Crumb on Parchment

I had a pretty unfortunate experience at CoP. Having taken my time to get to the location in the Design District, I was excited to see that a South Beach branch had opened up. Knowing that I am not one to resist a good bakery, I made my way to The Webster on a Sunday afternoon in search of treats.
My buddy and I arrived to find one gentleman behind the bar area, some baked goods under a glass case on the counter and two armed (!) security guards/​police officers at the door. «Hmm, this is unlike most bakeries I’ve been to but it IS South Beach so…» I stood there waiting to be waited on. Since 40% of the people in the space were customers, I would have assumed it was obvious I was there to buy something. Evidently, it was not. After the gentleman behind the counter figured out I wanted to buy some food, he let me know that the only thing available for purchase were sweets. Sandwiches weren’t available after 4 pm. Pastries were available until 8. It was 4:15. Okay. No problem. Dems the rules. As I was about to ask what, beside the glass domed cake, cookies and homemade sandwich cookies, was available, he cut me off and told me that he needed to «move some things.» Okay. Sure. So, he goes about moving patio furniture, tables, chairs, and TRASH CANS all the while I stand there confusedly and the two armed men glower at my friend and myself. It’s a bizarre scene.
After moving all of the items around (again, including TRASH CANS), the gentleman goes back behind the bar and asks what I want. Do you see what’s missing here? He never washed his hands or cleaned up. He went from moving furniture (including TRASH CANS) to asking me what i wanted to eat. Nothing. I want nothing from you if you can’t figure out that moving furniture and TRASH CANS requires a certain amount of hygiene if you want to serve/​prepare food. I was completely grossed out. My friend was more nonchalant than I. He ordered tea… and received his brewed leaves without the benefit of washed hands delivering it. We opted to stick around to see how things played out. We parked ourselves inside and started going over a wide variety of work commitments. At 6:15, I noticed the gentleman behind the counter boxing up and giving the remaining (visible) baked goods to the fellows with guns on their hips. Maybe he was done for the day. I don’t know. But it seems odds to give product away during business hours rather than to sell it. As I wrote down notes from everything I’d experienced this day (on a CoP menu, no less) one of the armed toughs told my friend and I that we had to leave.
«Why?»
(crosses arms over belly and continues the glower) «It’
.leave.»
Never one to argue with a large man carrying a gun on his hip, we packed up and left… and but you better believe I made a note of it. After hearing so many fantastic things about CoP, to say that I was disappointed is an understatement. I know it’s South Beach, but I was utterly amazed at the half-a$$ed everything we’d experienced from such a respected brand. It was too bad.

A little pricey for lunch, but a GREAT spot nonetheless. I recommend the ahi tuna sandwich and the chicken salad sandwich. If you are on a diet, put blinders on when you order your lunch because all their outrageously delicious baked goods are displayed proudly right on the table by the register. They also deliver if your office is in the Design District (luckily mine is!) Definitely a great Miami lunch spot!

Fresh food… Had the turkey sandwich … Probably the best one I’ve ever had :) — great coffee… Didn’t even need sugar in my latte :) can’t wait to go back.