I am back at you with my dear Florida, I have decided to split several random posts into a more regional basis in the state and do this post with the older pictures , After all, this was my dear Florida , and they deserve more space in my blog, me think, It is here for the memories of always, and family times. This is a marvelous beautiful area that should be visited more me think, Therefore, here is my take on curiosities of Miami-Dade county, Florida !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
At Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport been there couple times for air shows and school related meetings, it is a wonderful little airport north of Miami and right next to the biggest flea market there in Opa Locka in all of south Florida ! Aviation pioneer Glenn Curtis retired from aircraft development and manufacturing in the 1920s and became a real estate developer in Florida. In 1926, he founded the city of Opa-locka, It is historically related to aviation history of the USA, My Univ came into institute at this airport before moving in 1965 to Daytona Beach, where I studied, The official Opa Locka airport : https://www.miami-airport.com/opalocka.asp
The city of North Miami,lies on Biscayne Bay. Originally the town of “Arch Creek”, the area was incorporated as the “Town of Miami Shores”, which was renamed the “Town of North Miami” in 1931. It was reincorporated as a city in 1953. The city is also home to the Oleta River State Park, which is the state’s largest urban park. The park contains one of the largest concentrations of Australian pine trees found in a Florida state park. The Arch Creek Park opened in 1982. Today, Arch Creek is an 8-acre (32,000 m2) site at the junction of N.E. 135th Street (right where our apt was!!!) and Biscayne Boulevard, and offers many opportunities for botanical, historical and archaeological study. It has a museum/nature center modeled after an early Florida pioneehome, displaying Indian artifacts dug from the grounds, and live animals from the nearby hammock. Remains of the original coontie mill are still visible across the creek, and the park exists as the only preserved archaeological site in the County. And why do I tell you again all the above well, upon my marriage with my dear late wife Martine in Daytona Beach Municipal courthouse and living in Ormond Beach we came south for better jobs for her and a transfer for me, Our first place was a rental apartment Chart House 2425 NE 135 St, a very nice place, And of course, found me a picture to include for the memories of always in my blog !!! The town of North Miami on parks: https://www.northmiamifl.gov/931/Parks-Resource-Guide
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’s 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/
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/
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 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,
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 , The 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 down 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/
The Miami Seaquarium was a 38-acre (15 ha) oceanarium located on the island of Key Biscayne in Biscayne Bay, Miami-Dade County, Florida, The seaquarium closed after 70 years of operation on October 12, 2025. Founded in 1955, it was one of the oldest continuously operating oceanariums in the United States, The Seaquarium was located at 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway. The Shark Channel one of the most popular attractions in the aquarium when it opened in 1955; and still going strong. The Golden Dome presents a spectacle of sea lions and seals. The Top Deck Dolphin and the Flipper Dolphin are shows that feature dolphins. The park has two pools dedicated to bottlenose dolphin shows, the Top Deck Dolphin Show and the Flipper Dolphin Show, as well as a third pool, Dolphin Harbor, dedicated to public interactions with dolphins. I came here early on as a young men for the aura of the sea in me, then came back many times with the family and even when visit Florida from France in 2009 came by it again, The pic is old omg don’t ask for the year but is the sea lions and seals channel, Needed to have it here for the memories of always, Sadly this wonderful facility has closed ! There is a story of creating a complex with a marine look without animals pending more news, Also, many times for the beach, picnics and boating here !! The Miami and the Beaches tourist office on Key Biscayne : https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/plan-your-trip/insider-guides/key-biscayne-guide
There you go folks, a road warrior guy in my dear State of Florida, nostalgia sets in and lucky to be able to share it with the world, The beautiful coastal beach areas that still rings a bell to my ears on each stretch of meter I take on this world. Again,hope you enjoy the post on curiosities of Miami-Dade county, Florida !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 