Best in class: FIU's only student-run restaurant receives top honors

Saying you're the best is one thing, but being recognized as excellent is another.

Florida International University students and professors from the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, who run the only student-run restaurant on campus, are now getting some real bragging rights and an added claim to fame. The FIU Bistro at the Wine Spectator Restaurant Management Laboratory at the Biscayne Bay Campus is on the Miami New Times Best of Miami ® 2022 list as Best Inexpensive Restaurant.

"The students in charge are attentive and professional as they take your order, fill your glass,and explain each dish," states the article, just released in the Miami New Times Best of Miami issue. "The menu isn't large — generally you'll have two or three choices for each course — but the quality is tops," it added.

The FIU Bistro is unique. Students taking the advanced food production management class work half the semester front of house and the other half, back of the house. Taught by Professors Chef John Noble Masi and Patricia Falcon and instructor Cristina Moguel, the students learn the ins and outs of what it would take to either operate their own restaurant or manage one, including customer service, bar service and the use of technology, like Tabit Technologies Point of Service system.

"Words cannot express how proud I am of our FIU Hospitality students that bring it EVERY day and the awesome faculty team that supports the restaurant," said Chef Masi about the honor.

The Miami New Times is a newspaper published in Miami and an independent source of local news and culture. The issue is a guide to the best local people, restaurants, bars, clubs, stores, music and more. It is compiled by a team of experts, including food and spirits editor Laine Doss. Doss has been featured on Cooking Channel's Eat Street and Food Network's Great Food Truck Race.

To read the entire article or view the entire list, visit: https://www.miaminewtimes.com/best-of/2022/eat-and-drink/best-inexpensive-restaurant-14708671.

This semester, FIU Bistro is open for lunch. Lunch includes a three-course meal with unlimited non-alcoholic cocktails for just $10. For reservations, visit https://go.fiu.edu/fiubistro soon, before the best inexpensive restaurant in town is sold out.