LTC 610-2019 SIDEWALK CAFE INDEX UPDATE MIAMIBEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfl.gov
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
610-2019 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members o'the City C•mmission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: November 13, 2019
SUBJECT: SIDEWALK CAFE INDEX UPDAI E
The purpose of this Letter to Commission (LTC) is to update the Mayor and City Commission
regarding the administration's efforts to launch the sidewalk café index aka secret shopper
program.
At its May 1, 2019 meeting, the Safety, Security and Infrastructures subcommittee of the Mayor's
Panel on Ocean Drive recommended the development of a secret shopper program as an
investigative tool. Following City Commission referral on June 5, 2019, at its June 28 meeting,
the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee (FCWPC) recommended securing $25,000 in
funding in the FY 19/20 budget to implement a pilot program in the MXE district. Upon hearing
positive feedback regarding the City's attempts to rein in deceitful business practices by certain
sidewalk cafes, on July 31, 2019, the FCWPC approved funding an additional $21,000 to extend
the program to Espanola Way and Lincoln Road (attachment A).
Initially, the administration considered employing a secret shopper program that would be entirely
outsourced to a professionally accredited company to perform the investigatory function.
However, the cost of engaging a private firm is significantly higher than the City hiring qualified
individuals to monitor and report, similar to the City's successful performance assessment
programs for trolleys, garage security and attendants, and valet operators.
Comparable to the City's other performance assessment programs, the sidewalk cafes will be
evaluated on several criteria under two categories: Cleanliness/Appearance and Customer
Service (attachment B).
Prior to index implementation, City staff met with community representatives from the commercial
districts, including Ceci Velasco of the Ocean Drive Association, Troy Wright of the Washington
Avenue BID, Timothy Schmand of the Lincoln Road BID, and Josh Robbins of the Espanola Way
Association. The proposed index was presented in detail to the hospitality leaders, who provided
helpful feedback and were enthusiastically supportive of the City's new initiative.
The results of the index will be published quarterly via an LTC. Hospitality leaders will be invited
to review the index data at the conclusion of each applicable quarter.
Letter to Commission-Sidewalk Café Index
November 12, 2019
Page 2 of 9
City part-time staff will begin conducting assessments next quarter. Additionally, residents are
always welcome to participate. If you or any member of your staff is interested in participating as
an Excellence Program assessor, please contact Dr. Leslie Rosenfeld with Organization
Development Performance Initiatives at extension 26923.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.
Attachments
c: Mark Taxis, Assistant City Manager
Susanne Torriente, Assistant City Manager
Bo Martinez, Economic Development Director
Dr. Leslie Rosenfeld, Chief Learning and Development Officer
Amy Me u Economic Development Assistant Director
/ L'•
Letter to Commission—Sidewalk Café Index
November 12, 2019
Page 3 of 9
ATTACHMENT A
SIDEWALK CAFE
Address
Restaurant Name Number Street SF
Senor Frog's 1450 Collins Ave 283
Betsy Ross Hotel 1440 Ocean Drive 418
Purple Penguin Café 1418 Ocean Drive 271
LA CERVECERIA DEL BARRIO 1412 Ocean Drive 331
Havana 1957 Ocean 1410 Ocean Drive 572
II Bolognese 1400 Ocean Drive 342
Finnegans Way 1344 Ocean Drive 495
BICE CUCINA (Cardozo Bar&Grill) 1300 Ocean Drive 599
Carlyle Café 1250 Ocean Drive 539
II Giardino 1236 Ocean Drive 504
Sugar Factory 1144 Ocean Drive 679
WILD 'N OUT(Down & Dirty Tacos) 1144 Ocean Drive 291
Palace 1052E Ocean Drive 235
Margarita Beach Club (La Baguettte) 1052B Ocean Drive 450
SOCIAL(Kitchen) 1024 Ocean Drive 370
2K Clevelander 1020 Ocean Drive 684
Ocean Ten 960 Ocean Drive 753
Havana 1957 (Paparazzi) 940 Ocean Drive
663
Voodoo 928 Ocean Drive 294
Mango's Tropical Café 900 Ocean Drive 860
Café Milano 850 Ocean Drive 312
Letter to Commission—Sidewalk Café Index
November 12, 2019
Page 4 of 9
Address
Restaurant Name Number Street SF
Pelican Hotel 826 Ocean Drive 340
Larios on the Beach 820 Ocean Drive 333
News Café 800 Ocean Drive 537
Wet Willies 760 Ocean Drive 221
Starlite Hotel 750 Ocean Drive 336
Boulevard Restaurant 740 Ocean Drive 342
A Fish Called Avalon 700 Ocean Drive 563
Ocean 7 Café 660 Ocean Drive 293
Jalapeno Mexican Grill 530 Ocean Drive 731
COLOSSEUM CAFE 510 Ocean Drive 228
TGI Friday's 500 Ocean Drive 621
The Place 720 Ocean Drive 518
The Fritz 524 Ocean Drive 440
Five Guys Burgers& Fries 1500 Washington Ave 296
Havana 1957 1446 Washington Ave 486
Andrix Cafe 1443 Washington Ave 188
Pizza Rustica 863 Washington Ave 355
A La Folie 516 Espanola Way 175
Ceviche 105 1245 Lincoln Rd 287
Huahua's LLC 1211 Lincoln Rd 281
Doraku Lincoln Road 1104 Lincoln Rd 240
Segafredo/Colony Theater 1040 Lincoln Rd
1,813
Bala ns LC 1022 Lincoln Rd 2,059
Letter to Commission—Sidewalk Café Index
November 12, 2019
Page 5 of 9
Address
Restaurant Name Number Street SF
Finnegans Two 942 Lincoln Rd 858
Groovy's Pizza 938 Lincoln Rd 695
Books& Books of Lincoln Road Inc. 927 Lincoln Rd 1,433
Carmelo Family Kitchen (former TOCAYA) 920 Lincoln Rd 835
Meat Market 915 Lincoln Rd 1,443
LA CERVECERIA DEL BARRIO 836 Lincoln Rd 1,426
MONTALCINO (Sibilla) 833 Lincoln Rd 1,225
Havana 1957 819 Lincoln Rd
2,088
Maya's Tapas& Grill 809 Lincoln Rd 1,226
Starbucks#8251 749 Lincoln Rd 319
Spris Inc. 731 Lincoln Rd 1,349
TAVERNA 719 Lincoln Rd 1,308
Nexxt Café 700 Lincoln Rd 1,414
4D Lincoln LLC 670 Lincoln Rd 224
Pizza Rustica 667 Lincoln Rd 1,252
HAAGEN DAZS (16 Handles) 665 Lincoln Rd 240
KANSAS (El Machos Tacos (former Sugar
Factory)) 647 Lincoln Rd 1,242
BAROLO (II Bolognese) 626 Lincoln Rd
1,259
Rio Station Juice Bar Inc 625 Lincoln Rd 1,084
7 SPICES(Freddo) 610 Lincoln Rd 1,121
Cantinetta Restaurant 607 Lincoln Rd 1,648
Starbucks#13007 605 Lincoln Rd 392
Sushi Samba Dromo 600 Lincoln Rd 1,386
Letter to Commission—Sidewalk Café Index
November 12, 2019
Page 6 of 9
Address
Restaurant Name Number Street SF
Tapelia (fmr. Montaditos) 551 Lincoln Rd
1,283
Rosinella (Portofino) 525 Lincoln Rd 1,370
Yuca Restaurant 501 Lincoln Rd 856
Shake Shack 1111 Lincoln Rd,Apt 14 351
Nespresso 1111 Lincoln Rd,Apt 9 252
Haagen Daz 1670 Collins Ave 144
SBarro 1668 Collins Ave 70
Rosetta Bakery 1666 Collins Ave 69
THE ALLEY PIZZERIA 1433 Collins Ave
Cavalier Hotel 1320 Ocean Drive
CHICKEN BRASA 1260 Washington Ave
MIU's TEA 1520 Washington Ave 57
Hiro's Sushi Express South Beach 1518 Washington Ave 42
Sriracha House Fast Food 1502 Washington Ave 116
Sfilatino LLC/ DBA Pane &Vino 1450 Washington Ave 105
Moshi Mishi (Sushi Yama Japanese) 1448 Washington Ave 106
Grafa Pizza 1357 Washington Ave 77
Juice &Java II Inc 1346 Washington Ave 56
Peppers Burrito Grill 1238 Washington Ave
MIAMI FRIED CHICKEN 855 Washington Ave
Bolivar Restaurant 841 Washington Ave 114
Iron Sushi 840 Washington Ave 16
La Ventana 710 Washington Ave 69
Letter to Commission-Sidewalk Café Index
November 12, 2019
Page 7 of 9
Address
Restaurant Name Number Street SF
Panizza Bistro 1229 Lincoln Rd 98
Yogen Fruz 521 Lincoln Rd 132
CALA(Leslie Café) 1244 Ocean Drive 297
ICON (Prime Time) 860 Ocean Drive 383
Kantina (Deco Grill) 834 Ocean Drive 324
Oliver's Bistro (Columbus Restaurant) 736 Ocean Drive 332
Caffe Di Mauro Washington Ave
Baires Grill 1116 Lincoln Rd 394
Rosa Mexicano South Beach 1111 Lincoln Rd 603
Rio Station Grill 2 (former Aura) Restaurant 613 Lincoln Rd 929
Lola Restaurant Grill 1223 Lincoln Rd 112
Letter to Commission-Sidewalk Café Index
November 12, 2019
Page 8 of 9
ATTACHMENT B
SIDEWALK CAFE INDEX
Will use Yes/No for each of the criteria below leading to a score from 1 Extremely well
maintained/excellent customer service to 6 Poorly maintained/poor customer service.
5 Yes = 1 score
4 Yes = 2 score
3 yes = 3 score
2 yes = 4 score
1 yes = 5 score
0 yes = 6 score
Cleanliness /Appearance
Sidewalk Well- Maintained
• No sidewalk stains
• No graffiti or advertisements
• No litter on ground
• No standing water/organic material
• Odor free
Sidewalk Furniture Well-Maintained
• Table clean, attractive and orderly
• Chairs clean, attractive and orderly
• Umbrella clean, attractive and orderly
• Furniture safe — high quality, design, and materials
• Signage well maintained and usable
Pull down comment for informational purposes
• Furniture damaged
• Furniture stained
• Furniture signs of deterioration
Sidewalk Usable
• No physical or visual barriers around permitted area
• No stacking or pilling of chairs and storage of dishes/silverware
• No specials board
• No advertising and/or special signage (including on tables) signs
• No food displays
Pull down comment for informational purposes
• Furniture blocking walkway
• Planters on sidewalk
• 1 menu board every 50 ft
Customer Service
Menu Well-Presented
• Menu provided with prices listed adjacent to item
• Specials listed in menu or provided on separate menu with prices listed adjacent to item
with terms & conditions
• Automatic sharing fees/charges on menu in minimum 14 point font or N/A
• Gratuity/service charge explained on all menus in minimum 14 point font and same % on
each menu
• Corkage fee or set up fee disclosed on menu or N/A
Pull down comment for informational purposes
• Specials provided verbally not on a menu
Letter to Commission—Sidewalk Café Index
November 12, 2019
Page 9 of 9
• Discount listed not adjusted on bill/check
• Sharing fee not on menu but charged
• Menu item change requested but price not provided
Check/Bill Well-Presented
• Electronic or paper bill provided
• Itemized gratuities/tip
• Itemized service charge, corkage fee, set up fee, or sharing fee
• Itemized resort tax and sales tax
• Gratuity calculated on pre-tax sale amount of food/drinks and service charges (if
applicable)
Pull down comment for informational purposes
• Tipping not clear on menu or wrong tip calculated
• Had to request bill
This section will be a selection of one observation resulting in the score indicated:
Hawking Observation
• No hawking experienced or observed (1 score)
• One instance of hawking observed (2 score) E
• Two instances of hawking observed (3 score)
• Three instances of hawking observed (4 score)
• Four instances of hawking observed (5 score)
• Five or more instances of hawking observed (6 score)
Pull down comment for informational purposes
• Aggressive hawking — verbal
• Aggressive hawking — use of menu
• Aggressive hawking — use of card/coupons
• Aggressive hawking —following customers
• Aggressive hawking — blocking pedestrian path
• Aggressive hawking — host/hostess on two sides of pedestrian path
Pull down comment for general informational purposes
• Live entertainment or speakers
• Single use plastic beverage or stirrers
• Café furniture within 5 feet of an alley, pedestrian crosswalk or corner curb out
• Café furniture within 10 feet of bus bench/shelter
• Plastic bag provided for single use carry out