A gorgeous farm-to-table restaurant exists in Vero Beach,
Florida. Owner Chef Christopher Bireley is passionate about sourcing local
Florida ingredients. Born in Vero Beach, Bireley travelled the world and the
United States, cooking as he went, before returning home to open his restaurant
in October 2011.
Some Foodies in West Palm Beach raved about Osceola Bistro
and the wonderful food. So, I went to see what all the fuss was about. While
there Chef Bireley came out of the kitchen to chat. He was full of smiles
and warmth.
 |
| Chef Christopher Bireley, owner of Osceola Bistro, a farm-to-table restaurant in Vero Beach, Fla. |
“Last year we got peaches from Premier’s farm just north of
Ft.Pierce. We had peaches for a month and put them in salads, main dishes, and
desserts. It was great,” Bireley said to me as I sat at a cloth covered table
in the covered patio area.
There was a water feature a short distance away with
colorful pots of fresh herbs ringing it. Suddenly Bireley got up and walked
over to a pot of chives. He grabbed a handful and expertly cut them with a pair
of scissors. “I use theses herbs and ones from Osceola Organics farm in my food,”
he said.
He also grows his own olives from two potted olive trees
located on the far wall of the covered patio area. “Last year that one there,”
he said pointing to the tree at the back, “produced a huge crop.”
He also sources products from locals like greens from
Osceola Organic Farm, and Gibbons Farms Organics, pastured poultry from
Crazy Hart Ranch, and seafood from Wild Ocean Seafood Market. “I try to give my guests organic whenever I can. This past
month there has been an abundance of organic tomatoes so I’ve included them in
my menu.”
I ordered a glass of sweet Florida pink grapefruit juice
($2.50) squeezed that morning by Chef according to the bar tender. Then I got
an Osceola Farm Greens salad ($6) with an aromatic in-house-made dressing. It
was light, and full of flavor. I followed this with a heavenly delicious bowl
of lightly coated deep-fried Florida rock shrimp ($9) served with a bright tarragon
aioli sauce.
Osceola Bistro is located opposite the Vero Beach Post
Office at 2045 13th Avenue, FL, 32960. Phone: 772-569-1299. They are open
every day except Sunday. To find out more go to www.osceolabistro.com
No comments:
Post a Comment