LEFT: Cafe Interior. RIGHT: Cozy Bar.
The newest Café at Books & Books celebrated its official opening this spring under the direction of Chef Allen Susser, well known in the Miami culinary milieu. Located in the Arsht Center Carnival Tower, the Café features a bistro style restaurant with table service in an intimate and warm environment. Surrounded by books and soft lighting, George Nelson bubble lamps augment the mood with modernism.
LEFT: Chef Allen's Urban Pickles. RIGHT: Sourdough Grilled Cheese.
The Café also showcases a specialty coffee bar and full liquor bar with crafted cocktails on the menu. Outdoor seating is available on the adjacent plaza.
LEFT: Smoked Salmon Tartine. RIGHT: Farmer's Goat Cheese Salad.
Steak Frites.
In addition to providing a destination for everyday dining, the Café offers Arsht patrons another option for pre-theater dining and post-theater snacks. Every show night, in addition to the regular menu, a pre theater prix fixe menu is featured at $34 per person encompassing a wide variety of appetizers, entrees, and desserts.
An extraordinary farm to table dinner occurs every Monday on the plaza at 6:30 p.m. Meet new friends at a communal table with the Farmer’s Market on the periphery and live music augmenting the experience. Susser prepares a family style vegetarian tasting menu showcasing multicultural cuisine from all over the world. Priced at $25 for food and $36 with two glasses of wine.
Susser's menu reflects the commitment to local fresh ingredients. Divided into sections including snacks, artisan tartines, salads, grill, and dinner plates options exist for every appetite and palate.
Our gustatory travel started with our server Alex’s recommendation. The chef's Urban Pickles arrived battered in cornmeal, fried, and served with fresh dill tzatziki and Dijon mustard. Skeptical not being a fried pickle aficionado, I was swayed by their delicate texture and savoriness.
The next snack was Sourdough Grilled Cheese Zak the Baker bread with aged cheddar, provolone and goat cheese. The adjective decadent is clearly insufficient.
Susser's focus on artisan tartines includes five options of deliciousness. These open faced sandwiches are inspired by the French classic. We chose the Smoked Salmon. Smoked salmon formed into pink rosettes sat atop Zak’s bread with seasonal apples, brie, and preserved lemon. The flavors were carefully balanced and blended beautifully.
Four salad options are offered. Our Farmer’s Goat Cheese was a generous plate of seasonal greens, roasted beets, radishes and pecans. Tasteful and well dressed, perhaps the roasted beet salad rendition has been overdone in the Miami culinary panorama.
LEFT: Dessert Case. RIGHT: Dark Chocolate Pecan Tart.
Curried chicken salad with mango, cilantro, golden raisins, walnuts, and couscous seems more interesting. Kale Cobb and Grilled Free Range Chicken Caesar salads are also featured. Steak Frites was a dinner plate shared among the group at the table, char grilled to a perfect medium rare, accompanied by a green peppercorn sauce and truffle and herb french fries deserving to be in any fine brasserie in Europe.
The dessert case tempted with choices from tarts, cheesecake and flourless chocolate cake.
We happily finished our meal with the dark chocolate pecan tart. Rich elegant chocolate and flaky pastry were perfectly paired.
A complete wine list is offered at modest prices. Our Coté du Rhone was fruity and medium bodied complementing the food choices. Don’t miss Wine Down Wednesday when all bottles are 50 percent off.
Reservations are available. The Café at Books & Books offers a relaxed and sophisticated experience rich in inspiration. A great addition to the Arts & Entertainment District.
The Cafe At Books & Books
Hours: Sunday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to midnight. Adrienne Arsht Center, Carnival Tower, 1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33132. 786-405-1745.
- Breakfast - 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Lunch - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Dinner - 4 p.m. to closing.
