MSM Online

Culinary, MSM Online

The Dawn of Coral Gables Restaurant Week

It’s baaaaaaack. That’s right, grubbers and oinkers of the most magical city – Coral Gables Restaurant Week is steadily approaching and it’s added some rookies to its roster of native eateries. Now in its 7th year running, the three-week event will be featuring more than 35 hearty restaurants all hailing from – you guessed it – The Gables. Some of the grub hubs participating in this year’s event include Bulla Gastrobar, Café Abbracci, and comfort-food savant Swine Southern Table and Bar. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg, engorged with a colony of bistros, steakhouses, and wine bars. As for the newbies: Bellmont Restaurant, BrickTop’s, and La Tagliatella will be but a few stepping up to the plate for this year. “I am very excited to be part of the Annual Coral Gables Restaurant Week now in its 7th year. This year we welcome six new participating restaurants to add to this very dynamic and diverse dining community,” says Director of the Business Improvement District of Coral Gables, Marina Foglia, in a press release. “Coral Gables Restaurant Week offers incredible deals and is a great way for all to visit new places or enjoy their favorite spots.” From June 9th– 29th, participating restaurants will regale guests with pre-fix lunch and dinner menus, paired with either a Cuba Libra – the week’s official cocktail by Coral Gables Restaurant Week’s presenter, Bacardi – or the featured wine, Martini Prosecco. The week kicks off with a little “sneak peak” event called Taste of the Gables, June 5th. There, guests can satisfy their palates by sampling from selected, all battling to win the gold of “Best Taste of the Gables.” Advance tickets for general admission starts at $30. And for some VIP exclusivity, expect to shell out $55 for fancier hospitality. You can purchase your tickets at www.coralgablesrestaurantweek.com. But hurry, because tickets are going fly out quick for this gluttonous blood bath. Christy’s Restaurant BrickTop’s

Events, MSM Online

The Great British Garden Party

By Sherri Balefsky Photos courtesy of Vivacity On Friday evening, Miami’s finest congregated at the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. The occasion? The Queen’s birthday. Yes, that Queen. Although her actual birthday is in late April and Her Majesty was not in attendance, guests spent the evening paying tribute to all things British. Hosted by the British Consulate-General of Miami, the GREAT British Garden Party was a way for local tastemakers to celebrate the best of the British creative sector that continues to amp up business in South Florida.    I had the pleasure of attending this invite-only event. I was greeted by three exquisite Bentleys—the quintessential British automobile. One was even painted in Union Jack designs. I was also able to spend a few moments inside the driver seat of a gorgeous black Bentley convertible. These shiny works of “art” set the tone for what was happening inside. After ogling the cars, I entered the Biltmore’s posh Country Club Ballroom, where I was given my Virgin Atlantic “ticket.” A ticket to all that Great Britain is known for—a red, white, and blue display, complete with a traditional bright-red London phone booth. Even the guests got into the theme and dressed their best in their chicest garden party attire. As a tribute to British style, many ladies donned colorful floral fascinators. Kevin McGurgan, Her Majesty’s Consul General in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, kicked off the event with a few words to welcome guests. He then introduced the Mayor of Coral Gables, James Cason, who further applauded the unique partnership that has evolved between the British Embassy and the City of Coral Gables. He saluted the British businesses that continue to influence Miami in all industries from art to fashion to food. After the introductions, we were simply asked to enjoy! We drank tea, ate scones and other delicious pastries, and sipped on Bombay Sapphire. There was even a station set up so that guests could learn how to mix their own Bombay Sapphire cocktails. The highlight of the night was the interactive photo booth set up so that guests could take a picture with a Virgin Atlantic flight attendant with a backdrop that, once superimposed, made it seem that guests were actually mid-flight on a Virgin Atlantic airplane. All around, it was a bloody good time. Next stop—London!       

MSM Online, Real Estate

Miami Real Estyle – Patricia Delinois, Miami’s Luxury Real Estate Messiah

With a long-standing list of accomplishments and her sultry, chocolate locks, real estate tycoon, Patricia Delinois, President & CEO of Century 21 Premier Elite Reality, makes sure to get what she wants – and visibly deserves. This Luxury Real Estate Messiah and NBCUniversal Style Network star, staked her claim to fame long before Andy Cohen and pernicious catfights. For the award winning broker, seamlessly globalizing the 305’s real-estate market, while helming 175 agents deemed a lucrative cakewalk to the philanthropic enthusiast. Although a fluent speaker in three languages – French, Spanish, and English – the property powerhouse fancies one language in particular – selling; she fills us in on her landholdings hypnosis that has foreign affairs and local buyers alike, buzzing. MSM: Did the credit crisis of 2008 have a significant impact on your business and ability to sell homes? In 2008 we had over 46,000 properties available for sale on the market. Clients were asking for rentals, rentals, rentals!! Prices kept dropping and real estate offices were closing. Banks were not lending, mortgage brokers were all closing their companies. It was a very sad, difficult time and a tough process to get anything sold! MSM: What makes Century 21 Premier Elite Realty successful? At the end of 2011 we noticed that sales were up 4 percent from 2005 which was the boom year. A shift was beginning. This shift we were experiencing was due to the foreign buyer. Miami was suddenly on everyone’s radar. The Wall Street Journal named us the “new global city” 62 percent of the buyers now buying in Miami are foreign buyers and 90 percent of those buyers are buying cash. What makes our company different is we are an international company. We focus on foreign clients from all over the world. 48 percent of the business done by Century 21 is outside of the US. We are the most recognized real estate brand in the world. We also are the only real estate company to have an inter-office MLS, providing access for all of our agents and clients to listings from all of our offices around the world through our global MLS website Century21global.com. MSM: Describe your average client profile in the Miami market. Are they in the market to invest or to live in the property? The average Miami buyer is either from one of the large northern cities like New York, Chicago, Boston and Washington DC or they come from other countries in Europe, Asia and South America. We currently have a lot of traffic from Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, France, Columbia and a considerable number of buyers from Canada, Mexico, Russia and China. They want to invest in properties in Miami for security, safety, political, and financial reasons. Most foreign buyers feel more comfortable investing money in Miami than in their own country. They also see the incredible potential in appreciation as this city is transforming at an extremely rapid pace. Many buyers come to invest in America, but others purchase their properties as full or part time homes. MSM: How is the Miami luxury real estate market rebounding since the 2008 housing crash and where do you project pricing trends to move over the next 2 years? Wealthy buyers love the international feel that Miami provides along with sunny weather, gorgeous beaches, thriving nightlife, glamour, entertainment and global business opportunities. They find our per sq. ft. prices much lower than in their own cities and want to own a second or even third residence in Miami. The demand for luxury properties has been fueling the construction and price growth. Miami is a city that is being compared to cities like New York, LA or Paris but we really are still a very new young city with tremendous growth potential. We are quickly becoming a world class city, attracting global attention and boosting real estate price appreciation. We are looking forward to a very strong healthy real estate market in the next years to come. MSM: Are you showing more condos or houses? Both have a strong demand right now depending on the clients lifestyle. MSM: What do you see as the hottest growing part of Miami right now? We have had our third consecutive record sales year and two years of double digit price appreciation. Miami real estate is booming from affordable housing to luxury properties and this is just the beginning. Prices are still around our 2004 pre boom prices and with the combination of very low interest rates we are offering a perfect buying opportunity. Miami is not large. We have the Everglades on one side and the Atlantic on the other side combine that with the increasing population and strong buying demand is making most of Miami real estate attractive everywhere! Currently we are still seeing tremendous growth downtown, in the Brickell area, and all along the Biscayne corridor. The Wynwood area, Doral area and the Design District. In addition there is tremendous growth in Coral Gables, Coconut Grove and all over Miami Beach. Miami has that international appeal keeping our residential and commercial real estate market hot for years to come!   1643 Brickell Ave #3102 The hottest buy on Brickell. In one of the most prestigious buildings in Miami the Santa Maria This is a fabulous two story residence in the sky. Priced at $5,900,000 3467 N Moorings Way Coconut Grove Florida Stunning Moorings Estate. For the distinguished buyer who appreciates the arts, enjoys a waterfront lifestyle and requires the ultimate in privacy and security, this exquisite 1929 DeGarmo, is located in the most coveted, guard-gated Coconut Grove neighborhood, The Moorings. Designed by renowned architect Walter DeGarmo, this magical and romantic, walled and gated estate has been lovingly restored to its original splendor. Magnificent finishes and décor exemplify the grandeur and old world charm that you would expect of one of the most beautiful properties in all of South Florida. A masterpiece of Mediterranean inspired architecture, it is surrounded by the most enchanting courtyards, incredible landscape, beautiful gardens and loggia lined patios, all on the water’s edge.Priced at $8,950,000 Click here

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