EATS // QUICK BITES Bits and Bites of Food in the News
Cooking Gently The Vitality Bistro in Mount Dora has a unique yet varied menu. Owner Chef T, a trained living foods chef, serves all vegan, organic, and living/ raw cuisine. The delicious, fresh food is prepared on site and is gluten free, and cooking classes are available on Thursday evenings. “When we first opened about three and a half years ago, people kept asking us how we prepared the food,” said Purusha Radha, owner along with Chef T. “We saw a need for education alongside serving the food, and people have really turned out for these classes.” The class, held every Thursday at 6 p.m., is free with the purchase of an entrée, and participants learn to prepare delicious, high-spectrum, nutritious food. Contrary to popular belief, food is served warm if the dish calls for it. It is “gently heated” no higher than 118 degrees so no nutritional value is lost. With selections like warm and creamy butternut squash soup and strawberry maca cake with ginger crème, put this bistro on the list of places you must try.
RIPE FOR THE PICKIN’ March is the peak strawberry picking time in Florida, and for those who want to enjoy the fruits of their labor, Oak Haven Farm & Winery in Sorrento is a great U-pick place. The farm has six acres of strawberry goodness. “We have more than 125,000 different strawberry plants,” says Harry Stauderman, who owns the farm with his wife Karen and daughter, Lynn. While the farm has regular operating hours during March, Harry advises it is best to call ahead of time for picking days and times to ensure the farm is open (352.735.1996) or visit their Facebook page for regular updates. In addition to handpicking strawberries, the 20-acre farm has a playground for children, a picnic area, a small zip line, and a country kitchen where people can indulge in delicious strawberry shortcake, homemade milkshakes, ice cream sundaes, and U-roast hotdogs. “It’s very family oriented,” says Stauderman. “Children can spend the better part of the day running around and parents don’t have to worry about them.”
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