<a href="http://delacruzcollection.org/restaurant_blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/mmmminside2.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-860" title="mmmminside2" src="http://delacruzcollection.org/restaurant_blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/mmmminside2-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a><strong>2519 Northwest 2nd Avenue
(786) 703-3409</strong>

An informal  cafe called <em>Mmmm</em>, has sprouted just across the street  from Joey’s Cafe and the Wynwood Kitchen and Bar.  It’s a Parisian  interpretation of the small plates craze.<em> Mmmm</em> presents exceptional  salads and sandwiches that are nuanced and urbane adaptations of  American and French classics.

This venture is the creation of art collector Cathy Vedovi, whose family has been coming to Miami since the 20's, when her French-Canadian grandparents would head South to escape the harsh winters. Vedovi was inspired by a similar Parisian tartine shop next door to the Poilene Bakery on the left bank.

This is where hot pink neon (the outdoor signage) and tropical  banana leaves on the exterior set the stage for Miami’s introduction to  the tastiest lunch to be had in the area. The focus is on “tartines",  defined and refined by the French as a “slice of bread.”  As in Paris, a  perfectly toasted slice of <em>poilene bread</em>,  a country sour dough bread,  is topped with choices that include filet mignon, salmon or pulled pork among others; and held together with amazing swaths of homemade mayonnaise customized for each protein.

Chef Alan  McLennan, is a native of South Africa who knows how to balance the  distinctive flavors, and his creative touches invariably work.  Chunks of  mushrooms and artichoke hearts are paired with a lusty tapenade, thin  slices of grilled chicken over lemony mayonnaise are finished with a sun  dried tomato and micro greens.  Smoked salmon, on a tartine of course,  marries well with grainy mustard mayonnaise, fennel and a touch of dill.  Why not celebrate the contrasts of flavors and textures with a decadent glass of Billecart-Salmon Rosé champagne?

Four  salads and one soup are presently offered and the three salads sampled  measured up admirably to the mouthwatering tartines.  Shanghai chicken  salad with ginger hoisin dressing on Nappa cabbage, Nicoise salad and  Cobb salad were all extremely fresh and beautifully presented.

Salads  and tartines range from $10-$15. A $10 lunchtime special is  available, serving the soup of the day and a half portion of the tartine  of your choice. Desserts include a flourless chocolate  cake accented with a smear of fresh raspberry sauce and a coconut cake.  A big draw  at the entrance is a cooler stocked with Azucar ice-cream made right  here in Little Havanna. Lavazza coffee makes a nice finish to an inventive lunch in a charming new dining spot.

<strong> Closed Sunday
Monday - Saturday: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm</strong>