FOOD
LA FLORIDA:
GOOD NEWS FOR DOWNTOWN TALLY
Welcome
by rochelle koff photos the workmans
J
ean Uthmeier arrives at work in the predawn hours, baking bread and pastries, preparing her new downtown business for the day. “There was some talk in the beginning that we didn’t have to cook everything in-house but I said ‘No,’” said Uthmeier, who launched La Florida Coffee & Wine Bar on Feb. 22. “We really want fresh things, fresh fruit and fresh ingredients that are healthy, not food that’s frozen and just warmed up.” So whether you visit La Florida at 7 a.m. or 7 p.m., you’ll find homemade goodness to start — or end — your day on a bright note. For Uthmeier, it’s a labor of love. “I love that baking affords us the opportunity to be creative in the kitchen, like an artist, but with food, so we can make things that not only look beautiful but taste beautiful,” she said. “And bread is the staple of every culture. There’s something so personal and spiritual about making bread for people.” The venue is already becoming a welcome respite in Kleman Plaza, offering convenience and comfort. The building had been vacant since March 2020 when Tallahassee Community College decided to close the Starbucks branch it built and operated. Uthmeier has spruced up the place, which has a light-filled interior and outdoor seating. Fresh
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INFLUENCE Spring 2021