Root Cellar

As an MDC employee, I am extremely proud of the culinary offerings at the MDC Culinary Institute — Tuyo & the Root Cellar. The Root Cellar provides a small/​limited but comprehensive menu with fresh and seasonal ingredients at very affordable prices. If you’re not a heavy lunch eater, you can feast on a unique salad or sandwich with a side soup for under $ 10.
And I cannot rave enough about the soups! Whether it be tomato, butternut squash, or what have you… I have been so overwhelmingly impressed by the daily soup options here that I just order it blindly; with the warm comfort that I know it will be delicious. These are the kind of soups that make you want to run your finger along the bottom of the bowl to pick up any last remaining drips.
Recently, I needed something healthy to tide me over before a late afternoon class so I ordered the quinoa salad with raisins, nuts and sweetened with agave. Quinoa is a personal favorite food and very good for you, but also very easy to mis-​prepare. I always worry about ordering it out, but this time I was VERY happy I did. I love this salad so much, I’ve tried to replicate it a few times at home… so far I’ve come close, but not as good the Root Cellar’s.
While the restaurant offers cheap & nutritious menu items, it never skimps on presentation. The chefs and staff provide an affordable fine dining experience at fast food prices. Avoid the weight & guilt of greasy fried food and opt for the quick and wholesome fare at this downtown Miami lunch spot.
Oh, but do get there early… they can (and do) run out of things as it gets closer to closing time.