Cafe Miami at Bloomingdales in Southwest Miami's Falls Shopping Center

When you go shopping in any Department store, the thought of having a gourmet or just a great meal is not usually what you think of as you tuck your credit cards and money into your wallet in anticipation of what goodies you will find to buy...

But wait, that statement might not be completely true when it comes to the Bloomingdales located in a simply lovely local shopping center in Southwest Miami, The Falls! The Falls is anchored on one end by Macy's and on the other by Bloomies.
Shoppers and employees from both ends of the mall love to meet and greet at this little jewel of a Café even if it is tucked away on the third floor, between fine linens and the exquisite delicate crystal and china...

Café Miami is the ultimate destination for those who want an unusual and very tasty midday or early evening meal, to gather up the energy for more shopping!

Once in the store you can't miss the café as you exit the escalator, it's cheery bright white décor and clean environment say welcome to all... there might be a short line of hungry, soon to be diners, checking out the food on display as well as the menu board offering the specials of the day...there is a counter and tables, and though it's a small café, finding a spot to sit has never been a problem for me whatever the time of day that I've been there.

For those with strollers, wheelchairs or other reasons for not taking the escalator, there is an elevator to get you up to the third floor...

So what's so special about this café you might want to know? Well, of course the food first and foremost, as most of us know Bloomingdales has the reputation of selling only the finest quality merchandise and that holds true for the quality of the menu items served at Café Miami... Bloomingdales is noted for good service and you will find that also in this little oasis of food and drink on the third floor.

I happen to live nearby so I go to the Falls area often when I need to shop, even the food market I go to is just across the street so I make it a point to go the café even if it's just for a smoothie or snack, if not a full lunch. Besides, the manager of the store is so friendly and helpful it's a pleasure to just sit a while...it also helps that the staff who work there have implicate orders to provide service with a smile...all in all, it's a good way to have a bite to eat, sit and rest a bit in air conditioned comfort, while watching all the other shoppers with their big brown shopping bags.

For such a small place the variety of food in Café Miami is outstanding...There are some really great varieties of salads and sandwiches, many unusual combinations of wraps and scrumptious soups....Each day the daily specials are equally good and wholesome with some really unusual combinations as well as popular comfort foods thrown in for good measure. Every Friday there is a fish or seafood special, and you can always get various salad combinations.

But there are quite a few tried and true favorites on the menu too:

There are three varieties of hamburgers, 100% all beef, turkey or a vegeburger, as well as a kosher hotdog with your choice of French Fries or chips on the side. A few of the sandwich selections, that are most popular, are the Bloomie's turkey club, tuna, fresh egg salad and one of my favorites, the tropical chicken salad, all made with their own special recipes, the chicken salad is incredible with raisins, cinnamon and apples...You can have your sandwich on your choice of bread or in one of their tasty pesto or sun-dried tomato wraps....One new item on the menu is the egg salad with bacon, lettuce and tomato wrap...another of my favorite sandwiches is the "Café Miami Pocket", warm pita bread filled with roasted turkey, spinach, Swiss cheese, walnuts and raspberry dressing...These sandwiches and wraps run in the $8.00 to $9.00 price range.

I also love the Maryland crab cakes, served on a bed of fresh baby greens, topped with vinaigrette dressing. Or whatever dressing you prefer...$9.00

Another popular sandwich is the Chicken Panini on Focaccia bread, chicken prepared with cheese, roasted red Peppers and onions, grilled to perfection...$9.00, or try the Southwest wrap, grilled chicken, sautéed onions, jack cheese, chopped tomato, lettuce and chipotle mayonnaise on a grilled herb wrap, $9.00....Other foods from the grill include delicious Quesadillas served with guacamole, salsa and sour cream, $8.75, and another new addition, a skirt steak sandwich with sautéed onions, lettuce and tomatoes on a toasted French baguette served with French fries..$10.50

If the heat outside has made you crave something cold, salads are some of the most popular items...There are many choices and are made fresh every day.... to name a few, there is egg salad, tuna with dill, and that chicken salad I mentioned earlier....all served on a bed of fresh crisp greens with your choice of dressings. .You can also get a combination salad with a scoop of all three or create your own combination...prices vary in the $7-8 dollar price range .....one of the most popular salads is the Tropical fruit salad with your choice of toppings and for a very special treat, add some frozen yogurt, along with nuts and raisins.

For a small appetite, a cup of soup and ½ sandwich is available and very appealing...Did I mention the soups? On those rare cold days here in Miami there is nothing like a hot cup of soup and Café Miami serves some of the most delicious soups....even on warm days I like to bring a container home to enjoy later for dinner with my air-conditioning blasting away.

And you never know what you will find on the daily specials board...the ones I look forward too are the open faced turkey, meatloaf and roast beef sandwiches with mashed potatoes and gravy, but there are many other various beef and chicken dishes and, as I mentioned, on Fridays there is always a seafood special of one kind or another....These prices change with the dish but are usually in the $10.00 price range

For just a snack there is always a quick frozen yogurt delight with your choice of two flavors daily, one is the signature Bloomingdale's brand served in their famous restaurants New York store, Forty Carrots, which is a plain vanilla and can be topped with an assortment of fruit combinations, my favorite is the raspberry melba topping and a dollop of whipped cream... $3.75 to $4.50 depending on the size...And, the recent additions are the fresh fruit smoothies and
Hi- Protein power shakes when you need a quick pick me up. These run about $5.00 and up, depending on what you want added to your shake. Other fine drinks are on the menu, everything from Perrier to flavored Arizona iced teas, and an assortment of juices and sodas....they also will make you an old fashioned New York Egg Cream! For an old New Yorker like me, that really is a special treat.

If you still have room for dessert they have a variety of freshly baked goods, some really amazing cakes, such as Key Lime and Rum cakes, as well as assorted pastries, cookies and croissants...on a diet? You can have small fresh fruit cup...they also sell a variety of specialized coffees, cappuccino, cafe con leche and selected teas... They even feature a drink called "Shoppers Brew" a combination of lemonade and iced tea.

As you can see, Café Miami is not just your regular run of the mill department store eatery, there really is something special about the place and the reason many people go there to eat even if they are not shopping in the store. One thing that makes the place stand out is the manager, he's always there with a friendly greeting and, if you have any special dietary needs, he will make sure that you can get what you want...I've overheard that quite a few times while I've been sitting at the counter...so to sum up, if a good meal or just a snack is on your agenda, and you are near the Falls Shopping Center in Southwest Dade County, go on up to the third floor of Bloomingdales you will be pleasantly surprised at what awaits your taste buds as you exit the escalator!