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PLUS: THE NE W CITY COMMISIONER
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I’ve always felt a deep connection to nature’s calm beauty.
There’s something about the California Poppies - their vibrant orange color, the way they stand tall in tough conditions- that truly resonate with me.
It’s a small flower, but it has a big presence, a reminder of Resilience and beauty in even the harshest environments.
As an artist, I wanted to capture that feeling through the art form - the way pedals dance in the wind, the rich texture of the earth beneath them. Every curve and detail reflect the poppy’s beauty and its will to survive. This is what inspired my latest sculpture, “California Poppies, Limited edition.”
SHAUN NOWROUZI
...
Every curve and detail reflect the poppy’s beauty and its will to survive. This is what inspired my latest sculpture ...
The artwork comes with a premium white stone, creating a contrast against a glowing aluminum base. It’s supported by an elegant pedestal, making the piece feel both weightless and grounded.
Whether displayed in a home, a garden, or an office, “California Poppies” bring a sense of calm and beauty, reminding us to appreciate the small wonders around us. It’s a tribute to nature’s resilience and the enduring power of art to inspire and uplift.
To schedule a viewing of gallery, contact: Shaun Nowrouzi info@shaunnowrouzisculptures.com 305-216-6483
EDITOR’S NOTE
Return to City Hall Civility
READERS’ LETTERS
Readers’ Feedback
STREETWISE
Latest News From City Hall Interview: The New Commissioner Talk of the Town
LIVING
Best Bets for June New Retail Openings A Night on the Town
BITES
Quick Bites: Pasta Fine Dining Review: Arcano Books & Books Community Dinner
PEOPLE
Mike Castillo
Julia Benitan
Dan Otero
BACK OF BOOK Gardens: The Seagrape Historic Preservation: A Tribute
Don’s Rambles: Adult Activity
The
“ EVERY DOLLAR COLLECTED FROM A TAXPAYER IS PART OF A SACRED TRUST THAT WE HAVE AS STEWARDS OF THE TAXPAYERS’ MONEY... ”
Q&A WITH NEW COMMISSIONER RICHARD LARA. SEE PAGE 26.
Coral Gables Magazine presents your Summer Reading List. A collection of nonfiction, fiction, children’s books, and local history books. Some are page-turning beach reads, some will make you cry, some will make you laugh, and some will make you smarter. We’ll let you decide which is which.
Inside one of the city’s most celebrated structures, the Hotel Colonnade. The Colonnade’s elegance, which pays homage to Spanish Colonial and Baroque architecture, extends from its interior to its exterior. When you step inside, a five-story rotunda opens before your eyes
We look at three vacation ideas that take you to Europe, the Caribbean, and Florida: First, learning to ski Austrian-style at the The Mooser Hotel in St. Anton, Austria. Second, the untouched paradise of Sailrock South Caicos, and third, and closer to home, a quiet retreat at The Perry Hotel in Naples, Florida.
Cover: Relaxing at the beach with a book.
Coral Gables Magazine is not a political magazine per se, not in the sense of a fixated political blog. We cover the issues under discussion at City Hall, to let our readers know what actions are being taken. But this is in the overall context of “life in the Gables,” that panoply of people, places, and events that make the city such a special place to reside. We try to reflect that spectrum of community and amenities each month, from reviews of dining options and new store openings to cultural opportunities and local personalities.
Over the course of the past year, however, we have increased our focus on two areas. One was the city’s history, this being the 100th anniversary of its founding. The other was politics, this being the second year of a dysfunctional City Hall brought on by the election of Ariel Fernandez and his acolyte Melissa Castro, who arrived with an agenda to dismantle the status quo. Had Commissioner Kirk Menendez remained a voice of reason, all would have been well – or at least balanced. Instead, Menendez joined the Fernandez-Castro clique in their virulent campaign to demonize Mayor Vince Lago and strip him of any authority.
The consequences of this were so detrimental to civil and orderly government in the city that the magazine had to become more political, if only to alert its readers to the dangers at hand.
With the loss of the Menendez seat to new City Commissioner Richard Lara, the dark antics of Gables government are over. On May 6, I attended the first City Commission meeting since the April election. The mayor ran the meeting in a calm, orderly fashion. The rules of civility were followed. No inappropriate behavior, no disruptions, no interruptions, no outbursts, no attacks. The political grandstanding was over – except one last drama engineered by Commissioner Castro, who scheduled elective surgery that day and requested the meeting be cancelled, setting the stage for Commissioner Fernandez to attack the mayor for holding a meeting while Commissioner Castro was “under the knife!”
In this issue we look closely at that first post-election City Commission meeting since it says so much about the new direction of the city. But then we will return to our previous way of covering City Hall, in a calm and orderly way. And we will instead focus on things like recommendations for summer reading or what you can do on a Friday night in downtown Coral Gables.
JP FABER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CORAL GABLES MAGAZINE
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Coral Gables Magazine is published monthly by City Regional Media, 1200 Anastasia Ave. Suite 115, Coral Gables FL 33134. Telephone: (305) 995-0995. Copyright 2025 by City Regional Media. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without prior written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Send address changes to subscriptions@coralgablesmagazine.com. General mailbox email and letters to editor@ coralgablesmagazine.com.
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Each month, we print letters we receive from our readers. We encourage all commentary, including criticism as well as compliments, and of course any commentary about our community. If you are interested in writing to us with your opinions, thoughts, or suggestions, please send them to letters@coralgablesmagazine.com. Letters may be edited for brevity.
Positive progress is being made to restore our city’s historic-style silver Whiteway lights from the 1920s. The issue arose nearly two years ago when almost 40 silver lights on the Granada Golf Course were removed and replaced with black concrete poles. It was also learned that nearly all the silver lights across the city were planned for removal. As a chair of the city’s preservation and landmarks boards, along with former mayor Don Slesnick, we asked the City Commission to intervene.
In April, City officials and the chairs of
catalogue (approval is needed by the state’s Public Service Commission). These steps, when completed, will enable the City Commission to update its agreement with FPL and again install historic-style streetlights.
Michael Maxwell
Chair,
Coral Gables Historic Preservation Board
As a retired senior and active reader for healthcare, I appreciated Ms. Stecz’s article in the May issue of Coral Gables Magazine. She properly acknowledged the growing awareness of socialization on our wellbeing
Parks and Recreation Dept. offers a wide variety of classes, exercises and events six days per week. These represent a vital social option for seniors whether in apartments or private homes.
Jim Berlin Age 83, 50 yr resident. Past member Gables Senior Citizen Advisory Board
For the past 28 years my wife and I have made our home at 2800 Toledo Street and throughout that time our condominium building – built in 1925 and on the City’s Historic buildings registry – has never re
Multiple sclerosis (MS) often strikes in the prime of life. As an autoimmune disorder, it can cause fatigue, muscle weakness, vision problems, bladder and bowel issues, as well as cognitive changes. As it progresses, MS can leave patients wheelchair-dependent or unable to walk without assistance.
Although MS has no cure, experts at Baptist Health Brain & Spine Care are providing patients with hope and a wide range of treatment options. “The first medication for MS was introduced in the 1990s,” says neurologist Luis CompresBrugal, M.D., director of multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunology at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute. “We have come a long way since then. Today, we have more than 20 medications. They are more targeted and effective at delaying disease progression and preventing new attacks. And every day we are learning more about this disease.”
Dr. Compres-Brugal recently joined the Institute after completing a fellowship in multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunology at the University of South Florida, supported by the National MS Society. He is leading the expansion of Baptist Health’s MS program, a vital initiative as advancements in technology are allowing for earlier and more accurate diagnoses.
“MS can be particularly challenging to treat because it affects each person very differently,” Dr. Compres-Brugal says.
Among the common symptoms are bladder and bowel changes, cognitive problems such as difficulty with memory and concentration, fatigue, muscle weakness and stiffness, numbness and tingling in the limbs, and vision problems such as blurred or double vision.
There isn’t one single test to diagnose MS. Doctors typically order a brain and spine MRI to detect lesions, and/or a lumbar puncture, which can show abnormal signs of inflammation in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Treatment options include medications that modulate the immune system, available as infusions, injections and oral medications. Physical, occupational, speech-language and cognitive therapies can also play an important role in improving quality of life. Managing symptoms and adopting a healthy lifestyle are essential for overall well-being and slowing disease progression.
“MS is a complex disease and it’s crucial to be evaluated and treated at an experienced center,” Dr. Compres-Brugal says. “At Miami Neuroscience Institute, we offer a comprehensive approach by bringing together a range of subspecialists under one roof. Additionally, we have infusion centers and a specialty pharmacy on-site to ensure seamless care for our patients.”
For more information about the MS program at Miami Neuroscience Institute, visit BaptistHealth.net/MultipleSclerosis or call 786-596-3876 to make an appointment.
BY JP FABER AND KYLIE WANG / PHOTOS BY RODOLFO BENITEZ
It was a special session in more ways than one. On May 6, the newly re-elected mayor of Coral Gables, Vince Lago, called a special meeting of the City Commission. In a disciplined and cordial 2.5 hours, two years’ worth of political mayhem came to an end. A series of policies that proved highly unpopular with residents were reversed, with eight ordinances passed on first reading.
All eight ordinances were sponsored by Mayor Lago, and all passed with the united votes of Lago, newly re-elected Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson, and newly elected Commissioner Richard Lara. “Today we move forward,” Lago said as the first ordinance came up for a vote, later adding, “The residents want their city back.”
Notably absent from the dais was Commissioner Melissa Castro, who had a scheduled surgical procedure for that day and requested that the meeting be cancelled. Lago would have none of it.
For the past two years, Castro has voted in tandem with Commissioner Ariel Fernandez, who helped get her elected in 2023, joining him and former Commissioner Kirk Menendez in a 3-2 majority which dismantled the civility of city hall and pushed forward an agenda that voters, in the end, rejected.
The policies which the Fernandez-Castro-Menendez troika pushed forward included: doubling commissioner salaries without voter input; blocking the attempt to move local elections to coincide with national elections in November; refusing to lower the city’s tax rates; stripping the mayor of his power to run City Commission meetings; attempting to use the city’s emergency reserves to fund pet projects; and the hiring of a new city manager with no experience and whose only qualification was allegiance to Fernandez, Castro, and Menendez.
Interestingly, on April 24, Fernandez, long considered the leader of the troika, sent out a citywide email to residents with these words, underlined and in bold: “You have sent us a clear message on several issues, and I HAVE HEARD YOU.” He then laid out a list of items he wanted to place on the next meeting’s agenda, many of which he had been staunchly opposed to for the last two years. Despite this, Fernandez did vote against some of these items when they came up during the May 6 meeting.
While not all the misguided policies of the past two years could be rectified in one commissioner meeting, Lago’s agenda addressed some of the most egregious. These included:
A 3-1 VOTE to move city elections to November, opposed only by Commissioner Fernandez. The move to November will not only save the city $200,000 in expenses but will also increase voter participation by an estimated four-fold. “You should never be afraid to go before more voters,” said Lago. Proponents of the move argued that the low turnout in the city’s traditional April elections allowed candidates with limited support to win commission seats. Fernandez dissented on the basis that “voters should decide” whether to move the elections, despite the point being a key part of the campaign platforms Lago, Anderson, and Lara ran – and won – on.
A 3-1 VOTE, opposed by Commissioner Fernandez, to allow the mayor to run city meetings by limiting the time allowed for public commentary, and by limiting that commentary to the issues being voted on (outside of Public Comment at the beginning the meeting, when residents may bring up whatever issues they wish, as long as they keep their speeches under three minutes). Over the past two years, the Fernandez-Castro-Menendez majority had consistently overruled the mayor by allowing critics to talk – and attack – with no constraints. They had also previously voted to allow public comment on discussion items, which do not involve passing formal legislation and had traditionally been reserved simply for the Commission members to talk amongst themselves in a legal, public forum. Fernandez voted against the May 6 item, saying it would “silence residents” but also admitting that “time constraints are important to keep,” despite having consistently voted to allow certain residents more time to speak. He also proposed time constraints on the Commission itself.
A 4-0 VOTE to return commissioner salaries to their previous levels, prior to the Fernandez-Castro-Menendez vote that doubled their compensation, including an $703 monthly car allowance used by the trio to lease luxury cars. This had been another major campaign issue, since the raise was put into the budget by the Fernandez-Castro-Menendez block at the last minute, with no public input. Despite having been one of the authors of raise, Fernandez voted in favor of it being rejected.
A 3-1 VOTE, opposed by Commissioner Fernandez, to require a “super majority” vote (at least four out of five commission members in favor) for the city to spend any of its reserves. These reserves are kept for emergencies, such as recovery from a hurricane. Keeping this $50 million fund in place is one reason the city has been able to maintain AAA bond ratings; the threat to drain these reserves (along with the pay raises and refusal to move the election date) was one of the fiscally irresponsible actions that led the Florida legislature to deny their annual multi-million dollar grants to the city over the last two years. “I believe that a four-fifths majority vote to remove money from the reserves takes the power away from the residents,” Fernandez said in his dissension. “The money in the reserves should be maintained in the reserves,” he continued, before adding quickly, “unless we’re able to find a way… to put that money to use on capital projects… and to address the needs of residents.”
A 4-0 VOTE to return the city charter reviews to their traditional 10year cycles. The Fernandez-Castro-Menendez troika had accelerated
6
the last review by two years, presumably in an attempt to remake the city charter in a way that favored their policies.
A 4-0 VOTE to give voters the option to hire an inspector general to investigate allegations of corruption in the city. As eloquently noted by Commissioner Lara, this was needed to counter the “baseless” claim by former Commissioner Kirk Menendez that the city was awash in “a sea of corruption,” a statement that tarnished the city’s reputation. Despite that claim, the Fernandez-Castro-Menendez trio blocked the mayor and vice mayor’s attempts to clarify matters by hiring an inspector general.
A 3-1 VOTE to add two more members to the Charter Review committee, opposed by Commissioner Fernandez. These two members – one appointed by the city attorney and one by the city manager – had been cut from the review committee by the troika, presumably so that their three appointees could control the vote for a revised city charter. Fernandez voted against the measure on the basis that the city attorney and city manager were not elected by residents, and therefore should not be able to appoint committee members.
A 4-0 VOTE to return commissioners’ expense accounts to their previous $5,000 per year, from the $10,000 voted in by the troika. Among other things, these expenses were used by Commissioner Castro to pay for a guide to the city (such guides are already provided at the city’s visitor center) which the mayor called a tax-payer funded political campaign ad. Menendez had used his expense allowance to pay for free movies at the Art Cinema, which he used as a platform to encourage viewers to vote for him.
Acceptance of City Manager Alberto Parjus’ resignation. Parjus had been promoted following former manager Amos Rojas’ departure earlier this year and served three months as city manager (CM). Deputy City Manager Joe Gomez will serve as acting city manager until a search is conducted for Parjus’ replacement. The former CM did not give a reason for his resignation, only expressing gratitude for his time with the city. Gomez is now the fourth person to act as CM in Coral Gables over the last two years, following Parjus, Rojas, and before him, Peter Iglesias. The firing without cause of Iglesias in a 3-2 vote by the Fernandez-Castro-Menendez block in February 2024, and the hiring of the unqualified Rojas as his replacement, was another key issue in the election. Some believe Iglesias may return to the city, though there is no evidence of this as of print time. At the end of the session, Commissioner Lara lauded the shift in the city’s direction, heralded by record voter turnout. “People didn’t come out in droves because they wanted more of the same,” he said. Mayor Lago, visibly pleased by the city’s new direction, ended with one final note – that the City Commission would once again be meeting at City Hall. Despite reports by several engineers that City Hall was structurally sound, Commissioner Fernandez had loudly accused the mayor and previous city manager Peter Iglesias of endangering the community by disregarding repairs to the building. The Fernandez-Castro-Menendez troika then voted to move commission meetings to the city’s Public Safety Building. Now, the mayor has the final say. “City Hall is safe,” he said. “It has always been safe.” Safe from the structural repairs currently going on, or from his political opponents, we can’t say. ■
Real estate is the ultimate long-term investment – a tangible, enjoyable, valuable asset that has outperformed the S&P 500 for three decades in a row. And is just as likely to continue to do so. Which is why when it comes to ensuring your family’s future, real estate remains the most secure — and enjoyable — investment. ”Property is the rare commodity that appreciates in value while you use it everyday,” says Nathan Zeder of the JillsZeder Group, which includes his mother, Judy Zeder, sister Kara Zeder Rosen and sisterin-law Meredith Zeder. “You’re able to raise your family in your home, rent it as an investment or pass it on to your children,” he adds. There may be upkeep and maintenance costs, “but every dollar spent on your home returns in value two and three times over.”
No city has benefited from the rise — and rise and rise— of American home values quite like Miami. The Magic City is both blessed and cursed by unrivaled naturalistic conditions that make its real estate particularly precious. Wedged between the Everglades and Atlantic Ocean, land in Miami is incredibly scarce and highly coveted. Add in pristine weather and favorable taxes and the result, explains Zeder, is that “homes in Miami have effectively doubled in value since 2020,” Zeder explains. “Locking in even more long-term financial security for your family with reasonable amounts of additional investment.”
No one can perfectly predict the real estate market, but expert professionals always possess a crucial edge. The goal is to buy into the market as wisely — and beneficially — as possible. And once there, secure optimal value for your home. “Consider basic yet necessary updates to ensure your home feels relevant and current,” Zeder advises. Whereas a decade or two ago, Mediterranean-styled villas were mostly in demand; today “contemporary homes in white or grey” are more popular.” he adds. Simple touches such as updating windows and doors – modernizing kitchens and baths — will always pay off if and when owners decide to sell.
3832 Bayside Ct, Miami, FL 33133
As Zeder sees it, being part of his family’s real estate firm is “the greatest gift in the world.” Not only is there the security of partnering with like-minded people, but everyone is always working to ensure our collective best interests.” Zeder brings a similar sense of community and accountability to every deal and every client. Such sentiments are literally in his blood. “I’ve been selling Miami real estate literally my whole life,” he says.
It’s a profession, Zeder enthuses, that he learned through osmosis. And one, this Father’s Day season, Zeder already sees rubbing off on his own children. “Bringing in the next generation is the best way to stay ahead of the game,” he says. “Just like when I was her age, my 15 year-old daughter loves to spend time with me driving from showing to showing,” he adds with pride. Well versed in the cutting-edge technologies the Zeders need to remain current, “she already spends more time on my website than I do,” he adds.
BY KYLIE WANG
Q: What have your first few weeks on the job been like?
The first weeks have been exhilarating. I have felt a very strong and widespread response from the residents on how happy they are about the outcome of this election; a pronounced sense of hope and positive energy for what lies in front of us. It’s exhilarating and overwhelming in a way that I could never have anticipated.
Q: Your first Commission meeting was quite eventful, with a lot of momentous legislation being passed. What was that like?
It was eventful, but also not surprising because what was decided at that meeting was what I had campaigned on for over a year and a half, and what the vice mayor and the mayor have been wanting for almost two years. So, day one, for the most part, was promises made and delivered.
And it’s not just that substantive decisions were made. Another major point of my platform was a return to civility, respect, efficiency, and a business-like approach. You could really only understand this by observing the meeting… there was a different tone. There were measured responses to the items and each Commissioner had an opportunity to provide a concise statement or pose questions. It really was, as I had hoped and promised, a return to that type of forum, and decidedly not what we had experienced during the last two years.
Q: You delivered on a lot of promises immediately. Do you have any other ideas for legislation already in the works?
I would like to focus on solutions to parking and traffic calming during my first year, and that takes working with a lot of different people, not just in City Hall. Budgetary concerns are also something I campaigned on and people told me was important to them, so I’m working very closely with the city manager, the finance department, and the residents to understand how we can deliver the world-class services that residents deserve and are entitled to, but in such a way that we don’t put the city in any kind of peril. Every dollar collected from a taxpayer is part of a sacred trust that we have as stewards of the taxpayers’ money.
On a more social level, I am interested in elevating cultural arts in the city. I would like to see more awareness raised for the Coral Gables Museum. And as a graduate of Coral Gables Senior High School, I want to form a more focused liaison relationship with the city and our amazing high school. And lastly, we’ve got to figure out better ways to enhance biking and walking in the city while addressing traffic calming so that it’s safe for people to do so.
Q: How has your experience in law informed your first few weeks on the job?
I have over 25 years of having to take on complex issues that no matter how much you prepare in advance for, things just arise on the fly. It’s just decades of being prepared but then thinking on your feet and never forgetting what the arc is that you’re trying to achieve and staying on that course…. I think that those skills lend themselves very well to being in a Commission that, at this point, I’m sensing there is still division in. It’s not a surprise. It’s why I decided to
run…. There is obviously an unfamiliarity with some of the practices, procedures, and protocols of being on the dais, but not about the business that needs to get done.
Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of so far?
The one that I feel is going to have the longest-lasting impact is moving the elections to November. It’s one of the reasons I decided to run. My runoff election was the largest in the history of Coral Gables, and I’m convinced that that outpouring of voter engagement is not because they wanted more of the same. With a larger turnout, you will undoubtedly get a more accurate representation of what the electorate wants in their governance. It took quite a bit to get there, but I’m convinced that the will of the people was honored and executed. ■
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The only commercial building besides the Biltmore Hotel which comes close to being a Coral Gables icon is the Alhambra Tower on Alhambra Circle, with its three majestic spires modeled after the Giralda Tower in Seville, Spain. When built, developer Allen Morris sacrificed profit for beauty, spending lavishly to build his ode to Mediterranean-style in the Gables.
At 11 stories, Morris’ latest addition to the skyline – Ponce Park –is substantially shorter than the 16-story height of the Alhambra. It is also a luxury condo, rather than a Class A office building. But designed by the same architect – John Cunningham of Zyscovich Architects – it arrives on Ponce de Leon Boulevard at University Drive with the same Mediterranean panache. With its all-important cupola tower it echoes The Plaza Coral Gables across the street, with its own Loews Hotel Alhambra-styled tower. Together, they now form the “Southern Gateway” to downtown Coral Gables, says Cunningham, who hopes the building will become a “cherished landmark.”
It took Morris nearly four years to win approval for the project, originally envisioned at the same 16-story height as the Alhambra. In deference to neighbors who were worried about too much traffic, Morris redesigned it several times, eliminating retail from the ground level and dropping it down to its final height of 11 stories. Morris also agreed to donate $2 million to improve Ponce Circle Park, which the new building will face. “Our intention is for Ponce Park to celebrate the elegant vision of George Merrick and our commitment for it to be the highest quality residence ever created in Coral Gables,” says Morris. Construction is scheduled to begin Q4 2025, with a late 2027 completion date. – J.P. Faber
A GABLES-LED BILL TIGHTENS BANS ON STUDENT CELL PHONE USE
In a House bill led by Republican State Rep. Demi Busatta of Coral Gables, Florida lawmakers approved legislation last month that will expand cell phone restrictions for elementary and middle school students. Currently, students are not permitted to use their phones during instructional time; the new bill will ban younger students from using their cellular devices for the entire school day. House Bill 1105 would still allow high school students to use their phones
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outside of instructional time, but also proposes a pilot program to test banning phones for the entire school day at high schools in six Florida counties. HB 1105 does not prevent students from carrying their phones at school, only using them.
The bill awaits likely approval from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. “Data shows that eliminating cell phone distraction, not only in the classroom as Florida has in place now, but throughout the entire school day, produces better outcomes – both from a school climate perspective as well as academic,” said Nathan Hoffman, senior legislative director of Foundation for Florida’s Future, to the Tallahassee Democrat
Florida paved the way for cell phone bans in schools with its 2023 bill restricting student phone use during class. Similar bills have followed in 10 other states. – Luke
Chaney
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DONATES $3.25 MILLION
Every year, the Coral Gables Community Foundation (CGCF) distributes scholarships to local high schoolers. This year, however, the Foundation outdid itself, with a record $3.25 million awarded to graduating Miami-Dade high school students, compared to last year’s $1.42 million. In a ceremony at the University of Miami’s Shalala Center on May 5, the Foundation (which is in the process of selecting a new CEO after the departure of Mary Snow) awarded 202 scholarships ranging from $500 to $20,000. It marked the largest single-year scholarship distribution in the foundation’s 34-year history. Proceeds were gathered through 23 donor-directed funds, as well as a $2.88 million gift from the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation.
“This historic year for the Scholarship Program is a reminder of what’s possible when passionate donors come together to uplift the next generation,” said Michael Walsh, chair of the CGCF Board, in a television interview. “Every dollar awarded reflects someone’s belief in the power of education, and in these students’ potential to lead, give back, and change the world.”
The Community Foundation has awarded 694 scholarships for a total of $6.28 million since its inception in 1991. Some of the scholarships are specifically for students planning to study medicine, law, journalism, historic preservation, and more. This year, the Foundation received over 800 scholarship applications from students throughout the United States. In addition to its scholarship allocation efforts, the CGCF provides grants to local nonprofits
and supports issues in education, arts and culture, social and health services, historic preservation, and the environment. –
LOCAL CULTURAL LEADERS INDUCTED
It was the inaugural class of the Miami-Dade Arts Hall of Fame: More than 30 honorees were inducted in late April, at the Serving the Arts Awards ceremony held in the Miracle Theatre on Miracle Mile. Among them were several local legends from the Gables’ cultural arts scene, including Actors’ Playhouse founders Dr. Lawrence E. Stein and Barbara Stein, as well as Books & Books founder Mitchell Kaplan and former GableStage Producing Artistic Director Joseph Adler. The Hall of Fame honors individuals “who have made transformative contributions to the advancement of the arts in Miami-Dade County.”
Kaplan also received the Mayor’s Legacy in Arts Award for his contributions to the Miami Book Fair, which is the largest of its kind in the United States. Kaplan co-founded the festival in 1984 and also launched the Books & Books Literary Foundation in 2023, which nurtures new readers through free children’s literary events. The Steins, meanwhile, are well-known for having grown Actors’ Play-
house into one of the state’s leading professional theater companies. Joseph Adler, who died in 2020 after directing GableStage for over two decades, garnered the theater more than 60 Carbonell Awards and received numerous personal accolades, including the George Abbott Award and the Knight Arts Champion Award. – Kylie Wang
When the Coral Gables police and fire departments left their old headquarters on Salzedo Street – moving to the new Public Safety Building eight blocks north – preservationists feared that the older building would be torn down by new owner Armando Codina. Not the most attractive of buildings, it was nonetheless a classic example of mid-20th century Brutalist architecture, marked by raw, exposed concrete and minimalist design.
In a savvy exchange, Codina instead traded the building for a nearby parking lot owned by Mercedes-Benz Coral Gables, which he is now using to build Regency Parc. For Mercedes-Benz, the old Brutalist building was not a tear-down, but a perfect building to re-purpose –namely because it contained parking for some 400 vehicles.
“We recognized the building’s unique Tropical Brutalist heritage,” says Mike Rodriguez, general manager for Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables. “Its architectural importance – rare in Coral Gables – was a key factor in choosing to repurpose rather than replace the structure.” The newly refurbished and repainted building will contain the dealership’s showroom and inventory and is on track to be fully operational this summer. – J.P. Faber
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Though she was an award-winning television journalist for many years, June Thomson Morris had no previous experience writing plays. But her “Postcards from Paradise,” which debuted on the 100th anniversary of the founding of Coral Gables at the end of April, was more than a fine start. The audience – albeit highly biased in their love of the city – raved about the production at the Miracle Theatre, which sold out for another five days. They also enjoyed a 1920s-style street-feast on opening night, with guests dressed for the era. Proceeds from the ticketed event went toward supporting the theater.
The play itself told the true story of Morris’ grandmother, a plucky 19-year-old who travelled by herself to Coral Gables in pursuit of adventure and romance. Specifically, she had met a young man just once at a hometown dance in Indiana. The two corresponded for six months before she decided to head south to see if this young man’s intentions were honorable.
Part of the seduction by mail came via postcards describing the paradise-to-be of Coral Gables, and the play did an admirable job mixing their love affair with the story of how the city was founded, with actors also playing the roles of city founder George Merrick and Miami Beach founder Carl Fisher. Directed by Actors’ Playhouse artistic director David Arisco, with veteran actors from other productions staged at the Miracle Theatre, “Postcards from Paradise” ended with the hurricane of 1926 sending fair-weather patriots of the Gables back north, while June’s grandmother Lucy Mae Barnes – played with delightful exuberiance by Alexandra Van Hasselt – and her new husband decide to stick it out. And the rest, as they say, is history. – J.P.Faber
1920S STYLE STREET-FEAST ON THE PLAY’S OPENING NIGHT AT THE THEATER
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Throughout the entirety of June (and continuing until September 28), Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is hosting the return of “Bugging Out: A Bugs World but BIGGER!” This insect-themed exhibit will feature massive bug sculptures, talks and interactive displays, a walk-through of Fairchild’s Butterfly Pavilion, a 21-plus party that will serve bug-inspired small plates and craft beers, and more. Tickets range from free for small children to $24.95 for adults. 10901 Old Cutler Rd. fairchildgarden.org
The oldest continuously running festival in Miami is back for its 88th year. The Poinciana Fiesta Celebration Party at Fairchild starts at 6 pm on Sun., June 8, with trolley tours of the garden. Royal Poinciana punch and other refreshments will be served at 7 pm, and the Royal Poinciana Fiesta Queen and Court scholarship recipients and the Larry Schokman Book Award winner will be recognized at 7:30. The event costs $15 with a free option. Guests who purchase the free general admission tickets are encouraged to make a potluck food contribution. 10901 Old Cutler Rd. fairchildgarden.org
The South Florida Symphony Orchestra is heading to the Coral Gables Museum on Thurs., June 12 at 7:30 pm as part of its “Summer Concert II: Romantic Revelry” series in Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Featuring Huifang Chenon on the violin, Claudio Jaffe on the cello, and Catherine Lan on the piano, tickets for this concert
range from $17.50 to $35, with additional fees. There will be a meet and greet with the musicians after the show. 285 Aragon Ave. coralgablesmuseum.org
On Sun., June 15 at 3 pm, the Alhambra Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Daniel Andai, is presenting an afternoon of opera featuring top singers from the Manny Perez Vocal Studio. Experience the romance, drama, and unforgettable music of a live opera, including one of the world’s most beloved arias at Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre. Tickets are $5 for students and seniors and $10 for adults and can be found on Eventbrite. 280 Miracle Mile.
Relive the prime of Black American sitcoms at the Sanctuary of the Arts on Sun., June 15 at 4:30 pm with “Remember the Times.”
To celebrate 75 years of helping children grow up healthy and strong, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation has launched the 75 for 75 Legacy Challenge. We’re looking for 75 people who want to make a lasting difference —by including a future gift to Nicklaus Children’s in their will, trust, or retirement plan.
When you document your legacy gift, a 10% matching donation will be activated —immediately amplifying your impact at no cost to you.
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Presented by the New Canon Chamber Collective, this production pays tribute to classics like “The Jeffersons” and “A Different World” through live music, dance, and more. General admission tickets cost $40. 410 Andalusia Ave. sanctuaryofthearts.org
This remake of Shakespear’s iconic “Hamlet” play won a Pulitzer Prize in 2022 and is in Coral Gables until June 15 at GableStage. In “Fat Ham,” Juicy’s already turbulent life turns upside down when his father’s ghost arrives at the family’s backyard barbeque seeking revenge. The show will run Wednesdays through Saturdays from 7:30 to 9:10 pm. Afternoon performances will be held on Wednesdays and Sundays, starting at 2 pm. Tickets range from $50 to $85. 1200 Anastasia Ave #230 (The Biltmore Hotel). gablestage.org
June’s Gables Bike Tour will celebrate the birthday of city founder, George Merrick. As part of the Gables’ centennial celebration, you’ll have the opportunity to tour the birthplace of the city and learn more about how it got its name. The tour starts at the Museum on Sun., June 15 at 10 am and will last until noon. Tickets range from $5 to $10. Bikes are not provided, and children under 16 are required to wear helmets. 285 Aragon Ave. coralgablesmuseum.org.
Attention all wine connoisseurs! You’ll have a chance to sample carefully selected glasses of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc varieties at the Duckhorn Vineyards Dinner on Tues., June 24 from 6 to 10 pm at The Biltmore Hotel. Duckhorn Vineyards, a Napa Valley producer, has been a well-ac-
claimed winery since opening in 1976. Tickets for this event start at $150. 1200 Anastasia Ave. biltmorehotel.com
On Thurs., June 26 at 7 pm, hear from local author Julie Ann Sipos on her new book, “Horrible Women, Wonderful Girls.” The satirical story is Sipos’ debut, a novel “packed with biting wit and unpredictable turns,” according to Publishers Weekly. Sipos will discuss the book and how her childhood growing up in Coral Gables affected it, as well as host a Q&A and book signing. 265 Aragon Ave. booksandbooks.com
On Sat., June 22, celebrate the Summer Solstice in style at CocoWalk mall in Coconut Grove from 10 am to 2 pm. This artisan market will feature only local small businesses selling their wares, from flower bouquets to art, accessories, jewelry, clothing, candles, and more. Attendees will also have the chance to spin a wheel of giveaways and enjoy other activations around the mall. The event is free to attend. 3015 Grand Ave., Coconut Grove. cocowalk.com ■
Being personally involved makes a huge difference for the staff as well. That’s why companies like Gallup and Fortune rate The Palace one of the world’s best places to work. At The Palace, we’re all happy to be here every day. We bet you will be too. Call 305-445-7444 or visit us today. The Palace owners aren’t in Corporate
Helen & Jacob Shaham founded The Palace Senior Living 45 years ago and they’ve never changed their “hands-on” rule of management. Joined by their sons Zach & Haim, they are familiar friendly faces to every Palace resident.
They come to the parties, seldom miss a birthday, and you can talk to them whenever you want because everyone has their personal cell numbers.
Coral Gables has long drawn those with an eye for art and design. Now, a temporary boutique on Miracle Mile is giving locals access to handcrafted pieces from Morocco – no plane ticket required. Running from June 5 through July 24, Atelier Nomads is a curated pop-up offering decor and homewares sourced directly from Marrakesh’s artisan markets.
The concept was born from a collaboration between Maryam Montague – designer, author, and Marrakesh hotelier – and Mindy McIlroy, president of Terranova Corporation. The two met during one of Montague’s guided shopping trips earlier this year. What began as a shared appreciation for craftsmanship quickly turned into a full-scale project. Together, they sourced a container of goods from artisans Montague has worked with for years.
Inside the shop, everything is handmade: raffia-wrapped lanterns, carved wood tables, hand-thrown ceramics, and rugs that can take months to complete. Smaller items like glassware, woven baskets, and custom backgammon sets start at $25. Larger pieces –furniture and high-end textiles – can reach $12,000.
Atelier Nomads isn’t just about aesthetics. Every item is tagged with details about its origin, process, and maker. Visitors are encouraged to learn about the hands behind the work, whether it’s a tribal weaver or a third-generation potter. Montague calls it “slow design with soul.” The shop will close once pieces are sold, with plans to return seasonally. Until then, it’s one of the few places where you can buy a rug and learn exactly who made it.
332 MIRACLE MILE, CORAL GABLES @ ATELIER.NOMADS
NOMADS
From the outside, Rainbow Pharmacy looks like your typical cleancut corner shop, but step through the doors and you’ll find something closer to a boutique wellness hub. The newly opened pharmacy on Giralda is stocked with curated essentials – sleek shelves lined with vitamins, supplements, luxury body care, and travel-size beauty finds like eye patches, goat milk hand cream, and hydrating facial sprays.
Rainbow carries all the expected over-the-counter basics, but sets itself apart with a stronger focus on customer service and convenience. They accept all major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, and offer competitive non-insurance pricing – often lower than discount drug cards like GoodRx. They also apply coupons automatically, assist with prior authorizations, and offer free local prescription delivery throughout the area.
The space itself is bright and minimal, with pops of greenery and clean-lined shelving that make shopping feel less like a chore. It’s a pharmacy where you’re just as likely to grab a snack or a Frida Mom kit as you are a bottle of Ibuprofen. Beyond healthcare essentials, you’ll find beauty products, sustainable goods, and small everyday upgrades, like reusable drinkware and self-care kits. In the end, Rainbow covers more than prescriptions – you can walk in for cold medicine and walk out with goat milk hand cream, travel snacks, and a better mood. ■
HISTORIC HOMES DESERVE MORE THAN A SIGN IN THE YARD, THE Y DESERVE STORY TELLERS
Selling a historic home isn’t just a transaction it ’ s a responsibilit y. The Smith Formosa Team approaches these rare properties with reverence, strategy, and results In just 100 days, we closed on three centur y-old homes in Coral Gables, each one a masterpiece of timeless architecture.
From tailored marketing and expert matchmaking to con in preser ving the past while maximizing future value
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BY J.P. FABER / PHOTOS BY RODOLFO BENITEZ
Miracle Mile is not only an easy place to find something to drink or eat, it’s also the perfect staging area if you intend to end up at the Sanctuary of the Arts. And that was our plan. We had tickets to a Friday night performance, in this case for Brazilian music. So, we parked in front of the Sanctuary and headed by foot down Miracle Mile.
Before that eight o’ clock performance we needed libations and food. We’d thought of grabbing a cocktail at Doc B’s or John Martin’s, but before we got there, the sight of patrons at La Jamoteca downing glasses of ice-cold Spanish beer at outside tables simply waylaid us.
On the north side of the Mile a half block in from City Hall, Jamoteca offers more than just its precious Iberico aged ham – albeit some the best in the world, and priced accordingly. Unknown to us, it also has an extensive menu of pure Spanish tapas.
Next time, we will try the Spanish tortilla and Milanese Iberica, but we didn’t want to eat too much before dinner, so we limited the order to white anchovies and stuffed red peppers. Both delicious.
Then came dinner at Fratellino, on the south side of the street just past the Miracle Theatre. If you think you can just walk into this madly popular little Italian bistro, think again. You will have to make reservations two weeks ahead of time (and we did so when we bought our Sanctuary tickets). Run by Beto Dicarlo and his family, the food is straightforward southern Italian/Sicilian, and very much in the style of New York’s Little Italy. With its checkered tile floor and walls covered with framed photos of family and friends, you feel like you’re in Luna’s Café on Mulberry Street. We ordered two plates of pasta, one penne in vodka sauce, the other pappardelle with porcini mushrooms.
A glass of house red wine finished the job, as did a pair of macchiatos and a “Grandma Ale’s Famous” tiramisu at the end. Now fully fueled, we ended the evening listening to a brilliant pair of pianists playing music from across Brazil at the Sanctuary of the Arts.
For those who have not attended the Sanctuary, it occupies the restored First Church of Christ, Scientist, across the street from City Hall. The brainchild of Mike Eidson – attorney, preservationist, and long-time supporter of the Miami City Ballet – the Sanctuary is now three years old, providing the Gables with a needed platform for dance and classical music performances. With an auditorium that accommodates just 314 audience members, there are literally no bad seats.
One niche the Sanctuary has repeatedly hit is Latin music of the 20th century. Our concert was called “Latin 2 Piano: From Rio to Miami,” featuring renowned pianists Thito Camargo and Phil DeGreg accompanied by bass, drums, and other percussion. They performed works by legendary Brazilian composers such as Antônio Carlos Jobim, Pixinguinha, João Gilberto, and Milton Nascimento. It was a trans-Brazilian jazz fest, with music from Samba and Choro to Bossa Nova and Baião. The concert was a virtuoso display of two pianos weaving in and out of different regional rhythms, which Carnargo explained before each riff. At the end, the audience refused to leave unless another number was performed.
By the time you read this, the Sanctuary will already have held three more concerts from their Mainly Mozart festival and two dance performances. But there is always more to come. We left feeling entirely satisfied and pleased with the artistry of the evening – and additionally pleased to have parked out front along Biltmore Way. ■
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PLUS QUICK BITES: PASTA COMMUNITY DINNER
Who doesn’t love pasta, from spaghetti to macaroni? Nothing like a good noodle, enjoyed at any age. It’s one of the reasons why the category of Italian is the most popular in Coral Gables. With that in mind, we sampled a few different varieties for these recommendations.
One of the unique pasta dishes at Bugatti Bistro is its penne al salmone ($25). This generous portion of penne pasta is smothered in a rich, creamy sauce and topped with a healthy helping of smoked salmon chunks and fresh dill. The salmon is spectacular, but the dill takes the dish to new heights with a grassy and refreshing element that helps round everything out. 2504 Ponce de Leon. bugattirestaurant.com
Half the fun of eating at Fontana is its courtyard at the Biltmore Hotlel, with its Venetian fountain. The other half is how well they do pasta. Our favorite is the traditional Fettuccine Carbonara ($25), with heavy cream, free-range eggs, Parmigiano Reggiano, and the all-important cured pork cheek bits, which are salty and crunchy. A rich and satisfying dish, slightly sinful, which makes it even better. 1200 Anastasia Ave. biltmorehotel.com
Tullio’s Linguine di Gragnano con Vongole, EVO e Pioggia di Taralli ($31) offers more than its modest appearance suggests. The pasta is properly al dente, lightly coated in olive oil with a clean, briny aroma from the clams. A dusting of taralli adds a faint crunch without overshadowing the dish’s natural balance. Everything tastes fresh, simple, and intentional — the kind of Italian cooking that trusts you’ll get the message after the first bite. 160 Andalusia Ave. tulliomiami.com
SALUMERIA 104
There’s nothing we love better than a Cacio e Pepe pasta done right, which, for us, means with a healthy dose of pepper. Lucky for us, Salumeria 104’s version ($28) is not only well-seasoned, but comes tossed in a cheese wheel tableside, which gives it extra creaminess. After serving up a nicely sized portion, our waitress even sprinkled another dash of pepper on top. Perfection. 117 Miracle Mile. salumeria104.com
We’d give Erba’s Wagyu Beef Cheek Agnolotti pasta ($36) a solid 9.9/10, with our only complaint being there’s not more of it. The beef melts away with mouthwatering tenderness and is balanced by pillows of agnolotti stuffed with Robiola Bosina cheese and caramelized onions. All comes in a red wine-based sauce that’s a little sweet, but mostly savory. Head to Erba before 7 pm for Pasta Happy Hour, when all pastas are half-off. 227 S Dixie Hwy. erbamiami.com ■
Taste the Gables returns in July with over 70 participating restaurants, offering exclusive prix fixe menus and special promotions all month long. From Michelin-starred and Bib Gourmand standouts, to neighborhood favorites, discover why Coral Gables is South Florida’s ultimate dining destination. Explore the lineup and start planning your July culinary adventure today.
BY ANDREW GAYLE
You need no other reason to visit Arcano beyond their croquetas.
Forgoing the traditional ham, chicken, and cheese variations, their trio consists of one with crab meat, one with shrimp, and one with calamari in black squid ink. All are creamy, stunningly delicious – and unexpected. Which is just what Arcano wants to add to the Coral Gables culinary scene.
“Arcano means ‘mysterious’ in Spanish, and the idea is to always have something unexpected in your experience,” says Lucas Warren, the general manager of the self-described “Hispanamerica” restaurant, who helped create a menu that draws from the cooking traditions of 21 Spanish-speaking countries. “We want you to taste something new and familiar at the same time.”
Arcano is located in the space formerly occupied by Tur, the fine dining, Mediterranean-focused restaurant on Giralda Street just west of Ponce de Leon. It shares the block with such notable eateries as Mesa Mar, La Taberna Giralda, and Terre del Sapore, and has a lovely arched veranda for outdoor seating. Inside it’s much the same as Tur, with high ceilings and an open-kitchen design, except the bar now opens onto the main dining space, the artwork is Hispanic, and the video screens show aerial shots of Central and South America rather than the Mediterranean.
The music is also noticeably different. “Music is an important element of Hispanamerica,” says Warren, “and it’s crucial to us.” On the first Thursday of each month they present live music with native dancers from different countries (Spain, Mexico, and Colombia so far, Venezuela next); in the meantime the soundtrack moves from sexy Argentine tangoes to upbeat Cuban salsa to Peruvian mountain flutes.
Like the music, the food is eclectic, and even more creative. Arcano is the place to take a jaded palate. Their ceviche, for example, is a mix of corvina, avocado, and red onions in a strawberry-lime sauce, with olive oil, coconut flakes, and cilantro. A refreshing new take on a traditional dish, with none of the tart citrus bite that ceviche sometimes has.
TOP: LUCAS WARREN, THE GENERAL MANAGER OF ARCANO, SAYS “ARCANO MEANS ‘MYSTERIOUS’ IN SPANISH, AND THE IDEA IS TO ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING UNEXPECTED IN YOUR EXPERIENCE.”
TOP LEFT: ARCANO IS ON GIRALDA AVENUE AND FEATURES WONDERFUL OUTDOOR SEATING FACING THE STREET
ABOVE: HIGH CEILINGS AND AN OPEN-KITCHEN DESIGN GIVE THE SPACE A CLEAN CONTEMPORARY LOOK
OPPOSITE PAGE:
TOP: CALDOSO DE CALAMAR, FLOATING IN A SAVORY LOBSTER, SHRIMP, AND FISH STOCK
BOTTOM LEFT: SETAS DE LA TIERRA, TRUMPET MUSHROOMS AND BLUE & YELLOW OYSTER MUSHROOMS WITH A GLAZE
BOTTOM RIGHT: TRIO DE CROQUETAS, FEATURING CRAB MEAT, CALAMARI WITH SQUID INK, AND SHRIMP
ARCANO
259 GIRALDA AVE.
305.530.8332
Another remarkable dish is the caldoso de calamar. Here the calamari is grilled and sliced, floating in a savory stock made from lobster, shrimp, and fish, mixed with bomba rice, aioli, and fondo rojo (red chili sauce). The calamari is soft and buttery, and the stock has such a rich, seafood flavor that you want to drink it; it’s what your abuela should fix you when you’re feeling ill.
The menu is separated into starters (hot and cold), plates (meat or fish), soups and salads (two each), and “street food,” which means hand-held. In the hot starter category, the croquetas hold
sway, but we also tried their Calamares on “Fire,” a plate filled with roasted squid, chorizo, grilled pineapple, and two types of pepper, all chopped and dusted with hibiscus flower and cilantro. The idea is to stab the ingredients together with one forkful, with an optional red or green pepper. The red is slightly hotter, but with either one a chunk of sweet grilled pineapple balances the heat nicely.
Another hot starter we loved – probably because we’re obsessed with mushrooms – is the Setas de la Tierra, trumpet mushrooms and blue and yellow oyster mushrooms grilled with a honey-tamarind glaze. Like eating mushroom candy.
In the cold zone, the ceviche was our favorite, but closely pursued by the crudo de lomito – a pork carpaccio marinated in a coffee emulsion and topped with Honduran cheese.
Among the plates, the lamb shank, braised for seven to eight hours, is succulent and meant to be eaten with corn tortillas,
pickled onions, and pomegranate gremolata. The duck with mole is also interesting, but a little too deconstructed for us. Our favorite remains the Caldoso.
Without going into every dish, also worthy is their Hamburguesa Arcano, a half-pound of juicy Wagyu burger on a housemade blackberry bun with hibiscus-caramelized onions and white cheese. An amazing combination of flavors. Also in the running is their crispy pork belly, wonderfully chewy and crunchy, eaten in a purple corn tortilla with a deeply flavorful charcoal-smoked avocado dip and pickled onions.
“The concept that we have here is about all the different Hispanic countries,” says Juan Diego Canahuati, who co-owns and operates the restaurant with his wife, Nicole. “Usually when you go to a restaurant you go to a Peruvian, or Spanish, or Mexican [place]. Or maybe a fusion from two countries. But not from all over the spectrum.” ■
BY KYLIE WANG
In his 1989 book, “The Great Good Place,” Ray Oldenberg coined the term “third place” to define a public, social space outside of the home (the “first place”) and work (your “second place”). In the “third place,” people can relax, interact socially with friends or strangers, and feel a stronger sense of community and belonging. In an increasingly lonely society, these places where you can be free from expectations of productivity and open to the potential of new connections are increasingly necessary.
Our favorite “third place” in Coral Gables is Books & Books, which has been committed to community since its inception in 1982. Lately, Jonah Kaplan, who manages the bookstore’s café under his father and owner Mitch Kaplan, has cooked up something we love even more than just sitting and people-watching in the outdoor courtyard: the community dinner. Every month, Kaplan invites a new local chef to invent a five-course menu for diners.
“What my dad has always strived for is to have Books & Books be a community space for anyone to go to, to start conversations about what’s going on in the world,” the junior Kaplan says. “The Community Dinner is a good way to bring different people from different backgrounds together and get them to speak to each other. I think that’s really important for people to do more often, not just dinners where you go with the same people. Here, you sit down at a long table and you might be talking to someone you’ve never met.”
On the evening we attended our first Community Dinner, the
courtyard was so packed that our waiters had to squeeze between people to stack the tables with each course. The featured chef was Cindy Hutson from the still-missed Ortanique on Miracle Mile. Together, she and Books & Books’ Chef Papo Santiago collaborated on a menu that included creamy Florida conch chowder, a gorgeous salad featuring orange and grapefruit segments paired with feta and passionfruit mint vinaigrette, local snapper in a coconut and key lime broth, and our favorite dish of the night: a Caribbean jerk chicken pasta.
Between courses, emcee Carlos Frías, a two-time James Beard Award winner and former Miami Herald food editor, explained each dish. We spent an extra $45 dollars for the natural wine pairings (the regular ticket is $70 plus gratuity), which elevated the experience and gave us the boldness we needed to speak with Chef Hutson (basically a celebrity in our eyes) about her incredible menu – and to toast to it with our new friends.
For the final course, we indulged in a coconut tres leche topped with indulgent Chantilly and coconut cream and toasted coconut flakes. As the light faded from the sky, the lamps and string lights lit up, creating a warm atmosphere that felt a lot like a dinner party at our “first place” – home, that is. We received copies of Hutson’s cookbook, “From the Tip of My Tongue,” to peruse while we finished off our wine and exchanged phone numbers with new friends.
The next Books & Books community dinner will be in late June, with details and tickets posted on its website. ■
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CASTILLO, MANAGING DIRECTOR, H/L AGENCY AND BOARD MEMBER, RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF SOUTH FLORIDA
Mike Castillo wears many titles – managing director, agency partner, community advocate – but at his core, he’s simply someone who believes in building things that last. Whether it’s a national ad campaign or a new Ronald McDonald House, Castillo approaches both with the same mindset: lead with purpose and stay consistent.
Born in New York and raised in Hialeah by Cuban parents, Castillo credits his work ethic to their example and the environment he grew up in. He worked his way through Florida International University while climbing the ranks at UPS. After launching his own firm, MC², he merged with H/L Agency in 2018. The independent agency now spans 22 states and handles everything from creative and strategy to media buying and multicultural outreach. His client list is stacked – McDonald’s, Toyota, and VSP Vision Care, to name a few – but Castillo keeps things rooted in Coral Gables, where he lives with his family and runs the Miami office on Merrick Way.
Community is also where he invests his time. Castillo has served on the board of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of South Florida for the past 15 years, helping provide housing and resources for families whose children are undergoing medical treatment. His work goes beyond the boardroom through in-kind support, local partnerships, and fundraising.
“... YOUR PEOPLE ARE A REFLECTION OF YOU...”
MANAGING DIRECTOR, H/L AGENCY AND BOARD MEMBER, RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF SOUTH FLORIDA
RMHC South Florida is in the middle of an estimated $33 million capital campaign – Hope Has a New Home – to build a modern facility near Holtz Children’s Hospital. Castillo has been part of the push, bringing H/L’s South Florida team into the effort through volunteer projects and visibility campaigns. He’s also integrated RMHC into Project Paella, H/L’s internal initiative that gives employees time off to volunteer in their communities. In South Florida, that’s included work with Feeding South Florida, Chapman Partnership, and RMHC’s “Meals from the Heart” program.
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“Living and having my business in Coral Gables is such a joy,” Castillo says. “I learned a long time ago that your people are a reflection of you, and I am proud to have an amazing team, passionate and professional, that share my same values and work ethic.” As for his hometown, says Castillo, “The Gables was always the ideal place to live and grow my business.” – Amanda Martell ■
Baking had always been one of Julia Benitan’s passions, but it wasn’t until she started bringing cookies to her volunteer shifts at Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America that Benitan realized she had something special on her hands. “[The children] started asking, ‘Miss Julia, can we have cookies again?’ I noticed everyone was loving it… and it grew by word of mouth,” she says. Growing up with a French grandmother who taught her the art of pastry-making, Benitan even remembers making her first cookie: a peanut butter concoction with a chocolate kiss.
In 2016, Benitan did an apprenticeship with an acclaimed pastry chef, which taught her the importance of details and technique. Above all, she credits her upbringing in Coral Gables and her varied cultural background (mostly French, but also Mongolian, Russian, Ukrainian, North African, and Algerian) for presenting her with “the privilege of tasting difference spices and pairings of food that we generally don’t think of putting together.” Following that tradition, her cookies range in a wide variety of flavors, from chocolate chip to guava, and are made with only the best, freshest ingredients. You can even add “schmear” – Benitan’s specialized version of icing – to create cookie sandwiches.
“ I THINK EVERY STEP OF BUILDING A SMALL BUSINESS IS AN ACCOMPLISHMENT...”
Benitan’s cookies are so good – and good for you – that even the Miami Heat eat them. The basketball team’s nutritionists work with Benitan every year to create unique flavors and themes for the players based on their favorite ingredients. Though she has her own website, she mostly sells on Goldbelly, an online foodie marketplace, and locally through the Little Local retail app. Her cookies are also available at Coral Gables’ Books & Books Café and you can find her on Instagram at @cookies__and__schmear.
“I think every step of building a small business is an accomplishment, and I try to face every new feat as such,” says Benitan. “The reason why you start a small business is to really thrive doing the things you love and to spread that love through your product. My cookies, I make them with so much love and intention and quality ingredients, and I know people feel that when they try them. That’s the gift. When you have the ability to do something with so much love and passion, you’re just continuously paying that forward.” – Kylie Wang ■
Dan Otero has been around baseball for much of his life. A Gables resident, Otero played baseball at Ransom Everglades High School before starting his collegiate career at Duke University and then transferring to South Florida for his senior season. Otero was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 21st round of the 2007 MLB Draft and made his professional debut with the Giants in 2012. The right-handed pitcher played eight seasons in the major leagues, competing with the Oakland Athletics, Cleveland Guardians, and the Giants.
Following his playing days, Otero served as an assistant with the Guardians’ Baseball Operations department, making draft and professional evaluations. In October 2021, Otero started working in the league’s commissioner office as senior director of on-field operations, where he obtains feedback on rule changes from players, coaches, and front office members to ensure that MLB makes the right decisions.
“BASEBALL HAS GIVEN A LOT TO ME. IT WAS A BIG PART OF MY LIFE GROWING UP...”
As a former player, Otero is always looking to give back to the community to better the futures of young baseball players. As a representative of MLB, he works with youth development programs across the nation. One of these programs is in Vero Beach, FL at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex, where kids who normally don’t have the means to promote their talents at high-profile showcases are able to show off in front of big-time scouts.
“Baseball has given a lot to me. It was a big part of my life growing up, going to Little League fields down here with my family,” says the Gables local. “Now, just to be still in it and hopefully having a positive impact on the game as a whole can be really fulfilling. I’m able to be there for my family and be a big volunteer at their school a lot, which I love doing, so it’s provided plenty of opportunity. It’s very fulfilling in that way.” – Luke Chaney ■
Gulliver students are equipped with a future-ready blend of knowledge, real-world skills, and character, preparing them to thrive beyond high school and pursue success on their own terms. Whether their interests lie in liberal arts, engineering, architecture, the arts, or business, our students are empowered to think, create, and grow – with purpose – so they can step into their futures with confidence and courage.
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STUDENT-ATHLETES CONTINUING THEIR ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC CAREERS AT THE COLLEGE LEVEL
American University
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Boston College
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Colleges with multiple matriculations in bold
Raider Yearbook: Gold Crown Award • Broadcasting: 7 Emmys, National Competition Winners
Congressional App Challenge Winner (Fl-27) • First Robotics: Roboticon Tournament Champions
Scholastic Art Awards: 5 Gold Keys, 11 Silver Keys • Dance Team Union State Champions Two All-State Musicians • Thespians: 113 Superior Scores, 30 Top Honors
Athletics: 75 All-Dade County Selections, 5 Regional Championships, 10 District Championships, 7 State Competition Appearances
Coral Gables Magazine presents your Summer Reading List, a collection of nonfiction favorites from former Miami Herald publisher and chair of The Children’s Movement of Florida David Lawrence, fiction and children’s books from the Mitch Kaplan’s team at Books & Books, and, to celebrate the city’s centennial, four books that will educate you on our city’s relatively short but eventful history. Some are page-turning beach reads, some will make you cry, some will make you laugh, and some will make you smarter. We’ll let you decide which is which.
Mark Twain
BY RON CHERNOW
Is there a better biographer today? None come to mind. I loved Chernow’s books on Hamilton, Washington, and Grant. This one is a masterpiece. I’ve admired Twain for decades because he grew all his life. This one’s not a quick read –1,039 pages – but worth it all. A complicated man, great storyteller (especially in his earlier books), great speaker, blessed with a great marriage, perfectly awful at making money. Fascinating story.
The Last Days of Budapest: The Destruction of Europe’s Most Cosmopolitan Capital in World War II
BY ADAM LEBOR
We’re in the Spring of 1944, the time of D-Day and Allied advances. Hitler’s generals surely knew the Nazi end was near, but he insisted that Hungary’s Jews needed to be eliminated, and so the trains ran day and night to Auschwitz. I’ve been there and seen the aftermath of evil. I’ve known the Holocaust and Hungary story for years, but never in deeper detail.
Accidental Tyrant: The Life of Kim Il-sung
BY FYODOR TERTITSKIY
Until this book, I knew next to nothing as to how North Korea and its generations-long despotism came to be. Here, we have the story of the grandfather of it all. We see his rise to power, his political prowess, the brutality of one family holding onto power – all leading to a nuclear-armed pariah among nations. We ought to know these things.
Dear Miss Perkins: A Story of Frances Perkins’s Efforts to Aid Refugees from Nazi Germany
BY REBECCA BRENNER GRAHAM
Frances Perkins, FDR’s Labor secretary and the first female Cabinet member in U.S. history, deserves to be remembered. As the Second World War approached, she worked diligently to give Jews a haven in the United States. FDR had other priorities. Advising him was also a State Department with a distinctly antisemitic cast. Her life is patriotism and decency at its best.
From David Lawrence Former Miami Herald Publisher Chair of The Children’s Movement
Sister, Sinner: The Miraculous Life and Mysterious Disappearance of Aimee Semple McPherson
BY CLAIRE HOFFMAN
A hundred years ago, Aimee Semple McPherson was the best-known woman in America and, certainly, the best-known evangelist. A pioneer in preaching, millions followed her words. She knew how to save souls and make money. In a huge mystery of the Roaring ‘20s, she disappeared. When she came back, she said she had been kidnapped. It’s worth sorting out today.
Rot: An Imperial History of the Irish Famine
BY PADRAIC X. SCANLAN
My father, whose forebears fled from famine in the 19th century, so frequently talked about his love for Ireland. Today, 10 percent of Americans come with that heritage. I didn’t know what made Ireland so special until my wife and I visited there in the ’90s. Over the years, I’ve read several books on this topic; this is the best by far.
Woodrow Wilson: The Light Withdrawn
BY CHRISTOPHER COX
I’ve read a number of books on Woodrow Wilson. This one stands out. He did some good things – the beginnings of the Federal Reserve, the appointment of the great Louis Brandeis to the Supreme Court. But he was also a terrible racist, and his inability to compromise at the end of the Great War contributed significantly to a failed peace that eventually gave us World War II.
The Devil at His Elbow and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty
BY VALERIE BAUERLEIN
I would have never read this book if a friend hadn’t insisted that it was superb storytelling. The author, a Wall Street Journal reporter, crafts a saga of a rural South Carolina family dispensing “justice” for generations and whose ultimate comeuppance involves murder by someone in that very family. It took a long time for justice to be served, but it was. Reporting and writing of genuine excellence.
The Antidote
BY KAREN RUSSELL
A mysterious mold threatens a community, causing fear and transformation. When a supposed cure – the “antidote” – is discovered, it brings unexpected consequences. This story blends magical realism with themes of contagion, human vulnerability, and the dangers of quick fixes. Russell explores how people react to crisis, often revealing deeper truths about identity, control, and our relationship with the unknown.
Great Black Hope
BY ROB FRANKLIN
Follow Smith, a queer Black Stanford graduate, who faces turmoil after a cocaine possession arrest in New York. Weeks after his roommate Elle’s mysterious death, Smith returns to Atlanta, burdened by his family’s expectations. In New York, he delves into the city’s underworld, seeking answers that may jeopardize his future. This novel explores themes of race, class, identity, and the search for hope amid adversity.
Twist
BY COLUM MCCANN
Irish journalist Anthony Fennell embarks on a journey aboard a cable-laying ship off the coast of Africa to write about undersea fiber-optic cable repairs. During the voyage, he becomes entangled in the life of John Conway, a charismatic engineer with a complex personal history. The novel explores themes of global connectivity, human relationships, and the fragility of both technology and emotion.
Atmosphere
BY TAYLOR JENKINS REID
Joan Goodwin, an astronomy professor, is selected to train for NASA’s Space Shuttle program in the 1980s. Amidst rigorous training, she forms deep connections with fellow astronaut candidates, including a transformative romance with Vanessa Ford. Set against the backdrop of space exploration, the novel explores themes of ambition, identity, and the profound impact of love and loss – and the lengths we go to live beyond our limits.
BY OCEAN VUONG
This is the story of a Vietnamese-born college dropout who becomes caretaker to an elderly Lithuanian widow in the bleak Connecticut town of East Gladness. This new novel by Vuong (his first was “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous”) seeks to find the dignity in dead-end jobs and explores the unlikely bond that develops over the course of a year, exploring the themes of chosen family and friendship.
BY EMILY HENRY
In this novel, two journalists, Alice Scott and Hayden Anderson, vie for the opportunity to write the biography of reclusive heiress Margaret Ives. Set on Little Crescent Island, the story unfolds over a month-long trial period where both writers must navigate professional rivalry, personal attraction, and the enigmatic history of the Ives family. Themes of ambition, love, and storytelling intertwine in this compelling narrative.
BY ASHA ELIAS
A new bunch of South Florida burnouts arrive for Transcendence Week at the Namaste Club yoga center, just inland from Florida’s sun-drenched Treasure Cost. An exclusive oasis of palms, lakes, and adorable guest villas, it’s a perfect getaway where Shakti, a serenely blond Instagram influencer, holds yoga retreats for wellheeled Miami ladies. The Namaste Club is a place of reflection, release and redemption…or at least, that’s the sales pitch.
BY GARY SHTEYNGART
Told through the eyes of 10-year-old Vera, this novel follows a multicultural family’s struggles in a fractured America. Vera seeks to reunite her parents and uncover the truth about her birth mother, all while navigating a world in turmoil. Shteyngart blends humor and poignancy to explore identity, love, and societal collapse. A sharply observant and bitterly funny story.
Old School Indian
BY AARON CURTIS
This raucously witty novel delves into the life of a young man grappling with his heritage and identity. Set against the contemporary backdrop of Mohawk Indian tribe, it explores themes of tradition, modernity, and personal growth. Curtis crafts a narrative that examines the complexities of cultural expectations and self-discovery. Says the Boston Globe: “Aaron John Curtis will be your new literary obsession.”
My Friends
BY FREDRIK BACKMAN
A group of four teenagers find solace in each other’s company during a transformative summer. Years later, one of them inherits a famous painting of the group on a pier and embarks on a journey to uncover its origins. This funny, deeply moving novel explores friendship, art, loss, and the impact of shared experiences on our future lives.
Katabasis
BY RF KUANG
A dark and captivating fantasy novel set in a world where magic, war, and politics intersect. The story follows a young soldier facing external and internal battles who embarks on a harrowing journey through treacherous lands. The term “katabasis,” meaning a descent into the underworld, is a key motif, symbolizing the protagonist’s emotional and physical journey into dangerous and morally ambiguous territory.
BY V.E. SCHWAB
Set over 500 years, this novel tells the tales of three sapphic women in stories about hunger, love rage and the ways in which women are told to be satiated even when they aren’t. Three women from different eras and different worlds – 1532 Santo Domingo, 1827 London, and 2019 Boston – are connected by shared themes of legacy, identity, and the passage of time, blending historical and contemporary elements in a fantasy setting.
BY CARL HIAASEN
In this laugh-our-loud satirical novel, Dale Figgo, a failed Capitol rioter, forms a Florida white-supremacist group to regain relevance. Entangled with a corrupt congressman and environmental crimes, he faces opposition from eco-vigilante Twilly Spree. Hiaasen critiques political extremism and corruption with humor and sharp commentary in this latest exploration of madness in the polarized heat of Florida.
BY ISABEL ALLENDE
In 1866 San Francisco, Emilia, born to an Irish nun and a Chilean aristocrat, becomes a journalist. She travels to Chile to cover the civil war, uncovering her father’s identity and confronting her heritage. Allende, the niece of Chile’s first Marxist president, weaves a tale of self-discovery, love, and historical upheaval.
BY STEPHEN KING
Detective Izzy Jaynes investigates a cryptic letter threatening mass murder, leading her to enlist famed King character Holly Gibney. Simultaneously, women’s rights activist Kate McKay faces a stalker. King intertwines these narratives in a gripping tale of justice and retribution that draws on both new and beloved old characters. A crime novel from the master of horror.
BY SILVIA MORENO GARCIA
A dark, atmospheric novel following three generations of women, The Bewitching tells the tale of Minerva, a graduate student who becomes obsessed with a decades-long mystery of a missing woman accused of being a witch. The more Minerva learns, the more she becomes convinced that the missing girl still walks the halls of her campus. Moreno-Garcia delivers a haunting tale rich in cultural detail.
Children
Crow is a solitary bird with a secret mission: to save the world from an impending asteroid. While other animals invite him to play, Crow remains focused, revealing his true identity as a secret agent. The story combines humor and adventure, with Crow’s single-word responses and a hidden code for readers to decipher.
BY IBI ZOBOI
This picture book offers a global perspective on the first day of school, showcasing diverse traditions and routines. From eating akara in Nigeria to learning names in Argentina, the narrative highlights the universal excitement of starting school. The lyrical text and vibrant illustrations celebrate cultural differences and shared experiences.
BY MATTHEW BURGESS
Set on a hot July day, two siblings in the city eagerly anticipate the Fourth of July fireworks. The story captures their day filled with playful moments, from jumping through a fire hydrant’s spray to enjoying watermelon. As night falls, they watch the sky light up with fireworks, experiencing the magic of the holiday.
BY PAUL TREMBLAY
In this middle-grade horror novel, Casey Wilson, ostracized after a traumatic incident, is visited by a strange boy named Morel during a sleepover. Morel’s unsettling presence and the growing distance between Casey and his parents lead him to question the nature of his new “friend.” Tremblay crafts a chilling tale of isolation and the eerie dynamics of an uninvited guest.
BY RM ROMERO
In a world where emotions manifest as tears, a young girl discovers her ability to collect and preserve them. As she navigates a society that commodifies emotions, she learns about the power of empathy, the value of feelings, and the importance of human connection. Romero’s novel delves into themes of emotional depth and societal norms.
BY AMELIA BOTHE
Ellie discovers a peculiar shell with a mysterious creature inside during recess. She keeps it a secret, but as the creature grows, it becomes heavy to bear. The story explores the weight of secrets and the relief found in honesty, with enchanting illustrations bringing the tale to life.
Intermediate Fiction
BY GRACI KIM
Fourteen-year-old Aria Loveridge, a Dreamslinger with the ability to enter a magical realm through sleep, joins a global competition to infiltrate the Royal League of Dreamslingers. Amidst trials and newfound friendships, Aria uncovers dark secrets about her past and the true nature of her powers. This fantasy novel blends adventure with themes of identity and self-discovery.
BY RITA WILLIAMS-GARCIA & SHAREE MILLER
In 1968, sisters Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern travel from Brooklyn to Oakland to spend the summer with their estranged mother, Cecile, a Black Panther activist. Instead of a vacation, they are sent to a day camp where they learn about activism, identity, and family. This graphic novel adaptation brings to life the original’s themes of empowerment and reconciliation.
Cognitive decline can steal the past, but it doesn’t have to steal the future. Pioneered to curb the effects of cognitive decline, Circle of Friends® is a unique, evidence-based program for building brain fitness. It was developed by Belmont Village in collaboration with the nation’s top universities and healthcare institutions — and it works. Residents enjoy a rich, therapeutic program of physical and mental activities designed to maintain brain function and build self-esteem. Learn more at BelmontVillage.com/CoralGables | 305-760-4408
BY PATRICK ALEXANDER
This comprehensive history chronicles Coral Gables’ evolution from its 1920s inception to its centennial celebration. Alexander delves into the city’s founding, development, and transformation, highlighting key events and figures that shaped its identity. The book offers insights into the architectural, cultural, and social milestones that define Coral Gables today.
BY ARISTIDES J. MILLAS
Millas’ guide offers a detailed exploration of Coral Gables’ architectural heritage. The book provides historical context, development patterns, and self-guided tours, showcasing the Mediterranean Revival style and other influences that characterize the city’s design. It’s an essential resource for architecture enthusiasts and those interested in urban planning.
BY ARVA MOORE PARKS
Parks’ biography illuminates the life of George Merrick, the mastermind behind the City of Coral Gables. Drawing from personal letters and documents, the book explores Merrick’s vision, challenges, and contributions to urban planning. It paints the portrait of a man whose ideals and determination left an indelible mark on South Florida’s landscape.
BY JOSÉ GELABERT-NAVIA
Gelabert-Navia’s work presents a visual and analytical study of Coral Gables’ architecture. Through drawings and texts, the book examines the city’s design principles, highlighting its Mediterranean-inspired structures and urban planning. It’s a scholarly resource for understanding the aesthetic and functional aspects of Coral Gables’ unique built environment.
There’s something remarkable about walking through the wooden doors of Coral Gables’ Hotel Colonnade for the first time. Depending on the time of day, the sunlight’s glare may darken the windows of the doors, preventing even a preview of the jaw-dropping interior that awaits. Once inside, the five-story rotunda opens before your eyes.
The peach and charcoal marble floor glimmers as if was shined that same morning. Columns, each capped with a tropical birdthemed Corinthian capital, encircle the grand room. A fountain tinkles in the center of the circular space, directly below the astonishing dome ceiling of the rotunda. At its center, a crown-shaped cupola serves as the centerpiece, surrounded by painted blue sky and white clouds, a contrast to the more traditional beiges and creams that make up the rotunda ceiling and walls. The Colonnade’s elegance, which pays homage to Spanish Colonial and
BY LUKE CHANEY / PHOTOS BY RODOLFO BENITEZ
Baroque architecture, extends to its exterior. The original roof was built using tiles from Cuba, the same source used by Coral Gables founder George E. Merrick for many of the buildings in his city. The overall design – according to the city’s “Colonnade Building and Surrounding Areas Designation Report” of 1984 – was inspired by Rome’s Castel Sant’Angelo. “One of the possibilities for this inspiration could be that Castel Sant’Angelo was a welcome stop for every pilgrim who visited the Vatican in Rome, just like the Colonnade Building was the welcome center for George Merrick’s dream city,” the report says.
Spearheaded by Phineas Paist, the senior architect of the city, with input from architect Walter De Garmo (behind Miami’s City Hall and
the Douglas Entrance) and designer Paul Chalfin (of Vizcaya fame), the construction of the Colonnade was finished in November 1926. It opened originally as the headquarters for the Coral Gables Sales Corporation, of which Merrick was president.
The Colonnade was intended as a selling point for potential land buyers in the new city, extorting Coral Gables’ lavishness at a building cost of almost $1 million dollars (equivalent to $18-plus million today). It featured 40 offices for the original Gables salesmen – a massive upgrade from a much smaller sales office that Merrick previously worked from across the street.
“I think it was more about the strength of having something to found the city,” says Karelia Carbonell, president of the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables.
“There was just so much growth in those early months that Merrick decided they needed a bigger office, and so this is how the Colonnade came about.”
The building was developed amid the Florida Land Boom in the 1920s, which exploded the greater South Florida population. During this time, 11 cities were born in the region, including Miami Beach, Hollywood, Miami Shores, Hialeah, and Coral Gables. Merrick and his salesmen expected the Colonnade to help accelerate Coral Gables’ real estate boom, which reached $150 million in sales (approximately $2.5 billion in today’s dollars) and $100 million in construction ($1.65 billion today), according to the 1984 designation report. Unfortunately for Merrick (and the rest of South Florida), the period of prosperity came to a screeching halt just two months before the Colonnade’s completion.
The Great Miami Hurricane of 1926 destroyed Coral Gables’ economy, as well as its housing stock. As the city stagnated, previous demand to buy property diminished severely, only to be further curtailed with the advent of the Great Depression. Though there was no longer a need for a massive sales center, the Colonnade still found use in the decades that followed. Basketball courts, Florida National Bank, and Columbia Pictures’ movie studio all called the Colonnade home at one point. During World War II, the building was even utilized as a parachute manufacturing facility to assist the Allies’ efforts.
With the Colonnade showing signs of age during the late 1980s, the building was sold to the Omni hotel group to be
“THERE WAS JUST SO MUCH GROWTH IN THOSE EARLY MONTHS THAT MERRICK DECIDED THEY NEEDED A BIGGER OFFICE, AND SO THIS IS HOW THE COLONNADE CAME ABOUT...”
transformed into a working hotel. But upon hearing about the planned alterations to one of the Gables’ oldest and most popular buildings, the community wasn’t entirely onboard. “There were a lot of protests because the community wanted to preserve the building,” Carbonell says. “And so, there was a compromise [to keep] the original building as it faces Ponce de Leon and then add the hotel in the back.”
Architects Spillis Candela and Partners designed the additional structures built behind and around the original rotunda, adding offices, a parking garage, and hotel rooms. Despite these modifications, the spirit and design of the original Colonnade remained intact, including its stately columns and a wraparound veranda that now accommodates three restaurants.
“It’s a blended building because you
THE COLONNADE UP CLOSE: ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS
don’t want to have a historic building and a new, modern building [together],” says Stephanie Kopfstedt, who has been the general manager at Hotel Colonnade since May 2023. “It wouldn’t feel the same. So, they kept everything in the [original] style. That’s why you have the high ceilings and chandeliers, because the whole idea is that it evolves together and it feels like one.” She adds: “I think that’s the uniqueness of the Colonnade. You have historical hotels in Miami [and] you have new hotels. This is the only one which actually blends both nicely together. It’s unique.”
Keeping its famous rotunda was important in not only separating the Colonnade from other hotels but also in paying respect to the city’s founder, whose original sales offices are still a part of the hotel. “[Merrick] planned the City of Coral Gables from the rotunda, so it’s a nice starting [place for] the city,” Kopfstedt says. “The rotunda has grown with the city.”
The new hotel/office complex was unveiled in 1988, around when it also welcomed the city’s first proper bar: the Doc Dammers Bar, named after Edward “Doc” Dammers, the first mayor of Coral Gables and the lead salesman who ballyhooed Merrick’s vision for the city. As a hotel bar with a liquor license, it became the go-to spot for Gableites craving a martini or mojito during a time when few places in the city served liquor.
Thanks to its picturesque domed ceiling, grand staircase, stained glass windows, and dramatic lighting, the Colonnade has also turned into a favorite spot for corporate events, elaborate birthday celebrations, and especially weddings – a lot of weddings.
“EVERYONE IN CORAL GABLES HAS EITHER GOTTEN MARRIED IN THE COLONNADE OR HAS ATTENDED A WEDDING HERE... THERE’S HARDLY ANYONE WHO’S NEVER BEEN TO AN EVENT AT THE ROTUNDA...”
STEPHANIE KOPFSTEDT, GENERAL MANAGER AT THE HOTEL COLONNADE
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COMPLETED IN 1926 TO HOUSE MERRICK’S SALES OFFICES, THE COLONNADE SURVIVED THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND MANY CHANGES OF USE IN THE DECADES THAT FOLLOWED BEFORE IT BECAME A HOTEL
TODAY THE COLONNADE IS PART OF THE MARRIOTT HOTEL BRAND WITH MAJOR COMPANIES SUCH AS RYDER OCCUPYING ITS NEWLY RENOVATED OFFICE BUILDING
“Everyone in Coral Gables has either gotten married in the Colonnade or has attended a wedding here,” Kopfstedt says. “There’s hardly anyone who’s never been to an event at the rotunda. It’s a great, unique connection.”
What has helped is the Colonnade’s location, centrally positioned in the heart of downtown Coral Gables at the intersection of Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Miracle Mile. Throughout its 37 years as a hotel, the building has maintained its status as the only hotel directly on the Mile. Guests have the luxury of strollable shops, restaurants, and theaters on the same street. “When you’re here, you don’t need an Uber, you don’t need a taxi, you don’t need a car,” Kopfstedt explains. “You arrive, and offices are only two blocks away. You fall out of the door, and you’re already in a restaurant.”
Since its opening, Hotel Colonnade has operated under several brands. It became The Westin Colonnade in 2007 and held this title until 2016, when the 157-room hotel underwent an $18 million renovation and reopened as part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. Today, the upstairs offices are also home to Ryder, the global transportation and logistics company that has its logo splashed across the top of the building. (Ryder is one of four Fortune 500 companies with headquarters in the Gables, joining Bacardi, MasTec, and Delmonte Fresh.) For the last two decades, Ryder had been firmly planted in nearby Medley, but with encouragement from city leaders, it made the move in late 2024. About 800 employees call the Coral Gables HQ home.
Amazingly, many members of the Colonnade’s first staff remain a part of the hotel to this day. “When people have been working together for so long, they become a part of something,” Kopfstedt says. “Everyone knows everyone. We celebrate everyone’s birthday. We celebrate everyone’s special occasions.”
Adding to the hotel’s sense of community, many of the Colonnade’s guests are regular visitors who have been staying at the hotel since its inauguration. “That’s the
“WHEN PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER FOR SO LONG, THEY BECOME A PART OF SOMETHING...”
STEPHANIE KOPFSTEDT, ON THE COLONNADE’S STRONG TIES TO THE COMMUNITY AND TRADITION
difference between hotels in Coral Gables and hotels in South Beach,” says Kopfstedt. “You get to know someone, and people feel like coming home.”
The Colonnade’s historic integrity is also maintained by an independent branding team, which performs an evaluation before even the smallest renovations to the Colonnade are done. Though the building is
now owned by Crescent Real Estate, which acquired Hotel Colonnade for $63 million in March 2023, alterations to the historic part of the structure must be approved by the city. The idea is to preserve the building’s special, historic identity. “Coral Gables is not cookie-cutter,” Kopfstedt says. “We don’t want to be cookie-cutter. It’s about being different, creating [unique] experiences.” ■
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BY YOUSRA BENKIRANE
It started with a plane, then a train, then finally a car that wound its way up into the Alps. By late March, the snow in St. Anton starts to soften – but the season is far from over. The mornings remain crisp, the peaks still powdered, and the runs as exhilarating as ever. Yet, the ambiance shifts. The sun lingers longer, terraces buzz with anticipation, and après-ski transforms into a sun-drenched celebration of spring.
I’d never skied in the spring before –or, to be honest, skied much at all. I grew up near the beach, not the mountains. But there was something appealing about the idea of learning in the Alps. It felt ambitious in the best way.
The Mooser Hotel sits just above the
village of St. Anton, seamlessly integrated into the slope beside one of the main runs. It doesn’t seek attention; instead, it harmonizes with its surroundings. The design is minimalist, emphasizing natural materials and panoramic views. From the room, I could see people flying past on trails I wasn’t brave enough to attempt (yet).
Here, “ski in, ski out” isn’t a marketing phrase; it’s a daily reality. Equipping ourselves in the hotel’s locker room, we stepped directly onto the slope. I started small: flat terrain, getting used to the boots, learning how to stop. The instructor was patient, and the snow, softened by the spring sun, was gentle on my falls. But within an hour, I was sliding. Not gracefully, but moving
MOOSER HOTEL
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nonetheless. The skiing exceeded my expectations: Springtime mornings offered firm conditions ideal for carving the snow, while afternoons brought a forgiving softness.
I took my time descending – side-stepping, stopping often, laughing through most of it. But I made it down.
There’s a rhythm to skiing in St. Anton that spring amplifies. As the mountain quiets in the afternoon, the valley comes alive. MooserWirt, just a short descent from the hotel, becomes a hive of energy at around 3 pm. The soundtrack? Straight house music blasting unapologetically. The dress code? Ski boots, sunglasses, maybe goggles
ABOVE: SPRINGTIME MORNING SKIING OFFERS FIRM CONDITIONS IDEAL FOR CARVING THE SNOW. IN THE AFTERNOON, THE SOFTER SNOW IS MORE FORGIVING FOR FALLING.
BOTTOM LEFT: THE CROWDED MOOSERWIRT APRÈS-SKI BAR NEAR THE HOTEL COMES ALIVE AFTER 3 PM WITH LOUD MUSIC AND DANCING
BOTTOM RIGHT: ST. ANTON IN THE EVENING OFFERS FONDUE SPOTS AND ALPINE TAVERNS
dangling off one arm. On more than one occasion, we finished our last run dancing shoulder-to-shoulder with Germans, Brits, or Austrians – strangers united by nothing more than snow and Schlager.
There are other kinds of après-ski events held in the alps, like MAJA, held at the Hospiz Alm’s sun terrace in St. Christoph. From noon, the terrace transforms into an open-air club, with DJs spinning electronic beats, champagne flowing, and dancers reveling under the alpine sun. It’s a fusion of mountain charm and modern festivity, drawing an international crowd seeking both thrill and chill.
After the music fades and the lifts stop spinning, the best place to land is
“THERE’S
A RHYTHM TO SKIING IN ST. ANTON THAT SPRING AMPLIFIES ...”
back at Mooser’s spa: a minimalist wellness space with saunas, steam rooms, and an indoor-outdoor pool that lets you float beneath snowflakes as the sun sets behind the peaks. In spring, that pool becomes a haven – warm water, cold air, and nothing on the agenda but recovery.
Dinner most nights was at the hotel’s restaurant, where Tyrolean staples – dumplings, mountain trout, roasted game – are prepared with a light hand and a strong sense of place. When we did venture into town, fondue spots and alpine taverns welcomed us in with wood-paneled walls, candlelight, and that casual, confident hospitality Austria does so well.
There’s a particular magic to spring skiing – one that can’t be replicated in January. It’s in the duality of it all: snow beneath your skis, sun on your face, a party at altitude, and silence on the chairlift. In St. Anton, the season doesn’t fade out; it crescendos. And for skiers chasing the last great days of winter – plus a little extra –the mountain is waiting. ■
BY AMANDA MARTELL
Located on Florida’s southwest coast, Naples is the kind of beach town that doesn’t need to shout to be heard. No neon signs, no bass-thumping clubs. Just polished charm, low-key luxury, and the kind of Gulf breezes that make you forget what your email password is.
On the quieter side of town, right along the Cocohatchee River, is The Perry Hotel Naples – a newcomer with old-soul energy. With 160 rooms, a rooftop pool, and on-site restaurants, The Perry is confident in what it offers: unfussy, well-composed, and in-step with its surroundings. Our room, a Riverview Balcony King Studio, was clean, modern, and easy on the eyes. But the real luxury was the balcony view – mangrove-lined
water, the occasional boat drifting by, and no sirens, screens, or deadlines.
Naturally, we bee-lined to the rooftop pool. The Tigress Rooftop Bar was just steps away, with cocktails being mixed and views that stretched for miles. It’s a scene where couples read, families snack, and friends sip drinks without anyone yelling “cheers” for the ‘gram.
For dinner with a touch of Southern charm, we walked to The Bay House, a local favorite with twinkling lights and just the right seafood aroma. Accessible through a private gate by the pool, the restaurant sits right on the water. Acoustic music drifted over the sound of lapping waves while we lingered over Gulf Coast oysters and a beau-
PERRY HOTEL NAPLES
tifully seared snapper. It felt like a dinner party you didn’t want to leave, hosted by someone who knows how to season things properly.
We kicked off the next morning with almond croissants and hot lattes from The Perry Coffee Shop before heading to our private fishing charter with AWE Marina.
TOP: THE BAY HOUSE RESTAURANT OOZES
SOUTHERN CHARM WITH RIVERFRONT VIEWS
MIDDLE: MOUTH-WATERING LOBSTER TAILS WITH GRILLED ASPARAGUS AND ARUGULA
BOTTOM: THE RIVER OFFERS SPECTACULAR SUNSETS WHILE ENJOYING AN EARLY EVENING COCKTAIL AT THE EASY TIGER RESTAURANT
Pickup was from the dock behind the hotel, but if the tides are low or the winds kick up, a shuttle is available to take you to where the boat is normally docked. You can also walk to the marina, but we just didn’t want to sweat. Out on the Gulf, dolphins made an early appearance, and I reeled in a small black sea bass – a modest bounty, but a rewarding moment that made the morning a win for someone whose idea of catching seafood usually involves a fork and a lemon wedge.
After fishing, we recovered with lunch at Bodega Poolside Bar. We ordered the grouper sandwich and a frozen daiquiri that was dangerously good: citrusy, icy, and stronger than it looked. A pool nap may or may not have followed.
That evening, we dined at Easy Tiger, a polished, down-to-earth spot where we shared the Chilled Lobster Bao: soft buns, spicy aioli, and pickled radish that hit all the right notes. The filet mignon and picanha steak followed; I’d go back just for the sesame soy glaze.
On our final day, we did what any emotionally attached guest would do: delayed checkout and soaked up every last ray by the pool. As the sky turned amber, we joined AWE Marina’s sunset cruise. Boats glided across the water like they were in a painting, and dolphins popped up right on cue like they were paid to perform. The whole scene felt too perfect to be real – like nature’s version of a mic drop.
One last craving hit before packing up, so we returned to The Bay House for a final dinner. No debate – just a craving for something familiar and quietly elegant. I ordered the Paris bistro-style lobster tails with grilled asparagus and arugula, and we toasted with glasses of champagne. It was the kind of dinner that doesn’t need a grand finale – just a few more bites, another sip, and a slow walk back to the room.
As we rolled our bags out to the car, we still weren’t ready to leave. And that is the best compliment a hotel can receive. The Perry doesn’t try to dazzle you with flash. It just nails every detail with quiet consistency. Other beach towns may be louder, but Na-
I’m lying face down on a soft bed of downy white sheets, with a towel over me. In the background, there is nothing but the sound of distant waves crashing, accompanied by the twittering of birds and a tinkling piano melody. Wood boards creak as my massage therapist shifts her weight to put more pressure on a stubborn knot between my shoulder blades. If I looked up, I could see the cerulean waters of the Caribbean splayed out before me and a small seaplane coming to rest on the tarmac a couple of miles down the road, where South Caicos’ airport lies.
There’s only one international route in and out of the island, and that’s why we’re here, having arrived on a Wednesday afternoon direct flight out of Miami International Airport. American Airlines’ new route flies in and out of the island on Wednesdays and Saturdays, meaning you no longer have to fly into Providenciales (Turks & Caicos’ most popular island) and then take a puddle jumper to South Caicos. Providenciales is a beautiful but crowded island, chock full of resorts. By contrast, South Caicos has only two hotels across its eight square miles of mostly uninhabited wilderness. We’ve chosen Sailrock for our stay, a semi-private four-
BY KYLIE WANG
star resort with views of both the Atlantic and the Caribbean.
Driving down the dirt road to Sailrock, you might think you’re enroute to provincial accommodations. But it’s Sailrock’s seclusion that is its great draw. In our oceanfront villa, which looks onto the Atlantic, it feels like you’re the only people on the island. At night, we leave the screen doors open and listen to the sound of waves, swimming in our private pool by starlight, brighter than we can believe. In the afternoon, we sip on rum punch and go on excursions into South Caicos’ environs.
First, there’s an ATV tour of the island, exploring rocky cliffside terrain with views of the Caribbean as we white-knuckle the handlebars. We stop near the flats, where kayaks take us along the mangrove-lined
ABOVE: A PRIVATE MASSAGE OUTSIDE YOUR PRIVATE VILLA WITH VIEWS ACROSS THE BLUE WATERS OF THE CARIBBEAN
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shore. After a short paddle, we get out and explore the sandbars, picking up sunset-colored shells. Our guide, Ben, points out various fish, including a juvenile nurse shark that swims mere feet from us.
Then there’s a boat tour on crystal clear water. We come upon a small uninhabited island with bleached conch shell “graves,” where fishermen have tossed harvested shells onto the shore. We hike to a point where we
“IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE IS HAPPY HERE, FROM THE STAFF TO THE GUESTS...”
can see both the Atlantic and the Caribbean, bisected only by the narrow ridge of the island. In the distance, we can see “The Wall,” where the ocean drops off suddenly to 7,000-feet: a perfect spot for divers exploring the world’s third-largest barrier reef. Then we visit a “garden” of starfish, where the foot-long creatures are visible every 10 or 20-feet in the water, along with fish of all sizes, colors, and shapes – even a barracuda. On the way back, a fisherman waves to us – later, as we lunch at the local Sunset Cafe, we see him again, presumably having just dropped off his catch. Here, we have scrumptious snapper and jerk chicken, along with cold I-Soon Reach beer, a light ale from a brewery on nearby Grand Turk island. At night, the only manmade light we can see is from its distant shores, where about 4,000 people and the cruise ship port live.
South Caicos is one of Turks & Caicos’ smaller islands, with a population of only
ABOVE:
RESORT ON AN EIGHT-SQUARE-MILE ISLAND WITH VIEWS OF BOTH THE ATLANTIC AND THE CARIBBEAN. OUR VILLA INCLUDES A PRIVATE POOL, A FULL KITCHEN, AND TWICE-DAILY HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES
about 1,200. We meet locals, as well as natives from other Caribbean islands like St Lucia, and even an affable bartender named Agus who hails from Bali, Indonesia, and teaches us how to craft his signature cocktails.
It seems like everyone is happy here, from the staff to the guests, most of whom we barely see except during meals at the Cove or the lobby’s Great House restaurant. We live in near perfect seclusion inside our villa, which includes a private pool, a full kitchen, and twice-daily housekeeping services.
On our last night, a chef comes to the villa and cooks up ribeye and snapper for us. We drink glasses of wine and exchange emphatic wishes to return, or to only have just one more day, struck by what ancient philosophers considered one of the fundamental properties of being: natural beauty. ■
What native South Florida tree has big leaves, delicious fruit, prized wood, coastal toughness, and surprising medicinal uses? It’s that Seagrape you see growing along our beaches and tucked into inland landscapes! We often forget about the Seagrape – but no longer!
Seagrape, Coccoloba uvifera, is a native flowering tree found throughout South and Central Florida, as well as in parts of the Caribbean and Central America. Its common name refers to its natural beachfront habitat and to the clusters of round, reddish-purple fruit it produces, which resemble (you guessed it) grapes. These fruits are not only edible – they’re delicious, often turned into jellies, preserves, and even fermented into wine. Bees adore its flowers, and Seagrape honey is prized for its rich, floral flavor. This coastal beauty can grow up to 50-feet tall and spread 30-feet wide, but it’s also remarkably versatile. It thrives in salty air, sandy soils, and even windy conditions, making it a go-to choice for coastal resilience. Yet it grows just as happily inland when given the right conditions. Gardeners often prune it into sculptural tree forms or cultivate it as a dense privacy hedge. Its large, leathery leaves shift from bright green to crimson as they age, adding year-round color and drama to the landscape.
Ecologically, Seagrape is a powerhouse. It stabilizes sand dunes, helps prevent erosion, and creates habitats for native wildlife. It’s a nectar plant for butterflies like the
BY EMILY DE ARMAS, CORAL GABLES GARDEN CLUB
Florida Duskywing and Julia, and its fruit is a favorite of birds, raccoons, and even iguanas. The dense branches provide shelter and shade for small animals and pollinators alike. And there’s more: this tree is a treasure trove of folk remedies. Nearly every part has been used in traditional medicine, from bark to leaf to fruit, with emerging scientific research supporting many of these time-tested uses. Historically, it’s been used to treat sore
throats, digestive issues, and skin conditions. Maybe it’s time to take another look at this so-called ordinary tree. The Seagrape is a native gem hiding in plain sight – practical, beautiful, ecologically essential, and yes, perfectly imperfect. Okay, it may drop some leaves, but that just gives us a reason to head into the garden and connect with nature. A little exercise, a little wonder, and a whole lot of Florida charm? Sounds pretty perfect to me. ■
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For the past two years, our stories about historic preservation have been co-authored by Karelia Martinez Carbonell, president of the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables, and her colleague Bruce Fitzgerald. Bruce passed away in April. In his honor, we are running this personal tribute by Karelia.
It is with great sadness and sorrow that I sit to write this tribute. My dear friend and beloved colleague has passed away. And I am heartbroken. He was my soul brother and creative twin. We’d say to each other “We’re like two peas in a pod,” and we’d laugh, knowing how special our friendship was. I am devastated by this unexpected loss. Bruce was the utmost gentleman. Refined. Elegant. A diplomat in the way he conducted himself in society. He was sweet, kind and caring. He was a creative genius. A wordsmith who crafted beautiful sentences and used language that moved the reader. He was a meticulous dresser. He loved it when I called him a “fashionista.” He wore designer suits with colorful high-top vintage converse sneakers. He was an optimist who exuded a “joie de vivre” – an enjoyment of life. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and loved books, theater, and music. He loved Sundays, when he looked forward to watching football games while reading his New York Times. He devoured every article that had to do with the arts and architecture. He was clever and witty. He’d always have a quote to share. One of his favorites was, “I say it’s spinach and the hell with it.” The quote was from a 1928 New Yorker cartoon, which, according to Bruce, played off how people ‘back in the day’ were not generally enamored of spinach. It became a catchword for “it is all nonsense.”
Another Bruce favorite saying for his daily routine was, “I wake up in the morning
and brush my teeth, and then I sharpen my tongue.” It was a 1940s quote attributed to writer Dorothy Parker, one of Bruce’s favorites because of her wit.
Bruce was also an ardent preservationist. He loved all types and styles of architecture – he’d say “the message is in the mix.” He was relentless in penning support for the preservation of historically significant buildings or resources, whether in Coral Gables, New York, Los Angeles, or beyond. Bruce was an early advocate for saving, from the brink of demolition, the 1970s brutalist-style Public Safety Building on Salzedo Street (see Talk of the Town).
Bruce was a native New Yorker who moved to Coral Gables 25 years ago. He studied architecture at Georgia Tech and graduated from Columbia University. He was a co-founder of Miami-based Evans & Fitzgerald Advertising and was the proud owner of two historically designated homes in the Gables. He was a long-time member of the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables (HPACG) for which he designed the organization’s iconic logo, taking its visual cue from one of the signature decorative components of 1920s architecture – the handmade tiles that graced the walls, floors, doorways, stairways, and fountains of Mediterranean Revival-style homes in Florida, especially Coral Gables and Palm Beach. When the logo was unveiled, he remarked: “At HPACG, the past is always present. It is part of our mission to protect and preserve
the buildings and monuments in Coral Gables that best exemplify our collective history.” At the time of his passing, Bruce served as vice president of the HPACG board of directors.
Bruce was also the co-author of a new book, “Coral Gables: The Moderns,” which documents the city’s distinctive modern buildings, circa 1960 - 1980. “What a long road we have traveled together to end up here, with an actual book to show for our efforts,” he told me recently. “And a pretty good book at that. Who’d a thunk it!” ■
Donations in honor of Bruce Fitzgerald may be given to the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables, P.O. Box 347944, Coral Gables, FL 33234, or online at paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/122201
AN ADVENTURE IN WHICH A FORMER MAYOR CONTINUES TO SEEK THE “SOUL” OF HIS HOMETOWN
BY DON SLESNICK
This month, my ramble around the community has fortuitously led me to the Coral Gables Adult Activity Center, located on the ground floor of the parking garage situated on Andalusia Avenue just a half block west of Douglas Road. Incidentally, I take personal pride in the fact that the construction of this modern building was part of the agreement reached during the negotiations between my Commission and the management team that built The Palace (which was our city’s first senior-living facility).
Our community recreation director, Fred Couceyro, has informed me: “This Center reflects our city’s commitment to enriching the lives of residents who have reached a ‘mature’ age. With approximately a thousand active members and more than 45 different programs, the center is a hub of activity encouraging creativity and lifelong wellness. Weekly classes include subject matters such as fitness, technology, art, and dance. It serves as a welcoming space where residents can stay engaged and socially connected.” And by the way, I should mention that membership in the Center is FREE!
I was taken on a comprehensive guided tour by Gregory Walters, the Center’s assistant supervisor, who impressively knew the names of all the many persons we encountered. In the middle of a weekday afternoon, it was difficult to believe the frenetic level of activity that was evident throughout the facility.
We first encountered a card room full of bridge players; as we proceeded down the hall, a meeting of the “Joy Share Club” was taking place, which featured a lecture by attorney Laura Morgan Horton regarding estate planning; turning the next corner, we came upon an area set aside for members to utilize computer equipment; and, in a larger conference room, we found the weekly gathering of the Current Events Discussion Group (in which homebound residents can participate by Zoom). Jim Berlin, who has co-chaired these discussions for the past two years, feels that the Activity Center is too often overlooked as a major benefit for the city’s residents.
TOP LEFT: THE CARD ROOM FULL OF HAPPY BRIDGE PLAYERS
TOP RIGHT: THE JOY SHARE CLUB AT A LECTURE BY ATTORNEY LAURA MORGAN HORTON REGARDING ESTATE PLANNING
ABOVE RIGHT: THE CURRENT EVENTS DISCUSSION GROUP, CO-CHAIRED BY JIM BERLIN, ALLOWS RESIDENTS TO AIR THEIR VIEWS
Thus, he encourages other seniors to become members and add their viewpoints to the informative debates about issues facing our community and our nation.
A real surprise came when the tour ended at the indoor, air-conditioned pickleball court! Yes – we can now play our country’s fastest growing sport in the comfort of cool air and with the luxury of avoiding skin cancer without the annoying application of sunscreen.
The knowledge, wisdom, and experience of our senior citizens are certainly important components of our community’s soul – and the Adult Activity Center is a recognition of their importance. As President Lincoln observed: “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” (RIP dear friend and fellow Gator, Mark Trowbridge.) ■
This column appears monthly by Don Slesnick, who served as mayor of Coral Gables from 2001 to 2011. For suggestions on where he should next meander in search of the city’s soul, email to: donslesnick@scllp.com.
FIRST ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: Caitlin Savage (Emory University), Aaron Rojas-Avila (Northwestern University), Nina-Rose Lecoultre (McGill), Sebastian Druck (Fordham), Reese Durand-Hernandez (University of Florida), Anais Jamali (New York University), Sebastian Lopez (Notre Dame), Augustine Desbois (Northeastern), Juan Varela (Duke)
SECOND ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: Divya Dave (Purdue), Nathalie Schwart (University of Michigan), Lily Goron (Syracuse University), Allison De L'Orne D'Alincourt (Cornell), Perla Santos (University of Virginia), Antonio Vazquez (Columbia University), Felipe Escobar (Boston University), Julia Volman (UCLA)
THIRD ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: Alejandra Alberti (Florida State University), Anthony Fajardo (University of Miami), Taronish Unwalla (Johns Hopkins), Lucia Novo (Georgia Tech), Angelina Mor (UT Austin), Katherine Barboza (Davidson), Christopher Arriaza (UC Berkeley), Michelle Hernandez (Princeton), Ti any Beh (University of Southern California)
Each month we publish a select list of restaurants that we recommend for our readers. We cannot, of course, include the Top 100 each month, so this month we are featuring 41 of the best in the categories of Italian, Hispanamerican, and French. Next month we will look at the best of American, Mediterranean, Seafood, and Steak Houses, as well as Pubs & Cafes – along with some of our other perennial favorites.
$ ............ Under $25
$$ .......... $25-$40
$$$ ........ $35-$75
$$$$ ...... $70-$100+
Prices are per person for appetizer and entrée, without tax, tip, or drinks. Prices are approximations.
With so many Italian restaurants in Coral Gables, it’s incredible how hard it is to find a good slice of pizza. But 450 Gradi’s pizzas are wonderfully inventive, featuring ingredients like Italian buffalo cheese, basil pesto, pork cheek, and truffle cream. Under the direction of Chef Antonio, dishes like the branzino, veal, and salmon filet are equally full of panache. 130 Miracle Mile #101. 786.391.1276 $$$
Bugatti prides itself on its pasta – and for good reason, since the restaurant started as a pasta factory. The décor is simple and contemporary, with lots of booths, and the service is crisp and superb, with most of the staff having worked here for over a decade. The dinner menu is straightforward, with pasta dishes under $20 and entrees under $30. And as many dessert listings (12) as pasta choices. 2504 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.441.2545 $$
Caffe Abbracci
A Gables icon, Nino Pernetti’s Italian restaurant is both a power lunch favorite for the business elite and a cozy evening gathering place for families and couples. Abbracci is quiet and elegant, and the food is so consistently good that Pernetti had to publish his own cookbook. Plus, unique sound dampers mean you can always be heard. 318 Aragon Ave. 305.441.0700 $$$
Caffe Vialetto
Not a huge menu, but when it comes to risotto, pappardelle, fettuccini, and ravioli, they do it right. And we love
their Wednesday and Thursday “family” dinners for $100, with lots of great dishes, that serve four or five diners. Reservations required, always full. 4019 Le Jeune Rd. 305.446.5659 $$$
Brought to you by Washington, D.C. Chef Fabio Trabocchi, this is fine dining at its finest. From the place settings to the artwork to the innovative cuisine, Fiola offers an exquisite dining experience. Among their must-try dishes are the porcini mushroom soup, sea scallops ceviche, and the signature lobster ravioli. Beautiful presentations. 1500 San Ignacio Ave. 305.912.2639 $$$$
Fontana
The ambiance is as elegant as it comes: the Biltmore’s famed fountain courtyard. You can sit under the stars, in a covered archway, or inside to enjoy classic Italian dishes. Fresh ingredients, from the salads to the homemade pasta. Excellent seafood. One of the most romantic restaurants in the Gables.
1200 Anastasia Ave. (Biltmore Hotel) 305.913.3200 $$$
They will tell you they serve “continental” fusion cuisine, and yes, there is a touch of French and Spanish cooking here. But the chicken Florentine, ravioli aragosta, ravioli zucca, golden calamari, and veal ossobuco say otherwise. Well-prepared dishes in an intimate setting make this a romantic choice. 325 Alcazar Ave. 786.420.2910 $$$-$$$$
Fratellino
Small, family-run, with a fanatically loyal fan base and brilliant Italian comfort food. The long narrow set up with tile floors, wooden chairs, and tablecloths makes it feel like New York’s Little Italy. Their calamari, in any variation, is superb, as is the fettuccine with prosciutto, mushrooms, and green peas. 264 Miracle Mile. 786.452.0068 $$$
Yet another entry into Coral Gables’ spate of Italian eateries, Il Duomo Dei Sapori appears to have simply mate-
rialized as a fully formed fine dining restaurant on Ponce. Our favorite here is the chicche di patate al tartufo ($35), which is code for “creamy gnocchi with truffle.” Excellent cuisine. 2312 Ponce de Leon. 305.381.5604 $$$-$$$$
The showstoppers here, at Fiola’s reinvented rooftop bar, are the fish and meat. The one-pound Margaret River New York Strip is an Australian Wagyu of exceptional flavor, rich and easily shared by a party of four. The fish is painted with an Adriatic blend of herbs in oil, like herb butter but less fatty, which lets the skin crisp to a sweet wafer that compliments the moist morsels of fish. Yum. 1500 San Ignacio Ave. 305.912.2639 $$$-$$$$
An Italian fine dining spot by local celebrity Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli (Eating House), Luca Osteria is a reservation-only hit for dinner on Giralda Plaza. Rapicavoli’s inventive take on classic Italian food is fresh and new; the pasta al limone and mortadella toast with fig balsamic are just the beginning. Great Italian cocktails. 116 Giralda Ave. 305.381.5097 $$$-$$$$
When they bring the pecorino cheese wheel to the table to toss your pasta, you’re in heaven. Short of that, they do a fine job with the fritto misto, a mixture of calamari, shrimp, filet of sole, tiny artichokes, and zucchini, all lightly fried. Equally appetizing is the fresh burrata with heirloom tomatoes, a deceptively simple salad of tomato and burrata cheese. 2530 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 786.359.4275 $$$
Trattoria-style Salumeria is now two years old, with a loyal clientele, especially at lunchtime. Partly, that is because the food and ambience is authentically Northern Italian and rustic. It may also be thanks to their inventive pastas, and sandwiches of artisan cured meats, always fresh and flavorful. Those sliced salumi meats are buono! 117 Miracle Mile. 305.640.5547 $$
Terre started out as primarily a pizza place, and their Neapolitan style pizza – cooked in a massive wood-burning over – won the Best Pizza in the Gables from Coral Gables Magazine. Now they have expanded to include a signature osso Bucco, along with an array of pasta dishes. Nice seating outside as well. 246 Giralda Ave. 786.870.5955 $$
The brainchild of Lucio Zanon and his son Sebastiano — who previously launched Portosole — Tullio is Italian cuisine with a northern Venetian sensibility, a focus on seafood, and some very inventive pasta dishes. The fish is exceptionally fresh, the branzino flown in from the waters of Italy, the shrimp from the waters of Argentina, and the lobster from the waters of Maine. Winner of Coral Gables Best Fine Dining 2024 award, always a table-side show of impeccable hospitality. 2525 Ponce de Leon. 305.926.4208 $$$-$$$$
Located at the elegant St. Michel hotel, this is a star in the galaxy of Italian eateries in the Gables. Distinctly northern Italian, with recipes that Chef Fabrizio Piga brings to life in a legendary location. Modern Italian design, sophisticated, with great service. Moving to the Regency Parc development in 2026, but for now still in the old hotel – and the hands down power lunch place in town. 162 Alcazar Ave. 786.580.3731 $$$-$$$$
Yes, they serve a dozen types of ceviche here. But it’s the breadth of the menu that impresses, with traditional soups, grilled meats, wok stir fries, and signature dishes such as aji de gallina (shredded chicken in yellow pepper sauce) and seco de res (beef stewed in beer and cilantro, with vegetables). Good service, good prices, nice ambiance. 1930 Ponce de León Blvd. 305.476.5886 $$
Congratulations to The City Beautiful as we commemorate and celebrate a century of rich history. The Biltmore is proud to be the iconic epicenter of one of America’s first planned cities. Here’s to another 100 great years.
Baire’s
One of our favorite spots for an outdoor happy hour, with comfortable lounge seats snuggled underneath the Hotel Colonnade’s imposing arches and a dimly lit marble bar inside. Our favorites are the delicately flavored fruit-based martinis, paired with the small bar plates on happy hour. Great Argentinean steaks.180 Aragon Ave. 76.409.5121 $$$
Bistro Café
The popular Puerto Rican restaurant has opened a location in the Gables following its stellar success in Downtown Miami. Lucky for us, they brought their upscale breakfast, right by The Shops at Merrick Park. All-day breakfast is never a bad idea, especially when it’s this good. The expansive menu has a huge list of savory and sweet options, from innovative plates to upgraded classics. 4155 Laguna St. 305.530.8193 $$
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila’s eighth location gives us our latest go-to locale for all-day quick bites, including a hidden backroom mezcal lounge. The wide selection of tacos mixed with unconventional interpretations solidifies Bodega as a true taqueria, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get the classics here. And, of course, grab a shot of tequila. 317 Miracle Mile. 786.785.1501 $$
As valued for its cocktails as for its tapas, Bulla is also something Coral Gables needs – an informal, smart neighborhood hangout with a young, boisterous vibe. Great “small plates” and refreshing sangria. Yes, it is a national chain, but it still feels local. 2500 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.441.0107 $$
CVI.CHE 105
If you want to delve into the wide array of flavors that Peru has to offer, there is no better place than CVI.CHE 105 at The Plaza Coral Gables. The menu is rich with seafood, including a fine selection of tiraditos, ceviches, and rolls, along with an array of fried and grilled selections of mahi mahi, snapper, Pacific white fish, shrimp, etc. And there’s even a special Gables menu that you won’t find at anyther locations. This is the flagship of the local chain, and it show. 111 Palermo Ave. #108. 786.527.3939 $$-$$$
Bringing a taste of Peru to Giralda Plaza, Divino Ceviche is known, as you might guess, for its ceviche. From the ceviche tradicional to the ceviche de mercado to the ceviche nikkei, there’s no shortage of the stuff. The restaurant also has notable non-ceviche dishes like octopus croquetas and a tasting of three different causas (layered potatoes with chiles, avocados, tuna, boiled eggs, onion). 160 Giralda Ave. 786.360.3775 $$
Francesco
The latest fusion restaurant in the Gables is a marriage between Peruvian and Italian, a slightly strange but happy coupling that combines ceviche and lomo saltado with squid ink risotto and New York strip steak. Still, Peruvian remains the focus here, especially when it comes to the appetizers, where all but one is seafood. The cocktails are fabulous, as is the canelones de aji de gallina, a sort of Peruvian-Italian enchilada. 278 Miracle Mile. 305.797.4039 $$$
Graziano’s
This large, popular Gables mainstay is true Argentine. A deep selection of Argentine wines (which line several walls) go with beef slowly roasted over a quebracho wood fire, old schoolstyle. They have seafood and pasta, empanadas and salads, but come here for the meat – it’s a carnivore’s delight. 394 Giralda Ave. 305.774.3599 $$$
Havana Harry’s
This cavernous restaurant has been a mainstay for Cuban food in the Gables for years, with a huge following. The main attraction, beside traditional Cuban food, are the large servings. No one leave hungry. 4612 Lejeune Rd. 305.661.2622 $$
La Casita
This family run eatery is the true home of Cuban comfort food, with an ambiance and prices both straight from the
1950s. In a small shopping center on the north side of Calle Ocho, La Casita is a throwback to another era, with full meals still available for $13.95. And great café con leche to wash it down 3805 SW 8th St. 305.448.8224 $$
The specialty here is ham, as you might guess. It’s no ordinary ham, but the gourmet Iberico ham that is raised in a special place in Spain and raised on a special diet of local acorns. You can enjoy this ham in sandwich or sliced form – but there is also a short but authentic menu of traditional Spanish foods, from white anchovies, to stuffed red peppers, to potato and egg tortillas, etc. Pleasant outdoor seating, or inside with the hung hams. 359 Miracle Mile. 786.360.4376 $$-$$$
Ecuadorian restaurant La Pata Gorda has expanded to Coral Gables, the first outside of its home country. The restaurant’s name alludes to eating the tender Ecuadorian crabs family-style, where everyone is vying to get their hands on “the fat crab leg.” The star appetizer here is the carapacho croquetas, filled with Ecuadorian mangrove crab meat and combined with sweet and spicy plantains and a red pepper aioli. 232 Miracle Mile. 786.963.8171 $$$
La Taberna Giralda
Routinely rated among the top tapas
places in South Florida, La Taberna brings the added twist of a chef from Galicia, who puts his own regional spin on the dishes. It’s a small place with a neighborhood vibe, orange walls, string lights and live flamenco on the weekends ($5 cover), so reservations are a must. Great lunch specials. 254 Giralda Avenue 786.362.5677 $$
With three stories, three menus, and three different concepts for lunch, dinner, and happy hour/drinks, Maiz y Agave is probably Coral Gables’ most ambitious restaurant. The first floor is devoted to a more casual lunch, the second floor is for a more refined dinner, and the rooftop bar has spectacular sunset views of City Hall. Every dish here comes straight out of Oaxaca, Mexico – including the insects! 375 Miracle Mile. 305.723.9898 $$-$$$
With over 35 locations in Mexico, restaurant chain Ojo de Agua now has a second location in Miami, right here on Miracle Mile. Ojo de Agua provides Gableites with a long list of fresh options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even late-night bites (it’s open until 10 pm on weekdays), but what differentiates it from the slew of other health-conscious restaurants is its nod to authentic Mexican flavors, albeit adapted for the American palate. 219 Miracle Mile. $$
Peruvian seems to be the taste of 2024, including the opening of ceviche gastrobar Pisco y Nazca. This prime location, formerly the Miller Ale House, received a modernizing facelift and has myriad seating options ideal for happy hour outings and group dinners. The pisco sours are exquisite. 101 Miracle Mile. 786.810.2266 $$-$$$
The newest edition to Coral Gables’ tapas scene has arrived. Tabanco has all of the usual suspects: croquetas, patatas bravas, Jamón Iberico, etc., most under $17, except for the Iberico slices. Our favorite dish is the puntas de Ssolomillo entrée, an Iberian pork tenderloin that comes swimming in a Cabrales blue cheese sauce. With hand-cut potatoes on the side, a perfect bite is a combination of each of the three elements. 327 Alhambra Cir. 786.449.5203 $$$
Talavera Cocina Mexicana
Recently renovated, this is a pleasant place to dine, but it’s the authentic fare that shines. The place for Mexicans homesick for cooking that’s not Tex-Mex. The chicken mole poblano is a winner, and their huarache grill –masa flatbreads that are really haute tacos – are great. Somewhat pricy, but delicious. 2299 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.444.2955 $$-$$$
Bouchon Bistro
Michelin-starred Chef Thomas Keller is considered one of the top masters of French cuisine in the country, which he proves with aplomb at his latest venture into traditional French fare. With romantic courtyard seating outside at the restored La Palma Hotel and an elegant interior, to sup in Bouchon is to dine in late 19th century Paris. Try the Poulet Roti and the rainbow trout. 2101 Galiano St. 305.990.1360 $$$-$$$$
Chocolate Fashion
Known primarily for its baked goods – in particular anything made with chocolate, including the best chocolate cakes anywhere in the Gables – it also serves up good basic French fare, with a couple of cute tables streetside. Good coffee as well, and an excellent place to break croissant for breakfast. 248 Andalusia Ave. 305.461.3200 $$
A little on the pricey side, but really good bistro style dishes served from a new blackboard selection daily. Among our favorites here is the roast chicken, the sauteed trout and the bucket of mussels served with French fries. Sacre bleu! 2618 Galiano St. 305.442.4554 $$-$$$
Pascal’s on Ponce
Chef Pascal Oudin has been at his craft for several decades, and no one does better with haute French cuisine. His food is the stuff of legend, done old school style in a way that would make Julia Child jealous. His chocolate souffles are beyond compare and the good news is that they are now open for lunch. Great place of a special date. 2611 Ponce de Leon 305.444.2024 $$$-$$$$
It is a small, humble place off the mile, though nicely done with lots of woodwork. Their specialty is, of course, crepes, but done as a roll, sort of like a French ice cream cone but with sweet or savory fillings. Our favorite: Brie cheese with apple and walnut. The dulce de leche pistachio isn’t bad either. 2423 Galiano St. 786.402.1732 $
Sweet Paris
The new home for that quintessentially French phenomenon: the crepe. And they have all the varieties here, from the savory chicken, ham, turkey, and salmon – even a Philly cheesesteak – to the sweet dessert crepes such as Nutella, dulce de leche, and our favorite: lemon with whipped butter and a dusting of vanilla bean sugar. You can also get salads (goat cheese!) and paninis, all in a bright, open setting. 3005 Ponce de Leon Blvd. (The Plaza Coral Gables). 786.360-3519 $$
This arch of flowers provides shade and a pop of color to one of Coral Gables’ most iconic streets. If you know where it’s located, send the answer to kwang@coralgablesmagazine.com along with your home address. The first four
winners will win two tickets to the Actors’ Playhouse or GableStage production of their choice and the next 10 will receive two tickets to the Coral Gables Museum. Last month’s “Where Am I?” was the dome atop The Palace.
For over 70 years, Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables has been more than just a dealership; we’ve been part of the heartbeat of our community. From the tree-lined streets of Miracle Mile to the timeless charm of the Biltmore, we've witnessed the growth of Coral Gables, and we’ve grown with it.
Generations of families have trusted us with their journeys—whether it’s the first car for a new graduate or a symbol of achievement for a lifetime of hard work. We’ve celebrated milestones with you, shared in your success, and taken pride in being part of your story.
At Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables, our promise goes beyond delivering world-class vehicles. It’s about forging connections, building relationships, and upholding a legacy of excellence. Because, like Coral Gables, we believe in tradition and community.
Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables One City. One Dealer. One Heart.
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