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| - A wonderfully eclectic blend of neighborhood kitsch and old-school diner and, quite possibly, one of the best kept secrets in Cleveland. In the historic neighborhood of Old Brooklyn, the Cafe Miami is a gem. More like eating in the living room of a good friend with questionable design taste than a cafe, this place is sure to put a smile on your face and a food baby in your belly.
As soon as we walked in, Larry, the owner, cook and heart of the establishment, greeted us with a warm smile that was so genuine I had to remind myself that this was the first time we had ever met. Yeah, it's pretty small. There are about five stools at the bar up front and another 15 or so seats in the side room.
Before I go any further, I have to mention the decor. The theme is that there's no theme. Pictures of Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Marilyn Monroe and somebody that looks like a black Mark Twain hang on the walls while an Indian elephant statue covered in jewels sets on the floor across from a mannequin, legs crossed, watching from beneath a blonde wig. It's at once both creepy and comforting, sort of like the way the basement of your best friend's grandma would be. Each table is decorated with some rendition of a silver platter upon which rests a pair of blue plastic cups filled with toothpicks and artificial sweeteners. You really need to see it for yourself.
The menu is a mix of breakfast and lunch dishes with the former being served from 9am until noon. Breakfast includes traditional fare like eggs, hotcakes, French toast bacon and sausage and omelets along with a few unique additions like crab cakes and gyro meat. The lunch dishes range from heartier pork chops and liver and onions to burgers and wraps of several varieties. We were there on a breakfast mission and, more than anything else, to experience the pancakes about which others have gushed so profusely.
Speaking of the pancakes, what can I say that hasn't already been said. These things could make Aunt Jemima rethink her career path. My wife is a pancake snob and the look on her face after her first bite said it all. An order consists of a trio of perfectly cooked flapjacks, 45 record in size, dusted with powdered sugar and graced with a dollop of melting butter. The caramelized edges were crispy and the insides spongy, doughy and light. If there are pancake gods this could be singular proof. If you go here for breakfast, get them.
The American breakfast is everything it should be. You get a choice of meat (bacon, ham or sausage), two eggs any way you want 'em, toast and home fries for $2.50. Yeah, that's right, I said $2.50. The eggs were cooked beautifully, the bacon crisp, as requested, and the home fries grilled crispy with pieces of onion scattered throughout.
The service we experienced was friendly and genuine from beginning to end. Our coffees were never empty, she checked back with just the right amount of frequency (Larry even stopped over to ask how things were going) and when it was time to go boxes were brought to the table promptly. Our server's friendliness was real and not forced and it reminded us that there are still folks in the service industry that care.
Places like Cafe Miami are becoming a rarity, fast being devoured by chains devoid of personality that churn out carbon copy processed pseudo-food. This place oozes honesty, pride and reality. Business owners like Larry are also on the endangered species list. Do your part and pay him a visit. Show him that local businesses do matter and while you're there give something back to your community. Maybe eating here a few times a week will make you feel a little less guilty for shopping at Wal-Mart. Just don't tell too many of your friends, I'd hate for it to get crowded.
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