A Vitality Bowls Superfood Café is coming to Pelican Plaza.
The health-conscious, allergic-people-friendly, fast-casual restaurant chain specializes in açaí bowls, which are a thick blend of the açaí (ah-sigh-ee) berry topped with organic granola and a selection of superfood ingredients.
Also available as the base of bowls are what the company described as "nutrient-packed superfruits" pitaya, graviola and acerola.
The menu also features antioxidant-rich smoothies, fresh juices, soups, salads and paninis. All items on the menu are made fresh and in kitchens free of cross contamination.
The bowls and smoothies contain no ice, frozen yogurt, added sugar, artificial preservatives, trans fats or any other fillers. Most of the ingredients are organic, depending on the season and availability, the company said.
Roy and Tara Gilad founded Vitality Bowls in 2011 in San Ramon, California, after they discovered their daughter had severe food allergies. The couple began franchising in 2014, and the business has since grown to more than 40 cafes open or in development.
The Pelican Plaza location will be the company’s third in the Sunshine State.
Pelican Plaza, in the Vamo area across the street from Westfield Sarasota Square, is in the final stages of a dynamic redevelopment project. The once nearly vacant shopping center has welcomed a number of new retailers in recent years, such as Ulta Beauty, Starbucks, Total Wine and More and Sprouts Farmers Market. The retail hub is also slated to welcome a Club Pilates and The Burger Foundation, a French-inspired burger restaurant, in the coming months.
Siesta Key welcomes new gift shop
A new gift shop has opened in Crescent Plaza on Siesta Key.
Sunshine & Sand Hidden Treasures at 6635 Midnight Pass Road sells an eclectic mix of coastal gifts, including round beach towels, artwork, T-shirts, jewelry and souvenirs. Dawn Henson, who owns the store, did a soft open in early November.
Crescent Plaza, which is just south of Stickney Point Road, is also home to Munchies, Toasted Mango Café, Miguel’s Restaurant, City Pizza Family Restaurant and Siesta Spirits, among other tenants.
TooJay's offers online ordering
TooJay’s has launched an online ordering program.
The New York-style deli is allowing guests to order and pay online through the restaurant’s website, toojays.com, and on TooJay’s mobile app, which is available for iOS and Android devices.
The company has a single Southwest Florida location at Westfield Siesta Key, on the east side of the mall near the new LA Fitness anchor.
TooJay’s, which was founded in 1981 in Palm Beach, has grown to 27 restaurants throughout Florida, including in Palm Beach, Broward and Polk counties, the Treasure Coast, the West Coast, the Orlando area and The Villages.
Maggie Menderski, the Herald-Tribune's retail and tourism reporter, can be reached at 941-361-4951 or maggie.menderski@heraldtribune.com. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @MaggieMenderski.