15 July 24-30, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | Month XX–Month XX, 2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | RIPTIDE | METRO | NIGHT+DAY | STAGE | ART | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | ing in price from $2.3 million to $8 million. The project brings together Coral Gables- based Allen Morris Company, local commer- cial property owner Joseph Harrison III, and the Espinosa family, who own most of the property being developed. The project is displacing six local spots owned by small business owners, including Grand 7th by Kwik Stop, the only conve- nience store in Coconut Grove, and the UPS Store, which has found a new location along the corner of Grand Avenue and Douglas Road. According to the Coconut Grove Spot- light, “While no plans have been announced for the venerable Coconut Grove Laundry & Cleaners, its owners, the Espinosa family, have purchased this vacant storefront at the corner of Frow Avenue and Douglas Road in West Grove.” The development will also displace T&K Nails, which has found a lease nearby along U.S. 1. and 27th Avenue. Manager Trina Le tells the Spotlight, “We have a lot of clients who walk on Grand who won’t see us any- more.” All tenants have until November 1 to clear out, and demolition is expected to begin late this year. OLEE FOWLER AND NICOLE LOPEZ-ALVAR ▼ CORAL GABLES ARRIVEDERCI, CAFFE VIALETTO Just one month after New Times named it one of the best restaurants in Coral Gables, a fa- miliar institution must close its doors. Beloved Italian restaurant Caffe Vialetto has announced it will close its doors after “26 wonderful years.” The team made the heart- wrenching announcement to its loyal patrons on Instagram in the early hours of Wednes- day, July 16. The post includes a slideshow of photos over the past two decades, with pho- tos captured by event photographer Robert F. Suarez. The caption reads, “After decades of flavor and friendship, we’re saying goodbye. To our incredible community, after 26 wonderful years, we are closing our doors at Caffe Vi- aletto. What started as a humble eatery has grown into something far greater: a space filled with laughter, memories, and heartfelt moments shared over meals. We’re endlessly grateful for your support, your stories, and your appetite. Thank you for making us part of your celebrations, your quiet evenings, and your traditions, and we couldn’t be more hon- ored!” Loyal customers immediately took to the comments of the Instagram post throughout the morning, with some writing, “Wishing you the best! I’m heartbroken! So many mem- ories!” “I’m in shambles,” “There are not many restaurants in Miami that can last and thrive for 26 years...certainly not an easy feat and the two of you did it always with hard work, service forward, and delicious food... my family and I will always be grateful for sit- ting at your tables and all the memories!” Other heartfelt comments read, “We are so grateful to you. More than just wonderful meals. Mi familia! From my family to yours. We love you.” “My home and my people for- ever,” and “No! My favorite restaurant! I’m heartbroken.” Founded by owners Ernie Fernandez and Marcelo Chopa in 1999, Caffe Vialetto stood out in Coral Gables for its inventive fusion of Italian cuisine with Latin and Caribbean in- fluences. It offered dishes like pear and gor- gonzola cheese-filled ravioli covered in gorgonzola fondue and beer-battered shrimp tempura topped with a spicy chili guava driz- zle. The restaurant’s warm, intimate ambiance and attentive service created a dining experi- ence that felt both upscale and welcoming. Signature dishes like “The Funk” dessert, which is a creative twist on the tiramisu with Heath Bar crunch and blueberry sauce, were a testament to its love of innovation. The restaurant’s final day of service will be on Saturday, August 16, when it hopes to see familiar faces in its warm dining room. “Thank you for being part of our story,” con- cludes the statement. Although the loss will be tremendous in the City Beautiful, there is a glimmer of hope: the restaurant has hinted that another project — or location — may be on the horizon “soon!” Caffe Vialetto. 4019 Le Jeune Rd., Coral Ga- bles; 305-446-5659; caffevialetto.com. Closing on Sunday, August 17, 2025. NICOLE LOPEZ-ALVAR ▼ FORT LAUDERDALE THIS BRAZILIAN SPOT IS BOOKED TILL 2030 Getting a table at a popular restaurant in South Florida is already challenging, but there’s one restaurant in Fort Lauderdale that might be harder to book than securing con- cert tickets for Taylor Swift, Beyonce, and Bad Bunny combined. We’re talking about Regina’s Farm, a back- yard dining experience in Fort Lauderdale that has become South Florida’s most impos- sible reservation, with wait times stretching to 2030 and beyond. We’re not even kidding. The situation has gotten so extreme that the restaurant is no longer taking new reserva- tions at all. A recent inquiry by New Times re- vealed that they are fully booked through 2030, with only waitlist spots available for hopeful diners. “Unfortunately, we are full for all our dates leading to 2030. At the moment, we are not taking new reservations due to the long wait,” Matthew from Regina’s Farm explained in re- sponse to a reservation request. The restau- rant now only offers waitlists for potential openings. The nonprofit Brazilian restaurant oper- ates exclusively on Saturday evenings by res- ervation only, though it is currently closed for the summer and reopens in September. The booking process remains simple: text 954- 465-1900 or message their Facebook page to join the waitlist. No phone calls, no walk-ins, no exceptions. Regina Rodrigues has transformed her backyard into a slice of Minas Gerais, her home state in Brazil. Twenty picnic tables sit under string lights, live chickens and rabbits roam around, Brazilian music fills the air, and the smell of wood-fired cooking drifts through the space. Dinner unfolds in three acts, all unlimited. Upon arrival, guests check in and pay cash only. Everyone receives colored ribbons that determine when each group gets called to the buffet. Six groups rotate through the evening. Guests can bring wine or champagne, but no beer or liquor. First comes soup service featuring rotat- ing options like chicken stew, oxtail, corn and bacon, plus Regina’s signature cheese bread. The soup course can include vegan, beef, corn, and chicken varieties that change weekly. The main course follows, featuring traditional dishes from Minas Gerais served buffet-style. Expect rice, beans, yucca, oxtail, sausage, and sweet plantains. Regina serves authentic Brazilian fare that mirrors the homestyle cooking from her home state. Des- sert wraps up the experience with flan, cakes, more cheese bread, and Brazilian coffee. Regina’s Farm operates as a nonprofit, with proceeds supporting Las Olas Worship Center and other local charities. Regina started cooking for friends after church, feel- ing nostalgic for her Brazilian hometown. The informal dinners grew into these now- weekly fundraisers. Dinner costs $65 for adults and $35 for kids ages 5-13, cash only. The experience runs rain or shine, and as it is a charity: no refunds. Regina’s Farm. 1101 Middle St., Fort Lauderdale; 954-465-1900; reginasfarm.com. OLEE FOWLER Screenshot via Instagram/@reginasfarm Regina Rodrigues of Regina’s Farm
