Community Foodwaves

Prum’s Kitchen (Gainesville, FL)

Prum’s kitchen definitely adds unique flavor to the local restaurant scene in Gainesville. Located in downtown Gainesville, Prum’s kitchen is dedicated to Cambodian fusion cuisine. I found the owner Bo Prum’s story of living through and escaping Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge regime to be captivating. I also wanted to try home style Cambodian cuisine.

The restaurant has a few tables inside, as well as a Christmas tree to fit the season, and also offers some outdoor seating. I chose to sit outside as it allows for safer social distancing.

I tried the Mi Ka Tang (stir fried flat noodles) with beef. The rice noodles, which are on the wider sides, were drenched in a delicious sauce, both sweet and savory. The beef was super tender, as well as the veggies ( Yu Choy stalks) inside, and the egg added had soaked up the flavor of the sauce nicely.

The vegetarian Ba-Bong, vermicelli noodles with veggies (lettuce, cucumber, bean sprouts, cilantro), egg roll, fried tofu, and topped with roasted peanuts, were also very good and comes with a side of house dressing that is vinegar-based.

They also give you a spice rack with a house made spicy pepper sauce, hoisin sauce, and another spicy sauce. If you like your food spicy like I do, I highly recommend their house made pepper paste! It gives a slow burn and it is so addicting! They also sell little bottles of this sauce for $10!

On a cold night, there’s nothing like Phnom Penh noodles to warm you right up! The broth is savory and has a slightly sweet aftertaste. The noodles are thin, rice noodles, which soak up the broth wonderfully. The noodles are topped with thin slices of beef, shrimp, scallions and cilantro. There is also a plate of lemon and bean sprouts you can use to flavor the broth.

As for drinks, I tried their boba thai tea. The boba was slightly too firm both times I’ve tried this so I would recommend it without the bubbles, but the thai flavor was very strong, which I liked. Their tea is made freshly in house, which is a nice touch.

I will definitely be back to try more dishes here, and highly recommend to anyone who would like to try something new!

Tom Cat Cafe (Gainesville, FL)

Since we all need to stay extra healthy during this pandemic, Tom Kat Cafe is a great place to get in those greens and vitamins! Tom Kat is a vegetarian café and bar located downtown. They now have a regular menu with everything from small appetizers chips and soups to tacos, burgers, kesl, and sandwiches! Their beer and drink menu is also extensive and even though it was not on their menu, they also offered Hot Toddy and hot teas! (Definitely a must for those colder nights!)

I loved the interior as they had such a unique space with a bar, extensive seating, and neon signs. I chose to eat outdoors, which they have a lot of seating for, and enjoyed the lights and bright tables in their secluded, fenced patio area.

I was intrigued by “The Dog Pound,” ($8) their grilled carrot dog on a whole wheat bun. I chose the option with Chili cheese on this colder night. Yes. It is literally grilled carrots sliced long, topped with chili and cheese. It was really good with the chili, as it gave it more flavor, and slightly sweeter than I imagined. It came with a pickle on the side. Definitely a healthier option for those looking for less sodium. You would not like it, however, if you are not into grilled/steamed carrot, because that is what the texture is like.

The Spicy Soyrizo Tacos, ($11) which are tacos, which came with 4 vegan chorizo tacos loaded with salsa, onion, avocados, and sprouts, topped with lima cream and yum yum sauce. I would highly recommend this! It was messy, but so worth it. The tacos were flavorful and though it did get soggy on the bottom, I thoroughly enjoyed the spicy and tangy flavors in these tacos. It’s also a large portion for the price!

Finally- the Kesl fries, which were grilled potatoes and onions- I also picked the chili supreme (picture 3, $9) for this, which came with chili, cheddar, red onion, and pickled jalapenos. The potatoes were a nice mixture of crispy and soft, with the jalapenos (always love it spicy!) and onions giving a good flavor overall. The portion is also large so it is good to share with a friend!

I was super happy to hear that Tom Kat gets their ingredients from local vendors, so they offer specials based on what veggies are in season. Overall, Tom Kat is an amazing place, whether you are vegetarian or just looking for healthy eats!

Muñecas Downtown Taco Garden (Gainesville, FL)

Tonight’s post is dedicated to Muñecas Downtown Taco Garden! Their Kimchi Tempeh taco (a special menu) was one of the boldest flavor combinations I’ve had and I was impressed! It is representative of the kind of creative, fusion dishes they have-inspired by South Florida and Asia!

The Kimchi Tempeh Taco Meal ($8.50) came with a choice of side or fried plantains, of which I chose plantains. The kimchi was spicy and flavorful (and I do have high kimchi standards as a Korean), and the tempeh also added a kick with what tasted like a soy sauce base. They added red cabbage, cilantro, and a creamy sauce on the top-such an aesthetically pleasing dish! The combination of kimchi and tempeh was on the saltier side so I wish I had ordered a side of rice instead of the plantains, but plantains were still sweet and good so overall it was not bad at all. I really enjoyed the flavor combinations of the dish and hope they feature it again in the future!

Their rice bowls ($9.50~12.50) are also good and from a base of rice, black beans, and plantains you can choose a protein, 4 toppings and sauces (Chimichurri, Sriracha Aioli, Jalapno-Cilantro, Yum Yum).

If you like spicy foods, I would also recommend their yellow Indonesian curry (picture 4). I got the beef for $11.75 with a spice level of 4. Their food is on the spicy side so beware! I was pleasantly surprised by how good this curry was. It was creamy, and had just the right level of spice for me. Perfect for these cooler days! It had a good amount of meat on it and even a tiny little portion of lettuce and tomatoes on the side, which was interesting.

Located in Bo Diddly Plaza downtown, Muñecas has a lot of outdoor seating, which is perfect for socially distanced and safer dining. I personally like the atmosphere it has at night. Perfect place for a casual date or a chill night out with friends. They have plenty of drinks, including beer, kombucha, limonada and wine!

I absolutely love how their food is locally sourced, with their tempeh made by Tempeh Kitchen Arto Moro, using a traditional Indonesian slow fermentation process. They get their fish, meat, and veggies from local docks and farmers markets, as well as their drinks from local brewers as well.

Don’t miss out on Muñecas- they definitely have something for everyone! Seriously- they even have a puppy bowl consisting of chicken and veggies – how cute is that?

Indian Street Food (Gainesville, FL)

Cold weather in Gainesville means it’s time to light a fire in your belly! These dishes from Indian Street Food will definitely make you feel warm, if not straight up sweaty. They are now offering mostly vegetarian and some non-vegetarian options. They have limited dining in and no outdoor seating, but you can always get takeout. Some of my favorites from here are:

1. Chicken Biryani (~$15): A mixed rice dish with Indian spices, chicken buried inside the rice, lemon, and an egg on top. This is the best biryani I have had in Gainesville! This dish also comes with a variety of sauces- the white sauce is good if you like it creamy!

2. Pav Bhaji Dosa ($10.99): Thin, crispy rice crepe filled with pavbaji (a veggie curry), potato masala, onion, tomato, and Indian cottage cheese- savory, flavorful, and filled with spices. It also comes with a variety of 4 chutney (my personal favorite is the green!)

I really like how Indian Street Food offers a mix of different cultural cuisines in addition to South Indian food with their Indo-Chinese food such as:

1. Vegetable Sichuan noodles ($12.99) –Sichuan is a southwestern Chinese province that is known for their bold and spicy noodles. This dish will make you sweat! Consider yourself warned. Indian Street Food’s adaptation of the Chinese dish consists of wheat noodles mixed with bell pepper, onions, cabbage, and carrots in a spicy sauce. It also has small chilies mixed in- do not eat these unless you are VERY tolerant to spice! I tried one and let me just say was not a pleasant experience, even though I love spicy food!

2. Gobi Manchurian ($11.99)- This is a Indo-Chinese fusion dish made up of a fried crispy cauliflower in a Manchurian sauce. It’s made of a soy sauce and vinegar base so it’s salty, sweet, and tangy. I recommend this dish if you are not good with spicy food.

I also like how the portions are very big for each dish. You can easily share one dish with another person, or have leftovers. Score for the college student or graduate student budget!

Swamp Boil (Gainesville, FL)

Swamp Boil, established in July 2020 by UF alum Son Hai Vo, is a flavorful and bold addition to Northwest Gainesville! I like that the location was away from the hectic noise and traffic on University Ave. The location allows for ample parking and seating outdoors. As a seafood lover, I am always on the hunt for a good boil and Swamp Boil’s combined Vietnamese-Cajun style immediately grabbed my attention.

The restaurant greets you with a festive energy with its hanging Christmas decorations and Christmas tree, along with the vibrant murals showcasing a huge orange and blue gator, as well as various food ingredients.

There is plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors, and the restaurant is equipped with hand washing stations. All workers were masked appropriately.

Don’t let the menu overwhelm you, as they have an impressive choice of appetizers ranging from kimchi (Korean dish made with napa cabbage fermented with spicy paste), to Bánh xèo (vietnamese crepes), to sausage meatballs, followed by sandwiches, buns, porkbelly, to gumbo. They are really covering a wide array of Asian, American, and fusion cuisines here and not afraid to go all out in doing so.

I know I had to try their “Build Your Own Boil” option in which you choose from a variety of seafoods (prices by half a pound), then sauces, then spice level. Don’t worry- they also have pre-selected pairings for those that have trouble deciding.

I chose to build my own with Crawfish ($7) +Mussels ($7) +Shrimp (peeled option $9), and Snow Crab ($14). Then I went for their signature Shabang sauce (garlic, ginger, lemon, butter, cajun spice, lemon pepper, cayenne, old bay, oregano) with a spice level of 2 (hot). Even though I’m an avid lover of spicy food, I was glad I chose the hot because it definitely has a kick. After covering the table with a layer of paper, they equip you with a bib, gloves, and a double jaw tool to prepare you for peeling. When I asked where the seafood was from, my waiter kindly informed me that their seafood was distributed through Cheney Brothers, another family owned business that is based in Florida.

The seafood boil is on the pricey side (as boils usually are) but it was worth it. The dish was a good amount to share between two people, as it also comes with one corn and two potatoes. The sauce was phenomenal. Definitely would come here just for the sauce and I wish they could sell it bottled up. The seafood was fresh, but if you ask for my #1 topping I would have to say mussels because they soaked up all that sauce and garlic slices perfectly. The shrimp also is easy to eat and flavorful. Snow crab and crawfish called for more labor than meat itself, but hey maybe that’s the fun of eating a boil right? Once you get your fill of the seafood, go ahead and soak the potatoes in the sauce. Cut the corn in kernels to mix with the sauce. Scoop up the corn kernels and sauce mixture and experience a flavor explosion with the perfect texture and hint of sweet.

Seafood boil with Crawfish ($7) +Mussels ($7) +Shrimp (peeled option $9), and Snow Crab ($14), Shabang sauce level 2 (hot)

Mix the corn kernels with all those delicious juices!

I also wanted to try their pho, so I ordered the classic ($13), which comes with beef broth, rice noodle, rib eye brisket, meatballs, and a plate with pickled onions, mint, jalapeños and bean sprouts. The portion is very large so it is shareable if you are ordering a few dishes. The broth was savory, topped with scallion, and seasoned generously. I didn’t even need to use the various sauces they provided after adding jalapeños and mint. The brisket is so tender and noodles were just the right consistency. Overall, a good pho and perfect for a colder day.

With the friendly, vibrant, and young spirit this new restaurant has, Swamp Boil is my new go-to spot for boil and fusion food! I’m already thinking about that Shabang sauce again…

Alpin Bistro (Gainesville, FL)

Even though I was not able to travel out of FL due to the pandemic, I’m thankful to enjoy some fantastic local foods for Thanksgiving right here in Gainesville. I had the pleasure of enjoying some outdoor time and socially distanced eating at Alpin’s back patio. A great spot for meeting friends or for a date night.

After hearing the owner Sita’s stories about the restaurant’s humble beginnings and how their delicious dishes are made from local ingredients from farms and bakeries right in Gainesville (including Vine Bakery, Siembra Farm, and Swallowtail Farm), it gave me even more of a reason to keep coming back. She noted the small but conscious choices that the restaurant makes, such as not overfilling water cups and conserving water by using left over water in glasses to water plants. (Just ask to see the lemon tree that grew from lemon seeds that were left in a water cup!) I love seeing the sense of community among Gainesville’s small businesses ❤️ Their specials change often depending on availability, but here are some treats I had recently:

Main Course

Zucchini and eggplant tart (vegetarian friendly and delicious!)

Salmon tart (lots of salmon in every bite)

Le Croque Vegetarian (French sandwich filled with arugula, topped with tomatoes and onions)

Le Croque Madame (French sandwich with cheese, ham, mornay and an egg on top)

Desserts (had to order them later to-go bc I didn’t have room in my stomach 😅)

Cranberry tart (you will like this if you like fruity tarts!)

Creme brulee (that satisfying crack when you break the top)

Chocolate mousse (so good. So smooth)

Hazelnut crepe (best crepe I have had in Gainesville for sure. Best if you like nutty flavors)

Drinks

Kir Royal: a French Cocktail with creme de cassis toped with champaign- definitely a drink for celebration or if you are just wanting to feel fancy.

Chocolate stout beer: organic and delightful if you like chocolatey, dark beers.