Coral Gables Magazine July/August 2022

Minimally Invasive ‘HiFU’ Beat Her Essential Tremor: ‘Be Brave Enough to Say You’ll Do It’

Life with “essential tremor,” one of the most common movement disorders, is disruptive and debilitating. So much so that just handling a glass of water is a challenge. Nan Levy knows all about it. She had been dealing with her tremor for at least 12 years.

At one point, the outlook was bleak, she recalls. One neurologist told her there was nothing that could be done. And she knew that the condition was progressive, because her mother suffered from it.

Ms. Levy’s life with essential tremor would soon take a sharp turn for the better when she consulted with neurosurgeon Justin Sporrer, M.D., at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute.

Dr. Sporrer explained to Ms. Levy that he could help her overcome essential tremor with a minimally invasive procedure at the Institute that involves the most advanced technology to treat the condition.

It’s called high-intensity focused ultrasound, or HiFU, and it’s available in only a few facilities in the United States, including Miami Neuroscience Institute. HiFU sends more than 1,000 beams of ultrasound through the skull to a specific location in the brain. There, sound waves converge and hit and destroy lesions, or problem areas, such as those that are disrupting an abnormal circuit in the brain.

“I think of essential tremor as a circuit problem in the brain,” explains Dr. Sporrer. “There’s not just one part of the brain that controls tremor; it’s a miscommunication between many different parts of the brain.

I think of it as a string of Christmas lights, where there are flickers because one of the bulbs is bad. And what we’re able to do is take out that one so the rest can light up and perform well.”

The results from HiFU are immediate and remarkable. “Patients aren’t even out of the machine or out of the MRI room when they start to see that their writing or their hand movements have completely changed,” says Dr. Sporrer.

Ms. Levy can now draw straight or wiggle-free lines and take a drink of water with a steady hand.

Ms. Levy is adamant about telling others who are suffering from essential tremor to follow in her steps. “This is a praise. This is a high five. This is everything. Just be brave enough to say, ‘Yes, I’ll do it,’ and go forward. And you will never regret it. Never.”

“It can seem like science fiction, because we are making a change without making any incisions,” he says. “The results are so fast, and, essentially, we don’t touch the patient. So, it can feel like science fiction, but it’s real.”

Ms. Levy is grateful that her children will likely benefit from HiFU if they are ever diagnosed with essential tremor, as was their mother and grandmother. “I have three children — two girls and a boy — and I think that they’re going to benefit from what I am doing if they should be stricken with this. So, to me, I’m helping them to plan for anything like that happening.”

For more information or to request an appointment, call 786-596-3876 or visit BaptistHealth.net/Neuro.

“I THINK CORAL GABLES IS REALLY A VERY GLOBALLY MINDED COMMUNITY, BOTH IN TERMS OF ITS BUSINESSES AND THE CONCENTRATIONS OF THE CONSULAR CORPS”

ELEGY FOR NINO PERNETTI

On May 31, after an 18-month struggle with COVID-19 and its aftereffects, Nino Pernetti died at the age of 76. The owner of Caffe Abbracci for more than three decades, Pernetti charmed every guest with his warmth and wit. Over the years, he was host to an incredible parade of powerful people in politics, the arts, and business.

BEST OF THE GABLES 2022

Welcome to our annual guide to the best the Gables has to offer. In a city that is endowed with an abundance of fine dining, high culture, elegant architecture, family entertainment, and retail options, it’s not so easy to decide what’s the best. See if you agree with our favorites, or those of our readers.

THINK GLOBALLY, LIVE LOCALLY

Coral Gables is currently home to more than 120 multinational firms, including household names such as Fresh Del Monte

Produce, Bacardi, Hyatt, HBO Latin America and American Airlines. For multinational firms in Coral Gables, it’s all about the neighborhood.

A Man for All Seasons

This issue marks our third edition of the Best of Coral Gables. It is always a fun exercise, and a challenge, to ferret out the best places and activities in a city replete with so many options. It’s one of the things that makes Coral Gables such a superb place to live and work.

Another aspect of what makes Coral Gables such an outstanding city is the people who live and work here. For that reason, we are dedicating this issue to Nino Pernetti, who recently passed away after a long battle with Covid. To say that he will be missed is an understatement. As the owner of Caffe Abbracci for three decades, he was beloved as its gracious and charming host. Customers felt welcome at Abbracci. Not only did Pernetti know who you were, he had his staff greet everyone by their name – though they often had to ask him who was sitting where. Pernetti, with his eidetic memory, would let them know.

Under Pernetti’s guidance, Abbracci became the power lunch spot of the Gables, its tables filled by a who’s who of local leaders from the private and public sectors. In the evenings it was a family favorite. Pernetti knew

them all, and always had a warm greeting and a wry comment for his guests. He made you feel important, even if you were not. He was a debonaire man, athletic, slender, and always well dressed, with an abundance of knowledge that came from his voracious reading habits. In many ways he embodied the essence of Coral Gables –a well-educated, tastefully groomed community with a sense of pride about itself.

Is Nino Pernetti the last of a generation that understood things like good manners and elegant social skills? We hope not. Will there ever be another sultan of local hospitality who presides over his establishment with hands-on skill and warmth, another empresario of cultured dining? We hope so. But our fear is that he may be the last of his kind. Arrivederci Nino. You personified the Best of Coral Gables, and you will never be forgotten.

JP FABER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CORAL GABLES MAGAZINE

CEO & PUBLISHER

Richard Roffman

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

J.P.Faber

EVP / PUBLISHER

Gail Scott

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Amy Donner

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

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VP SALES

Sherry Adams

MANAGING EDITOR

Kylie Wang

ART DIRECTOR

Jon Braeley

STAFF WRITER & SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Carmen Sofia Fraga

EDITOR-AT-LARGE

Grace Carricarte

SENIOR WRITERS

Mike Clary

Doreen Hemlock

WRITERS

Andrew Gayle

Parker Gimbel

Mallory Evans Jacobson

Katelin Stecz

FILM AND VIDEO CRITIC

Michael Roffman

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Rodolfo Benitez

Jonathan Dann

Emily Fakhoury

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Toni Kirkland

CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION

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OFFICIAL FRAMER

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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.

Cover: Nino Pernetti, owner of Caffé Abbracci for three decades. Photo by Jonathan Dann.

THE GABLES IS A LESSER WORLD WITHOUT NINO PERNETTI

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

Know Your City

In our June issue we ran a photo of a bust of José Marti and challenged readers to name its location. Here are the cognoscenti who got it right (and won museum passes): Ruben Acosta; Sally Baumgartner; Jane Easley; Sarah George; Orlando Gonzalez; Constanza Gutierrez-Cavalli; Marietta Larrauri; Melissa Manduley; Michael Maxwell; Lawrence Mortensen; Brian Osman; Alberto Pino; Arturas Solveiga; Helen Torres.

Keeping it Greener

I have been following your stories about Mayor Vince Lago’s efforts to clean up the downtown, and to upgrade some of the landscaping – or lack thereof. In your March 2022 issue you ran a photo of some pretty trashy looking “landscaping” on Ponce, just north of Alhambra Circle. I actually recognized the place because the building façade is fairly unique. Long story short, I recently passed by the same location and saw that

it had been re-landscaped. Not bad at all. Looks like the mayor’s campaign from his bully pulpit is actually working. Next we’ll see about getting sidewalks clean.

Dominic J. Abreu

Thanks to the Museum

I would like to compliment the Coral Gables Museum on their efforts to support the cultural and people of Ukraine. There is currently a very interesting exhibit of artists whose work was forbidden until after the breakup of the USSR in 1991. As part of Family Day [in June] there was a group of dancers in their ethnic costumes bringing their lively entertainment to all ages. The museum has also just announced that on August 21st, Hobart Earle, the conductor of the Odessa Philharmonic Orchestra, will present Ukraine, Music in Wartime. I urge everyone to attend to assist the artists of Ukraine.

Sandra Wisham

Thanks for the Reportage

Allow me to congratulate you on this month’s edition [June 2022] of the Coral Gables Magazine. I much liked your editorial on Innovation and a balance with Tradition. Yes, our leadership is placing the Gables on the right path. Best Quote of the Month should go to Armando Codina: “I am getting to a stage in life where I don’t even buy green bananas when I go to the supermarket.” I hope someone picks it up for a book on quotes. And I did not know that our beautiful greenery was designed by past city governments. Thought it was part of our tropical jungle before development. And I have been around since 1960. Finally, the Coral Gables Museum is going through a revival under the leadership of José Valdés Fauli. He deserves our wholehearted support. Maybe we need to start thinking outside the box in terms of how to recover the cultural leadership of the Gables.

Ramon Cernuda

Streetwise

Allen Morris’ New Book Page 26

PLUS: City Hall Report

The New Batmobile

A State Windfall

From City Hall

AT ITS LAST MEETING AT THE END OF MAY, THE COMMISSIONERS:

VOTED 5-0 TO EXTEND THE PERMISSION for restaurants to put tables outside on city streets and in city parking places. Large signage about being open, etc., will no longer be allowed.

LISTENED TO A PROPOSAL FOR A temporary dog park at Ponce de Leon and Mendoza Avenue, proposed by Commissioner Rhonda Anderson, in a lot made available by developers Location Acquisitions for a year.

APPROVED ON A SECOND VOTE A 10-story apartment building to rise along Madeira Ave. between LeJeune and Salzedo. In exchange for size concessions, the developers agreed to provide a 5,000 square foot park, mature trees, all EV capable parking spots, and $235,000 toward streetscaping and traffic calming. The design of the project, a sheer 600-foot wall of apartments, prompted commissioners to initiate a change to the zoning code to limit future apartments to 300-feet in length.

REJECTED A REQUEST BY SUE KAWALERSKI, chair of the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB), for the TAB to become part of the design review process when a developer submits a plan that goes beyond the building code. An openly hostile Commissioner Michael Mena accused Kawalerski of using the TAB to insert her personal agenda into the process (Kawalerski is also president of the Coral Gables Neighbors Association, which opposes over-development of the city). The commission did agree to provide earlier and more complete information about new projects to the TAB so they can better assess, and comment upon, the impact for local traffic.

VOTED 5-0 TO CODIFY SANITARY RULES for construction sites, with penalties. The new rules include requirements that sites remain free from trash and debris, that dumpsters are not allowed to overflow, and that portable toilets must not block rights of way, must face inward, and must be kept odor free.

VOTED 5-0 TO CLARIFY THE NEW RULES ON sidewalk maintenance for commercial buildings “to make sure there are no loopholes,” said Mayor Vince Lago, who sponsored the item. As of June 30, all building owners are required to pressure clean their sidewalks twice a year.

TALKED FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR ABOUT whether to increase garbage collection fees $24 annually, from $902 to $926 (for early payers, from $770 to $794). Currently the city covers 27 percent of

the cost, which includes four pickups weekly to 11,000 homes. One of those pickups is for trash pits, which costs the city $1.32 million each year – a sore spot for Mayor Lago, who pointed out that such pits are used by area landscapers to dump their green waste. The mayor led the 4-1 rejection of the fee increase, declaring he would not raise taxes for any reason, and called for a sunshine meeting to discuss other ways to mitigate the cost for residents – including the possible elimination of trash pits. Vice Mayor Mena called for a referendum on trash pits.

DISCUSSED WAYS TO ENFORCE THE curb on electric scooters on Miracle Mile and adjacent blocks of Ponce de Leon, following a recent accident between a pedestrian and scooter rider on the Mile. The scooters are supposed to have a GPS program that shuts motors if operated in restricted areas. Commissioner Anderson, who sponsored the discussion, also complained that scooters were being parked in inappropriate places. Police Chief Ed Hudak noted that only 13 incidents had been reported since 2018, when the scooter program began, and only eight incidents were documented by police, most involving cars hitting scooters. Since the program began, more than 200,000 rides have taken place.

LISTENED TO A PRESENTATION ABOUT the open house for membership registration at the new Coral Gables Country Club, held the previous weekend in front of the former Liberty Café. Some 200 residents applied for membership. City commissioners also listened to an update on restoration of the club, which experienced significant damage during its years operated by private Canadian company Liberty Entertainment. The city will run the new Country Club; its gym reopened in June with new equipment, and the Liberty Café will now become Le Parc Café under a new concessionaire agreement.

APPROVED AN UPDATE ON NEW TYPES of plants allowed in the swales in front of private homes, sponsored by Commissioner Anderson (see story pg. 84).

LISTENED TO AN INITIAL REPORT ON THE placement of bicycle lanes on Valencia and Andalusia, between Segovia and Ponce, to connect bikers to the future Mobility Hub. The issue remains highly complex, due to potential loss of trees and difficulties crossing traffic circles.

VOTED 5-0 TO REVIEW AND UPDATE THE ongoing safety measures for schools, a request “obviously prompted by the recent school shooting in Texas,” said Commissioner Jorge Fors, who sponsored the item. Police Chief Hudak told commissioners that school personnel would be equipped with personal “panic buttons,” and expressed concern about parents who were starting to take matters into their own hands by “trying to breach their schools” during classroom hours. ■

Best Expeditor in Coral Gables 1

Permitting with a Difference

What is a Building Permit?

A building permit is a legal document issued from the local governm ent that allows you to proceed with construction on a project. Building permits are required to ensure the safety of your family and neighbors, keep your community looking nice and protect your investment.

How to Choose a Permit Expeditor?

Choosing a Permit Expediting company could get very tricky. There are expeditors that are a one-person operation and generally work out of the trunk of their car. Furthermore, don’t know the exact processes and eventually make you lose more time and money. At times, they collect a retainer and then vanish… Very commonly, they don’t answer your calls. If you make the wise decision to choose a permit expediting company, make sure to look at these points:

• How many years have they been in business?

• Do they have an office?

• How big is their team?

• Look at their recent projects.

• Google search them and determine how reputable they are.

• See if they have a website and examine it.

How Do You Know If You Need a Building Permit?

The only way to know if you need a building permit is to contact a local permit expeditor or visit the governing building agency where you are planning on performing the work. Not every local building agency requires a permit for all work. Such as but not limited to, painting, minor repairs, minor plumbing, electrical projects, etc…

However, there are other local governing agencies that require a permit for almost everything. For example, The City of Coral Gables requires you to obtain a permit for painting, tree removal, landscaping, temporary fences, etc… M.E.D. Expeditors suggest that you check before hand, as you could save yourself a lot of time, money and unnecessary stress.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Building Permit?

The time it takes to get a permit differs greatly based on the type of permit and the local government building agency. Building permits could take anywhere from one week to years… What the average homeowner doesn’t know, is that the architect and/or engineer that they choose, plays a big part on how long their permit takes to get approved. They could avoid their permit getting rejected over and over again if they choose an architect/engineer that is well familiarized with Florida’s Building Code and local Zoning Codes. You could also save yourself a lot of time if you hire a permit expeditor that’s familiar with your county/city’s requirements.

Established in 1997, MED Expeditors, Inc. has processed thousands of projects throughout Florida. They are highly experienced in small home projects to retail projects in the construction industry for the top Fortune 500 Retailers. M.E.D. Expeditors are one of the Gem Investors for the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce and the exclusive expeditors for The Shops at Merrick Park in our #CityBeautiful. They are highly involved and recognized in the community. As well as known as the best and most prestigious permit expediting company in Florida.

Melissa Castro, Owner of M.E.D. Expeditors states “Permitting is not only our job but also our passion”.

Their main objective is to time effectively process your building permits or licenses, providing you with top-tier quality customer service for each project. As well as, daily customized updates, while offering individualized attention. They highly pride themselves in valuing your time: as they know that “Time is money”. They have a team of experienced specialists with professional and graduate degrees that offer time- effective solutions for all your permitting needs.

We highly pride ourselves in Valuing your time: as we know that “Time is Money”

Talk of the Town

Not the Batmobile, but still…

On a recent morning it straddled a half dozen parking spaces in front of City Hall, its antenna raised some 50 feet into the air, its sides emblazoned with city seals and the words “Mobile Command Center.” On display for the public and city commissioners, it is the city’s latest high-tech tool to deal with emergencies – a rolling package of computers and communication systems that can serve as a command central should anything happen to the Public Safety Building. “The idea is that, in this unit, if we were to lose our main 911 center and our backup 911 center, we could run the entire city’s operations – police and fire – all from this vehicle, via satellite,” said Police Chief Ed Hudak. “Everything is computerized and self-contained.” The $1.2 million command vehicle had been on Chief Hudak’s wish list for years and was only affordable through the sale of property confiscated from criminals by the city’s police department. Inside are seats for five operators, each with a screen that can monitor the city’s street camera system – or use cameras atop the satellite poles to see miles in any direction. There is also a mini conference room (accommodated by the outward expansion of the vehicle’s walls) where city officials can meet to deal with emergencies. We are not sure what kind of natural disaster could level the Public Safety Building, but it’s good to know that we can handle it.

Kudos for Fairchild

The USA TODAY 10Best travel guide, which is a reader’s choice award, just voted Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden as the best Botanic Garden in the nation. Something about “the warm climate of Coral Gables” that allows tropical plants to grow all year outdoors. Plus, those exotic butterflies in the conservatory. But we knew that!

A Win for Autistic Kids (and their parents)

After years of lobbying by parents and healthcare activists, the Miami-Dade County school system is adding a self-contained autism program at Ponce de Leon Middle School for the 2022-2023 school year. Previously, parents of middle-school age children with autism had to enroll in private academies or leave the Gables. “This is a huge win for Coral Gables residents,” says Mary Palacio (above), founder of the Crystal Academy [for children with autism].

Jeannett Gets It

Former city commissioner and realtor Jeannett Slesnick has been feted with the 2022 Martin Hughes Coral Gables Citizen of the Year Award by the Rotary Club. The award cited Slesnick’s numerous contributions, including as president of the Jr. Orange Bowl, chair of the Coral Gables Community Foundation, secretary of the Coral Gables Museum, vice chair of the Historic Preservation Board, and for ten years 1st Lady of Coral Gables (when husband Don was mayor). She and Don recently donated $100,000 to the foundation for scholarships. Jeannett also publishes Jeannett’s Journal with news about the town. ■

Mary Palacio

Real Estate That Moves You

4421 Santa Maria Street, Coral Gables

Elegant & graceful, this Coral Gables beauty sits on leafy Santa Maria, one of the most beautiful streets in Coral Gables.

This dignified home overlooks the famed Riviera Golf Course & Country Club. Substantially remodeled, there are beautiful vistas from every window. An expansive chef’s kitchen & butler’s pantry are adjacent to a grand, formal dining room, perfect for entertaining.

The exquisite outdoor patio provides a quiet respite for cocktails at dusk.

A Very Special Home.

A Poetic Remembrance

In early June, the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables held a second annual ceremony in observation of Founder’s Day at the 1920s Fink-designed home of Brett Gillis, a board member of the Association. The event garnered about 30 guests who came to listen to Miami-Dade’s first poet laureate, Richard Blanco, who read from city founder George Merrick’s 1920 book “Songs of the Wind on a Southern Shore, and other Poems of Florida.” In attendance were Mayor Vince Lago; former Mayor Dorothy Thompson; Joanne Meagher, Chair of the Merrick House; Jane Maranos,

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Vice Chair of the Landmarks Advisory Board; Rafi Maldonado-Lopez, Principal Managing Director, Sanctuary of the Arts; and Warren Adams, Director Historical Resources, Coral Gables. “We had a poet celeb in our midst, and George was smiling,” said Karelia Carbonell, president of the Historic Preservation Association.

A Record Windfall from the State

The Florida legislature approved a record $3.5 million for projects in Coral Gables, of which $2.525 million survived Gov. Ron DeSantis’ veto (he killed $975,000 for the proposed Mobility Hub). Among the approved allocations were $750,000 for the restoration of the historic Gondola Building and $500,000 for the city’s stormwater system. The only downside is that, except for two $200,000 park grants, all the funds required a 50 percent match from the city. Nonetheless, hats off to Mayor Vince Lago and the City Commission for their lobbying efforts.

High Ratings for Gables Eateries

Three Coral Gables restaurants were recently named to the Michelin guide’s Bib Gourmand category, an award that recognizes “good quality, good value restaurants.” Bachour, Zitz Sum, and Tinta Y Café, were all awarded – Zitz Sum despite a somewhat pricey menu. Zitz Sum also made it to the semifinalists for Best New Restaurant in the James Beard Awards earlier this year, as well as chef Antonio Bachour for Outstanding Pastry Chef. Niven Patel, of Orno and Mamey, was also a semifinalist in the Best Chef South category, although the Gables did not produce any winners, which were named on June 13.

JJ Snow Hansen Real Estate Advisor 305.608.8750

jj@jjsnowhansen.com

get unstuck in life.

All In: How to Risk

Everything for Everything that Matters by author and business leader W. Allen Morris is a freedom manual for hard-driving, success-oriented leaders who are ready to explore the terra incognita of their hidden self in order to find and experience the life they deeply want—the path to greater freedom, joy, creativity, and power.

W. Allen Morris Business Leader and Author, All In

ISBN13: 9781637630693

Advancing the Cure

UM’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center has announced the construction of a new 244,000-square-foot advanced research and treatment facility on campus. The building, which UM calls “transformational,” will provide research and “ultramodern patient care” within the same facility. It will also focus on cancer treatment for minorities. Thanks to Miami’s diverse demographics, “We have an opportunity in Miami to design cures for different populations and amplify our impact to global communities,” said Julio Frenk, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., president of the University of Miami.

The Power of Friends

With the departure first of Nat Chediak, and then his replacement April Dobbins, the Coral Gables Art Cinema has been left without a programming director. Into the breach jumps executive director Brenda Moe, who says she always felt “left out of programming conversations and decisions” and is now enjoying the responsibility. To help her with the more arcane choices, Moe has launched a series called “In Exhibition With…” in which a friend from the film industry programs a month-long series. In June, it was “The Children of David Lynch and the New Surreal” programmed by Indie film producer Ted Hope, the man who launched Amazon’s movie production unit. In July, it will be “In Exhibition with… Flaming Classics,” flicks from the “queer canon” curated by film critic Juan Barquin and former Cosford Cinema executive director Trae DeLellis. The films will be shown in the “after hours” time slot Saturday nights. ■

Brenda Moe

The New Cancer Center

Twenty Years in the Making

ALLEN MORRIS LETS IT ALL OUT IN HIS BOOK “ALL IN”

BY KYLIE WANG

The audience of some 100 people included a who’s who of prominent citizens, especially those in real estate, investing, and banking. Addressing them in a dark blue suit and pin- striped shirt, W. Allen Morris was a portrait of affability, in contrast to some of the darker moments described in his book. He was at Books & Books, to talk about “All In,” his autobiography of transformation

For many residents of Coral Gables, Morris may be known for the roster of his community involvement, including positions at the Rotary Club, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, the Orange Bowl Committee, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and the Miami Board of Realtors. But for most he will be remembered as the man behind Alhambra Towers, a building that has become as much an icon for the Gables as the Biltmore Hotel.

Construction of Alhambra Towers, created in the style of the great cathedrals of Spain, began during a turbulent time in Morris’ life, the three years starting in 2000 when he took a sabbatical from his career as a developer.

three-month break that became a three-year sabbatical from the company and all the boards and committees he chaired – not exactly great advice for the average American worker. But, jokes Morris, “You don’t have to take a three-year sabbatical… you can just read the book!”

In it, he describes his journey through myriad travels, retreats, and forums, including survival training in the desert mountains of the Baja Peninsula in Mexico (“This wasn’t like going to Disney World,” he quips). During that time, he also attended scores of AA meetings, not because he is an alcoholic (he is not) but because “nobody [there] was maintaining their persona of success. They talked about their screwups, and it rocked my world to listen to people who were being so real,” he says. During this journey of self-discovery, the Alhambra Towers rose. “I had this dream of a building that would pay homage to George Merrick’s vision of castles in the sky, which is how he described the Gables,” says Morris. “We [the towers and I] were both being built at the same time.”

“I WAS JUST BURNED OUT. I FELT LIKE IF I HAD TO BUILD ONE MORE EFFICIENT OFFICE BOX I WOULD DIE. I’D RATHER CLOSE THE COMPANY.”

ABOVE: W. ALLEN MORRIS, SIGNING HIS BOOK “ALL IN.”

BELOW: MORRIS WITH HIS WIFE JUNE AND MITCH KAPLAN, OWNER, BOOKS & BOOKS

After assembling more than 80 projects for his eponymous company, Morris was drained. “I was just burned out,” he says. “I felt like if I had to build one more efficient office box I would die. I’d rather close the company.” He was suffering from constant migraines that his doctors were sure had to be caused by a brain tumor — only there was no evidence of one. He was also among the 46 percent of American adults who feel extremely lonely, according to a study he references in his book.

So, armed with a need to redefine himself, he took a

In “All In,” Morris writes about this struggle for his mental wellbeing and the risks he had to take. “The journey of looking into my own life scared the hell out of me,” he told his audience at Books & Books. “I did not want to go there. [But] I have come to discover I’ve only learned the really important things from pain. Pain can be… the greatest opportunity. But it feels like risking everything to step into this unknown.”

To risk everything for what really matters is certainly an ambitious goal for anyone, perhaps even more so for a man considered to be one of our most successful business leaders. To find out more, read “All In: How to risk everything for everything that matters,” found at most major retailers, but especially at Books & Books. ■

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Best Bets

FOR JULY-AUGUST

Series is back for its 37th season: “Starry, Starry Nights Return!” Concert goers will be entertained by an array of talented classical and jazz musicians. Takes place at the Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ. Tickets $35 to $190. Visit www.communityartsprogram.org for more information, including performance schedules. 3010 De Soto Blvd.

FAIRCHILD: NATURE CONNECTS

Take advantage of the last months of Fairchild’s Nature Connects. This display of 30 giant sculptures, each built with over 700,000 LEGO bricks by renowned artist Sean Kenney, will be available until August 28. Enjoy daily 10 am to 5 pm. Non-member tickets are $11.95 to $24.95 at www.fairchildgarden.org. Members enter free. 10901 Old Cutler Road.

SANCTUARY OF THE ARTS

Sanctuary of the Arts will conduct a “Summer Intensive Choreographic” July 11-16, aimed at semi-professional and professional students 15 to 30 years old. Classes include Ballet Technique, Pointe Technique, Musical Jazz, Contemporary, Repertory, Pas de Deux, and Choreographic Composition. Meanwhile, the Summer Dance Program for Kids runs July 25-29, with classes 9 am to 12 pm. This is an opportunity for students (7 to 14 years old) to improve technique in the modalities of Ballet, Jazz, Choreographic Composition, and Acro dance. The final performance will be July 30. Visit https://www.sanctuaryofthearts.org for more information. 410 Andalusia Avenue.

BILTMORE CULINARY CAMP

The Biltmore Hotel’s acclaimed culinary academy has returned. This summer, children ages 9 to 16 can enroll into a unique hands-on culinary camp led by renowned Biltmore chefs. Sessions are July 11 to 15, July 18 to 22, July 25 to 29, August 1 to 5, and August 8 to 12. Prices are $750 per session. Sign up and get more information at www.biltmorehotel.com. 1200 Anastasia Avenue.

ACTORS’ PLAYHOUSE

Actors’ Playhouse has two new shows in store. From July 7 to 31, catch the children’s theater performance of “Young King Arthur” Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm. Tickets $25 to $30. From July 13 to July 31, “Hank Williams: Lost Highway,” a musical biography of the legendary singer-songwriter, will take the stage. Tickets $40 to $75. Visit www. actorsplayhouse.org for more information. 280 Miracle Mile.

COMMUNITY ARTS PROGRAM: SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

Until August 18, every other Thursday (first and third of each month) at 8 pm, the Community Arts Program Summer Concert

GABLESTAGE

GableStage will present the legendary Ruben Rabasa as he takes the wheel of his own one-person show, “Rubenology,” driving us through the wild ride of his life. Showing from July 14 to 31.

Tickets $25 to $40. From August 20 through September 18, enjoy “Fade,” a witty dramatic comedy about class, integrity, and culture. Tickets $35 to $65. Visit www.gablestage.org for more information and ticket purchases. 1200 Anastasia Avenue, #203.

SOUTH MIAMI-DADE CULTURAL ARTS CENTER: FLAMENCO PURO

Enjoy a stunning flamenco performance at SMDCAC’s Black Box Theater on July 9 and 10. This choreography features flamenco dancer Clarita Filgueiras accompanied by an outstanding cast of flamenco artists from Spain and Latin America who put their experience towards a soulful and passionate performance. Priced at $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Visit www.smdcac.org for more information and ticket purchases. 10950 SW 211 Street. ■

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

MiamiSignatureHomes.com

626 Coral Way Unit LPH03

Coral Gables | $3,750,000

4 beds | 4.5 baths | 2-car | city+golf course views | 4,756 adj sf | 5,402 total sf

Residence LPH03 ~ This full-floor sky home with 4111 SF of living space + 1291 SF of terraces boasts phenomenal vistas of the golf course, downtown, The Biltmore, Coconut Grove, and even a peek of the bay. Timeless finishes such as limestone floors + marble baths grace the home, while natural light--and views-- filter through the floor-toceiling windows. Its floor plan consists of a private elevator vestibule at center with the main suite + 2nd bedroom suite on the east, and kitchen, dining, laundry + 3rd and 4th bedroom suites to the west. Why buy here? You can stroll to 40+ restaurants, shoppes, theatre + parks. Gables on The Green is undergoing a full modernization to the common areas, exterior, gym + lobby. The Seller is covering these costs. [LPH03 aka 1603]. SF per developer plans.

What’s Hot for the Home: Games

BY MALLORY EVANS JACOBSON

Summer is in full swing, and there’s only so much baking in the sun that you can do, right? To keep the fun going, set up some aesthetically pleasing games sourced from Coral Gables shops to create a playful atmosphere at home that everyone can enjoy.

1. GOT YOUR BACK

Louis Vuitton’s portable backgammon set is an easy choice if you’re looking to start a collection of games. An heirloom-quality statement piece on its own, it’s also a well-loved diversion for many. Retail: $16,900, Louis Vuitton at Neiman Marcus. 390 San Lorenzo Ave., 305-446-0116, us.louisvuitton.com.

2. PERFECT TIMING

A unique decoration for a game room or any area of the home, the Ela clock from Roche Bobois offers a dizzying yet artful interpretation of a classic timepiece. Retail: $1,025. Roche Bobois, 450 Biltmore Way, 305-444-1017.

3. WALL ART

Jazz up your game room (or any area of your home) with a statement wall in Thibaut’s Channels wallpaper in Emerald. This punchy print would add an instant dose of playful energy. Retail: $228 per roll. GK Design Center, 2319 S. Le Jeune Rd., 305-461-1002, gkdesigncenter.com.

4. CATCH YOUR FALL

A more stylish version of every child’s beloved Jenga, Crate & Barrel’s Tumbling Tower game is chic enough to leave out on display. Made from New Zealand pine blocks and accompanied by a canvas carrying tote, this will easily become a family favorite. Retail: $159.95. Crate & Barrel, 358 San Lorenzo Ave., 305-460-3560, crateandbarrel.com.

5. GAME ON

While it was designed to weather the elements, JANUS et Cie’s new Tangent pool table would look just as elegant in a sunroom or living room setting. Beautifully constructed with a modern shape and elegant iroko wood legs, the item’s use can be extended to function as an extra table with the addition of a separately sold three-piece top. Retail: $29,950. Janus et Cie, 273 Giralda Ave., 305-438-0005, janusetcie.com ■

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Peruvian Sensibilities

SAYA AT MERRICK PARK BRINGS TO THE GABLES UNIQUE DESIGN AND FABRICS

BY KIM RODRIGUEZ

When consumers think of shopping at specialty boutiques they don’t necessarily run to their nearest mall. Malls typically house big box stores and global brands that attract a multitude of people, with retail spaces that are usually too expensive to lease for smaller businesses.

I’m happy to write that The Shops at Merrick Park now has a new specialty store with its own unique design sensibilities. It’s Saya, by acclaimed Peruvian designer Sitka Semsch, which opened its doors earlier this year next to Neiman Marcus.

A native of Peru, Semsch has been a part of the international fashion community since 1995, winning accolades for her namesake Sitka Semsch brand of formal wear. In 2011, she was appointed Peru’s Fashion Ambassador. But it wasn’t until 2019 that Saya, a fashion and lifestyle brand, was created by Semsch and her partner Patricia Hurtado, bringing the brand’s first U.S. location to Coral Gables in February.

Having previously lived in Miami for 8 years, Semsch developed a deep connection with Greater Miami, its people, and its culture. She says Miami and Coral Gables embody her brand’s value and identity, combining quality design and workmanship with a flair for active living.

Saya is a breath of fresh air, figuratively and literally. It’s a cavernous white space with white linen drapes, endless ceilings, greenery, macrame and other earthy, botanical features throughout. It has a fresh

airiness that welcomes you along with a friendly and knowledgeable staff. The racks along the walls house beautifully hued vignettes of women’s wear that are unique, wearable, and design driven with lovely natural fabrics at their core.

Sitka’s vision for both her brands “is to incorporate elements of my native Peru in my designs using handcrafted textures and applying traditional techniques using the finest indigenous materials and fibers such as Alpaca, and the so-valued Pima cotton.” Saya is her ready to wear label with dresses, pants, tops, skirts, sweaters, and ponchos. The price points are very reasonable, ranging from $118 to $250. Her Sitka Semsch brand of occasion and event wear is also housed in the store, with prices ranging from $400 and up depending on the fabrication and design.

The target customer for Saya is a woman in her late 20s to late 50s. She enjoys travel, values design, and appreciates quality fabrics. “Our customers look for stylish and accessible clothing that will stay in their wardrobe for a long time –leaving them feeling beautiful and empowered,” says Semsch. “SAYA [and Sitka Semsch] exist solely because our customers trust and believe in what the brand stands for: confidence, self-regard, sensuousness, class, and sisterhood.” ■

Kim Rodriguez is a Personal Stylist and Shopper whose clients include many Coral Gables residents. Krpersonalstyle.com

SAYA OWNER, PERUVIAN DESIGNER SITKA SEMSCH, SAYS HER VISION “IS TO INCORPORATE ELEMENTS OF MY NATIVE PERU IN MY DESIGNS USING HANDCRAFTED TEXTURES AND APPLYING TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES USING THE FINEST INDIGENOUS MATERIALS AND FIBERS.”

Getting the Drip

IV DRIPS HAVE ARRIVED IN THE GABLES

BY J.P. FABER

The idea of the health-giving IV drip is straightforward: If you administer concentrated cocktails of vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and other trace nutrients directly into the bloodstream, they will bypass the digestive track and go right to work, delivering a powerful blast of health.

First pioneered by a Baltimore physician named John Myers, as well as Noble Prize -winning Vitamin C champion Linus Pauling, the idea of instantly rectifying vitamin and nutrient deficits with an intravenous drip first went viral in Las Vegas as a cure for hangovers. It gained steam with celebrities from Madonna to Rhianna, turning to IV drips to recover from exhaustion during tours.

Today, the “treatment”

remains controversial. Even Wikipedia declares that “Myers’ cocktail is an intravenous (IV) vitamin therapy that lacks scientific evidence to support its use as a medical treatment.”

That may be so. But after my first drip at the IV Bars on Ponce de Leon Boulevard you’ll have to convince me otherwise. Did I get a boost? You mean, beyond the feeling of wellbeing that suffused me afterwards as I listened to a Mainly Mozart concert at the Sanctuary of the Arts? Or beyond finding myself that Saturday night at a Home Depot buying tools at 9 pm? Or later that night, pouring my second vodka at 11 pm while listening to the soundtrack of Hamilton? Or the next morning when, clipping hedges at 8 am, I noticed I was hangover free?

The formula that I tried was the Myers Plus, a 500 ml cocktail containing Vitamin C, magnesium, B-12, B complex, manganese, zinc, copper, and selenium. It cost more than the regular Myers Cocktail because it has those last three trace minerals, plus five times the saline, for hydration.

“Ninety-nine percent of the people who walk in, like the average American, are dehydrated,” says Andrew Magarino, the manager of the Gables’ IV Bars, which is part of a national chain based in Dallas, Texas. Usually rehydrating alone makes people feel better, but then there’s the vitamin-mineral boost that bypasses your digestive system, which typically prevents 70 to 85 percent of vitamins you take orally from reaching your bloodstream.

“When [new] customers come in, I like to ask them what they’re looking for, the benefits,” says Magarino, who worked as a paramedic for more than a decade before joining IV Bars. “Nobody comes in here if they are feeling great. They are look-

ing for something – for energy, or to boost their immune system, or for weight loss, or for fertility” (yes, they do have a libido enhancing formula). Magarino says he is especially amazed by the impact of high doses of Vitamin C. “I’ve actually had people come in post-Covid and tell me they still don’t have their taste and smell. We’ll give them a high dose Vitamin C. I’ve had three people call me the next day, to say ‘Thank you so much, I got my taste and smell back.’”

IV Bars, which offers 21 cocktails for between $100 and $275 each (insurance does not cover the cost), is not the only drip in town. The Spa at the Biltmore Hotel now also offers IV infusions for between $195 and $340. Our favorite: the “Pre-Party,” a blend of nutrients “to help fully enjoy the next day by avoiding a hangover. Start the party with a pre-party IV treatment.” Or maybe just strengthen your immune system quickly; most infusions take between 10 and 30 minutes. ■

Photo by Rodolfo Benitez

ANDREW MAGARINO, THE MANAGER AT IV BARS CORAL GABLES, WITH A CUSTOMER

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DISTINCTIVE LIVING MEETS

BEST-IN-CLASS CARE

Belmont Village Coral Gables to Rede ne Senior Living

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

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4111 Salzedo Street | Coral Gables, Florida

How We See Ourselves I

Coral Gables Museum’s annual photography contest, Capture Coral Gables, is a staple of the museum’s exhibitions every year. This year, photographers submitted works in five categories: City Life, Culture in the City, Architecture and Urbanism, Hidden Treasures, and Coral Gables At Work. The winners selected are those that best captured the city’s culture, energy, meaning, and way of life. Those winners, as well as the Grand Prize winner, were selected by a jury of photography experts, and are printed here. You can view all 25 finalist photos and vote for your favorite online at coralgablesmuseum.org until October 11.

GRAND PRIZE: COLONNADE CUPOLA, BY JAMES PALMA

CORAL GABLES MUSEUM PHOTO CONTEST

CULTURE IN THE CITY: GIRALDA AVENUE AT NIGHT, BY ART CASANOVA

ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM: SUNSET OVER THE CITY BY TOVA TEITELBAUM

HIDDEN TREASURES: EL ACERO CONOCE EL PASO DEL TIEMPO, BY IHOSVANY PLASENCIA

CORAL GABLES AT WORK: UNKNOWN HEROES, BY MARCO INZERILLO CITY LIFE: FIREFLIES BIKES, BY ROBERT RUANO

We’re #1 in Florida*

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is proud to be #1 in Florida in U.S.News & World Report’s 2022-2023 Best Children’s Hospitals listing*. We know it’s great to lead, but when you do it with compassion and extraordinary care, you show the world why the children matter most.

* Nicklaus Children’s is tied with two other hospitals for highest number of subspecialty programs ranked in Florida by U.S.News & World Report’s 2022-23 Pediatric Rankings, and the only top-ranked hospital in South Florida.

nicklauschildrens.org

How We See Ourselves II

Each year, the Coral Gables Garden Club runs a photo contest to support the club’s conservation and environmental projects, scholarships, and community outreach programs. This year, more than 100 local photographers submitted 513 photos in categories that included Altered States, Black & White, Flora, Humans Interacting with Nature, Pollinators & Plants, The Natural World, and Wildlife. Because we are Gables-centric, we published here only the winners in the Coral Gables category. The others can be found on our website, coralgablesmagazine.com.

CORAL GABLES GARDEN CLUB PHOTO CONTEST

1ST PLACE: VICKY CERDA

2ND PLACE: TERI MIRA

HONORABLE MENTION: MARIA PILAR GEADA

3RD PLACE: BETSY TILGHMAN

HONORABLE MENTION: ALEXIS ERHENHAFT

HONORABLE MENTION: WILLIAM TSCHUMY

PLUS: Spicey Meals A Date at Vinya

Spice Up Your Life

ARE YOU A FAN OF HOT FLAVORS? HERE ARE SOME OF THE BEST SPOTS IN THE GABLES

Namaste (Top right)

Unobtrusively located off Ponce, tiny Namaste is Coral Gables’ only Indian restaurant, featuring an extensive menu with five spice levels: mild, medium, high-medium, spicy, and extremely spicy. We had the Nilgiri Korma Special with lamb in a sauce made with pistachios at high-medium ($17.99) and the chicken bathed in creamy Tikka Masota sauce at the spicy level ($16.99). Surprisingly mild heat, so don’t be afraid to impress your date or client with “extremely spicy.” 221 Navarre Ave.

Ichimi (Top left)

This ramen bar has a build-your-own option as well as original favorites, but despite the saucer of chili oil on the table, we were disappointed in the heat level of our Spicy Miso Ramen with pork ($16.50). Adding about 20 spoonfuls of chili oil helped – a bit. Still, sizable portions and delicious toppings like hanjuku eggs and kikurage mushrooms make it a meal. 2330 Salzedo St.

Sports Grill (Right)

For spicy wings, there’s no better place than Sports Grill. We tried their three spiciest: Dale Style (named for one of their regulars), Buffalo, and Miami Heat. Buffalo and Miami Heat were each $18.99 for 10 wings ($12.99 for boneless); Dale Style adds a dollar. Those are the hottest, while Miami Heat and Buffalo rely more on sharp tangy flavors than overpowering spice. Dale Style might send you home early, but it’s worth the trip. 1559 Sunset Dr.

Yard House (Middle right)

Surprisingly, Yard House at Merrick Park has spicy food on their American fusion menu, from the Spicy Tuna Stack ($13.99) and Hot & Spicy Edamame ($6.49) to the entrees we chose, the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich ($13.99) and Spicy Jambalaya ($15.99). The jambalaya is loaded with blackened shrimp, andouille sausage, crawfish, chicken, and peppers in a spicy Cajun cream sauce. The Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich drips with sticky sweetness and Nashville spices – maybe not the best option for a first date, but satisfying. 320 San Lorenzo Ave.

Malakor Thai Isaan (Bottom right)

For those who lean toward spicy sensibilities, there’s no place quite like Malakor Thai Isaan, which delivers its menu in levels of spiciness from one to five – and be warned, these are Thai levels. We had the Thai Fried Rice with beef ($15) and the Panang Curry with chicken ($17), both at level four, and spent our meal with our noses in our napkins. Sniffling aside, the spices didn’t detract from the flavor at all and we’ll definitely be back. 90 Miracle Mile. ■

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A Date at the Table

IN WHICH WE SAMPLE THE DRINK AND FOOD AT VINYA TABLE, A NEW SPOT ON MIRACLE MILE

BY KYLIE WANG

There’s no place quite like the table. It’s a place of friendship, intimacy, and sharing. It’s where business deals are done, where love blossoms over a glass of wine, and where families come together to eat a meal. At Vinya Table, it’s the best place for “sharing the pure joy of food and wine,” according to their mission statement.

Wine is Vinya’s specialty (“vinum” is Latin for wine) and you can buy all the bottles your heart desires there; Vinya’s selection is extensive and delicious. But it was cocktails and food that we shared at our table, where I first ordered a surprisingly sweet strawberry margarita with Olmeca Plata tequila ($13)

that was just strong enough to lend me some first date fortitude. I encouraged my date to try Vinya’s adult spin on a childhood favorite, the Tequila “Creamsicle” ($16), which he described as “the perfect way to start a fun Friday night.” It must have been strong… it was already Saturday.

He also tried the ChinChin Tonic, which came, not in a Collins but rather in a Bordeaux glass, filled with floating accoutrements like parsley leaves and, apparently, a strong portion of dill. His comment: “The combination of the pine taste of the gin and the dill made me feel like I was drinking a boreal forest.” We both capped off the night with

the Small House Champagne by Pierre Cellier ($20), adding a truffle salt rim for five extra dollars. As someone who downs champagne only at New Year’s, I was delighted by the slightly overpowering taste of the truffle salt. My date, who might secretly fancy himself an amateur sommelier, was not.

It is with the utmost disappointment that I cannot review the lamb baklava, a house favorite already sold out by the time we arrived. However, the roasted half chicken on a bed of mashed potatoes was worth the $21 price tag — flavorful and far from dry. The winner of the night, however, was the lobster thermidor fondue ($40), dripping in an opulent gruyère-cognac sauce that my date joked he would inject directly into his body through IV, if possible. The smoked burrata ($20) was good but not very smoky (despite the smoke-

under-glass presentation), while the charcuterie board was phenomenal; we recommend the Delice Bourgogne Triple Crème and the 2-year aged Prosciutto San Daniele.

Besides the strawberry margarita, the best thing about Vinya Table is the atmosphere. Tucked away in one of those tiny Miracle Mile storefronts, sandwiched between Snow’s Jewelers and Fratellino, Vinya is surprisingly spacious inside, with a long, if somewhat narrow dining area and a peekaboo shelf that allows diners to smell, if not see, the kitchen. The former pop-up is a welcome permanent addition to Miracle Mile and to those Gableites who may also fancy themselves amateur sommeliers. It’s well-lit, romantic, and comfortable — the perfect spot to impress a first date. Just get there early if you want a taste of the lamb baklava. ■

LEFT: STRAWBERRY MARGARITA

RIGHT: CHIN-CHIN TONIC BOTTOM LEFT: ROASTED HALF CHICKEN BOTTOM RIGHT: INTERIOR IN WARM TONES

Fun House

CRUDOS ARTHOUSE IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL DINING EXPERIENCE IN THE GABLES

BY ANDREW GAYLE

At first, I did not think I would enjoy dining at Crudos ArtHouse. The music seemed too loud, the colors too brazen. It felt more like a night club in Saigon than an upscale Gables restaurant. But, by the end of the evening, I changed my mind. As one of my dining companions put it, “This is a really fun place.”

Experience is the key concept at Crudos. The restaurant, launched in May, is on the edge of “experience-based hospitality,” the latest trend in eating out. Their self-declared mission: to deliver “an immersive dining experience.” That means lighting, music, art, and food all cast in a theatrical mold, from the servers to the soundtrack. “In everything we do, our goal is to stimulate all the senses,” says co-operator Andres Monroy.

Let’s start with the décor. The space that formerly housed Swine has been transformed into a wild mix of color, sculpture, and paintings, blended into a kind of art madhouse, with feathered chandeliers and back-lit wall panels that could have been designed by Piet Mondrian. Over that is pumped a soundtrack which, in the early evening at least, is updated disco funk with a DJ at the helm. It is more enjoyable than it sounds (think Billy Ocean meets vintage Madonna) especially if you eat upstairs on the balcony overhanging the main room. The servers, meanwhile, are dressed in black jump suits that bring to mind 1) ninja warriors 2) Star Trek crew members 3) Mrs. Peel in the Avengers.

All of this might be merely pretentious if the food was not any good. But it is very good, concocted by Chef Edixon Hernán-

dez and served with panache. We started with three appetizers: the crispy lobster rice, the cloud pork belly, and the yuzu lamb chops. The lobster rice was our first taste of Hernández’ Japanese-Latin fusions, a deft contrast between the crunchy, salty rice (Japanese) and the soft, sweet lobster salad, with a hint of lime (Latin). The pork belly was hidden under a cloud of delicate, foaming cotton candy, dramatically cut through by the waiter’s pour of warm ponzu sauce. Again, layered flavors, with the soft, marinated pork belly crisped at the edge and contrasted by a knoll of pickled cucumber. The lamb chops, marinated in yuzu sauce and topped with ito togarashi, a shredded Japanese red chile, were balanced by a bed of small, sweet fingerling potatoes.

This is the game at Crudos, fusions of sweet and sour, soft and crispy, salty and savory, with artful plating that includes heavy, black-metal cutlery, super thinstemmed wine and water glasses, and ceramic plates with a bronze glaze. We were pleasantly surprised by the Vegan Roll, which blended shitake mushroom, crispy quinoa, avocado, sweet potato, and black garlic. Satisfying enough to quit meat. The House on Fire Roll went down another road, with blue crab, shrimp tempura, avocado, scallions, crispy rice, tuna, and eel sauce, but only after a waiter roasted the top with a hand-held blow torch. Did someone say theatrical?

For entrees we sampled the churrasco and grilled sea bass, further takes on the Japan-meets-Latin palate. The tender churrasco was marinated for 48 hours in orange juice, soy, cumin, ginger, sugar and continued next page

ABOVE: THE MISSION OF CRUDOS ARTHOUSE IS TO DELIVER “AN IMMERSIVE DINING EXPERIENCE.” THAT MEANS LIGHTING, MUSIC, ART, AND FOOD ALL CAST IN A THEATRICAL MOLD, WITH THE DECOR AN ECLECTIC BURST OF COLOR.

paprika, then enhanced by black garlic ponzu. The grilled seabass, served on a raised hot plate, evoked a new flavor envelope with a ginger and sesame glaze. Crudos is also inventive with their cocktails; we sampled the refreshing Kandinsky White Russian, which came with coffee beans and a tiny glass of Kahlua. Crudos takes this a step further with its Aka upstairs lounge, specializing in Japanese whisky “highballs” mixed with soda water that has tiny Dom Pérignon sized bubbles.

The décor is as inventive as the food, with dramatically contrasting blues and reds. On one wall is a mural of famous artists, from Picasso to Salvador Dali, as well as historical figures (Lincoln, the Queen) and musicians,

whose music is transmogrified by the inhouse DJ. The furniture is covered in plush velvet, which feels wonderful to touch. “We designed Crudos ArtHouse to be an energetic space,” says director of operations Daniel Materan, who is also CEO of MoonMat Hospitality, which launched the Crudos brand first in Wynwood. Now the only question is whether it’s too edgy for the Gables. ■

CRUDOS

2415

305.392.0054

TOP LEFT: KANDINSKY WHITE RUSSIAN

MIDDLE LEFT: VEGAN ROLLS

BOTTOM LEFT: CRISPY LOBSTER RICE

TOP RIGHT: MARINATED CHURRASCO

BOTTOM RIGHT: CLOUD PORK BELLY

ART HOUSE

PONCE DE LEON BLVD.

Go to Audrey

An Elegy for Nino Pernetti

On May 31, after an 18-month struggle with Covid-19 and its aftereffects, Nino Pernetti died at the age of 76. The owner of Caffe Abbracci for three decades, Pernetti was the consummate host, a man with an eidetic memory who greeted every guest by name – and charmed them all with his affection and wit. In the early days of Caffe Abbracci, his restaurant was one of the few sophisticated dining options in Miami, and the host for an incredible parade of powerful people in politics, the arts, and business. Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama dined there, as did Frank Sinatra, Robert De Niro, Matt Damon, and a host of others. In more recent years, with the advent of South Beach, Brickell and Wynwood, his guest list was closer to home, comprising the leading citizens of the Gables, public and private. It was the ultimate power lunch spot, and in the evening and week-

ends a family favorite.

I first met Nino in 2018, and became fascinated by his aplomb and the adroit way he interacted with his customers, who loved him. The following year I wrote a feature story about his life, a story that he liked so much he had it framed and hung in the restaurant: “The World According to Nino Pernetti.” A trim, athletic, and handsome man, with an agile mind propelled by his voracious reading habits, I am certain he would not want to be remembered as the man who was felled by illness, despite a truly heroic struggle to recover. I think he would like to be remembered in his prime, at the top of his game, as he was just before the pandemic struck and extinguished one of the brightest lights in our city. For this reason, we are running the story I wrote three years ago, after spending time with this wonderful icon of Coral Gables hospitality. – J.P. Faber

The World According to Nino Pernetti

Photo by Jonathan Dann

HOW THE PROPRIETOR OF ABBRACCI KEPT HIS RESTAURANT GOING STRONG FOR 30 YEARS

BY J.P. FABER

It is 10:30 a.m. and the crew at Abbracci is moving in a kind of ballet of preparation. The doors of the otherwise windowless restaurant are wide open, letting the morning breeze freshen the interior while the wait staff – still in shirt sleeves or even undershirts before they put their uniforms on when the AC kicks in – is busy cleaning and prepping. One is vacuuming. Another is dragging the valet stand out front. Still another is making sure that every single glass on the tables is shiny and polished.

In a little over an hour the lunch crowd at Abbracci will arrive, and there will not be an empty table. The diners who show up will be a who’s who of local power brokers and people of influence, not just from Coral Gables but from downtown Miami and beyond. There will be mayors and bankers and successful entrepreneurs, doctors and attorneys and developers. There will be important persons of social status, even celebrities.

All of them will be attended to by a swarm of solicitous waiters. All of them will be served reliably pleasing Italian food. And all of them will be greeted by the proprietor, Nino Pernetti. And, unless it’s the first time they have come to the restaurant, Pernetti will know every one of them by name. Literally.

Nino Pernetti is something of a legend in Coral Gables. As of this July, he will have completed a 30-year run at the helm of a highly successful restaurant in a city of fine dining that can be as fickle as it is discerning in its tastes. How he has done so is a compliment to his fastidious and charming personality, his phenomenal memory of every client’s name and his profound understanding of how to run a fine dining establishment. As patron Willy Bermello puts it (with no bias), “This is the best restaurant in the world.”

BIRTH OF A RESTAURANTER

A great many ingredients go into creating a great restaurant, everything from location and décor to service and freshness of food. It is a science, to be sure, but also a craft. Pernetti received decades of train-

ing in the hospitality industry before setting up in Coral Gables. As he details in his winsome 2008 book, Nino Pernetti’s Caffe Abbracci Cookbook: His Life Story and Travels Around the World, he began his career in hospitality serving espressos in the summertime to customers at the Locanda Gemma café in tiny Limone, Lake Garda, Italy. At 15 he went to hotel school, served his ‘residency’ at the Grand Hotel Bristol in Merano, and never looked back.

Pernetti pursued a career with Intercontinental Hotels and the Sheraton chain in a series of upward management moves that took him literally around the world, to high-end properties in Germany, England, the Bahamas, Afghanistan, Zambia, South Korea, Mexico, Malaysia, Turkey, and others. Just one example: In 1976, at the age of 31, he was director of food and beverage services at the 650-room Intercontinental Tamanaco Hotel in Caracas, with 400 employees in his department. Along the way he learned seven languages.

That dizzying rise ultimately landed Pernetti in Miami in 1982, where he became the vice president of operations for the Holiday Inn corporation, in charge of its hotels in the Caribbean, Central, and South America. “I did this for 4 years, and I was having lunch one day with an architect, a friend of mine. I said I didn’t like the hotel business, that you have to travel all the time, you can’t have friends, you can’t even plant flowers at home because you’re out 25 days [of the month].”

His friend suggested they partner to open a restaurant, the capital coming from the architect and the sweat coming from Pernetti. That was Caffe Baci (Italian for kisses) on Ponce de Leon Boulevard, which became an overnight success in 1985. What it lacked, however, was enough square footage to be granted a liquor license. So Pernetti and partner sold Baci, and Nino reinvested into what is now Caffe Abbracci (Italian for hugs), in 1989.

At the time, Ocean Drive had yet to be reinvented, and Caffe Abbracci was then among the few sophisticated dining options of greater Miami. Pernetti’s place became a celebrity magnet, attracting clients ranging from Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Mario An-

dretti to Antonio Banderas, Joe Montana, and Elie Wiesel – basically the A-listers visiting South Florida. “South Beach didn’t exist; we were the first affluent restaurant that was here. I was written up in any number of publications: Food & Wine several times, Gourmet magazine, Esquire…”

Political heavyweights also came to Abbracci to eat – presidents Bush I, Clinton, and Obama, to name three – partly due to its reputation for good food, but also, admits Pernetti, because the restaurant was easy to secure. “Why did they pick us? Reputation. Serious, good food, and the best service. Not having windows helps a lot, too, and it’s easy to close down the street [Aragon Avenue].”

While the celebrity crowds have since drifted to South Beach, Pernetti still gets visits from the likes of Matt Damon and politicians like former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. And he never forgets his seemingly endless encounters with special guests. Like the time Robin Williams came in and was speaking fake, rapid Italian. “He was talking away like it was Italian, and I didn’t understand. It was perfect, but I said, ‘Robin, I’m Italian I don’t understand.’ He was just mimicking. He’s such an excellent mimicker.”

Pernetti has also had his pushbacks, like when he balked at Brad Pitt’s suggestion that he make him some meatballs, or when he told Matt Damon, who asked for pizza the first time he came in, that he could order delivery from Dominoes. But outside of these momentary slivers of culinary pride, Pernetti has been the gracious host incarnate, with a shamelessly loyal clientele to show for it. As he writes in his book, “I wanted everyone who came into Caffe Abbracci to feel like they had walked into my home.”

WHAT MAKES PERNETTI TICK

Nino Pernetti is now 74 but looks like he is 50. He has preternaturally young looks, something he ascribes to his diet (“I eat the food here”), to his regimen of regular exercise (“I jog or play tennis six times a week”) and to a perpetual curiosity that has turned him into a fanatical reader (“The brain is like a muscle that needs to be used.”) He has two daughters, now 15 (Katerina) and 20 (Tatiana), and he spends as much time as possible with them. He is a man who clearly enjoys life.

In talking about his restaurant’s success, he attributes some of it to the help he’s had from his team – his general manager, Loris Curzio, and his day manager, Eduardo Gutierrez, have both been with him for 30 years, and many on the wait staff go back decades. He also ascribes it to the food, which he calls “simple Italian comfort food,” though it is more inventive than this sounds, in a menu that is regularly updated. But nothing compares to the presence of Nino, and the tone he sets for Abbracci. It is his belief that you can only run one restaurant well, because it needs your presence. “I have had so many offers to open a restaurant, left and right. Twenty years ago, people in Las Vegas wanted me to open in one of the hotels. I declined because I had to be there 30 hours a month… If you want to do a good business, then just one restaurant!”

That sense of being there also translates to the community at large, where Pernetti has volunteered for decades in such organizations as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Miami Opera, the Vizcaya Foundation, and the Jackson Memorial Foundation. Three years ago he was knighted by the Italian government for spreading the good name of Italy abroad (so you can actually call him Sir Nino). “A restaurant is not only about serving food,” he says. “It has to be a presence in the community. I make myself visible; it’s important.”

And then there is Pernetti’s virtually eidetic memory for the

names of his customers. “I am lucky or blessed for this business. I know the names,” he says, sitting at his table in the back of the restaurant, looking across the room. At one table sits Tom Murphy, the developer whose building on the UM campus just won the 2018 Best Building of the Year Award. At another table is Rodney Barreto, now on the Super Bowl Committee. At another is Able Iglesias, the Gables banker just named to the Federal Reserve board for Miami. “You notice when the waiters come around and approach me, I tell them very quick the name of each one [customer], so they can be addressed by their names. Memory is a must.”

Pernetti says his memory for names is as much a trained skill as an inherent talent. “I’ve run about eight marathons in my life, and you can’t go out suddenly if you are not trained. So, the muscle I have here [he touches his forehead], it concentrates all the time. You tell me the name, I store it, I inventory it, I think it, and I see it. I concentrate and take the time to feed my mind and remember. That is why I know the name of everybody. It’s part of Abbracci’s talent, if I can call it that…. Probably if you give me your phone number I’ll forget it. But if you tell me your name, I make sure I know it – and what you like and what you eat and all about you.”

The loyalty which that kind of welcome engenders produces clients like Anthony Villamil, the CEO of the Gables-based Washington Economics Group, who is well into his second decade as a customer. He comes to Abbracci for business meetings during the day, and with family at night. “Abbracci is our second home in many ways,” says Vallamil, who has celebrated birthdays and even weddings here. “Nino takes the extra care to make sure you feel at home. And the quality of the food is excellent.”

Ah, yes, the food. If you ask Nino’s day manager Eduardo why he likes working for Pernetti, he’ll tell you, “Because Nino is a

PERNETTI IN LIMONE, ITALY, IN HIS FIRST JOB AT LOCANDA GEMMA

Nino Pernetti 1945 - 2022

We at Coral Gables Trust were always inspired by Nino's insistence on the highest standards of excellence in all aspects of his business, and greeting all his customers as his VIP guest, and friend. Being a business with our roots in Coral Gables, we are saddened by the loss of our friend Nino, and were blessed to have known him. We consider Caffe Abbracci as our "corporate dining room", and will dearly miss his uplifting presence. Since he planned for every detail, we know Loris, Eduardo and his entire Caffe Abbracci team will continue with Nino's high standards of excellence. As It Was! Nino truly understood the importance of caring relationships

with his customers and stood apart, a value we share and hold near and dear.

Coral Gables Trust Stands Apart, It's all about you!

gentleman, and a good boss. Sometimes he is strict, because he has to be, but he’s always on top of the people, since the first.” But ask him why the restaurant is a success, and he’ll tell you, “Because he [Pernetti] always has to check all of the dishes as they come out. Food is first. Then, of course, service, but food first.”

Though he has collected recipes all his life (and naturally has plenty from his extended family in Italy), Pernetti is modest about the food at Abbracci. “I’m from the north of Italy. There is a myth about food coming from the north, south, east or west. The truth is that good food is good food. You blend what people like the most,” he says. “What we serve is comfort food, but still good food. At the end of the day, the stomach responds to good food. Like love. The idea is to never let you down. That’s what leads to longevity in love or in food.”

Pernetti himself eats lightly, at least at lunch, usually some fish and vegetables, a sip of prosecco, some berries in a martini glass and maybe an espresso – though he is not averse to a little pasta now and then. “Pasta is good for talking,” he says. He maintains a trim figure and compulsive habits. He reads the Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald every day for precisely one hour, in case there is an item about one of his patrons (more likely than you would think). He arrives at Abbracci at precisely 10:30 am and stays there until 3 pm. He then returns at 7 pm and stays for a couple of hours, sometimes longer. “I am extremely disciplined on time,” says Pernetti. “In my house I must have 10 clocks, one in the closet, one in the bathroom, one in the hallway. I have seven French clocks, and they all chime at the same time. Every Sunday I have to rewind them and adjust them.”

One reason for his methodical discipline with time is so that Pernetti can devote at least two hours a day to what he calls his addiction: reading. He maintains a large library and alternates between biographies and fiction.

“I have thousands of books. I mix them up, but curiosity drives me all the time,” he says. “If I don’t read every day for at least two

“THE TRUTH IS THAT GOOD FOOD IS GOOD FOOD. YOU BLEND WHAT PEOPLE LIKE THE MOST. WHAT WE SERVE IS COMFORT FOOD, BUT STILL GOOD FOOD...”

hours I feel like I am missing something. It’s my medicine, or my drug, and I need at least two hours a day.”

Among his recent reads are biographies of Mao Tze Tung and Thomas Jefferson, and among his favorite authors of fiction are Vladimir Nabakov and John Grisham. He is currently reading a biography of Pope Pius the 9th and his troubles in the mid 1800s, and was thrilled when he recognized a reference to the Roman philosopher and orator Cicero. “The common reader would not know the reference. But I did, having read his book many years ago. When I read that in a passage it was a moment of joy.”

While reading is his ‘guilty pleasure’ – Pernetti looks forward to the exquisite moment when he gets to pick his next book from among his unread – he also attributes his ability to converse with anyone to the storehouse of intelligence he’s derived from reading. “Probably this is my fountain of youth. It makes me feel so rich in knowledge. I can sit here with you, or the president, or the bus boy, and I will engage you at the level of anyone.” Engagement. Perhaps that is what best describes Pernetti’s success. Abbracci feels engaged with its customers and its community, and vice-versa.

“Nino is an icon, and Abbracci is part of the fabric of Coral Gables,” says Mayor Raul Valdez-Fauli. “And the food is not bad, either.” ■

NINO PERNETTI ATTRIBUTES SOME OF THE THE SUCCESS OF ABBRACCI TO HIS TEAM ABOVE, WHICH INCLUDES MANAGERS EDUARDO GUTIERREZ (L) AND LORIS CURZIO (R).

Nino Pernetti (1945-2022)

The Best of

the Gables

2022

WELCOME TO OUR ANNUAL GUIDE TO THE BEST THAT THE CITY HAS TO OFFER

In a city that is endowed with an abundance of fine dining, high culture, elegant architecture, family entertainment, and retail options, it’s not easy to decide what’s the best. Does any other city of 50,000 residents have three golf courses, three live theaters, five French restaurants, two top book stores, and the best private university in the state? To winnow the field, we asked a blue-ribbon panel of 40 citizens to share their thoughts; we also asked our readers to submit their votes in more than 80 categories. The results follow. Where our board (and staff) agreed with the readers’ choice, we offer just the one choice. Where the readers’ opinion was different, we list both. See if you agree – or disagree – with our picks, or those of our readers. Let us know what you think (editor@coralgablesmagazine.com) and we’ll share your insights. Now read on. You may just come across something new.

RESTAURANTS BY NATIONALITY

BEST SPANISH: BULLA

The sangria is the best in town, to wash down their superb array of tapas.

BEST ARGENTINE: GRAZIANO’S

Is it the meat roasting in the entranceway, or the wall of Argentine wine?

BEST ITALIAN: CAFFE ABBRACCI

Nino Pernetti’s legacy lives on with his beloved restaurant.

READERS’ CHOICE: ZUCCA

Their’s is a light touch, with northern Italian influences.

BEST PERUVIAN: AROMAS DE PERU

Beyond ceviche. Way beyond. Including great seafood soups.

BEST JAPANESE: IZAKAYA

The daily specials go deep into Japanese cuisine, with a top bento box.

BEST FRENCH: PASCAL’S ON PONCE Haute cuisine was never so haute. True mastery of classic French dishes.

Ashley Airaghi, Patrick Alexander, Greg Barnes, Rodney Barreto, Tere Bernace, Karelia Carbonell, Ramon Cernuda, Ray Corral, Meg and John Daley, Susi Davis, Swanee DeMare, Jack Firestone, Joan Fleischman, Jill Hornick, Rishi Kapoor, Israel Kreps, Jack Lowell, Paola Mendez, Ben Mollere, Michael Moore, June Morris, Patrick O’Connell, Jose Ortega, Silvia Ortiz, Tom Parker, Aura Reinhardt, Susan Rodriguez, Ron Shuffield, Don Slesnick, Mary Snow, Alirio Torrealba, Venny Torre, Mark Trowbridge, Francesca Valdes, Rosanna Weber, Jeffrey Wolfe, Carol Williamson, Emily Zubizaretta, and the staff of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce.

BEST MEDITERRANEAN: CALISTA GREEK

SEAFOOD TAVERNA

The new kids in town, making light, fun, and authentic Greek dishes.

READERS’ CHOICE: TUR

Nobody cooks lamb or goat as well. And don’t even get us started about the Turkish pides

BEST THAI: KHAOSAN ROAD

This is the real deal, street food from Bangkok and a novel taste palate.

BEST AMERICAN: HILLSTONE

The only restaurant in the city where people

THE “BEST OF” BOARD OF ADVISORS

will wait outside in line, consistently good.

BEST CUBAN: HAVANA HARRY’S

Under new ownership, but still the biggest portions in town, and fine oxtail stew.

RESTAURANTS BY EXPERIENCE

BEST BREAKFAST: THREEFOLD CAFÉ

Their breakfasts are so good they serve them all day; the first smashed avocado toast in the Gables.

BEST BRUNCH: BILTMORE

Wonderful outdoor courtyard at Fontana, with a wide variety of themed options.

READERS’ CHOICE: BACHOUR

When you make the best eggs Benedict in the Gables, you’re already ahead of the game.

BEST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT: FONTANA

Come at night and you will swear you are somewhere in Italy, by the courtyard fountain.

READERS’ CHOICE: ZUCCA

Is it because the Hotel St. Michele is right upstairs? Or maybe the magical outdoor setting?

BEST POWER LUNCH: CAFFE ABBRACCI

Still the place to see and be seen by the power elite of the city.

BEST HAPPY HOUR: YARD HOUSE

Good deals on drinks (yay beer), but they also have a rare late night edition happy hour.

READERS’ CHOICE: HILLSTONE

The drinks are good, but it’s the discounted bites that put it over the top.

the floors are sticky.

READERS’ CHOICE: TITANIC

It must be the tables out back, or the karaoke inside, but it feels neighborhood like.

BEST SALAD: SWEETGREEN

In a world of meat, greens rule here, almost good enough to go vegan.

BEST SANDWICH: LA SANDWICHERIE

The best way to soak up booze late at night finally came to the Gables.

BEST SMOOTHIE: BANANA BERRY

The groovy, natural wood ambience just adds to the feeling you are among health hippies.

READERS’ CHOICE: SMOOTHIE KING

BEST INEXPENSIVE RESTAURANT: BURGER BOB’S

Okay, so it’s closed for now. But look for that $5 burger when it reopens in early 2023.

BEST EXPENSIVE RESTAURANT: FIOLA

The silverware is goldware, the service deft, and the food superb. You get what you pay for.

RESTAURANTS BY FOOD TYPE

BEST SEAFOOD: MESA MAR

How can you resist a place where you can pick your own fresh fish?

BEST OUTDOOR DINING: REDFISH GRILL

The view of the lagoon and bay beyond, especially at sunset, is worth the price.

READERS’ CHOICE: VILLAGIO

It’s hard to go wrong in the courtyard of the Shops at Merrick Park.

BEST PLACE TO WATCH THE GAME: 77 SPORTS BAR

When a bar is run by Latin Americans and the screen is huge, soccer is the game.

READERS’ CHOICE: FRITZ & FRANZ

Where a big beer selection meets big screens in a cavernous space. Jawohl!

BEST LOCAL HANGOUT: THE BAR

It’s such a neighborhood, old school bar that

BEST STEAK HOUSE: CHRISTY’S

It’s the oldest steakhouse in town, with the best Caesar Salad to boot.

READERS’ CHOICE: RUTH’S CHRIS STEAKHOUSE

Big, juicy, cooked beautifully, it’s the holy grail of quality beef.

BEST TACOS: COYO TACO

So much to choose from, so little time to eat them all, with outdoor seating.

BEST COCKTAILS: CEBADA

Some new twists here (ginger anyone?) and all of them beautifully prepared.

READERS’ CHOICE: PUBLIC SQUARE

Their claim to fame is steaks, but it’s the horseshoe bar that dominates the interior.

BEST PASTA: LUCA OSTERIA

Try the pasta limone once and you will become a follower of Chef Georgio.

READERS’ CHOICE: BUGGATI

It was once a pasta maker, so it figures; the white lasagna has a cult following.

BEST SUSHI: SUSHI MAKI

The ambience feels like someone’s kitchen, but the sushi is as good as it gets.

READERS’ CHOICE: IZAKAYA

Sliced before your eyes, and you can buy it as part of the lunch bento box.

COURTYARD AT FONTANA

BEST DELI: BAGEL EMPORIUM

Wondering where you can get a good pastrami on rye? Wonder no more.

READERS’ CHOICE: PUBLIX

Good sandwiches, good sides, good service; Just don’t ask for half-sour pickles.

BEST ICE CREAM: LA GLACE

It’s all natural, with refreshing flavors and some delicous soft serve.

BEST RAMEN: ICHIMI

The place to discover why a bowl of noodles can satisfy all your food needs.

BEST BEER: BAY 13

It’s brewed in massive tankards on premise –and the setting can’t be beat.

BEST COFFEE HOUSE: CAFÉ DEMETRIO

The old Italian coffee machine says it all, with a lovely courtyard and skilled baristas.

READERS’ CHOICE: PASIÓN DEL CIELO

So many choices from so many countries, plus ratings for flavor and strength.

BEST FRIED CHICKEN: CEBADA

They call it Spanish fried chicken; it’s not Southern, but so sweet and tasty.

READERS’ CHOICE: DOC B’S

It comes boneless, but it’s got the perfect crunch outside and moist inside.

SHOPPING & RETAIL

BEST PLACE TO GET YOUR HAIR DONE: AVANT GARDE

The name of the game here is balayage, for natural looking hair color.

BEST SHOE STORE: NORDSTROM

Ladies, this is the place when it’s time to dump the pumps in favor of high heels.

BEST MASSAGE: BILTMORE SPA

The music is soothing, and you overlook the city as the professionals melt your stress away.

BEST PLACE FOR WATER: MIAMI ALKALINE

If you are going to buy it (or have it delivered) why not get it PH balanced and on the Mile?

BEST DOG WALKERS: EQUIPAWS

Flavia & Frankie Berti know that pets are family. Count on them when you’re away.

BEST TAPAS: BULLA

The whole idea of a good tapas bar is that it’s also a good bar, or at least a gastropub.

BEST PIZZA: FORNO

Thin of crust, rich of cheese and sauce, and cooked in a well-tempered oven.

READERS’ CHOICE: ANTHONY’S

It must be the coal-fired way they cook it which gives an added smoke taste.

BEST DESSERTS: BACHOUR

Antonio Bachour is a master at creating desserts that are also works of art.

BEST HAMBURGERS: CLUTCH BURGER

You’ll have to unhinge your jaw to eat one of their burgers, with superb beef.

BEST CIGAR SHOP: GALIANO’S CIGAR ROOM

Besides a walk-in humidor, it has a bar, lockers and incredibly good ventilation.

BEST WINE SHOP: WOLFE’S WINE SHOPPE

Jeffrey Wolfe knows his stuff, and visiting him makes you feel like you live in a village.

BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING STORE: NEIMAN MARCUS

Maybe it’s because a high-end department store carries so many styles, and smells so good.

READERS’ CHOICE: ANTHROPOLOGIE

As the name suggests, the selection here delves into the artisanal and unique.

BEST BAKERY: MADRUGA BAKERY

Madruga is what you call a real bakery, where the loaves of bread are biblically good.

READERS’ CHOICE: CHOCOLATE FASHION

For all things chocolate, there’s no other choice; great baguettes and croissants, too.

BEST FURNITURE STORE: LUMINAIRE

The store is a shrine to edgy, brilliant design in all types of furnishings, priced to match.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE: ARTEFACTO

Even without their new showrooms, their Brazilian made furniture is elegant and well built.

BEST MEN’S CLOTHING STORE: PEPI BERTINI

If clothes make the man, then Bertini’s customers are true gentlemen of the cloth.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE: ARTIGIANO

For the finest suits, they take your measurements here and make them in Italy.

BEST FLORIST: BELLE FLEUR

Beyond his beautiful bouquets, Mario makes you feel like you are living in a village.

BEST BOOKSTORE: BOOKS & BOOKS

It’s not just a bookstore, but a community center with lectures, food, wine, and sometimes music.

BEST MANICURE: GLOSS

As long as you’re getting your nails done, why not go to an organic, eco-chic nail spa?

READERS’ CHOICE: MY NAIL TIME BAR

Anywhere that can also do a good mani/pedi, along with eyebrow hair waxing, is a winner.

BEST LAUNDRY & DRY-CLEANING PICK-UP SERVICE: WAFSO

New rules. Take “do the laundry” off your list. From now on, just schedule a free pickup on the WAFSO app or website.

5 b e d | 3 b a t h s | 2 h a l f b a t h s | 4 , 1 4 9 s f | 1 6 , 0 7 9 s f l o t

N e w l y r e n o v a t e d b y a n a w a r d - w i n n i n g r e s o r t a n d h o t e l d e s i g n e r , t h i s o n e - o f - a - k i n d h o m e s p a n s 4 , 1 4 9 s q u a r e f e e t o n a w a l l e d a n d g a t e d 1 6 , 0 9 7 s q u a r e f o o t l o t .

M o d e r n f i n i s h e s a b o u n d i n s i d e a n d o u t , i n c l u d i n g P o r c e l a n o s a f l o o r i n g , w o o d c e i l i n g s , b r i g h t k i t c h e n w i t h S u b Z e r o / W o l f a p p l i a n c e s a n d a m a s s i v e c e n t e r i s l a n d o p e n t o a s p a c i o u s f a m i l y r o o m , b o t h w i t h v i e w s o v e r t h e p o o l a n d p a t i o t o o n e s i d e a n d l u s h , g r e e n l a w n t o t h e o t h e r

L o c a t e d j u s t b l o c k s f r o m t h e C o r a l G a b l e s G o l f C o u r s e . T h e r e a r e j u s t t o o m a n y f i n e d e t a i l s t o m e n t i o n - t h i s i s a m u s t s e e !

BEST FACIAL: BILTMORE SPA

Yes, they have traditional facials, but it’s their new mask with an electric current that has us wanting more.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE: FLAWLESS BY MELISSA

Melissa was once the apprentice to celebrity skin guru Dr. Brandt, and she carries the skills forward.

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD HAIRCUT: PHULA

Why do we feel like we’re in a hair shop in Brooklyn at Phula? The raw walls or the chatter?

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

BEST LIVE MUSIC: THE GLOBE

On Saturday night, nothing beats the AfroCuban jazz at The Globe, and now they’ve expanded to Wednesdays.

BEST LIVE THEATER EXPERIENCE: MIRACLE THEATER

Whether it’s a Broadway musical or an Agatha Christie mystery, the professional quality is superb.

BEST DANCE STUDIO: FRED ASTAIRE

Fear not – an atmosphere of warmth and kindness awaits you as you learn Latin and Ballroom dancing.

BEST MUSEUM: CORAL GABLES MUSEUM

The building itself is part of the city’s history it portrays, along with a new tilt toward visual arts.

BEST RETURN OF A CULTURAL INSTITUTION: GABLESTAGE

With the passing of Joseph Papp, a light went out. Now it’s back with director Bari Newport.

SPORTS & RECREATION

BEST PLACE TO SWIM: VENETIAN POOL

Merrick had it right when he turned this stone quarry into a pool of fresh, chilly groundwater.

BEST GYM: LIFETIME

It’s new, it’s vast, it’s state of the art, it’s loaded with classes, and Trader Joe’s is next door.

READERS’ CHOICE: EQUINOX

It’s about positive attitude, plus a good juice bar and location above the Merrick Park courtyard.

READERS’ CHOICE: LOWE MUSEUM

Those who have not gone to this museum on the UM campus will be stunned by its art collection.

BEST ART GALLERY: CERNUDA

BEST MOVIE THEATER: GABLES ART CINEMA

Foreign films, indie flicks, family favorites, and some mainstreamers, all in a theater that has no bad seats.

READERS’ CHOICE: LANDMARK THEATER

On the top level of the Shops at Merrick Park, it’s got big lounge chairs for the latest action blockbusters.

BEST PLACE TO DANCE: COPPER 29

It might be the high-octane fuel, or the ladies’ nights, but either way you can let go on the dance floor here.

Light and bright, it feels more like a multifloor museum than a gallery, with a hyper focus on Cuban art.

READERS’ CHOICE: AMERICAS COLLECTION

An excellent open space to see the latest and greatest art from Central and South America.

BEST ART CLASSES: FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDENS

Lovely watercolor classes in a setting that is rich with floral subjects.

READERS’ CHOICE: PEACE LOVE ART YOGA

It’s all about expressing yourself in a loving environment where you can also do a few stretches.

BEST YOGA STUDIO: @REVETE

Yoga to a curated soundtrack in a cool urban setting with mistress Revete.

READERS’ CHOICE: PRANA YOGA

Traditional yoga on a floor above Giralda, with the focus on Hindi icons.

BEST GOLF COURSE: BILTMORE HOTEL

Already stunning, the course was recently redone to lengthen key holes.

GABLESTAGE

BEST PICNIC SPOT: MATHESON HAMMOCK

Nothing beats a breeze coming in from the bay and being surrounded by natural hammocks.

BEST PLACE TO BIKE OR JOG:

OLD CUTLER BIKE TRAIL

One of the luxuries of the South Gables, with abundant natural beauty (shade!).

BEST TENNIS COURTS: SALVADORE PARK

Good courts, nice service, and all in a quiet leafy neighborhood.

PUBLIC PLACES

BEST HISTORIC LANDMARK: BILTMORE HOTEL

Until the hurricane hit, 1926 was a good year, and its opulent elegance lives on at the hotel.

BEST VIEW: FROM REDFISH GRILL

At sunset it’s a perfect postcard as the golden light fades behind a horizon of palms.

READERS’ CHOICE: BILTMORE HOTEL

What we are talking about here is the view OF the Biltmore, as a thing of skyline beauty.

BEST MUSIC IN A RESTAURANT RESTROOM: SEASONS 52

Not that we go around listening to bathroom soundtracks, but this one is the best.

BEST PLACE TO MEET MEN (UNDER 35): HILLSTONE

At least you know they have good taste and make a good income.

BEST PLACE TO MEET MEN (OVER 35): BOOKS & BOOKS

At least you know they have good taste and are well-educated.

BEST PEOPLE WATCHING SPOT: GIRALDA PLAZA

If for no other reason than volume of passing humanity, this is people-watching central.

BEST PLACE TO WALK YOUR DOG: COUNTRY CLUB PRADO

What else would you use that great, green swath of commons for?

READERS’ CHOICE: WEST MATHESON HAMMOCK

There is literally nowhere else in the city where you can let a dog off the leash.

BEST PUBLIC ART: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

A giant stone bench under a massive Ficus tree, to make children of us all.

READERS’ CHOICE: GIRALDA PLAZA

Well, we haven’t seen anything as good as the umbrellas, but keep it hanging.

BEST PLACE WE MISS THE MOST: TARPON BEND

With walls that opened onto the Mile, the happy hours would spill into the street.

READERS’ CHOICE: JOHN MARTIN’S

It was the real deal Irish pub, right down to the bar and woodwork from the old country.

BEST PLACE TO TAKE OUT-OF-TOWNERS: FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANTIC GARDEN

Recently voted the best attraction in the country, it’s a unique marvel of tropical flora.

BEST PARK: SALVADORE PARK

Besides tennis, it has the coolest playground, including for kids cognitively challenged.

BEST PLACE TO MEET WOMEN (UNDER 35): SOUL CYCLE

At least you know they are fit, fun, and firmly in control of their lives.

BEST PLACE TO MEET WOMEN (OVER 35): PERRY’S

At least you know they have that je-ne-saisquois appreciation for a piano bar.

BEST PARKING PLACE: ANDALUSIA GARAGE

Its old and funky but there’s always a parking space there, perfect for the Theater and the Mile. ■

FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANTIC GARDEN

Why I Give: Albert Jr. and Gail Ash Dotson

As managing partner at his law firm, attorney Al Dotson Jr. is an expert at presenting an argument – and the case he makes for supporting Baptist Health is a prime example. “You are investing in an organization that will, in turn, invest in the tools they need to provide the best care for people who are in need.”

As both a philanthropic donor and member of Miami Cancer Institute’s operating board, Al honors the legacy of his late father, Albert Dotson, Sr., who served on Baptist Health’s Board of Trustees. “I’m very proud of the contributions my father made. To be able to follow in his footsteps, and at the same time carve my own path, is the best of both worlds.”

Al and Gail are confident that their two children, Ashley and Albert, will also make their mark on South Florida. “There’s a lot to be done, and you have the responsibility to do as much as you can to help move the community forward,” says Dotson.

“I want to invest in an organization that continues to give such great care to the community.”

Photo by Lynn Parks

The Modern Facelift

The original facelift operation dates back to the early part of the 20th Century in Germany. It involved relatively short incisions in front of the ear to lift the sagging cheek skin, similar to today’s “mini-lift”, but obviously this had its limitations.

Not a whole lot changed until the late 1960‘s, when plastic surgery legend D. Ralph Millard (the former forty year long Chief of Plastic Surgery at the University of Miami), despite being a maverick renowned worldwide for pioneering reconstructive techniques for congenital and cancer related deformities, decided to tackle the most important challenge of even today’s facelift - the restoration of a youthful jawline. He approached the neck through a short incision under the chin, removed excess fat and tightened the lax neck muscles and skin from the sides via incisions concealed behind the ears, ushering in a new standard in facelift results.

The next major innovation occurred in the mid/late 1970’s when surgeons in France discovered the anatomic presence and importance of tightening the facial infrastructure, referred to euphemistically as the SMAS layer. That inspired others, notably Sam Hamra of Dallas, in the late 1980’s to delve yet deeper into what he coined the ‘deep plane’. (It’s worth noting that today’s colloquial use of the term ‘deep plane’ is rather loose referring to anything below the skin layer.) Over time and with more experience, it became apparent that restoring tone to the facial infrastructure, be it SMAS or deep plane or deeper yet, was important to obtain improved, more natural and longer lasting results than limiting the procedure to the earlier tightening of the skin only.

Master plastic surgeons Bruce Connell of San Francisco and Daniel Baker of New York, propelled the art of facelifting to new heights through skillful and artistic management of the SMAS and the skin via aesthetically placed incisions along natural lines around the ear, respecting the principle of aesthetic units promoted by Millard.

In the 1990‘s, Sydney Coleman of New York, began to remind us of the importance of considering the changes in facial volume with aging, based much on his observations and experience with HIV/AIDS patients in the 1980’s whose dramatic loss of facial fat made them appear much older than their actual age. This led to a new emphasis on facial volume restoration with fat transfers and the emergence of a plethora of facial fillers.

So, what constitutes a modern facelift today? As always, it depends on the specifics of a particular patient, most importantly their unique anatomy, their aesthetic goals and expectations (and realistic they must be). Starting in their 50‘s, most patients will start to manifest some degree of jowling and neck relaxation. A youthful jawline is fading. Upper eyelids start becoming heavy. An overall tired look starts emerging. Some develop significant facial volume loss, others don’t. So individual treatment options need to be reviewed and pros and cons considered. Many patients will get much improvement with a ‘Lower Face and Neck Lift’, along with removal of excess/droopy upper eyelid skin. Some might benefit from a brow lift but many don’t need it. ‘Less is more’ is a helpful philosophy to keep in mind with all of this.

... We now have numerous excellent modern modalities to help us age as gracefully as possible vs. the benign neglect known as “natural aging”...

Stephan Baker MD

Today’s facelift does need to address the laxity of the underlying infrastructure- the SMAS/muscle layer AND the sagging skin which also must be lifted and removed, and its remainder redraped (lifting up your crumpled bedsheets in the morning and laying them down smoothly provides a good visual). Placing the lifting forces at the infrastructure level below the skin via SMAS tightening unburdens the skin from having to hold up the face through excessive skin tension and thus helps to avoid the obvious and highly undesirable ‘pulled’ look, as well as unfavorable scarring and distortions.

Volume restoration/addition with filler or fat can be helpful but not everyone needs it at the time of facial surgery. Fillers after surgery do help with many lines that surgery cannot address, as does Botox. They also help to maintain your facelift result through precise, targeted volume addition. Cosmetic dermatologic skin care always is beneficial.

So, what’s the same over the last hundred years? The quest for beauty and ‘the fountain of youth’ continues. No one particularly likes to age or start looking old, especially in our youth obsessed, social media driven culture. Many of us want to put up a fight against our inevitable physical decline, at least as best as we can. We now have numerous excellent modern modalities to help us age as gracefully as possible vs. the benign neglect known as ‘natural aging’.

What to do (and what not to) benefits from an artistic sense and eye, plus much experience, on the part of your plastic surgeon and/or cosmetic dermatologist so as to end up with a refreshed appearance while still looking yourself.

Let’s also not forget the major benefits of what is (or should be) under your control - disciplined living, good mental and physical health, routine exercise and sound eating habits. All of it impacts the way you look, and age. Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Dermatology are just humble allies in your age management battles.

As always, research and reflect carefully before proceeding with any elective aesthetic surgery or procedure to optimize your chances for happiness after.

Work Locally, Think Globally, & Act Boldly

When you’re hot, you’re hot.

At least that is what I have always felt when it came to the robust international business community located here in Coral Gables.

Started by a determined group of Chamber leaders in the 1970’s who formed the Committee of 21 (a dynamic team comprised of 11 members of the private sector and 10 members of the public), their goal was to identify, recruit and relocate multinational businesses to the Gables.  This was before there was a Miami-Dade Beacon Council or Economic Development Department. They took on the task themselves, taking self-funded trips around the US to meet with companies looking for a greater (or first ever) Latin American presence. This industry group was purely invested in making Coral Gables the Hub of the Americas.

And it worked. Boy, did it work.

Their recruitment pitch was simple. How could you do business in Latin America from Houston or Dallas or anywhere else when Coral Gables gave you the best location possible to connect to Central and South America? Why not follow the lead of major industry players and open a Latin American HQ in Coral Gables?

One of the first to sign-on was Chevron Texaco, which opened their Latin American Refinery and Marketing Operations in Coral Gables. They were the early adopters; soon, others followed. Today, there are more than 100 multinationals that call the Gables home. Many begin their tenure with small operations and grow them as the company’s presence grows. Others arrive to great fanfare.

Recently, ACI Worldwide relocated both its US headquarters and Latin American office

to the Gables (see story pg. 74). They are setting-up shop in The Plaza and in conversations with them, it is still clear that the pitch is the same. Location, location, location leads the list. This begins with outstanding CEO housing and the ease with which you can get to any major Latin American city, usually directly, thanks to partners like American Airlines.

These multinationals have helped draw in consulates and trade offices to the Gables – terrific partners in culture, business, and diplomacy. As of this writing, there are five new consulates looking to relocate to Coral Gables. Some have been announced, such as Mexico and Guatemala, and others are still in the courtship phase. Either way, to have nearly 30 Consular Corps offices in The City Beautiful again speaks to our global reach.

Add to the mix our Sister Cities program, which now includes four European partners (Aix-En-Provence, Granada, Province of Pisa, and Seville), as well as five Latin/Central American cities (Antigua, Cartagena, Quito, San Isidro, and Santa Tecla). Each provides connection points across various sectors: business, education, and a commitment to culture. And then there is our Chamber’s Flags on Ponce program that flies high along Ponce de Leon Boulevard every winter and spring to honor countries doing business in Coral Gables.

As a city and a chamber we are incredibly proud of the relationships we have with our consulates, multinational companies, and internationally owned businesses. One of the best ways for companies to grow is to open their markets more boldly to the international consumer. Now, post-pandemic, there is even greater opportunity as the world gets smaller and the prospects get brighter. ■

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

“THEIR RECRUITMENT PITCH WAS SIMPLE. HOW COULD YOU DO BUSINESS IN LATIN AMERICA FROM HOUSTON OR DALLAS OR ANYWHERE ELSE WHEN CORAL GABLES GAVE YOU THE BEST LOCATION POSSIBLE TO CONNECT TO CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA?”

Business Briefs

MACPHERSON LISTS, HEMISPHERE GOES PRIVATE, MSP GOES PUBLIC, AND MASTEC LOOKS FORWARD TO A REBOUND

tion by a subsidiary of Gato Investments LP, a portfolio investment of New York-based Searchlight Capital Partners. The price was not disclosed; Hemisphere lost $13.2 million in Q1, against posted revenues of $48.8 million. The Daily Business Review reports that Hemisphere has also agreed to sell Spanish-steaming platform Pantaya to TelevisaUnivision in exchange for cash and Puerto Rican radio assets. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of this year.

HIGH END HOUSING POP

Housing prices are rising across the Gables, but nowhere has the jump been higher than at the high-end. The latest incarnation of soaring prices: Supermodel Elle Macpherson has put her Gables Estate home on the market for $29 million. She purchased the 8,314 square foot home on a 1.71-acre lot for $8.1 million in 2018. So, if it sells for the asking price, she pockets $5 million for each year living there. Nice work if you can get it. And if that price seems outlandish, compare it to the sale of another Gables Estate home at 650 Casuarina Concourse. It went for $45 million in May, albeit on 2 acres with 19,042 square feet.

BANESCO EXPANDS CONSTRUCTION LENDING

SLIGHT SLIP FOR MASTEC, WITH REBOUND EXPECTED

MasTec Inc., one of the largest corporations based in Coral Gables with 350 employees, reported a first quarter loss of $35 million on posted revenue of $1.95 billion. On the positive side, Wall Street analysts had predicted a loss of more than four times that amount. What’s more, for the second quarter ending this month, MasTec predicts a sizable profit, from the first quarter loss of 3 cents per share to earnings of 72 cents per share, with revenues of $2.2 billion expected for quarter two.

HISPANIC MEDIA FIRM GOES PRIVATE

Coral Gables-based Hemisphere Media Group Inc., which targets U.S. Hispanic and Latin American markets, has agreed to a private acquisi-

Building costs may be out of control, but that did not stop Coral Gables-based Banesco USA from announcing a construction loan of $22.3 million for a mixed-use development on Miami Beach which includes a luxury hotel, restaurant, and retail (see rendering above). The hyper-modern designed building at 1685 Washington Avenue is just off of Lincoln Road, the popular shopping, dining, and nightlife destination. Banesco USA, with some $2 billion in assets, is located on Alhambra Circle. The loan is part of a strategy by Mario Oliva, who became CEO and president in 2020, to become more robust in real estate lending.

MSP RECOVERY GOES PUBLIC

Gables-based MSP Recovery, Inc., which specializes in obtaining reimbursements for Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurance, and other healthcare entities from parties that should have paid in the first place, is now trading on Nasdaq. The company, founded in 2014 by Gables attorney John Ruiz, has an enterprise value of approximately $32.6 billion. The business model is based on MSP collecting 50 percent of recovered payments, using their proprietary data analytics system. Class A Common Stock and Warrants began trading on May 24 under the symbol “MSPR.” ■

CEO Jose R. Mas

CEO Mario Oliva

A Global Coup

ACI WORLDWIDE, THE LARGEST ELECTRONIC MONEYTRANSFER FIRM ON EARTH, MOVES TO THE GABLES

BY DOREEN HEMLOCK

Back in 1975, when automatic teller machines were new, a startup in Omaha, Nebraska developed a novel software. The product could read the magnetic strips on debit cards and let banks communicate between their ATMs and customer accounts to transfer cash and keep the accounting straight.

That business grew and evolved, and today, software by ACI Worldwide facilitates some $14 trillion in transactions daily –everything from payments between banks and finance companies to purchases by phone, credit card, and online, and even transfers through apps like Venmo or CashApp.

Indeed, so many companies are turning to ACI’s software globally that the Nasdaq-listed company has just relocated its global headquarters from Naples to Coral Gables, largely to be closer to a major international airport and to diverse talent that can work easily across borders.

“We looked at 20 big cities across the United States – New York, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, the West Coast – and we hired experts to help us,” says Johan Roets, ACI’s chief administrative officer. “In the end, the easiest move for us was to go to the Miami area. It has a great airport, and our people can get stimulation from being in a large, urban ecosystem with other businesses.”

ACI landed late last year in the new Plaza Coral Gables complex in a 30,000 square-foot office with room for 110 employees. It’s already hired 100 people worldwide for jobs that report to the new headquarters, though most work remotely. At least 30 of those hires have been here, including senior staff. Says Roets: “We couldn’t be happier.”

The company had considered downtown Miami for its new office but opted for the Gables partly to be nearer Miami International Airport, and partly because of the ambiance. “The vibe suits our culture. We’re a middle America kind of company – a little more serious, a little quieter, but highly inventive,” says Roets. What’s more, The Plaza Coral Gables soon will feature a Loew’s hotel, making accommodations easy for visiting staff.

The state of Florida and Miami-Dade County approved $360,000 in incentives to facilitate the move, with ACI agreeing to create 182 jobs within several years at its new headquarters. Coral Gables considers the relocation a win, underscoring its allure for corporate offices.

“ACI Worldwide is the type of business that we are focused on recruiting,” says Julian Perez, director of the city’s economic development office. Coral Gables has long sought to attract multinational offices and now hosts at least 100. The list includes spirits giant Bacardi, infrastructure builder MasTec, and luxury jeweler Tiffany, as well as tech ventures Cyxtera Technologies, Appgate, PayCargo, and 8base, to name a few.

Today, ACI does business in more than 80 countries, with its software handling payments for 19 of the world’s 20 largest banks and more than 80,000 merchants. Growth has accelerated since 2020 under the leadership of CEO Odilon Almeida, a Brazilian engineer and former top executive for Western Union. He helped add some 1,000 hires last year to boost company employment beyond 4,000 globally.

In 2021, ACI reported $1.37 billion in revenue, up six percent from the previous year. Profits jumped 76 percent to $128 million, as the company expanded both geographically and in business lines, including peer-to-peer payments through such online channels as PayPal and Zelle. “Our next frontier is real-time payments worldwide,” says Roets, “because we’re famous for building high-volume infrastructure.” It’s a long way from 1975, when a startup then called Applied Communications Inc. first ventured into ATM software. ■

“IN THE END, THE EASIEST MOVE FOR US WAS TO GO TO THE MIAMI AREA. IT HAS A GREAT AIRPORT, AND OUR PEOPLE CAN GET STIMULATION FROM BEING IN A LARGE, URBAN ECOSYSTEM WITH OTHER BUSINESSES.”

JOHAN ROETS, CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

T w o r e s i d e n c e s b o n d e d b y h i s t o r y , M i a m i ’ s A r s h t E s t a t e i s a m a g n i f i c e n t r e s i d e n t i a l c o m p o u n d n e s t l e d o n o v e r f o u r a c r e s d i r e c t l y o n B i s c a y n e B a y . O w n e d b y A d r i e n n e A r s h t , o n e o f t h e m o s t r e v e r e d p h i l a n t h r o p i s t s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , t h i s e s t a t e i s n o w o f f e r e d f o r $ 1 5 0 m i l l i o n a n d i s c o m p r i s e d o f t w o h o m e s :

T h e p r i m a r y r e s i d e n c e , I n d i a n S p r i n g , w a s c o n s t r u c t e d b y A r s h t i n

1 9 9 9 w i t h m a g n i f i c e n t l i v i n g s p a c e s i n s i d e a n d o u t f o r e n t e r t a i n i n g o n a g r a n d s c a l e , a l l w i t h s w e e p i n g v i e w s o f t h e l u s h g r o u n d s a n d B i s c a y n e B a y

V i l l a S e r e n a , a h i s t o r i c a l l y - d e s i g n a t e d h o m e , w a s d e s i g n e d f o r W i l l i a m J e n n i n g s B r y a n b y r e n o w n e d t w e n t i e t h - c e n t u r y a r c h i t e c t , A u g u s t

G e i g e r . T h e r e s i d e n c e u n d e r w e n t a c o m p l e t e a n d m o d e r n r e s t o r a t i o n i n

2 0 1 2 .

P r e s e n t e d e x c l u s i v e l y b y A s h l e y C u s a c k , S e n i o r V i c e P r e s i d e n t o f B H H S

E W M R e a l t y i n M i a m i , F L .

Photo by Rodolfo Benitez

“THE ARCHITECTURE, THE RESTAURANTS, THE CONVENIENCE, THE AMBIANCE — SO MANY REASONS TO BE HERE...”

JORGE MARTINEZ, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE, TERUMO LATIN AMERICA

Think Globally, Live Locally

FOR MULTINATIONAL FIRMS IN CORAL GABLES, IT’S ALL ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD

BY MIKE CLARY

About four months ago, Jorge Martinez and a colleague from New Jersey were walking to lunch in downtown Coral Gables when the visitor paused to make this observation of the world around him: “It is so beautiful here. It feels like we’re in a resort.” Martinez, director of finance for Terumo Latin America, said he had to agree. “The architecture, the restaurants, the convenience, the ambiance — so many reasons to be here,” he says.

Terumo Corp., the Japanese manufacturer of medical devices that reported revenues of more than $4.6 billion last year, is just one of the recent additions to the roster of companies that have set up shop in Coral Gables, helping to grow the reputation of The City Beautiful as a mecca of multinationals.

T.J. VILLAMIL, (RIGHT) SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT, ENTERPRISE FLORIDA

In the last 18 months, other companies new to the city or expanding their presence here include ThriveDX, a global leader in cybersecurity and digital skills training founded in Israel; Alava International, an architectural and engineering firm from Spain; and Amazon Web Services, which has rented nearly 9,000 square feet of office space at the WeWork building on Giralda Avenue. The global giant plans to add some 60 employees to the 100-person workforce now there with Amazon Prime Video and AWS, according to published reports, with many staffers coming in from Latin America.

“Coral Gables is an incredibly attractive place for gateways, for offices, a live-work-play place for so many,” says T.J. Villamil, senior vice president for international trade and development with Enterprise Florida, headquartered in the same Alhambra Circle block with Terumo. “It’s a very international city, very integrated with the global economy. What Coral Gables has done so well is provide quality of life while being a part of a thriving metropolitan area.” As for Florida in general, Villamil adds, “Everyone wants to be here. And from an economic standpoint, this is one of the best times we’ve seen.”

Located for several years in Doral, Terumo shifted its South Florida offices to the Gables in part because of the city’s walkability,

“IT’S ABOUT QUALITY OF LIFE. FOR MANY YEARS, IT WAS ABOUT INCENTIVES. WHAT CAN OUR COMMUNITY OFFER TO A COMPANY’S EMPLOYEES AND EXECUTIVES?”

JULIAN PEREZ, (LEFT), DIRECTOR, CORAL GABLES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

says Martinez, who supervises more than 300 employees in Latin America. “It is so nice not to need a car to get around,” he says. “In Doral, you had to use a car for everything.”

Before moving to the Gables, Martinez and his staff shopped around. Doral, chock-a-block with warehouses, is close to Miami International Airport. Downtown Miami is home to many big law and accounting firms. Tech startups have popped up all around Wynwood. But Coral Gables has a mix of all those businesses in a setting of unrivaled convenience and elegance, Martinez found. “There is a professional, low-key ambiance that seems comfortable,” he says.

Coral Gables is currently home to more than 120 multinational firms, including household names such as Fresh Del Monte Produce, Bacardi, Hyatt, HBO Latin America, and American Airlines, says Julian Perez, director of the city’s Economic Development Department. Also located here are as many as 20 consular and trade offices representing Spain, Colombia, Italy, and other nations, which facilitate commerce.

“It’s very simple,” says Perez. “It’s about quality of life. For many years, it was about incentives. What can our community offer to a company’s employees and executives? Is there housing available?

Photo by Rodolfo Benitez

“CORAL GABLES IS AN INCREDIBLY ATTRACTIVE PLACE FOR GATEWAYS, FOR OFFICES, A LIVE-WORK-PLAY PLACE FOR SO MANY...”

Photo by Emily Fakhoury

A Platform for Global Discussions

THE WORLD STRATEGIC FORUM MEETS AGAIN IN THE GABLES

FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS, the Biltmore Hotel conference rooms have been the platform for the World Strategic Forum, an annual meeting of representatives from 55 nations, assembled to discuss the important issues of the day.

In the past, subjects of focus have included trade & infrastructure, cybersecurity, the future of work, sustainability, and financial markets. This year’s event, which takes place start in October, will explore the idea of “Investing in Trust,” which will look at what is happening with trust in global institutions, media, education, infrastructure, and supply chains, as well trust in investment targets, including cryptocurrency.

“The goal of the forum is to convene thought leaders and decision makers from the public and private sectors to discuss challenges facing them in the coming year,” says Paul Griebel, executive director of the Forum. Speakers include heads of state from South America, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, as well as C-suite executives from U.S. Fortune 500 companies.

Pre-Covid, the Forum attracted 1,400 participants; after the pandemic the event transformed itself into a hybrid in-person/ plus-remote model, with simultaneous live broadcasts. This year between 800 and 1,000 participants are expected in person.

Bill Johnson, president of the Forum and former director of PortMiami, says Coral Gables remains the perfect location for the event. “When it comes to working in the international arena, whether for business or international affairs or government, Coral Gables is an ideal location for connectivity and reach,” he says, noting that the Biltmore hosted the Summit of the Americas under President Clinton. “I think Coral Gables is really a very globally minded community, both in terms of its businesses and the concentrations of the consular corp. You can sense the global activity when you are in the city.”

For more information on the forum, go to forum-americas. org/conferences/miami/

“THE PANDEMIC DISRUPTED ALL SORTS OF THINGS, BUT COMPANIES ARE REALIZING THAT THEY ARE BETTER OFF HAVING MORE PEOPLE IN THE REGION...”

KEN ROBERTS, ABOVE, HEAD OF GABLES-BASED WORLDCITY

How safe is the community? How far are you from the airport, the seaport? Is there a qualified workforce available in the area? And is the city government run efficiently and easy to do business with?” The City Beautiful scores well on all those metrics, Perez says. The city does not offer economic incentives to firms looking to open offices in the city. However, says Perez, officials have tried to ease the transition with an expedited permitting process and by dedicating one person in the city manager’s office to work with in-bound companies. “We are trying to eliminate uncertainties,” says Perez.

And there is room for growth. According to CoStar, which tracks commercial real estate, the Gables currently has a 1.9 percent vacancy rate in retail space and 12.4 percent vacancy rate in office space compared to Miami-Dade’s overall rate of 18.8 percent. At least some of that plentiful available office supply can be traced to two years of the pandemic. Many firms halted expansion plans and told employees to work from home. Some workers dropped out of the workforce completely. Uncertainty ruled.

The virus has not disappeared, and many firms continue to

BILL JOHNSON (ON THE LEFT) AND PAUL GRIEBEL

Photo by Rodolfo Benitez

Cernuda Arte is proud to present 24 artworks by the surrealist master painter, Demi.

ese powerful re ections on childhood, maternity, innocence and growth come mostly from the collection of Bill and Judith Ladner, visionary collectors who supported the artist since early in her impressive career.

“

ere are adults who procure the ability to paint like children. Others comb through their days of infancy, withdrawing memories of the past for their pictorial themes. However, they are few and far between those creators who, through their works as if on a magic carpet, bring us to our own infantile world, transporting us to spaces which we supposed were erased from memory and long cast into oblivion. Demi renews this childhood fascination in a spellbinding whirl of brushstrokes and pigments. She remounts us upon that moment of our lives where imaginings galloped more strongly than reality, where ingenuity reigned virtuous, and fragility was our greatest enchantment. us our childhood is what comes back to us, it is what Demi mysteriously returns us to in the instants where we are enticed by her pictorial universe.”

Ramón Cernuda

wrestle with decisions about returning to the office. Yet on-site staffing is on the rise. “The pandemic disrupted all sorts of things, but companies are realizing that they are better off having more people in the region,” says Ken Roberts, who heads Gables-based WorldCity, a media company that tracks international trade and multinationals.

As more people return to the office, some companies are working to re-establish a corporate culture that may have been diluted during the pandemic, offering perks that include everything from flexible hours, hybrid work, relaxed dress code, better pay, even better food in the company cafeteria. Decisions on where to open offices, however, comes from the top. “Offices get located where top executives want to live,” says Roberts. “Coral Gables is home to a lot of top executives who want to live the Coral Gables lifestyle. And if not live here, they want to work here, for sure.” Roberts also notes that many executives are not traveling as much as they once did. “And that has a positive impact on restaurants in Coral Gables,” he says.

A year ago, immigration attorney Deirdre D. Nero was dealing with Covid restrictions and a backlog of visa appointments abroad that made it difficult for non-U.S. entrepreneurs to visit Florida. She was advising clients to stay home. That has now changed, says Nero, who chairs the Global Business committee of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. Now that testing requirements and mask mandates have dropped, international travel has picked up. “I notice that people are wanting to come into the office for meetings,” says Nero. “There are a lot of Colombians, Chileans, and Argentinians, some of whom want to get some money out [of their countries].” For those South Americans worried about what’s happening at

“CORAL GABLES REMAINS JUST AS ATTRACTIVE AS EVER. WHY? ACCESS, PROXIMITY TO AIRPORT, AN IDYLLIC UPSCALE AREA, WALKABLE, THAT ALSO HAS AN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FLAVOR TO IT. ”

home, “Coral Gables remains just as attractive as ever,” says Nero. “Why? Access, proximity to airport, an idyllic upscale area, walkable, that also has an international business flavor to it. Plus, there are many consulates from their home countries here.”

In becoming a magnet for multinationals, Coral Gables is fulfilling – nay, surpassing – a destiny that founder George Merrick predicted when he said the city would serve as “a gateway to Latin America.” In recent years, says Mayor Vince Lago, “we have worked to further establish international ties, forging relationships with six Sister Cities: Aix-en-Provence, France; Cartagena, Colombia; Granada, Spain; La Antigua, Guatemala; Province of Pisa, Italy; and Quito, Ecuador [emeritus].” Our proximity to Miami International Airport, PortMiami, and the University of Miami “make our city the ideal location for international companies,” he says.

Beyond the logistical and cultural advantages, sometimes it just feels right to be in the Gables. That’s what Dan Vigdor, co-founder and co-CEO of ThriveDX, said influenced his decision to establish the firm’s headquarters here. The company offers cybersecurity and digital skills training, online and in-person, often in collaboration with major universities through their computer science and engineering programs. “The University of Miami was our first partner in the U.S.,” says Vigdor, whose wife graduated from UM. He went to Gulliver Prep and they live in the city.

“We were going to New York, but Covid changed that,” he says. “From here, we have access to Latin America and Europe. Here, there are just good people. What better place to affect great change and develop cyber talent than here?” ■

DEIRDRE D. NERO, IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY

Photo by Rodolfo Benitez

Expanding Nature’s Path

PHOTOS AND WORDS BY GRACE CARRICARTE

When it comes to our swales, two things have been clear to me as a Coral Gables resident: 1) You are responsible for the maintenance of your home’s swale AND 2) Tossing your dog’s poop bag in the trash pile of another swale instantly makes you a public enemy – and yes, they all know it was you. Beyond this I believed swales simply created a buffer between traffic and pedestrians where you could also park a car.

My home’s swale came with a lone young oak tree and grass so dead it had its own tumbleweed collection. Attempts to liven it up included replacing the sod and thinking it a possible violation. Driving around I admit I often felt “swale envy.” There were those who knew how to properly beautify them compared to the vast majority, like myself, who did not. My immediate neighbors were equally clueless.

As it turns out, there is a city Swale Planning Package Program instituted in 2017. More recently – in May – Commissioner Rhonda Anderson sponsored an amendment to the package to add native, resilient, and colorful butterfly pollinator plants that do not require irrigation once they are established. Our city’s Greenspace Management director, Deena Bell Llewellyn, selected plants that will naturally stay short enough for swale plantings and don’t need fertilizer to look great. And summertime is an excellent time to add plants to swales because the afternoon showers help them establish quickly.

Now ready to landscape beyond my property line, I will use the newly updated swale package to decide my next gardening steps. Here are the options to consider:

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SWALE GARDENING, A BEAUTIFUL VIEW FOR ALL

THE CITY HAS A SWALE PLANNING PACKAGE PROGRAM FOR RESIDENTS (THE STRIP BETWEEN ROAD AND SIDEWALK). EXAMPLES ABOVE SHOW THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE, SUCH AS THE SIMPLE OPTION OF USING GRASS, THE OPTION TO PLANT THE ENTIRE SWALE, AND THE OPTION TO USE GROUND STONE.

OPTION ONE: GRASS . This is preferred by many. For sod, shade tolerant grass such as Palmetto St. Augustine is recommended, with a height of 3”- 4.”

OPTION TWO: Residents may include the following suggested plants in their swale (though other appropriate species may be approved):

NATIVES: Dune Sunflower, Beach Creeper, Blue Porterweed, Spider Lily, Boston Fern, peperomia, Yellow Lantana, Sunshine Mimosa, Indian Blanket Flower, and Frogfruit.

NON-NATIVES: Green/Variegated Lirope, Flax Lily, Burle Marx Philodendron, Wart Fern, Red Congo, Perennial Peanut, Mondo Grass, Asiatic Jasmine, Purple Queen, and Pentas. You may choose to plant the entire swale area with a combination of low growing flora, but plants must extend fully from the sidewalk to the edge of the road, at a maximum of 30” tall. Hedges along the road or sidewalk are not permitted.

OPTION THREE: Especially in areas used for parking or in heavy shade, you may add swale plantings and decorative crushed stone or shell. Those approved include granite, oolite (limestone), and coquina shells.

OPTION FOUR: All other scenarios need Public Works Encroachment Review. My interpretation of this is: You can go wild with extensive landscaping, but only with permission.

The first option of grass requires no Public Works Permit or Restrictive Covenant Agreement. The second option requires a Public Works Permit, a Restrictive Covenant Agreement, but no permit fee. The third option requires a layout plan for a Public Works Permit, a Restrictive Covenant Agreement, a Certificate of Liability Insurance, but no permit fee. The fourth option includes an application with a review fee of $200, a Public Works Permit, permit fees, Restrictive Covenant Agreement, and Certificate of Liability Insurance.

“Even though residents may pull these permits themselves, we encourage the use of professional landscapers, so it is professionally done, and grading is done properly,” advises Llewellyn. “Grading is an important objective of swales to direct proper runoff. We don’t want the water to pond.” Another suggestion she has is to call 811 or visit sunshine811.com, a free educational resource call center, to help you avoid hitting underground pipes and cables when digging.

In addition to decorative and practical purposes, swales serve an environmental role. They stop water runoff from roads, driveways, parking lots, and other hard surfaces, thereby reducing pollution; they promote greater nutrient absorption (fertilizer runoff) which means less nitrogen and phosphorous in our waterways. Every swale is a treegrowing ecosystem. In climates like ours with tropical downpours, trees roots will moderate the saturation levels as opposed to it collecting on the surface. Tree roots also stabilize the landscape. Essentially, swales only make sense when they are used to cultivate trees. (If your swale lacks a tree, or the tree appears unhealthy, contact Public Works)

So, with native plants removing toxins from water, preventing run-off, providing habitat and food for wildlife, and beautifying our city, my decision became easy. Go for it, and with Option Two. My proposal shall include a selection of colorful pollinator plants to encircle my oak tree. While signs may not be permitted on our swales, I hope to create one as nature intended – welcoming butterflies, birds, and bees, with a nicer view for all to see.

Our City’s Public Works Department includes the Greenspace Management Division to provide guidance for residents about ideal plants and tree options. Residents can call 305.460.5135 or email PWGreenspace@coralgables.com ■

“EVEN THOUGH RESIDENTS MAY PULL THESE PERMITS THEMSELVES, WE ENCOURAGE THE USE OF PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPERS...”

DEENA BELL LLEWELLYN, GREENSPACE MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR

The Best Restaurants

2022

45 TOP RESTAURANTS IN CORAL GABLES

With the pandemic receding and a preponderance of people vaccinated, the restaurant scene in Coral Gables is undergoing a renaissance. Coral Gables has always been a moveable feast, a mecca of fine dining. Now those restaurants are back in full swing, with hardly a seat to spare on weekend nights. For the past year and a half, in an abundance of caution, we listed only restaurants with outdoor seating. While most still do have dining al fresco options we now list all restaurants. What follows is our list of the best of the tried and true, and the best of the innovative and new. We dine at all locations anonymously, and we list only the places where we love to eat.

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

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

$$$ ........ $35-$75 $$$$ ...... $70-$100+

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

AMERICAN Bachour

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

2020 Salzedo St. 305.203.0552

Cebada Rooftop & Raw Bar

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

124 Giralda Ave. 786.409.2287

Clutch Burger

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

146 Giralda Ave. 305.400.8242

Doc B’s Restaurant + Bar

Doc B’s Restaurant + Bar serves crave-able American fare dishes made from scratch daily. Offering brunch, lunch, dinner, and a solid happy hour, signature dishes include the Wok Out Bowls. But our favorites are the candied bacon, the grilled artichokes and the Southern fried chicken. $$ 301 Miracle Mile 786.864.1220

The Globe

The Globe is a Gables icon, and one of the coolest places to eat in the city – assuming you like a smart, Euro-style bistro. Decorated with classic paintings (and globes over their old-world bar), the menu is mostly American dishes – salads, burgers, fish, steaks, etc. – perfected over the years. Best conch fritters. $$ 377 Alhambra Circle 305.445.3555

Hillstone

There are very few restaurants in the Gables where clients will wait in a line outside. Hillstone is one of them. A power lunch spot, a happy hour singles anchor, and a family restaurant at night, the food and service are consistently top notch, with an elegant interior that is both comfortable and sophisticated at the same time. $$$ 201 Miracle Mile 305.529.0141

Orno

Located in the same building as Mamey (Thesis Hotel), Orno is Chef Niven Patel’s latest creation, focusing on “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. $$$

1350 S. Dixie Highway (THesis Hotel) 305.667.6766

Public Square

This popular re-configuration of the former Shula’s steakhouse still serves great steaks and burgers, but with lots of other options (seafood, pasta, sushi, salads). Expansive bar and outdoor seating on Red Road and San Ignacio Avenue, a neighborhood favorite. $$$ 6915 Red Rd. 3221.342.1695

ASIAN

Izakaya

Located across the street from the Colonnade building, this tiny, bustling Japanese restaurant serves a great bento box – along with an impressive array of daily specials that are posted on the wall in chalk. Super popular lunch spot, for good reason. $$ 159 Aragon Ave. 305.445.2584

Khaosan Road

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

Malakor Thai Isaan

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

Miss Saigon

Repeatedly voted the best Viet-

namese restaurant in Miami by the readers of New Times, Miss Saigon serves the kind of vegetable-rich food that makes you feel light and clean afterwards. Excellent seafood choices, and any of their crispy rolls or dumplings make great starters. Their clear, hearty soups – what they call Pho – are the big winners here. $$ 148 Giralda Ave. 305.446.8006.

Moon Thai &

Japanese

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

1118 S. Dixie Hwy. 305.668.9890

Namaste

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

221 Navarre Ave. 786.534.2161

Zitz Sum

Brought to you by Chef Pablo Zitzmann of No Name Chinese fame, this “pop up” restaurant off the huge lobby of the 396 Building feels like it’s here to stay. The result of a year-long pandemic dive into dim sum by Zitzmann, the dumplings, hand-rolled daily, are superb. Other menu items are highly inventive and flavorful. $$-$$$ 396 Alhambra Circle. 786.409.6920

TUR KITCHEN

FRENCH

Frenchie’s Diner

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

2618 Galiano St. 305.442.4554

Gustave

Launched by a couple of friends with a track record in Paris, Gustave is a light-filled, lovely addition to the local French cuisine scene. With a good selection of baked goods, this is a Paris-style café with good coffee and solid fare. Good to know where you can get a croque monsieur for lunch and boeuf bourguignon for dinner. $$-$$$ 366 Miracle Mile. 305.640.5675

Pascal’s on Ponce

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

2611 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.444.2024

ITALIAN

Caffe Abbracci

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

318 Aragon Ave. 305.441.0700

Fiola

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

1500 San Ignacio Ave. 305.912.2639

Fontana

The ambiance is as elegant as it comes: the Biltmore’s famed foun-

tain courtyard. You can sit under the stars, in a covered archway, or inside to enjoy classic Italian dishes. Fresh ingredients, from the salads to the pasta that is made daily. Excellent seafood, pastas cooked perfectly. One of the most romantic restaurants in the Gables. $$$

1200 Anastasia Ave. (Biltmore Hotel) 305.913.3200

Fugato

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

325 Alcazar Ave. 786.420.2910

Fratellino

Small, family run, with a fanatically loyal fan base, brilliant Italian comfort food. The long narrow set up with tile floors, wooden chairs and tablecloths makes it feel like New York’s Little Italy. Their calamari, in any variation, is superb, as is the fettuccine with prosciutto, mushrooms and green peas. $$$ 264 Miracle Mile 786.452.0068

Luca Osteria

The latest place by 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. Great Italian cocktails. $$-$$$$ 116 Giralda Ave. 305.381.5097

Salumeria 104

Tratorria-style Salumeria is now two years old, with a loyal clientele, especially at lunchtime. Partly that is because the food and ambience are authentically Northern Italian and rustic. It may also be thanks to their inventive pastas and sandwiches of artisan cured meats, always fresh and flavorful. Those sliced salumi meats are buono! $$ 117 Miracle Mile. 305.640.5547

Zucca

Located at 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. Lovely outdoor seating, modern Italian design inside,

sophisticated, with great service.

$$$-$$$$

162 Alcazar Ave. 786.580.3731

LATIN AMERICAN & CARRIBEAN

Agasago

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

205 Aragon Ave. 786-401-7189

Aromas del Peru

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

Ecléctico

Brought to you by the folks at nearby Sawa, Ecléctico is an open, airy Latin-fusion restaurant that serves “light” and inventive variations on Latin American small plates with a Mexican overlay –and a truly awesome selection of mescal and tequilla. A new, fun place for dinner. $$ 320 San Lorenzo Ave. 786.615.5735

Graziano’s

This large, popular Gables mainstay is true Argentine. A deep selection of Argentine wines (which line several walls) go with beef slowly roasted over a quebracho wood fire, old school style. They have seafood and pasta, empanadas and salads, but come here for the meat, a carnivore’s delight. $$$ 394 Giralda Ave. 305.774.3599

Mamey

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

1350 S. Dixie Highway (THesis Hotel) 305.667.5611

Talavera Cocina Mexicana

High ceilings and ceramics make this a pleasant place to dine, but it’s the authentic fare that shines. The place for Mexicans homesick for cooking that’s not Tex-Mex. The chicken mole poblano is a winner at $20, and their huarache grill – masa flatbreads that are really haute tacos – are great at $17. $$ 2299 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.444.2955

MEDITERRANEAN

Calista Greek Seafood Taverna

There aren’t many pure Greek restaurants in Coral Gables, but Calista is aiming to change that, serving up authentic Greek dishes with fresh ingredients sourced from local farmers’ markets. Their specialty dish is the Moussaka, an eggplant or potato-based dish reminiscent of a lasagna. Also excellent spinach and feta phyllo pie. $$-$$$ 150 Giralda Ave. 786.310.7660

TUR Kitchen

This relative newcomer to the Gables has a wonderfully inventive menu of Mediterranean cuisine.

Chef Christian plates beautiful dishes that combine the flavors of Turkey, Greece, Lebanon, and Egypt. Amazing stuffed Turkish pide bread, stunning braised goat with gnocchi. Elegant seating under arches along Giralda. $$$-$$$$ 259 Giralda Ave. 786.483.8014

Sawa

While the menu has a huge selection of well-crafted Japanese sushi and rolls (plus yakitori and dumplings), for us the play here is their parallel Lebanese menu, with freshly made baba ganoush, falafel, tabouli, lamb lollipops, kefta, kibbe, kebabs, etc. Also, good burgers, salads, pasta, fish, but who does baklava better? No one. $$-$$$ 360 San Lorenzo Ave. 305.447.6555

SEAFOOD

Gringo’s Oyster Bar

A great selection of oysters at this neighborhood favorite. And they change sources twice weekly – like malpeques from Canada, or wellfleets from Main, or steamboats from Washington state. Also, great lobster rolls, crab cakes, and conch ceviche. Specials include Lobster Tuesdays and a daily oyster happy

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

DINING GUIDE

hour from 3 p.m. to 6 pm when prices drop by half. $$

1549 Sunset Dr. 305.284.9989

MesaMar

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

264 Giralda Ave. 305.640.8448

Red Fish by Chef Adrianne

The only waterfront restaurant in the Gables, Red Fish was reborn last year after being closed for years from hurricane damage. With the addition of Chef Adrianne, the menu presents a stellar display of gourmet seafood. Also oddly enough, fantastic fried chicken. $$$$

9610 Old Cutler Rd. 305.668.8788

Sea Grill

Sea Grill is a popular weekend destination for lovers of Mediterranean seafood. A large, brightly lit and futuristic space with lots of energy, it serves fish that is

caught in the Aegean Sea and flown to the Gables. Their octopus, which takes two days to prepare, is simply the best. Lots of outdoor seating. $$$

4250 Salzedo St. (Shops at Merrick Park) 305.447.3990

SPANISH

Bulla Gastrobar

As valued for its cocktails as for its tapas, Bulla is also something Coral Gables needs – an informal, smart neighborhood hangout with a young, boisterous vibe. Great “small plates” and refreshing sangria. Yes, it is a national chain, but it still feels local. $$

2500 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.441.0107

La Taberna Giralda

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

Las Tapas Coral Gables

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

276 Alhambra Circle. 305.381.0636

STEAK

Christy’s

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

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse

Fantastic, aged steaks, a seafood tower that won’t quit, and a wine cellar that appears to have no end of depth. A place for special celebrations. Recently redecorated, but

the open kitchen with its copper “sash” across the top still gives the main dining room a warm glow. Good menu at the bar. $$$-$$$$ 2525 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.569.7995

Morton’s The Steakhouse

Morton’s in the Gables is not just another Morton’s. Its setting in the Hotel Colonnade gives it a unique elegance, with outdoor seating under the arches. Dependable quality, prime-aged beef, and excellent salads. Good place to take that important client. Great bar food with filet mignon sandwiches or short rib tacos. $$$ 2333 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.442.1662

Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille

The youngest entry among Coral Gables steak houses, Perry’s is a Texas chain that gets its beef from the heart of the Lone Star State. Great outdoor space with fire pit and a huge interior with a piano bar. The entrees are all carefully concocted, including excellent reduction sauces for the finer cuts and their famous five-finger giant pork chop, carved at the table. $$$$ 4251 Salzedo St. (Shops at Merrick Park) 786.703.9094

A Romantic Evening of Music

Modern music is reimagined by the Listeso String Quartet at Candlelight Concert Series, putting a classical spin on modern pop artists’ discography in a romantic setting. The latest shows feature the music of Taylor Swift at the Hotel Colonnade (180 Aragon Ave.) on July 15 at 7 and 9:30

pm, the music of Adele at Coral Gables Congregational Church (3010 De Soto Blvd.) on July 14 at 7 and 9:15 p.m., and that of Ed Sheeran, also at the Church, on July 27 at 7 and 9:15 p.m. The 65-minute programs include the singers’ biggest hits. Tickets $37 to $57 on feverup.com.

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