November is National Vegan month. Sanibel Fresh is a newly opened restaurant that caters to foodies with all kinds of restrictions, or no restrictions at all.
Amy Visco opened up the restaurant on Sanibel Island, in part, because of her family. Visco says, “My mother and sister both follow vegan diets. My sister has a vegan lifestyle and my brother is vegetarian. So I think it's becoming more prominent. I think it's just a healthier way to live." Healthy doesn’t mean tasteless, however. The popular madras curry dish packs plenty of flavor using at eight different spices, fresh lime juice, tomato and coconut. Visco says, “I like this vegan dish because it is something that's filling to where your meat eaters, I would think, wouldn't miss the protein."
The acai bowl is filling for breakfast or lunch. It starts with oats and quinoa as a base. The sweetness is all natural, using a local grapeseed as syrup. It’s garnished with fresh berries, coconut and chopped nuts.
Even a decadent pumpkin cheesecake can be vegan. That means no cheese and no eggs. It starts with cashew nuts that are soaked overnight. Visco says, “That is going to be the base. This is a nice healthy protein here." She adds, “No oven needed. It's a raw cheesecake that's vegan and gluten free and it's actually delicious as well."
Sanibel Fresh is open Thanksgiving morning for breakfast from 7 to 11 AM.
