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Canela: Spice and Everything Nice
By Alexandra Gratereaux Open just a couple of months now, Canela Café is already spicing up the Morningside and Biscayne Boulevard area with its Latin soul food, Cuban coffee and South American and Spanish wine selections. Owner Maggie Vasallo says that Canela is a neighborhood restaurant that offers a varied menu, reasonable prices and a positive atmosphere where everyone is welcome. “We want to make every individual feel comfortable and satisfied,” she said. “This is the place where people can come and feel relaxed, eat good food and enjoy a stress-free place.” Canela’s lunch menu includes soups, salads, appetizers and sandwiches ranging from $3 to $10. They also have beverages of all kinds such as different types of coffee, fruit juices, soft drinks, Red Bull, milkshakes, wines and bottled water. “Our menu can be described as Latin fusing with Spanish cuisine,” said Vasallo, who is Cuban American. “It is typically Spanish-Cuban food with wines from Argentina, Chile and Spain. Once in a while I try to mix it up by having different specials with platters from diverse countries.” At night, the cozy eatery transforms into a candlelit intimate restaurant with a dress-down feel. Vibrant art by Lebo and other artists fill the walls adding a savory Caribbean flair to the café. The nighttime menu boasts of hearty appetizers from papas aioli and fresh cheese platters to fried calamari and mussels. Paella is, of course, on the menu and the servers suggest patrons call in an order since it takes about 45 minutes to an hour to prepare. Although Canela Café is a small casual restaurant, Vasallo feels confident it will continue to do well. “All I have ever wanted to do is be involved in the restaurant business,” comments Vasallo. Before she owned Canela, said Vasallo, she studied hospitality management at FIU. Vasallo also cites prior restaurant experience at Miami’s Club Space and in her native Spain. Canela Café, 5132 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, is open from noon to 11:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information call 305-756-3930 or visit www.canelamiami.com. — Ambar Hernandez contributed to this story. |
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