Downtown Frreshens Up Downtown Gainesville has welcomed some newcomers onto the scene, from everyone’s favorite burly beer brewer at Tall Paul’s to our sweet-toothed friends at Sarkara Sweets.

And when it comes to welcoming outsiders into our side of the swamp, us Gainesvillians can be quite the persnickety bunch. Here, it’s personality as much as the final product that keeps us coming back for more, and the guys over at downtown’s newest edition, Frresh Café, are offering up the best of both. -story and photo by Taylor Rohwedder

When we got word of a Latin fusion eatery opening its doors in a prime location next to Double Down Live (formerly Common Grounds), we had to head over and give our Gainesville stamp of approval. With a menu boasting mouth-watering Cuban, Asian, Greek and Mediterranean eats, it seemed almost too good to be true.

From the outside, the quaint set-up of tiny tables and cushioned couches beckons customers to wander in, and a quirky array of board games keeps you entertained while you dawdle away a Sunday afternoon or wind down after a wild night on the town.

Not only does Frresh Café offer up hefty servings of deliciousness day or night, they also cater to the ever-expanding vegetarian and vegan crowd in town. According to owner Alex Rodriguez, this local spot is a place where everyone is welcome and every appetite can be satisfied. He also values the importance of his customers’ health, preparing dishes with only the freshest local and organic ingredients.

With a menu bursting with incredible dishes like stuffed French toast, cheesy omelets, hummus platters and spicy curry, it was practically impossible to make a decision. Thankfully, Alex was there to help out, insisting I try the house specialty, picadillo ($9), a traditional Cuban hash with peppers, garlic and spices, cooked up with a choice of beef, turkey or tempeh.

When Alex presented me with my hearty helping of tempeh picadillo over yellow rice, I took all of 5 seconds to admire its beauty before promptly diving in face first.

Flavors of red sauce, oregano, garlic and a hint of maple and cinnamon came together fantastically in this dish, a recipe which Alex brought with him from Miami and perfected in his own kitchen. My dining partner chose the spicy chicken curry ($9), and concluded that the sweat dripping from his brow was worth every last zesty bite.

Though Frresh Café’s expansive menu also included a top-notch beer selection and a tempting half-price sangria special, we decided 11am was a bit early to put our drinking shoes on and, after a ruthless round of Connect-Four, decided to call it a day.

Overall, Frresh Café’s laidback vibe, friendly staff and mouth-watering menu items made for a fantastic dining experience. I’ll definitely be heading back to check out co-owner Lance jam out on the porch with his guitar, and of course to take advantage of that sangria special.