Miam Cafe Opens In Wynwood | Tasting Table Miami

Much as we love braised pork belly and the like, sometimes we just want something quick and healthy—which can be hard to find.

No longer, now that Miam Café & Boutique is open in Wynwood. The neighborhood has already become known for a charm that attracts entrepreneurs from all over the world. And when Swiss-born Alexis Jacot laid eyes on the iconic zebra-striped Wynwood Building—home to galleries, work collectives and local publications like the New Times—he knew he had found the perfect spot for his casual European bistro.

The café, whose name means "yum" in French, is as simple and straightforward as the food you'll eat there, with white walls, high ceilings, no-fuss wooden tables and shelves lined with products for sale. During last Thursday's rush hour, the place was abuzz with familiar local artists.

To execute his vision for the food, Jacot enlisted chef Gail Goetsch—former pastry chef of Yardbird and Essencia—whose clean approach to cooking makes the dishes both inviting and uncompromising. For lunch we opted for a surprisingly hefty but underdressed kale salad with avocado and roasted almonds ($12), a freshly baked collard green and bacon quiche ($7.50) and soup of the day ($4 cup, $7 bowl): a sturdy caldo gallego with garbanzo beans and chorizo. Although Miam is an order-at-the-counter joint, everything is delivered to your table promptly.

Like any good European bistro, the restaurant also offers wine by the glass, or you can grab a bottle from the shelves, along with local honeys, cooking oils, beers like Inlet Brewing Monk in the Trunk ($6) or Ace Pear Cider ($6) and plates from Art that Feeds—a collaborative organization that uses proceeds to provide at-risk youth with sit-down, nutritious meals.

Of course, if it's too early for wine (it happens), Miam's skilled baristas are trained to pull the best espresso using local favorite Eternity Coffee Roasters. Speaking of local favorites, they also carry True Loaf's beloved croissants and Zak the Baker's sandwich bread and use produce from Paradise Farms.

Miam is the kind of place you'll want to bring along your laptop to—or just hang out all day.