BlackBook listed the 10 best Cuban restaurants in Miami, and La Carreta of Key Biscayne snagged the #2 spot.  Personally I’m not sure how much I trust this list since Sergio’s is nowhere to be found, but to each his own.  Nice to see La Carreta getting some props.

Check out the full list HERE.

Rainfall bombarded Key Biscayne this past Saturday evening, and a good portion of the village found itself underwater. By 10pm water was covering most of Crandon and spilling over the curbs onto sidewalks. Word has it that several parked cars were flooded on Ocean Lane Drive. Eye on Miami has a few pictures of the aftermath… follow the link below.

Eye on Miami: Rain Storm and South Florida Floods

Miami Herald article: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/573571.html

An article in the Miami Herald reveals that due to the increased cost of travel, a large number of South Floridians are opting to enjoy their vacations closer to home. Local hotels are capitalizing on the trend and offering special packages that cater to these guests. Key Biscayne’s Ritz-Carlton is in on the game as well:

Key Biscayne’s Ritz-Carlton is expecting about 10 percent more locals this summer than last, when about 65 percent of the guests were South Floridians, the hotel said.

It’s promoting its luxury services and discounted summer rates — about one-third of the winter tariff — to South Floridians through local ads.

Read the entire article here.

Key Biscayne does not have a high school, so parents have to drive out of the village to take their children to school on the mainland. Car pooling is not an appealing option, some residents said.

”Car pooling is an unnecessary burden for the families,” parent Leo Brito said. “Key Biscayne owes its teenagers a community-based school they can walk to or ride a bike.”

Mayor Robert Vernon said Tuesday the funds required to complete the application, which is a non-binding process, already have been allocated.

Council members warned that even if they go through the application process, the high school may not be ready in time for Rodolfo and his classmates.

”I seriously have my doubts,” said Councilman Enrique García. “If I were you, I will secure a spot in another high school.”

Among the council’s concerns are whether there are enough children who will attend the high school in the village . Other concerns: where the high school will be built and who will teach there.

To date, more than 400 families have contacted the council to express their desire for a high school.

Read the entire article here.

From the village website:

Residents are advised that Miami-Dade County Department of Public Works (PWD) is in the process of replacing the existing seven (7) fiberglass toll booths at the Rickenbacker Toll Plaza with new stainless steel toll booths. The project includes upgrading toll plaza’s electrical service, demolishing existing concrete slabs and constructing a new slab for each toll booth. Unfortunately, we can only replace one booth at a time.  The project will continue until further notice.

PWD will strive to minimize the negative impact on vehicular traffic. Motorists should expect delays on weekends as certain lane(s) may be out of service.

Transponder pass lane locations may shift as toll booth replacement continues. Residents and other pass holders also are reminded that transponder lanes may be converted to transponder/cash accepted lanes during periods of heavy traffic onto the Causeway.

For more information, contact:

Delfin A. Molins
Public Information Officer
Miami-Dade County Public Works Department
Stephen P. Clark Center
111 N.W. 1st Street, Suite 1610
Miami, Florida 33128
(305) 375-1682

The Neptune Memorial Reef, located a few miles off Key Biscayne, is acting as an underwater cemetary for those who loved the sea. Click here for more info.

Mel and I decided to celebrate our first anniversary a few days early, so we went to Abokado for dinner over the weekend. Neither of us had been before and we were both amazed at the quality and inventiveness of the food.

The restaurant offers a fusion of Japanese and Latin American cuisine. We were increasingly impressed by each of the courses, starting with a sampler plate of Tiraditos (similar to sashimi), and then the Abokado Nachos (spicy tuna and avocado atop a tempura-fried shiso leaf), followed by chorizo-stuffed calamari (’nuff said), and topped off with the allstar of the night: Pasilla Chile Braised Short Ribs.

We also tried a selection of drinks, including a dessert wine, and we ordered the churros for dessert. All delicious.

The atmosphere and service were all top-notch as well. All in all a great spot to dine, and located close to home just over the causeway in Mary Brickell Village.

Abokado
Mary Brickell Village
900 South Miami Avenue
Miami, Fl., 33130
T 305.347-3700
Open Sun.-Wed. 12:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. and Thu- Sat. 12:00 p.m.-midnight
E-mail: abokado_miami_brickell@abokadosushi.com

Map and Directions

Entrees priced in the $25-$30 range.

For Saturday night, Winn-Dixie is sponsoring a Trivia Night to benefit the Key Biscayne K-8 Center PTA. It’s being held at 7pm (games begin 7:45) at a private home on Harbor Point, and admission is $40 per person. For more info, contact Jackie Kellogg at 305-361-0001 or j_gross_kellogg@hotmail.com.

Sunday morning, if you’re trying to get on or off the island, be aware that a Triathlon will be taking place, starting in Crandon Park and making its way to the Virginia Key area before turning back.

Event: Tri-Miami Sprint Triathlon, Olympic Triathlon, and Duathlon
Date: May 4, 2008 – Sunday
Time: 6:30AM-9:30AM
Contact: James Martincak, M-DC PWD Superintendent
Phone: (305) 361-2833
Email: jamber@miamidade.gov

The plight of some Key Biscayne residents due to ongoing construction has made its way to a segment on NBC 6.  To view the video, click here.