Again, looking at my vault found me no pictures this time but do have in other posts, This one is in my black and white series, no pictures, It is a post of family memories after all if reading my blog you know this was done as part of recounting my life’s history for my generations to come, And of course, Florida is very much a part of my life after living 18 years plus 4 yrs of university studies, I have some memorable spots that were briedly mentioned or not a all and they should be, Therefore, let me tell you more of my curiosities of Florida, part IV !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
They are your go-to restaurant for burgers, chicken, steaks, and the infamous riblets all served in a relaxed family-friendly environment. And don’t forget to checkout their Neighborhood Drink of the Month special. Applebee was established in 1980 originally base at Kansas City Missouri, later in 2015 relocated to Glendale, California. The first restaurant opened in November 1980 in Decatur, Georgia. Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar offers a lively casual dining experience combining simple, craveable American fare, classic drinks and local drafts. My fav locations there were in Sunrise, Broward county, and Doral, Miami-Dade county (both now closed here for the memories). I have gone for the trios and seafood platters with plenty of beers. The earliest one their address was at 9815 NW 41st street in Miami which this area later became the City of Doral, The Applebees’ restaurant locations in Fl: https://restaurants.applebees.com/en-us/fl/
Quiznos, a great sandwich chain, with succulent big sizes and great prices ,wonderful for lunch and on the go eating. the taste is definitively great and fast service; to eat on site or take home. Its a chain and even with international locations, my favorite location were near old home at 19600 Pines blvd Pembroke Pines, Miramar, and Sunrise; even if these branches are now closed. The chain has closed here for the memories forever !
Le Bouchon du Grove, real French guy from Lyon will transport you to the bouchons of Lyon France. Exquisite cuisine in a wonderful village like setting. 3430 Main Highway – Coconut Grove FL (Miami). Their official Le Bouchon du Grove : https://www.lebouchondugrove.net/
Cafe la Bonne Crepe, another wonderful French ,this one in Las Olas blvd of Ft Lauderdale, fine expert cuisine from the best in the area; 815 E. Las Olas Blvd. You missed those crêpes from France well here they dit it as identical as can be. Now closed sadly,here for the memories forever,
Piccolo Pizza, a great pizza place and more run by folks from Nice, France. On your way to their new location close to the old one at 1603 NE 123rd Street, North Miami, the official Piccolo Pizza: https://www.piccolo-pizza.com/
The Royal French Bakery, was run by Christian from Lyon, so it was heavens, now closed ,but post for the memories forever. We had our Büche de Nôel always done here as was not sold to the public for lack of knowledge of it; ordered by my dear late wife Martine. The Royal French Bakery was South Miami’s go-to boulangerie/patisserie, with all that you’d expect from a French bakery (tarts, macarons, croissants galore), plus salads, sammies and cafe au laits. You can score the flaky, buttery treats in flavors like guava, ham & cheese and almond, to name a few of the goodies we got here over the years. The location was at 7370 SW 57th Ave, South Miami, just off Sunset Ave or NW 72 St.
Laurenzo’s Italian Market and Café at 16385 W Dixie Hwy, North Miami Beach since 1951. closed 2019 ,Offering everything from imported olive oil to Zak the Baker bread and seasonal stone crabs, The brothers, both WWII veterans, saw the shop become a success, with famous Italians like Sophia Loren, Joe Pesci. and Frank Sinatra paying their respects while visiting Miami. We used to get many goodies from Europe or specialty groceries in the USA which my dear late wife Martine then cook at home for us ! Memories forever !
The Croissan’Time Bakery at 1201 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, This bistro, bakery, and grocery store opened in 1986 by Bernard Casse, from Port-Sainte-Marie in the region of Lot & Garonne France and very nice guy!! We came here for everything French. He had started as a bakery in the southwest of France in the 1960’s and arrived in the USA in 1978. He began working in several establishments such as the prestigious La Grenouille, New York, before starting his own business. In his team there was also Matthieu Cartron, that had worked in France, Saint-Martin, and New York, that came to lent a hand as well as the baker Garry Petigny. All the breads of Croissan’Time are done on site from scratch à la Française bien sûr!!! Love it we were regular customers every week here !! Memories forever The official Croissan’Time Bakery: http://www.croissantime.com/
The Le Provençal, French and from Aix-en-Provence, you can’t go wrong here, exquisite refine cuisine with a mediterranean flair. One of our stops while living there, and keeping in touch with France. 266 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134. This is now closed, here just for the memories forever.
My interest there turn to Crown Wines & Liquors a more French look and friendly folks which I entertain for years there, guided by able senior wine purchaser Chip Cassidy, who also ,put on the list for dinner/wine tastings in various restaurants around for several years before me leaving the area, He even wrote a book « Chip Cassidy’s Wine Travels Paperback – May 1, 2002 » Patrick, “Chip” Cassidy, also known as “Mr. Wine of Florida,” Sadly he passed away in 2019,RIP. My favorites stores were in the North Miami area at 12555 Biscayne blvd; where I came to lived nearby initially, but this store later closed,after we left the area, and the most frequented for wine tastings and shopping was at 1590 South Dixie highway, where they still are, The official Crown Wine and Spirits : https://crownwineandspirits.com/
Les Halles were at 2415 Ponce De Leon Blvd ,Coral Gables at this place you had the feel of an authentic Parisian restaurant. The menu and service were as authentic and pleasant considering the whole french atmosphere. The food presentation is original and consistent with what you expect from a French restaurant, it is true french cuisine in Coral Gables. Many nice memories of my family coming here in a very romantic dates ,this place was never a disappointment. Saldy has closed many years ago. Here for the memories of always.
One of our most memorable trip while living there was to go visit Pierre Books or official the Pierre International Bookstore at 18185 Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura. Here we had our French language and many memorable moment with the owner Belgian born Vivianne Friedlich,and husband Pierre, which my dear late wife Martine became very good friends and we had all the French movies transfer to the US system for dvd movies. Later once in France we heard the store was moved to 2340 Hollywood Blvd , Hollywood for better rental costs, and officially closed several years back,without hearing from Vivianne, sadly,
I,also, worked for a short period at the ABC Wines and Liquors store that was in US 1, 725 S. Yonge Street, Ormond Beach and was in charge of wine stock and ordering under manager JD Brandy !! When we moved to south Florida we rented at North Miami (see post) and frequented the store at 16355 Biscayne Blvd ,Aventura to get our wines, which later closed, here for the memories forever,
The Blockbuster Video at 18201 Pines Blvd, Pembroke Pines was created by Fort Lauderdale billionaire H. Wayne Huizenga ,and they became a ubiquitous part of American shopping centers.with a handful of stores in 1987. It had become the country’s leading movie rental chain by 1994, when it was sold to Viacom ,then Dish took over the following year,and all sadly finally closed in 2013, We were loyal customers of many rentals here and fond memories with family movies, Here for the memories forever
This was before and after marriage, La Covacha nightclub and restaurant at 10730 NW 25th St Doral For years this party hall has been moonlighting on weekends as one of Miami’s wildest places for a Latin music descarga. The main room features Latin-flavored techno music, and its outdoor patio packs a throng of sweaty and well-dressed partiers. Or escape to the air-conditioned, glass-enclosed VIP room. They keep bothering me to go there, the girl at work lol!!! Sadly it has closed in 2017 ,but here is a memorable Wix site for the memories of always : La Covacha: https://lacovachanightclub.wixsite.com/lacovacha/fotos
Vicky Bakery East Flagler 3765 W Flagler St, Miami, and 15955 Pines Blvd Pembroke Pines, The original owners has a story going back over 50 yrs when they opened the renowned bakery at the time, La Vencedora in Cuba. They migrated to Miami as political exiles, and soon had enough money saved up to buy a small bakery in Hialeah. In 1972, they opened Vicky Bakery ,and has remained a family business. With the children grown ,and the bakery now with 25 locations in Florida, This was our fav bakery while living in Hialeah (see post) going town to Flagler st in Miami and then living lastly in Miramar (see post) Broward county for their store in Pembroke Pines, Many birthdays done with cakes and sweets from here, memories forever,
The official Vicky Bakery East Flagler Miami : https://vickybakery.com/east-flagler/
The official Vicky Bakery West Pembroke Pines : https://vickybakery.com/west-pembroke-pines/
There you go folks, a walk of nostalgia from my very earlier life and later visits in 2009 and 2015 to my Florida. The wonders of the Sunshine State of Florida that still rings a bell to my ears on each stretch of meter I take on this world. Again, hope you enjoy my latest curiosities of Florida, part IV !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 