Il Vaporetto
5894 Sunset Drive
| 305.763.8004
The corner at the entrance to our shopping and dining district is being to show some life.
It was the location of South Miami’s favorite Trattoria Sole. For over six months, the corner was moribund with no lights and activity happening on the corner.
Pictured now is the exterior transformation of the restaurant space with a bright white exterior and marine blue awning, making way for Il Vaporetto Italian Restaurant. Il vaporetto is the name for the Venetian water taxi. The interior is also being transformed in creating a large restaurant bar in the shape of a water taxi, open view kitchen and new dining with high-tops and table seating, and dining al fresco on Sunset Drive. Guests will enter from the corner entryway.
Restaurateur Carlos Silva, owner of Old Lisbon restaurants, is the operator for this new restaurant coming into SOMI. You can see him in town every day watching the detailed work on the restaurant build-out. Silva anticipates an opening in mid-September, just in time for the start of the season.
TAMBOWORKS
Coworking Space
5790 Sunset Drive
| 786.556.1429
Atop Starbuck’s, a unique concept is coming to SOMI: flexible space with work spots, work desks, or an office. And it comes with virtual offices, conference and event rooms.
Concept developers Maria Alejandra Marquez and Hector Figallo, independent workers themselves for years, had searched for local, collaborative and connected workspaces where their businesses and ideas could truly blossom. “We couldn’t find any. So we decided to build our own,” says Maria.
The quiet space above Sunset Drive, with its comfortable covered outdoor lounge, also brings balance. The most productive working day perfectly mixes time alone to think, create and do, and time surrounded by others to discuss, share and support. And that’s the backdrop TamboWorks provides, so clients can realize their own business dreams.
And the name? Tambo is a relay station in the ancient and vast Incan Empire. Spanning more than five countries of today’s Latin America, messages were delivered from one end to the other in just seven days. This was accomplished with a hugh network of Tambos and a highly trained and rested chaquis (couriers) at each Tambo.
Outfit of the Day
5881 Sunset Drive
| 305.661.3890
When Mirian decided to move her Hair Studio & Nail Spa from the street level on Sunset Drive to a spacious second floor location at 5881 Sunset quadrupling the space for her expanded spa services, the vacated space downstairs was perfect for her sister to open Outfit Of The Day.
Natives of Honduras and residing in the area for many years, they bring an eye for fashion to the recently opened boutique, bringing a European style combined with the Miami style.
Clothing items are designed in Honduras and Marseilles, with hand-made jewelry accessories from Honduras and Venezuela. Perfumes available at the boutique are exclusive to the store: ADOPT Eau de Parfume France comes in eight different fragrances.
Ladies will find wonderful and affordable fashion at Outfit Of The Day, with price points from $30-$150.
Jake and the Cake
6800 SW 57th Avenue
| 786.717.5994
While it might sound like it was inspired by Dr. Seuss, chef/owner Jake Aguia, assures SOMI Magazine that the name “Jake and The Cake” simply happened because as a little boy growing up in Bogota, Colombia, he “always liked cakes.”
No stranger to the area, Jake received his B.A. degree in Management & Marketing from the UM in 2001. He remembers when KFC was located where he’s now taking that location a huge step up the culinary ladder with baked-on-premise breads, pastries, cakes and pizzas. Salads, sandwiches and fresh juices are also on the menu..
Jake has been in the restaurant business for some twelve years as owner/operator of clubs and restaurants in Colombia. After moving back to Miami in 2010, he pursued his culinary degree from Le Cordon Bleu (2011). He has had a collaboration with Alain Ducasse called “Pinch” in Yonkers, NY, and a juice bar in Fort Lauderdale.
He looked around Miami for two years for space to open his Boulangerie, Patisserie and Juice Bar.
Jake and The Cake opened in early May in familiar surroundings of UM.
In recognition for Mack Cycle’s support of Best Buddies International and serving as Presenting Sponsor for Best Buddies Miami Challenge, Anthony Kennedy Shriver, CEO & Founder, and renowned artist Romero Britto collaborated and provided a one-of-a-kind design for the events van.
As Mary Jane Mark says: “At Mack Cycle & Fitness we love bicycles, and the artwork tells it all! And people are tagging #mackcyclevan with their picture in front of the van.”
Mack Cycle & Fitness encourages community support for Best Buddies’ mission of inclusion of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Best put, Just 4 Fun, it’s an indoor playground with slides, games, arts and crafts and much more, including an extensive menu, and without the grass, sandlot or rainy skies.
It’s always a bright day at Just 4 Fun. Recently opened on the third level at The Shops at Sunset Place is the former space of Cool-de-Sac, Just 4 Fun offers parents a great opportunity to play and interact with their children in an indoor “park.”
Team members all share an affinity for working with young children and some trained in education, child development, and hospitality management. Team members assist with the games, arts & crafts, and serve at private event parties. There’s face painting and a soon to be staffed hair salon for kids.
The hours are 11-9, with limited day care available with notice. Food menu is served from noon to 8:30p.
The Shops at Sunset Place 3rd level
5701 Sunset Dr | 305.663.0482
CONGRATS
South Miami Police Department’s Chief Rene Landa was honored with the “Fred Maas Outstanding Law Enforcement Leadership Award” at the 22nd Annual Dade County Police Benevolent Association Law Enforcement Awards Gala. Chief Rene Landa is the chief executive officer of the Police Department and is responsible for organizing, controlling, planning and directing the personnel and resources of the police department. Chief Landa has been actively working together with the community, churches, and businesses within South Miami to create a positive working relationship between the police and its community. Congratulations to Chief Rene Landa on this prestigious award of excellence!
