Coral Gables Magazine June 2019

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CORAL GABLES

INNOVATION ISSUE

HEALTHCARE SAFETY EDUCATION ENTREPRENEURISM DIGITAL GOVERNMENT SUSTAINABILITY TRANSPORTATION

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Biltmore Square

MG Developer

One Sotheby’s International Realty Beautiful Together

Throughoutits rich history in “Building Beautiful” throughout Coral Gables, MG Developer has mastered boutique luxury living with convenience and tranquility in mind. As it continues to amplify its offerings within its Biltmore Square community and the nearby business district, MG is proud to announce it will take its next step of corporate evolution alongside ONE Sotheby’s International Realty.

From its soulful European elegance at the The Ponce to its urban row living on Beatrice Row and everything in between, MG Developer is proud to work with ONE Sotheby’s and collaborate with a partner that is as equally embedded in the Coral Gables lifestyle.

“We are extremely pleased to be entering this new partnership with ONE Sotheby’s International Realty,” said Alirio Torrealba, CEO of MG Developer. “It was an opportunity to enter into an agreement with a broker who has been an important

component of our network and has a strong physical presence within our community. I am truly grateful and have the deepest respect and admiration for all the brokerages we’ve worked with and their efforts on behalf of MG.”

With the introduction of Althea Row and Biltmore Row set to complete the final half of Biltmore Square,

MG Developer will also bring Coral Gables town house living into its next stage of progress.

“We value MG Developer’s confidence in our team and organization,” said Daniel de la Vega, President of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty. “Alirio Torrealba is truly an integral part of the Coral Gables community, and we look forward to working together on

We are extremely pleased to be entering into this new partnership with ONE Sotheby’s International Realty
Alirio Torrealba, CEO of MG Developer
Alirio Torrealba

the final phase of Biltmore Square and see this new community come to life. Like Alirio and his team, we are committed to the City of Coral Gables, making this a perfect fit for the both of us.”

We value MG Developer’s confidence in our team and organization

Daniel de la Vega, President of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty

MG’s existing projects in Coral Gables include Valencia Townhomes, The Ponce, Villa Blanc, and the first phase of Biltmore Square – Biltmore Parc and Beatrice Row. Offering a

contemporary addition to the city’s international architecture, Biltmore Square’s Georgian blocks mark the city’s latest contribution of modern town houses with international flair.

For additional information on Biltmore Row, Althea Row or any other MG Developer projects, please visit:

www.MGDeveloperMiami.com or Biltmore Parc, located on 718 Valencia Avenue.

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8 coralgablesthemagazine.com INSIDE THIS ISSUE June 2019 Departments 15 Streetwise 12 Editors Note 14 Readers Letters 49 People 102 Fine Dining 104 Dining Guide 120 Home & Garden 126 Wellness 100 The Seen 25 Shop 33 Bites 114 Real Estate 122 Interiors Living 39 Gatherings 128
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Coral Gables... City of the Future

How innovation is taking hold of the City Beautiful. Photo right shows director by Raimundo Rodulfo in the Community Information Center.

The Medina Factor

Few people have reinvented themselves with as much success as Manny Medina, Coral Gables’ master innovator, who can’t stop thinking about the future

The Innovators

Being an innovator goes far beyond the realm of technology, and can resonate in any industry, even a bricks-and-mortar one. Here is a gallery of just a few of the innovators that call Coral Gables home.

C M Y CM MY CY CMY K 10 coralgablesthemagazine.com
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Features
Vol 2. Issue 6 80 56 p80
We felt so strongly about what we had that we persevered… I went all in... Manny Medina on opening the Network Access Point of the Americas (NAP) in 2001
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Coral Gables is the home of classic style and modern business. The city’s innovative, connected, and global business ecosystem helps entrepreneurs thrive, which is to the bene t of the entire Coral Gables community. Learn more about the City Beautiful’s smart infrastructure in the Innovation section of the magazine.

Editor’s Note

Are We the City of Tomorrow?

Innovation. That is a sexy word in a forward-looking world. As we hurtle toward the future at an ever-faster pace, innovation is what will separate the men from the droids. Those cities that embrace it will thrive. For this reason, we devote most our journalistic energy this month to a report examining all the ways in which we are a smart, creative and inventive city. Once you point your antenna in that direction, you realize that we are avant-garde in everything from transportation to tree planting.

We are the first city in Florida to ban plastic bags; we have the largest electric car fleet of any municipality in the state; we have more co-working spaces per capita than any Florida city; and we have the best private university in the state. We also have a city government dedicated to high-tech, with new interactive platforms for infor-

mation about itself and its citizens.

It is our pleasure, then, to pronounce Coral Gables a city of innovation, and to report to you in this issue the myriad ways we innovate, as a city and as a community. It’s not all about technology, either. Innovation appears in everything from education to entertainment, and in the bricks and mortar of the city’s streets.

As a city, this maybe in our nature. As Beatrice Rangel notes in our overview, the city was born as an experiment by founding father George Merrick to see if a handsome, culturally rich downtown could be married to a beautiful, green suburb. The result speaks for itself, in more ways than you might think.

Please tell us what you think with an email to letters@the coralgablesmagazine.com.

PUBLISHER Richard Roffman

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

J.P.Faber

EVP / PUBLISHER

Gail Scott

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Amy Donner DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Monica Del Carpio-Raucci

ART DIRECTOR

Jon Braeley

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Toni Kirkland

VP SALES

Sherry Adams

SENIOR WRITER

Doreen Hemlock

STAFF WRITER

Lizzie Wilcox

WRITERS

James Broida

Mike Clary

Andrew Gayle

Mallory Evans Jacobson

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jonathan Dann

Phil Avelo

SENIOR ADVISOR

Dennis Nason

CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION

CircIntel

Coral Gables Magazine is published monthly by City Regional Media, 2051 SE Third St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. Telephone: (786) 206.8254. Copyright 2018 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 City Regional Media, 2051 SE Third St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. General mailbox email and letters to editor@ thecoralgablesmagazine.com. BPA International Membership applied for March 2018.

JUNE 2019 $5.99 MAGAZINE CORAL GABLES INNOVATION ISSUE HEALTHCARE SAFETY EDUCATION ENTREPRENEURISM DIGITAL GOVERNMENT SUSTAINABILITY TRANSPORTATION 12 coralgablesthemagazine.com
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Reader’s Letters

More Public Transit, Please

In the recent mayoral election, candidate Jeannett Slesnick fought hard to raise the issues of over-development and traffic gridlock. Despite her narrow loss, this remains a major issue for most residents. My wife and I have always lived in cities, such as London and Paris, where you either walked or used public transport. We lived briefly in California where we were dependent on our cars and hated it. When we settled in Coral Gables, we deliberately chose a house within easy walking distance of downtown.

But we have many friends who live slightly further away, the other side of Granada Boulevard for example. Too far to walk, they are obliged to drive when they want to visit the downtown area, bringing their cars, clogging the streets and looking for parking. Instead of duplicating the trolley route down Ponce de Leon Boulevard, why doesn’t the Freebee service expand west into the residential district of Coral Gables? Surely that should be our next goal, to give access to our wonderfully revitalized city center to all our city residents.

The Time is Right to Re-Code

The City is currently underway with a zoning code review in which the zoning code will be reorganized and cleaned up of the many deferred but extremely necessary changes. The time is right to make this exercise the most productive it can be. I believe the City is in the best position ever to get this process accomplished in a substantial and meaningful way. The will is there as well as the staff and the professionals to get it over the goal line.

This special opportunity will allow many years of haphazard planning, inconsistencies, and long overdue corrections (as well as mistakes) in the code to be corrected. The fact is that the City zoning code (along with the comprehensive land use plan) is our only road map and all we have to guide good development. If the tweaks and changes are done correctly, not only would we foster better projects and streets but also development consistent with a code that is right for the times and not one that only a few can figure out. I say don’t hold back and let’s really do it right this time.

Guiding you towards your most important chapter yet

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Unfair Commentary

I was shocked and saddened at the content and tone of Mr. [Mark] Trowbridge’s column in your May, 2019 issue: “The War is Over… now let’s govern!” Trowbridge, who we have considered a dear friend for many years, takes a cheap and inaccurate shot at my wife’s campaign – an effort of which we are both proud. Seemingly, the Chamber executive overlooks the fact that Jeannett’s platform secured 49 percent+ of the vote – thus, approximately half of the Gables voters seemingly favored her message stressing the importance of the City’s Zoning Code and its Master Plan as well as her warning regarding the negative impact of over-development.

Some of the most counter-productive rhetoric associated with this election season is Trowbridge’s editorial, in which he alleges that Jeannett used “scare tactics…and empty promises.” His attack on half of the voting public does not accomplish his stated goal to bring “peace” to the City, and does the Chamber no favors with the residents.

If you are interested in writing to us with your opinions, thoughts or suggestions, please send them to: letters@thecoralgablesmagazine.com

14 coralgablesthemagazine.com

Streetwise p17 Storm

Warnings

The Mayor’s Last Dance Spanish Landing / Spanish Leaving A New Voice at City Hall

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Hurricane Irma hit South Florida in 2017 causing loss of power and severe flooding. Photo by Jon Braeley

Storm Warnings

IT’S TIME TO TRIM YOUR TREES – OR LET FPL DO IT

For those of you who survived the last hurricane that swept through the Gables – that would be Hurricane Irma in the fall of 2017 – you will recall how long it took to regain electricity in some parts of the city. The city was not happy with FPL’s slow response in restoring power, and less happy with its maintenance of power lines leading up to the storm.

Those issues have now been resolved with FPL. While no monetary awards were given, an agreement in March did give the city a certain moral victory. In that agreement, the city acknowledged its responsibility for controlling and managing vegetation on the city’s public property, and that of its residents to do their part in controlling and managing vegetation on private property. But, most importantly, FPL reaffirmed its responsibility for maintaining the areas

in the public rights of way in which FPL’s facilities are located, including easements, and areas adjacent to its facilities.

“For the city, this case was won at the motion to dismiss stage,” says City Attorney Miriam Soler Ramos. “A circuit court rarely accepts jurisdiction.” The normal route for complaints against FPL is for the court to dismiss the complaint for lack of jurisdiction. The matter then goes to the state’s Public Service Commission, which is loaded heavily in favor of FPL.

The moral win for the city was that FPL admitted it was their responsibility to manage the vegetation in and adjacent to its easements (rights of way on private property). “That admission was significant,” says Ramos. The actual agreement with FPL came down to three things. First, that the city and FPL would hold workshops regarding vegetation man-

agement, at which FPL will explain its program, “Right Tree, Right Place.” Second, in the areas of the city that suffer power outages most frequently, FPL and the city will send representatives to do a visual walkthrough of the areas to see what can be addressed to avoid future problems. (That has already started). Finally, the city will advise residents of the need to prune trees that are growing into the easements or could pose a threat to power lines now, at the start of the hurricane season.

But therein lies the rub. While the city can inform, advise, request and even cajole residents to allow FPL into their yards to trim the trees, private property owners are not legally bound to do so. On the other hand, it is a violation of city ordinance to deny FPL access to the easements. The city and FPL are working together to come up with procedures

Hurricane Irma was the first Category 5 hurricane of the 2017 season. A record 6.5 million Floridians evacuated from it’s path, including many Gables residents. For those who stayed, power loss was a major problem.

so that the city is aware of any violations and can assist FPL – because the power company must trim the vegetation that’s growing into easements or around the poles and power lines that are adjacent to private property.

The best solution, of course, is for citizens to maintain their own trees so they don’t become a problem. Otherwise they could experience the kind of tree hat-racking that FPL is notorious for. What is needed is educational outreach – which the city intends to launch in the coming weeks. – J.P. Faber

17 Streetwise
Above, Left: Damage from Hurricane Irma Above, Right: Coral Gables City Attorney Miriam Soler Ramos Photos: Cover and above by Jon Braeley

The Mayor’s Last Dance

MAYOR VALDÉS-FAULI ANNOUNCES THAT THIS WILL BE HIS LAST TERM – AND HIS MOST AMBITIOUS

City Hall was standing room only last month when newly elected Mayor Raúl Valdés-Fauli told an audience of community leaders, in a brief speech, that “I hereby formally declare what many of you already know… that I will not seek re-election at the end of this term.”

He quickly added, however, that “I am brimming with ideas, and with the support of our commissioners, staff and the public at large I am committed to seeing my ambitious agenda to fruition.” The mayor then outlined that agenda, which he attributed not just to what city officials wanted, but to what citizens had expressed through resident surveys, town hall meetings and workshops, and personal feedback via phone, conversation and email – or via the ballot box. Here, then, are the mayor’s priorities:

PUBLIC SAFETY:

To continue to fully staff the police force; to connect private alarms to the CGPD; to add more Neighborhood Safety Aides (retired police officers); and to continue with license plate readers and cameras that monitor public areas

FINANCES:

To continue paying down the legacy of $250 million in pension unfunded liability inherited from past administrations; to continue to operate with a fiscal responsibility that keeps tax rates low and city bond ratings high.

DEVELOPMENT:

To continue to permit “rational, controlled, smart growth” in strictly zoned areas, in order to attract job-generating businesses and keep taxes low. Among particulars: improve Biltmore Way with landscaping, bicycle infrastructure, and crosswalks.

TRAFFIC:

To keep cars that pass through the city daily out of the city’s residential areas.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION:

To continue the city’s historic preservation goals, including restoring the Fink Studio on

News and Notes

The City of Coral Gables has been named one of the 10 Best Small Cities for Entrepreneurs in a study conducted by Verizon. The cities all have populations of 50,000 to 75,000 residents. While we appreciate the kudos, this would be a more amazing award if Sarasota had not come in at No. 2 to the

Gables’ No. 3. Must be their Ringling Circus Museum and clown school that beats the University of Miami.

The City Commission has approved plans to build a 14-story two-building project at 100 Miracle Mile, next to Galiano Street. It will be a mixed-use apartment tower,

Ponce de Leon where architect Denman Fink designed the city, and restoring both City Hall and the 427 Biltmore Way building.

ANNEXATION:

To continue efforts to annex Little Gables and the High Pines/Ponce Davis areas.

INTERNATIONAL:

To forge closer relationships with consulates and revitalize the sister city program.

EDUCATION:

To promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and

with 135 luxury rental units, office space and ground floor retail. Developer AJP Ventures must now finalize plans and file for permits.

The waterfront Gables mansion at 41 Arvida Parkway that we noted in our March issue – since it was to be auctioned with an eye-popping starting price of $68 million – was sold for the bargain basement price of $25.5

Math) education both in the Gables and in the Americas.

INFRASTRUCTURE:

To complete the new public safety building and to improve Smart City software that makes government services more streamlined, transparent, and interactive.

ENVIRONMENT:

To introduce more green spaces and parks; to continue efforts to battle plastic waste; to study the discharges in our canals and mitigate them; and to begin the process with FPL of putting our power lines underground.

million. Records show that the 9-bedroom, 14,000-square-foot mansion was bought by Steven Lempera, president of Illinoisbased Future Environmental. Welcome to the hood, Steven.

The most widely reported story from Coral Gables this past month was about a loan made last year by Gables-based Professional Bank. According to records uncovered by Mother Jones, the bank lent one of

18 coralgablesthemagazine.com Streetwise
More work to be done: The Mayor outlines his priorities

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President Donald Trump’s shell companies “between $5 million and $25 million” to buy a Palm Beach mansion (owned by his sister) next door to his Mar-a-Lago resort. The story was then picked up by Salon, American Banker, Hill Reporter, CNBC, and, among others, the Miami New Times. It was, surprisingly, ignored by the Miami Herald

The Coral Gables museum has received the prestigious 2019 Preservation Award from the Dade Heritage Trust, recognizing the museum’s ongoing efforts to restore and preserve the Lincoln Memorial Park cemetery grounds. “This is enormously important to us, and inspires us to continue our efforts,” said John Allen, the museum’s executive director.

Spanish Leaving Spanish Landing

THE UNIVERSITY OF SALAMANCA ADDS TO THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE

The press conference at the Biltmore was a subdued, elegant reception, with wines, cheeses, hams and other delicacies from central Spain. The topic: The arrival of the first U.S. outpost for the University of Salamanca, the oldest in Spain. With offices on Alhambra Circle, the university’s aim is to attract U.S. visitors and students to the venerable institution.

“We thought it was going to be a good fit, because the city has that Spanish ambiance in the architecture and the lan-

guage,” says Hilda de la Vega, director of the school’s Spanish programs. “We had considered Brickell but it’s too jammed.” De la Vega says the Gables station will disseminate information about study abroad programs at the univesity, including ones for high schoolers to spend several weeks earning college credits.

They also have seven-to10-day summer camps for kids ages 10 to 13, with programs for parents who want to join them for a vacation /cultural experience.

ALTAMIRA LIBROS CLOSES ON MIRACLE MILE

The Spanish-language book store at 219 Miracle Mile has closed, but the Venezuelan couple behind Altamira Libros continues in business, selling books online. Altamira completed its three-year lease in March and opted not to renew at a rent level that already was high, says Susana Souki. She and husband Carlos Alfredo opened the shop in 2016, offering a wide selection of Spanish-language tomes as well as talks with authors and other events. They’d chosen “safe and pleasant” Miracle Mile for their store partly because of foot traffic from

office workers, moms who came after dropping off kids at school, and folks who strolled before and after dinner, says Susana. They viewed other booksellers nearby as a draw, too. But the rent proved a challenge – much as it did for restaurant Tarpon Bend, the 15-year-resident on Miracle Mile that closed in February before a lease renewal. The Soukis now sell books from www.altamirolibros.com. “We haven’t thrown in the towel on books,” says Susana. “Who knows, maybe one day we’ll open another bookstore.”

20 coralgablesthemagazine.com Streetwise
NEWS & NOTES: Professional Bank CEO Abel Iglesias ADIOS: Susana and Carlos Alfredo Souki STUDY TIME: The library at U of Salamanca
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A New Voice at City Hall

AN INTERVIEW WITH CITY COMMISSIONER JORGE FORS, JR.

In April, Coral Gables attorney Jorge Fors, Jr. defeated Ralph Cabrera in a runoff for the Group IV seat on the Coral Gables City Commission. We sat with Commissioner Fors in his office at City Hall to ask him about the election, and what his priorities are for the coming four years of his term. These are his answers, edited for brevity and clarity.

WHY DID YOU RUN FOR OFFICE?

I moved here when I was 14. Later, I bought my own home here. And, as former president of the Coral Gables Bar Association, I started becoming more involved with the city... The turning point was when I had my daughter, who is 10- months-old now. From one day to the next, I started looking more toward the future. I started identifying threats to our quality of life and ways to improve our quality of life… So I thought, “What better way to insure those things – that she is able to grow up in the same Coral Gables that I was able to grow up in – than to try to get into City Hall.’

HOW DID YOU WIN THE ELECTION?

It was a tough campaign, a contentious race [but] I think I won really for two reasons. I think the residents wanted to see a new face here they hadn’t seen before, and secondly because I really made an effort to reach out, on a one-to-one basis,

with so many residents. By the end I had knocked on close to 5,000 doors [and] I think when speaking to me, they could tell that I really had the best intentions of trying to do what they wanted for the city.

DO YOU FEEL YOU KNOW WHAT THE CITIZENS WANT?

I found that [going door to door] put me in touch with what the people really want, what they were feeling. In many cases I found that we shared the same views, but in some cases I found that we didn’t. Nothing really hooks you up the heartbeat of the community like talking to 5,000 folks face to face… There were many cases when I spoke to people for an hour.

ARE YOU FOR OR AGAINST THE ANNEXATION OF LITTLE GABLES?

I’ve expressed concerns and criticized the plan for the annexation of Little Gables, specifically because there are a lot of things about the deal that don’t make sense to me from a financial perspective… I’m also opposed to the general proposition of expanding our city or our government. [Nonetheless] if it makes sense at the end of the day, I’ll be onboard with it. If it doesn’t make sense, I won’t be.

WHAT ABOUT HIGH PINES/ PONCE DAVIS?

It makes more sense for the simple reason that High Pines and Ponce Davis will to pay for itself when we annex them,

and not only pay for themselves, but result in a windfall. So right out of the gates, the main issue I take with Little Gables is not present in High Pines/Ponce Davis.

ARE WE BEING OVER DEVELOPED?

I don’t think you can say across the board that we are being overdeveloped. I think you can certainly say that we are at risk of being overdeveloped, and that the appetite for development in Coral Gables is more aggressive than it’s ever been – and for that reason we have to be very careful with how we proceed during the next 10 years. If we simply permit developers to build, build, build, we will no longer have the Coral Gables that we have come to know and love.

I think that the real answer is to create a true master plan… It’s obviously a huge undertaking to create a master plan, but I think it needs to be done, because we need to come to terms with the fact

that the city is going to grow. We don’t want to wake up one morning after permitting ad hoc developments here, and ad hoc developments there, to find out that we’ve over developed our city. Because once we have overdeveloped our city there is really no coming back.

WHAT OTHER ISSUES ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU?

Other issues important to me include supporting downtown businesses and our downtown economy… I’d also like to work toward improving our education options. Another thing that’s important to me is that we preserve the historic character and artistic culture of our city.

My overall vision for Coral Gables is to have a city where the downtown is on par with any other, but at the same time be three minutes away from suburban homes where people can raise their children. The city has been trying to accomplish this for as long as it’s been around, and it’s what I would like to continue to work for.

22 coralgablesthemagazine.com Streetwise

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Shop p26 Merrick Style

Father’s Day Gift Guide

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Merrick Style

THIS MONTH’S MERRICK STYLE PAYS A VISIT TO THE TOMMY BAHAMA SHOWROOM IN THE SHOPS AT MERRICK PARK. OUR FEARLESS MODELS ARE THE FATHER AND SON TEAM OF CORAL GABLES RESIDENTS RODNEY AND BRADLEY BARRETO

Just in time for Father’s Day, June’s Merrick Style features the breezy island styles of Tommy Bahama. Drawing its inspiration from the tropical Caribbean, Tommy Bahama’s affordable designs are all about light fabrics, island colors, and sportswear that is both functional and elegant. They also carry accessories that range from sunglasses and watches to shoes and hats.

Our models for this Father’s Day collection are the father and son team of Rodney and Bradley Barreto. Rodney is a longtime political consultant who has chaired the Super Bowl Host Committee three times – including the present iteration for the 2020 Super Bowl – and serves on numerous boards, including as Chairman of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, member of the Florida Council of 100, member of the Miami-Dade County School’s Business Advisory Council and member of the Baptist Hospital Foundation.

Bradley, meanwhile, is a principal –along with his father – of Coral Gables Title + Escrow, LLC, which streamlines the closing process for real estate buyers and sellers. He is also a site supervisor and project manager for Coastland Construction and an assistant construction manager for The Related Group.

We thought this noteworthy father and son team, who enjoy a close personal relationship, were perfect icons for Father’s Day and all that it signifies.

ON THE COVER

Bradley is wearing a Newport Pania Gingham shirt ($125) and Boracay Flat Front slacks ($125), with a Boracay Belt ($54.50), Coastline Chronograph watch ($255), and Orion Leather Venetian Drivers shoes ($120), while holding Maui Jim “Baldwin Beach” sunglasses ($319)

Rodney is wearing a Cobalt Sea Sand linen strip shirt ($115), authentic indigo wash Sand Drifter pants ($135), a Grenada Bay Watch ($175), and dark brown Orion Leather Venetian Drivers shoes ($120) while holding a pair of Maui Jim “Island Life” sunglasses ($329)

WEEKEND CASUAL (ABOVE)

Bradley is wearing a blue Positano Palms shirt ($135), Boracay Flat Front bleached-sand pants ($125) and cream colored Exodus Slip-On Shoes ($65)

Rodney is wearing a galaxy blue Geovanni Geo shirt ($135), Maritime blue Ashore View shorts ($99.50), dark brown Orson Woven Leather Drivers shoes ($175) and a Coastline Chronograph watch ($255)

READY FOR THE BEACH (OPPOSITE)

Bradley is wearing a lawn chair-green Seaglass Breezer shirt ($99.50), bleached sand-colored Boracay Shorts ($89.50), Relaxology Shallows Edge leather sandals ($85), a Grenada Bay Watch ($175) and Maui Jim “Cinder Cone” sunglasses ($299)

Rodney is wearing a white Verona Vines shirt ($135), stone khaki Beach Linen 10” FF shorts ($89.50), Relaxology Shallows Edge leather sandals ($85), a Grenada Bay Watch ($175), a Braid Raffia fedora ($74.50) and Maui Jim “Island Life” sunglasses ($329)

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Photography by Jon Braeley
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Shop

READY FOR THE PARK

Rodney is wearing a dockside blue Bodega Beach polo shirt ($89.50), stone khaki Sand Dune Stripe shorts ($94.50), and Stripe Breaker lace-up shoes ($65)

Bradley is wearing a pink plumeria Palm Coast polo shirt ($110), “Bala Shark” Tech

Me To The Green shorts ($110) and Exodus slip-on shoes ($65)

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A (Last-Minute)

Father’s Day Gift

If you want to wow your dad this Father’s Day (June 16), skip the snooze-worthy socks and ties and opt for something unique. Here, we’ve rounded up five locally-sourced options to make last-minute gifting a breeze – or at least easier than getting a scowl from the old man.

This Miracle Mile locale is not your average barbershop. That’s because when dad arrives for his appointment, he’ll enter a spa-like environment that offers more than just a basic haircut – like a shot of espresso or rum. Add on the shop’s signature shaving kit so the luxurious treatment can continue at home, too. Retail: $40. Well Groomed Gentleman, 130 Miracle Mile, 786-362-6360

CRAFT COCKTAIL

Founded by Magic City transplants Ross Graham and Simon Benstead, the Miami Cocktail Company crafts wine-based libations made from organic ingredients that won’t leave dad feeling sluggish. With refreshing varieties like blood orange mimosa and copper pot margarita, they’re the perfect addition to the next family gathering. Retail: $14.99 per bottle. Whole Foods Coral Gables, 6701 Red Road, 305-421-9421.

CAFFEINE FIX

Does your dad adore his morning latte but dreads waiting in line at the shop around the corner? Enter the Barista Pro, the latest addition to Breville’s espresso line. It churns out café quality coffee in just seconds, so there’s always time for a second cup. Retail: $799.95. Williams Sonoma, 350 San Lorenzo Ave. #2005, 305-446-9421.

BOOK IT

As one of our favorite destinations for tasty eats and live music, and of course, an abundance of good reads, we can pretty much guarantee that a visit to Books & Books will yield a thoughtful gift. Although selecting a book can be personal, a no-fail option is Michael Chabon’s “Pops,” a collection of heartfelt essays that insightfully renders the author’s take on fatherhood in just 144 pages. Retail: $19.99. Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave., 305-442-4408

If your dad already has wireless earbuds (that he uses exclusively during his early morning coffee), why not spring for a pair of classic leather headphones (that also happen to be wireless)? We like this handsome pair by Master & Dynamic, as they use Bluetooth technology to help tune out ambient noise and create a rich sound quality. Retail: $550. Neiman Marcus, 390 San Lorenzo Avenue,

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Get Listed. Get Sold. Liz Hogan Executive Director, Luxury Estates 305.804.9700 liz@listingmiami.com ListingMiami.com #1 Agent - Compass Florida 2017 & 2018 #15 in Florida #130 in the NationWSJ/Real Trends 555 Leucadendra Drive, Gables Estates $29,500,000 6 Bed | 7.5 Bath | 10,220 sf | 130,982 sf lot | 750’ of Water Frontage 5820 Augusto Street, Coral Gables $2,495,000 6 Bed | 5.5 Bath | 4,485 SF | 12,286 SF Lot 715 South Alhambra Circle, Coral Gables $3,290,000 4 Bed | 4.5 Bath | 4,038 SF | 9,000 SF Lot 718 Sevilla Ave, Coral Gables $1,599,000 4 Bed | 3.5 Bath | 3,712 SF | 9,500 SF Lot Not intended to solicit currently listed property. © Compass Florida, LLC. Equal Housing Opportunity. All information furnished regarding property for sale or rent or regarding financing is from sources deemed reliable, but Compass makes no warranty or representation as to the accuracy thereof. All property information is presented subject to errors, omissions, price changes, changed property conditions, and withdrawal of the property from the market, without notice.
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Someone’s Son
Bites p34
Grilled langoustine with habanero salsa verde, served as a starter at Someone’s Son restaurant
Favorite Breakfasts The Happiest Hour Burgers & Wine Secret Places Cuban Tacos
Photo by Jon Braeley

New Places

SOMEONE’S SON IS BORN

Located in the Douglas Entrance complex comes a new restaurant from Threefold Café’s Nick Sharp. Where Threefold on Giralda Plaza is known for its all-day breakfast, Someone’s Son is open for lunch and dinner. Hailing from Melbourne, Sharp adds nuances from his homeland: He serves mostly Australian wines and even arranges the lighting in the main dining room to resemble stars in the Southern Hemisphere night sky (also found on the Australian flag). The name itself, Someone’s Son, comes from a verse in a popular Australian song.

The starters alone have been blessed by the food gods. The Beet Salad, topped with pistachios, radish and carrot puree, is a light amuse-bouche to get the stomach prepared to work overtime. The Jerk Cabbage is a myriad of tastes, from the braised-jerk split peas to the crunchy cabbage in a coconut cream that balances any bitterness from the red cabbage.

The Beef Carpaccio is a really new take: thin tenderloin with arugula caper salad, aged parmesan, smoked maldon salt and horseradish cream, all pleasantly complementing the meat. But what steals the starters show is the Gnudi. Sharp describes it as like gnocchi, but instead of potato, it’s risotto based. Made with sage, whiskey cream, parmesan, truffle crumb and drizzled with a balsamic reduction, we practically licked the bowl clean. For both quality and quantity, all the dishes are moderately priced. Starters are between $7 and $15 and the most expensive entrée is $28. That would be The Softy – a braised short rib on sweet potato mash, topped with baby carrots and tarragon bordelaise. It’s like gourmet baby food for adults. The rib is so tender it can be eaten with a spoon, and the bordelaise is simply heavenly. The Shank is a similar dish: Australian lamb shank on top of a creamy mash

with seared root vegetables and natural lamb jus. Highly recommended.

There’s seafood on the menu, too. We loved the seared branzino (above), with braised lentils and an orange fennel broth. The fish is cooked to perfection with crunchy skin and soft meat. Each bite must be eaten with the citrus-y sauce. A perfect light dish for summer.

For dessert, tres leches can step aside. Someone’s Son

serves a Passionfruit 5 Leches, made with five cakes, vanilla custard, meringue and passionfruit curd. It’s so soft and moist it nearly dissolves in your mouth. The other two dessert options – the Pavlova meringue-based cake and the Lamington chocolate mousse – are also superbly light and fresh. Even in its beginning stages, it’s apparent this restaurant is going to be as big a hit as the song.

Favorite Breakfasts

THE WORLD’S BEST EGG SANDWICH?

Eggs. Bacon. Cheese. This classic, simple breakfast combination reaches new heights at Madruga Bakery (on Madruga Court, just across Dixie Highway from UM). For the most part, it’s a standard egg sandwich, but the tweaks and add-ons make it shine. Instead of a bagel or sliced bread holding everything together, they use fresh onion poppy rolls made inhouse daily. The organic egg is

fried over easy, so once you bite into it, you’re left with a pool of yolk for dipping.The Niman Ranch bacon is topped with Coastal Cheddar cheese, and then – straying further from your average egg sandwich – Madruga tops it off with sautéed spinach and fresh herb aioli. Pair it with a Counter Culture drip coffee or espresso, and you’re off to a delicious start of any day.

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A True Gables Great Recently Repriced 4105 Granada Boulevard, Coral Gables $3,775,000 6 Bed | 5.5 Bath | 8,083 SF | 26,204 SF Lot Ana Yeager Global Real Estate Advisor 786.252.0493 ana.yeager@compass.com Not intended to solicit currently listed property. © Compass Florida, LLC. Equal Housing Opportunity. All information furnished regarding property for sale or rent or regarding financing is from sources deemed reliable, but Compass makes no warranty or representation as to the accuracy thereof. All property information is presented subject to errors, omissions, price changes, changed property conditions, and withdrawal of the property from the market, without notice.

The Happiest Hour

Coral Gables may not have the same reputation as South Beach when it comes to nightlife, but Copper 29 on Miracle Mile should not be overlooked when making party plans. Friday is the most popular night, with happy hour starting at 4 p.m. and a DJ spinning from 5 p.m. till closing time. But honestly, there’s a reason to go every day of the week. And that reason is alcohol. On Mojito Madness Mondays, mojitos are $5 all day. On Tuesdays, Old Fashioneds are $5 and sliders are $3. Wednesdays, ladies get free champagne with the purchase of one food item. Whiskey is 30 percent off on Thursdays. On the weekend?

Bottomless brunch

Copper 29’s happy hour menu makes you want to order one of everything – both drinks and bites. We kicked off with a classic Moscow Mule ($7). A simple recipe of Absolut vodka, ginger beer and lime, it’s light, bubbly and refreshing. And the signature metallic rose-gold

mug – could that be copper? – is Instagram worthy. Plus, ginger helps with nausea, so you can drink as many of these as you want without getting sick, right? Right.

The next drink that caught our eye was the Passion Martini ($7). Absolut vodka again, but with passionfruit puree, simple syrup and lime, it’s as colorful to the taste buds as it is to the eyes. The passionfruit gives the cocktail most of its sweet flavor, but the lime gives it a nice sour kick.

For munchies, we chose the BBQ chicken flatbread ($9) and the pork sliders ($8). Though they’re deemed “bites,” Copper 29 doesn’t skimp on portions. The flatbread is thin and topped with chicken, red onion, and cilantro, drizzled with barbecue sauce. The pork sliders are next-level bar food – pulled pork, red onion, pickle – and just delicious. They give you three, but we could have eaten a dozen.

Any Grey Poupon?

Fleming’s on Ponce is renowned for its aged beef, along with its well-stocked wine cellar (actually more of a chilled wine room). But for those who hanker just for hamburgers, the steakhouse is offering a gourmet burger and wine pairing. For $30 per guest

– and served only at the bar –you can get a glass of Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon or Mer Soleil Reserve Pinot Noir and either their Prime, California or Mushroom Farro burger. Popeye’s friend Wimpy would be jealous.

Secret Places

Al’s is the kind of place that you have to know about before you go, tucked as it is into the side pocket of the entrance lobby of the office building at 2121 Ponce. It is a locals’ hangout – though not much hanging out is possible, with just six tables in a windowless room papered with fake bricks. What people come here for is fast service, low prices and great sandwiches. Their $5.95 “classics” include pan con bistec, Cuban sandwiches, and pan

con pollo. For the same price you can get a “Health Wrap” of turkey, Thai chicken or hummus. For that sweet price you can also get quesadillas or Al’s Original breakfast of eggs, toast, hash browns, and bacon, ham or sausage. Add another buck and get a salad of Asian chicken, popcorn chicken, or chicken Caesar. Or splurge at $7.45 for grilled steak and eggs – or go lower, with the cottage cheese and fruit for $2.75

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BURGER WITH THAT WINE? AL’S COFFEE SHOP
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Bites South of the Border

South of the Coral Gables/ Miami border: Opening their second location at 808 Ponce de Leon Blvd. last month (Wynwood came first), Caja Caliente is already a Gables hot spot. If you go during the lunch rush, you’ll find no empty seats, even at the countertop. A crowd like this means two things: there’ll be a wait, and it will be worth it. Though they also serve sandwiches and quinoa bowls, but this the self-proclaimed home of “The Original Cuban Tacos,” so we couldn’t pass them up. While it’s usually a toss-up between ordering two or three, depending on your appetite, two is enough. It even says on the menu: “One you’re satisfied. Two you’re full.”

We went with the lechon taco and, daringly, the gator

taco. Each seven-inch flour tortilla is overflowing with meat, pico de gallo and caja aioli, and the lechon taco ($5) is stuffed with pulled pork – and when they say “Abuelo’s pulled pork,” they mean it. Owner Mika Leon’s grandfather opened Cuban restaurants all over Spain after leaving Cuba in the early ’70s. Now Caja Caliente is a family affair.

In fear of sounding clichéd, the gator taco ($8) tastes, well, like chicken. It looks like it, too. The “Fresh Florida Gator” is cut into bite size pieces and fried, resembling popcorn chicken, which honestly makes it easier to eat if you’re put off by reptiles. Whoever said, “If you’re not a Gator, you’re Gator bait” clearly has never been here. –

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CAJA CALIENTE OPENS A NEW LOCATION ON PONCE
39 Living All That Jazz “Kings” of Politics p40 A NIGHT AT THE GLOBE IS A UNIQUE GABLES EXPERIENCE. DAYTIME ISN’T BAD EITHER THE LATEST GABLES STAGE PRODUCTION
Bets TIPS ON WHAT TO DO THIS MONTH
Best

Jazz All That

A NIGHT AT THE GLOBE IS A UNIQUE GABLES EXPERIENCE. DAYTIME ISN’T BAD EITHER

If it’s Saturday night in Coral Gables, that means jazz is in the house. The house being, in this case, the cozy, Euro café at the end of Alhambra near Le Jeune Road known as The Globe. A Gables landmark since it opened in 1996, the Globe is a jazz institution that has been hosting that sensuous genre of music every Saturday night for more than two decades.

“Jazz is a labor of love,” says owner Danny Guiteras, who opened the restaurant with his wife Lorraine after convincing his family to purchase the building at 377 Alhambra. “It’s not always been easy to make it work, but from day one it was jazz because that’s the music I love the most.”

Right from the start, the Gables native wanted to create a vibe that he describes as “Old New York meets Fin de Siècle Europe,” combining the feeling of eateries in historic Manhattan with the golden era of French culture at the turn of the 19th Century. To that end, the building where the Globe resides was transformed. At the time, the 1950s structure was home to two radio stations, WVCG “The Voice of Coral Gables” and Hot 105, as well as a bank. The new owners stripped the structure to its bare bones, and recreated it as a Mediterranean-style building with coral columns and a stone-trimmed pediment on top, framing a globe. Over the stone-arch entrance the words

The Globe were set in red neon; at night, it still casts an otherworldly glow on the dark street.

Inside, The Globe has antique wooden floors, chandeliers that hang from painted ceiling medallions, a long, mahogany bar with a dozen vintage globes atop its gleaming shelves, and huge paintings on every wall. These are copies of Renaissance era masterworks, mostly of mythological characters – Jupiter in the form of an eagle, Calypso on the rocks, the Nymphs bathing – but anchored by two paintings that have been there from the start: A copy of “Sleeping Venus,” a large, reclining nude by Italian Renaissance painter Giorgione, and one of a stately gentleman dressed in blue.

“People think it’s a portrait of Shakespeare, but it’s actually a painting by Titian called ‘A Man With a Quilted Sleeve,’” says Guiteras. “He is our mascot. We can never take it down.”

All of this décor gives The Globe a remarkably European atmosphere, as though you could be sitting in a café in Belgium. It’s one of the reasons The Globe is a popular lunch and dinner spot – along with its menu of reasonably priced dishes that have been honed over the years. Most of the cuisine comes under the category of comfort food, with pastas, sandwiches, soups and well-designed salads (where else can you get a Waldorf

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Top: “Jazz is a labor of love” says Owner Danny Gutierrez, shown with his wife, Lorraine Above: Ornate chandeliers and renaissance style paintings give the Globe a European flavor Photography by: Phil Avelo

Facelift Innovation

Facelifts have come a long way.

They began years ago as a skin tightening procedure. But skin is not designed by nature to lift and hold up under excessive tension. You probably have seen someone with a stretched or pulled look who is uncomfortable to look at and thought ‘I don’t want to look like that’, I’d rather stay how I am.’ The abnormal tension on the skin also produced poor scars around the ears, along with ear and hairline distortions visible on profile.

Innovation in face lifting addresses these negatives.

The principles are simple: restore tightness to the facial infrastructure which has dropped - the muscles and associated support tissues below the skin - actually lifting the face from within. Then re-drape and trim the overlying skin whose natural function is to cover the face, not to hold it up.

This takes time, about four hours, and when expertly performed, renders beautiful and natural looking results. A clean neck and jawline without jowls. A refreshed, not pulled look. A younger, not distorted version of yourself, making others wonder why you look good.

Trimming excess skin and ‘bags’ around the eyes, restoring lost volume with fat transfer, along with some Botox and fillers plus good skin care, round out the rejuvenation.

It all sounds easy but it’s not - sort of like figure skating.

It takes aesthetic ability and years of Plastic Surgery training and experience.

So, when you’re ready to refresh your look, do your research, check credentials and view before-and-after photos.

It is your face and you can’t hide it.

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Chicken Salad these days?), but peppered with “Globe Classics” like Newcastle Ale Fish & Chips and Grilled Argentine Steak Frites.

We visited The Globe for its music, however, and discovered what regulars know: There is no better place to hear jazz on a Saturday night anywhere in Miami, let alone Coral Gables. On the night we came, saxophonist David Fernandez was playing, along with a trio of piano, bass, and drums. During the second set a trumpet player spontaneously joined the band.

Usually the audience for jazz in Miami tends to skew older, but the crowd at The Globe covered all age ranges. They were there for the music, but also for the place itself. We sat in a corner, in a space wrapped by a flight of red-carpeted stairs, winding around what had been the old elevator shaft. The stairs look like they lead to upstairs hotel rooms in a Parisian pension, but instead bring you to Lorraine Travel, one of the oldest travel agencies in the city. This was, and remains, the

family business, where Guiteras worked with his siblings when he returned home to Coral Gables after going to college in New York. The agency was founded by his father after leaving Cuba in the 1960s, and though he passed away a few years ago, the family, with his brother Greg at the helm, still operates the business.

It was while working at Lorraine Travel that Guiteras conceived the idea of launching The Globe. Having gone to the New School for Social Research in Manhattan, he was enamored of clubs like The Odeon and Nells. “I came home to Coral Gables for my breaks, and there was nothing here. Then I discovered John Martin’s, out of the blue, this Irish pub. And I became quite a regular there, very friendly with Martin and John.”

It was here that he met his wife Lorraine (a pure coincidence with the name of the family travel business), who was working at the pub. “Back then they would hire girls from Ireland on visas, and one night

the bartender Kurt leans over and says, ‘Did you see the new crop of recruits?’ And I look over and there is Lorraine.”

Together they dreamed of creating their own Gables bar and restaurant, which led to buying the Globe building. “After my spark at Martin’s it took me about three years of lobbying my dad, but he finally caved and bought this building. Prior to that we were on Le Jeune and before that on Giralda, in the space where La Dorada is now.”

“Our agreement was, you build it, and I’ll run it,” says Lorraine. “It was a bad deal for me!” she laughs. But it turned out that Lorraine had a deft sense of management, and for a decade starting in the late 1990s, The Globe became one of the most popular places in town. On any given Wednesday, Thursday or Friday night, happy hour revelers spilled into the street, requiring off-duty police to manage the crowd.

“Those were incredible days,” says Guiteras. “We are still doing well, but back then there was no South Beach,

no Brickell, no Midtown, no Wynwood. Coral Gables was the place to be. It still is, but things have evolved.” Not only is there more competition from other parts of the city, but eating patterns have changed. “Millennials aren’t eating out as much, and the two-martini lunch is long gone.” Nonetheless, says Guiteras. “Our bread and butter is the executive who has a little more time for lunch, and dinner is good. But more and more we rely on meeting, wedding and parties that Lorraine books.” Inside the Globe is a private space, The Black Room, with its own bar that can seat 65 for dinner.

On a given Saturday night, you might hear the faint sound of merrymaking when a Black Room party is in full swing. But that evaporates when the band begins to play, and you realize there is no better place to be if you love that uniquely American form of music we call jazz.

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David Fernandez on saxophone with a trio of piano, bass, and drums. Trumpet player John Schneider joined the band in the second set.
Audrey Ross Team 305.206.4003 aross@miamirealestate.com miamirealestate.com Not intended to solicit currently listed property. © Compass Florida, LLC. Equal Housing Opportunity. All information furnished regarding property for sale or rent or regarding financing is from sources deemed reliable, but Compass makes no warranty or representation as to the accuracy thereof. All property information is presented subject to errors, omissions, price changes, changed property conditions, and withdrawal of the property from the market, without notice. 555 Arvida Parkway $17,499,000 6 bed 6 bath 2 half bath 15,493 sf Acre +/- Wide Water Lot Private Dock for 100’+ Boat Direct Access to Biscayne Bay 500 Arvida Parkway $26,500,000 5 bed 7 bath 3 half bath 15,522 sf 8815 Arvida Drive $15,900,000 6 bed 8 bath 2 half bath 12,839 sf 515 Casuarina Concourse $9,500,000 8 bed 8 bath 2 half bath 12,492 sf Acre +/- Wide Water Lot Private Dock for 100’+ Boat Direct Access to Biscayne Bay 1.15 Acre +/- waterfront lot Private Dockage Direct Access to Biscayne Bay 1.6 Acre +/- Lot Private Tennis Court Repriced to Sell Gables Estates’ Finest Addresses

King of the Hill

THE LATEST GABLES STAGE PRODUCTION IS A TIMELY TAKE ON POLITICS

What does it take to sell your soul? That’s just one of many questions explored in the dark and biting comedy “Kings,” the latest production at the GableStage.

“Kings” is the story of Kate, a sharp, ambitious lobbyist who gets her clients elected by whatever it takes, and Rep. Sydney Millsap, a political newcomer who puts her ideals first. In a classic conflict between integrity and expedience, we follow dramatically different senatorial candidates through the year leading up to the election.

This conflict of conscience is nothing new, of course, but has a particularly poignant ring in today’s political climate. And GablesStage delivers the message with laser precision. Diana Garle is perfect as the hard driving Kate, who has a lesson to learn about sticking to what is right. Karen Stephens, who plays Sidney

Millsap (a variation of today’s Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez), is the show stealer, passionately portraying the moral rectitude we would all like to see in all our politicians.

GableStage, for those who have never been, is an intimate space that works well with small scale productions. During this play, the audience even becomes the crowd during an election rally. But don’t confuse size with quality. The Gables production of playwright Sarah Burgess’ “Kings,” is nothing short of excellent. Among the audience commentary we heard during blackouts between sets were, “This is really good,” and, “This is so well written.”

Also overheard was “I don’t know which one I can trust,” a feeling that is painfully relevant outside the doors of GableStage. At least in this setting, you don’t actually have to choose. –

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Best Bets

TIPS ON WHAT TO DO THIS MONTH

THE ART OF COMPASSION

Opening June 7 at the Coral Gables Museum, The Art of Compassion showcases the work of 20 photographers, portraying formerly incarcerated women. Their artwork follows these women as they are reintegrated into society. The subjects also give their testimonies via text, film and an installation. There is even an interactive component of the exhibition that will pop up on visitors’ smartphones throughout the show. 285 Aragon Ave. www.coralgablesmuseum.org. 305.603.8067. On view through Sept. 23.

CORAL GABLES RESTAURANT WEEK

Enjoy creative, discounted menus at your favorite Gables locations like Ad Lib, Bulla Gastrobar, Christy’s, Zucca and more. Though termed Restaurant Week, it’s really almost all of the month of June. The 12th Annual Coral Gables Restaurant Week kicks off June 3 and goes through the 23, giving you plenty of time to eat your way through the downtown. Bon appetit! Check http://restaurantweek.shopcoralgables.com/ for participating restaurants.

FROST CHOPIN FESTIVAL

A 10-day celebration of Chopin’s music featuring world-class artists from around the globe. This year’s festival featured pianists Dina Yoffe and Kevin Kenner and a special Nocturne concert. Kicks off on June 23 with the Escher String Quartet at the UM Gusman Concert Hall. 1314 Miller Dr. 305.284.2438. Go to www.frostchopinfestival.com for the full schedule and to purchase tickets.

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Coral Gables Art Cinema as part of their After Hours series. Sat. Jun. 22 at 11:30 p.m. 260 Aragon Ave. www.gablescinema.com. 786.472.2249. Tickets: $8. Tickets include a free popcorn and happy hour.

FINE SCOTCH AND CIGAR TASTING

Enjoy a pairing between Macallan single malt whiskey and Davidoff cigars, one of the world’s finest luxury cigar brands. Thurs., June 20 at the Biltmore Pool Lawn. 7 – 8:30 p.m. RSVP required and must be 21 to attend. 1200 Anastasia Ave. www.biltmorehotel.com. 855.454.0196. Tickets: $40, member tickets: $30.

SIXTEEN CANDLES

Samantha Baker is ready to make the most of her 16th birthday… if only someone in her family would remember it! She’s your average teen: enduring creepy freshmen, spoiled siblings, confused parents and the “Big Blonde on Campus” who stands between her and the boy of her dreams. Catch this classic film at the

DAVE EVANS IN EXCLUSIVE AND INTIMATE CONCERT

Dave Evans, the original recording vocalist for AC/DC, will be performing AC/DC as well as his own music for the first time ever in Miami. An exclusive show that no rock fan will want to miss. Thurs. June 27 at the Open Stage Club. 2325 Galiano St. www.openstageclub.com 305.441.7902. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets: $20.

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People Alexandra Villoch Chris G. Korge Daniel Pische
p50
Alexandra Villoch, CEO of the Baptist Health South Florida Foundation

Alexandra Villoch

Cuba-born executive Alexandra Villoch has shattered many glass ceilings in South Florida. She ran the United Airlines operations at Miami International Airport. She was the first woman publisher of the Miami Herald Media Company. She has served on boards for community groups from The Beacon Council to Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Miami-Dade County. And she’s an avid traveler, recently hiking mountains in Rwanda on her fifth trip to Africa.

Villoch has been on the move since childhood, but most of her life has been connected to the Gables. The mother of four came from Cuba to the U.S. at age two. Her dad’s career as an engineer took the family to live in Puerto Rico, Peru, Guatemala, Louisiana, Texas and other places, but she finished high school at Assumption Academy in Coral Gables and then earned her bachelor’s and MBA degrees at the University of Miami.

LATEST ACHIEVEMENT WHAT SHE SAYS

On June 1, Villoch became CEO of the Baptist Health South Florida Foundation, leading a team responsible for fund-raising for the region’s largest hospital group. She oversees a staff of 65 professionals who handle government and community relations as well as hospitality for the healthcare group. She’s based at Baptist Health’s corporate headquarters in Coral Gables, her longtime hometown.

“After 19 years with the Herald and [its parent company] McClatchy, I see the move to Baptist Health as continuing my public service mission,” she says. “Last year, the Foundation raised $31 million, a record amount. Sure, Baptist gets grants. But most grants today require matching funds, and the kind of equipment needed for cutting-edge treatment requires fundraising for capital investment. Fundraising also helps pay for scholarships for

nurses and free community events from yoga to cooking classes. “I was never told, ‘You can’t do that because you’re a woman.’ When I learned I was the Herald’s first female publisher, my answer was to say, ‘Make sure, I [won’t] be the last.’ My daughter and I recently went to Rwanda and hiked to see silverback gorillas. If you’re interested, do it sooner instead of later. Because you have to climb up to the gorillas. They don’t come to you.”

50 coralgablesthemagazine.com People
I was never told ‘You can’t do that because you’re a woman’…
CEO, BAPTIST HEALTH SOUTH FLORIDA FOUNDATION

Chris G. Korge

After earning a law degree at Temple University in 1981, Chris Korge began his legal career as an attorney for the cities of Miami Beach and Miami before entering private practice, first with Holland & Knight. He moved on to other firms, becoming a specialist in government contracts, legislative affairs and land use. In 1998, Korge started the law firm of Korge & Korge with his brother. Now 64, Korge is best known as a developer and businessman -- his NewsLink operates concessions in nine U.S. airports -- as well as a major fundraiser for the Democratic Party. He served as National Co-Chair for John Kerry’s presidential campaign in 2004, and raised millions for the campaigns of Andrew Gillum and Hillary Clinton.

LATEST ACHIEVEMENT WHAT HE SAYS

In May, Korge accepted what may be the highest-profile job of his career when he was named finance chair for the Democratic National Committee, responsible, he says, “for raising north of $400 million” in the run-up to the 2020 election. In announcing his appointment, DNC Chairman Tom Perez said, “Democrats across the country will be in good hands with [Korge] leading the charge.”

“Democrats are cause-driven – right to choose, healthcare, income disparity – so typically the people that give us money are doing it because of their social agenda,” he says. “The way to raise all this money is to identify people who have a philanthropic attitude. They are not looking for some kind of favor. We have wealthy people give money because they care that everyone has healthcare.”

Korge is the first to admit that raising money for political

campaigns “takes a lot of work, a lot of meetings, a lot of phone conversations, and a lot of credibility.” Having said that, he feels he can meet his ambitious goals. “People are charged. People are concerned about social issues,” he says. “With Donald Trump being president, he’s our best fundraising tool. ”

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Typically the people that give us money are doing it because of their social agenda…
ATTORNEY, BUSINESSMAN, DEMOCRATIC PARTY FUNDRAISER

Daniel Pische

Daniel Pische started his banking career in 2005 at First American Bank in Chicago, eventually specializing in trade lending. He came to Florida in 2016, following First American’s acquisition of the Bank of Coral Gables. He currently oversees the bank’s trade finance programs and the Florida lending team from the bank’s Florida HQ on Alhambra Circle. Working with the Exim Bank and SBA programs, he was asked to testify before the Senate earlier this year, after he explained privately to Senators Marco Rubio (FL) and Tammy Duckworth (IL) that federal programs had to focus more on small exporters.

LATEST ACHIEVEMENT WHAT HE SAYS

Pische was appointed in March to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Trade Finance Advisory Council (TFAC), making First American Bank the first privately held commercial bank to have a representative on the council. The TFAC reports directly to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. His bank also recently acquired Continental National Bank, Miami’s first Cuban American-owned bank.

“I was honored by the opportunity to participate, especially with my background working with small businesses,” he says of the TFAC appointment. “A lot of the people on the board are from the largest banks in the world. But the small and medium sized businesses have different needs than the Boeings and Caterpillars.” Pische says that his bank’s acquisition of Coral Gables

Bank in 2016 was a logical step. “Coral Gables at the time was where about half of our customers were based, so it was a natural move for us,” he says. “You really can’t escape international trade in South Florida. There is less of a reason to be here if you are not involved in international trade. You can get cheaper real estate elsewhere in the state.”

52 coralgablesthemagazine.com People
You really can’t escape international trade in South Florida…
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, FIRST AMERICAN BANK

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THE INNOVATION REPORT
Data Mining: City data analyst Chris Cowen at the helm of the Community Information Center (CIC).

CITY OF THE FUTURE

How Innovation is Taking Hold of the City Beautiful

On the fourth floor of the Coral Gables Public Safety Building, which houses police, fire and emergency personnel, there is a dark, glassed-in room where a command console looks onto more than a dozen large screens. This is the Community Information Center or CIC, formerly known as the Crime Information Center. On the screens are images from around the city – views of Miracle Mile, Giralda Plaza, Aragon Avenue, Old Cutler Road, US 1, the Cocoplum Circle, and so on, views from 48 fixed television cameras and 4 mobile camera banks, along with more than two dozenlicense plate readers, all feeding continuous data into the center.

Welcome to the eyes and ears of the digital city of the future. Operational since

late 2016, the CIC was initially used to supply Gables police with real time data they could use to protect the streets. Since then, the data has become increasingly important to other city departments, such as economic development and human resources, part of the transformation of Coral Gables into a “Smart City.” While the CIC is the most photogenic space within the city’s cramped IT Department (a new building is on the way), it is just part of a system designed to collect, analyze and use information to make life in Coral Gables, well, better.

The CIC is adjacent to the Smart City Control Room, the place where all its data – and data from all the city’s departments – is collected, analyzed, and put to use. The room, and the IT department it serves, are under the direction of Raimundo Rodulfo, who has since 2013 worked to advance the city’s technologies

“Data is the biggest commodity today,” he says. “If it’s good data at the right time, wherever you are it allows you to make better informed decisions. You can react quicker.” A perfect example shows why the police department loves the system: At last year’s Carnaval on the Mile, a couple lost their child in the sea of people. They called 911, and police called the CIC. “The analyst here was able to find the missing child in minutes,” says Rodulfo. “Can you imagine the happiness for the parents?”

Such is the power of the CIC systems, which can search reams of data for particular inputs. In this case, says Rodulfo, it was “a morphological analysis for a child. If you know the size, the color of the shirt, you can look for that. You know the time the child was last seen, so you can trace a possible route.” All of this is done at high speed using artificial intelligence. “You can crunch time,” he says.

But using data to make citizens safe is just one side of what Rodulfo’s team is doing. The Smart City Control Room is at the heart of a digital revolution in the Gables, one that is already providing an enormous amount of open data for its residents. It’s not just about the cameras – though data about the movement of cars and people can be very useful for retailers. It is about giving residents transparent access to information on the city’s revenues, expenditures, capital improvement programs, property taxes, demographics, and so forth.

On the Coral Gables website, its Smart City Hub also allows anyone to search public records, review the legislative calendar, check on a permit that is pending, even see which lobbyists are registered to influence city policies. All types of business can be transacted online, from bill paying to getting a commercial license. And the site offers downloadable apps that enable citizens to check on traffic, order Freebee rides, find and pay for parking by phone, and so forth.

THE MAKING OF A SMART CITY

The recent blossoming of digital interactivity in Coral Gables, while impressive by itself, is part of a larger shift within the city toward creating an innovative environment. The idea is that all aspects of city life can and should be reinvigorated, from education to traffic to health care. Much of the credit for this new movement goes to the current city administration, including its mayor, vice mayor and

SEVEN INITIATIVES FROM THE INNOVATION COUNCIL

The city’s Innovation Council is composed of volunteers with backgrounds in business, academia, science and politics, is tasked with making recommendations and helping to achieve them. Formed two years ago, these are their initial suggestions, some of which are already underway.

EDUCATION

Push STEM education with a pilot program at the Youth Center and annual hemispheric summit on science, technology, engineering and math education at UM

MOBILITY

Find new ways to promote mobility in the urban core, especially for seniors, with safety and comfort (nearly one in four Gables residents is 60 or older)

FINTECH FOR CITY TRANSACTIONS

Partner with a tech company to provide ewallet technology to help retailers, attracting new consumers with perks and rewards

SMART TALKS

Create the equivalent of Ted Talks for Coral Gables, to establish its reputation as a thought leader and to provide inspiration for innovation

ENGAGE SISTER CITIES

Coral Gables’ sister cities in Spain, France, Ecuador, Colombia and Salvador should create cultural showcases here and share best practices

URBAN RESILIENCE

Establish Coral Gables as a leader in high-tech prevention and resilience during and subsequent to natural and man-made disasters, from hurricanes to rising seas

CREATE NEW EMPLOYEES

A program to provide internships for MDC sustainability students with the aim of engaging and permanently hiring new, young talent

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While innovation is something that has become popular everywhere over the last 10 years, innovation was the key for Coral Gables to exist...
THE INNOVATION REPORT

city manager. But it is also a consequence of Coral Gables’ history, and its place as a unique crossroads of international business and culture.

“While innovation is something that has become popular everywhere over the last 10 years, innovation was the key for Coral Gables to exist,” says Beatrice Rangel, chair of the city’s Innovation Council. “Mr. Merrick [the city founder] put together two urban concepts that no one thought could be joined. These were the Garden City, which was the reaction by urbanists to the industrial revolution in England, and the City Beautiful, a movement by architects in Chicago and Detroit who thought that if you made a city’s downtown beautiful people would feel proud of living there and fight to keep it clean and safe.”

George Merrick, by combining a handsome, leafy suburb with an urban but architecturally inspired downtown (along with a major university), created an inherently innovative city.

Nonetheless, says Mayor Raúl Valdés-Fauli, in recent years Coral Gables needed to be prodded. To that end, when first reelected two years ago (he had served as mayor 1993-2001), ValdésFauli established a voluntary Innovation Council, a think tank

that would help position the city as an innovation leader. Rangel, a business consultant and former Chief Strategist for the Cisneros Group of Companies (and Minister of the Secretariat under then President Carlos Andrés of Venezuela) was appointed chair.

“I started the council as soon as I came into office,” says the mayor. “I thought that as a city we should also take leadership in innovation for cities here and around Latin America… I wanted for us to join the 21st century. We’re smack in the middle of the county, so we have the geographic position to do it. And we have the population characteristics to be able to afford it and do it.”

The first part of making Coral Gables an innovative city was already underway, with the expansion of its IT endeavors under then City Manager Cathy Swanson-Rivenbark. That effort has continued under current City Manager Peter Iglesias, who has made “horizontal integration” of city networks a top priority.

This is the very essence of a smart city, says Rodolphe elKhoury, dean of the University of Miami’s School of Architecture (and director of its Smart Cities program) who offers this definition: “A smart city takes the various functions and departments of a city and connects them by information technology so that the

LEFT: Beatrice Rangel, chair of the city’s Innovation Council, shown left
60 coralgablesthemagazine.com
ABOVE: Screen detail from inside the Community Information Center showing data on the movement of people
THE INNOVATION REPORT

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left hand knows what the right hand is doing. Connectivity aids gathering and correlating information so that officials can make better decisions.” What that means, says Iglesias, is that the fire department can check a building’s records, in real time, to immediately know the composition and contents of a burning structure they are rushing off to extinguish.

Another part of becoming an innovative city is to lead the way in sustainability, which means being green. On the high-tech side, Coral Gables has a unique database that records the height, species, location and health of all 38,000 trees in public spaces. On the pollution side, thanks largely to the efforts of Vice Mayor Vince Lago, the city has become one of the first in the state to ban plastic bags and Styrofoam cups and packaging, and regulate plastic straws. All the bans have come under legal attack since being passed by the city council, but so far all have survived.

Lago, who drives an electric car and lives in a home that is 100 percent solar powered, has also pushed for policies to make solar installation easier, and to advance alternate transportation, such as the city trolley, Freebee cabs and electric cars. “Our city now has the largest fully electric car fleet of any city or county in the state,” he says. “When I was elected, we didn’t have one. Now we have nearly 50 and by 2021 we’ll have 80.”

MAKING PEOPLE SMARTER

When asked what the city’s greatest challenge is when it comes to embracing innovation, Mayor Valdés-Fauli says that it’s education – both for students and for the populace at large. Of the seven initiatives idenified by the Innovation Council, the first one was for the promotion of STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). The initial result of this initiative is scheduled to begin this fall semester, with a pilot project in the existing afterschool program at the Youth Center for high school students to study technology using interactive tablets with a robotics component.

Beyond the classroom, however, Valdés-Fauli says the educational challenge is with the residents as a whole, to understand that a thriving city needs to be an innovative one. “The residents need to buy in. It’s about selling this vision,” he says, which includes Coral Gables as a walkable city of the future, a shining example of what New Urbanists mean when they talk about somewhere you can live, work and play.

Coral Gables is already headed in that direction, one of the reasons that 150 multinational headquarters and more than 40 international trade and consular offices are based here: the city is a smart place to live, with a level of urbanity that is almost European. And internationalism, along with the global attitudes it fosters, brings its own innovations – from the Italian consulate sponsoring Italian lessons in the local elementary school, to landing the area headquarters for Endeavor, a nonprofit incubator for entrepreneurs that was launched in South America.

The business climate as a whole is becoming increasingly innovative in Coral Gables, with a profusion of co-working, shared-work and executive suite spaces popping up; Regus just opened a second center at 2000 Ponce (their first is in the 2525 Ponce building on Andalusia), while WeWork is opening a second space on Giralda, where they first opened just last year. More are

HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR CITY

Want to become a digital citizen of the Smart City? It’s simple. Just go to coralgables.com, and hit the big green button that says Smart City Hub. Once there you can access transparency portals, apps, government series, open data, geographic information and more.

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TOP: Choose the Smart City Hub at the coralgables.com public website
THE INNOVATION REPORT
ABOVE: Inside the Smart City Hub are displays of web apps that give useful open data

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SRC and Ruta Maya shark tagging trip-Miami, FL. © Josh Liberman-SharkTagging.com

in the works. And the city’s Economic Development department is already working with its IT department to enhance economic development on the street level, using CIC-generated data to help retailers.

STREET SMARTS

Inside the CIC, streets being watched on the screens can be manipulated to stream with what look like orange heat patterns. “It’s where the most motion is,” says city data analyst Chris Cowen. “The system analyzes moving objects…. If it’s people, then it’s where the people are walking.” Or where they are stopping. “You can do one for where the objects [the people] stop for a certain period of time. So that’s how you know what store fronts people are stopping in front of,” he says.

“This is data that we are coordinating with the business improvement district (BID), and the chamber. We are helping to provide data like this for businesses,” says Rodulfo, “so they know what the best returns will be on their strategies, so they can know what times they should be open, for example.”

Beyond business, a sense of innovation permeates many aspects of life in Coral Gables. A huge contribution to that sense of being on the cutting edge comes from the University of Miami, a kind of seed for future innovation that founding father George Merrick planted; it was his idea to lease a huge swath of city land to the school. The University’s biomedical research alone is world class, and with it comes an entrepreneurial edge as new discoveries are commercialized. It’s Converge Miami center al-

ready houses 270 companies applying UM research to the real world. It’s business school likewise runs classes and incubators for student entrepreneurs and it recently announced the launch of a new angel capital fund for startups. Even its law school runs a “Startup Practicum” program that connects law students to new ventures that need legal help.

It is in the realm of smart cities, however, where UM and the City of Coral Gables really connect. This past May, the city and UM shared a space at the eMerge conference at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The event itself was started by Coral Gables entrepreneur Manny Medina, with a mission to connect U.S. and Latin American high-tech enterprises. This year they gave out an award for the Coral Gables Smart City Solution Competition 2019, which had been announced earlier in the year at a Smart Cities conference held on the UM campus.

The award went to Gables-based DLGV Architects and Urbanists, which presented a NOT, or Neighborhood Oriented Transit system. “What it does fundamentally is that it gathers information on existing local modes of transportation,” says DLGV principal and architect Teofilo Victoria, developing from that a single information system that can be accessed via laptop or cell.

Sounds like a perfect app for a smart, innovative city.

LEFT: The flexible WeWork office space on Giralda Avenue
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ABOVE: The eMerge conference, founded by IT CEO Manny Medina
THE INNOVATION REPORT

Everybody loves to visit Dad since he moved to e Palace, because there’s so much to do together. It’s the best place to celebrate birthdays and holidays, and nobody has to cook or clean up.

For the kids, there are Disney parties and live stage shows. We even go as a family to watch movies and football games in the theater. And Sunday dinner at our family table is something we all now look forward to.

Even little things like cooking classes we do with Dad, or watching him play his harmonica in a talent show, are times we could never share back in his apartment. And whether it’s catching a beer with him after work at e Palace’s Happy Hour, or watching him treat the kids to ice cream, we’re grateful for all the times we now share.

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“When Dad moved to e Palace, our family time came back to life.”

THE DIGITAL CITY

CORAL GABLES CONNECTS WITH ITS CITIZENS VIA A HIGH-TECH INTERFACE

If the exchange and mining of digital data is the hallmark of a smart city, then Coral Gables is a smart city determined to become even smarter. Online platforms that bring data from various city departments all together in one place allow residents, visitors, and businesses easy access to a wealth of information designed to enrich and empower. Want to see how crowded Giralda Plaza is at lunchtime, and if there is any nearby available parking? Need to renew a permit or license, or pay a bill for a city service? Curious about how much it cost to build that new park, the time frame for a street improvement project or how many people voted in the last election? All that information is available with a keystroke.

In rolling out a versatile open-data platform – founded on a combination of analytics, apps, sensors, and other technologies –the City Beautiful has become a digital darling, attracting national attention. The Center for Digital Government, a national research and advisory institute, recently awarded Coral Gables first place in its national ranking of most innovative technological cities with up to 75,000 population.

Leading Coral Gables into the digital future is Raimundo Rodulfo, the city’s director of Information Technology. Prior to joining the City in 2004, he worked for 10 years in the private sector, including seven years with BellSouth as a development engineer. He was named IT director in 2013.

From crowded quarters on the fourth floor of the public safety building on Salzedo Street, Rodulfo heads a team of 19 fulltime and six part-time employees who oversee the Smart City online data hub designed to maintain Coral Gables as a world-class city with a hands-on feel. This Smart City Hub allows residents and those who do business with the city to explore open data maps and graphs, download mobile applications from an app store, and even network to solve local issues.

“We want to leverage innovation, technology, strategic planning and best practices to improve quality of life,” Rodulfo says. “The technology is changing, but our core mission stays the same.” Now, via the Internet of Things (IoT), residents can go to the city’s online website (www.coralgables.com), hit the green Smart City Hub button, and renew parking permits, see updated dashboards monitoring the flow of pedestrians, track up-to-the-minute reports on traffic jams and accidents in the downtown, or receive notices of current events.

Through its OpenGov portal, residents have access to the city’s Financial Transparency Platform, which is chock-full of information about capital improvement projects, how tax revenues are being spent, and even a roster of registered city lobbyists. “The exciting part is when a city makes all the data available and accessible,” says Rodolphe el-Khoury, dean of the University of Miami’s School of Architecture and director of its Smart Cities program. “Basically, a smart city is one that is capitalizing on data to provide more options to management and citizens.”

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We want to leverage innovation, technology, strategic planning and best practices...
THE INNOVATION REPORT

CITIZEN APPS

Residents and visitors to Coral Gables can download apps that range from traffic readers and parking data, to connections with – and information about – the city’s trolleys and Freebee taxi rides

CITY SENSORS

The city is increasing monitoring itself in real time, with data that is available to citizens. Sensors now report everything from street traffic on Miracle Mile to the location of garbage trucks as they work their way through the city

CITY TRANSPARENCY

Through its Smart City Hub, citizens can access data about the city’s finances, including revenues, expenditures, capital improvement projects, and who the lobbyists are – as well as search for public records and police reports

RESOURCE MAPS

As part of its Smart City Hub, Coral Gables provides information about various city resources, providing online maps of everything from historic districts and bicycle routes to the location of e-vehicle charging stations and election precincts

FREE WIFI

The city has now expanded its free wifi to almost all commercial areas, with plans to expand city-wide

THE SAFE CITY

THE CORAL GABLES POLICE DEPARTMENT UPGRADES WITH TECHNO INNOVATION

Several months ago, Coral Gables police working to solve a string of car burglaries on Dixie Highway caught a break when they spotted, on a business surveillance video, the license plate of a suspect vehicle.

Investigators entered the plate number into a system that runs the department’s license plate readers (LPRs), positioned on streets leading in and out of the city. The LPRs capture all license plate numbers that come into view, recording on a central server the location, date, and time. The cameras can also be programmed to issue an alert when a particular plate is detected.

Three weeks later they got a hit. A car bearing the flagged plate had been detected at South Dixie and Riviera Drive. Officers raced to the intersection. “Inside the car were a man and a woman, and lots of stolen property – a loaded gun, laptop computers, multiple credit cards,” says Maj. Raul Pedroso. “Both occupants were arrested. And they admitted committing the burglaries.”

The city’s two dozen+ license plate readers provide what the police department calls a “geo-fence” around the city, recording the cars entering and leaving. Combined with an array of 33 closedcircuit television cameras (CCTV) that monitor most public spaces, and four mobile camera banks for crime hot spots, the CGPD is now able to track crime in both real time and via reviews of previous time periods, where suspects can be identified from things like hair color and clothing.

While Police Chief Ed Hudak describes himself as “an old school cop,” he is the first to admit that innovative technologies have been a big help in bringing crime levels to a 15-year low. “As in anything in society, speed and innovation are what is needed to keep up with the criminal elements, because they are moving faster, too,” says Hudak.

The surveillance cameras and LPRs are just part of a growing arsenal of high-tech tools changing the nature and style of crime fighting in the Gables. “When I became a police officer 26 years ago, if I was looking for a person and needed his picture, I would go to the office of the Florida Highway Patrol and fill out a form,” says Pedroso, who commands the department’s technical services division. “It could take two to 14 days. Now, in a traffic stop, we can swipe the driver’s license. Or if they have no ID, use Rapid ID [fingerprint scanner]. If they have a criminal record, it will tell us who they are in seconds.”

The CGPD is also upping its interface with the community. A new app allows citizens to communicate with police in real time, including with video, when they suspect a crime is occurring. The CGPD is also working on a program that can upload video from the 3,000+ doorbell cameras now installed in homes across the city.

“We are exploring the latest technology so that we can be nimble, and do our jobs safely and efficiently,” says Chief Hudak. “Change can be the difference in solving and preventing crime.”

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Police Chief Ed Hudak (right), at the Community Information Center (CIC) with Maj. Raul Pedroso, head of the technical services department
We are exploring the latest technology so that we can be nimble, and do our jobs safely and efficiently...
THE INNOVATION REPORT

DOORBELL CAMERAS

Police have partnered with Amazon-owned Ring so homeowners can share with investigators video taken with motion-triggered cameras built into doorbells and uploaded to Ring. The agreement allows police to send alerts to those who use Ring and map neighborhoods where crimes have been reported.

MOBILE CRIME CAMERAS

When burglaries go up in a particular area – car break-ins near a fast-food restaurant, for example –police can now deploy solar-powered mobile camera banks to monitor the areas in real time. Typically, crime goes down as soon as the cameras go up.

BOLAWRAP 100

A hand-held remote restraint device that discharges an eight-foot bola style Kevlar tether to entangle a subject from 10-25 feet. Gables police have 20 units and several officers have been trained to use the non-lethal device

SAFERWATCH

This app allows residents to text police with tips and information regarding incidents happening in real-time, including photos and video. The app also allows two-way communication during emergency and non-emergency situations.

LICENSE PLATE READERS

Because most crimes in Coral Gables are committed by perpetrators from outside the city, the city now relies on license plate cameras to track who enters and who leaves

THE SUSTAINABLE CITY

THE GREENING OF CORAL GABLES

The city’s drive to become a beacon for innovative sustainability is apparent in a variety of initiatives, from its electric car fleet to its ban on plastic bags and Styrofoam. But the strategic goal outlined in the city’s 2013 Sustainability Management Plan remains simple and clear, says Matt Anderson, the city’s chief sustainability officer. “Our bottom line is to reduce energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions,” he says.

To that end, Coral Gables encourages the use of solar power in private homes by streamlining the permitting process and waving fees. In recognition, the city was recently awarded a bronze designation by the national SolSmart program for making it easier to go solar; it would have received a gold or silver designation from this U.S. Department of Energy-funded program, if not for the city’s strict building code, which requires installations to be approved for appearance by its Architecture Review Board.

Coral Gables also encourages the use of electric cars, itself fielding the largest municipal electric car fleet in Florida: 48 vehicles at present, with a goal of expanding to 78 by 2021. “The big deal here is that it reduces our carbon footprint, our vehicle maintenance costs, and our expenditures for gas,” says Vice Mayor Vince Lago. The city also has 16 charging stations, with 11 more planned, for free use by citizens with electric cars.

In order to encourage more efficient use of power and water in new buildings – as well as healthy working conditions – the city levies a three percent “Green Building Bond” fee which it returns to developers once they obtain LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). More recently a new program called the Green Business Certification Program, launched in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce, helps existing buildings monitor and reduce use of power, water and waste disposal.

Waste collection is another area of innovation. The city holds regular household hazardous waste collection events, where citizens can dispose of electronic devices, old appliances and hazardous waste such as solvents or prescription drugs. A recent one-day event collected six tons of waste. “We are diverting 75 percent of waste material from the landfill, with the aim of recycling,” says Anderson.

Perhaps the city’s most most innovative plan is to install solar micro-grids to keep services functioning when natural disasters cripple the conventional power grid. The proposal for this catapulted Coral Gables to one of 35 finalists (out of 320 cities) in the U.S. Mayor’s Challenge to find solutions to urban woes. While it was not among the five finalists – which would have given the city $1 million in funding for the project – “we have all the plans in place, and are looking for matching grants to build it,” says Anderson. “We are really on the cutting edge on a lot of this stuff,” he adds. “In Florida, we are in the front of the pack, and other counties and cities want to emulate us.”

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Matt Anderson, Coral Gables’ chief sustainability officer
THE INNOVATION REPORT
Our bottom line is to reduce energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions...

ELECTRIC CARS

Coral Gables now has 48 electric cars, on its way to a fleet of 78 electric cars by 2021. It also has 16 charging stations open to the public, with another 11 stations planned.

GREEN BUILDINGS

The city requires all new private buildings of more than 200,000 square feet – and all new public ones – to be certified under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program. The city also just launched a Green Business Certification Program that encourages energy, water and waste conservation .

THE TREE CANOPY

The city’s Tree Succession Project to plant 3,000 more trees is now finished, bringing the city’s total to more than 38,000 in public parks and swales. All are monitored with a digital database for height, health, location and type.

SOLAR BACKUP

The city is planning to install solar powered micro-grids that will keep services running in the event of hurricane. It already has 11 solar powered park benches where citizens can recharge portable devices when power goes out.

PLASTIC BANS

Last year Coral Gables became one of the first cities in Florida to ban the use of plastic bags for retailers, followed by a ban on the use of Styrofoam and restrictions on plastic straws. While all have been challenged in court, all currently remain in place.

THE HEALTHY CITY

CORAL GABLES PROVIDES A PLATFORM FOR THE LATEST INNOVATIONS IN HEALTH TECHNOLOGY

Doctors Hospital, centrally located on the edge of the University of Miami campus, is the city’s principal hospital. It is also home to the uniquely innovative Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute. Launched last year, the Institute practices avant-garde orthopedics while advancing new techniques – much of the work being done via close partnerships with the Miami Heat and the Miami Dolphins. Basically, their doctors treat professional sports injuries, translating what’s learned into new medical procedures.

“The institute is a state-of-the-art facility,” says hospital CEO Nelson Lazo. “Five years ago, if you needed a joint replacement, you would spend four to five days in the hospital. It was a very painful experience. Now we can get you out of the hospital in 16 hours. That is light years away, like going from an early prop plane to a jet.” Lazo attributes the innovations at Doctors orthopedic institute –an affiliate of the health system, Baptist Health South Florida – at least in part to working with injured professionals. The other part is its use of advanced technologies. They employ surgical robots to repair shoulder and knee damage, for example, which dramatically reduces trauma and bleeding.

At UM, the Wallace H. Coulter Center focuses on translational research – figuring out ways to commercialize medical breakthroughs. It is part of a larger Converge Miami complex on the school’s medical campus (north of the city), which now houses 270 biomedical companies, from startups to global medical entities. “We want to be the hub of biomedical innovation,” says Norma Kenyon, UM’s Vice Provost for Innovation. “We have terrific research in key areas.” At Converge, biomedical startups are in the equivalent of a business incubator – except that instead of a desk they get an eight-foot bench and access to expensive medical equipment. Meanwhile, UM School of Medicine doctors are conducting advanced research in areas ranging from concussion treatments to cancer; its Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute is conducting Phase III FDA trials to reverse frailty in old people via infusing stem cells cloned from UM athletes.

Equally exciting are the innovative programs at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, the primary pediatric treatment center for the Gables. Nicklaus is now part of the Sanford Children’s Genomic Consortium, which aims to advance pediatric medicine via genomics. Currently the hospital is conducting two studies using genome sequencing to diagnose and treat infants and children with illnesses that are genetic. The hospital is also a leading adopter of mobile medical technology, which allows them to treat children in remotes areas.

Even on a street level, the Gables is a platform for innovative health care. There are a plethora of street-front facilities that range from new approaches to exercise – such a under-water resistance cycling or classes in boxing for stress release – to experimental medical treatments, such as cryogenic tanks that reinvigorate clients with temperatures 169 degrees below zero.

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Nelson Lazo, CEO of Doctors Hospital. (Shown getting a flu shot)
THE INNOVATION REPORT
Five years ago, if you needed a joint replacement, you would spend four to five days in the hospital...

ADVANCED UM RESEARCH

UM’s medical researchers are leading the nation in developing treatments via the use of stem cells to reverse the damages of aging and cure diabetes, among others

ROBOT TRAINED NURSES

UM’s Nursing Simulation Hospital is a six-floor, free-standing virtual hospital that uses 40 robot patients that exhibit various medical conditions and interact with sttudent nurses

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is using advanced medical technology to develop genetic treatment for childhood diseases and deployable systems for practicing remote medicine

DOCTORS HOSPITAL

A uniquely innovative hospital that specializes in advanced orthopedic research via parternships with high school, college and professional sports teams

STREET HEALTH TECH

Coral Gables’ downtown is peppered with street front health centers, ranging from boxing gyms and bootcamps to water cycling and cryogenic freezers

THE TRANSPORTED CITY

WITH TRAFFIC INCREASING ACROSS THE COUNTY, CORAL GABLES FINDS INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

Last month Coral Gables and Miami held a joint press conference near the Douglas Road Metrorail Station. The location was appropriate, right off Dixie Highway, the corridor for half of the 800,000 cars that pass through the city every day.

The showpieces for the press conference were two trolleys, one from each city, facing head to head. Officials from both municipalities spoke about how they’ve now linked their free trolley systems together. Gables Mayor Raúl Valdés-Fauli joked that he expected a golden spike to be driven in, like the joining of the U.S. Transcontinental Railroad in 1869. But traffic in Coral Gables, like most cities, is no joke.

“Our city of 51,000 swells to double that during the day as people come to work or use our facilities or enjoy the downtown,” says Vice Mayor Vince Lago. “We have to provide people with options.” Lago was an early proponent of joining the trolley systems. He also served on the board of the Miami-Dade County TPO (Transportation Planning Organization), where he pushed for grant money to launch the Freebee.

The Freebee is an innovative transit solution created by two University of Miami graduates. The idea is to offer free rides downtown in multi-seat electric “cabs.” The service is paid for partly by city money and partly by revenue from advertisers who market their brands via the vehicles. Today there are five Freebees operating in the Gables.

“Our goal is to remove the single-occupied vehicle from the street,” says Kevin Kenny, parking director for Coral Gables. “One of the reasons for the Freebee is so that the executive who wants to go to lunch, or a meeting, won’t have to drive and park.” The same can be said of the Trolley, which a 2013 UM study showed kept 750 cars from parking downtown; presumably that number has grown significantly. “The concept is the last-mile service, to get you from whatever transit you use to your final destination,” says Kenny.

The latest last-mile links are the electric “dock-less scooters” which the city is testing. Starting last year with 75 scooters, there are now 150. By downloading an app that takes your credit card, citizens can grab a scooter and whiz anywhere in town at up to 15 mph.

“They have to charge them, so the vendors [Spin and Byrd] pick them up every night, and then drop them off in the morning,” says Jessica Keller, the assistant public works director overseeing the project. Next on her list is a network of protected bike paths, part of a 2014 bicycle and pedestrian plan.

Also on the drawing board are transportation hubs centered on the city’s public garages, so that people can park and then get to their local destinations. “We have to solve how to transit through the city with [alternative] modes of transportation,” says Keller. “We cannot be a car dependent society forever. It’s not sustainable in any way.”

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Vince Lago, Coral Gables Vice Mayor
THE INNOVATION REPORT
Our city of 51,000 swells to double that during the day as people come to work...

WAZE APP

As of January, the city’s Connected Citizen’s Program has partnered with Waze, a driving platform that allows drivers to “outsmart traffic.” A two-way data share of traffic information, Waze provides a look at real-time road activity so users can avoid jams.

FREEBEE

Five Freebee electric cabs circulate throughout downtown Coral Gables, recently extended to include the library and youth center. Just download the app at www.ridefreebee. com, request a ride, select your destination and confirm the pickup. Takes about five minutes to get picked up.

THE TROLLEY

The Coral Gables Trolley takes citizens, for free, the entire length of the city – north-south along Ponce de Leon Boulevard from the Douglas Metrorail Station to Flagler street, and east west along Coral Way. Future plans include a north-south route on Red Road (57th Avenue).

TRAFFIC CALMING

In order to avoid cars racing through side streets (once they get the Waze app!), the Gables has a program of traffic calming, via roundabouts placed at residential intersections throughout the city and Shield 12 monitors that communicate with police patrols.

ELECTRIC SCOOTERS

The city now has 150 electric scooters you can rent with a downloadable app that activates the scooter and charges your credit or debit card. Outside of Miracle Mile, you can ride them on any city sidewalk and leave them at your destination; you can find them via the app.

THE EDUCATED CITY

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ARE BECOMING BOTH THE MEANS AND THE GOAL

Coral Gables has always prided itself as a well-educated city. Almost two-thirds of its adults hold college degrees, with almost half of those holding some additional professional degree. Even its public library holds the county record for the most books checked out, per capita. “Education is a vital issue for our city,” says Mayor Raúl Valdés-Fauli, who made innovative education a priority in his state-of-the-city address in May. “And what we need are more STEM classes, and that means Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. That’s where the future lies.”

Already plans are in place for early STEM classes at the Youth Center, says Enrique Bernal, a former physicist who works voluntarily on the mayor’s Innovation Council. “The issue is how to get more students interested,” he says. “Schools are failing to inspire enough young people to follow these careers.”

The proposed classes will use smart tablets to teach kids science and math interactively, says Bernal, and will include a robotics component. If the pilot program is successful, the city will explore steps to expand it. Getting kids interested in science early on is one of the goals of the Innovation Studio being set up at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens, thanks to a NASA grant. At the studio, kids from elementary to high school age will conduct experiments to see which plants are most suitable for growing in space.

At the other end of the spectrum are innovative adult education programs, ranging from downtown classes at the Community Adult Center, to advanced programs offered at OLLI – the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute – which has its own building on the UM campus. The institute now offers more than 64 classes to about 1,400 “members” (aka students 50 years and older), ranging from Tai Chi to Constitutional Law. “This place offers intellectual engagement and a place to socialize as well,” says Magda Vergara, director of the OLLI. “We have doctors, attorneys, a lot of educators and other professionals in our classes. So, the class discussions are quite lively.”

On the high-tech education side, the showstopper is an educational alliance between UM and Magic Leap, a high-tech startup which is developing 3D headsets that let users manipulate visual data. Magic Leap founder (and UM alum) Rony Abovitz is putting headsets on students as a way to test educational capabilities; the first to use them have been architecture students for spatial design projects.

This is just the tip of a stunning array of innovative ways UM is expanded the idea of education. The school’s Launch Pad program educates students in how to start a business; its “Collaboratory” at the College of Engineering lets students use a 3D Titanium printer to create new devices; and its Laboratory for Integrative Knowledge puts together teams of scholars from multiple disciplines to solve complex social issues. “Is innovation thriving at the University of Miami?” asks Norma Kenyon, Vice Provost of Innovation. “I would say emphatically yes.”

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Magda Vergara, director of OLLI, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
THE INNOVATION REPORT
We have doctors, attorneys, a lot of educators and other professionals in our classes...

THE INNOVATION STUDIO

At Fairchild’s Innovation Studio, elementary, middle and high school students are learning how to grow and water plants in space, using funding from NASA to build prototypes of devices and systems they design

HOLOGRAPHIC HEADSETS

University of Miami students across all disciplines have been asked to test the holographic interface designed by South Florida’s Magic Leap corporation, recently funded with $500 million in capital

ADVANCED ADULT EDUCATION

At the downtown Adult Education Center, and even more so at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, adults aged 50 and up can keep their brains growing with challenging courses in a campus setting.

STEM ROBOTICS FOR KIDS

As part of the city’s Innovation Council recommendations, interactive classes are being offered at the Youth Center in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), using a robotics component.

MORPHABLE CLASSROOMS

UM is designing and using advanced flexible classroom spaces that can be changed to suit different needs, such as lecturing or studying or separating into smalller classrooms

THE ENTREPRENEURIAL CITY

CORAL GABLES ARRAY OF CO-WORKSPACES AND ATTENTION TO SMALL COMPANIES GIVE IT AN INNOVATIVE EDGE

As you walk through the doors of WeWork on Ponce de Leon, you know you’ve stepped into the future. Wide open spaces, glass walls, sleek lines of industrial influenced furniture, dark hardware on shared tables, bright lighting. If you arrive in a proper business suit, you’re overdressed. WeWork is one of a half dozen co-working spaces in the Gables. Formerly called executive suites, these incubators for new companies deliver the same cost-prohibitive resources – mailboxes, internet connectivity, answering services, kitchens, and offices – but are now more focused on startups and the energy of shared ideas. Pipeline, for instance, caters to startups that are apt candidates for investment capital from Pipeline itself.

In a city of escalating rents, cowork spaces like WeWork, Pipeline, Quest and Regus have become part of the urban fabric. According to a recent study, Miami has the most workspace sharing entities per capita of any metropolis in the country, with Coral Gables leading the way. “This is a hallmark of the city getting younger, in terms of its business professionals,” says Mark Trowbridge, CEO of the city’s Chamber of Commerce. “Ten to 12 years ago a small, innovative company might not have looked at Coral Gables because our rents were a barrier. Not so much anymore.”

Carolina Rendeiro, chief marketing officer of Gables-based Connect2Global, was on the ground floor of the workspace-sharing phenomena decades ago, instrumental in establishing many of the first coworking entities in the city. “When opening these spaces, we looked at various components: the potential member base, proximity to airports, proximity to restaurants and hotels, transportation, and so forth. Coral Gables is a perfect community [for these]. Being recognized as an international hub added to the decision process.” The coworking spaces that have sprouted up in the Gables – two more are scheduled to open this summer – are part of a culture of business innovation that permeates the city.

Not far from WeWork is the new headquarters for Endeavor Miami, the only U.S. affiliate for the global (Latin America-focused) nonprofit that mentors and finds capital for “scalable” companies that have grown past the start-up stage. “We work with six to eight entrepreneurs a year, and we measure their impact by potential revenue growth and job creation,” says Laura Maydon, managing director of the Gables office for Miami. “A high growth company or one that scales up generates many more jobs than a small business.”

The city’s Department of Economic Development, tasked with improving the business environment of the city and attracting new firms, approaches innovation digitally as well as physically.

“Our approach is to use data to help us identify the opportunities,” says the department’s director, Pamela Fuertes. Working with the city’s IT department, the data can drill down to pedestrian patterns in the newly streetscaped downtown (to help new retailers) or expand to track industries that are poised to expand (to help attract multinationals).“It might not be obvious for a city to connect with entrepreneurs,” says Maydon. “But there is more and more connection as the city understands and contributes to their growth.”

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Laura Maydon, managing director of Endeavor Miami’s Coral Gables office Photo by David Sutta
THE INNOVATION REPORT
We work with six to eight entrepreneurs a year, and we measure their impact by potential revenue growth and job creation...

ENDEAVOR MIAMI

The U.S. field office for this global mentoring and funding organization, itself funded by the Knight Foundation, is based in the Gables

TRANSPARENT FINANCES

Part of the reason the city is home to the offices of 150 multinational corporations, many of which do business in Latin America, is due to the online transparency of city services, finances, permitting, etc.

BUSINESS INCUBATORS

The city is sprinkled with shared and co-work spaces such as Pipeline, Quest, WeWork and Regus, which offer affordable resources for small, new startup companies and individual entrepreneurs

UNIVERSITY SUPPORT

The University of Miami provides not only education in entrepreneurship, but houses 270 innovative companies in their Converge Miami center for biosciences partnerships. This month they are also launching an angel start-up funding network.

STREET DATA

The city’s Economic Development Department uses data on pedestrian patterns to assist in the location and operations of new retail businesses

THE MEDINA

THE INNOVATORS 80

FACTOR

Coral Gables entrepreneur Manny Medina has chalked up many successes in his unexpected tech career: He built the largest Internet datacenter in Miami to handle traffic with Latin America. He sold his tech real estate company Terremark in a $2 billion transaction. He launched South Florida’s premier annual tech conference, eMerge Americas.

Now, the Cuban immigrant is developing his most ambitious tech business yet: Cyxtera, a Coral Gables-based cybersecurity venture already valued around $3 billion and set to go public on Wall Street. Cyxtera operates a whopping 57 data centers worldwide, with revenues topping $800 million last year. It already employs some 1,300 people, including 200 at its Ponce de Leon headquarters, which is “bursting at the seams,” says CEO Medina from his office by Miracle Mile.

Cyxtera focuses on new technologies to keep data and infrastructure secure, a challenge not only for businesses but for the government as well. As Medina puts it, “cyberattacks are very inexpensive, so our enemies are attacking us with more brains than heavy equipment, and we have to attack the same way.” It makes, he says, for an “eternal game of cops and robbers.”

The Gables company is keen now on “software-defined perimeters” to secure data and networks. The new technology recognizes that data no longer is stored in a box you own, that can be protected by a fence around it. Instead, users now log onto multiple systems remotely from everywhere and store data in multiple places, from public and private clouds to their office laptops. That means the perimeter around data “needs to be dynamic, not static,” says Medina. Unlike

Few people have reinvented themselves with as much success as Manny Medina, Coral Gables’ master innovator

fences, software-defined perimeters can shift, and they let users into only the part of a network they need, not the whole system.

“The best analogy I use is: You are coming to see me, but you are given access to the whole building. You could have gotten off at any floor. Think if you would have had a door that gave you access only to my office. You cannot see the whole building,” says Medina. “You cannot hack what you cannot see.”

FROM ACCOUNTING TO TECH REAL ESTATE

Medina never set out to be a tech entrepreneur. He was 13 when his family moved from Cuba to Florida, and the start was rocky. “Edison Senior High was not one of the friendliest places for a Cuban kid to be in,” Medina recalls. He didn’t speak English, and kids beat him up. Medina says he started using martial arts to defend himself, earning a black belt. Finances were tight back then, too. His father drove taxis, his mother was a housekeeper, and Manny pitched in, delivering newspapers, for example.

After earning a bachelor’s in accounting at Florida Atlantic University, Medina got a job as as an auditor for Price Waterhouse. But by 1980, he was out on his own – in real estate development. Then he got the tech bug in the early 1990s. The US recession had hit, and Medina was working on a project in Kuwait in the Persian Gulf. Far from his family and Florida, he recognized the importance of fast, inexpensive links for voice, data and other information. He began to read all he could about telecom and the Internet.

Back in Miami, he jumped at the chance to develop an Internet data-center that would transfer information to and from Latin America. He partnered his real estate savvy with a firm experienced in data-centers. The result was the Network Access Point of the Americas (NAP), a massive building downtown with two iconic white orbs on top, which opened with fanfare in 2001. It turned out to be an inauspicious time. “We went through a near-death experience, because the Internet bubble burst, the telecommunications industry imploded, 9/11 happened, there was no money anywhere,” Medina recalls. “But we felt so strongly about what we had that we persevered… I went all in.”

Medina’s real estate company Terremark owned and ran the Miami data-center, and it survived by providing customers with an ever-expanding array of services from managed hosting to cybersecurity and disaster recovery. By the time Verizon Communications bought it in 2011, the company had 13 centers worldwide and stock trading on Wall Street.

“Terremark put Miami on the map” in tech, says tech entrepreneur Susan Amat, the PhD who co-founded The Launch Pad at the University of Miami and now leads Coral Gables-based Venture Hive education company. She credits NAP’s success to Medina’s bold vision, willingness to take risks and his building a world-class team. Indeed, she notes many of the top brass from Terremark still work with Medina at Cyxtera.

INSPIRATION IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

After Terremark sold, Medina opted to take six months “off the grid” in the Florida Keys, to relax, play tennis and enjoy the sea –fishing, scuba diving and boating. Soon, he got to thinking about

the future. “Retirement is way overrated. I love what I do and I love to create,” he realized. He decided on two priorities for his next chapter: “One, to continue to invest in these next-generation technologies and two, to help take this entrepreneur innovation system in South Florida and help invigorate it.”

Medina recognized then that South Florida was widely admired as a gateway for Latin American trade, music and other industries. Yet “when it came to tech, we never got any respect,” he says. He saw tech as vital for the region’s future: Tech jobs often pay 50 percent more than other jobs, and tech doesn’t pollute. “At the same time, it was very difficult to recruit top-tier tech talent in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, machine-learning… If you were a No. 1 draft pick, you didn’t think of Miami as your career path.”

Medina’s team set up the Technology Foundation of the Americas, conducted in-depth research into what makes tech hubs work, and convened leaders of local companies, government, and universities to get involved. In 2014, they launched the eMerge Americas conference to bring together tech leaders in Miami, with a focus on Latin America, attracting an initial 4,000 attendees.

This year, eMerge united more than 16,000 people, with 100plus companies in its start-up competition, says President Melissa Medina. Much like Art Basel, the event now has spawned an entire Innovation Week in greater Miami, with corollary events. What’s more, eMerge now is organizing competitions and other events in Latin America, helping to identify tech entrepreneurs and bring them to Miami sessions.

Melissa Medina, Manny’s daughter and the mother to five children, is known for adding a focus on women in tech at eMerge that has helped make Miami a model for female entrepreneurship. She says she’s taken the business advice of her father/mentor/boss to heart, especially to build trust.

“One of the most important things to being successful is to always keep your word. Yes, what you sign on paper or digitally matters, but if it doesn’t match up to what you promised verbally, then you’re just not going to do well,” says Melissa. “You have to make sure you’re always delivering or over-delivering on what you promise. That’s one thing I can’t stress enough that he’s taught me.”

INVESTING IN NEXT GENERATION TECHNOLOGIES

After his sabbatical, Medina started a Coral Gables-based fund to invest in technologies, including such cybersecurity firms as Easy Solutions in Doral. To launch Cyxtera in 2017, he partnered with another private equity group. Together, they invested $2.8 billion to acquire 57 data centers and take over Medina Capital’s stakes in other cybersecurity firms, creating a security-data center combo.

“Security is baked into Cyxtera’s data centers. It’s not an add-on or an after-thought,” says Steve Morgan, founder and editor-in-chief of New York research firm Cybersecurity Ventures. “Manny Medina is one of the top cybersecurity founders and investors of our time. There are some times when you expect success due to a company’s leadership. Cyxtera is one of those.”

Manny is humble about his leadership role. He attributes success to his team: “I surround myself with people who are a lot smarter than me.” He does make sure, however, that the team meets regularly to discuss the future: two, five and 10 years out.

THE INNOVATORS 82 coralgablesthemagazine.com

Immigration, Innovation, Keeping the American Dream

WhenMelissa Contreras was just 19-years-old, she married a U.S. military member. Stationed at the Arizona/Mexico border, she was exposed to the large influx of Hispanics crossing the border – or dying while trying. She saw the opportunity to help these people by attending law school and subsequently practicing immigration and deportation law in 2012. The following year, she opened her own law firm.

“The deportation rates right now are through the roof,” Contreras says. “From Oct. 2018 to April 2019, they have doubled from the prior six months.”

A Puerto Rican herself, she understands the value of having dual citizenship.

“Immigration should be part of the human race,” she says. “It offers the greatest opportunities.”

Beginning June 22, Contreras is offering seminars to her business-owning clients at no additional charge to help them make their businesses successful once they obtain their visas. Among the topics she teaches are American traditions, the essentials of establishing a business and how to manage an immigration crisis.

“If you have the opportunity, get your citizenship, your residency, but there are other tools that I want to provide,” Contreras says, adding, “Especially today since the administration is being so hard with these processes.”

Her goal is for all of her clients to be able to live out their “American dreams,” whether they are coming to the U.S. to go to school, start a business or provide better opportunities for their families.

“We need to… offer ourselves the opportunity of seeing another part of the world at least once in our lives,” she says.

“And the U.S. is definitely one of the best places to live, work and invest.

CONTRERAS, ESQ
Coral Way Suite 630, Miami,
305.794.9701.
MELISSA
3191
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They analyze trends: “Is this a tectonic change where the plates are moving or just a minor earthquake?” They strategize over future opportunities and execute plans with discipline. Manny calls the sessions “fun, like planning a trip.” He also avidly reads fiction, nonfiction and “everything in front of me” to perceive future trends. He can’t understand why some executives can’t find time to think about business years from now: “For me, it’s like breathing.”

But Medina doesn’t want his legacy to be just that of a visionary tech entrepreneur. He’d like to be remembered for “putting in more than I took.” That helps explain why his Family Foundation is busy making donations, providing (among other donations) $1.25 million to support marine research linked to the underwater lab Aquarius Reef Base in Key Largo. “There’s a ledger somewhere,” says the trim, 67-year-old Medina dressed in a Cyxtera shirt. “Someday, I’m going to stand in front of someone, and they are going to ask, ‘What did you do? What did you give back?,’ and I want to say, ‘On balance, I gave back.’ ”

THE INNOVATORS 84 coralgablesthemagazine.com
Retirement is way overrated. I love what I do and I love to create...

A GALLERY OF GABLES INNOVATORS

What does it take to be an innovator? Many believe it involves something high-tech, creating a breakthrough with hardware or software that changes how we interact with the world. Think iPhone. But it goes far beyond the realm of technology, and can resonate in any industry, even a brick-andmortar one. What it comes down to is imagining something new – a new method, a new idea, a new product – and having the energy and persistence to actualize the idea.

Coral Gables has more than its fair share of innovators. It is a city of immense personal wealth, much of it built by pioneers in industry, science and entertainment. But wealth, by itself, is not the only measure of success in innovation. What it ultimately comes down to is how it affects the end user, how it enriches our lives. Yes, innovation ultimately comes down to delivering a better experience or product to the consumer. As Ralph Waldo Emerson remarked, build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door – but if it doesn’t improve their lives, what’s the point?

Here is a gallery of just a few of the innovators that call Coral Gables home.

Seven years ago, having spent two decades promoting the Kyoko Higa brand in the U.S., Venezuela native Maritza Fernandez decided to launch her own atelier and design shop in Coral Gables. Today the Filomena Fernandez line (named after her grandmother Filomena) has become a favorite of fashionistas. What makes Fernandez’s clothing innovative is that, despite the quality of her world-class designs for blouses, dresses, skirts and jackets, she is on a quest to make high fashion affordable. Three years ago, she decided to forgo the mass market, and to instead produce only “prêt-à-porter” or ready-to-wear clothing for her own shop.

“People have to spend a crazy amount of money to look properly, elegantly dressed,” she says. “My idea is that I want a lady to look incredible all the time without having to spend $5,000 on a jacket and a pair of slacks.”

Today her smart, elegant shop carries an array of blouses and dresses that cost $170 to $300 and $300 to $500 respectively, pieces from her seasonal collections. “I’m a fashion designer by profession, so finally I decided, ‘Let me do this, because I want to be able to find a blouse that costs $200 but looks like a thousand-dollar blouse.’”

THE INNOVATORS 88 coralgablesthemagazine.com
MARITZA FERNANDEZ Women’s Fashion Designer FASHION
Listening Then leading

What does it take to create a night club in a city that is not known for its nightlife, especially a club that is open seven nights a week? A clever understanding of the demographics of a relatively small city, in order to lure different crowds on different nights.

That is just what former banker Juan Della Torre did, beginning six years ago, when he launched the Open Stage Club on Galiano Street in the downtown. Today, his club remains popular thanks to his programming of music that appeals to a variety of audiences. On one night it’s jazz, another night it’s Latin, and another it’s Karaoke or a new talent showcase. Every Saturday there is stand-up comedy followed by disco dancing. And then there are the one-night-only events, like a U2 tribute band or a live performance of video game music.

“I love all music. There are no good or bad genres, only good or bad music in each. We have jazz nights, rock nights, Latin nights – we have disco nights. And I enjoy all of them,” says Della Torre. “I wanted to appeal to a crowd that resided in the area, and with a cultural interest that would appreciate it. So, the Gables was a great fit.”

Mary Snow is a lifelong Gables resident who has served as Executive Director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation since January 2014. In that role she has ably steered the foundation in its mission to channel philanthropic donations to charities that benefit the community, and to raise funds through various events to fund scholarships for underprivileged students.

What she may end up being remembered for, however, was her idea to install the Umbrella Sky Project, a two-month installation of 700 multicolored umbrellas over Giralda Plaza in downtown Coral Gables. Coming on the heels of the city’s StreetScape project – which all but closed Giralda for the year it was under construction – the Umbrella Sky Project became a darling of social media last summer, radically increasing the foot traffic on the Plaza and bringing much needed relief to restaurateurs and retailers there.

“This will be a public art installation that will bring people from all over Miami,” she said at the time, and she was right. It also brought people from around the world. Foot traffic on Giralda rose from an average of about 2,200 people daily before the installation to between 9,400 and 12,600 daily after it went up. The event also went viral, creating more than 130 million impressions in traditional and social media.

90 coralgablesthemagazine.com BUSINESS
COMMUNITY

BUSINESS INSTITUTIONS

After more than 25 years of creating and producing highprofile lifestyle events, culinary entertainment expert Heidi Ladell has joined Fairchild Garden as its new Chief Experience Officer (CXO).

For those who have never heard of the CXO position, it was unknown a decade ago. It is now in vogue due to the success of “experiential” entertainment venues such as Disney World. In the case of Fairchild, their enormously successful NightGarden installation and walk-through experience last November led them to understand that their lush acreage could be programmed for more immersive entertainment.

Ladell is already well known in South Florida, where she was on the team that produced the South Beach Wine & Food Festival and where she produced a live broadcast of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at the Fontainebleau Hotel on Miami Beach. “My goal is to enhance and enrich the events that already exist, and to create new experiences, to look at things with a fresh eye,” she says. “The garden realized there was a lot more potential to be the backdrop for a wide range of things.”

Having spent years creating culinary events for luxury brands and Fortune 500 companies, says Ladell “I feel that it’s all about creating content, and taking it to a level, in a venue like this, to a user experience. Content is king, but experience is right up there.”

Under assault by everything from Amazon to e-readers, the brick-and-mortar business of bookstores has been shrinking for decades. But don’t tell that to Mitchell Kaplan, whose innovative approach to selling books at his flagship Books & Books store has made him a local legend.

Originally founded in 1982 on the corner of Salzedo and Aragon, Books & Books moved down the street to its current location on Aragon a few years later. The new digs surrounded a courtyard, which provided space for a covered bar, outdoor seating and bands that play on weekend nights. Combined with a café and book readings that take place several times a week, Kaplan has managed to create what amounts to a book village, a community of experience that has not only allowed him to survive but to thrive.

Since then Kaplan has expanded his entrepreneurial enterprise by setting up additional locations in Key West, Downtown Miami, and Miami Beach – which also supports itself with an outdoor café on Lincoln Road – and by expanding into film production from book titles that he options.

“At this point, I really believe that the journey is more important usually than anything else. I do things because I enjoy them, so I surround myself with people I really like, who share the same vision,” he says. “I know it takes a village to make things happen.”

THE INNOVATORS 92 coralgablesthemagazine.com

Somebody To Trust

Themajority of the practice in George A. David, PA focuses on helping individuals fight insurance companies. We know how frequently individuals are treated unfairly by insurance companies, and we also know how these companies think and act. During the first 10 years of my 27+ year legal career, I represented insurance companies. I have tried over 100 cases and handled over 100 appeals, so we have the experience to take any case from the beginning all the way to jury trial, plus handle any appeals an insurance company may file after they are unhappy with the result of your case.

We can handle any type of dispute against an insurance company, be it personal injury claim, wrongful death or when your insurance company decides to disclaim coverage in a claim being brought against you. A prominent area of our practice is when your insurance company decides to disclaim coverage in your own claim, such as homeowner’s claims against insurance companies for denying coverage or reducing coverage. We also have experiences handling construction litigation claims.

Our clients like the fact that we are able to properly evaluate a claim, and when we see that it is good, we do not give up. What does this mean? Here are two examples. The first was a recent case where the client was injured in an automobile accident. The client had been previously represented by three separate lawyers who took his case and then turned it down as unwinnable. We litigated it and received a $600,000.00 settlement on the eve of trial. The second example is a client who got the runaround from her own insurance company on a $3,000.00 PIP lost wage claim. We pursued a bad faith insurance litigation claim and the client ended up receiving an additional $175,000.00.

We can handle any type of dispute against an insurance company.

We know that insurance companies love to lowball people making insurance claims and we know how to turn that against insurance companies to get maximum results. Our philosophy is to fight tooth and nail for our client’s case and never give up critical at a time when state laws are making it increasingly hard for the average person to bring claims against insurance companies

SPONSORED CONTENT George David | 395 Alhambra Circle Coral Gables Fl 33134 | P: 305.569.9980 | E: gadeservice@gmail.com

MEDICINE ONLINE MEDIA

One of the greatest traumas in cardiac surgery is the requirement that doctors first break open the breastbone. Using what he has dubbed “The Miami Method,” Dr. Joseph Lamelas, chief of cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Miami Health System, instead cuts less than a two-inch incision in the right side of the chest. Through this opening he is able to perform most cardiac surgeries except for heart transplants.

“I realized in 2004 that I needed to do something to differentiate myself and advance the field of cardiac surgery,” stated Lamelas. “I began working on a minimally invasive technique and saw the necessity to create new instruments that would help me perform these operations.” Since then Lamelas has trained more than 1,000 surgeons in his techniques, in addition to performing some 700 procedures himself each year – the highest volume of any cardiac surgeon in Florida.

Lamelas spent years as chief of cardiac surgery at Mount Sinai in Miami Beach before leaving to work at the Texas Heart Institute in Houston. In January he returned to join UM, both as a surgeon and a professor of surgery at the Miller School of Medicine. “Miami is very personal to me, so I am very excited to return and be a part of South Florida’s only truly academic medical center,” said Lamelas. “Cardiac surgery is the pillar of any health care institution, especially in the academic setting which allows you to fully commit to innovation.”

Four years ago, Coral Gables native and UM grad Paola Mendez (B.S. in computer science) founded South Florida Bloggers, headquartered in the Gables where she blogs via www.coralgableslove.com. It has since then morphed into The Blogger Union and spread to a half dozen other cities – including Washington, D.C. and Rome, Italy – and today has more than 4,000 members.

The purpose of the union is to help members become blogging professionals – or to perfect their blogs as hobbies. They also instruct small businesses that want to blog for marketing purposes. The South Florida Bloggers meet monthly around South Florida, but mostly in Coral Gables.“Most of the bloggers start as hobby bloggers, about their recipes, to share with their family, to blog about what they are wearing, or about their fashion accessories,” she says. “We reach out to members to see who wants to work with the brands.” The main categories are food, fashion, lifestyle, beauty and fitness, she says, “but there are even obscure categories, like faith bloggers.” Her most recent blog sites include the fashion site dapperanimals.com and coolgifting.com, “the ultimate gift guide” for everybody on your list.

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DR. JOSEPH LAMELAS, M.D Pioneer in minimally invasive heart surgery
THE INNOVATORS
Rolling Admissions Throughout the Year

Daly is a life-long Coral Gables resident, entrepreneur and avid biker who, five years ago, broke her arm in an accident that led her to use the Metrorail – and to walk some of her commute under that elevated railway. It was then that she realized the potential for the land underneath to become a public park, akin to New York City’s Highline, the 2.5-mile park built on an abandoned, elevated rail line.

The Underline, as her project is now called, will eventually run 10 miles long, from Miami’s Brickell neighborhood through Coconut Grove and Coral Gables to Dadeland. In order to make it happen she has worked tirelessly for the last five years to raise $94 million in financial commitments from private and public sources, leading to its groundbreaking last year. “If we really want that 21st century city, one that offers amenities to talent for growth industries, [we must realize] they’re demanding mass transit, walkable, bikeable communities,” she says. “We’re not as green as we think.”

When finished, the Underline will offer everything from bike paths and foot paths, to gardens, dog runs and community meeting spaces. About three miles of the future green space runs through the Gables.

ACoral Gables native, Maddie Salman is the brains behind the solar powered charging benches scattered around Coral Gables parks. During her junior year at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, Salman was inspired by a passionate environmental science teacher. Realizing she couldn’t wait to take action, she met with then City Commissioner Vince Lago to pitch her idea.

“It was amazing, that as a high school student, I could go do that with a city official,” Salman says. “It was really empowering.”

As a team, Lago and Salman fleshed out the idea from standing solar powered charging stations around the downtown to the benches that are now in 11 city parks. One of them is Riviera Park, where Salman grew up playing. “To come here and be able to cut the ribbon and see them pull the sheet off the bench and see it in use was just really kind of surreal,” she says.

From conception to completion, the project took around two and a half years. Year one was dedicated to perfecting the idea, while year two consisted of pitching the idea to the City Commission and Chamber of Commerce and working with the sustainability board.

The project was finalized while Salman was away at Boston University, where she just finished her first semester. “It was really nice to be able to come back and see this project be done,” she said. “It showed me that I had a tangible impact on my community.”

THE INNOVATORS 96 coralgablesthemagazine.com
MEG DALY Civic Visionary
MADDIE SALMAN College student
COMMUNITY COMMUNITY

Opening June 2019: The Fetal Care Center’s 10-Bed High-Risk Infant Delivery Unit

The Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Fetal Care Center offers hope and answers for families expecting babies with congenital differences.

The Fetal Care Center’s special delivery unit offers support to healthy mothers of unborn children who are pre-diagnosed with a medical condition requiring advanced medical intervention at birth. Mother and newborn benefit from staying together in the same hospital, where the infant will have immediate access to our team of renowned specialists. The new special delivery unit includes five labor and delivery rooms, five antepartum rooms, and two operating rooms.

Our fetal care nurse navigators are available 24 hours a day to serve as points of contact for our community physicians, pediatricians, perinatologists and neonatologists, and coordinate subspecialty consultations. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital offers an array of diagnostic services, including fetal ultrasound, fetal MRI and fetal echocardiography, with the goal to support families in obtaining a definitive diagnosis and plan of care during a single visit. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. For Health. For Life.

3100 SW 62nd Ave, Miami, Florida 33155 1-844-55FETAL nicklauschildrens.org/FetalCare

ONLINE BUSINESS MEDICINE

In a world where everyone wants to be an overnight online success, Coral Gables business man and serial internet entrepreneur Jesse Stein has mastered the art. Starting with New York-based Soho Digital, an online marketing company that he sold in 2005, Stein went on to found Triton Web Properties, which bought and sold URLs, and SportsMemorabilia.com, which he operated from a Gables warehouse until he sold the company in 2016.

Since then he has been running Dietspotlight.com from his offices on Valencia Avenue, which he loves for its walkability to everything downtown. Dietspotlight is a vendor of natural dietary supplements and weight loss software which has gotten more than 125 million visits since it was launched.

What is Stein’s innovative secret? Continually monitoring Google’s ranking system to try to break its code for rising to the top of list when someone searches for your type of product.

“The most humbling thing [in Internet marketing] is the SEO [Search Engine Optimization – i.e. rankings] game. Google continues to humble me, because they will make sudden algorithmic changes month by month,” he says. “You have to reverse engineer what you think it is they now like.”

The University of Miami Sports Medicine Institute’s Dr. Gillian Hotz is a national leader in the diagnosis, treatment, and research of concussions, a growing area of concern for professional and amateur athletes. With an increasing numbers of professional football players suffering longterm brain damage from concussions, Hotz has made it her vocation to advance awareness – and treatment – for these blows to the head.

Mostly, she says, her job is educational – to make coaches understand that nothing could be worse than sending a player with a concussion back into the fray. “Concussions are treatable,” she says. “Right now, the best way is to treat the symptoms. The thing you don’t want to do – and what ends up being the problem, with long term consequences – is to have this injury and continue to play and have other concussions. This is when the danger really unfolds itself.”

For the last five years, Hotz has been running UM’s Countywide Concussion Care program for public schools, instructing the school board’s athletic trainers, and setting up baseline tests for some 5,000 student athletes so they can later be re-tested for concussions. She also works with the Miami Dolphins Foundation. Her team is now conducting innovative research on concussion treatment with cannabidiol, a pain relief chemical found in medical marijuana.

“I definitely feel kids should play contact sports, but we should be improving safety,” she says. “There’s nothing better for a kid than playing team contact sports.”

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DR. GILLIAN HOTZ , MD Concussion treatment pioneer
THE INNOVATORS
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Burton
Steven

St aycation!

Why travel when we live in t he Cit y Beautiful. There’s so much to see and do t his summer in Coral Gables.

BILTMORE HOTEL

And Now for Something Completely Different…

AD LIB’S HIGH CONCEPT TAKES FLIGHT

Restaurateur John Kunkel’s latest creation on Ponce de Leon is a bright example of how a fresh take on fine dining can win an immediate following, even in the dragon slaying restaurant world of Coral Gables. Kunkel is the man, you may recall, who launched Fresh Lime on Miami Beach, selling it when it became a chain. Since then he has dabbled in concept-driven restaurants, like the Beach’s southern flavored Yardbird, and Swine, the popular pork-obsessed eatery that previously occupied Ad Lib’s space.

But whereas a food genre was the focal theme for Yardbird and Swine, Kunkel says he now believes the winning formula is a small, chef-driven restaurant. To prove his point, he has partnered with Norman van Aken, the legendary James Beard Awardwinning chef who put Coral Gables on the national culinary map with his restaurant Norman’s (on Almeria Avenue, since closed). Van Aken is in fine form at Ad Lib. As the name implies, the idea is to create new and spontaneous dishes, based on what is seasonal and fresh (they are also conscientious about humanely raised animals, so don’t expect any veal dishes).

The dinner menu is brevity itself –six choices for appetizers, six choices for entrees, and two off-menu specials. While they do offer a chef’s tasting menu (three of the appetizers and one of the entrees), it’s as though the entire menu is a chef’s tasting menu. And these are inventive dishes; their ‘Surf & Turf’ Tartare is sea urchin tartare with American caviar on toasted brioche with crème fraiche. Having never eaten sea urchin, we had to taste it, and the effect was brilliant, the soft

sweet urchin balanced by the salty caviar and crunchy brioche.

The crème fraiche was the icing on the cake.

That same sense of lightness, with a creative play of flavors and textures, runs throughout the dinner menu, from the Brazilian conch chowder with coconut milk, saffron, citrus and cilantro leaves, to the rum & pepper painted scallops. While it may seem a humble dish among its companions, we loved the Little Gem Lettuces. Who knew lettuce could taste so wonderful, as though it was cut from a garden out back – crisp and flavorful, and served with gooseberries, marcona almonds and a delicious Gochujang-buttermilk ranch dressing. Likewise the zucchini blossoms: Though stuffed with ricotta cheese, they were almost airy in substance, enhanced by preserved kumquats and a gingery jus that elevated the taste from the good to the sublime.

Among the entrees, our favorite was the ancho-guava BBQ breast of duck. Two plump pieces of dry-aged duck meat, each with the skin crisped along the edge, and each with a different sauce – one dark guava and one a lighter, mustard-based –on a bed of rice and herbs that was itself crisped on the bottom. A remarkably sophisticated flavor combination. We also ordered both the specials: the soft-shell crab (the best we have tasted in South Florida) and the richly savory seared lamb chops. Both standouts. Our only disappointment was the “Beef Two Ways;” while the filet mignon with sauce Béar-

Top: Meyer Lemon Tart with toasted champagne vinegar meringue and lemon ice

Above: Award-winning chef Norman van Aken is in fine form at Ad Lib

Opposite top left: A signature cocktail called Penicillin is scotch with fresh lemon, ginger and honey

Opposite top right: Dry Aged Duck with ancho-guava barbeque sauce

Bottom: The main dining area features a high communal table for parties or groups

Photo by Jon Braeley

AD LIB 2415 Ponce De Leon Blvd, 305.504.8895

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naise was perfectly done, the overnight braised short ribs with red wine reduction was dry and a little acerbic.

The restaurant itself is as different as it could be from the dark, rustic world of Swine. The former wooden wall panels are gone, replaced by white painted bricks, with long, proto-Japanese paintings hanging from an 18-foot ceiling. There is a balcony with seating above, buttressed by steel work so smoothly crafted that it looks soft. The light fixtures perfectly fit the main space, hanging in grape-like clusters from above.

The restaurant layout is like a puzzle box, with discrete seating areas: downstairs at a table for four to six (or at the bar), further back at a high communal table that looks onto the kitchen, or upstairs at a table for two along a balcony that looks down on the main space. At the back of the second floor loft is another bar, with a stylishly retro ’50s look.

Pushing the chef-driven concept to the limit, Kunkel has also brought in high powered talent for the desserts and drinks: Pastry chef Hedy Goldsmith (formerly of Michael’s Genuine), sommelier Daniel Toral (formerly of the Setai) and New Yorker Sam Ross, the director of cocktails and spirits. Their contributions are immediately evident in desserts such as the Meyer Lemon Tart (sweet and pungent), in wines such as the Fernando de Castilla (like velvet) and in drinks such as Penicillin (scotch with fresh lemon, ginger and honey).

Ad Lib may come across as an exercise in impromptu cuisine, but its dishes are as carefully crafted as Fabergé eggs. It is an exciting and fresh new addition to the Gables dining scene.

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Dining Guide June 2019

THE TOP RESTAURANTS IN CORAL GABLES

CoralGables is a moveable feast, a veritable mecca of fine dining. It has the highest density of quality restaurants for any city in South Florida – close to 100 good dining establishments. The restaurants do cluster near the main street of Miracle Mile, but are also spread throughout the Gables. This is not the sort of town where one wanders about in large shopping malls, but nonetheless there are some hidden gems to be found there and even in out-of-the way strip malls.

Dining hours in the Gables stretch from the early evening – when It is common to see people at restaurants close to where they work – until late at night, when it’s not unusual go

$ 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 Ad Lib

Brought to you by the same folks behind Swine, and located in the same place, this new, modern-looking restaurant offers innovative takes on American cuisine, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and humanely sourced meats. Try the roasted pumpkin toast, the charcoal roasted shitake mushrooms or the dry-aged duck with crispy rice, sour cherries and black garlic.

2415 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.504.8895

$$$ American

Bachour

World-renowned pastry chef Antonio

Bachour opened his new bakery and restaurant back in Feb. 2019. The menu, on top of rows of fresh and decadent pastries, features eggs benedict, croissant French toast, guava and cheese pancakes, sandwiches and salads.

2020 Salzedo St. 305.203.0552

$ - $$ Contemporary American

California Pizza Kitchen

A local favorite, the home of “California-style” pizza, this national chain that started in Beverly Hills is both casual and polished, with a truly inventive

array of non-traditional pizzas. Things like cauliflower crust, spicy chipotle chicken, carne asada. And then there are the patrons who come only for the butter cake, which they consider one of the best things on earth.

300 Miracle Mile 305.774.9940

$$ Pizza/American

Clutch Burger

Not your average burger. Most of the burgers hover around $20 because they’re made with quality Wagyu beef. They also specialize in fine wines and craft beers brewed here in Miami.

146 Giralda Ave. 305.400.8242

$ Burgers

Copper 29

Mostly known for its happy hour, the Miracle Mile also has a wide range of food options. We especially love the BBQ Chicken Flatbread and Pork Sliders. They also serve bottomless brunch all weekend that includes mimosas, wine, mojitos, Bloody Mary’s and champagne.

206 Miracle Mile 786.580.4689

$ American

Doc B’s Restaurant + Bar

Offering a no-veto menu, meaning there’s something for everyone, Doc B’s Restaurant + Bar serves craveable American fare dishes made from scratch daily, incorporating the highest quality ingredients. Offering brunch, lunch, dinner and happy hour, signature dishes include the Wok Out Bowls, The Wedge Burger and “Hot” Chicken.

301 Miracle Mile 786.864.1220

$$ American

to a restaurant at 10 pm and find the place packed, even with children.

Many of the restaurants in Coral Gables are worldclass. But the culinary scene is also changing. Where once the top-flight, traditional dining spots catered to lawyers, bankers, businessmen and diplomats, there is a new crop of edgier places, with young chefs and new tastes, catering to a younger clientele.

What follows is our list of the tried and true, and the innovative and new. We dine at all locations anonymously, and we list only the places where we love to eat.

Eating House

Groovy place with inventive ever-changing menu, with dishes like nutmeg risotto, pumpkin tiradito, and fried Brussels sprouts. Dynamite freerange fried chicken. Simple artsy décor but superb food, excellent presentation, great value.

804 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.448.6524

$$ Innovative American

Hillstone

Situated at the corner of Ponce de Leon and Miracle Mile, Hillstone has been a longtime staple in the Gables. Known for their steaks, like the Hawaiian, which is made with a pineapple-soy-ginger marinade. Though an American restaurant, they also have a great sushi bar and offer a dozen of fresh rolls.

201 Miracle Mile 305.529.0141

$$$ American

House Kitchen & Bar

On the corner of Ponce and Aragon, right next to the Colonnades, House is open for lunch, dinner, happy hour and brunch. They even have a happy hour solely for oysters, weekdays from 3 – 4 p.m. We recommend sitting outside on their gorgeous and covered patio.

180 Aragon Ave. 786.482.5599

$$ - $$$ American

Seasons 52

The restaurant for healthy eaters who enjoy quality as well. The menu, changing four times a year with each season, is always full of inventive treatments for fresh veggies, soups and salads. Their fish and meat dishes are great values, and the flat bread menu is really a nice touch. It’s a chain, but we

forgive them.

321 Miracle Mile 305.442.8552

$$ Healthy American

Shula’s 347 Grill

If it’s beef you are after but want to avoid the formality of a high-end steak house, Shula’s is perfect for you. Good service and pleasant décor – including lots of photos of the coach – make this a go-to place for professionals in the area. Great use of cheeses – boursin in their mac & cheese, and gorgonzola in their cream spinach. Best Specialty Burger says Coral Gables magazine. 6915 Red Rd. 305.665.9661

$$$ Steak and seafood

Tap 42

Winner of Best Overall Burger by Coral Gables magazine, Tap 42 is big, noisy and fun, with a huge island bar and lots of booths. Reliably good ribs, steaks and burgers, plus shines in the sides (roasted Brussels sprouts with maple mustard, truffle mac & cheese with parmesan crust). Nice random Asian dishes (grilled salmon Zen bowl, Asian cole slaw).

301 Giralda Ave. 786.391.1566

$$-$$$ American Pub

The Local Craft Food & Drink

One of the best places in Coral Gables to enjoy locally sourced food, hence the name. Chef Juan Bedoya wants to create a pub feeling with comfort food. We’re obsessed with the fried chicken, which served on a short stack of cheddar cheese pancakes with bourbon maple syrup. The flavor is enhanced by watermelon jelly on the side for a sweet, spicy bite.

150 Giralda Ave. 305.648.5687

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FLORIDA | NEW YORK CITY | LONG ISLAND | THE HAMPTONS | WESTCHESTER | CONNECTICUT | NEW JERSEY | CALIFORNIA | COLORADO | MASSACHUSETTS | INTERNATIONAL © 2019 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. 1111 LINCOLN RD, PH-805, MIAMI BEACH, FL 33139. 305.695.6300 SOURCE: BROKERMETRICS® RESIDENTIAL TOTAL SALES VOLUME FROM 1/1/2018-12/31/2018 elliman.com/florida 115 Arvida Parkway, Coral Gables, Florida $25,000,000 | Web# A10648264 Oren Alexander M: 305.610.4559 Isaac Lustgarten M: 305.450.8045 OUR SALES SPEAK VOLUMES #1 in Miami Beach and the second largest independent residential real estate brokerage in the United States by sales volume.
DOUGLAS ELLIMAN LEADS THE MARKET

Dining Guide

$$ American Yard House

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

320 San Lorenzo Ave. 305.447.9273

$$ American and more

ASIAN

Ichimi

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

2330 Salzedo St. 305.960.7016

$-$$ Japanese

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

$$ Japanese

Kao Sushi & Grill

by Sushi Club

A fresh and interesting take on Sushi as it is blended with the flavors of Peru. Steamed gyoza dumplings with chorizo? Tuna tataki with traditional Peruvian sauce? Cooked white rice over chipotle seasoned furikake? Yes, to all three. They also do some interesting things with steak, since the creators of the Sushi Club come from Buenos Aires. Outdoor seating on the Mile.

127 Miracle Mile 786.864.1212

$$ Peruvian Japanese

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 prok 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

$$ Thai

Matsuri

Just over the city line at Bird and Red roads, Matsuri is tucked humbly away in non-descript Red Bird Shopping

Center. Yet it serves the world-class sushi, the finest anywhere in South Florida, and has an enormous menu of traditional Japanese food as well. You will need reservations to snag a seat from its devoted clientele.

5759 Bird Rd. 305.663.1615

$$-$$$ Japanese

Red Koi Lounge

If you like Thai food, then you will love Red Koi, which takes the Asian specialty up a notch. Their Bangkok Shrimp is worth the visit alone, and their cashew curry chicken will make you come back. Hopefully they will be expanding their few outdoor tables soon.

317 Miracle Mile 305.446.2690

$$ Thai

Sawa

Delicious take on Japanese flavors served in parallel with Lebanese Mediterranean, Sawa offers seating inside or outside at Merrick Park. A vast selection of sushi rolls and tapas that range from chicken yatkitori to octopus ceviche, along with super fresh Middle Eastern comfort food. Some nice “samplers” let you check out the menu’s range, plus great naan flatbreads. World’s best lamb chops. Also has a doggy menu.

360 San Lorenzo Ave. (Shops of Merrick Park) // 305.447.6555

$$$ Japanese and Mediterranean

FRENCH

Brasserie Central

Secretly owned by Pascal of Ponce fame, the restaurant is half inside half in the courtyard of the Shops. A typical French bistro with wonderful onion soup, fresh bread and a superb paté. Everything on the menu is fresh, French, and all you would expect from Pascal. Lots of little French touches, though not cheap.

Shops at Merrick Park 786.536.9388

$$-$$$ 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

$$-$$$ French

Le Provençal

This Gables mainstay (30 years in the

same location) is under new ownership, so expect some intriguing innovations. But what they do extremely well is classic French cuisine, with such crowd-pleasing favorites as duck a l’orange, Coquille St. Jacques, escargot and steak au poivre. New sidewalk seating for the Parisian café experience, perfect pre-theater location.

266 Miracle Mile 305.448.8984

$$$ French

Palm d’Or

The award-winning Palm d’Or is a dining icon in Coral Gables. At once traditional and innovative, the French cuisine created by Chef Gregory Pugin is a work of art, literally. Each serving in his $115 six-course meals – or his $155 chef’s tasting menu – is impeccable in taste and appearance.

1200 Anastasia Ave. (at the Biltmore Hotel) 305.913.3200

$$$$ French

Pascal’s On Ponce

Elegant, quaint and delicious, Pacal’s is 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 desserts. Try the leeks & hearts of palm salad.

2611 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.444.2024

$$$ French

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. Closely shepherded by the welcoming Pernetti, Abbracci is quiet, elegant and flavorful. The food is so consistently good that Pernetti had to publish his own cookbook.

318 Aragon Ave. 305.441.0700

$$$ Italian

Cibo Wine Bar

Cibo has two locations in South Florida, one on South Beach and the other here, on Miracle Mile. Rustic Italian food in a warm interior with exposed brick, wood finishes, butcher block tables and a wall of wine selections. Extensive traditional Italian menu, with lots of pizza options cooked in a brick oven.

45 Miracle Mile 305.442.4925

$$-$$$ Italian

Fiola

Brought to you by Washington, D.C. chef Fabio Trabocchi, this new entry into the Gables dining scene is a game

changer. From the place settings to the artwork to the innovative cuisine, Fiola offers and exquisite dining experience. Among their must-try dishes are the porcini mushroom soup, the sea scallops ceviche and the signature lobster ravioli. Elegant presentations only add to this encounter with gustatory greatness.

1500 San Ignacio Ave. 305.912.2639

$$$$ Italian

Fontana

The setting is as elegant as the service and food: The Biltmore’s famed fountain courtyard. You can sit under the stars, in a covered archway, or inside to enjoy Italian classics. Fresh ingredients, from the salads to the pasta that is made daily. Great octopus, pastas cooked perfectly. One of the most romantic restaurants in the Gables.

1200 Anastasia Ave. (Biltmore Hotel) 305.913.3200

$$$ Italian

Forno’s

Owner Artan Kapxhiu opened this charming spot back in 2017. Forno’s serves pasta, but people come for the pizza, cooked in a wood-burning oven. From a simple margherita to a stacked pistachio, ham, cherry tomato and shaved grana Padano cheese pizza, there are no bad choices here.

1403 Sunset Dr. 305.661.3964

$ Italian

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, and the fettuccine with prosciutto, mushrooms and green peas is to die for.

264 Miracle Mile 786.452.0068

$$$ Italian

La Palma

Exquisite setting in a historic building with lovely courtyard dining. For years, La Palma was known for its incredible lunch buffet. At $13.95 it’s still a bargain, but now served only on Tuesdays. For other weekdays, they have an executive lunch for $17.95. And good to know they always have pasta fagioli, the Tuscan white bean soup.

116 Alhambra Circle 305.445.8777

$$-$$$ Italian

P.Pole Pizza

A fresh take on pizza, each pie is made on the spot at this Miracle Mile

106 coralgablesthemagazine.com

pizzeria. At the start of the assembly line-like production, you choose the dough and sauce you want. Then choose as many toppings as you want before sending it into the miniature oven that cooks it right in front of your eyes. Great quality of dough, sauce and toppings.

279 Miracle Mile 786.618.5287

$ Pizza

Salumeria 104

A rustic, trattoria-style restaurant serving traditional, house made Italian classics. Since a salumeria is the Italian equivalent to a delicatessen, we definitely recommend some sort of meat dish, whether it’s prosciutto for an “antipasti” or porchetta for a “secondi.” Unbeatable lunch special of a sandwich and a soup or salad for $10.

117 Miracle Mile 305.640.5547

$$ Italian

Terre Del Sapore

True Neapolitan pizza in the heart of Coral Gables. Owner Angelo Angiollieri is obsessed with quality ingredients, including minimally-processed flour from Italy, and you can taste it. Offers a great lunch special of a side salad, entrée and drink for $13.

246 Giralda Ave. 786.870.5955

$ Italian

Zucca

A worthy heir to the hallowed grounds of the old St. Michel restaurant, this one-year-old is a new star in the galaxy of Italian eateries in the Gables. Distinctly northern Italian, with the home-taught recipes that chef Simone Mua learned in his native Milan. Modern Italian design, sophisticated, with haute comfort food and great service.

162 Alcazar Ave. 786.580.3731

$$$-$$$$ Northern Italian

LATIN & SOUTH AMERICAN

Aromas del Peru

The shrine for ceviche, with a wide range of choices – 18 ceviches at last count – for great prices. Haute Peruvian appetizers and good fish dishes, right up to the whole fried snapper. And don’t miss the pisco sour soup. Comfortable leather seats, too. 1930 Ponce de León Blvd. // 305.476.5886

$$ Peruvian

Bocas House

Interesting take on traditional Latin food, fused with Asian and American tastes. The Arroz al Wok specials (shrimp, beef, or chicken/mixed) consist of Latin style rice cooked in a

wok with a reduction of soy, sesame oil and oyster sauce. The signature dish is fried green plantains with ‘wok-smoked’ pork steak covered with shredded white cheese. Big selection of arepas, great (albeit pricey) milkshakes.

2 Aragon Ave. 786.631.3703

$$ Latin American fusion

Caffe Vialetto

Two brothers, managing to keep sibling rivalry at bay, have concocted a menu of upscale Latin food that is consistently changing and interesting. Yuca, mofongo (garlic flavored mashed plantains), and other Caribbean and Latin flavors make for an out of the ordinary experience. Reservations required, always full.

4019 LeJuene Rd. 305.446.5659

$$$ Cuban/Latin

Caja Caliente

Opening its second location in Coral Gables in May 2019, Caja Caliente serves “the original Cuban tacos.” Their flour tortillas come stuffed with any kind of meat from lechon to mahi mahi, and are topped with pico de gallo, aioli, beans and cilantro. Also serve poke and quinoa bowls.

808 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 786.431.1947

$ Mexican

Graziano’s

This large, bustling Gables mainstay is true Argentine. A deep selection of Argentine wines (which line every wall) to go with churrasco meats slowly roasted over a quebracho wood fire, old school style. They have seafood and pasta, empanadas and salads, but come here for the meat, the selection of which will stun even hardcore carnivores.

394 Giralda Ave. 305.774.3599

$$$ Argentine

Havana Harry’s

It’s big, it’s easy, it’s comfortable, and it’s where the shredded onion/garlic chicken dinner (pollo vaca frita) with rice, beans and plantains is still just $12.95. The same with the fried pork chunks (massas de Puerco). Large menu with all your Cuban favorite dishes along with – surprising for a Cuban place – some nice dinner salads. 4612 S. LeJeune Rd. 305.661.2622

$$ Cuban

Mikuna Peruvian

“It’s time to feel the real Peru” boasts the Mikuna web site, and they do indeed move beyond ceviche to the other dishes that make Peruvian food one of the best cuisines in Latin America. These include lobster with Peruvian yellow pepper sauce, seafood rice with squid ink, and skewered

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Dining Guide

swordfish. Other unique tastes include shrimp bisque with rice and egg.

325 Alcazar Ave. 786.420.2910

$$$ Peruvian

Seek + Find

Executive Chef Miguel Gomez

Fernandez brings his Peruvian flare to this 2018 to the Gables. For lunch on Wednesdays, burgers and a beer come at $13. We recommend the Tropical Burger, which is not made with beef, but pork and lamb and topped with grilled pineapple. For dessert, the Fire Dome is a must.

2530 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.902.6220

$$ Peruvian

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 flat breads that are really haute tacos – are great at $17.

2299 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.444.2955

$$ Mexican

SEAFOOD

La Dorada

Regarded by many to be the finest restaurant devoted to seafood in the Gables, La Dorada is traditional Spanish cooking with a deep-sea focus (and a pleasant, ocean-deco décor). The house specialty is a baked whole fish crusted in sea salt, but don’t miss the traditional Mediterranean seafood stews or the shellfish prepared Galician style.

177 Giralda Ave. 305.446.2002

$$$$ Spanish Seafood

MesaMar

A relative newcomer, though the family has been in the restaurant business for many years. Some of the best seafood in the Gables. Try the golden-fried hogsnapper accompanied by lobster bisque with whole chunks of Florida lobster. Also serves delicious ceviches.

264 Giralda Ave. 305.640.8448

$$$ Seafood

SPANISH Bellmónt

Modern décor meets traditional

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

339 Miracle Mile // 786.502.4684

$$$ Spanish

Bulla Gastrobar

As valued for its cocktails as for its tapas, Bulla’s 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

$$ Spanish

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 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

$$ Spanish

Mara Basque Cuisine

If you have ever wanted to taste authentic Basque cuisine from northern Spain, this is your chance. Its entry into the international cuisine scene on Giralda brings the best of Basque cooking: Cod prepared with Vizcaina sauce (made from red onions and choricero pepper), Iberian ham with eggs and potatoes, meatballs with tomato sauce and guindilla peppers, and beef oxtail stew. Many dishes served as tapas to be shared.

112 Giralda Ave. 305.504.9274

$$$ - $$$$ Spanish

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. And their classic Caesar salad is still the best in town. 3101 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.446.1400

$$$ Steakhouse

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse

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

AGES 1 - 12 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM PRE-CAMP FUN WEEK JUNE 10-14 SUMMER PROGRAMS JUNE 17-AUGUST 9 POST-CAMP FUN WEEK AUGUST 12-16 1 2 AMCORALGABLESMAG3.6x4.8.indd 1 3/14/19 2:02 PM Any One Service • Must present this Ad at Check In. One Special per client 786 360 5928 | 261 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL www.salonandbeautybar.com SUMMER SPECIAL % OFF Coloring Services Waxing Nail Grooming Keratin Styling Services Botox Silky Hair Treatment 108 coralgablesthemagazine.com

redecorated, but the open kitchen with its copper ‘sash’ across the top still gives the main dining room a glow. Good menu at the bar.

2525 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.569.7995

$$$-$$$$ Steak & Seafood

Morton’s Coral Gables

Morton’s in the Gables is not just another Morton’s. Its setting in the Colonnades gives it a unique elegance, with outdoor seating under the arches. Dependable quality, prime-aged beef, and excellent salads. Good place to take that important client. Great happy hour with filet mignon sandwiches or short rib tacos for $8.

2333 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.442.1662

$$$ Steakhouse

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse

There is a reason that the tables at Ruth’s are typically full, even on week nights. This is where the best steaks are sent and where cholesterol is sent to the devil for the sake of extraordinary taste. Lots of wood paneling, wonderful service, and huge wine selection complete the package.

2320 Salzedo St. 205.461.8360

$$$$ Steakhouse

PUBS, CAFES & MISC.

Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar

Though it’s named an espresso bar (and definitely try the coffee), Crema also has great food options for both breakfast and lunch. Start your day with a croissant breakfast sandwich or take a midday break with a soup, salad or sandwich. Satisfy your sweet tooth with their Nutella cheesecake.

169 Miracle Mile 786.360.4026

$ Café

Fritz and Franz Bierhaus

Be transported from Coral Gables to Oktoberfest. Enjoy German comfort food like Weisswurst and Heringsschmaus. Naturally, you have to order a beer, but here you can have it served in a giant class boot. Proost.

60 Merrick Way 305.774.1883

$$ German

John Martin’s Irish Pub

Where else in the Gables can you find a relaxed Irish pub with excellent comfort food like shepherd’s pie, bangers & mash, and fish & chips?

Answer: nowhere. Which is why this long-established eatery and bar is so beloved by its clientele. Lots of American staples as well, from hot pastrami on rye to their signature Pub Burger. Jazz every Wednesday night.

253 Miracle Mile 305.445.3777

$ Pub Food

Ortanique on the Mile

A long-time favorite on Miracle Mile, Ortanique is named for a tropical citrus fruit (their sister restaurant is in Grand Cayman) and its Caribbean fine dining reflects chef Cindy Hutson’s commitment to “cuisine of the sun.” A warm and welcoming place.

278 Miracle Mile 305.446.7710

$$ Caribbean

Pincho Factory

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

30 Giralda Ave. 305.446.5666

$ Latin Street Food

Someone’s Son

Brought to you by the same people as Threefold Café, Someone’s Son is shifting the focus away from breakfast and toward quality dinner entrées. The Gnudi is a must as a starter. For an entrée, we recommend The Softy for carnivores and The Branzino for seafood lovers.

800 Douglas Rd. Ste. 145

786.334.6374

$ - $$ American/Australian Fusion

The Seven Dials

Calling itself an “eclectic American gastropub,” Seven Dials is a fusion of American recipes with British culinary standards, with nice twists. The shepherd’s pie is made from lamb, the chicken breast is cooked with curry sauce. There is also a nice Welsh Rarebit snack and a beer-battered Indian-inspired cauliflower with mint aioli and tamarind. Relaxed, pub-like interior.

2030 S. Douglas Rd. 786.542.1603

$$ British American

Threefold Café

You have to love a place that is dedicated to breakfast all day long. But who needs dinner when you can get shrimp tacos for breakfast, along with salmon scrambled eggs, chicken parma, and that Millenial favorite, smashed avocado toast? The brain child of Australian Nick Sharp, Threefold is also popular for Sunday brunch – partly because of nice outdoor seating on Giralda Plaza. And the coffee is some of the best around.

141 Giralda Ave. 305.704.8007

$$ American

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The Seen

What A Year...

Coral Gables magazine celebrated its first anniversary last month with 400 of its closest friends. Sponsored by Bacardi, Infiniti of Coral Gables, Baptist Health Systems, MG Developer, CenterState Bank, Zucca Restaurant, Kreps deMaria and the Coral Gables Community Foundation, the event was held at the Coral Gables Museum. With food provided by Zucca and music by the David Fernandez jazz band, the event continued into the late evening – until the museum police insisted we leave. Thanks to museum director John Allen – and to all those who joined us for the festivities.

(1) Editor in Chief J.P. Faber with gallery owner Stacy Conde

(2) Magazine production manager Toni Kirkland flanked by City Commissioners Mike Mena and Jorge Fors

(3) Publisher Richard Roffman addresses the crowd, flanked by MG Developer CEO Alirio Torrealba

(4) Fashion designer Maritza Fernandez, by her September 2018 cover.

(5) Banker Tamarind Effio, stands by her December 2018 cover, with Rosella Papale of FastSigns, right

(6) Artist Patricia Van Dalen, standing by her June 2018 cover

(7) Coral Gables comes out in style

(8) Mayor Raúl Valdés-Fauli, by his May 2019 cover

(9) Developer Alirio Torrealba, by his March 2019 cover

(10) Tyler Tejeda and Jared Klein of Compass

(11) The Coral Gables Magazine team

110 coralgablesthemagazine.com
(1) (4) (5) (2) (3)
111
(6) (9) (10) (11) (7) (8)

The Seen

What A Catch!

OnMay 4, captains and their teams competed in the Cocoplum Yacht Club Fishing Tournament. At 7 a.m., boaters set sail into Biscayne Bay and competed for awards like Largest Dolphin, Largest Tuna and Largest Swordfish. Sailors were able to weigh their catches from 3 - 4:30 p.m., after which the victors claimed their prizes.

Printing Deal: SUMMER SAVING DEALS! Picture Framing Deal: Must present Frames USA/Groupon at the time of order. Visit Groupon.com and search Frames USA to purchase Groupon voucher. 60% OFF picture framing order
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(Printing
Left: The winners of the Top 3 Dolphin prize and AvYachts Yachting Experience. L to R: Anabella Wieteha, Jose Costa, Charlie Martel, Marty Martel, Kathy Kennedy, Capt. Darrin Dutoit, Kevin Simpson Above: Capt. Angel Dones (standing left) with the “Kaos” fishing team, who won the prize for Largest Swordfish

What $2.5 Million Will Buy in Coral Gables

Coral Gables has some of the most valuable real estate in South Florida. As Forbes Magazine puts it, “Coral Gables has long set the high bar for luxury real estate,” with a median home value more than twice that for Miami-Dade County as a whole. The median price per square foot is also more than twice the Mi-

ami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach average. To see what $2.5 million would buy today, we asked three real estate agents to submit one of their homes for sale in that price range – give or take a few hundred thousand dollars. Here is what they came up with, in different Gables locations.

114 coralgablesthemagazine.com Real Estate 5 bed/5 bath/1 half bath. 3,765 sq. ft. Located on the edge of leafy Coconut Grove, this plantation style home is new construction. With 11-foot ceilings, floors of Floridian cream marble and Brazilian walnut, it is bright and spacious, with a custom Hector & Hector kitchen. Three upstairs suites, including the master. Walking distance to Sunrise Park. Listing Agent: Alexandra Sierra (Shelton and Stewart Realtors), 305.281.0175 Nouveaux Plantation Style 120 N. PROSPECT DR Listing Price $2.68m

Leadership Matters

Greg Barnes has had the privilege and responsibility of leading Bill Ussery Motors Group, parent company of Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables, for more than 20 years. While the last two decades have been a time of growth and prosperity, they have also brought extreme challenges in terms of surviving economic downturns as well as an evolving automotive industry. Despite these challenges, under Mr. Barnes guidance, the company has evolved into a portfolio owning two Mercedes-Benz dealerships and a state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz certified collision center. The group employs more than 500 individuals and is responsible for bringing the Mercedes-Benz brand to thousands of South Floridians. While its local Mercedes-Benz dealerships have seen several evolutions, what has remained constant is one thing – its people. Mr. Barnes’ most noteworthy focus is hiring a team of individuals who cooperate, collaborate, and, most importantly, emphasize customer service. He

leads by example and treats everyone he comes into contact with, both employees and customers, with professionalism, kindness, patience, and respect. As a result, this is how the management team as well as all employees treat each other and everyone who walks through the door.

“We aren’t in the car business, but rather the people business,” said Mr. Barnes. “My most important role is to focus on the needs of those around me and to listen. If I do those things well, I know we will continue to be successful.”

While Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables has established itself as a leader in business, equal in importance is its commitment to community. Countless schools, civic organizations, and charities in Coral Gables have benefitted from the generosity of the family-owned business since its inception.

Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables has been a proud member

of the City Beautiful since 1957. As it has for the last 62 years, its executive, sales, service, and parts teams will continue to work hard every day to provide this city’s residents the absolute best in

customer service.

The leadership of Bill Ussery Motors Group thanks the City of Coral Gables for the opportunity to be part of this special community

SPONSORED CONTENT 224 Palermo Avenue, Coral Gables, FL 33134 Ph: 305.400.8802 + Fax: 786.953.5857 info@CGTitle.com + WWW.CGTitle.com
WE ARE HERE TO HELP Close with the Best Whether you are buying, selling, or refinancing for the first time get a trusted Title Company for a smooth transaction and streamline your closings with the experts at Coral Gables Title + Escrow LLC. Our job is to take the complex and make it a personalized, positive experience for you. Our passion is serving you. 115
Rodney Barreto Rich Barbara Bradley Barreto Greg Barnes, president of Bill Ussery Motors Group (center), with David Delgado, general manager of Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables (left), and Luis Gutierrez, general manager of Mercedes-Benz of Cutler Bay (right).

Listing Price

$2.599m

The Long View

13055 SW 57TH AVE

6 bed/6 bath/1 half bath. 4,428 sq. ft. Just completed modern home located inside the gates of Gables By The Sea. Two floors of party-sized terraces with dramatic long water views of an enclosed lagoon. Open floor plan, elevator ready, nearby marinas, and great public and private schools in the area. The master suite has its own terrace, ready for sunset views. Listing Agent: Jo-Ann Forster (ONE | Sotheby’s International Realty) 305.778.5555

116 coralgablesthemagazine.com

What started in 1994 as Estate Wines and Gourmet Food on Miracle Mile has become Sacha’s Cafe with multiple locations

Sacha’s at Douglas Entrance | Sacha’s at Blue Lagoon | Sacha’s at Brickell Fountain Bistro | Sacha’s in Coral Gables | Euro Table office catering

Listing Price $2.6m

On the Old Waterway

4014 GRANADA BLVD

6 bed/6 bath/1 half bath/Pool 5,287 sq. ft. Set on three quarters of an acre, this sprawling house sits on the old Gables Waterway, with ocean access for a low-silhouette vessel and its own bit of beach for sunbathing. Four bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, superb pool, and updated impact-resistant windows and doors. Two-car attached garage with utility room. Listing Agents: Audrey Ross and Jeanie Vidaurreta (Compass FL) 305.469.7127

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BROKERAGE SALES SINCE 1980

SELECT LISTINGS

68' Hatteras 2006 "Jolley Roger" Call: Paul Denton (386)295-4668 or Ed Breese (561)248-2018 60' Azimut 2014 "Dolce Vita" Call: Vinny Pyle (954)235-2832 39' Intrepid 2016 "Jeanne Marie" Call: Paul Denton (386)295-4668 40' Cabo 2006 "Tomohawk" Call: Ed Breese (561)248-2018
MARK PECK + MARK@PECKYACHTS.COM + 954-224-1351 www.peckyachts.com
85' Pacific Mariner 2005 "Livy Lou" Call: Mark Peck (954)224-1351 112' Westport "No
Name" 6 Currently on the market - Contact us for inquiry's Call:Mark Peck (954)224-1351 or Helen Wozunk (954)552-0114
PERSONALIZED SERVICE • EXPERT PRICE EVALUATION • NEGOTIATING FOR THE CLIENT'S BEST INTERESTS
62' Azimut 2006 "Yo que se" Call: Vinny Pyle (954)235-2832

Home & Garden Pretty in Pink

THE REESE HOME IN CORAL GABLES IS ALL ABOUT THE BLOSSOMS. AND THE WALLS OF GREEN

Concealed behind a stately 1926 historic Gables home is a lovely hidden garden retreat. When Barbara and William (Bill) Reese moved into their home almost 30 years ago there was no artistry to the yard. From the beautiful doors and windows in the home, you could see straight through to the blank walls of surrounding neighbors’ properties.

Barbara began to work her magic, at first planting travelers’ palms for privacy and each fall putting in lots of her favorite pink impatiens. In keeping with her passion for butterflies, a butterfly garden was added, along with ginger, heliconia, and birds of paradise. Bright bougainvillea and purple clusters of ground orchids filled gaps, their color dappling the lush, dark green trees around the perimeter.

Even after the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma and then the passing of her husband, Barbara continued giving the yard loving

attention. “Gardens re-grow,” explains Barbara. And grow it did, in time this past year for its next starring role as the setting for her older daughter’s wedding. It was the perfect spot for a special wedding

“reveal,” when the bride and groom share their first moments before their ceremony.

At night the space is transformed with hundreds of glittering white lights, creating a magical ambiance. Whether by twinkling lights or sunshine, the garden has been a special space for hosting many community and charitable luncheons, dinners and events held by the philanthropic Reese family.

Contemplating the changes in her home over the decades, Barbara smiles and speaks of the Valentine’s Day tradition she and her late husband shared: Joe’s Stone Crabs takeout and some bubbly in their beautiful private garden, underneath the twinkling lights. Why leave the perfect oasis?

Right:

Opposite top; Its all in the details with fountains, ponds and splashes of pink, purple and lots of green

Opposite bottom: The pink butterfly garden seat sets a magical tone to the garden that awaits the lucky guest

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Above: Owner Barbara Reese continues the tradition she shared with her late husband: a glass of bubbly in their private garden A hint of what’s to come at the front of Barbera’s historic Gables home
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MODERN FAMILY

THE FAMILY TRADITION CONTINUES AS ARTEFACTO CEO PAULO BACCHI WELCOMES HIS TWIN SONS BRUNO AND PIETRO INTO THE BUSINESS OF BRAZILIAN FURNITURE DESIGN

“There is no such thing as an average day,” declares Paulo Bacchi from a plush leather sofa at his Coral Gables showroom. That’s because, as the CEO of the luxury home furnishings company Artefacto, Paulo has a lot of ground to cover. From conceptualizing furniture designs at his home office in South Gables, to staging turnkey residences in Miami’s most elite condo buildings, to checking on logistics at his Doral warehouse, he’s always on the move. And with 25 locations in his native Brazil in addition to two sprawling Miami showrooms (the second in Aventura) there is never a dull moment.

Therefore, last month’s graduation of Paulo’s twin sons Bruno and Pietro from college could not have been in a better location – nearby University of Miami, close to both their Gables home and company headquarters. And fortunately for their father, both young men have a deep-seated interest in joining the Artefacto team, for which they have been gearing up for as long as they can remember. “Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been excited about working with my dad and my brother,” says Bruno. “Even when I was deciding on what to major in at UM, I knew that I wanted to be able to apply the skills I learned to help expand the company into new markets like New York and Los Angeles.”

This forward-thinking mentality led Bruno to major in both finance and marketing, while Pietro focused on real estate and business law. “In a thriving place like Miami, it’s easy to become fascinated with real estate development,” says Pietro. “I’m

looking forward to learning more about how we can cater to this massive market through our home staging.” Apparently, both Bruno and Pietro already have a pretty good grasp of what the operation of Artefacto entails. “My dad always told us that we needed to understand every aspect of the business,” says Pietro. “So, in high school, we spent weekends and summers at the showrooms. We’ve worked in nearly every position, from cleaning the floors before the showrooms open, to designing and furnishing our own projects.”

For the brothers, it’s also about continuing the family legacy. Launched in São Paulo in 1976 by their grandfather Albino Bacchi, Artefacto started as a producer

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Artefacto is a leading source for contemporary and enduring classic furnishings, guided by philosophical principles of design, function and value.

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Interiors
Top: CEO of luxury home furnishings company Artefacto, Paulo Bacchi with his two twin sons, Bruno on the left and Pietro on the right Below: Kubrick Sectional Sofa shown with upholstered lounge chairs and the Halston coffee table in glass with metal frame

Interiors

of quality home furnishings that evoked Brazil’s emphasis on natural materials and organic colors. Inspired by Albino’s success, Paulo joined the family business at just 18 years old. “I was always in and out of the warehouse, learning the creative process from my father and observing the manufacturing process from start to finish,” he remembers. “My father’s passion for the industry goes unmatched, and I was really driven by him.”

After marrying his wife Lais, Paulo decided to build a life for his family stateside. In the late 1990s, the Bacchis were splitting their time between São Paulo and Coral Gables, and Paulo started to think about opening the first Artefacto showroom in the United States. In 2002, that showroom opened on the southwest corner of the Shops at Merrick Park, next to Nordstrom, and the Bacchis moved to the Gables permanently. Then, in 2012, Paulo opened his second South Florida showroom in Aventura, followed by a smaller display area at the Doral warehouse, all filled with their Brazilian-made furniture.

In 2015, Albino retired and Paulo took the reins as CEO. Around the same time, Paulo released his first solo collection, Arte|5, a set of five lines of furnishings that were intended to appeal to five distinct moods. Arte|Canyons, for example, was designed to evoke the feeling of open space, organic forms and natural settings, while Arte|Hollywood 20/40 was fashioned to conjure the glitz and glamour of Hollywood’s golden era. All this through the use of shape, color and texture.

Crafted as a tribute to Albino, the centerpiece of Arte|5 is the Legacy Chair, an updated take on the classic Artefacto lounge chair and ottoman, made with a carbon steel frame and hand-stitched leather. In the last four years, Paulo has also focused much of his energy on staging luxury homes, which he says he takes great pride in. He has now orchestrated dozens of single-family residences as well as units in posh highrises like Park Grove, One Thousand Museum by Zaha Hadid, and Porsche Design Tower. His latest staging is a collaboration with Arkup, a Miami-based startup that’s developing the next generation of floating homes. “These are not your average house boats,” says Paulo, “especially when they are decorated with Artefacto furnishings and start at $5.89M.”

So, how do the Bacchis feel about the City Beautiful almost two decades after taking the leap to move here from Brazil?

“Coral Gables is still the ideal location for both my family and my business,” says Paulo. In fact, his latest venture is a new Coral Gables showroom, which will take the place of the original outpost. When complete, this 45,000-square-foot colossus, in the fortress-like building where the Collection is located on Ponce south of Bird Road, will give Artefacto the most showroom space for high-end furnishings in Florida, totaling over 87,000-square-feet collectively.

As for Bruno and Pietro, they look forward to continuing to call Coral Gables home. “We grew up here, our family and friends are here, and we love living here,” says Bruno. “For us, it’s paradise.”

Top:

Nouveau kingside bed with upholstered wood headboard. Constantin Bedside Table with curved metal accent legs

Below:

Etoy Sofa matched with the Boyer Component coffee table in three sizes made with mirrored glass and carbon steel

ARTEFACTO

4440 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Suite 1600 305. 774. 0004

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On Your Bike...

THE BILTMORE ADDS SPIN CLASSES

The largest pool in the state of Florida, a Five Diamond-rated restaurant and a newly renovated golf course, the Biltmore doesn’t do anything subpar. That standard of quality doesn’t falter when it comes to their fitness center. Aside from rows of state-of the-art equipment overlooking the pool deck, the fitness center also offers a packed schedule of workout classes.

In December, the hotel added a spin studio and offers cycling classes seven days a week. We took a class with Philip, who is also the center’s Fitness Director. In true Miami fashion, Latin music is played throughout the class. He might even get off the bike, dripping as much sweat as the rest of the class, and give a mini salsa performance. His 50-minute class is high energy and even higher intensity. It’s

also BYOS – bring your own shoes. Unlike studios that are solely spin-focused, the Biltmore doesn’t have bike shoes that clip you into the pedals. The dedicated spinners have a pair of their own, but sneakers are welcome as well. The bikes have four screens that can tell you how far and long you’ve ridden, calories burned, rotations per minute (RPMs), resistance level, etc. For the competitive ones, the two screens behind Philip shows the RPMs and resistance level on each bike in a colored circle. If you’re really working hard, the color will change from yellow to red.

If that doesn’t motivate you, maybe the man who rode five miles before the class will: He rode 10 miles with the rest of the class, and then kept on riding afterwards, determined to reach 20 miles. –Lizzie Wilcox

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WHERE THE GABLES TALK BIZ Coral Gables Live! Brought to you by Coral Gables the Magazine

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Art in Public Places

Public art in Coral Gables began early on, starting with the plans for public monuments and fountains to adorn the city. In 2010, the city’s formal Art in Public Places Program went into effect. Since then some 30 artworks have been created, with new ones added each year. Here is a gathering of nine of these works, from photos currently on display in City Hall.

128 coralgablesthemagazine.com Gatherings

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