CoralGablesMagazine_March_Issuu

Our Annual Real Estate Report

PLUS THE TOUR OF KITCHENS

SAVING THE WHITE LIGHTS SEASONS 52’S APPEAL

Transforming Iconic Pieces of

Land Int o Vibrant Communities.

The Future of Heart Surgery Is Here — and It’s Minimally Invasive

Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care is redefining heart surgery with advanced minimally invasive and robotic techniques — helping patients return to life sooner, with less trauma and exceptional results.

For generations, heart surgery meant a large incision, a divided breastbone and months of recovery.

Today, for many patients, that’s no longer the only option.

At Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care, minimally invasive and robotic cardiac surgery are transforming the patient experience — reducing surgical trauma while maintaining the strength, durability and precision that heart procedures demand.

For Coral Gables residents, who expect excellence close to home, that innovation is happening right here in South Florida.

Leading Florida in robotic and minimally invasive heart surgery

In 2025, Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute launched its robotic cardiac surgery program — and within its first year, completed more than 100 robotic heart and vascular procedures, establishing one of the highest robotic cardiac surgery volumes in Florida.

The program is co-led by Makoto Hashimoto, M.D., a fellowship-trained cardiac surgeon at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, and Tom Nguyen, M.D., chief medical executive of Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care and director of minimally invasive surgery at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute. Dr. Hashimoto is also a professor and director of robotic cardiac surgery at Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.

Using advanced robotic technology and small incisions between the ribs, surgeons operate with enhanced precision and visualization — often allowing patients to experience:

• Less postoperative pain

• Reduced blood loss

• Lower infection risk

• Shorter hospital stays

• Faster return to work, travel and everyday activity

“Within a week, I felt normal. I feel better than I’ve felt in 10 years.”

Dr. McGinn Jr.’s rare minimally invasive triple bypass surgery patient

Advanced minimally invasive valve surgery

Baptist Health is also a regional leader in minimally invasive valve repair and replacement — including minimally invasive mitral valve surgery and minimally invasive aortic valve surgery — offering alternatives to traditional open-heart surgery for appropriately selected patients.

Through small incisions rather than opening the chest, surgeons can repair or replace damaged heart valves with exceptional durability and safety. For many patients, this approach provides the strength of surgical repair — combined with a significantly smoother recovery.

“Our goal is never just a smaller incision,” says Tom Nguyen, M.D., chief medical executive of Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care, director of minimally invasive surgery and Barry T. Katzen Endowed Chair at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, and chair and professor of the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences at Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. “It’s delivering the safest procedure with the strongest long-term outcome — while helping patients recover faster and get back to living.”

“I have a new lease on life.”

Dr. Hashimoto’s robotic cardiac surgery patient

A national destination for minimally invasive bypass

For patients with coronary artery disease, Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute performs among the highest volumes of minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgeries (MICS CABG) in the country — a level of experience that can translate into a smoother, more efficient patient journey.

This innovative approach was created and pioneered by Joseph McGinn Jr., M.D., chief of cardiac surgery, and is performed through small

incisions between the ribs — often avoiding the need to split the breastbone. For eligible patients, that can mean less trauma and a faster return to everyday life — without compromising surgical quality.

“You now have the finest facility, the best surgeons and the best staff.”

Dr. Nguyen’s minimally invasive valve replacement patient

A personalized heart team approach

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery isn’t right for everyone — and that’s exactly why expertise matters.

At Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care, cardiologists, interventional specialists, imaging experts and cardiothoracic surgeons collaborate as one multidisciplinary team to determine the best approach for each patient’s condition and lifestyle.

Because the right surgery isn’t just about technology. It’s about judgment. Experience. And long-term results.

With two renowned institutes — Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute and Christine E. Lynn Heart & Vascular Institute — Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care brings together decades of innovation, nationally recognized expertise and a shared vision: to become a world-class heart and vascular institute while putting patients at the center of everything we do. The message is simple: You may have more options than you think.

To learn more about minimally invasive and robotic heart surgery at Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care, visit BaptistHealth.net/Heart or call 786-596-1230.

THE MOST EXQUISITE Expression of Home

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

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

ALL WHO ENTER REGENCY PARC ARE GREETED BY POWER TOWER, 2019 BY LYNDA BENGLIS ONE OF THE MOST STORIED LIVING SCULPTORS IN THE UNITED STATES. IT IS BUT ONE OF MANY EXAMPLES OF HOW THIS LIFESTYLE COMPLEMENTS ARCHITECTURE THROUGH ART.

ART IS IN RESIDENCE live where

Departments

EDITOR’S NOTE

Everyone Wants To Move Here

STREETWISE

Latest News From City Hall

Talk of the Town:

• Coyotes in the Gables?

• Lago vs. NewTimes

• Remembering Jose Martí

LIVING

Best Events for March 2026

New Openings in the Gables Gables Night on the Town

Meet Your Merchant Dog Park Fever

BITES

Quick Bites: Poke Bowl

New Places in the Gables Fine Dining at Season 52

Happy Hour: Salumeria 104

PEOPLE

Alice Goldhagen

Etienne Charles

Viviana Samudio

REAL ESTATE ROUNDUP

From ultra-luxury condominiums rising on Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Alhambra Circle to boutique rental buildings and a quiet boom in townhouses, the city is undergoing a second great wave of attached housing – more sophisticated, more expensive, and more lifestyle focused than the first.

OUR ANNUAL GUIDE TO SUMMER CAMPS 2026

Few experiences are more “American” than the idea of a summer camp. These experiences range from weeks spent away from home, sleeping in cabins or tents in the wilderness, to camps closer to home. All are designed to enhance a child’s sense of self confidence and expand their experiences beyond home and classroom.

THE 2026 TOUR OF KITCHENS

Now in its 17th year, the Coral Gables Community Foundation’s Tour of Kitchens & Tropical Living event shows no signs of slowing down. This year’s tour, sponsored by Mosaicist, featured 12 stops, including the showroom for the soon-to-be-built Ponce Park Residences, and a closing party at Maison & Co.

Everyone Wants to Move Here

This month’s cover story is about the next wave of condominiums and townhomes rising, or soon to be rising, in and around the downtown. It looks at some of the market dynamics at play: the skyrocketing price tags for single-family homes in the Gables, the downsizing of empty nesters here in the city, the need to provide housing for young families that want to move here, and so forth.

The simple fact is that there are no longer any affordable single-family homes in the Gables, not for anyone earning less than $100,000 a year. The same can be said for other parts of Miami-Dade, but here in the Gables the phenomenon is more pronounced: starter homes now start at over $1million. So, if you are a young professional just starting out, your options are to rent or to buy a condominium.

Prices are already on the rise for these homes-in-the-sky as well, and the ones we feature in our roundup are more on the luxury end of the spectrum. But other, more affordable options are either here or on their way, especially in the North Gables.

The good news in all this is that anyone who already owns a home here is sitting in the proverbial cat-bird seat. The valuation of homes in the last half-decade has risen aston-

ishingly fast. According to figures compiled by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty, between 2019 and 2023, the median price of a single-family home in the Gables more than doubled, from $941,000 to $2,020,000. By comparison, prices of condos and townhomes in the Gables rose at half that pace, by about 50 percent, from $428,000 to $625,000. Both sets of prices have leveled off and come down a little bit, but the median price of a single-family home remains almost four times as much as the median price of a condo or townhome.

The net result is that the average new resident’s ticket to the City Beautiful will come in the form of a vertical dwelling – a mid-rise condominium or a three-story townhome. These buildings are and will be clustered near the downtown or in the Merrick Park district, and should provide a population of sufficient density to support a thriving, culturally rich downtown – one more reason to live here and never leave.

JP FABER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CORAL GABLES MAGAZINE

CORAL GABLES

Cover: Ron Shuffield, President, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty,

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

J.P. Faber

PUBLISHER

Gail Scott

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Amy Donner

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Monica Del Carpio-Raucci

VP SALES

Sherry Adams

MANAGING EDITOR

Kylie Wang

DIGITAL EDITOR

Amanda Martell

ART DIRECTOR

Jon Braeley

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Jorge G. Gavilondo

WRITERS

Yousra Benkirane

Andrew Gayle

Katelin Stecz

Tina Wyngate

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Rodolfo Benitez

Jonathan Dann

PROOFREADER

Lesley Fonger

STAFF WRITER

Luke Chaney

CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION CircIntel

OFFICIAL FRAMER Adam Brand / Frames USA

Coral Gables Magazine is published monthly by City Regional Media, 1200 Anastasia Ave. Suite 115, Coral Gables FL 33134. Telephone: (305) 995-0995. Copyright 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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Gable’s local butcher shop—where tradition meets taste.

At Graziano’s Mercados, our experienced butchers serve only the highest quality Argentine and Prime American beef. With gourmet deli meats, and artisanal cheeses, we have everything you need for your next home BBQ or family dinner.

Stock up on your favorite flavors with over 1,000 wines, imported specialties from Argentina and Europe, and of course, Miami’s most beloved empanadas.

Streetwise

Talk of the Town

See page 22

THE RETURN OF BURGERLISCIOUS PLUS COYOTES IN THE GABLES?

LAGO V THE NEW TIMES

REMEMBERING MARTÍ

From City Hall

AT ITS SECOND MEETING IN JANUARY:

The Coral Gables City Commission was without Commissioner Melissa Castro, who was representing the city at the Florida League of Cities Legislative Action Days in Tallahassee. In her absence, the Commission:

NO CUBAN BUSINESS

Voted 4-0 to support enhanced enforcement of federal sanctions against businesses engaging in unlawful commerce with Cuba. Local business licenses can be revoked under the new legislation. Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Natalie Orbis were in attendance to show support.

ACCESSIBILITY UPGRADE

Voted 4-0 to prioritize the installation of audible pedestrian signals at key intersections within the city in an effort to accommodate visually impaired individuals. The issue was raised by the city’s Board of Disability Affairs.

DOG ADOPTION INITIATIVE

Listened to a presentation on Pawject Pound, which aims to increase local dog adoptions, from co-founders Presley Bligh and Ana Sosa. The two local high schoolers were hoping to host an adoption event at the opening of the Underline’s Chewy Bark Park (which they did). Fees for the first five Coral Gables residents who adopted were waived. Pawject Pound helped 18 animals find homes in 2025 and raised over $1,000 to donate to animal shelters, primarily through a social media campaign.

RTZ/OVERLAY UPDATE

Voted 4-0 for final approvement of text amendments to the city’s zoning code to help establish the University Station Overlay (in lieu of the county’s Rapid Transit Zone) on the land along U.S. 1 opposite the University Metrorail station. These include a maximum floor area ratio of 3.5, a requirement for Mediterranean-style architecture, a setback of 20-feet from the curb on U.S.-1 and 15-feet in the rear, and minimum unit sizes of 400-square-feet. In addition, the zone will be up-zoned to MX-3 with commercial high-rise intensity. While the vote allows for denser development than the city’s zoning code originally permitted, the re-zoning is considered a last-minute compromise with the county, which had the power to grant much denser zoning at the location, with no setbacks or requirements for design standards. The city would also have lost millions of dollars in development fees, which would have gone to the county.

NEW

PUBLIC ART

Voted 4-0 to approve the installation of a commissioned sculpture as part of Cade Capital Partner’s development at 130 Almeria Avenue, pursuant to the Art in Public Places program. The 23-foot bronze and natural stone piece by Alicja Kwade is titled “l’ordre des mondes (Totem)” and features a stack of chairs and stone spheres representing planets “to explore the relationship between human existence and the universe,” according to the presentation. It will be located at a park on the corner of Galiano Street and Sevilla Avenue, which the developer has donated to the city. The work was unanimously approved by the Arts Advisory Panel and Cultural Development Board. The Commission agreed to waive the $40,000 maintenance fee as Cade Capital Partners is already paying roughly $100,000 over their Art in Public Places requirement.

RUNOFFS: YAY OR NAY?

Voted 4-0 to add a question to the April 21 Special Election ballot asking if run-off elections should be eliminated. In 2016, runoffs were added; since then, there has been at least one in every election, which is both costly and generally does not attract a high voter turnout. If run-off elections are eliminated, then the candidate with the most votes would win. The Charter Review Committee recommended putting the issue on the ballot.

RESERVES ACCESS

Voted 4-0 to amend language on the April 21 Special Election ballot asking voters whether the General Reserve Fund should only be accessed by a four-fifths vote of the Commission, and only with voter approval (outside of certain emergencies). Commissioner Richard Lara recommended there be a change to remove the aspect of voter approval, citing concerns that requiring another referendum just to access the reserves could waste valuable time and “unreasonably tie this Commission’s hands.” He was particularly concerned about rumblings from Tallahassee that state property taxes could be eliminated, which could affect the city's budget.

RECALL OVERHAUL

Voted 4-0 to urge the state legislature to establish due diligence and reporting requirements for organizations or entities leading municipal recall efforts. Mayor Lago, who sponsored the legislation, was the target of a recall campaign in 2024, which was found to have illegally paid signature collectors (instead of grass-roots volunteers) who then falsified signatures.

LA ANTIGUA

Listened to a recap of a visit from representatives of La Antigua, Guatemala, which is one of Coral Gables’ sister cities. The representatives discussed myriad topics, including advancing cultural and technology exchanges through exhibits, festivals, and art from Guatemala, and innovative technologies in public safety, medical equipment, and transportation from Coral Gables. In particular, the city will look into donating decommissioned assets such as older police vehicles no longer in use. La Antigua currently has only one police vehicle.

SIDEWALKS UPDATE

Discussed expanding sidewalks on Orduna Drive between Paradiso Avenue and Blue Road. City staff will come back with estimates and an analysis in May.

AT ITS SECOND MEETING IN FEBRUARY:

The Coral Gables City Commission was without Commissioner Ariel Fernandez, who was absent due to illness. He appeared on Zoom for the final item of the meeting. The Commission:

PERMITTING FIXES

Listened to a presentation from JRD & Associates on its independent study regarding permitting in the city. The city issues approximately 8,000 permits per year. Each review cycle takes approximately six days to be completed, with most projects only needing one review; 49 percent of permits are approved within two weeks, but 30 percent take over one month or more. According to JRD, customers complained mostly about timelines and unclear processes and requirements, with website navigation and system usability also cited as areas of concern. Though city staff were rated highly for professionalism and helpfulness, customers found the information they received across departments to be inconsistent.

JRD & Associates made a number of recommendations, some of which have already been addressed. These included the establishment of assistant directors; filling key positions, particularly where technical expertise is necessary and attrition is high; establishing an EnerGov (the permitting software system the city uses) task force with other municipalities to share findings for potential improvements; developing real-time tracking tools for customers to see where they are in the review cycle; and creating process maps to make it easier for customers to understand next steps. To its credit, the city has hired a number of new staff within the department over the last year, and has improved, automated, and standardized processes where possible. It will continue to make improvements based on JRD’s report. Mayor Vince Lago also suggested hosting “office hours” for permitting customers.

VOTE FOR IRANIAN PEACE

Voted 3-1 to express solidarity with the Iranian people in their pursuit for freedom, human rights, and economic justice. Mayor Lago, who sponsored the bill, received criticism for pushing an international agenda, especially in light of the United States’ own domestic issues amid recent protests in Minneapolis and across the country. Commissioner Richard Lara said, “any reasonable interpretation” of the resolution would “not be polarizing,” though added that he believed “the business of the city should typically be limited to local issues.” He, along with Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson, voted in favor, while Commissioner Melissa Castro voted against, citing her desire for “more inclusive” language. Critics pointed out that the city has not put forth similar legislation for other countries fighting for human rights, including Palestine and Cuba.

GARDEN OF OUR LORD ONE STEP CLOSER TO DEMOLISHMENT

Voted 3-2 to affirm a Jan. 13 Special Master decision that upheld the 2023 approval of the design for a new development at 110 Phoenicia Avenue. The controversial project will see the destruction of the 75-year-old St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church across the street from the Coral Gables Woman’s Club, as well as The Garden of Our Lord, a garden planted with seeds from Jerusalem that some claim should be preserved as historic. Activist leader Bonnie Bolton has fought the development for several years, making multiple appeals to save not just the garden but also an oak tree on the property that she claims is 200-years-old.

The Commission listened to proponents on both sides of the debate for nearly three hours. Those in favor of the project, originally proposed by the late developer Sergio Pino in 2021, pointed to its

promise to create a permanent, rent-free home for Crystal Academy, a school for children with developmental issues that is currently housed in the church buildings. The current developers, Chicago-based Fifield Companies, is under contract to purchase the one-square block of former Church property (bounded by East Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Galiano Street, Antilla Avenue, and Phoenetia Avenue) for $23 million. The property was originally purchased by Pino for $9.8 million and is being sold by the estate controlled by his widow.

The Commission’s vote was exclusively based on whether the Board of Architects’ decision to approve the development was based on competent, substantial evidence, and whether due process was provided and the correct law applied. The design has undergone numerous revisions to leave more green space, and will be built in Mediterranean Revival style to be consistent with city’s historic look.

Bolton, represented by attorney David Winker, argued that the project’s design was incompatible with the surrounding neighborhood, violating city design standards and conflicting with city founder George Merrick’s historic plan for a garden-apartment area of affordable housing. She also maintained that relocation of the ancient tree would likely kill it, and that her due process was violated in the January 13 Special Master hearing, as she was given less time to speak than the developer and was allegedly “cut off” while making her comments.

The approved project will be built at 93-feet, just under the 97 allowed in that district, and will include approximately 200 residential units and 30 percent open space. City arborists say the old oak tree on the property is healthy enough to be relocated and doubt the accuracy of an independent arborist’s statement, which alleged the tree was nearly two centuries old and would likely die if moved. They say the tree is no more than 90 years old.

Both supporters and detractors of the new development –which will also house live-work spaces – attended the meeting to speak on the issue, with many supporters emphasizing the importance of a permanent home for Crystal Academy. Commissioners Castro and Fernandez voted against upholding the decision, but were overruled by Lago, Lara, and Anderson. The Commission must still vote to re-zone the property from religious to residential use. ■

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Talk of the Town

Tower Power

PASTOR LAURIE’S ANNUAL HUNGER VIGIL PAYS OFF

For most Coral Gables residents, the bell tower at the Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ is a familiar sight, an elegant vertical landmark standing quietly across from the Biltmore Hotel. Each January, however, it takes on a more urgent role. That’s when senior pastor Reverend Dr. Laurinda Hafner – aka Pastor Laurie – climbs its more than 100 winding steps for her annual hunger vigil: fasting until the community meets the church’s food collection goal to support families facing food insecurity across South Florida.

Now in its 19th year, the vigil began shortly after Pastor Laurie arrived from Cleveland and was struck by the level of hunger in Miami-Dade County. “We needed to figure out a fun but meaningful way to raise food for those who were hungry,” she says. The first year, she aimed for two tons and remained in the tower almost 10 hours. This year, she came down on January 17 after just four hours, once donations surpassed the goal of 20,982 pounds of food. “We were going for 12,000, but [the parishioners] just blew it out of the water,” she says. “We are going to feed a whole lot of families these next few months.”

Much of the food supports the church’s own food pantry, which serves residents weekly. Donations will also help stock shelves at Mujere in Homestead, a nonprofit supporting migrant and low-income women and children affected by domestic violence. From the tower, Pastor Laurie says she looks out over “a gorgeous, stunning city,” but is mindful that many residents are “one paycheck away from being hungry or homeless.” –

Yousra Benkirane

Miami New Times vs. Mayor Lago A CODE ENFORCEMENT ISSUE GOES VIRAL

Anyone who has followed the ordinances proposed over the years by Mayor Vince Lago knows he is adamant when it comes to the appearance of the city, and the cleanliness of the city’s streets. It came as no surprise then, when at the Jan. 13 Coral Gables City Commission meeting, Mayor Lago put a discussion item on the agenda that referred to “newspaper stands.” In a presentation, he showed photos of Miami New Times’ newspaper boxes, which he called “unsightly” and “outdated.” He then directed city staff to ensure the paper brought the stands up to code. However, what seemed a harmless code enforcement item quickly blew out of proportion.

On Jan. 26, New Times published an article that the mayor

claimed was retaliatory and “fed to them by a member of [the Coral Gables] Commission.” The article said that video from the Jan. 13 meeting had been edited to remove “parts of the meeting in which [Commissioner Melissa Castro was] speaking.” These only included moments after Lago declared recesses, which happened multiple times when he deemed his colleague had gone “out of control.” Castro and fellow Commissioner Ariel Fernandez denounced the video editing as reported in the New Times article, though the removed minutes did not technically show any official proceedings, as the meeting had been suspended.

A day later, Lago used part of the public comment portion of the Jan. 27 Commission meeting to lambast the paper, calling it a “pay for play” publication that would “smear anybody.” He alleged

that the publication was trying to intimidate him, and added, “Nobody reads [the New Times]. Nobody cares.”

The paper has pushed back with a series of articles, including one that same day with the juvenile title, “Butthurt Coral Gables Mayor Butthurtedly Denies Being Butthurt” and then another on Feb. 4 in response to a social media PSA video the mayor put out regarding the “broken and neglected newspaper racks.” In that piece, the Times claimed its distribution company “was not aware of any… outstanding issues with our box maintenance in Coral Gables” and that maintenance issues were historically “taken care of.” The mayor says he has spent at least two years trying to force the publication into compliance with ADA and city beautification standards.

The net result: the newsstands, which have looked ratty and beaten up for years, have since been cleaned up and painted. – Kylie Wang

Wild Neighbors

COYOTE SIGHTINGS RAISE CONCERNS IN THE GABLES

A new kind of neighbor has been spotted roaming Coral Gables and it’s causing unease among residents. Multiple sightings of coyotes in recent months, including two captured on video wandering around a backyard pool, have prompted safety concerns in several neighborhoods.

Reports have placed coyotes near Supera Avenue and Alhambra Circle, Panama Avenue and Granada Boulevard, and along Biltmore Drive between Orduna Drive and Riviera Drive. Photos shared on neighborhood apps show the animals moving through residential streets. The City of Coral Gables has issued a public alert advising residents to remain vigilant and is evaluating whether to hire professional wildlife trappers if sightings increase. Residents are being directed to contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to report activity (850.922.1066). The city also reminded the public that feeding coyotes is illegal.

FWC officials say the presence of coyotes in urban areas is not unusual. “We do have them all over Miami,” said the community’s FWC public information officer, George Reynaud, adding that “there is a good possibility” they are in the Gables, as more have also been seen in Pinecrest and other residential neighborhoods. Coyotes are “out at night for the most part” and “usually good at being concealed and out of sight,” with human encounters considered rare.

The primary safety concern, Reynaud explains, involves small pets, advising that dogs be kept on short leashes, especially at night. Coyotes tend to gravitate toward areas with brush, vacant lots, or heavy landscaping, and are “generally more fearful of people” than roaming aggressively. For now, officials are urging awareness, not alarm – but many residents are keeping a closer eye on backyard activity after dusk. – Yousra Benkirane

Time To Register

NEXT MONTH: A KEY VOTE FOR THE CITY’S FUTURE

One of the more important votes in the city’s history is coming up next month, in the form of a mail-in ballot that will be sent to all registered voters in the Gables. Among the items that will be on the ballot is whether to change the date of the city’s elections from April to November, in this case moving the next election from April 2027 to this November. Other items on the ballot will be whether to require a vote by the residents prior to changes in compensation for elected officials, whether to require a supermajority Commission vote before the city’s reserve funds can be used (except for emergencies), and whether the city charter should be amended to authorize the use of an Inspector General. We will go into much more detail in the next edition of Coral Gables Magazine; for now, the important thing is to register to vote (if you are un-registered) by March 23. Every voice counts. – J.P.Faber

The Return of Burgerliscious FOR THE 7TH TIME, PINCHO TAKES TOP HONORS

Last month marked the return of Burgerliscious, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce’s annual fundraiser and burger competition. The 14th annual event drew more than 1,000 attendees to Alhambra Circle, where 17 restaurants competed for the Best in Bun award, including Kitchen 57, 450 Gradi, Arcano, and Bulla Gastrobar. An impartial panel of judges awarded Best in Bun to PINCHO for its entry, with its jalapeño jam standing out. The award marked the seventh time the Gables-based chain has won either the People’s Choice Award or the Best in Bun judge’s award. The People’s

Choice Award this year went to Guayaba Restaurant by Pinecrest Bakery for its Pastelito Burger. The event also featured live music by the Mad World Orchestra, which delivered a high-energy set of alternative ‘80s music near the entrance, where A Day in Miami recorded a podcast with various guests, including Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson and Coral Gables Chamber CEO Jorge L. Arrizurieta. If you missed the event and are dying to try a PINCHO burger, their downtown Gables outlet is at 30 Giralda Ave., in the block just east of Giralda Plaza. – Amanda Martell

Kudos for the City

THE GABLES WINS NATIONAL RECOGNITION

The City of Coral Gables has become the first community in the United States to earn Gold Level recognition through the Communities of Excellence (COE) program — the program’s highest distinction. The recognition reflects six years of measurable, sustained improvement across health and safety, economic vitality, education, and quality of life, determined by a board of independent national examiners. Communities of Excellence is a national nonprofit that helps communities improve quality of life by recognizing and sharing best practices.

The award positions Coral Gables as a national role model for performance excellence – and makes the Gables eligible to pursue the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award under the Community category, the only presidential-level recognition available to U.S. communities. “We are proud of the people, partnerships and systems that continue to deliver meaningful results for residents and businesses,” said Belkys Perez, the director of the city’s Economic Development Department. “What makes this achievement especially meaningful is that it was accomplished by leveraging existing, taxpayer-funded operations — without spending any funds to apply for or achieve the designation.” – J.P. Faber

Gables Estates Mansion Listed for $175M

ATTORNEY JOHN RUIZ GOES FOR THE STRATOSPHERE

In 2020, University of Miami booster John Ruiz purchased a waterfront Gables Estates megamansion for $46 million. In 2026, he’s now attempting to sell that same mansion for a whopping $175 million. At that price tag, the 2.2-acre property at 600-620 Arvida Parkway is the second-most expensive listing in Miami-Dade County and the fifth-most expensive in Florida. The 2017-built estate has 10 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms and two half-baths, a two-bedroom guest house, an eight-car garage, 335-feet of water frontage, and, of course, a pool. It also comes with staff quarters, a dock, gym, spa, salon, wine cellar, speakeasy lounge, and – just in case – a panic room with backup generators. The mansion, designed by famed architect Cesar Molina, was expanded in 2022.

Ruiz is an attorney and the CEO of MSP Recovery (formerly LifeWallet), an insurance claims company that was recently the subject of a three-year SEC investigation. Ultimately, the SEC decided against taking any legal action against the company or Ruiz, who has also invested heavily in Miami’s NIL (name, image, likeness) scene, offering more than $20 million to over 100 college athletes at the University of Miami. Whether Ruiz will snag the nine-digit price he wants for his home remains to be seen, with other homes in the high-end neighborhood going for far less. – Kylie Wang

Move Way Over for Waymo

DRIVERLESS CARS ARE HERE

If you’ve looked over lately at the car next to you in traffic and noticed it had no driver, you’re not hallucinating. Self-driving cars have now come to Coral Gables, in the form of Waymo’s driverless rideshare vehicles. The company – owned by Google’s parent Alphabet Inc. – originally tested the vehicles sans passengers, but now the autonomous vehicles can be used throughout Miami, including in Coral

Gables, often for reduced fares compared to other rideshare apps with human drivers. Though Waymo claims its AI-powered vehicles are safer by ten-fold than human-driven cars, some customers have complained about the service, citing safety and traffic concerns in the other cities where it operates, like Austin, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Federal safety investigators are particularly concerned about incidents in Austin, TX, when Waymo vehicles did not slow or stop when near school buses; the company says it has already implemented updates to address this issue.

Waymo currently operates within a 60-square-mile radius in Miami, which includes the Design District, Wynwood, Brickell, Coconut Grove, South Miami, and Coral Gables, but so far does not include Miami International Airport. New riders can download the app and apply to join, with invites coming “on a rolling basis,” according to Waymo, which also said it has nearly 10,000 Miami residents already signed up. It plans to open the service to the general public later this year, as well as expand to a litany of other major U.S. cities.

–Kylie Wang

Honoring Cuba’s Poet Liberator A CEREMONY IN THE GABLES FOR MARTÍ

On the north side of the Coral Gables Woman’s Club on East Ponce de Leon Boulevard is a semi-circle of land called Freedom Plaza. At its center is a striped pyramid with a bust of Jose Martí, the Cuban poet, philosopher, and revolutionary leader who died in 1895 during the struggle to liberate Cuba from Spain; the bronze sculpture was dedicated in 2003. The small park is encircled by six royal palms, each one representing a province of Cuba.

At the end of January, the city commemorated Martí’s birth with a special ceremony at the Plaza, entitled “Cultivo una Rosa Blanca – Celebrating Marti’s Legacy of Peace and Humanity.” The event included a reading of Martí’s renowned poem “Cultivo una Rosa Banca,” with white roses laid at the base of his bust and the laying of a wreath by the mayor, vice mayor and City Commissioner Richard Lara. “It is especially meaningful that we gather here at Freedom Plaza, a place intentionally created to honor liberty, memory, and the enduring ties between Coral Gables and the Cuban people,” said Mayor Lago, who addressed a crowd that included former city mayors and students from the nearby Crystal Academy, who shared artwork and reflections inspired by Martí’s message of peace and friendship. – J.P. Faber

Wang

A Boost for Camp Mahachee

THE CORAL GABLES GARDEN CLUB CONTINUES ITS DONATION CAMPAIGN

The Coral Gables Garden Club kicked off the new year with a $5,000 gift to the Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida for the restoration of Camp Mahachee. It’s the Garden Club’s first donation as part of their recent $25,000 commitment ($5,000 per year for five years) to build on the club’s long-standing efforts to preserve and restore South Florida’s native landscape.

Nestled in the Gables on Old Cutler Road, Camp Mahachee was purchased in1945 by the then-named Girl Scouts of Dade County for $3,337 with money raised from cookie sales by Girl Scout troops. The 11.5-acre campgrounds, located across from Matheson Hammock Park and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, features a lodge, full kitchen, bathhouse, eight cabins, campfire sites, meeting spaces, and a hardwood hammock. The beloved campsite has hosted thousands of Girl Scouts since 1948.

Over the years, this richly landscaped site was overrun with invasive plant species, which blanketed the front area. In 2023, through a grassroots fundraising effort spearheaded by the Coral Gables Garden Club, more than $150,000 was raised from numerous community organizations. As a result, 1.5-acres of vines and collapsed forest were removed and replaced with 1,400 native hardwood trees, planted on site.

“We’re thrilled to help the Girl Scouts with the restoration of Camp Mahachee. It holds a special place in the hearts of many of our members, as they or their daughters camped there as Girl Scouts,” said Bonnie Siepp, president of the Garden Club. – J.P. Faber ■

Mommy Makeover

What the years have taught me

What’s a MM?

In a nutshell, it’s about personal innovation and reclaiming your pre-baby body.

This should start with a return to regular exercise and sound nutrition. But there are challenges that are beyond these important self-help measures. Breastfeeding often causes breasts to look deflated or saggy. Replacing lost fill with an implant often can lift and re-energize breast appearance, although at times a breast lift or reduction might be indicated. That’s Part 1 of the MM. Part 2 is the tummy. The last trimester of pregnancy is especially hard on the tummy since the muscle wall needs to stretch so much. Often the tummy doesn’t retighten enough, especially after more than one baby. Exercise is important to re-tone your muscles, but it won’t tighten the stretched-out areas between the muscles (so called ‘diastasis’). It also won’t remove loose skin. The job of the tummy tuck is to re-tighten the stretched ‘muscle’ tissues as well as loose skin, along with some optional liposuction on the sides.

Things the years have taught me:

1. Safety must be always come first, especially for moms. Thus, time in surgery should not exceed four hours and be performed in the safest environment possible and with safe anesthesia. For me, that means an ambulatory surgery center, next to and operated by a major hospital.

2. Doing good work takes time. An aesthetically pleasing tummy tuck takes about three hours. A breast augmentation adds about one hour, so both together are a safe combo in a healthy patient. But if an implant alone is not enough and a breast lift or reduction is indicated, it’s safer to divide the MM into two separate surgeries.

3. There are 3 keys to a good TT result: low, out-of-sight placement of the smiley-shaped tummy scar, thorough ‘muscle’ tightening, and a small, inconspicuous belly button. Surgical markings are critical for final scar shape and placement and are best done, without rush, the day before surgery.

4. To use or not to use a drain is NOT a critical issue. The point is to minimize the main complication of TT surgery which is the accumulation of fluid under the skin (called ‘seroma’). What is critical is that you end up with the best possible aesthetic result, independent of surgeon technique or drain preference.

5. Best TT results happen when patient and an experienced surgeon work together as a team. The TT addresses anatomic issues beyond the reach of the patient and patients can do things that go beyond the surgery. So patients who embrace good exercise and nutrition habits enjoy the best results.

6. Patients who have been well prepared and have realistic expectations do well.

As always, research carefully both the procedure and your plastic surgeon before proceeding, so you end up safe and happy.

March Best Bets

NEW PLAYS, CLASSICAL CONCERTS & STREET FAIRS

GABLES FARMERS MARKET

The Coral Gables Farmers Market will be open on each Saturday in March, from 8 am to 2 pm in front of Coral Gables City Hall. The open-air market features locally sourced produce, baked goods, gourmet meals, florals and specialty plants, along with rotating educational workshops and children’s activities. Family- and dog-friendly, it’s a relaxed way to spend a morning sampling local flavors or browsing artisan offerings in the heart of the Gables. 405 Biltmore Way. coralgables.com

Live music fills the early evening air during Music at McBride Plaza, a free, biweekly concert series running on Thurs., March 12 and Thurs., March 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Presented by the City of Coral Gables, the open-air performances spotlight emerging musicians from the University of Miami Frost School of Music, with rotating ensembles performing jazz, opera, Latin, folk, and contemporary styles. Concerts take place at McBride Plaza (adjacent to Barnes & Noble on Miracle Mile), with indoor performances at Actors’ Playhouse in the event of rain. Free and open to the public. 150 Miracle Mile. coralgables.com

AMERNET’S FINALE

The Amernet String Quartet closes its Coral Gables chamber series with a distinguished collaboration featuring acclaimed clarinetist Darko Brlek on March 12 at 7:30 pm. The New York Times has hailed the ensemble for its “exceptional technical command,” recognizing bold programming, expressive range, and commanding

ST. PATTY’S DAY STREET FEST

A Coral Gables tradition returns as John Martin’s Irish Pub & Restaurant hosts its 33rd annual St. Patrick’s Street Festival on Sat., March 14 at 2 pm. The outdoor celebration brings Irish music, themed food and drinks, games, and live entertainment to Miracle Mile, with a U2 tribute band headlining the festivities. Guests who RSVP can receive a complimentary shot glass at check-in. Proceeds support the Lil’ Abner Foundation. Tickets are free with RSVP. 253 Miracle Mile. johnmartins.com

More than 150,000 orchids fill Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden during the Orchids in Bloom festival, taking place March 14 and 15 from 10 am to 5 pm. Included with general admission ($25 for adults, $12 for children, free for members), the weekend festival features rare and exotic orchid displays, plant sales from specialty growers, expert-led talks, and family-friendly activities throughout the garden. Guests can also explore the National Orchid Garden,

enjoy food and specialty cocktails, and wander the butterfly exhibit. 10901 Old Cutler Rd. fairchildgarden.org

“SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME”

Superheroes, multiverse mayhem, and a few emotional twists take center stage during Movies Under the Moonlight on Fri., March 20 with a screening of “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” Presented in collaboration with the Coral Gables Art Cinema, this family-friendly outdoor screening begins at 6:30 pm at the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center. The event is free, includes closed captioning, and is hosted by the Community Recreation Department. 405 University Dr. coralgables.com

“PRAYER FOR THE FRENCH REPUBLIC”

At GableStage, “Prayer for the French Republic” runs March 20 through April 19, bringing Joshua Harmon’s award-winning play to Coral Gables. The story centers on a Jewish family in Paris whose sense of security is shaken after a violent incident forces them to confront questions of identity, history, and what it means to truly belong. Directed by Bari Newport, the production moves between past and present, blending sharp humor with reflection across generations. Tues. + Thurs.-Sun., 7 pm. Matinees, Wed. 2 pm, Sat. 1 pm. Tickets $30-$95. 1200 Anastasia Ave. (The Biltmore Hotel) gablestage.org

THE READING PARTY

Books take center stage during The Reading Party on Wed., March 25 at 8 pm. Presented by the Books & Books Literary Foundation, this free, RSVP-only gathering invites readers to settle in for 30 to 60 minutes of quiet, communal reading, followed by drinks and conversation about what’s on everyone’s nightstand. Bring your own book or choose one from the shelves. Introvert-friendly, low-pressure, and open to all. Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave. booksandbooks.com

Celebrating creative leadership in dance, “Women’s Choreographic Voices” comes to Sanctuary of the Arts on Sat., March 28. Presented by the Peter London Global Dance Company, the performance highlights works by female choreographers and performers, spotlighting a range of contemporary movement styles and perspectives. 410 Andalusia Ave. sanctuaryofthearts.org

A CLASSICAL JOURNEY IN SOUND

The Frost Symphony Orchestra takes audiences on a wide-ranging musical journey on Sat., March 28 at 7:30 pm at University of Miami’s Gusman Concert Hall. Conducted by Gerard Schwarz, the program features Kodály’s “Dances of Galánta,” Bloch’s “Suite Hébraïque,” and Richard Strauss’ “Symphonic Fantasy from Die Frau ohne Schatten,” blending folk influences, rich orchestration, and dramatic flair. Tickets range from $10 to $20. 1314 Miller Dr. frost.miami.edu ■

“Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.”

– Henry David Thoreau

New Openings

Sollis Health

The newest medical trend has come to Coral Gables in the form of Sollis Health, a concierge emergency room and urgent care provider, offering memberships for $4,000 and up. The company recently held its grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony, attended by Mayor Vince Lago and Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce CEO Jorge L. Arrizurieta.

Assistant Medical Director Dr. Vikas Goswamy will be attending patients and overseeing technicians at the Coral Gables location, which is the third permanent spot in Florida and includes five exam rooms, onsite X-rays, and an in-house laboratory. Sollis originally opened a pop-up location in Miami Beach during the COVID-19 pandemic to care for members traveling from New York, and now has two other permanent locations in Palm Beach and Boca Raton. “We knew we wanted to get back in the Miami area and there’s no better place than Coral Gables,” said CEO Brad Olsen.

Outside of Florida, Sollis Health operates in locations ranging from New York and the Hamptons to Northern California. The company also offers a “Sollis Pediatrics” membership, which provides comprehensive care for children starting at $6,000, as well as its “Sollis Platinum” plan, an all-inclusive membership starting at $12,000. The clinic is open from 7 am to 11 pm, with 24/7 virtual care available. – Amanda Martell

(CENTER)

AIRLAB Fitness

For those drawn to fitness with a different edge, AIRLAB Fitness’ new Coral Gables location may be the right place for you. The hook here is AIRLAB’s new approach to classic workouts: altitude training in a reduced-oxygen environment, designed to simulate higher elevations. During classes, the room’s system can be adjusted to simulate up to 8,000-feet of altitude, offering a unique training experience. The class lineup includes Upper Body and Core Burn, Full Body HIIT, and rotating sessions that target specific muscle groups.

Workouts are divided into four base camps, with members completing each level before advancing to the next. Throughout the session, you can see the altitude you’re training at, with oxygen levels typically ranging between 14 and 15 percent, which is considered optimal for altitude training. (Under normal conditions, it’s around 20 percent.)

As for recovery, the studio also offers an infrared sauna and a cold plunge, available in 30-minute private sessions. Memberships start at $120 for a basic plan, which includes four classes per month, and go up from there. First-time visitors are offered a complimentary class, along with a two-week unlimited option for $49. –

Amanda Martell

35 ALHAMBRA PLAZA

305.396.8548

AIRLABFITNESS.COM

A New Groove for Grooming

The Well Groomed Gentleman has entered a new chapter. Polina and Shawn Saparamadu have taken over the Miracle Mile barbershop, which has served the Coral Gables community since 2014. “As the previous owner was leaving Florida, it felt like the right time to jump in and reinvent this beloved pillar of the Coral Gables community,” says Polina.

The Saparamadus envision the space as more than a grooming destination. Their goal is to create an environment where men come not only for haircuts, facials, or nail services, but also to pause during the day to enjoy a drink, watch the game, play chess, or just take a break from their busy lives. To that end, the barbershop has undergone significant renovations, including interior upgrades throughout, like new barber chairs, a restored indoor lounge, veranda seating, an upgraded bar, and refreshed artwork. It also now hosts professional grooming and skincare products from brands like Reuzel, Olaplex, PHYTO, Goldwell, and Dr. Dennis Gross.

The transition marks the Saparamadus’ first experience owning a barbershop. Prior to this venture, the couple spent over a decade working in investment banking and private equity across the United States and Asia. They are now shifting from international advising to building a small, local business in the Gables. “The biggest surprise to us was how welcoming everyone in the community has been since we have taken over The Well Groomed Gentleman,” says Polina, who describes herself as “a woman on a mission.” - Amanda Martell ■

9360 BALADA STREET, CORAL GABLES

Offered at $24,900,000

DESIGNED FOR ENTERTAINING. REFINED FOR EVERYDAY LIFE.

A well-designed kitchen does more than serve a function. It becomes the center of daily life, where gathering feels natural and flow matters. From custom cabinetry to thoughtful proportions and natural light, the best kitchens are crafted with intention and lived in with ease.

LET’S DISCUSS THE RIGHT HOME FOR YOUR LIFE IN CORAL GABLES.

Being personally involved makes a huge difference for the staff as well. That’s why companies like Gallup and Fortune rate The Palace one of the world’s best places to work. At The Palace, we’re all happy to be here every day. We bet you will be too. Call 305-445-7444 or visit us today. The Palace owners aren’t in Corporate 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.

Friday Night Live!

THE GABLES COMES ALIVE THE FIRST FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH

BY J.P. FABER

The first Friday of each month in Coral Gables in known as Gallery Night, a name that made sense years ago when there were more than two dozen art galleries here. Most of those have since fled for cheaper digs, leaving only a handful of stalwarts behind. The name persists, however, but should be changed to Friday Night Live, since it’s live music that marks the night more than visual art.

We started our evening at the Americas Collection, one of the art galleries that survived the diaspora. It occupies a large space on South Ponce, a half block up from Nordstrom, and participates in every Gallery Night. As the name implies, proprietor Sylvia Ortiz specializes in artists from Central and South America. The show on the evening we attended (and through March) was called “Hues of Desire” in honor of Valentine’s Day; lady visitors were offered a rose and a chocolate dipped strawberry. The exhibit featured dreamy cloud paintings by Gables-based artist Liv Dockerty and still-life paintings by Chilean artist Francisco Mery, among others.

With good red wine and a cheese board, Americas Collection was a calm and pleasant place to begin what turned out to be a raucous evening. We drove from there to a miraculous parking spot on Galiano, and then walked to Giralda Plaza, where a band called The Groove Brothers was playing for Giralda Live!, the music event from 7 to 11 pm on first Fridays. Not far from the band, a kiosk served free samples of Ron Zacapa rum.

LEFT: THE AMERICAS COLLECTION FOR THE SHOW “HUES OF DESIRE”

BOTTOM LEFT: GIRALDA LIVE! ON GIRALDA PLAZA, A MUSIC EVENT ON FIRST FRIDAYS, THIS WEEK FEATURING THE GROOVE BROTHERS

ABOVE: LIVE MUSIC IN THE COURTYARD OF CORAL GABLES MUSEUM

TOP: SRA. MARTINEZ RESTAURANT FOR LIVE CLASSIC CUBANO MUSIC

That braced us for a walk down Giralda, which was alive with people despite the chilly temps. Toward the west end of the street, a saxophonist blew melodic jazz next to another free sample station, this one by Ketel One. Another shot and we were ready for the Coral Gables Museum, which was holding an avant-garde dance event in one of the galleries. In their back courtyard (with cash bar!) we watched pop-rock band GLASS BLOCS play "White Wedding" by Billy Idol, their lead singer (dressed in white) doing a fine punkish snarl.

Our last stop of the evening took us back down Giralda, past The Groove Brothers (now playing "Free Bird"), to Sra. Martinez, the Spanish-influenced restaurant by celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein. We ordered two of her legendary starters – the carbonara croquetas (made with pecorino cheese, smoky pancetta, and béchamel sauce) and her chicken liver paté (served with sugar-powdered beignets and marmalade). For a main course, we split a rich and flavorful oxtail paella (with bone marrow) accompanied by roast beets and patatas brava. All excellent.

Sra. Martinez occupies the space formerly inhabited by the legendary Open Stage, adjacent to Graziano’s marketplace on Galiano. Partly in deference to her restaurant’s previous life as a music club, Bernstein installed a small stage where a live band plays classic Son Cubano music Friday and Saturday nights starting at 7 pm. We ate and drank leisurely, imagining we were in Havana. The restaurant had a warm, glowing vibe, the perfect place to end a night on the town in Coral Gables. ■

A Jewel on the Mile

JAE’S IS NOW THE LONGEST CONTINUALLY OPERATING RETAILER IN THE DOWNTOWN

BY J.P. FABER

If longevity is the marker of a merchant’s success, then Jae’s Jewelers on Miracle Mile is the epitome of success, having outlasted all other retailers with a multi-generational business that shows no sign of slowing down. On the contrary, says Jill Hornick, granddaughter of founder George Hornick (whose nickname was “Jae”), business is booming. “We are so busy now we hardly have time for lunch,” says Jill. Jae’s was founded after WWII on Ponce de Leon Boulevard, moving to its Miracle Mile location in the mid-1950s. Jill's father Bruce took over the business, which he now runs with her. What’s been key, says Bruce, is long-term relationships with customers, something only possible with a local, proprietor-run business (vs. a chain store). “They are more than customers, they are friends,” he says. “We are in our third generation, so I have my father’s original customers, and their children, and now their grandchildren.” And, he says, what it takes to retain those customers is trust. “I think that a jeweler is kind of like a doctor or a lawyer, where you have to have some degree of trust. Those people and their children and grandchildren, they trust us with their valuables.”

While most of the business for Jae’s comes from regulars, their location on Miracle Mile ensures a steady stream of newcomers. “I would say that while a majority of our business comes from repeat clients, we see new ones every day,” says Jill. “Traditionally, it was Gables residents. Now we have a lot of international tourists as well, and there are a lot of new people moving to the area from the Northeast. A lot of people waiting for a table at a restaurant nearby are just walking by and they find us.”

Being one of the last jewelry shops still standing on the Mile has also helped create an influx of new buyers. “Since Carroll's closed, we got their customers, and since Balogh's closed, we got their customers,” says Bruce. "Now, Snow’s is closing and we're going to get their customers. We just get busier and busier.”

As for what’s hot these days, Jill says it’s all about diamonds. “The best sellers are always diamond studs [earrings]. Then tennis bracelets and tennis necklaces.” Tennis bracelets, explains Jill, became popular thanks to local tennis superstar Chris Evert, who dominated women’s tennis in the 1970s and '80s. “In one game, she realized her bracelet was gone, and said, ‘My tennis bracelet is missing!’ So now it’s called that.” Then, about five years ago, the tennis necklace came into popularity, for the “everyday luxury look.”

Next on the popularity list are sapphires, which come in a rainbow of colors well beyond the traditional blue ssociated with it, followed by vintage jewelry. “One of the biggest draws for our clientele is our wide collection of vintage and antique jewelry,” says Jill, which Jae’s typically buys from estate sales or customers unloading family pieces. “We have clients that work in the area, and on their lunch break once a week or once a month, they stop by and try to catch something special…. It’s like the thrill of the hunt.” ■

And MakesChewy Five

THE GABLES EXPANDS ITS NETWORK OF DOG PARKS

BY AMANDA MARTELL

Although Coral Gables has more than two dozen “pet-friendly” parks, where you can take your beast on a leash, it has long been short on fenced dog parks where Fido can run free. Until 2023, the only unleashed dog park was in Chapman Field Park – and occasionally at Catalonia Park (amid much controversy). The situation changed in 2023, when three fenced-in dog parks opened: one at 1505 Ponce, one at Villa Valencia, and one at Salvadore Park, which also has a full dog run.

Now comes Chewy Bark Park. It opened at the end of January with considerable fanfare at the intersection of Ponce de Leon Boulevard and LeJeune Road, part of the new Underline system of parks. In partnership with the City of Coral Gables and dog product purveyor Chewy, Inc., the grand opening attracted more than 500 pet owners and their dogs.

The 17,000-square-foot space features cooling turf, areas for small and large dogs, hydration stations, and waste stations. During the opening, pop-up vendors, including Woof Gang Bakery and Playa Bowls, handed out complimentary treats for dogs, while the Coral Gables Fire Department demonstrated pet CPR.

“The opening of Chewy Bark Park is a proud moment for the city of Coral Gables and for pet parents across South Florida, where our Chewy story began and where our roots run deep,” said Orlena Yeung, chief brand officer of Chewy, at the opening. “This park… reflects the unique energy of life with pets in this city and is a way for us to show up for the community that continues to inspire us.”

Chewy Bark Park is part of Phase 3 of The Underline, an effort to transform underutilized land beneath the Metrorail into public

GABLES DOG PARKS

Salvadore Park (1120 Andalusia Ave.)

Features a fenced, sandy area for off-leash play.

Villa Valencia Dog Run (515 Valencia Ave.)

An off-leash park specifically for small dogs.

1505 Ponce de Leon Blvd.

A “pop-up” dog park opened in 2023, still open “temporarily.”

Chapman Field Park (13601 Deering Bay Dr.)

A nine-acre area where dogs are allowed to run.

space. Because it occupies space not adjacent to homes, there was little resistance to the park’s creation. The same cannot be said for the latest effort by dog owner and dog park promoter Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson. The vice mayor was the driving force behind the Salvadore dog park and is currently pushing for another at 520 University Drive, across from the War Memorial Youth Center.

The first step, says Anderson, is a neighborhood meeting “where residents can come in and look at the proposed design, and express their opinions." After that, it comes back to the City Commission with a design, she says, “and then we move forward from that point.”

The proposal began with a petition from residents who live in the surrounding area and beyond. While Coral Gables now has other dog-friendly parks, “there needs to be something closer for folks that live between Bird Road and Coral Way,” says Anderson.

The item first appeared on the Commission agenda in November, when Anderson introduced a resolution to develop the plan. Some nearby residents later voiced opposition, claiming they had not been contacted during the signature-gathering process, while others are staunch supporters. The proposed design includes a 25-foot landscaped, fenced buffer to separate it from adjacent properties.

Among other things, the fenced park would solve an existing concern in the area. “We currently have a problem with off-leash dogs running in those fields,” Anderson said. A fenced dog park would provide a designated space for that activity. ■

MORE THRILLS

TO COME

DE AR EVAN HANSE N

The winner of 6 Tony Awards®, the Grammy® Award and the Olivier Award for Best Musical, DEAR EVAN HANSEN is the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it. DEAR EVAN HANSEN has struck a remarkable chord with audiences and critics everywhere

Feb 11 - March 8

The New York Times calls it

“a breathtaking knockout of a musical.” And “NBC Nightly News” declares the musical “an anthem resonating on Broadway and beyond.”

Exciting Plays Up Next:

POKE BOWLS!

The poke bowl originally came from Hawaii, where local fisherman cut up raw fish (poke means “to slice” in Hawaiian) and seasoned it with sea salt, seaweed, and crushed nuts. Japanese immigrants later added rice, soy sauce and sesame oil to produce more of a meal than a snack (hence the “bowl”). In the 2010s, the dish became popular in mainland U.S.A., and today it is a staple among fans of Japanese and healthy foods. Here are some we tried in the Gables.

ANABA

Anaba’s poke bowl ($20) is comprised of tuna, salmon, Kani salad, ikura (red caviar), seaweed, and edamame. When it arrived, we first noticed the portion size, easily enough for two people. What makes the Anaba bowl unique is the addition of Japanese mayonnaise and caviar, both adding a salty, creamy edge. We could also taste the freshness of both the tuna and the salmon (soft, not slimy), along with the crunch of the edamame and the Kani salad. 70 Aragon Ave. 305.476.0655

KAE SUSHI

At KAE Sushi you build your own bowl, starting with white rice, quinoa, or spring mix, then your protein (tuna, salmon, hamachi, or octopus), your topping (almond, avocado, carrot, cilantro, etc.) and finally the dressing (ajio amarillo, cilantro sauce, ponzu, spicy mayo, etc.) KAE Sushi prides itself on fusing Japanese food with Latin flavors (coconut, jalapeño, mango), but be careful: with rice or quinoa at $4-$5, protein at $10-$12, and most toppings and sauces at $1.50 each (some $2.50 or $3), it can quickly add up. 143 Giralda Ave. kaesushi.com

SUSHI MAKI

Some poke bowls lean more toward raw fish, while others, like Sushi Maki’s ASC Dragon Poke Bowl ($16), are more like a cooked meal. This bowl brings together the crunch of shrimp tempura with the rubbery, chewy texture of Krab stick. It also features mango chunks and avocado with togarashi, a Japanese salt-free seasoning that adds a spicy tingle. The portion is satisfying, though the shrimp tempura was slightly soggy. 2334 Ponce de Leon Blvd. sushimaki.com

PURA VIDA

Pura Vida’s Spicy Tuna Bowl ($24.95) isn’t cheap but it’s packed with tons of flavor and nutrients. Slices of raw tuna rest on an earthy blend of arugula, radish, cucumber, cilantro, scallion, and jasmine rice. We also give Pura Vida props for including a healthy helping of avocado. While not super spicy, the aioli added savoriness that helped tie all the ingredients together. 244 Miracle Mile. puravidamiami.com

PUBLIX

The Publix supermarket on Valencia at Lejeune – yes Publix – has one of the best poke bowls in town. The secret of in-store sushi master Khup (from Myanmar) is a layer of crunchy onions and teriyaki sauce on the white rice underneath the tuna, salmon, avocado, and seaweed, which is then drizzled with spicy mayonnaise and sesame seeds. Also good is the price for their “Big Wave Poke Bowl,” just $14.49. 2551 S Le Jeune Rd. publix.com ■

New Places

Casa Terra

Walking into Casa Terra, there’s a sense of familiarity. That’s because the restaurant has taken over the former L’Artisane Bakery space, keeping its vegan options while shifting toward a Mediterranean-inspired menu. One difference is the raised wooden shelving that separates the dining area into two spaces, while maintaining open sightlines. Seating on the right side is mostly tables for two. On the left, the seating is better suited for larger parties, with a curved caramel-brown leather banquette running along the wall.

Casa Terra offers breakfast all day, along with a lunch menu. Like many people with New Year’s resolutions still fresh, we wanted to explore healthier alternatives, and the menu reflects that, with wholesome breakfast bowls starting at $14.75 and brunch favorites that include quiches and sourdough pan cakes. We built our own omelet for $14.25, choosing from standard veggie, cheese, and protein options. Ours was a combination of ricotta cheese, bacon, and confit tomato, served with a side of sweet potato hash. We also tried one of their breakfast specials: an açaí bowl topped with almond butter, diced papaya, mango, pineapple, and coconut flakes. To close out our visit, we ordered the caramel cappuccino ($5). It leans more bitter than sweet, so those who prefer a softer coffee may want to add sugar. – Amanda Martell

Bagel Emporium and Grill

Bagel Emporium has always percolated authenticity, a true Jewish deli that has long been rated the best place in Miami for bagels and sandwiches. Where else could you go for a pastrami on rye with a sour pickle on the side, or a sesame bagel with lox and cream cheese? For exiles from New York, the Bagel Emporium was an oasis for the homesick, an institution since 1975. Now the Emporium has relocated to the up-and-coming Merrick Park district, in a new open space that’s a far cry from the narrow strip mall venue of the past. A geometric tile floor, leather booths, and colorful paintings of bagels still give it a homey feel, while longtime favorites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner remain menu mainstays.

We stopped by during lunch and, since we’re already familiar with the quality of the bagels, ordered a latte ($6) and The Original Cheeseburger ($18). It’s a customer favorite, oversized and built with lettuce, tomato, and melted cheddar cheese – nothing fancy here, folks, just old-fashioned quality. The same goes for their BLT sandwich ($14), un-adulterated bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo on rye, white or whole wheat. We added sweet potato fries for an additional $1.99, but it was ample enough by itself. Happy with our lunch of comfort food, we took the leftovers home, along with a recommendation for the grilled chicken Caesar wrap. Next time. – Amanda Martell

LIVE LIFE WITHOUT COMPROMISE

Choosing the right senior living community is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Care and safety come first, but lifestyle and independence are important too. At Belmont Village, you’ll find it all. An experienced staff, 24/7 licensed nurses, award-winning enrichment and memory programs in a luxurious and attentive environment. And unlike most, we build, own, and operate all of our communities. So residents can count on the continuity of those high standards, never compromising on the things that matter. BelmontVillage.com/CoralGables | 305-760-4408

Seasonal Dining

THE MENU AT SEASONS 52 IS LOW-CALORIE AND HIGH-QUALITY

BY KYLIE WANG

One of few chains that have “made it” in the City Beautiful, Seasons 52 manages to still feel quintessentially Coral Gables, having been a Miracle Mile mainstay for 16 years. Its warm bar and wood-paneled dining room have hosted innumerable lunch meetings, but we love it even more for dinner, especially accompanied by live piano music Wednesday through Saturday from 5 to 9 pm. We visited recently and sat in the bar area, where the one-man band regaled us with elegant keyboard melodies – the perfect backdrop for a light dinner.

We say “light” dinner because everything on Seasons 52’s seasonal menu (which changes four times a year) is under 595 calories, including the small but scrumptious desserts. This is no easy feat, especially with the breadth of the menu. We began with one of the restaurant’s signature brick oven flatbreads, this one specifically made for the winter season: the roasted mushroom flatbread ($14.50). Made with fresh shiitake and portobello mushrooms, cippolini onions, goat cheese, and just a hint of truffle, the dish could be a meal on its own, though it works better as a shared appetizer.

TOP: A DRAMATIC HIGH SPACE WITH SKI-LODGE WARMTH, SEASONS 52 PROVIDES INTIMATE BOOTH SEATING WITHOUT BEING OVERWHELMED BY MUSIC OR BUSTLE

ABOVE: THE EXPANSIVE BAR AREA WITH COMFORTABLE HIGH-BACKED SEATS FOR A LIGHTER DINING EXPERIENCE

In the spirit of sharing, we also tried the charcuterie board ($15), which we were told is so popular it will likely stay on the menu yearround, though some of its elements may change with the seasons. Ours came with an assortment of prosciutto, soppressata, MontAmoré white cheddar, and goat cheese, along with some lavosh crackers. We paired it with a bottle of wine from the list of 52 that Seasons

TOP: THE SIGNATURE BRICK OVEN FLATBREAD FOR THE WINTER SEASON, WITH ROASTED SHIITAKE AND PORTOBELLO MUSHROOMS

ABOVE: THE CHARCUTERIE BOARD WITH GOAT CHEESE, PROSCIUTTO, SOPPRESSATA, AND MONTAMORÉ WHITE CHEDDAR

TOP RIGHT: A NEW WINTER ITEM, THE TWO-HOUR BRAISED VINEYARD CHICKEN IS TOPPED WITH BURGUNDY WINE SAUCE, ROASTED, AND SERVED WITH PORCINI MUSHROOMS, CIPOLLINI ONIONS, CARROTS, AND YUKON MASHED POTATOES

RIGHT: SEASONS 52'S "MINI INDULGENCES" SERVED IN SHOT GLASSES. WE CHOSE THE COOKIES ‘N’ CREAM AND THE RASPBERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP CANNOLI

keeps on its ever-changing menu. (In addition to seasonal changes, the restaurant has 52 wines – one for each week of the year – and a “Chef’s Suggestions” panel that changes weekly.)

Seasons 52 is a spacious restaurant, with brick walls and high wood-beamed ceilings reminiscent of a New England ski lodge, but its back-to-back booths along the walls provide a surprisingly intimate experience. Not only could we hear each other without straining (a rare event in many busy restaurants), we could also enjoy the music, which managed to permeate the dining room without being overwhelming. Our server made sure to note the $14 happy hour special, which includes a flatbread and a “sip” of your choosing, so don’t be surprised if you see us at the bar next week.

Our favorite dinner dish was the vineyard chicken ($25.50), a new menu item for winter. The two-hour braised chicken is topped with a burgundy wine sauce, roasted, and served with porcini

mushrooms, cipollini onions, carrots, and Yukon mashed potatoes. Wonderfully moist, it’s a somewhat hearty meal for Seasons 52, but still only 590 calories and quite delicious.

It was about this time that we spied the restaurant’s unique dessert tower floating over to another table, and began to feel grateful for the healthy choices we’d made so far. These small $5 delights – the restaurant calls them “mini indulgences” – are served in shot glasses, with layers of cake, chocolate, cream, and more. There are eight, but we contained ourselves to two: the cookies ‘n’ cream and the raspberry chocolate chip cannoli, though we were hard pressed not to try the Belgian chocolate s’more and the key lime pie concoctions. There’s nothing like a sweet treat to end an evening of fine choices. ■

A Little Spritz of Happiness

BY KYLIE WANG

Salumeria 104 on Miracle Mile has long been known for its salumi – sliced Italian cured meats – served in an authentic-feeling trattoria-style restaurant. They now have a full liquor license, and what a difference that makes. Aperol Spritzes all day, every day, for only $4? Combine that with discounted cocktails, half-off wines, $6 beers, and appetizers under $13, and we’re sold.

Salumeria has recently revamped its happy hour – which runs from 4 to 6 pm Monday through Friday – to go along with its new drinks menu. We tried the $4 Aperol Spritz and were delighted with its quality (and price). The Classic Negroni ($12) was another standout, with a sweeter taste than the usual bitter bite, which we loved. The lychee martini ($11) was also stellar, rounded out by Tito’s vodka, St. Germain, and a mix of lemon juice and lychee puree.

We were less impressed by the happy hour food. The zucchini fritte ($10) promised much – we were excited, given nearby Zucca’s much more expensive rendition – but it underdelivered flavor-wise; the fried zucchini flowers needed more seasoning, for sure. The gnocco fritto ($10) was tasty, but different than expected. We anticipated classic gnocchi – pasta-esque potato dumplings – but instead got a crispy ravioli. Still, with a nice burrata filling and a side of tomato sauce, we’d try these again any day.

One of the best parts of our evening was the warm heat lamps

829 Malaga Avenue, Coral Gables

on Salumeria’s outdoor Miracle Mile patio. We visited on one of the “freezing” days this February and enjoyed our toasty outdoor snack as passersby looked on jealously. ■

Ginger Jochem 305.494.6422 ginger@slesnick.net

829 Malaga Avenue

Coral Gables, FL 33134

$1,995,000 | 3 bedrooms | 2 baths | 1,660 sq. ft. | 6,750 Lot

Ideally located just west of Anderson Road and east of Granada, this charming home sits on a picturesque, tree-shaded street. Enjoy a bright, open floor plan with French doors that flow from the living room to a covered patio and a beautifully fenced backyard—complete with ample space for a future pool. Offering 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a 2-car garage, this well-maintained residence features 2,245 adjusted sq. ft. on a 6,750 sq. ft. lot. The house has been completely remodeled and updated. A spacious, impeccably groomed home in a coveted location.

People

FEATURING: ALICE GOLDHAGEN

ETIENNE CHARLES

VIVIANA SAMUDIO

ETIENNE CHARLES: MUSICIAN, COMPOSER, AND PROFESSOR

Alice Goldhagen is about as local as it gets. A Miami native, Goldhagen and her family moved to Coral Gables officially when she was about 11, and other than a brief stop in Wisconsin for college (followed by two degrees at FIU and UM), she’s been here ever since. Like as not, you’ve seen Goldhagen’s photography, which – like her – is well-traveled but based in the Gables. Outside of the city, she’s particularly focused on Aix-enProvence, France, which is one of Coral Gables’ sister cities, as well as Italy and other areas of Europe.

Her photos of the City Beautiful and several European cities have been exhibited at Coral Gables Museum, Coral Gables Library, Societa’ Dante Alighieri Miami, and at Le Petit Verdot in Aix-en-Provence, amongst others. In 2024, she was also awarded a $5,000 grant from the Corral and Cathers Art Fund, which aims to support local artists’ continued development. Besides photography, Goldhagen also serves on the city’s Landmarks Advisory Board, and is a member of the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables and the Villagers.

Alice Goldhagen

PHOTOGRAPHER

LATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT

WHAT SHE SAYS

“BEAUTY INSPIRES MY PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY. I LIKE TO TAKE HAPPY PHOTOGRAPHS...”

Last spring, Goldhagen visited the Fiat 500 Club, a museum in Garlenda, Italy dedicated to the classic car. She presented several photos she’d taken of Fiat 500s over the years to the museum, which included them in an article about her in its September 2025 magazine. Goldhagen also donated a photo to the museum, of a red convertible Fiat 500 on Amalfi Drive.

“Beauty inspires my passion for photography. I like to take happy photographs; [ones] that I feel are beautiful and illustrate beautiful objects,” she says. “Color and animation are very important to me. In Coral Gables, I love photographing the doorways, entrances, fountains, the Biltmore, the poinciana trees, the architectural details…. When we moved here, I thought I was moving to paradise, and, of course, I still feel like I’m in paradise.” – Kylie Wang ■

RAISING THE BAR IN ORTHOPEDIC CARE

“All the biologics used today need to be investigated to see what their true value is. And the only way that's done is through research, and that research is funded through philanthropy.”

John W. Uribe, M.D. Chief Medical Executive

José Milton Foundation Endowed Chair in Orthopedics Baptist Health Orthopedic Care

Extraordinary care takes extraordinary support. Your generosity helps advance orthopedic research – exploring new therapies, improving surgical techniques and expanding recovery options – so patients in our community can move with less pain and more freedom.

Give today to help move orthopedic care forward.

Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Etienne Charles is a leading composer and performer of Caribbean/Jazz fusion music. Himself an accomplished trumpet player, he is currently an associate professor of studio music and jazz at the University of Miami (UM) Frost School of Music, where he directs the jazz band. A graduate of the prestigious Julliard School in New York, he is also a recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts, and has recorded numerous albums, including "Creole Orchestra," "San Jose Suite," "Carnival: The Sound of a People," and "Creole Soul," the No. 3 Jazz Album of the Year in 2013. He has been featured as a band leader at the Newport Jazz Festival, the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Atlanta Jazz Festival, and many others, and has performed as a sideman to a roster of leading artists, including Roberta Flack, Marcus Roberts and the Count Basie Orchestra. The Lincoln Center has twice commissioned him as a composer and arranger.

“I

WANT THE PEOPLE OF MIAMI TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS COLLABORATION COULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT THE CITY OF MIAMI… WITHOUT THE CITY OF CORAL GABLES...”

Etienne Charles

CURRENT ACCOMPLISHMENT

Charles most recently produced and directed a multimedia performance of his compositions at UM's Gusman Concert Hall, which was a special collaboration between the Frost Studio Jazz Band and the Peter London Global Dance Company. The choreography of Peter London, a fellow native of Trinidad and Tobago, was set to Charles’ acclaimed genre-defying suites "Bacchanal Tuesday," "As an Offering," and "Green Thumb," blending live jazz and movement to tell stories rooted in Carnival, ritual, resilience, and Caribbean identity. The project highlights the Frost School’s role as a national hub for artistic collaboration. He was also recently commissioned to compose "Jazz Island" for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

WHAT HE SAYS

“What do I hope Miami audiences take away from this [recent] performance? I want them to feel proud of being in Miami and understanding that Miami is a place where these types of events can happen, a Big Band on-stage with a dance troupe led by a Caribbean visionary,” says Charles. “I want the people of Miami to understand that this collaboration could not have happened without the city of Miami… without the city of Coral Gables… without the University of Miami…. I want [them] to feel a sense of pride and a greater understanding of the fact that we are all here from somewhere, and that we all bring different energies, ideas, ideals, dishes, dances, songs, stories, books, styles of clothing – we bring all of these different elements of culture to this great metropolitan area. And I want people to feel proud and understand that we’re all here together.” – J.P. Faber ■

Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Gables resident Viviana Samudio has always felt the need to give back to her home country. Though she hasn’t lived there in years – she moved to New York as a child and then to Florida four years ago – Samudio has traveled throughout Colombia as well as in other areas of South America. Her trips have brought her in close contact with street artisans selling beautiful handmade items, inspiring her to start her own company: Collections by Vivi.

Working hand-in-hand with now some 30 Colombian artisans, Samudio brings their pieces to the States, selling handmade purses, jewelry, candles, and other accessories through her brand at famers’ markets throughout South Florida. Everything is handmade, including the woven palm fiber purses, which catch the eye with vibrant colors and a range of adornments, and the jewelry made from mostacilla, tiny high-quality glass beads gathered from the coast of Colombia. Samudio, who enjoys living the “calm and peaceful life” of a Gableite now, is working on adding more products and vendors to her brand, hoping to eventually expand throughout Latin America.

“WORKING WITH ARTISTS ALL OVER THE WORLD, I’M ABLE TO GIVE AND RECEIVE IN SO MANY WAYS...”

Viviana Samudio

FOUNDER, COLLECTIONS BY VIVI

LATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT

A boutique Collections by Vivi shop is set to open this year inside of Hialeah’s Tequila Town, an immersive educational experience showcasing all things tequila. In homage to the liquor’s roots, Samudio is working with Mexican artisans now to build a new collection featured in the mercado and throughout the venue. “Being able to help out a whole other country, a whole other people… that’s why I started Collections by Vivi,” she says.

WHAT SHE SAYS

“I would love to continue exploring South America and help people’s lives transform, along with bringing their beautiful handmade products here to the States,” says Samudio. “I definitely believe in the philosophy of quality over quantity, and of giving and receiving. Working with artists all over the world, I’m able to give and receive in so many ways. My strong foundational philosophy is being able to help other people, and the more I do, the more I receive.” – Kylie Wang ■

Vertical Living

The New Shape of Coral Gables Real Estate

BY J. P. FABER

For decades, the archetypal Coral Gables dream was horizontal: a Mediterranean home under a canopy of oaks, a deep yard, a pool, and the steady accumulation of equity. But in 2026, the story of real estate in the Gables is increasingly vertical.

From ultra-luxury condominiums rising on Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Alhambra Circle to boutique rental buildings and a quiet boom in townhomes, the city is undergoing a second great wave of attached housing – more sophisticated, more expensive, and more lifestyle-focused than the first.

The forces driving it are demographic, financial, and philosophical: aging homeowners seeking to “right-size,” younger professionals priced out of single-family homes, a downtown that city leaders want to keep alive seven days a week, and a post-Surfside regulatory environment reshaping the condo market.

The result is not one market but several – townhomes, legacy condominiums, next-generation wellness towers, and high-end rentals – all competing for Coral Gables’ increasingly scarce land and increasingly affluent buyers.

THE END OF THE THREE PERCENT ERA

To understand today’s landscape, you have to rewind to 2021.

“2021 is going to be our best year in sales for a long time,” says Ron Shuffield, president of EWM Realty International and largely considered the most respected realtor in Coral Gables. “The whole country was selling so many more properties [because] that period in ’21 was the last of the 3 percent interest rates.” Mortgage rates plunged as low as 2.65 percent in early 2021, igniting a buying frenzy. Condo and home prices surged, and inventory evaporated.

Then, the pendulum swung. Mortgage rates doubled within a year, cresting 7.5 percent by the end of 2022. The result was a slowing

down of sales and an expansion of inventory. For the first time in 15 years, Miami-Dade County saw a median condo price decline –about six percent, according to Shuffield – though Coral Gables held its own.

The Gables typically bucks county downturns, thanks to the never-ending demand for homes in the City Beautiful. The fourth quarter of 2025 is a perfect illustration. The number of homes sold in Q4 2025 in the Gables jumped 14 percent from the same three months the year before, compared to a less than two percent increase countywide. And Gables median prices climbed 7.8 percent compared to almost level prices across Miami-Dade.

The voracious hunger for homes in Coral Gables has spiked prices, almost doubling them since 2020 and creating a strong market for condominiums and townhomes – so-called "attached homes" – which are simply more affordable. Sales for these saw an even quicker rise in unit sales than single-family homes, up 26.7 percent in Q4 of 2025 compared to 2024 (57 sales vs. 45 the year before), with a concomitant drop in condo inventory, from 147 for sale at the end of 2024 to 137 at the end of 2025.

The rise in Gables condo sales last year evaded a countywide drop, which fell by 1 percent in Q4 2025 compared to the year before. Continuing high mortgage rates is only part of the reason that number fell. More importantly, the collapse of Champlain Towers in Surfside in 2021 triggered sweeping changes to Florida’s condo-

"

NEW CONDOS ARE FABULOUS, THEY WILL DO WELL IN THE COMING YEAR..."

RON

SHUFFIELD, BELOW, PRESIDENT OF EWM REALTY INTERNATIONAL

"

[IT'S] SOMETHING THAT’S GOING TO STAND THE TEST OF TIME, ARCHITECTURALLY AND FROM AN ACTUAL BUILD STANDPOINT..."

SPENCER MORRIS, ABOVE, THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALLEN MORRIS COMPANY, ON THE PONCE PARK RESIDENCES PROJECT

minium laws. Buildings must now fully fund reserves and complete structural integrity studies. Long-deferred maintenance has become immediate – and expensive. “We’re seeing a decrease in values in condos across the county because of these assessments,” Shuffield explains, as sellers are often forced to absorb assessments ranging from $20,000 to $100,000.

That regulatory reset has created winners and losers, with the winners being the builders of the next wave of condominiums and townhomes in Coral Gables.

THE VALUE OF THE NEW

Few developers understand the divide between the winners and losers in the new attached-family home market better than developer Armando Codina. He describes today’s condo landscape bluntly: “We have the market of the haves and have-nots.”

The “haves” are new, hardened buildings with impact glass and new roofs that are at least somewhat elevated from flood prone areas. Insurance companies want to insure them. The “have-nots” are aging buildings in low, coastal areas, facing roof replacements, glass upgrades – and skyrocketing insurance premiums. “You’re beginning to see the crack,” Codina says, referencing buyouts in older buildings.

OUR BUYERS ARE PREDOMINANTLY LOCAL EMPTY NESTERS, MANY OF WHOM ARE LONG-TIME CORAL GABLES RESIDENTS..."

The shift in condo regulations combined with the soaring prices for single-family homes in the Gables puts a glow on new condominiums. “New condos are fabulous, they will do well [in the coming year],” says Shuffield. None is more exemplary than Ponce Park Residences, The Allen Morris Company project on Ponce de Leon Boulevard across from The Plaza Coral Gables. It is now commanding sales of $1,700-per-square-foot, a record for Coral Gables.

What The Allen Morris Co. is betting on is permanence. President Spencer Morris, who is overseeing the project, calls the 58-unit boutique condominium a “100-year” legacy project. “We refer to it internally that way, something that’s going to stand the test of time, architecturally and from an actual build standpoint,” he says. The firm spent more than a year in the concept design phase, thinking through all the permutations and details, from the interior woodwork to the stone selections. The building’s base, for example, is clad in Roman travertine from the same quarry used for the stone in Rome’s Colosseum. Each unit has a private elevator foyer and mail is delivered directly into private spaces. The rooftop includes a lap pool, Zen pool, cold plunge, and member’s bar, and the building is topped by a cupola that gives it a distinct look.

The buyers are overwhelmingly local, says Morris, many of them empty nesters who are selling large homes nearby but want to keep their primary home in the city. The floor-to-ceiling glass walls of each unit look across the green residential areas of historic Coral Gables. “They just want to live more flexibly,” says Morris, which means having lock-and-leave convenience without sacrificing space (average size: 3,000-square-feet) or their local anchor.

On the other side of the downtown, also promising walking distance to city’s cultural core, is Alhambra Parc, a new project by MG Developer, better known for their townhome projects. Located at 33 Alhambra Circle, Alhambra Parc will feature 74 luxury residences, 13,000-square-feet of office space, and nearly 18,000-square-feet of ground-floor retail.

While they are seeing interest from Northeastern buyers looking for a primary or secondary home, “our buyers are predominantly local empty nesters, many of whom are long-time Coral Gables residents looking to downsize without leaving the neighborhood,” says Alirio Torrealba, CEO and president of MG Developer. Residences will range from 860 to 2,800-square-feet, with on-site amenities to include a state-of-the-art gym, executive center, wellness spa with sauna, meditation garden, resident library with bar and lounge, resort-style swimming pool, rooftop kitchens, and a paraiso garden with outdoor cinema.

A SECOND CONDO CYCLE

If Morris and MG represent the ultra-luxury tier, Eduardo Otaola of Constellation Group represents the new middle-to-upper tier emerging around the Merrick Park district.

“The last real condo cycle in Coral Gables happened in the early 2000s,” Otaola says. “There was a lot of product that came onto the market – Merrick Manor, 1300 Ponce, you name it – but since

then, nothing has been developed except a few here and there, like Villa Valencia and [some] townhomes, but not a lot of condos.”

TODAY’S NEW WAVE OF CONDOS IN CORAL GABLES IS GOING TO BRING A NEW STANDARD OF CONDO LIVING..."

EDUARDO OTAOLA OF CONSTELLATION GROUP (RIGHT), WHICH IS DEVELOPING THE CORA PROJECT WITH PARTNER JOSE BOSCHETTI

That absence of new buildings created a pent-up demand for the “next generation” of condos in Coral Gables, says Otaola, ones that provide updated amenities, updated finishes, and updated technology. That last item is especially important for Cora, the 13-story, 74-unit project that his company and the Boschetti Group are building adjacent to the Shops at Merrick Park. With the assistance of longevity-design firm Lamarca (run by Otaola's wife Mayra), Cora will be outfitted with an array of anti-aging and health-span extension technologies, from filtered air and water to electromagnetic room shielding, red light therapy rooms, and infrared saunas.

“This is going to be a trend,” Otaola says.

In other words, the second condo cycle is not just about square footage, but about lifestyle and technology. “Today’s new wave of condos in Coral Gables is going to bring a new standard of condo living to Coral Gables,” says Otaola, and that new wave is here.

“Right now, you have five new projects in presales today, two of which have broken ground.” In addition to Ponce Park and Alhambra Parc, there are Cora, Cassia, and the Avenue Hotel and Residences, the last three all in the Merrick Park district.

THE RENTAL ALTERNATIVE

When Armando Codina conceived Regency Parc, his new ultra-luxury residential tower in the heart of the downtown, he did so as both developer and buyer. The motivation was both personal and financial.

“I wanted to simplify my estate [and] extract the liquidity,” says Codina, who is selling his home in Gables Estates and moving into the top floor of Regency Parc. But unlike other empty nesters looking to downsize, he is not moving into a condominium, but into a super-luxury, long-term lease apartment tower, which he is building in lieu of a condo. “The world has gotten a lot more complicated in the last few years with condominiums, because of the governance,” he says, and he didn't want to subject himself to those headaches. DEVELOPER ARMANDO CODINA IS BUILDING REGENCY PARC, A

What Regency Parc will have are all the amenities expected in the second wave of condominiums – high technology that, in this case, will include enhanced security with facial recognition entry, a dedicated telehealth suite, and biohacking recovery pods. There is also a 75-foot rooftop pool, a 15-seat movie theater, and private elevator access to units.

Codina is not alone in his perception that downsizing Gableites may wish to avoid the complications of condo ownership in favor of luxury apartments. Luis Arevalo and his partner David Torres of TA Builders have developed a boutique luxury rental building at 701 Valencia, aimed squarely at downsizers. “When we were conceiving this building… Ron Shuffield gave us the advice,” Arevalo recalls. The conclusion: high-end rentals were the right fit.

“We perceived how the city was going,” says Arevalo. “The market has been evolving drastically the last five years. I would say that right now, even though the lower portion of the residential market is suffering because interest rates are so high and the cost of construc-

Just last December, Kevin Korge moved into a rented one-bedroom condo at 100 Andalusia Ave., at the intersection with Galiano Street behind Barnes & Noble. “I was waiting for it for a couple of months, so I was really happy to get it,” he says. He was previously living in South Miami, where he said nothing was walkable. His balcony overlooks the courtyard on Galiano.

“Walkability is the biggest feature I appreciate over South Miami. There are tons of bars, shops, and restaurants within walking distance, and it’s a very safe area, so I walk around at night and feel safe and get some fresh air.”

Korge still works in South Miami at a vacation rentals company, but spends the rest of his time in the Gables, where he has already done a pub crawl, gone to Coral Gables Museum events, attended Wolf’s Wines for a Friday night tasting, and eaten at Talavera, Hillstone, My Cousin Nick, and Doc B’s. “I love the fried chicken [at Doc B's]. It’s a guilty pleasure.”

"

IF YOU GO A LITTLE BIT TO THE HIGH END, THE MARKET IS COMPLETELY BOOMING..."

tion is so high, if you go a little bit to the high end, the market is completely booming.… So, ours is basically a top quality [rental] building for a city that is going in this direction.”

Units – only 25 in the building – rent for between $7,000 and $11,000 per month and include solid-core doors with walnut finishes, spacious layouts (1,300 to 2,700-square-feet), Italian kitchen cabinetry, wine coolers, Miele appliances – “things you don’t usually see in an apartment,” says Torres. Common area perks include a rooftop pool and sundeck, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and an executive business center. Detailed amenities include refrigerator storage in the mailroom for prescription drug deliveries.

Arevalo says most tenants are local, often empty nesters who “don’t really care about owning or managing.” The units are laid out to feel like homes, with solid wood doors, integrated appliances, and balconies. “We’re also the only building in Coral Gables where every single parking space is EV car-charger capable,” says Torres.

Besides developing their own property, TA Builders have taken on many of the condominium and townhome projects in the city, including the current construction of The George, the latest townhome development by MG Developer, directly adjacent to 701 Valencia.

THE CASE FOR THE TOWNHOME

While the first Coral Gables townhomes were built in the early 2000s, the developer most closely associated with this third option for attached housing is Alirio Torrealba, the CEO of MG De-

DREW KERN

Vice President

FIVE YEARS AGO, YOU COULDN’T BUILD A NEW CONDOMINIUM, AND NOW THEY’RE SELLING FOR $1,000-A-SQUARE-FOOT... ALLEN MORRIS IS AT MORE THAN $1,500.... THE CORAL GABLES MARKET FOR CONDOS IS NOW A REAL THING." "

VENNY TORRE

veloper. His award-winning complex of townhomes just west of downtown – called Biltmore Square – is now reaching completion with the construction of The George. Also nearing completion is a full-square-block townhome compound called The Village at Coral Gables, which he envisions as the seventh of the villages created by George Merrick when the city was born.

“In Coral Gables specifically, demand remains strong for townhomes and thoughtfully scaled condominiums that offer privacy, yet proximity to world-class amenities found in the central business district,” says Torrealba, whose projects are all walkable to the city’s downtown; many have also won awards for their architectural design, principally by Gables-based De La Guardia architecture firm. “Buyers are increasingly focused on well-located projects with the strong architectural identity Coral Gables is known for, as well as efficient floor plans,” he says. “Those fundamentals are translating into consistent sales performance despite a more selective market environment.”

“The beauty of the townhome is no maintenance,” says Venny Torre, of Torre Companies, which has built most of MG Developer's townhomes. “Unlike condominiums, there is no board drama. No elevator politics. No $5,000 monthly association fees." In the seven-unit enclave of townhomes where Torre lives, most residents are 65 and older, moving from large homes into 4,000-square-foot townhouses with elevators. “This is how they downsize,” he says.

WHERE IT’S HEADED: A 24/7 DOWNTOWN

Behind all of this is a policy objective. Belkys Perez, head of Coral Gables’ Economic Development Department, sees residential density as essential to downtown vitality. Adding residents turns a “nine to five district into a 24/7 economy,” she says. And with only roughly 3,200 residents downtown today, the city wants more.

“Basically, you’d have a built-in customer base for local businesses. You’d have a more consistent base for restaurants, for retail, for personal services, so you reduce the reliance on office workers and on tourism or special events,” says Perez. “Residential is fundamental for the resiliency of the downtown, because those are the people that support their local businesses.” Perez says she has been stunned by the desolation of some of the downtowns she has visited in recent years for conferences. “You would have thought there was a holiday and that everyone was out. There was no one on the street, and at nighttime, it was even worse. That’s not the type of environment that we want here in the Gables. We want it active day and night.”

The Merrick Park district demonstrates the model, where residential growth there has supported retail and restaurant expansion. The goal is not towers for speculation, but neighborhoods with foot traffic.

TOWNHOME LIVING DOWNTOWN

By his estimate, Venny Torre – CEO of Torre Construction – has built more than 100 townhouses in Coral Gables, the plurality of them for MG Developer. It is therefore appropriate that he lives in a three-story townhouse that he himself built seven years ago. Its location on Valencia is just a block in from Lejeune, and just a few minutes away by car from his office on Andalusia (he could walk, but needs the car for driving to worksites and meetings).

“You should do a story just about the joy of townhouse living,” says Torre. “The beauty of the townhouse is no maintenance. Really, there is no maintenance, no mowing of the lawn.” Torre says he shares his block with seven other families in his row, but he rarely sees them. “They’re all 65 and up, and I’m the only one with a child. They’re living in 4,000-squarefeet and all they want is this sort of space, with an elevator. This is their downsizing – and they don’t have to deal with a condo board.”

SO WHERE DOES THE MARKET GO NEXT?

Even if interest rates remain above six percent, new high-end condominiums and townhomes will continue to attract the affluent buyer who wants to call Coral Gables home – as well as those who already live here and are downsizing from large homes. “Each single-family home here is like a collector’s item,” Shuffield says. And since land is finite and demand global, the Gables attached-home market should remain strong.

New condos will compete in technology, wellness, and resilience. Luxury boutique buildings will sell exclusivity and permanence. High-end rentals will offer flexibility. Townhomes will offer autonomy without a condo board. For aging homeowners sitting on millions of dollars in equity, the question may not be whether to move – just where. Some will choose the Roman travertine of Ponce Park. Some will choose the biohacking pods of Cora. Some will choose the fortress-like privacy of Regency Parc. Some will quietly slip into an MG townhome and never attend another condo meeting.

The Coral Gables dream is still alive. It just comes with an elevator now. ■

Navigating

Yachtman’s dream home: 2025 fully reconstructed with qualit y craftsmanship solid wood floors, Calcutta marble, and a dream kitchen overlooking 100’ direct ocean access from brand-new dock and seawall on a 12k lot in a guardgated communit y with a neighborhood park.

THE 2026 TOUR OF

KITCHENS

BY KYLIE WANG

Now in its 17th year, the Coral Gables Community Foundation’s Tour of Kitchens & Tropical Living event shows no signs of slowing down. This year’s tour, sponsored by Mosaicist, featured 12 stops, including the showroom for the soon-to-be-built Ponce Park Residences and a closing party at Maison & Co. As usual, attendees had the options of driving themselves, renting vehicles, or joining the Bike Walk Coral Gables cycling group. Purveyors of alcohol, food, and goods at each home included

Benihana, Ghee Indian Kitchen, Babette, Kojin 2.0, Americana Kitchen, Arcano, Clementine’s Wine Gourmet, Bliss Imprints & Gifts, 120% Lino, the Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida, Chateau Bloom, Calimia Home, Galiano Cigar Room, and many more. Proceeds will benefit the award-winning Culinary Arts program at Coral Gables Senior High and related scholarship funds at the Foundation, which awarded over $6 million in grants and scholarships last year. Here are some of our favorites from the tour.

RAMIREZ RESIDENCE ON SAN SERVANDO AVENUE

This stunning example of French Provincial architecture is characterized by a creamy white stucco façade, an arched entryway, and interior ceiling beams. The open floor plan is divided into distinct but harmonious areas designed for entertaining and daily living, including a wine cellar room, dedicated coffee station, and cooking area. The main kitchen features ivory Shaker-style cabinetry, custom aged brass hardware, and a warm oak center island with professional-grade appliances, including a wood-burning pizza oven and La Cornue range. The indoor/outdoor open porch features a cooking range and seating area.

GOLDMEIER RESIDENCE ON ALEDO AVENUE

Recently reimagined by Cozy Salazar Interiors, this residence stands as a stunning example of how mid-1950s architecture can be transformed into contemporary luxury. The kitchen’s statement centerpiece is an impressive blue Le Cornue range with gleaming brass hardware, complemented by white Calacatta-style porcelain countertops, pristine white cabinetry, and large-format porcelain tiles in a white-and-gray checkerboard pattern. The adjacent breakfast nook, bathed in natural light, connects seamlessly to the open-concept living spaces.

THAMPY-BURNS RESIDENCE ON NORTH KENDALL DRIVE

A masterfully renovated kitchen is the centerpiece of this 1952 home. The kitchen’s defining architectural feature is a dramatic arched alcove framing the cooking zone, which pairs with custom wood cabinetry to create a gallery-like focal point. The appliances are the pinnacle of culinary technology, including a side-by-side 36-inch Miele refrigerator and freezer (with wooden doors) and a 48-inch Bertazzoni range with eight burners and two ovens, complemented by a custom concealed hood that rises into the arch. Adjacent to the kitchen is a pantry through an archway and a colorful blue family dining area.

GABLES

VOTE

All Coral Gables registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot at the end of March for the special mail-in–only election. To have your vote counted, your completed ballot must be received by 7 p.m. on April 21, 2026.

This election is conducted entirely by mail. There is no in-person voting and no early voting. Voters should return their ballot by mail using the provided envelope; no postage is required. Voters who prefer not to mail their ballot may personally drop it off only at the Office of the Supervisor of Elections, 2700 NW 87th Ave., Doral, FL 33172.

Learn what’s being voted on and see a demonstration from the Supervisor of Elections on how to properly mark your ballot so your vote counts.

BRITO RESIDENCE ON MINORCA AVENUE

This striking kitchen is highlighted by custom cabinetry made in Lamborghini Yellow, the iconic hue first introduced on the legendary Miura sports car of the late 1960s. The high-gloss lacquer finish is multipurpose, amplifying the vibrant color while ensuring durability and minimal maintenance. With seating for four at the generous island’s four

workspaces, this kitchen embodies the concept of a multi-use space, serving as the home’s nucleus. A rare prototypical 1952 screen by Italian designer Piero Fornasetti, flanked by his exceptional Adam and Eve series of gold plates from 1954, draw even more attention on an interior wall.

MUÑOZ-VEGA RESIDENCE ON EL RADO STREET

With a masterful outdoor connection, this inviting space flows effortlessly from interior comfort to outdoor entertainment. The combined kitchen and living room emphasize family connection, with a charming arched entry leading to the outdoor living area, which has its own kitchen and outdoor bar. Inside, the kitchen is dominated by a large is-

land, which offers the perfect gathering spot for family meals, homework sessions, or entertaining friends. High-end appliances like a 36-inch Themador refrigerator-freezer, Fulgor wall oven, Fulgor Milano range, and Thermador dishwasher make cooking for any occasion a breeze.

CARRERA RESIDENCE ON NAVARRE AVENUE

Snuggled within a 1926 coral rock home is this whimsical kitchen, which manages to combine bold colors with historic charm. Though the focal point of this jewel box-like room is undoubtedly the bright yellow exhaust hood, the saturated custom green cabinetry provides another striking feature, especially when combined with the funky ceiling treat-

ment and retro refrigerator. The Miele undercounter washer and dryer units add a touch of modernity – and a unique space-saving solution for a historic home. Beyond the kitchen, the outdoor barroom and poolside lounge, each with their own striking details, complete the home, which celebrates the vibrant spirit of Coral Gables living.

BARLICK RESIDENCE ON BANYAN TRAIL

A generous main cooking space caps off this masterpiece of Southern elegance, which features an adjacent back kitchen and an ingenious system of recessed bi-fold wood doors that allow the space to transform into a discreet working kitchen when desired. The two-function approach here combines crisp white perimeter cabinets with a sub -

stantial marble-topped island that can be used for cooking or dining. Large, side-by-side Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer units, Miele dishwashers, and a 60-inch stainless steel Wolf gas range make for a professional-caliber kitchen that honors Coral Gables’ architectural heritage while embracing modern living.

Our Annual Guide to Summer Camps2026

Options for your youngster(s) to live, learn, and grow

SUMMER CAMPS

Few experiences are more “American” than the idea of a summer camp. These experiences range from weeks spent away from home, sleeping in cabins or tents in the wilderness, to camps closer to home, focusing on things like chess or theatrical skills. But all are designed to enhance a child’s sense of self confidence and expand their experiences beyond home and classroom. This year, our guide offers a variety of alternatives, and in the narrative that follows, the summer camp experiences of several of our fellow Gableites.

The Big Adventure

When I was nine years old, my parents sent my older brother, Jack, to “sleep away” camp. Despair does not begin to describe the depth of his homesickness, outlined in agonizing detail with each plaintive letter he sent home from the Greenbrier Boys Camp. I was intrigued. Sleeping in a tent? Traveling to a new state? Swimming? Horseback riding? Arts and crafts? Sign me up. I immediately began lobbying to be sent to Greenbrier’s sister camp, Camp Alleghany for Girls.

Fast forward to the summer of 1979, when my mom deposited me and my brand-new footlocker in a shady glade on the banks of the Greenbrier River in the Allegheny Mountains. Accompanying me were my faithful “stuffies,” Pinkie and Little Teddy (I believe Big Teddy was too large to make the cut), and a brand-new footlocker filled with the many items we had dutifully ticked off the camp-issued packing list. I loved that footlocker, which felt like a magic carpet, equipped to whisk me away from Kilmarnock, Virginia – the beautiful but very rural town on the Chesapeake Bay where we lived – to exciting destinations unknown.

I loved sleeping in that tent that my older brother’s letters had conjured. I also loved the new friends I made (including the granddaughter of Bob Hope, who left me starstruck), and “Baby Boats,” which involved using insect repellent to remove the red printing from milk cartons, into which we placed votive candles that we floated down-river at night, singing sweetly nostalgic songs. I loved knowing that the counselors had a private getaway, “The Purple Palace,” and dreamed that one day I, too, could be a counselor, leading activities and participating in what struck me as very grown-up conversations (they were most certainly not, as all our counselors were teenagers).

I loved receiving care packages and letters from home, and I loved Gorp trail mix and S’mores, the ultimate camp junk foods. But love can be fickle. After two magical summers in the

mountains, I lost interest in my footlocker, which no longer smelled of adventure and “big things,” but, rather, musty staleness. And I became interested in new lists, including the class roster of the boys in my new fifth-grade class. I have long since traded my footlocker for a suitcase, but I have never lost my taste for adventure and big things, just as I have never forgotten the words to a particularly poignant song: “Sail, Baby, Sail. Out across the sea. Only don’t forget to sail back again to me.”

Jill Deupi, J.D., Ph.D. , Beaux Arts Executive Director and Chief Curator, Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami

A Summer For Every Stage. A Discovery For Every Age.

CAMP GULLIVER | Play with Purpose

Where high-energy fun meets foundational learning for our youngest campers.

SPORTS | Master the Game

Focus on fundamentals and teamwork in a fun- lled environment led by Gulliver coaches.

SPECIALTY CLASSES | Skills for the Future

Dive into a passion or discover a new interest in STEAM, Broadcasting, Dance, and more.

SUMMER STUDIES | Academic Immersion

Experience rigorous and relevant learning through core subjects and eld-based programs.

EAGLE CAMP EAGLE

Whether starting school, joining St. Philip's for the first

Whether starting school, joining St. Philip's for the first time, or looking for a fun summer, this camp offers a safe, time, or looking for a fun summer, this camp offers a safe, nurturing space to explore and discover! nurturing space to explore and discover!

Whether starting school, joining St. Philip's for the first time, or looking for a fun summer, this camp offers a safe, nurturing space to explore and discover!

From a Grateful Camper

Summer camp is the quintessential American childhood experience. Some of my best memories from growing up were made at camp with my twin brother. And I remember the feeling of accomplishment when we would convince our friends to convince their parents to put them in the same camp as us for the summer – big win for a kid.

Summer camp always felt like the greatest gift our parents could give us. They sent us to a place for 10 weeks where there was no homework, no studying, and no school uniforms. We weren’t sure how we earned this privilege, but we didn’t ask questions. My brother and I spent those glorious summer months planning our future NBA careers and learning how to talk to girls we liked. (Not sure we got better at either of those things, but it’s always fun for a kid to dream!)

I would argue that summer camp is equally as important in a child’s development as school. It is where we learned to explore our interests without the requirements that came with being students. I will always be grateful to my parents for allowing us the opportunity to go to great summer camps and make friends with people we are still friends with to this day.

Joe Roque, Development Manager, Torre Companies

Deep Into the Woods

My “camping” experience was as an Eagle scout with a Bronze Palm, a Paul Bunyan Award, a second-degree Order of the Arrow, and a “God and Country” award. Among my summer

experiences, I spent a week at Camp Philmont (wilderness camping), another at Camp Sebring (learning water rescues, knot tying, shelter building, fire starting), one camp hiking in Colorado (wilderness training), one camp in the Dry Tortugas (survival experience), one camp in the Smokey Mountains

SUMMER AT

JUNE 8-12, 2026

SUMMER PROGRAM:

PRE-CAMP FUN WEEK: JUNE15-JULY 31, 2026

AGES 3-12

305 665 6274

school@alexandermontessori com

North Campus 650-651 NE 88 Terr, Miami, FL 33138 th

South Campus 7701 SW 76 Ave, Miami, FL 33138 th (786) 268-1914

North Campus ddamoun@frenchschoolmiami.org

South Campus mduret @frenchschoolmiami.org

(winter wilderness training), and one camp six days in the Everglades. There are so many life lessons I learned in scouting that I apply today, from being able to secure a sailboat in a hurricane to surviving for days in the Everglades with flint and steel and one cooking pot, and of course, my hand ax. So instead of going to a camp to learn how to make a lanyard, my parents seem to have made the right decision [for wilderness camping]. In no way am I dissing [safer] summer camps – so many of my friends had years of incredible experiences, and they have very fond memories. I spent my summers camping and trekking through the woods. All were great experiences and learning life lessons.

Chip Withers, CEO, Withers Worldwide Transportation Systems, former Coral Gables City Commissioner

The Camp Counselor

While I did not attend summer camp as a child, the [Coral Gables War Memorial] Youth Center became my second home and gave me my first taste of public service volunteering as a summer camp CIT (Counselor In Training). I earned record community service hours for which I was honored by then-mayor Don Slesnick at a City Commission meeting. You could say that the rest is history, as I made a lifelong career commitment to public service and to my professional love affair with the City Beautiful. That small opportunity as a junior at Coral Gables High School made a lifelong impact in my life. We don’t do enough to highlight the summer CIT program and how it shapes the youth in our community. ■

Carolina Vester, Coral Gables Assistant City Manager

Return of the White Lights

CORAL GABLES UNIQUE STREETLIGHTS, 100 YEARS OLD, SHINE AGAIN

BY KARELIA MARTINEZ CARBONELL

One of the unique characteristics of any city is the design of their streetlights, and Coral Gables is no exception. In 1926, five hundred “White Way” streetlights with ornamental bases were commissioned to illuminate the streets and sidewalks in the business and residential sections of the city. City founder George Merrick, influenced by the aesthetics of the City Beautiful Movement popular in the 1900s, believed that beauty enhanced functionality. These streetlights with their crowns and decorative bases were placed in the Riviera Section along University Drive and Riviera Drive from Granada Boulevard past Ponce de Leon Boulevard.

The original Coral Gables’ “White Way Lights” corridor adorning the Riviera Section made reference to New York City’s “The Great White Way” which became one of the nicknames for Broadway in the late 1890s, back when the street was one of the first to be fully illuminated by electric light.

There were various styles of “White Way” streetlights. Models such as the Arcadians were available through catalogs. However, the commissioned 1926 streetlights, with ornate bases and crenellated lamps were made-to-order for the fledgling city of Coral Gables. They were unique, designed by Phineas Paist and Denman Fink, two of the most significant figures in the history of the city’s architecture and design.

The custom base included four sides, each depicting a face in relief symbolic of the life of Coral Gables. Each face representing a different character. “Art and Architecture” and “Horticultural Planting” reliefs were female with their appropriate symbolic implements. “Labor” and “Industry” reliefs were represented by men with strong features, also with symbolic implements and tools.

ABOVE: ONE OF THE NEWLY RESTORED "WHITE WAY" LIGHTS ON RIVIERA DRIVE

ABOVE LEFT: EACH LIGHT HAD A CUSTOM BASE THAT INCLUDED FOUR SIDES, EACH DEPICTING A FACE IN RELIEF SYMBOLIC OF ASPECTS OF LIFE IN CORAL GABLES

Alternating between the faces are the Spanish castle and a rampant lion, both important symbols used often in Coral Gables designs. Encircling the top of the base, in raised letters are the words, “Coral Gables – The Miami Riviera, Fla.” The posts are of cast iron construction.

THE RESTORATION

Although the commissioned “White Way” streetlights were designated a City Historic Landmark Site in 1981, they were neglected for decades. Many were sold for surplus. Of the 500 originals, only 78 remained at the time of designation. Originally painted a greyish green color, the streetlights were later painted silver to match newer lampposts.

The endeavor to restore the landmark streetlights has been a labor of love and a signature project of the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables.  It was in fact a member of the organization, the late Sarah Anderson, who conducted the research that led to their historic designation.

Mayors Cason and Lago were instrumental in supporting the years-long preservation efforts. As a commissioner, Lago led city leaders in proposing a resolution to fully fund the restoration of the remaining 1926 “White Way” streetlights using $2 million from the Art in Public Places Program. It was approved unanimously. And with that vote, a project that lagged for decades received the attention and the funding it needed.

The finished project, divided into several phases, restored approximately 45 originals and added another 33 reproductions last year to reach the number of streetlights that were standing in 1981 when they were first designated historic. Additionally, a batch of the original lights discovered in Fort Lauderdale in 2018 (it remains a mystery how they got there) – eight still standing and more in a pile – are also slated for restoration once they return to the City.

Commendations go to Allen Architectural Metals, Inc. for their meticulous work on the restoration and reproductions, the Coral Gables Historic Resources Office, for maintaining strict designation guidelines, and to Lis Ferrer, Project Engineer Coral Gables Public Works for overseeing and managing the logistics of the project’s various phases. Thanks also to Mayor Lago, who recognized the lights as “one of the many cornerstones of historic preservation in Coral Gables – just try to find another city that has something as emblematic as the white lights.”

After 100 years, our city shines once again. Next on the docket: negotiating a solution with Florida Power & Light to replace outdated (but non-historic) silver streetlights with models that are at least reminiscent of the originals. ■

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

Home Away From Home

AN ABACO CLUB COTTAGE IN THE BAHAMAS IS A UNIQUE GETAWAY

BY YOUSRA BENKIRANE

Abaco doesn’t try to sell itself, largely because it doesn’t have to. There are no big reveals or dramatic arrivals, no sense that you’ve landed somewhere built to impress you all at once. On Great Abaco Island, things unfold slowly, and along a quiet stretch of Winding Bay sits The Abaco Club, a place that feels less like a resort and more like a very well-located community.

That feeling starts as soon as you arrive. There’s no traditional check-in desk or lobby scene. Instead, you’re greeted by name, picked up in a golf cart, and shown to where you’ll be staying. Guests here don’t stay in hotel rooms; they stay in homes. That detail shapes everything. The houses belong to families who return year after year, and when guests visit, they’re stepping into a rhythm that already exists.

Our cottage sat just off the beach, simple and airy, with a wide porch and an ocean view that made mornings feel exeptionally calm. Shoes came off almost immediately. Doors stayed open. Nothing felt precious or staged. It was a place meant to be lived in.

Golf is central to life at The Abaco Club, and our first afternoon included a stop

at the course, which is consistently ranked as the top golf course in The Bahamas. Designed by Donald Steel and Tom Mackenzie, the links-style course is exposed to the elements – windy, rolling, and demanding. It’s not built to make things easy, which makes it a great venue for tournaments like the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic.

Golf aside, we spent mornings walking the beach just after sunrise, when the sand was still cool and untouched. Almost every day, sea turtles surfaced just offshore, their shells catching the light for a moment before disappearing beneath the gently rolling waves. Later, snorkeling made those encounters even better, as we got a chance to see these majestic creatures up close.

Wellness at The Abaco Club doesn’t feel packaged; a welcome change from the

usual resort-style offerings. One morning started with yoga at The Perch, an open-air platform tucked into the landscape, followed by a “sound bath” of different vibrations that felt quietly grounding. The highlight, though, was a massage on our cottage balcony overlooking the ocean.

Social life here revolves around shared spaces, especially with the addition of The Bay Club, which opened last fall. Set right on the beach, it’s become a natural gathering place. There’s an infinity pool, a hot tub, and a bar where people come and go throughout the afternoon. Inside, the clubhouse has lounges, a small cinema and game room, a boutique, and an adults-only members’ space. It’s the kind of place where you stop for a quick drink and end up staying much longer.

OPPOSITE PAGE: SITUATED ON A DRAMATIC PENINSULA, THE THE ABACO CLUB ON GREAT ABACO ISLAND OFFERS A WORLD-CLASS GOLF COURSE EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS

ABOVE: FLIPPERS BEACH BAR OFFERS CASUAL DINING - OUR PREFERRED SPOT FOR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH

RIGHT: THE BAY CLUB, WITH INFINITY POOL, HOT TUB, AND A BAR THAT OVERLOOKS THE BEACH, IS A NEW ADDITION

BELOW: A LUXURIOUS HAVEN OF PRIVATE BAHAMIAN-STYLE HOMES OFFERS OWNERS A COMMUNITY LIFESTYLE IN PARADISE

THE ABACO CLUB WINDING BAY, MARSH HARBOR ABACO, THE BAHAMAS 844-799-3031 INFO@THEABACOCLUB.COM

Meals followed the same easy rhythm. Breakfasts were slow, often at Flippers, where the staff already knew my tea order by the second morning. Lunch was casual – tacos from the beachside food truck or something light between swims. Dinners rotated between the Beach House and the Cliff House, where sunsets reliably paused conversations mid-sentence. And every night, without exception, ended with an ice cream sandwich from the Tipsy Parrot marketplace. (I told myself I’d try something else. I never did.)

What really stood out, though, were the staff. They knew guests by name, asked about their days, and remembered small preferences. Many had been there for years, and that continuity showed.

Privacy is another standout feature. The Abaco Club isn’t open to the general public the way a resort is. Members either own homes or join through resident or non-resident memberships, with options for those planning to buy in the future. Ownership opportunities range from golf-front cottages to beachfront residences, with members also getting the perk of reciprocal access to other Southworth properties, in places like Telluride (Colorado), Cape Cod (Massachusetts) and Argyll (Scotland).

By the end of our stay, it was clear why people invest in The Abaco Club. It’s not about chasing something new every day. It’s about returning: mornings that feel familiar, golf that challenges even seasoned players, a beach that never feels crowded, and staff who remember you long after you leave. ■

Meandering Around Town # 31: At the Museum

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

BY DON SLESNICK

The evening of January 24 was a glorious moment in the “City Beautiful.” Under a crystal-clear winter sky with warm breezes enveloping the dinner guests, the Coral Gables Museum hosted its annual gala. This year’s was entitled “The Next 100: Legacy and Vision,” reaching back with images of the last century and looking forward to our community’s future.

The black-tie gathering was full of dignitaries and local VIPs including the Museum Board chair and former Commissioner Chip Withers, Founding Chair George Kakouris, Executive Director Elvis Fuentes, Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson, Commissioner Richard Lara, Miami-Dade Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez, former Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli, former Commissioner Ralph Cabrera, Judge Javi Enriquez, Assistant City Manager Carolina Vester, and Coral Gables Chamber CEO Jorge L. Arrizurieta.

A portion of the celebratory event was devoted to honoring three individuals with the 2026 “Civic Arts Awards.” The honorees were Mary Snow, former president and CEO of the Coral Gables Community Foundation; Eduardo Otaola, vice chair of the Museum Board; and Jeannett Slesnick (posthumously), former city commissioner, chair of the Community Foundation, and founding secretary of the Museum Board.

TOP LEFT CLOCKWISE, STARTING WITH THE BLUE DRESS: MARYROSE GEORGE, TAYLOR VALLE, CECI SLESNICK, AMANDA-ROSE CABRERA, MIMI CABRERA, RALPH CABRERA, NICOLAS CABRERA, JUDGE JAVI ENRIQUEZ, PAOLA RAMOS, ISABELLA LORET DE MOLA LEFT: THE AUTHOR (CENTER) ACCEPTING THE AWARD FOR JEANETTE SLESNICK WITH (L TO R) GEORGE KAKOURIS, CHIP WITHERS, ELVIS FUENTES, AND NICOLAS CABRERA ABOVE: MARY SNOW AND HER FATHER EDDIE

Each were presented with an engraved trophy and a beautiful photograph of the Country Club Prado Entrance artistically enhanced by David Gary Lloyd, the photographer who won first place in the Museum’s most recent Capture Coral Gables photo contest.

An example of the wording on the trophies was the inscription on Jeannett’s, which read: “Whose lifetime of public service, philanthropy, and unwavering commitment to the people of Coral Gables set a standard of integrity and civic spirit that continues to inspire us.”

One of the principal goals of the event was to gather much-needed funds for the future operations of the Museum. In that respect, it was a grand success, raising approximately $150,000.

The gala included an elegant reception, a silent auction of unique art items, a gourmet dinner, and a vibrant after-party featuring a live band and kaleidoscopic lighting inside the main gallery. Exceptional events like this do not just happen; extensive planning and careful execution are required to achieve success. Thus, everyone who enjoyed the moment owes a sincere “thank you” to Gala Chair Nicolas Cabrera and his committee: Diane Amado-Tate, Ivette Arango O’Doski, Mayra Capriles, Mariana Guevara, Adam Hlavaty, and Tere Shelton Bernace.

In her acceptance remarks, Mary Snow eloquently summed up the special meaning of being honored by the Museum: “I grew up on these streets, attended school here, learned the values of community here – and now I have the joy of raising my own family here. This city shaped who I am, and it continues to shape what I care about.” What a wonderful way to greet Coral Gables’ second hundred years! ■

This column appears monthly by Don Slesnick, who served as mayor of Coral Gables from 2001 to 2011. If you have suggestions on where he should next meander in search of the city’s soul, email donslesnick@scllp.com.

36 Top Gables Restaurants

THE DINING GUIDE

March 2026

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 Latin American, American, and Seafood . Next month we will look at the best of Steakhouses, Mediterranean, and Italian restaurants, as well as Pubs & Cafes – along with some of our other perennial favorites.

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

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

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

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

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

Arcano

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

Aromas del Peru

The menu here goes way beyond ceviche, with traditional soups, grilled meats, wok stir fries, and signature dishes such as aji de gallina (shredded chicken in yellow pepper sauce) and seco de res (beef stewed in beer and cilantro, with vegetables) – plus authentic shrimp soup. Good service, good prices, nice ambiance – and now they are located on Giralda Plaza (formerly on Ponce north of Navarre. 110 Giralda Ave. 305.476.5885 $$

Baire’s

One of our favorite spots for an outdoor happy hour is this Argentine restaurant with comfortable lounge seats snuggled underneath the Hotel Colonnade’s imposing arches and a dimly lit marble bar inside. Our favorites are the delicately flavored fruit-based martinis, paired with the small bar plates of happy hour. Great Argentinean steaks with some healthy bowls.180 Aragon Ave. 786.409.5121 $$$

Bistro Café

The popular Puerto Rican restaurant has opened a location in the Gables following its stellar success in Downtown Miami. Lucky for us, they brought their upscale breakfast, right by The Shops at Merrick Park. All-day breakfast is never a bad idea, especially when it has their blueberry pancakes. The expansive menu has a huge list of savory and sweet options, from innovative plates to upgraded classics. 4155 Laguna St. 305.530.8193 $$

Bodega Taqueria y Tequila

Brought to you by Washington, D.C. Chef Fabio Trabocchi, this is fine dining at its finest. From the place settings to the artwork to the innovative cuisine, Fiola offers an exquisite dining experience. Among their must-try dishes are the porcini mushroom soup, sea scallops ceviche, and the signature lobster ravioli. Beautiful presentations. 1500 San Ignacio Ave. 305.912.2639 $$$$

Fontana

Bodega Taqueria y Tequila’s eighth location gives us our latest go-to locale for all-day quick bites, including a hidden backroom mezcal lounge. The wide selection of tacos mixed with unconventional interpretations solidifies Bodega as a true taqueria, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get the classics here. And, of course, grab a shot of tequila. 317 Miracle Mile. 786.785.1501 $$

COYO Taco

This lively Mexican street food experience has bold flavors and a modern Mexican menu serving up handcrafted tortillas, inventive tacos (including beer battered grouper and skirt steak versions), and fresh guacamole, plus a hidden speakeasy style mezcal bar in the back. Still has the tall ceilings from the old U.S.Post Office it was repurposed from, the pedestrian friendly setting on Giralda Plaza makes it a go to for both dinner and late night drinks. 126 Giralda Ave. 786.629.7929. coyo-taco.com $

CVI.CHE 105

If you want to delve into the wide array of flavors that Peru has to offer,

there is no better place than CVI. CHE 105 at The Plaza Coral Gables. The menu is rich with seafood, including a fine selection of tiraditos, ceviches, and rolls, along with an array of fried and grilled selections of mahi mahi, snapper, Pacific white fish, shrimp, etc. And there’s even a special Gables menu you won’t find at their other locations. This is the flagship of the local chain, and it shows with a wildly over-the-top interior that’s half the fun. 111 Palermo Ave. #108. 786.527.3939 $$-$$$

Francesco

The latest fusion restaurant in the Gables is a marriage between Peruvian and Italian, a slightly strange but happy coupling that combines ceviche and lomo saltado with squid ink risotto and New York strip steak. Still, Peruvian remains the focus here, especially when it comes to the appetizers, where all but one is seafood. The cocktails are fabulous, as is the canelones de aji de gallina, a sort of Peruvian-Italian enchilada. Elegant, nautical interior. 278 Miracle Mile. 305.797.4039 $$$

Graziano’s

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

La Casita

This family run eatery is the true home of Cuban comfort food, with an ambiance and prices both straight from the 1950s. In a small shopping center on the north side of Calle Ocho, La Casita is a throwback to another era, with full meals still available for $13.95. And great café con leche to wash it down. 3805 SW 8th St. 305.448.8224 $$

La Pata Gorda

Ecuadorian restaurant La Pata

Gorda has expanded its reach to Coral Gables, its 10th location but the first outside of its home country. The restaurant’s name alludes to eating the tender Ecuadorian crabs family-style, where everyone is vying to get their hands on “the fat crab leg.” The star appetizer is the carapacho croquetas, filled with Ecuadorian mangrove crab meat and combined with sweet and spicy plantains and a red pepper aioli. 232 Miracle Mile. 786.963.8171 $$$

La Rosa

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

Maiz y Agave

With three stories, three menus, and three different concepts for lunch, dinner, and happy hour/drinks, Maiz y Agave is probably Coral Gables’ most ambitious restaurant. The first floor is devoted to a more casual lunch, the second floor is for a more refined dinner, and the rooftop is all about the bar with spectacular sunset views of City Hall – and the occasional Mariachi band. Every dish here comes straight out of Oaxaca, Mexico – including the insects! 375 Miracle Mile. 305.723.9898 $$-$$$

Talavera Cocina Mexicana

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

LIVE FIRE

Wine Dinner

LIVE FIRE Wine Dinner

Wednesday, March 18th | 6 PM – 9 PM

Wednesday, March 18th | 6 PM – 9 PM

Travel the world through flame and flavor at this five-course experience. Featuring international, open-fire dishes paired with red and rosé wines.

Travel the world through flame and flavor at this five-course experience. Featuring international, open-fire dishes paired with red and rosé wines.

Scan the QR code to buy tickets. Member discount may be applied to 2 tickets.

Scan the QR code to buy tickets. Member discount may be applied to 2 tickets.

Tina in the Gables

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

AMERICAN

Bachour

Chef Antonio Bachour is considered one of the top paster chefs in the world. But this airy, industrial chic spot has become much more, including the best power breakfast place in town, with amazingly good eggs benedict and over-the-top guava pancakes. Also open for lunch and an early dinner, with great Greek salad and roast chicken breast. 2020 Salzedo St. 305.203.0552 $$

Beauty and the Butcher

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

Cascade Pool Café

Handheld snacks and salads make up most of the menu here (new on the menu: lobster grilled

cheese), with some nice entrees like fish & chips and beer braised short ribs. If you’re eating poolside, you’re probably more interested in the drinks though – of which there are many, including some frozen. 1200 Anastasia Ave. (The Biltmore Hotel) 305.445.1926 $$

Doc B’s Restaurant + Bar

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

Eating House

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

Emmy Squared

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

FAIRWAYS

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

The Globe

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

Hillstone

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

John Martin’s

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

PINCHO

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

Seasons 52

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

Skinny Louie

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

Tap 42

Tap 42 is big, noisy, and fun, with a huge island bar and lots of booths. Reliably good ribs, steaks, and burgers (including with lamb), it shines in the sides (roasted brussels sprouts with maple mustard, truffle mac & cheese with parmesan crust). Nice random Asian dishes (grilled salmon Zen bowl, Asian coleslaw) and a good happy hour. 301 Giralda Ave. 786.391.1566 $$-$$$

The Collab

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

Yard House

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

SEAFOOD

MesaMar

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

NOMA Beach at Redfish

Redfish is born again, this time as NOMA Beach at Redfish, under the command of celebrity chef Donatella Arpaia. The pricey haute cuisine of Chef Adrianne has been replaced with simpler, more moderately priced dishes that feel much closer to the old Redfish, albeit with an Italian seafood spin. The award winning meatballs and romantic views of the bay that are unbeatable. 9610 Old Cutler Rd. 305.668.8788 $$$

Sea Grill

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

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, great, fresh, seafood dishes, with the fish on ice. 150 Giralda Ave. 786.310.7660 $$-$$$

Gables in Focus

Congratulations to Debora Turner for winning this month’s Gables in Focus photography contest. To enter for next month, submit your favorite snaps of Coral Gables to kwang@ coralgablesmagazine.com (and your Instagram, if applicable) by March 10. The Coral Gables Magazine staff will judge the photos and choose one winner based on creativity, composition, and relevance to Coral Gables. The winner will have their picture printed in the magazine and receive two tickets to the Actors’ Playhouse or GableStage production of their choice. All submissions will be posted on our Instagram (@ thecoralgablesmagazine) at the beginning of the month. Both amateur and professional photographers are welcome!

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