Vicky Bakery, the Miami-based chain that features classic Cuban treats, is coming to Coral Gables with an expanded concept.
The new location will not only feature their famous pastelitos, cakes, and pastries, but it will offer a full-serve cafe on premises.
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Vicky Bakery Cafe partners Mike Belaustegui and Jose Soto, who will open the combination bakery and cafe on September 15, wanted to add the additional cafe feature so Coral Gables patrons could have the option of enjoying their pastries and sandwiches in-house with a cafe con leche. They then built on the concept, adding other menu items and features.
Mike Belaustegui explains that the concept, the first of its kind for Vicky, is a "twist" on the traditional Cuban bakery.
"We knew people enjoyed our products, but we didn't have the seating or the capacity to enjoy the environment."
The casual eatery will be decorated "traditional Coral Gables" style, with black and white vintage pictures of Miami and an entire wall depicting a Gables street scene.
Although Belaustegui is opening his first food outlet, his life has pretty much revolved around Vicky Bakery. My grandparents and the founders of Vicky Bakery are longtime friends that go back to Cuba. "Our families grew up together and I worked at the bakery as a teen." The entrepreneur went to school and landed a position as regional sales manager at AT&T before deciding to return to his roots by opening the first of what he hopes will be several branches of the Miami chain.
"We want to get this one off the ground first, but we have a vision to open several more. We are part of the largest Cuban bakery chain in Miami, maybe the country. After 44 years, we want to take the concept to the next level."
In addition to pastries, desserts, cakes, pies, and flan, all baked and prepared on-site daily, the cafe will have traditional Cuban dishes, sandwiches, salads, and tapas. A wide range of coffee drinks will be available, with beer and wine offered in the future.
Vicky Cafe will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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