1. Coral Pine Park And Tennis Center
City: Pinecrest, FL
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (305) 668-7258
Address: 6955 SW 104th St.
Description: This 9-acre park is best known for its 6 lit tennis courts. There is also open space and a tot lot for kids. The park is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
2. Evelyn Greer Park
City: Pinecrest, FL
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (305) 234-2110
Address: 8200 SW 124th St.
Description: This 10-acre park has open space that is used for scheduled sporting games and general frolicking when available. The wraparound track is a go-to carless space for those who want to stay away from the street. There is free Wi-Fi and a fancy playground; the park was opened in 2001 and renamed for the village’s first mayor in 2004. It’s open daily from 10 a.m. Mon through Fri, from 8 a.m. on Sat and Sun and closes at 8 p.m. Fri through Sun and 10 p.m. Mon through Thurs.
3. Kendall Bait & Tackle
City: Pinecrest, FL
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (305) 670-3474
Address: 9402 South Dixie Hwy.
Description: Rods, reels, and baits for both freshwater and saltwater are available at this Kendall shop. The store also offers reel and rod repairs including same-day and next-day service. Check the website for the occasional 10 percent–off coupon.
4. Roasters’ N Toasters New York Deli & Bagels
City: Pinecrest, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (305) 251-4848
Address: 9465 South Dixie Hwy.
Description: Times have changed. While there used to be tons of New York delis in Miami, now all the Big Apple transplants seem to serve is sushi. Currently run by two New Yorkers, Roasters’, as it is affectionately called, is the place to get a Reuben, a good ol’ pastrami on rye, or a smoked whitefish salad done the right way. There are also diner standbys like chicken soup, tuna melts, and burgers as well. Almost everything on the menu is less than $15, so it’s a good place to go if funds are tight. Weekend brunch and weekday lunch are two of the more popular mealtimes, so expect a wait if that’s your only window. Make sure to get the free appetizer pickles—also New York style. There are several locations throughout the city, which include 525 Arthur Godfrey Rd., Miami Beach (305-531-7691); 18515 NE 18th Ave., North Miami Beach (305-830-DELI/3354); and 17200 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach (786-528-6390).
5. Imlee Indian Bistro
City: Pinecrest, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (786) 293-2223
Address: 12663 South Dixie Hwy.
Description: Imlee is the Hindi name for the dark brown chutney served at the restaurant, which is prepared daily and complements many of the dishes. Known for having some of the best Indian food in the city, Imlee serves northern Indian cuisine for vegetarians as well as diners who seek fish or meat dishes. One of the restaurant’s specialties is the tandoori specials, which are made in a clay oven. These include Tandoori Lamb Chops blended with aromatic herbs and special spices, then broiled on skewers and Fish Tikka, a Mahi-Mahi fillet marinated in a mixture of herbs, spices, ginger, garlic, and tomato gravy, then barbequed in their tandoor with onions and green peppers.
6. Daily Bread
City: Pinecrest, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (305) 253-6115
Address: 12131 South Dixie Hwy.
Description: This family-owned restaurant has been supplying Miami with delicious, affordable Middle Eastern fare since 1978. Falafel, gyros, and chicken kabobs are all served on homemade pita bread. The generous platters, which include two sides, are a steal at $7.99. And for really tight budgets, a slice of spanikopita (spinach pie) or baklava costs $1.25. The restaurant’s attached marketplace is a treasure trove of Middle Eastern staples and delicacies from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Greece, and Israel so be sure to stop by afterward.
7. The Big Cheese
City: Pinecrest, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (305) 662-6855
Address: 8080 SW 67th Ave.
Description: This inexpensive neighborhood spot is the type of pizzeria you thought only existed in romanticized Italian commercials. Don’t expect to find thin-crust pies topped with prosciutto or buffalo mozzarella here. Pizzas are all-American with cheese from the cheese capital, Wisconsin. Pies are customizable and topped with stuff including favorites: pepperoni, pineapple, and sausage . . . to name a few. There are also several seafood toppings, including clams. With the lack of pretension comes low prices—slices cost just $2.25 and go up from there depending on what toppings are added. Calzones, meatball subs, and baked ziti round out the menu. Maybe it’s all the U of M students, but there’s something comforting and almost nostalgic in the Big Cheese’s simplicity. It’s kind of like watching a Saved by the Bell episode.
8. The Pinecrest Gardens Green Market
City: Pinecrest, FL
Category: Shopping
Address: 11000 SW 57th Ave. at Pinecrest Gardens
Description: Schedule: Sun from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Nov through May.
9. Gift Chixx
City: Pinecrest, FL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (305) 232-3214
Address: 8245 SW 124th St.
Description: The Chixx, Karen and Shelley, opened this shop to unite their passion for unique and thoughtful gifts. Their chic gift shop offers items for almost any holiday or celebratory event; baby shower, engagement, anniversary, Jewish holiday . . . you name it. Inventory ranges from home accents such as ornate bowls and classy cake stands to leather goods, desk accessories, and picture frames. To top it off, customers can get almost any item monogrammed to personalize it beyond its uniqueness.
10. Pinecrest Gardens
City: Pinecrest, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (305) 669-6942
Address: 11000 Red Rd.
Description: This site of the former Parrot Jungle (now located on Watson Island) now hosts a farmer’s market every Sun from Nov to May, known as one of the city’s best. But this isn’t the only reason locals and tourists alike flock to Pinecrest Gardens. The expansive outdoor landscape is home to thousands of trees and plants native to a variety of countries. The site encourages visitors to use the space for personal exploration, picnicking, and community gatherings such as parties, lectures, and classes or a handful of yearly events. Utilizing the lush Parrot Jungle infrastructure that dates back to development in the 1930s by an Austrian immigrant, Pinecrest Gardens similarly incorporates horticulture scenery into the design. In total, it’s nearly 10 acres of native forested wetland, tropical hardwood hammock, and native cypress slough hammock. A water playground, regular playground, and petting zoo are only a few of the offerings for children. The site is especially invested in integrating art into its landscape so monthly exhibitions, showings, and festivals regularly take place at the gardens. A comprehensive calendar is listed on the website and educational classes range from a Horticulture Lecture Series to courses on magic, conservation, and kid-friendly exploration.
11. Pinecrest Gardens
City: Pinecrest, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (305) 669-6942
Address: 11000 Red Rd.
Description: What used to be Parrot Jungle is now Pinecrest Gardens and houses a diverse ecosystem as well as community events. It’s open from 8 a.m. to sunset and features a mini water park, playground, and petting zoo. While the water park may not have slides or a lazy river, its several brightly colored fountains are perfect for younger children looking to splash around and cool off.