Coral Gables Magazine April 2021

CORAL GABLES

We Turn 3 !

132 Paloma Drive - Islands of Cocoplum, Coral Gables Miami Beach meets Coral Gables. Both glamorous and casual, high design and best finishes. 135 ft. Waterfront.

5/5/1 | 7,914 total sf. 17,730 sf. lot $8,900,000

287 Las Brisas Court - Islands of Cocoplum, Coral Gables No Bridge to Bay! Wide waterway, oversized lot. Sold AS-IS with Plans (in approval process).

6/6/1 7,897 adj. sf. 22,730 sf. lot $6,500,000

7425 Los Pinos Blvd. - Cocoplum, Coral Gables Waterfront updated one-story home. Great views of the pool area and waterway. Impact windows and doors 4/5 Bath 5,318 Adj. sf. 27,908 sf. lot $4,250,000

191 Los Pinos Court - Cocoplum, Coral Gables Reduced! Waterfront Contemporary one-story home. Recently remodeled, new roof, impact windows/doors

5/5/1 | 4,135 Adj. sf. 32,560 sf. lot ↓$3,995,000

199 Caoba Court - Islands of Cocoplum, Coral Gables Location, location! Back yard access to residence green park. New impact windows and doors, designer kitchen.

6/6/2 | 5,696 total sf. 13,972 sf. lot $2,750,000

1029 Hardee Road- Coral Gables Reduced! Historical French City Village in Coral Gables. 4/5/1 | 3,240 sf. 5,000 sf. lot | ↓$2,395,000 Viviana Rangel 786.326.7943

UNDER CONTRACT! Our Buyer UNDER CONTRACT! Our Seller JUST SOLD! Our Seller/Buyer

605

470

Road - Islands of Cocoplum,

water views! Remodel or Rebuild. Lowest price in Old Cutler Bay. No bridges to Bay. 3/3/1 3,859 sf. | 16,380 sf. lot | Our Seller/Buyer

SHELTON

Fabulous Waterfront home fully redone. Chef’s kitchen, all impact, new beach entry pool/dock.

5/6/1 6,164 sf. 20,375 sf. lot $4,995,000

5720 Granada Blvd. Coral Gables Great home in South Gables, across from Gables Waterway. Perfect for entertaining. 5/4 3,003 sf. 11,894 sf. lot Representing Buyer

See all Miami MLS listings and virtual tours at SHELTONANDSTEWART.COM

Solano Prado - Old Cutler Bay, Coral Gables Wide

Costanera

Coral Gables

Tere Shelton Bernace Broker-Owner 305.607.7212

Consuelo T. Stewart Broker-Owner 305.216.7348

Elba Fernandez Realtor-Associate 305.799.7972

STEWART GROUP

LOCAL SPRING LINES

Spring is here and with it comes new trends, new styles and new fashion lines. And while fashion features typically focus on highend designer brands, we’re turning to our local boutiques to see what they have in store this spring.

TROPICAL OBSESSION

The Montgomery Botanical Center is a monument to love, friendship, botany and a collector’s passion. It started when Col. Montgomery met Dr. David Fairchild, the world famous botanist responsible for introducing thousands of plant species to the United States.

BUSINESS QUARTERLY: BANKING

How can a small bank in South Florida compete these days among bigger chains and online-only rivals? And how can it maneuver during the pandemic amid uncertainty over the future of the economy?

The Significance of “Three”

The number “3” has always held significance. It mirrors the rhythm of our existence: birth, life, death – and even our daily lives: dawn, noon, dusk. We see things in threes, with a beginning, a middle and an end. Even the early Christians followed the pattern, with the Holy Trinity: the father, the son and the Holy Spirit. You can’t even start a race without the “one, two, three—go!”

Coral Gables Magazine is now celebrating its third anniversary, and as its publisher, I must share the significance of reaching a third year as a new publication. According to various studies, the stats for start-ups are scary: 95 percent fail in the first year. Of the remaining 5 percent, three quarters of those fail in the second year. They fail for various reasons – bad markets, bad ideas, bad management, to name three. Those who make it to the third year are considered successful and thriving. So, we’re delighted to present this April issue at the start of our fourth year.

Starting with the April 2018 issue, we have grown to be an invited guest into the homes of The City Beautiful residents, providing welcome information about culture, entertainment, business & finance, politics, city leaders, home design, real estate, dining and more. We’ve tried to provide a magazine with top quality, award-winning journalism, unique photos and graphics and a sense of humor. Note some of our covers: the Beatles Hard Day’s Night, Rosie the Riveter, the award-winning Murder (Halloween) cover, our much-anticipated dog covers, even the Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball presentation…all unique

and thought provoking. Thirty-six of them.

Like most businesses in the Gables, we were hard hit by the pandemic. The city also took a huge hit. But we like to think that, like the city and its myriad businesses, the best response was a proactive one. In the midst of it, we were reminded of Gene Krantz’s comment to the NASA administrator during the disaster of Apollo 13, when he was told that, “This will be the worst disaster in NASA’s history.” Gene replied, “With all due respect sir, I believe this is going to be our finest hour.” This proved to be the mantra for our city leaders, businesses and residents alike, and we stayed the course with them; unlike other publications that reduced their periodicity, we continued to publish monthly, believing that we would all carry on and emerge from the pandemic stronger and more united than before.

Of course, we didn’t reach “3” unilaterally. We were fortunate to have had incredible supporters along the way, among them the City of Coral Gables, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, the downtown Business Improvement District, and the Coral Gables Community Foundation. In particular we thank Mayor Raúl Valdės-Fauli and Chamber President and CEO Mark Trowbridge, both of whom encouraged us to launch the magazine in the first place. And, finally, we thank all our advertisers, who continued to believe in us for these past three years. We couldn’t have done it without you. ■

RICHARD ROFFMAN CEO & PUBLISHER

Wilcox

EDITOR-AT-LARGE

Grace Carricarte

SENIOR WRITER

Mike Clary

WRITERS

Stephan Durrant

Andrew Gayle

Mallory Evans Jacobson

Kim Rodriguez

FILM AND VIDEO CRITIC

Michael Roffman

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Rodolfo Benitez

Jonathan Dann

Alice Goldhagen

Emily Fakhoury

CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION

CircIntel

Each month we print letters that we receive from our readers. We encourage any and all commentary, included criticism as well as compliments, and of course any observations about our community. If you are interested in writing to us with your opinions, thoughts or suggestions, please send them to letters@coralgablesmagazine.com

Keon’s Mistake

As a resident of Coral Gables since 1976 I am aware that every two years, as elections get close, the barrage of “dirty” political literature intensifies. I didn’t expect anything different this year. There is a point in time when a candidate that feels she is losing has resorted to the bottom of the “garbage” arsenal. I must admit that I didn’t expect she would not try to bring out something negative. But I certainly did not expect that she would blatantly lie. A friend of mine called it having the “ultimate chutzpah.” I am talking, of course, about Commissioner Pat Keon [now running for mayor]. Recently, I received a political mailing which at first I thought was from someone finally exposing Keon. After carefully reading it, much to my surprise I realized that it was not! Other than the fact that Vice Mayor Lago works for BDI, everything else was a true representation of Pat Keon’s track record as a Commissioner of Coral Gables! In fact, she must have read Commission Meeting Minutes, and watched the Commission Meeting videos (accessible at CoralGables.com) and changed her name and image and inserted the Vice Mayor’s. That is what we call CHUTZPAH! Since public records and videos do not lie, she must believe that our Gables residents are so naive and uninformed that they would fall for this trick and vote for her. I am sure that she will be sadly mistaken when the voters speak at the ballot box.

Maria C. Cruz

Down with the Morris Tower

We are writing to clarify a number of false statements in the March article Moving Up on the proposed 17-story Ponce Park Residences. First, the article gives the impression that this project has been approved and “is expected to be complete before year’s end” when in fact the application has been withdrawn by Mr. Allen Morris. Second, this is not a “luxury building” like Villa Valencia,

but rather a massive rental building with a ROSS DRESS FOR LESS at ground level. As for the public benefits, the “pocket park” being proposed is to be built on University Drive, a public street owned by all of us. How is taking away a public street in order to allow the developer to build a 17-story building where a seven-story building is currently allowed a public benefit? We urge readers to take a look at this monstrosity and decide for themselves if this project is consistent with what we want Coral Gables to be. We rely on our elected officials and City staff to make sure that development benefits all of us, and we are calling on our elected officials to reject this out-of-scale project. This project is bad for traffic, the environment and the aesthetics of the City Beautiful. We must do better in building a sustainable Coral Gables for the next generation.

David Winker, Esq. on behalf of Ponce Neighbors

The Importance of Horses

Kudos to the Coral Gables Police Department for bringing back a bit of nostalgia –Rockaway and Officer Sheran – as the city’s special mounted patrol team (March issue).

One of the original dimensions of Coral Gables Founder George Merrick’s dream was the importance of horses in the social and sporting life of his new city. In 1924, the Coral Gables Riding Academy office and stable opened on the northwest corner of Salzedo Street and Giralda Avenue. To the south was the show ring which took up the block on Salzedo between Giralda and Aragon Avenue [later home to the Coral Gables Bus station].

The Academy had a permit allowing horse riding throughout the city. The median of Alhambra Circle was originally laid out with a bridle path. Some 35-miles of horse trails ran along Alhambra and Country Club Prado, and around the Granada Golf Course, the Biltmore course, and the UM campus.

Some horses at the Academy were well

known. Silver, a pure white Arabian stallion famous as the mount of the Lone Ranger in the movies, was the star at local events and parades. The Academy’s Sunday breakfast rides were a weekly social event during the 1930s and 1940s. When the riders reached “open country” – now the Riviera section of Coral Gables – they ate breakfast under the trees.

Sadly, in 1928 one of Coral Gables mounted police officers, Francis Cyril Guest, lost his life due to a drunk driver. His name is inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Karelia Martinez Carbonell

Spend it Here

For too many of the people receiving the government’s new stimulus check, the $1,400 will be desperately needed for food, rent and basic necessities. But for many people, especially those living in areas such as Coral Gables, the money is not a critical necessity. So, what should those fortunate enough not to need it for basic survival, do when we receive the check? Rather than return it to the government or leave it in the bank, it is our duty to spend it immediately, and thus stimulate the economy.

Amazon does not need our support, nor do the big national chains. It is the small local, family-owned businesses that need our money. Those that have not gone out of business during the past 12 months have struggled to survive and now is the time to show our appreciation and support.

Here in Coral Gables, with $1,400 I can enjoy drinks and some jazz at The Globe, a delicious paella and flamenco at La Taberna Giralda, the latest best-sellers along with more food and wine at Books & Books, and still have plenty of money left for the other family owned businesses that make Coral Gables such a delightfully vibrant place to live. So, be a good citizen and do your duty: Spend local!

Patrick Alexander

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From City Hall

MIRACLE MILE ZONING WINS APPROVAL

WRAPPING UP A THREE-YEAR EFFORT to revise the Coral Gables zoning code, the city commission in March approved zoning for Miracle Mile that would cap new construction at four stories, ban parking garages on the downtown street and encourage small-scale, mixed-use development. Most changes to the city’s 1,000-page revised zoning code had already been approved in early February.

The Miracle Mile measure was passed on both first and second readings by a 4-1 vote, with only Vice Mayor Vince Lago voting no. The code revisions aimed at the Mile are designed to revitalize the city’s four-block business district, suffering from store and restaurant closures, low pedestrian traffic and fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic.

What to do about Miracle Mile has been hotly debated for months, with many residents voicing fears that any changes to the zoning code would open the door to high-rise development on the street. Even four-story buildings on the Mile would create “a canyon effect,” resident Sheryl Gold told the commission. The zoning for the Mile only allows a fourth story if it is set back, however, with a maximum of three stories on the street itself. The fourth-story set back allows for rooftop activation atop the third story.

A majority of the commission argued that the current code allows six-story buildings and parking garages on the Mile, a possibility that should be foreclosed. “Change is necessary, change is good,” said Mayor Raúl Valdés-Fauli. Lago, a candidate for mayor in the April 13 election, said his no vote was based on an objection to the code’s floor area ratio still allowing too much density. Commissioner Pat Keon, also running for the mayoral post, lauded the “collaborative manner” in which commissioners worked to craft the revision. “I’m very glad to see this come to a resolution,” she said.

Commissioner Michael Mena, principal author of the compromise proposal that led up to the Miracle Mile vote, said, “This is an exciting resolution. This is going to encourage smaller-scale development, avoid parking garages on the Mile and [encourage] rooftop dining.” – Mike Clary

IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH, THE CITY COMMISSION ALSO:

VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO FINALIZE zoning changes in the “Crafts” district – a three-square block area bound by Le Jeune Road (west side), Salzedo Street (east side), Santander Avenue (south side) and Catalonia Avenue’s alleyway (north side). The changes will allow mixed-used development, limited to four stories on the southernmost block facing the San Sebastian Apartments, and climbing to seven stories in the northernmost block, facing Banyan Day School and Sunstate Bank.

WELCOMED WARREN ADAMS, the former City of Miami historic preservation officer, to his new role as director of Historical Resources and Cultural Arts. The position was last held by Dona Spain, who is now director of the Dade Heritage Trust.

VOTED 5-0 TO FORGIVE – OR WRITE OFF – back rent of $175,689.55 owed to the city by Ortanique on the Mile, the former restaurant of local celebrity chef Cindy Hutson, as “uncollectable.”

LISTENED TO THE LATEST REPORT on devices being tested to reduce pollution in the Coral Gables Waterway. Representatives from SCR Mechanical said that its “sponge” installed at the Riviera catch basin had successfully trapped hydrocarbons and bacteria from storm water. The next step would be to install such sponges at 10 catch basins on the waterway.

VOTED 5-0 IN FAVOR OF AN ORDINANCE that would limit the use of fertilizers with nitrogen or phosphorus during the June through September rainy season and restrict their use the rest of the year to 20 feet from waterways or seawalls. Public parks and golf courses, which control their use of fertilizers, are exempt.

VOTED 5-0 TO EXTEND THE CITY’S LEASE for Actors’ Playhouse at Miracle Theatre, taking it out a full 19 years. “It helps their fundraising efforts,” said Commission Jorge Fors.

VOTED 5-0 IN FAVOR OF AN ORDINANCE that would allow residents to question the city when it wants to remove a tree from a swale in front of their homes, by getting a second opinion from an independent arborist as to whether the tree must be removed for health or safety reasons.

ASKED THE CITY STAFF TO RE-EXAMINE its rules and regulations regarding outdoor music in commercial areas, in order to 1) make it easier and 2) to examine what decibel levels should be permitted. ■

THE NEW MIRACLE MILE ZONING CAPS THE STREET HEIGHT TO THREE STORIES (SHOWN ABOVE) WITH A FOURTH STORY SETBACK.

Rough Politics Illuminate’s Draw

Even though Coral Gables mayoral hopefuls vowed to run a civil campaign at last month’s Election Forum, the mud is flying. In the final days before the April 13 vote, residents can expect even more attack mailers and disparaging text messages from rivals Vice Mayor Vince Lago and Commissioner Pat Keon.

The down-and-dirty campaigning – driven by controversial zoning code revisions affecting building projects and the future of Miracle Mile –began with a mailer accusing Lago of being “in the pocket of developers.” The large-format cards featured a picture of Lago and a yellow bulldozer shoveling cash.

The fliers bore the return address of two Fort Lauderdale attorneys who run dozens of Political Action Committees, including one raising money for Keon. Keon told Coral Gables Magazine she knew nothing about the mailer. “The first time I saw it was when it arrived in my mailbox,” said Keon. “It is not in any way connected to me or my campaign.”

Asked if she contacted Jason Haber, chair, and Jason Blank, treasurer, of Floridians Against Career Politicians, the PAC that sent the mailer, Keon said she did not. “I looked at it, and I put it aside,” she said. “It doesn’t have anything to do with me. I’m not going to investigate.”

The PAC supporting Keon, called the South Florida Accountability Project, is also run by Haber and Blank.

Lago, saying he didn’t buy Keon’s denial of responsibility, fired back with a mailer calling his opponent “the champion of overdevelopment.”

“I take full credit; it went out under my PAC,” said Lago. “I had to respond. She defamed me and lied about my record.”

As for the “positive campaign pledge” both Lago and Keon signed Mar. 11 at the Chamber of Commerce-sponsored forum, Lago says, “That went out to door [with the Keon mailer].” Says Keon, “That pledge was for that evening. Forget it. I will respond. I will answer his attacks.”

Jackson Rip Holmes is also running for mayor. –Mike Clary

Illuminate Coral Gables, the outdoor display of projected art on buildings (plus two dozen pedicabs festooned with colorful lanterns) ended its month-long run March 13. With hopes that it will return bigger and brighter next year, the numbers on whether it attracted more people to the downtown are now in. According to the city’s IT Department, the answer is yes, it definitely attracted more people, as measured by devices that count pedestrian traffic. Giralda Plaza saw the greatest jump, from 2,145 people a day (on average) crossing the western end of the plaza in the month before Illuminate, to 3,956 a day during

the month of Illuminate. The numbers even edged the 3,826 daily average count in 2020, in the last month before the pandemic shut everything down. While the numbers were not as strong from counters along Miracle Mile, they still showed an increase, though not back to the pre-pandemic levels. “In summary,” says Raimundo Rodulfo, the city’s IT director, “the downtown traffic increased during the event, in some places more than others – almost double in Giralda Plaza, and approximately 20 percent elsewhere. In some cases, the event peak traffic surpassed pre-pandemic values during the same days the previous year.”

The Great Gables Cleanup

The Keep Coral Gables Beautiful Program continues to advance. In a March city commission presentation sponsored by Vice Mayor Vince Lago, Assistant to the City Manager Solanch Lopez reported that the city’s program to recycle Christmas trees resulted in 2,800 trees being collected, which were ground into 70 tons of mulch. Next, the Great American Cleanup, which runs from March 20 to June 20, will have numerous events, including the March 20 “Plogging at Mathe-

son” kick-off event. “Plogging is a combination of jogging and ‘plocka upp,’ which is Swedish for pick up. It’s a new movement that started in Sweden [which] entails jogging while quickly stopping to pick up trash on the go,” said Lopez. Three hundred 30-pound bags were given out for the low-tide event, plus adult and child-sized “pickers” made from recycled materials. The next event will be the Household Hazardous Waste Collection, April 24, when residents can drop off toxic and electronic trash at City Hall. ■

MG DEVELOPER CEO ALIRIO TORREALBA, ONE OF ILLUMINATE’S SPONSORS, WITH CORAL GABLES MAGAZINE EDITOR J.P. FABER

Online Encore

FROST SCHOOL OF MUSIC’S PATRICIA SAN PEDRO PERFECTS THE PROCESS OF PIVOTING DURING THE PANDEMIC

BY KATRINA DANIEL

Patricia San Pedro has this innate ability to take the worst circumstances and sculpt them into something positive and, even better, productive.

When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a year of chemo and a mastectomy, she wrote a bestselling book “The Cancer Dancer,” and founded an international group to share patient-to-patient support and resources with others. She then launched Positively Pat, an inspirational website born from her challenge.

In her latest incarnation (others include high profile jobs at WTVJ-Ch4, American Airlines, The Miami Herald and her own marketing company, San Pedro Productions), San Pedro is now the executive director of marketing, communications and events at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami.

“The talent at the school overflows,” she says, “from our students, to our faculty.”

These include Maestro Gerard Schwarz, who directs and conducts the Frost Symphony Orchestra; multi-Grammy winning composer Maria Schneider, the artistic director of Frost’s Henry Mancini Institute; and John Daversa, chair of studio music and jazz, who won three Grammy Awards in 2018 – not to mention Dean Shelly Berg, himself a multi-Grammy nominee. “Can you tell I’m proud of our school? Our concerts are phenomenal, [but] at times it’s been frustrating, because they are hidden gems in our community,” she says. “Our challenge

has been to fill up Gusman Hall, in a town that offers so much to music lovers.” That was San Pedro’s challenge before the pandemic, which she addressed with the Frost Music Live Signature Series concerts. Then came Covid-19.

“Since we could not hold live concerts anymore, we needed to figure out a way to still give our students performance opportunities. So, we went viral in a big way,” says San Pedro.

“The result has been that we’ve been able to present our music to a much larger audience than we ever did in a live setting.” Indeed, concerts at UM’s Gusman Hall, with a capacity of 600, rarely saw more than a few hundred audience members. The online audience for streaming the concerts live has routinely run from 10,000 to more than 20,000 viewers. The latest numbers for Signature Series concert viewers were about 12,000 for Henry Mancini, says San Pedro, and about 22,000 for special guest guitarist Isiah Sharkey. The Frost Symphony Concert with Gerard Schwartz garnered an astonishing 97,000 views on YouTube.

San Pedro says her team of professional marketing, event and media specialists (Gonzalo Mejia, Dennis LeJardi, Andrea Vidal, Kimberly Englehardt and Adrianne Gonzalez) was crucial to the success of the Frost School of Music concert series.

“People are hungry for music, for joy, for healing,” says San Pedro.

“We made a decision early on in the pandemic to keep the music playing, and that’s what we did.” ■

CARRIE FOOTE , SUZANNE SANTOS, BEATRIZ CARDONA, BLAIR SONVILLE, MARIANNA E. PEREZ, CARLA OLIVARES, S .LANI KAHN DRODY, PATTI CECCHERINI, JJ SNOW HANSEN, WESTON LYONS, LILIANA QUINTERO-SIDERIS, LAUREN BILLINGSLEA DOWLEN, JOHANNA ROLDAN

TOP: PATRICIA SAN PEDRO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS AND EVENTS, FROST SCHOOL OF MUSIC, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI.

BOTTOM: CONDUCTOR GERARD SCHWARZ (PRE-PANDEMIC) GO TO FROST-MUSIC-LIVE. MIAMI.EDU FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF LIVE STREAMING CONCERTS.

The Art of the Pop Up

During last month’s Illuminate event, one of the sideshows was on the second floor of the old post office building on Giralda Plaza, now home to Coyo Taco and Sweetgreen. There, in a raw, concrete space, the pop-up art show “A Subtropical Affair III” displayed the works of six female artists from the area.

Put together by Good To Know.FYI, a Miami-based curatorial collective, the one-month show was the third in a series “to highlight the local community,” said Alexandra Valls, the collective’s director. Valls, a Gables native who now commutes between New York and Miami, put together the exhibit after meeting Venny Torre, one of the co-creators of Illuminate.

Torre’s construction firm, along with building owner Maven Realty, agreed to sponsor the show. It was the latest in a string of downtown pop-ups that began last fall with a half dozen Studios on the Mile in empty retail spaces owned by Terranova. Most of those spaces have now been rented out, but that is part of the point – to both activate the street and to introduce potential tenants to the neighborhood.

“Having pop-ups encourages retailers to try something new and creative,” says Aura Reinhardt, director of the Downtown

Lest We Forget

Business Improvement District (BID). That is clearly the case with Vinya Wine Pop-Up in the former Le Provençal space on Miracle Mile; they are now becoming a permanent restaurant.

That is not the case with “A Subtropical Affair III,” however, the space for which will be occupied by Prana Yoga. But for artists like Amanda Keeley, the exposure was what mattered.

Keeley’s neon “EMPATHY WILL CHANGE THE WORLD” was the latest of her works that use invented typographies as mediums of expression. Keely had three pieces at the show, as well as a display for Exile Books, her nonprofit that promotes publications by artists.

Keeley has other links to the Gables, including her pop-up book display at Books & Books, “a movable cart on wheels with crazy colors” that stocks artists’ books. Keeley’s next work in Coral Gables, to be unveiled this fall, is on a much larger scale: A perforated steel skin wrapped around a building at South Douglas Road and Sunset Drive, an “anamorphic illusion” of text that can only be read from certain angles. “I just feel like it’s important to have a presence here,” says Keeley, who lives in Coconut Grove.

“I love the community of small businesses.” ■

A place to call your own.

In the summer of 1981, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) published the first reports of five young gay men in Los Angeles with respiratory complications and other infectious diseases; two had already died. Later, the world would know that it was AIDS, or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Over 75 million people worldwide have been infected with HIV since then, and over 33 million have died.

The Coral Gables Museum’s new exhibition, “A Matter of Time: Examining Forty Years of AIDS While Living Through a Pandemic,” is an eloquent and edifying reminder of just how devasting the AIDS epidemic

With wide-open spaces and room to roam, there’s never been a better time to spread out and enjoy The Florida Keys. Swim with dolphins. Enjoy world-class fishing and diving. Try kayaking or paddleboarding. Or just dig your toes in the sand and relax. Add dock-to-table fresh seafood, and it’s like having your own private sanctuary.

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was. Taking up three galleries of the museum, a myriad of objects, documents, ephemera and artworks in different disciplines help trace American and Miami-related stories of those who succumbed to the disease, and those who survived, from the famous to the ordinary. Science, public health, art, culture and other relevant topics are explored in the on-site exhibit and also virtually. During the course of the exhibit, different conversations with an array of community partners will be organized by the museum. ■

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AMANDA KEELEY, NEXT TO “EMPATHY WILL CHANGE THE WORLD,” AT THE “SUBTROPICAL AFFAIR III” SHOW ON GIRALDA PLAZA.

AIDS EXHIBIT: AIDS QUILT, WASHINGTON, D.C. (FROM THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, PRINTS & PHOTOGRAPHS DIVISION, PHOTOGRAPH BY CAROL M. HIGHSMITH)

Cinematic Update

When it comes to the pandemic, the Coral Gables Art Cinema has been nothing if not agile in its response. When the audiences could not attend, they went online – and rented out the movie house to small groups and families for private screenings. Now the doors are open again, but with pandemic twists. There are only 70 seats available in the 141-capacity theater, and all tickets are assigned when purchased in advance online. That way social

distancing between groups is ensured. You also order your concession food ahead of time, picking it up on the way in. And you exit by a separate door. “The pandemic [shutdown] gave us the opportunity to optimize our technology,” says Executive Director Brenda Moe. “We really made lemons into lemonade.” Also, in an effort to help local businesses, the cinema is offering free ads on screen for a year. Check gablescinema.com for the latest schedule of films. ■

Photo Contest

This month begins the six-week window for local photographers, pro and amateur, to take their best shots. Of the Gables, that is, for the “As I See It” Photography Competition 2021 by the Coral Gables Garden Club. The juried competition will award $2,500 in prizes for the best photos that represent

Florida’s natural beauty, diversity and our community (grand prize: $1,000). Coral Gables Magazine will showcase the winners of the Everything Coral Gables category, and more, in the July issue. The contest runs from April 15 to May 31, with further details available at coralgablesgardenclub.org/photocontest. ■

Best Bets

BAY 13 SAUSAGE SIZZLE

FOR APRIL

There’s nothing more Australian than a backyard barbie, which is why Bay 13 Brewery is hosting one on the last Sunday of every month. Enjoy all you can eat brews and bites for two hours for $50. Sunday, April 25. Time: TBD. Visit bay13brewery.com for updates.

MOVIES UNDER THE GABLES MOONLIGHT

The monthly movie series returns, this time at the War Memorial Youth Center Athletic Field, with a screening of “Jurassic Park.” Bring your own lawn chair and/or blankets. Tickets are $10 and are limited to groups of four. Reserve your space in advance at playgables.com. Saturday, April 17 at 6 p.m.

THE JUNGLE BOOK

The next children’s theatre production at Actors’ Playhouse is “The Jungle Book,” based on the collection of stories by Rudyard Kipling. The jungle comes to life in this musical that follows Mowgli’s adventures growing up in the animal kingdom. Saturdays at 2 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. from April 17 – May 9. Tickets: $25. Actorsplayhouse.org.

A VIRTUAL EVENING WITH JENNY LAWSON IN CONVERSATION WITH JUDY BLUME

Join one of America’s most beloved authors, Judy Blume, and New York Times bestselling author Jenny Lawson as they discuss Lawson’s latest book “Broken (in the best way possible).” Tuesday, April 13 at 8 p.m. on Zoom. Tickets are $36 and include a copy of the book. Booksandbooks.com.

Bites

IN SEARCH OF SUSHI: FORGET THE ROLLS. WE WENT LOOKING FOR THE BEST REAL SUSHI – A SLICE OF FISH DRAPED ON RICE – IN THE GABLES

SEE PAGE 52

JURASSIC PARK

BAY 13 BREWERY

In Search of Sushi

FORGET THE ROLLS. WE WENT LOOKING FOR THE BEST REAL SUSHI – A SLICE OF FISH DRAPED ON RICE – IN THE GABLES

BY STEPHAN DURRANT

Few types of cuisine have risen to the top of the food chain faster than sushi. Outside of Los Angeles and New York, nobody had heard of sushi – raw fish served with rice – until the 1980s. That’s when the cultural phenom was sparked by the epic TV miniseries “Shogun” (an amazing one-third of U.S. households watched) and the invasion of Japanese businessmen. Today there are some 4,000 sushi restaurants in the U.S. (at least there were, before the pandemic), grossing more than $2 billion annually.

For most Americans, sushi usually means rolls, like the California, Dragon or Spicy Tuna rolls. But for the hardcore sushi enthusiast, these are just inventions for Americans, to make the idea of raw fish more palatable. For the purist, the real deal is Nigiri – a slice of raw fish draped on a ball of sweet or sticky rice – which is how they eat sushi in Japan. We went to the top Japanese and sushi restaurants in Coral Gables, to test their Nigiri and nothing else. This is what we found.

Proud to be Top 20 in 2020

MOON THAI & JAPANESE:

TASTIEST FISH

Don’t let the extensive Thai menu fool you. The Japanese side offers a vast array of rolls (more than 50) along with sashimi and sushi appetizers, combos and a la carte. Whereas most sushi is limited to salmon, tuna, Hamachi (yellowtail tuna) and sometimes shrimp, Moon Thai goes beyond with selections of octopus, eel, conch, ama ebi (sweet shrimp), ikura (salmon roe), uni (sea urchin) and fresh fish of the day. We found their fish to be the best tasting of any we tried, and not badly priced (five pieces for $12). We

tried their $40, 15-piece Nigiri platter for the variety, and it was delicious (added touch: A fried sweet shrimp head, for a real taste of Japan). Modern décor, with back-lit glowing statuary of Thai deities. 1118 S. Dixie Hwy. 305.668.9890

SAKURA: WIDEST SELECTION

In these days of the pandemic, we don’t like the fact that there is no outdoor seating at Sakura, long a mainstay on South Dixie Highway for sushi and hot Japanese entrees. But this is mitigated by their unique glass “booths” inside, seating in one of eight curved window niches. The feel-

ing is also fairly authentic, with the dining area dominated by the sushi bar. We can forgive the lack of outdoor seating because they have the largest selection of fish, from mackerel, squid, grouper and cobia, to snapper, white tuna, eel, dolphin and fatty tuna. They offer more than two dozen by the piece; we ordered a $40 combo platter with eight fish; it had some of the best salmon and wahoo we’ve tasted. 440 S. Dixie Hwy. 305.665.7020

KAO SUSHI & GRILL: COME FOR THE ROLLS

Kao Sushi, with its pleasant, shady outdoor seating on Miracle

Mile, has perhaps the most inventive rolls in Miami, based on their unique fusion of Japanese and Latin flavors (guava shrimp, for example or spicy ceviche). They also offer a grill menu, again heavily Latin, including lamb churrasco and Argentine chorizo. Their nigiri, which is what we came for, has five options: Tuna, shrimp, octopus, salmon and white fish, which are ordered three pieces at a time for $9. Excellent flavor, with a sweeter than typical sticky rice. But it’s not why you come here. You come for the Kao Tempura Roll, with fried panko, seaweed, tempura shrimp, Asian flavored cream cheese and

MOON THAI & JAPANESE

SAKURA

THAI

SAKURA

honey mustard sauce. 127 Miracle Mile 786.864.1212

SU SHIN IZAKAYA: MOST AUTHENTIC VIBE

The most authentic feeling Japanese restaurant in the Gables is Izakaya, a modestly sized eatery downtown (across from the Colonnade Hotel) that bustles like a Tokyo tea house during the lunch hour and is likewise full, though less hectic, at night. Their menu for cooked Japanese food is extensive and delicious, from soft shell crab to fried eggplant with ginger sauce. Right from the start they define their sushi as “seasoned rice balls topped with fresh raw fish,” as distinct from rolls. The value is good: Six pieces of assorted nigiri for $12.95, with a soup or salad, for lunch or dinner. Their rice is also the best we tasted, and the fish is tasty, especially the salmon. 159 Aragon Ave. 305.445.2584

SUSHI MAKI: BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK

Sushi Maki is now a regional chain, with locations in South Miami, Palmetto Bay, Kendall, Coconut Grove and beyond, including at UM, FIU and Baptist Hospital. That means

they must be doing something right, including getting wholesale deals on their fish. Their nigiri platter for $16.50, with seven pieces plus a soup or salad, is a nice value – especially considering that the selection of wahoo, yellowtail, tuna, salmon and eel is fresh and flavorful. You can also order by the piece, two pieces per order, for $4 to $8, depending on the fish. The only off-putting element is the ambience of their flagship shop on Ponce; feels oddly like an ice cream parlor. 2334 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.443.1884

KAE SUSHI: GOOD SEATING, BUT…

We include Kae Sushi because, as an outdoor dining experience, it is among the best – pleasant tables on Giralda Plaza, with live music on weekend evenings. They also have a surprisingly large selection of sake, some of it very high end ($78 for a bottle of Manutsuru). The menu lists a half dozen choices of nigiri, but the night we went there was only a platter of salmon, tuna and yellowtail available. A tad pricey at $38, but not bad. What continues to make this eatery a challenge is the terrible service.

Those Cruciferous Buds

What sushi establishment makes you ask for soy sauce and wasabi separately, after taking forever to serve you? 143 Giralda Ave. 786.257.0511

HONORABLE MENTIONS

HILLSTONE

We hesitated to include Hillstone because it is not a Japanese restaurant. But in deference to contemporary tastes, it does have a dedicated sushi bar, and a dozen rolls. Its nigiri plate, with two pieces each of salmon, tuna and yellowtail, is the priciest in town at $19, but the quality is good and the service phenomenal. 201 Miracle Mile. 305.529.0141

MATSURI

In terms of authentic cuisine, food quality and depth of menu, Matsuri is arguably the best Japanese restaurant in Miami-Dade County. It is, however, located outside the boundaries of the Gables – albeit by a few hundred yards. But the fanatically loyal crowd attests to the superlative nature of its classic Japanese cuisine, amazing sushi and reasonable prices. A very hip, LA-style interior. 5759 Bird Rd. 305.663.1615. ■

They come from the same healthy family of greens as broccoli, and yes, Brussels sprouts were originally grown in what is now Belgium. But not everyone loves these green buds. If you want to overcome your aversion, try the Brussels Sprout Salad at Doc B’s on Miracle Mile. It’s a creamy tower of shredded sprouts, with marcona almonds, basil vinaigrette and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Learn to love it, for $14.

Healthy Brasserie

Speaking of health food, normally we do not associate French food with that concept. All that butter and cheese and liver paté. But at Brasserie Central, Chef Pascal Oudin’s French café in the courtyard of the Shops at Merrick Park, there are some notable exceptions. One is their delightful pan-seared salmon salad ($21), with meslun greens, avocado, cucumber, mango and citrus lime vinaigrette. The warm salmon chunks have a slightly crisped edge. Deliciously healthy!

Pizza Fantastica

Two years ago, in our Best of The Gables issue, we declared Terre Del Sapore the best pizza in town. We are happy to report that the quality at Terre remains astonishingly good. The secret, says proprietor Angelo Angiollieri, is the mix of ingredients: Buffalo mozzarella from Campana, San Marzano tomatoes and Italian flour for the crust – which is less refined, requiring eight to 10 hours for the dough to rise, rather than the usual two. $11.99 for a large personal pizza plus salad. Buon appetito. ■

A Tropical Happy Hour

MAMEY SPICES UP THE COMPETITION

With a rooftop courtyard, potent craft cocktails and magnificent bites, Mamey is one of the hottest happy hour venues in the city. While Mamey is located on the ground floor of the THēsis Hotel, their happy hour menu is served on an outdoor terrace on the third floor, designated Mamey on 3rd.

The bad news is that their drink and food deals are only from 3 to 6 p.m., which makes it hard to attend for those of us who work full-time. The good news is that they also offer them on the weekends.

When we arrived a little after 4 p.m. on a Saturday, the place was alive. Couples, families and friends crowded the tables, high tops and couches, with colorful drinks already in hand.

One of said colorful drinks is the Jerk Margarita, made with tequila, mezcal, strawberry, watermelon and lime juices, jerk-

Drew Kern Closes a Sale EVERY 4 DAYS

THE GRILLED CHEESE IS COMFORT FOOD AT ITS FANCIEST, BATHING IN A MANGO JAM. THE JERK MARGARITA IS REFRESHING AND SMOKY, WITH JUST A LITTLE BIT OF HEAT.

BY LIZZIE WILCOX

spiced agave and garnished with a dried lime wheel. It’s refreshing and smoky, with just a little bit of heat. Also noteworthy are the Holy Lychee and the Maracuya Spritz. The Holy Lychee – vodka, lychee and lemon juice, club soda and basil – is great for sipping in the late afternoon sunshine. The Spritz is a twist on the classic Aperol Spritz, adding passion fruit liqueur for a burst of sweetness.

The drinks are amazing, there’s no denying that, but they’re not the half-off happy hour price that we’re used to. On the regular cocktail menu, these drinks are all $13 and $14. On the happy hour menu, they’re only knocked down to $10.

The bites, however, are a different story. For just $6, you can get dishes like white truffle and brie grilled cheese, ghee-roasted plantains, and shishito peppers. The grilled cheese is comfort food at its

fanciest, bathing in a mango jam. You’ll want at least two orders. The sweet plantains are savory, served with pickled onions and herbs atop a jerk-spiced crema. They give you just a taste of the rest of the “island-minded” menu. The shishito peppers are surprisingly mild, tossed in a sweet soy sauce with sesame, toasted seaweed and sea salt. No heat, just flavor. Chef Niven Patel has outdone himself.

From start to sunset, the experience was flawless – even the valet system. At the entrance on Caballero Boulevard off U.S.

1, you give them your keys and your phone number and they’ll text you with your ticket number. As you’re paying the bill, respond with the word “CAR” and they’ll have your vehicle waiting for you as soon as you return to the ground floor. Or maybe you’ll want to call an Uber after all those Jerk Margaritas. ■

WHEN WE ARRIVED A LITTLE AFTER 4 P.M. ON A SATURDAY, THE PLACE WAS ALIVE. COUPLES, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS CROWDED THE TABLES, HIGH TOPS AND COUCHES, WITH COLORFUL DRINKS ALREADY IN HAND...

estate market. If you are wondering what is happening in your neighborhood, I would be happy to spend some time discussing it with you. Contact me today!

1350

305.266.2639

MAMEY

S. DIXIE HIGHWAY (INSIDE THE THESIS HOTEL)

Really, Really Fresh

DEL MONTE ENTERS THE FAST (FRESH) FOOD MARKET

Talk about putting your money where your mouth is. Fresh Del Monte Produce, the global food heavyweight based in Coral Gables (annual revenue: Over $4 billion), has rolled out its FRESHst café on the bottom floor of its Gables headquarters. The idea? To showcase Del Monte’s produce in a fast food format that is both convenient and healthy, with plans to roll out the café concept nationwide. The brainchild of Del Monte retail strategist Wissam Baghdadi, FRSHst (a clever combination of “freshest” and “fresh street”), the café offers 60 “inputs” –fruits, veggies, grains, proteins

and 11 dressings – so that a customer can create a vast array of bowls, “toasties,” sandwiches and smoothies. “We are keeping in mind how fast everything is today,” says Baghdadi. “People want something fresh, but they want it right away.” Baghdadi also made sure that beverages were a top priority, including ready-to-go, fresh-pressed juices and an in-house coffee roaster. Our favorites? Their sweet and sour pomegranate sauce and their new pink pineapples. ■

Two Restaurants to be Reborn

JOHN MARTIN’S AND CIBO WILL LIVE AGAIN

One of the saddest moments of the pandemic lockdown came on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2020, when the legendary John Martin’s Irish Pub on Miracle Mile closed down after a 30-year run. One year later, however, on St. Patrick’s Day 2021 (of course!), came the news that the iconic watering hole would reopen this fall. While it will have “an updated look and feel,” according to their publicists, John Martin’s will live again as an Irish bar and grill. The new owners, the Breakwater Hospitality Group (BHG), have pledged to carry on the legacy of the two Irishmen – Martin Lynch and John Clarke – who constructed the bar with wood pulled from old buildings in Ireland itself. Only time will tell if Big Time Design Studio, tapped to “reimagine” the space, will create something that feels authentic or goes too

nouveaux with the redesign. Regardless, kudos to Stephen Bittel, chairman of the building’s owner Terranova, for at least trying to bring us back our dear olde publick house.

Meanwhile, down the block the shuttered Italian restaurant and wine bar Cibo is also due for a re-birthing. Chef Adrianne Calvo, who earlier this year reopened Redfish in Matheson Hammock Park with the backing of entrepreneur Rodney Barreto, will be partnering again with Mr. B to reopen Cibo as Forte Italian restaurant. Named for the family of Calvo’s grandmother, Forte will have a 240-person capacity at launch, down 30 to 40 patrons from Cibo’s pre-pandemic layout. This will be Calvo’s third new restaurant in the past year, and fourth overall, but her first go at Coral Gables’ most popular restaurant genre – Italian. ■

With a long tradition of hospitality and care, Belmont Village is collaborating in a unique partnership with Baptist Health South Florida to redefine senior living. Our newest community, opening soon in Coral Gables, builds on our innovative, research-based programming and 24/7 on-site nursing to include a wellness-focused Healthy Living Center on the ground floor. With best-in-class amenities, there’s a life here to meet every need and surpass every expectation.

JOHN MARTIN’S IRISH PUB ON MIRACLE MILE CLOSED IN 2020

What’s Hot

FLOWER POWER

BY MALLORY EVANS JACOBSON

In “The Devil Wears Prada,” Meryl Streep’s character said it best. “Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.” Although Streep was oozing sarcasm, it’s no surprise that floral prints are in style this time of year, and we’re embracing them. Bring on the pops of color, cheerful patterns and all things blossoming.

TREASURE TROVE (1)

The jewelry you’ll find at Trésor is unlike anything found at other shops. That’s because designer Puja Bordia draws influence from her family’s rich heritage as the Royal Family of India’s Jaipur Kingdom, as well as contemporary art and architecture. This season, we’re enamored by this blue and white sapphire pendant from the company’s Flora collection. Retail: $2,450. Trésor, 301 Altara Ave. #115, 305-375-0935, tresorcollection.com.

SUNNY DISPOSITION (2)

With puff sleeves and a tiered mini skirt, the River mini dress by Likely would be a vibrant addition to your closet this season. Retail: $218. Neiman Marcus, 390 San Lorenzo Ave., 786-999-1000, neimanmarcus.com.

BOTANICAL BAG (3)

Gucci has reimagined many of its classic handbags with vibrant floral prints by Ken Scott, an American designer who lived in Milan during the 1960s and 70s. The Jackie 1961 small shoulder bag features a splashy pattern on a black background with the style’s signature gold hardware. Retail: $2,400. Gucci, 342 San Lorenzo Ave. #1015, 305441-2004, gucci.com.

SITTING PRETTY (4)

The elegant Victor armchair by Studio Roche Bobois is upholstered with a winning combination of punchy floral and gold fabrics. We can see it as an unexpected element in a reading nook or a fun statement at either end of your dining table. Retail price available upon request. Roche Bobois, 450 Biltmore Way, 305-444-1017, roche-bobois.com.

PETAL TO THE METAL (5)

Known for stocking unique home décor finds from all over the globe, Home Design Store’s Petunia coffee table will bring the right amount of panache to your sitting area. It’s made from colorful wooden panels set atop an iron frame to create a boho-meets-industrial look. Retail: $429. Home Design Store, 490 Biltmore Way, 305-445-1421, homedesignstoreflorida.com.

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Show Time!

THE SHOWROOM IN CORAL GABLES IS THE LATEST INCARNATION FOR MARILYN SANCHEZ’S MARRIAGE OF HOME AND APPAREL

BY KIM RODRIGUEZ

Coral Gables just got a little brighter with its newest retail addition, The Showroom. This is the second location for the aptly named store, and you may just want to live there. The sun-drenched, endless window storefront is on the corner of Sunset Drive and Nervia Street – or, what I like to say, next to Whip ’n Dip. Owner and Miami native Marilyn Sanchez wasn’t looking to open another outpost, the first being in Coconut Grove. But she just couldn’t pass up the incredible space, or the Gables address, and opened the doors on February 1.

Sanchez is no stranger to retail in Miami. She previously owned Studio LX and the Blush boutiques (both of which are mainstays here) before she sold and went on to create her new concept. “I had just finished building my current home and became obsessed with design and all things home. This inspired me to open a lifestyle concept store where I can sell the best of home and women’s clothing,” she says. “The Showroom is unique because it doesn’t only sell home accessories or clothing. It sells both. It’s a one stop shop for my loyal clients that trust me to source the best of the best in all categories.”

Home has become a very important category for Sanchez since Covid. “Our clients’ lifestyles have changed, traveling has slowed down or stopped, so they are updating their homes and investing in making every room beautiful,” she says.

Sanchez offers complimentary in-store decorating services and

clients trust her taste so much they come in with pictures of their spaces and together they design it.

Sanchez and staff pride themselves on customer service. They post constantly on Instagram, and she personally returns all messages throughout the day. Her website is to browse only, and while they will provide a quote on any piece the client is interested in, the transaction is finished by a real person.

The Showroom carries a multitude of brands for both home and apparel, thoughtfully curated for clients. The customer who would shop for home is buying her chic, casual apparel offerings as well. Her brands include Tina Frey Designs, Baobab, The Great, Citizen of Humanity, Misa and Nation to name a few. She also carries the popular EF fine jewelry collection that pairs perfectly with the apparel. As a personal stylist, I was impressed that it’s the same customer buying both. Imagine setting up your home, or vacation home, and getting your furniture, décor, candles, dishes and your weekend clothes to go with it. Sanchez is a master merchant and is selling a lifestyle, which I am buying! ■

Kim Rodriguez is a personal stylist and shopper whose clients include many Coral Gables residents. Krpersonalstyle.com

“THE SHOWROOM IS UNIQUE BECAUSE IT DOESN’T ONLY SELL HOME ACCESSORIES OR CLOTHING. IT SELLS BOTH. ”

ABOVE: OWNER AND MIAMI NATIVE MARILYN SANCHEZ. THE SHOWROOM IS A ONE STOP SHOP FOR FURNITURE, DÉCOR, CANDLES, DISHES AND CLOTHING.

The principles to put public safety first.

The City of Coral Gables prides itself on providing among the finest police, fire and EMT services in Florida. Throughout his tenure on the city commission, Vince Lago has always put a strong focus on public safety, and as mayor, he will continue this vital work. He has been instrumental in:

 Improving and hurricane-hardening city fire stations.

 Building a new state-of-the-art public safety facility.

 Securing property for a new south-end fire rescue station to reduce response times for the residents in the Sunset and Old Cutler neighborhood.

 Creating a “joint enforcement zone” with the City of Miami to reduce illegal activities along 8th Street corridor (Legislation #2017-70).

 Creating a “joint enforcement zone” with the City of West Miami to reduce illegal activities along 8th Street and 50th Avenue corridors (Legislation #2019-363).

 Prohibiting hourly motels along the 8th Street corridor (Legislation #2016-60).

If elected mayor, Vince will faithfully support our first responders and enact ordinances to keep our neighborhoods, our families and our children safe.

VOTE for VINCE on April 13!

For more information, please visit VinceLagoForMayor.com

WITH THE POSITIONS OF MAYOR AND TWO CITY COMMISSIONERS UP FOR GRABS, WE LET YOU KNOW THE WHO, WHAT, WHY AND WHERE OF THIS YEAR’S ELECTION

BY J.P. FABER

Every two years the citizens of Coral Gables elect their mayor and two of their four city commissioners; the other two commissioners sit it out until the next election (in two years). Together with those now up for election, they form the five-person City Commission, each with an equal vote on legislation and laws in Coral Gables – though the mayor sets the agenda, runs the commission meetings and has certain executive duties. This year is a crowded race, with more candidates that ever. Originally 14 signed on, twice as many as ran in the last election (2019). One withdrew, but the remaining 13 are still a third higher than the earlier records of 10 candidates (2015 and 2017).

The big contest is the race

for mayor between Pat Keon and Vince Lago, both of whom are current city commissioners, with a late third entry by Jackson Rip Holmes.

For Group II, there are six candidates vying to fill Keon’s seat: Rhonda Anne Anderson; Tania Cruz-Gimenez; Alexander Luis Haq; Mayra Joli; Claudia Miro; and Jose Valdés-Fauli. Three are attorneys; Miro is a government worker, Haq is a teacher, and Valdés-Fauli, is a retired banker.

For Group III, there are four candidates hoping to fill Lago’s seat: Javier Banos, Alex Bucelo, Kirk Menendez; and Phillip “PJ” Mitchell. Again, all are attorneys except Menendez, who is a retired sports coach.

This year’s election has

Getting Out the Vote

been heated up by changes to the city’s zoning code, with most new candidates using this issue to position themselves as anti-development. To help you better understand their platforms, we asked each mayoral candidate to submit a photo and 500 words on why they should be elected mayor, and we asked each commission candidate to likewise submit a photo and 300 words. Only two candidates missed our deadline – Jackson Rip Holmes for mayor, and Claudio Miro for city commission. Responses appear on the following pages, followed by highlights from the Great Candidate Debate (aka the 2021 Candidates Forum) sponsored by the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce in March. ■

One of the city’s unsung heroes is City Clerk Billy Y. Urquia, among whose responsibilities it is to supervise the city’s municipal elections. He also maintains all city records, runs the city’s passport office, organizes the city commission meetings, and makes sure all city boards operate on time. In other words, he is the city’s nuts and bolts man. “My challenge is to pay attention to details, making sure we meet deadlines – just to make sure everything is done correctly.”

This year Urquia is overseeing an expansion of voting opportunities for residents, with the hope that more citizens will participate. There are currently 36,000 registered voters in the city, but in the last election just 8,572 ballots were cast, less than 26 percent of the electorate.

“Hopefully, as we get close

THE CANDIDATES IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

FOR MAYOR

JACKSON RIP HOLMES PAT KEON VINCE LAGO

FOR GROUP II

RHONDA ANNE ANDERSON TANIA CRUZ-GIMENEZ ALEXANDER LUIS HAQ MAYRA JOLI CLAUDIA MIRO JOSÉ VALDÉS-FAULI

FOR GROUP III

JAVIER BAÑOS

ALEX BUCELO KIRK MENENDEZ PHILLIP “PJ” MITCHELL

to this election, there will be some election fever,” says Urquia. “We are hoping for a larger turnout – to pass 10,000 votes – with people taking advantage of ways to vote.”

In the last city election (2019), vote by mail exceeded in-person voting for the first time, 4,526 mailed vs. 4,046 votes on election day, says Urquia. This year notifications for mail-in voting went out in the last week of March, for the election that is scheduled for April 13.

For the first time, there will also be early in-person voting (Saturday April 10 and Sunday April 11) at the Coral Gables Library. On election day, all regular precincts will be open as well. If no candidate wins 50 percent of the vote, the top two candidates will face a runoff April 27, with early voting on April 24 and 25.

CITY CLERK BILLY Y. URQUIA

PHOTO BY: EMMA DEL REY

Vince Lago: Why I Am Running for Mayor Pat Keon: Why I Am Running for Mayor

Currently City Commissioner. Resident of the city for 47 years. Profession: Retired. Former professional nurse then legislative aide for County Commissioner Jimmy Morales.

When I ran for the city commission, my priority was to maintain or improve the standards that have kept Coral Gables one of the most desirable places to live anywhere in the world. As mayor, that priority will remain the same. We are still months away from fully emerging from the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic. As restaurants and retail businesses begin to resume normal operations, we must ensure that public health and safety continues to be our top priority.

I have lived in Coral Gables for almost 50 years. During that time, maintaining the value of our homes and integrity of our neighborhoods have always been of paramount importance. I believe it remains so.

Gables is one of only three cities in Florida that has a AAA rating from all three national financial rating services.

But the City’s primary responsibility is ensuring public safety through police and fire rescue services. And while our public safety services are among the highest rated in the nation, Coral Gables residents demand and expect a lot more from their government than that alone. We expect our government to sustain the very high quality of life for its residents that has defined Coral Gables since it was first developed as a city.

When we choose leaders – from president down to city commission – I believe experience, temperament and the ability to build consensus are qualities most voters genuinely want today. And I think that’s especially true in our community.

“I BELIEVE EXPERIENCE, TEMPERAMENT AND THE ABILITY TO BUILD CONSENSUS ARE QUALITIES MOST VOTERS GENUINELY WANT TODAY. AND I THINK THAT’S ESPECIALLY TRUE IN OUR COMMUNITY. ”

That’s why I have always supported strict zoning regulations and believe that development must be required to adhere to our code. That’s also why I sponsored the legislation that holds banks responsible for the upkeep of abandoned properties they own. If they don’t maintain those properties, we can now force the bank into court to clean up the home or tear it down and make the bank pay for the work. And that’s exactly what we have done.

Keeping our city financially sound has also been and will remain one of my priorities. I pushed for greater accountability regarding City finances, creating performance standards and performance measures for City departments. As a result, Coral

Coral Gables is a relatively small city; but its beauty, safety and financial stability have defined its high quality of life for nearly 100 years. We have done so because our community has demanded it and our leaders have fought to preserve those qualities from one generation to the next.

That’s what I have tried to do as a city commissioner and what I will continue to do as mayor. When voters compare the candidates running for this seat, I hope they’ll decide that my unique combination of public service and raising a family in Coral Gables has given me the kind of experience, temperament and consensus building skills they want in their next mayor. Coral Gables is a great city and I believe it can be even better. As mayor, I will work harder than anyone else to see that it is.

Currently Vice Mayor. Resident of the city for 15 years.

Profession: Vice President of BDI Construction, specializing in the construction of educational facilities and hospitals.

I am running for office because I want to give back to this community, which has given so much to my family and myself. I am running because we need to protect and enhance the quality of life for our residents. I am running because I want our city to continue serving as a global destination for businesses and visitors, while we continue to rank as one of the best cities to live in.

I intend to thoughtfully plan for the future of Coral Gables and transform the city into a magnet of opportunity where residents can live, work and play.

Currently, the City of Coral Gables is facing three main issues – sustainability, quality of life and economic development –that need to be addressed immediately. During my time as a city commissioner, I have endeavored to find solutions that address these challenges, but there is still much ground to cover.

As mayor, I will work with the administration to expand our very successful trolley program to include weekend service. In addition, I will assemble a Coral Gables Water Quality Task Force and a Transportation Task Force to work in conjunction with Miami-Dade County on water and transportation issues. I will also identify funding strategies that would help address these pressing issues which impact the quality of life for residents and our city’s long-term sustainability efforts.

Pertaining to economic development, the COVID-19 pandemic has hit many of our businesses hard. As mayor, I will embark on a “100 Days of

Listening” tour across the city, meeting with businesses, residents, neighborhood associations, the Chamber of Commerce, the Business Improvement District and all city stakeholders, to better understand their needs and develop a plan to address them. Together, we will work to restore the economic vibrancy that residents and visitors have come to know and love in our downtown.

Finally, I want to highlight an issue that separates me from my opponents: Transparency. As commissioner, I have made transparency one of the cornerstones of my service to the community. Since 2013, I have remained committed to listening and addressing residents. I have hosted biannual town hall meetings, open door office hours every Friday, advocated for transparency tools on the city website and have circulated monthly newsletters to keep residents informed on city updates and legislative initiatives. As mayor, I will continue following through with these well-received traditions. My commitment to transparency extends to my campaign as well. Unlike my opponent, I am the chairperson of my political committee and I will not use third party political committees run by out-of-town political operatives to campaign in Coral Gables. I am also making all my donors’ information public, something that my opponent has refused to do, concealing her donors behind more than 30 political committees headquartered in Broward County.

As mayor, I pledge to lead with integrity and will always remain transparent, consistent, accessible and proactive while placing the needs of Coral Gables residents first.

“CURRENTLY, THE CITY OF CORAL GABLES IS FACING THREE MAIN ISSUES – SUSTAINABILITY, QUALITY OF LIFE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. ”

Jackson Rip Holmes: Why I Am Running for Mayor

Currently a commercial property owner and lifelong Gables resident.

My name is Jackson Rip Holmes. I was born and raised in Coral Gables and graduated from Coral Gables Senior High. My grandfather, Roy Rip VanDevere, was an acquaintance of Coral Gables Founder George Merrick, who showed him what property to buy on Miracle Mile in 1930. I am running for mayor to try to reverse the recent approval of the runaway development Coral Gables zoning code rewrite, which I believe so opens the floodgates to developers; it effectively ends Coral Gables as a suburb.

The Citizens United Supreme Court decision gave developers Constitutional rights to spend monies in political campaigns, as a result of which developer money has controlled elections in Coral Gables for the past several years. Example: The Slesnick vs. Valdés-Fauli mayoral races in the past two elections. As a result, city commissioners, including my two opponents, have passed a zoning code rewrite, which allows: 1) Massive expansion of development of residential houses, residential apartment buildings, and residential multi-family buildings and 2) Raising the height of Miracle Mile buildings to four stories, but without parking.

almost unanimously protested these zoning code changes, turning out over 200 strong at all public workshops finally provided the past few months to discuss them. Voters also turned out for a rally against the zoning rewrite, which drew newspaper and television coverage.

Yet the city commission refused to explain two critically important proposed pro-development giveaways: 1) How much bigger houses, apartment buildings and multi-family buildings will be allowed in residential areas, and passed the zoning change anyway and 2) The mandatory remote parking for new construction of the four-story buildings being approved, and passed the zoning change on first reading anyway.

A four-story main street, Miracle Mile, with only remote parking, raises questions about whether people will view Coral Gables as a suburb going forward. Worse, the mandatory remote parking for approved four-story buildings on Miracle Mile is an absolute disaster. For example, do you want to remote park? Or will you quite possibly end up shopping elsewhere, for lack of parking?

Experience You Can Count On

Elect José Valdés-Fauli for Commissioner

With more than 35 years in local banking and finance and giving back to the community, José Valdés-Fauli is uniquely qualified to serve as Coral Gables commissioner. His plan will protect and improve public services while strengthening the city’s financial position, all with a commitment to transparency and responsiveness.

As your commissioner, José will focus on the issues that matter to residents:

 Building financial strength and stability.

 Improving traffic and parking issues.

 Controlling downtown development.

 Enhancing public safety.

 Mitigating the effects of climate change.

 Supporting historic preservation, culture and the arts.

“THE MANDATORY REMOTE PARKING ON NEWLY APPROVED FOUR-STORY BUILDINGS ON MIRACLE MILE WILL BE CATASTROPHIC FOR ATTRACTING EITHER MERCHANTS, OR SHOPPERS, TO MIRACLE MILE. ”

Also, the developer-controlled city commission has done a possible illegal end-run around affected parents of students at Carver Elementary School, to approve a Wawa development likely to increase crime, endangering the safety of our Carver school children. This obvious placing of developer profits over the safety of children exemplifies why I say Coral Gables, as voted upon and approved by my opponents, has essentially ended as a suburb.Voters

The mandatory remote parking on newly approved four-story buildings on Miracle Mile will be catastrophic for attracting either merchants, or shoppers, to Miracle Mile. All of this urbanization brings crime, and crime endangers children. Coral Gables’ greatest asset, its high-achieving residents, will ultimately be forced to choose between keeping their children safe, or remaining in Coral Gables, and will begin moving to true suburbs like Pinecrest, Cutler Bay, Kendall Lakes and so on. We need to undo the actions of my opponents, which is why I ask for your vote.

Count

Candidates For Group II Commission Seat

ATTORNEY

GABLES RESIDENT: 33 YEARS

For 16 years, I have worked to decrease the impact of development and speeding drivers in Coral Gables and improve infrastructure and sustainability. When I vote, I select an individual whose past actions show that their campaign promises will translate into results. I chose to run because there is no candidate in Group II whose past service on committees or participation in meetings shows that their campaign promises will be kept. My goals are: Open Door and Full Transparency. Always patiently listen and address residents’ concerns. My door will be open once a week for “office hours,” by appointment and for monthly group brainstorming sessions.

Development. Ensure that oversized development decreasing our quality of life stops. Zoning incentive programs encouraging larger buildings with minimal set back must be revised. Additionally, ensure that information regarding planned projects is available and easy to find on the city’s website.

Traffic Issues/Police and Fire. Maintain our world class police and fire departments. Increase traffic enforcement against speeding drivers and traffic calming measures required for new developments must be installed before the buildings are finished, not years later. Permitting. Ensure that our fledgling electronic permitting system is completed and that residents’ permitting applications receive the same priority as developers.

Pedestrian Corridors, Parks, Tree Canopy, Historic Preservation and Trolley/Freebie Service. Safe, beautiful, shaded pedestrian

corridors need to be provided in our Central Business District to make our downtown inviting. When feasible, expand availability of Freebie and trolley services. Protect our historic buildings and maintain and expand our neighborhood parks and tree canopy so Coral Gables remains a special place to live. Waterways and Drainage. Improve drainage in low lying areas and cleanliness of our waterways.

Fiscal Responsibility. Avoid wasteful spending and maintain fiscal responsibility to insure our property taxes remain low.

ALEXANDER

ENGLISH TA AT MDC

involved in our local community stems from wanting to participate and make a difference. I believe we all can make a difference in the actions we take. My platform hopes to ameliorate the parking situation, curb wanton development and instead invest in the raw talent within our city. Make our City Beautiful an accessible city and finally, work to make Coral Gables carbon neutral to combat the climate crisis. I have no ties to special interests or connections to political families. My campaign and platform are one for the community.

LUIS HAQ

GABLES RESIDENT: LIFELONG

My name is Alex Haq and I am a Coral Gables native and have resided in the city my whole life, including attending school locally at St. Theresa School and the University of Miami where I received a Bachelor of Arts in History/Theater Arts. I am proud to be a resident of the “City Beautiful” and as a student of history can appreciate the stories of its planning and development. I enjoy walking through my neighborhood and the downtown/Miracle Mile area, it is in doing so that I realize that our community is more than the beautiful Mediterranean buildings and lush greenspaces, but the people as well. I am running for city commission in the hopes of merging the vision of George Merrick together with the growth and innovation of the 21st century. It is important to look to the future while remembering the lessons of the past which will enable us to maintain our identity. My desire to become

TANIA CRUZ-GIMENEZ

ATTORNEY

GABLES RESIDENT: 14 YEARS

In 2025 Coral Gables will be celebrating its 100th anniversary. What is often missed when many invoke the name of our founder, George Merrick, and his visionary plan for our city, is simply that he had a vision. He had a plan. This past year our community suffered a once in a lifetime event – one that fundamentally changed the way we live, work and play. While we are finally returning to some semblance of normalcy, there are some changes that are here to stay.

Traditional retail was failing prior to the pandemic because of online shopping. The pandemic merely accelerated it. Regrettably, numerous businesses in our downtown are gone for good.

Like 1925, when George Merrick founded our City Beautiful, we are entering a new economy, in which technology, mobility and sustainability will be at the forefront. Architecture and design must

“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 Visit BuceloforCoralGables.com to find out more!

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

RHONDA ANNE ANDERSON

RHONDA ANNE ANDERSON ALEXANDER LUIS HAQ TANIA CRUZ-GIMENEZ MAYRA JOLI JOSÉ VALDÉS-FAULI CLAUDIA MIRO

adapt to a post-pandemic world, with more open spaces and outdoor areas for people to gather, nearby locally owned businesses that cater to residents’ needs, and alternate modes of transportation. Similarly, this new economy must also factor the increasing impact of climate change on our community.

The current number of closures on Miracle Mile offer us a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a vision for a resilient post-pandemic city. This vision should respect our city’s unique history, seeing it as a driving economic force rather than as an impediment to progress. It must include plans for a thriving business district that caters to residents and that harnesses the talent in our own University of Miami.

As someone who lives, works and plays in Coral Gables, I am truly invested in our community. If elected, I will work with all stakeholders to forge a resilient vision for our city’s next 100 years that preserves our quality of life for all generations.

MAYRA JOLI

ATTORNEY

GABLES RESIDENT: 17 YEARS

It is high time to end high rise development in Coral Gables. Unchecked development increases the population density for the purpose of benefiting the developers financially and generating more tax revenues for the government to waste on pet projects and unnecessary expenditures, like silly art in public places.

We don’t have the necessary infrastructure, road system, electrical grid, parking, sewers, mass transit. We have a trolley system and that is great, but when you constantly encourage and approve unfettered high-density development, you are going to destroy the style of living Coral Gables is known for. We do not want high rise New York-style developments in Coral Gables. Even when you limit this sort of thing to the city center or high traffic roadways, how are these people going to get to where they need to go? They are going to cut through our once quiet Coral Gables neighborhoods. We are going to have increased traffic which no one is going to be able to control. There are so many negative aspects of development; but the most important thing is loss of our lifestyle. Who wants to live in a high-density environment when you are paying taxes like we are? Too many septic tanks polluting the environment; we need to

bury our power lines and other pole-strung utilities. It is ridiculous having high-voltage lines and clumps of cable and antiquated phone lines running through our lovely oak trees and then having to butcher the foliage to prevent contact with the electrical wires. Commissioners are allowing these billionaires to construct these ugly, monolithic high rise stucco covered boxes. It is high time for new leadership! No more high rises! We must redevelop our city infrastructure, not over-develop our neighborhoods.

JOSÉ VALDÉS-FAULI

RETIRED BANKER

GABLES RESIDENT: 20 YEARS

I am a banker – and a community banker, to be more specific. For over 35 years, I ran several banks in the Miami market. To lead a business, I was required to ensure fiscal responsibility and a strong return on our shareholders’ investment. Still, we also had to offer so much more to ensure our organization’s collective success and the community we served.

Vision, partnerships, and strategy were vital. My success depended on others’ accomplishments, and I, therefore, had to work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including colleagues, board of directors, regulators and customers. When others prospered, we flourished. I always felt teamwork coupled with a vision of leadership was an excellent recipe for success.

I find myself uniquely qualified to bring a different perspective to the commission with my financial and business expertise. The commission needs a diversity of experience, and I believe my financial expertise will be valuable to help preserve the quality of life our city deserves. With your help, I will ensure that the city optimizes its resources to invest in our infrastructure and provide a long-term strategy for our city’s health.

I also value good health, informed citizens, green spaces, the cultural arts and historic charm. My community service has been on numerous governing boards of numerous organizations focusing on education, health and cultural arts. I am committed to community parks, a walkable and scalable community, traffic safety, and conservation to keep our planet healthy.

I am running for the Coral Gables City Commission to bring financial acumen to the commission and ensure that the local community remains at the heart of our actions. I pledge to govern collaboratively, prioritize

communication with the local community and focus on financial oversight during my tenure as your next commissioner. I hope to earn your trust, confidence and vote.

CLAUDIA MIRO

MARKETING DIRECTOR FOR MIAMI-DADE

LIBRARY SYSTEM

GABLES RESIDENT: 15 YEARS

I am running for office to give say on what happens in Coral Gables back to the residents where it belongs. As commissioner, I will bring transparency to the issues that are top concerns for our residents, bring accessibility by keeping weekly office hours where residents can come find solutions to their concerns in person or via Zoom, and will implement much needed community programs that will benefit our city’s most vulnerable, our seniors.

To achieve transparency and increase resident awareness of proposed construction projects, I would propose the implementation of alternate commission meeting schedules to accommodate residents who work during the day or have other daytime commitments to allow them to participate in the process. To further that transparency, I would move to eliminate the use of acronyms such as TDR and FAR during public meetings, further requiring all city officials to communicate in layman’s terms so all our residents can gain a better understanding of proposed changes and, more importantly, how those changes potentially affect them. I would initiate programs for our seniors, providing alternate access to online programs such as signing up to receive a COVID vaccine and establish a homebound meal delivery program.

You will find me hard at work with the Business Improvement District (BID) to help businesses overcome pandemic economic pressures, work to find solutions to revitalize Miracle Mile and ensure Coral Gables gets every dollar of available COVID relief funding necessary to help our businesses get back on their feet.

I would insist on bringing back civility and decorum to our meetings while remaining humble, accessible and approachable to all our residents.

Lastly, I am uniquely qualified to serve, holding a master’s degree in public administration solidified with over 20 years’ experience working in the public sector. I know how to get the job done.

- Gimenez

• Revitalizing Downtown Core: Spurring economic development and creating an environment where local businesses can thrive long-term in even the most unforeseen of circumstances.

• Responsible Growth: Encouraging responsible development and diverse transportation options in the urban core, while persevering the peaceful character of our existing neighborhoods.

• Mitigating Traffic: Discouraging cut-through traffic from inundating our residential streets, and endangering our children and pets, by expanding traffic calming measures throughout the City.

• Environmental Sustainability: Developing smart sea level rise building practices, enhancing tree canopy to encourage more pedestrian activity, and protecting our greenspace, oceanfront and waterways.

ALEX

Candidates For Group III Commission Seat

ALEX BUCELO JAVIER BAÑOS KIRK MENENDEZ PHILLIP “PJ” MITCHELL

BUCELO

As a lifelong Coral Gables resident, I recognize the importance of preserving and enhancing the city’s exceptional quality of life. My experience as a member of the Code Enforcement Board has provided me not only with a sense of responsibility for preserving the unique beauty and livability of the city, but also with an understanding of residents’ issues and interests.

Serving as a commissioner would be a privilege, as well as an opportunity to give back to a place that has been an integral part of my life. I look forward to serving the city as part of the next generation of leaders who will bring a new energy to government. I intend to build on the achievements of past and current leaders to continually improve services and strengthen the city’s economy.

As commissioner, I will focus on:

Traffic: Install traffic-slowing measures and increase police patrols in areas where speeding is a problem. Development: Maintaining current limits on building heights, scale, density, parking etc. and respect the city’s traditional business district while fostering economic growth.

Pension/Retirement Board: Support policies that will keep pension investments growing and ensure that pension obligations are fully funded within the next 10 years. Transparency: Maintain an “open door” policy for residents and hold officials accountable for enforcing regulations.

Environment: Address the needs of homes below sea level and expand electric charging stations in city parking garages.

Public Safety: Maintain financial support for police and firefighters and strengthen programs to keep crime rates at an all time low. Parks: Continue to create “pocket parks” and green spaces and continue to improve parks and other public facilities.

Historic Preservation: Provide information to homeowners on the benefits of historic restoration and pursue federal and state funding for the maintenance of historic properties.

JAVIER BAÑOS

CPA & ATTORNEY

My wife and I moved to the City Beautiful 11 years ago to build a home with our children in the premier historic enclave of South Florida. Coral Gables symbolizes the best combination of attributes, where residents can enjoy lush greenery, parks, open spaces, great schools and wonderful entertainment. However, this idyllic neighborhood that offers the best quality of life to our residents continues to be under threat by the baser instincts of unmitigated development, avarice and a continual encroachment of traffic as the natural growth of population transforms our county into one of the most popular destinations of the nation.

The goal of my campaign is to be a voice for moderation, to curtail the abuses and preserve the original vision of the City

On a professional level, I have extensive experience in intergovernmental affairs advocating before local, state and federal government to bring legislative and financial relief to South Florida. I also have significant experience drafting resolutions and ordinances as well as serving as a liaison between members of the community, elected officials and government administrators. I bring a clear understanding of how government works, and at times, how government, unfortunately, fails to serve the best interests of the people.

ATTORNEY

GABLES RESIDENT: 20 YEARS

these challenging times.

Beautiful, while expanding and improving city services. My over 20 years of experience as a Certified Public Accountant and attorney, as well as the manager and advisor for over 100 small businesses, including my own, puts me in the unique position to best serve the interests of Coral Gables residents. After more than 15 years on city boards, I want to continue my service as an advocate for residents and change the conversation in the commission to focus its legislative priorities on the financial.

RETIRED SPORTS COACH

GABLES RESIDENT: LIFELONG

I am a lifelong resident of Coral Gables since 1962 and a graduate of Coral Gables Sr. High School, Class of 1980. I coached at the Coral Gables Youth Center for over 25 years and I have served on the Board of Directors of the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center Association since 1992. My nearly 40 years of unwavering service to our community is a direct result of the support my mother and I received from the Youth Center family and our Coral Gables community when my father passed away suddenly in 1973.

Through my decades of volunteer service at the Youth Center, Church of the Little Flower, St. Theresa Catholic School and the Knights of Columbus, I have always given back to the community that was there for me when I needed community most.

As commissioner, I will brush politics aside and focus on serving our community as a humble public servant. As commissioner, our kids will have ample parks to play in, our seniors will never be alone, our residents will have a “seat at the table,” our septic tanks will stop contaminating our aquifers, our residents will not be priced out of city services and our Coral Gables community will overcome the “progress” all around us. “Before you can lead, you have to learn how to serve.”

I am a local attorney and small business owner who has served our community for two decades in the public and private sectors. I have utilized my passion in the law to make a difference in people’s lives. My goal is to continue to serve the City of Coral Gables by establishing effective public policy as the next city commissioner in Group III. I believe that we need to keep our City Beautiful free from development not in line with our values. I will stand with the residents and oppose projects that substantially alter the fabric of our community.

I will ensure that our police and fire departments are fully funded in order to continue to provide the residents with professional and exceptional service. I believe small business is the cornerstone of our local economy. It’s imperative we continue to support our local businesses, especially in

In order to reduce the use of cutthrough traffic in our neighborhoods, we will add additional traffic calming measures. Additionally, I will encourage the use of alternative transportation.

I support our parks, museums and cultural projects throughout the community. I will seek additional ways to improve our city services, and preserve, restore and honor our historic landmarks for future generations.

On April 13, 2021, the residents will have a clear choice. They can elect one of the other three candidates that are supported by special interests and developers, or me, a candidate that shares the residents’ values. As a small business owner, I am concerned about our direction. Historically, I have dedicated my time to improving the community by helping those in need through Coral Gables Bar Association, an organization that utilizes the efforts of its members to improve the local community. I am not a politician nor beholden to any special interest.

Highlights from the Great Debate

In partnership with the University of Miami, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce held its Candidate’s Forum this past March 11. Moderated by Dr. Gregory Koger, professor and chair of the political science department at UM, it consisted of three one-hour sessions: For Group II City Commissioner, for Group III City Commissioner, and for Mayor. Here are highlights from the three, paraphrased and edited for clarity and brevity, based on some of the questions asked.

ABOVE: GROUP II COMMISSION CANDIDATES RHONDA ANDERSON, TANIA CRUZGIMENEZ, ALEXANDER HAQ, MAYRA JOLI, CLAUDIA MIRO, JOSÉ VALDÉS-FAULI

Q: IF ELECTED, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR FIRST PIECE OF LEGISLATION?

CRUZ-GIMENEZ: To bring the city into the 21st century with online permitting.

HAQ: To make the city’s website more user friendly.

JOLI: To stop all commissioners’ pet projects and to make no zoning changes.

MIRO: To make all building projects transparent, and to ban use of acronyms.

VALDÉS-FAULI: To revise the budget from bottom up to increase efficient use of funds.

ANDERSON: To contain the size of any new projects and eliminate loopholes.

Q: WOULD YOU CONTINUE TO SUPPORT PUBLIC ART?

JOLI: I would leave arts to the side and use the money for police and fire pensions.

PHILLIP “PJ” MITCHELL

MIRO: I would support any art project, or anything that enhances the arts.

VALDÉS-FAULI: I am on the board of Illuminate and the museum, and am all for it.

ANDERSON: I applaud Illuminate and the museum. It is essential to support art.

CRUZ-GIMENEZ: I would encourage pop-up galleries and collaboration with UM.

HAQ: I support the Arts Cinema and believe the arts are vital for the city.

Q: HOW WOULD YOU HELP THE SENIOR POPULATION?

ANDERSON: Longer traffic lights, more special parking, more recreational facilities.

CRUZ-GIMENEZ: Greater accessibility for seniors – such as lower steps on the trolley.

HAQ: The median age is 39 in the Gables, but the elderly are important.

JOLI: The elderly don’t want special access, they want companionship, home programs.

MIRO: We have many people over 95; we need a home delivery program for hot food.

VALDÉS-FAULI: Improve (or even build) sidewalks throughout the city for the elderly.

Q: IN CLOSING, WHY SHOULD PEOPLE VOTE FOR YOU?

VALDÉS-FAULI: I will be a team player who brings successful business experience.

MIRO: I am a resident not connected to politics, but with experience in the public sector.

JOLI: The city needs someone to be the voice of the people.

HAQ: I am a lifelong resident who will bring new ideas to attract young families.

CRUZ-GIMENEZ: I will focus on the new economy, and make outdoor dining permanent.

ANDERSON: I will continue my 16 years as an advocate for what the residents want.

ment, exhausted by toxic divisiveness.

MITCHELL: I run daily and find people very concerned with over-development. Peaceful lives are preferred to 17-story buildings.

BAÑOS: People are tired, angry and frustrated, and feel they are losing their city; that our public art doesn’t fit; and that traffic is choking life.

Q: SOME CITIZENS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT MIRACLE MILE’S ZONING PROCESS. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

BAÑOS: You need to bring people in earlier and beware of too many outside influences.

BUCELO: There has to be more engagement with citizens, on a greater scale to hear them.

MENEDEZ: Expand the radius of public notice, so that everyone is part of the solution.

the bottom up, as to what’s best for the city.

BUCELO: It has to be a balance between what’s best for the city and what residents say.

MENEDEZ: City Hall has to do more outreach, and listen to all sides first.

Q: IF ELECTED, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR FIRST PIECE OF LEGISLATION?

MENEDEZ: My priority would be the sustainability and septic tanks issues.

MITCHELL: To help small businesses by ending curfews and keeping them open.

BAÑOS: Ending loopholes for builders, fixing the pension plans, addressing sea rise.

BUCELO: To help retailers and small businesses with public/private partnerships.

KEON: It is a good opportunity for the Mile. The owners need to renovate, and they can’t do it with just one-story.

LAGO: It amounts to an unnecessary up-zoning. The downtown is not dead. This actually increases building density.

HOLMES: I would repeal it.

Q: WOULD YOU LEGISLATE TO INCLUDE FEMALE CITY COMMISSIONERS?

LAGO: I’m all in favor of anything to expand female participation.

HOLMES: Yes. If women ran the government, there would be no wars.

KEON: I’m not a minority. We should encourage women, but not dictate by gender.

Q: WHAT DID YOU LEARN DURING YOUR CAMPAIGN FOR OFFICE?

BUCELO: That development and traffic are the top issues. We can have mixed-use, but with height restrictions and walkability.

MENENDEZ: That many people feel left out of the decision-making process in govern-

MITCHELL: Communicate the notice of new projects and make it understandable.

Q: WHAT IF RESIDENTS WANTED SOMETHING BAD FOR THE CITY?

MITCHELL: You have to look at the end goals, and how something will affect residents.

BAÑOS: Let the residents guide you, from

Q: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE MIRACLE MILE ZONING CHANGES? (THESE ALLOWED DEVELOPERS TO BUILD WITHOUT BUILDING PARKING SPACES, BUT KEEPING HEIGHT TO FOUR STORIES)

they are relegated to side streets and not main thoroughfares.

Q: WHAT LEGISLATION ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

Q: WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON EXPANDING BIKE PATHS IN THE CITY?

KEON: The problem is that residents have assumed ownership of the swales, which they maintain. It will take a grassroots effort.

LAGO: I believe we need them, but the residents [where they would be located] have come out against them.

HOLMES: I support bike lanes, but only if

LAGO: I have initiated literally hundreds of pieces of legislation, so that’s a hard question. Some of the top ones that I am proud to have initiated include: The ban on Styrofoam and plastic bags; getting funding for the Underline in the Gables; eliminating fees for installing solar panels; outlawing hourly hotels; increased funding for parks; the 25 mile per hour speed limits on neighborhood streets; expanding the trolley service; the Leeds ordinance to encourage “green” buildings, etc.

HOLMES: Not having been on the commission, I haven’t initiated any legislation. If elected, I will repeal the recent zoning changes.

KEON: To me, quality is more important than quantity. Among the legislation I have initiated are water protection, tree protection, child protection and ordinances against bigotry. ■

GROUP III COMMISSIONER JAVIER BAÑOS, ALEX BUCELO, KIRK MENENDEZ, PHILLIP MITCHELL

MAYOR

JACKSON RIP HOLMES, PAT KEON, VINCE LAGO

A lifelong CPA, Michael Torres is a founding member of Gables-based PAAST, one of the fastest growing CPA firms in South Florida. As much an advisor as an accountant, Torres has worked in a wide variety of areas, including hospitality, financial institutions and real estate, with a specialty in sports and entertainment. His clients include a roster of sport superstars, including baseball great Jon Jay and the Miami Heat’s Andre Iguodala, and entertainers including actor, singer, composer and TV personality Carlos Ponce (“Couples Retreat,” “Rio,” “Ice Age,” “7th Heaven”). On a personal level, he is periodically fearless: For his 40th birthday he swam among great white sharks off the coast of South Africa, and for his 45th birthday he ran with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. “That was probably the craziest thing I have ever done… I felt a survival instinct I had never felt before.”

Michael Torres

LATEST ACHIEVEMENT

PAAST has won numerous accolades, consistently ranking among the best accounting firms in South Florida, based on billings, rapid growth and work environment. In the past year, however, Torres considers the firm’s greatest achievement to have successfully navigated the pandemic, keeping all 60 employees on staff. “It was a challenge that we never saw coming, but were able to follow through and service clients,” he says. Torres also continues to be a media interview source for Univisión, Bloomberg en Español Radio and CNN en Español Radio.

WHAT HE SAYS

“My favorite thing is the deal side, helping companies with due diligence, analyzing companies,” says Torres. “Entrepreneurial clients are really good at what they do, but they need help on the business side.” Working with high profile entertainment and sports figures has put Torres in an advisory as well as a CPA role. “On the sports and entertainment side we help clients, really becoming their business managers. Of course, we help with their tax returns. With athletes, they have to pay taxes in every state they play in. It gets complicated.”

At Baptist Health, our community has stood by us, helping us weather this difficult year with everything from personal protective equipment to technology –and even the occasional hot meal. Here are just a few examples of what your contributions have helped fund:

n More than 350 iPads for more than 4,500 Zoom calls between COVID-19 patients and their loved ones

n More than 500 pulse oximeters to monitor COVID-19 positive patients at home

n Over 155,000 meals donated to healthcare workers

We’re making a difference, but we strive to do more. You can help by donating to the Baptist Health Foundation. Your support will give our patients and staff the resources they need to get through this crisis, and look forward to brighter days ahead.

One year later, the pandemic is still with us. But so is our community.

Your continued support will help Baptist Health medical workers do more in the fight against COVID-19.

PARTNER, PEREZ-ABREU, AGUERREBERE, SUIERO & TORRES, P.L. (PAAST)

“SOMETHING I AM PROUD OF IS MY CUBAN HERITAGE. MY PARENTS CAME HERE WITH NOTHING”

Daughter of renowned Chef Cindy Hutson, Ashley Hutson worked on and off at the recently shuttered Ortanique on the Mile restaurant since she was 14-years-old. She was a hostess, dishwasher, assistant general manager and general manager before making the full transition into the kitchen. Hutson has a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Ashley Hutson

CEO, PUPTABLES

Not long after graduating from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Thomas Snook was on a cutter off the coast of Vietnam in 1969 when he decided the path to his future went through law school. “It was the late 60s. I wanted to bring about change to the system, and help people,” he says. He went on to earn a degree from Syracuse University School of Law and served as a Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG Corps) officer and Chief Trial Judge before retiring from the military in 1993. After settling in Coral Gables, he practiced maritime law before being appointed a U.S. Administrative Law Judge at the Social Security Administration. He retired again in 2016. Snook is president of the local chapter of the Military Officers Association of America and sits on the board of Miami-Dade’s Commission on Human Rights.

Thomas W. Snook

LATEST ACHIEVEMENT

In 2020, Hutson started Puptables, a healthy dog food company. She didn’t intend to start a dog food company. However, one of her three dogs, Bullet, had terrible allergies. After doing a great deal of research, she stopped feeding him kibble all together.

“I would get certified Angus beef from Ortanique and he would just eat that,” she says. “You can completely eliminate all these byproducts and all these additives that are in … kibble products by doing it naturally.”

WHAT SHE SAYS

“My dogs [now] eat better quality food quality food than most humans,” Hutson says. While eating only meat isn’t a balanced diet for anyone, she did further research on fruits and vegetables that dogs can eat to add as supplements. She began making Bullet’s food in Ortanique’s kitchen (when it was still open) and realized the demand for human-grade dog food. “The more people that I would give it to, everybody would come back and tell me how much their dog loved it,” she says. To purchase Puptables, email puptables@gmail.com.

LATEST ACHIEVEMENT

Snook was named president of the nonprofit Gables Good Government Committee (GGG) after he, founder and former Mayor Don Slesnick, and others decided to reactivate the dormant group last year “to support issues and causes that preserve and improve the quality of life in Coral Gables and promote the effective and efficient management of its government,” according to the mission statement. Proposed zoning code changes that could allow construction of high-rise buildings on Miracle Mile are a key issue, Snook says. The committee has asked that a city commission vote on passage of the revised code be put off until after the April municipal election. The group does not endorse or oppose political candidates.

WHAT HE SAYS

An avid bicyclist, Snook says that pedaling up and down every street in the city – a distance he estimates at nearly 500 miles – has deepened his appreciation of the character and charm of the Gables. “This is a city of trees, of shade. It’s green,” he says. “Cycling, especially during the pandemic, is a wonderful way to get out of the house. Riding through the neighborhoods gives me a peaceful feeling. It’s comforting.” Through the GGG, “we want to preserve the hometown feel of Coral Gables, and not turn it into a purely commercial, over-developed area. We want to maintain it for the reasons we moved here. This truly is the City Beautiful.”

“MY DOGS [NOW] EAT BETTER QUALITY FOOD QUALITY FOOD THAN MOST HUMANS”

PRESIDENT, GABLES GOOD GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

“WE WANT TO PRESERVE THE HOMETOWN FEEL OF CORAL GABLES.”

Spring is here and with it comes new trends, new styles and new fashion lines. Whereas last year’s spring lines were overshadowed by loungewear and pajamas, this year we can finally appreciate the season’s prints and patterns. And while fashion features typically focus on high-end designer brands, we’re turning to our local boutiques to see what they have in store this spring.

Local Spring Lines

EXPLORING THIS SEASON’S FASHION TRENDS AT GABLES BOUTIQUES

BY LIZZIE WILCOX

Aria Rose

What started as an online-only shop, Aria Rose opened a brick and mortar store on Palermo Avenue last year. The boutique offers everything from jeans, sweaters and boots to dresses, rompers and accessories. Last spring, they focused on loungewear and comfortable work-from-home clothes. Fortunately, this year’s lines are back to normal. “As we see the slow shift from staying at home to finally heading outdoors and going to small brunches and dinners, we’ve loved seeing bright colors, pastels and floral prints for spring,” says Owner Lauren Patao.

So far, Aria Rose has been selling a lot of printed and floral mini dresses, which Patao anticipates will continue to be a bestseller as we enter spring. She also predicts something uncommon for the season: Jeans. “As customers are finally wearing items that button up … we’re noticing a lot of them are looking to up their denim wardrobe,” says Patao.

As you shed your sweatpants and don this season’s trends, all of the latest styles can be found at the boutique or online at ariarose.com, where they launch new items twice a week.

“Overall, while we love loungewear and will always carry it, we’re excited that ‘normal’ clothes are making a comeback,” says Patao.

ARIA ROSE

305 PALERMO AVE.

305.603.8768

ARIAROSE.COM

Blue Serenity Boutique

Also a new addition to the Gables fashion scene within the past year is Blue Serenity Boutique on Andalusia Avenue. The shop has a very beachy vibe, carrying lots of swimwear and cover ups, which Owner Noel Macchi expects to be popular items for the summer. “We launched new swimwear the first week of March and have received such a positive reaction to them,” she says. It’s only fitting that bathing suits and beach accessories are Blue Serenity’s most sought-after pieces, as Macchi named the boutique after her love of the ocean. As for clothing, the shop will have both pastel and bright color palettes this season. Their spring collection also features different shades of white and ivory, as well as a lot of lace and florals. “A new sense of freshness is what we are going for,” says Macchi. “With breathable and lightweight styles to compliment all ages and body types.”

Other than swimwear and cover ups, Blue Serenity has everything you need for a beach day, from bags to sunhats to knitted tops. “Everyone can expect to see so many new colors and styles throughout these next couple of months as we move into summer,” Macchi says. Five percent of all profits are donated to local marine and ocean conservancy programs.

BLUE SERENITY BOUTIQUE

258 ANDALUSIA AVE.

786.633.1479

BLUESERENITYBOUTIQUE.COM

Eberjey

Founded by Ali Mejia and Mariela Rovito, Eberjey is all about comfort. They have been selling pajamas, loungewear, lingerie and swimwear for decades, launching the company in 1996. The brand is known for its high quality, ultra-soft fabrics. Located in the Shops at Merrick Park, they set up shop in the Gables because a lot of their clientele already shopped here. Their Spring Summer 2021 collection was inspired by the heritage of Mejia, who was born in El Salvador. “The country’s stunning landscapes – its volcanos, mountains, crater lakes and Pacific coastal beaches are all factored into the collection, showing up in prints, in fabric details and trims,” she says. “On a deeper level, this collection is about connecting to our roots, our family histories and what those connections mean to us.”

This season, they’re adding that El Salvador flair to both new and old styles. “We have introduced fresh colorways and silhouettes in our bestselling styles, while also expanding upon our lounge assortment with the softest sweats and jumpsuits,” says Mejia. Among those bestselling styles are their Gisele pajamas. Even Oprah Winfrey wears them. “Made from a supple blend of super soft fabric, it has earned its cult following,” Mejia says.

EBERJEY 360 SAN LORENZO AVE. #1530 (SHOPS AT MERRICK PARK)

305.763.8455

EBERJEY.COM

Essence Boutique

While so many Miracle Mile storefronts have closed their doors over the past year, Essence Boutique has stayed standing. Having been in their Gables location for 15 years now, they also survived the Streetscape project. Owner Sandra Moreira, who moved from Colombia to Florida 30 years ago, owes it to her loyal customer base. Those customers can expect to see a number of items this season, including pastel tones, floral prints, jeans and oversized shirts. “We receive new merchandise on a weekly basis,” says Moreira. “We tend to have different styles to satisfy our customers’ needs.”

Though midi dresses are already popular among Essence’s clientele, Moreira says that maxi dresses will be in for spring. On top of clothing, the boutique also carries bags, shoes and swimwear, which is going to be popular over the next coming months, as we prepare for post-inoculation summer travel.

“Since last year we could not travel, many of our customers want to hit the beach in a stylish way,” says Moreira.

Accessorize any look, from beach to brunch, with their affordable jewelry line from Brazil. Not only do they have styles that meet everyone’s needs, but also price points: All of their items cost between $35 and $200.

OAK Apparel and Home

Owned by cousins Nicolle Mailal and Kelly Nelson, OAK Apparel and Home offers the latest trends in both fashion and home décor. The duo is especially looking forward to this year’s spring lines since last year’s were taken over by loungewear. “The styles we’re seeing are still very much focused on comfort since we are still laying low and spending quite a bit of time at home,” says Nelson. “But we’re seeing lots of dresses and skirts, elevated blouses with fun details like ruffles and flirty florals.”

This season, customers can expect to see lots of maxi dresses and skirts that tailor to the boutique’s bohemian brand. These pieces are effortlessly chic, so you look nice without having to put too much effort into getting ready. “Many of these looks can be dressed up with a block heel or down with a simple white sneaker,” says Mailal. “Still comfortable, but a bit more dressed up.”

While the boutique on Valencia Avenue constantly has new pieces, there’s one thing that will always be a bestseller at OAK: The basics. “We believe in the power of a classic white or black t-shirt,” says Nelson. “It’s a wardrobe staple that you can do so much with.”

OAK APPAREL AND HOME

116 VALENCIA AVE.

305.384.1337

SHOPOAKONLINE.COM

Trend Boutique

After opening on Andalusia Avenue in 2016, Trend Boutique relocated down the street to Ponce de Leon Boulevard. While most local boutiques tailor to women, Trend focuses on girls, pre-teens and younger teenagers. Ana Canto was inspired to open her own clothing store for this demographic because she found it difficult to shop for her two daughters. Prior to opening Trend, Canto had two women’s stores in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, where she was born and raised. She moved to the U.S. to attend Boston College and then the University of Miami.

Frilly dresses, ruffle skirts and skorts will be trending (no pun intended) at Trend this season. “Feminine chic would be my description of spring this year,” says Canto. Trendsetters, as their customers are called, can expect to see their skorts – a combination of a skirt and shorts – in many different colors and fabrics.

“This year, floral prints take the stage as well as monochromatic prints,” Canto says. “Comfortable, yet girly styles will dominate.”

While shopping for the girls, mom may even find something for herself, as Trend also carries some women’s clothing. Here, you can shop for your daughters (and yourself) without breaking the bank. Prices range from $30 to $270 for all children’s and women’s clothing.

Zoey Reva

Zoey Reva, initially just an online store, opened a retail location on Alhambra Circle in 2019. It then moved to Giralda Avenue this past February. The shop was way ahead of the matching sweats trend that took off when quarantine started last year, launching their loungewear collection in November 2019. “While loungewear is definitely still in, we’re seeing a growing demand for dresses and clothes people can wear out,” says owner Zoey Sage.

For Spring 2021, Sage anticipates that their two-piece sets and flow-y dresses will be all the rage, like their ever-popular Calypso dress. “It’s become a forever style at our store that customers can’t get enough of,” she says. “It’s a beautiful chiffon dress with billowy, sheer sleeves and an open back.” Sage also expects their hand-dyed pieces, both dresses and loungewear, to be trending during the next few months. Customers can visit the store and choose pieces that have already been dyed, or they can handpick the colors they want and design their own. “It’s been a fun and special experience to bring to the store that we definitely want to expand on this spring by offering brighter colors and pastels,” says Sage. So whether you’re vaccinated or still quarantining, Zoey Reva has something for everyone.

ZOEY REVA

133 GIRALDA AVE. 305.389.7525

ZOEYREVA.COM

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Contact or visit us at: 220 Alhambra Circle, Suite 300, Coral Gables, FL 33134 305-424-0016 | cwm@calamos.com | wm.calamos.com

But the care keeps getting better and better.

Our vaccines are here already… the sta is so well-trained… all the safety programs are in place. And during this pandemic, the whole place keeps running like a well-oiled machine. We simply can’t imagine a place right now where someone our age could be safer or happier. And every day we tell our daughter—whose idea it was—we’re so glad you knew it was the right place for us.

If you are a senior, or just love one, call us at 305-445-7444 to schedule your safe and comfortable visit today.

“We’ve never been more glad we live at e Palace than right now.”

TROPICAL OBSESSION

THE MONTGOMERY BOTANICAL CENTER IS A MONUMENT TO LOVE, FRIENDSHIP, BOTANY AND A COLLECTOR’S PASSION

BY GRACE CARRICARTE

If you look up Robert Heister Montgomery on Wikipedia, you will see that he’s best known for his work as an accountant. Not only did Montgomery write the bestselling “Auditing Theory and Practice” in 1912, he also started the “American Journal of Accounting” and was a founding partner of Lybrand, Ross Bros. & Montgomery. That partnership grew into the world’s largest accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers.

I thought about this as I drove down Old Cutler Road to find Montgomery Botanical Center, the amazing collection of palms and cycads on the estate where he once lived, down past Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens (which he launched in 1938). Montgomery – or Colonel Montgomery, as he is referred to at the Center – didn’t move to Coral Gables until 1932, when he was already 60-years-old and a nationally recognized accounting wizard. But that was just the beginning of his new life as the world’s greatest collector of palms.

The entrance to Montgomery Botanical Center is not immediately easy to find. “We are just off the road, right after the fire station,” says Executive Director Dr. M. Patrick Griffith. “But you have to look for it. You will see a wrought iron gate, but most miss it.” Sure enough, I passed Coral Gables Fire Department Station #3 just in time to realize I had also passed the entry gate to the largest botanic center in Florida.

After a questionably legal U-turn, I was met at the gate by a worker who arrived in a golf cart. I followed him down a long road lined with foliage to the former estate home of Col. Montgomery, now research and admin offices for the center’s sprawling 120 acres with more than 14,000 plants, hidden in the midst of Coral Gables.

Dr. Griffith, who has a Ph.D. in botany, gave me a tour by golf cart into the maze that is Montgomery. Unlike the orderly, prim gardens of Fairchild down the road, Montgomery feels more like a jungle, a place where nature rules. Palms and cycads and hundreds of other species are allowed to propagate in a more natural way. The grounds also contain a string of small lakes (a nine-foot crocodile, sort of a Montgomery mascot, lives in one) and rough, rocky outcrops, part of the original “Sliver Bluff” ridge of limestone that runs along Miami-Dade’s coastline.

As the story goes, it was Col. Montgomery’s friend George Brett, the owner of Macmillan Press, who challenged him to move from Connecticut to South Florida and start a palm collection. It was a gentleman’s bet between two competitive businessmen to see who could collect the most palms. Montgomery, who already had a sizeable collection of conifer trees at his New England home, was game. He and Brett both moved to the Gables in 1932, to properties about a mile apart on Old Cutler Road.

We don’t know exactly when the bet was settled, but Col. Montgomery – who had served in the Spanish American War

in 1898 – clearly won. In 1933 his property contained over 1,000 mature palm specimens and soon became the world’s largest private collection of living palms. Brett died three years later.

By this time, Col. Montgomery had met Dr. David Fairchild, the world famous botanist responsible for introducing thousands of plant species to the United States, including soybeans, pistachios, mangos, nectarines and dates. The two men became fast friends, and that year Fairchild helped Col. Montgomery collect more than 700 species of palms. “Fairchild helped Montgomery travel all around Florida in the summers starting in 1932, buying every species of palms known to the area,” says Dr. Griffith.

“FAIRCHILD HELPED MONTGOMERY TRAVEL ALL AROUND FLORIDA IN THE SUMMERS STARTING IN 1932, BUYING EVERY SPECIES OF PALMS KNOWN TO THE AREA.”

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DR. M. PATRICK GRIFFITH, SHOWN ABOVE AT THE ORNATE DECORATED ENTRANCE TO THE FORMER ESTATE HOME.

MONTGOMERY BOTANICAL CENTER

FACTS AT A GLANCE:

SIZE: 120 ACRES

NUMBER OF PALMS: 9,066

NUMBER OF CYCADS: 5,563

STARTED BY COL. MONTGOMERY: 1932

BECAME A RESEARCH CENTER: 1959

Photo by Grace Carricarte

Then came the colonel’s life changing romance with Eleanor “Nell” Foster, who he married in 1934. Pretty, smart and decades his junior, she shared his passion for plant collecting and travel. Together they would go by ship and plane on expeditions around the world, to places like Belize, Panama, Cuba, Jamaica, Malaysia, Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, Vanuatu and Madagascar, to name a few. And let’s not forget Bangladesh – then India – which led to the preservation of the Corypha taliera that is now extinct in the wild.

Besides palms, the Montgomery’s became fascinated by cycads. These ancient plants (they go back 160 million years to the Mesozoic era, when dinosaurs ruled) are considered to be “living fossils,” Dr. Griffith explained. By 1939, the colonel’s “Palmetum” already held 432 different species of cycads (to me they looked like plants from another planet, or at least from a Dr. Seuss book.)

All the while, “The Montgomerys became best friends with the Fairchilds,” often going on plant collecting expeditions together, says Dr. Griffith.

It was because of their friendship that, when it came to creating a public botanical park on 83 acres of Montgomery’s land in 1937, the colonel decided to name it Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. “He [Montgomery] didn’t feel he had the right credentials, so he preferred Dr. David Fairchild’s name, as he was an American botanist and plant explorer,” says Dr. Griffith. On both properties, and with Fairchild’s help, Montgomery and Nell continued to expand the palm collection until the colonel died in 1953 at the age of 80. Fairchild died the following year at age 85.

I was swept away by this story of friendship and love in the tropics, which continued literally to the day of Col. Montgomery’s passing in 1953. He died while taking a nap, following the daily stroll he took with Nell in the gardens.

Six years after his death, in memory of her husband, Nell established the Montgomery Foundation and the botanical center as a place for scientific research. Today it contains research labs, a library, an herbarium and nursery facilities – along with 5,563 cycads, 9,066 palms and the photos and furniture of their perfectly preserved home. It is regularly visited by botanical researchers from across the globe. “When the colonel, Robert H. Montgomery, built this place in 1932, the whole purpose of this facility was – and is – palms and cycads,” says Dr. Griffith. “Eighty-eight years later it’s still here.” ■

Romualdo Segurola, MD, FACS Chief of Cardiac Surgery

We are leaders in cardiac surgery, because we care with all our hearts. Headed by renowned surgeon Romualdo Segurola, MD, FACS, this world-class team handles everything from minimally-invasive procedures to complex surgeries, while also specializing in compassion. Learn more about our cardiac surgeons and the comprehensive care they offer—with heart. Call 305-585-4564 or visit MiamiHeartLeader.org.

TOP: DR. DAVID FAIRCHILD WITH ELEANOR “NELL” FOSTER AND COL. ROBERT H. MONTGOMERY WITH THE RHM MEDAL NAMED AFTER HIM.

BOTTOM: THE MONTGOMERY’S INSPECT PALMS IN CUBA TO ADD TO THEIR GROWING COLLECTION.

Removal or Renewal?

An increasing number of patients request their implants removed. Though happy with them earlier, they no longer desire them for various reasons: “just over it”, “at a different stage in my life”, “want to be all natural again”, “they make me look heavy”, “don’t want to have to renew them again”, or “never liked them much”, “don’t look nice anymore”, “my implants keep getting encapsulated”. Some became worried about having something foreign in their body. Whatever the reason, if implants no longer enhance your life, it’s time to consider removing them.

Implant removal typically entails a breast lift for skin tightening, reshaping and lifting, with additional scars; so pros and cons need to be considered individually. If your initial implants were anatomically appropriate for your body, this is usually straight forward. If, however, your implants were overly large, then the change in appearance could be significant. Either way, patients who desire implant removal tend to be happy with their decision, even relieved and “feeling younger again”.

Certainly not everyone wishes their implants removed altogether. Yet all implants age and should be renewed after 10-15 years. If breast shape suffered following babies and breast feeding, a rejuvenating breast lift may be indicated at the same time also - not an uncommon scenario.

If breast shape and size is still pleasing, then a similar size implant exchange for renewal is by far the simplest option, with minimal downtime.

Some, however, desire “to go smaller”. They were happy with their previous size, though some always felt “too big”, but now, years later, are bothered by it. But a noticeable size reduction typically will require tightening of the outside skin with a breast lift, similar to the implant removal.

Overall, secondary breast surgery for renewal, removal or addressing other issues, is highly variable and requires much judgment and experience. So, as always, reflect and research carefully before proceeding.

Baker MD

LEFT: MONTGOMERY WAS FASCINATED BY ANCIENT CYCAD PLANTS, LIKE THIS SPECIMEN FROM AUSTRALIA. RIGHT: A MONTGOMERY SCIENTIST DOCUMENTS A NEW PALM SPECIES IN CURACAO. BELOW: THE FORMER ESTATE HOME BUILT IN 1932 NOW SERVES AS ADMINISTRATION OFFICES FOR THE GARDENS.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VISIT MONTGOMERY BOTANICAL CENTER YOU CAN DO SO BY APPOINTMENT, ON SATURDAYS, IN GROUPS OF 10 OR LESS. TOURS ARE CONDUCTED ON FOOT, UNLESS GOLF CART ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED. VISIT: MONTGOMERYBOTANICAL.ORG.

Most Celebrated Chefs are in Coral Gables

From Miracle Mile to South Gables, from Caribbean to Italian cuisine, our City Beautiful is home to a star-studded group of creative chef-driven restaurants.

BUSINESS QUARTERLY

Experience the outdoor culinary scene in Coral Gables. Scan the QR Code below to discover these Chef-driven restaurants.

We love our chefs! Stay tuned for more exciting announcements.

www.experiencecoralgables.com/chefs

Monica “Mika” Leon Caja Caliente

Angelo Masarin Salumeria 104

Niven Patel Mamey & Orno

Fabio Trabocchi Fiola

Antonio Bachour Bachour

Giorgio Rapicavoli Eating House & Luca Osteria

Naomi Harris

Madruga Bakery

Pascal Oudin

Pascal’s on Ponce & Brasserie Central

Adrianne Calvo Red Fish & Forte

The Other Responders: Bankers

There have been many heroes disguised as essential workers who are deserving of our appreciation and celebration throughout the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, so many.

For more than a year now, we have relied heavily upon our frontline healthcare workers, first responders, restaurant employees, teachers and more for a lifeline to normalcy. They have been there to feed us, to help us recover, to take our minds off the mundane nature of quarantine, to provide a shoulder to cry on and a respite from our weary selves; but, most of all, they have been here to keep us safe.

If you own a business –of any size or ilk – and you qualified for PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) grant dollars or an EIDL loan, then you likely would add your personal banker to the list of suit-clad heroes. That’s right, your banker.

Over the past year, our community banks stepped up HUGE during COVID-19, and they are doing it once again with the latest round of available PPP dollars now being doled out.

Usually, banks take it on the chin from customers who don’t like fees or long lines or antiquated processes that seem arduous and unnecessary. Banking has also become more transactional than ever, hardly evoking a personal relationship. But in the past twelve 12 months, the local banks in the Gables (and across the country) have saved thousands of jobs by loaning millions of dollars to our most needy businesses. They have done the heavy lifting,

even as our economy slowed to a trickle.

Florida ranks in the top four of states that have had the most PPP loan applications processed and the most dollars deployed directly into the business community. Through it all, bankers have reconnected with their clients and rekindled the love that used to be personal banking.

With every conversation I have these days with one of our financial institution members, including our Chamber’s own banking relationship at City National Bank, I am in awe of the role they played to help save our businesses. They saved companies, jobs and lives this past year. That is not rhetoric, it is the honest truth.

As you flip through the pages of this issue, you will learn about many of our local community banks, and the big dogs, too. Coral Gables is home to numerous professional service firms and the financial organizations that support them. It is our strength. We as a Chamber are blessed that, after real estate professionals, banking institutions are our largest cross section of engaged members. And boy, did we ever need their expertise in 2020.

Turns out, after all the reforms and consolidation that took place following the Great Recession of 2008-2010, they were more than ready to step up and serve. So, here’s to our banks and banking professionals. Thank you for donning the red cape, flying high above the fray and saving so many of our local businesses. We shall never forget what you did for all of us. ■

“OVER THE PAST YEAR, OUR COMMUNITY BANKS STEPPED UP HUGE DURING COVID-19, AND THEY ARE DOING IT ONCE AGAIN WITH THE LATEST ROUND OF AVAILABLE PPP DOLLARS NOW BEING DOLED OUT.”

FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, OUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS HAVE PROVIDED A REPRIEVE

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

EARLY CRYPTO PAYMENTS, MEDINA’S $3.4B DEAL, THE PLAZA CORAL GABLES’ NEW TENANTS AND PASEO’S SUCCESS

cent occupancy, Reynolds says that break-even for THēsis is in the mid-40 percent range due to its shared expenses with the mixed-use project. He says Paseo’s proximity to the University of Miami gives the project its competitive edge.

BEST PLACES TO WORK

Each year the South Florida Business Journal recognizes companies for their corporate culture as “Best Places to Work” in the region. This year, five of the 45 companies recognized (in categories of Small, Medium and Large) were Gables based. Here they are, with a brief summary of the reasons for their choice:

SMALL. No. 2: Agentis PLLC, law firm with “family first” values, great insurance plans and a strong 401k.

No. 13: JAG Insurance Group, for its “open door” policies regarding employee-input to management.

GETTING READY FOR CRYPTO

You may not entirely understand what cryptocurrency is about, except that you’ve probably heard of Bitcoin, the market cap for which has reportedly reached $1 trillion. Suffice it to say that it is digital currency which, by virtue of what is known as blockchain technology, can be very securely exchanged. For now, its value is determined by demand against the dollar, as though it were a stock. With companies like Tesla and Uber developing systems to support adoption of digital currencies, Coral Gables-based JAG Insurance Group has jumped into the fray by accepting its first insurance policy with payment in cryptocurrency. As Luis Gazitua, principal of JAG, puts it, “We are in the service business and want to make it easy for our customers. If someone wants to pay us in cryptocurrency, we are okay with that.” Gazitua did note that JAG, which now has 50 employees in the Gables, converted the payment into U.S. dollars.

CYXTERA TO MERGE IN $3.4B DEAL

Just when you thought Manny Medina could not create even more value in his growing Gables-based cyber empire, the CEO of data center provider Cyxtera Technologies announced the pending merger of that company with Starboard Value Acquisition Corp. The merger, scheduled for completion later this year, is valued at $3.4 billion. Cyxtera currently serves more than 2,300 clients with 61 data centers worldwide. Starboard is a “blank check” company that pursues acquisitions in technology, healthcare and consumer sectors with an eye toward reorganization and/or business combinations. Cyxtera will retain about 58 percent of the new company, which will be listed on Nasdaq under the ticker “CYXT.”

PASEO UPDATE

The lofty Paseo building on South Dixie Highway, home to THēsis Hotel, 494 rental apartments and Chef Niven Patel’s award-winning Mamey restaurant, are doing well, reports Gables-based NPI International, which developed, owns and manages the property. CEO Brent Reynolds says that 95 percent of the residential units have been rented, and that hotel occupancy is now averaging in the mid 30 percent range – with some weekend spikes exceeding 90 percent. While free-standing hotels typically break even at 60 to 65 per-

MEDIUM. No. 11: Stantec, architecture, design and engineering firm, for its empowerment of employee development. And maybe its weekly “desk yoga” and daily “cafecito time.”

LARGE. No. 2: Professional Bank, for its “employee-centric” culture that recognizes and rewards employee achievements. No. 12: HackerU, a global digital educator, for recognizing and promoting internal talent and for paid time off.

PLAZA SIGNS TENANTS

The massive Plaza Coral Gables project, above, now rising on the east side of Ponce Circle, has reported good news in their progress to lease space to new business tenants. Agave Holdings, the developer and owner of Plaza Coral Gables, reports that 30 percent of their two office towers (totalling 455,008 square feet) have now been leased. Among the new tenants are Bradesco BAC Florida Bank, which leased 63,009 square feet (and will move from its present offices in the Colonnades on Miracle Mile); ACI Worldwide Corp., which leased 27,712 square feet (relocating from Naples and creating 182 jobs); H.I.G. Capital, which leased 22,227 square feet; and PNC Bank, which leased 7,039 square feet. ■

A Quick Flix

BY DOREEN HEMLOCK

If you’re among the millions of people around the world watching more movies and TV series these days because of coronavirus, Manuel Gutierrez and his team say, “Thank you.”

Gutierrez heads up U.S. operations for Flix Translations Group, and the company has been extra busy this past year, translating scripts into subtitles and dubbing dialogue for films distributed internationally. It works with such giants as Sony and Universal, switching between English, Spanish, Portuguese and other languages to reach viewers globally. “Since Covid, we’ve seen business boom, likely up at least twice previous levels,” says Gutierrez.

Flix was launched 12 years ago by a husband-and-wife team in Argentina, Jorge Alonso and Gabriela Arriaran. She had worked as an English teacher and branched out into translations. Soon, the family business was handling projects from the U.S., Europe and beyond – everything from contracts to textbooks, websites and advertisements. Their client roster grew to include such heavyweights as Amazon, Twitter, Warner Brothers, Unilever, General Electric and Samsung.

In 2017, Flix opened an office at the WeWork co-working space in Coral Gables, spurred partly by the need for a U.S. physical presence to bid for government contracts in the United States. The company tapped Gutierrez, who’d worked with the World Bank, Citibank and Forbes magazine, to run the office and lead marketing and business development. He’s since secured contracts with area clients such as Mercy Hospital and the University of Miami, as well as with local and state government agencies. The translation business faces many challenges, especially time pressure, says Gutierrez. Clients tend to be in a hurry. To ensure accuracy (even certified translators “typing, typing, typing for hours a day” can

make mistakes, says Gutierrez), Flix has a project manager to monitor progress and quality for each job. Among other things, this is to ensure the correct regional differences within any language; think British English vs. American in words like flat vs. apartment or lift vs. elevator. For Latin American audiences, for example, Flix offers three types of Spanish: Mexican, Colombian and Argentine. “Colombian Spanish is the most neutral,” says Gutierrez. “But for Mexicans, it’s important to dub in Mexican Spanish.”

EMerge Americas, the Coral Gables-based firm that promotes Miami as a tech hub for the Americas, works with Flix and considers the translation company “an integral part of our extended team,” says Ashley Abdullah, director of marketing. EMerge requires translations in Spanish, Portuguese and English for press releases, websites and more. “What differentiates Flix,” says Abdullah, “is that they dedicate a team [for each client] that can easily and swiftly evaluate context, target audience and appropriate tone of voice for language translation, with a quick turnaround.”

Gutierrez says being in Coral Gables facilitates business, because clients can park easily, and he can walk to lawyers nearby for notarizations. Flix works with a network of certified translators, mostly working remotely in Argentina, Mexico, the U.S. and beyond, handling some 125 languages.

Even when the coronavirus subsides, requests for its services are expected to grow. Studies show most people prefer to receive information in their own language. To reach the world’s online population that way used to take just 12 languages: Mandarin, English, Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese, Arabic, German, Russian, French, Indonesian, Korean and Italian. But as more nations grow internet savvy, demand is expanding. Urdu, anyone? ■

“SINCE COVID, WE’VE SEEN BUSINESS BOOM, LIKELY UP AT LEAST TWICE PREVIOUS LEVELS.”

MANUEL GUTIERREZ, U.S. OPERATIONS FOR FLIX TRANSLATIONS GROUP

THE BUSINESS OF QUICKLY TRANSLATING FROM ONE LANGUAGE TO ANOTHER HAS BEEN VERY GOOD FOR THE GABLES-BASED U.S. DIVISION OF THE FLIX TRANSLATION GROUP

Expanding the Platform

BY MERGING WITH BRANDSTAR IN BROWARD COUNTY, GABLES-BASED KREPS PR GAINS ACCESS TO A WHOLE NEW WORLD

BY JP FABER

It’s not that the PR firm Kreps DeMaria, the partnership between Israel Kreps and Sissy DeMaria, did not function on multiple platforms. In the course of their decades of promoting their clients, they pushed into both print and digital, with a healthy serving of social media and, pre-Covid, live events. About the only area where they were not strong was in the world of broadcast and cable television.

That was one of the elements which intrigued partner Kreps, who began discussions last year with Mark Alfieri, the CEO of BrandStar, after meeting him on a regional Zoom conference. Alfieri was looking for a strong public relations and communications component to round out his media company, which was big in TV production.

“Mark came back with an offer. It was not of interest to Sissy, but it was to me,” says Kreps. “So, we agreed that Kreps

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DeMaria would be spun off into two companies.” DeMaria formed Cultivate PR, with offices in the Gables, New York and Los Angeles, with an emphasis on digital approaches to publicity, corporate communications and crisis management. Kreps briefly continued as Kreps PR & Marketing before announcing last month its merger with BrandStar.

Launched in 2005 in Pompano Beach, BrandStar began with educational TV programming and evolved into what Alfieri calls “a content exchange program.” With 250 employees today, the company is into television, digital and social media platforms, but is best known for a half dozen national TV programs that include “The Balancing Act,” “Designing Spaces” and “Military Makeovers” (with Montell Williams), all on the Lifetime cable channel. Other programs are on Bloomberg and

Fox, and the company recently signed a deal for the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” franchise. “I call them branded education,” says Alfieri.

In the last five years, BrandStar has expanded horizontally.

“We have bolted on everything you would find in a full-service advertising or marketing company,” says Alfieri, including social media, ad space purchasing, SEO capabilities, creative production services for commercials and so on. The only thing absent was a good public relations arm.

“PR ties in nice and neat to TV shows,” says Alfieri. “Kreps had such a stellar reputation in Miami, and we wanted to get more involved in the bilingual community and the Latin market. Israel was a perfect fit.”

Like DeMaria, Kreps has kept his own clients after the split, including companies such as EWM Realty (now BHHS/ EWM), Intercontinental Hotels

Group, Amerant Bank and the MDM group, which owns the Marriott hotels in Miami-Dade County.

Now, he says, he will be able to offer the additional service of television production. “To me the appeal is having a PR firm that is able to produce compelling, quality content [and] BrandStar has all of the facilities and capabilities to create a live TV show… it’s actually branded content,” says Kreps. “Let’s say an existing client wants a threeto five-minute piece on ‘Designing Spaces.’ That is [already] a national and regional platform, and then you own it… you can slice and dice it on social media or any other way you want.”

Meanwhile, says Kreps, “We are going to become BrandStar’s portal into Miami-Dade. They are recognized on a national scale, but not on a local scale. So now we can help remedy that.” ■

ISRAEL KREPS AND MARK ALFIERI: FORMING A MORE PERFECT UNION

Banking in the Time of the Covid

HOW LOCAL BANKS HAVE PIVOTED, ADAPTED AND ACCELERATED THEIR MARCH INTO THE FUTURE

BY DOREEN HEMLOCK

How can a small bank in South Florida compete these days among bigger chains and online-only rivals? And how can it maneuver during the pandemic amid uncertainty over the future of the economy?

Luis de la Aguilera at U.S. Century Bank is emphasizing specialized services, including a team in Coral Gables dedicated to law firms and private banking. He’s rolling out new digital tools, too.

Brian Hagan is changing office design at First American Bank. He’s just opened a branch in Coral Gables with no teller lines. Customers sit at desks to talk with bankers. The idea: To build personal relationships and brand loyalty, but to do away with mundane tasks in-house that can be done online.

Over the past year, coronavirus has accelerated trends underway in banking: A shift to digital transactions, consolidation and low interest rates squeezing profit margins and making efficiency key, to name a few. It’s also heightening rivalry among small banks

pursuing a high-tech, high-touch strategy, offering both online tools and a focus on personal service. Indeed, some South Florida banks worked so hard to provide Covid loans to local companies that they lured away clients from larger national competitors.

“The pandemic underscored how critical it is to have a relationship with your bank and the value of local decision making,” says Jorge Gonzalez, vice chairman and CEO of Miami-based City National Bank, which has its executive offices and its private banking group in Coral Gables.

MASTERING NEW WAYS OF WORK: FROM HOME, ONLINE

U.S. Century illustrates the trend. CEO de la Aguilera has led at turnaround since taking the helm in late 2015, nearly doubling assets and diversifying business. U.S. Century had struggled after the 2008 financial crisis because of an over-reliance on real estate loans.

“IF YOU ARE NOT COMPETING IN THE TECH SPACE IN BANKING, YOU ARE CUTTING YOUR FUTURE POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH AND EXPANSION, BECAUSE CUSTOMERS DEMAND IT.”

LUIS DE LA AGUILERA CEO, U.S. CENTURY BANK

LIKE MANY BANKS, FIRST AMERICAN WILL RELY ON BANK OFFICERS INSTEAD OF TELLERS FOR WALK-IN CUSTOMERS.

De la Aguilera, a former chief at Miami’s Total Bank, expanded into other lending areas, from medical practices to homeowners’ associations. He shut branches close together and opened in strategic locales, notably Coral Gables in 2016.

U.S. Century’s Gables office featured a team specialized in law firms, offering what he calls “high-touch, concierge-level service for attorneys.” That’s proved so successful – lawyers started using the bank for personal needs and referring others – that U.S. Century set up its private banking group in the city, too.

But the speed of all that change paled next to the sudden Covid lockdown in early 2020. De la Aguilera’s team moved fast to work mostly from home, thrilled to have installed a new core processing system and computers ready for video conferencing even before the virus hit. Soon, staff worked overtime to write up federally authorized Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to small businesses – remotely. “If you are not competing in the tech space in banking, you are cutting your future potential for growth and expansion,” says de la Aguilera from the bank’s Doral headquarters. “Because customers demand it.”

PPP LOANS: THE BEST AND WORST BANKS

When it comes to PPP loans, Coral Gables banks rank among the best and the worst in Florida, says bank analyst Ken Thomas, a longtime finance teacher at The Wharton School and president of Miami-based Community Development Fund Advisors.

Thomas researched how much Florida banks loaned in PPP, compared that amount to their deposits and market share, and deemed the result an indicator of “responsiveness to the community.” He found the state’s most responsive banks were Coral Gables-based Professional Bank and Miami-based City National Bank

of Florida, which keeps its executive offices in Coral Gables. The least responsive: BAC Florida, which has its sole branch on Miracle Mile, says Thomas.

Professional Bank (assets: Roughly $1.6 billion) provided over $226 million in PPP loans and City National (assets: Roughly $18 billion) loaned $1.9 billion last year, underscoring how both vie to serve small businesses locally, Thomas says. In contrast, BAC Florida (assets: Roughly $2 billion) made just one PPP loan for less than $100,000, reflecting its focus on overseas clients buying Florida property, says Thomas.

“These banks are on opposite poles in how they responded to Covid in the community,” says Thomas. He is hopeful that BAC will engage more with local borrowers under its new owner; indeed, in defense of BAC Florida, it was in the midst of being acquired by Brazil’s megabank Bradesco during the pandemic, and aims to expand offerings to, and engagement with, small businesses.

PROFESSIONAL BANK: “FIRST RESPONDERS IN FINANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESS”

Approving more than 1,500 PPP loans took a massive effort at the nearly 200-employee Professional Bank, says President and COO Abel Iglesias. The staff was already busy in early 2020, offering shares on Wall Street for the first time and completing a merger with its colleague across the street, Marquis Bank.

Yet when Covid spread and Washington authorized PPP loans, “We literally turned the bank upside down in April, May and June to accommodate clients and do our part for the community,” says Iglesias. In the end, about half of its PPP loans went to customers new to Professional, which launched in 2008. “We were kind of like the first responders in finance for small businesses,” says Iglesias proudly.

“THESE BANKS ARE ON OPPOSITE POLES IN HOW THEY RESPONDED TO COVID IN THE COMMUNITY.”

KEN THOMAS, BANK ANALYST

SOME BAD LOANS, BUT NOT TOO MANY THIS TIME

Fortunately, banks were well-capitalized when Covid hit, bolstered by new regulations and stress tests put in place after the 2008 financial crisis. They had imposed tougher standards for lending and kept bigger reserves against potentially bad loans, making them better able to withstand new blows.

That helped when one big South Florida borrower – coffee trader Coex – unexpectedly went belly up last summer, with more than $100 million in loans. Among local banks hardest hit: Coral Gables-based Amerant, formerly known as Mercantil Commercebank. Amerant charged off $19 million of its loans to Coex. That contributed to a net loss of $1.7 million last year at the publicly traded bank, reports show.

Amerant, the biggest bank based in Coral Gables (assets: Roughly $8 billion), has been diversifying for years. It’s reaching out beyond its base of longtime Venezuelan customers, who still provide nearly half its deposits. In January, the bank teamed up with veteran Florida real estate executives to launch Amerant Mortgage, expanding aggressively in the area of home loans.

In February, Gerald “Jerry” Plush, a longtime board member, became its new CEO. He succeeds veteran chief Millar Wilson, who led the bank’s spinoff from Venezuela’s Mercantil group and its 2018 stock sale on Wall Street. Among his plans: Raise awareness of the Amerant brand.

HOW FAST WILL FLORIDA’S ECONOMY RECOVER?

Plush takes over Amerant as banks face uncertainty over the economy. Florida is benefiting from an influx of companies and residents from higher-tax New York, California and Illinois, now that remote work makes geography less important for business. But the state’s vital hospitality industry – especially hotels and restaurants – continues to suffer from a serious drop in travel and dining out.

How quickly Florida’s market revives depends partly on how fast U.S. residents get vaccinated. Many bankers see the economy gaining steam as 2021 progresses, and they’re preparing now to offer loans to local businesses for working capital and other needs. The banks are flush with deposits, because many customers socked away cash during Covid that they did not spend on outings or clothes.

City National Bank, the largest bank based in South Florida, just added six veteran commercial bankers, and it’s hiring, as lending picks up. “Today, the regional economy is improving, and [City National’s] pandemic-induced loan deferments have been reduced by more than 90 percent,” says Gonzalez. “We are very optimistic about 2021.”

Lloyd DeVaux, president and CEO of Palmetto Bay-based Sunstate Bank (assets: Roughly $500 million), is upbeat, too – even for tourism, once Covid vaccines are more widely distributed.

“I see huge pent-up demand,” says DeVaux, whose bank has a Coral Gables branch. “People are yearning to go on vacation. They’re yearning to travel and go places, go to restaurants. They’re going to get out of the house and spend money. There’s going to be a strong recovery, and Miami is going to benefit.”

BUSINESS WON’T LOOK THE SAME POST-COVID: SMALLER OFFICES?

Yet one thing’s for sure: Business and the economy won’t work the same after Covid, says de la Aguilera. He sees the changes among attorneys. Before Covid, many law firms had spacious, well-appointed offices with lobbies and conference rooms. Now, partners and

“WE LITERALLY TURNED THE BANK UPSIDE DOWN IN APRIL, MAY AND JUNE TO ACCOMMODATE CLIENTS AND DO OUR PART FOR THE COMMUNITY.”

ABEL IGLESIAS, PRESIDENT AND COO, PROFESSIONAL BANK

BANKS BASED IN CORAL GABLES

*Professional merged with Coral Gables-based Marquis Bank in early 2020.

Florida was purchased in late 2020 by Brazil’s Bradesco Bank. Source: Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC). Deposits are for all offices of each bank, not only the offices in Coral Gables.

staff from firms work mostly from home, using online tools. Law firms sense an opportunity to save lots on rent post-Covid.

“Businesses are looking at things differently. They’re re-assessing the need for so many square feet of office space,” says de la Aguilera. “And they’re evaluating the need to have so much staff on site.”

Customers also are seeking more digital tools. U.S. Century (assets: $1.6 billion) is rolling out a new website, new mobile banking app and new treasury app for businesses this year, de la Aguilera says.

City National already has added “contactless debit cards and conversational banking with Alexa” to its tech offerings, says CEO Gonzalez. And it’s meeting customer demand for stricter health standards, adding everything from “proximity bracelets to ensure social distancing, to an elevated A/C filtration system that helps prevent the spread of Covid-19 and plexiglass barriers throughout all spaces,” says Gonzalez.

BANKING CONSOLIDATION CONTINUES, COULD ACCELERATE

New technology, health measures and compliance with tighter banking rules all cost big money. That’s fueling consolidation, as banks seek to spread costs over a bigger base. Covid did not halt mergers already in progress, although negotiations for some new deals were put on hold, executives say.

Among unions just completed: City National – owned by one of Chile’s biggest banks – finalized its purchase of Miami’s Executive National Bank (assets: Roughly $455 million). And Brazil’s Bradesco sealed its first U.S. acquisition: Buying BAC Florida in a deal unveiled in 2019 at a $500 million price tag.

CORAL GABLES: AFFLUENT, FULL OF BUSINESSES, ACCESSIBLE

Coral Gables remains a favored site for consolidation and banking generally. That’s because the nearly century-old city is affluent, hosting lots of businesses, multinational companies, consulates and highincome residents. It’s centrally located near Downtown Miami and Miami International Airport. And it offers strong quality of life, with a walkable downtown, leafy neighborhoods and waterfront living.

First American Bank set up in the city in 2014 by purchasing the one-branch Bank of Coral Gables. The Illinois-based bank had been serving customers in Florida from afar, catering to many family-owned businesses active in export-import. Soon, the bank snapped up a bigger prize: Miami’s Continental National Bank, with five branches. Last fall, Florida President Hagan moved First American’s headquarters to a larger space: 540 Biltmore Way across from City Hall, opting for no teller lines.

“Florida has more export-import business, more entrepreneurship and lower taxes than many U.S. areas,” says Hagan, explaining why First American (assets: Over $5 billion in Illinois, Wisconsin and Florida) opened in the Sunshine State. “And we appreciate a community like Coral Gables that supports and encourages new and growing businesses.” The challenge then for community banks is how best to shape their high-tech, high-touch strategy, combining digital tools with personal relationships. It’s that human touch that distinguishes brick and mortar banks from online-only rivals such as Quicken Loans, says de la Aguilera. “We know our customers. Our credit decisions are taking into consideration more than an algorithm. We’re also looking at the character of the individual,” says de la Aguilera. “And in my 39 years in banking, character still counts.”

The lesson for banks - and maybe for all of us - from the pandemic and growing competition? “Be flexible and learn to adapt,” says Hagan. “You have to be ready to change.” ■

“FLORIDA HAS MORE EXPORTIMPORT BUSINESS, MORE ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND LOWER TAXES THAN MANY U.S. AREAS.”

BRIAN HAGAN, PRESIDENT, FIRST AMERICAN BANK

For the Love of Books

The dark tones of the walls, the millwork, the marble fireplace – all enhance the feeling of warmth in the library of Dr. Edmund and Mrs. Elizabeth “Liz” Parnes’ townhouse west of downtown Coral Gables. Both are advocates of historic preservation, so the oldworld feeling fits the bill.

“We had lived previously in a beautiful Coral Gables historic home, with an extensive library,” says Dr. Parnes, a retired oral surgeon. “Books are a very important part of our life. We both knew that even though we were rightsizing our space in our new home, a library would still remain a featured room.”

In addition to their historic inclinations (Dr. Parnes is on the board of the Dade Heritage Trust), both Parnes are Merrick Society donors to the Coral Gables Community Foundation, where Liz is also a board member.

“The ‘Library Bar’ is the first stop when guests join us for cocktails,” says Elizabeth. “Having a fireplace and a charming bar, our current library is a very cozy and welcoming space. We spend a considerable amount of time in this room… Having the light stream in during the day and city lights in the evening, make this room a very special place to relax, listen to wonderful music, sip cocktails and enjoy a good book.”

THE LIBRARY IS AMONG THE PARNES’ FAVORITE SPACES

PHOTO BY RODOLFO BENITEZ

What $1.25 Million Will Buy in Coral Gables

Coral Gables continues to be a seller’s market, with an evershrinking inventory of homes. At the end of February, there were just 202 houses on the market, compared to 614 in February 2008. The condo market also shrank, from 429 to 189 units. “This is the least number of homes for sale since we started

keeping records 15 years ago,” says Ron Shuffield, president and CEO of BHHS/EWM Realty, who supplied these numbers. The sweet spot for inventory is homes just over $1 million. To see what $1.25 million would buy today, we asked three real estate agents to submit one of their homes in that price range.

Urban Condo

642 VALENCIA AVE.

Listing Price

$1.275m

3 bed/3.5 bath/2,264 sq. ft.

Just blocks from the downtown, this oversized condominium has elegant finishes, including marble and wooden floors. European style kitchen, plus open living and dining area with balcony providing lots of natural light. The master suite has a private balcony, walk-in closets and spa-like bath. Additional features include a private elevator and impact windows. Listing Agent: Michael Martinez (ONE Sotheby’s International Realty), 305.979.9367

Listing Price $1.395m

3 bed/3.5 bath/2,976 sq. ft.

Located across from the tennis courts and playing fields of University Park, this elegant townhouse built in 2014 has 10-foot ceilings and an 800-square foot central private terrace. Marble floors throughout and a two-car garage with electric charging station add to amenities that include a gourmet kitchen and Smart House technology. Listing Agent: Alicia Constain (Coldwell Banker Realty), 305.310.6000

Listing Price

$1.250m

Historic Home

1301 ASTURIA AVE.

3 bed/3 bath/2,455 sq. ft.

Half a block from the southern edge of the Granada Golf Course, this historic home (built in 1928) has an updated kitchen and updated master bath, with impact windows and doors throughout. Preserved are the original old Spanish details, including a sublimely high living room ceiling with fireplace. Lush landscaping with garage and office. Listing Agents: Laura Mullaney & Jane Gomez-Mena (BHHS/EWM Realty), 305.790.1000 & 305.491.6485.

UP FOR A EXPERIENCE

Here, an outdoor brunch can lead to finding the perfect gift for mom, dad’s favorite cigars and running into an improptu jazz quartet. COME EXPERIENCE CORAL GABLES.

A STAR IS BORN

BY ANDREW GAYLE

Every so often a restaurant opens that is so perfect in execution and so right for its time, that it becomes an overnight hit. That is case for Luca Osteria, the new star on Giralda Plaza, suddenly the hippest place to hang in the neighborhood.

The brainchild of locally renowned chef Giorgio Rapicavoli, Luca is an Italian restaurant, but not in the traditional sense of meals boisterously served, with lots of tomato sauce. Think more of a sophisticated eatery on a side street in Milan or Rome, with a simple, rotating menu based on whatever is freshly in season, customers sipping Campari on the rocks.

Rapicavoli has already earned himself a spot in the pantheon of chef-driven Gables restaurants with his Eating House. That creative take on American, Latin and Italian dishes (fried chicken and waffles with maple candied bacon, pork belly croquetas, pasta carbonara with black truffles) continues to draw a steady clientele to its location on north Ponce.

Luca Osteria displays a whole new level of sophistication, and in a far more central location. “The Eating House is what I was cooking at 26. This is what I am cooking at 35,” says Rapicavoli. “I wanted something ‘forward’ then. Now I just want a good plate of food.”

For that, says Rapicavoli –whose mother and grandmother still live in Italy – you have to follow the Italian mantra that quality ingredients mean everything. “It comes down to simple, inventive dishes that are light, zesty, adventures into what street Italian food is all about: Simple, super fresh ingredients,” he says. “If you can’t get something fresh,

you change the menu.”

So far, Rapicavoli has followed his own dictates, adding a dish to the menu when he comes across a source of “incredible mushrooms,” for example, or dropping another when a source runs dry (he canceled his thick, toasted slice of bread with truffle honey and hazelnuts when the Lardo de Calonnata ingredient, pork backfat from a small Italian purveyor, ran out).

What hasn’t left the menu are a core selection of pastas and entrees that show just how light and inventive Rapicavoli’s cooking is, along with an equally inventive array of antipasti (appetizers). Among the antipasti we sampled was a Patate Fritte, a plate of small, round spring potatoes in a foam of creamy parmigiano with egg yolk and black truffle sauce. Simple yet stupendous, and visually appealing. We also tried the Lardo (it had not yet run out), with its deeply satisfying, crunchy layers of flavor. Like its sister antipasti (peasant toast with pistachio and fig balsamic), the bread comes from the Sullivan Street bakery in Little Haiti, the new rival to Zak the Baker for local, artisanal loaves.

Among the pasta dishes we tried what is already a favorite on the menu: Pasta Al Limione, a tagliatelle with creamy Parmigiano Reggiano and a “whole lemon.” Right up the alley of tasty, light and zesty. We offset that with the Mare e Monti, a bigoli pasta with spicy pork sausage from Calabria, semidried tomato, pecorino cheese and salted, cured fish roe from Sardinia. A nice hint of heat and saltiness, done perfectly al dente.

We tried two entrees, the grilled monkfish and the chicken

TOP CHEF GIORGIO RAPICAVOLI SAYS, “IF YOU CAN’T GET SOMETHING FRESH, YOU CHANGE THE MENU.”

ABOVE & OPPOSITE : THERE IS AMPLE SEATING OUTSIDE ON GIRALDA PLAZA, OR INSIDE AT THE BAR OR TABLES.

LUCA OSTERIA

116 GIRALDA AVE. 305.381.5097

‘Al Mottone.’ Both were fresh and juicy in their flavors, and both were balanced by a grilled green leafy vegetable (fennel for the fish, gem lettuce for the chicken). The monkfish, which has a flavor akin to lobster, was laced with Castelvetrano olives and finished with a smokey olive oil. The organic chicken, marinated in garlic, oil and oregano, had a tasty grilled crust and came in a pool of bagnetto verde sauce (think creamy chimichurri).

No less delightful were the desserts, especially the vanilla panna cotta, which came in a light pool of Aperol caramel and dressed with slices of grapefruit and blood orange. It took the classic creamy panna cotta to another level of refined – and divine – flavor.

OPPOSITE TOP: PATATE FRITTE. SMALL, ROUND SPRING POTATOES IN A FOAM OF CREAMY PARMIGIANO WITH EGG YOLK AND BLACK TRUFFLE SAUCE.

MIDDLE: PASTA AL LIMIONE, A TAGLIATELLE WITH CREAMY PARMIGIANO REGGIANO AND LEMON.

BOTTOM: GRILLED MONKFISH WITH CASTELVETRANO OLIVES AND FINISHED WITH A SMOKEY OLIVE OIL.

All of this is served by a crackerjack staff in a setting that offers seating outside on Giralda Plaza, or inside at the bar or tables, in what feels like a friendly and popular neighborhood osteria. Which it is. We also loved, besides the reasonable prices, the selection of Italian aperitivi – prosecco, Campari and Cinzano. Now you, too, can sip a Negroni Sour like Hemmingway sitting in Harry’s Bar in Venice, circa 1947. You just might have to make a reservation first in this epitome of cool, casual elegance. ■

GIORGIO RAPICAVOLI’S NEW CREATION ON GIRALDA PLAZA IS AN INSTANT SUCCESS

THE TOP 32 OUTDOOR RESTAURANTS

Usually our dining guide is a listing of the finest restaurants Coral Gables has to offer, sorted by types of cuisine. Once the coronavirus forced dining rooms to shut down, we switched to listing restaurants that were offering takeout options, then those with outdoors dining. Even though indoor dining is allowed again, we’re sticking with our listing of outdoor dining, which feels like a safer bet when venturing out. We list the best establishments that have al fresco dining in some form or another.

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

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

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

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

Prices are per person for appetizer and entrée, no tax, tip or drinks. Prices are approximate.

AMERICAN

Bachour

Known for their pastries, Bachour also serves innovative breakfast and lunch items in their expansive courtyard, which has plenty of outdoor seating options and a constant breeze circulating fresh air throughout. $ - $$ 2020 Salzedo St. 305.203.0552

Doc B’s

With some of the nicest outdoor seating on the Mile, this American eatery has the best fried chicken in the Gables, along with wok bowls and a popular shredded brussels sprout salad – not to mention cinnamon swirl pancakes. $$ 301 Miracle Mile 786.864.1220

Seasons 52

The restaurant itself is massive –especially for a space on Miracle Mile – which means they have plenty of sidewalk real estate. Their desserts alone are worth the visit. $$ 321 Miracle Mile 305.442.8552

Titanic Restaurant and Brewery

The venerable brewery/restaurant next to the University of Miami has teamed up with the university to create outdoor seating on picnic tables in a big yard behind the restaurant. $-$$ 5813 Ponce de

Leon Blvd. 305.667.2537

Yard House

Plenty of outdoor patio seating under umbrellas in the courtyard of The Shops at Merrick Park lets you enjoy their extensive American menu with lots of Asian twists (garlic noodles, Korean ribs, etc.) $-$$ 320 San Lorenzo Ave. 305.447.9273

ASIAN

Kao Sushi & Grill

This Miracle Mile eatery has a plethora of tables outside, from tables out on the sidewalk to the entrance-way alcove. Amazing deals on rolls and their Peruvian chaufa fried rice. $$ 127 Miracle Mile 786.864.1212

Khaosan Road

Formerly Bangkok, Bangkok, this Giralda Plaza mainstay – has reinvented itself as the new home for Thai street food. Think you know Thai food? Be prepared for new and delicious tastes. $$ 157 Giralda Plaza 305.444.2397

Malakor Thai Isaan

Malakor prides itself on authentic, tasty Thai food (pork skewers with sticky rice, great pad Thai and Thai curries). Now they have tables on the Mile. $$ 90 Miracle Mile 786.558.4862

Miss Saigon

Being on Giralda Plaza, Miss Saigon has plenty of seating for excellent, healthy Vietnamese fare. You can’t beat their special pho or their fried seafood rolls. A favorite in the Gables. $$ 148 Giralda Ave. 305.446.8006

Mint Leaf

Their al fresco eating in the alcove could only accommodate six people with three two-person tables. Now they have added more for their excellent south Indian cuisine. $$ 276 Alhambra Circle 305.443.3739

Moon Thai

With lots of tables and an umbrella at each, this is a great spot to eat outside if you don’t mind the noise from U.S. 1. Highly recommend: The Japanese house salad (who doesn’t love ginger dressing?) and anything duck. $ - $$ 1118 S. Dixie Hwy. 305.668.9890

Sawa Restaurant & Lounge

Sawa has some of the prettiest outdoor seating at the Shops at Merrick park, with a reflecting pool, greenery and umbrellas – along with Sawa’s parallel Lebanese-Japanese menu. Daily fresh hummus and inventive rolls.

$$-$$$ 360 San Lorenzo Ave. 305.447.6555

SEAFOOD

Gringo’s Oyster Bar

A shrine for fresh seafood with the tastiest oysters you will find anywhere (as they should be at $3 each). Also, great lobster rolls. Seating in an alleyway on the side of the restaurant with overhead fans, plus out front. $$ - $$$ 1549 Sunset Dr. 305.284.9989.

Mesa Mar Seafood Table

Is this the best seafood place in the Gables? Their customers think so, with super fresh local fish that is heightened by a delicious, inventive overlay of oriental and

authentic Peruvian foods and beer. Add to that their cluster of tables under umbrellas on Giralda Plaza for a winning formula. $$ 160 Giralda Ave. 786.360.3775

La Taberna Giralda

Only a few tables out front on the sidewalk, but a spacious, lovely courtyard out back. From tapas to paella, great Spanish food and wine, and amazing lunch specials. $$ 254 Giralda Ave. 786.362.5677

Talavera Cocina Mexicana

Latin flavors. Dinner only, in tables along Giralda. $$$ 264 Giralda Ave. 305.640.8448.

Red Fish by Chef Adrianne

The only waterfront restaurant in the Gables, Red Fish was reborn last year after being closed for years from hurricane damage. With the addition of Chef Adrianne, the menu presents a stellar display of gourmet seafood. $$$$ 9610 Old Cutler Rd. 305.668.8788

LATIN & SPANISH

Bellmónt Spanish Restaurant

Their new al fresco seating on Miracle Mile is the perfect way to enjoy their very authentic Spanish food (including the world’s best cured ham). $$$ 339 Miracle Mile 786.502.4684

Buenos Aires Bistro

Every table has wide, cushioned chairs and couches, under the arches of the Colonnade building. Perfect for relaxing with a cool cocktail, or dining on their Argentine grill – or healthy quinoa and salmon bowl. $$ - $$$ 180 Aragon Ave. 786.409.5121

Bulla Gastrobar

Bulla has created a pleasant outdoor space on Andalusia, surrounded by large planters, so guests can enjoy their great selection of Spanish tapas al fresco. Also superb sangrias. $$ 2500 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 786.810.6215

Divino Ceviche

Divino takes ceviche to another level, along with lots of other

The only Mexican restaurant in Coral Gables also happens to be its best, with plenty of seating on Giralda Plaza. All your Mexican favorites plus some off-beat authentic dishes, like iguana soup. $-$$ 2299 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.444.2955

STEAK

Morton’s the Steakhouse Morton’s in the Gables is not just another Morton’s. Its setting in the Colonnade gives it a unique elegance with outdoor seating under the arches. Prime aged beef,

excellent salads. $$$ 2233 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.442.1662

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse

Fantastic aged steaks, a seafood tower that won’t quit, and a wine cellar that appears to have no end of its depth – and now tables wrapped around the building, under arches, if you wish to eat outside. $$$ - $$$$ 2525 Ponce de Leon Bvld. 305.569.7995

Perry’s Steakhouse

In the battle for the hearts of steak lovers, Perry’s also brings it with the world’s biggest pork chop and surprisingly good salad entrees. Lots of outdoor seating at the Shops at Merrick Park. $$$$ 4251 Salzedo St. 786.703.9094

FRENCH & ITALIAN

Brasserie Central

This little slice of Parisian bistro is a tad pricey but top quality. Plus, in addition to seating in the vast Shops at Merrick Park courtyard, they have more tables in the San Lorenzo Avenue underpass for when the rain comes. $$$ 320 San Lorenzo Ave. 786.536.9388

Fiola

This upscale Italian restaurant offers intimate al fresco dining with tables tucked away on the side of the building facing San Ignacio Avenue or street-side under a tent. Expensive but brilliant cuisine. $$$$ 1500 San Ignacio Avenue 305.912.2639

Salumeria 104

You can sit underneath the alcove overhang or right on the street to enjoy the best shaved Italian meats in town. And don’t miss pasta Monday! $-$$ 117 Miracle Mile 305.640.5547

Villagio

One of the most popular Italian restaurants in town, with lots of outdoor seating in the Shops at Merrick Park courtyard and down the “tunnel” of San Lorenzo Avenue. Great apple pie dessert. $$-$$$ 358 San Lorenzo Ave. 305.447.8144

MISCELLANEOUS

Bay 13 Brewery and Kitchen

Yes, it’s largely Australian pub food – salmon Rangoon, chicken

skewers, meat pies, fish & chips –but the setting is spectacular and the beer unbeatable at this newest hot spot. $$ 65 Alhambra Plaza. 786.452.0935

Fritz and Franz Bierhaus

Massive outdoor patio on Merrick Way for German fare and beer. Enjoy schnitzel and Weissbier in a two-liter boot, sans fear of getting infected with COVID. $$ 60 Merrick Way 305.774.1883

Mamey

This new restaurant offers a creative mix of Caribbean, Polynesian and Thai gastronomy. There is also massive outdoor seating so you can comfortably sample its fascinating new taste palate. $$$ At the Thēsis Hotel, 1350 S. Dixie Highway. 305.667.5611

Tur Kitchen

This relative newcomer to the Gables has a wonderfully inventive menu of Mediterranean cuisine, including excellent lamb and Aegean seafood dishes. Elegant seating under the arches along Giralda. $$$-$$$$ 259 Giralda Ave. 786.483.8014

BACHOUR

This Old House

This Spanish style home in the Coral Way Historic District, on the corner of Coral Way and Granada Boulevard, was designed by Phineas Paist in 1925. An architect who worked for George Merrick, Paist designed and collaborated with other architects to create cottages, houses and some of the city’s most important landmarks, including the Douglas Entrance (1924), the Colonnade Building (1926) and City Hall (1928). Photo by Alice Goldhagen.

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