Coral Gables Magazine November 2022

CORAL GABLES

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE RESTAURANTS OF CORAL GABLES

Plastic Surgery Combos

Patients occasionally inquire about having multiple procedures at the same time. Their motivation includes limited time for more than one surgery, avoidance of multiple recoveries, as well as potential cost savings.

Some surgeries lend themselves readily to a combo aesthetically, such as a facelift with an eyelid or brow lift, since they are within the same anatomical area. Others might include a tummy tuck and a breast augmentation, one variant of the “mommy makeover”. Some combos however, such as a tummy tuck along with significant liposuction, can increase risks, like blood clots.

The principal priority for any cosmetic surgery must always be safety. Time and cost efficiencies may be important but not at the expense of safety. Suffering a potentially preventable complication can erase any desired time efficiency or cost savings.

Combining procedures thus comes down to a careful consideration of individual medical risks versus aesthetic benefits. This depends on your overall medical condition and the length and type of anesthesia.

It is generally prudent to limit cosmetic surgery to around four to five hours. Medical risks tend to gradually increase thereafter, as well as the length of your recovery. Also, it is worth noting that creating aesthetically optimal results requires significant surgeon energy and focus. Attention to detail takes time and having to rush through multiple procedures to limit the time under anesthesia can adversely affect your aesthetic outcome.

So, for both medical and aesthetic reasons, combining multiple procedures into one surgery requires careful individual patient evaluation and discussion. Often it is wiser to separate time intensive surgeries into two stages, such as a breast reduction/lift (usually three hours) and a tummy tuck (also about three hours), separated by a few months. That reduces the probability for complications and optimizes aesthetic outcomes, while allowing your body to recover from one procedure at a time.

Safe and happy outcomes in cosmetic surgery requires sound surgical judgment, extensive training, and experience. As always, research your procedure(s) and your plastic surgeon, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, carefully before proceeding.

principal priority

You may know Brian R. Exelbert from his 20 plus years in South Florida as a respected Wealth Advisor with Bermont Carlin Wealth Management, a Barron’s Top 100 Private Wealth Management team at Morgan Stanley. What you may not know is how much time Brian has spent giving back to the local Miami-Dade community. Brian, a native of South Florida, now residing in Coconut Grove is a Founding Partner of Wings for Wishes. Since inception, Wings for Wishes has raised over $1,500,000 with 100% benefiting the Make-A-Wish Southern Florida Chapter. The event is an annual wing eating and tasting competition, which last year boasted the likes of legendary food competitor Joey Chestnut.

When we asked Brian why he was so passionate about this event and assisting Make-A-Wish he said, “The Organization is special in the sense that you directly see the impact of your philanthropy and get to see a child smile, and see their family take a deep breath during a time of pain and suffering. Often these wishes are a turning point in a child’s life and playing some small part in this makes me determined to try and make a difference.”

Similarly, when we asked Brian why he enjoys being a Wealth Advisor he said, “I really enjoy helping people achieve their wishes and goals and assisting them in planning for their future and their legacy.”

Source: Barrons.com (April, 2022). Barron’s Top 100 Private Wealth Management Teams bases its ratings on qualitative criteria: professionals with a minimum of seven years of financial services experience, acceptable compliance records, client retention reports, customer satisfaction, and more. Financial Advisors are quantitatively rated based on varying types of revenues and assets advised by the financial professional, with weightings associated for each. Because individual client portfolio performance varies and is typically unaudited, this rating focuses on customer satisfaction and quality of advice. The rating may not be representative of any one client’s experience because it reflects a sample of all the experiences of the Financial Advisor’s clients. The rating is not indicative of the Financial Advisor’s past or future performance.

Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors pay a fee to Barron’s in exchange for the rating. Barron’s is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company, L.P. All rights reserved.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 4885786 8/22.

Brian R. Exelbert and family with the donation raised for the Make-A-Wish® Foundation.

...Often these wishes are a turning point in a child’s life...

ALL THERE IS TO EAT

The restaurant scene in Coral Gables is a defining element of the city. Here, then, is our survey of all the places where you can eat: A Complete Guide to the Restaurants of Coral Gables (all 157 of them).

THE NEW CHEFS OF CORAL GABLES

The city has become a hot spot for critically acclaimed chefs. We spoke with three of them about the visions for their new restaurants and the Coral Gables fine dining scene as 2023 approaches.

THE POWER OF ONE

Growing up as the daughter of a trailblazing Florida feminist and Coral Gables community activist, Bonnie Bolton learned early the power of persistence. She now leads the fight to save a historic Gables church garden from being bulldozed for condominums.

In The Garden of Good and Evil

Anyone who looks at a zoning map for Coral Gables knows that the northern part of the city is ultimately doomed to become a neighborhood of multi-story, multi-family housing. Already the old, affordable two-story duplexes there, so charming and small, are giving way to 10-story condo and apartment buildings.

In our story The Power of One (page 64), we take issue with one of those projects, the plans to level the old St. James Church and Garden of Our Lord across the street from the historic Coral Gables Woman’s Club.

Yes, there are already multi-family dwellings in the area, though most are modest twoand three- story buildings that retain most of the canopy. And in their midst is the old church and its grounds, heavy with ancient trees and dense foliage, like a botanical garden. The swales, too, have old oak trees with hanging Spanish moss; reportedly these will be lost as well.

Developers have rights, which we understand. There is the concept of “as of right,” which means a developer can build according to existing zoning. In the case of the church, however, it is zoned for religious purposes, so the city commission will have to re-zone it to permit a 10-story mixed-use complex that will include 177 condos, 16 ground floor live-work units, and

more than 300 parking places. What is now a very green, leafy, quiet section of the neighborhood, a veritable oasis in the urban fabric, will be forever lost.

Standing up against the developer is one lone inhabitant, Bonnie Bolton, who is trying to get the city’s Historic Preservation Board to review whether the Garden of the Lord itself –not even the church building – deserves historic consideration. An earlier appeal to Warren Adams, director of Historical Resources and Cultural Arts, was rejected by him. Not entirely surprising, since Adams early on indicated that he would not push as aggressively for historic preservation as his predecessor Donna Spain.

In a city that is fighting to expand its network of urban parks, it will be stunning if the commission allows a developer to swallow up one of the last beautiful green spaces in the North Gables, not even affording a compromise solution to preserve some of it. For the price the developer paid for the property, even building on half of it would yield an enormous profit. Only greed requires its entire elimination.

Cover: Short rib steak and roast vegetables at TUR restaurant on Giralda Avenue.

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Coral Gables Magazine is published monthly by City Regional Media, 1200 Anastasia Ave. Suite 115, Coral Gables FL 33134. Telephone: (305) 995-0995. Copyright 2022 by City Regional Media. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without prior written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Send address changes to subscriptions@coralgablesmagazine. com. General mailbox email and letters to editor@coralgablesmagazine.com.

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WE THOUGHT TREES WERE SACRED IN THE GABLES –NOT TO MENTION CHURCHES

At the Garden of Our Lord: Inside and Outside the Walls

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

A City for Seniors

A recent letter in the Miami Herald complained that Coral Gables does not have a proper senior citizens center. I was surprised and disappointed that the Herald did not correct this erroneous claim and so I hope that Coral Gables Magazine will set the record straight.

Since retiring from my full-time job at UM eight years ago, I have been a member of the C.G. Adult Activity Center on Andalusia Avenue, and I would say that I am even busier now than when I was working! In addition to a wide selection of exercise classes including Pilates, pickleball, line dancing and Zumba, I am also involved in French lessons, as well as Spanish. If I had more time, I could also play advanced bridge, take drawing and painting classes, or participate in current events discussion groups.

Coral Gables seniors are truly blessed to have all the activities offered at the city’s spacious and modern AAC facilities.

Jude Alexander

Cool Cats

I enjoyed your recent Dog issue [October 2022], as I did last year and the year before. I am waiting for the Cat issue! Cat people are cool. We are unleashed and unchained. We are a proud cat neighborhood and we adore our cats.

Carrot, the black and white cat at 625 Altara Ave

A Digital Divide

In reference to “Merrick to Go 3-D” in the From City Hall section [October 2022], Coral Gables Museum board member Chip Withers is quoted as saying that residents and museum goers “just don’t want to see an artifact...” With all due respect, that statement is an opinion, not based on fact. According to research, “seeing the real thing” has been identified as one particularly satisfying visitor experience in museums and exhibitions (Cameron & Gatewood, 2003; Pekarik, Doering, & Karns, 1999). For example, the Louvre in Paris – a museum of

artifacts – is the number one museum in the world. People want to see the “real thing.”

It is precisely because historical artifacts matter that the “historic activists argued that the display [Merrick exhibit] should not be changed.” The Merrick exhibit “Creating the Dream” – a permanent exhibition as per museum documents – was the principal building block when public funds were appropriated for establishing the new Coral Gables Museum. Adding a virtual “wow” component should complement the physical Merrick collection, but not replace it.

Dr. Karelia Martinez Carbonell, preservation advocate

Naked Heads

...after publishing my letter a few months ago pointing out the photo you ran of people riding bicycles without helmets, you run another photo in the [September] issue on page 26 of people riding bicycles without helmets.

Aaron Philipson

Thank you for believing in Baptist Health Foundation

We wish to express our tremendous gratitude to the donors who have provided a gift of $1 million or more this year in support of Baptist Health. Your philanthropic commitment has made a significant impact on the well-being of our patients, healthcare professionals and communities. We honor your vision for a stronger and healthier South Florida.

Anonymous

Anonymous

Anonymous

Abbhi Family Foundation

Sally E. Bauer, M.D.

Trish & Dan Bell

BMI

Miguel B. Fernandez Family Foundation

IVFMD / Juergen G. Eisermann, M.D.

The Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation

The Donald C. McGraw Foundation

Robert T. & Eva Neuwelt

Mayer & Samira Saad

Stewart & Susan Satter

Harold & Miriam Seybert

The Nateman Family

Buddy Wilton & Shay Doll

Streetwise

Talk of the Town Page 22

A GABLES CHRISTMAS TRADITION BEGAN IN 1987, WHEN THE DEVELOPERS OF THE 550 BUILDING DECIDED TO ERECT A 32-FOOT POINSETTIA “TREE” AND HAVE STUDENT CAROLERS SING IN FRONT OF IT.

From City Hall

AT ITS TWO MEETINGS IN OCTOBER, THE CORAL GABLES CITY COMMISSION:

Going Underground

Voted 5-0 for an ordinance requiring that property owners cooperate with FPL’s program to underground power lines to homes, along with getting rid of redundant poles and equipment on poles.

Goodbye Gondola Poles

Voted unanimously to remove the artistically painted gondola poles now on downtown city streets, to make the sidewalks easier to navigate for pedestrians. “They are in the public right of way, so we can remove them” said City Manager Peter Iglesias. The poles, which are the property of various individuals and businesses, will be moved to city storage on 72nd Avenue for retrieval by their owners.

Trash Bonanza

Listened to a presentation by the city’s sustainability officer Matt Anderson on the latest recycling day at City Hall (Saturday, Oct. 22). A total of 10,074 pounds of electronics was collected, along with 2,400 pounds of gently used clothing for Camillus House. Several tons of hazardous waste were also collected. The next recycling day is scheduled for early 2023.

Food Trucks Be Gone

Voted 5-0 to finalize Mayor Vince Lago’s new city ordinance that restricts the deployment of food trucks to 15 minutes in residential areas or construction sites with the exception of schools and churches. Also, none are now permitted with 500 feet of a restaurant.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Voted 5-0 to finalize the city’s new ordinance permitting metal roofs on houses except in historic areas.

Dog Park Progress

Rejected a proposition by Commissioner Rhonda Anderson that the plans to create an off-leash area at Catalonia Park be stopped. Anderson said that other alternatives would soon be available and that large rocks in the park endangered dogs. After a group of citizens supporting the dog area presented a petition by 200 residents in favor, vs. 16 who opposed, Anderson’s fellow commissioners decided not to reverse their previous decision to move forward with the leash-free zone in the park, which could be ready within a month. It will be the city’s first off-leash area, followed by one at 1505 Ponce de Leon Blvd. (by year’s end) and one at Salvadore Park (early 2023).

A New Cuisine

Voted 5-0 to give a lease to Francesco Restaurant for 278 Miracle Mile, former home of Ortanique. The space, adjacent to the Miracle Theatre, will be leased for seven years, with two optional renewals for five years each. Chef Franco, who previously ran restaurants in Lima, Mexico City, and Coral Gables (from 2001 to 2016), will bring a fusion of Peruvian highland and Sardinian cuisine. A $1.45 million build-out will take one year. “It’s something new, not just another Italian restaurant,” said City Manager Peter Iglesias – not that there is anything wrong with Italian food – who recommended the deal from eight submitted proposals.

Pickle Ball Now

Spent almost a full hour discussing the importance of pickleball for Coral Gables, listening to options from staff to expand the number of courts available (just five, citywide), and to the input from pickleball mad citizens pushing for more courts without delay.

Home Field Advantage

Voted 5-0 to give preference to Gables-based vendors in city contracts for goods and services. Sponsored by Mayor Lago.

The Battle Over the BID

In a rare show of disagreement, split their votes on dissolving the downtown Business Improvement District (BID), the landlord-funded organization which markets the downtown. Mayor Lago, Vice Mayor Michael Mena (shown above), and Commissioner Anderson voted to end it, while Commissioners Kirk Menendez and Jorge Fors voted against dissolution.

At issue was whether the BID’s election process, in which property owners can vote to continue the organization, was impacted by the Commission’s June decision to stop the month-long election two days early. “The BID has done a phenomenal job, year after year,” said Commissioner Menendez, concerned that “residents who had the right to vote, who had the power to vote, were under the impression that they couldn’t.”

But Commissioners Mena and Anderson said the point was moot because the commission has the right to shut down the BID anyway. “It’s ultimately at our discretion,” said Mena, who, along with Anderson, insisted the BID did not have enough votes. Both want to discuss creating a new BID. Commissioner Fors questioned that strategy, asking, “If it’s not broken, what are we trying to fix… this organization that creates all these events we enjoy year after year?”

Mayor Lago insisted the city could execute the BID’s holiday events. “I’m sure that our staff can handle a pumpkin patch,” he said. “This is not Disney.”

The funding for those events is the real question, said Mena. City Manager Peter Iglesias wants the BID to finish all its downtown holiday events, then turn over any remaining cash to the city. The commission also voted 3-2 to sue the BID if it did not cooperate. As of press time, these issues had not been resolved. ■

MENA: THEY DIDN’T HAVE THE VOTES

Talk of the Town

The Sound of Holiday Music

Buddy the Elf once said, “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” So, what better way to get in the holiday spirit than listening to the 36th annual Merrick Festival Caroling Competition? The week-long event, which festival executive director Sally Baumgartner calls “the best kept secret in Coral Gables,” will this year bring 30 choruses from Miami-Dade high schools to the steps of the 550 Building on Biltmore Way. There, between the lion statues that flank the entrance, the students will compete to win $20,000 in cash prizes for their school music departments. The singing starts at 7 pm each night, from Wednesday Nov. 30 to Saturday Dec. 3, and then from 3 pm to 5:30 pm Sunday Dec. 4.

The Gables Christmas tradition began in 1987, when the developers of the building, Al Sakolsky and Ed McBride, decided to erect a 32-foot poinsettia “tree” consisting of a metal frame decorated with 1,200 poinsettia plants (see pg. 19). As he signed the check, Sakolsky reportedly said, “If I’m spending $20,000 on a Christmas tree, I want to at least have kids singing carols in front of it.” Over the years, the building’s different owners, including the CGI Merchant Group that purchased it in 2019, have continued the tradition. Since it began, the Merrick Festival has donated over $500,000 to school music programs, using funds from a wide range of public and private donors. “If you take the time to listen, these talented kids will blow you away,” says Baumgartner. “It really is a beautiful event.” For more information go to: carolingcompetition.org.

Manifest Destiny?

If you look at a map of Coral Gables, you will see two rectangular pieces of unincorporated Miami-Dade County that cut into its flanks. One is south of Sunset, the Ponce-Davis neighborhood. The other is Little Gables, a missing tooth on the north end of the city, bounded by Salzedo, Mendoza, Cortez and SW 8th Street. Over the years the city has made several attempts to annex Little Gables; the last time was three and a half years ago, when the county rejected the effort after newly elected Gables Commissioner Jorge Fors told the County Commission that Coral Gables residents did not want to annex it. At the time, absorbing the neighborhood, with its low-cost housing, would have been a financial burden.

That was then. Today, property values have soared in Little Gables. Homes that sold for $300,000 a few years ago now sell for more than a million dollars. With that stonger tax base, Mayor Vince Lago has re-ignited the annexation push. In a late August City Commission meeting, Lago proposed a resolution instructing city staff to begin gathering information about the impact of annexation on public safety, cost to the city, tax revenues – and the opinions of residents.

In the lengthy discussion that ensued, a parade of Little Gables residents urged the city to annex their 205-acre community, citing case after case of dangerously slow response from county police and fire rescue services, because the enclave is surrounded by Coral Gables and the City of Miami. One man said it took five hours to get police to his home. Karen Shane, president of the Little Gables Neighborhood Association, described how a young woman died because of slow county EMS response time. Coral Gables Police Chief Ed Hudak spoke strongly in favor of annexation since it would make protecting the city easier. “We need to square off the borders of the city, from a patrolling point of view,” he said.

Not everyone spoke in favor. Several Little Gables residents

TOP: LITTLE GABLES, SHOWN IN RED, COULD BE ANNEXED.

ABOVE: “IT’S A NO BRAINER. IT’S LITERALLY A PIECE OF THE PUZZLE THAT IS WITHIN OUR BOUNDARIES,” SAYS MAYOR VINCE LAGO.

were concerned annexation would raise their taxes and force them to adhere to Coral Gables residential design standards. The most vociferous opposition came from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue union president William McAllister, who thought the Coral Gables fire department could not handle the additional coverage, saying he was “not sure” if public safety was a priority for the mayor. This drew a strong rebuke from the commission, including Vice Mayor Mike Mena, who called the remarks “The most asinine comments I have ever heard.”

The commission voted 4-1 to invest as much as $175,000 to fund the annexation effort. Only Fors voted agaist, “becaue of the price tag.” In the end the issue will be decided by the county commission, which Mayor Lago has already lobbied. “I have had conversations with the county commissioners and I have explained to them the importance of annexation to the city,” says Lago. “It’s a no brainer. It’s literally a piece of the puzzle that is within our boundaries.” Lago, who has long railed against prostitution in the hourly motels on 8th Street in Little Gables, says, “This is an issue of public safety, number one.”

What the county commission decides may be determined by the election on Nov. 8, with seven of its 13 seats up for grabs. Fors was running for one of those seats, District 6; as of press time, the election had not taken place.

Loving Where you Work

The largest community bank headquartered in Coral Gables – actually, anywhere in the state – was just recognized by Newsweek as one of the Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces in the nation. Amerant Bank, headquartered on Alhambra Circle, came in at No. 54. The results were determined by the Best Practice Institute, based on surveys of more than 1.4 million employees at companies ranging in size from 50 to 10,000 workers. The study looked at how well companies respected and appreciated their employees, based on how workers felt. “We are truly proud,” said beaming Amerant CEO Jerry Plush after learning about the award.

A Park is Born, and Dedicated

Nothing brings Gablelites together like dedicating a new park. Despite a growling sky and rain drops that forced the crowd to open their umbrellas, about one hundred well-wishers assembled last month to witness the ribbon cutting for Lamar Louise Curry Park, on De Soto Boulevard directly across the street from the Venetian Pool. The triangular plot had long been a scruffy afterthought of city property. That was before the Coral Gables Garden Club used a donation of $200,000 left by Ms. Curry in her will for the purpose of creating a flowering park. Ms. Curry herself was a member of the Garden Club for 42 years, “a teacher, historian, storyteller and

philanthropist” according to their website. Mayor Don Slesnick, who spoke at the event, was himself a former student. “She taught history as an ongoing series of stories about human beings, not just a dry recitation,” he said, remembering a warning at the time to avoid her class because “she actually made you study.” Ms. Curry, who lived to 106, taught an estimated 6,000 students, including former Florida Gov. Bob Graham. “I think she would have been happy with this park,” said Club President Susan Rodriguez. Also speaking were Community Recreation Director Fred Couceyro, Mayor Vince Lago, former club president Betsy Tilghman, and realtor Audrey Ross. The park is planted with flowering shrubs and trees that Ms. Curry adored, including Drawf Ylang Ylang trees, yellow Royal Poincianas, Lignum Vitaes, and Red Orchid trees.

Coral Gables at the Top

Last month, Coral Gables cracked the Top 15 in three separate national lists for people looking to move or invest here. In Opendoor’s Top Family-Friendly Cities and Towns, the Gables came in at No. 11. In HomeSnacks’ Best Cities to Live in Florida in 2022, Coral Gables was No. 8 behind Key Biscayne at No. 4. And in Dottid’s Best Cities for ESG Investing, it was also No. 8. The Gables made Opendoor’s list for residential real estate based on academic excellence, small-town feel, and the great outdoors. (To be fair, they didn’t include how hard it is to find a property here.) HomeSnacks, which uses data from the Census, FBI, and other sources to professionally rank areas around the US, used metrics like median income, unemployment rate, commute time, education levels, and health insurance coverage. Dottid, meanwhile, is a commercial real estate technology platform which ranks based on ESG investing (ESG stands for Economy, Environmental, Social, and Governance). According to their website, “Coral Gables is known for its architecture and gorgeous botanic garden… and many of its well-known businesses are going green.” ■

CUTTING THE RIBBON AT CURRY PARK: FORMER MAYOR DON SLESNICK, MAYOR VINCE LAGO, FORMER MAYOR DOROTHY THOMSON, COMMISSIONER RHONDA ANDERSON, VICE MAYOR MIKE MENA, AUDREY ROSS AND SUSAN RODRIGUEZ.

CHOOSE LOWELL FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS

1132 ASTURIA AVENUE, CORAL GABLES JUST SOLD FOR $3,700,000

4,712 SF | 12,500 SF LOT | 5 BED | 7 BATH

S. LANI KAHN DRODY - REP BUYER 305.216.1550

6230 SW 79 STREET, SOUTH MIAMI JUST SOLD FOR $2,690,000

3,204 SF | 14,000 SF LOT | 5 BED | 5 BATH

S. LANI KAHN DRODY 305.216.1550

10720 SW 73 AVENUE, PINECREST JUST SOLD FOR $1,750,000

2,658 SF | 15,840 SF LOT | 4 BED | 3 BATH

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11970 SW 14 PLACE, DAVIE JUST SOLD FOR $1,907,568

4,741 SF | 36,590 SF LOT | 4 BED | 5 BATH

PATTI CECCHERINI 954.270.8569

The Collection vs Porsche

The Collection is taking on Porsche. The high-end Gables car dealership on Bird Road is suing Porsche for $300 million, alleging that the German car manufacturer attempted to coerce it into building a standalone dealership by withholding inventory allocations. The pricy lawsuit deals primarily with the Florida Dealer Protection Act, which prohibits manufacturers from forcing dealerships into opening exclusive brand stores. The Collection claims that Porsche wanted it to build a location exclusively for their brand in either Kendall or Cutler Bay, which they refused to do on the grounds that these “remote, suburban locations” would have “relatively zero market for Porsches.”

In response, Porsche withheld inventory in the form of pool cars (vehicles designated for use by employees for work duties) from the dealership. Supposedly, this reticence could end up costing The Collection

over $100 million in damages since the allocation of these vehicles is directly related to sales. Since the conflict began, the dealership has dropped down the list of American Porsche dealers from third in 2018 to 32nd as of June this year.

Porsche Cars North America COO Joe Lawrence, meanwhile, claims that this “death spiral,” as it is named in the lawsuit, is unrelated, and stems from the brand’s expansion in the U.S. and a nationwide decrease in sales. In a letter within the lawsuit documents, Lawrence also claimed that The Collection’s decision not to build a standalone Porsche location demonstrates its “unwillingness to meaningfully engage in best business practices and promote the Porsche brand.” He continues, “As a result, it should come as no surprise that we continue to withhold discretionary assignment of pool cars to The Collection.” ■

Best Bets for November

MUSIC FROM THE FROST

The Frost School of Music at the University of Miami is holding concerts all month. Of their many offerings, we recommend Orchestral Masterworks on Thurs., Nov. 10 at 7:30 pm; soprano Hilá Plitmann with the Frost Wind Ensemble on Sun., Nov. 13 at 4 pm; and “Bop and Beyond” with the Frost Studio Jazz Band on Thurs., Nov. 17 at 7:30 pm. All are at Gusman Hall. Go to news.miami. edu/frost/events for tickets and more info.

HEISENBERG

After spotting an older gentleman at a London railroad station, Georgie decides to kiss his neck, leading to an unexpected relationship and a life-changing game. Written by renowned playwright Simon Stephens, known for “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” this eccentric romantic comedy is at GableStage through Nov. 20 at 2 pm and 7 pm each Wed., at 8 pm each Thurs., Fri., and Sat., and at 2 pm each Sun. Visit gablestage.org for tickets. 1200 Anastasia Ave.

35TH SEASON KICK-OFF CELEBRATION

Don’t miss the kick-off celebration for the Actors’ Playhouse’s new season on Sun., Nov. 6. The night will feature the cast of “Million Dollar Quartet Christmas” and songs from Jimmy Buffett’s “Escape to Margaritaville,” Steve Martin’s “Bright Star,” “Charlotte’s Web,” the Musical Miracles Youth Troupe, and Young Talent Big Dreams. As for grub, Les will be catering the event, with spirits courtesy of Bacardi. The celebration begins at 6:30 pm, with tickets starting at $35. Visit actorsplayhouse.org for more information. 280 Miracle Mile.

13TH ANNUAL MIAMI RUM RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

Indulge your taste buds (and your mind) at the 13th Annual Miami Rum Renaissance Festival. This two-day event at the Hyatt Regency starts at 12:30 pm on Sat., Nov. 12, with three seminars discussing cane culture, fermentation, distillation, and blending. On Sun., Nov. 13, event-goers can taste unlimited samples of rum, including rare and limited editions, and participate in more workshops. Tickets for each day sold separately, starting at $59 for Sat. and $39 for Sun. 1001 East Ponce de Leon Blvd. For more info, go to rumrenaissance.com.

GARDEN CLUB FLORAL DEMONSTRATION

The Coral Gables Garden Club will feature Master Florist Mario Fernandez of Belle Fleur on Fri., Nov. 4, who will demonstrate the

art of floral arrangements from 10 am to 1 pm at Coral Gables Congregational Church. Doors open at 9:30 am for a pop-up floral shop, bake sale, raffle items (including Mario’s arrangements), and gifts from Miami Fair Trade Marketplace. Tickets are $50 to benefit the CGGC. 3010 Desoto Blvd. Go to coralgablesgardenclub.org for tickets and info.

NORTH PONCE HARVEST MARKET

The North Ponce Harvest Market, the City’s seasonal fall farmers market, reopens for a second year, running every Saturday through Dec. 17, 8 am to 2 pm. Vendors offer products ranging from baked goods and cultural cuisines to plants, candles, and dog treats. There may even be a pumpkin-spice something-or-other to satisfy your seasonal cravings! 100 block of Minorca Ave. For more info, go to coralgables.com.

TREE LIGHTING AT MERRICK PARK

Merrick Park’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony returns with special guest host Belkys Nerey, co-anchor of WSVN Channel 7 News, and Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago flipping the switch to illuminate the 50-foot tree. The free event starts at 6 pm on Thurs., Nov. 17, and will include festive activities, a live performance by “pop powerhouse” Camie Liz, and a special appearance by Santa Claus, arriving via Coral Gables Fire Department fire truck. For more info, go to shopsatmerrickpark.com. ■

My husband and I raised our three wonderful girls in Old Cutler Bay, just nor th of Matheson Hammock. Like their parents, they g rew up with a love for Biscayne Bay that r uns deep. My daughter Lauren was on a fast-track at Er nst & Young when I convinced her to move back to Miami and join the Toni Schrag er Team. She missed the water enough to say yes! Lauren’s a smar t, strategic thinker, and working with her in Real Estate is priceless.

¶ To underscore our shared passion for the bay, we suppor t MiamiWaterKeeper.org. Biscayne Bay gives us all so much joy, and its health and beauty are integ ral to our economy We’re blessed to be able to give back, and to live and work in the City Beautiful. We’ll be delighted to talk about your ¶ Real Estate interests whenever the time is right — you can rely on us for exceptional personal ser vice, discretion, innovation and results.

2665 South Bayshore Drive Coconut Grove, FL 33133

A Civilized Touch

CERNUDA ARTE ELEVATES GABLES CULTURE WITH A QUARTERLY SALON

BY J.P. FABER

The Paris Art Salon – or simply The Salon – was one of the most important art events of France in the 1800s, arguably the greatest annual event in the world of Western art at the time. Held at various places, including the Louvre Palace and the Tuileries, paintings were exhibited floor-to-ceiling, on every square inch of wall space. If you wanted to make your mark as an artist, you had to be exhibited at The Salon.

Emulating at least the flavor of that special gathering, Cernuda Arte held its first Salon last month at its two galleries on Ponce de Leon Boulevard just south of Ponce Circle. Dozens of paintings crowded the walls as some 220 people attended the event, listening to the Cuban and Latin American piano music of José

Luis Ruiz Elcoro, a professor of music history who brought back forgotten songs from the early 20th century. Wine glasses clinked and conversation filled the rooms.

The star of the show was painter Amelia Peláez del Casal (1896-1968), the most famous female Cuban artist of the early 20th century. She had been the first woman to attend the San Alejandro National Academy of Fine Arts in Havana, and later the only female artist to be displayed at New York’s Museum of Modern Art in its seminal 1943 exhibit of Cuban art.

Taking a page from the French Salon (one of the first places that allowed men and women to gather as intellectual equals), Ramón Cernuda dedicated his salon to 20 female Cuban artists. They included

Peláez, along with two other historically significant Cuban women painters who were contemporaries: Elvira Martínez and Uver Solís. In all, Cernuda displayed 12 paintings and eight ceramics by Peláez, eight paintings by Solís, and one rare work by Martínez.

“We decided to dedicate an exhibition to women artists, 20 in total, starting with the first woman to attend the art institute of Cuba,” says Cernuda. “It was also a European-style salon about the 14 male artists who, in the 1930s and 1940s, exhibited with Peláez.” At that time in Cuba, “men hesitated to exhibit in group shows that included women,” says Cernuda. “We wanted to extend recognition to these 14.” Among them are names familiar to collectors of

RAMÓN CERNUDA PRESENTS THE GABLES VERSION OF ‘THE SALON,’ THE 19TH CENTURY FRENCH ART EXHIBITION.

ABOVE: A LITHOGRAPH OF THE SALON DES TUILERIES IN 1849

Cuban art, including Víctor Manuel, René Portocarrero, Wifredo Lam, Carlos Enriquez Gómez, and Cundo Bermúdez.

Part of the evening’s fun was circulating between the two Cernuda Arte galleries, both two-story buildings, one filled with the art of the 20 female painters, the other an homage to the 14 men who supported them. Another part of the fun came from several women who burst out with classic ballads to accompany the piano-playing professor.

The next Salon is scheduled for the first Friday in January. In the meantime, the paintings will remain on display at the twin gallery buildings (3143 and 3155 S. Ponce de Leon Boulevard) from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm weekdays, and from noon to 6:30 pm on Saturdays. ■

IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT WORKOUT OUTFIT, WE FOUND IT LOCALLY MADE

BY GABRIELLE LORD

When it comes to workout sets, I am picky. So picky that I’ve basically stuck with the same boring sports bras and leggings for the past decade. Don’t get me wrong: I’ve tried to branch out. I just always find an issue. I’ve had seams fall apart, too-thin materials, tops that offer zero support… the list goes on. Perhaps the worst of all is when I finally find a trendy set, only for it to be completely dysfunctional. You know the feeling. So, I was skeptical to try out Lerin, the latest Coral Gables-based activewear brand.

Founded by Gables resident and former Pilates instructor Rachel Shultz, the luxury athletic apparel line is supposed to combine fashion with functionality. “There are so many [clothes] that are cute, but you can’t work out in,” says Shultz. To fix the issue, she started her own line and began experimenting with different straps and styles. “My team and I personally wear, wash, and test everything for months before sending [the designs] to the factory,” she says.

To test it out for myself, I snagged a pair of Shultz’s favorite “Amy” leggings ($110) and the “Olivia” top ($75), both in blue, and headed to a Pilates class. At first, I was worried that the long sleeves would rub against my skin or that the trendy cut-out would prove to be yet another stylistic element

that would ultimately compromise functionality. I was sorely –make that happily – mistaken.

Lerin’s fabric is thick, durable, and buttery soft. I was pleasantly surprised by how the set doubled as a second skin, not falling down or bunching up a single time during the intense workout – something not even my beloved Lululemon leggings can boast. But the defining detail that makes this set stand out from the rest is the lining and seams.

Sometimes when you have a seam down the front of the leggings, it can ride up and draw attention where you don’t want it. And while the Lerin leggings do have that front seam, the material isn’t broken up into segments. Instead, it has an H-shaped gusset, which places less stress on the front seam and distributes it equally throughout the leggings.

Right now, the collection only comes in black and blue. However, Shultz is releasing another line this month consisting of three new colors and six new garments. While headquartered in the LifeTime building on US-1 at Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Shultz has no brick and mortar outlet of her own (yet). But, you can find all of Lerin’s clothing online at lerinusa.com or locally at Ohm Boutique, Tina B. Miami, and Pilates One, or at one of the brand’s pop-up events. ■

“ THERE ARE SO MANY [CLOTHES] THAT ARE CUTE, BUT YOU CAN’T WORK OUT IN. ”

RACHEL SHULTZ, GABLES RESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF LERIN

Dinner & A Date

AT THE L&R, BREAD IS THE COMMON THEME IN A HOUSE OF INVENTIVE CUISINE

BY KYLIE WANG

After having my heart stomped on by a disreputable actor between my last Dinner & A Date story and this one, I told our editor-in-chief I was done with dating. To which he, with his characteristic level of never-ending sympathy, replied, “We’re going to turn that heartbreak into copy, Kylie!” and then barked, “That’s what Taylor Swift does!” And really, is there any reason why I shouldn’t try to be more like Taylor Swift?

So, still singed from my last encounter and looking for something a little easier, I reached into my bag of previous dates and pulled out… a corporate lawyer!

The lawyer and I enjoyed a three-date spree a few months ago that ended after his Golden Retriever may or may not have attempted to murder me (true story). But here we went again, and this time I was the one doing the wining and dining – or, technically, Chef Michael Bolen was.

Bolen is at the helm of Lion & The Rambler, which serves “Californian cuisine.” According to their website, this means “the belief that ingredients should be used at their peak, in-season, and… served in creative and delicious ways.” Hence, his seasonal menu, comprised almost entirely of locally sourced, fresh ingredients. The dishes, most of which are tapas-style, are constantly changing, as we discovered upon seeing that our menu was literally stamped with that day’s date. I can only hope you arrive in time to enjoy the October 11 menu items, dear readers.

Bread is the name of the game at The Rambler. It’s all made fresh, in-house, and almost

every dish we tried had a side of it. For starters, we tried the yecora rojo focaccia ($8) with butter and whipped ricotta ($4). Pro tip: combine both. Then, we had the steak tartare ($18), my favorite dish of the night, which came with sourdough bread and green blueberry capers. The blueberries were an odd but appetizing addition that left my date and me both questioning what other carnivore dishes would benefit from their presence. Should steaks have blueberries on them? Should pork chops?

The maitake mushroom dish ($21), locally sourced from Gratitude Garden Farm in Loxahatchee Groves, may have changed my mind about mushrooms. I’m usually not a fungus fan, but the delightfully vibrant parsley and garlic sabayon sauce (accompanied, of course, by a side of Sonora wheat brioche) is thick enough that the fungi are swimming in it.

Besides the incredibly creative food menu, the other genius of Lion & The Rambler is its drink menu. The restaurant doesn’t have a liquor license, so there’s no full bar, but they still have cocktails. Each one is made with a sake, prosecco, or wine base, none of which require a license. They’re slightly small but delicious. My favorite: “the Angelina” ($16), a sake-based drink with lemon, strawberry, and egg whites that managed to be sweet without sacrificing the sake flavor.

And somehow, throughout all the eating and drinking – or maybe because of it – I forgot all the reasons I broke things off with the lawyer in the first place. It’s like Ms. Swift says: “We never go out of style.” ■

“

THE DISHES, MOST OF WHICH ARE TAPAS-STYLE, ARE CONSTANTLY CHANGING, AS WE DISCOVERED UPON SEEING THAT OUR MENU WAS LITERALLY STAMPED WITH THAT DAY’S DATE ”

TOP: STEAK TARTARE, SERVED WITH SOURDOUGH ABOVE: CHEF MICHAEL BOLEN CREATING HIS ‘CALIFORNIAN CUISINE.’

ALL THERE IS TO

Eat

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE RESTAURANTS OF CORAL GABLES

The restaurant scene in Coral Gables is a defining element of the city. Beyond the high-end chains that have an outpost here, it is home to a uniquely dense cluster of chef-driven restaurants, each vying for the taste buds of residents – and the thousands of outsiders who flock to the city annually in search of gourmet delights. With five James Beard nominated chefs already here, and more on the way, the Gables is a citadel of fine cuisine.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Gables is also home to a myriad of less formal options, from humble sandwich shops and affordable Cuban cafés

to Millennial pizza parlors. There is literally something for everyone. One word of caution. With apologies aforehand, we did not include bakeries, even if you can order a sandwich, even if you can eat it there. We also did not include coffee houses, even if they serve scones, even if you can eat them there. Also, a grab ‘n’ go is not a restaurant, even if you can eat it standing up before you leave. So, apologies to Grumpy’s, La Perla, Gru, Passion de Cielo, both Starbucks, Dora’s, L’Artisiene bakery, etc.

Here, then, is our survey of all the restaurants where you can eat in the Gables.

FRENCH

Brasserie Central: Are we in a café in France? Feels like it. Great escargot, onion soup. 320 San Lorenzo Ave. (Shops at Merrick Park) 786.536.9388 $$-$$$

Chef Sucre Café: Sandwich shop with a French menu. Croque monsieur anyone?

475 Biltmore Way. 305-444-2025 $

Chocolate Fashion: A French bakery and daytime café, with soups, salads, sandwiches. 248 Andalusia Ave. 305.461.3200 $-$$

Frenchie’s Diner: Be it ever so humble, chalkboard daily dishes & mussels with frites! 2618 Galiano St. 305.442.4554 $$$

Gustave: Paris-style café with great lunches, great bread, great coffee. Best baguettes. 366 Miracle Mile. 305.640.5675 $$-$$$

STEAK HOUSES

Amigo Grill & Co: A small, pub like setting for good cuts of beef, sidewalk seating. 98 Miracle Mile. 305.456.8125 $$

FRENCH:

2611 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.444.2024 $$$-$$$$

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

his brined Moulard duck is magnifique This is cordon-bleu, haute cuisine style French that would make Julia Child proud; when Oudin tried to take his lobster bisque off the menu, “I practically had a riot on my hands,” says the chef.

Baire’s: A variety of Argentine-style steaks and dishes, and some healthy bowls. 180 Aragon Ave. 786.409.5121 $$$

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse: Fantastic aged steaks, plus a wine cellar of depth. 2525 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.569.7995

$$$-$$$$

Fogo de Chão: The Brazilian “churrasco experience” will satisfy any carnivore. 2801 Ponce de Leon. 786.297.8788 $$$-$$$$

Morton’s The Steakhouse: Dependable quality, prime-aged beef, and excellent salads. 2333 Ponce de Leon. 305.442.1662 $$$

Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille: Beef straight from heart of the Lone Star State. 4251 Salzedo St. (Shops at Merrick Park) 786.703.9094 $$$$

3101 Ponce

Leon Blvd. 305.446.1400 $$$

Touted as Coral Gables’ oldest steakhouse, Christy’s was closed for the pandemic but has since been reborn with a new bar and artwork. In its day, Christy’s was the power lunch go-to – until it stopped serving lunch except on Fridays. Still,

its aged steaks are consistently excellent, as are the seafood entrees. Their classic Caesar salad is still the best in town –with clients coming in to buy jars of it to go – and the jumbo shrimp cocktail is a house specialty.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House: Some of the most expensive steaks in the Gables, loyal clientele. 2320 Salzedo St. 305.461.8360 $$$-$$$$

Featuring Pascal’s on Ponce

STEAK HOUSE: Featuring Christy’s

de

MEDITERRANEAN

Calista Greek Seafood Taverna: Fun and bright, with fresh fish and great meatballs. 150 Giralda Ave. 786.310.7660 $$

Maroosh Mediterranean: A Turkish flair; we love the glass teacups with brass handles. 223 Valencia Ave. 305.476.9800 $$-$$$

Mylos Greek: Hidden in a hotel on a quiet corner of the northern Gables.

1111 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.461.0403 $$

Sawa: Lebanese menu, with baba ganoush fresh daily, best baklava and lamb chops. 360 San Lorenzo Ave. 305.447.6555 $$-$$$

ITALIAN

Amore: Intimate spot with a half-dozen tables and outside seating under umbrellas. 94 Miracle Mile. 305.200.3216 $$

Bugatti: Proud of its pasta for more than 30 years, a beloved, reliable Gables icon. 2504 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.441.2545 $$

MEDITERRANEAN: Featuring: TUR Kitchen

259 Giralda Ave. 786.483.8014 $$$-$$$$

The cuisine of the Western Mediterranean reaches new heights under the guidance of Chef Christian Chirino and his inventive menu. Chef Christian plates beautiful dishes that combine the flavors of Turkey, Greece, Lebanon, and Egypt. The stuffed Turkish pide breads

with mushrooms, roast lamb, heirloom tomatoes, and gorgonzola are excellent, while the braised goat with gnocchi and sun-dried tomatoes is stunning. Another winner: sauteed squid with medjool dates, chorizo, grapefruit, cilantro, and sumac. Elegant outside seating under arches.

Caffe Abbracci: A Gables standby for decades under the now departed Nino Pernetti. 318 Aragon Ave. 305.441.0700 $$$

Caffe Italia: Small neighborhood eatery with solid Italian food and superb prices. 3800 SW 8th St. 305.443.8122 $$

Caffe Vialetto: Come for the midweek dinner special, enough for tuta la famiglia. 4019 Le Jeune Rd. 305.446.5659 $$$

Coppola’s Bistro Ristorante: Seafood, pasta, chicken, and beef, but pizza is the star. 2305 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.444.3388 $$

Fiola: The most upscale restaurant in the Gables, the lobster ravioli is a masterpiece. 1500 San Ignacio Ave. 305.912.2639 $$$$

ITALIAN: Featuring Luca Osteria

116 Giralda Ave. 305.381.5097 $$-$$$$

The latest creation of local celebrity chef Giorgio Rapicavoli (the Eating House), Luca Osteria became an overnight, reservations-only hit for dinner on Giralda Plaza. His inventive take on classic Italian food is fresh and new; the Pasta al Limone and mortadella toast

with fig balsamic are just the beginning. Other standouts include patate fritte with parmigiano fonduta and cacio e pepe pasta. Rapicavoli says he learned Italian cooking from his grandmother, but we think these are all his. Great cocktails, too – Campari anyone?

Fontana: The most romantic restaurant in the Gables, with excellent Italian seafood. 1200 Anastasia Ave. (Biltmore Hotel) 305.913.3200 $$$

Fugato: Off the beaten path, a “continental” fusion cuisine; great chicken Florentine. 325 Alcazar Ave. 786.420.2910 $$$-$$$$

Fratellino: Welcome to New York’s Little Italy. Charming, family run, best comfort food. 264 Miracle Mile. 786.452.0068 $$$

The Next Move Is Yours

Little Italy: On the far fringe of the Gables, a vegan Italian restaurant!

3808 SW 8th St. 305.444.3826 $$

Opera: Worth the wickedly delicious plate of truffle oil-laced prosciutto with baby artichokes.

130 Miracle Mile. 786.391.1276 $$

Portosole: When they bring the pecorino cheese wheel for your pasta, you’re in heaven

2530 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 786.359.4275 $$$

Salumeria 104: Tratorria-style Salumeria with the best cured meats, Monday pasta nights

117 Miracle Mile. 305.640.5547 $$

Villagio Ristorante: Lovely setting, surprisingly good prices, and amazing apple pie 358 San Lorenzo Ave. 305.447.8144 $$

ASIAN

Benihana: Still a table show, with chefs tossing the shrimp and volcano onion towers.

242 Miracle Mile. 305.567.2000 $$-$$$

Canton: Best lunch deal in town, with solid servings of Cantonese favorites.

2614 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.448.3736 $$

Ichimi: Where a ramen bowl is a meal, a favorite Millennial and Gen Z hang out.

2330 Salzedo St. 305.960.7016 $-$$

Izakaya: Authentic Japanese, way beyond sushi, great chalkboard specials.

159 Aragon Ave. 305.445.2584 $$

KAE Sushi: Slow service but good sushi, plus you get to sit outside on Giralda.

143 Giralda Ave. 786.257.0511 $$

KAO Sushi & Grill: The king of specialty rolls, with an interesting spin.

127 Miracle Mile. 786.864.1212 $$

Khaosan Road: Real Thai street food: The whole fried fish with chili sauce rocks.

157 Giralda Ave. 305.444.2397 $$

Lotus Garden: Classic Thai cuisine, if Pad Thai is what you’re looking for.

318 Miracle Mile. 305.446.2360 $

Malakor Thai Isaan: Sticky rice and hot curries in this small friendly spot.

90 Miracle Mile. 786.558.4862 $$

Mamey: Caribbean cuisine with a fusion of Polynesian, Thai and Indian gastronomy.

1350 S. Dixie Highway (Thēsis Hotel) 305.667.5611 $$$

ITALIAN: Featuring Zucca

162 Alcazar Ave. 786.580.373 $$$-$$$$

Located in the elegant St. Michel hotel, this is a star in the galaxy of Italian eateries in the Gables. Distinctly northern Italian, with recipes that Chef Manuel Garcia developed in a career that included the legendary Casa Tua on Miami Beach. Sophisticated, modern Italian design

inside, with great service. The word zucca means eithers squash or pumpkin, and both are covered here, with their namesake cheese-stuffed deep fried zucchini or their unbeatable pumpkin ravioli. Now the Gables’ power lunch hangout.

ASIAN: Featuring Zitz Sum

396 Alhambra Circle. 786.409.6920 $$-$$$

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

items are highly inventive and flavorful, Chinese dishes with some Korean tastes thrown in for good measure. The chicken pot stickers with Calabrian chili sauce and crunchy garlic? Out of this world.

Top producer Mauricio J. Barba has been a mainstay in Miami’s uber competitive high-end real estate market since 1994. Respected in his native community by clients and colleagues alike; he has logged top honors for elite performance in his field. Mauricio is connected worldwide but specializes in Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Key Biscayne, Brickell, Village of Pinecrest, South Miami, Palmetto Bay/ Falls area and the Beaches. His expertise is demonstrated through his ability to facilitate trouble-free transactions winning him clients for life who also become friends.

Mauricio enters every room with confidence and professional approachability. But more importantly he is prepared and precise, saving you time and effort. Clients rely on him to deliver and he takes the responsibility very seriously. “People trust me with their single largest asset. It’s a role that drives me to push for excellence every day. I give 110% because my success is their success.”

305.439.8311

mauricio@miamisignaturehomes.com

Mana Poke: The bowl craze landed here, so you can get your rice and fish.

153 Giralda Ave. 786.703.7163 $$

Miss Saigon: Vietnamese food at its best, with lovely lemon grass dishes.

148 Giralda Ave. 305.446.8006 $$

Moon Thai & Japanese: Top notch sushi, but come for the great duck dishes.

1118 S. Dixie Hwy. 305.668.9890 $-$$

Namaste: Modest, sweet place, and the only Indian food in town. Very tasty.

221 Navarre Ave. 786.534.2161 $$

Ohho Noodles: Rice noodles, clear noodles, Singapore noodles, ramen, etc.

1100 S. Dixie Hwy. 305.663.5881 $$

Sakura Japanese: Wide menu, great glassbooth seating, good sushi.

440 S Dixie Hwy. 305.665.7020 $$

Sawa: Huge selection of rolls and tapas, from shrimp tempura to chicken yakitori.

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

ASIAN: Featuring Crudos Fusion Art

2415 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.392.0054 $$-$$

For art lovers and foodies alike, Crudos blends both into an Asian fusion dining experience complete with sushi rolls and a variety of mojitos (available for the amateur bartender in “Do it Yourself” kits).

The new Coral Gables spot is Crudos Fusion Art’s fourth location under Ex-

ecutive Chef-Partner Edixon Hernandez and includes a Japanese highball whiskey lounge, Aka, on the second floor. Try the POP sushi roll for something different — pop rocks included – in this “immersive experience.”

Sushi Maki: Best sushi for your money in the Gables, and some wild desserts. 2334 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.443.1884 $$

Sushi Sake: Sushi and more with a full liquor license, elegant interior. 202 Miracle Mile. 786.636.8125 $$-$$$

SPANISH

Bellmónt: Modern décor meets traditional Spain; house specialty is the roast suckling pig. 339 Miracle Mile. 786.502.4684 $$$

Bulla Gastrobar: As valued for its cocktails as for its tapas, with a young, boisterous vibe. 2500 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.441.0107 $$

SPANISH: Featuring La Taberna Giralda

254 Giralda Avenue 786.362.5677 $$

Routinely rated among the top tapas places in South Florida, La Taberna brings the added twist of a chef from Galicia, who puts his own regional (Northwest Spain) spin on the dishes. It’s a small place with a neighborhood vibe, orange

walls, string lights, and live flamenco on the weekends ($5 cover), so reservations are a must. Their great lunch specials can be enjoyed on the sidewalk outside, inside or in their charming courtyard. Where mountain trout meets patatas brava.

La Rodilla: This is a Spanish import, with a wide selection of sandwiches, Madrid-style. 135 Miracle Mile. 786.332.3294 $-$$

Las Tapas Coral Gables: Intimate setting for fine Spanish cuisine, fit for Spanish royalty. 276 Alhambra Circle. 305.381.0636 $$$-$$$$

Tapeo: Comfort food from northern Spain, great small plates, pleasant outdoor seating. 112 Giralda Ave. 786.452.9902 $$

LATIN AMERICAN

Aromas del Peru: Traditional Peruvian, way beyond ceviche.

1930 Ponce de León Blvd. 305.476.5886 $$

Barista Café: Tiny spot that serves Colombian cuisine and coffee.

2351 Salzedo St. 305.877.6722 $

Caja Caliente: Voted best tacos in all of Florida, including their lechon

808 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 786.431.1947 $$

Coyo Taco: Where you go for Taco Tuesday. Large selection.

120 Giralda Ave. 786.629.7929 $$

Divino Ceviche: Yes, the ceviche here is divine, plus artisanal beer from Peru. 160 Giralda Ave. 786.360.3775 $$

Ecléctico: Inventive variations on Latin American small plates with a Mexican overlay.

320 San Lorenzo Ave. 786.615.5735 $$

Graziano’s: Deep selection of Argentine wines, meats roasting on a spit.

394 Giralda Ave. 305.774.3599 $$$

La Palomina: An Argentine take on carne; great mini steak sandwiches.

136 Miracle Mile. 786.580.5441 $$$

Punto Criollo: Venezuelan and a great value, with arepas and hearty soups.

262 Andalusia Ave. 786.599.7117 $-$$

Talavera Cocina Mexicana: Recently renovated, authentic Mexican fare that shines.

2299 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.444.2955 $$

Cantina Grill: Informal Tex-Mex food chain, good rice bowls, great nachos.

2209 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 786.401.6437 $

PUBS & CAFÉS

Bagel Emporium: And you thought all the Jewish delis had disappeared. Not this one.

1238 S. Dixie Hwy. 305.666.9519 $$-$$$

Café Demetrio: Old world coffee shop with lovely courtyard, great coffee.

300 Alhambra Cir. 305.448.4949 $$

Crema Gourmet: Outside in the Colonnade, with great sandwiches, nice breakfasts. 169 Miracle Mile. 796.360.4026 $$

124 Giralda Ave. 786.409.2287 $$-$$$

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

marmalade. A good raw bar, a great view, but it’s the Latin flavors that predominate, from the Spanish fried chicken with a guava glaze and bao buns con lechon to the roast corn sticks, Mexican style, with crema de mojo.

PUBS

Featuring: Bay 13 Brewery and Kitchen

65 Alhambra Plaza. 786.452.0935 $$

Nick Sharp started in Coral Gables with Threefold Café, taking its cue from his native Australian obsession with all-day breakfast spots. Then he installed massive brew tanks in the 65 Alhambra building, with seating inside but also outside on the expansive, fountain-enhanced plaza

outside. Named after the rowdy section of the cricket stadium in Sydney, this is where Australian pub grub meets the best beer in town. A happy, happening scene, with special beer-paired dinners and even a couple of comedy nights each month.

LATIN AMERICAN: Featuring Cebada Rooftop & Raw Bar

& CAFÉS:

New Price | 630 UNIVERSITY DRIVE | Coral Gables | $3,975,000

Just Listed | 807 JERONIMO DRIVE | Coral Gables | $3 095 000 Just Listed | 15101 SW 69 COURT | Palmetto Bay | $1,295,000

Fritz and Franz Bierhaus: Solid German fare and beer, the place to watch soccer games. 60 Merrick Way. 305.774.1883 $$

Sports Grill: Best chicken wings anywhere, period – because they are grilled!

1559 Sunset Dr. 305.668.0396 $-$$

Titanic Brewery and Restaurant: Good brews meets good bar food and a large backyard seating area.

5813 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.667.2537 $$

Threefold Café: You have to love a place that is dedicated to breakfast all day long. 141 Giralda Ave. 305.704.8007 $$

77 Sport Bar: Sliders, wings, salads, and the coldest beer in town. Hookahs outside. 180 Giralda Ave. 305.735.1477 $$

CUBAN

Gables Café: Sort of like a small Cuban café in Hialeah, where the precios are barato.

100 Almeria Ave. 305.529.6642 $

Calle 23: Feels a little like a night club, with music on weekends, but the food is solid.

230 Miracle Mile. 786.389.9277 $$

La Casita: A family-run, family-friendly place for a nice, affordable plate of Cuban food.

3805 SW 8th Street. 305.448.8224 $-$$

Off the Mile: You will recognize the Vicky’s Bakery sign; this is the sit-down side. 245 University Dr. 305.529.6600 $$

Pikadiyo: The play on words here is on picadillo, the Cuban classic, all done as wraps.

400 S Dixie Hwy. 305.395.6969 $

Tinta y Café: About as local as you get, funky and comfortable, with great Cuban coffee.

1315 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.285.0101 $

AMERICAN

Bachour: Salads, sandwiches, and brilliant pastries by Antonio Bachour. Great courtyard. 2020 Salzedo St. 305.203.0552 $$

Cascade Pool Café: By the pool at the Biltmore with a new menu.

1200 Anastasia Ave. (Biltmore Hotel) 305.445.1926 $$

Cheesecake Factory: World’s largest menu, along with insanely good cheesecake.

2418 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.529.0703 $$

It’s big, it’s easy, it’s comfortable, and it’s where the shredded roast pork dinner (lechoncita) with rice, black beans, and plantains is still just $15.95. Half a succulent mojito chicken (above, $16.95) is available every day. Under new ownership,

Chandlers Place: A sandwich deli, old school, with tables outside on Alhambra. 166 Alhambra Circle. 305.444.1121 $$

Clutch Burger: Gourmet burgers with a huge selection of beers, outdoor seating. 146 Giralda Ave. 305.400.8242 $$

Copper 29: Feels more like a nightclub than a restaurant, but fans love the beef. 206 Miracle Mile. 786.830.9640 $$

Doc B’s Restaurant + Bar: Grilled artichokes, fried chicken, candied bacon, comfortable. 301 Miracle Mile. 786.864.1220 $$

The Globe: Salads, burgers, fish, steaks, perfected over time, with Saturday night jazz. 377 Alhambra Cir. 305.445.3555 $$

The Gramercy: Wildly rich decor, great happy hour, a happening place for singles. 65 Miracle Mile. 786.747.4854 $$$-$$$$

Hillstone: Consistently great, ever popular, the only line that ever forms in the Gables.

201 Miracle Mile. 305.529.0141 $$$

Lion & The Rambler: Inventive, chef-driven (Michael Bolen) California cuisine.

804 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.603.7612 $$-$$$

Havana Harry’s is better than ever. And like the vast space of the restaurant itself, the portions are hearty. Large menu with all your favorite Cuban dishes along with – surprising for a Cuban place – some nice dinner salads. Also, seriously great soups.

Madruga Bakery: Bread yes, but superb breakfast egg dishes and lunch sandwiches. 1430 S. Dixie Hwy. 305.262.6130 $-$$

Mariposa at Neiman Marcus: When you need a shopping break, get a warm soup here. 390 San Lorenzo Ave. 786.999.1018 $$

MKT Kitchen: When is a deli a gourmet sandwich shop? When it’s in the Gables. 1831 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.882.2600 $$

POC American Fusion Buffet & Sushi: All you can eat, but amazing quality and choice. 2121 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.529.0882 $$-$$$

Seasons 52: Low-calorie, high-quality, warm ambiance with a seasonal menu. 321 Miracle Mile 305.442.8552 $$

Someone’s Son: Breakfast, sandwiches and salads in the Douglas Entrance complex. 804 SW 37th Ave. 786.334.6374 $-$$

Tap 42: Burgers, ribs, and random Asian dishes in a big, fun, noisy place with booths. 301 Giralda Ave. 786.391.1566 $$-$$$

Tempo: Two chefs and an interesting menu, but it’s the Josper oven that makes it. 271 Miracle Mile. 786.244.6860 $$$

CUBAN: Featuring Havana Harry’s 4612 S. Le Jeune Rd. 305.661.2622. $-$$

Two Sisters Restaurant: Eclectic menu (raspberry salad!) for the office crowd at the Hyatt. 50 Alhambra Cir. 305.447.6101 $$

Vinya Table: Wines for every kind of sommelier wannabe and food to go with your drink! 266 Miracle Mile. 305.203.4229 $$-$$$

Yard House: Rock ‘n’ Roll soundtrack, big bar, huge space, lots of beer and food choices. 320 San Lorenzo Ave. 305.447.9273 $$

19th Hole: Turkey clubs and hot dogs, with a view of the golf course.

1200 Anastasia Ave. (Biltmore Hotel)

305.913.3200 $$

SEAFOOD

Gringo’s Oyster Bar: Fresh oysters from each coast, plus lobster, clams, etc.

1549 Sunset Dr. 305.284.9989 $$

Sea Grill: Serving fish that is caught in the Aegean Sea and flown to the Gables.

4250 Salzedo St. (Shops at Merrick Park) 305.447.3990 $$$

AMERICAN: Featuring Orno

1350 S. Dixie Highway (Thēsis Hotel) 305.667.6766 $$$

Chef Niven Patel was recently recognized by the New York Times for his Mamey, but in our opinion, this restaurant, located in the same building (Paseo), should have gotten the award. Orno is Patel’s latest creation: “New American” cuisine with a focus on farm-to-table

local produce. An eclectic menu lets Patel stretch his culinary imagination, using a wood-burning oven and a wood-burning grill. Be prepared for new and fascinating flavors, including plant-based dishes based on what he picks that day from his Homestead farm.

HEALTHY

Banana Berry: Family-owned, best smoothies, cool bohemian vibe.

305 Alcazar Ave. 305.403.6660 $-$$

Carrot Express: Just the basics, along with some smoothies and wraps.

259 Miracle Mile. 786.471.4985 $

C’est Bon: Healthy French snacks with a few pastries to add on.

330 San Lorenzo Ave. 305.445.5070 $

Dr. Smood: High class juicer in a comfortable Gables setting with couches. 271 Giralda Ave. 786.334.4420 $$

FRSHst: A showcase for Del Monte’s healthy produce, at the company HQ.

SEAFOOD: Featuring Mesa Mar

264 Giralda Ave. 305.640.8448 $$$

Some of the best – if not THE best – seafood in the Gables with inventive fusions between Peruvian and Japanese cuisine can be found at Mesa Mar. Their fish is caught daily in local waters and brought

to your table for inspection. Their whole fried fish is a marvel. Also, make sure to try the lobster tacos.

241 Sevilla Ave. 786.688.3711 $-$$

Gables Juice Bar & Muscle Pizza: The best of both, juice meets cheese.

230 Almeria Ave. 305.529.9090 $

My Roots Juice Bar and Kitchen: Time to go vegan with a full menu.

237 Alhambra Cir. 786.391.3119 $

Naked Farmer: The newest health food spot in Coral Gables.

137 Giralda Ave. 305.487.7327 $

Raw Juice: A juice bar, plain and simple, just the way we like it.

112 Madruga Ave. 305.671.3331 $

Sweetgreen: More plants, please. A kingdom ruled by kale and cucumbers.

122 Giralda Ave. 786.847.7300 $-$$

PIZZA

Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza: It’s all about the coals, and Tony’s local reputation.

2626 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 786.456.9200 $$

The Big Cheese: A popular place for the college crowd, so come after home games. 8080 SW 67th Ave. 305.662.6855 $

Craft: Argentine pizza brings a new dimension, plus they serve a great breakfast.

127 Giralda Ave. 305.339.5981 $-$$

Domino’s: A chain, yes, but we love the Philly cheesesteak pizza and garlic twists.

1400 Ponce de Leon. 305.448.7900 $

Don Favio’s: New on the Mile, with gourmet pizzas or by the slice. Nice iced coffee shake!

70 Miracle Mile. 786.655.4358 $

Forno Pizza: For us, it’s all about the perfectly thin, crisp crust – and great prices.

1403 Sunset Drive. 305.661.3964 $

Miami’s Best Pizza: Long-time favorite for locals and students, open late on weekends.

5833 Ponce de Leon. 305.666.5931 $

Merrick Pizza: Whoever thought six cheeses on a pizza was a good idea is a genius.

1915 Ponce de Leon. 786.953.5693 $$

P.Pole Pizza: It’s conveyer belt pizza, but what an array of choices! Eggs? Why not?

279 Miracle Mile. 785.618.5287 $

Papa John’s: They say it’s all about the ingredients. Lots of choices. You be the judge.

1596 S. Dixie Hwy. 305.668.8484 $

Pomodoro’s Pizza: The only pizza by the slice in town, feels like Brooklyn, nice combos.

2413 Galiano St. 305.461.0711 $

Pummarola: The little red tomato, Naples style, with a real car on the wall and soft crusts.

141 Aragon Ave. 786.409.6866 $

HEALTHY: Featuring Pura Vida

244 Miracle Mile. $$

With the kind of clean, bright interior that immediately reminds you of wellness, Pura Vida delivers on that promise with a menu full of healthy items like wraps, acai bowls, and superfood smoothies. Their all-day breakfast is a favorite and the counter full of pastries

(all baked fresh in-house) is the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth. There’s something for everyone here, from vegan chocolate chip cookies to the “flu shot” (a juice shot of ginger, lemon, honey, and cayenne pepper).

PIZZA: Featuring Terre Del Sapore

246 Giralda Ave. 786.870.5955 $$

Pizza is not your typical go-to food when it comes to dieting. That’s because of the way that most pizzas are made, says Angelo Angiollieri, the owner of Terre del Sapore. “Our pizzas are a little different,” says Angiollieri. “We use natural

yeast.” The result: the dough takes eight to 10 hours to rise, rather than the usual two hours, so it’s more digestible. This is the Gables’ best Neopolitan-style pizza, superb ingredients – flour, tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella – from Italy.

FAST FOOD & CHAINS

Chicken Kitchen: Watch them chop up the bird and mix it into a bowl.

400 S Dixie Hwy. 305.442.7555 $$

Chipotle: Fans swear by this quick Mex chain, with cafeteria style choices.

2235 SW 37th Ave. 786.441.2385 $

Denny’s: Where else can you go for pancakes at two o’clock in the morning?

1 Miracle Mile. 305.445.2300 $

1150 S Dixie Hwy. 305.666.6250 $

Dickey’s: Good pork tips and ribs, the Gables finally has BBQ, even if it’s fast-foodish.

374 Miracle Mile. 305.934.3753 $-$$

Five Guys: A darn good, straightforward burger, with peanuts on the house.

1540 S. Dixie Hwy. 305.740.5972 $

Jimmy John’s: They call them sandwiches, but we know better: Sub City! 125 Miracle Mile. 305.447.9900 $

Laki Bowls: Nice Asian sauces, including excellent crunchy “cauliflower wings.”

2207 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 786.703.7010 $$

30 Giralda Ave. 305.446.5666 $$

One of the few places where you can get delicious food at a low price in the Gables, this homegrown chain (based here) combines Brazilian shish kabob (served in rice bowls or as wraps) with uniquely flavored hamburgers. A guilty pleasure

AND THE WINNERS ARE:

for the well-to-do, a go-to for the rest of us. Created by three locals using some old family recipes and a secret sauce, always pushing forward with new flavor combos. Cool industrial vibe just east of the main Giralda Plaza.

Panera Bread: Known for their breads, but their seasonal soups are the surprise. 137 Miracle Mile. 305.448.0478 $

Pollo Tropical: Super affordable for chicken that has been marinated and flamed. 2350 Douglas Rd. 305.461.1915 $$

Rice Mediterranean Kitchen: Build your own bowl from among grains and proteins. 164 Giralda Ave. 305.200.5282 $$

La Sandwicherie: Late-night go-to for great sandwiches, tasty dressing sold by the bottle. 142 Giralda Ave. 786.615.2724 $

Shake Shack: It’s the secret sauce that makes their cheeseburgers so delicious. 1450 S Dixie Hwy. 786.470.3701 $

Taco Rico: Tex-Mex burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, chimichangas, and chips with salsa. 473 S Dixie Hwy. 305.663.3200 $-$$

Late last month, the New York Times published its top 50 restaurants in America list. Only two in Florida made the cut, and they both happen to be in Coral Gables: Mamey, the Latin-Caribbean-Asian fusion spot in the Thesis

hotel by Chef Niven Patel, and Zitz Sum, the dim sum spot Chef Pablo Zitzmann started as a pandemic hobby that bloomed into a brick-and-mortar restaurant last year. Both chefs were also recognized by the James Beard Awards this year.

TGI Friday’s: Fast American food, from burgers to steaks, with a tall beer. 1200 S Dixie Hwy. 305.668.7808 $-$$

3 Chefs and a Chicken: The bird is the word, from bowls to grilled. 6601 SW 57th Ave. 786.953.4811 $

FAST FOOD & CHAINS: PINCHO

CHEF NIVEN PATEL CHEF PABLO ZITZMANN

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DISTINCTIVE LIVING MEETS

BEST-IN-CLASS CARE

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

THE NEW

Chefs

of Coral Gables

Coral Gables’ foodie scene has been booming lately, so it’s no wonder the city has become a hot spot for critically acclaimed chefs. By the end of next year, five new chef-driven restaurants will have opened in Coral Gables, headed up by Chefs Michelle Bernstein (Sra. Martinez), Thomas Keller (Bouchon), Shingo Akikuni (Shingo), Donatella Arpaia (Noma Beach), and Jeremy Ford (Beauty and the Butcher). We spoke with three of them about the visions for their new restaurants and the Coral Gables fine dining scene as 2023 approaches.

MICHELLE BERNSTEIN

SHINGO AKIKUNI JEREMY FORD

THOMAS KELLER

DONATELLA ARPAIA

MICHELLE BERNSTEIN Chef

While we know most true Gableites tend to stay within the bounds of the City Beautiful, we would’ve made an exception in the early 2010s for a visit to Sra. Martinez, Chef Michelle Bernstein’s former Spanish eatery in the Design District. The restaurant closed in 2012 but is now re-opening a new iteration in the Gables.

Sra. Martinez is destined to be a Gables mainstay, with a 15-year lease at the site of the former Open Stage Club (2325 Galiano St.) and two five-year extension options. Bernstein and her business partner husband, David Martinez, are currently in the middle of renovations, including installation of sliding glass doors along the length of the space. Details about the menu and price points are still under wraps, but for fans of the former Sra. Martinez, know that you can expect changes.

“It’s 10 years later,” the chef says. “We’ve changed, dining has changed, as have our consumers. I’ve always loved Coral Gables… and I’m thrilled to be back! The residents love to eat and enjoy a good cocktail and a night out [and] the community has already embraced us.” She describes the cuisine as “cocina de autor” with an emphasis on the “creative, fun, tasty, and ever-changing.” And there will be live music.

Bernstein is a Miami native who arrives with a plethora of accolades, including a James Beard Award for Best Chef in the South in 2008. She’s the host of two television shows, “Check, Please! South Florida” on PBS and “SoFlo Taste” on Channel 10. You might also remember the time she beat Chef Bobby Flay in a competition on an episode of the Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” back in 2005.

She and Martinez have opened a host of restaurants in Miami, including Azul at the Mandarin Oriental, Michy’s on Biscayne Blvd., Crumb on Parchment in the Design District, Seagrape at the Thompson Hotel, Sweet Liberty on Miami Beach, La Cañita at Bayside Marketplace, and Café La Trova on Calle Ocho. She has two new concepts –Michy’s Chicken Shack and Lunchería – set to open at Julia & Henry’s, the highly anticipated Downtown Miami food hall. And, of course, her crowning achievement – at least, we like to think so – the new Sra. Martinez, slated to open in the first half of 2023 with the famous tapas and cocktails that made it so popular a decade ago.

“

I’ve always loved Coral Gables… and I’m thrilled to be back! The residents love to eat and enjoy a good cocktail and a night out...”

Chef SHINGO AKIKUNI

If you’ve ever wanted to visit an authentic sushi bar in Japan, now’s your chance –or as close as you can get without leaving Coral Gables. Shingo, a 14-seat sushi bar headed up by Michelin-starred Chef Shingo Akikuni, will open early next year in the La Palma building at 116 Alhambra Circle.

The small 850-square-foot space will look like a typical Japanese sushi bar. The restaurant is being designed and constructed by Kyoto-based company Yoshiharagumi in Japan before being deconstructed, shipped to the Gables, and reconstructed at La Palma. The space will include a 32-foot counter made of Japanese hinoki wood, which has a specific scent that pays homage to its country of origin.

Why go to all this trouble? “In construction in the States, the industry standard is a plus-minus variance of half an inch,” explains Shingo’s managing partner Kenzie Motai. “In Japan, half an inch would be unacceptable. It’s really very precise.” It’s also about the look and feel of the space. “We don’t want you to feel like you’ve been to somewhere like this before,” Motai says. “We want people to feel transported.”

Motai is Akikuni’s business partner and translator. Both men are young for their success, in their 30s, and refreshingly animated as they talk about Shingo. Akikuni comes from a line of sushi chefs that began with his grandfather. His family owns a restaurant in Osaka, and Akikuni himself studied the art of sushi for five years in Japan. Last year, he joined Hiden, the Wynwood-based omakase pop-up restaurant that earned him a Michelin star, as executive chef. Now his real dream is being realized as he opens his eponymous restaurant in Coral Gables.

Shingo will feature a menu with regular sashimi and nigiri items, as well as a $180 “Chef’s Omakase” menu with appetizers, hot dishes, desserts, etc. Akikuni explains there will be a modern twist to his dishes, using newer techniques and ingredients while maintaining the traditional Japanese experience. That’s also why the space will be so small. “It’s very common in Japan for there to be smaller restaurants because of the limited space,” he says. “That’s why the restaurant is only 14 seats. It’s intimate, and we’re able to serve one guest a time and affect [each] person’s experience one at a time.” Shingo is expected to open in February of 2023.

“ It’s very common in Japan for there to be smaller restaurants because of the limited space. That’s why the restaurant is only 14 seats...”

Photo by Jonathan Dann

THE NEW CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

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Our real estate expert speakers were:

We invite you to follow us on our YouTube account @International Realty Group and watch our most recent Miami Connection 2022 videos and to discover more of what Miami have to offer from the experience and views the experts that integrate our Miami Connection 2022 Forum!

MEXICO TEAM TURKEY TEAM

DONATELLA ARPAIA Chef

Under Chef Adrianne, Redfish Grill was the spot for seafood with a waterfront view – some say the best view in Coral Gables. Under Chef Donatella Arpaia, who is taking over the popular Matheson Hammock spot and rebranding it as Noma Beach, the restaurant will be reinvented to serve Arpaia’s specialty: Italian.

You may have heard of Chef Donatella. She’s judged more episodes of “Iron Chef America” and “Next Iron Chef” on the Food Network than anyone else. She’s also headed up several restaurants in New York and one in Miami (Eos in the Viceroy Hotel). She’s been named one of the top 50 Most Powerful Women in New York City by the New York Post, received a Michelin Star for her Greek restaurant Anthos, and been nominated for a James Beard Award. Simply put: Chef Donatella is a big deal. And now, she’s going to be a big deal in Coral Gables.

Chef Donatella was at a soccer game when she heard about the opening at Redfish Grill. Chef Adrianne exited in July, and Rodney Barreto, the Coral Gables entrepreneur who owns the lease, was looking for someone to take over. The chef, who owns a property in Pinecrest just minutes from the restaurant, was ready for a new project. “I just fell in love with the location,” she says. “It’s a passion project for me.”

Chef Donatella’s forte is Italian food. Her childhood summers were spent in southern Italy cooking with her grandparents, and her father, an Italian immigrant, owned a restaurant in New York while she was growing up. She’s known as “the meatball queen” for the recipe that won her the New York Food and Wine Festival’s Meatball Madness two years in a row. She also studied in Naples under pizza master Enzo Cocci, learning to create the perfect Neapolitan. Noma Beach, expected to open this month, will have it all – meatballs, pizza, and the modern twist that makes Chef Donatella’s Italian cuisine unique.

“I’m expanding the kitchen and [making] the inside look prettier with my own style,” says the Chef. She plans to serve food on the beach as well as keep the rooftop open for private events. She’s also adding a wood-burning oven, not only for her special pizzas, but for a variety of other menu items. And yes, she’ll still have fish – fresh and caught locally. ■

“

I just fell in love with the location. It’s a passion project for me. I’m expanding the kitchen and [making] the inside look prettier with my own style...”

“ I have never done anything like this before.”

BONNIE BOLTON

Photo by Jonathan Dann

THE POWER OF ONE

THE DAUGHTER OF A FAMOUS LOCAL ACTIVIST LEADS A FIGHT TO SAVE A HISTORIC GABLES CHURCH GARDEN FROM BEING BULLDOZED FOR CONDOMINIUMS

BY MIKE CLARY

Growing up as the daughter of a trailblazing Florida feminist and Coral Gables community activist, Bonnie Bolton learned the power of persistence early on.

“My mother used to say that one person can make a difference,” says Bolton, whose pioneering mom, Roxcy Bolton, died in 2017 at the age of 90. Inducted into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame, Roxcy Bolton was a tireless advocate for issues ranging from the rights of women and minorities to the landscaping of Coral Gables streets.

“Every day before we went to school, she reminded us, ‘This is your country, and you have the opportunity to be a change-maker.’”

At 57, Bonnie Bolton may not have the public profile her mother earned over a lifetime championing progressive causes, but she is now clearly on the radar of

Gables city officials, thanks to her efforts to save the Garden of Our Lord, an oasis of tranquility on the grounds of St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church. The garden and the church are slated to be bulldozed to make way for a nine-story luxury apartment building.

“There is no doubt Roxcy would have taken up the issue of the garden,” says Bolton, who remembers first visiting the North Ponce site with her mother when she was no more than six. “She would have objected to what [the developer] wants to do.”

The developer is Sergio Pino, whose Century Homebuilders Group bought the 1.5-acre property from St. James for $9.75 million. According to the plans submitted to the city in January, Pino’s project would include 177 condos, 16 ground floor live-work units, a “rooftop

INSIDE THE GARDEN: Seeds from Jerusalem and a statue of Christ

amenities deck,” and more than 300 parking spaces. The project also includes constructing a new home for Crystal Academy, a private school for children with autism that now uses the church offices for classrooms and the open space adjacent to the garden. Pino’s condo project would require a zoning change from religious/institutional to mixed use.

In an effort to preserve the garden, created in 1951 at the corner of East Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Phoenetia Avenue, Bolton has asked the city to designate it as historic. Included in her 130-page application are statements from several local architects attesting to the garden’s significance as a burial ground, a botanical treasure of plants mentioned in the Bible, a repository of plaques commemorating military and civic heroes, and a key component of the “green corridor” that runs from Ponce to the Douglas Entrance.

Joanna Lombard, a professor at the University of Miami’s School of Architecture, compares the garden to “a valuable heirloom discovered hidden in your grandmother’s closet,” in part because of the architect who designed it. “Robert Fitch Smith is right up there with George Fink and Phineas Paist,” she says, referring to the founding architects who worked with George Merrick in Coral Gables’ 1920s creation.

The garden is fronted by a curved wall of Florida keystone that links the space to the Fink-designed Coral Gables Woman’s Club across the street, notes Lombard. Behind the wall are a variety of trees and flowering shrubs, some of which may be traced to seeds collected in the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem in the early 1950s by Hazel Westby, a UM faculty member who spent a year teaching home economics in Beirut.

“ It was a not a popular location where people gather. I have spoken to a lot of supporters; I have not received one call from anyone saying one negative thing...”

Near the gated entrance to the garden is a sign bearing an invitation, in English and Spanish: “Come in! Meditate, pray, or simply enjoy God’s creation.” But that gate is now locked.

“A garden sitting on consecrated ground should not only be respected, but also preserved,” says Karelia Martinez Carbonell, president of the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables. “This is a green space, which church members invested in to honor the community. It should not fall to indifference.”

Carlos Marin, a former member of the city’s Board of Architects, says the garden represents a rare meditative space in the Gables, and while it may have been little used, “such spaces are there for people who need them. Just because you don’t see a crowd doesn’t mean it is not valuable.”

Bolton’s efforts to save the garden have received a cool reception from city officials. In July 2021, an attorney working for St. James requested the city look at the property to see if it qualified as historic. Warren Adams, director of Historical Resources and Cul-

SERGIO PINO, CENTURY HOMEBUILDERS GROUP, ON THE GARDEN AT ST. JAMES EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

Photo by Jonathan Dann

tural Arts, replied in a letter dated Aug. 9, 2021 that the property “does not meet the minimum eligibility criteria for designation as a local historic landmark. Therefore, the Historical Resources staff will not require review by the Historic Preservation Board if an application is made at this time for a demolition permit.”

Century Homebuilders acquired the property later in 2021 and submitted development plans to the city in January 2022. Bolton filed her application for historic designation in July, triggering a review by the Historical Resources staff. If the staff finds the garden ineligible for designation, Bolton can present her application to the nine-member Preservation Board. Through a spokesperson, Adams declined to comment on Bolton’s application while it is under review.

Commissioner Kirk Menendez said he and Pino have arranged to have a large Carrera marble statue of Christ and the commemorative plaques now in the garden moved to Little Flower Church, where they will be installed in a new setting.

Few Gables residents visited or even knew of the garden before Bolton launched her mission to preserve it, says Menendez, a member of Little Flower. “The proposed new location will allow all Coral Gables residents to be able to truly enjoy the beauty and splendor of the garden and the statue for prayer and meditation.” Once the plan for a new garden is revealed, Menendez says, “I think people will understand.”

With the consent of relatives, Pino said he has already relocated two sets of remains interred in the garden wall. In July of last year, a Miami funeral director was hired to probe three areas in the garden to search for other remains. None were found, according to the funeral director’s report.

“It is a not a popular location where people gather,” says Pino of the garden. “I have spoken to a lot of supporters; I have not received one call from anyone saying one negative thing” about the project. “I feel that what we’re doing here is the responsible way to do it… [The garden] doesn’t belong there anymore. I understand the sentimental [attachments], but in my heart, we’re doing what is right.”

What Pino is calling the “Crystal Project” is one of several proposed construction projects in the North Gables that promise to change the look of the area. Also on the drawing board are three high-rise buildings on Ponce de Leon Boulevard that would yield more than 320 residential units, along with separate multi-unit housing developments nearby on Sidonia, Zamora, and Santillane avenues.

All are part of a trend toward an upscaling of the city’s architecture that many residents say they oppose. “As a citizen of Coral Gables, all of this type of development concerns me,” says former Mayor Don Slesnick. Regarding the Century project in particular, Slesnick cited “a lack of open space, the size of the project, and the removal of mature oak trees.” Adds the staunch supporter of preservation efforts: “I hope those who are in charge will take note.”

As she riffles through stacks of papers at a table in her small apartment just a block from the garden, Bolton’s battle against powerful interests can seem quixotic. She is a slight woman, a philosophy major at Trinity College in Vermont who makes a living teaching English to Spanish speakers. She lives on a modest budget. She has no car, relying on public transportation. Like her mother, Bolton does not use a computer or a cell phone. Her eight-page argument for preserving the garden, included in the historic designation application, is printed by hand.

“I am grateful for what she is doing,” says architect Nanette Martinez, who lives nearby. “This is a walkable neighborhood of one- to two-story buildings, on streets lined with beautiful trees. I hope the developer can come up with something more responsive to the surround-

“As a citizen of Coral Gables, all of this type of development concerns me. A lack of open space, the size of the project and the removal of mature oak trees...”

ings, not just create a huge concrete mass, while saving the garden.”

Although she has gained backing from prominent architects and preservationists, Bolton admits that rallying neighborhood support for her cause has been slow. Still, she continues her campaign, giving presentations to the city’s Landmarks Advisory Board and the Gables American Legion post, and talking individually to members of the Tropical Audubon Society, Bike Walk Coral Gables, the Coral Gables Garden Club, the Montgomery Botanical Center, and other local groups.

“Bonnie is doing a very thorough and dedicated job trying to save the garden,” says Slesnick. “Her mother would be proud of her.” Slesnick says he faults the church, in decline for years, for letting the condition of its buildings and the garden deteriorate. “It will be a task to save the garden as it is now,” he says.

Bolton knows the odds are against her. “I have never done anything like this before,” she says. “I am going at this in a different manner than my mother. She would be more dramatic, maybe chain herself to the gate or climb over the wall. But she is my muse.” ■

FORMER MAYOR DON SLESNICK, ON THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT BY CENTURY HOMEBUILDERS GROUP

Photo byRodolfo Benitez

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G y n e c o m a s t i a

Careaga Plastic Surgery, a leader in the aesthetic industry, located in the center of downtown Coral Gables, offers an immaculate and serene setting with cutting-edge technology suited for your cosmetic surgery needs.

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Holiday Gift Guide

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

Happiness is a Gables Gift

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME TO SEARCH FOR THE PERFECT PRESENTS

The holidays have become more joyful and hopeful with every passing year of my life. Maybe it is the happiness associated with gift giving – or maybe it’s no longer fearing the ubiquitous lump of coal promised by my mother. As I learned then, there is no greater incentive to behave oneself than to find exactly what you asked Santa for under the tree or in your stocking. Rarely, however, was I that lucky.

My parents believed in bestowing the necessities versus the wants, so socks were not out of the question or brandnew Fruit of the Loom tightywhities. Candy was always on the docket (chubby kid catnip) as was religious iconography that reminded us Trowbridge’s of the reason for the season. Fast forward to today with my tastes having changed, I would welcome either of those first two items, less so the latter. Yes, my

tastes have evolved. But my need to bring happiness to others remains very much the same.

This third edition of our Gift Guide – produced by our friends at Coral Gables Magazine – features some of the most beloved retailers in our City Beautiful. These vendors understand our holiday needs, wants, and desires. They become mind readers and soothsayers, filling their windows with bliss.

If you are like me, you get started early on holiday shopping. I make a list, brainstorm ideas, and then match these to the many diverse stores in The City Beautiful. I start this planning so early, in fact, that oftentimes when the holidays arrive, I have hidden said gifts so well that I must return to the store to backfill stockings and replenish packages under the tree.

It can be hard to embrace the holiday spirit when the average daily temperature hovers

above 75 degrees. But thanks to programs like Small Business Saturday – which our Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce has been a best practice community of for more than a decade – and a cadre of locally-owned businesses in downtown, we turn that warm embrace into a bear hug in support of all things small business. This year, the Chamber will once again host a package of events on Small Business Saturday.

This is the ideal day to find that book for a colleague, purchase gift cards for a spa day with the girls, invite a friend for lunch, grab the perfect present, buy an ornament for the tree, and of course, remember our pets, too. It is a day that focuses on thoughtfulness and shines bright – especially upon our small businesses, where we shop local the other days of the year too, providing us the perfect backdrop for these magical moments. ■

SBS: Think Global, Shop Local

Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses and communities across the country and is part of the larger Shop Small Movement. Founded by American Express in 2010, this day is celebrated each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving in the U.S. This year, Small Business Saturday is Nov.

26. Since it started in 2010, consumers have reported spending an estimated $163 billion at small businesses across all 12 Small Business Saturdays combined. You can learn more about the history of Small Business Saturday by going to americanexpress.com/us/small-business/shop-small/about.

“ This year, the Chamber will once again host a package of events on Small Business Saturday...

For the Discerning Gift Giver

SOME GIFT SUGGESTIONS FROM YOUR LOCAL RETAILERS

ALL IN

For the bookworm in your life struggling to find happiness, “All In” is a tool that helps readers achieve their personal and professional goals while reconnecting with their joy. Everyone has their own secret inner lives, with conflicts, concerns, fears, and messages from childhood that can leave you frustrated and hold you back. Author and high-profile business leader W. Allen Morris believes that once we discover our own inner lives, we can find the keys to our freedom. In “All In,” the keys to unlocking greater personal growth, passion, creativity, and freedom are revealed. allinbook.com.

EDWARD BEINER

For the trendsetter, Akoni’s Hera frame acts as a striking retro-flavored navigator with enriching details. (See the enamel encircling the front rims and the addition of side cups that provide depth in design and functionality.) The frame’s square shape and innovative fabrication clearly channel the elegance found in timeless industrial designs. This pair of sunglasses retail for $865. You can choose from a fantastic variety of other superbly designed frames at the store on the second level of the 370 San Lorenzo Ave. (Shops at Merrick Park) 305.461.1808

THE GRAZING BOX

Shopping for a certified foodie? A customized charcuterie box might be the answer. The Grazing Box Co. offers boxes that are not only plentiful, but also make perfect centerpieces for any table! From their Brunch Box to their Spanish Box (pictured here), you can choose the beverage, add bamboo plates and cutlery, and even enjoy a complimentary playlist to complete the experience. The Spanish Box includes a variety of Spanish cheeses, cured meats, dips, olives, nuts, tortilla Espanola, and other delicious bites. Local delivery is available, or you can pick it up at their store.

116 Valencia Ave. 305.338.2820 thegrazingbox.co.

MERCEDES-BENZ

So, your special someone wants a Mercedes-Benz (check); a new SUV (check); and your budget is about $40,000 (check, check)? This is the car that will make dreams come true this holiday season. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA is an entry level SUV that provides more than meets the eye, including advanced gauge cluster display, larger central touchscreen, and, of course, style, luxury, and safety! MSRP starting at $41,355. They’ll even provide a big red bow!

300 Almeria Ave. 305.445.8593 mbcoralgables.com.

CORAL GABLES ART CINEMA

A Coral Gables Art Cinema gift card is the ideal gift for the film connoisseur in your life this holiday season. Presenting first run and regional premieres of quality American independent and international movies, both fiction and documentary, the Cinema also hosts special programs and film festival events. Gift cards can be used for tickets and concession items, including popcorn, candy, soda, beer, and wine – and they never expire. Purchase it online and it will be sent by mail to the recipient with a personalized note. 260 Aragon Avenue. 786.472.2249 gablescinema.com

JAE’S JEWELERS

Light up the room with this pair of festive diamond halo stud earrings, featuring exquisite round emeralds. Suitable for any special occasion, this pair of stunning studs starts at $1,795; the earrings are also available with ruby or sapphire center stones. 237 Miracle Mile. 305.443.7724. jaesjewelers.com.

ZUCCA

If you want to give an experience, rather than a material item, stop by Zucca for a gift card. With razor-thin slices of hand-crafted charcuterie, made-in-house pasta, and succulent grilled meats, Zucca’s menu will take your loved one on a culinary adventure throughout Italy. Each region has its own specialty recreated with authentic ingredients and methods. That means when you’re enjoying a seafood dish with Sardinian influences, Zucca is using olives, tomatoes, and spices native to that region. Wine lovers rejoice! A four-time winner of the Wine Spectator Award, Zucca offers a wine list that acts as a window into the world of fine wines, for the most discerning collector. With a cellar boasting a selection of more than 2,400 wines, ranging from exceptional Italian wines to innovative offerings by young vignerons, you’re sure to find the most delectable vino for your loved one. 162 Alcazar Ave. 786.580.3731. zuccamiami.com.

JAE’S JEWELERS (ABOVE LEFT)

The late Marilyn Monroe once said that “diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” so what could be better than an 8.77-carat total weight sapphire and diamond line bracelet from Jae’s Jewelers? Retailing at $14,995, this showstopping piece is sure to leave an impression.

237 Miracle Mile. 305.443.772 jaesjewelers.com

MONTICA JEWELRY (AT RIGHT)

If you’re looking for a gift with a “wow” factor, you can’t go wrong with this classic circle necklace featuring seven sapphires set between sparkling round diamonds. The timeless sophistication of this combination makes it the perfect gift for someone in your life who exudes everyday elegance.

500 S Dixie Hwy #203. 305.446.2957. montica.com.

SNOW’S JEWELERS (AT LEFT)

This 14-karat white gold emerald and diamond ring is sure to be one of the most enviable gifts of the season. Featuring a 3.24-carat emerald, this ring is distinctly accented by six exquisite baguette diamonds, 0.74 total weight, which only goes to further its luxurious allure.

270 Miracle Mile. 305.443.7448 snowsjewelry.com

SNOW’S JEWELERS (AT RIGHT)

This captivating ring is available in 14-karat white gold and features a sapphire at the center of the show. The beautiful unique shape and extra attention to detail make the ring sparkle and shine from every angle, making it the ideal gift for your most glamorous loved ones.

270 Miracle Mile. 305.443.7448 snowsjewelry.com

CHOCOLATE FASHION

Sometimes the way to the heart truly is through the stomach. If you’re feeling indulgent, Chocolate Fashion, an artisanal bakery, restaurant, and gourmet food company in the heart of Coral Gables, offers custom gift baskets for the holidays that include stollen, vanilla merengue, seasonal pound cake, and French almond tuiles. It’s the ideal gift for anyone with a sweet tooth.

248 Andalusia Ave. 305.461.3200 chocolatefashiononline.com

GABLES GEMS

For the person with unbeatable style, Gables Gems offers this eccentric yellow gold necklace with diamonds and color stones, featuring feather, shell, and fish charms. Reminiscent of the sea, the charms of differing shapes and sizes add an artistic flair and a sense of originality to any outfit.

250 Miracle Mile 305.444.2335. gablesgems.com

GIFT GUIDE

BEN AND GIULES CONCEPT STORE

Summer memories of days on deck exploring the exquisite coves of Sardinia have inspired this classic Panana hat, perfect for sun lovers. Feel crisp and fresh with natural Toquilla straw, accentuated with a stylish black band. Handmade in Ecuador and ready to turn heads as one of the most elegant gifts this holiday season, this hat retails for $380.

290 Miracle Mile. 954.681.2711. benandgiules.com

MANKIND

If you’re looking to give a one-of-a-kind experience, set your sights on this gift card to ManKind, a barbershop, spa, and lounge complete with billiards and cigars. Offering complimentary beer and wine with all services, your loved one will be able to sit back, relax, and thoroughly enjoy their day. And this holiday, receive 20 percent additional for every $50 purchase on the gift card.

290 Aragon Ave. 305.446.2500 mankindformen.com

MIAMI ALKALINE WATER

Give the gift of health this holiday season. Featuring eight platinum-dipped titanium plates for improved water ionization and increased antioxidant production potential, this system is the most powerful antioxidant machine. In addition to reaping the health benefits that come with this gift, you will also receive a free pink purse with your purchase, for you or your loved ones to enjoy.

68 Miracle Mile. 305.667.9897 miamialkalinewater.com

PEPI BERTINI

Pepi Bertini is your one stop shop when it comes to finding a sleek, stylish, and comfortable gift. Playing with beautiful earth tones, the oatmeal-colored turtleneck cardigan sweater with contrast tipping in 100 percent Merino wool is paired with a cotton light blue denim shirt. The pants are low-rise slim fit in cotton with two percent elastic for comfort and the belt is made of brushed suede leather. To complete the look, be sure to pick up the two-sided soft wool scarf – solid on one side and houndstooth print on the other.

357 Miracle Mile. 305.461.3374. pepibertini.com.

GABLES CIGARS SHOP

El Mago, which translates to ‘The Wizard’, was inspired by a couple who created magic from the little opportunity that life first offered them - my grandparents, Maria and Gonzalo Torre. The first two letters from each of their names is what brought the name Mago to life. My grandparents, whom I called Babi and Pepe, died together on June 24, 2021, in Miami, FL, when their building, The Champlain Towers, suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night. It is my honor to keep their legacy alive and share their story through a tradition that was passed down from one generation to the next.

Retail $149.00 Box of 10 2324 Salzedo St. 305.631.2139 facebook.com/gablescigarsshop.com

Tricks & Treats

On October 15, Coral Gables Magazine held its first Dog Party & Adoption Event in partnership with Infiniti of Coral Gables, Bacardi, and the Humane Society of Greater Miami. Some 250 attendees enjoyed drinks, snacks, and prizes with their furry friends. Local pet vendors ISA Animal Clinic, Gables Animal Clinic, Miami Alkaline Water, and Trupanion Pet Insurance were also in attendance. One lucky grand prize winner even won a new Miele pet vacuum – and one Humane Society puppy found a new home.

1. INFINITI (L TO R)

Sales Professional Kevin Londono, General Sales Manager Rob Caballero, Service Director Michael Carrozza, GM/Partner Frank Pena, Brand Ambassador Danny Radillo.

2. HUMANE SOCIETY (L TO R) Christian Galaviz, Tiffany Hernandez, Pamela Dominguez, Cindy Baide, Dayle Fragin, Denisse Medina

3. GABLES ANIMAL CLINIC (L TO R) Sonia Rodriguez, Rebecca De Diego

4. MIAMI ALKALINE WATER (L TO R) Paula Silveira, Omar Campos owners

5. ISA ANIMAL CLINIC & CGM STAFF (L TO R)

Richard Roffman, Coral Gables Magazine; Roberto Bernard, DVM; Sherry Adams, Coral Gables Magazine; Owner Yury Rodriguez

6. MIELE EXPERIENCE CENTER Regional Experience Center Manager, East Katja Hernandez with husband Jorge

7. BACARDI Corporate Services Manager, Josh Vega and friends

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Popping Corks at the Venetian

More than 300 wine lovers attended the 4th annual “Vinos at the Venetian” wine auction sponsored by the Coral Gables Community Foundation. The curated wine auction with live entertainment, held at the end of September, raised more than $110,000 to provide scholarships for students in need at Coral Gables High. Sponsored by Evensky & Katz/Foldes, the evening was hosted by Mayor Vince Lago and his wife Olga. “This is an event that brings together so many different people, because wine is one of the great equalizers,” said Lago. “All the proceeds go to the scholarship fund for Coral Gables High,” said David Evensky. “It’s great to help send these deserving kids to college.”

2. Ramiro Fernandez, Ray Corral, Lauro Russo, Coco Torre, Venny Torre

3. An attendee makes a bid on some wine.

4. David Evensky holds forth with Colliers’ Executive Director Jack Lowell and Mercedes Benz of Coral Gables’ President & COO Greg Barnes

5. Brett Gillis with Commissioners Rhonda Anderson and Jorge Fors

1. Michael Walsh, Foundation CEO Mary Snow, Mayor Lago, and sponsor David Evensky

6. A mermaid adorns the pool as the night flows on at “Vinos at the Venetian”

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MAYOR VINCE LAGO

CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO THE CITY OF CORAL GABLES' FIRST ANNUAL

7:00 P.M. COCKTAIL RECEPTION

8:00 P.M. DINNER, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT & DANCING

LOEWS CORAL GABLES HOTEL

2950 COCONUT GROVE DR, CORAL GABLES, FL 33134 BLACK TIE

FOR TABLE RESERVATIONS AND/OR SPONSORSHIP EMAIL JACKIE ZAYAS - JACKIE@HEYDAYMARKETINGPR.COM

As the City of Coral Gables' First Annual Mayor's Ball, this event will benefit Coral Gables' nonprofits and the League Against Cancer.

Elegantly themed "Winter Wonderland," this exclusive event will host philanthropic leaders, corporate sponsors, business owners, and many prominent community members. This night will feature a decadent dinner, festive activities, and a variety of fun and unique ways of giving back to the community while supporting charitable causes.

IT WILL BE AN UNFORGETTABLE NIGHT!

Celebrate Thanksgiving Day at The Biltmore. Enjoy holiday favorites like pumpkin pancakes, eggnog french toast, sage-infused tom turkey or maple-glazed ham from our carving station, and a decadent assortment of holiday desserts in addition to the abundance of traditional offerings and bottomless bubbly you know and love.

Live Healthy. Live Happy. Live Longer.

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We have more than 30 years of experience and thousands of procedures done, this is why we are the #1 destination for all your surgical needs.

We’ll be happy to welcome you and your family to any of our two locations in Dade and Broward County.

CALL US TODAY!

WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU!

CORAL GABLES

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(305) 648.3717

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

Davie@DRM.center

OCT.

Amidst the bustle of a crowded London train station, Georgie spots Alex, a much older man, and plants a kiss on his neck. This electric encounter thrusts these two strangers into a fascinating and life-changing game.

HOME & GARDEN

17 LIGHTS SUSPENDED IN A MAZE OF GEOMETRIC TRIANGLES BY FERGUSON BATH, KITCHEN & LIGHTING GALLERY

What’s Hot for the Home

BY MALLORY EVANS JACOBSON

This season, all eyes are on sculptural and curved furnishings. Creating immediate focal points in the home, the pieces shown here evoke interest and will surely spark joy each day you enjoy them.

LIGHT SHOW

With 17 lights suspended within an almost dizzying tangle of geometric figures, the Astrid chandelier by Hinkley Lighting doubles as a work of art. Retail: $1,949. Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, 4199 Ponce de Leon Blvd., 305.507.6221, ferguson.com.

SHAPE UP

You know that corner in your living room that seems to be missing something? Or the spot in your foyer that seems a bit empty? Enter the Loz stool by Made Goods. Shown here with a glossy cobalt seat and black-washed ceramic base, it was initially designed for the outdoors, but works well in any interior setting as well. Retail: $440. Fine-Line Furniture & Accessories, 4217 Ponce de Leon Blvd., 305.661.4414, finelinefurnitureandaccessories.com.

PERFECT CURVES

Curved sofas are trending in a major way, and one of the best ones we’ve spotted is the Infiniti curve back sofa from Crate & Barrel. Shown in the stock fabric, which is the Synergy material in Oatmeal, the seating is plush and velvet-like, offering comfort and ample space for several people to lounge. Retail: from $2,099. Crate & Barrel, 358 San Lorenzo Ave., 305.460.3560, crateandbarrel.com.

DINE IN

Made from solid walnut and lacquered steel, the 118-inch-long Gordon deep wood dining table from Floridian Furniture is as distinctive as they come. And if you were debating the idea of furnishing a dining room at all, this selection should make the choice easy, as it’ll infuse your space with a major dose of panache (and get you pumped for hosting future dinner parties). Retail: $9,729. Floridian Furniture, 4797 SW 8th St., 305.448.2639, floridianfurniture.com.

ALWAYS IN STYLE

With a platform of bolster upholstery perched atop a solid bronze base, the Runway bench by Baker Luxe is a fashion-forward option for any area in need of additional seating. It would look stunning in an entryway or at the foot of your primary bed, adding an easy and elegant touch of glamour. Retail: from $7,138. Decor House Furniture, 4119 Ponce de Leon Blvd., 305.448.6200, decorhousefurniture.com.

Gables residents J. Steven

Home as Gallery

J.

STEVEN MANOLIS

AND MYRTHIA MOORE LET THEIR AFFINITY FOR ART GUIDE THE CONCEPT FOR THEIR CONTEMPORARY ABODE

BY MALLORY EVANS JACOBSON

Manolis and Moore purchased their Coral Gables townhome in 2016, but it was not completed until 2017. That’s because the couple hired an interior architect to redesign the layout of the house according to their specifications and to size the walls to fit their pre-existing collection of art. “It was a fun process because my husband and I had the opportunity to blend our tastes and create a shared vision,” says Moore. “We knew that we wanted to build a house that was grounded by neutral colors to offset the colorful art, and we wanted it to feel very peaceful.”

To realize these goals, Manolis and Moore focused on a continuity of materials in the house so that one room would seamlessly flow into another. “We have unpolished shell reef stone floors throughout the house, and we used the polished version in the custom showers,” says Moore. “The stone even extends to our outside patio, so that when we open up all of the doors, it becomes a true addition to the house.”

and Myrthia Moore are the co-owners of Manolis Projects in Miami’s Little Haiti, Florida’s largest working studio and fine art gallery. Along with sons Jason and Brian, Manolis and Moore have worked to curate a collection of pieces from over 40 artists, many of which are limited edition and strikingly unique.

Manolis (Steven)

FOYER

When you enter the home, you are immediately met with several distinct works, including a painting by the late American artist Wolf Kahn (left) and a pair of 17th century Fu dog sculptures. A sleek charcoal console table from B&B Italia sits beneath the painting.

LIVING ROOM

“Our formal living room is where color reigns,” says Moore, who traveled to Morocco to buy the handmade wool tribal rug that grounds the sitting area. The room features paintings by the American artist Hunt Slonem (on left) and two paintings by Manolis. The chairs and sofas are by Maxalto and the coffee table is from Anima Domus.

DINING ROOM

“We wanted to bring the ocean to our home, so my husband created this custom piece,” says Moore of “Splash,” the focal point of the dining room. The glass-topped table was sourced from Anima Domus and the upholstered chairs are by Maxalto.

GUEST BEDROOM

This guest bedroom’s sitting area was given a punch of color with the addition of a spirited painting by Manolis. The side tables and lamps are mid-century antiques.

STUDIO

This room functions as a creative sanctuary outside of the couple’s gallery. While the painting on the back wall is by Manolis, “the red rocking chair came from Steven’s original studio in the Hamptons, which he had in the 1980s,” says Moore. “It’s whimsical memorabilia.”

Weathering the Storm

A COMMUNITY GARDEN BLOSSOMS

BY GRACE CARRICARTE

On a recent Sunday afternoon, weeks after the impact of Hurricane Ian, a team of volunteers from the Coral Gables Garden Club weathered another rainy day to continue their work on the newest pollinator garden in the historic MacFarlane District. I was one of them, announcing that “Rain or shine, it’s gardening time.” I managed to convince a few diehards to brave the weather, and we did what community does best – came together and got it done. We cleaned up wind damage, weeded garden beds, removed fallen tree debris, trimmed things back a bit, and replanted.

The idea for the project began in July of last year, when Garden Club President Susan Rodriguez was in the MacFarlane District to meet with Miss Prime, a homeowner and pillar of this community who passed recently, to discuss expanding Project Canopy to add more trees. “The MacFarlane district does not have swales, so they lack the tree canopy we have,” says Rodriguez. “Then, as we were leaving, I asked Miss Prime who owned the lot across from her house. She told me it was Louis “Lou” Duncanson, an expert in bush medicine. I called him, saying ‘I’d love to put a pollinator garden in and get the whole neighborhood involved.’ He said he would love to do it.” His only request was that we dedicate the garden to Dr. Julia Morten, the late botanist and self-taught expert on medicinal plants and tropical fruits.

The MacFarlane Homestead Historic District is just across US-1 from the massive Gables Station project. It’s named after Flora McFarlane, a female homesteader and teacher who, in 1925, sold her 19.6 acres to George Merrick, Coral Gables’ founding father. Merrick’s development company subsequently annexed it to the Gables. The “Mac” in the official district name was apparently an error. Ms. McFarlane might frown at this misspelling but would more likely be upset that the district bearing her name is now among the top 12 most threatened historic neighborhoods in the state.

Duncanson is best known for his company Green Garden Organics (founded in 1990), which runs a juice bar down the street from the garden. Here, they grow and cold-press wheatgrass, sunflower greens, and

pea and buckwheat sprouts; they also supply herbs and sprouts to The Fresh Market and Milam’s Market.

As a child, Duncanson was taught the medicinal properties of plants by his grandmother, saying, “I was born at a time when we were so close to the earth. That is what I knew… Coming here at 18, seeing the fauna and everything, I was like ‘Whoa, all the trees are here.’ Coral Gables really is something so special here. They really respect the fauna, and a lot of that came from the

TOP: STUDENT VOLUNTEERS WITH LOUIS “LOU” DUNCANSON, A LOCAL EXPERT IN BUSH MEDICINE

ABOVE: THE WRITER GRACE CARRICARTE, WORKING IN THE GARDENS IN THE MACFARLANE DISTRICT

“

RAIN OR SHINE, IT’S GARDENING TIME. ”

people from the Bahamas and islands that built for George Merrick.”

Duncanson knows all the historic trees in the neighborhood; lining the back of the garden are species like the moringa, sapodilla, longan, soursop, and red mulberry. “So much is seen here,” he says. “Like Bay Leaf trees responsible for old spice – or you put a few leaves in a bottle of rum for aches and pains… If [neighbors] need something they’ll say, ‘Lou, I need you. I’m coming down with the flu.’ I’ll tell them, ‘Meet me at the garden and I’ll chop some things up for you.’”

With the blessing of Duncanson and his wife Kim, the project to create a pollinator garden at his lot on Jefferson Street and Florida Avenue took actual root in November of last year. Volunteers from the Coral Gables Garden Club and the Coral Gables High School Garden Club, along with Duncanson, first cleared debris, fallen branches, and invasive species, then dug pathways and planting beds. Also assisting was Connect to Protect, a science program at Fairchild that enlists residents to plant natives from our original pine rocklands.

What they planted here, from native nurseries, was chosen for what it might attract: native milkweed for monarchs; firebush for numerous types of butterflies and bees; native salvia, Bahama strongbark, thoroughwort, and corkystem for Gulf fritillary, Julia butterfly, and zebra longwing; lignum vitae, wild lime, and Dutchman’s pipe vine for swallowtail; plumbago for Cassius blue; coontie for Atala butterfly; and some American beauty and wild coffee for birds. In March 2022, students painted and set up three rain barrels for watering.

“This kind of work changes lives,” says Duncanson. “It keeps every generation learning what we must protect.” The new Julia Morten Garden has already become a place where neighbors come by “to talk and disconnect,” he says. “The children are influenced knowing what’s important [and] the Garden Club is providing education in our community. We need it. And using this community garden, well, that’s really cool.” ■

Grace Carricarte is Coral Gables Magazine’s editor-at-large and an active member of the Coral Gables Garden Club. You can help identify and track local species of pollinators by using the iNaturalist app on your device; for more information visit coralgablesgardenclub.org

“

LOU, I NEED YOU. I’M COMING DOWN WITH THE FLU. I’LL TELL THEM, ‘MEET ME AT THE GARDEN AND I’LL CHOP SOME THINGS UP FOR YOU. ’”

LOU DUNCANSON OWNS A NEARBY FRESH JUICE BAR CALLED GREEN GARDEN ORGANICS. HE ALSO HELPS NEIGHBORS WHEN THEY NEED NATURAL HERBS.

TOP: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WORKING IN THE GARDEN WITH DUNCANSON LAST YEAR.

The Old Guard at Bugatti

The idea that your coworkers become like your family is nowhere more manifest than at Bugatti Bistro, where a good employee never needs to look for another job. The

longevity of the staff is another reason behind 31-yearold Bugatti’s reputation for consistently good food and service across the decades. Photos by Rodolfo Benitez.

DAVID ACOSTA, CHEF, 31 YEARS

KINNERY ALARCON, LINE COOK, 23 YEARS

LUIS REYES, WAITER, 15 YEARS

OSCAR GUZMAN, WAITER, 18 YEARS

CARLOS AMASIFUEN, HEAD WAITER, 24 YEARS

JULIO PEREIRA, SOUS CHEF, 21 YEARS

RAUL MENJIVAR, LINE COOK, 11 YEARS

NEMIAS MATIAS, FOOD RUNNER, 18 YEARS

ERIK ESTRADA, LINE COOK, 15 YEARS

Holiday Lease Specials