A few miles out from downtown’s bustling sidewalks lies Gulfport; a sunny, seaside pocket of paradise that’ll remind you why you moved to Florida in the first place. The boutique lined streets, salty breeze, and hole-in-the-wall mom and pop stores all prove that St. Pete is not just a city of blaring firetruck horns, but rather a relaxing paradise of a hometown. Often times, as I smother my frustrated ears into my evening down-pillow, it’s easy to forget that.
Last week, in need of a mental break, I decided to spend an afternoon in that charming, little Gulfport. Aware of my foodie habits, a friend recommended I make a pit stop at Beach Boulevard’s newest coffee-shop; Anani Bistro. I took his advice, and, walking through the rustic-chic doors, immediately realized I had discovered a slow, cool neighborhood escape. The wafting scent of ripe pineapple wafted from a churning blender. My mind was struck with a peaceful Florida calm.
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After a few minutes, owner, Corey Holycross, entered the shop. Curious about his quaint, yet trendy, bistro, I quickly engaged him in a culinarily-centered conversation.
“My wife, Deena, and I have always had a vision of opening a coffee shop,” he told me. “Coffee shops are like rest stops. They’re reliable, you find them wherever you go, but they’re each a little different. We wanted ours to be chill and comfortable. Downtown can be so busy. Gulfport fit our vision.”
Creating a “chill,” connected oasis
Glancing at the green canopies of the nearby palm trees, I couldn’t help but agree. The location was prime.
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“But, at the same time,” he continued, “We also wanted to create a place of community where people could connect with others. In a quieter place like Gulfport, we knew getting people in and getting them talking could be a little challenging.”
I looked around the modern, nostalgic space. In the front sat a seven-student study group, while the back was filled with mothers, daughters, and couples. An older woman stood at the bar counter, waiting to purchase a juice. The place was—in no way—empty. And people were definitely talking.
It would be naïve to assume, however, that people are simply drawn to a coffee shop because it’s called a “coffee shop,” especially if said “coffee shop” is a bit off the beaten path. I thought to ask Corey how he and Deena overcame their predicted challenges and rounded up a crowd, but then I noticed a display of gooey, chocolate chip cookies on the counter. Duh—I realized. The food.
Picking up on my foodie intrigue, and certainly proud of his carefully designed menu, Corey raised an eyebrow with a smile.
“What do you want to try?” he asked.
“Anything that tastes good,” I responded.
Corey got up from the table, eyes filled with intent. He knew exactly what to serve.
Innovative, hand-crafted recipes and brews
Now, as I would soon figure out, asking a talented chef for “anything that tastes good,” is pretty much like saying, “just bring me everything on the menu.” Fortunately Corey didn’t take it that literally, but he definitely did a thorough job showing me all of Anani’s tastiest offerings. From lox bagels to acai bowls; to lattes, salads, and those damn-good cookies, Corey and Deena’s menu was innovative and delicious. It even featured crazy hybrids of well-known classics, like peanut butter avocado toast, which is pretty much what happens when an avocado and a PB&J have a baby.
If peanut butter and avocado’s scandalous love child sounds interesting to you—or you’re just perpetually hungry—then read on.
Here are some of the best menu highlights, and why you need them in your life:
~Cold brew- Ok, I mean, Anani Bistro is a coffee shop, so I figured I’d start with their best drink. And, don’t let the simplicity fool you—their cold brew really is their best coffee. Made completely in house, Corey recalls spending hours on end perfecting this recipe.
~Lox Bagel- A NY classic, the lox bagel is a real breakfast treat. Anani, however, takes it to the next level. Layering smashed avocado, cream cheese, and smoked salmon on a NY-imported bagel, this plate is hearty and mouthwatering. And, to further enhance the flavor complexity, the whole thing is covered in chives, lime zest, red pepper flakes, and a bunch of other tasty seasonings.
~Kale and Quinoa Salad- For those looking for something raw and green, yet still yummy, this is the dish for you. Featuring chopped kale “massaged with honey Dijon vinaigrette,” this complete salad is packed with quinoa, goat cheese, cranberries and more.
~Acai Bowl- With a choice from four different bases and an extensive topping list, the acai bowl is one of Anani’s best-selling items. Though many people like to load theirs with tropical fruit, seeds, and coconut flakes, I personally recommend peanut butter, banana, granola, and honey. Oh—and their homemade chia seed pudding.
~PB & Cado Toast- Since I’ve already described this in my own words (PB&J and avocado toast’s love affair), I’ll just post the menu description of this creative treat: “Italian bread, peanut butter, avocado mash, sliced strawberries, hemp seeds, cinnamon, honey.”
~Deena’s Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie- If you don’t order this cookie, you’re doing life wrong. Seriously. It’s that good.
Your new community coffee destination
Ready to end your relationship with your impersonal, franchised coffee chain? Then Anani Bistro is the place for you.
Because, hey, if you’re going to spend $5 on a coffee anyways, it might as well be from a place that loves making it as much as you love drinking it.
(And that has killer cookies.)
Anani Bistro is located at 3062 Beach Blvd S in Gulfport, and can be reached over the phone at (727) 498-8116. To learn more about current menu offerings, foodies can visit https://www.ananibistro.com/, or follow the Anani team on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ananibistro/.
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