provocative and timely new work that examines the role of ordinary people in extraordinary times.

“A wonderful, gripping play with a message that continues to be relevant. In telling the story of Sophie Scholl and the White Rose, Meyers asks audiences to wrestle with their own morals in the face of those who wish to silence the truth. A deftly written work packing an emotional gut punch.” — Emmy Potter

Photo by Rodolfo Benitez

SAMANTHA “SAM” PALMER-SHIELDS, AT THE LAUNCH PAD

The Art of the Gables Entrepreneur

Start your own business. Be your own boss. Make your own hours. If only it were so easy.

BY DOREEN HEMLOCK

Since real estate visionary George Merrick founded Coral Gables and donated land to create the University of Miami (UM), the City Beautiful has been a haven for entrepreneurs looking to succeed on their own terms. But building ventures nowadays is challenging. It’s competitive, expensive, and tech-heavy.

Just ask Sam Palmer-Shields. She runs day-to-day operations at The Launch Pad, the entrepreneurship program for students, faculty, staff, and alumni at the University of Miami. The center assists more than 200 ventures yearly.

“The biggest challenge for students is to understand the full scope of their enterprise and what the customer might experience. We recommend that entrepreneurs act as if they were the customer – searching online, looking for frequently asked questions,” says Palmer- Shields. “And we work with students to validate that their business is really a solution to the problem they’re trying to fix.”

Or ask Bill Lopez. He’s developing an online platform for apartment rentals that lets potential renters adjust their move-in date and other lease terms to better their odds for a rental contract. His startup, Livo, operates from Miracle Mile, sharing an office with partners also involved in real estate.

“The days of running a business on gut feeling are gone,” says Lopez. “If you’re not data-driven and repeatable, you’re not going to make it in today’s business environment. You need to make your decisions based on what the data is telling you to do, not wasting time or money on guesswork.”

Entrepreneurship in Coral Gables takes many forms, from the solo accountant at a co-working space, to partners starting a wealth management firm, to shipping executives automating payments and going global with $100 million-plus in investments. City officials want to assist them all.

According to Belkys Perez, acting director of the city’s economic development office, roughly 90 percent of businesses in the city are small, employing one to nine people. Many are operated by their founders. The single largest economic activity citywide is professional services, a broad swatch that spans law, medicine, architecture, finance, and more. That’s where entrepreneurs like Fernando Garcia come in.

A longtime Gables resident, Garcia left a larger law firm in the Gables with two colleagues to start their own boutique firm in the city in 2017. The attorney saw an opportunity collaborating with an insurance broker nearby who often worked with Hispanic supermarkets needing a lawyer for issues with their locales. He now

also collaborates with an accountant in the area, mutually referring clients for their respective services.

“Those relationships I have with professionals in the city helped me to develop my practice,” says Garcia, whose firm, Pena Garcia & Diz, now includes nine lawyers.

Garcia says being a founder gives him more freedom to take on the projects he likes, including the “Little Colombia” office hub he aims to create. “And now, I have greater flexibility in setting rates to be more attractive for middle-market companies, which are the majority of businesses in Coral Gables and Florida.”

INNOVATION DISTRICT PLANNED, MORE SUPPORT NEEDED

To boost entrepreneurship, especially in the booming tech sector, Coral Gables is developing an innovation district. It’s to be located

FERNANDO GARCIA, ATTORNEY AND LONGTIME GABLES RESIDENT

BELKYS PEREZ, ACTING DIRECTOR OF THE CITY’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

Those relationships I have with professionals in the city helped me to develop my practice...”

“If you want a commissioner who values history and tradition, but will bring a fresh perspective to city government, Alex Bucelo is your candidate.

Alex is a practicing attorney who was born and raised in Coral Gables. He’s a respectful listener who believes in civility, respect for the past and protecting our quality of life. His youthful energy and focus on problem-solving will make him an outstanding addition to the commission.”

- Jim Cason, former Coral Gables mayor

“Alex will bring new energy and civility to the Coral Gables Commission.”

in the former industrial area around the Shops at Merrick Park. The city is putting in fiber-optics for high-quality telecom connectivity, adding free Wi-Fi, and investing in other infrastructure, aiming to lure tech startups, incubators, and accelerators, says Perez.

City officials are also reviewing a just-completed economic study prepared with urban planner Dr. Ned Murrray at Florida International University to see how Coral Gables stacks up against rivals and where the city is most likely to succeed in luring and growing future business, she says.

“We want to define what our target industries should be and what’s complementary to what’s here now,” says Perez. “Tech hasn’t been tapped into as much as we would like.”

On the Entrepreneurial Runway

Tech ventures nowadays often skip the Gables for Miami’s downtown or Wynwood, partly because their employees can find housing more easily in those denser, urban areas full of apartment towers. But the Gables also lags because “lots of people new to Miami just don’t know the area,” says entrepreneur Michael Zwerner. “They think the Gables is the deep suburbs as far away as Kendall, and they’re surprised when I say it’s just four miles from downtown.”

Zwerner is a South Floridian who worked for years in finance in New York and is now developing a tech startup from his Gables apartment. He leads Seekr, a platform that helps restaurants, stores, and other businesses find employees through a format like a dating app, complete with visuals. More than 100 companies, including

When Joshua Rome was deciding where to locate his new tech venture, the longtime New Yorker got a welcome boost from Miami. A friend had just moved to the Magic City to work for investment fund Pareto Holdings, and Pareto soon opted to invest in Rome’s startup.

The Millennial entrepreneur now operates his company, Runway Health, from the Lifetime Coral Gables co-working space. Rome says he chose Lifetime, one of numerous shared-work spaces in the Gables, for two key reasons.

First, co-working at Lifetime Gables includes access to Lifetime’s sprawling gym facilities in the same complex. “Having a gym where I work, I have fewer excuses not to find time to exercise,” says Rome, noting many company founders struggle to prioritize hours for physical wellness.

Second, the Gables space offers both dedicated desks and ad-hoc private offices that members can use. “As we’re trying to build our business, with so many video calls, it gives more credibility if you’re in a private office instead of what looks like a small phone booth,” says Rome.

Runway Health launched in May, aiming to provide travelers a faster and less expensive way to obtain prescription medicines before their journey. Users chat online with a doctor for $30 per trip; the doctor then prescribes select meds to be delivered to their home before they leave. Medicines generally run $20 to $125, depending on the products, cheaper than what many U.S. residents pay for prescription meds they get through visits to brick-and-mortar “travel clinics,” Rome says.

Runway is building clientele largely by partnering with travel agents, travel agencies, and tour operators. Partners earn a commission on referrals and can tap into Runway’s travel-by-country health guides. Rome is leveraging contacts from years working in the travel industry and so far, has signed up more than 70 partners around the globe.

Being in Miami-Dade County has proved beneficial, says Rome: “Having in-person access to brainstorming sessions with Pareto and other investors in Miami is helping move the company forward.”— Doreen

Hemlock

Papa Johns and Lux Parking, are now testing out Seekr in parts of Miami-Dade County, say Zwerner and his co-founder Darren Himebrook, both professionals in their 40s.

To boost tech in the Gables, Zwerner suggests greater outreach to the tech community – including meetups at restaurants and UM facilities, plus conferences featuring the city’s tech heavyweights such as Manny Medina, who started Terremark, Appgate, and Cyxtera, each valued at more than $1 billion.

“Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has a whole Venture team that does a lot of events and outreach for tech,” says Zwerner. “Coral Gables could consider something like that.”

For fellow entrepreneurs facing challenges from funding to time management, he offers this advice: Find a great co-founder. “Someone you can rely on, who is in the trenches with you, is essential.” Also, stretch your cash and consider all appointments sacred. “I calendar everything,” he says.

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI AS A HUB FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP

By sheer numbers, the largest source of entrepreneurs in the Gables is likely the UM community. Indeed, UM’s student-focused Launch Pad is so popular that the program is doubling space on campus in 2023, “so we can hold multiple meetings at the same time,” says assistant director Palmer-Shields. She’s also expanding Launch Pad’s links with Miami’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, including mentors, partners, and more. “It’s all about networking to diversify our engagement and contact points,” she says.

Beyond students, UM is also encouraging faculty and researchers to turn science into businesses, especially in medicine. Perhaps most successful is the Wallace H. Coulter Center of Translational Research. It works with researchers as a team to create biomedical products they can either license to an established company or produce through a new professionally-managed startup.

Norma Sue Kenyon, UM’s vice provost of innovation and a professor of surgery, says the Coulter Center has completed 58 projects to date and has five ongoing. At least two of the companies formed have gone public on Wall Street. The ventures have raised more than $600 million in funding to date, mainly from private investors.

“We’re educating the faculty to think in a different way,” Kenyon says, not just about science but also business. Researchers historically have focused on publishing in journals and seeking grants to study deeper. “Not all think, ‘This research can actually be applied to make a product to improve human health,’” she says.

Of course, researcher-entrepreneurs face steep challenges switching from labs. The Coulter Center helps assemble support teams that feature specialists in areas such as marketing and navigating regulatory requirements. And Miami’s tech and finance boom is bringing more local financing too, says Kenyon. “A lot of people have moved to the area who are interested in funding biomedical,” she says. “We have more angel investors now, and I just met with a local venture capital group.”

Still, every new year presents new challenges. Property-tech entrepreneur Lopez sees potential for a recession in 2023 that could slow funding. Having started his venture right before the COVID-19 pandemic, he realizes that’s par for the entrepreneurial course. No one said it would be easy. ■

NORMA SUE KENYON, VICE PROVOST OF INNOVATION AND A PROFESSOR OF SURGERY AT UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI

A lot of people have moved to the area who are interested in funding biomedical. We have more angel investors now, and I just met with a local venture capital group.”

Mr. And Mrs. Rico. Miami, Fl Photographer KG OHH Snap

Jan 2023 January Dining Guide

TOP RESTAURANTS IN CORAL GABLES

The New Year is here, and what better way to celebrate than by dining in one of Coral Gables’ many fine dining establishments. What follows is our list of the best of the tried and true, and the best of the innovative and new. We dine at all locations anonymously, and we list only the places where we love to eat.

$ ............ Under $25

$$ .......... $25-$40

$$$ ........ $35-$75

$$$$ ...... $70-$100+

Prices are per person for appetizer and entrée, without tax, tip, or drinks. Prices are approximations.

AMERICAN Bachour

Maybe it was the lure of pastries by world-renowned chef Antonio Bachour, but this airy, industrial-chic spot has become the new power breakfast place in town, with amazingly good Eggs Benedict and challah French toast. Also open for lunch and an early dinner, with great Greek salad and roast chicken breast. $$

2020 Salzedo St. 305.203.0552

Cebada Rooftop & Raw Bar

It’s hard to pigeonhole this new rooftop restaurant by Chef Jorge Ramos (fresh from his acclaimed Barley restaurant in Dadeland). He calls it “contemporary American with a Latin overlay,” which means roast bone marrow with salsa verde and baby back ribs with pimiento marmalade. A good raw bar, a great view. $$-$$$

124 Giralda Ave. 786.409.2287

Cheesecake Factory

We still don’t know how they can offer over 250 menu items, but there is something for everyone here, from Thai peanut lettuce wraps to chicken salad sandwiches on toasted white bread. Their cheesecake is still a calorie overload, but now balanced by their “SkinnyLicious” menu. Still, our favorite: Godiva chocolate cheesecake. $$

2418 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.529.0703

Clutch Burger

You may have to unhinge your jaw

to take in some of their burgers, but they are the best. Most of the burgers hover close to $20 because they’re made with quality Wagyu beef. The “Clutch” is the cheeseburger of the house, but our favorite is “My Boy Bleu.” They also specialize in craft beers brewed here in Miami. $$

146 Giralda Ave. 305.400.8242

Doc B’s Restaurant + Bar

Doc B’s Restaurant + Bar serves craveable American fare dishes made from scratch daily. Offering brunch, lunch, dinner, and a solid happy hour, signature dishes include the Wok Out Bowls, but our favorites are the candied bacon, the grilled artichokes, and the Southern fried chicken. $$

301 Miracle Mile. 786.864.1220

The Globe

The Globe is a Gables icon, and one of the coolest places to eat in the city – assuming you like a smart, Euro-style bistro. Decorated with classic paintings (and globes over their old-world bar), the menu is mostly American dishes – salads, burgers, fish, steaks, etc. – perfected over the years. Best conch fritters. $$

377 Alhambra Cir. 305.445.3555

The Gramercy

They meant it to be over the top, and they succeeded. To us, it feels a little like a bordello in New Orleans, circa 19th century. But this is now the singles hot spot, replacing Tarpon Bend. Good sushi counter, interesting sides, and Wagyu hamburgers, but happy hour is where they shine. $$$-$$$$

65 Miracle Mile. 786.747.4854

Hillstone

There are very few restaurants in the Gables where clients will wait in a line outside. Hillstone is one of them. A power lunch spot, a happy hour singles anchor, and a family restaurant at night, the food and service are consistently top notch,

with an elegant interior that is both comfortable and sophisticated at the same time. $$$

201 Miracle Mile. 305.529.0141

Lion & The Rambler

At Lion & the Rambler, everything is made from scratch, from the créme fraîche down to the finishing salts, which are extracted from Miami seawater and hand-delivered to the restaurant by a local fisherman. The inventive restaurant serves up a menu as much inspired by the three-Michelin-star Denmark restaurant Noma as the humble Cool Ranch Dorito. Try an infladita and see what we mean. $$-$$$

804 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.603.7612

Orno

Located in the same building as Mamey (THēsis Hotel), Orno is Chef Niven Patel’s latest creation, focusing on “New American” cuisine with farm-to-table local produce. An eclectic menu lets Patel stretch his culinary imagination, using a wood-burning oven and a wood-burning grill. Be prepared for new and fascinating flavors. $$$

1350 S. Dixie Hwy. (THēsis Hotel) 305.667.6766

Seasons 52

The restaurant for healthy eaters who enjoy quality as well. The menu,

changing four times a year with each season, is always full of inventive treatments for fresh veggies, soups, and salads. Their fish and meat dishes are great values, and the flatbread menu is a nice touch. It’s a chain, but we forgive them. $$

321 Miracle Mile. 305.442.8552

Tap 42

Tap 42 is big, noisy, and fun, with a huge island bar and lots of booths. Reliably good ribs, steaks, and burgers, plus shines in the sides (roasted Brussels sprouts with maple mustard, truffle mac & cheese with parmesan crust). Nice random Asian dishes (grilled salmon Zen bowl, Asian coleslaw). $$-$$$

301 Giralda Ave. 786.391.1566

Yard House

A cavernous space with huge screens for sports fans, oversized paintings, classic rock in the background, and large booths, all making for a comfortable space in which to pick and choose from an immense and reliable menu of American classics with Asian dishes interspersed. Literally something for everyone. $$

320 San Lorenzo Ave. 305.447.9273

ASIAN

Canton

Why there are not more Chinese restaurants in the Gables remains

LUCA OSTERIA

BACHOUR

The Biltmore Spa, your sanctuary for personal peace and tranquility. In the timeless setting of our historic Biltmore Hotel, we invite you to embrace a slower pace and give yourself time for rejuvenation of the mind and body.

a mystery, but Canton has been serving reliably good Cantonese-style food for decades. Feels like you are in New York’s Chinatown, with sweet and sour pork, chicken chop suey, barbecue spareribs, and wonton soup. Plus, the best lunch deals in town. $$

2614 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.448.3736

Crudos Fusion Art

For art lovers and foodies alike, Crudos blends both into an Asian fusion dining experience complete with sushi rolls and a variety of mojitos (available for the amateur bartender in “Do it Yourself” kits). The new Coral Gables spot is Crudos Fusion Art’s fourth location under Executive Chef-Partner Edixon Hernandez and includes a Japanese highball whiskey lounge, Aka, on the second floor. Try the POP sushi roll for something different – pop rocks included – in this “immersive experience.” $$-$$$

2415 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.392.0054

Ichimi

This off-Mile eatery has developed a cult following, with diners content to stand and wait just for the opportunity to eat Ichimi’s Japanese noodles and rice bowls. And the wait is worth it. Delicious, rich, and faraway flavors in dishes you can’t find just anywhere, in a raw, cool space. $-$$

2330 Salzedo St. 305.960.7016

Izakaya

Located across the street from the Colonnade building, this tiny, bustling Japanese restaurant serves a great bento box – along with an impressive array of daily specials that are posted on the wall in chalk. Super popular lunch spot, for good reason. $$

159 Aragon Ave. 305.445.2584

Khaosan Road

Formerly Bangkok, Bangkok, this Giralda Plaza mainstay – with plenty of outdoor tables – has reinvented itself as the new home for Thai street food. Think you know Thai food? Be prepared for new and delicious flavors. $$

157 Giralda Ave. 305.444.2397

KAO Sushi & Grill

Not sure of the vibe here – the décor inside feels oddly like you’re in Las Vegas – but the outside seating on the Mile is quite nice. Menu-wise, it has specialty rolls with an interesting Peruvian spin that includes a wide

selection of ceviche, along with empanadas and chorizo. $$ 127 Miracle Mile. 786.864.1212

Malakor Thai Isaan

This eatery on Miracle Mile prides itself on delivering true, tasty Thai food. That means pork skewers with sticky rice, grilled fatty pork neck sliced and tossed with lime juice, or the Gang Aom, a Thai curry with fish sauce, dill, and herb paste. $$ 90 Miracle Mile 786.558.4862

Miss Saigon

Repeatedly voted the best Vietnamese restaurant in Miami by the readers of New Times, Miss Saigon serves the kind of vegetable-rich food that makes you feel light and clean afterwards. Excellent seafood choices, and any of their crispy rolls or dumplings make great starters. Their clear, hearty soups – what they call Pho – are the big winners here. $$

148 Giralda Ave. 305.446.8006

Moon Thai & Japanese

Can’t decide between Japanese or Thai food? No problem. Here, you can have a Japanese house salad or miso soup as an appetizer and pad thai as an entrée. Truly the best of both worlds. Comfy booths inside and umbrella-covered outdoor tables. Across the street from UM’s campus. $-$$

1118 S. Dixie Hwy. 305.668.9890

Namaste

Hidden on a side street off Ponce, the last standing Indian restaurant in the Gables is small and humble (“namaste” means “I bow to you”), yet superb in its rendering of classic Indian dishes, from tandoris to biryanis. Our favorite is the mango curry chicken, followed by the chef’s special black pepper shrimp. $$ 221 Navarre Ave. 786.534.2161

Sakura Japanese

A vast menu for rolls, along with selections of noodles, yakitori, katsu, tempura, teriyaki, etc. But they serve some of the best sushi and sashimi in town if raw fish is your thing. We also love their seating – a half dozen alcoves that line the walls and provide a sense of private space. $$ 440 S Dixie Hwy. 305.665.7020

Sawa

Delicious take on Japanese flavors served in parallel with Lebanese Mediterranean, Sawa offers seating inside or outside at Merrick Park. A vast selection of sushi rolls and tapas that range from chicken yakitori to

octopus ceviche, along with super fresh Middle Eastern comfort food. World’s best lamb chops. Also has a doggy menu. $$$

360 San Lorenzo Ave. (Shops at Merrick Park) 305.447.6555

Sushi Sake

Just one block south of Sushi Maki, Sushi Sake is the latest contestant in the battle for sushi fans, with an upscale edge and a menu that stretches past sushi, sashimi, and handrolls to hibachi, katsu, and noodle dishes. A full bar gives them happy hour honors (weekdays 4 to 6 pm) with half-off drinks, appetizers, and Thai donuts. $$-$$$

202 Miracle Mile. 786.636.8125

Zitz Sum

Brought to you by Chef Pablo Zitzmann of No Name Chinese fame, this “pop up” restaurant off the huge lobby of the 396 Building is here to stay. The result of a year-long pandemic dive into dim sum by Zitzmann, the dumplings (dinner only), hand-rolled daily, are superb. Other menu items are highly inventive and flavorful. $$-$$$

396 Alhambra Cir. 786.409.6920

FRENCH

Brasserie Central

Secretly owned by Pascal’s on Ponce, this restaurant is half inside, half outside in the courtyard of the Shops. A typical French bistro with wonderful onion soup, fresh bread, and superb paté. Everything on the menu is fresh, French, and all you would expect from Pascal. Lots of little French touches. $$-$$$

320 San Lorenzo Ave. (Shops at Merrick Park) 786.536.9388

Chef Sucre Café

“A French restaurant bistro with a Latin Twist,” this inexpensive café serves breakfast all day – including

great croque madames and croque monsieurs. Good sandwiches, lovely croissants, and a flourless chocolate cake to die for. $

475 Biltmore Way. 305.444.2025

Chocolate Fashion

This restaurant and bakery is a breakfast and lunch hotspot. Lunch is a steal with most sandwiches priced around $11 with a side salad and cornichons – those mini pickles the French are famous for. Don’t forget the French pastries and desserts, ready to go. $-$$

248 Andalusia Ave. 305.461.3200

Frenchie’s Diner

It looks like an all-American diner (which it once was), but this is pure French cooking in a small but comfy setting. Frenchie himself is usually there. Some items on the menu can get pricey (filet mignon, $34) but the onion soup ($9) and escargots ($11) are great values, and the croque monsieur ($14) for lunch is a meal unto itself. $$$

2618 Galiano St. 305.442.4554

Gustave

Launched by a couple of friends with a track record in Paris, Gustave’s a light-filled, lovely addition to the local French cuisine scene. With a good selection of baked goods, this is a Paris-style café with good coffee and solid fare. Good to know where you can get a croque monsieur for lunch and Boeuf Bourguignon for dinner. $$-$$$

366 Miracle Mile. 305.640.5675

Pascal’s on Ponce

Elegant, quaint, and delicious, the home and culinary canvas of owner-chef Pascal Oudin, who brings authentic French cuisine to the heart of the city. Oudin excels in seafood, soufflés, and foie gras. Try the diver sea scallops and tomato tartin. $$$$$$$

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CORAL GABLES

555 Biltmore Way Suite 106, Coral Gables, FL 33134

(305) 648.3717

Gables@DRM.center

DAVIE 12545 Orange Drive, Suite 501, Davie, FL 33330 (954) 723-7771

Davie@DRM.center

2611 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.444.2024

ITALIAN

Amore

Small Italian spot with a half dozen tables and umbrellas outside. A wide selection of pastas, including pumpkin and lobster ravioli, and fagottini de pera – pasta stuffed with mascarpone and pears. Great homemade gnocchi. Nice service, reasonably priced, good house wines. $$ 94 Miracle Mile. 305.200.3216

Bugatti

Bugatti prides itself on its pasta – and for good reason, since the restaurant started as a pasta factory. The décor is simple and contemporary with lots of booths, and the service is crisp and superb. The dinner menu is straightforward, with pasta dishes mostly under $20 and entrees mostly under $30. And as many dessert listings (12) as pasta choices. $$

2504 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.441.2545

Caffe Abbracci

A Gables icon, the late Nino Pernetti’s Italian restaurant is both a power lunch favorite for the business elite and a cozy evening gathering place for families and couples. Abbracci is quiet and elegant, and the food is so consistently good that Pernetti had to publish his own cookbook. $$$ 318 Aragon Ave. 305.441.0700

Caffe Vialetto

Not a huge menu, but when it comes to risotto, pappardelle, fettuccini, and ravioli, they do it right. And we love their Wednesday and Thursday “family” dinners for $100 that serve four or five diners. Reservations required, always full. $$$

4019 Le Jeune Rd. 305.446.5659

Fiola

Brought to you by Washington, D.C. chef Fabio Trabocchi, this is fine dining at its finest. From the place settings to the artwork to the innovative cuisine, Fiola offers an exquisite dining experience. Among their must-try dishes are the porcini mushroom soup, sea scallops ceviche, and the signature lobster ravioli. Beautiful presentations. $$$$ 1500 San Ignacio Ave. 305.912.2639

Fontana

The ambiance is as elegant as it comes: the Biltmore’s famed fountain courtyard. You can sit under the stars, in a covered archway, or inside to enjoy classic Italian dishes. Fresh

ingredients, from the salads to the pasta that is made daily. Excellent seafood, pastas cooked perfectly. One of the most romantic restaurants in the Gables. $$$

1200 Anastasia Ave. (Biltmore Hotel) 305.913.3200

Fugato

They will tell you they serve “continental” fusion cuisine, and yes, there is a touch of French and Spanish cooking here. But the chicken florentine, ravioli aragosta, ravioli zucca, golden calamari, and veal ossobuco say otherwise. Well prepared dishes in an intimate setting make this a romantic choice. $$$-$$$$

325 Alcazar Ave. 786.420.2910

Fratellino

Small, family run, with a fanatically loyal fan base, brilliant Italian comfort food. The long narrow set up with tile floors, wooden chairs, and tablecloths makes it feel like New York’s Little Italy. Their calamari, in any variation, is superb, as is the fettuccine with prosciutto, mushrooms, and green peas. $$$

264 Miracle Mile 786.452.0068

Luca Osteria

Local celebrity chef Giorgio Rapicavoli (Eating House) made Luca Osteria an overnight, reservations-only hit for dinner on Giralda Plaza. His inventive take on classic Italian food is fresh and new; the Pasta al Limone and mortadella toast with fig balsamic are just the beginning. Great Italian cocktails. $$-$$$$

116 Giralda Ave. 305.381.5097

Opera

Chef Consiglio, along with partner-chef Gianluca Canna, makes a point of offering an array of dishes that include veal ossobuco, 10 varieties of pizza, fresh “al dente” pastas, and starters, including a wickedly delicious plate of truffle oil-laced prosciutto with baby artichokes ($16). But for us, the trip is worth it just for the branzino. $$

130 Miracle Mile. 786.391.1276

Portosole

When they bring the pecorino cheese wheel to toss your pasta, you’re in heaven. Short of that, they do a fine job with the fritto misto, a mixture of calamari, shrimp, filet of sole, tiny artichokes, and zucchini, all lightly fried. Equally appetizing is the fresh burrata with heirloom tomatoes, a deceptively simple salad of tomato and burrata cheese. $$$ 2530 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 786.359.4275.

Salumeria 104

Tratorria-style Salumeria is now two years old with a loyal clientele, especially at lunchtime. Partly because the food and ambience is authentically Northern Italian and rustic. It may also be thanks to their inventive pastas and sandwiches of artisan cured meats, always fresh and flavorful. Those sliced salumi meats are buono! $$

117 Miracle Mile. 305.640.5547

Villagio Ristorante

Surprisingly good prices in this cavernous restaurant in the Shops at Merrick Park, with lots of outdoor seating. Even the dinner menu serves pasta entrees for less than $15, and the amazingly extensive selection of meat and fish mostly runs in the mid to low twenties. Also – randomly enough – the best apple pie anywhere. $$ 358 San Lorenzo Ave. (Shops at Merrick Park) 305.447.8144

Zucca

Located at the elegant Hotel St. Michel, this is a star in the galaxy of Italian eateries in the Gables. Distinctly northern Italian, with recipes that chef Manuel Garcia developed in a career that included the legendary Casa Tua on Miami Beach. Modern Italian design, sophisticated, with great service. $$$-$$$$ 162 Alcazar Ave. 786.580.3731

LATIN AMERICAN & CARIBBEAN

Agasajo

The food here is authentically Colombian. Try their pescado camaronero, a seafood showstopper of grilled white fish filet topped with garlic cream and large shrimp, served with coconut rice and fried plantains. Also good: the sancocho de costilla, a beef rib stew with corn on the cobb, yucca, potatoes, bananas, onions, and beef broth – a

meal in itself. $$

205 Aragon Ave. 786.401.7189

Aromas del Peru

Yes, they serve a dozen types of ceviche here. But it’s the breadth of the menu that impresses, with traditional soups, grilled meats, wok stir fries, and signature dishes such as aji de gallina (shredded chicken in yellow pepper sauce) and seco de res (beef stewed in beer and cilantro, with vegetables). Good service, good prices, nice ambiance. $$ 1930 Ponce de León Blvd. 305.476.5886

Divino Ceviche

Bringing a taste of Peru to Giralda Plaza, Divino Ceviche is known, as you might guess, for its ceviche. From the Ceviche Tradicional to Ceviche de Mercado to Ceviche Nikkei, there’s no shortage of the stuff. The restaurant also has notable non-ceviche dishes like octopus croquetas and a tasting of three different causas (layered potatoes with chiles, avocados, tuna, boiled eggs, onion). $$

160 Giralda Ave. 786.360.3775

Ecléctico

Brought to you by the folks at nearby Sawa, Ecléctico is an open, airy, Latin-fusion restaurant that serves “light” and inventive variations on Latin small plates with a Mexican overlay – and a truly awesome selection of mezcal and tequila. A fun place for dinner. $$

320 San Lorenzo Ave. (Shops at Merrick Park) 786.615.5735

Graziano’s

This large, popular Gables mainstay is true Argentine. A deep selection of Argentinian wines (which line several walls) go with beef slowly roasted over a quebracho wood fire, old school style. They have seafood, pasta, empanadas, and salads, but come here for the meat, a carnivore’s

VILLAGIO

Fontana | Cascade | 19th Hole Bar & Grille | The Culinary Academy

Whether you are seeking the warmth of a traditional restaurant interior, the bliss of dining al fresco, either formal or casual, or an educational challenge, the Biltmore Hotel takes you on an exceptional culinary journey in a stunning historic setting offering a myriad of award-winning options.

delight. $$$

394 Giralda Ave. 305.774.3599

Mamey

Chef Niven Patel, who is fast gaining a national reputation, hits it out of the park with this restaurant, heir to the creative Caribbean cuisine of Ortanique, but with its own unique and refreshing overlay of Polynesian, Thai, and Indian gastronomy. If your taste buds seek a new adventure, this is the place. $$$

1350 S. Dixie Hwy. (THēsis Hotel) 305.667.5611

Talavera Cocina Mexicana

High ceilings and ceramics make this a pleasant place to dine, but it’s the authentic fare that shines. The place for Mexicans homesick for cooking that’s not Tex-Mex. The chicken mole poblano is a winner at $20, and their huarache grill – masa flatbreads that are really haute tacos – are great at $17. $$

2299 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.444.2955

MEDITERRANEAN

Calista Greek Seafood Taverna

Fun and bright inside, comfortable outside (seating on Giralda Plaza), they serve all the Greek classics, such as moussaka (ground lamb with a top layer of mashed potatoes), which they do exceptionally well, and spanakopita, a spinach pie with feta and phyllo dough. Our favorite is the keftedes, beef meatballs with tzatziki. $$

150 Giralda Ave. 786.310.7660

Maroosh Mediterranean

Inside, the impression is Turkish, thanks to paintings of men wearing the Fez (made popular by the Ottoman Empire). Even the tea glasses, which sit in brass holders, feel Turkish. The food, however, is Pan-Middle Eastern, which means dishes like falafel with tahini sauce, lamb kababs, baba ghanoush, and hummus. $$-$$$

223 Valencia Ave. 305.476.9800

Sawa

While the menu has a huge selection of well-crafted Japanese sushi and rolls (plus yakitori and dumplings), for us, the play here is their parallel Lebanese menu, with freshly made baba ganoush, falafel, tabouli, lamb lollipops, kefta, kibbe, kebabs, etc. Also, good burgers, salads, pasta, fish and duck, but who does baklava better? No one. $$-$$$

360 San Lorenzo Ave. (Shops at

Merrick Park) 305.447.6555

TUR Kitchen

A wonderfully inventive menu of Mediterranean cuisine, courtesy of Chef Christian, who plates beautiful dishes that combine the flavors of Turkey, Greece, Lebanon, and Egypt. Best pork tenderloin and créme fraîche. Elegant seating under arches along Giralda. $$$-$$$$

259 Giralda Ave. 786.483.8014

SEAFOOD

Gringo’s Oyster Bar

A great selection of oysters at this neighborhood favorite. And they change sources twice weekly – like malpeques from Canada, or wellfleets from Maine, or steamboats from Washington state. Also, great lobster rolls, crab cakes, and conch ceviche. Specials include Lobster Tuesdays and a daily oyster happy hour from 3 to 6 pm when prices drop by half. $$ 1549 Sunset Dr. 305.284.9989

MesaMar

Some of the best – if not the best –seafood in the Gables with inventive fusions between Peruvian and Japanese cuisine. Their fish is caught daily in local waters and brought to your table for inspection. The whole fried fish is a marvel. Also, make sure to try the lobster tacos. $$$ 264 Giralda Ave. 305.640.8448

Sea Grill

Sea Grill is a popular weekend destination for lovers of Mediterranean seafood. A large, brightly lit and futuristic space with lots of energy, it serves fish that is caught in the Aegean Sea and flown to the Gables. Their octopus, which takes two days to prepare, is simply the best. Lots of outdoor seating. $$$

4250 Salzedo St. (Shops at Merrick Park) 305.447.3990

SPANISH

Bellmónt

Modern décor meets traditional Spanish dishes. Their house specialty is the roast suckling pig. If you want the whole pig ($230 for 4) you need to order four hours in advance. If it’s just you ($49), you’ll need to wait just 50 minutes. As for the rest: authentic Spanish cuisine with great seafood dishes, fantastic paella. $$$

339 Miracle Mile. 786.502.4684

Bulla Gastrobar

As valued for its cocktails as for its tapas, Bulla is also something Coral Gables needs – an informal,

smart neighborhood hangout with a young, boisterous vibe. Great “small plates” and refreshing sangria. Yes, it is a national chain, but it still feels local. $$

2500 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.441.0107

La Taberna Giralda

Routinely rated among the top tapas places in South Florida, La Taberna brings the added twist of a chef from Galicia, who puts his own regional spin on the dishes. It’s a small place with a neighborhood vibe, orange walls, string lights, and live flamenco on the weekends ($5 cover), so reservations are a must. Great lunch specials. $$ 254 Giralda Ave. 786.362.5677

Las Tapas Coral Gables

Intimate setting in the space previously occupied by Mynt, Las Tapas is the newest entry in the category of fine Spanish cuisine. Fish flown in from the Atlantic and Mediterranean, with a special focus on dishes from Galicia in the northwest and Barcelona in the east. $$$-$$$$ 276 Alhambra Cir. 305.381.0636

STEAK

Christy’s

Touted as Coral Gables’ oldest steakhouse, Christy’s was long the power lunch go-to – until it stopped serving lunch except on Fridays. Still, its aged steaks are consistently excellent, as are the seafood entrees. Their classic Caesar salad is still the best in town, and the jumbo shrimp cocktail is a house specialty. $$$

3101 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.446.1400

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse Fantastic, aged steaks, a seafood tower that won’t quit, and a wine cellar that appears to have no end.

A place for special celebrations. Recently redecorated, but the open kitchen with its copper “sash” across the top still gives the main dining room a warm glow. Good menu at the bar. $$$-$$$$

2525 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.569.7995

Fogo de Chão

At Fogo de Chão, meat reigns supreme. Try the “churrasco experience” ($61) and let expert gaucho chefs keep the finely cut slabs coming, from beef ribeye to flank steak to lamb pincanha. If you’re a Wagyu fan, this is the place to be. The interior is as grand as the experience, which is a show in itself, Brazilian-style. Great cocktails in the upstairs lounge for before or after. $$$-$$$$

2801 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 786.297.8788

Morton’s The Steakhouse Morton’s in the Gables is not just another Morton’s. Its setting in the Colonnades gives it a unique elegance, with outdoor seating under the arches. Dependable quality, prime-aged beef, and excellent salads. Good place to take that important client. Great bar food with filet mignon sandwiches or short rib tacos. $$$

2333 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.442.1662

Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille

The youngest entry among Coral Gables steak houses, Perry’s is a Texas chain that gets its beef from the heart of the Lone Star State. Great outdoor space with a fire pit and a huge interior with its own piano bar. The entrees are all carefully concocted, including excellent reduction sauces for the finer cuts and their famous five-finger giant pork chop that is carved at the table and can

BELLMONT

DINING GUIDE

feed two. $$$$

4251 Salzedo St. (Shops at Merrick Park) 786.703.9094

PUBS & CAFÉS

brings the added twist of a chef from Galicia, who puts his own regional spin on the dishes. It’s a small place with a neighborhood vibe, orange walls, string lights and live flamenco on the weekends ($5 cover), so reservations are a must. Great lunch specials. $$

Bagel Emporium

254 Giralda Avenue 786.362.5677

Heringsschmaus. Our favorite is the currywurst. Naturally, you must order a beer, but here you can have it served in a giant glass boot. $$ 60 Merrick Way. 305.774.1883

John Martin’s

And you thought all the great Jewish delis had disappeared. Not this one. Rated the best bagels and deli sandwiches in Miami, it’s also a great breakfast spot (waffles, blintzes, French toast). But this is where you come for a real pastrami or corned beef sandwich on rye. Yes, $20 a pop, but a time machine to New York’s lower East Side. $$-$$$ 1238 S. Dixie Hwy. 305.666.9519

STEAK

Bay 13 Brewery and Kitchen

Christy’s Touted as Coral Gables oldest steakhouse, Christy’s was long the power lunch go-to – until it stopped serving lunch except on Fridays. Still, its aged steaks are consistently excellent, as are the seafood entrees. Their classic Caesar salad is still the best in town, and the jumbo shrimp cocktail is a house specialty. $$$ 3101 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.446.1400

The venerable pub that closed during COVID is back, updated as a “21st century” Irish pub. This means a bright new bar and lots of light from floor to ceiling windows. Along with the new look is a significantly upgraded menu, with things like Guinness glazed meatballs and duck flatbread added to the Shepherd’s pie. $$-$$$ 253 Miracle Mile. 305.209.0609

Sports Grill

The cuisine is largely Australian pub food – salmon Rangoon, chicken skewers, meat pies, fish & chips –the setting is spectacular, and the beer unbeatable at this brewery hot spot. You can sit inside by the vast beer tankards, or outside with a fine view of the Alhambra fountain. $$ 65 Alhambra Plaza. 786.452.0935

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse

Fritz and Franz Bierhaus

Be transported from Coral Gables to Oktoberfest. Enjoy German comfort food like Weisswurst and

Fantastic, aged steaks, a seafood tower that won’t quit, and a wine cellar that appears to have no end of depth. A place for special celebrations. Recently redecorated, but the open kitchen with its copper “sash” across the top still gives the main dining room a warm glow. Good menu at the bar. $$$-$$$$ 2525 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.569.7995

A go-to spot for any major sporting event, but also a popular destination for any given night of the week. You don’t even need to look at the menu: the pub is home to the Special Grilled wings, dipped in their signature sauce, then charbroiled and lightly covered in a secret sauce. $ 1559 Sunset Dr. 305.668.0396

Tinta y Café

Funky and comfortable, this former gas station turned Cuban café has 1) the best Cuban coffee, 2) great

fluffy eggs for breakfast, 3) furniture that makes you feel like you are in someone’s living room, and 4) all the other things that make you love Cuban food, like croquetas and media noche sandwiches. $ 1315 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.285.0101

Threefold Café

You have to love a place that is

famous five-finger giant pork chop that is carved at the table and can feed two. $$$$ 4251 Salzedo St. (Shops

dedicated to breakfast all day long. But who needs dinner when you can get shrimp tacos for breakfast, along with salmon scrambled eggs, chicken parma, and that Millennial favorite, smashed avocado toast? The brainchild of Australian Nick Sharp, Threefold is also popular for Sunday brunch. And the coffee is some of the best around. $$ 141 Giralda Ave. 305.704.8007 ■

Picture Frame SALE

at Merrick Park) 786.703.9094

JOHN MARTINS

In Memoriam

As we go to press, we note with sorrow the passing of John Allen. A lifetime resident of the Gables and a true patriot of the city. John served as Executive Director of the Coral Gables Museum for most of the last five years of his life. He brought new energy to the museum with exhibits that ranged from a history of the Miami Herald to radical art born of the pandemic. During the pandemic he actually slept at the

museum to guard its collection. Previously Allen served as executive VP at Home Financing Center for 23 years. He was also a past chair of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce and a member of the board of the directors of the Coral Gables Community Foundation and the Coral Gables Art Cinema, among many other organizations. He was a man of dignity and class, a true gentleman. 2020 photo by Emily Fakhoury.