Categories
Restaurants South Miami

Whisk Gourmet Food & Catering Has All The Ingredients To Attract Millennials & Boomers Alike

WHISK’S Marinated Shrimp & Avocado Salad

 

In a recent post about restaurants driving retail traffic, I listed restaurants that have been added to malls and downtowns.  Today’s blog is about one of my favorite local South Miami restaurants, Whisk Gourmet Food + Catering.  A recent blog in OpenTable,  Millennial Dining: How the Share Generation Is Shaping the Restaurant Experience, discusses several features that restaurants find help attract millennials.  High tables, open kitchens, Instagrammable design (and of course, food!), at least one burger and bar seating are all important in creating a dining experience that millennials are drawn to and Whisk has them all.

The home-style Southern cooking is simple yet high quality, using seasonal, local and organic ingredients and the atmosphere is casual and friendly.  Whether you are a millennial or not, you will appreciate both the food and Southern hospitality at this local favorite.

 

 

Categories
Neighborhood News Palmetto Bay Pinecrest South Miami The Falls

MDX Considering Express Lanes on US 1 from Datran to Florida City

Yesterday I attended a Tier 1 workshop put on by MDX to explain the US 1 express lane project development and environment study.  Considering how large this proposed project is and how many residents and businesses it will have an effect on if it goes through, there were not a lot of people in attendance.

Based on the current study, the express lanes will have potential overpasses at each intersection on the busway where there is currently a traffic light.  The maximum height of these overpasses will be 24-25 feet high, which is the height of the Metrorail track.

The impact on the abutting neighborhoods of having this expressway will be significant.  While trying to ease congestion on US 1 and decrease travel times from the southern end of the county to the Metrorail stations are laudable goals, as currently conceived, I think the project is going to create havoc on the neighboring communities and create more traffic, not less, along the corridor.  Having an extra 2-3 lanes of “express” cars exiting at the end point will create a logjam.  Add to that the plans to link the expressway to the Turnpike and the Palmetto and you get the picture.

This project will have a significant impact on the surrounding neighborhoods as well, with the potential to affect property values, mostly downward in my opinion.

If the whole goal is to get people out of their cars and onto Metrorail, wouldn’t it be a smarter use of taxpayer dollars to build Metrorail down to the southern part of the county as originally proposed.  If they add express buses to the bus lanes, that could also help.

If you live in any of the neighborhoods that abut the busway, please contact Tere Garcia, Public Information Officer at MDX.  Her number is 786-277-9292.

Categories
Buying Market Summary

Miami Real Estate: More Signs the Market is Improving

New Construction in the Gables
New Construction

 

As I drive around town, I am seeing a lot more new construction.   This new single family home is going up in north Gables.   I have seen other ones being built in South Miami and Pinecrest as well.

In addition to the new construction I have been seeing many remodeling projects.  Significant additions are being added on to many existing homes.

All of this bodes well for the overall market.  Are you remodeling or adding on to your house?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Categories
Buying

7925 SW 55 Ave., Miami, FL – High Pines Charmer

7925 SW 55 Ave., is a meticulously maintained 3 bedroom 2 bath home in a great location – walking distance to downtown South Miami and close to the University of Miami. An updated kitchen with granite counters and a gas stove, new roof, new septic, hurricane shutters, beautiful hardwood floors, and great natural light make this the perfect home for someone who doesn’t want to have to re-do the house before moving in!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjCc6Ob9sdI[/youtube]

Categories
Coral Gables Restaurants South Miami Things To Do

Best Cupcakes Ever!

The Coral Gables/South Miami area is so lucky to have two great cupcake places to choose from.  Many of you have probably already heard of or tried Misha’s Cupcakes.  The red velvet cupcakes are amazing and her cakes made out of individual mini-cupcakes are works of art as well as being convenient for parties…no plates or wasted cake.

A couple of blocks away on Sunset Drive is Buttercream Cupcakes and Coffee.  Although they don’t make mini-cupcake cakes and their minis have to be special ordered, they have a larger variety of flavors.  Their chocolate peanut butter cupcakes are amazing.  Try both of these neighborhood places and let us know which one is your favorite.

Two Methods of Eating Cupcakes

Neat
Neat
Messy with wasted frosting
Messy with wasted frosting

Categories
Neighborhood News Restaurants South Miami Things To Do

Wine Tasting Expo In South Miami Tomorrow

wineCavas Wine Tasting Room & Cafe is having their first neighborhood wine expo at their South Miami location tomorrow, from 2-6 p.m.  A $20 tasting fee allows you taste over 100 wines.  $10 of the tasting fee will be applied toward any wine purchase you make.  What a wonderful way to spend the day… tasting wine and strolling along downtown South Miami.  After the wine tasting,  head over to Blu, Town, or Cafe Pastis, all of which have tables outside, and enjoy our beautiful Fall weather.

Categories
Freebies Neighborhood News South Miami

South Miami Art Festival

South Miami Art FestivalIt’s that time of year again…Art season in South Florida.  After visiting the South Miami Art Festival, stop by one of the great local restaurants in South Miami.  Blu has great pizzas and salads, Town Kitchen and Bar has great calamari, salads, sandwiches and mixed menu, and Cafe Pastis has mussels, quiches, and an extensive French menu.

Categories
Renting in Miami

3 Reasons To Rent At 100 Edgewater Dr., #333, Coral Gables, FL

  1. Location, Location, Location:  I only counted this once even though this apartment is 5 minutes to downtown Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, University of Miami, and South Miami; 10 minutes to the University of Miami, Baptist and Mercy Hospitals, downtown Miami, 20 minutes to Key Biscayne and South Beach, Miami International Airport.
  2. Great layout.  There is no wasted space in this condo.  Good size living/dining area, large bedroom with walk-in closet and second closet.
  3. Relaxing.  Whether sitting on the balcony overlooking the garden or lounging in the huge pool or deck overlooking the Coral Gables Waterway, you feel like you are miles away from the mainland (even though, as mentioned in #1 above, you are close to everything).blog-pool-image