More like 4.5 stars. I like Little Havana. I really don't come here very often. In fact, I have…read morebeen more on the west side of 8th Street compared to Little Havana. I find the Little Havana area to be charming. There are some nice restaurants in this area. I got to eat at Ciao Havana and was happy eating there. There is Old's Sandwich near there. That looked really good. I would like.to.eat there at some point. I like this area because of the history. I walked by a barber shop and saw how busy it was and how the barbershop seemed to be taking pride in their work. That is so nice to see. I look forward to coming back to this area. It is a nice break from Broward where I live.

Review #1,000 The…read morefinale to our Miami tour, booked to kill time before heading to the airport. This was the day that we disembarked from our Caribbean cruise. After Cuba's fall to Fidel Castro, Miami received an influx of Cuban migrants, some 150,000 at the time. And this community became their hub. We were tantalized by our tour bus guide's verbal preparations of his Cuban heritage found here, especially the Cuban coffee. Lunch at the popular Cuban restaurant La Esquina de La Fama, our first stop, delivered on the Cuban coffee hype. As did the mojitos for some, which they're probably most famous for. Then other than the guide's walking tour option to the nearby Cuban cigar factory which we passed on; we had toured a similar hand rolled cigar factory in the Dominican Republic. So we were now free to explore on our own. Colorful murals, especially in what is known as Art Park, surround you. Nearby Domino Park is open to the public, but playing dominoes there is reserved only for the local elderly. But feel free to stroll around the various games going on. There is also a very popular ice cream parlor that came highly recommended but we passed on it. And per the guides strong protest to please avoid/tongue-in-cheek, the McDonald's smack dab in the midst of it all, that advice went unheeded by more than a few lol. My wife crossed the street to check out a small strip mall, joining another group of tourists headed that way. While I remained in a cool shaded spot to avoid the encroaching Miami humidity. Oh, and if you feel a need for a bit more positivity in your life, try rubbing one of the large chickens, you can't miss them, for "good luck" they say. Little Havana, a nice way to kill some time when in town.

George Merrick is the founder of the City of Coral Gables. His family came to Miami from PA two…read moreyears after Henry Flagler brought the railroad to Florida. It was the dawn of the development of Florida. George Merrick attended Rollins College in Winter Park and in 1922 he meticulously planned Coral Gables. The houses were so well made that they survived hurricanes before there were building codes and his architecture was so charming that Coral gables is called the city beautiful. He also created the University of Miami. At first he wanted his buildings to be strictly Spanish and later Mediterranean style. Eventually he expanded his vision to include seven unique villages inspired by different international influences. The villages were built during the land boom years in the 1920's. It was a joint venture between Merrick, The American Building Company and former Ohio Governor Myers Cooper. The original plan was for more 1,000 residences in a series of villages based on architecture from around the world. The plan was never fully realized when the housing boom crashed from two hurricanes followed by the Great Depression. In the end only seven villages were built including this French Normandy Village. By 1928 George Merrick was forced out of the city he founded and ended up in the Keys. He returned to the city two years before he died to serve as postmaster. You can learn more about George Merrick by taking a tour of his family home in Coral Gables. The French Normandy village is based on a 15th century French Village. It is one of three of Merrick's villages that showcases different periods of French architecture. Architects John and Coulton Skinner built the eleven townhouses that make up this village between 1926 and 1927. The townhouses are characterized by hollow tile, poured concrete, and white stucco are crisscrossed with half timbering and topped by flat, shingled, gabled roofs. The grounds have traditional kitchen gardens, enclosed courtyards, and open-air porches. The village is bounded by LeJeune Road, Viscaya Court, Viscaya Avenue, and Alesio Avenue. In 1935 all of the French Normandy townhouses were purchased by the University of Miami to use as men's dormitories. During World War II, they were used as barracks for soldiers. Today they are all privately owned. The homes in the villages are some of the most sought after residences in the Gables. They rarely go up for sale and are always in high demand. Today there are 80 homes left. Expect to pay close to a million for a French Normandy residence. Once you see these beautiful homes you can easily understand why they are so coveted.

Another great excursion during your staycation or if you're visiting something other than the…read morebeach! This "village" was built in 1926-1927, and was designed by architects John and Coulton Skinner. They are supposed to resemble a 15th century French village. It's difficult to see much beyond the white stuccoed walls as you walk around the block. However, the profusion of flowers is amazing with wisteria and bougainvillea. The connected houses were not always privately owned. In 1935, the Village was sold to nearby University of Miami and served as homes to five fraternities. Next, during World War II like most of the iconic Art Deco hotels in South Beach, they were used to house soldiers here for training.

George Merrick is the founder of the City of Coral Gables. His family came to Miami from PA two…read moreyears after Henry Flagler brought the railroad to Florida. It was the dawn of the development of Florida. George Merrick attended Rollins College in Winter Park and in 1922 he meticulously planned Coral Gables. The houses were so well made that they survived hurricanes before there were building codes and his architecture was so charming that Coral gables is called the city beautiful. He also created the University of Miami. At first he wanted his buildings to be strictly Spanish and later Mediterranean style. Eventually he expanded his vision to include seven unique villages inspired by different international influences. The villages were built during the land boom years in the 1920's. It was a joint venture between Merrick, The American Building Company and former Ohio Governor Myers Cooper. The original plan was for more 1,000 residences in a series of villages based on architecture from around the world. The plan was never fully realized when the housing boom crashed from two hurricanes followed by the Great Depression. In the end only seven villages were built including this Italian Village. By 1928 George Merrick was forced out of the city he founded and ended up in the Keys. He returned to the city two years before he died to serve as postmaster. You can learn more about George Merrick by taking a tour of his family home in Coral Gables. Built between 1925 and 1926, the French Country Village was inspired by 18th-century rural French provincial farmhouse estates and chateauxs. There are two different style of architecture. Architect Frank Forster designed country homes and farm buildings and architects Edgar Albright and Philip L. Goodwin designed a rustic chateaux style of home. They were all built in the country style and they have have spacious yards and gardens. Design elements include steeply-pitched roofs, turrets, carved wood and wrought-iron balconies, red brick, and tall ceilings. You can find them on the 500 block of Hardee Road. When you see this neighborhood you feel like you stepped into Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Belle sings there must be more than this provincial life but I would be quite happy here. Since there are only 12 homes the demand for them is extremely high. When they do hit the market the price is over 2 million if you could even be lucky enough to get one.

See my other reviews there are a few "villages" in Coral Gables to depict different styles from…read morearound the world, this area is French country. See below for some information. French Country Village On the 500 block of Hardee Road are homes inspired by 18th century rural French architecture. This thematic district has two evident styles. Architect Frank Forster designed the farm styled homes, while architects Edgar Albright, and Phillip L. Goodwin designed the homes that are more rustic in style. I came for a drive around during covid - and definitely saw "French architectural styles" from the car, check out my pictures and you decide!

Super cute and a nice photo op too. This 120 year old Banyan tree is a central inside the cute and…read morelush Upper Buena Vista, a sanctuary that offers local independent shops, and cute restaurants. This tree is known as is "the Bodhi Wish tree." Adorned in colourful ribbons. This tree is reputed to have special magnetic and spiritual values. An ancestral Asian tradition suggests that writing a wish on a ribbon and tying it to the tree could lead to eternal blessings. If you look closely at the ribbons, you'll find that each one carries a special wish! Upper Buena Vista partners with non-profit One Tree Planted, which plants trees in North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Pacific to support reforestation and preservation of nature. So, purchase a ribbon, write your wish and there will be a tree planted in your honour.

I love a historic tree so much that I even have a collection on Yelp. I discovered the Bodhi…read moreWishtree on a recent visit to Upper Buena Vista. The Bodhi Wishtree is a 120 year old banyan tree located in Upper Buena Vista retail and dining development which was actually designed around it. The tree is said to have spiritual and magnetic properties. According to Asian tradition you can write a wish on a ribbon, tie it to the tree, and receive eternal blessings. Ribbons used to be sold by the The House of Findings for a $1 donation given to the non profit One Tree Planted foundation that seeks to support reforestation in four continents. The House of Findings is currently closed except for appointments so I'm not sure how they are handling ribbon sales now. The tree is the centerpiece of the Upper Buena Vista complex providing shade, shelter, and positive energy to visitors. Beneath the tree is a giant colorful Pinocchio sculpture. Tons of people were getting their picture taken in front of the tree and it is the perfect backdrop for an Instagram shot of one of the amazing drinks from Amazonica.. Upper Buena Vista is such a cool place and the Bodhi Wishtree is front and center of all of the fun.

Moon Over the Gables in Ponce De Leon Circle is a cultural event surrounding the public art piece,…read moreMuseum of the Moon by UK artist Luke Jerram. Museum of the Moon is a replica of the moon that is lit from within and measures seven meters in diameter. The surface of this moon features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. Each centimeter of the sculpture equals 5km of the moon's surface. Museum of the Moon has been on tour around the world and will also be displayed in Spain, Chile, and Germany. Several moons have been made and they are touring simultaneously. A number of museums throughout the country have also purchased replicas of this piece for their collections. The City of Coral Gables hosted different events around the base of the artwork during several evenings in March. Events included story time, arts and crafts, yoga, and on the night I visited live music and food trucks.

Very cool. It's now become a place that I visit a few times a year for special events. I highly…read morerecommend it. It doesn't feel like you're in the city when you visit this place. You can bring kids or you can just come with adults. Awesome place. Very beautiful.

What a wonderful experience! I enjoyed visiting the NightGarden at Fairchild to get some holiday…read morevibes in our tropical climate. After 6pm, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden lights up with disco balls, fairies, and lots of light shows. My son loved the talking tree that you could talk to. I enjoyed the fun light show inside the Rainforest area. While their restaurant and cafe are closed at that time, they do have food trucks and a bar for this event!

Wynwood Art Walk Tours isn't just walking past murals. It's walking with someone who knows which…read morewalls have stories attached, which artists took risks, which pieces cost the neighborhood something. The murals themselves are massive and they're professional, but scale alone doesn't make art work. Context does. Shepard Fairey's augmented reality layer is the differentiator here. It's not a gimmick. When you scan a mural with your phone, the piece opens up into layers and motion. It's the artist's way of saying "there's more here than what you see." It works because it's restrained, not constantly pulling you into your screen. You're still in the neighborhood. You're just seeing deeper. The guide we had knew the economics of gentrification in Wynwood. Knew which artists have been here for years and which are new money. Knew the politics of murals, why some walls get painted and others get buffed, why some artists collaborate and some don't. That knowledge cost something to build. You're paying for it. We took three teenagers, ages 14-17. Not a group naturally inclined to stand still for street art. They asked questions about technique, about why certain artists choose certain walls, about whether the AR experience changes how you see the piece or adds distraction. They engaged. That's not about impressive art alone, that's about the tour structure creating room for actual thinking instead of passive consumption. The neighborhood is dense and chaotic and intentional all at once. You'll see pieces that are technically flawless next to pieces that are deliberately rough. Some murals are massive, some are character-scale. Some artists are making statements about politics, some about beauty, some about ownership. The variation is what keeps it alive. A sanitized art walk would kill this. Walking it yourself is free and worth doing once. Walking it with the tour is $29 and worth doing if you want to understand why these walls matter to the city and why some artists chose to paint them. The difference is context. Context costs something, but you leave with more than photos. The sun hits different at 4 PM than at 11 AM, so timing matters if photography is part of your thing. The neighborhood gets foot traffic but it's not overwhelming. You're in a real place, not a theme park. That texture is part of why this works.

We were in the area and decided to take my teenager to this unique art experience…read more I remember visiting years ago when admission was free, so I was surprised to see there is now an $8 entrance fee plus additional service fees. The murals are absolutely stunning, each one is vibrant, creative, and a true work of art. The space is filled with colorful masterpieces that make for a fun and immersive visit. They also have a small gallery featuring an inspiring collection of artwork, which was a nice addition to the experience. The gift shop was another highlight. It offers a fantastic selection of gifts, accessories, and unique souvenirs, making it hard to leave empty-handed. Overall, it's a fun stop for art lovers and anyone looking for a colorful, photo-worthy experience. While I miss the days of free admission, the murals and gift shop still make it worth a visit.

You could easily pass this wooden art man and not take notice of it. I was taking a stroll along…read moreBiscayne Bay from Bayshore Landing and on my way back I finally noticed him and that he had a name, Hurricane Man. Hurricane Man made his debut at the Miami International Boat Show in 2018. He was constructed by Harry Hogan, founder of Shake A Leg Miami, from the remains of the sailing dock that was destroyed by Hurricane Irma on September 10, 2017. Shake a Leg is the largest community watersports program in South Florida. It offers sailing, boating, and kayaking programs for children, adults, veterans, and people with disabilities. Hurricane Man was created to symbolize recovery and growth. Maybe he is a good luck talisman too. Since he has been standing watch at Biscayne Bay, South Florida has not been hit by any major hurricanes.

An unusual sculpture entitled "Hurricane Man" was originally on display at the Miami International…read moreBoat Show. The figure is made from the wreckage of the docks of Shake A Leg Miami, which were destroyed when Hurricane Irma plowed through Florida on September 10, 2017. Designed by Harry Horgan, founder of Shake-A-Leg Miami, Hurricane Man is a poignant symbol of recovery and new possibilities in the aftermath of the terrible storm. You will find this little fellow on display more or less opposite Montys - a cool spot to take a picture of and show your kids. (https://communitynewspapers.com/biscayne-bay/hurricane-man-sculpture-on-display-at-miami-international-boat-show/)

This is actually for part of the Pub Crawl, as I joined in a little more than halfway through…read more (Sorry the intro isn't as elaborate as my usual reviews, as I am still recovering from the food coma :) I heard about the Croqueta Crawl through the talk threads and on Twitter. There was a little bit of confusion about the RSVP, but our hostess Liza W. was great in keeping those of us interested that there was enough space. I met up with the group at El Brazo Fuerte. Besides meeting up with Tom W., Vanessa S., Will and Jax, and George, I tasted a "meh" ham croquette. So in the words of the great Sean Carter, "On to the Next One". ..which was Ricky Bakery. Although unassuming from the outside, the interior of the bakery si a cozy spot with wood framed ceilings, little tables and a dessert selection as well. My tasting consisted of both ham and chicken croquettes. I had two of each since it was hard to decide between the two. In the end, both were 5 stars along with a passion fruit mousse I got for myself. The owner (Ricky) also came out to talk to the group and from what I hear was a hit with the ladies. Gilbert's was also 5-star worthy. The owner socialized with us as well, but at least for me the "Bocadito" (bread with ham spread) was better than the croquertas. Certainly a fun Sunday alt-brunch, and a great way to absorb last night's "grown up grape juice"!

I've got to start this review by congratulating Liza Walton (http://twitter.com/lizawalton) for…read moreputting this whole thing together after her, my wife and a few other instigators started a debate on Twitter, "Who has the best croquetas in Miami?". We embarked on a mission to try them all; or at least the big hitters starting in Little Havana. We've been promised a Part Deux to explore some bakeries in Hialeah but I'm sure that Isla Canarias will still take the croqueta. We've even had a convert who came into this stating that a particular place in Hialeah had the best croqueta's around. Once he bit into a jamon piece of heaven from Islas Canarias, he retracted his previous statement. Starting at Versailles (http://www.yelp.com/biz/versailles-bakery-miami) we were provided with traditional jamon, pollo and bacalao croquetas which were served with tartar sauce. What? Yeah, tartar sauce, WEIRD. I've heard Versailles is the place to be in MIA for all things Cuban and while I thought their offerings were good it was definitely over-rated. So we all piled into our GM sponsored Escalades, Regals, Malibus, Denalis and Cruzes and OnStar locked us onto our next stop, Islas Canarias (http://www.yelp.com/biz/islas-canarias-restaurant-miami-2). Their only offering was jamon (you've gotta venture out west to their main location [http://www.yelp.com/biz/islas-canarias-restaurant-miami] to get the full spread [and I *LOVE* the full spread!]). In my book, Islas rocked it and won best croqueta of all the bakeries we invaded. Their meat pastries are obviously handmade, HUGE and tasted friggin' perfect. They even gave us lime, crackers and Tabasco to bathe in, I mean enjoy them with; just the way a croqueta is supposed to be enjoyed! Next stop was at the massively underwhelming El Brazo Fuerte (http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-brazo-fuerte-bakery-miami). I think there is something wrong with a bakery that also sells knock-off Power Rangers (Who even still makes those? Didn't Power Rangers go out of style in like 1995???). Just how authentic can your croquetas be when you're touting Official Twilight Eclipse cupcakes in the same display? I won't even get into how disappointing these blatantly machine made, perfectly round, probably frozen croquetas were that they tried to pass off on us. Ricky's Bakery (http://www.yelp.com/biz/rickys-bakery-miami) saved us from El Brazo Fuerte by serving up delicious pollo, jamon, spinach, bacalao, and cheese versions of (can you guess what?) CROQUETAS (Good guess! Next time you're riding in the short yellow Escalade!)! By this point my gut was asking me how many more of these I was planning on stuffing down my fat mouth and I told it to STFU or else I was going to start over at the beginning again. Ricky's took second place in my book. A *very* close second to Islas, but second place none the less. My favs at Ricky's were the jamon (because who doesn't like tasty dead pig), spinach because it was über tasty and a cool variety I've never had before, and bacalao which was delicious without being overly fishy *looking at you Versailles*. Our final resting place, post croqueta heart failure, was Gilbert's (http://www.yelp.com/biz/gilberts-bakery-miami). I give them the prize for most unique offerings as they pumped out quite interesting versions of jamon, romesco and piquillo treats. I liked that the romesco had a little capsaicin bite and was served with a delicious aioli sauce but the croquetas were really small, kind of weird and a little soft. So soft in fact that I couldn't even pick up the jamon with my hands as they would just fall apart. Gilbert's and Brazo Fuerte are still arguing about who gets 4th place because neither of them wants to be last. The people were amazing, our GM rides were sweet and the croquetas were colon-clogging. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go try out this enema before I hit the box for a solid WOD (http://www.yelp.com/biz/crossfit-coral-gables-coral-gables).

AMAZING!!! Valerio, Ángel and staff should publish a book about hospitality. The food, the service,…read morethe ambiance...each deserves 5-stars. We couldn't have picked a better place to celebrate my wife's Mother's Day dinner. Thank you guys for the wonderful Dining experience. We'll definitely be back real soon. Sebastian, Ivette &. Nina

Dinner last night was not the vibe…read more The server was ok. Normal service but towards the end of the meal our desert was forgotten & later given as a complimentary desert Usually the food is better but last night it wasnt... Zucchini fries are not meant to be drenched in oil. The potatoes were mushy. Wine was great but that's due to selection (by me) Overall dinner was ok. Nothing special. Serves and food were average