ILoveSoFla.com

Archive for the 'Pinecrest' Category

Chocoholics to Converge at Pinecrest Gardens March 9-10

I love chocolate, especially dark chocolate, so I am thrilled that the first ever Miami Fine Chocolate and Food Show is coming to Pinecrest Gardens this weekend.  One of my favorite chocolate stores, Romanicos on Coral Way, will be there as well as Valor chocolates from Spain.  Romanicos’ chocolates are pure artistry from their Tropical Collection, with painted  fish motiffs, to their Nostalgia Habanera, with chocolates filled with dulce de leche and guava paste.  My favorite from Valor is their 70% dark chocolate bar with banana. Pair any of these with red wine and…heaven!

I am looking forward to tasting chocolate from all of the chocolatiers that I don’t know yet and adding to my current stash.

Tags: Food tasting, Pinecrest, Pinecrest Gardens, Things to do in Miami

Del Sur Restaurant In Pinecrest: Great Food & Wine At Reasonable Prices

 

Del Sur Market and Restaurant in Pinecrest, which was voted best restaurant in South Miami-Dade of 2012 by the Miami New Times, is a great little restaurant tucked into a small strip mall in Pinecrest .  I stumbled across it several months ago, misguided by the word “Market” in their name.  I went looking for Argentine cuts of meat for a parillada mixta I was having at my house.  Turns out their restaurant has been so successful, they expanded the restaurant portion and shrunk the market portion of their space.

Last week I went with a group of friends and family for dinner.  All of us had wonderful, fresh, homemade dishes (all of them were meat, though they do have a nice selection of pastas, chicken and fish) accompanied by two very nice red Argentine wines recommended by the owner, Hernan.  We had such a wonderful experience that several of us when back with a couple of first timers the following week.  This is one restaurant I am eager to go back to again and again.  Not only is their food delicious, eating here will not break the bank!

Tags: Pinecrest, Red Wine

Assistance For Aging Relatives

Like most friends and co-workers I know, I have been dealing with many older relatives and neighbors in the last couple of years.  Many of them are living independently, still driving, and have increasing health issues.  An article in Tuesday’s Miami Herald, Assessing an aging relative, made me think of how difficult it is to tell whether or not an older person is truly okay living on their own or whether or not they may need assistance.  The labyrinth of social and medical programs that are out there to help people age in their homes are confusing and hard to navigate.  Luckily, Nancy Stein, an adjunct professor at UM, found the same issues facing her in caring for her parents so she brought the information together on a website called Seniority Matters.

The Village of Pinecrest has made a concerted effort to provide programming for seniors at the parks and community center, has a quarterly Pinecrest Pioneers luncheon for residents over 80 years old, and, in recognition of how much history our seniors provide, has been recording their oral histories.  All of these local services and resources help our seniors remain involved in the community, live independently, and give all of us caregivers peace of mind and assistance when needed.

Tags: Pinecrest

Updated North Pinecrest Home Is Move-In Ready

This beautifully updated north Pinecrest home is ready for your personal touches.  Granite kitchen counter tops, accordion hurricane shutters, 3 year-old roof,  refinished pool, and crown molding throughout, are just a few of the many improvements that make this a great buy.  It is located on a builder’s acre corner lot in prestigious north Pinecrest, walking distance to Pinecrest Elementary, Pinecrest Gardens,  the Pinecrest Community Center and Library and Wayside Market.

Tags: Pincrest Real Estate, Pinecrest Gardens, Pinecrest Schools

Best Sunday Brunch Spots In Miami

There are a lot of great breakfast spots in Miami, from Wagon’s West in Pinecrest;  Greenstreet and Peacock Garden Cafe in Coconut Grove,  and one of my favorites, The Big Pink on South of Fifth.  But for Sunday Brunch, I want something a little more extravagant.  Here are some of my top brunch spots from Coral Gables to Miami Beach:

1. Biltmore Champagne Brunch Coral Gables – Whether you enter through the grandiose lobby or by their gorgeous pool, the setting for the Biltmore’s Sunday Brunch reminds me of the Great Gatsby era and I love the history of the place.
2. Gibraltar at Grove Isle Coconut Grove – This restaurant has one of the most gorgeous views in Miami.
3. The National Hotel Miami Beach – Though not as decadent on the food end as the others on this list, the fact that it is so reasonably priced and comes with complimentary access to the hotel’s beach and pool
4. Terrazza at the Shore Club Miami Beach – the outside open porch over looking the pool is so relaxing.
5. Sunday Jazz Brunch at the Setai Miami Beach – It is the Setai, need I say more?
6. The Forge Miami Beach – Fresh, seasonal ingredients make for a varied menu and great food.

The SouthFloridaGourmet.com has a much more extensive list of  locales serving brunch in Miami

 

Black Friday Buyers Are In Miami To Shop For Investment Real Estate

Black Friday brings out buyers looking for bargains and buyers looking for Miami real estate investment properties are here in droves.  While most people are enjoying time with family and friends, Realtors are busy selling properties.  Driven by news reports of increasing prices, decreased inventories, and increasing rents both local and foreign buyers continue to purchase Miami real estate for investment.

The top places where my buyers are looking, not in any particular order:

1. Brickell:  Currently there are 526 condos for sale in the Brickell area.  They range from $146, 900 for 580 square feet to $16.8 million for 9080 square feet.
2. Downtown Miami:  There are 567 condos for sale in Dowtown Miami.  Prices start at $124,900 for 400 square feet up to $4.4 million for 5650 square feet.
3. Midtown, Wynwood:  The new “in” place to be does not have a lot of residential units.  There are currently 112 condos for sale in the Midtown/Wynwood area ranging in price from $82,000 for 872 square feet to $2.4 million for 3988 square feet.
4. Downtown Dadeland:  There are 30 condos for sale in Downtown Dadeland with prices starting at $177,000 for 700 square feet and going up to $400,000 for 1,429 square feet.
5. Coconut Grove:  Coconut Grove does not have a lot of condos and few were built during the boom.  There are currently 120 condos for sale in Coconut Grove that are either condos are town homes.  They range in price from $60,000 for 409 square feet up to $14.5 million for a 9110 square foot unit at the Grovenor House.
6. Coral Gables:  There are only 100 condos for sale in Coral Gables.  They range in price from $91, 500 for a 994 square foot foreclosure with extensive fire damage to another foreclosure at $7.9 million for 11,402 square feet at the Gables Club.
7. Pinecrest:  There are very few condos and town houses in Pinecrest, an area mostly comprised of single family homes, so it is not surprising that there are 13 condos for sale in Pinecrest.  The lowest price is $99,900 for a 574 square foot short sale at Monterey Gardens to a 2, 226 square foot unit at the Reserve at Pinecrest for $599,000.

These neighborhoods are all located near public transportation, restaurants, entertainment and shopping, and all of them are in demand with people looking to rent.

Which Is Better Transportation Mode: Rail or Express Toll Lanes on US 1?

The Village of Pinecrest is hosting a town hall meeting at Pinecrest Gardens to discuss the proposed MDX US 1 Express Toll Lane project.  Anyone who travels on US 1 (also known as Useless 1) from Miami to communities south, has experienced the frustrating traffic and knows that relief is needed.  As proposed, the current project would address traffic from Dadeland South to Florida City and would require overpasses the height of Metrorail be built at intersections along the route.  If the goal is to move traffic off of US 1, wouldn’t a much more progressive plan be to build the 21 mile South Link extension from Dadeland South to Florida City?

Several studies have shown that commute times and access to public transportation are important factors in the home buying process.  Millenials, individuals between the ages of 17 & 35,  especially have shown a preference for communities that rely less on cars for transportation.

I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for a long time and they have an amazing public transportation system.  Many who have moved from Boston, New York, the DC/Virginia area and Europe, often comment on the lack of public transportation.  Do you think Miami should try to move away from the car and expand on it’s public transportation system?

Tags: buying real estate, Miami Real Estate

November is Carnival Time At Pinecrest Schools

For fun, inexpensive ways to spend time outdoors with the kids, head to the Village of Pinecrest schools for their carnivals.

Pinecrest Elementary’s Wild West Fest is this Saturday.  Howard Dr. Elementary is also having theirs this Saturday from 10:00-4:00.

 

 

Palmetto Elementary has their Jungle Jamz on Saturday, November 17 from 11-4.

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: Pinecrest, Pinecrest Schools, Things to do in Miami

Welcome to Pinecrest, Zo and Tracy!

The Mournings sold their home in Coral Gables and downsized to the Village of Pinecrest.  The Mournings join several distinguished residents who call Pinecrest home.

Tags: Pincrest Real Estate, Pinecrest

Jennifer Wollmann Endorsed By Pinecrest Tribune for Pinecrest Council

The Pinecrest Tribune, a Community Newspapers paper, has endorsed Jennifer Wollmann for the Village of Pinecrest Council, Seat 1.  Among their reasons for the endorsement were:

• Commitment to educational issues
• Concerns over US 1 proposals by FPL and MDX
• Real estate experience
• Knowledge of issues that concern Pinecrest residents
• Desire to keep Pinecrest a multi-generational community

Thank you, Community Newspapers!

Tags: Pinecrest, Pinecrest Schools