CRAVE's American Dining Coming to Village of Merrick Park

Despite the economy, new restaurants continue to enter the Miami market. CRAVE, part of a chain built on an American dining concept with Mediterranean and Asian influences, will open this November at the Village of Merrick Park.The Minnesota-based firm has seen rapid expansion. The Coral Gables outlet is the sixth...

By Christina Staalstrom

October 15, 2010

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Despite the economy, new restaurants continue to enter the Miami market. CRAVE, part of a chain built on an American dining concept with Mediterranean and Asian influences, will open this November at the Village of Merrick Park.

The Minnesota-based firm has seen rapid expansion. The Coral Gables outlet is the sixth new location opened since 2007. Their success can be attributed to the large menu selection and dining experience dubbed "suburban chic."

From sushi to steak and pasta to pizza, all items are offered at reasonable prices. "We've worked hard to find sites where our brand of food -- chic yet comfortable dining experiences -- will resonate, so we knew without hesitation that the Village of Merrick Park was right for us," says Kam Talebi, owner and CEO of CRAVE.

The good news is that the chain supports locally owned and operated farms and business. Talebi and his team "place a big emphasis on being an active and involved member of the community." But Short Order would like to see more locally owned and operated restaurants rather than chains, particularly in Merrick Park, which is finally starting to pick up.

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