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For something of a different dining experience, take a
drive to the Country Club of Coral Gables and have lunch or dinner in
the Garden Room Restaurant.
Executive Chef Andre Banert (right) and his assistant Hernando Alba
are at work in the kitchen at the Country Club of Coral Gables.
Built in 1923, it's Miami-Dade County's oldest country
club. So, if you're a history buff you'll marvel at the historic
buildings.
Part of the interior of the Garden Room Restaurant incorporates an old
exterior wall from the historic Country Club of Coral Gables.
The Garden Room once was part of the pool deck. After
a major fire some years ago, the area was enclosed in the
re-construction and re-designed as a restaurant and bar overlooking
the pool area. What once was an exterior wall with a section of the
tile roof still evident has been deftly worked into the interior
décor
Paddle fans in the high, wood-beamed ceiling gently
circulate the air, while ceiling-to-floor picture windows offer a
relaxing view of the pool and pool deck, where towering palm trees
gently sway in the breeze. The atmosphere of the Garden Room is
somewhat elegant, with linen tablecloths and napkins.
Just off the restaurant area and four steps up is the
very friendly bar, where you can order a Bloody Mary, Screwdriver, gin
and tonic, rum and coke, beer or just about anything your thirst has a
yen for. Since it's located right off the golf course, you'll often
find members at the bar comparing scores from their last round on the
back nine.
But, the food is what you came here for, and club
members are quite excited about the cuisine being served in the Garden
Room of late. That's because there's a new executive chef running the
kitchen.
"His name is Andre Banert and he was brought in to improve the
food," explained Evelyn Davis, interim manager of the Garden Room who
also serves as the club's banquet and catering manager.
Davis, who has been with the Club for five years and worked her way up
through the ranks from a starting position as a waitress, said Banert
"has been with us just four weeks and he's doing a wonderful job."
Banert -- originally from Austria, where he began his 40-year career as a
chef -- has worked throughout Europe and England, and has lived in South
Florida for 15 years. He brings an impressive resume to the Country Club at
Coral Gables, having previously worked at Norman's on Galloway, was
executive sous chef at the Dadeland Marriott and opened Sharky's in Bayside
(now Café Mambo) and Coconut Grove.
"I have a very good crew working with me,"
Banert said. "They just needed a little shaping and polishing. I
encourage my boys in the kitchen to do a little Cuban or Colombian or
South American cooking and I also listen to the club members.
Banert said he tries to serve four a la carte choices
for dinner each evening, with different selections each day.
"We also make everything from scratch here,"
he continued. "For example, chicken cordon bleu, we use fresh
chicken breast, fresh vegetables, everything fresh. And, we make fresh
sauces and soups."
Banert said he is planning special dining evenings for
the Garden Room, such as
a prime rib night, or German and Italian nights.
"The members of the club already have commended me on the improvement
of the quality of the food, as well as the looks and the presentation,"
he said. "I think they are happy with the food now.
The Garden Room and Bar is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 11
a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch, 6-9 p.m. for dinner with Sunday brunch at 11
a.m.-2 p.m. Club members may charter the room for special parties at night
and on special occasions.
For more information on the Garden Room at the Country Club of Coral Gables,
call 305-448-7464.
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