Viitals Healthy Gourmet Cafe opens on S Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa

Repulbished from the Viitals Healthy Gourmet Cafe opens on S Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa website

By Amy Scherzer, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Friday, August 26, 2011

PALMA CEIA — Bulgarian body builder Ivan Nikolov has long prepared meals specific to his dietary requirements.

But it hasn’t always tasted good.

“After years of drinking my food and eating bland chicken and broccoli,” says Nikolov, “I decided to put my protein in a muffin, first for myself and then to sell.”

Since 2009, Nikolov and his wife Silvia have sold nutritionally-enhanced baked goods in their Seminole Heights bakery. On Aug. 17, they expanded the operation, opening Viitals Healthy Gourmet Cafe in a retail plaza on S Dale Mabry Highway near Henderson Boulevard.

There, a hypoallergenic vegetarian and vegan menu features those muffins and cupcakes, plus smoothies and five paninis.

Baked goods are prepared fresh daily in the Seminole Heights bakery. Only natural sweeteners, such as organic coconut palm sugar, are used, Nikolov said.

“Everything is free of seven of the eight major food allergens,’’ he said, listing gluten, soy, eggs, dairy, peanuts, fish and shellfish.

Muffins, which cost $3.70 each, are made with olive oil, flax seed and 15 grams of protein, range from chocolate chip to banana split and chocolate raspberry. Cookies, cupcakes and sweet breads with 5 grams of added protein start at $2.

Viitals Waters, despite their names —Bloody Mary, pina colada and blueberry mojito —are non-alcoholic mixtures of coconut water and organic fruits to maintain electrolyte balance.

A European style espresso bar features coffee, flavorings and milk that are all organic.

Viitals Healthy Gourmet Cafe, 1155 S Dale Mabry Highway, is open daily. Summer hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call (813) 443-4567 or visit viitals.com.