Happy Easter From The Light Group! Here Are Some Of Our Favorite Coconut Grove Easter Brunch Locations Posted on March 29, 2024 by Sarah Elles Boggs Happy Easter from The Light Group! Whether you are religious or not, Easter is a lovely season that represents rebirth and joy. It ushers in the springtime brightness and what better way to bask in the springtime sunshine than with a decadent brunch. Here in Coconut Grove, we have the good fortune of such a rich culinary environment with gorgeous and award-winning restaurants from practically type of cuisine. Here is a list of some of the best spots in Coconut Grove to enjoy your Easter Brunch. Level 6 Miami – 3480 Main Highway, 6th Floor For a brunch with a view, you’ll find an Easter egg on the rooftop of the boutique office building at 3480 Main Highway. With impeccable scenery and an inspired menu, guests will enjoy an elevated brunch experience with perfected cocktails and Spanish fusion dishes. Some of the standout dishes for Easter Brunch include yellow gazpacho, caviar eggs benedict and dulce de leche custard. There is also a range of traditional Spanish tortillas with ham, smoked salmon or meatless options. The Key Club – 3015 Grand Avenue Groot Hospitality’s The Key Club is no stranger to our list of suggested places in Coconut Grove, having made their debut in the Spring of 2022. With a cozy terrace or inviting indoor space, The Key Club is key to celebrations of togetherness and culinary prowess. For Easter this year, The Key Club is offering not only a brunch, but a dinner service as well. Easter Brunch runs from 11am-4pm with Easter Dinner from 4pm until late. Some of the standout dishes include Bourbon Sticky Buns with candied pecans, lobster benedicts, or Cinnamon Toast Crunch french toast. For refreshment, The Key Club has put a spin on the traditional brunch cocktails with Watermelon Spritz and Jah-Mama Mary. The Watermelon Spritz is a mixture of Aperol, watermelon, orange and prosecco with the Jah-Mama Mary mixing Grey Goose, Miso and celery. Groups can also try pitchers of Lychee Sangria or Rosé Sangria. Reservations are available for either on the Key Club website. Bellini Coconut Grove – 2988 McFarlane Road Brought to you by the Cipriani Family, a name that is synonymous with Italian sophistication and elegance, Bellini is perched atop the iconic Mr. C Hotel at 2988 McFarlane. With expansive views of the Biscayne Bay and exquisite dishes, this is the perfect spot for an elevated brunch in a casual yet sophisticated setting. The Bellini Easter Brunch menu is full of traditional Italian favorites with modern surprises, twists and locally-sourced ingredients. The Italian Charcuterie and Cheese is a great way to start the celebration off with Piadina Bread and a selection of cured Italian meats and cheeses. This pairs well with the selection of Crudo options. These include dressed lobster, langoustine carpaccio or smoked salmon to enjoy while choosing from a full list of elegant benedicts and traditional brunch options. After enjoying the level of service and opulence at Bellini, you may also want to explore the idea of embracing the lifestyle on a full-time basis as the Cipriani group is expanding their brand into residences. You will find their style and service at both Mr. C Residences in Coconut Grove as well as Cipriani Residences that will soon rise in the nearby Brickell neighborhood. Both of these towers have elegant culinary concepts blended throughout, making Cipriani a true lifestyle. Jaguar Restaurant – 3067 Grand Avenue If you have lived or visited Coconut Grove anytime in the last 20 years, you have likely become acquainted with Jaguar Restaurant. This is a lively Latin American experience that offers fun and flavors in a vibrant setting. For Easter Brunch, Chef Oscar is preparing his traditional Jaguar favorites that include the spicy Huevos Rancheros and Migas con Huevo. The Huevos Rancheros include fried eggs covered in salsa ranchera and tortillas with black beans and the Migas con Huevo is another traditional Mexican dish that offers crispy tortilla bits and soft scrambled eggs. Those who have a sweet tooth will want to choose the Cachapancakes that are made of sweet corn cachapas with maple syrup and bananas or the Pan con Maduros that are exactly as described. They are crispy custard-soaked toast with leche quemada, cream and sweet maduros. If you are thirsty, the bottomless Tropical Sangria is the perfect touch for this laid-back Easter brunch to bring in the Coconut Grove spring vibes. Amal Miami – 3480 Main Highway, Suite 100 If you find joy in elegant Lebanese cuisine, you should not miss the Easter Brunch at Amal Miami. Located on the ground level of 3480 Main Highway, Amal Miami is another restaurant concept that makes frequent appearances on our “best of ___” lists for Coconut Grove. With over 20 hospitality venues in operation, Amal Miami came to Coconut Grove in the spring of 2022 and has been celebrated for style, service and cuisine. The cuisine at Amal offers a new perspective on long held traditions, where you can find the vibrancy of spring in the elegance of high Lebanese cuisine. The exquisite cocktail program offers the finest ingredients including orange blossom water, rosewater, citrus and the highest quality spirits. Dishes at Amal are perfect for family-style dining with shareable options that include decadent varieties of hummus, flatbreads, meats and a list of egg options. Red Farm NYC – 3131 Commodore Plaza Red Farm NYC is one of the newer additions to our list, and what an entrance they are making! Kicking off their new Dim Sum Brunch, they are rolling out a special Easter-themed menu complete with carrot-shaped sweet custard buns and Easter Bunny-inspired shrimp dumplings (pictured above). The fun creations are going to be available for Easter Brunch seatings on both Saturday and Sunday in addition to their comprehensive Modern Chinese menu designed by Chef Joe Ng and food expert Ed Schoenfeld. Sadelle’s Coconut Grove – 3321 Mary Street Beginning in SoHo in 2016, Major Food Group’s Sadelle’s brings a modern twist to New York’s tradition of all-day dining. Now that this concept has expanded into Coconut Grove, diners are able to show up for Easter Brunch starting at 9am. In addition to local accolades, Sadelle’s has earned such honors as Harper’s Bazaar and Cosmopolitan Magazines’ lists of Essential Brunch Destinations and the sticky buns were ranked as one of the New York Times’ Best Dishes of 2015. This year’s Easter Brunch in Coconut Grove will bring a theme of Easter Blooms in the Heart. Diners will enjoy traditional New York-style fare such as Easter Egg Bagels with a variety of fish on tiered stands with fresh, zesty toppings, Sweet Bunny Buns and Fluffy Challah French Toast. Major Food Group has established itself as a new Miami staple over recent months/years with several different restaurant concepts throughout the Downtown Miami/Miami Beach/Coconut Grove area. The hospitality group is even rolling out a residential condo tower dedicated to culinary enthusiasts called Villa Miami in the Edgewater district of Miami. Greenstreet Cafe – 3468 Main Highway When it comes to brunch in Coconut Grove, you cannot be considered a true Groveite until you have brunched at Greenstreet. These are the rules. It is the go-to spot for locals, their visitors and even their furry friends to visit the patio, enjoy an inspired menu of traditional gourmet dishes and to bask in the ambiance that Coconut Grove offers. Of course, these are not the only amazing restaurant choices in Coconut Grove. We have been blessed with such a boundless culinary scene. Make sure to try out these restaurants, but also stay tuned as we make additional suggestions from our experience as Coconut Grove residents and real estate specialists. Featured Image Credit: Red Farm NYC
Stone Crab Season 2023 Begins Today – All You Need To Know Posted on October 15, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs Today is the day! It is the quintessential Miami holiday. The opening day of Stone Crab Season 2023-2024. Running every year from October 15 – May 1, Stone Crab Season is a rite of passage in South Florida with 99% of all stone crabs harvested in the world coming from this area despite the fact that they exist from North Carolina down to Belize. This year, the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) has made some changes to the harvesting regulations. We won’t go over all of these because frankly, I am not an expert fisherman. I’m more of an expert at ordering my stone crab at an al fresco restaurant with a crisp glass of white wine. What I will say is that the regulations are meant to protect the population so that we will have plenty of stone crab for years to come in the future. If you are a fisherman and would like to get down and dirty with the new regs, you can find them here. What we can expect is that due to the new regulations, the price of stone crab is slated to increase. Commercial Stone Crab Market Estimates 2023 | Image Credit: Carter Weinhofer Best Places To Find Stone Crab In Miami Now that we have that business out of the way, let’s chat about something more pleasant. TimeOut.com has ranked the top places in Miami to find stone crab. They rank the quality of the claw, the atmosphere and the price. Here are our picks from their list… South Beach Seafood Festival – Stone Crab South of Fifth Joe’s Stone Crab We have discussed Joe’s Stone Crab a few times recently, most notably during Miami Spice where I mentioned that you absolutely will not receive your Miami card until you have eaten there at least once. It is a staple and this is when it shines the most. You have three options at Joe’s. You can dine in, or you can visit Joe’s Takeaway next door if you are in a hurry or want to get takeout. You can also order stone crab to be shipped to your loved ones if they are not here to indulge with you. Joe’s Stone Crab is located at 11 Washington Avenue in Miami Beach. Smith & Wollensky Located on the very Southern tip of Miami Beach at 1 Washington Avenue, Smith & Wollensky is where you are going to sit in the afternoon for one of Miami Beach’s top happy hours as the sun sinks into the horizon. As you sip your crisp white wine and enjoy the buttery crab claws, you can wave at the tourists as they pass through Government Cut, headed on their much anticipated cruise vacations. Pay no attention to the fact that this is a chain restaurant. This location is a full-on experience. Prime Fish If you are into celebrity sightings, Prime Fish is where you will want to station yourself. Located at 100 Collins Avenue, Prime Fish is the sister restaurant to Prime 112 and Prime Italian. These are popular haunts for celebrities, musicians and sports stars alike. Prime Fish boasts an elegant tree-strewn terrace or a formal black and white mermaid-themed dining room. You won’t be disappointed. CJ’s Crab Shack Ok so being at 600 Collins, CJ’s isn’t TECHNICALLY in South of Fifth but it is just across the street from the technical border. It is in tourist-land and sort of looks like a tourist trap, but don’t be fooled. CJ’s knows its seafood and this is no Bubba Gump chain. When crab is in season, it’s a full on smorgasbord with a Key West flare. The nice thing about CJ’s too is that it is open late, so if you are hungry for a delicacy as a midnight snack they can hook you up. Coconut Grove Bayshore Club At 3391 Pan American Drive on the historic Dinner Key, you will find an airport-themed al fresco eatery that opened last summer to much fanfare. Located in the spot where Miami’s original airport once existed, Bayshore Club represents the history of the area and offers some really good food while they’re at it. Bayshore Club is also an all-around fun spot to hang out. With cornhole boards in the entertainment area along with fire pits, ping pong and a marina. The cocktails are all airline-themed and the vibe offers a Jetsons/Mad Men feeling to take you back to the glory days of aviation. It’s definitely a spot to check out. Monty’s Raw Bar Monty’s is the OG casual Grove hangout. It is located at 2550 South Bayshore Drive and there is nothing pretentious about it. It is good old fashioned casual and quirky Coconut Grove fun. Despite the fact that Monty’s is a boozy hangout that is oftentimes riddled with UM students, it is also a popular place for people to bring the entire family. A band plays island music and the kids can dance and clown around while the parents enjoy a frozen drink and a few pounds of stone crab claws. Of course there are things for the kids to eat as well and we always suggest responsible imbibing, but Monty’s has a laid back island vibe that will help you to relax after a hard week of work. There are also plenty of options to deliver yourself home after your relaxing jaunt under the thatched roof that don’t include driving. Stay safe! Little Havana/Miami River La Camaronera In Little Havana at 1952 West Flagler, you will find the ultimate Cuban seafood joint. It started as a walk-up ventanita (window), but now is a full-fledged restaurant that has been featured on the Food Network. Aside from the Stone Crab, people flock to the fried snapper sandwich with Cuban bread. It is nothing fancy but everything delectable. Garcia’s Fish Market Garcia’s is another hurdle newcomers must cross in order to earn their Miami cards. Beginning in 1966 along the Miami River at 398 NW North River Drive, the Garcia brothers were Cuban exiles with a dream and lots of dedication. Today they have one of the most popular fish markets around. This is one of the only spots in Miami where the fish comes straight from the boat to the restaurant and onto your plate. Please note that very soon they will be moving from their original location to the new Wharf Miami Riverside development when it is completed. If you would like to enjoy the OG location, now would be the time. Don’t miss it! Mail Order Stone Crab If you don’t like being in places that are too people-y, don’t live in Miami currently or if you would like to treat friends and relatives in other cities, these are going to be your options. Of course, Joe’s Takeaway has mail order stone crab as we mentioned above, and these two spots also offer the service. Holy Crab Delivery I have to admit that I chuckled over the clever name, but Holy Crab delivers more than just stone crab. You can also ship or pick up wagyu steaks, key lime pie and other varieties of crab. The stone crab range in size from medium to colossal and your order options range from Miami store pickup to 1-hour local delivery or overnight shipping anywhere in the continental United States. The claws are caught in the Florida Keys and shipped out within 24-hours in styrofoam coolers with frozen gel packs to keep them cool. They come with the signature mustard sauce and can be stored in your fridge for a couple of days after delivery, although they are usually eaten prior to that. George Stone Crab Specializing in stone crab claws, colossal king crab legs and caviar, George Stone Crab is a startup venture from Key Biscayne that began in 2008 when George grew tired of the fast-paced life of an investment banker. He bet the farm on a shipment of claws and sold them to his neighbors and VIOLA! The business took off. Today George Stone Crab has been featured in the New York Times, ABC News, The Miami Herald, The SoBe Wine & Food Festival, and the Food Network. They offer different family meal kits and also offer a special recipe key lime pie. If you are a military servicefamily or veteran, they offer a discount as a thank you for your service. So there are our picks to keep you occupied and full during the 2023-2024 Stone Crab Season in Miami. We hope you are able to try each option and enjoy every morsel! Image Credit: Joe’s Stone Crab
It’s Time For Miami Spa Months 2023! Here Are Our Favorite Spa Deals Posted on July 5, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs It is officially the dog days of summer. So many people are traveling, exploring foreign beaches while their kids are out of school, those who aren’t traveling are watching the tropics and it’s hot outside. Every city under the sun has a high season and a low season, it just so happens that Miami’s low season is during the summer. Our local businesses feel this as well. In order to keep businesses busy, there are a couple of fun things that the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors’ Bureau has introduced over the years. Every summer, during July and August the spas, salons, and med spas of Miami-Dade County all offer select services at a discounted rate. No matter how luxe the location may be, during Miami Spa Months, treatments and therapies start at just $109. This is an amazing time to rejuvenate and try out some of the locations that may not be as within reach during high season when the city is full. We like to consider it a mini-staycation. There are really so many spas that participate each summer, you can find the complete list here. Below you will find a handful of our personal favorites, separated by neighborhood. Brickell & Coconut Grove Ritz-Carlton Residences Coconut Grove The Ritz Carlton Coconut Grove – Being Groveites ourselves, of course we are going to feature The Ritz Carlton Coconut Grove. They are offering five special treatments at a reduced rate. The “Sunshine Locks and Honey Feet Package” will give you 70 minutes of relaxation with a silky blowout using Moroccan oil products and a luxurious pedicure with a honey heel glaze and warm towels while you sip champagne. They also have a Very Berry Antioxidant Facial, the Herbal Oasis Pinda Massage with agave nectar oil, or a Summer Treat Mini Package. Brickell Key Development Site The Spa at Mandarin Oriental on Brickell Key – The spa at the Mandarin Oriental is taking a special space on our list because of the planned upgrades/replacement to their facility. The Mandarin is very nice as it is, very peaceful and Zen-like. The new facility is going to be next-level. For Miami Spa Months, you can choose between the 80-minute MO Spa Mani/Pedi, a Brightening Facial, or a Lemongrass Tranquil Delight aromatherapy massage and body scrub. Ciel at SLS Brickell – Taking a celestial approach to Miami Spa Months, SLS Brickell brings us a full astrological calendar full of spa treatments that lead to serenity and balance. They offer to help you surrender to the healing touch and transformative energy as you navigate the depths of self-discovery, finding inner peace in harmonizing rituals. One of our favorite offerings is the “Aries the Healing Warrior Massage,” an 80-minute aromatherapy massage with palo santo-infused oil to clear any bad vibes and a crystal treatment to align your chakras. Click here to see all 12 of the options and choose according to your sign! Lux Spa at SLS Lux – Also offering a long menu of options, SLS Lux is including a free laser hair removal to the first 20 people who book a Miami Spa Month treatment with them. Many of their options are Miami-themed too. Our favorite is The Scarface Revival, an immersive hydrafacial that relaxes, rebalances and rejuvenates your face with a cleansing, sking analysis, exfoliation, steam treatments, extractions, a massage and customized mask, followup nourishment and more. South Beach & Miami Beach Valmont for The Spa at The Setai – Located at 2001 Collins Avenue, the infamous Setai offers not only elevated spa services, but they are including beach access as well. Monday through Thursday, you can have a beach chair and some zen time with the ocean. Friday through Sunday they add complimentary beach yoga at 8:30am. For their spa service offerings, our favorite is the Balinese Balancing Massage with Foot Scrub. For a full hour, you receive a luxurious massage to free your body of tension with agile, graceful strokes and comforting movements. It finishes with a relaxing foot scrub that leaves you with a rested mind and relaxed body. Away Spa at W South Beach – Next door to the Setai at 2201 Collins, the W South Beach also has spa offerings. Arrive extra early for your appointment here, as you will receive time in the herbal steam room and sauna leading up to your treatment. Afterward, relax on the beach and collect your thoughts before you resume your day. Our pick from their Miami Spa Months menu is the Chilled Rose Hydrating Facial. This is an hour-long facial that is personalized depending upon your skin’s needs. It is meant to reduce inflammation and promote circulation with an ice globe facial massage and a chilled rose mask. Your lips are later plumped and rehydrated with a luxury lip application that contains hyaluronic acid. The Residences at the Miami Beach EDITION The Spa at the Miami Beach EDITION – EDITION’s spa is designed to realign your chakras through color therapy. Our favorite of their five choices for Miami Spa Month is the EDITION House Massage. It alieviates built up anxiety on a cellular level with CBD, menthol and arnica tension diffusing ointment. You can choose light or medium pressure to enjoy a soothing experience and leave feeling refreshed and relaxed. The Carillon Miami Beach The Spa at The Carillon Miami Beach – The Carillon is a unique project in and of itself as it was designed around the spa and wellness experience. It features unique Thermal Hydrotherapy Circuits, mirroring European traditions with nine hot and cold suites that you are free to enjoy before or after your spa treatments. We love the flexibility of their Wellness Your Way option. With this, you receive a 50-minute massage as well as two Touchless Wellness treatments of your choice. At a total value of over $400, this is really a deal. 1 Hotel & Homes Beach View Bamford Wellness Spa at 1 Hotel South Beach – Upon registering for your spa treatment at the 1 Hotel South Beach, don’t forget to also register for your beach day pass. Another project that is designed with wellness as the main focal point, the Bamford Wellness Spa has a host of creative offerings to indulge you. My favorite today is the Rose Quartz Collagen Facial. None of us is getting younger, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look like we are and also practice self love and compassion. This 80-minute antioxidant facial also activates your heart chakra, brightening your skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and correcting uneven skin tones and dark circles. We hope everyone takes advantage of at least one of these special promotions. Our locally-owned business help make the world go round in our little Miami bubble. It also helps to make good use of the time as we wait for cooler temperatures and high season to return. Have fun with it… and soon I will be back with a list of restaurants to try for Miami Spice! Image Credit: Engin Akyurt from Unsplash
Coconut Grove Will Celebrate 4th Of July With Sustainable Festivities Posted on July 3, 2023November 27, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs Happy Independence Day! Every year, the entire City of Miami and Miami Beach celebrate the Fourth of July in grand style. It seems that every neighborhood has a spectacular fireworks display that is free to the public so that we can all celebrate America’s birthday. This year, Coconut Grove is planning something a little bit different. In an effort to reduce waste and be more environmentally friendly, paired with our love of innovation, the Coconut Grove Family Fun and Field Day is going to take a sustainable turn. Join us in Peacock Park for an eco-friendly picnic contest, where you can enter your sustainable picnic setup and win prizes, enjoy refreshments and snacks from local restaurants, all served in plastic-free biodegradable dishes called Bekko Boxes, and as dark falls, there will be an innovative drone show to replace the traditional fireworks display! Coconut Grove 4th of July Field Day Map 2023 The drone show will eliminate not only the pollution to the Biscayne Bay and our beloved mangroves, but also will save our furry friends from their anxiety of the noise pollution. Additionally, we may not think of it first-hand, but the loud bangs of traditional fireworks incite the anxiety of many of our front-line veterans who fought in order to allow us to continue our freedom and traditions. There is no reason why we all can’t win, and the drone show is the perfect way to stay on the cutting edge, while being respectful to our environment and those around us. This year’s drone show is set to a spectacular concert led by The Miami Symphony Orchestra. We are so eager to see what they have in store, and seeing the tradition, music and nature converge in perfect harmony. When: Tuesday, July 4th, 2023 Time: 7:00 PM Where: 2820 McFarlane Rd, Miami, FL 33133 Coconut Grove 4th of July Field Day Bekko Boxes 2023 The participating restaurants with biodegradable Bekko Boxes include Narbona Coconut Grove, Juicense, Sushi Sake in the Grove, Meraki Greek Bistro, Aida Mexican Seafood, Like Mike Italian Restaurant, and The Oasis Lounge and Hookah Bar. We hope to see you there! Drone Show Image Credit: Verge Aero
A Mother’s Day Tribute: Silly Monkey’s Playhouse In Coconut Grove Posted on May 12, 2023May 13, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs Happy Mother’s Day to all the hard-working moms out there! Let’s face it, mothering is work. Extremely rewarding work, but work nevertheless. For those of you who have never had the experience of motherhood, just imagine your entire body morphing for months. In the end, you have a small person with zero skills or knowledge that you are responsible for and there is NO INSTRUCTION MANUAL. It is up to you to teach this little being everything, doing your best to guide them in the right direction to one day lead an enriching life of their own. As rewarding as it is, it’s quite a challenge! So for this year’s Mother’s Day post, we would like to highlight a local, mom-owned business that has been monumental in helping us to enrich the life of our daughter, London. Coconut Grove’s Silly Monkey Playhouse. Located in Cocowalk in Center Coconut Grove, it is quite convenient, especially for locals. There is ample parking nearby, or the freebee can deliver you and your little right to the doorstep for some sensory fun. What To Expect Silly Monkey’s Playhouse is dedicated to helping children and parents to bond and communicate, even before the kids are verbal. Using music, art and play they embrace the natural tendencies for little ones to explore and socialize. There are a host of classes available, and each one is custom-tailored to each child’s age group. They can experience the world at their own pace. Some children are quiet and observant and some are into everything, busily discovering whatever they can and will encounter. There are several options for classes. Our now favorites are the Music, Art & Playground in English and then again in Spanish on another day in the week. Let’s face it, Spanish is an integral part of life here in the Miami area. The Music, Art & Playground course hones in on your child’s playfulness. It encourages independence, and stimulates curiosity. The projects change weekly, so a new discovery can take place every week for a full year. These are 1-hour each, broken down into 3 sections of about 20 minutes each in order to accommodate for the attention span of these young brains. This summer, we will be adding a third day for our little one. The added course will be the 90-minute Music, Learn & Playground, where early childhood academics are introduced. They start learning ABC’s, colors, basic math, and other cognitive abilities to prepare our child for preschool. How To Get Involved If you are interested in enrolling your child, just visit their website or call Georgia, the owner and teacher since its inception in 2010. She has been incredibly helpful to us over the last year, and we cannot thank her enough. There is so much pressure to set your little one on the right path, no way can anyone do it alone and Georgia has been a godsend to us. Her prices are reasonable and follow-up is spectacular. The courses are sold in 8-week packages, but this is not the type of experience you would want to do on a one-off basis. You want to go for awhile so that you can experience the rapid development of your little gift. We did not share additional photos because we are sensitive to sharing photos of other people’s children on the internet, but you can visit the website here, or follow Silly Monkey’s Playhouse’s Instagram here. We hope to see you and your little one on the playground and Happy Mother’s Day!
Celebrate Valentine’s Day With One Of Miami’s Many Mysteries Posted on February 13, 2023February 19, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs This week is the week that we all put our love on display. Some call it a Hallmark Holiday and some wait eagerly for a surprise each year, but most every couple recognizes the day to a certain extent. We talk often here about restaurant openings, so thought to switch it up a little bit this year and suggest a day trip to explore a romantic tale as well as one of the biggest mysteries around; the Coral Castle. This is a tale of the pain of loss, which is overcome by the power of love and Miami’s penchant for being a place for rebirth. Located about 25 miles south of Coconut Grove at 28655 South Dixie Highway in Homestead, the castle is an architectural anomaly. Constructed with over 1,100 tons of oolitic limestone before the invention of tower cranes, nobody really knows how it physically came to be. Legend has it that Edward Leedskalnin was just 26 years old when his fiancé in Latvia opted to cancel their wedding just a day before the big event. He was so heartbroken that he immigrated to Miami and set out to work building a testament to his love despite his lack of formal training as an engineer. Mr. Leedskalnin was extremely eccentric and private, not allowing anyone to view his progress until it was completed. The stone slabs he used were enormous including whole walls that are one stone, a large crescent moon, a dining table, and more with only the use of a few homemade tools. A few teenagers caught a peep of the progress at one point and reported back that he had entire stones moving like hydrogen balloons. We can only imagine that sight! For years Mr. Leedskalnin would offer personal tours of the property. You just rang the doorbell and he would come down. The door closed behind you and he showed you his personal home, but he was not keen to answer too many questions. When asked how he moved the stones, he would just say that it’s easy if you know what to do. If you asked what was the reason behind the castle, he would vaguely claim it is for his “Sweet Sixteen”. If you are interested in more of the story but are not eager for the drive, a longer synopsis is available on Wikipedia or the castle’s website. The Scenic Route There are several ways to venture down to the Homestead area, but we prefer the more scenic route for a leisurely trip like this. They are all around 30 minutes. If you drive South on Old Cutler Road until it turns into the Ronald Reagan Turnpike in Cutler Bay, you are already almost there. After visiting the Castle Museum, there are many restaurants to choose from, particularly authentic Mexican spots. We hope that you have an amazing holiday with your special someone.
In Honor Of National Florida Day, We Asked Floridians Why They Love It Here Posted on January 25, 2023January 26, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs Happy National Florida Day to all of you fellow Floridians out there! January 25th of each year is officially National Florida Day in the United States, commemorating the day we became the 27th state in the nation. I would love to be able to tell you how January 25th was chosen as the commemorative date, but I cannot. Florida was accepted as a state on March 3, 1845, so nobody really knows how January 25th was chosen, which in and of itself is a very Florida thing to point out. Irregardless of not knowing how January 25th was chosen, we asked a handful of Miamians what they love about Florida life. (And yes, this is the only time I will use the word “irregardless”. It was an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up.) Here are some of their answers: The Weather We cover the Florida climate pretty extensively, and for good reason. The year-round subtropical weather is one of the main factors that draws people to stay here. I mean, we ARE called The Sunshine State after all. But aside from just the sunshine, the beautiful bodies of water that surround us, and the temperate climate, we also have gorgeous cotton candy clouds and sunsets that encompass an entire rainbow of colors. One of my personal favorite aspects of the weather that is not often spoken about is the lightning storms in the summer. There is nothing like sitting on your terrace in the sky and watching the light dance across the clouds. No Taxes Another top-noted feature of Florida life is the tax climate, or lack thereof. The absence of a state income tax has long been a draw for those moving down from the northeast (most notably New York and surrounding areas) and more recently there has been a mass exodus of Chicago natives setting up shop and laying roots in South Florida. We do have taxes, there is sales tax and a tourist tax on purchases. Obviously we all pay property tax, but once you add up all of the taxes we do pay, the total is still markedly less than if we had a state income tax. The Beach We are by far the most beach-rich state in the nation. No questions asked. Florida is literally surrounded by beaches, 825 miles of sugar sand and salt water to be exact. There are public beaches, private beaches, kid-friendly beaches, pet-friendly beaches, beaches you can drive on, beaches you cannot drive on, nude beaches, beaches with sunrise views, beaches with sunset views, party beaches, serene beaches, even man-made beaches. Mi Vida Es Una Movie There is always something to do in Florida, and correct yourself if you think it will be anything less than amazing. The Miami area alone has nearly 10,000 restaurants with every type of cuisine and price point imaginable and you have not lived until you’ve tried a Publix sub (locals call them Pub Subs). For family-oriented activities, Disney is just up the road, we have the Frost Science Museum, Miami Children’s Museum, the Miami Zoo and Santa’s Enchanted Forest. A leisurely ride on South Florida’s luxurious fast train, The Brightline can shuttle you as far as Orlando in no time flat. Along the way, you’ll see areas such as Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Palm Beach and all that surrounds each of these stops. Don’t get trapped in the Demon Dome. This is a slang term that refers to getting trapped in the nightlife vibe of Miami and the next thing you know, it’s the next day and the party hasn’t even slowed down. This is an atmosphere where celebrities and sports stars walk amongst us, everyone decked out as though they were in a magazine, the possibilities are as endless as the tab at the end of the night. The Demon Dome is a Miami bucket list item for everyone. If partying all night till the break of dawn is not your vibe, there are too many historical places of interest with everything from the well-known Vizcaya Museum and Gardens to the obscure Well of Ancient Mysteries in Brickell. If you are looking for a day trip, you could also jaunt up to St Augustine to visit Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth. If you are feeling romantic and mysterious, cruise south to the Coral Castle. This list could easily become a blog of its own, with daily posts, so I will quit while I’m ahead. The Cultural Mix You may notice that Spanish is used with English interchangeably in Miami. This only scratches the surface of the melting pot of different cultures represented in the 305. There is no other city in the nation with such thriving communities of Cubans, Venezuelans, Colombians, Brazilians, Mexicans, French, Turkish, Saudi, Chinese, Canadians, Russians, Bahamians, and I could keep going until practically every country in the world has been named. We plain white folks are sort of left in the mix of all of these spicy and vibrant cultures and I love it. Everyone is a little bit different and we all embrace our differences in Miami. I Know A Guy… We all know a guy. That guy knows a guy who knows a guy. No matter what you are speaking about, everyone in Miami has a connection or a friend of a friend who can help. This rule of Miami goes for chisme too (gossip). Miami is the largest small town I’ve ever lived in. I have even randomly run into people that I know from Miami in Sao Paulo and Rio. The same thing happened in New York. It’s magical. Florida Man It is impossible to pay homage to The Sunshine State without recognizing Florida Man. We all have a bit of Florida Man in us, Florida is a wild place and Miami is the first one of all communities to go off-rails. This is both positive and something to watch out for. If you have somehow gotten to this point without realizing what it means to be a Florida Man, cruise over to the @OnlyInDade Instagram account for a bird’s eye view of the good, the bad and the comical. At this point, I am also becoming Florida Man. This blog post has taken on a life of its own, manic in ways and disorganized, but full of optimism and praise. I haven’t even gotten to our beautiful homes and condos yet, but we write about that every day. Stay tuned to see more amazing aspects of being a Floridian and more specifically, a Miamian. Dalé!
Miami’s Person Of The Year 2022 Is None Other Than Ken Griffin Posted on December 31, 2022December 31, 2022 by Sarah Elles Boggs “We’re not sort of in — we’re all in,” Citadel’s Ken Griffin told Bloomberg this fall after putting in motion the relocation of his Citadel Securities empire to Miami, adding fuel to the already thriving commercial and residential real estate sectors alike. And all in he was, leading MiamiLuxuryHomes.com and MiamiCondos.com to name him Miami’s Person of the Year 2022. Even before the June 2022 announcement that he would be uprooting his firm, Griffin had been hard at work assembling land in both Miami and Palm Beach. Although a mammoth task to relocate an entire firm, the move does make sense for Citadel. Chicago has grown dangerous and overvalued, the weather is nowhere close to as temperate as what we find in Florida, Chicago is no longer the financial powerhouse haven it once was. Taxes are lower in Florida, and we cannot discredit the fact that Griffin himself hails from the Sunshine State. He even said it himself, stating, “When you’ve got great schools, a great environment and your streets are safe and clean, that’s when you’ve got a place you want to live in and call home,” Griffin said. Once the announcement was made, he worked tirelessly to purchase homes and assemble land for future office towers, all trophy properties of course. Here is a breakdown of what he purchased: Adrienne Arscht’s Waterfront Home – $107 Million The most recent trophy purchase was that of famed philanthropist Adrienne Arscht’s waterfront mansions. Yes, that is mansions in the plural sense. The two homes are nestled on a lush bayfront lot in Coconut Grove. One is of newer construction, the other is a historical treasure that was built in 1910. After the closing, it was released that Mr. Griffin would reside in the newer home, but is seeking to MOVE the historical mansion to another location. Who moves a 112-year-old mansion? Ken Griffin. His reasoning is that he feels the public would love to be able to tour the home, at a different location, which makes sense. The guilded-era home is spectacular and Mr. Griffin prides himself on his philanthropic efforts. The purchase of either of these homes would have certainly been newsworthy, but the two together is record-breaking. Gables Estates Spec Mansion – $45 Million It is unclear why Citadel’s chief would need three mansions in such close proximity, but there must be a master plan in effect because he bought a 19,000 square foot home in the gated and waterfront Gables Estates. The eight-bedroom home sits on a 2-acre waterfront lot and boasts a 5,000 bottle wine cellar, theater, pool, outdoor kitchen and a sauna. Brickell Development Site – $363 Million + $286.5 Million While the residential purchases were all newsworthy, nobody had yet fathomed the amounts that the hedge fund billionaire put toward office space in the Brickell Financial District! He has seen the gleam of opportunity and purchased a 2-acre development site at 1201 Brickell Bay Drive for $363 million as well as the existing office tower at 1221 Brickell Avenue for $286.5 million. This transaction is interesting because it leads to the question of what is to be built on the development site? Another property transacted around the same time and on the same block. It was a small 3-story walkup on Brickell Bay Drive that was built in the 1950’s and now purchased for $20 million. It was not disclosed who the buyer of the apartment complex was, but with Citadel making major purchases on either side of this complex and continuing its spending spree, one can only imagine who the mystery buyer was. Ken Griffin has expressed his plans to construct an iconic 1000-foot trophy office tower on the water, could it be that he plans a mega-project? Perhaps we will find out in 2023… Other Office Transactions In addition to the potential mega-development, Citadel also finalized a lease for office space in 830 Brickell, which is under construction just a few blocks away. This seems like an insurmountable quantity of space for one company, but it is part of a larger plan. While Citadel will base its headquarters here, Mr. Griffin is also preparing to pitch the magic city opportunity to other large scale employers including Apple and others that will bring additional human capital into our realm. Miami is also not the only city in South Florida where Mr. Griffin is hard at work. He has also purchased a gorgeous home and office space in Palm Beach. All Citadel employees who live in Palm Beach will be able to work from the Worth Avenue office. The $350 million he has spent assembling land in Palm Beach also includes a home on Blossom Way for Griffin’s mother. Ancillary Transactions In order for Griffin’s Miami dream to come true, there will need to be bodies in all of this office space he is putting together. This creates added demand on our already thriving residential market, particularly in the luxury sector. While we do not have the numbers of this subsidary contribution, the evidence is clear. While the rest of the nation is preparing for a crippling real estate crash due to interest rate increases and inflation, Miami is sitting pretty, ready for a continued renaissance. Thank you to Ken Griffin and Citadel for all of your contributions to the Magic City and have a healthy and prosperous 2023!