When FINKA Desk & Faucet opened its doorways in 2014, it wasn’t simply one other Miami restaurant—it was a full-blown occasion. Anticipation was sky-high, pulling in an eclectic crowd: the youthful set in search of one thing recent, seasoned Miami foodies, tight-knit Cuban households, and even abuelas and abuelos curious in regards to the buzz.
The mastermind behind all of it was Eileen Andrade, of the legendary Islas Canarias Restaurant household—house of Miami’s finest croquetas since 1977. FINKA would develop into her daring, brick-and-mortar showcase for Cuban, Peruvian, and Korean fusion, paired with progressive craft cocktails and an environment that made everybody really feel welcome. Birthdays, child showers, marriage ceremony engagements—FINKA grew to become the go-to spot for all times’s celebrations within the Miami suburbs.
Fast Information – FINKA Desk and Faucet
FINKA Desk and Faucet
📍 14690 SW twenty sixth St, Miami, FL
📞 305-227-8818
🌐 finkarestaurant.com
📸 Instagram | Fb
🕒 Hours:
Solar–Thu: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM
Fri–Sat: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM
From Meals Truck to Full Home – The CUBANCUBE Roots
Earlier than FINKA, there was CUBANCUBE, a wildly well-liked meals truck Eileen ran along with her brother Jon. It was a cell experiment in daring Cuban-inspired dishes that drew lengthy strains and constant followers. The truck was a testing floor for artistic plates like:
- Milanesa Chew – breaded steak bites with tomato sauce, ham, and cheese
- Cuban Stomach Buns – marinated pulled pork with roasted garlic, caramelized onions, and crispy pork cracklings
- And the now-legendary Freakin’ Frita, a souped-up tackle the Cuban burger that will later seem at each FINKA and Amelia’s 1931
When CUBANCUBE retired, permitting Eileen to give attention to FINKA, followers knew one thing particular was coming.
The Early Days – Croquetas in a Papa John’s Field
Even earlier than opening, FINKA was making headlines within the Miami meals scene. I nonetheless bear in mind getting a textual content from Eileen whereas she was testing the restaurant’s fryers—she advised me to swing by. There was no to-go packaging but, so a case of recent Islas Canarias croquetas was handed to me in a Papa John’s pizza field.
By the point the doorways opened, FINKA was able to wow with dishes like:
- Kimchee Shoestring Fries with vaca frita, spicy mayo, queso blanco, and pico de gallo
- Lomo Saltado Fried Rice mixing Peruvian and Asian flavors with scrambled eggs, tomato, onion, aji amarillo and fried shoestring potatoes
- Cuban Fried Rice with shrimp, maduros, mariquitas, pineapple, crimson peppers, cilantro aioli, and a fried egg
- Croqueta Pizza – Swiss and mozzarella over a crispy crust, topped with these well-known croquetas, maple bacon sauce, cilantro and lime
- Decadent Chocolate Chip Banana Bread and Brisket Wonton Ravioli
You probably did learn proper, an Islas Canarias Croqueta Pizza!
Extra FINKA Eats
Staying True to West Kendall
At one level, a Yelper steered FINKA “belongs in Wynwood.” However Eileen’s imaginative and prescient was clear—this was a restaurant for West Kendall, and West Kendall solely. The welcoming house—full with cowhide chairs—proved that world-class eating didn’t must be a downtown, South Seaside, or Wynwood factor.
Why FINKA Nonetheless Issues
Greater than a decade later, FINKA Desk & Faucet stays a one-of-a-kind Miami eating expertise. It’s the place international flavors meet Cuban soul, the place the menu retains evolving with out dropping sight of its roots, and the place each croqueta, cocktail, and kimchee fry feels prefer it was made only for you.
Whether or not you’re reliving the glory days of CUBANCUBE or discovering FINKA for the primary time, one factor’s sure—you’re in for one thing unforgettable.