CoralGablesMagazine.NOV2025_Issuu

CORAL GABLES

The Food Issue

THE GRAZIANO FAMILY SAGA

OUR TOP 100 RESTAURANTS

THE BEST DINING FOR ROMANCE, LATE NIGHT, ENTERTAINMENT, AND BRUNCH

Mario Graziano, founder of The Graziano Group

THE MOST EXQUISITE Expression of Home

Nestled along the tree-lined streets of Coral Gables, Ponce Park presents an intimate collection of 58 residences, ranging from twoto five-bedrooms. Each home is thoughtfully designed and curated by the renowned Meyer Davis, blending contemporary luxury with old world charm.

Project Address: 3000 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134 Sales Gallery: 203 University Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33134

The Biltmore’s New Year’s Eve

Don your finest cocktail party attire and usher in 2026 at the Biltmore Hotel. Dance the night away, indulge in a sumptuous array of desserts, and savor the delights of a premium open bar.

As the clock approaches midnight, raise a glass of bubbly and witness the sky above the golf course come alive with a breathtaking fireworks display.

WEDNESDAY

DECEMBER 31, 2025

10 PM – 1 AM GRANADA BALLROOM

$250 inclusive per guest

Members Discount Applies

Scan the QR code for tickets and more information.

** Must be 21 years or older

** Tickets must be purchased in advance and are not refundable after December 21, 2025

Departments

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EDITOR’S NOTE Fight the Overreach

STREETWISE

Latest News From City Hall Talk of the Town Interview with Jorge Arrizurieta LIVING

Best Events for November New Openings in Coral Gables "Blueprints for Beauty" Exhibit A Night on the Town Health & Wellness

PEOPLE Armando Barlick Deena Bell-Llewellyn Dr. Dipen J. Parekh BACK OF BOOK

SUCCEEDING MARK TROWBRIDGE IS A CHALLENGE, AND I TAKE IT TO BE ONE, BECAUSE I TAKE WHAT I DO SERIOUSLY. ”

EMPOWERING THE BEST MINDS IN MEDICINE

At Baptist Health, we’re recruiting the top physicians and researchers in the world to join us in reshaping what’s possible in care. From endowed chairs and academic partnerships to fellowships, scholarships and our Clinical Partners training program, we're building a culture of support that acts as a beacon for the brightest minds.

Philanthropy helps foster our hub of talent, supporting focused research, continuing medical education and state-of-the-art facilities that attract physicians looking to work with outstanding resources and visionary leaders.

Power South Florida's hub for the best minds in medicine. Give today.

Ronald Tolchin, D.O. Chair of Nonsurgical Spine Care and Rehabilitation

Kalman Bass Endowed Chair in Pain and Rehabilitative Medicine

Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute

ALL THAT GLITTERS

The holiday season is now upon us, and it’s that time of year when jewelry takes center stage. From diamonds to gemstones, it’s the moment everything sparkles a little brighter. To get a feel for what’s trending in the glittering world of jewelry, we spoke with some of our leading local jewelers. (Photo: Diamond ring by Snow's Jewelers)

GREAT RESTAURANT EXPERIENCES

A quick look at some of the Gables’ best restaurants for: Sunday Brunch, Romantic Dining, Dinner & A Show, and Late Night Bites. Plus, Three Top New Spots. (Photo: Sunday Brunch at the Biltmore Hotel)

MORE THAN A RESTAURANT

The year is 1990. Fewer than 5,000 Argentines live in Greater Miami, most of them on Miami Beach. There are only a couple of restaurants in the area that serve Argentine fare, and none of them have an asador, the traditional Argentine grill. But all of that is about to change, with the imminent arrival of the Graziano family.

Fight the Overreach

Few people noticed this past September when employees of the Florida Department of Transportation quietly came in and painted over the brightly colored sidewalk in front of City Hall. It was a piece of public art the city paid $180,000 for in 2017, by Venezuelan artist Carlos Cruz-Diez. Unfortunately, it fell victim to a recent state edict by Gov. Ron DeSantis which requires the removal of non-standard crosswalk markings on all state roads, even those which run inside city limits. It is part of his anti-LGBTQ campaign that also saw the removal of gay-advocacy rainbow art in Orlando and Miami Beach. The sidewalk in Coral Gables had nothing to do with promoting gay values, except in the old sense of that word, since it was a gay and festive work of creativity.

The removal was, however, consistent with an over-reaching state government that now controls our county school board (as if we need Tallahassee to appoint our local school board members) and prohibits cities from protecting historic structures on their own coastlines. That pro-development regulation, another DeSantis initiative, has already led to the bulldozing of the famous Sea Aerie building by Alfred Browning Parker, Florida’s equivalent to Frank Lloyd

Wright. (The same law has seen the destruction of the Al Capone mansion on Palm Island, and is threatening the Deco hotels on Ocean Drive.)

Likewise, the city cannot control its own gun laws (a commissioner who votes to stop the sale of automatic weapons on Miracle Mile could be removed from office and fined $5,000, while the city would get a $100,000 fine); and during COVID, the Gables was also stripped of its power to regulate the use of protective masks in the city. And then we have the state’s Live Local Act, which lets developers break local height restrictions if they include “affordable” housing in 40 percent of their units.

One very big reason why Coral Gables is such a special place is that the city tightly controls its own destiny – how it looks, how it is regulated, and how it is protected. Overreach by the State of Florida into how Coral Gables – or any city in Florida – runs itself is an affront to the will of residents.

We therefore applaud how the City of Coral Gables has joined many other Florida municipalities in a legal effort to sue the state over Senate Bill 180, which prohibits the exercise of home rule authority over land use and zoning regulations.

JP FABER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CORAL GABLES MAGAZINE

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

J.P. Faber

PUBLISHER

Gail Scott

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Amy Donner

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Monica Del Carpio-Raucci

VP SALES

Sherry Adams

MANAGING EDITOR

Kylie Wang

DIGITAL EDITOR Amanda Martell

ART DIRECTOR Jon Braeley

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Jorge G. Gavilondo

WRITERS

Andrew Gayle

Katelin Stecz

Tina Wyngate

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Rodolfo Benitez

Jonathan Dann

PROOFREADER

Lesley Fonger

STAFF WRITER

Luke Chaney

CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION

CircIntel

OFFICIAL FRAMER Adam Brand / Frames USA

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.

Cover: Mario Graziano of the Graziano Group. Photo by Rodolfo Benitez

THE 2017 CITY COMMISSION ON THE NOW ERASED CROSSWALK

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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.

Balance Restored

Following the recent Coral Gables elections, the earth – following a period of serious wobbling – seems to have settled once more on its axis. Balance has been restored, normal life may resume, and the City Beautiful may enter its second century on a firm footing. As though to mark a divine approval, after God knows how long, the four clocks atop City Hall all now tell the same time. And finally, it is the correct time.

On another note, since the City is no longer planning to annex “Little Gables,” might I suggest that it annex instead a couple of blocks between SW 22nd Street and SW 20th Street on the other side of Red Road? That would finally bring Duffy’s Tavern into the City of Coral Gables – where it belongs.

As former Mayor Don Slesnick expressed, Duffy’s “represents the social soul of our community.”

Patrick Alexander

Thanks for honoring women

I just finished reading the most recent Coral Gables Magazine and I wanted to share how much I enjoyed Don Slesnick’s latest "Meandering Around Town" article. Showcasing the landmarks honoring women was a great idea. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Thank you!

Kathy Marlin

Recognize Public Schools, please

Why doesn’t Coral Gables Magazine add public school options to their annual Coral Gables private school guide?

I believe including public school options within our city would be incredibly beneficial, particularly for new parents and residents. This addition could provide essential information regarding school boundaries for enrollment and bus services, as well as clarify magnet program entrance requirements for each school.

It is important for residents to be aware of the high-quality public education available in Coral Gables. Nearly all public

schools in the city hold an A or B rating. Last year, Home Stratosphere Magazine recognized Coral Gables as the best suburb to live in Miami, attributing this high mark to factors like our city’s beauty, walkability, sustainability, and crucially, access to quality public education. This access remains a significant reason many families choose Coral Gables as their home.

Given that public education is a major draw for families moving here, I urge Coral Gables Magazine to acknowledge its contribution by providing our public schools the recognition they deserve within your school guide.

Angela Martini

Editor’s Note: We don’t disagree with your comments concerning the quality of public education in Coral Gables. Granted, since it is a guide to Private Schools, these were not within the section’s focus. But, as a service to readers (and to Friends of Gables High) we will consider adding public schools to our education guide next year.

lesnick & Jochem

Overlooking the lush Granada Golf Course, this elegant home offers classic Coral Gables charm blended with modern upgrades. The main house includes a downstairs maid’s suite, while the detached 2-story casita adds guest flexibility.

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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.

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Be one of the 75. Join the Legacy Challenge and help build healthier tomorrows for generations. Ready to learn more?

Contact Megan Brahimi, Senior Director, Gift Planning Megan.Brahimi@Nicklaushealth.org myimpact.nicklauschildrens.org/legacychallenge

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LET G RAZIANO’S HANDLE THE COOKING

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WITH A WHOLE RANG E OF MENUS, OPTIONS, PAC KAG ES AND SERVIC ES, WE HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO LEAVE YOUR GUESTS SATISFIED.

GERARD SCHWARZ CONDUCTING THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI’S FROST SCHOOL OF MUSIC REHEARSING “SAN JUAN HILL.”

Photo by Rodolfo Benitez

From City Hall

AT ITS SECOND MEETING IN SEPTEMBER, THE CORAL GABLES CITY COMMISSION:

A NOD TO ST. THERESA

Voted 5-0 to co-designate Indian Mound Trail as “St. Theresa’s Little Way” in honor of the centennial of the Church of the Little Flower and St. Theresa Catholic School.

FATE OF THE GONDOLA BUILDING

Voted 5-0 to reconstruct the historic Gondola Building at a new location on the Biltmore Hotel’s golf course. In 2019, the City of Coral Gables received a grant from the State of Florida to reconstruct an exact replica of the building, which collapsed after it was hit by a tractor years ago. Plans were reviewed by the Historic Preservation Board and unanimously passed in December 2024 for reconstruction at the original site.

Because that location is far from public view, the city wanted to move it closer to the Tennis Center, where it could be more visible and used for activities, but the State of Florida wants it near a waterway to honor its original use. Mayor Vince Lago suggested the Commission write a letter to the State advocating for the new site, possibly to include a commemorative water feature as proposed by Commissioner Ariel Fernandez.

PAID BILTMORE PARKING

Voted 4-1 to allow the Biltmore Hotel to implement a paid parking system at its west parking lot for $4 per hour, with a maximum of $30 per day. The rates will rise subject to city manager approval, while Biltmore members, golfers, and office tenants will be exempt from paying. Funds will go toward improvements to the parking lot and hotel. Only Commissioner Fernandez voted no.

POOL CONCERT UPDATE

Listened to an update on the city’s Centennial Concert, which will be held on December 7 from 6 to 10 pm at the Venetian Pool and include a cocktail reception. Maestro Eduardo Marturet, a Venezuelan conductor and composer who performed at the city’s 90th anniversary concert, has been tapped to lead the orchestra again. Tickets will be available on Eventbrite.

HELP FOR SENIORS

Voted 5-0 to increase relief grant funds for seniors and veterans with disabilities from $100 to $150, which would impact some 288 residents at a cost of approximately $43,000 to the city. Miami-Dade County recently eliminated its programs, so the City of Coral Gables is attempting to make up some of the difference.

AGENDA FOR THE STATE

Voted 5-0 to approve the City’s 2026 Legislative Priorities, which include the preservation of home rule, support for education, environmental protections, and property tax relief, amongst other issues. The city will also ask the State of Florida for $3.15 million dollars in appropriations to fund projects relating to sanitary sewer pipe rehabilitation, traffic calming, drainage and flood mitigation, generators for emergency response, and the environmental remediation of a debris management and trash reclamation site.

AT ITS FIRST MEETING IN OCTOBER, THE CORAL GABLES CITY COMMISSION:

SELLING AIR SPACE

Voted 5-0 to establish a program to transfer development rights (TDRs) for the purpose of conservation. Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson, who sponsored the item and helped write the legislation, created the program as a way for the city to acquire properties it hopes to preserve, such as a piece of rocky pine land near San Amaro Drive. TDRs allow landowners to sell their development rights to developers, while the developers can use the rights to build at a higher density in areas designated for growth. The system provides compensation for landowners who preserve open space.

HONORING ISRAEL

Voted 5-0 to hold an interfaith event at City Hall on Oct 27 at 5:30 pm, now to celebrate the end of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The issue initially arose when Mayor Vince Lago suggested raising the Israel flag at City Hall to memorialize victims of the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack of two years ago.

Previous discussions over the last two meetings ended in stalemates, with no agreement on a best course of action. During the most recent discussion, Lago and Commissioner Melissa Castro exchanged accusations of politicizing the issue, which eventually led to Lago calling an impromptu 15-minute break. The mayor also revealed that at least three members of the Commission were against lighting City Hall blue and white for the Israeli flag. The building will instead be lit in red, white, and blue for the event.

FIGHTING STATE OVERREACH

Voted 5-0 to join other Florida cities and counties in a suit against the State of Florida over Senate Bill 180’s statewide prohibition on the exercise of home rule authority over land use and zoning regulations. The City of Coral Gables, amongst others, will argue that the state’s prohibition is unconstitutional. S.B. 180, according to City Attorney Cristina Suarez, is “a massive intrusion into our home rule authority.” Specifically, it restricts the city from enacting certain land use regulations, a province usually falling under individual cities’ governances, due to the wide variation in city’s sizes, populations, etc. The lawsuit has already been filed.

YES TO THE STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Voted 5-0 to adopt Mayor Lago’s 2025-27 Strategic Priorities Plan, with one amendment suggested by Commissioner Ariel Fernandez to make cutting down (or removing entirely) garbage fees for residents a priority as well. The priorities include: increasing government transparency and accountability, improving customer services, engaging residents through more outreach, enhancing quality of life for residents, protecting the environment, maintaining the city’s historic integrity, and fostering safety, health, and a culture of innovation. ■

Talk of the Town

The Fight Against Banned Books

The restriction of books has become a hot-button political topic in Florida, with over 4,500 titles removed from schools during the 2023–24 academic year. This is the largest number of book bans in the United States, giving Florida a special – if somewhat unfortunate – status. Since 1982, “Banned Books Week” has worked to combat the push to forbid certain titles, and this year’s Banned Books Week ended emphatically with a performance art piece at local independent bookstore Books & Books.

On Oct. 11, Coral Gables high school students gathered at Books & Books, where a large wall of banned books had been installed inside the store by artists Antonia Wright and Ruben Millares. The students then read through the titles of the books. The temporary monument was built as a way of inviting the Gables community to join the ongoing battle against book banning by the state government (the banned books are removed from school libraries). After the event, attendees were invited to take a banned book home with them.

Per the organization’s website, Banned Books Week focuses “on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books” and bring “national attention to the harms of censorship.” The 10 most challenged books of 2024 were “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson, “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe, “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky, “Tricks” by Ellen Hopkins, “Looking for Alaska” by John Green, “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” by Jesse Andrews, “Crank” by Ellen Hopkins, “Sold” by Patricia McCormick, and “Flamer” by Mike Curato. – Luke Chaney

ATM: Automatic Treat Machine for Dogs

Dogs are a lot like us: they enjoy lounging around, going for walks, and scarfing down food like it’s their last-ever meal. In Coral Gables, they can also go to the bank and use the ATM. The only difference is that this ATM doesn’t issue cash – it issues dog treats.

At the TD Bank on Miracle Mile, there is a miniature treat dispensing-installation that looks and operates like a classic ATM. The Dog ATM (Automated Treat Machine) features a paw mat with a motion detector that recognizes when a pooch approaches. Then, it promptly dispenses biscuits.

To celebrate the Dog ATM rollout, TD hosted a party on Oct. 10 at its Gables location that included a DJ, a dog watercolor artist, an adopt-a-dog station from the Humane Society of Greater Miami, custom dog cookies from Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming (in

ARTISTS ANTONIA WRIGHT AND RUBEN MILLARES AT BOOKS & BOOKS

Merrick Park), TD-branded dog and human giveaways, and desserts by Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop. TD opened up its first Dog ATM in Philadelphia in April 2024. Following its success, TD decided to build an additional 14 Dog ATMs from Maine to Florida – Luke Chaney

A New Neighbor on the Bay

We’ve had our fair share of celebrities making their way to Coral Gables, dubbed by the national press as “the new Beverly Hills.” This time, it’s a well-known Canadian singer and Grammy Award winner moving into a 19,000-square-foot home complete with a mega yacht dock. Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd (“Blinding Lights,” “The Hills,” “Save Your Tears”), recently purchased the $50 million estate featuring eight bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, and a total of 1.2-acres. The home includes a private gym, panoramic views of Biscayne Bay, a grand staircase, and a 62-foot infinity pool with mosaic floors. When he’s not touring or performing, this may be where the next hit song begins. – Amanda Martell

Life After Merrick: A New Book on the Gables

Every good citizen of the Gables knows – or should know, in this centennial year – how the city was founded by George Merrick and laid out with his vision of the City Beautiful movement. And most citizens know how Merrick was ruined when hit by the double whammy in 1926 of a brutal hurricane and the collapse of the Florida Real Estate Boom (the Great Depression three years later didn’t exactly help, either).

What few people know is what happened after the collapse of the city, and how modern-day Coral Gables – now the most affluent community in America and a model of beauty and historic preservation – came to pass.

That question is answered in the new book “Coral Gables –From Bankruptcy to Beauty” by Les Standiford, a New York Times best-selling author who wrote the book at the behest of two longtime city commissioners – businessmen and Gables “lifers” who were in office when some of the more recent efforts to save historic Coral Gables took place. They are Wayne E. “Chip” Withers and William “Bill” Kerdyk Jr.; Withers served in the City Commission from 1995 to 2013, while Kerdyk served from 1995 to 2015. Three years ago, Withers and Kerdyk talked about writing a

book that would chronical post-Merrick Coral Gables, with an eye toward what continues to make the city unique. “No one had written about what happened to the city after it went bankrupt, and how it’s been a success,” says Withers. “We said, ‘We need to do this,’ but neither of us were writers. So, we went to Mitch Kaplan (owner of Books & Books) and Dave Lawrence (former Miami Herald publisher).”

They both advised them to approach Les Standiford, who had just written “Last Train to Paradise,” the story of how Henry Flagler extended his railroad into Florida. “I had just read that book,” says Withers. “It’s one of my top 10.”

The result is the highly readable book by Standiford, with its fascinating probe into the sometimes rough and tumble struggle to preserve what Withers calls “the soul of the city” – a struggle which continues today. – J.P. Faber

GRAMMY AWARD WINNER THE WEEKND HAS BOUGHT A $50 MILLION ESTATE WITH MEGA YACHT DOCK IN CORAL GABLES.

Frost: Powerhouse Honors and a New York City Trip

The University of Miami’s Frost School of Music hit a few high notes this past month, first with honors for some of its graduates and then with a road trip for the Frost Symphony Orchestra. In early October, Billboard Magazine published its annual Latin Power Players list, recognizing four Frost School of Music alumni and supporters as some of today’s most influential names in music. From hit-making artists to powerhouse executives, all traced their roots back to the Frost School, reflecting its role as a driving force behind Latin music.

Those recognized were Jorge Mejia, Latin GRAMMY-nominated pianist and composer and president and CEO of Sony Music Publishing’s Latin and U.S. Latin divisions; Emilio Estefan, GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY-winning producer and songwriter, and member of the Frost School Dean’s Advisory Committee; Pablo Ahogado, vice president of A&R at Concord Music Publishing; and Richard Bull, general manager of Double P Records. Also recognized were UM alumni Nelson Albareda, CEO of Loud and Live; and Ignacio Meyer, president of U.S. Networks at TelevisaUnivision. The Latin Power Players were honored at a campus event where the Frost School unveiled its “Power Players Wall of Fame,” spotlighting alumni and supporters who have shaped the world of Latin music.

Then, at the end of the month, the entire Frost Symphony Orchestra headed to New York City to perform “San Juan Hill” at Lincoln Center, a composition which the Center commissioned jazz trumpeter and Frost Associate Professor Etienne Charles to compose (see story pg. 44). It is a musical story about the multi-lingual, multi-cultural community displaced to build the Center, fusing jazz, classical, and a plethora of popular styles.

The 10-movement piece starts with “Riot 1905” and ends with “House Rent Party,” its musical climax. “What I imagined for 'House Rent Party' was all of the different peoples of San Juan,” says Charles. “It was a neighborhood that housed people from all over the Caribbean – English-speaking, Spanish-speaking,

French-speaking, and Dutch-speaking – as well as Blacks from the south, and even Irish and Italian descendants.” Reflecting the mix, the movement evolves from a Venezuelan waltz to swing, mambo, calypso, disco, and funk. The performance in Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall was sold out. – J.P. Faber

New Trolley Services Link Red Road

Gableites can now take advantage of the new Southern Loop trolley route, open as of Nov. 3 and aiming to make getting to work, school, and doctor’s appointments a whole lot easier.

The new line creates a convenient circuit that links the Douglas Road Metrorail Station, (see map above), where the north-south Ponce de Leon trolly route now ends, with neighborhoods stretch-

EMILIO ESTEFAN (LEFT); THE FROST SCHOOL OF MUSIC REHEARSING “SAN JUAN HILL”

Photo by Rodolfo Benitez

Photo courtesy of Billboard Magazine

ing all the way to Red Road (aka Southwest 57th Avenue). Along the way, the trolley serves stops at the UM Metrorail Station, Medical Offices, the Underline, West Lab, Lennar, and San Amaro Drive. Instead of dealing with traffic or searching for parking, riders can hop on at various points along this east-west section of Ponce de Leon Boulevard.

What makes this route particularly useful is how it links the University of Miami with the downtown core, with key stops along the way. Students heading to UM classes won’t need to worry about campus parking. Residents with medical appointments at the numerous healthcare facilities in the area can skip the hassle of driving. Parents taking kids to school will have another option besides sitting in traffic.

City officials are treating the new route as a year-long trial to see how many people use the service and which stops get the most traffic. Depending on how things go, the route could stick around for good or be adjusted. Anyone who wants to track when the next trolley arrives can download the ETA Spot app or check coralgables. com/department/parking-department/trolley – Amanda Martell

Fernandez Takes Up the Pen

Embattled Coral Gables City Commissioner Ariel Fernandez has launched a self-help book series called “Better You Minute.” The three-book series will explore topics like improving your self-esteem, resetting your focus, and building stronger relationships.

Fernandez has recently been at the center of a political and legal controversy, having been accused of conducting illegal surveillance of his constituents, tampering with the public record, and lying on the record to a resident (see full story in Coral Gables Maga-

STEP INSIDE A PIECE OF CORAL GABLES HISTORY

zine’s October issue, pg. 22). In July, following Fernandez’s absence from four straight meetings, the City Commission voted to have an outside investigative body look into the matter.

Fernandez’s book series is supposedly inspired by a visit he made to the Vatican, during which he joined a line of well-wishers who got to meet the Pope. “This series is geared towards advancing my commitment to Pope Leo XIV… to help build a Civilization of Love,” he said in a statement. Each of the three books offers up 30

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one-minute reflections “designed to help readers grow in confidence, build meaningful relationships, and regain clarity in today’s fastpaced world,” according to Fernandez’s press release. – Kylie Wang

New Art Programming for Nicklaus

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is partnering with two nonprofits – the Ryan Seacrest Foundation and Comic Kids – for a new art-centric experience for children undergoing healthcare. Known for its programming geared toward sick children, Nicklaus will now be hosting a studio space built by the Seacrest Foundation to film celebrities, teachers, and others who come to the hospital to entertain the children.

That’s where Comic Kids comes in. The nonprofit, founded by Miami-based couple Kat Barrow-Horth and Reed Horth, teaches children how to draw cartoon characters, through in-person classes as well as in videos. The new partnership with the Seacrest Foundation will help children at Nicklaus learn to draw from both Spanish and English videos filmed at Seacrest’s studio.

“It’s powerful to have our programming specifically for the Latino community throughout the U.S.... and these are the first Spanish art videos from Seacrest,” says Kat, whose 11-year-old bilingual son will star in the series as teacher and illustrator. “Those same videos will also be done in English, and we’ll put them on our YouTube channel and our website so all kids can access them.”

Comic Kids is also working with the University of Miami School of Communication to create a free weekly art curriculum and video series, filmed and produced by college students, as well as book drives through its School of Business. – Kylie Wang ■

COMIC KIDS, FOUNDED BY KAT BARROW-HORTH AND REED HORTH

A New CEO for the Chamber: An Interview with Jorge Arrizurieta

Having worked for decades in private corporations and global organizations, Jorge Arrizurieta brings a balanced mix of experience to his new role as president and CEO of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. Among many other positions, he worked for 14 years for business mogul Wayne Huzienger (Blockbuster Video), was part of the campaigns

Why did you want to be head of the Gables’ Chamber?

I was meeting with the mayor (Vince Lago) a few weeks after Mark’s passing, and he said, ‘You know, I think you ought to be our next chamber president.’ And I reflected on it for probably three days, talked to my wife, and told the mayor, ‘I really hadn’t thought about it until you mentioned it [but] I think I want to do this.’ My different [past] jobs all have some degree of relevance to what the day-to-day Chamber is about, whether you take the public sector side or the private sector side, or the leadership side.

What experiences do you have that can apply to the Chamber?

This whole process has brought back to my mind how, back in the day, the Board of Directors of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce had members like Carlos Migoya, Alva Chapman, Armando Codina, Carlos Arboleya, etc. They wanted the CEOs at the table, the decision makers, the CEOs or maybe the presidents, depending on the industry and the company. This was the leadership of the community, especially in the case of Miami-Dade County…. In a perfect world, I would love to have more CEOs participate on our board. Nothing against the other C level folks, nothing against anybody. It’s just common sense… whether I create a special counsel within the board, I want to try to incentivize, motivate, and challenge CEOs to really get back to the table.

What is your biggest challenge ahead?

Succeeding Mark Trowbridge is a challenge, and I take it to be one, because I take what I do seriously. I’d be foolish to not be aware of who I’m succeeding. But more than a challenge to me, it’s really an incredible source of motivation, just to ensure I do a darn good job not to disappoint him, not to mention the rest of the community

for both the Bush presidencies, and served for four years as president and CEO of the Florida Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). Even with such experience, Arrizurieta is aware of the challenge replacing one of the city’s most beloved leaders, the late Mark Trowbridge. We caught up with the new head of the Chamber a week into the job.

[and] my family…. I consider this to be the most important, relevant, significant, and valuable chamber of commerce [in the state, and] I’m going to work my tail off to ensure we’re number one in South Florida, number one in Florida, and among the top chambers in the country.

What other perspectives do you bring to the table?

International is a part of me…. from being the U.S. Representative at the Inter-American Development Bank, to coming back home to be the CEO for Gov. Bush of the public-private partnership Florida FTAA… the fact that FIFA decided to headquarter their office in Coral Gables speaks volumes. Why Coral Gables? There are 120 multinationals with headquarters here, right? So, has that happened organically? I think it’s been a combination of factors, [and] I want to take the work that went into that to the next level, and continue to layer our community with that kind of presence… We also have 20 of the (international) council generals who reside in South Florida. Well, we should have 50, not 20, and I think it’s very doable if we go out there and work hard.

What are your first goals as Chamber CEO?

First and foremost, I’m going to have an exhaustive and extensive listening tour. That’s what I’m in the middle of, and I’m going to be at if for a while, because I honestly believe there’s no way I can formulate my game plan without taking the time to listen to, first and foremost, our team here, to every chair of the committees, to the entire board. I’m meeting with every single one of those board members in the next few weeks, not to mention our stakeholders in the community, because it would be irresponsible for me to come up with a game plan when I haven’t taken the time to listen… ■

Facelifts Less is More

If your goal with a facelift is to end up looking like yourself, only younger and refreshed, then ‘less is more’ is a good guideline. There are so many things being offered these days for facial rejuvenation, so you should be selective with your choices, both to remain a natural, non-plastic appearance, and to avoid unnecessary overspending. Just because it’s on the menu, doesn’t mean you need or should have it. What is most beneficial? Everyone ages uniquely but most will develop laxity and sagging in their neck and jowls, contributing to a tired, less than fresh appearance, and at some point, insufficiently improved by non-surgical cosmetic treatments. There are many confusing ‘descriptions’ for facelifts nowadays, so let’s simplify terminology: divide your face into an upper half (eyes and forehead) and lower half (cheeks/jowls and neck).

The ‘Lower Facelift’ targets the cheeks, jowls and neck and restores a clean jawline which is the principal sign of youth and beauty. It addresses both the deep (plane) and superficial layers of the face by tightening the deeper strength layer below and removing all slack skin above. The Lower Facelift, when expertly performed, is the one operation which produces the most, and natural looking, improvement in the majority of patients. Frequently, it is accompanied by an Upper Eyelid procedure (Blepharoplasty) to remove redundant skin arising around the same time as jowls and necks become a concern. The combo of the Lower Facelift and Upper Blepharoplasty effectively addresses the concerns of close to 90% of the patients I see.

Well selected patients might also benefit from a ‘Lateral Brow Lift’ to address sagging of the outer corner of the eyes, but many don’t need this since Botox may suffice here. Lifting the brows on a patient who doesn’t really need it only contributes to a surgical and surprised look. A full brow lift is very rarely indicated.

Lower eyelids are more sensitive than upper eyelids, and ‘Lower Blepharoplasty’ surgery thus riskier. Fortunately, many patients don’t need this surgery as it only really benefits those with obvious ‘bags’ below their eyes caused by protruding fat.

Fat grafting - is it worth it? It’s true that part of facial aging may include facial fat atrophy in some patients, though certainly not in all. But while it appears intuitively desirable, though overly simplistic, to just replace lost facial fat with fat from other areas, it just doesn’t pan out as hoped for, as much of the transferred fat ends up atrophying in unpredictable ways or potentially remain as unnatural areas of fullness or irregularity. Fat grafting is accompanied by increased swelling, bruising, longer surgery, and downtime, at least if seriously performed. In our era of abundant facial

filler options. which allow for considerable precision in volume enhancement after the facelift has healed, fat grafting has lost much of its initial appeal.

Lip lifts have been resurrected on social media. Few patients really are good candidates. Risks include potentially visible scarring under your nose and possibly a snarled (rabbit) look. Certainly not an essential addition for most patients. So why add risk and expense?

A word of caution on another social media marketed procedure - reduction of your neck salivary glands. These glands produce saliva and are tacked away under the lower jaw. Cutting away part of these normal glands to obtain a ‘better’ jawline requires a large incision below the chin, lengthens the surgery and increases the risk for complications such as bleeding, saliva leakage and prolonged, annoying necks swelling. It’s been called ‘radical neck lifting’ and excessive for a cosmetic procedure. I agree.

In summary, when considering any item on the aesthetic ‘menu’, always think about your risk/benefit ratio. Only procedures with high benefit and low risk are desirable. Also, the more procedures you do, the potentially less natural you’ll end up looking. Nobody can make you look twenty again, no matter how much you cut, pull, or fill and if you try too hard it might just look desperate. You probably have seen it. Good facial surgery just looks good, not surgical or obvious, making others wonder why you look good but not being able to tell you had something done. Also, you do not want to lose your unique natural beauty! So think ‘less is more’. As always, research carefully, choose wisely to end up safe, looking yourself, and not spending your money unwisely.

STEPHAN BAKER, MD, FACS Plastic Surgery of the Face Breast and Body

Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery

305.381.8837 | www.drbaker.com

3850 Bird Road Suite 702, Miami, FL 33146

PLUS NOVEMBER BEST BETS NEW OPENINGS A NIGHT ON THE TOWN COMPRESSION THERAPY

November Best Bets

RUM RENAISSANCE, MIAMI’S ART BOOM, AND MORE

RUM RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

All rum lovers are invited to attend the annual Rum Renaissance Festival on Nov. 8–9, right here in Coral Gables. Educational seminars kick off the two-day celebration on Nov. 8 from 12:30 pm to 5 pm at the Marriott Courtyard Coral Gables ($89). The final day is all about tasting, as guests have the chance to try these old, new, and limited-edition rums on Nov. 9 from 12:30 pm to 5 pm at the Coral Gables Woman’s Club ($89 general admission, $109 VIP). 2051 S Le Jeune Rd. (Marriott Courtyard Coral Gables), 1001 E Ponce De Leon Blvd. (Coral Gables Woman’s Club) marriott.com, coralgableswomansclub.org

LITTLE LOCAL MINI MARKET

On Nov. 9 and 23, meet at your favorite independent bookstore and café for a brunch-time market courtesy of the Little Local retail app. Advertised as “Amazon but for local small businesses,” Little Local will host a range of local vendors selling candles, handmade products, artisanal goods, jewelry, and more on the Books & Books Café’s outdoor patio. Market customers will receive 20 percent off breakfast and BOGO mimosas. 265 Aragon Ave. app.littlelocal.co

DARCY JAMES ARGUE WITH FROST STUDIO JAZZ BAND & HORACE SILVER ENSEMBLE

2015 Guggenheim Fellow, Doris Duke Artist Award winner, and multiple-time GRAMMY nominee Darcy James Argue leads this special night of musical excellence at the UM Gusman Concert on Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. Joining him are the Frost Studio Jazz Band

and Horace Silver Ensemble. Tickets range from $10 to $20. 1314 Miller Dr. frost-music-live.miami.edu

TITANIC: THE MUSICAL

Based on the tragic true story, “Titanic: The Musical” tells the stories of the passengers aboard the “unsinkable ship” leading up to and during one of the most heartbreaking tragedies of the 20th century. There are 8 pm shows at the University of Miami’s Jerry Herman Ring Theater on Nov. 14, 15, 19, and 20. There is also a 2 pm screening on Nov. 15. Ticket prices range from $15 to $30. 1312 Miller Dr. theatre.as.miami.edu

GABLES BIKE TOUR

For this month’s Gables Bike Tour on Nov. 16, you’ll take a trip through tree-lined residential streets to visit several of the most historically relevant homes that the City has to offer. The tour starts at the Coral Gables Museum at 10 am and lasts until 12 pm. Tickets cost between $5 and $10. 285 Aragon Ave. coralgablesmuseum.org

PAUL HOBBS WINE DINNER

Hosted by Chef Christine Hazel and Sommelier Jorge Lopez at the

Biltmore Hotel on Nov. 18 from 6 pm to 10 pm, the Paul Hobbs Wine Dinner includes expertly prepared dishes that pair perfectly with wines from Paul Hobbs – one of California’s most renowned winemakers that captures the terroirs of Napa Valley and Sonoma. Tickets for this memorable evening cost $150. 1200 Anastasia Ave. biltmorehotel.com

MIAMI’S ART BOOM: EXPLORE THE CULTURAL REVOLUTION

Just because Art Basel isn't here yet doesn’t mean you can't start the celebrations early. Join the Lowe Art Museum on Nov. 20 from 7 pm to 9 pm for “Miami’s Art Boom: Explore the Cultural Revolution” to learn more about Miami’s growth as an internationally recognized art hub. Tickets from $10 to $15. 1301 Stanford Dr. lowe.miami.edu

MAN OF LA MANCHA

“Man of La Mancha” holds extra significance in the Gables theatre scene, as this was the musical that launched Actors’ Playhouse in its Kendall location and again at the Miracle Theatre. It now returns to the Miracle Theatre from Nov. 19 to Dec. 21 to celebrate this theatre’s 30th anniversary. Tickets cost between $50 and $100, depending on the seating area and date selected. 280 Miracle Mile actorsplayhouse.org

LEFT

ON TENTH

Premiering on Nov. 21 at 7:30 pm at GableStage, “Left on Tenth,” written and based on the best-selling memoir by Delia Ephron, is a beautiful love story of heartbreak, revival, and romance that will have you on the edge of your seat. Tickets to this premiere cost $60. 1200 Anastasia Ave #230 gablestage.org

MIAMI

Ricky J. Martinez directs “Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill” – a musical ode from Orchestra Miami that honors legendary composer Kurt Weill on the 125th anniversary of his death. This performance is at the Sanctuary of the Arts on Nov. 22 at 7 pm, and tickets range from $33 to $43. 410 Andalusia Ave. sanctuaryofthearts.org

THE

FIFTH STEP

In partnership with National Theatre Live, the Coral Gables Art Cinema on Nov. 28, 29, and 30 for screenings of “The Fifth Step.” Directed by Finn den Hertog, “The Fifth Step” follows the bond of sponsor James and Alcoholics Anonymous newcomer Luka in this provocative production filmed live from Soho Place on London’s West End. Tickets cost between $16 and $20. 260 Aragon Ave. gablescinema.com ■

ORCHESTRA

New Stores

BY AMANDA MARTELL

Scoring Club

If there’s one thing we hate about golfing in Miami, it’s the heat – and the rain, and the humidity, and the prospect of having to do a full hair wash after (at least for us girls). Or maybe you’re just looking for a place to hone your game before heading out to the links. Luckily for us, Scoring Club, a new indoor golf facility, has now opened on Ponce de Leon Blvd.

Scoring Club is exactly that – an exclusive, members-only club with five large ports where golfers can test their mettle. “We have the best technology there is,” says General Manager Santiago Gomez, “which is Trackman.” These Danish-made simulators track each swing, hit, and ball to give golfers the best data – and let you know exactly where you need work. The sims can take you to famous courses around the world, replicate different wind conditions, connect you with other friends using Trackmans, and – for the more casual golfers – allow you to play Top Golf-esque games. Members can also compete against in each other in tournaments or take private lessons from the pros at Scoring Club.

Inside, the first thing you’ll see is the bar, stocked with beer, wine, and sodas. There’s also a pro shop with branded golf gear and clothing, and a putting practice range which tracks the arc of your ball as it moves across the green. TVs are strategically placed around the space, so if you want to bring some friends and make it a party, you can hit some balls while watching the game – or the Ryder Cup. Memberships are going fast, starting at $350 for individuals, but also with corporate, founding, and family options. – Kylie Wang

BODY Hot Pilates

If you’ve been following the wellness wave, you’ve probably noticed Pilates is everywhere, and for good reason. The latest entrant to the Coral Gables scene is BODY Hot Pilates, mostly known for its Aventura location, but now with a new studio on Giralda Avenue. Classes are $35 per session while monthly memberships begin at $120.

We tried the “Drop-In” class, a full introduction to the BODY experience. When you walk in, the reception area stands out with large windows that fill the space with natural light, and a display of leggings, tops, and weights for sale. A fridge stocked with protein drinks and shakes sits nearby for a quick boost. After checking in, we stored our belongings in lockers before stepping into the heated Pilates room, which reaches up to 95 degrees. Floor-to-ceiling mirrors surrounded us, and the back wall was neatly stacked with weights, resistance bands, and magic circles (flexible rings used to add resistance and engage the core).

Our instructor, Bella, started class with a motivational pep talk before guiding us through breath work to clear the mind. We began with a Pilates ring ab blast that woke up every core muscle – even the ones we didn’t know we had – followed by a series of lunges and arm exercises using light weights. The upbeat house playlist kept the rhythm steady, helping us stay focused through the heat.

As the class came to an end, we eased into cooldown forms like “Child’s Pose” and “Happy Baby,” while Bella placed a chilled eucalyptus towel over our faces. We left drenched and refreshed, already debating whether to head straight for a shower or just sign up for our new membership first. – Amanda Martell

RIGHT: AT SCORING CLUB, SIMULATORS TRACK EACH SWING, HIT, AND BALL

The Palace owners aren’t in Corporate Headquarters. They’re here every day. One Andalusia

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.

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.

“

I STOPPED LIKE A TREE AND

HEARD THE TREES SPEAKING […] HOW COULD I TELL THEM NO – THAT I WAS ONLY A PASSERBY, THAT THEY SHOULDN’T ADDRESS ME? ”

Coral Gables is a city designed to be walked. The beauty of its entrances, plazas, gateways, and boulevards – along with its lush nature – inspired Nobel Prize–winning poet Juan Ramón Jiménez to describe vivid images of his experience strolling the streets in his Romances de Coral Gables (1939–1942): “I stopped like a tree and heard the trees speaking […] How could I tell them no – that I was only a passerby, that they shouldn’t address me?”

"Blueprints for Beauty: 100 Years of Coral Gables Streetscapes," the new exhibition at Coral Gables Museum, takes visitors on a walk through the city across a century. The show examines its public spaces and how they have shaped civic life – not only through its institutions, but also through the design of its buildings and the conception of its outdoor spaces.

Alongside historical artifacts, artworks, planning documents, articles, and photographs, there are postcard notes, letters, and emails from Coral Gables tourists and residents narrating personal experiences of earlier decades. Rather than a single, linear story, these materials help weave a collective voice that complements the City of Coral Gables’ oral-history initiative, 100 Voices, and reminds us that cities are built as much on memory as on stone (see 100coralgables.com).

"Blueprints for Beauty" also recognizes the foundations on which it stands. Arva Moore Parks’s landmark exhibition "Creating the Dream" (the Museum’s permanent exhibition from 2011 to 2022) set a standard for telling Coral Gables’ early history with clarity and care; the new exhibit has incorporated materials from that show, which the Museum has safeguarded over the years. A frieze of Coral Gables landmarks that once hung in Arva’s office appears here as both object and gesture: a compact record of place and a sign of her lasting influence on how we study and steward the city. Extending that legacy into the present, "The Placemaker-Poet" – a threescreen dramatic curation on the life and impact of founder George Merrick by What if Works

Blueprints for Beauty

BY YUNEIKYS VILLALONGA

– draws directly on Parks’ research and writings, continuing the conversation she began.

The exhibition is an invitation to look closely at the city we share, to recognize what has endured, and to take part in what comes next. How can we maintain a coherent urban character while the city grows? How do we renew infrastructure without losing the details – materials, signage, proportions – that give streets their identity? How do we honor tradition while embracing modernity?

"Blueprints for Beauty" reflects the work and dedication of many people and institutions that guided the research and

logistics: Dr. Paul George, resident historian at HistoryMiami Museum; author Patrick Alexander; the team at the City of Coral Gables Archives; Miami-Dade Public Library and the University of Miami archives; the Vasari Project; and the artists and private collectors who entrusted the museum with their materials. We encourage you to visit the exhibition, join the museum’s programs, and consider becoming a member. Together, we can keep the conversation – and the city –active and thriving. ■ Yuneikys Villalonga is the director of curatorial programs at Coral Gables Museum.

100 YEARS OF CORAL GABLES STREETSCAPES – A CURATORIAL VISION

POET JUAN RAMÓN JIMÉNEZ, TAKEN FROM "ROMANCES DE CORAL GABLES"

RIGHT: CORAL GABLES MUSEUM TAKES VISITORS ON A WALK THROUGH A CENTURY OF THE CITY.

DREW...He

One of the least appreciated cultural gems of Coral Gables is the Frost Symphony Orchestra, a world-class orchestra right here in our midst, which performs at the University of Miami’s Gusman Hall. It’s where we ended up on a recent Saturday night, for a brilliant performance of a new work that Lincoln Center commissioned UM professor Etienne Charles to write, along with another new work and Prokofiev’s "Romeo and Juliet" suite. The same work by Charles was performed a week later by the Frost Symphony at Lincoln Center itself (see story pg. 24).

Etienne Charles is a renowned jazz trumpet player and one of the staff of award-winning musicians at UM’s Frost School of Music. His composition, entitled "San Juan Hill," commemorates the multi-cultural community that lived in the blighted neighborhood bulldozed to construct Lincoln Center. For the performance, Charles partnered with members of Creole Soul, a jazz band with piano, bass, saxophone, guitar, flute, and drums. They occupied center stage, surrounded by 80some members of the Frost Symphony, all conducted by Maestro Gerard Schwarz. It was a resounding coda for the evening, which began several hours earlier at the Ivy bar of the THesis hotel, moving from there to The Collab restaurant, also at the hotel. The THesis stands directly across U.S.-1 from UM's campus and is therefore a perfect place to start a night on the town ending at Gusman Hall.

Ivy is a third-floor open-air patio bar that looks over the lushly green streets of South Gables. Their specialty is the cocktail lineup created by Vincent Fabris, the French director of beverages at THesis. We tried two of them – a bold espresso-gin cocktail made with amarula cream liqueur, and a sweet refreshing vodka-raspberry cocktail. Both went down with no resistance, and the pleasant outdoor experience added to the refreshment.

Next came the culinary delight of The Collab, now considered one of the best restaurants in the Gables. Its menu is eclectic in the best sense, though described as Latin-based with Asian fusions. No matter. Not a single dish disappointed, starting with the blue crab croquettes ($16) and the crispy chicken ($22), crunchy fried chicken pieces with an exquisite sauce based on Japanese green onion and agrodolce, a sweet and sour Italian condiment. I could have eaten both all night but had to save room for another small plate – the salmon tartare in a creamy

Ivy Bar, The Collab, and The Frost Symphony

BY J.P. FABER / PHOTOS BY RODOLFO BENITEZ

sauce of chili peppers and pistachio furikake – and entrees of pan-seared Faroe Islands salmon and beef tenderloin with pumpkin puree and truffle demiglace. Both top notch. The atmosphere of Collab is enhanced by oblique planter boxes suspended overhead, with vines dripping down like a mini garden of Babylon. There is a warm glow from the open kitchen’s wood burning oven, used to make a half-dozen different pizzas; we tried a chicken sausage variation with red onions and tahini aoli that received a hearty thumbs up from all at the table. We ended the meal with their signature sticky toffee pudding and a sophisticated pistachio cheesecake. It’s easy to park at THesis, either with valet up front or in visitor parking behind the hotel, off U.S.-1. To reach UM from there, you go north on U.S.-1 and turn on Stanford Drive. You can drive straight to the parking garage opposite the Lowe Museum and walk from there, or drive south on Ponce then right on San Amaro Drive to the Gusman, where there is valet parking. We grabbed a street spot on Amaro and strolled from there. We needed that after the feast at The Collab. ■

TOP RIGHT: COCKTAILS AT THE THESIS HOTEL'S IVY BAR LEFT: THE COLLAB INTERIOR AND CHICKEN SAUSAGE PIZZA ABOVE: FROST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AT GUSMAN HALL

Take a Pause

A RECOVERY TREATMENT AT PAUSE STUDIO RESETS SORE MUSCLES

BY AMANDA MARTELL

If you’ve ever pushed through a tough workout only to spend the next few days dreading a walk up the stairs, you know how recovery can take longer than expected. The soreness that once disappeared like a light wind now lingers as a heavy fog, slow to fade. After feeling how a simple trip up the stairs felt like a workout on its own, I started looking for something that could help me recover faster.

Located in the Plaza Coral Gables, the aptly named Pause Studio is all about recovery, from the way the space is arranged to the range of treatments it offers. The studio feels more like a lounge, with dim lighting, neutral tones, and shelves near the entrance that are lined with teas and supplements. On the menu: cryotherapy, LED light therapy, and vitamin shots like Vitamin D3 and Methyl B12. On this visit, however, I opted for compression therapy, a 30-minute session that helps muscles recover by improving circulation, like the cooldown most of us (guiltily) skip after a hard workout.

The session took place in one of the IV drip rooms, quiet with low lighting. The chair was deep and angled just enough to make you want to stay awhile. I sank into it, already comfortable. A staff

ABOVE: THE WRITER UNDERGOES COMPRESSION THERAPY FOR MUSCLE RECOVERY & CIRCULATION

LEFT: THE SAUNA ROOM WITH WARM LOW LEVEL LIGHTING TO INDUCE RELAXATION

LEFT BELOW: THE PAUSE RECEPTION ENTRANCE IN THE PLAZA CORAL GABLES

111 PALERMO AVE #214 PLAZA CORAL GABLES 786.661.3461 PAUSESTUDIO.COM

member explained that the Normatec sleeves I was going to be clad in use chambers that inflate in sequence, starting at the feet and working their way up the legs. The idea is to create a steady wave of pressure that promotes blood flow, reduces stiffness, and gives sore muscles a head start to recovery, a kind of massage on steroids.

When the boots turned on, I felt the pressure immediately. The squeeze at my toes was snug, like someone wrapping both hands firmly around my feet. The feeling moved up to my calves, holding for a few seconds then slowly releasing. It wasn’t sharp or painful, but more like a controlled hug that shifted upward in steady pulses. Each time the chambers inflated, the air pressed in from all sides, dense but even, as if my legs were being molded into place. The release came just as gradually, leaving behind a light tingling that made the muscles feel looser with each cycle.

Every few minutes the staff checked in to make sure the settings felt right. The pressure was strong enough to notice but never overwhelming. With tea in hand and the quiet of the room around me, I let the boots do their work. The half-hour moved by easily, the steady rhythm making it simple to settle in and focus on how the sensations shifted with each cycle.

When the boots were unzipped, faint lines on my legs showed where the sleeves had pressed. As I stood up, I noticed the difference right away. The soreness had slipped away, leaving my steps lighter. Recovery felt like part of the routine instead of a waiting game. ■

“Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.”

– Henry David Thoreau

People

FEATURING:

ARMANDO BARLICK

DEENA BELL-LLEWELLYN

DR. DIPEN J. PAREKH

DR. DIPEN J. PAREKH, CEO, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI HEALTH SYSTEM

A lifetime resident of Coral Gables, and currently a senior at Ransom Everglades school, 18-year-old Armando Barlick has always been interested in how culture, politics, and society interact and influence each other. “I’ve always been very interested in this topic. It’s something that got me thinking a lot, especially in my younger years, in late middle school and early high school,” says Barlick. “It was something I knew a lot about but wanted to look more into – and when you’re in high school, that’s the time where you’re expected to come into your own and explore your interests.” So, working after school and during vacation breaks, Barlick spent more than a year – from the age of 16 to the age of 17 – researching and writing about modern American culture.

Armando Barlick

STUDENT, AUTHOR

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

“THERE IS A BEHIND THE SCENES WAR FOR CONTROL OF AMERICAN MEDIA [AND] THERE ARE A LOT OF FORCES THAT CONTROL POPULAR CONTENT. IT’S NOT JUST THE ARTISTS...”

Earlier this year, Barlick self-published "Culture Waves," a provocative look at how popular culture, especially over the last century, has influenced the way Americans think and vote. Despite its decidedly conservative twist, the book tries to provide a balanced look at how those in control of popular media – from government censors in the early 20th century to Hollywood studios today – have tried to control the messaging which influences mass audiences. The book is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble and ultimately may become a video documentary “to refine some of my arguments,” says Barlick, who welcomes any commentary, including different opinions.

WHAT HE SAYS

“It’s almost a tug of war, how society influences pop culture and the other way around. Its isn’t just a black and white, linear relationship... I learned that it is a little more complex than that,” says Barlick. “There is a behind the scenes war for control of American media [and] there are a lot of forces that control popular content. It’s not just the artists. Companies are incentivized to promote ideas that you already have. Social media is largely what we make it.” The solution? “We shouldn’t be romanticizing entertainers but instead talk to people in our communities… talking to people is more important than what you hear in media.” –

J.P. Faber ■

Before she led Coral Gables' greenspace division and oversaw the health and happiness of the city’s enormous canopy, Deena Bell-Llewellyn thought she was going to be a doctor. Then she found Coral Gables. “When I was in college on spring break, I came to Coral Gables and I fell in love with the historic architecture, the tree canopy… the whole landscape of [the city]," Bell-Llewellyn says. She moved to Miami after graduation and went to work for a landscape architect.

Post-Hurricane Andrew, with the demand for landscape redesign rising, she started her own firm, Bell Landscape Architecture. Following Hurricane Irma, the City of Coral Gables hired her to lead the landscape recovery effort, during which she oversaw the planting of over 1,000 new trees. Today, she runs the city’s Greenspace Management Division, which maintains over 400 parks and greenspaces and supports 40,000 trees in the urban canopy.

Deena Bell-Llewellyn

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, GREENSPACE MANAGEMENT, CITY OF CORAL GABLES

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

“WHAT EXCITES ME THE MOST [TODAY] IS SEEING THE LARGE GROWTH THAT’S GOING TO COME INTO SOUTH FLORIDA OVER THE NEXT DECADE...”

Earlier this year, Bell-Llewellyn became a Fellow in the American Society of Landscape Architects, a national honor recognizing sustained contributions to the profession. “To become elevated to a Fellow… it’s a career dream,” she says. “Only people that have worked in the profession for many years and have built the highest reputation can even be nominated… there’s a national panel that votes on your application.” Fewer than 50 people are picked each year for the honor. Coral Gables also recently celebrated its 40th consecutive year as a Tree City USA, a designation supported by her team’s work.

WHAT SHE SAYS

“I always knew I wanted to work here,” says Bell-Llewellyn. “What excites me the most [today] is seeing the large growth that’s going to come into South Florida over the next decade, and being part of fitting that many people… into the land and then adapting the land to fit the population. It’s going to be a challenge that only a landscape architect can do,” she says. – Amanda Martell ■

As one of the most accomplished urologic oncologists in his field, Dr. Dipen J. Parekh has performed more than 6,000 robotic urologic cancer surgeries throughout his career and led the trial for robotic-assisted surgery to treat bladder cancer. Born in India, the surgeon graduated from the University of Poona in 1990 with his medical degree, and from Trinity College with a master’s in health administration in 2012. That same year, he joined the University of Miami (UM) as the chair of the school’s urology department and quickly began rising. In 2017, he became chief clinical officer, and then, in 2020, chief operating officer of UHealth. Over the last five years, he has worked to enhance the quality and national prominence of UHealth. “[Dr. Parekh] has played a pivotal role each step of the way as the University of Miami Health System has grown into one of the top academic medical centers in the country,” says UM president and CEO Joe Echevarria. “He understands the mission – from the operating room to the classroom to the boardroom – and he embodies the excellence we strive to deliver for our patients, students, and community.”

“TAKING

CARE OF

PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES IS A PERSONAL CALLING...”

Dr. Dipen J. Parekh

CEO, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI HEALTH SYSTEM

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Dr. Parekh was named the next CEO of UHealth and executive vice president for health affairs at UM in June after a unanimous vote by the school’s board of trustees. Even with the increased responsibility that comes with this role, he still plans on treating patients. Parekh takes over as the head of Uhealth from Echevarria, who had served in that position since 2021, juggling both jobs since becoming UM president and CEO last year.

WHAT HE SAYS

“This is just a natural thing,” says Parekh. “Taking care of patients and their families is a personal calling. I just feel incredibly honored and fortunate that I get to do the whole spectrum.” He adds, “When I am seeing a patient [or] doing surgery on a patient as a doctor, I’m able to focus on that one particular patient and one particular surgery, and then I can scale it all the way up to the entire health system as CEO, where I’m able to play a small role in taking care of millions of patients.” – Luke Chaney ■

One Team, One Vision With You at the Center

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UNDER CONTRACT | FAIRCHILD OAKS

11055 GIRASOL AVE. CORAL GABLES, FL 33156

5 BED | 4.5 BATH | 4,598 SQ FT | 11055GIRASOLAVE.COM FILLED W/ NATURAL LIGHT & VIEWS OF MATURE MAJESTIC OAK TREES LISTED BY LANI KAHN DRODY | (305) 216-1550

COMING SOON | THE LAUREL HOME

11900 SW 14TH PLACE DAVIE, FL 33325

5 BED | 6 BATH | CLUB ROOM | 3 CAR GARAGE | POOL | 5,301 SQ FT

LUXURY ESTATE-STYLE LIVING IN THE HEART OF DAVIE

CONTACT PATTI CECCHERINE FOR DETAILS | (954) 473-9188

JUST SOLD 11942 SW 14TH PL. DAVIE, FL

5 BED | 7.5 BATH | 6,491 SQ FT | 36,459 SQ FT LOT

A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE, BUILT BY LOWELL HOMES

LISTED BY LANI KAHN DRODY | (305) 216-1550

JUST SOLD 1217 ALGARDI AVE. CORAL GABLES, FL

3 BED | 5 BATH | 2,916 SQ FT

LANI KAHN DRODY BROUGHT THE BUYER | (305) 216-1550

EFFECTIVE GUIDANCE, DUE DILIGENCE EXPERTISE, & EXPERT NEGOTIATIONS.

JUST SOLD | PINECREST

7160 SW 124TH ST PINECREST, FL 33156

4 BED | 3 BATH | 3,152 SQ FT | SALTWATER POOL & SPA

EXPANSIVE OUTDOOR AREA WITH BUILT-IN KITCHEN, BBQ & LOUNGE

LISTED BY LAUREN DOWLEN | (786) 942-0193

JUST SOLD | THE RESERVE OF PINECREST

7598 SW 102ND ST #300 PINECREST, FL 33156

3 BED | 2.5 BATH | 1,842 SQ FT | FRESHLY RENOVATED

PRISTINE CONDO WITH LARGE COVERED PATIO OVERLOOKING TREETOPS

LISTED BY LAUREN DOWLEN | (786) 942-0193

JUST SOLD 600 BILTMORE WAY #513 CORAL GABLES

2 BED | 2 BATH | 1,129 SQ FT

LAUREN DOWLEN BROUGHT THE BUYER | (786) 942-0193

THE LATEST TRENDS IN JEWELRY TAKE CENTER STAGE THIS SEASON

BY AMANDA MARTELL

YELLOW GOLD HAS BEEN THE MOST REQUESTED METAL COLOR FOR JEWELRY FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS... " "

JILLIAN HORNIK OF JAE’S JEWELERS, SHOWN RIGHT WITH DAD BRUCE

ABOVE: JAE'S GIFT GUIDE 2025 RUBY & GOLD BRACELET

The holiday season is now upon us, and it’s that time of year when jewelry takes center stage. From diamonds to gemstones, it’s the moment when everything sparkles a little brighter.

To get a feel for what’s trending in the glittering world of jewelry, we spoke with some of our leading local jewelers to uncover what’s moving off the shelves right now. What are customers reaching for? Which trends are gaining momentum? Here’s what’s making waves this season.

If you’ve noticed yellow gold everywhere lately, there’s a reason. Jillian Hornik from Jae’s Jewelers confirms that it’s the hottest trend today and has been for some time. “Yellow gold has been the most

requested metal color for jewelry for the past three years. In 2025, it passed white gold as the most requested color for engagement rings!”

Eddie Snow of Snow’s Jewelers agrees that yellow gold is definitely in vogue for bridal jewelry. “For engagement rings and wedding bands, the interesting thing is, whether it’s natural diamonds or lab created diamonds, the trend is towards yellow gold jewelry – but instead of a classic solitaire or a simple ring, they’re going for rings in yellow gold with a carved or engraved style shank, which is the part that goes around the finger. It’s almost a vintage look.”

Whether it's white or yellow gold, Hornik notes that the

INSTEAD OF A CLASSIC SOLITAITRE... THEY'RE GOING FOR RINGS IN YELLOW GOLD WITH A CARVED OR ENGRAVED STYLE SHANK..." "

precious metal is becoming more attractive as its value soars. “With the surging gold market, clients are happy to purchase heavier gold bracelets and necklaces to layer up,” she says. Snow sees that same trend. “When it comes to necklaces and bracelets, it used to be that a woman would have a pair of earrings, a necklace, a bracelet, and a watch. Nowadays, that’s out the window. You see women are wearing three necklaces, four necklaces, the same thing with bracelets. They call that layering or stacking, and it’s just a really popular look.”

Hornik agrees. From mixing your golds with your silver to stacking pearl necklaces, if you want to make a statement, this is how you do it. “Charms and pendants are being layered everywhere… the more the merrier!” she says. “Everyday styles are being worn together to create a bolder statement.” It’s about building a look that’s uniquely yours, one piece at a time.

Another trend that Snow sees is in the popularity of tennis bracelets and necklaces. “It’s continuous since last year; they’re still very popular,” he says. “The only difference that seems to be occurring is that yellow gold is gaining more popularity. And some

EDDIE SNOW OF SNOW’S JEWELERS (ABOVE WITH WIFE JUDY) ON THE YELLOW GOLD & DIAMOND WITH CARVED BAND, SHOWN LEFT

EMERALD RING AT SNOW’S JEWELERS

women, they’re wearing two at once.”

Of course, diamonds are never far from the top of the list. From engagement rings to studded earrings, they outlast every trend that tries to replace them. While styles come and go, diamonds remain constant. “Diamonds never go out of style; it’s the fancy shapes and bezel settings that have become more popular lately,” Hornik explains. Beyond diamonds are gemstones, and for fashion, their colors, just like our wardrobes, tend to follow the rhythm of the seasons. For most of us, autumn is the moment pumpkin spice lattes first appear on the menu. But what does that seasonal shift mean for jewelry? “Fall tends to welcome warmer tone gemstones like green tourmaline, smokey quartz, and citrine,” says Hornik, along with the burgundy, mocha, and olive colors that make their debut before the leaves fall – if you're living up north, of course.

For Snow’s, however, those seasonal trends don’t overcome the perennial favorite. “Among the gemstones in our store, sapphire is the most popular. Blue seems to be a very strong look, and it’s still probably the most popular colored stone – not to mention that it’s a September birthstone… sapphires come in all different colors, like pink sapphires and yellow sapphires, but the blue sapphire is the

AMONG THE GEMSTONES

IN

OUR STORE, SAPPHIRE IS THE MOST POPULAR..."

most important color.”

One thing that caught our attention this year was the comeback of pearls. This summer especially, pearl bracelets and necklaces were everywhere, but fully reimagined. Now, you’re seeing pearls mixed with gemstones, charm bracelets accented with pearls, and pearl necklaces paired with seashells. For the fall, Hornik notes, “Pearls are having a resurgence in non-traditional ways. For instance, pearl hoops or pearl stations on a gold chain rather than a classic strand.”

Puja Bordia of Trésor Collection sees holiday shoppers seeking more of an emotional connection. “It’s all about sentimental luxury jewelry. We are seeing the clients gravitating towards pieces that feel very personal, like delicate layering necklaces, statement necklaces,

WE ARE SEEING THE CLIENTS GRAVITATING TOWARDS PIECES THAT FEEL VERY PERSONAL"

EARRINGS BELOW BY DESIGNER ZYDO

or statement cocktail rings. They are even trying to redesign their heirloom pieces that carry emotional meaning.”

When asked what truly drives jewelry purchases, Bordia gets to the heart of it. “I think it’s the meaningful jewelry. Whenever a person purchases jewelry, it’s a very emotional experience. When you’re buying jewelry, either you’re happy and celebrating something, or you want to treat yourself because you’ve worked hard and you deserve it.” As trends come and go, one thing stays the same. “Every piece that they’re buying has emotion… it’s all about the memory and meaning,” Bordia says. ■

EDDIE SNOW ON THE TIMELESS SAPHIRE NECKLACE SHOWN LEFT

ANTIQUE RUBY AND DIAMOND RING BELOW: YELLOW DIAMOND EARRINGS BY

CELEBRATIONS. ADORNED.

ALO

Great Restaurant Experiences

Photo by Rodolfo Benitez

Sunday Brunch

THE BILTMORE HOTEL

There are brunches, and then there is Sunday at the Biltmore Hotel. This is the king of Coral Gables brunches, a feast fit for the Roman court of Caligula. Brunchers occupy tables in the Fontana courtyard, with its splendid Venetian fountain and background of live classical guitar, visiting food stations while waiters pour juices, coffee, and endless mimosas. Inside the main restaurant is the traditional breakfast selection of croissants, muffins, fruit tarts, potatoes, bacon, sausages, eggs benedict, blueberry pancakes, and French toast, but we ignored this area.

What we wanted was across the courtyard: multiple stations for seafood, Greek food, Italian food, sushi, paella, roast meats, salads, breads, and caviar. Our favorite was the seafood bar, with peeled shrimp, lobster tails, snow crab claws, oysters, and multiple ceviche options – as distinct from the smoked fish table, with its smoked salmon, white fish, and trout, and opposite the caviar station with three types of caviar on crackers you can embellish with capers, crème fraiche, chopped red onion, or chopped chives.

And what would brunch be without mushroom risotto, chicken fricassee, Cajun style seafood and miso-glazed salmon? The carving tables are also hard to resist, with crispy pork belly, roast lamb, roast turkey, and roast beef. We still managed a visit to the dessert alcove, with its groaning table of two-dozen-plus desserts. So pace yourself – and prepare for a nap. The cost, including tax and tip: $150. 1200 Anastasia Ave. 855.311.6903. biltmorehotel.com/coral-gables-dining/fontana/

SWEET PARIS CRÊPERIE & CAFÉ

This modest French eatery is tucked under one corner of the colonnade that curves around the courtyard at The Plaza Coral Gables. We like Sweet Paris because it’s a less expensive but nonetheless special place to enjoy a relaxed Sunday morning brunch. You order from a chalkboard array of crepes, which are brought to your table. You can also order waffles or a three-egg omelet, but the crepes are the way to go, from the savory types (chicken Florentine, turkey with grapes and brie, ham, and Gruyère cheese) to the sweet ones (Nutella, lemon and sugar, apple cinnamon). The good news is that prices range from $9.75 to $15.50, and while the mimosas are not bottomless, they also run for less than $10. The coffee is excellent, too. Better yet, you can get a newspaper from the adjacent Loews Hotel. How civilized. 3005 Ponce de Leon. 786.360.3519. sweetparis.com

BACHOUR

The raw-industrial chic interior of Bachour, home to one of the world’s greatest pastry chefs (Antonio Bachour), has become a popular power breakfast place in town. For good reason. No one does a better hollandaise sauce or a more perfect six-minute egg for their Benedict, and no one does a better guava and cheese pancake (the challah French toast with mascarpone mousse is pretty darn good, too). And nothing beats the pastries created by the eponymous master of the craft. But it is the breezeway that makes a leisurely Sunday morning so pleasant at Bachour, and since it’s that breakfast/ lunch thing called “brunch,” you can also order some of the mains that aren’t served at the usual breakfast time, like their crab BLT on a brioche bun. 2020 Salzedo St. 305.203-0552. antoniobachour.com

BACHOUR

FONTANA AT THE BILTMORE HOTEL

SWEET PARIS CRÊPERIE & CAFÉ

Romantic Dining

BABETTE

It’s no wonder Babette is one of our top picks for romantic restaurants in the Gables – its owners’ love story is also one of the best we’ve heard. Michelin-starred Chef Dani Chávez-Bello and his wife Alexandra Oliveros met as children in Venezuela before a chance encounter decades later sparked a love story that has spanned multiple continents, culminating in Babette: their love letter to Coral Gables.

The cozy, intimate restaurant is tucked inside the La Jolla Ballroom on Alcazar Avenue, a vine-covered venue with its own romantic overtures. Babette ups the ante with its dim pink lighting, soft soundtrack, and extensive wine list – not to mention the Mediterranean-French menu, from a chef who once worked at El Bulli, considered the best restaurant in the world at one point. Here, everything is light and flavorful; the cold, sweet beets tartare with its peppery finish, lined with a healthy helping of truffle to bridge the gap between saccharine and savory: a perfect encapsulation of a spicy, yet sweet, date night out. 301 Alcazar Ave. 786.533.3523. babettemiami.com

NOMA BEACH AT REDFISH

Most of Coral Gables’ best restaurants are in the Central Business District, but it’s hard to compete with the picturesque waterfront views that NOMA Beach at Redfish provides. Nestled along the atoll at Matheson Hammock Park, this Italian restaurant – led by famed Chef Donatella Arpaia – is literally at the water’s edge. It’s a long drive through the mangroves from Old Cutler Road, but worth it: The view of the atoll and its surrounding bay is simply stunning, especially during a sunset on the outdoor patio. After dark, the trees, wrapped in cozy string-light jackets, illuminate the night sky.

At NOMA, we prefer to kick a romantic night off by sharing The Hanging Board ($42), a curated selection of meats, cheeses, olives, local honey, fig jam, and crostinis. Something about a charcuterie board just says “amor” to us. Even better are the creative cocktail offerings. Our favorite? A coconut-lime mix called “me fui de vacationes,” refreshing and tropical to complement the overall vibe of the restaurant. 9610 Old Cutler Rd. 305.668.8788. noma-beach.com

TULLIO

A big part of the charm here is the service. From the first moment, you feel pampered by proprietor Lucio Zanon and his son Sebastiano, along with the attentive wait staff. A rose at every table, the evening setting is molto romantico, with low lighting from orbs overhead, small table lamps, and a large back-lit bookcase. The high ceilings absorb sound, so you can hear those sweet whispers from your date.

Another specialty is the dishes prepared tableside on a rolling sideboard, such as the branzino for two, delicately filleted as you watch, or their cacio e pepe, where the pasta is rolled in a wheel of pecorino romano. By some measure, this is dining as theater, making your significant other feel quite special. The food is also exceptional, with fresh pasta made daily and seafood flown in from the Mediterranean (or Argentine waters, for their shrimp dishes). The freshness of the seafood is a point of pride, since the Zanon family comes from a long line of fish merchants in Venice. 160 Andalusia Ave. 305.926.4208. tulliomiami.com

BABETTE

TULLIO

NOMA BEACH AT REDFISH

Dinner & A Show

THE GLOBE

Saturday night is magic at The Globe. For that one night each week, this Bohemian-esque restaurant and bar turns into a jazz club without compare, with three sets of Afro-Cuban jazz (at 8, 9:30, and 11 pm). The setting is wooden floors and wainscotting, with classical paintings and globes (of course) lining the top shelf behind the ancient bar. It’s a cool scene with patrons of all ages, from elegantly dressed Cuban seniors to young jazz lovers with uber hairstyles.

Food-wise, the menu has been tweaked for years by proprietor Danny Guiteras, whose wife and partner Lorraine runs the Saturday night jazz scene. We swear by their conch fritters, steak frites, and salads – from the apple and walnut Waldorf to “Danny’s Salad” with steak bits and gorgonzola cheese. Desserts are also spot on, like their caramel-drizzled profiteroles. So, enjoy an ice-cold martini while soaking in the best jazz vibe this side of the West Village. Reservations recommended. 377 Alhambra Cir. 305.445.3555. theglobecafe.com

LA TABERNA GIRALDA

This bastion of Galician Spanish culture and tapas now has a Thursday night trio performing old Cuban and Spanish tunes, but nothing compares with the Saturday night Flamenco show. Everybody gets involved, clapping, cheering, and even singing as the flamenco dancer parades first on stage and then down the open aisle between the tables and bar. She is accompanied by a percussionist and a guitarist who sings with a perfect Gypsy Kings voice.

The food includes a selection of tapas with the usual suspects – patatas bravas, garlic shrimp, and fried calamari – but includes tapas from the fish-rich palate of Northwestern Spain, where the Basque maintain their culinary identity. There are cod croquetas, two variations of octopus, and white marinated anchovies. Main dishes included three types of paella, including a black rice version made with squid ink, shrimp, calamari, and clams. They also have a good selection of Spanish wines. Saturday night here is authentically Spanish. Reservations recommended. 254 Giralda Ave. 786.362.5677. giralda254.com

ARMSTRONG JAZZ HOUSE

Owner Alfred Santamaria, disappointed the Gables did not have a dedicated jazz club, decided to start his own. Tucked into a small space across from the Miracle Theatre, Armstrong Jazz House has music every night, with a short menu that reflects the New Orleans traditions of jazz (French Quarter Onion Soup, French Calamari and Shrimp, Jazzy Chicken Francese) and a nod to other jazz venues and greats (Bleu Note Shrimp Salad, Miles Davis Style Salmon). Armstrong is usually packed, giving it the vibe of a small popular club, while young jazz musicians play in the window alcove so diners seated outside on the Mile can also eyeball what they are hearing. Armstrong does not have a liquor license but creates cocktails with wine that do a fine job of filling those shoes. And they are committed to organic ingredients for their food, sourced from local farmers. Sets are at 6, 8 or 10 pm, with a $5 music charge. 271 Miracle Mile. 305.488.9955. armstrongjazzhouse.com

THE GLOBE

LA TABERNA GIRALDA

ARMSTRONG JAZZ HOUSE

WHERE MIAMI’S SPIRIT IGNITES

TOMORROW’S LEADERS

Gulliver embodies Miami—its innovation, energy, and diversity—to create a learning environment that is globally minded, future-facing, and alive with possibility. From age three to graduation, our students participate in learning that’s relevant, connecting the classroom to the real world and preparing them for what’s next.

With a powerful blend of knowledge, real-world skills, and character, discover how a Gulliver education can prepare your child for their future.

Late Night Bites

Coral Gables isn’t exactly known for its nightlife, at least not much beyond midnight, but there are a smattering of restaurants and bars that serve food past the witching hour.

DENNY’S

There’s a reason Denny’s holds Miracle Mile’s longest lease, and that may be because it’s also the restaurant open longest. This 24-hour Gables mainstay is the perfect ode to a classic – if not amazingly healthy – American breakfast. Or, of course, breakfast for dinner. Surrounded by hospitality workers just getting off shifts that ended at 1 or 2 am, you can get all the classics here: bacon, eggs, sausage, and even a milkshake or ice-cream-loaded brownie

COYO TACO

The kitchen at this popular taco spot is open until 1:30 am and serves up more than just the basics. We usually opt for one of their large and well-stuffed quesadillas, drizzled with various aiolis and served steaming hot, but on a night out, we prefer lighter fare. Our go-to: the carne asada tacos. Though the tortillas could be a little hardier (our second fell apart completely, leaving us to spoon up the remnants), the beef is wonderfully tender and topped with all the right fixings (pico de gallo, of course). It’s salty, savory, and has just the right amount of spiciness to get your tastebuds tingling and your mind sharp for a few more hours out on the town. And, of course, you must pair it with one of their classic margaritas before you head out again onto Giralda Plaza. 126 Giralda Ave. 786.629.7929. coyo-taco.com

to wash everything down. The cookies and cream milkshake is in our top five ever, and even the bacon – though clearly having been left under a heat lamp for some minutes – is pretty good, after all. As far as a late-night bite goes, you’re more apt to find a late-night meal here, and you’ll be grateful you did in the morning (or later that morning, anyways). 1 Miracle Mile. 305.445.2300. dennys.com

COPPER 29

More of a place to wet your whistle rather than down a full meal as you dance the wee hours away, Copper 29 still understands that vital rule of late-night bars: always have some apps to soak everything up. Here, the kitchen is open until 2 am, serving up bites like our favorite, the short rib flatbread, which can add some much-needed carbs to a night out. The crust may be thin, but it holds up well under the weight of braised short rib and roasted apples, which add a slight saccharine flavor to what amounts to a well-made, shareable dish. A creative take on a late-night bite that might even save you – and some friends – from that dreaded hangover headache. 206 Miracle Mile. 786.830.9640. copper29bar.com

COPPER 29

DENNY'S AFTER MIDNIGHT

COYO TACO

NAVIGATING YOU HOME

Three Top New Spots

SRA. MARTINEZ

This warm-toned space with funky mushroom-esque lights, wood paneling, and rosy ambience now occupies the space on Galiano Street once filled by the Open Stage music venue. The latest creation by celebrity chef Michelle Berstein, Sra. Martinez is her “love letter to Spain.” In a nod to its former occupant, Bernstein put a small stage near the back, big enough for a small band. “We wanted to have a piece of that back with us,” she says.

For food, we love the mushroom croquetas, which Bernstein says are inspired by a youthful love of her mother’s cream of mushroom soup. We also tried the leek au vinaigrette, a cold dish elevated by chopped hazelnuts for texture and a wonderful vinaigrette made from Spanish aged sherry vinegar and mustard. Another appetizer is the excellent chicken liver pate. Served with warm beignets and a house-made strawberry marmalade, the dish is a collaborative effort between Bernstein and former executive chef Andrew Gilbert. This is what creative cuisine is all about. 2325 Galiano St. 786.860.5980. sramartinezmiami.com

BASILICO RISTORANTE

With so many excellent Italian restaurants in Coral Gables – Zucca, Tullio, Bugatti, Abbracci, Portosole, Fratellino, etc. – you would wonder why another would open, especially in the same location on Ponce where Il Duomo dei Sapori recently closed, even keeping the same lighting and wall coverings. The answer is the newest incarnation of the popular local chain, Basilico (one is in Doral, another in Miami Springs). We recently visited for an afternoon lunch, warmly greeted and led to a comfortable booth. We started off with the Carpaccio de Manzo con Scaglie di Parmigiano, thinly sliced beef carpaccio topped with arugula, capers, and shaved parmesan cheese. The dish was light, savory, and the perfect set-up for the heavyweight star of the show – ravioli de granchio conditi: crab meat ravioli with leeks and shallots in a creamy lobster sauce topped with sauteed shrimp. Both were extraordinary. 2312 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.381.5604. basilicomiami.com

ARCANO

Arcano is in the space formerly occupied by TUR, the fine dining Mediterranean-focused restaurant on Giralda Avenue just west of Ponce de Leon. It retains the lovely arched veranda for outdoor seating while inside it’s much the same, 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. 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 present something unexpected from a “Hispanamerica” menu that draws from the cooking traditions of 21 Spanish-speaking countries. 259 Giralda Ave. 305.530.8332. arcanomiami.com

SRA. MARTINEZ

ARCANO

BASILICO RISTORANTE

More Than A Restaurant

HOW THE GRAZIANOS BUILT A LASTING

SOUTH FLORIDA LEGACY

BY KYLIE WANG

Leo

Cecilia

Mario Maria

Carolina

GIVE YOUR CUSTOMERS THE BEST YOU CAN GIVE THEM. ANYTHING I WOULDN’T EAT, I WOULDN’T SERVE TO MY CUSTOMERS... " "

The year is 1990. Fewer than 5,000 Argentines live in Greater Miami, most of them on Miami Beach.

There are only a couple of restaurants in the area that serve Argentine fare, and none of them have an asador, the traditional Argentine grill with a height-adjustable grate (also known as a parilla) to control the live-fire cooking. But all of that is about to change, with the imminent arrival of the Graziano family.

“You could say the first restaurant was a parking lot on Coral Way,” says Leo Graziano, who was then 20, perfecting his skills at butchery under his father Mario's tutelage. “We had a big, long table that we put outside, and people would sit on Coca-Cola crates.” The Grazianos, who had just opened their first butcher shop inside the adjacent building, were experimenting with an idea a nearby cafeteria had brought to them –hosting barbecues outside the shop on the parking lot asphalt. That friendly community event, permeated with Argentine accents and featuring a sun-sweaty Leo and his

father (the patriarch of the Graziano family) cooking authentic Argentine meat on the grill, was the precursor to what is now a small empire stretching across Miami.

Did Mario,who comes from humble beginnings as a butcher in Argentina,ever dream he would see the success of a string of four restaurants and eight mercados,all with his name emblazoned on the front? “No,”he says simply – an answer even I don’t need translated with my primary-school Spanish education.

I’m having lunch with the whole Graziano clan when I get a chance to speak with Mario. Crowded at a long table at their market inside the LifeTime building on U.S.-1, with the family chattering about their kids, their athletic endeavors, and the Italian foreign exchange student that Cecilia is hosting (who, she enthuses, has finally expressed long-overdue admiration for her cooking), I have to lean in to hear Mario. His granddaughter, Melissa, director of marketing and development, is translating the parts I don’t catch.“He was doing well in Buenos Aires,”she explains,“but he never

thought the success we had over there would translate to the U.S.”

Born in 1944, Mario was 18-years-old when he opened his first butcher shop – really just a stall in his parents' grocery store in Buenos Aires. Trained as a mechanic, butchering was out of his comfort zone, but a natural addition to the store. He was a good salesman and a quick learner, and by age 22 he had opened his own store, separate from his parents’. Two years later, he opened another, and then two years after that, another. Like clockwork, every two years or so, there was a new butcher shop, until finally there were 11 spread across the city. His trucks dotted the roads of Buenos Aires, delivering meat not only to families, but also wholesale to other businesses. His daughters, Carolina (now vice president of imports and exports) and Cecilia (vice president of human resources and administration) manned the registers after they got out of school, while Leo (now CEO), spent most of his time in the backrooms, learning how to perfectly cut a slab of meat.

MARIO GRAZIANO, FOUNDER OF THE GRAZIANOS GROUP, WHICH BROUGHT THE ASADOR ARGENTINE GRILL TO SOUTH FLORIDA (SHOWN ABOVE)

“When I was 15 or 16, I started going out… and my dad said, ‘Okay, but you have to be here making chorizo at 5 am,” Leo remembers. “In Argentina, you stay out until daytime because you don’t want to take public transportation at night, so at five I’d come home and start sleepily making chorizo. He’d keep me there for half-an-hour and then say, ‘Okay, now you can go to bed.’”

Leo’s stories, which I listen to attentively over bites of mouth-watering steak, illustrate two things: first, the incredible sense of discipline and care for the family business that Mario has instilled in now three different generations; and two, the dangers of living in Argentina in the 1970s and early ‘80s during the “National Reorganization Process,” when right-wing forces staged a coup against President Isabel Perón and began systematically hunting down anyone remotely suspected of left-wing activism. Over 30,000 people disappeared during this time, when crime was rampant and missing persons couldn’t be reported for fear of retribution. The Grazianos’ trucks full of meat were regularly robbed at gunpoint, and Mario’s house was broken into when the children were teenagers. “It was no longer a safe environment for a family,” he says. So, he moved the family to South Florida, leaving everything behind for a chance at a safer life.

The family first moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1983, then returned for six years (when Argentine democracy was restored) before officially settling in Miami in 1989. That year, Maria, Mario’s wife, found an ad for an available retail space in a newspaper. The first butcher shop opened on Coral Way and 87th Avenue in 1990, sparking the kindling of what is now called The Graziano’s Group.

As it had been with the butcher shops in Argentina, new restaurants and mercados began opening steadily in roughly two-year cycles. The small Coral Way location was replaced by a market on Bird Road and 92nd, then a new location opened in Hialeah, and, in 2006, the first two Coral Gables locations: the mercado on Galiano Street and the full-service restaurant on LeJeune Road at Giralda Avenue. These were soon followed by locations in Weston, Doral, Aventura, and, two years ago, a third Coral Gables spot in the LifeTime Building on U.S.-1. In 2018, the Group also opened Lucia, a Neopolitan pizza place grounded in the family’s Italian heritage, on 72nd Street.

Leo credits the Gables mercado with being the first to introduce the concept of a combined market and restaurant. “When we first opened the mercado here, it was supposed to be just a butcher store with grocer-

AND TODAY, OPPOSITE: TOP: AT 82-YEARS-OLD, MARIO IS STILL PREPARING CUTS OF BEEF FOR CUSTOMERS LEFT: DINING AT THE LEJEUNE RD. RESTAURANT RIGHT: NICHOLAS EXPERTLY CUTTING OUR STEAK TABLE-SIDE

ies and wines and a bakery. But we noticed a lot of business-people wanted sandwiches and food, so that’s where the concept of the mercado with the dining came,” he says.

Today, Gableites can stop into the Galiano Street location for just that: fine Argentine wines, light bites, and an alfajor or two. For a more traditional dining experience, the Giralda-LeJeune location offers up lunch and dinner every day – with a brief hour-and-a-half respite from 3:30 to 5 pm on weekdays, reminiscent of the old days when Mario would close the butcher shop to have lunch at home with his family.

Throughout the process of expansion, every member of the Graziano clan has remained integral to the Group. Leo’s two grown sons, Marcos and Nicholas, act as director of restaurant operations and the general manager of the Coral Gables restaurant, respectively. His daughter, Melissa, is director of marketing and development, a role she only stepped into after beginning her career in the corporate world. “I knew she’d come back,” says Leo confidently.

Melissa’s son, now 10-years-old, is growing up in a similar world, one where his mother has to explain to him that no, you can’t just walk into any restaurant’s kitchen like you can at Graziano’s. He’s now part of the third generation that has grown up toddling into kitchens, learning how to properly cut and

THE VINTAGE YEARS:

ABOVE: THE PARKING LOT RESTAURANT ON CORAL WAY

RIGHT: MARIO AND MARIA AT THE BUTCHER SHOP BOTTOM: LEO IN BUENOS AIRES, STANDING GUARD OVER THE VEGETABLES

WHEN WE FIRST OPENED THE MERCADO HERE, IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE JUST A BUTCHER STORE WITH GROCERIES AND WINES AND A BAKERY ... " "

cook a steak, waiting tables, and providing a touch of family charm at the market register.

For her part, Melissa is grateful for the dynamics of the family business, where “everything is in the best interest of the company, and everyone has their own opinion.” With so many personalities and generational differences, there are bound to be a wide range of ideas, but both Leo and Melissa emphasize this as a strength. “You’re talking Millennials all the way to Boomers, but everybody comes with their own level of expertise,” she says. “At the end of the day, the root of it is all passion and care for the legacy and story of the family.”

The butchering, however, she leaves to other members of the clan. Mario, now 82-years-old, is still regularly present at the restaurants, helping cut beef and teaching others – like grandson Nicholas, who expertly cuts our filet table-side – to do the same. Leo, constantly in motion, sits at our table for no more than a few minutes at a time, getting up to check on our steaks, adjust nearby table settings, and disappear into

the kitchen. He and Nicholas debate briefly over who should cut the steak, before – like his father before him – Leo agrees to allow his son to serve us, though still with an eye on his technique.

The Group now boasts two on-site asadores, the only two in the United States, including one at the Coral Gables restaurant. They use quebracho wood imported especially from Argentina for the fire, because of its high density (quebracho is derived from the Spanish phrase “axe-breaker,” and can only be cut with machinery). It burns at a specific temperature, creating low, tame flames and lots of embers, perfect for the slow-cooking Argentine method. Most of the meat itself comes from Argentina too (the bone-in cuts are American because of federal import regulations), specifically from Logros, a family-owned cattle farm where all the cows are grass-fed and free-range. Importantly, Leo adds, “they [the farm] own the whole process,” meaning that all the cattle are slaughtered at the same place they are raised. “There’s no big truck that comes

LEO GRAZIANO, CEO (RIGHT) ON ADDING RESTAURANTS TO THE MARKETS

THIS WHOLE THING WAS FOR MY FAMILY. THE BUSINESS, EVERYTHING I DO IS FOR MY KIDS AND THEIR KIDS... " "

from somewhere [with the cattle]. It affects them a lot when they travel,”he says. Freerange is important too, he tells me, because of the muscle it builds, and the “grass-fed, grain-finish” diet is another essential element that eliminates some of the gamey flavoring common to other Latin American beef.

My head now swimming with all these details, I ask Mario: “So, what’s the best way to butcher a cow? Where do you start? Do you do things differently from other butchers?”He responds plainly, with a smile, “A cow’s a cow: two front legs, two back legs.”At the end of the day, his philosophy is simple: “Give your customers the best you can give them. Anything I wouldn’t eat, I wouldn’t serve to my customers.”

As the business continues to grow – the Coral Gables restaurant just underwent renovations,and Hialeah is getting a new location – that commitment to quality is the governing factor.“We can’t grow too fast because that’s harder to control,”says Cecilia “We don’t want to lose the essence of Graziano’s,[or the] time we have to transmit it to all of our employees.”

Melissa adds, “Our systems are becoming more defined. There’s more structure to the company than there ever was before. It’s just: How do we continue to expand in a way where everything is aligned?” Part of the answer to that question is the new community events the Group is rolling out: monthly barbecues at the LifeTime location, a specialized fernet (Argentina’s most iconic spirit) happyhour-slash-social-club every two weeks at the Coral Gables restaurant, and regular artisan markets at both Coral Gables mercados. The idea, Melissa says, is to make everyone feel a part of the Graziano family.

“I grew up in a scarcity mindset,” Mario, who still checks to make sure all the lights are turned off when he leaves the house, tells me in Spanish. “This whole thing was for my family. The business, everything I do is for my kids and their kids. It’s meant to be passed down.” Now, with the fourth generation of the Graziano family in the mix and a small empire spread across South Florida, he says with a smile, “I’m no longer sitting up in the middle of the night.” ■

MARIO WITH MELISSA (ABOVE & RIGHT), TOASTING THE FOURTH GENERATION OF THE GRAZIANO FAMILY

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Meandering Around Town # 27: Breakfasting on the Greenways

AN ADVENTURE IN WHICH A FORMER MAYOR CONTINUES TO SEEK THE “SOUL” OF HIS HOMETOWN

BY DON SLESNICK

North and South Greenway Drives comprise one of our city’s most historic neighborhoods, at the heart of the original City Beautiful development. The roadways form the perimeter of Florida’s oldest existing nine-hole golf course, Granada, while the neighborhood contains the 1920s Country Club of CoraI Gables. This is the founding Merrick family’s original homestead, and is separated by one block from both the Merrick House Museum and the last remaining Mediterranean-style water tower.

ln addition to being historically significant, the Greenways literally became the “Central Park” of the Gables during the

COVID isolation era. People were pushed out-of-doors and into areas available for recreational purposes, including jogging, skateboarding, power walking, picnicking, bicycling, scootering, baby carriage pushing, sunbathing, and, oh yes, golfing. Since then, pedestrian and vehicular activity has continued to grow, especially with the addition of two popular restaurants – particularly for those seeking tasty breakfast options.

Located at the front entrance of the Country Club, on the corner of Granada Boulevard and North Greenway Drive, is the Le Parc Bonjour café. Here, you can eat indoors in part of the old clubhouse, or al

TOP: AT LE PARC BONJOUR CAFÉ, SAYS PROPRIETOR JOSE GUTIERREZ, “WE OFFER MORE THAN JUST GREAT FOOD AND COFFEE. WE PROVIDE A PLACE FOR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS TO GATHER IN THE HEART OF THE CITY BEAUTIFUL.”

BELOW: BIRDIE BISTRO (FORMERLY BURGER BOB’S). SAYS PROPRIETOR RITA TENNYSON, “I AM SO THANKFUL AND PROUD TO HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY THE CITY TO CREATE A GATHERING SPOT FOR GOLFERS AND NEIGHBORS TO RELAX AND MINGLE.”

fresca on the clubhouse’s front lawn under colorful sun umbrellas.

“Our restaurant is unique since it is an integral part of the City’s own historic building,” says the café’s proprietor, Jose Gutierrez. “We offer more than just great food and coffee. We provide a place for neighbors and friends to gather in the heart of the City Beautiful.” The menu has a French flair, with excellent eggs benedict and crepes, and delicious bakery products like buttery croissants and pastries.

Located across the street behind the golf course’s first tee is the recently opened Birdie Bistro, the successor establishment to the beloved Burger Bob’s at that location. The restaurant is in the freshly renovated and updated golf course clubhouse (now with its own bathroom!). After a careful and thorough process to select a new proprietor, the city administration selected the resident’s favorite choice, Rita Tennyson, who worked as second-in-command at Burger Bob’s for decades. Birdie’s is still that “All-American” diner featuring bacon and egg breakfasts that draw early morning patrons, many of them regulars for years. “l am so thankful and proud to have been chosen by the city to create a gathering spot for golfers and neighbors to relax and mingle,” says Rita, while enjoying a rarity in the Gables: modestly priced hearty and healthy food. “Many of my customers are dear, long-time friends.”

The patrons of these two neighborhood restaurants owe the nearby residents a sincere “thank you” for their welcoming attitude, despite traffic and parking pressures imposed by commercial businesses in their midst. On the other hand, they can walk to breakfast.

I look forward to seeing you some morning: At Le Parc, we’ll enjoy croissants and Café au Lait, and on the following day we’ll “chow down” on grits, bacon, and American coffee at Birdie Bistro. ■ 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.

2025 • January 2026

The Gables’ Northern Gateway

GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT, EVEN IF IT TAKES A CENTURY

BY KARELIA MARTINEZ CARBONELL

100-YEAR-OLD CORAL GABLES is home to over 1,200 historically designated properties and 20 historic districts that include seven architecturally themed villages. Some historic districts, which derive their importance from being a unified entity, are better known than others. And one district is nationally recognized.

Recently, one lesser-known district, The Campina Court Historic District within the Flagler Street Section, has received some well-deserved attention, and in due time, the City of Coral Gables will finish what was promised 100 years ago.

THE FLAGLER STREET SECTION

The Flagler Section – the last northern tip of the city, where Ponce de Leon Boulevard swerves from 8th Street to Flagler Street – was acquired by the Coral Gables Corporation sometime between 1924 and 1925. That acquisition greatly facilitated the trolley system; the existing median on Ponce is where the tracks were laid. While there was some building activity in the mid-1920s, with some particularly distinctive apartments erected, the subdivision was not built out until the 1940s and '50s.

An advertisement published in 1924 announces that the Flagler Street Section is “one of the most advanced steps Coral Gables [has taken] in its remarkable development.” The advertisement also men-

tions “the building of a fine coral rock entrance near Douglas Road and Flagler Street... designed by Denman Fink, the well-known artist in charge of design and construction of all of Coral Gables' entrances and plazas. It will be built of coral rock and stucco and will cover an expanse of approximately 200-feet on Flagler Street.”

CAMPINA COURT HISTORIC DISTRICT

Constructed in the early 1940s, Campina Court comprises a small local historic district at the very northern tip of the Flagler Street Section, with residences that reflect the transition to the modern age. These represent a shift from the small Mediterranean-style bungalows constructed during the early days in the City’s development to the Minimal Transitional designs of affordable housing built to Federal Housing Authority specifications during World War II. With much fanfare, developer Earl G. Folsom began construction of 20 houses in the Flagler Section, all built on Campina Court, with many designed by H. George Fink.

Sadly, the “fine coral rock entrance” mentioned in the 1924 advertisement was never built, due to a number of unforeseen circumstances such as the 1926 hurricane, the real estate bust, and the Great Depression. However, after 100 years, residents of the Campina Court Historic District may finally get their entrance. In 2022, the area originally intended for the coral rock entrance was purchased by the City of Coral Gables, making it possible to bring to fruition the intended 1920s entrance feature. George Merrick’s vision of a gateway to the Flagler Street Section and the Campina Court District is presently in the design stage. ■

Karelia Martinez Carbonell is the president of the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables.

TOP: CAMPINA COURT HISTORIC DISTRICT PLAN

BELOW: 1924 MIAMI DAILY NEWS AD DEPICTING A “FINE CORAL ROCK ENTRANCE.”

BOTTOM: CAMPINA COURT 41, DESIGNED BY ARCHITECT H. GEORGE FINK

Remembering Betsy Adams

HONORING ONE OF CORAL GABLES’ MOST BELOVED LEADERS

Coral Gables would not be the city it is today without the contributions of local activists and civic leaders like Betsy Adams, whose legacy is found throughout the many beautification projects she spearheaded in the Gables. She organized the creation of three new city entrances, located at Coral Way and Red Road (1991), Miracle Mile and Douglas Road (1997), and Ponce de Leon Boulevard and 8th Street (2008). She also led the effort to construct the statue of city founder George E. Merrick in front of City Hall, as well as the statue of Althea Merrick – Merrick’s mother – seated on a bench at the Merrick House on Coral Way.

Adams joined the Coral Gables Garden Club in 1958 and was eventually elevated to president. With over 50 years of service, she won numerous awards, including the George E. Merrick Award of Excellence by the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, the first-ever Coral Gables Citizen of the Year Award by the Coral Gables Rotary Club, the National Federation of Garden Club’s Civic Development Award, and the Blanche Covington Leadership Award by the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs. The city also named a day and a park – The Betsy Adams and City of Coral Gables Garden Club Park – after her.

As the sixth of 11 children, Bessie Arminta (aka Betsy) Adams was born in 1929 in Lenoir, North Carolina, where she was raised

by her mother, Bessie Warren Gregg, and her father, William Leonard Gregg. The tenets of hard work and determination were ingrained in Adams at a young age, and she spent much of her youth tending to her family’s garden. After graduating high school, Adams joined the FBI in Washington D.C., where she flourished. She played for the FBI women’s basketball team and competed in the Miss Washington D.C. pageant, finishing in second place, thanks to her fine singing voice and her appearance in the bathing suit contest.

Adams met her husband and lifelong partner, Larry, after he spotted her sunbathing in a yellow bikini on Miami Beach, where he was working as an FPL lineman (he later became a senior VP at FPL). Betsy and Larry married five months after that chance meeting, together raising three sons. They were together for 73 years until Larry passed away in December 2024. She followed him in September of this year at age 96, dying peacefully at home surrounded by family. She is survived by her three sons – Thad, Larry Jr., and Ron Adams – as well as granddaughters Kelly Adams, Jennifer, and Julie, great-granddaughter Leah Adams, and sister Shirley Barlowe.

Adams will be remembered as an admirable wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother; a sweet, mild-mannered, and kind woman who was also a fearless leader and terrific public speaker. Her most impressive quality, however, may have been her humility. When the city chose to honor Adams with a park, she made sure that the park’s name included the Coral Gables Garden Club, not just hers. “I had no idea this would happen,” Adams told the Coral Gables Magazine in 2018. “But I’m grateful for it, I really am.”

– Luke Chaney ■

In place of flowers, the family asks that donations in memory of Adams be made to the Coral Gables Garden Club.

BETSY ADAMS AT THE BETSY ADAMS AND CITY OF CORAL GABLES GARDEN CLUB PARK

THE LOWE ART MUSEUM JOINS FORCES WITH THE MOSAIC ART FUND

A Partnership for Local Artists

BY J.P. FABER

When Joe and Emily Lowe funded what would later become known as the Lowe Art Museum, they had no idea that it would blossom into the premiere art museum of South Florida. Originally launched as the University Art Gallery in three classrooms on the University of Miami campus in 1950, it was housed two years later in a free-standing facility paid for by the Lowe family. The young museum grew dramatically in 1956 with the donation of the Alfred I. Barton Collection of Native American Art (adding the first of several new wings) and then again in 1961 with works from the Samuel H. Kress Collection.

In 1968 the collection was officially renamed the Lowe Art Museum, and four years later became the first museum in South Florida to be professionally accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

Today it houses an extraordinary collection of nearly 19,000 objects that spans 5,000 years, including sculpture from Greco-Roman antiquity, paintings from the Renaissance, and art from the Americas, Africa, and Asia. It also has an entire pavilion devoted to contemporary glass and ceramics.

With such a collection – augmented by rotating temporary exhibitions – the museum has played an important role as a teaching resource for UM as well as a cultural hub for the Gables and greater Miami.

Now the Lowe is joining forces with Gables philanthropist Ray Corral to touch lives and build community by leveraging the Mosaic Art Fund, a donor-advised fund administered by the Coral Gables Community Foundation to support local artists with unrestricted grants. Originally launched in 2023 as the Corral & Cathers Fund, the idea was to provide $5,000 grants to individual emerging artists, chosen by a panel headed by Catherine Cathers, the Arts and Cultural Coordinator for the city of Coral Gables.

This year the award ceremony for those grants took place in the Lowe’s Beaux Arts Gallery with grants to 13 local artists. “Corral and his fund collaborator and co-founder Catherine Cathers gave winning artists – both emerging and established – funds specifically designed to buy them the greatest of all luxuries for any studio artist: time,” says Dr. Jill Deupi, who is the Beaux Arts Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Lowe.

Since then, the Corral & Cathers Fund has been relaunched as the Mosaic Art Fund, with the goal of attracting other like-minded philanthropists to create a substantial pool of financial resources for local, emerging, and mid-career artists in Coral Gables and Miami-Dade County. “There is a tremendous need for the private sector to help support the arts today, especially in light of the severe cuts to arts funding by the State of Florida,” says Corral. “And this is not just a benefit to these artists, but a prime pump for economic development.” Studies have shown that investment

in arts results in significant economic impact for local communities. (According to the Arts Action Alliance, the cultural sector in Miami-Dade – which lost $6.4 million in State funds this year – generates $2 billion in economic activity). The goal for the Mosaic Art Fund is to award grants valued at $250,000 next year, growing to more than $1 million by 2030.

The June awards event for the Corral & Cathers fund at the Lowe was such a success that Deupi is partnering with the non-profit on the museum’s most sig-

LEFT: JILL DEUPI, BEAUX ARTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CHIEF CURATOR AT THE LOWE, IN ONE OF ITS GALLERIES

BELOW: THE GLASS AND CERAMICS PAVILION

nificant fund raiser for the year, the Evening of Art. Set to take place on the evening of Saturday, February 28, 2026, this signature event will feature a live auction of nearly fifty works of art contributed by local artists “who have transformed simple palettes into magnificent objects,” says Deupi. All prior grant recipients from the Corral & Cathers fund will be able to attend at no cost, and a “Fan Favorite” cash award will be awarded to the three most popular pieces as determined by popular vote. To that end, the Lowe (which always offers free general admission to all, courtesy of Beaux Arts) will be opening its Palette Project display for public viewing on Wednesday, February 25 through Saturday, February 28 (10 am to 4 pm). While onsite, visitors will be able to vote for their favorite works, with the results being announced and cash prizes being given out at the Evening of Art itself.

“THERE IS TREMENDOUS NEED FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO HELP SUPORT THE ARTS TODAY...” RAY CORRAL

LEFT: (L TO R) PEPE MAR, ADLER GUERRIER, DAVID CASTILLO, AND RAY CORRAL IN THE LOWE'S TOBIN GALLERY FOR MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART (PAINTING: PAT STEIR)

“It sounds trite, but it truly does take a village,” says Deupi. “With Ray’s support, the Lowe is awash in new ideas, new energy, and new audiences.” Corral himself is an accomplished mosaic artist (lecturing this summer at the prestigious Friuli Mosaicists art college in Italy) and now a member of the Lowe’s Advisory Council, nominated for inclusion by Peter Zubizarreta, a wealth manager for UBS, who has chaired the council since 2023.

For those who wish to join the movement to fund the arts (and artists) in Coral Gables, you can contact

Ray Corral ray@mosaicist.com

305-205-5944

or Mauricio Vivero, President & CEO of the Coral Gables Community Foundation mauricio@gablesfoundation.org

305-400-0255

RIGHT: RAY CORRAL WITH DEUPI

100 of the Best Restaurants

THE DINING GUIDE

November 2025

Each month, we publish a select list of restaurants that we recommend for our readers. This month, in honor of our Food Issue, we are publishing the full list of our Top 100 restaurants in the Gables, from the packed Italian category to the more casual Pubs & Cafes. We have visited every one of them and recommend only what we ourselves love.

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

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

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

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

Prices are per person for appetizer and entrée, without tax, tip, or drinks. Prices are approximations.

Bachour

Chef Antonio Bachour was lured to the Gables by developer Armando Codina after winning the award for best pastry chef in the world. But this airy, industrial chic spot has become much more, including the best power breakfast place in town, with amazingly good eggs benedict and challah French toast. Also open for lunch and an early dinner, with great Greek salad and roast chicken breast. 2020 Salzedo St. 305.203.0552 $$

Beauty and the Butcher

Michelin-starred Chef Jeremy Ford is no longer with Beauty & The Butcher, but Chef de Cuisine Jeremy Kermisch has proven himself an able replacement. The highlight here is still the Australian Wagyu beef, either as a filet or top sirloin, but the smoked lamb Denver ribs glazed by date honey BBQ sauce, with sides of pineapple jicama slaw and polenta bravas, is a real contender. 6915 Red Rd. 305.665.9661

$$$-$$$$

Cascade Pool Café

Handheld snacks and salads make up most of the menu here (new on the menu: lobster grilled cheese), with some nice entrees like fish & chips and beer braised short ribs. If you’re eating poolside, you’re probably more interested in the drinks though – of which there are many, including some frozen. 1200 Anastasia Ave. (The Biltmore Hotel) 305.445.1926 $$

Doc B’s Restaurant + Bar

Doc B’s Restaurant + Bar serves crave-able American fare dishes made from scratch daily. Offering brunch, lunch, dinner, and a solid happy hour, signature dishes include the Wok Out

Bowls. But our favorites are the candied bacon, the oven-roasted chicken wings, and the Southern fried chicken. 301 Miracle Mile 786.864.1220 $$

Eating House

Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli’s maiden Coral Gables restaurant returned with fanfare after closing in the summer of 2021, this time on Giralda Plaza. Serving brunch, dinner, and a new lunch menu, the food here is an exciting stretch of the palate – like roasted Brussels sprouts with green goddess dressing. Try their prix fixe tasting menus. 128 Giralda Ave. 786.580.3745 $$-$$$

Emmy Squared

This Detroit-style pizza spot is the first of its kind in the Gables, featuring rectangular pan pizzas with thick, crispy crusts. We love the VIP, which is topped with crispy slices of pepperoni, spicy Calabrian chiles, and parsley pesto, and features a sesame seed crust and a homemade vodka sauce base. There’s also an award-winning burger! 230 Miracle Mile. 786.607.3669 $$

FAIRWAYS

Though the food is great, and the drinks even more so, it’s the ambience and the views that wow at this golfer’s paradise by the Biltmore Hotel’s golf course. Sunset views of the course and a beautiful outdoor patio pair with an airy interior – plus the best BLT in Miami. All-day breakfast items are a huge plus. 1200 Anastasia Ave. (The Biltmore Hotel). 305.445.8066. $$

The Globe

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

Hillstone

There are very few restaurants in the Gables where clients will wait in a line outside. Hillstone is one of them. A power lunch spot, a happy hour singles anchor, and a family restaurant at night, the food and service are

consistently top notch, with an elegant interior that is both comfortable and sophisticated at the same time. 201 Miracle Mile. 305.529.0141 $$$

John Martin’s

The venerable pub that closed during COVID has returned, updated as a “21st century” Irish pub. This means a bright new bar and lots of light from floor-to-ceiling windows. Along with the new look is a significantly upgraded menu, with things like Guinness-glazed meatballs and duck flatbread added to the Shepherd’s pie. 253 Miracle Mile. 305.209.0609 $$-$$$

PINCHO

One of the best fast-casual burger spots in town, with consistently interesting Latin-focused menu items like burger buns made from fried plantains and ketchup with guava. Great kabobs as well and the meat is highly awarded. 30 Giralda Ave. 305.446.5666. $$

Seasons 52

The restaurant for healthy eaters who enjoy quality as well. The menu, changing four times a year with each season, is always full of inventive treatments for fresh veggies, soups, and salads. Their low-calorie fish and meat dishes are great values, and the flatbread menu is a nice touch. It’s a chain, but we forgive them. 321 Miracle Mile 305.442.8552 $$

Skinny Louie

This viral Miami smashburger chain has landed on Giralda Plaza, replacing Chala Taqueria. The menu stays simple: three burgers, three shakes, and fries. The American Staple double burger is straightforward and filling, while the Wagyu Louie – winner of the Burger Bash at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival – adds smoked gouda, truffle aioli, and jalapeño relish. Thin-cut fries seal the deal. 67 Giralda Ave. skinnylouie.com $$

Tap 42

Tap 42 is big, noisy, and fun, with a huge island bar and lots of booths. Reliably good ribs, steaks, and burgers (including with lamb), it shines in the sides (roasted brussels sprouts with maple mustard, truffle mac & cheese with parmesan crust). Nice random

Asian dishes (grilled salmon Zen bowl, Asian coleslaw) and a good happy hour. 301 Giralda Ave. 786.391.1566 $$-$$$

The Collab

When we first heard Chef Niven Patel was leaving his two concepts at the THesis Hotel, Orno and Mamey, we were despondent. But we’re happy to report that Orno’s replacement, The Collab, is a gastronomic success. We love the creamy salmon tartare, served with toasted sour dough bread, and their fried chicken with sweet & sour sauce is positively addictive – and they’re just starters. What’s still there is the wood burning stove for small, inventive pizzas. 1350 S Dixie Hwy. (THesis Hotel). 305.667.6766. $$$

Yard House

A cavernous space with huge screens for sports fans, oversized paintings, classic rock in the background, and large booths, all making for a comfortable space in which to choose from an immense menu of American classics with Asian dishes interspersed. Literally something for everyone, and great selection of beer on tap and bottled. 320 San Lorenzo Ave. 305.447.9273 $$

ASIAN

Benihana

There’s nowhere else in Coral Gables where you can see an onion volcano made at your table, and that kind of showmanship is why we can’t help but love Benihana. Great place for a kid’s birthday – or just to have some fun –with hibachi steak and teriyaki chicken. 242 Miracle Mile. 305.567.2000. $$-$$$

Dōjō

When Chef Pablo Zitzmann first opened Zitz Sum on Alhambra, it was a pop-up. That now-permanent spot is joined by his latest creation Dojo, an izakaya restaurant that encourages patrons to start with some chilled sake. From there it’s mochiko fried chicken oysters, Okonomiyaki cabbage pancake, and a 14-ounce teak cooked on a teppanyaki grill. Too bad is open only for dinner. 148 Giralda Ave. 305.849.3456. $$-$$$

BUGATTI BISTRO, ON PONCE

Ichimi

This off-Mile eatery has developed a cult following, with diners content to stand in line for the opportunity to eat Ichimi’s huge ramen and rice bowls. And the wait is worth it. Delicious and rich, with faraway flavors you can’t find just anywhere, in a raw, cool space. Pro tip: try the scallion pancakes. 2330 Salzedo St. 305.960.7016 $-$$

KAO Sushi & Grill

Not sure of the vibe here – the décor inside feels oddly like you’re in Las Vegas – but the outside seating on the Mile is quite nice. Menu-wise, there are specialty rolls with an interesting Peruvian spin that includes a wide selection of ceviche, along with empanadas and chorizo. 127 Miracle Mile. 786.864.1212 $$

Miss Crispy Rice

Miss Crispy Rice brings its playful, affordable omakase to Coral Gables, offering multi-course menus (7 for $35, up to 16 for $127) and creative twists like crispy rice nigiri. Dishes include otoro with watermelon and latke with caviar. With sake, wine, and a fun vibe (“Kill Bill” bathroom included), it’s a fresh, casual take on Japanese dining. 808 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 239.980.2912. misscrispyrice.com

Khaosan Road

Formerly Bangkok, Bangkok, this Giralda Plaza mainstay – with plenty of outdoor tables – has reinvented itself as the new home for Thai street food. Think you know Thai food? Be prepared for new and delicious tastes, from curry street sausage to chili paste fish to the best crispy duck. 157 Giralda Plaza. 305.444.2397 $$

Kojin 2.0

There must be something in the air at 804 Ponce de Leon, the spot which formerly hosted Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli’s Eating House and then Chef Michael Bolen’s Lion & The Rambler. Today, the address belongs to Kojin 2.0, taking up the mantel for creative cuisine, like their twice-cooked chicken, scallops with white bean sauce and pork, and a Japanese take on the traditional chicken sandwich. Tasting menus from $85-plus with constantly changing ingredients. 804 Ponce de Leon. 786.747.1404 $$$

Su Shin Izakaya

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

Mai Sushi Tapas & Bar

A large portion of the menu here is

on sticks, a variety of skewers and sushi pintxos inspired by the Spanish bar snacks but reinvented to spotlight sea ingredients like freshwater eel, sea urchin, and octopus. And as the name suggests, there’s sashimi – both traditional and elevated – and beverages made with shochu, the distilled Japanese spirit. 98 Miracle Mile. 206.696.0674 $$-$$$

Malakor Thai Isaan

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

Moon Thai & Japanese

Can’t decide between Japanese or Thai food? No problem. Here, you can have a Japanese house salad or miso soup as an appetizer and Pad Thai as an entrée. Truly the best of both worlds. Comfy booths inside and umbrella-covered outdoor tables. Great duck dishes. Across the street from UM. 1118 S. Dixie Hwy. 305.668.9890 $$

Namaste

Hidden on a side street off Ponce, the last standing Indian restaurant in the Gables is small and humble (“namaste” means “I bow to you”) yet superb in its rendering of classic Indian dishes, from tandoris to biryanis. Our favorite is the mango curry chicken, followed by the chef’s special black pepper shrimp. 221 Navarre Ave. 786.534.2161 $$

Osumi

Offering elevated Japanese-American fusion cuisine with a Latin flair, this cocktail and sushi bar pulls out all the stops to cater to Gableites, from its sophisticated low-light ambiance to its signature drinks by mixology masters from Café La Trova. The star here is the Tuna Sumibiyaki ($22), made up of thin slices of tuna laid in a creamy sesame sauce and topped with Asian pear and cassava chips.110 Giralda Ave. 786.452.9902. $$$

Sakura Japanese

A vast menu for rolls, along with selections of noodles, yakitori, katsu, tempura, teriyaki, etc. But they serve some of the best sushi and sashimi in town, if raw fish is your thing. We also love their seating – a half dozen curved alcoves that line the walls and provide a sense of private space. 440 S Dixie Hwy. 305.665.7020 $$

Sawa

Delicious take on Japanese flavors served in parallel with Lebanese Mediterranean, Sawa offers seating inside or outside at the Shops at Merrick Park. A vast selection of sushi rolls and

tapas that range from chicken yakitori to octopus ceviche, along with super fresh Middle Eastern comfort food. Belly dancers on weekend nights, plus a doggy menu and late-night happy hour. 360 San Lorenzo Ave. (Shops at Merrick Park) 305.447.6555 $$$

SHINGO

If you’re looking for a luxurious experience, consider the omakase menu at Coral Gables’ first Michelin-starred restaurant. Located in the historic La Palma building, the restaurant is the brainchild of now twice-starred Chef Shingo Akikuni, previously of Hidden in Wynwood. Every element of the restaurant is carefully curated, from the pristine 14-seat table to how each course is served. 112 Alhambra Circle. shingomiami.com. $$$$

Sushi Maki

Flagship of the Ng family food empire, Sushi Maki has some of the best quality sushi anywhere, albeit in an unsophisticated space. No matter. Good prices, fresh fish, and some over the top desserts to balance all that protein – like deep fried Oreos. 2335 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.443.1884. $$

Zitz Sum

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

FRENCH

Babette

One thing we all appreciate is a dinner that isn’t noisy, without having to overhear the table next to us. Babette has that figured out. Chef Dani Chávez-Bello, who cooked at El Bulli and in top kitchens across Europe and New York, brings a Mediterranean-French menu with dishes like beets tartare with truffle, crab truffle flan, seared scallops, and Colorado lamb with gastrique. 271 Alcazar Ave. babettecoralgables.com $$$-$$$$

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 $$

Frenchie’s Diner

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 for a special date. 2611 Ponce de Leon 305.444.2024 $$$-$$$$

Stephanie’s

Crepes

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 on the Plaza Coral Gables courtyard. 3005 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 786.3603519 $$

ITALIAN

450Gradi

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 and deliciously layered, 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 $$$

Basilico

Basilico Ristorante has joined Coral Gables’ crowded Italian scene, taking over the former Il Duomo dei Sapori spot on Ponce. Backed by the team behind its Doral and Miami Springs locations, Basilico impresses with standout dishes like the crab ravioli in lobster sauce. Rich flavors, warm service, and a refined touch make it worth the visit. 2312 Ponce de Leon Blvd.

305.381.5604. basilicomiami.com

Bugatti

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 has reliable pasta dishes under $20, entrees under $30, and as many dessert listings (12) as pasta pick. Pro tip: The only vichyssoise in the Gables, made fresh daily. 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 the late Pernetti had to publish his own cookbook. Now run by his daughters, its unique sound dampers mean you can always be heard. 318 Aragon Ave. 305.441.0700 $$$

Fontana

The ambiance is as elegant as it comes: the Biltmore’s famed fountain courtyard with its Venetian fountain. You can sit out under the stars, or 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 $$$

Fugato

They will tell you they serve “continental” fusion cuisine, and yes, there is a touch of French and Spanish cooking here. But the chicken Florentine, ravioli aragosta, ravioli zucca, golden calamari, and veal ossobuco say otherwise. Well-prepared dishes in an intimate setting, off the beaten path with a loyal clientele. 325 Alcazar Ave. 786.420.2910 $$$-$$$$

Fratellino

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

Luca Osteria

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 $$$-$$$$

Piccola

Piccola brings star-shaped, ricot-

ta-stuffed “pixette” pizzas to Coral Gables. A standout is the Piccante Pixette, loaded with spicy salami and fresh mozzarella, best finished with their spicy olive oil. With white and red sauce options and rich cheese blends, this Doral favorite is now a Gables go-to for creative, crave-worthy pizza. 2305 Ponce de Leon. 786.615.5980. piccolapizzeria.us

Portosole

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 $$$

Salumeria 104

This 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! Pro tip: The Monday night pasta specials. 117 Miracle Mile. 305.640.5547 $$

Terre Del Sapore

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. Limited but nice seating outside as well. 246 Giralda Ave. 786.870.5955 $$

Tullio

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 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 & 2025 award, always a table-side show of impeccable hospitality. 2525 Ponce de Leon. 305.926.4208 $$$-$$$$

Zucca

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

Mr. Artem Aristov & Mrs. Abby Meiskin, Santorini Greece, Wedding planner: Julia + Evita, Photographer: White & Black Studio

top power lunch place in town. 162 Alcazar Ave. 786.580.3731 $$$-$$$$

LATIN AMERICAN

Arcano

Arcano advertises its food as hailing from Hispanio America, a mix of Spanish, Latin and Central American cuisine. In the new fashion, the menu is separated not by appetizers and entrees, but by earth, land, and sea, with “teasers” as sides. There are both small and large dishes here, but to sample as many as possible order tapas-style. Recommend: chicharrón suflado (pork rind) and raíz Encantada, small stacks of golden and purple beets with chili oil. Nice outdoor seating under the arches, as well. 259 Giralda Ave. 305.530.8332 $$-$$$

Aromas del Peru

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

Baire’s

One of our favorite spots for an outdoor happy hour is this Argentine restaurant 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 fruitbased martinis, paired with small bar plates of happy hour. Great Argentinean steaks with some healthy bowls.180 Aragon Ave. 786.409.5121 $$$

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 has their blueberry pancakes. 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 $$

COYO Taco

This lively Mexican streetfood experience has bold flavors and a modern Mexican menu serving up handcrafted

tortillas, inventive tacos (including beerbattered grouper and skirt steak versions), and fresh guacamole, plus a hidden speakeasystyle mezcal bar in the back. Still has the tall ceilings from the old U.S.Post Office it was repurposed from, the pedestrianfriendly setting on Giralda Plaza makes it a goto for both dinner and latenight drinks. 126 Giralda Ave. 786.629.7929. coyo-taco.com $

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 you won’t find at their other locations. This is the flagship of the local chain, and it shows with a wildly over-the-top interior that’s half the fun. 111 Palermo Ave. #108. 786.527.3939 $$-$$$

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. Elegant, nautical interior. 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 imported from a special farm in the pampas, slowly roasted over a quebracho wood (also imported) fire, old school-style. 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 $$$

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 $$

La Pata Gorda

Ecuadorian restaurant La Pata Gorda has expanded its reach to Coral Gables, its 10th location but 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 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 Rosa

In a slightly less trafficked off Miracle Mile at Le Jeune, La Rosa is an eye-catcher. The interior features a warmly lit bar and a huge rose on one wall, the outside a sizeable patio set back from traffic. The menu is fun and Miami-esque, with three steaks served “on fire” tableside – quite literally. Also recommended is the chipotle cauliflower tacos and the jamón and chorizo croquetas, which came with a delicious sauce. Our favorite dish: the coconut flan for dessert. 382 Miracle Mile. 786.870.5466. $$-$$$

Maiz y Agave

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 is all about the bar with spectacular sunset views of City Hall – and the occasional Mariachi band. Every dish here comes straight out of Oaxaca, Mexico – including the insects! 375 Miracle Mile. 305.723.9898 $$-$$$

Pisco y Nazca

Peruvian seems to be the taste of 2024, including the opening of ceviche gastrobar Pisco y Nazca. This prime lo-

cation, 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 $$-$$$

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 $$-$$$

Tina in the Gables

Tina in the Gables is a buzzing Latin diner from the teams behind Miami Slice and La Latina. Open Wed. to Sun. from 9 am to 5 pm, it’s best visited on weekdays if you want to avoid lines. Highlights include maple-candied bacon, tallow-cooked taters, and standout brioche French toast with orange zest. It’s a flavorful, indulgent brunch worth the hype. 4700 S Le Jeune Rd. tinainthegables.com $$

MEDITERRANEAN

Calista Greek Seafood Taverna

There aren’t many pure Greek restaurants in Coral Gables, but Calista is aiming to change that, serving authentic Greek dishes with fresh ingredients

sourced from local farmers’ markets. Their specialty dish is the Moussaka, an eggplant or potato-based dish reminiscent of a lasagna that is commonly served in Egypt, the Balkans, and the Middle East. Also, excellent Greek meatballs, classic spinach and feta phyllo pie, and yes, seafood dishes. 150 Giralda Ave. 786.310.7660 $$-$$$

Levant

Levant is named after the Mediterranean region of Western Asia that includes Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Iraq, and most of Turkey (also Cyprus, depending on who you ask). At the Coral Gables restaurant, all the chefs are Turkish and the owners hail from Iraq. The food is similarly eclectic, featuring dishes from across the Levant, including Lebanese batata harra (spicy potatoes), and their signature baked Iraqi eggplant and peppers in a clay pot. 2415 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 786.762.2905 $$-$$$

MIKA

Over three decades into a career that has amassed six Michelin stars, Chef Michael White’s new MIKA restaurant celebrates “coastal Riviera” cuisine, with a menu that ranges from steak to pasta to crudos, with an entire section devoted to latter. Recommended: The sea scallops with citrus colatura, the beef carpaccio, and the gnocchi, stuffed with ricotta and bathed in a pomodoro sauce. A comfortable, Boho-esque interior of woven chandeliers and imitation olive trees. 3007 Ponce de

Leon Blvd. (The Plaza Coral Gables) 305.404.2200 $$$-$$$$

Motek

Surprisingly enough, this Israeli-inspired restaurant has taken home the prize for the best burger at Burger Bash twice in a row now, an unexpected feat explicable only by a bite of the sandwich itself. But as popular as the Arayes Burger is, it’s not why you should visit Motek. You come here for the Eastern Mediterranean food: a smorgasbord of shish kebabs, mezzes, shawarma, and hummus, in a comfortably cavernous space. 45 Miracle Mile. 305.396.8547 $$-$$$

SEAFOOD

MesaMar

Some of the best – if not THE best –seafood in the Gables with inventive fusions between Peruvian and Japanese cuisine. Their fish is caught daily in local waters and brought to your table for inspection. The whole fried fish is a marvel. Also, make sure to try the lobster tacos and the rock shrimp with mushrooms and ponzu sauce. Pitbull’s favorite restaurant in Miami. 263 Giralda Ave. 305.640.8448 $$$

NOMA Beach at Redfish

Redfish is born again, this time as NOMA Beach at Redfish, under the command of celebrity chef Donatella Arpaia. The pricey haute cuisine of Chef Adrianne has been replaced

with simpler, more moderately priced dishes that feel much closer to the old Redfish, albeit with an Italian seafood spin. The award winning meatballs and romantic views of the bay that are unbeatable. 9610 Old Cutler Rd. 305.668.8788 $$$

Sea Grill

Sea Grill is a popular weekend destination for lovers of Mediterranean seafood. A large, brightly lit and futuristic space with lots of energy, it serves fish caught in the Aegean Sea and flown to the Gables. Their octopus, which takes two days to prepare, is simply superb. Lots of outdoor seating, big screens inside showing visions of Greece, and the best Greek salad in town. 4250 Salzedo St. (Shops at Merrick Park) 305.447.3990 $$$

SPANISH

Bulla Gastrobar

As valued for its cocktails as for its tapas, Bulla is also something Coral Gables needs – an informal, smart neighborhood hangout with a young, boisterous vibe. Great “small plates” and refreshing sangria. Yes, it is a national chain, but it still feels local. 2500 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.441.0107 $$

La Jamoteca

The specialty here is ham, and it’s no ordinary ham, but the gourmet Iberico ham that is raised in a special place in Spain 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, with ice-cold Spanish beer, or inside with the hung hams. 359 Miracle Mile. 786.360.4376 $$-$$$

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 great live flamenco on Saturday nights ($5 cover), so reservations are a must. Sophisticated and inexpensive lunch specials that change daily, with a lovely hidden courtyard. 254 Giralda Avenue 786.362.5677 $$

Sra. Martinez

Michelle Bernstein has revived her Sra. Martinez, and the space alone – with an alcove for live music -- tells you you’re in for something special. The menu runs from carbonara croquetas to oxtail paella with bone marrow and a dry-aged strip steak finished in a wood-burning oven. Cocktails include a chocolate negroni and a lychee martini, with a happy hour worth checking out. 2325 Galiano St. 786.860.5980 $$$

STEAK HOUSES

Christy’s

Coral Gables’ oldest steakhouse, Chris-

ty’s was long the power lunch go-to – until it stopped serving lunch. But its aged steaks are still consistently superb, as are the seafood entrees. Their Caesar salad is absolutely the best in town, matched by classic oysters Rockefeller, garlicy escargot, and a jumbo shrimp cocktail that’s a house specialty. Feels like you are in an episode of Mad Men, with the dark red walls – and the only prime rib in the Gables. Great bar, top cocktails. 3101 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.446.1400 $$$-$$$$

Daniel’s

The new kid in town, replacing the previous super-haute Fiola, but with the same crew at the helm. First opening in Fort Lauderdale last year –and quickly earning a spot in the 2025 Michelin Guide – Daniel’s offers cuts of (you guessed it) wagyu beef and prime rib. They’ve also kept a couple of the Fiola favorites, like rigatoni vodka, while adding a lobster mac and cheese and oysters Rockefeller that uses watercress instead of spinach. 1500 San Ignacio Ave. 305.912.2639. $$$$

Fleming’s Prime Steak- house

Fantastic aged steaks, a seafood tower that won’t quit, and a wine cellar that appears to have no end of depth. A place for special celebrations. Recently redecorated, but the open kitchen with its copper “sash” across the top still gives the main dining room a warm glow. Good menu at the bar – and now

open for lunch! 2525 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.569.7995 $$$-$$$$

Fogo de Chão

At Fogo de Chão, meat reigns supreme. Try the “churrasco experience” ($61) and let expert gaucho chefs keep the finely cut slabs coming, from beef ribeye to flank steak to lamb pincanha. If you’re a Wagyu fan, this is the place to be. The interior is as grand as the experience, which is a show in itself, Brazilian-style. Great cocktails in the upstairs lounge for before or after. 2801 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 786.297.8788 $$$-$$$$

Morton’s The Steakhouse

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

Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille

Perry’s is a Texas chain that gets its beef from the heart of the Lone Star State. Great outdoor space with a fire pit and a huge interior with its own piano bar. The entrees are all carefully concocted, including excellent reduction sauces for the finer cuts and their famous five-finger giant pork

chop that is carved at the table and can feed two. Pro tip: The Friday pork chop special. 4251 Salzedo St. (Shops at Merrick Park) 786.703.9094 $$$$

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Some of the most expensive steaks in the Gables, but also some of the best. A chain with a surprisingly sweet backstory in Ruth Fertel, who bought the original steakhouse in New Orleans in 1965, their Gables location is both spacious and business-like. Almost all the beef is USDA Prime and the menu ranges far beyond steak, including menus for those on specialty diets. 2320 Salzedo St. 305.461.8360 $$$-$$$$

PUBS & CAFES

Bagel Emporium

And you thought all the great Jewish delis had disappeared. Not this one. Rated the best bagels and deli sandwiches in Miami, it’s also a great breakfast spot (waffles, blintzes, French toast). But this is where you come for a real pastrami or corned beef sandwich on rye. Yes, $20 a pop, but a time machine to New York’s lower East Side. Soon to relocate to Ponce de Leon Blvd. 1238 S. Dixie Highway. 305.666.9519 $$-$$$

Bay 13 Brewery + Kitchen

Bay 13 Brewery & Kitchen is Coral Gables’ go-to for craft beer and laid-back vibes. With Aussie-inspired brews, $5 happy hour bites, and stand-

out dishes like scallops or steak with ale sauce, it’s perfect for casual meetups or relaxed dinners. Spacious patio, daily specials, and in-house brewing make it a must for beer and pub food lovers alike. 65 Alhambra Plaza. 786.452.0935. bay13brewery.com $$

Birdie Bistro

The beloved Burger Bob’s has returned – reborn as The Birdie Bistro at Granada Golf Course. Now run by longtime favorite Rita Tennyson, it keeps the spirit (and many menu items) of the original, with a few upgrades. Familiar faces, classic affordable burgers & fries, with American fare (great chili) and a fresh vibe make it a nostalgic yet new community spot worth visiting. 2001 Granada Blvd. (Granada Golf Course). 305.567.3100. birdiebistro.co $-$$

Café at Books & Books

Healthy eats and a beautiful (mostly) shaded outdoor courtyard make this the perfect place for a quick catchup or a solo lunch with a good book. Excellent salads for healthy readers. Live music on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights gives this bookstore café a touch of the romantic. 265 Aragon Ave. 305.448.9599 $$

Façade

Façade in Coral Gables goes beyond pastries with all-day breakfast, homemade bread, and standout dishes. The spicy onion toast ($17) with eggs, caramelized onions, and chili oil is a

flavor bomb, while the Dippy Soldiers ($14) offer an elevated take on eggs and toast. Cozy vibes, great music, and inventive eats. 271 Giralda Ave. @ facademiami $$

Fritz and Franz Bierhaus

Be transported from Coral Gables to Oktoberfest. Enjoy German comfort food like Weisswurst and Heringsschmaus and German beers (amazing selection) straight from the source. Naturally, you must order a beer, but here you can have it served in a giant glass boot – and the selection, like the place, is huge, with outdoor seating. 60 Merrick Way 305.774.1883 $$

Sanguich

Sanguich De Miami brings its award-winning Cuban sandwiches to The Plaza Coral Gables, now with a walk-up ventanita and tropical batidos. The standout pan con bistec features tender shredded steak and crisp potato sticks on toasted Cuban bread. Unpretentious, quick, and deeply satisfying, it’s a must-visit for classic Cuban favorites done right. 111 Palermo Ave. sanguich.com $

Sports Grill

A go-to spot for any major sporting event, but also a popular destination for any given night of the week. You don’t even need to look at the menu: the pub is home to the Special Grilled wings, dipped in their signature sauce, then charbroiled and lightly covered in

a secret sauce. The Coral Gables Magazine perennial winner for best wings. 1559 Sunset Dr. 305.668.0396 $

Threefold Café

You have to love a place that is dedicated to breakfast all day long. But who needs dinner when you can get shrimp tacos for breakfast, along with salmon scrambled eggs, chicken parma, and that Millennial favorite, smashed avocado toast? Also popular for Sunday brunch. And their coffee is some of the best around. 141 Giralda Ave. 305.704.8007 $$

Tinta y Café

Funky and comfortable, this former gas station turned Cuban café has 1) the best Cuban coffee, 2) great fluffy eggs for breakfast, 3) furniture that makes you feel like you are in someone’s living room, and 4) some of the most inventive Cuban sandwiches you will ever eat, way beyond the media noche. 1315 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.285.0101 $-$$

Titanic Brewery and Restaurant

A nice beer garden out back and pub food makes this English brewery a hotspot for nearby University of Miami students and staff. Karaoke on Sundays, blues on Wednesdays, and live bands regularly. Easy drinking, easy eating, and easy listening. 5813 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.667.2537 $$

A NIGHT OF CULINARY EXCELLENCE

FEATURING SHAGGY LIVE

THE EXPERIENCE

Flavors Beyond Borders comes to THesis Hotel Miami on November 20, 2025 — named by Thrillist among the Top Food Festivals of the year.

Connect with renowned chefs through an immersive, winepaired dining experience featuring world-class cuisine, music, and purpose.

WELCOME RECEPTION

In partnership with the Culinary Institute of America, we continue the Flavors Beyond Borders Scholarship—supporting the next generation of chefs and building a legacy to last in perpetuity. NOV. 20, 2025 MIAMI

RESERVE OR BECOME A SPONSOR

Champagne, caviar bumps, signature cocktails, and live music.

DINNER EXPERIENCE

Multi-course menu by CIA rising stars and renowned chefs.

PROGRAM & LIVE AUCTION

Hosted by Yve Rojas, supporting scholarships for future talent.

ENTERTAINMENT

Headlined by Shaggy, with walk-around magician Chad Long.

IVY ROOFTOP AFTER PARTY

Cigars, cocktails, dueling DJs, and live percussion.

LOCATION: THesis Hotel, Paseo de la Riviera

DATE & TIME: Thursday, November 20 · 6 PM

Where Am I?

This mosaic is on the outside of one of our favorite Gables restaurants. If you know where it’s located, send the answer to kwang@coralgablesmagazine.com along with your home address. The first two winners will win two tickets to

the Actors’ Playhouse production of their choice, the next two to GableStage, and the next 10 to the Coral Gables Museum. Last month’s “Where Am I?” was a design element on the façade of Coral Gables Elementary School.

Skip the Chimney. Arrive in Style.

This holiday season, discover the ultimate gift - the experience of driving a Mercedes-Benz. For nearly 70 years, Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables has been a part of South Florida’s story, delivering world-class service, iconic vehicles, and a tradition of excellence.

Whether it’s the cutting-edge innovation of our EQ lineup or the timeless sophistication of the E-Class, every journey becomes a celebration. Make this season unforgettable with a visit to our showroom in the heart of Coral Gables.

Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables. Iconic in Every Way.

Historic Douglas Entrance