What do you get when you mix pineapple with celery and mint? How about when you pair mango and shiitake mushrooms?
What may seem like odd combinations to most people are the foundations of an innovative new menu featured at Cafe 118°, which is slated to open in downtown Winter Park by the end of this month.
The cafe, so named because 118° is the temperature at which most nutrients and enzymes are destroyed, will be home to foods that are entirely raw; no animal products used.
Matthew Kenney, raw food chef and author of Everyday Raw, created every item on the menu from natural ingredients. For example, the lasagna is made with zucchini, tomato and basil, and the cheese is derived from macadamia nuts.
Joe Diaz, owner of the new concept, encourages "everybody who likes food and is willing to try something new and innovative" to stop by the cafe.
Diaz said there are several health benefits to this menu, such as not feeding your body processed foods and not having a chance for any animal by-product. And, unlike most restaurants, none of the items at Cafe 118° use preservatives - including BHT, which is banned for use in food by Japan, Romania and Australia.
Diaz said he hopes to "impact [Orlando's] lifestyle and way of thinking about food," and to "plant a seed to allow them to do research on raw food."
He said many athletes and yoga instructors are already anticipating the opening because the fresh fruit juices and smoothies are perfect for after a workout.
But whether you're an athlete, a vegan, a health-conscious person or just curious and out to try something different, Diaz promises that Cafe 118° "create(s) a flavor that all walks of life will enjoy." He said the business wouldn't be as strong if the foods were an acquired taste.
Diaz explained the mission of Cafe 118° as being able to expose the flavors and ingredients of things that people see every day in the grocery store but don't pick up because they don't know what it is.
"We want to be a true healthy alternative," Diaz said.
Stephanie Cooper, junior literature major at UCF, said she would definitely be interested in trying the food at Cafe 118°: "I'm not a vegetarian, but I'm really interested in healthy living."
Although there are similar concepts in Miami, New York and California, Cafe 118° is the first of its kind in Central Florida. Diaz said they really don't have any competition, since even vegetarian restaurants heat their food with a stove or microwave. Cafe 118° uses only a dehydrator, which Diaz said removes the moisture from food but not the vitamins.
If you're looking to try something sweet, Cafe 118° will also offer desserts, such as cacao pudding with agave caramel and mocha cake with coconut marshmallow, just to name a few.
It will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with take-out options, smoothies and juices, and will eventually have a delivery service.
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