New Seminole Heights vegetarian Italian eatery, Ground Foods Cafe, is now open

The spot is vegan-friendly, too.

click to enlarge Rigatoni Alla Vodka with house-made cashew mozzarella. - GROUND FOODS CAFE/ FACEBOOK
GROUND FOODS CAFE/ FACEBOOK
Rigatoni Alla Vodka with house-made cashew mozzarella.

Seminole Heights has officially welcomed a new organic vegetarian Italian concept. At Ground Foods Cafe, located at 6428 N. Florida Ave., all the dishes on the menu are vegetarian, but most cater to vegans. 

The restaurant is in soft opening stages it's closed on Thursday, October 3, but reopening Friday and Saturday for lunch service only from noon-4 p.m. As of right now, Ground Foods' sample opening menu consists of two different open-faced sandwiches served on thick-cut local sourdough; one is filled with cannellini hummus, and the other is sando made with in-house almond "ricotta," roasted tomatoes, fresh basil, Italian microgreens, extra virgin olive oil, and chili flakes.

Guests can also snag hearty salads like a classic caesar or the Ground Foods House Salad packed with arugula, cucumber, olives, cannellini beans, cherry tomato and red onion tossed in a house vinaigrette (you can add vegan or dairy cheese for $3). Need a little more substance? Entrees include a rotini primavera, pesto pasta and rigatoni a la vodka.

On Wednesday, a Grounds Food employee worker told CL, via phone, that the menu is set to expand within the next week. According to Ground Foods' website, the goal is to create entrees that are hearty and healthy, without lacking in flavor. 

Seminole Heights' latest restaurant is also pouring natural wines imported from Italy alongside a selection of craft Italian beer. Ground Foods' space offers up sleek table and bar seating, and of course, there is some foliage accenting the bar area. 

Beginning next week, Ground Foods Cafe's hours will be noon-8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

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