CoralGablesMagazine.SEPT-2026_Issuu by Coral Gables Magazine

CORAL GABLES SEPTEMBER 2026

MAGAZINE

Our Annual Dog Issue DOG PORTRAITS • DOG DINING • DOG STAYCATION DOG GROOMING • DOG HAPPY HOUR • DOG SELFIES DOG RESCUE • DOG PARKS PLUS: PRIVATE SCHOOLS THE UNDERLINE

COVER: BENZ TORREALBA PHOTO BY RODOLFO BENITEZ

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Departments

September 2026

12 EDITOR’S NOTE

Wishing it Was a Dog’s World

14 LETTERS TO OUR EDITOR Readers Feedback & Comments

17 STREETWISE

Latest News From City Hall Talk of the Town Another Sort of Healing Hands

29 LIVING

Best Events for September 2026 Community: Puppies With a Purpose Health & Wellness: Puppy Yoga

37 BITES

Quick Bites: Dog Treats Fine Dining: Beauty and the Butcher Looking for a Happy Hour?

89 BACK OF BOOK

Home: Monthly Look at Interiors The Coral Gables Garden Don's Rambles The Gables Dining Guide

104 COLLECTIONS Gables Residents Dog Selfies

“FOR THESE KIDS, PEOPLE USUALLY ONLY COME INTO THEIR ROOM TO GIVE THEM MORE MEDICINE, SOME KIND OF TREATMENT, OR A DIAGNOSIS ...” LAURA GUERRERO, DIRECTOR OF ARTISTIC AND EDUCATION PROGRAMMING AT GABLESTAGE, ON A PROGRAM TO BRING FUN TO THE CHILDREN AT NICKLAUS AND HOLTZ CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL - SEE TALK OF THE TOWN ON PAGE 24.

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Features

Vol 9. Issue 8

44 THE BIRTH OF A LINEAR PARK By now, Meg Daly’s epiphany in 2013 is the stuff of urban legend. A walk took her under the Metrorail as it coursed through Coral Gables. One day she thought, why can’t this wasted space become a long linear park similar to the High Line park in New York?

51 IT'S A DOG'S WORLD A look at the many facets of dog ownership, from dining out with your dog to grooming him or her, with a special look at staycationing in the City Beautiful with Fido and a tale of adoption from the nearest center that saves strays from euthanasia.

64 DOG STORIES Our annual parade of local residents from all walks of life — business, politics, civic organizations – who are avowed dog lovers and dog owners. A quick look at life with their variation of man’s (and woman’s) best friend, and the foibles that entails.

73 2026 GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS

73 10

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EDITOR’S NOTE

BELLA FABER

FENDI BENKIRANE-BARRIOS

ORBIT RAUCCI

Cover: Benz Torrealba, photo by Rodolfo Benitez for our Annual Dog Issue To the left: Staff Dogs ROCKY MARTELL

RUBY DONNER

TOGO SCOTT

Wishing it was a Dog’s World I have always been a fan of cartoons in The New Yorker magazine, many of which touch on dogs. One of my favorites shows a man in a comfortable armchair reading a book entitled “How to be your own best friend.” His dog, sitting nearby, is scowling at him. Anyone who knows the magic of dog ownership gets that one – because dogs are their best friends. Always overjoyed to see you, always happy to be with you, always ready to listen, and always ready to fight to defend you. Another New Yorker cartoon I love depicts a wedding line, where guests are shaking the hands of the bride’s relatives. In the receiving line is a dog, shaking hands with a somewhat surprised wedding guest. A woman standing to the side says to her friend: “Well, they consider him a member of the family.” That’s another thing any canine owner gets: the dog is a member of the family, period. They eat with you, sleep with you, travel with you, and losing a dog is as painful as losing a relative – sometimes, oddly enough, even more so. The last of my favorite New Yorker pooch cartoons is of three dogs standing together, meeting under the shade of a tree. One looks a little disgruntled. The caption reads: “Speaking personally, I haven’t had my day, and I’ve never met any dog who has.”

That explains, just a little bit, why we publish a special Dog Issue each year. It’s our chance to give dogs their day. Coral Gables is a community filled with dog owners, each crazy about their pets. None of us (yes, I own and adore a dog) wants to see any harm come to our animals, and nothing rouses our indignation more than seeing a dog mistreated – or abandoned, alone and frightened. It speaks to our sense of justice in the universe, that any creature so purely innocent and transparent in their affection and loyalty (they all just want “to be good”) should be wronged, bullied or harmed is a mortal sin. Nothing is more repugnant than cruelty to animals. Fortunately, there are many here among us who understand this ethical imperative. And nothing is quite as heartwarming as flipping through Instagram videos and watching the endless parade of people of all ages sharing affection with their dogs. As one canine lover put it to me, this gives us hope for the human race.

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 Yousra Benkirane DIGITAL EDITOR Amanda Martell ART DIRECTOR Jon Braeley PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Jorge G. Gavilondo WRITERS Andrew Gayle Don Slesnick Tina Wyngate PHOTOGRAPHERS Rodolfo Benitez Jonathan Dann PROOFREADER Lesley Fonger INTERN Sofia Alfaro 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 2026 by City Regional Media. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without prior written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Send address changes to subscriptions@coralgablesmagazine.com. General mailbox email and letters to editor@ coralgablesmagazine.com.

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LETTERS 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.

Music of the Night

I wanted to thank you for introducing us to The Burrow on Miracle Mile, I had not heard of it until I received the What to Do in Coral Gables This Weekend email. My husband and I went on a Friday night to a performance bu a Grammy Award winning saxophonist and it was fabulous. We also went to a vinyl night of Torch Music which was also very enjoyable. Bonnie Seipp, Immediate Past President, Coral Gables Garden Club

Continuing to Serve

I just finished reading Don Slesnick’s feature in the latest edition of Coral Gables Magazine ( July/August: “Memorial Day”) and I felt compelled to reach out. Reading through the article, it becomes clear that his service has never been confined to a title or an office. Whether as Mayor of Coral Gables, an officer in the United States

Army, an attorney, or through countless civic and charitable endeavors, he has consistently chosen a life dedicated to serving others and strengthening the institutions that make our community exceptional. It is a legacy built on sustained commitment rather than recognition, and that is something I deeply admire. Juan Carlos Gomez Commander, Post 98, American Legion, 303 Alhambra Circle

Robots on the Sidewalk

Residents and visitors walking through Downtown Coral Gables may have noticed a new presence on the sidewalks: small autonomous delivery robots transporting food and other items between local businesses and customers. They attract curiosity, photographs, and conversation. But beyond the technology itself lies a broader question that communities

SUMMER MARKET MOMENTUM FOR SALE

across the country are beginning to confront: How do cities manage the risks and opportunities that accompany innovation? On the positive side, these devices may help reduce vehicle traffic associated with short-distance deliveries. However, sidewalks are among the most heavily shared public spaces in any city. If a robot causes an accident, damages property, or contributes to a pedestrian injury, questions quickly arise regarding responsibility and insurance coverage. For Coral Gables, the appearance of autonomous delivery robots offers an opportunity to demonstrate thoughtful leadership. The question is not whether these technologies will arrive. They already have. The real question is whether communities will manage them proactively or react to problems after they occur. Aaron Casariego Insurance & Risk Management Board Member, City of Coral Gables

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Streetwise Talk of theTown - Page 18 PLUS CITY HALL POLITICS HEALING HANDS

“GIRALDA IN BLOOM: A FLORAL CANOPY” COMES TO GIRALDA PLAZA

STREETWISE / POLITICS LAUNCH PAD FOR FUTURE TENNIS STARS

Voted 4-1 to again be the official host city and festival sponsor for the 2026-2027 Junior Orange Bowl Festival Season. The city has supported the festival for 78 years. One of the festivals signature events is the Junior Orange Bowl International Tennis Championship, which last year attracted 600 athletes and 2,000 spectators. Numerous tennis legends and Grand Slam champions launched have their careers at the championship, including Roger Federer, Coco Gauff, Andy Murray, Chris Evert, Jimmy Connors, and Monica Seles. The city contributes $33,250 in cash and $205,000 in services. Commissioner Melissa Castro voted no because she thought a one-year contract was not long enough. HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

From City Hall AT ITS ONE MEETING IN JULY, THE CITY COMMISSION: RESISTING TALLAHASSEE

Listened to local LGBTQ residents who urged the city to oppose Florida Senate Bill 1134, which bans local governments from funding, promoting, or taking official action for DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives. “It handcuffs us on many fronts,” said Mayor Vince Lago. Chelsea Granell, the city’s director of government affairs, said the city would stick to the requirements of the law, due to start Jan.1, while “thinking of creative ways to circumvent certain prohibitions.” HELPING LOCAL ARTISTS

Voted 5-0 to approve $228,228 in grants for local artists, plus $50,000 for youth arts programs, as presented by the city’s Art and Culture Specialist, Catherine Cathers. Some 45 applications in music, theater, film, dance, opera, literary arts, and poetry were accepted. The estimated economic impact from local performances by the artists is $20 million. The board also voted to allocate $110,000 for the “Intervals” public art installations during Art Basel, with funds from the public art fund paid by developers. ENSURING A HOME FOR AUTISTIC STUDENTS

After an exhausting two-hour debate, including commentary from 31 members of the public, the Commission voted 3-2 to approve the zoning changes necessary for the 110 Phoenetia Ave. project to move forward. At issue was resistance from neighborhood activists who wanted to preserve The Garden of Our Lord and the adjacent 1950 Lutheran Church on the property, across the street from the historic Woman’s Club. Opponents have blocked the project for five years. What ultimately won approval by three commissioners (Mayor Lago, Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson and Commissioner Richard Lara) was the promise by the Chicago-based developers, Fifield Companies, to provide a 99-year free lease for the Crystal Academy. The academy currently operates in the Lutheran church and is the city’s only school dedicated to teaching autistic children. When built, the project will be 9-stories high, with 184 rental units, 16 live-work spaces, and 5,000-square-feet for the school – along with a 4,000-square-foot playground for the academy that becomes a public park after school hours. Approval still requires a second vote, which takes place after this magazine goes to press. Go to coralgablesmagazine.com for the final vote Aug. 25.

Listened to the presentations of a dozen high school students who had served this summer as Summer Page Interns for the city. Some were informational – two students reviewed the latest exemptions from Tallahassee for the Florida Sunshine Laws, while two others explained the cost and need for converting homes from septic to sewer. But several presented solutions for city problems. Two students presented a marketing strategy for the city to explain the Mobility Hub to citizens. Two others presented their design for an app that would allow all city boards to file their notes with a common, easy to use template. The most interesting was a study by one team about why more young people hung out in Coconut Grove than Coral Gables. (Answer: Atmosphere, plus open spaces to hang out where you don’t have to spend money). FINAL CHANGES TO THE CITY CHARTER

Listened to a report by former Mayor Don Slesnick, who has chaired the city’s (soon-to-be-dissolved) Charter Review Committee for the last three years. Many of their recommendations became items for the city referendum earlier this year. Several of the Committee’s recommendations were never heard, however, and Slesnick proffered two of them: 1) That the rules be changed to require anyone running for office to have lived here for at least a year before they are registered to run (vs. a year before the election, which means living here only six months); and 2) That the threshold for city contracts that do not require competitive bids rise from under $25,000 to under $300,000, which is consistent with state statutes. Slesnick said that two other issues discussed by the Committee were worthy of consideration: prohibiting the future sale of any park property and extending the mayor’s term from 2 years to 4 years. All four of these issues were later voted on, and all received 5-0 approval to put to voters in the November election. MOVING AHEAD ON ANOTHER DOG PARK

Voted 3-2 to change the zoning to permit a dog-run park across the street from the War Memorial Youth Center (at 520 University Drive). Despite hundreds of signatures from dog owners in the area, there has been strong opposition from adjacent neighbors. Their Keep University Green organization is (so far unsuccessfully) suing the city to block the project. Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson, who has championed the idea of a dog-run park there, did however agree to look at a new proposal to convert one of the Youth Center parking lots into a dog-run instead. CREATING A GOVERNMENT ENCLAVE

Voted 5-0 to purchase 475 and 495 Biltmore Way, buildings adjacent to the city Building and Planning & Zoning departments. This should place most city departments on the same block as City Hall.■ coralgablesmagazine.com

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STREETWISE / TALK OF THE TOWN

Talk of the Town Giralda’s New Sky

Ever since the success of the 2018 Umbrella Sky installation above Giralda Plaza, the city has looked for a reprise. Various permutations, from colored letters to blue zodiac symbols, have failed to create a similar immersive art experience until this summer. The 2026 Giralda Sky Series has reprised the same visual impact, starting in May with “Cielo Tejido: A Woven Sky.” This rich canopy of colorful textiles handwoven by women from Etzatlán, Mexico, wowed visitors through July. Now comes “Giralda in Bloom: A Floral Canopy,” a playful twist on the original Umbrella Sky, this time with plastic instead of

“GIRALDA IN BLOOM: A FLORAL CANOPY” COMES TO GIRALDA PLAZA, AND IS A PLAYFUL TWIST ON THE ORIGINAL UMBRELLA SKY IN 2018. MAYOR LAGO LED THE DEDICATION CEREMONY AND RIBBON CUTTING

cloth umbrellas, and with pop color blossom designs that could be on the set of The Dating Game. “This was created by Impact Plan, the same team behind the Umbrella Sky sensation that captured everyone’s attention here in 2018,” said Mayor Vince Lago, who led the dedication ceremony for the new installation. He called it a “fresh way” to bring that concept back, and “a partnership with local retailers” to encourage visitors to stay longer for shopping and dining. “But the most important thing is they experience Coral Gables in a completely different way.” Giralda in Bloom will remain in place through October. – J.P. Faber coralgablesmagazine.com

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STREETWISE / TALK OF THE TOWN

Double Vision

THE ART CINEMA EXPANDS, FINALLY

Since it began screening films in 2010, the Coral Gables Art Cinema has been a jewel in the city’s cultural crown, attracting thousands of moviegoers each year with its rich mix of indie flicks, foreign films, classic movies and first run blockbusters. But right from the start, Cinema founder Steven Krams said the movie house needed a second screen. “He knew that a single-screen cinema in this industry is incredibly challenging,” says executive director Brenda Moe, who started with the cinema in 2017. Distributors for big studio films, and even some independent flicks, require multi-week screening commitments – which means curtailing the cinema’s regular programming. “Even with Oppenheimer, as popular as it was, or even with Odyssey, as popular as it’s been for us, our core audience gets exhausted by having no variety.” Now the dream of a second screen is becoming a reality. Final plans have been approved to transform the adjacent space now occupied by Patio & Things. By the end of 2027, there will be a new 90-seat Jessie Fox Wolfson theater, named after the philanthropist whose “transformational” donation completed the necessary funding. That gift capped a campaign that began in earnest in 2021, with a

CORAL GABLES ART CINEMA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BRENDA MOE PUSHED FOR A SECOND SCREEN SO MORE MOVIES LIKE THE ODYSSEY CAN BE SCREENED

private initial donation of $150,000, followed by a $250,000 grant from the Knight Foundation. A tipping point came in 2022, when Mayor Vince Lago wrote legislation for the city to contribute $350,000. Another $100,000 was approved in May, “to fight off the inflation that we’ve had,” he says. “Mayor Lago has been invaluable,” says Moe. “He has helped us move through each one of our challenges [zoning, financing, planning, contracting] and has helped city staff and the other elected officials understand the importance and value of the work that we’re doing.” These include the economic benefits of increasing annual viewership from 55,000 to 80,000, adding parking revenues and attracting more downtown diners and shoppers. – J.P. Faber

Kaplan’s Recognition

For years, Books & Books founder Mitchell Kaplan has been a stalwart part of the opposition to book banning in Florida, leading marches, demonstrations, and events protesting the state’s program to scour public libraries of books that disagree with their interpretation of history or promote alternate lifestyles. Now he has received a national honor for his efforts, along with former late-night host Stephen Colbert. Kaplan and Colbert won the anti-censorship category of the 47th annual American Book Awards. The winners were announced by the Before Columbus Foundation, a California-based nonprofit that promotes multicultural American literature. “I am humbled by the award,” says Kaplan, “but even more humbled to be mentioned in the same sentence as Stephen Colbert.” That former host of CBS's “The Late Show” was pulled off the air following intense pressure from the Trump administration for his caustic criticisms of the president. Kaplan will receive his award in a formal ceremony scheduled for Sept. 26 at the University of California, Berkeley campus. – CG Staff BOOKS & BOOKS FOUNDER MITCHELL KAPLAN RECEIVES A NATIONAL HONOR AT THE 47TH ANNUAL AMERICAN BOOK AWARDS, FOR FIGHTING CENSORSHIP

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This project is being developed by AB CG Owners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Developer”), which has a limited right to use the trademarked names and logos of Terra and THE WELL. Any and all statements, disclosures and/or representations shall be deemed made by Developer and not by Terra or THE WELL, and you agree to look solely to Developer (and not to Terra, THE WELL or any of their affiliates) with respect to any and all matters relating to the marketing and/or development of the project. The Terra and THE WELL groups of companies are each comprised of several separate companies that are legally distinct. Reference to Terra and THE WELL is merely for convenience and should not be relied upon for any other purposes. ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718,503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE, These materials are not intended to be an offer to sell, or solicitation to buy a unit in the condominium. Such an offering shall only be made pursuant to the prospectus (offering circular) for the condominium and no statements should be relied upon unless made in the prospectus or in the applicable purchase agreement. In no event shall any solicitation, offer or sale of a unit in the condominium be made in, or to residents of, any state or country in which such activity would be unlawful. All plans, features and amenities depicted herein are based upon preliminary development plans and are subject to change without notice in the manner provided in the offering documents. Plans, features and amenities described herein may be provided at an additional cost. No guarantees or representations whatsoever are made that any plans, features, amenities or facilities will be provided or, if provided, will be of the same type, size, location or nature as depicted or described herein. No guarantee or representations whatsoever are made that existing or future views of the project and surrounding areas depicted by artist’s conceptual renderings or otherwise described herein will be provided, or if provided, will be as depicted or described herein. Unauthorized reproduction, display or other dissemination of such materials is strictly prohibited and constitutes copyright infringement. No real estate broker is authorized to make any representations or other statements regarding the projects, and no agreements with, deposits paid to, or other arrangements made with any real estate broker are or shall be binding on the developer. The projects graphics, renderings and text provided herein are copyrighted works owned by the Developer. All rights reserved.

STREETWISE / TALK OF THE TOWN

Where the Jobs Are

THE FOUNDATION TAKES A NEW AIM

The Coral Gables Community Foundation has a well-deserved reputation for raising millions of dollars for college scholarships. Now the foundation has launched a Trades Scholarship Fund for Miami-Dade students who would rather study skilled trades, such as automotive technology, welding, aviation technology, plumbing, electronic systems, and construction – “jobs where people use their hands,” says Foundation board member Roxanne Cason, who was instrumental in pushing the idea forward. Underwritten by the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation, the new scholarship fund is intended to meet local demand for skilled trade jobs, one million of which could go unfilled nationally by 2030. “We support this new fund because we believe that a career in the skilled trades is not a second choice — it is a first-rate path to a sustainable livelihood and a life of purpose,” said Mary Snow, Executive Director of the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation. Cason, who also chairs the Foundation’s Engagement Committee, points to an expected “job loss boom” in tech jobs replaced by AI and the need to rethink attitudes towards trade jobs. “Remember how Rosie the Riveter helped build America? There was a real sense of purpose then [during and after WWII], and people did things no one expected they would be able to do. They got trained on how to do them and they did them, and it didn’t matter if you were a man or a woman…. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could change the view of the trades, which are so essential, so that people would be proud?” Salaries for skilled trade workers can be surprisingly high, with none of the baggage of debt for a four-year degree that may offer little in the way of employability. In-demand trade workers can also become entrepreneurs and start their own companies to further climb the economic ladder. “We have incredible [local] institutions offering these certificate programs, the labor market has a strong need, and we have expertise in managing scholarships already,” says Mauricio Vivero, president and CEO of the Foundation. “There’s a tremendous opportunity here to

POSTERS OF ROSIE THE RIVETER HELPED TO RALLY THE PEOPLE IN WWII

rally people willing to support students in this alternate pathway.” The bottom line, he says, is that skilled trades are “good paying jobs, you get certified faster, you don’t have to wait for a four-year degree, and the community – our economic ecosystem – needs them.” – J.P.Faber

New Public Art

Coral Gables continues to enrich its public spaces, inside and out, with new art. The latest lobby installation is a large painting by Miami artist Loriel Beltran in the new 4225 Ponce de Leon office building. Titled “Late Script Colada,” it creates an illusion of vibration by molding the curved bottoms of plastic coffee cups into the painting itself. “The white things you see are colada cups,” says Beltran. “I’ve been incorporating them and some of the studio waste into the work, you know, as a way to connect it to the outside world” – especially the Miami world. Beltran, is represented by the prestigious Lehmann Maupin Gallery in New York and has his work in the Guggenheim Museum in NYC. Across town is the latest exterior public art is the seven-foot+ textured bronze sculpture “Power Tower,” by acclaimed American sculptor Lynda Benglis. This flowing, golden form, in the tradition of Italian modernist sculptures of the early 20th century, now adorns the formal main entryway of the downtown Regency Parc building at 2601 Salzedo street. It is the newest addition to the city’s Art in Public Places Program. Benglis, whose works are in New York’s Museum of Modern Art is known for her poured latex sculptures as well as her energetic, twisted metal shapes. – J.P. Faber MIAMI ARTIST LORIEL BELTRAN AND HIS “LATE SCRIPT COLADA” PAINTING

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STREETWISE / TALK OF THE TOWN

Another Sort of Healing Hands GABLESTAGE BRINGS THE ART OF PUPPETRY TO KIDS WHO NEED TO SMILE

One of Lopez’s colleagues “had a ton of puppets” so he pushed for a puppet play. Together with GableStage, the idea was fleshed out “with themes of bravery, kindness, resilience and joy,” says Guerrero. The storyline revolves around “Chef Kitty,” a royal chef. She has severe anxiety, so her humorous quest to create “dragon soup” hit home with young patients. “The main message was that courage doesn’t mean lack of fear,” says Lopez. “You can be afraid and still be courageous. The kids are at the hospital because something is

BY SOFIA ALFARO

or most bed-bound kids with serious illnesses at Nicklaus and Holtz children’s hospitals, the people who visit them – doctors, orderlies, nurses – are rarely fun. Except for a band of roving puppeteers from GableStage, whose job it is to take them on imaginary adventures and leave them laughing. “For these kids, people usually only come into their room to give them more medicine, some kind of treatment, or a diagnosis,” says Laura Guerrero, director of artistic and education programming at GableStage. “But with this program, it’s being able to give these kids the opportunity to just be a child and enjoy something fun.” This past spring, that fun erupted in the rooms and hallways of Nicklaus and Holtz through a puppet show entitled “A Dose of Fun: The Wonder Show!” For six weeks, GableStage brought professional theatre – through puppetry, music, storytelling, and interactive play WATCHING A PUPPET SHOW AT NICKLAUS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

wrong with their body, but they’re still kids who have this incredible capacity to play and use their imaginations.” The results, says GableStage executive director Bari Newport, were profound. “We met a two-year-old child awaiting a transplant who had spent more than half her life in protective isolation. During the performance, she laughed and smiled with delight while her mother’s visible worry lifted, if only for a moment,” she says. “We witnessed moments of genuine relief and joy in places where those experiences can be all too rare.” The fall production of “A Dose of Fun” expects more bedside performances for severely ill children who cannot leave their rooms. It will receive support from the Carol Marie Weber Foundation, but after that Newport is worried. “Despite the extraordinary response from children, families, and hospital partners, sustaining the program has proven surprisingly difficult,” she says. “While everyone immediately understands its value, funding for arts-in-healthcare programs remains scarce.” ■ ABOVE & RIGHT: GABLESTAGE BRINGS “A DOSE OF FUN” TO THE CHILDREN

– to transplant units, oncology floors, family waiting areas, and longterm pediatric care spaces at the top two pediatric hospitals in Miami. The GableStage project started when two of its former board members, Lee and Iris Osaison, connected the theater with the Carol Marie Weber Foundation. The charitable foundation wanted to fund a program for both children and the arts. GableStage brought the project to FIU, it’s long-time partner for theater reaching a younger audience. They have jointly produced Shakespeare-inthe-Schools for more than a decade, reaching highschoolers with 45-minute adaptations of the bard’s classic plays. Actors were often drawn from the FIU theater program; for this project, FIU theater professor Ivan Lopez was asked to write and perform. At the time, Lopez has only been teaching at FIU for two weeks. He started there after 11 years as a hospital clown for Nicklaus Children’s “healthy humor” program, which ran out of funding.

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

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One Andalusia Avenue Luxury Living for Seniors

Living The Community - See page 30

PLUS BEST BETS FOR SEPTEMBER HEALTH & WELLNESS

NURSING STUDENT AMANDA ACUNA, HELPS TO TRAINS SERVICE DOGS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI CAMPUS

LIVING / EVENTS

September Best Bets

rants. Guests can sample more than 100 whiskies from around the world, with VIP admission offering early entry and rare pours. Sept. 12, VIP entry at 4 pm, general admission at 5 pm. Tickets start at $87.07. Coral Gables Country Club, 997 N. Greenway Dr. eventbrite.com SATURDAY CINEMA: AN AMERICAN IN PARIS

The City of Coral Gables Adult Activity Center presents An American in Paris at Coral Gables Art Cinema as part of its Saturday Cinema series. Free tickets are available to Coral Gables residents and include popcorn and a drink, courtesy of the Coral Gables Community Foundation. Sept. 5, 11 am to 1:30 pm. Free; tickets are limited to first come, first served. Coral Gables Art Cinema, 260 Aragon Ave. gablescinema.com

TASTE THE CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden hosts Taste the Caribbean Festival, a daylong celebration of island food, music, and culture. The festival includes live reggae, junkanoo, mento, and calypso performances, cooking demonstrations, tropical fruit seminars, family games, a dominos tournament, carnival mask making, and an Island Market with Caribbean food and retail vendors. Sept. 13 from 10 am to 5 pm. Tickets start at $24.95 for adults; add-on tastings available. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Rd. fairchildgarden.org

PÉREZ PRADO: KING OF THE MAMBO

Author John Radanovich visits Books & Books to discuss Pérez Prado: King of the Mambo, his new biography of the Cuban bandleader who helped bring mambo to audiences around the world. The talk will trace Prado’s career from Cuba to Mexico City and Los Angeles, including his recordings, film work, and influence on popular music. Sept. 9 at 7 pm. Free with RSVP. Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave. booksandbooks.com MIAMI WHISK(E)Y MASH

Miami Whisk(e)y Mash returns for its 11th year with an evening of whiskey tastings, cocktails, cigars, live music, and bites from local restau-

REAL AMERICAN FREESTYLE

Real American Freestyle brings top wrestlers to Coral Gables for a night of competitive freestyle wrestling with the energy of a fight night. The event features Olympic champions, NCAA standouts, world medalists, and other elite athletes in fast-paced matchups designed for both serious fans and first-time spectators. Sept. 19 at 8 pm. Tickets start at $68.70. Watsco Center, 1245 Dauer Dr. watscocenter.com coralgablesmagazine.com

GABLES BIKE TOURS

Gables Bike Tours returns with a guided ride focused on Coral Gables’ parks and green spaces, including highlights from The Underline. Presented by Bike Walk Coral Gables in partnership with the Coral Gables Museum, the tour begins at the museum and includes museum admission. Riders must bring their own bikes. Sept. 20 from 10 am to noon. Tickets $10; $5 for museum members and children under 12. Coral Gables Museum, 285 Aragon Ave. coralgablesmuseum.org/gables-bike-tours

Edition, a circus arts performance combining aerial acrobatics, contemporary dance, and live music with Mediterranean influences. The show features international performers and local young artists in an evening designed for audiences of all ages. Sept. 22 at 7:30 pm. Tickets $13 to $28. Sanctuary of the Arts, 410 Andalusia Ave. ci.ovationtix.com

GARDEN NIGHTS

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden opens after dark for Garden Nights, an evening of candlelit paths, telescope viewing, night-blooming plants, and after-hours access to the Garden. Guests can explore lantern-lined trails, join mindfulness activities at the Wellness Terrace, view the night sky with astronomers, or stop by the Star Bar for cocktails, mocktails, food, and charcuterie for purchase. Sept. 26 from 7 pm to 10:30 pm. General admission starts at $35. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Rd. fairchildgarden.org

WEATHER GIRL

GableStage opens its 28th season with Weather Girl, a dark comedy about a California TV meteorologist trying to keep smiling while reporting on a world in crisis. As the forecasts get worse, her polished on-air optimism starts to unravel. Sept. 25 to Oct. 18, performances Wed. through Sat. at 7:30 pm, with Wed. and Sun. matinees at 2 pm. Tickets start at $60. GableStage at The Biltmore, 1200 Anastasia Ave. gablestage.org SOIRÉE DES ARTS: MEDITERRANEAN EDITION

Les Ailes du Désir Foundation presents Soirée des Arts: Mediterranean

CORAL MARKET AT THE MERRICK HOUSE

Coral Market brings vintage shopping to the historic Merrick House, with vendors offering housewares, furniture, fashion, collectibles, and other one-of-a-kind finds. Guests can browse the market on the grounds while supporting the preservation of one of Coral Gables’ most important historic homes. Sept. 26 from 10 am to 4 pm. Merrick House, 907 Coral Way. @CoralMarketVintage ■

LIVING / THE COMMUNITY

Puppies With a Purpose

AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI, UPUP IS TURNING CAMPUS LIFE INTO A TRAINING GROUND FOR FUTURE SERVICE DOGS BY YOUSRA BENKIRANE

n the University of Miami campus, a puppy sleeping through class may actually be hard at work, training how to not be reactive in a new or stressful situation. That schooling is the idea behind UPup, the student organization that helps raise and socialize future service dogs before they are paired with someone who needs one. Dr. Joy Beverly founded the club about a decade ago after seeing random students raise service dogs and wondering whether UM students might do the same with a structured program. What started small has grown to a larger canine cadre, but Beverly says the mission was never really about the hounds. “I see it more as service rather than just working with dogs,” she said. For nursing student Amanda Acuna, that service currently comes in the form of Ryker VI, a black Labrador she received at nine months old. Ryker began his puppyhood in a Georgia prison, where inmates participating in a Canine Companions program handled his early training. Acuna’s role: introduce him to the wider world. That meant walks around UM, trips to Publix, and encounters with two campus residents: squirrels and ducks. “He saw a squirrel and a duck, and he was appalled,” Acuna recalled. Her job was to teach Ryker that no matter how interesting the distraction, his handler should be more interesting. He eventually became comfortable enough that Acuna received approval to bring him to class. “He slept through every class I took him to,” Acuna said. Raisers like Acuna spend months teaching the dogs more than

ABOVE: DR. JOY BEVERLY WITH A NEW STUDENT PUPPY RAISER LEFT: AMANDA ACUNA WORKS WITH RYKER VI, A BLACK LABRADOR

30 commands, public manners, and socialization. Then comes the handoff. At about a year and a half old, the dog leaves its student trainer and enters professional training, which Acuna said lasts roughly six to nine months. There, Canine Companions trainers conduct medical and temperament testing to determine whether the dog is suited for service work. They also build on the puppy’s foundation with advanced skills like retrieving and holding objects, opening and closing doors, and assisting with wheelchairs. Depending on temperament and ability, a dog may be prepared for mobility assistance, hearing work, medical alerts, or other specialized roles. For student raisers, the transition can be emotional. Once the dog is turned in, Acuna said she receives monthly report cards describing its progress. If the dog completes training, it can then be matched with a recipient and graduate as a working service dog. Acuna has already seen that process come full circle. Her first puppy, Hanson IV, graduated and was matched with a veteran. Her second, Guinness, was released from service-dog training after anxiety issues but later became a therapy dog. He now visits patients receiving transfusions at UHealth’s Lennar Foundation Medical Center. “Every dog has their purpose,” says Acuna. UPup helps make the work possible with a team approach. Student trainers will step in, for example, when other students have exams or labs, and the club helps with food and supplies. Now, Beverly hopes Coral Gables families will join them by providing home bases for future service dogs while students assist with training. ■ For more information on how to get involved, contact Dr. Joy Beverly at joybeverly@miami.edu coralgablesmagazine.com

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LIVING / HEALTH & WELLNESS

Puppy Yoga YOGA, SMALL DOGS AND A SATURDAY MORNING AT IRL BY AMANDA MARTELL

hen we first heard that puppy yoga classes were being offered at the IRL Miami space on U.S.1 in the Gables, we had visions of cute little balls of fur sitting on our backs and in our laps as we held different positions. Not quite. But that did not mean it wasn’t a morning of adorable fun. IRL Miami is a 4,500-square-foot social and wellness club across from the University of Miami, designed for community events and “brand activations.” When we last visited IRL it was for an intimate Common Ground dinner series, and the setting looked very different. On that occasion, guests gathered upstairs around a marble countertop for a 12-course meal. This time, the downstairs studio was lined with yoga mats, while small barks from a nearby playpen hinted at what was to come: a group of 10-week-old poodle mixes. The drill, we were told, was yoga first, dog play afterwards. At least we’d be stretching with a smile. But before choosing our mats, curiosity got the better of us, and we visited the playpen to greet our soon-to-be best friends. Several puppies with curly brown coats ran back and forth along the edge of their pen; others with gray and white fur were still waking up. A few simply wagged their tails, excited to meet the new faces. The studio’s open layout and floor-to-ceiling windows let in plenty of morning light, while the sage-painted walls made the room feel spacious. With the mats lined up, we took our places as the instructor explained that the class would include 30 minutes of yoga followed by 30 minutes of puppies. A second instructor reviewed the safety rules, emphasizing that guests should never walk while carrying a puppy to prevent drops or other accidents.

IRL MIAMI SPACE FOR 30 MINUTES OF YOGA FOLLOWED BY PUPPY PLAY

The class began with breathwork before moving into seated stretches (of course including “downward dog”). The sequence focused on mobility and stretching rather than difficult poses, making it manageable for someone taking a yoga class for the first time. We also practiced baby cradle, a seated pose that opens the hips and stretches the glutes. To finish, we took one final deep breath and brought our palms together at the chest. Now it was time for the part everyone had been waiting for. We moved our mats aside and formed a circle to keep the puppies from wandering too far. The instructors carried them over one by one. Some settled into the nearest laps, others became escape artists, and a few had a sudden case of the zoomies. The remaining 30 minutes seemed to fly by with puppy kisses, puppy photos, and puppy play. Some tried to start games of tug-of-war, while others ran around on unsteady legs. I’m not sure which produced more dopamine in our brains, the yoga or the puppies. Both kept everyone focused on the moment, and before we knew it, class was over. Puppy Yoga Club works with rescue groups, shelters and reputable breeders. Guests interested in adoption can speak with the instructors. Classes are held Saturdays and Sundays at IRL Miami, with different breeds featured. Each hourlong session costs $69: upcoming sessions and featured breeds are listed at puppy-yogaclub.com. ■ coralgablesmagazine.com

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Bites

Fine Dining Review - see page 38 PLUS : QUICK BITES & HAPPY HOUR

CHEF JEREMY FORD, A FLORIDA NATIVE, OPENED THE BEAUTY & THE BUTCHER IN CORAL GABLES.

BITES / QUICK BITES

Quick Dog Treats! BY AMANDA MARTELL

Our Quick Bites normally showcase one dish that sends us around town to try several versions, from baked goods to oysters. For the Dog Issue, we handed the assignment to the pups. We stopped at five local spots, from restaurants to dog groomers, where they could pick up a treat of their own. NEOKLASIK MODERN ARTISAN BAKERY

When the weather gets too hot, as it does most days in summer, a detour to Neoklasik may be in order. The Turkish artisan bakery and café offers complimentary ice cream pup cups made with lactose-free yogurt, banana and peanut butter, all served in paw-print containers. Just keep an eye on the cup, since your pup may assume it is part of the treat. 366 Miracle Mile. 305.615.9940 PURA VIDA

The colorful macarons at Pura Vida might be tempting to order for yourself. But take a closer look and you’ll notice they are made especially for your pooch. Flavors include blueberry banana, peanut butter, and purple sweet potato. Each $8.56 box comes with three macarons made without added sugar or artificial preservatives. They may look too pretty to eat, but your dog won’t hesitate. 244 Miracle Mile. 305.535.4142 GROU COFFEE + COWORK

At GROU Coffee + Cowork, dogs can have a complimentary pup cup made with whipped cream and topped with a bone-shaped treat. Dogs are also welcome inside, which helps when you plan to stay for more than a quick coffee. One pup cup may quickly turn into several once the puppy eyes come out. 4100 Salzedo St. 305.639.8218 WOOFGANG BAKERY & GROOMING

Passing by Woofgang, we could tell our dog was already intrigued, sniffing as we walked inside. The wide-eyed look gave away what had caught her attention: a center table of dog cookies, priced from $4.99 to $7.99 for the larger ones. Our dog’s favorite was the Pup-aLicious peanut butter treat, made with all-natural, dog-safe peanut butter and whole grains. Healthy and gone. 235 Altara Ave. 786.310.0445 SHAKE SHACK

Shake Shack offers its Bag O’ Bones, a $10.75 pack of five boneshaped biscuits. The treats are made by Bocce’s Bakery, which began in a New York City kitchen after its founders became concerned about the ingredients in treats they fed their dog Bocce. Each biscuit contains rye flour, beef, beef liver, carrots, cheddar and parsley. Larger than the average dog biscuit, the first one disappeared quickly. 1450 S Dixie Hwy. 786.470.3701 ■ FROM THE TOP: NEOKLASIK MODERN ARTISAN BAKERY - ICE CREAM PUP CUP PURA VIDA - COLORFUL MACARONS FOR YOUR POOCH GROU COFFEE + COWORK - COMPLIMENTARY PUP CUP WOOFGANG BAKERY & GROOMING - A VARIETY OF DOG COOKIES SHAKE SHACK - BAG O’ BONES SHAPED LARGE BISCUITS

coralgablesmagazine.com

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BITES / FINE DINING

Beauty & The Butcher FINE DINING FOR THE TABLE – AND A PORTERHOUSE BONE FOR THE DOG. BY YOUSRA BENKIRANE

hen dining at Beauty & the Butcher, self-control lasts roughly until the bread arrives. The sourdough focaccia ($12) comes out tall, burnished, and cut into thick slabs, with a crisp top and an airy interior made for tearing apart. Alongside it are ’nduja butter and local honey fermented with koji: smoke, spice, sweetness, and warm bread conspiring against anyone who planned to “just have a bite.” The honey and butter alone could inspire poor decision-making. Beauty & the Butcher comes from Grove Bay Hospitality Group and Florida-native chef Jeremy Ford, who began cooking professionally at 16, later working under Jean-Georges Vongerichten and winning Season 13 of “Top Chef.” After opening Michelinstarred Stubborn Seed in Miami Beach, Ford brought his precise, playful style to Coral Gables with a steak-driven concept. The name is personal: his eldest daughter, Madelynn, is the beauty; Ford is the butcher. The restaurant is also included in the Michelin Guide. The dining room looks the part. Dark wood, marble, soft golden light, and deep booths create a polished atmosphere, but the room is too lively to feel stiff. On our visit, there were couples leaning into date night, groups of friends dressed for a proper dinner, families celebrating, and longtime pairs who appeared comfortably settled into a monthly splurge. The cocktail list casts a similarly wide net. I tend toward sweeter drinks, so the watermelon lemon drop martini was an easy choice: bright, fruity, and tart enough to avoid tasting like candy. My fiancé prefers whiskey and ordered the Tokyo After Dark, made with Shibui whiskey, J.F. Haden’s espresso liqueur, house espresso, and Licor 43. Our orders said more about us than most personality tests. Before entering full steakhouse territory, we tried the hamachi crudo ($22). The fish arrived in a passion fruit and rose-water vinaigrette with citrus, chiles, rice pearls, and dehydrated rose petals. The hamachi was cool and delicate, the passion fruit supplied tartness, the chiles brought a small but noticeable spark, and the rice pearls added texture. Rose water can easily hijack a dish, leaving everything tasting faintly of a perfume counter, but here it remained controlled. The result was light and refreshing – a smart opening before the richer courses ahead. And rich they were. The Australian Wagyu filet ($73) was the best thing we ate. At six ounces, it was modest only in size. The exterior had a dark, seasoned crust, while the center was so smooth and buttery that I stopped talking after the first bite. Filet can sometimes trade flavor for tenderness; this one did not. The 24-ounce porterhouse ($125) was the table’s showpiece. Served sliced around the bone it delivered tender filet on one side and a beefier strip on the other. It was deeply flavorful and properly charred. Before we left, the staff happily wrapped the bone for our dog,

TOP: CHEF JEREMY FORD, A FLORIDA NATIVE WHO OPENED THE MICHELIN- STARRED STUBBORN SEED IN MIAMI BEACH BEFORE BEAUTY & THE BUTCHER IN CORAL GABLES ABOVE: INTERIOR OF DARK WOOD AND MARBLE WITH WARM LIGHTING FOR A RICH POLISHED ATMOSPHERE BEAUTYANDTHEBUTCHERMIAMI.COM 6901 RED RD CORAL GABLES

coralgablesmagazine.com

TOP: SOURDOUGH FOCACCIA BREAD WITH HAMACHI CRUDO BELOW LEFT: CRISPY BRUSSELS SPROUTS TOP RIGHT: FRENCH ONION MASHED POTATOES BELOW RIGHT: 24 OZ. PORTERHOUSE STEAK - PLUS THE BONE THAT WAS TAKEN HOME IN A DOGGIE BAG

soft, buttery mash. They tasted familiar, comforting, and just sophisticated enough to belong beside Wagyu. Throughout the meal, the service elevated the experience. Fine dining requires the best ingredients and culinary techniques, but service is what determines whether all that excellence feels welcoming. Here, it did. So did our dessert of house-made cookies – crisp around the edges and soft and chewy inside with malted milk for dipping. Like the rest of the meal, Chef Ford’s dessert pulled off the evening’s best trick: leaving us wanting more when we could not possibly eat another bite. ■

giving the term “doggy bag” its most literal – and appreciated meaning. For sides we ordered the truffle mac and cheese ($19), the crispy Brussels sprouts ($17), and the French onion mashed potatoes ($14). The mac and cheese, made with smoked Gouda queso, crispy garlic, and winter black truffle, was heavenly. The sprouts were dressed with warm Serrano ham and onion vinaigrette, Cabrales cheese, focaccia crumble, and lemon – enough to make you forget it was a vegetable. The mashed potatoes, however, were what kept pulling my fork back: Yukon Gold potatoes topped with a French onion and Gruyère gratin, creating a crisp, browned surface over a

BITES / NEW OPENINGS

Mister O1 Comes to Coral Gables

ister O1 Extraordinary Pizza has opened on Alhambra Circle, bringing its thin-crust, star-shaped pizzas to Coral Gables. The restaurant is already well known across South Florida, but the new location gives Gables diners a closer place to try the pies that built its following. Chef Renato Viola founded Mister O1 after moving to Miami on an O-1 visa, which is reserved for people with extraordinary ability. He grew up in Southern Italy and began training with pizza makers at a young age. The first restaurant opened as a small, tucked-away spot in Miami Beach; today, the concept has locations across Florida and several other states. We tried the Claudio and the Elisa, both served in the restaurant’s signature star shape, with cheese tucked inside each point. The Claudio combines tomato sauce, fresh burrata stracciatella, white truffle oil, and basil. It is creamy and rich, but the tomato sauce keeps it from feeling too heavy. The Elisa skips the tomato sauce in favor of mozzarella, ricotta, honey, black pepper, and white truffle oil. The honey adds just enough sweetness, while the pepper gives the pizza some balance. The dough is thin, crisp, and light enough that sharing two pizzas does not feel unreasonable. Beyond the star-shaped options, the menu includes traditional pies, salads, burrata, calzones, and dessert pizzas. The new space is casual and lively, making it an easy choice for lunch, dinner, or a pizza night that feels a little more interesting than usual. – Yousra Benkirane ■

TOP: THE ELISA STAR SHAPED PIZZA WITH MOZZARELLA, RICOTTA AND HONEY

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BITES / HAPPY HOUR

Whetting their Whiskers

“I

AT THE GLOBE, DOGS HAVE THEIR DAYS. AT LEAST ON THURSDAYS.

t started with a couple of regulars that would come in with their dogs, Winston and Louis,” says Danny Guiteras, co-owner (along with wife Lorraine) of The Globe Café & Bar. “From there it kind of organically developed, you know, and they would routinely come in on Thursdays. So it started to be a Thursday thing with two dogs, then four dogs, six dogs, and here we are today.” Dogs who visit the Globe on Thursdays on a regular basis have their own bowls, so that they may join their masters in libations. There are also doggie treat to be had, though when you ask Guiteras for a menu he will hand you a card with a master and dog on one side, and the word “Bacon” on the other. “We have people that order off the menu – they’ll order the dog a burger, for example. And there will be an occasional martini being enjoyed [by the dog].” One of the more recent attendees for the Thursday evening canine happy hour is Dylan, the scrappy hound of author Patrick Alexander and his wife Jude. Besides writing books, Alexander also runs the first tee on the Granada Golf Course next to Bertie’s Bistro (formerly Burger Bob’s). Alexander says that Dylan is the official bacon inspector for the Bistro. So far, he says, no bacon has been rejected. “That shows you the high quality they have,” he says. ■ THE GLOBE 377 ALHAMBRA CIRCLE 305.445.3555

THE GLOBE CAFÉ & BAR OWNERS LORRAINE AND DANNY, WITH JUDE AND DYLAN

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The Birth of a Linear Park THIRTEEN YEARS SINCE CONCEPTION, CORAL GABLES’ UNDERLINE FINISHES THIS YEAR BY J.P. FABER / PHOTOS BY RODOLFO BENITEZ

y now, Meg Daly’s epiphany in 2013 is the stuff of urban legend. Unable to drive her car thanks to two broken arms, she started walking places. Her path took her under the Metrorail as it coursed through Coconut Grove on her way to physical therapy. One day she thought, why can’t this wasted space become a long linear park similar to the HighLine park in New York? That uber-successful elevated park was built on a historic freight rail line on Manhattan’s lower West Side. “I had been to the HighLine with my dad,” says Daly. “We went in the dead of winter and walked it. It was bitter cold, but people were out there walking.” And so began Daly’s quest, starting with consulting with the folks from Miami-Dade County Parks department, and then proceeding with years of fundraising and flag waving. “I shopped the idea to anyone who would listen. Fortunately, there were some people who thought it wasn’t crazy.” She held public meetings everywhere – from the University of Miami to Temple Judea – any place she could attract an audience to hear her idea and get the community's feedback. Finally, she got a $10,000 grant from the Knight Foundation to create a non-profit corporation and web site, and then funding from the cities of Coral Gables, Miami, and the Miami Foundation to create a master plan. In 2015, a student class at UM's School of Architecture came up

with early renderings for the vision. After that, private donations and public grants began coming in, including more than $250,000, again from the Knight Foundation, to design an outdoor gym in the Brickell section of the Underline – part of Phase 1, the first half mile “Brickell Backyard” of the Underline’s 10 miles, which opened in 2021. Miami-Dade County had stepped in by then, providing right-of-way for 120 acres under the elevated Metrorail and coordinating construction through its Department of Transportation and Public Works, and its Parks Department, along with supplying significant funding. For Coral Gables, the big breakthrough came in 2019, when the federal government awarded a $23 million BUILD grant for construction including the three miles of the Underline passing through the city. The following year, legislation written by then Vice Mayor Vince Lago committed $7 million to the project, funds drawn from any new development within 1,000 feet of the project. “He’s been an incredible leader during this whole process,” says Daly of Lago, who has been mayor since 2021. For his part, Mayor Lago has been an unabashed cheerleader for the linear park. “It’s been a labor of love, but Meg Daly deserves all the credit. She is a visionary,” says Lago. “These are the kind of transformational projects that not only enhance quality of life, and increase coralgablesmagazine.com

“ I SHOPPED THE IDEA TO ANYONE WHO WOULD LISTEN. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE WHO THOUGHT IT WASN’T CRAZY....” MEG DALY, THE VISIONARY BEHIND THE UNDERLINE, SHOWN RIGHT ABOVE: UNDERLINE PLAZA, A COMMUNITY SPACE AND URBAN BEACH

property values, but redefine a community… The goal is to increase our open space catalog by over three miles, increase our tree canopy, and get people out, especially young professionals and young kids, to truly enjoy the natural splendor that is Coral Gables.” The Underline is now on a fast track for completion by the end of this year, almost a decade ahead of its original timeline. Already four of the six community spaces planned for the Gables section have been completed, three of them activated. The remaining two are due for completion by year’s end. The Gables spaces begin adjacent to the Douglas Road Metrorail station with The Underline Plaza, which includes an “urban beach” area, with seating beneath large shade umbrellas. “This is actually considered the center point of the Underline,” says Underline CMO Lisle Bowen. “We are five miles from the Miami River [where it starts] and five miles from Dadeland [where it ends]. It’s built as a community space – with an urban beach just to have something different. And yes, there is sand there.” Two of the Metrorail columns already have murals painted by Bahamian artist April Bey, and the goal for the space is to have it activated “with food trucks and experiences,” says Bowen. (continued on page 48)

THE SIX CORAL GABLES “STATIONS” ON THE UNDERLINE

DRIV UNA ORD

GRA

RIVE

RD D

CAR IL

Location: Ponce de Leon near Carrillo Street and University of Miami Description: Sponsored by Baptist Health, with 4 public pickleball courts, a regulation-size basketball court, seating, drinking fountains and bicycle parking. LO S T

FO STAN

UNIVERSITY STATION

PINE LAND COURTS (Under construction)

NAD A BL VD

The six miles of the Underline which pass through Coral Gables are the richest in terms of amenities. Like the rest of the Underline, the Gables section provides a continuous bike and pedestrian path. But because the public land adjacent to the Metrorail is widest here, it allows for substantial public spaces. Here are the six; the last two will be finished this year.

PONCE DE LEON BLVD

S. DIXIE HWY

ROCK RIDGE PLAZA (Under construction)

Location: Ponce de Leon at Stanford Drive, near University of Miami Description: A block long installation with three distinct areas: an outdoor amphitheater/classroom (featuring natural boulder seating), a shady “vestibule” gathering space, and a Flex Plaza performance venue.

THE WILDS (Completed)

Location: Ponce de Leon Blvd near Orduna Drive Description: An ecosystem of native Everglades wetland flood- and drought-tolerant plants, with stormwater bioswales, boardwalks, and shady rest areas.

coralgablesmagazine.com

THE BARK PARK (completed)

N EO PO

RIVIERA DRIVE

42 N

BL VD

AV E

Location: 4500 Ponce de Leon Blvd (just south of where Ponce bends south, next to the Lifetime Building) Description: Two adjacent parks, one for small dogs one for larger dogs, with cooling turf, agility tunnels and hydration stations.

PONCE DE LEON BLVD

RUIZ AVENUE

DOUGLAS ROAD STATION

S. DIXIE HWY S. DIXIE HWY

THE FITNESS ROOM (Completed, to be activated) Location: Ponce de Leon Blvd near Riviera Drive. Description: Wellness area with body-weight exercise equipment, stretch area, half basketball court and minipitch soccer field, with community wellness programming.

THE UNDERLINE PLAZA & URBAN BEACH (completed)

Location: Just south of the Douglas Metrorail station at Ruiz Avenue. Description: An open-air neighborhood gathering spot with space for food trucks, public art installations, and a sand-based urban “beach”.

Next comes the Chewy Bark Park, a complex of two play areas – one 18,000-square-foot area for large dogs and one 13,000-squarefoot area for small dogs. It opened in January and since gained notoriety when it broke the Guinness World Record for largest dog pool party with 276 canines showing up. Further down the line, opposite the Coral Gables fire station on U.S. 1, is a space called “The Fitness Room.” This is an “outdoor wellness area” that will include exercise equipment, a half-basketball court, a mini-pitch soccer area, and space for community exercise classes. Next comes The Wilds, designed as a Florida wildlife area with seating for calm reflection –despite the periodic overhead rush of the Metrorail, which is soon forgotten among the native flora and fauna that populates the space. “The concept of the wilds is that it’s kind of like a little piece of the Everglades in Coral Gables,” says TOP: OPENING DAY AT THE CHEWY BARK PARK AT THE UNDERLINE ABOVE: UNDERLINE CMO LISLE BOWEN AT THE 'URBAN BEACH AREA' LEFT: CUTTING THE RIBBON TO CELEBRATE 5 YEARS AND 5 MILES

Bowen. “We have birdhouses and a lot of our pollinators here. You’re very immersed in nature within the wilds.” The two remaining spaces were, at time of publication, still under construction: The Pineland Courts and Rock Ridge Plaza. Both are opposite one of the main entrances to the University of Miami. The Courts are just what they sound like: four pickleball courts and one full-sized basketball court. The Rock Ridge Plaza, on the other hand, is the pièce de résistance of the community spaces: a threepart plaza with an amphitheater, a woodsy multi-level area, and a large open court for events. Throughout the Underline, there are un-interrupted pedestrian and bike paths (with five bike stations and 50 bicycles for rent), and periodic micro-forests designed for rapid growth. The entire length of it is punctuated by young native Dade County pines and southern

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Live Oaks. “Can you imagine in five or ten years, when all the trees have fully matured?” asks Underline publicist Jennyfer Grundler. “This is a commitment to mobility, nature and community, creating safe, accessible public space for the residents of Coral Gables.”

THE NEXT CHALLENGES

Now that the Underline is nearing completion, maintaining it is the next obstacle to overcome. Already the organization that Daly created, like the physical Underline itself, is evolving. Daly has turned daily operations over to CEO Eulois Cleckley while remaining Chair of the Board of Directors of Friends of the Underline, the fundraising arm of the project. Cleckley directs a staff of three dozen workers for the Underline Conservancy, whose job it is to maintain the linear park in pristine – and safe – condition. “I still work all the time. I haven’t stopped working,” says Daly. “I think it’s the compression of the very rapid delivery of the last seven miles, and the compression of fundraising that has to happen because we [no longer] have a big runway.” Daly has also been tapped as an advisor for the Shoreline, a similar project along the Rickenbacker Causeway to Key Biscayne, and by the national Highline Network to mentor the director of the Rail Park in Philadelphia. The big challenge for the Conservancy is, as you might expect, how to pay for keeping the Underline in shape. “The primary purpose is to provide safety and security for the users 24-seven, as well as landscaping and maintenance of the trail and the recreational amenity areas,” says Cleckley. “Those are the fundamentals, to be provided at a level that the City Beautiful expects, and our board expects, which is world class, first class.” The estimated cost to maintain the Underline is approximately $900,000 annually per mile. The intention is to divide that cost three ways: one third from the county, one third from the private sector, and one third from the municipalities. The cities of Miami and South

ABOVE: MEG DALY WITH MAYOR LAGO AT THE START OF CONSTRUCTION LEFT: GUESTS AT ONE OF THE FUNDRAISER EVENTS FOR THE UNDERLINE

Miami have both committed $300,000 per mile for the next five years – $1.5 million annually for the five miles in Miami, and $600,000 annually for the two miles in South Miami. So far, however, Coral Gables has only committed $180,000 for the remainder of 2026. The City Commission for Coral Gables, one of the most fiscally conservative cities in the nation, is reluctant to make a long term commitment prior to the results of the November vote on reducing property taxes in the state. That could take $5 million to $6 million away from city taxes. “I think it is important to fund the Underline, and we hold ourselves to a higher standard than other cities,” says Mayor Lago. “But I want to make sure [we have the dollars] before we commit. We are looking at a few things right now” – including the idea of having city staff maintain at least some of the Gables Underline sections or finding local sponsors for them. “I believe that once the community sees the Underline completely finished and the positive impact this linear park that traverses the city of Coral Gables has – the serenity, the beauty, the canopy, adjacent to the hustle and bustle of U.S.1 – I truly think that people are not just going to buy in, but are going to see that this is an investment well worth it.” So, what began as a quest – which by any measure demonstrates the power of one determined person to change the world – is now coming to fruition in the hometown of its founder. Daly launched her vision with a tenacity and infectious enthusiasm that ultimately succeeded. “We’ve really put together a very unusual, I think, partnership between the county, the municipalities, and the private [Underline] organization,” says Daly. “People on the outside looking at us are saying, ‘That’s amazing how you’ve done that.’ What’s happening is that everybody’s contributing to this great public benefit.” Concludes Mayor Lago, “This is a game changer. You’re taking a desolate area that was once underutilized and making it a community treasure.” ■ coralgablesmagazine.com

It’s a

Dog’s World

A SPECIAL CORAL GABLES CANINE REPORT DOG DINING DOG GROOMING DOG STAYCATION DOG ADOPTION DOG PARKS DOG SERVICES DOG STORIES

IT'S A DOGS WORLD

From Brazil With Love THE DOG FROM IPANEMA, FOUR DECADES LATER BY AMANDA MARTELL

THIS YEAR MARKS THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DOG FROM IPANEMA, FOUNDED IN CORAL GABLES IN 1986. WHICH MEANS THAT PROPRIETOR JARBAS GODOY AND HIS TEAM ARE NOW GROOMING THE DOGS OF THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMERS' CHILDREN, AND MAYBE EVEN GRANDCHILDREN.

hat kind of customer fealty is a long way from the uncertainty that surrounded the shop’s opening 40 years ago. Owner Jarbas Godoy, a Brazilian dog groomer who had previously run a shop in his home country, came to South Florida and took a job at a Coconut Grove grooming salon while still learning English. Four years later, the salon’s owner announced she was closing the business in 30 days. “I had just bought my first home and my first used car,” Godoy says. “Suddenly, I had no job.” One of the salon’s clients, Julie Fields, noticed that Godoy – normally cheerful and affable – seemed unusually quiet. She asked what was wrong and he explained. Fields left and returned several hours later with a $5,000 check. “This is not a gift. This is a loan,” Godoy recalls her saying. “Go rent a place and open your own spot.” His first answer was no, but Godoy reconsidered during his hourlong commute home. “I was thinking, ‘Are you crazy? Somebody’s trying to help you, and you just said, ‘No,’” Godoy says. “There were no cellphones in the ’80s, so when I got home, I got on the phone and called Mrs. Fields.” Godoy found an old warehouse in the Gables (back when the city still had a warehouse district) and used nearly the entire check for the security deposit, installing much of the salon himself. The Dog from Ipanema opened in July 1986 and remained in Coral Gables for 22 years before relocating to South Miami, across from the Gables on Red Road. From the beginning, Godoy wanted the salon to be cleaner and more open than grooming shops he’d encountered. He had scrubbed walls and cages at his former workplace without being asked because he couldn’t stand the idea of placing a freshly washed dog in a dirty space. At The Dog from Ipanema, he kept the work area visible and invited clients to watch. “We’re proud of what we do. There’s nothing to hide here,” he recalls telling them.

The salon offers washing, brushing, de-matting, and breed-specific haircuts, with doodles among its most time-consuming clients. A large doodle can take more than an hour to wash, another hour to dry, and additional time to comb before the haircut begins. Haircuts for smaller dogs start at about $100, and appointments can run three hours. For owners who prefer not to leave, the salon also offers express washing, drying and grooming while they wait. Godoy says one of his secrets is training staff to speak to the dogs by name throughout their appointment, particularly when they seem anxious or need more time. “For a dog, their name means a lot,” he says. His attention now is on that staff carrying the business forward, including longtime groomers helping train newer employees. No longer at the salon every day, Godoy remains in close contact. “Hopefully, they’ll be able to keep the dream going for a long time,” he says. ■

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IT'S A DOGS WORLD

A Table for Two and a Water Bowl AT SAWA, DOGS GET A MENU OF THEIR OWN BY YOUSRA BENKIRANE

THERE ARE FEW THINGS MORE DIFFICULT THAN ENJOYING LUNCH WHILE YOUR DOG STARES AT YOU AS THOUGH YOU HAVE PERSONALLY BETRAYED HIM OR HER BY ORDERING FOOD THEY CANNOT HAVE. AT SAWA RESTAURANT & LOUNGE IN THE SHOPS AT MERRICK PARK, THAT PARTICULAR FORM OF GUILT CAN BE AVOIDED.

he Mediterranean-meets-Japanese restaurant has long welcomed four-legged guests to its outdoor patio, but the real draw for dog owners is a menu designed specifically for them. For humans, Sawa blends Mediterranean dishes with sushi and Japanese-inspired plates; a table can fill up with mezze, rolls and grilled specialties. Its shaded patio, lined with palms and bright green umbrellas, makes it an easy place to settle in with your dog in tow. But while humans work their way through Sawa’s tapas, sushi and cocktails, pups can order from a lineup that feels surprisingly close to an actual restaurant menu: baked biscuits and grain-free jerky strips to start, followed by grilled chicken breast kebabs, an Angus burger patty or, for the particularly discerning dog, filet mignon. My husky naturally went for the filet. I ordered the Royalty roll for myself, a $29.99 combination of lobster tempura, lump crab tempura, salmon tempura, avocado, masago arare, and cream cheese. It is an appropriately over-the-top order when your dining companion is having filet mignon. For $12, the filet mignon kebab arrives simply prepared, cut into generous chunks and served in a dog bowl. There are no unnecessary garnishes, sauces, or attempts at culinary theater here, just freshly grilled beef and a very attentive diner. Fendi inspected it for approximately half a second before deciding it met her standards, then proceeded to clean the bowl with an enthusiasm usually reserved for something she had stolen off the kitchen counter.

WHILE DINERS AT SAWA ENJOY THE MEDITERRANEAN-JAPANESE CUISINE, FENDI, OUR HUSKY, DINES FROM THE DOG MENU: FILET MIGNON KEBABS!

Dogs with bigger appetites can add a side of white or brown rice for $6, while dessert comes in the form of a $6 True Acres dessert cup. On a hot Coral Gables afternoon, the restaurant also suggests ice cream as a fitting finale. Sawa’s affection for its canine clientele goes beyond simply allowing dogs on the patio. The restaurant regularly encourages diners to tag photos of their pups enjoying the dog menu on Instagram or Facebook for a chance to become its next doggy menu cover model. Sawa is that rare dog-friendly restaurant where bringing your pup feels less like asking for a favor and more like making a reservation for an additional guest. And judging by Fendi’s empty bowl, she would give the filet mignon five paws. ■ SAWA RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 360 SAN LORENZO AVE. (SHOPS AT MERRICK PARK) 305.447.6555

coralgablesmagazine.com

Celebrating

WINNER

2026

BEST OF THE GABLES

Readers Choice Best Groomer

IT'S A DOGS WORLD

Check In, Sit, Stay

AT LOEWS CORAL GABLES, THE FOUR-LEGGED GUEST GETS THE FULL HOTEL TREATMENT BY YOUSRA BENKIRANE

WITHIN MINUTES OF CHECKING INTO LOEWS CORAL GABLES HOTEL, MY HUSKY HAD MADE HERSELF COMFORTABLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BED, LOOKING LIKE SHE HAD BOOKED THE ROOM HERSELF. WAITING NEARBY WAS A LOEWS LOVES PETS WELCOME BAG WITH DOG BOWLS, A PET MAT AND TREATS – A WELCOME THAT MADE THE WEEKEND FEEL EASIER.

The rest of the stay was just as easy. Fendi stretched across the bed, watched a Miami rainstorm through the windows and came downstairs whenever it was time for another walk. That was what stood out most: the dog-friendly details are worked naturally into the stay. Even checkout was not quite the end. Before heading home, we returned to Americana Kitchen for Sunday brunch, where the chicken and waffles were especially good and well worth ordering. With a brunch menu, Champagne cart, poptails, and tableside ice cream, it was a nice last stop. ■

hrough Loews Loves Pets, dogs and cats are welcomed with pet amenities, walking-route information and access to an in-room dining menu. The hotel charges a one-time $75 pet fee per stay and allows up to two pets per room. The hotel sits at The Plaza Coral Gables, so walks were easy. We could head downstairs, grab a dessert crepe from Sweet Paris, circle the lawn and wander the paths. Dinner was at Americana Kitchen, the hotel’s restaurant, where dogs can join their owners on the outdoor terrace. We started with the Bluefin Tuna Tartare, then shared the New York strip, grilled lemon-brined chicken, whipped potatoes and asparagus. The steak especially stood out. Fendi’s dinner came later upstairs, since the pet menu is only available through Americana Kitchen’s in-room dining service. Choices include Bow Wow Tenderloin of Beef, Chicken Puppy Bites, Kitty Salmon Supreme and the Great Vegetable Feast. We ordered the Chicken Puppy Bites, which arrived chopped with vegetables in her bowl. She finished it quickly, then checked the bowl again just in case. Later that evening, after a walk around The Plaza, we returned after turndown service to find frozen yogurt with blueberries arranged in the shape of a paw waiting for Fendi. I appreciated the presentation; she was more interested in making it disappear.

TOP: FENDI, OUR HUSKY, ON THE BED GUARDING HER WELCOME BAG ABOVE: STEAK DINNER FOR THE OWNER AND CHICKEN BITES FOR FENDI OTHER DOG-FRIENDLY STAYS: THESIS HOTEL MIAMI THESIS PET LIFE WELCOMES UP TO 50 POUNDS FOR A SINGLE FEE OF $150 AND OFFERS PET BEDS AND BOWLS HOTEL COLONNADE CORAL GABLES HOTEL COLONNADE WELCOMES UP TO TWO PETS PER ROOM, EACH WEIGHING UP TO 40 POUNDS, WITH A $75 PET FEE HYATT REGENCY CORAL GABLES HYATT REGENCY WELCOMES DOGS UP TO 50 POUNDS, OR TWO WITH A COMBINED WEIGHT OF 75 POUNDS WITH A $100 CLEANING FEE ALOFT CORAL GABLES ALOFT ALLOWS ONE PET PER ROOM WEIGHING UP TO 40 POUNDS AND OFFERS A DOG BED, BOWL, TREATS AND TOYS THE BILTMORE HOTEL THE BILTMORE WELCOMES PETS UP TO 35 POUNDS WITH A $50 DEEP-CLEANING FEE

coralgablesmagazine.com

IT'S A DOGS WORLD

Making the Right Choice AT PAWS4YOU, IT’S ALSO ABOUT THE RIGHT MASTER BY J.P. FABER

WHEN CAROLINA FREUND DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO FIND A NEW CANINE COMPANION, SHE TURNED TO PAWS4YOU. THE GABLES RESIDENT AND BUSINESS OWNER HAD HEARD ABOUT THE DOG-ADOPTION CENTER FROM A FRIEND WHO VOLUNTEERED THERE.

s it turns out, PAWS4you is the closest adoption center to the Gables, frequently visited by City Beautiful residents. “I had followed them on Instagram for a long time, and when my childhood dog passed away, I decided to go to PAWS4you and see what dogs were available,” says Freund. “We’ve always adopted dogs just from the Humane Society, so I thought it might be nice to support PAWS4you and find a dog from their shelter.” At the center, which is located just off U.S. 1 opposite Pinecrest, she discovered a dog named Moomoo – now Olivia. “I had already looked online and saw a couple of dogs that I thought were just adorable and sweet – like, I would take all of them if I could. And then I met my Olivia, who used to be called Moomoo.” There was something about her quiet demeanor, says Freund, who felt an immediate connection with the puppy. The question then became whether Freund was right for the dog. “They did a pretty thorough background check on me, which is another thing that’s great about them,” says Freund. “They really vet the people adopting the dogs, to make sure that they find the best homes.” Freund passed the test, which included bringing her family’s other dog – a five-year-old rescue named Jack – to the shelter to make sure they were compatible. “We took them outside, both of them on leashes, and see if they were friendly with each other. And they were,” she says. “Today they get along just wonderfully. She’s like the annoying little sister, and he’s like the mature, you know, professor-like older brother,” says Freund. “It’s absolutely adorable.” For PAWS4you, Freund’s adoption was one of some 500 successful placements the shelter manages each year. Founded by executive director Carol Caridad, PAWS4you started “very humbly” as a foster-based rescue in 2007, becoming a full-service bricks-and-

TOP: CAROLINA FREUND ADOPTED OLIVIA AT PAWS4YOU ABOVE: 8 FULL TIME STAFF & 150 VOLUNTEERS ARE ESSENTIAL LEFT: THE FOUNDER OF PAWS4YOU CAROL CARIDAD, SAYS, “I KEPT THINKING, THERE HAS TO BE MORE WE CAN DO"

PAWS4YOU 8717 SW 134TH ST. MIAMI (786) 242-7377

mortar adoption and boarding center in 2013. Caridad, who had worked in the veterinary medical supply business, decided to devote her life finding homes for homeless dogs after adopting a stray in New York when she attended college at NYU. “I was volunteering with other animal rescue organizations and seeing firsthand the tremendous overpopulation problem in Miami-Dade County and the number of healthy, adoptable dogs at risk of euthanasia,” she says. “I kept thinking, ‘There has to be more we can do.’” Today PAWS4you has a full-time staff of eight, with another 150 volunteers who collectively contribute more than 700 hours every month. “They [the volunteers] are absolutely essential to everything we do, from cleaning the kennels to bathing and caring for the dogs, walking them, and helping at adoption events and fundraising programs.” The shelter has room for 100 dogs and spends about $100,000 annually on their medical care. Dogs are never euthanized; some of the older, less-adoptable ones may spend the rest of their lives there. Since their founding in 2007, they have placed more than 15,000 dogs in homes. ■ coralgablesmagazine.com

IN THE HEART OF THE GROVE 2575 SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE, UNIT 5B, COCONUT GROVE

Sophisticated design and an unparalleled lifestyle await in one of Coconut Grove's most coveted boutique buildings. Renovated by the former owner/designer, no detail was overlooked. Expansive wraparound terraces provide space for relaxing in the tropical breeze before enjoying the vibrant offerings of Coconut Grove Village.

$1,799,000 2 BED + DEN | 2 BATH | 1759’ SQ FT LOCAL EXPERTISE. INSIDER KNOWLEDGE. MASTER NEGOTIATORS. 305.7 75. 53 3 0 | VE RYS P E CI A LH O M ES. CO M Compass RE is a licensed real estate broker. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No ﬁnancial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reﬂect actual property conditions.

IT'S A DOGS WORLD

Dog Run Parks

If you go to the city of Coral Gables website, you will find a list of 28 “Pet-Friendly Parks,” all of which allow for dogs on leash. The dog-walking pros at Equipaws also have an online list of the 10 best places to take your pooch for a walk. There are, however, only four places where you can let your dog run off-leash, with a fifth under consideration.

Salvadore Dog Run

Located beside Salvadore Park, this fenced run has a sand surface, walkways and water access. Dogs of all sizes share the same play area. LOCATION: 1120 ANDALUSIA AVE. SIZE: NEIGHBORHOOD DOG RUN TYPE: DOGS OF ALL SIZES HOURS: MONDAY – FRIDAY: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM SATURDAY – SUNDAY: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Chewy Bark Park

This fenced park along The Underline features cooling turf, agility elements, water stations and waste stations. Separate sections give small and large dogs their own space to run. LOCATION: 4500 PONCE DE LEON BLVD. SIZE: 17,000 SQUARE FEET TYPE: SEPARATE AREAS FOR SMALL AND LARGE DOGS HOURS: DAILY, 6 A.M. – 10 P.M.

Chapman Field Park Dog Park

The largest option on this list, Chapman Field offers plenty of fenced-in space for dogs to run for residents in the southern portions of Coral Gables. Split between large and small dog spaces.

LOCATION: 13600 SW GUADALAJARA ST. SIZE: 3.5 ACRES TYPE: FENCED OFF-LEASH DOG PARK HOURS: SUNRISE TO SUNSET

North Gables Temporary Dog Park

This temporary dog park in the North Gables offers a fenced, shaded area. It’s open around the clock, making it a flexible options for dog owners – and the only one in this multi-family area. LOCATION: 113 MENDOZA AVE. SIZE: NEIGHBORHOOD DOG RUN TYPE: DOGS OF ALL SIZES HOURS: OPEN 24 HOURS DAILY

Proposed: University Drive Dog Park

Coral Gables is considering a new dog park across from the War Memorial Youth Center. As of 2026, the project remains in the proposal and public-input stage and is not open for use. LOCATION: 520 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SIZE: TO BE DETERMINED TYPE: PROPOSED FENCED DOG PARK HOURS: NOT YET OPEN

coralgablesmagazine.com

IT'S A DOGS WORLD

Additional Dog Services WALKING, BOARDING, TRAINING

Equipaws

Founded by two sisters who love dogs, Equipaws is the ultimate dog-walking service. Their experienced pet-loving staff will come to your home to walk your dog or will house-sit for your pets when you’re on vacation and don’t want to board them – which they will also do. SOUTH MIAMI HQ 305.794.3733

Miami Pet Concierge

Caring for Gables dogs since 2007, Miami Pet Concierge is dedicated to providing peace of mind for “busy professionals” and “world travelers.” Services include puppy potty training, daily dog reports while you are away and lock boxes on your property so walkers are never locked out. CORAL GABLES HQ 305.773.3999

Happy With Dogs

Excessive barking? Biting or nipping? No house manners? Happy with dogs will train your dog of any age, from puppy to adulthood, leaving you with an obedient dog free from bad behaviors, aggression or anxiety. Boarding too, for over 1,000 owners to date. SOUTH DADE HQ 305.735.9311

coralgablesmagazine.com

One Team, One Vision With You at the Center Led by Lani Kahn Drody, The Lani Group is a luxury real estate team offering boutique-style service to home sellers and buyers across South Florida. Anchored by Lani’s 30 years of experience, over $1 billion in sales, and her deep roots as a native Miami local, The Lani Group offers unmatched expertise in the greater Miami area.

LISTED BY LAUREN DOWLEN | (786) 942-0193 J U S T L I S T E D | WAT E R S E D G E

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

J U S T L I S T E D | GA RD EN S O F K ENDA L L 10 425 S W 112TH AVE #3 02 MIAMI, FL 33176 1 BED | 1 BATH | 727 S Q F T | 3 R D FLO OR U NIT

JUST LISTED | BEAUTIFULLY REMODELED 3 BED 3 BATH | 1,892 SQ. FT. | 2 CAR GAR AGE

UNBEATABLE CENTRAL LOCATION WITH PROXIMITY TO MDC | $220,000

LISTED BY MARIANNA PEREZ | (305) 546-4913 JUST LEASED | MR. C RESIDENCES

2655 S BAYSHORE DR . #1911 MIAMI, FL 33131 3 B ED | 3 . 5 B AT H | 1 , 6 0 3 S Q F T * E XPERIEN CE LU X URY LIVIN G FR A M ED BY PA N OR A MIC BAY VIE WS

LISTED BY LANI KAHN DRODY | (305) 216-1550 | MRC1911.COM THE LAUREL HOME 119 0 0 S W 14TH PL ACE DAVIE, FL 33325

CONTACT PATTI CECCHERINE FOR DETAILS | (954) 473-9188 460I PONCE DE LEON BLVD. STE. I02, CORAL GABLES, FL 33I46

305.520.5420 . LOWELLINTERNATIONALREALT Y.COM

Sea rch ac t ive l is t i n g s w it h ea se, v isit ou r websit e!

EXPERIENCE IS EVERY THING OVER $1 BILLION IN SALE S

#CHOOSELOWELL

The information contained herein, while not guaranteed, has been secured from sources we believe to be reliable. However, information is subject to verification by purchaser, and broker assumes no liability for corrections thereof. Square feet shown may be living, adjusted or total area - see agent for details. For sale offerings are made subject to errors, omissions, change of price, prior sale or withdrawal without notice. In accordance with the law, properties are offered without respect to race, color, creed or national origin. If a property is located in a flood or hurricane zone, broker assumes no responsibility for providing information on elevations or other information pertaining thereto. If you are working with a Realtor, this is not a solicitation.

DOG STORIES

Dog Stories SIX LOCALS AND THEIR BELOVED POOCHES PHOTOS BY RODOLFO BENITEZ

ALBERTO (ALBIE) SHIH TZU, AGE 2 OWNER

Gloria Baez, Vice President, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce

DOG STORY

Gloria Baez adopted Albie after the loss of her previous Shih Tzu, Kato. “I was not attached to him at first. He was very cute, very sweet, very lovable. Yes, but I could not attach. Then he won me over.” Albie does not do tricks, “but he understands most things I say, like when I tell him we’re going outside, or when I say ‘No,’ which he tends to ignore.” His cutest attribute? Turning his head sideways when he doesn’t understand something. His most endearing attribute? “He will sleep on you. He will sleep in my arms like a baby for an hour, when I’m reading a book or watching television. I’ve never had that before.” The biggest challenge? “Except for my next-door neighbor’s dog, he is not friendly [with other dogs]. He barks and pretends he is an attack dog, so I have to walk him early in the morning or late, when there aren’t a lot of dogs out.” – J.P. Faber

coralgablesmagazine.com

ISABELLA (ISA)

RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK-SHAR-PEI MIX, AGE 2 OWNER

Esther Prinz, Owner, Coco Bella

DOG STORY

Isabella (aka Isa) was a puppy when she appeared on the front porch of Alessandro Ceccarelli Hodel, a friend of Coco Bella owner Esther Prinz. After Isa remained on the porch for two days, Hodel took her in. When work trips kept him away, Prinz began pet sitting Isa, sometimes for a month at a time. “She claimed me,” Prinz says. “She was like, ‘I like you. You are mine, too.’” As Hodel’s work schedule became more demanding, Isa officially became Prinz’s on February 7, the anniversary of her purchase of Coco Bella. “I got both of the biggest beauties in my life on February 7,” she says. The two-year-old rescue now spends most days at Coco Bella, where visitors are caught off guard by how Prinz talks to her. Since Isa was trained in German by Hodel, English commands don’t always work. “I had to learn German to be able to communicate,” Prinz says, laughing. For Prinz, who runs Coco Bella alone, Isa’s presence makes the long days easier. “Just having her happiness, her spirit, helps so much,” she says.– Amanda Martell

DOG STORIES

BENZ LABRADOODLE, AGE 5 OWNER

Dorys Martin - Founder & Vice President, Torrealba Family Foundation

DOG STORY

“Benz is the joy of our family,” says Dorys Martin. “Since he arrived, he has transformed our lives and filled our home with love and companionship. He has taught us that words aren’t always necessary; sometimes, his mere presence is enough to lift our spirits and make us smile.” He is a big dog, something he doesn’t seem to understand as an overly affectionate Labradoodle that has been with the family since he was a puppy. “He can knock you right over when he is happy to see you. Sometimes I have to brace myself when I see him coming to greet me,” she says. While Benz is “noble, intelligent and very obedient,” he has clearly made his choice for top human in the family – Dorys. “He’s extremely protective and jealous regarding those he loves. In fact, he doesn’t let anyone get too close to me; not even my children can hug me without Benz immediately appearing to make sure everything is okay.”– Monica Raucci

coralgablesmagazine.com

WINNIE FRENCH BULLDOG, AGE 2 DUNDEE AUSTRALIAN SHEPHARD, AGE 9 BRADY GOLDEN RETRIEVER, AGE 10 OWNER

Richard Lara, attorney and city commissioner, and wife Bertha

DOG STORY

All three of the Lara dogs were adopted at birth, and all come with unique personalities. Winnie is the diva, Dundee is the guard dog, and Brady is gentle and curious. “I may be a city commissioner, which is a humbling thing to be sure, but at home the chain of command is pretty clear. I’m below Brady, Dundee and Winnie in that chain of command, and it’s Winnie who’s convinced she’s the one with executive authority.” All three have become what Lara would call ‘house dogs’ who are content to stay inside with the air-conditioning on. “They’re kind of more like giant overstuffed animals. Sometimes they have to be reminded they’re dogs,” says Lara. As for sleeping arrangements, all three have their own beds, but at the first sign of a storm they climb onto the Lara bed. “I don’t know how they divide it up, but they all have their spot when it starts to rain or if there’s a little bit of thunder,” he says. “It’s crazy looking at that point.” – J.P. Faber

DOG STORIES

DUKE GERMAN SHEPHERD, AGE 7 OWNER

Natty Elias, Coral Gables resident

DOG STORY

The only small-sized thing about Duke is his name. At 7 years old, the 72-pound German Shepherd has taught his owner Natty Elias just how big a heart can grow and how loyally a dog can love. Any memory of his youthful misbehavior has been quickly replaced by his obedient yet sparky personality – meaning he’s selective about which toys he fetches, and he’ll “sit” as long as you have a bacon treat, pancake bite, or even ‘café con leche’ in close proximity. “He’s unaware of his weight and size… he’ll sleep almost on top of me every night, and if I release his paw from my grip he’ll push me to hold it again,” says Elias. Duke is her third German Shepherd, but his presence in her life seems eternal. “His ‘one love’ is me. Es un gran compañero.” – Sofia Alfaro

coralgablesmagazine.com

Navigating You Home GABLES BY THE SOLD

1500 Lugo Avenue 4 BD 3 BA 2512 SF $2,125,000 The ultimate waterfront lifestyle in Gables by the Sea. This light-filled 4/3 home sits on an generous lot with 100’ of freshwater canal frontage. Enjoy the SE breezes & kayaking from your private dock. The screened pool & spacious deck & yard provide abundant outdoor enjoyment. Impact glass, 2-car garage. Update ready.

PINECREST SOLD

12801 Old Cutler Road 5 BD 6 BA 4906 SF $4,110,000 Pinecrest Acre privately gated estate sits on historic Old Cutler Rd just steps from Gulliver and Coral Bay Park. Soaring ceilings, a stunning kitchen, full impact glass newer roof and PVC plumbing with a spacious veranda for fun & entertaining

Coral Gables Stats

Jan 1 - Aug 14, 2026

256

$4.024

$1,102

SINGLE FAMILY HOMES SOLD

AVERAGE SALES PRICE

AVERAGE SALES PRICE PER SF

AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET

The Nancy Sanabria Team Nancy Sanabria and Eric Sanabria Real Estate Advisors Top 1.5% Real Estate Professionals in the Nation, RealTrends 2024-2025 nancy.sanabria@compass.com 305-785-4491 305-761-4277 Compass is a licensed real estate broker, licensed to do business as Compass RE in Delaware, Idaho, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, Compass Realty Group in Kansas and Missouri, Compass Carolinas, LLC in South Carolina, and Compass Real Estate in

New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Washington, DC., Idaho and Wyoming and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Compass RE is a licensed real estate broker. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No ﬁnancial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. Photos

DOG STORIES

RICKY AND LUCY GOLDENDOODLES, AGE 6 OWNER

Lillian A. Ser, Esq., Founder & Managing Partner, Ser & Associates PLLC

DOG STORY

Lillian Ser had her dogs’ names picked out long before the Goldendoodle siblings came home. “When I retire, I’m going to have two Goldendoodles, and they’re going to be named Ricky and Lucy,” she remembers declaring. “I don’t care what you say.” She has not retired yet, but the dogs arrived anyway – Lucy first, followed a week later by her brother. “I feel like I manifested that,” Ser says. Like their television namesakes, the pair have distinct personalities. “Lucy is the crazier one. Very smart,” Ser says. “She’s more poodle than golden. And he’s more golden, so he’s not the brightest of the bright.” Ricky compensates with his looks – “He’s too beautiful,” she adds – and follows his sister nearly everywhere. Lucy, meanwhile, is “a little troublemaker” obsessed with playing ball. Despite the occasional chaos, Ser calls them “the sweetest dogs I’ve ever had — sweet, sweet, sweet.” They love children, road trips to the mountains and, above all, being together. “They’re very happy dogs.” – Yousra Benkirane

coralgablesmagazine.com

SOLD

Live the South Florida Luxury Lifestyle 7614 SW 54 Ave | $1,525,000 | SOLD 8800 SW 57 Ave | $5,995,000 | 8800sw57avenue.com 1228 Anastasia Ave, PH 304 | $3,650,000 | 1228anastasia.com 60 Edgewater Dr, #TS-E | $10,250,000 | 60edgewater.com 13647 Deering Bay Dr, #142 | $1,995,000 | 13647deeringbay.com

©2026 BHHS Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity.

2026 THE

Coral Gables Magazine

Guide to Private Schools

IDE L GU LS A U OO ANN OUR VATE SCH AL GAR RI TO P NEAR CO HOOL D S E C IN AN FROM PR SCHOOL , B L ES G H H I G H U O THR

2026 SCHOOL GUIDE

2026

THE SCHOOL GUIDE

The 2026-27 school year is underway, but for families already thinking ahead, there are plenty of choices to consider. From infant programs and Montessori classrooms to college-preparatory high schools, Coral Gables and its surrounding communities offer private-school options for nearly every age and learning style. While the guide highlights private schools, Coral Gables also has excellent public schools.Here is our annual guide to the schools serving local families. DAYCARE - ELEMENTARY

ALEXANDER MONTESSORI SCHOOL

ALEXANDER MONTESSORI SCHOOL Palmetto Bay | Toddler & Preschool (18 mo.–6 yrs.) 17800 Old Cutler Rd. Old Cutler Road | Toddler & Preschool (2–6 yrs.) 14400 Old Cutler Rd. Red Road | Preschool (3–6 yrs.) 6050 SW 57th Ave. Ludlam Road | Elementary (Grades 1–5) 14850 SW 67th Ave. (305) 665-6274 alexandermontessori.com AGES: 18 months to 12 years TUITION: $20,330-$33,510 CURRICULUM: Montessori, reading, math,

Spanish immersion/language, practical life skills, sensorial exploration, science, cultural studies, life competencies, critical thinking, collaboration. SPORTS: Intramural sports, swimming, cheerleading, dodgeball, dance, fencing, soccer, volleyball. EXTRACURRICULARS: Acting, Advanced Legolas Robotics, Art & Mindfulness, Art with Angie, Chess Club, LegoLab Experience, Conversational Spanish, Ballet at Your School, Minecraft Masters Club, Explore Brick Lab Architecture, Mah Jongg, Student Council, Spelling Bee, Art Show, Culture & Choral Performances, Greek Olympics, Middle Ages Faire. “At Alexander Montessori School, learning is joyful, purposeful, and deeply personal. Since 1963, the school has nurtured curiosity, fostered independence, and empowered each child to thrive through an authentic, accredited Montessori education. Guided by careful observation and Dr. Maria Montessori's timeless philosophy, children progress at their own pace, growing in confidence, self-discipline, and a genuine love of learning, building the strong foundations they need to flourish in middle school and beyond.” BANYAN DAY SCHOOL 340 Palermo Ave. 305.447.1233

banyandayschool.org AGES: 1 – Kindergarten TUITION: $990 – $1,070 monthly, depending on schedule; $580 registration fee CURRICULUM: Language arts, Spanish, math, science, social studies, music, creative movement and art through hands-on learning. EXTRACURRICULARS: Ballet, acrobatics and hip-hop. COCONUT GROVE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Preschool & Elementary: 2850 SW 27th Ave., Miami, FL 33133 Toddler Campus: 3280 Bird Ave., Miami, FL 33133 305.444.4484 cgrovemontessori.com AGES: 18 months – Grade 5 TUITION: : $19,100 – $28,850 annually for published Children’s House and elementary programs. CURRICULUM: Montessori practical life, language arts, math, geography, botany, zoology, cultural studies, Spanish, Mandarin or French, music, art and physical education.

EXTRACURRICULARS: Piano, sports, languages, art, STEM, gardening, cooking, tennis, ballet and jazz.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER AT CORAL GABLES CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 3010 Columbus Blvd. 305.444.9792 ecccoralgables.org AGES: 18 months - Kindergarten TUITION: $875 – $1,070 monthly; $800 registration fee CURRICULUM: Play-based Creative Curriculum incorporating reading, writing, math, science, music, art, Spanish storytelling and outdoor learning. EXTRACURRICULARS: Drama, ballet, cooking, soccer, yoga, STEAM and sensory-language activities. THE FRENCH-AMERICAN SCHOOL OF MIAMI 6565 Red Rd., Coral Gables, FL 33143 786.268.1914 frenchschoolmiami.org AGES: Age 2 – Grade 5

coralgablesmagazine.com

THE FUTURE IS UNWRITTEN.

That’s the Opportunity.

For a century, Gulliver has empowered students to embrace challenge, discover their strengths, and pursue what inspires them. Through rigorous academics, exceptional educators, and future-ready learning, we prepare students to think critically, create boldly, and grow with purpose – giving families confidence in what’s possible.

2027-28 Applications Open September 1

gulliverprep.org

2026 SCHOOL GUIDE TUITION: $17,400 – $18,915 annually, depending on grade CURRICULUM: Bilingual French-English instruction following the French national curriculum, including language arts, math, history, geography, science, arts and physical education. EXTRACURRICULARS: Arts, sports, cultural activities and seasonal enrichment through the EASE program.

GABLES MONTESSORI SCHOOL 990 S. Le Jeune Rd., Coral Gables, FL 33134 305.567.1900 gablesmontessori.com AGES: 18 months – 6 years TUITION: $950 – $1,050 monthly CURRICULUM: Bilingual Montessori instruction in practical life, sensorial development, language, math, cultural studies, art and music. EXTRACURRICULARS: Dance, piano, visual arts, tennis, soccer, yoga and STEM.

GABLES MONTESSORI SCHOOL THE GROWING PLACE SCHOOL 536 Coral Way 305.446.0846 Thegrowingplace.school AGES: 1 – Grade 5 TUITION: $9,600 – $13,500 annually CURRICULUM: Project-based STREAM curriculum with literacy, social studies, Spanish, music and physical education. EXTRACURRICULARS: Arts, STEM, movement, sports, specialty classes and Kids Club.

GIRALDA PRESCHOOL OF CORAL GABLES 320 Giralda Ave. 786.332.3610 giraldapreschool.com AGES: 6 weeks – 5 years TUITION: $429 – $500 weekly; $100 registration fee CURRICULUM: Bilingual early learning with literacy, math, science, art, music, storytelling, dramatic play and STEAM. EXTRACURRICULARS: Physical education, music, ICS CORAL GABLES 3930 S. Le Jeune Rd. soccer, karate and ballet. 305.445.8918 icscoralgables.com GORDON SCHOOL AGES: 3 months – VPK 2625 SW 3rd Ave., Miami, FL 33129 TUITION: $925 – $1,020 monthly 305.854.3282 CURRICULUM: Early academics, science, social gordonschoolmiami.org studies, Spanish, physical education, gardenAGES: 3 months – Grade 5 ing, cooking, arts, music and creative moveTUITION: $14,700 for early childhood up to $39,775 for specialized programs; registration ment in a Christian setting. EXTRACURRICULARS: Ballet, karate, Spanish, fees range from $2,000 to $2,500 gardening, music and movement. CURRICULUM: Language arts, math, science, social studies, Hebrew, Judaic studies, Spanish, KEY POINT ACADEMY CORAL GABLES arts, music and STEAM. 3066 SW 38th Ave. EXTRACURRICULARS: Arts, music, languages, STEM, athletics and rotating specialty classes. 786.501.4947 keypointacademycoralgables.com AGES: 1 – 5 years GRANADA DAY SCHOOL TUITION: $1,500 monthly 900 University Dr. CURRICULUM: Early literacy, math, science, so305.444.2028 cial studies, music, art and character education granadadayschool.com through hands-on learning. AGES: 3 months – Pre-K EXTRACURRICULARS: Art, STEAM, ballet, TUITION: $8,760 – $19,500 annually, depending on age and schedule; additional fees apply karate, soccer, piano and Fun Spot after-school programming. CURRICULUM: Creative Curriculum and Wee Learn with literacy, math, science, social KLA ACADEMY studies, Bible, chapel, music, art and outdoor 375 SW 15th Rd., Miami, FL 33129 learning. 305.377.0391 EXTRACURRICULARS: STEM, cooking, art, klaacademy.org music, soccer, library activities, field trips and AGES: Infant – Grade 5 summer programming. TUITION: $20,031 – $31,702 annually for

preschool and elementary programs; infant tuition is $28,666 CURRICULUM: Reggio Emilia-inspired academics with language arts, math, science, social studies, Spanish, athletics, music, art, design and technology. EXTRACURRICULARS: Soccer, basketball, martial arts, musical theater, music, visual arts, ballet, tennis, gymnastics, yoga, STEM and chess. KLA SCHOOLS OF CORAL GABLES 4573 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.668.0552 klaschools.com/coral-gables AGES: 3 months – Pre-K TUITION: $1,300 – $2,200 monthly CURRICULUM: Reggio Emilia-inspired early learning focused on literacy, social-emotional development, physical development and project-based exploration. EXTRACURRICULARS: STEM, cooking, gardening, yoga, music, dance, sports, art and nature activities. LA PIAZZA ACADEMY 3100 S. Dixie Hwy., Miami, FL 33133 305.443.0066 lapiazzaacademy.com AGES: 18 months – Grade 5 TUITION: $1,622 – $2,371+ monthly CURRICULUM: Reggio Emilia-inspired language arts, math, science, social studies, Spanish, Mandarin, visual arts, music and physical education. EXTRACURRICULARS: Arts, movement, languages, sports and STEAM. THE MARGAUX EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL AT TEMPLE JUDEA 5500 Granada Blvd. 305.667.5657 margauxschool.org AGES: 18 months – Pre-K TUITION: Around $18,000 annually

coralgablesmagazine.com

Learn with Joy. Lead with Purpose.

At Alexander Montessori School, children develop the curiosity, independence, adaptability, and confidence they need to thrive in a future that is changing fast. • Authentic Montessori learning from Toddler through Grade 3 • Guided to think critically, solve problems, and work with purpose • Spanish Immersion program integrated into the learning experience • Dedicated Middle School Prep Program for Grades 4 and 5

Explore our School

Supported by strong academic outcomes, nationally normed assessments, and a caring community, 100% of Alexander Montessori School graduates are accepted to their best-fit middle schools, with 75% landing at one of Miami's top independent institutions.

2026 SCHOOL GUIDE CURRICULUM: Play-based learning with language arts, math, science, social studies, music, art, mindfulness and Jewish traditions. EXTRACURRICULARS: Musical theater, sports, STEM, art, Jewish cooking and Club Judea enrichment.

RAMBAM DAY SCHOOL AT TEMPLE BETH AM 5950 N. Kendall Dr., Pinecrest, FL 33156 305.665.6228 rambammiami.org AGES: 18 months – Grade 5 TUITION: $16,850 – $36,220 annually, depending on age, schedule and Temple membership; additional fees apply CURRICULUM: General and Judaic studies with language arts, math, science, social studies, Hebrew, Jewish studies, arts and physical education. EXTRACURRICULARS: Cooking, coding, basketball, soccer, arts and rotating academic enrichment. ST. PHILIP'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL 1121 Andalusia Ave Coral Gables FL 33134 305-444-6366 www.stphilips.org AGES: PreK3 - 5th Grade TUITION: $33,750 - $38,120 CURRICULUM: Foreign Languages (Spanish, French, Latin), Music, Violin, Fine Arts, Sacred Studies, Science, Social Studies, Technology, Math, Physical Education, Responsive Classroom. SPORTS: Soccer, Basketball, Flag Football, Lacrosse, Golf EXTRACURRICULARS: Art, Drama, Music, Chess, Soccer, Cooking, Clay, Photography, Yoga, Tennis, Lacrosse, Coding. “St. Philip’s Episcopal School has consistently sought to develop the best in its students since 1953. St. Philip’s offers a strong academic program, commitment to character development and

ST. THOMAS EPISCOPAL PARISH SCHOOL

ST. PHILIP’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

spiritual growth in the Episcopal tradition for PreK3 through fifth grade students. We provide a modern and integrated curriculum, surrounding each student with the encouragement vital to becoming an engaged citizen in a challenging world. Our school is a starting point that guides, teaches, and creates inspired individuals who may grow in grace and lead productive and meaningful lives.” ST. STEPHEN’S EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL 3439 Main Hwy., Coconut Grove, FL 33133 305.445.2606 sseds.org AGES: Pre-K – Grade 5 TUITION: $41,600 annually; $3,250 new-student fee CURRICULUM: Language arts, math, science, social studies, STEAM, Spanish, arts, music, technology, physical education and sacred studies. EXTRACURRICULARS: Sports, yoga, art, music, coding, chess, sewing and rotating enrichment.

ST. THOMAS EPISCOPAL PARISH SCHOOL 5692 North Kendall Dr., Coral Gables, FL 33156 (305) 665-4851 www.stepsmia.org AGES: PK3 - Grade 5 TUITION: $33,090 CURRICULUM: Reading, Writing, Grammar, Math, Social Studies, Science, Dance, PE, Art, Music, Spiritual Formation, Spanish, Social-Emotional. SPORTS: Basketball, Flag Football, Girls of the Run, Lacrosse, Mixed Martial Arts, Soccer, Tennis. EXTRACURRICULARS: Art, Ballet, Ceramics, Chess, Cooking, Crazy8 Math Club, Dance Team, Engineering and Robotics, In the Spotlight, Minecraft, Music Engineering, STEM Adventures, Piano “At St. Thomas Episcopal Parish School, every child is known, valued, and inspired to thrive. Our loving, secure, and inclusive community gives students and families a true sense of belonging. Through a whole-child approach, we nurture faith, spark curiosity, build confidence, and challenge young minds to reach their fullest potential. Here, children grow not only as learners, but as compassionate, courageous leaders prepared to make a meaningful difference in the world around them each day.”

PREK – 12 SCHOOLS THE BILTMORE SCHOOL 1600 S. Red Rd., Miami, FL 33155 305.266.4666 biltmoreschool.com AGES: 1 – Grade 8 TUITION: $10,000 – $22,000 annually; $100 entrance-exam fee CURRICULUM: International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme with math, science, literature, social studies, languages and arts.

coralgablesmagazine.com

Limitless Potential. Extraordinary Futures. At Riviera Schools, small classes, collaborative teacher relationships, personalized instruction, and timely feedback help students discover their strengths, set intentional goals, and build the skills and confidence to thrive. Supported by advanced academic pathways and a strong culture of achievement, Riviera

graduates leave prepared to succeed at their best-fit universities and lead lives defined by confidence, integrity, and purpose. Explore our school

• Advanced curriculum, small classes, carefully selected faculty, and learning experiences that encourage both achievement and independent thinking • Advanced Placement, Honors, and Dual Enrollment courses aligned with students' goals and interests • Signature programs in engineering, architecture, biomedical science, computer science, business, journalism, and the arts • Personalized guidance in course selection, college exploration, applications, and scholarship opportunities

2026 SCHOOL GUIDE

CONCHITA ESPINOSA ACADEMY

EXTRACURRICULARS: Dance, art, drama, music, languages, sports and summer programming.

BRIGHTMONT ACADEMY 6101 SW 76th St., South Miami, FL 33143 305.433.7557 brightmontacademy.com/campuses/southmiami-fl AGES: Grades 1 – 12 TUITION: $28,840 – $36,900 annually CURRICULUM: One-to-one instruction in core academics, foreign languages and electives, with Honors and AP courses. EXTRACURRICULARS: Tutoring, test preparation, reading and executive-function support, summer academics and flexible scheduling for outside pursuits. CARROLLTON SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART 3747 Main Hwy., Miami, FL 33133 305.446.5673 carrollton.org AGES: Montessori 3 – Grade 12, Girls Only TUITION: $36,790 – $51,840 annually CURRICULUM: Montessori through college-preparatory academics with IB, AP, Honors and Advanced Topics courses across core subjects, engineering, arts and languages. EXTRACURRICULARS: Theater, choir, robotics, debate, student government, service organizations and extensive athletics. CENTNER ACADEMY Preschool: 3465 NW 2nd Ave., Miami, FL 33127 Elementary & Secondary: 1911 NE Miami Ct., Miami, FL 33132 305.576.6070 centneracademy.com AGES: Pre-K – Grade 12 TUITION: $22,500 – $41,100 CURRICULUM: Math, English, science, social studies, languages, entrepreneurship, technology, public speaking, leadership, mindfulness and arts.

Music Theory & Solfeggio. Visual Arts. Martial Arts. Clubs & Honor Societies: Student Council, National Junior Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, National Honor Society for Dance Arts, National Junior Art Honor Society. “Conchita Espinosa Academy™ (CEA) is a co-ed independent private school for K3 - 8th grades. Since 1933, CEA has followed founder Conchita Espinosa’s vision of education, The Espinosa Method™, designed to ignite students’ curiosity and encourage their love of learning. CEA offers a strong academic foundation and immersion in the arts and humanities from an early age in an intimate environment that supports students’ development and helps them grow to become well-rounded, creative, and confident individuals.”

GULLIVER PREPARATORY SCHOOL Upper School Campus: 6575 North Kendall EXTRACURRICULARS: Soccer, robotics, art, cook- Drive, Pinecrest, Florida, 33156 / Marian C. ing, chess, dance, fitness, yoga, martial arts and Krutulis PK-8 Campus: 12595 Red Road, service activities. Coral Gables, FL 33156 (305) 666-6333 CONCHITA ESPINOSA ACADEMY www.gulliverprep.org 12975 SW 6th Street, Miami, FL 33184 AGES: PK-12 305-227-1149 TUITION: $36,400-$56,100 conchitaespinosa.com CURRICULUM: 35 AP Courses, Honors AGES: K3 - 8th Courses, IB Courses, Dual Enrollment, 6 TUITION: $13,750 World Languages, Performing & Visual Arts, CURRICULUM: Math, Science, Social Studies, Signature Academic Programs in Architecture, Reading/Literature, Language Arts/Grammar Biomedical Sciences, Digital Mass Media, and Composition, Spanish, Music, Visual Engineering & Computer Science, InternaArts, Dance, Physical Education/Sports, tional Business & Entrepreneurship, InternaReligion, Technology, Philosophy, Mastery tional Diplomacy & Legal Studies. Program SPORTS: Bowling, Cheerleading, Cross CounSPORTS: Cross Country, Track & Field, try, Dance, Football, Golf, Swimming, VolleyBasketball, Flag Football, Soccer, Strength & ball, Rowing, Basketball, Soccer, Weightlifting, Conditioning, T-Ball, Pickleball. Baseball, Lacrosse, Sailing, Tennis, Track & EXTRACURRICULARS: Conservatory of the Arts: Field, Water Polo Dance Department: Ballet, Spanish Dance, EXTRACURRICULARS: 75+ campus organizations Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop. Music including special interest clubs, service clubs, Department: Piano, Voice, Violin, Viola, Cello, academic clubs, honor societies. Bass, Guitar, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone, “For nearly a century, Gulliver has empowered Trumpet, Trombone, Percussion, Xylophone, students to think, create, and grow with purpose.

GULIVER SCHOOL

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2026 SCHOOL GUIDE Through educational excellence, personalized support, and a future-ready approach to learning, we prepare students not only to achieve their goals, but to become thoughtful, compassionate leaders who make a meaningful impact in the world.” KEY POINT ACADEMY DOWNTOWN 1501 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 100, Miami, FL 33132 786.495.9828 keypointacademydowntown.com AGES: Pre-K2 – Grade 12 TUITION: $22,259 – $28,598 annually; $2,205 registration fee CURRICULUM: College-preparatory core academics with technology, languages, arts, physical education, mindfulness and character development. EXTRACURRICULARS: Arts, athletics, enrichment, student activities and before- and after-school programs. RIVIERA SCHOOLS Preparatory School - 9775 SW 87th Ave, Miami, FL 33176 Day School - 6800 Nervia St, Coral Gables, FL 33146 (786) 300-0300 (Prep) | (305) 666-1856 (Day) https://www.rivieraschools.com/ AGES: Pre-K through Grade 12 TUITION: $23,600-$39,280 CURRICULUM: Reading/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, World Languages (Spanish, French, Italian), Art, Music, Fine & Performing Arts, Physical Education, Technology, STEM, and Business, with College Prep, Honors, AP, and Dual Enrollment options at the upper grades. SPORTS: Riviera Preparatory School (Grades 6–12) is a member of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), offering Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Dance, Golf, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball at the Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Middle School levels. Riviera Day School (Grades PK–5) offers competitive basketball in Grades 1-5 and other clinic-based sports for students in Grades PK–5, providing a strong foundation that helps students transition seamlessly into the broader athletics program at Riviera Preparatory School. EXTRACURRICULARS: Riviera Schools offers a diverse selection of extracurricular activities and clubs across its campuses, providing students with opportunities to explore a wide range of interests and develop new skills. At Riviera Day School, offerings include Arts & Crafts, Cooking, Chess, STEM, Cheerleading, Dance, Music, Karate, and Swimming, among others. Riviera Preparatory School offers a range of clubs and enrichment opportunities, including DECA Business Club, Film Society, Environmental Club, Law Club, Model United Nations, Pottery Club, Chess Club, Women

RIVIERA SCHOOLS

in STEM Club, Book Club, and many more. “At Riviera Schools, we believe every student’s potential is limitless. Our mission is to challenge, support, and inspire each student to achieve personal success, act with integrity, and serve others. Through personalized learning, small classes, and opportunities across academics, athletics, the arts, leadership, and service, Riviera empowers students to go beyond their limits and beyond expectations, preparing them to thrive in college, career, and life.” ST. THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL 2701 Indian Mound Trail 305.446.1738 stscg.org AGES: Pre-K – Grade 8 TUITION: $10,800 annually for the first child; $8,640 for each additional child; additional fees apply CURRICULUM: English, reading, math, science, social studies, Spanish, music, technology, art, physical education and religion. EXTRACURRICULARS: Student council, theater, robotics, STEM and athletics including soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball and track.

MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL BELEN JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL 500 SW 127th Ave., Miami, FL 33184 305.223.8600 belenjesuit.org AGES: Grades 6 – 12, Boys Only TUITION: $26,400 annually; additional fees apply CURRICULUM: College-preparatory English, math, science, social studies, theology and world languages with AP, Honors and dual enrollment. EXTRACURRICULARS: 40+ clubs, honor societies, Model UN and extensive interscholastic athletics.

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL 3000 SW 87th Ave., Miami, FL 33165 305.223.5650 columbushs.com AGES: Grades 9 – 12, Boys Only TUITION: $18,150 for Grades 9–11; $18,650 for Grade 12 CURRICULUM: English, math, theology, social studies, science and languages with AP, Honors and dual-enrollment courses. EXTRACURRICULARS: Honor societies, STEM, aviation, debate, arts, esports, robotics, student clubs and athletics. IMMACULATA-LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL 3601 S. Miami Ave., Miami, FL 33133 305.854.2334 ilsroyals.com AGES: Grades 9 – 12 TUITION: $17,720 annually; additional registration and grade-specific fees apply CURRICULUM: English, math, science, social studies, languages, fine arts, business, technology, theology and AP Capstone. EXTRACURRICULARS: Honor societies, student government, arts, HOSA, robotics, debate and extensive athletics. OUR LADY OF LOURDES ACADEMY 5525 SW 84th St., Miami, FL 33143 305.667.1623 olla.org AGES: Grades 9 – 12, Girls Only TUITION: $18,100 for Grades 9–11; $18,600 for Grade 12 CURRICULUM: Business, computer science, English, fine arts, mathematics, media, science, social studies, theology and world languages. EXTRACURRICULARS: Dozens of clubs plus basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis and track.

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2026 SCHOOL GUIDE PALMER TRINITY SCHOOL 7900 SW 176th Street, Miami, Florida, 33157 305.251.2230 www.palmertrinity.org AGES: 6 - 12 TUITION: $52,000 CURRICULUM: Principles of Biomedical Science, AP Environmental Science, AI Literacy, AP Chemistry, IB Chemistry, Introduction to Law, Economics, IB Global Politics, AP Human Geography, Oratory and Debate, Global Events and the News, Lessons in Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Sports Management, Personal Finance, Fine Arts, World Languages. SPORTS: Cheerleading, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Volleyball, Baseball, Lacrosse, Soccer, Basketball, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field. EXTRACURRICULARS: Model UN, Community Service, Arts and Mixed Media, Breakthrough, AfriKids, Best Buddies, Big Buddy Little Buddy, Environmental Leadership Club, Music & Art, Math Team, Drama, Chess, Finance and Entrepreneurship Club, Dance, Robotics. “Palmer Trinity is an independent, Episcopal, college-preparatory school in Miami, Florida, serving students in grades 6–12. Our mission is to inspire students to lead lives of virtue, humanity, and spirit through a challenging and supportive educational experience. Rooted in academic excellence and driven by innovation, we offer dynamic programs in STEM, artificial intelligence, the

PALMER TRINITY SCHOOL

arts, global education, athletics, and experiential learning that prepare students to think critically, lead with integrity, and make a meaningful impact in an ever-changing world.”

RANSOM EVERGLADES SCHOOL Middle School: 2045 S. Bayshore Dr., Miami, FL 33133 Upper School: 3575 Main Hwy., Miami, FL 33133

™ ESPINOSA ACADEMY

Inspiring children to be well-rounded, creative, and kind human beings. CEA provides a dynamic, intimate and nurturing environment that helps students grow into confident human beings with curious minds, healthy bodies, and strong civic, spiritual, and cultural values. Through its demanding academic program, Conservatory of the Arts, athletic division, and mastery program, students are challenged and inspired to grow as passionate thinkers and GRADES doers who make an impact on • K3 - 8TH D O H T E M OSA their communities. THE ESPIN

ol o h c s a n a h t more

REN SINCE

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84School Ad 2025 7.37x4.8.indd 1

1933 •

CALL US AT 305-227-1149 12975 SW 6TH STREET, MIAMI, FL 33184

8/7/25 1:56 PM coralgablesmagazine.com

A N T H R O P O L O G I E / L A FAY E T T E 1 4 8 / P E R R Y ’ S S T E A K H O U S E & G R I L L E

C O M F O R T. AC Q U I R E D.

2026 SCHOOL GUIDE AGES: Grades 9 – 12 TUITION: $17,500 annually; Champagnat Pro-

gram $22,000; $1,750 registration fee CURRICULUM: English, math, science, social sciences, theology, world languages, business, technology and arts with AP and dual enrollment. EXTRACURRICULARS: Campus ministry, STEM, medical science, arts, law and business programs, honor societies and athletics.

CRYSTAL ACADEMY

305.250.6850 | 305.460.8800 ransomeverglades.org AGES: Grades 6 – 12 TUITION: $57,300 annually, including lunch CURRICULUM: English, history, math, computer science, science, world languages, performing and visual arts and physical education. EXTRACURRICULARS: Clubs in arts, academics,

culture and special interests plus crew, sailing, football, golf, swimming, basketball, soccer, baseball, lacrosse, tennis and more. ST. BRENDAN HIGH SCHOOL 2950 SW 87th Ave., Miami, FL 33165 305.223.5181 stbrendanhigh.org

XCEED PREPARATORY ACADEMY – KENDALL/PINECREST 9350 S. Dixie Hwy., Suite 160, Miami, FL 33156 305.901.2115 xceedprep.org AGES: Grades 6 – 12 TUITION: $26,500 CURRICULUM: Individualized college-preparatory learning with flexible scheduling, AP courses, dual enrollment and one-on-one college counseling. EXTRACURRICULARS: Flexible scheduling accommodates students pursuing athletics, performing arts and other intensive activities.

SPECIAL NEEDS CRYSTAL ACADEMY 107 Antilla Ave.

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305.567.5881 crystalacademy.org AGES: Early Intervention – Grade 12 TUITION: $28,677.30 – $41,293.68, depending on curriculum and therapy needs CURRICULUM: Individualized academics with ABA, speech and occupational therapy, language arts, math, science, social studies, arts, living skills and community-based instruction. EXTRACURRICULARS: Therapy, art and music activities, physical training, social-skills programming and community experiences. MIAMI LEARNING EXPERIENCE SCHOOL 5651 SW 82nd Ave. Rd., Miami, FL 33143 305.275.5900 mleschool.org AGES: Kindergarten – Grade 12 and Adult Programs TUITION: $27,300 – $29,000 CURRICULUM: Individualized language arts, math, science and social studies with physical education, arts, technology and daily-living skills. EXTRACURRICULARS: Dance, cooking, gardening, Special Olympics, basketball, soccer, golf, tennis, track, gymnastics, softball and bowling. THE ROIG ACADEMY 8000 SW 112th St., Miami, FL 33156 305.235.1313 roigacademy.com

Where Every Child Belongs, And Every Family Matters. At St. Thomas, students are known for who they are, loved for who they are becoming, and welcomed into a community that feels like family.

MIAMI LEARNING EXPERIENCE

AGES: Kindergarten – Grade 8 TUITION: $40,625 annually; $1,700 registra-

tion fee

CURRICULUM: International Baccalaureate

EXTRACURRICULARS: Student-life and enrichment programs offered throughout the academic year.

framework with research-based instruction for dyslexia and other language-based learning differences.

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Admission Open House Sep 24

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Home WHAT’S NEW IN HOME DESIGN IN THE GABLES DESIGN NOTES DESIGNER SHOWCASE

MAJORCA HOME BY MARITZA CAPIRO

DESIGN NOTES

WHAT’S NEW AND NOTEWORTHY IN DESIGN THIS SEPTEMBER

BY OWEN KESSLER

SURFACE UPGRADE

There’s mosaic and then there’s Bisazza mosaic. The Italian company has been putting out cutting-edge designs via natural stone since 1956, and its latest collection stays true to that tradition. The Collezione Moinard Bétaille features the combined talents of Bruno Moinard and Claire Bétaille, two of France’s most renowned architects/interior designers. The marble collection’s four designs include Cadence, a variety of geometric shapes; Cosmos, different sizes, angles, and colors with the universe as a theme; Echo, a sinuous flow motif enriched with 24-karat gold inserts; and Accord, two-tone modules in regular and irregular sizes. Designer’s Tile, 300 Palermo Avenue, Coral Gables, designerstile.com; bisazza.com

ON THE FLOOR

The 135-year-old Swedish textile purveyor Kasthall prides itself on its slate of craftspeople, most of whom have learned the weaving trade from elder family members. That’s why rug connoisseurs pay attention whenever the brand releases something new. Case in point: Spire Oval, a new rug within the Landskab collection designed by Cecilie Manz. What makes this one special? Linear shifts in pile height that trace a radial pattern across an oval field. Look long enough and said pattern is bound to hypnotize. Luminaire, 2331 Ponce de Leon Blvd., luminaire.com; kasthall.com

KITCHEN REVERENTIAL

Scavolini’s latest kitchen design has social interaction in mind. Designed by the Italian duo Spalvieri & Del Ciotto, Stilo reinterprets the kitchen as a space that creates a flow between the different areas of the home to, as its creators put it, “foster a sense of connection and community.” And, oh, how sleek it is! A top made of pearl onyx laminate can slide out to become surface space or slide back to conceal the cooktop and dish washing area when those features are not in use. A system of shelves offers plenty of display space, while deep cabinets satisfy real-life storage needs. Scavolini, 2600 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, scavoliniusa.com

TAKE IT OUTSIDE

As temperatures begin to yield to fall (albeit slowly), our outdoor spaces beckon us back. New from Janus et Cie, the Viretta Collection is a furniture suite with classic European charm. Envisioned by award-winning designer Sebastian Herkner, the line is defined by graceful curves, open frames, and seatbacks with woven rods in diamond patterns. Consisting of an armchair, side chair, ottoman, two loungers, and two sofas (either a two- or three-seater), the pieces are made with black aluminum frames and come with customizable seat cushions and back pillows. Janus et Cie, 273 Giralda Avenue, Coral Gables, janusetcie.com

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DESIGNER SHOWCASE

A LAYERED APPROACH DESIGNER MARITZA CAPIRO LEANS INTO TEXTURE-DRIVEN STYLE INSIDE A CENTURY-OLD RESIDENCE IN CORAL GABLES’ GRANADA NEIGHBORHOOD BY: OWEN KESSLER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAN CUTRONA

MARITZA CAPIRO Maritza Capiro discovered her calling as a designer as she was overseeing the renovation of her own home. Somewhere between selecting finishes and looking at paint swatches, she realized that transforming spaces was what she was meant to do. Fourteen years later, she is a licensed interior designer and architect with a thriving studio with offices and clients in Coral Gables, Marco Island, and Silverthorne, Colorado. maritzacapiro.com THE DESIGN GOAL Originally built in 1925, the 2,210-squarefoot home is a beautiful example of Mediterranean-style architecture and Capiro wanted the interiors to reflect and honor that history rather than compete with it. Her approach? Texture and lots of it.

THE DIRECTIVE When the managing director of a financial advertising firm approached Capiro about the design of her Granada neighborhood home in Coral Gables, she asked the designer for authenticity. “She wanted a space that would meet her everyday needs while reflecting her personal taste and style in every detail, from the layout down to the finishes,” says Capiro. “Her wish wasn’t just for a beautiful home, but one she could feel genuinely proud of, a space she’d be excited to share with family and friends.” THE LIVING ROOM (ABOVE) “We built the palette of the living room around the cream sofa layered with a honey-toned throw and textured neutral pillows, so the space feels soft and tactile,” says Capiro. “Every piece of furniture was selected to feel elevated but still livable – nothing is too precious or off-limits – so the room functions as a real gathering space with a refined feel.”

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THE DINING ROOM “The dining room needed to feel connected to the kitchen while still standing on its own as an elegant gathering space, so we used the archway as a natural threshold between the two,” says Capiro. “Above the table, the statement brass chandelier with cylindrical cream shades echoes the warm metal tones used in the kitchen. The area feels sophisticated and layered, but still completely livable.”

THE KITCHEN Capiro wanted the kitchen to tie into the Mediterranean character of the house, so there’s a mix of both light and dark cabinetry, paired with black and gold finishes for a look that feels warm yet luxurious. “The contrast here was very intentional,” says Capiro. “We wanted the kitchen to feel layered rather than one-note, so the mix of cabinetry tones gave us depth without ever feeling closed in.”

DESIGNER SHOWCASE

THE PRIMARY BATHROOM “After the warm and layered textures introduced in the bedroom, we wanted the primary bath to feel like a calm, restorative escape,” says Capiro. “Keeping the surfaces predominantly white and light was intentional. The goal was for a serene, spa-like moment that feels quiet and elevated rather than busy.”

THE PRIMARY BEDROOM “Texture was the driving idea in the primary bedroom,” says Capiro. “The intent was for the room to feel calming and layered, a true retreat, with materials doing the work instead of pattern or color.”

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THE HOME OFFICE “The office needed to feel completely different from the rest of the home, a bit more graphic and energized while still connecting to the overall design language,” says Capiro. “It was important that the space felt inspiring to work in, not just practical, so every choice, from the plush chair to the styling on the shelves, was about making it a room the homeowner would want to spend time in.” As for that eye-catching desk? It’s the Vanora model by Made Goods.

THE LAUNDRY ROOM No nook in the house was spared the Capiro design touch. “The laundry room was considered like any other room in the house, not an afterthought,” says Capiro. “It was important that even a utilitarian space like this one stayed true to the design language we established.”

THE GARDEN Each month we are featuring a home garden that belongs to one of the members of the Coral Gables Garden Club. This month we visited the North Gables garden of Susan Thomas, seen here with her two rescues, Phoebe (left) and Frasier. Susan has lived in her home for most of her adult life and has been a member of the Garden Club for more than two decades. Now retired, she has been able to spend more time gardening, including starting a pollinator garden on one side of her home two years ago and now volunteering to help the Million Orchid Project at Fairchild. Her main garden includes exotics, anthuriums, orchids, begonias – “those sorts of things,” she says. “It’s more than a garden to me; it’s a collection of plants. I love plants, and I buy them because I like them and then figure out where to put them. Luckily, it seems to have turned out pretty well.” Susan says she has always loved gardening – her earliest memory as a child is of being in her parents’ garden. “It’s such a huge part of my day. I enjoy seeing things grow. I enjoy the challenge of making things grow. It’s not always easy, but there’s always something to do, something to look forward to. You know, you bring in new plants and you want to see them thrive, and sometimes they don’t, and then you worry about them, and it takes up a lot of brain power. And I think that’s a really good thing.” ■

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“ IT’S MORE THAN A GARDEN TO ME; IT’S A COLLECTION OF PLANTS...” SUSAN THOMAS, SEEN HERE WITH HER TWO RESCUES, PHOEBE (LEFT) AND FRASIER

DON’S RAMBLES

Meandering Around Town # 36: On the Road AN ADVENTURE IN WHICH A FORMER MAYOR CONTINUES TO SEEK THE “SOUL” OF HIS HOMETOWN BY DON SLESNICK

n celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary of its founding, I set out on a “Lewis and Clark” adventure tracing the last segment of their expedition westward along the Snake and Columbia Rivers. When I informed the editor of my intention to write this article about my exploratory mission, he expressed great concern about its lack of relevance to Coral Gables. However, I disagreed on two accounts: (1) the formative days of our country laid the foundation upon which we, even here in South Florida, owe our existence as part of the U.S.A.; and (2) we cannot appreciate the life we enjoy here in the City Beautiful until we compare it with other parts of the world and other residential environments. My excursion was much easier than the exhausting two-year overland trip endured by the “Corps of Discovery” begun in 1804, commissioned by President Jefferson to explore the territory of the recently acquired Louisiana Purchase, and to find the imagined “Northwest Passage” providing a navigable pathway from the Mississippi to the Pacific. Rather than endure the hardships of hacking a trail through virgin forests, ascending uncharted mountain ranges, facing the threat of dangerous river rapids, and starvation when food rations are depleted – I booked passage on an American Cruise Lines’ modern vessel named “Harmony”. We boarded in Lewiston, Idaho; slipped through the upper desert of western Washington; traversed eight dams by way of impressive locks operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; sailed through lush cliffs of the Columbia Gorge; touched the Pacific at Astoria; and eventually disembarked in Portland, Oregon. From my

LEFT: UNDAUNTED CORAL GABLES EXPLORER WITH CHIEF WHITE WOLF OF THE NEZ PERCE TRIBE TOP: THE ROUTE OF THE CORAL GABLES EXPEDITION FOLLOWING THE TRAIL OF LEWIS & CLARK ABOVE: WHAT REMAINS OF MOUNT ST. HELENS, AFTER ITS 1980 VOLCANIC ERUPTION

balcony, I could survey the same landscape that Meriwether Lewis and William Clark encountered – but with none of the extreme hardships they faced. The story of the Lewis and Clark expedition is one of the most inspiring tales of America’s quest to take possession of the North American continent from “sea to shining sea”. They did so with the assistance and friendship of the native tribes along the way and the help of a female Shoshone guide, “Sacagawea”, who gave birth and then carried her infant while encountering the harrowing trials and tribulations which they faced daily. For an in-depth understanding of the importance of their miraculous journey, a compelling account is provided by the book “Undaunted Courage” by Stephen Ambrose. All-in-all the mountain scenery was majestic, the towns were pleasant, and the people friendly, but in the end, the northwest corner of our country was not as warm and as wonderful as our hometown. Leaving Coral Gables always makes me appreciate our city more. After relocating to California to be near her family, long-time resident and community participant Evelyn King George poetically reflected: “Coral Gables – A city of beauty, a city to love: With palm trees and bougainvillea, swaying ‘neath bright skies above; Coral rock homes on curb-less streets, architecture blending where new and old meet; A city with shimmering blue waterways, inviting egrets and seagulls to nest there and play; A city of charm with preserved style and grace, creating tranquility like no other place; That’s Coral Gables!” ■ This column appears monthly by Don Slesnick, who served as mayor of Coral Gables from 2001 to 2011. If you wish to reach him with suggestions on where he should next meander in search of the city’s soul, email to donslesnick@scllp.com. coralgablesmagazine.com

DINING GUIDE

Best Fine Dining Sept Restaurants 2026 THE DINING GUIDE

Each month we publish a select list of restaurants that we recommend for our readers. We cannot, of course, include the Top 100 each month, so this month we are featuring 36 of the best in the categories of Italian, Steak Houses, Mediterranean, and Pubs & Cafes. Next month we will look at the best of Latin American, Seafood, and Spanish restaurants, as well as American – along with some of our other perennial favorites. $ ............ $$ .......... $$$ ........ $$$$ ......

Under $25 $25-$40 $35-$75 $70-$100+

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

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 100

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

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mortadella toast with fig balsamic are just the beginning. Great Italian cocktails. 116 Giralda Ave. 305.381.5097 $$$-$$$$

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 impecca-

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

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 $$-$$$

Fogare

Fogare is a new restaurant serving modern Mediterranean and international fusion cuisine in the Aloft Hotel, taking over the space formerly occupied by Mistico. Even if you’ve been to Aloft recently, you could’ve missed it, with its unassuming door off the lobby and only a small sign. Inside is a hidden gem, with an industrial interior that lets the food take center stage, and an international menu that features a diverse mix of fresh, fire-finished plates, smoked seafood, and globally-inspired tapas such as short rib baklava, morcilla spring rolls, and bluefin tuna tataki. 2524 S. LeJeune Rd. 305.454.3999 $$$-$$$$

Levant

Levant is named after the Mediterra-

DINING GUIDE nean 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 $$-$$$

Marhaba

This relatively modest space in a retail strip provides a comfortable, intimate setting, with hanging lanterns, soft drapery, patterned walls and green velvet chairs. It feels neighborhood warm, a place for people to settle in, pass plates around and stay awhile – or knock out a quick lunch. The easy atmosphere fits the clientele, diners from different backgrounds who gather over Lebanese food that tastes completely traditional. Try the Marhaba Trio, with hummus, Baba ghanouj, and labneh, all fresh dips distinct in texture and flavor. 537 Madruga Ave. 786.752.8330 $$-$$$

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 $$$-$$$$

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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 $$-$$$

My Cousin Nick

If you’ve eaten at Calista Greek Seafood Taverna on Giralda Plaza, My Cousin Nick may be your new favorite fast-casual spot. Billed as the home of Greek street food, the restaurant is owned by Calista proprietor Thomas Fotouras. The menu ranges from gyros to signature bowls, salads, fries, croquettes, and more. You can make your own meal or choose from the menu, order at the counter, and be off within minutes. 2207 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 786.778.2381 $-$$

PUBS & CAFES & DELIS 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 $$-$$$

Café at Books & Books

Healthy eats and a beautiful (mostly) shaded outdoor courtyard make this the perfect place for a quick catch-up 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 $$

Frankie and Wally’s

Frankie and Wally’s is somewhere between a grocery store, restaurant, and to-go sandwich shop. The open-concept space features a gourmet market with shelves stocked with olive oils, hot sauces, pastas, and pickled vegetables. If you’re in need of local produce, it also carries red beets, oranges, starfruit, lettuce, and more. Besides the market, there’s seating and an open kitchen, where you can watch your sandwich being prepared. Try the “The Frankie” on a soft Italian hero roll with ham and salami. 216 Palermo Ave. $$-$$$

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 $-$$

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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 $

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 $$

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 Steakhouse

Fantastic aged steaks, a seafood tower that won’t quit, and a wine cellar that appears to have no end of depth. A place for special celebrations. Recently redecorated, but the open kitchen with its copper “sash” across the top still gives the main dining room a warm glow. Good menu at the bar – and now open for lunch! 2525 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305.569.7995 $$$-$$$$

Fogo de Chão

STEAKHOUSES Christy’s

Coral Gables’ oldest steakhouse, Christy’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.

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 $$$$

Rò Steakhouse

Located inside Alhambra Towers, Rò is not your typical steakhouse. It is an immersive encounter with inventive cuisine, a windowless space that creates the atmosphere of a futuristic cave. Rò is the first American entry of the ViCa Hospitality Group, which has developed some 40 themed restaurants throughout Mexico. Creative dishes like grilled artichoke hearts with roasted sweet pepper sauce and spicy rock shrimp add to the most affordable steak in town, a half-pound rib eye for $32. 121 Alhambra Plaza. 786.778.4158. $$$-$$$$

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 (keto, gluten-friendly, vegetarian). 2320 Salzedo St. 305.461.8360 $$$-$$$$

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COLLECTIONS

The Dog Selfie Contest For our annual Dog Issue, we asked readers to send us their best pup selfies. The submissions brought plenty of expressive faces, tilted heads and camera-ready poses, making it no easy task to choose among them. These nine photos stood out from the pack. Meet the winners of our puppy selfie contest and find their Instagram handles beneath each photo to keep up with them.

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