It's always seemed counterintuitive that dining choices near hospitals are often among the least-healthy: fast food spots, quickie marts with grab-and-go sandwiches, coffee shops heavy on the pastries. In sharp contrast, the new Jackson Hall in Miami's Health District is just what the nutritionist ordered: a food court where there's no deep frying or use of partially hydrogenated oils, antibiotics, hormones, synthetic colorings and preservatives, artificial sweeteners, high-fructose corn syrup and other highly refined sweeteners.
Founded by The Wynwood Yard's Della Heiman and partner Ken Lyon, a longtime Miami caterer and restaurateur, Jackson Hall is located on the second floor of the Civica Center in the heart of the district, one of the largest concentrations of medical and research facilities in the country. They expect nearly all of the customers at the wellness-focused food hall will be employees, patients, families and visitors.
Jackson Hall features six restaurants along the perimeter of the space, plus Radiate Apothecary + Bar in the center, offering juices, smoothies, kombucha, elixirs, tonics, coffee, beer, wine and spirits:
• Della bowls, plant-based bowls of choose-your-own greens, proteins and add-ons
• Charcoal rotisserie fare and comfort foods
• Levante, Middle Eastern cuisine, including kabobs, shwarama and mezze
• Little Island poke bowls
• Leo & Bloom Delicatessen, serving sandwiches, salads and soups
There's also a Petit Marché market with grab-and-go items, either made in-house or from local artisans. Miami chefs Julie Frans and Nicole Votano will head the culinary program.
Guests use a touch screen for their orders. There's also a color-coded handout to guide guests toward dishes according to their nutritional or health attributes: "For guests who are looking to incorporate certain colors into their diet, let this guide help you navigate our menus here at Jackson Hall." The guide calls out, for example, orange dishes – sweet potatoes, citrus bowls, carrots – as good sources of vitamin A for skin health and immune health.
The team plans to turn the third floor of the building into a hydroponic farm, aiming to provide at least 1,000 pounds of greens, herbs and vegetables to the food hall each week.
Initial operating hours are Mon.–Sat. from 11am-5pm.
Jackson Hall is located on the second floor of the Civica Center at 1050 NW 14th St., Miami.
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