On my birthday, I decided to treat myself to a sketch and brunch at Bountiful Bistro (27314 County Rd 33, Okahumpka, FL). The week before I had driven in the driveway and saw that there was a field of sunflowers. I vowed to come back to sketch the sunflowers.
Wend I drove onto the Bountiful Farms, this sign pointed me to park at the second fence. The first fence was for people shopping in the Bountiful Market which is what I decided to sketch. There didn’t seem to be as many sunflowers as I had remembered and they were off in the distance.
The bountiful market has a simple lean-to design with a carport entrance. Baskets were stacked on a post. Though the website said the Bistro opened at 9am, it really doesn’t open until 11am. I had plenty of time to sketch. I sat in the shade of a giant live oak which is where Bistro patron sit.
I finished the sketch and the Bistro still wasn’t open, so I went to shop in the market. I got tomatoes and ears of corn. When I piled by produce on the counter, one of the tomatoes fell to the floor. When ringing up my purchase the cashier noticed that one of my tomatoes was bruised and cut. I confessed that it had fallen. She gave me another tomato at no charge. I’m not used to such kindness. I realize now that the stack of baskets were not for display but are to be used to hold produce as you shop. Next time I will shop like a civilized person rather than as a neanderthal.
I was the first person to sit down at the Bistro. I ordered a delicious and fresh cold pressed fruit drink. The dink had Orange, Lemon, Cantaloupe, Ginger and carrot. It was a healthy and delicious way to start my birthday brunch. I ordered the Red Snapper Sandwich which had light crispy old bay seasoned green banana battered red snapper. Served on a brioche bun, with lettuce, pickled onions, tomato, and creamy tartar sauce. It was so delicious.
The Bountiful Bistro is a real Lake County gem. I know I will return at least once a month for fresh produce and I will want to sample more of the items on the Bistro menu. Now I know to show up closer to 11am which is wen the bistro opens.