Writes of Passage

280 Vanderbilt Beach Rd,
Naples, FL 34108

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

Will return.

This is one of many restaurants in Ritz-Carlton.

Love their decor – the bamboo lattice ceiling is unique, in concert with the chairs and the rest of restaurant.

The double (?) shutters are up, since it’s not too hot. AC and fans work at leisurely pace.

Water glasses are glass but wine is in plastic. They have lovely earthy bread plates (Fortessa) but serving in investment, melamine Creations – understandable it’s next to the family pool. But why not everything in plastics? My next crop of tableware would be melamine.

The family pool gate: every time someone going through (hotel guests and restaurant servers), it closes with a loud crack, in a quiet atmosphere.

The Bombacio linen napkins is great; would be perfect with Sixty Vines – I’m silly and may seem picayune but really wishing the best for the restaurants that I enjoy.

We’ve:

1. Hummus: thick than the usual supermarket brand; the fried or baked chick peas perks up wonderfully; veggie sticks are crunchy and fresh.
2. Tuna wrap – the side onion ring with scallion and parm garnish is wonderful
3. Freekah salad – fresh and refreshing

Portions are large but all are delicious: thank you.

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.

• Cvi.Che 105
• University of Miami
• Coral Fountains

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

3585 NW 83rd Ave,
Doral, FL 33122

… more pix on Google Maps, Yelp, TA

(Dream Host lost my data at CH last year, without a trace.)

Will not return

We came here because our dinner plan @ CviChe105 (1245 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach) was ruined by the rain.

We’ve choice of a few but opted for CH because we just wanted mellow, wines and decent food at a familiar place, near by our hotel.

Parking is limited. They’ve valet.

We’re seated right away, without a reservation.

Then the cries and humming from infants, toddlers and kids begin to symphony. It’s a full house at 5:50. Our server Andy said it’s unexpected busy due to the weather. All slowness is forgiven.

We didn’t go for a bottle – not in mood with all the noise. We taste house wine of the month – CA Riviera: very good. Then we settle on Petite Syrah (sharp) and Vin Veloute (smooth): both are very good.

We’ve a few small plates:

1. Tuna sashimi: is terrible – the tendons
2. Burrata tomato: very good
3. Drunken shrimp: good although I don’t taste any alcohol
4. Meatball: very good

10855 SW 72nd St,
Miami, FL 33173

… more pix n videos on Google Maps, Yelp, TA

Typical, but will return for the service.

Decor, service and food are slightly above average. It’s pleasant, and staff are nice. Food is not greasy. A few dishes could have been hotter.

Loose leave Jasmine tea is nice although I don’t taste jasmine but my taste is not all that sharp anyway.

They slide the menu up front – maybe they expect you to order off it, even there are multiple carts circulating the room – the ladies all dressed in a burgundy color Chinese style top, which is neat and nice. One lady is clearly pretty old whom I found cute: she came to our table, open the covers of the dishes two at the time in her cart continuously until I signal the chicken feet. All the while she utters nothing.

Yellowish 8 River hot pepper sauce is a discovery -:)

Small plates – dim sum we’ve:

韭菜饺Chives cakes – bit cold and the shrimp is overcooked
凤爪Chicken feet – tender
虾饺 shrimp dumplings
烧卖 meat dumplings
肠粉 shrimp rice rolls
煎 Friend stick rice ball – bit cold and very little red bean paste – as most of other restaurants’. But I like their small size.

Temperature is just right – I don’t have to wear a sweater or shawl: thanks for saving the energy.

Cox Science Building
1301 Memorial Dr,
Coral Gables, FL 33146

… more pix n videos on Google Maps

Passing by this little garden on the campus of University of Miami, so we stopped by.

Nice neighborhood. Tiny area. Nothing to write home about. Part of university of Miami. Free to visit, meter parking.

There is a two stories building at the end. Upon inspection, it’s a democracy center, consisting of a few other departments.