From the team behind the popular Ice Box Cafe, Mediterranean Kitchen is the latest local small business addition to the Miami-flavored Marketplace.
MIAMI – Mediterranean Kitchen, Miami International Airport’s newest healthy dining option, opened with a wide range of quick, casual Mediterranean treats in the airport’s North Terminal Marketplace near Gate D-26. The location marks the second MIA venture from the team behind the popular Ice Box Cafe, which expanded to Concourse D in 2010 after building on the success of its renowned Miami Beach location.
“Our travelers have come to expect dining choices that reflect the variety of Miami’s culinary culture and status as a foodie destination,” said Miami-Dade Aviation Director Emilio T. Gonzalez. “The Mediterranean Kitchen not only continues our efforts to bring the very best restaurant and food offerings to passengers at MIA, but also demonstrates our ongoing support in the growth of local small businesses. It’s a ‘win-win’ for all.”
According to Ice Box Cafe, which owns and operates The Mediterranean Kitchen, the restaurant reflects a commitment to provide “menus which not only reflect the local’s tastes, seasons and trends, but also fulfill our commitment to outstanding fresh, healthy, well-prepared and delicious food.” Passengers can feast on gourmet wraps with Mediterranean staples such as hummus, babaganoush and Kalamata olives, while washing it down with a selection of fresh fruit smoothies, teas or coffees. Portions are designed for ease of travel, whether it is eating inside the terminal or onboard a flight.
The Mediterranean Kitchen is the latest local small business to open in MIA’s multi-cultural, Miami-themed North Terminal Marketplace. Located between gates D-26 and D-29, the Marketplace showcases locally themed concepts that provide samplings from Miami’s diverse demographics. The Mediterranean Kitchen joins Cuban Crafters cigars and a Miami Marlins merchandise store, with locations offering empanadas, Caribbean cuisine and stone crabs all scheduled to open before the summer.
In addition to bringing a dash of Miami “flavor” to the dining and shopping options at MIA, the Marketplace continues MIA’s efforts to add more disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) firms and small businesses at the airport. MIA has already been recognized as one of the top five U.S. airports for awarding contracts to new small businesses, according to an audit released in 2014 by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of the Inspector General. The audit highlighted MIA as one of the few airports nationally that conducts regular outreach events to inform contractors and vendors about upcoming business opportunities and offers educational programs to help DBEs understand the airport bidding and certification process.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
