Mar 31 2025

Coral Gables, Miami


The Plaza Coral Gables
2811 Ponce de Leon, Miami

Coral Gables is a city, part of the Miami metropolitan area of South Florida, 7 miles (11 km) southwest of Downtown Miami. Population 49,248 (2020 census). It has University of Miami (the largest employer).

The Plaza Coral Gables (2811 Ponce de Leon, Coral Gables) is a hub and downtown. The neighborhoods in CG are generally upscale.

 

Coral Fountains (2021) by French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel (1964-)

Mirrored Stainless Steel Beads

“Coral Fountains” links its water element to the sea. As Coral Gables is often presented as the pearl of South Florida, the artist selected his signature element, the bead, to create sculptures that joyfully play in the water pond, as enigmatic and shimmering as lively sea creatures.

Commissioned by Agave Holdings, LLC

Coral Gables Art in Public Places Program

 

Coral Way in Coral Gables (Miami) area, has many mature trees, including banyan and oak, creating a natural canopy over the street.


Mar 31 2025

CviChe 105


111 Palermo Ave #108,
Coral Gables, FL 33134

… more pix n videos in google maps, Yelp & TA

Will return.

We had a reservation at this Peruvian seafood restaurant on Sunday but our friends got stranded in SoBe (South Beach).

Delicious food and wine, with good service. The decor is heavy. Is it inspired by the movie Avatar? Jungle, a bejeweled Elizabeth Taylor with heavy make up.

It’s 82 degree day in Miami, the outdoor section and the bar are wide open; the strong fans (yes kind of noisy…) blows enough cool air that I need a shawl.

The two art works on the wall at the bar remind me of Avatar. The decor is rather tacky and busy but the delicious wines and food, plus good service can certainly off set that.

Love their substantial utensil, but not the wine glasses – too thick. The bar counter doesn’t have hooks for handbags but the bartender is nice to bring me a stand, thanks.

We’ve four small plates

Crunchy corn (what’s the big fat corn)
1. Cevichi classico: must have
2. Anticucho filet: must have
3. Acevichado: tuna roll, excellent
4. Taco tartar: crunchy and creamy

The ceviche has two kinds of corn kernels: a regular sized one, they made it crunchy; and a creamy colored fat one, that became big after cooking, per the bar tender. Both are great.

The tuna roll: I usually eat the sushi rolls with soy sauce and wasabi. Recalling Mike Wagner (of Billions tv series) admonishing two young traders at a omakase counter for bathing their pieces in soy sauce (was it soy sauce?) … so … I braved the new world, ate it without any aid – it was delicious.

I think their cooking is a slight notch above Sixty Vines – both are great.

Who’s responsible to clean up in the bathroom: the patrons pick up after themselves or the restaurant?

A young staff came in the bathroom after me and said (I think), “let me clean than you take a photo.”
I said (hope she understood my Chinglish as well) that … if a patron made a mess, maybe she should clean it up herself.
… sometimes it’s the kid, she said (I think)
But the kid is taught by their parents?

I don’t have an answer for it, but I do clean up myself bec I care.


Mar 31 2025

South Beach after a storm

Yesterday, SoBe was like a hell, an ocean … today, it’s all sunny and beautiful. What a few hours would make.

…March 30th

… March 31st


Mar 31 2025

Magic City casino


450 NW 37th Ave,
Miami, FL 33125

… more pix and videos on google maps, Yelp n TA

 

Came here for jai-alai but it’s not on everyday. I could only watch cc tv.

Banks after banks of slot machines.

The dog race arena is fairly big.

Bathroom is clean


Mar 31 2025

Port of Miami


Miami, FL 33132

… more

Styled as PortMiami, came from Dante B. Fascell Port of Miami, is a major cruise ship seaport/terminals located in Biscayne Bay at the mouth of the Miami River in Miami, Florida. We drive by this place when we go to SoBe.

Friends’ ship is at 1015 N American Way, it took us two tries to find it. Among gigantic ships, theirs with mere 600 passengers to cross Atlantic Ocean looks tiny.

It’s on 3 historical islands: Dodge, Lummus and Sam’s Islands.


Mar 31 2025

Cafe @ AC hotel


2912 Collins Ave,
Miami Beach, FL 33140

… more pix on google maps

Will return.

This review only for their cafe.

This is a Marriott property in South Beach. Calm, dark and efficient. The al carte breakfast American with two eggs, bacon, harsh brown is very good, came quickly.