Community Information

One of Coral Gables’ most alluring characteristics as a neighborhood is that it has its own thriving, highly regarded restaurant scene. There is no better opportunity to sample the local flavors and get a feel for the neighborhood’s unique foodie fervor than during Coral Gables Restaurant Week. This year, the 8th installment of the annual tradition kicks off on June 4, with Taste of the Gables, a ticketed food-and-drink-sampling event taking place at the Westin Colonnade Hotel. The official promotion window for Restaurant Week then begins June 8 and runs through June 28 (so…it’s actually three weeks long, which is a good thing, because that gives you more time to try more spots). No matter your preferred cuisine or dining […]

The neighborhoods of South Miami have so much to offer, including great educational options for families of all different learning preferences and budgets. While the residential enclaves of Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay offer outstanding private academies (check out my previous posts on the Gulliver Academy and Westminster Christian), there are many respectable public and Magnet schools in the area as well, like these three highly regarded elementary schools.  David Fairchild Elementary School, located at 5757 SW 45th Street, is home to students from the surrounding South Miami, Coral Gables and Schenley Park neighborhoods. It offers half-day Pre-K, kindergarten and first-grade programs as well as full-day grades 2 through 5 and has a total enrollment of about 620 children. With cheery […]

Miami is pulsing with energy – and heat – this time of year, and there are plenty of ways to get outdoors and into the action. In fact, if you’re thinking of moving to the area or relocating to a different neighborhood, it’s a great way to explore your options. Whether you’re a fan of water sports or more comfortable getting into gear on land, there is an activity for you in across Coral Gables, Palmetto Bay and Pinecrest. Stand-Up Paddleboarding at Matheson Hammock The calm waters of Matheson Hammock Park’s manmade tidal pool is the perfect place to test your balance with this challenging water sport. Then, once you’re ready to go, there are plenty of inlets and canals […]

A few weeks ago, I shared information about Pinecrest’s Gulliver Academy. For this post, I wanted to turn to my own alma mater, Westminster Christian School, in Palmetto Bay. I consider it to be a wonderful place for a child to learn—if it is a fit for your family’s religious beliefs and education budget—in fact, my own children are currently enrolled. This highly regarded institution was founded in 1961 and is a private, college-preparatory Christian school for grades PreK3 through 12. The WCS mission is threefold: To empower learners, to prepare hearts, and to inspire young people to serve faithfully as ambassadors for Jesus Christ. It shapes its academic program from a Biblical worldview and is committed to providing a […]

The season comes to a close again at the end of April, and with it, the windows for fresh-picked berries and locally sourced stone crabs. But you still have a few weeks to visit some of Miami’s most cherished institutions before the summer heat dials up to extreme. These three outposts are well worth the drive. Just a short drive to Homestead takes you to the family owned and operated Knaus Berry Farm. As someone who spent 7th & 8th grades at Redlands Jr. High (across the street) and skipped many a class to grab a milk shake and cinnamon roll, it’s hard to believe how Knaus has changed from that quaint roadside fruit stand to the celebrated bakery and […]

If you haven’t been to the zoo in a while, you’re missing out (if you don’t have an excuse such as having kids, feel free to borrow a friend’s for the afternoon. They’ll thank you and you’ll get a trip to the zoo).  Zoo Miami is an outstanding community resource, and for family-focused neighborhoods like Palmetto Bay and Pinecrest, the zoo is full of opportunities for kids to play, explore, and learn in a safe, educational outdoor setting—all just a short drive away. Zoo Miami is home to big mammals like lions, tigers, cheetahs, jaguars, gorillas, chimpanzees, African and Asian elephants, zebras, giraffe, hippos, Malayan sun bears, and camels, and smaller, colorful exotic reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals, like meerkats, […]

It’s not news that when prospective homebuyers search for a new neighborhood to call home, their priorities vary widely depending on their stage of life. But one aspect that affects every decision is the local schools, which is why the Gulliver Academy has been so invaluable to the Pinecrest community. Part of the Gulliver Schools network, an integrated and comprehensive college preparatory program for grades PreK3 through 12, the Academy is one of the most renowned private schools in all of South Florida. Two of their campuses are located in Pinecrest: the first is the Preparatory School, for grades 9 through 12, and the second is called the Montgomery Drive Campus, and teaches grades 5 through 8. The Gulliver mission […]

Palmetto Bay may be known as ‘The Village of Parks,’ but this southern Miami suburb has some solid dining options to offer families and destination foodies alike. Locals have been lining the sidewalk outside the French bakery Delices de France for years, patiently waiting their turn to scoop up its fresh-baked baguettes and buttery croissant. But now there’s a new authentic French player on the scene: Bistro Foly. The online message boards have been lighting up five stars and “best new restaurant” rankings for this cozy traditional French bistro since it opened more than a year ago off Old Cutler Road and SW 168th Street. Reviewers glow over its delicious food, friendly staff (overseen by French owners Catherine de Villada […]

Pinecrest Farmers’ Market: Building a community of food lovers The highly desirable Village of Pinecrest is known as one of South Florida’s most beautiful residential areas, with spacious, well-tended yards and single-family homes; strong schools; affluent residents; and easy access to both Downtown Miami and the airport. People regard it as offering an all-around high quality of life. It also is home to one of Miami’s most highly regarded farmers’ markets. Every Sunday (from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; some vendors accept credit cards, others are cash only), the Pinecrest Gardens Farmers Market sets up in the parking lot of the lush 20-acre Pinecrest Gardens park. (The park itself is a wonderful amenity for Pinecrest residents, who can take advantage […]