Le Labo is coming to Coconut Grove, with the celebrated perfume house set to open a new retail location at 3444 Main Highway.

Known for its hand-blended fragrances, minimalist aesthetic, and highly personalized approach to perfumery, Le Labo’s arrival adds another internationally recognized luxury brand to Coconut Grove’s evolving Main Highway retail corridor.

The new location will bring Le Labo’s signature laboratory-inspired retail experience to one of Miami’s oldest and most distinctive neighborhoods. Customers can expect the brand’s collection of unisex fragrances, candles, body care, and grooming products, with fragrances hand-blended and personalized in-store.

The opening comes as Main Highway continues to attract a growing mix of boutique retail, hospitality, dining, and lifestyle concepts. With its tree-lined streets, historic character, and walkable connection to the heart of the Grove, the corridor has increasingly become one of the neighborhood’s most sought-after destinations for experiential retail.

Founded in 2006 in New York’s Nolita neighborhood and with roots in Grasse, France, Le Labo has become one of the world’s best-known niche fragrance brands. The company is recognized for its emphasis on craftsmanship, raw ingredients, fresh blending, and personalization, an approach that has helped define the modern luxury fragrance market.

The Coconut Grove location further expands Le Labo’s presence in South Florida while introducing its distinctive retail concept to a neighborhood increasingly positioned at the intersection of luxury, culture, and lifestyle.

Le Labo was represented in the transaction by Alexandra Mesa and Jared Robins of INHOUSE COMMERCIAL, alongside Nick Cowan of Isaac’s and Company.

Le Labo at 3444 Main Highway is expected to open soon.

The post LE LABO OPENING SOON AT 3444 MAIN HIGHWAY IN COCONUT GROVE appeared first on Coconut Grove Magazine.

There is a particular kind of quiet that settles over old-money enclaves right before everything changes. Walk South Bayshore Drive on a June evening, past the banyan canopy, the sailboats tacking home into Dinner Key, the low hum of a neighborhood that has always resisted Miami’s habit of reinventing itself every decade, and you would be forgiven for missing it. But behind the hedges and the historic facades, Coconut Grove’s hospitality landscape is being rewritten at a pace the Village hasn’t seen since the Ritz-Carlton first broke ground at the turn of the millennium.

In the span of roughly eighteen months, three of the Grove’s defining hotel properties, the Mutiny, the Ritz-Carlton, and the Mayfair, have each become the subject of a major ownership event: a live buyout offer, a billionaire-backed reacquisition, and a nine-figure trade to one of Wall Street’s most feared activist investors. Add a fourth, quieter transaction, the sale and planned residential conversion of the Residence Inn, and the picture comes into focus. Coconut Grove is no longer simply a leafy, bohemian counterpoint to Brickell and South Beach. It is now one of the most contested pieces of hospitality real estate in South Florida.

The Mutiny: Miami’s Most Legendary Hotel Goes on the Auction Block

No property carries more mythology than the Mutiny. Built in 1968 as an apartment building on South Bayshore Drive, it was reborn in the mid-1970s as the epicenter of Miami’s cocaine-boom decadence: a members-only club where Hollywood stars mixed with the drug kingpins whose fortunes were remaking the city, and whose exploits reportedly inspired the “Babylon Club” sequences in Scarface. It has been called, by one former staffer, the “Taj Mahal of debauchery.” The building went dark in the early 1990s and was reborn again in 1998 as a 170-unit condo-hotel, its units ranging from sub-600-square-foot studios to a sprawling 3,300-square-foot penthouse overlooking the bay.

Now the Mutiny is at the center of Coconut Grove’s biggest deal in play. Aventura-based BH Group, led by Isaac and Liat Toledano, is pursuing a bulk buyout of the entire 12-story building at roughly $160 million, notifying all 170 unit owners of its intent and beginning to issue individual purchase offers this year. It is the third such approach the building has fielded since late 2024, first from DaGrosa Capital, the firm where former Miami Mayor Francis Suarez serves as senior partner, then from a partnership between West Palm Beach developer Steven Figari and New York’s Slate Property Group, and now from BH Group, which has matched the $160 million figure. Condo board leadership has confirmed the offer is active, with BH Group seeking commitments from at least 140 of the 170 owners to move the redevelopment forward, a plan that, if it clears the finish line, would see the storied waterfront hotel razed and replaced with a new luxury condominium tower. BH Group has separately been assembling a position nearby, having partnered with Mast Capital to acquire more than 75 percent of the units at Bayshore Park, a short walk down the same street.

The Ritz-Carlton: A Homecoming for Gencom

While the Mutiny’s fate hangs in the balance, the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove has already found its answer, in the form of its original owner. Miami-based investment firm Gencom, led by founder Karim Alibhai, has reacquired a majority interest in the 115-key hotel at 3300 SW 27th Avenue, financed through Banco Inbursa. Gencom’s history with the property runs deep: a Gencom-led venture first acquired the hotel in 2011, then sold a majority stake to Hersha Hospitality Trust in 2017 for a reported $24.6 million. Now, with Hersha shedding hotel assets (the Ritz sale was part of a broader six-property, $216 million divestment), Gencom has stepped back in to reclaim the property it once built into one of the Grove’s crown jewels.

The 21-story hotel, which opened in 2002 and underwent a significant renovation in 2018 that introduced Isabelle’s restaurant and the Commodore cocktail bar, sits directly across from the site of the newly sold Residence Inn, itself a telling footnote in the Grove’s turnover: Hersha sold the 140-unit, three-building property for $31 million to AB Asset Management, which plans to convert it from hospitality into apartments, one more hotel key permanently leaving Coconut Grove’s inventory as the neighborhood’s residential boom accelerates.

Gencom’s move is a bet on a neighborhood it already knows intimately. The firm’s founder pointed to the timing as advantageous, framing the reacquisition as a chance to build on the Ritz-Carlton’s legacy through disciplined reinvestment in what Gencom considers one of Miami’s most durable luxury submarkets.

The Mayfair: Wall Street Arrives in the Grove

If the Ritz-Carlton deal was a homecoming, the sale of the Mayfair House Hotel & Garden marks something new entirely: the arrival of activist Wall Street capital in Coconut Grove’s hospitality scene. The 179-key, jungle-canopied boutique hotel at 3000 Florida Avenue, long one of the Grove’s most photographed properties, with its rooftop pool, open-air arrival experience, and Two-Michelin-Key dining pedigree, was sold by Brookfield Asset Management to entities affiliated with billionaire hedge fund manager Paul Singer’s Elliott Investment Management, in partnership with Lifestyle Hospitality Capital Group, for approximately $110 million. Brookfield had acquired the property for roughly $40 million in 2019, making the sale a striking marker of how far Coconut Grove hospitality values have run in just a few years.

The Mayfair transaction lands just months after its adjoining retail and office complex, Mayfair in the Grove, completed a $37 million renovation of its Promenade and lobby and secured a fresh $113.6 million refinancing, a sign that new ownership across the Mayfair complex is committing serious capital to a property that anchors one of the Grove’s busiest pedestrian corridors, steps from CocoWalk.

Why Now

The confluence is not a coincidence. Brokers and investors point to the same forces driving buyers toward the Grove: a wave of new Class A office and luxury residential development, the ongoing reinvention of CocoWalk under Federal Realty Investment Trust, rising restaurant rents that reflect intense demand for ground-floor space, and a broader post-pandemic migration that has reshaped South Florida’s wealth map. Listing volume in the neighborhood’s residential market is reportedly running roughly 75 percent ahead of last year’s pace, and local commentary has begun describing the Grove, once regarded as Miami’s shabby-chic, sailing-club holdout, as a new epicenter of concentrated wealth.

For condo-hotel owners at properties like the Mutiny, that appreciation cuts both ways: rising insurance costs, escalating reserve requirements under Florida’s post-Surfside structural safety laws, and the sheer scale of unsolicited buyout offers have made redevelopment an increasingly attractive exit, even for owners sentimentally attached to a building’s history.

Hotels Currently in Play: A Buyer’s Scorecard

For investors and hospitality groups eyeing Coconut Grove, here is where the market currently stands:

Actively for sale / subject to a live buyout offer

• The Mutiny (Mutiny on the Bay), 2951 South Bayshore Drive: 170-unit condo-hotel; BH Group’s approximately $160 million bulk buyout offer is active, with individual owner offers being distributed. This is the only major Grove hotel with a live, unresolved sale process as of this writing.

Recently sold / ownership resolved (no longer on the market)

• The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, 3300 SW 27th Avenue: reacquired by Gencom from Hersha Hospitality Trust (closed late 2025/early 2026).
• Mayfair House Hotel & Garden, 3000 Florida Avenue: sold by Brookfield Asset Management to Elliott Investment Management and Lifestyle Hospitality Capital Group for roughly $110 million (closed mid-2026).
• Residence Inn by Marriott Coconut Grove, 2835 Tigertail Avenue: sold by Hersha Hospitality Trust to AB Asset Management for $31 million; slated for conversion to apartments, exiting the hospitality inventory altogether.

For now, the Mutiny remains the one true opportunity on the table, a chance to own, or redevelop, the single most storied address in Coconut Grove’s history. Whether its owners choose preservation or the wrecking ball, the outcome will say as much about the neighborhood’s next chapter as any of the deals that came before it.

Property values, deal terms, and transaction statuses reflect publicly reported figures as of August 2026 and are subject to change as negotiations continue.

The post Inside Coconut Grove’s Great Hotel Turnover appeared first on Coconut Grove Magazine.

This August, their remarkable story takes the stage in SOUP The Musical, based on the memoir Mango & Peppercorns, which tells the true story of Tung Nguyen and Kathy Manning.

After arriving in Miami as a refugee from Vietnam, Tung found an unexpected home with Kathy. Together, they built a family, a future, and eventually Hy Vong, the intimate Vietnamese restaurant that became a treasured part of Miami’s cultural and culinary history.

For generations of diners, Hy Vong was more than a restaurant. It was a place where meals unfolded slowly, strangers became friends, and every dish carried a story. Tung and Kathy became beloved figures in the community, known as much for their warmth, personalities, and unforgettable partnership as for the food they served.

Though inspired by real people and real events, SOUP The Musical tells a universal story about finding home, building family, and discovering that the strongest bonds are often formed around a shared table.

Through an original score filled with humor, heartache, hope, and joy, SOUP The Musical celebrates the resilience of the human spirit while honoring the rich cultural fabric that has shaped Miami.

(Jim Camacho music & lyrics – photo credit Juan Davila)

Produced by The Mandelstam Theater, the world premiere runs August 14 through August 23, 2026. Tickets are available on www.soupthemusical.com.

The musical features an original score and lyrics by award-winning Miami composer, recording artist, and singer-songwriter Jim Camacho. Known for his distinctive storytelling and a career spanning albums, film, television, and theater, Camacho is the composer of the South Florida holiday tradition Mouse King. His score for SOUP The Musical captures the humor, humanity, and emotional depth of Tung and Kathy’s journey while celebrating the energy and character of Miami itself.

“This is an immigrant story, but more than that, it’s an American story. It’s about someone who loses everything, leaves a war torn country with little more than hope, and through hard work, determination, and the kindness of others builds a new life. Along the way, she shares the flavors, traditions, and recipes of her homeland, creating a restaurant that brings people from every background together around the same table,” Jim Camacho shares. “Hy Vong became more than a restaurant. It became a place where cultures met, friendships were formed, and a community grew. I hope audiences leave inspired by the courage it takes to start over, the compassion that makes that possible, and the belief that the American dream is still alive for those willing to strive for it.”

The book is written by Gil Kaufman, who also directs the production. The creative team includes choreographer Stefanie Roos and musical director John Camacho.

SOUP The Musical
Music and Lyrics: Jim Camacho
Book and Direction: Gil Kaufman
Choreography: Stefanie Roos
Musical Direction: John Camacho
Produced by: The Mandelstam Theater

Performance Schedule
Friday, August 14 and 21
7:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 15 and 22
1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 16 and 23
1:00 p.m.

(Gil Kaufman, book & director – photo credit Juan Davila)

SOUP The Musical is a celebration of friendship, survival, food, and the Miami community that helped turn one extraordinary relationship into a lasting local legacy.

For tickets and information:
www.soupthemusical.com

The post WORLD PREMIERE OF THE MUSICAL SOUP BRINGS THE INSPIRING STORY BEHIND MIAMI’S BELOVED RESTAURANT HY VONG TO THE STAGE appeared first on Coconut Grove Magazine.

Those were the final words of our farewell to the Last Carrot, the Coconut Grove institution that nourished generations for more than 50 years before closing its doors on Grand Avenue.

But “hasta la vista” was never meant to be the end.

In the weeks since the restaurant’s closure, one question has echoed throughout the Grove: Will the Last Carrot return, and where?

The answer for now is simply, Erin doesn’t know.

After decades of dedicating herself to one of Coconut Grove’s most beloved eateries, Erin Compton isn’t rushing into another long-term lease or committing to a new location. Instead, she’s taking time to enjoy life, reconnect with family and friends, and thoughtfully consider what comes next. While many hope to see the Last Carrot reopen one day, Erin is embracing something she hasn’t had in years—the freedom to slow down and let the next chapter unfold naturally.

Instead, Erin has turned her attention to Coconut Grove Catering, where the same heart that defined the Last Carrot continues to guide every meal she prepares.

“Our vision is to create experiences where people feel seen, safe, and like they truly belong,” Erin says. “Whether it’s a quiet moment for themselves or a gathering with the people they love. Through simple, healthy food that’s beautiful, colorful, and thoughtfully made, I want people to feel nourished, comforted, and more like themselves again.”

Anyone who walked through the doors of the Last Carrot knows that philosophy isn’t new.

For decades, customers came for the fresh juices, vibrant salads, homemade soups, and wholesome meals, but they returned because they felt cared for. Erin has simply found a new way to deliver that same feeling.

Today, she specializes in intimate gatherings where every detail matters.

Rather than serving hundreds of guests each day, Erin now creates deeply personal dining experiences, believing that smaller gatherings allow for the strongest connections.

“Intimate gatherings are where connection lives,” she says. “I specialize in events where the guest list is small enough that every detail can be felt, the food, the presentation, the energy in the room. You focus on your people. I’ll take care of everything else.”

Her work also extends into one of life’s most meaningful, and often overlooked chapters: catering for new mothers.

Inspired by the Korean tradition of postpartum nourishment, Erin prepares warm, healing meals designed to support women during the first weeks after childbirth, helping families through one of the most demanding transitions in life with thoughtful, restorative food.

For others, she brings the restaurant directly into their homes.

As a private chef, Erin creates customized menus based on each family’s tastes, routines, and lifestyle—whether it’s weekly meal preparation to simplify busy schedules or an elegant dinner shared around a dining table.

“Your kitchen. Your schedule. Your preferences,” she says. “Whether you’re looking for weekly meal prep that keeps your family nourished through a busy season, or a special dinner designed just for you, I work closely with you to build menus around the way you actually want to eat and live.”

It’s a natural evolution for someone who has always believed food is about much more than eating.

“I’ve always led with kindness, and for me, food has never just been about what’s on the table, it’s about the people around it,” Erin says. “My love for cooking began alongside my dad in our family business, where I learned how deeply food can connect and bring people together. After more than 25 years of building meaningful relationships through that work, I now bring that same care into Coconut Grove Catering, creating fresh, vibrant, and thoughtful meals that allow hosts to be present and guests to truly enjoy the moment.”

Whether the Last Carrot returns someday remains an open question. Erin isn’t closing the door on the possibility, but she isn’t forcing the answer either.

For now, she’s exactly where she wants to be: creating meaningful experiences and embracing a much needed break.

Because while the Last Carrot’s address may be part of Coconut Grove’s history, the heart behind it never disappeared. Visit Erin’s new venture here www.coconutgrovecatering.com

The post Hasta la Vista… But Not Goodbye: What Erin Compton Is Doing Now appeared first on Coconut Grove Magazine.

Leading this culinary venture is Greek Chef Emmanouil “Manoli” Aslanoglou, whose extensive experience spans some of the world’s most renowned kitchens. From Michelin-starred destinations like Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons and Arzak to celebrated Greek eateries including Vassilenas, Chef Manoli’s journey reflects a lifetime dedicated to culinary excellence. His appearance on MasterChef Greece has also helped showcase his talent and passion for Greek flavors.

“Manoli is deeply personal to me,” Chef Manoli shares. “It reflects how I grew up eating in Greece — food made with care and meant to be shared. I wanted to bring that feeling to Miami, where every table feels like home and every meal is a celebration.”

The menu at Manoli is a heartfelt homage to Greek culinary traditions, featuring timeless recipes, seasonal ingredients, and reimagined classics. From traditional favorites like Dolmades, Saganaki, and Keftedes to modern twists such as Gyro Tacos with Black Angus ribeye, the offerings are designed for sharing and connection. The raw bar boasts fresh oysters, Bigeye Tuna Tartare, and Beef Tartare, while comforting dishes like Avgolemono Soup, housemade pastas like Pastitsio and Athenian Lobster, and grilled specialties including lamb chops and whole Branzino complete the diverse selection.

The restaurant’s atmosphere captures the effortless beauty of the Greek islands, with a design that features white tones, light woods, and coastal-inspired accents. Sculpted wall niches and soft blue hues create an inviting space that feels both transportive and welcoming. It is a perfect neighborhood gathering spot for relaxed lunches, lively dinners, and celebratory evenings.

Adding to the experience is Manoli’s signature Dessert Trolley, offering a variety of housemade sweets such as Baklava, Profiteroles, Crispy Cream Custard, and warm Greek donuts. These treats are perfect for sharing and ending the meal on a sweet note.

Complementing the culinary offerings is a thoughtfully crafted beverage program called Sober Souls Diaries, overseen by Greek Beverage Manager Fotis Mexi. Inspired by Greek tragedians like Sophocles and Euripides, the cocktail menu features inventive creations such as Hybris, a blend of vodka, citrus, cardamom, saffron-lavender foam, and kumquat jelly. Other options include Eris, a gin-based cocktail with Greek herbs, and Mira, which features Mastiha and basil-peach flavors. A curated wine list highlighting Greek producers and an array of mocktails complete the drink selection.

Manoli embodies Greek hospitality, an experience that celebrates food, culture, and community. With its warm atmosphere and shared plates, it aims to become the new dining staple in Coconut Grove.

As Coconut Grove welcomes Manoli, it gains a vibrant new spot to savor the flavors, traditions, and spirit of Greece, where every table tells a story and every meal feels like a celebration.

📍 Manoli Greek
3540 Main Highway
Coconut Grove, Miami

Greek Chef Emmanouil “Manoli” Aslanoglou

The Team Manoli Greek welcomes you!

The post Manoli Greek is now officially open appeared first on Coconut Grove Magazine.

The last of the old Grove walks beneath the new Grove.

She pauses and looks up at the gleaming glass offices with a quiet mix of disbelief, nostalgia, and loss. Though she never left, she now feels like a stranger in the place she once called home.

There was a time when Coconut Grove felt less like a destination and more like a neighborhood. Neighbors knew one another by name. Local shopkeepers greeted familiar faces. Artists, fishermen, musicians, longtime families, and colorful characters gave the Village its unmistakable soul.

Today, that Village is becoming harder to recognize.

Luxury condominiums continue to rise. Boutique offices, upscale retailers, and high-end restaurants are reshaping the streetscape. Property values have soared, bringing new investment and new residents. Many celebrate this transformation as progress, and in many ways, it is. New businesses create jobs, historic buildings are restored, and the Grove continues to attract visitors from around the world.

Yet beneath the polished storefronts and gleaming glass facades lies a question many longtime residents quietly ask:

Progress for whom?

The people who helped build Coconut Grove’s identity are finding it increasingly difficult to remain here. Rising housing costs, higher property taxes, expensive commercial leases, and the everyday cost of living have made it harder for many longtime residents and independent businesses to stay. Many have already left. Others are wondering how much longer they can hold on.

The Grove’s greatest asset has never been its real estate. It has always been its people.

It was the artists who painted its culture. The boaters who filled the marinas. The families who gathered in Peacock Park. The small business owners who opened their doors before Coconut Grove became one of Miami’s most desirable neighborhoods. The musicians, café owners, gardeners, teachers, and familiar faces who made visitors feel like they had discovered something authentic.

The Village has also long been defined by its lush canopy. Majestic banyans, towering live oaks, and mature tropical trees have shaded its streets for generations, giving Coconut Grove a character unlike anywhere else in Miami. While many trees remain protected, longtime residents have expressed concern about the loss of portions of the Grove’s mature tree canopy as redevelopment continues. Each loss is deeply felt, not only because of their beauty, but because they are living landmarks that connect the Grove’s past to its future.

Today, luxury has become part of Coconut Grove’s identity. Elegant restaurants, sophisticated residences, designer boutiques, and Class A office spaces are bringing a new era of prosperity. Growth itself is not the enemy. Successful communities evolve, and investment can strengthen neighborhoods when it respects what already exists.

But growth should never come at the expense of the community, and natural beauty, that gave the Grove its character.

There is an irony many longtime residents point to: people are drawn to Coconut Grove for its authenticity, while those who helped shape that character often face increasing financial pressure to remain. As familiar storefronts disappear, longtime residents relocate, and pieces of the historic tree canopy are lost, the Village risks becoming beautiful in a different way, but less personal, less shaded by history, and less rooted in the identity that made it so special.

A neighborhood can gain new buildings overnight.

Its soul takes generations to create.

Perhaps the greatest challenge facing Coconut Grove is not deciding how tall the next building should be or which luxury brand arrives next. It is deciding whether there will still be room for the people, and the natural landscape, whose stories shaped this community long before it became one of South Florida’s most coveted addresses.

Because once those stories are gone, they rarely return.

The Grove will undoubtedly continue to evolve. New businesses will open, new families will arrive, and new chapters will be written. The hope is that the Village can embrace the future without forgetting the importance of its people, places, and trees that have long defined its identity.

After all, the Grove is not defined by its buildings. It is defined by the people, the history, and the canopy that make it feel like home.

After all, the Grove is not defined by its buildings. It is defined by its mature tree canopy and the people who call it home.

The post When the Village No Longer Feels Like Home appeared first on Coconut Grove Magazine.

Manoli, a new Greek restaurant rooted in tradition and connection, is set to open Wednesday, July 22nd at 3540 Main Highway in Coconut Grove. The restaurant invites guests to gather around a menu of shared plates inspired by time-honored recipes, brought to life with the warmth and hospitality that define Greek culture.

Led by Greek Chef Emmanouil “Manoli” Aslanoglou, the restaurant carries his name as a reflection of his personal story and culinary roots.

“Manoli is deeply personal to me,” says Chef Manoli. “It reflects the way I grew up eating in Greece, food made with care and meant to be shared. This menu gave me the space to cook instinctively and stay true to my roots. I wanted to bring that feeling to Miami, where every table feels like home and every meal feels like a celebration.”

Born and trained in Greece, Manoli has cooked in some of the world’s most respected kitchens, including Nammos in Southampton and Michelin-starred destinations such as Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in the UK and Arzak in Spain. He also helmed acclaimed restaurants in Greece, including the historic Vassilenas in Athens, and became a recognized culinary personality through his appearance on MasterChef Greece. Drawing from his breadth of experience, Manoli has crafted a menu rooted in recipes passed down through generations, alongside familiar American favorites reimagined with a Greek sensibility, guided by a steadfast emphasis on seasonality and thoughtfully sourced ingredients.

At its core, Manoli embraces a table-first philosophy: dishes are designed to be shared, with flavors that naturally complement one another. Spanning approximately 140 seats across indoor, outdoor, and bar areas, the restaurant is designed as a true neighborhood destination — one that transitions fluidly from sun-soaked lunches and leisurely afternoons to lively evenings and celebratory gatherings. The space is defined by a palette of white tones, light woods, and soft blues, with sculpted wall niches and a coastal sensibility that evokes the unhurried rhythm of the Greek islands.

The menu opens with small plates such as Dolmades, Saganaki, and Crispy Feta wrapped in phyllo with thyme honey, alongside dishes like Keftedes, Mediterranean Mussels, and Gyro Tacos made with Black Angus ribeye. A raw bar features Bigeye Tuna Tartare, Beef Tartare, and Seasonal Oysters, while a traditional Avgolemono Soup is prepared with roasted chicken, egg, and lemon. The menu expands into housemade pastas — Pastitsio, Makarounes, and Athenian Lobster — as well as a selection of grill offerings such as Greek-style lamb chops, prime beef, Whole Branzino, and a rotating selection of fresh fish. Sides include Lemon Potatoes, Horta Chicory, and Hand-Cut Fries.

The menu concludes with a Dessert Trolley Service, designed to extend the restaurant’s shared dining philosophy into the final course. Presented tableside, the trolley invites guests to select from a variety of housemade desserts, encouraging a mix-and-match approach to sampling. Offerings include Profiteroles, Baklava, Chocolate Cake, Crispy Cream Custard, and Yogurt with Preserves — each crafted in-house and rooted in classic Greek flavors and techniques. In addition, Greek donuts are prepared to order and served warm directly from the kitchen, offering a simple, nostalgic finish to the meal.

The beverage program, Sober Souls Diaries, is the work of Greek Beverage Manager Fotis Mexi and draws inspiration from the Greek tragedians Sophocles, Aeschylus, and Euripides — each cocktail conceived as part of a larger narrative arc. The menu is composed of signature libations like Hybris (vodka, citrus, cardamom, nutmeg, kumquat, saffron-lavender foam, kumquat jelly), reimagined classics such as Eris (London Dry Gin, Baldoria Dry Umami, Greek herbs, basil oil), aperitif-style offerings like Mira (Mastiha, St. Germain, basil–peach, Aegean bubbles) and mocktails like Meow Tai (pineapple cordial, lime, orgeat, hibiscus), alongside a curated wine list spotlighting Greek producers.

More than a restaurant, Manoli is conceived as a cultural expression of Greek hospitality in Miami, where food, drink, and atmosphere come together to create a sense of place that is both transportive and familiar.

WEBSITE: https://manoligreek.com

HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday–Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday–Thursday: 5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Friday–Saturday: 5:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m.
Sunday: 5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

The post MANOLI TO OPEN IN COCONUT GROVE BRINGING THE AUTHENTIC FLAVORS AND SPIRIT OF THE GREEK ISLANDS TO MIAMI appeared first on Coconut Grove Magazine.

ScandyCandy, a South Florida founded Swedish candy brand created by Swedish brothers Calle and Wille Olsen, is quickly becoming a community favorite. After opening its flagship location at 241 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, the brand expanded to Coconut Grove in May, bringing its authentic Scandinavian pick and mix candy experience to one of Miami’s most vibrant neighborhoods.

The concept is inspired by one of Sweden’s most beloved traditions, lördagsgodis, or “Saturday candy.” For generations, Swedish families have celebrated Saturdays by visiting their local candy shop to fill a bag with their favorite sweets. It is more than buying candy. It is a weekly tradition centered around fun, family, and choosing exactly what you love.

For brothers Calle and Wille Olsen, lördagsgodis was one of the highlights of growing up in Sweden. After moving to the United States, they searched for the authentic flavors they remembered from childhood but couldn’t find anything quite like them. That inspired them to create ScandyCandy and introduce South Florida to the genuine Swedish candy experience.

Today, customers can browse colorful bins filled with authentic Swedish made gummies, sour candies, chocolates, and specialty sweets imported directly from Sweden. The signature pick and mix concept allows every guest to create a custom bag of candy, making each visit a fun and memorable experience.

As Swedish candy continues to dominate social media and gain fans around the world, ScandyCandy is bringing the trend directly to South Florida while staying true to its Scandinavian roots. Every candy is selected for its quality, bold fruit flavors, and the perfect balance of sweet and sour, qualities that have made Swedish candy a global sensation.

For the founders, ScandyCandy is about much more than candy.

“We believe candy is more than just a treat. It’s an experience.”

That philosophy is reflected in every visit. Whether it is children filling their first candy bag, families enjoying a weekend outing, or adults discovering authentic Swedish sweets for the first time, ScandyCandy creates moments of joy, nostalgia, and connection.

The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. From Coral Gables to Coconut Grove, locals and visitors alike are embracing the colorful concept, making ScandyCandy one of South Florida’s newest must visit destinations for candy lovers, now open at 3119 Commodore Plaza in Coconut Grove.

As the independent brand continues to grow, Calle and Wille remain committed to their original mission of bringing the world’s best Swedish made candy beyond Scandinavian borders and sharing the magic of lördagsgodis, one scoop at a time.

The post The Swedish Candy Sensation Quickly Becoming a Community Favorite appeared first on Coconut Grove Magazine.

“I’ve always known I wanted to own my own business,” Levin says. “The funny thing is, this was never really about bagels. It was about finally owning my own business. H&H Bagels just happened to be the brand that brought everything together.”

Before becoming a restaurateur, Levin spent nearly a decade in New York working in finance, mergers and acquisitions, and operations. His career gave him a front-row seat to companies across countless industries, studying what helped businesses thrive—and what caused them to fail.

That entrepreneurial drive eventually brought him and his wife to South Florida as they prepared to welcome their first child.

“What honestly sold Miami was the energy,” Levin says. “It felt like a city where people were taking chances, starting businesses, building things. There was an optimism here that really resonated with me because that’s exactly where I was in my own life.”

Although he’d spent years enjoying H&H Bagels while living in New York, it wasn’t until he spotted a location in Boca Raton that the idea clicked.

“I looked it up and realized it was a franchise. I got excited immediately—not because I saw a franchise opportunity, but because I knew the brand. I genuinely loved the product.”

Just days before his daughter was born, Levin flew to New York to meet with the H&H leadership team. By the end of the trip, his decision was made.

Today, that vision has become reality in Pinecrest, where H&H has quickly become a favorite among locals and former New Yorkers alike.

“The level of enthusiasm has surprised me,” Levin says. “I expected people to be excited, but I didn’t expect the response to be quite this strong.”

What excites him most isn’t simply serving breakfast—it’s becoming part of the community’s routine.

“I want H&H Bagels to become woven into the fabric of the community,” he says. “A place where parents grab breakfast with their kids before school, families stop after soccer games, businesses order catering, and neighbors run into one another on weekends.”

When he’s not in the shop, Levin enjoys exploring Miami’s restaurant scene with his wife and daughter, discovering new neighborhoods, and embracing the city they’ve grown to call home.

Looking ahead, he hopes to expand H&H throughout South Florida while maintaining the same neighborhood feel that made him fall in love with the brand years ago.

“My daughter has completely changed my perspective,” he says. “If I can build a great company while also being a great husband and father, I’ll consider that a success.”

Whether it’s your first bacon, egg & cheese or your weekly Sunday morning bagel run, Levin hopes every guest leaves with the same feeling.

“I want people to walk in and immediately feel the energy,” he says. “Great food doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s just a great bagel, made the right way, served with a smile.”

The post Why Coconut Grove Is Making the Drive to Pinecrest for H&H Bagels  appeared first on Coconut Grove Magazine.

As a fourth-generation Miamian, Carly’s perspective is shaped by Miami’s architecture, coastal atmosphere, and natural landscape, along with years spent photographing spaces and environments while traveling internationally. That influence can be seen in her clean, observational approach to imagery that feels refined, organic, and warm.

Whether she’s documenting a growing family, capturing thoughtfully designed homes, photographing beloved local restaurants, or producing editorial imagery for Coconut Grove Magazine, her work has a way of making people and businesses feel both elevated and completely themselves. Her lens captures the Grove not as a tourist destination, but as the community locals know and love — layered with history, creativity, charm, and authenticity.

That ability to blend storytelling with artistry is what has made Carly’s work resonate with so many people throughout the area. Her images feel less like posed photographs and more like timeless memories — sun-soaked, intimate, and unmistakably Miami.

When she’s not behind the camera, Carly can usually be found immersed in another creative project. Whether it’s interior design, sourcing vintage finds, experimenting in the kitchen, or tending to her garden, she’s always drawn to the process of creating. No matter the medium much of her work continues to be inspired by the slower, thoughtful rhythms of everyday life in Coconut Grove.

Interested in being featured in Coconut Grove Magazine’s upcoming annual Medical Edition? 

Reach out to Carly to book your shoot! 

Social: @carlyterenzio
Website: carlyterenzio.com 
Email: Carlyterenzio@gmail.com

The post The Woman Behind the Lens: Meet the Eye Capturing Coconut Grove  appeared first on Coconut Grove Magazine.