Viital's.Amazing.delicious.gluten free.

Love eating organics food that's also gluten free? Did you know that there's actually a bakery/cafe HERE in Tampa that exclusively specializes in these two types of food..???

Well, Believe it or not...it's here! it is Viital's Specialty Bakery & lifestyle Cafe. They specialize in baking and serving foods that are organic, hypo allergenic, and Gluten free. O! and for you conscious vegans...a good percentage of the menu features vegan friendly options :) Seriously, I'm here right now, and I was swepped by the aroma of fresh bread baking in their ovens in the back kitchen. But. I was blown away by the "Sophisticated" panini, a panini filled with melted goat cheese, spinach, red onion, with a thyme and basil dressing. SO GOOD!

The refresh panini


They also have other baked goods, with muffins, cupcakes, cookies, and organic, fair trade coffee. Many of these without additives, filled with protein. The prices are Awesome, with sandwiches under $6.50, and coffee beverages under $3.89

I give this place a thumbs up. Did I mention that they have *free* wifi?? Wake up college students!





Come to Viital's Specialty Bakery and lifestyle cafe
6605D N Florida Ave (right next to a pizzeria)
Tampa,Fl 33604
813.443.4567.
www.viitals.com

Vegetarian Smoothie

10/2009-5/2010 R.I.P.

Today...is a day of sadness and mourning for me. One of the potential beacons of cultural and artistic hope for Tampa just got brought out by New Way Cafe: The Organic Juice lounge & co op. It was right located in a house right off of Florida avenue. Basically, they served original juice and smoothie concoctions, adorned in kick ass Frida Kahlo/Dia De los Muertos decor. Well, I wanted to swing by there this week and saw that they got bought out for a sports bar trying to cram into a tiny house....just doesnt seem right....maybe one day i'll check out the new place, but it will never be the same...Just when Tampa was starting to really emerge into a novice arts portal, it once again, seemed to have backfired.
Let's have a moment of silence, people.



ON the bright side, I, Mara Latorre, created one of the most magnificent concoctions, ever. It was a smoothie with 7 leaves of spinach, 1/4 of an avocado, yellow mango, ripened banana, orange juice, almond milk, ginger, honey, and yes...psyllium husk [its for heart and colon health]

it sounds like a monster....but it was amazing. very refreshing...and to tell you the truth, you couldnt even distinguish the flavor of the spinach or avocado. Im going to start looking into vegetable smoothie recipes. Seriously people, start incorporating vegetables into your smoothies...its healthy and good!

I WILL be on the lookout for another obscure juice bar here in Tampa...one that is NOT a tropical smoothie or Jamba juice. Until then, enjoy the smoothie recipe I just posted!

Destination #1 Thailand!

What can us trekkers do when we have a travel itch during these though economic times..??? Thailand...or...the next best thing: Wat Mongkolratanaram!

Imagine this: a Thai Buddhist temple, soft music, the mixing scent of coconuts, curry, jasmine rice and peanut chicken in the air, all followed by dozens of smiling, happy people gathering near riverside picnic benches, mouthing heaps of delicious Thai food.


^^ photo courtesy of pattaynewbie ^^


Well, its real, and its here in Tampa. Every Sunday from like 10 am 2 pm, Wat The Mongkolratanaram Thai Buddhist Complex opens its doors to the Public. Dozens of lined booths sell 75 cent sesame read bean buns, $1 dollar thai teas, $5 dollar boxes filled of curry chicken, pad thai, and so fourth..... mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm




^^ NOT my photo!! ^^


Come to Wat Mongkolratanaram on 5306 Palm River Rd. Tampa, 33619.
every sunday.
free to get in- just bring $5+ bucks
people of all religions and believes welcome.
yum.

The Spork is back!!

Hey hungry children!!

I know, i know. It's been a good year now since I've began the Greasyy Spork, and a whole lot of ups and downs have occurred in my life during this lengthy period. BUT, i'm back, and full of inspiration. I JUST returned from a month long mission trip in Mexico, and after being exposed to the smells, flavors, and textures of Mexico, I've got a bit of inspiration.

SO, with that being said, I want to dedicate the next few posts to highlighting some of MY favorite hole in the wall Global eateries here in the Bay. Tampete is a very ethnically diverse area, with people representing different corners of our globe. And while most of us would LOVE to travel around the world, we can't, cause we're too broke! BUT...we CAN afford to eat, right...?

Get your passports out, suitcases packed, and mouths open...because wer'e about to go on a culinary global adventure, Tampete style!