Last updated: 17 July 2023
If you’re in the Crystal River area in Florida to swim with manatees or go scalloping then you’re going to need a great place for a delicious meal. We found Greenhouse Bistro & Market in Homosassa to be the perfect place for lunch.
For owners Craig and Cindy Shatto, being attuned to individual dietary restrictions and offering a farm to table methodology is the backbone for this little establishment. Together with head chef Marc, they make a point of sourcing produce from local farmers and fisherman and making in-house mayo, sauces and dressings. With a herb and vegetable garden onsite, there’s no microwaves or deep fryers here, everything’s made to order.
The Venue
The building stands on the site of a former train ticket station for the famous Mullet Express, a train that ran people and supplies between Ocala, Silver Springs, and Gulf Railroad. An old stone church also once stood on the same site, built in 1935, it was destroyed by fire in 2005. The Shattos invested significant amounts of time, money and local resources to remove 50 truckloads of trash from the area in an effort to clean up the tributary and restore it to the glory it is today.
Nowadays, the interior decor comprises of recycled doors, windows, signs and shutters which line the walls of this former train station. Reclaimed timber tables and accents of corrugated galvanised steel and an open ceiling exposed air conditioning vents and lighting reaffirm the industrial chic vibe.
The Food
The menu is extensive however be sure to check out the plat du jour specials of fish, chowder, burger, salad and soup all of which rotate daily. On the day of our visit, the Haddock Chowder was on the board, which was superb and creamy, full of haddock and flavour. I opted for the bruschetta crostini with a balsamic reduction off the standard menu. Both were spectacular.
Alongside dietary restrictions, the house speciality is game meat which rotates on a monthly basis. The month we visited the option was Bison. The delightful waitstaff informed us enthusiastically that coming up later in the year was turtle, snake and camel.
For me, choosing a main was a tough decision. The Mediterranean lamb burger ticked all my boxes with feta, mint, garlic and a homemade sauce. However, I was swayed by the sandwich du jour, grouper fish on focaccia with a side of homemade chips. It’s very good, the fish was juicy and tender, perhaps slightly too moist as the focaccia went soft very quickly.
Russ was tempted by the game meat, a burger made with bison and fresh salad served with a side, he also opted for the homemade chips. There’s little discussion at our table once meals arrived, as he demolishes the lot in record time. I can attest, this was definitely a good sign!
Dessert rolled around and we both loosened our belts another notch. I opted for the chocolate brownie. Clearly my eyes were bigger than my stomach. In line with the restaurants sensitivity to food intolerance, the brownie is gluten free, not that i could tell! It certainly tasted like a ‘normal’ brownie; slightly crispy on the outside with a soft gooey centre. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t finish it but without a fuss it was kindly wrapped up for me to take home.
The Drinks
Drink menu was comprehensive to say the least. It was the Bartenders mixer of the day that caught our eye, an Irish Mule. The cocktail consisted of Irish whiskey topped with apple cider and ginger beer. It came served in a Kangaroo copper mug with a sprig of rosemary and cranberry garnish. Refreshing and full of flavour, we both wished we weren’t driving so we could have 4 more!
The Verdict
It was comforting to see a restaurant focus on people and the experience rather than cramming in as many tables as possible for an extra dime or two. At Greenhouse Bistro, tables were located around strategically placed planter boxes for privacy and noise control. Those dining in the aviary extension, next to the indoor butterfly garden and bar, found themselves in a large room perfect for a large party or private event. We visited in winter and were pleased to see it was well heated and loads of natural light!
In fine weather, the Greenhouse Bistro runs regular events such as movie nights, wine tastings and multiple sittings on special events like New Years Eve. Coming soon is Hunter Springs, a experience company offering kayak, scalloping and manatee tours operating from the newly built jetty at the back of the property with direct access to Hunter Spring.
With friendly, attentive, and multilingual staff, plus a conscious awareness to those with dietary restrictions, this place makes a great choice for lunch or dinner. They also offer brunch in Sunday’s which, if we’d been in town on a Sunday, would have seen us return to try it.
The Essentials | Greenhouse Bistro & Market
- Where: 2420 S Suncoast Blvd, Homosassa, FL 34448, USA
- Cost: For a three course lunch and a few beverages our bill came to roughly $90 plus gratuity.
- More information and to book: Website | Facebook | Trip Advisor
Our visit to Greenhouse Bistro & Market was in collaboration with Discover Crystal River Florida.
