Guayabera Time...and the Linen is Breezy

Berta Bravo aka
The Guayabera Lady

The heat is upon us and it’s not officially summer yet!  What’s a girl to wear in Miami without looking too under dressed but still professional?  

 A Guayabera of course!

 

The Guayabera, pronounced (goo-ah-yah-bay-rah) originally from Cuba dates back to the 1700’s. The garment was first made for farmers and workers who needed comfortable and cool work shirts.

Fast forward to 2011, and you can find all types and designs of Guayaberas for just about any occasion from casual to formal. 

Berta has been around these garments since she was a little girl. Her father ran a successful Guayabera shop in Cuba and again in Miami until his untimely death in 2003, that’s when Berta picked up where he left off and in 2006 opened The Guayabera Lady store on Biltmore Way in Coral Gables, Florida.  www.theguayaberalady.com

Berta re-fashions a standard Guayabera by changing the buttons, adding distinctive linings and custom fits the garment to your measurements and Voilà you have your own unique designer Guayabera. Customers look forward to having her add her own twist to the traditional garments. 

I personally own a variety of styles from traditional to formal and consider them the perfect summer wear and definitely the official attire for the annual “Cuba Libre” block party sponsored by The Globe in Coral Gables on

Friday, May 20^th.

So, don’t sweat the fashion this summer, get yourself a Guayabera and stay cool.   See you at the block party!

It's All Local at The Local

I was happy to hear that our neighborhood gained a new gastro-pub in the old Randazzo’s spot on Giralda Avenue in Coral Gables.

The Local promises to be a place where all can congregate over craft cold beers and enjoy unique food not typically found in a neighborhood bar. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a bar in Boston or Chicago with brick walls and a long polished wooden bar with friendly bartenders and wait staff.

What makes The Local distinctive from other bar spots in town is the focus on the local area, hence the name. They carry 24 specialty beers on tap with a focus on microbrews from Florida and the rest of the world. They are currently working on a specialized wine list featuring rare, family and regional vineyards.

Most of the food most is bought from local farms in Florida. (Yeah for local support!) Chef Alberto Cabrera, formerly of STK & Karu & Y, prepares a menu that although limited, for a time, due to the early opening of the pub, is creative and unexpected.

We tried the chicken wings, which were amazing! Laced with real honey (you can taste it!) and Korean spices together with hominy and a lime dipping sauce left you wanting more. Then we tried the Gulf Coast shrimp, again not your typical presentation as they were sautéed and placed on a bed of organic grits with tomatoes, onions and broth that melted in your mouth! (PS: I had the left over grits for breakfast the next day…still yummy!)

A must try, if you are just stopping by for a quick snack, is the Charcuterie, featuring a mix of pate, sausages and ham, or the American Artisan Cheeses. Don’t forget to check out the chalkboard for the daily specials.

The Local is currently opened for dinner with a limited menu (can’t wait for the full menu featured online) as well as lunch, coming soon.

150 Giralda Avenue, Coral Gables, Florida

(305) 648-5687       

www.thelocal150.com