It's Burgers, Burgers & More Burgers in Coral Gables



Top: One Burger, Burger Bob's. Bottom: BGR, Five Guys. Collage by Onelia Collazo Mendive.

If you have ever craved a good burger, then Coral Gables is rapidly becoming one of our community’s top places to find one.

I recently visited BGR the Burger Joint, which opened recently in the old Fat Burger space at 232 Miracle Mile. Although I do miss Fat Burger, at least folks can still find a good burger in the same spot just with an ’80s twist on the music and decor.

BGR, originally from Washington, D.C., is now a chain offering a blend of prime, dry-aged, all-natural, hormone-free, grain-feed beef (that’s a mouthful…literally). Apart from the traditional burger you can also try veggie, tuna, Greek and even a lobster burger! They also offer a 9-pound burger for free to anyone brave enough to eat it all in one sitting. It comes with a complimentary bottle of Maalox (LOL). I went for the traditional cheeseburger and was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the meat.

I also liked the freestyle soda fountain dispenser; kids will love mixing Sprite with strawberry soda. And parents can also enjoy a cold one -- they offer draft beer as well as some wine selections.
For those who want a more gourmet-style burger, try One Burger located at 367 Alhambra Circle next to The Globe. This place has been in the Gables for years and consistently serves up tasty traditional and gourmet burgers. They pride themselves on being anti-fast food style and only use the very best ingredients. My favorite is the Frita Cubana seasoned Cuban style with finely chopped raw onions, house-made shoestring fries and tomato sauce.

Speaking of fast-food style, who can say “no” to those Five Guys burgers, not even President Obama can. The Gables location is conveniently located across the University of Miami at 1540 South Dixie Highway. As greasy and high-calorie as these burgers may be, they are just irresistible. I like the simplicity of their menu; they just serve burgers, fries in a bag, hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches…oh, and the peanuts.

Last but not least is Burger Bob’s at the Granada Golf Course, 2001 Granada Blvd. The little, out-of-the-way diner has been a local secret spot forever. Bob Magruder will make sure that your burger is made to order and is the perfect size, not too big and not too small, just right.

So, the next time you’re in the Gables with a hamburger craving, there are plenty of places to visit to satisfy your appetite.

http://www.gableshomepage.com/conversations/2011/06/18/blog-burgers-burgers-and-more-burgers-gables

Hispanics Enjoy Networking at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables

Anel Brito, LABA's Exec. Director
photo by Jeannett Slesnick

The first rule of networking is to get out of the office and meet people! It’s always a plus when the backdrop is a historic hotel in Coral Gables. The Biltmore Hotel has become the hotspot for many Hispanic business organizations in Miami-Dade.

I recently attended a networking event hosted by the Latin American Business Association (LABA). Membership is a mixed bag of business people ranging from developers, insurance brokers, attorneys and PR firms to small mom-and-pop shops eager to expand their contacts.

Rick Rodriguez Piña, LABA's Chair Elect
with new members
photo by Jeannett Slesnick

LABA typically invites a prominent speaker to its functions and at this particular event Marc Sarnoff, city of Miami commissioner, shared his vision of bringing new business to the city and streamlining our government.

The very next day, I was back at the Biltmore! Geared up and ready for a day of golf and more networking during the 10th Annual South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Golf Tournament, benefiting Hispanic students seeking college scholarships.

Ready for golf with Rudy Bustamante of Junk Be Gone
photo by Julio Kamara

Members and guests were treated to a perfect day of golf. The Biltmore golf course is exceptional and anyone who plays there always comes back. The best part of these events is the networking that takes place post-tournament.


Golfers relaxed and enjoyed a sumptuous awards dinner along with a live auction. Of course, there is no Hispanic networking event that wouldn’t be complete without the bar, generously sponsored by Bacardi USA. It’s definitely mixing business with lots of fun!

The chamber’s president, Liliam Lopez, commented that this was the first golf tournament the group held at The Biltmore but it often hosts luncheons at the hotel. In fact, the group is returning for its board installation luncheon in a few weeks.

 Commissioner Luz Weinberg & Bouygues Civil Works
photo by Julio Kamara

But wait … there’s more! The Biltmore is hosting the Latin Chamber of Commerce of the United States (CAMACOL) for its 32nd Hemispheric Congress trade show this week (June 1-4). The event is focusing on job creation and retention, as well as economic growth through international trade. Over 19 countries and many national chambers of commerce plan to attend.

What can I say? Latinos love to network and The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables is the place where they are doing it.

http://www.gableshomepage.com/conversations/2011/05/31/blog-hispanic-business-groups-enjoy-networking-biltmore

Guayabera Time...and the Linen is Breezy

Berta Bravo aka
The Guayabera Lady

The heat is upon us and it’s not officially summer yet!  What’s a girl to wear in Miami without looking too under dressed but still professional?  

 A Guayabera of course!

 

The Guayabera, pronounced (goo-ah-yah-bay-rah) originally from Cuba dates back to the 1700’s. The garment was first made for farmers and workers who needed comfortable and cool work shirts.

Fast forward to 2011, and you can find all types and designs of Guayaberas for just about any occasion from casual to formal. 

Berta has been around these garments since she was a little girl. Her father ran a successful Guayabera shop in Cuba and again in Miami until his untimely death in 2003, that’s when Berta picked up where he left off and in 2006 opened The Guayabera Lady store on Biltmore Way in Coral Gables, Florida.  www.theguayaberalady.com

Berta re-fashions a standard Guayabera by changing the buttons, adding distinctive linings and custom fits the garment to your measurements and Voilà you have your own unique designer Guayabera. Customers look forward to having her add her own twist to the traditional garments. 

I personally own a variety of styles from traditional to formal and consider them the perfect summer wear and definitely the official attire for the annual “Cuba Libre” block party sponsored by The Globe in Coral Gables on

Friday, May 20^th.

So, don’t sweat the fashion this summer, get yourself a Guayabera and stay cool.   See you at the block party!

It's All Local at The Local

I was happy to hear that our neighborhood gained a new gastro-pub in the old Randazzo’s spot on Giralda Avenue in Coral Gables.

The Local promises to be a place where all can congregate over craft cold beers and enjoy unique food not typically found in a neighborhood bar. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a bar in Boston or Chicago with brick walls and a long polished wooden bar with friendly bartenders and wait staff.

What makes The Local distinctive from other bar spots in town is the focus on the local area, hence the name. They carry 24 specialty beers on tap with a focus on microbrews from Florida and the rest of the world. They are currently working on a specialized wine list featuring rare, family and regional vineyards.

Most of the food most is bought from local farms in Florida. (Yeah for local support!) Chef Alberto Cabrera, formerly of STK & Karu & Y, prepares a menu that although limited, for a time, due to the early opening of the pub, is creative and unexpected.

We tried the chicken wings, which were amazing! Laced with real honey (you can taste it!) and Korean spices together with hominy and a lime dipping sauce left you wanting more. Then we tried the Gulf Coast shrimp, again not your typical presentation as they were sautéed and placed on a bed of organic grits with tomatoes, onions and broth that melted in your mouth! (PS: I had the left over grits for breakfast the next day…still yummy!)

A must try, if you are just stopping by for a quick snack, is the Charcuterie, featuring a mix of pate, sausages and ham, or the American Artisan Cheeses. Don’t forget to check out the chalkboard for the daily specials.

The Local is currently opened for dinner with a limited menu (can’t wait for the full menu featured online) as well as lunch, coming soon.

150 Giralda Avenue, Coral Gables, Florida

(305) 648-5687       

www.thelocal150.com

Lots of Pomp & Circumstance at JohnMartin’s for the Royal Wedding


I am a Royal Wedding Junkie! There, I said it.



Like many who probably won’t admit it, woke up at 5 a.m., got all dressed up, popped on feathery fascinator (look it up) and walked out the door in need of some strong Earl Grey tea and Scones.

JohnMartin’s Restaurant & Irish Pub in Coral Gables was the place for the viewing the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Upon my arrival, I was surprised to receive a complimentary Kir Royal instead of tea to start the morning celebrations. Well, I guess it’s a special occasion so Happy Hour start’s this early!

Many others were enjoying traditional breakfast treats of smoked salmon crowns and breakfast scones with butter and clotted cream and the official Royal Wedding drink, “The Regal” a concoction made of Chambord flavored Vodka, simple syrup garnished with raspberries and cucumbers slices, definitely a cocktail fit for a princess.

Nandi Fernandez and Aida Zayas



Aida Zayas and Nandi Fernandez stylishly dressed for the occasion; wearing fabulous traditional hats arrived at John Martin’s at 5:45 a.m. for the festivities before heading off to work. Both ladies were so captivated by the romance of the day that they planned to stop by the Biltmore later in the day for High Tea.

Eveyln Russell, Queen Elizabeth look alike winner

The event was well attended by locals and folks from as far away as West Palm Beach. Mrs. Evelyn Russell and her daughter Camille Terry woke up at 1 a.m. to get ready for the trip to Coral Gables. Mrs. Russell was born in England and was delighted to be part of the nuptial celebration and was even crowned the winner of the Queen Elizabeth look-alike contest, well deserved!

JohnMartin’s was happy for the patronage as well as the media which set up early and conducted live telecasts throughout the morning. They usually close up the Pub at 3 a.m. and today they were getting the place ready at that time. A long day indeed for JohnMartin’s, and more guests were expected for lunch during a re-broadcast of the Royal Wedding.

JohnMartin’s has been continually recognized for its cuisine by publications that voted the restaurant “Best Pub Food.” The restaurant features live entertainment every Friday and Saturday nights, from Contemporary Top 40 hits to rock to today’s popular Irish ballads. They also have The Trivia Night on Thursday nights beginning at 8 p.m.

Mixing up The Regal

JohnMartin’s is located at 253 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables. For more information, call 305-445-3777, or go to www.johnmartins.com.

http://gableshomepage.com/news/2011/04/29/lots-pomp-circumstance-johnmartin’s-royal-wedding

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/29/2193028/blog-lots-of-pomp-circumstance.html

Pulsed the Night Away at the New World Symphony



photo by Irela Bagué

I was lucky to get some last minute tickets to the ever popular and sold out, Pulse: Late Night at the New World Symphony.

VIP Guests were treated to cocktails sponsored by Grey Goose on the rooftop of the impressive Gehry-designed New World Center concert hall. The views of Miami Beach were gorgeous but the best part of the evening was yet to come.

The NWS transforms the hall into a South Beach style nightclub! Combining NWS with the musical artistry of Mercury Soul made up of Jason Bates (the DJ), Anne Patterson (the Artist) and Maestro Benjamin Schwartz (Conductor). The trio brilliantly presents the public a new way of appreciating classical music and contemporary art in marvelous social setting.

I admit, I was treated to an amazing sensory experience. The group effortlessly blends symphonic arrangements with electronica rhythms which are magically enhanced by art installations, a lightshow and cinematic projections creating an ambience which I had yet to experience anywhere in Miami.

This was the second performance this year and from what I can tell, it was a huge success.



photo courtesy of NWS

The Lounge at Norman's 180 brings live music to the Gables

Now there is more to Norman’s 180 than just fine dining. The restaurant owners have made the daring but wonderful decision of bringing live music to Coral Gables on a weekly basis.

The Lounge at Norman’s 180 will delight music enthusiasts with a variety of wonderful bands every Thursday and Friday night.

Happy hour at The Lounge begins at 4 p.m., Girls Night Out on Thursday nights offers free champagne for the ladies, 50% off cocktails for all and delicious bar bites for $6. Finally Fridays offers the same specials sans the bubbly.

After receiving an invitation for the launch of The Lounge, I couldn’t resist temptation and ventured over that Thursday night for Girls Night Out, of course! The champagne flowed and the bar bites were delicioso. My favorites, the Mojo Pork Boniato Croquettes and the Jerk Chicken Wings, fell off the bone.

I was also thrilled that the featured band was Elastic Bond. The band mixes funk and Latin rhythms combined with velvety vocals of the lead singer, Sofy Encanto, and topped off with the amazing guitar styling of Buffalo Brown, who happens to be a fixture/treasure of South Florida’s music scene www.elasticbond.com.

The Lounge’s promoter, who lists a number of South Beach hotspots as clients, knows that music lovers will come out and support this live music venue in Coral Gables. There are virtually no consistent live music spots in the City Beautiful until now. Thank you, Norman’s 180, for stepping up.

I’m certain that with the combination of “Good Music-Good Vibes-Good Food” -- The Lounge’s slogan -- it is destined for success. I’ll certainly be back!

Hours: 

Breakfast: Sun-Sat: 7 a.m.-11 a.m. Lunch: Mon-Sun: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dinner: Sun-Thur: 6 p.m.-10 p.m.; Fri & Sat: 6 p.m.-11 p.m. Happy Hour: Mon-Sun: 4 p.m.-8 p.m.

http://www.gableshomepage.com/out-and-about/restaurants/lounge-normans-180-brings-live-music-gables

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