Nespresso Boutique Bar opens on Lincoln Road

On the 21^st of April 2010 Nespresso celebrated the opening of the Nespresso Boutique Bar in Miami Beach. The new 3,900-square foot boutique is the giant Swiss company’s first in Florida and only the third in the United States. Nespresso is the worldwide pioneer in premium portioned coffee. This new Nespresso Boutique Bar joins Miami Beach’s premier pedestrian promenade as part of the highly anticipated 1111 Lincoln Road structure by famed architects Herzog & de Meuron.

“The opening of the flagship Nespresso Boutique Bar in Miami marks a new stage in the expansion of the brand on the international scene,” said Frederic Levy, President of Nespresso North America. The Boutique concept is a very successful model worldwide, and in 2010, Nespresso plans to expand its network of boutiques from 191 to more than 230. Europe, Asia, and North and Latin America will be the theatre of new implementations, as Nespresso continues its international success story.” Levy goes on, “We are excited to further establish an even stronger brand presence in the United States and bring Nespresso to Miami’s discerning coffee aficionados.”

Levy, told the Sun Sentinel that they don’t see Starbucks as competition. Levy said, “We are not competing against Starbucks. We won’t give you a coffee to go, no paper cups here,. We want you to have the same experience with our coffee every time, and it wouldn’t taste the same in a paper cup.”

Here, the coffees are served in ceramic cups – never paper. You sip your espresso or cappuccino or one of the 16 spectacular Grand Cru coffees inside at the Barista Bar, the Lounge or on the terrace (coming soon) out front. The sleek interior – all smooth, dark woods, metals and glass panels – are straight off the drawing boards of Paris-based architect Francis Krempp. He is the lead Architect of many of the Nespresso Boutiques around the world.

For the opening a lot of well known people showed up. There was a special performance by singing sensation Charice. She’s a 17 year old singer from The Philippines, and she has also appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show four times. Champagne and Nespresso Grand Cru pairings were served by Chef and Sommelier Stephen Asprinio of “Top Chef”. And Nespresso-inspired culinary creations by:

• Douglas Rodriguez: Owner/Executive Chef, D Rodriguez Cuba at the Hotel Astor and Ola at Sanctuary

• Sean Brasel: Co-Owner/Executive Chef, Meat Market and Touch Catering

• Jonathan Eismann: Owner/Executive Chef, Pacific Time, Q, Fin and Pizza Volante

• Hedy Goldsmith: Executive Pastry Chef, Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink

• Fabrizio Carro: Co-Executive Chef, Quattro (Miami and NYC) and Sosta

On this month’s Ocean Drive Magazine cover was Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras. He showed up for the event with his wife Delfina Blaquier. He was born March 4, 1977 in 25 de Mayo, Buenos Aires Province. He is an Argentine polo player with a handicap of six. As of September 2009, he was ranked as one of the top 100 polo players in the world. Sometimes called the “David Beckham of polo”, he usually plays in Argentina and in the U.S. as part of the Black Watch Polo Team. He has also been the face of Ralph Lauren‘s Black Label line since 2005, and was recently chosen to represent the entire line of Polo fragrances.

Amongst fine food and drinks, beautiful people enjoyed the entertainment, the atmosphere and I’m sure they’ll all come back for coffee.

The coffee experience involves culling the highest-quality beans from the world’s best coffee-producing regions. They are processed and sealed in an aluminum capsule which is then fitted into one of the company’s own coffee machines (which can be purchased in the boutique for $199-$799 for use at home).

Since each capsule is identical to the last, each cup of coffee comes out tasting like the last. Which is, in a word, perfect.

Nespresso Boutique Bar in 1111 Lincoln Road is open 10a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

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