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!

jazz in tampa???? o yeah.

Andrew enjoying a beer while enjoying the jazz at Karma Cafe

I've got to let you all know, I'm a HUGE jazz fan. I don't know what it is about that beautiful genre that draws and mesmorizes me-maybe its the infusion of improvisation, and the complexity of different rhythyms, beats, harmonies and melodies! its so hard for me to explain-i feel like im trying to explain my love for a different language. But being from Tampa bay, it hasnt been easy trying to find places or collectives which actually play jazz on a semi-regular basis. until now. I'm about to highligh some hot spots where YOU can hear some hot jazz.for free. This aint Chicago or New York...but wev'e got some talent...

Cafe Kili


Near USF, but feel deprived from great jazz? Well, ive got the cure for you. Cafe Kili, located on a shopping center, nestled between a Sushi place, cici's pizza, and Hillsbourough Kids! Step inside, and youll immediatley notice that this is no ordinary jazz gig- this is an interactive jazz session. spectators and cool cats come and bring their trumpets, bases, and saxophones and freeley join in as they please. Check out Cafe Kili, located on 5731 E. Fowler avenue,on Monday nights from 7-9pm for some amazing, improv jazz. http://www.cafekili.com/

Karma Cafe & Bar


For whomever keeps complaining about there never being a thing to do in downtown Tampa really ought to wake up and listen to the music! While the Karma Cafe may be a little tricky to find, its extremely worth the journey. This posh, hidden gem is filled with colorful artwork from Artcore artists, great beer, board games, and yes...amazing jazz. You'll hear the classic miles davis covers, as well as some crazy ass improv that will blow your mind. listen to some jazz, while taking in the downtown vibe, and check the out the Karma Cafe, located on 206 N. Morgan St, Tampa . Tuesday nights, from 8-11 pm http://www.myspace.com/karmabarandcafe

Indigo Coffee

Photo courtesy of looptampa.com

I know, I know. Cafe Indigo, it's sort of a chain, and I HATE talking about chain places because of all the great local places in this area, but Cafe Indigo is different-for one thing, it's not Starbucks! Although I still have yet to check the downtown Tampa location, I remember recently driving through the area, and reading a sign about their weekend jazz. According to the site, you can check out Indigo Coffee, at 514 N Franklin St, on Friday nights from about 6-8:30 p.m. for their jazz-i'll keep you posted on my opinions of this place at a near distant time (if I can find the time to get off work..)


USF

Photo courtesy of http://mondaynightjazz.arts.usf.edu/

'' One of the best-kept secrets at USF, the Monday Night Jazz Series was started in 1996. Each semester, the Jazz Studies department welcomes acclaimed musicians to perform with the USF Jazz students and faculty on the last Monday of each month. Each artist conducts masterclasses with USF music students as part of their appearance making the Monday Night Jazz Series a bright spot for the students and faculty of the School of Music, as well as the Tampa Bay area jazz audience. '' - http://mondaynightjazz.arts.usf.edu/
I'm not sure if theyre still doing this, now that it's summer, but I know for a fact that once the fall and spring semester begin, this will definatley be in action. Its about $10 dollars I believe, but it's WORTH EVERY PENNY! Support the Jazz program at my school, and check this gem out!



Am I forgetting to bring some other areas to the limelight?? Are there any other hot spots that play jazz in tampa?? hit me up!

*cheers*

Here's the Scoop:

Hungry? bored? feeling culturally (and maybe socially) deprived...? I think I've got the cure for you. I'm here to point out and reveal some of the coolest, artsiest, and at times obscure and random hole-in-the-wall eateries, bars, music venues, and events, that you may not have normally noticed or heard of, otherwise. To make things simple, this site's purely dedicated to scooping and forking out all the nitty, gritty, hip, offbeat, quarky, grungy, cheap and tasty of Tampete (aka Tampa and St.Petersburg). Ill make weekly postings of the coolest restaurants and whatever I have discovered during that time, as well as post some cool stuff to do on the weekends (ill try to keep it on the cheap side, too!).


BUT, in order for this to work, ill need YOUR help too- Do you know of any cool restaurants, bars, coffeehouses, concerts, events, or anything else occurring within the realms of the Tampete area?!?! let me know, and ill be more than glad to post it! Say hello to the new "bulletin" board of Tampete...and please...SPREAD THE WORD!!

*Cheers!*