Kill the Crave: CoolJunkie's Miami Grubbin' Picks

November 4, 2008 3:00 PM
by Damon Dewitt Boardman

News Cafe. If you live in Miami and haven't already heard of this joint than your anorexic and illiterate, or you don't get out much. Located on 8th and Ocean Drive since 1988, this quaint sidewalk café/newsstand/bookstore serves up a little bit of everything, and anytime you want it. Open 24 hours a day "The News" as it is commonly referred to can be sure to host an eclectic crowd. Depending on the time, you could dine with a post party posse or an early bird brigade. Show up around 5 a.m. and you might get a nice mix from the crowd; one rising fresh from bed and one feeling fatigue as he or she exits the club.

Breakfast is served round the clock. So whether it’s your last dish of the day or your first, there is no excuse for missing the most important meal. Other menu items include everything from cheeseburgers to babaganaush. Having tried various cheeseburgers multiple times a week for the last decade I decided to sink my teeth into something a bit more foreign, going with a Middle Eastern medley of babaganaush which is mashed up eggplant and spices, Hummus; mashed up garbanzo beans and spices, accompanied with tabouli salad, grape leaves stuffed with rice, mint, and other spices and two slices of pita bread to shovel it all in. Foreign indeed, but with the melting pot that makes up Miami, foreign hits home, making the Middle Eastern cuisine one of the most popular items on the Menu. Other popular choices include fondues and tomato soup.

When talking with Manager Monica Maiolo she describes the policy put in place by original and current owner Mark Soyka, an attitude transcribed to 300+ plus employees that involves a happy customer and encourages a repeat customer. Through the years News Café has constantly changed and grown to accommodate all who enter, whether it’s someone with the stature of the late Gianni Versace, who frequented "The News," or a tourist passing by for a pastry and a paper, all are welcomed and encouraged to stop in. However, stopping in can mean a variety of things.

News Café has indoor seating with a diner and tables, a separate bar, full-service kitchen, additional sidewalk and courtyard seating and a custom designed retail space to enhance the overall experience. Inside there’s deco style décor for seating, old black and white photos of famous folk on the wall, a vintage phone booth that is still operational and the sounds of soft jazz mixing with fork and knife meets plate percussion. The courtyard sits in front of the shop. Round tables rest under the shade of small trees in direct contact with the oceans breeze. Inside the shop you can find "The News" with displays providing a selection of local, national and international publications. Papers range from the Pravda to the NY Post, Franffurtor Allgemeine to the Miami Herald. There are assortments of international Playboys, post cards and beach toys. Sun screen and cigars, leather bound books and candy bars.

With such a wide variety of information and vegetation, it’s no wonder that News Café is appealing to most. From worldwide stars to window shoppers, there is something on the menu and in the store for everyone. My taste buds are liberal but upon review of News Café, maybe its best to match up your paper with a uniform meal. Meaning you don't want to munch on empanada's while reading the French Gazette.

Look for the twentieth anniversary party on December 2nd. News Café will be barricading the block with a live band and complimentary champagne on hand. Until then things will be moving forward as usual staying current with "The News".

Click here to check out New Cafe's menu.