Flora Cafe Offers Something for Every Palate
- Susan Heavilin
- Sep 10
- 5 min read
Gabriela Castillo and Grisel Roman are long-time friends and also the owners of the wonderful Flora Cafe, located in the Vons shopping center in Center Bonita.
How do they know each other?
They met eighteen years ago on a soccer field where their sons were playing soccer. They would talk and catch up on the sidelines and a friendship soon developed.
Where did the restaurant idea come from?
Gabriela, Grisel and their friend Ileana went to a health retreat together. They were all sitting on the grass talking when Grisel mentioned that before the pandemic hit, she had wanted to open a vegan restaurant. Gabriela chimed in that she had always wanted to open a bakery or a cafe-type restaurant.
Their friend, Ileana, was the one that concreted the idea. She said “Well, you need to do it together. Why don’t you start?” That’s how it all began. . . and it worked.
Does the name Flora Cafe signify anything?
“We wanted something floral. In the beginning we had another name picked because we wanted the name to start with a ‘G’ like Gabby and Grisel. We found a name, but nobody could say it correctly. We decided it would be very difficult and so we changed the name. Our logo is a peony. So, one day we said, oh . . . Flora.”
"Nestled in the heart of Bonita, Flora Cafe offers a harmonious fusion of flavors and aesthetics. Indulge in thoughtfully crafted coffee, soothing teas, and invigorating organic pressed juices, complemented by a delectable menu of fresh breakfasts, pastries, sandwiches, salads, and soups. From early morning caffeine cravings to leisurely afternoon bites, Flora Cafe has something for every palate. Immerse yourself in a comforting ambiance, where every sip and bite transports you to a moment of pure bliss."—Flora Cafe
How did you come up with your menu?
"We had some ideas of healthy dishes. We've always taken cooking classes, not together but separately. I would take them separately and she would take them separately.
Grisel took cooking classes from a particular chef. Her name is Alma Fernanda Regalado and she's a Cordon Bleu trained chef. Grisel really liked her food, so we asked her if she could curate our menu with our input. We knew more or less what we wanted—like the salads and the sandwiches—and Grisel wanted to have vegan options. So, with our help, she curated the menu.”
Flora Cafe in Bonita offers a menu with espresso drinks like lattes and cold brew, specialty drinks such as the Citrina and Lilac, and food items including breakfast sandwiches, tuna sandwiches, salmon toast, and flan. You can also find pastries and fresh-baked goods, with the cafe emphasizing fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients. The most current menu can be viewed and ordered from by visiting their Toast page. —AI Overview
What are your most popular menu items?
“Probably the chicken pesto panini. But you know what, everybody loves all the food, I think. Everybody says, oh, this is very delicious.
We have some summer specials right now, like the chicken pesto panini and the beet and labneh salad. The summer specials that have become very popular. Another is the tuna salad sandwich is very popular. Our chicken salad is a take on a Waldorf Salad."
"Right now, the summer specials are going on and I think we're going to keep them on the menu. They've been doing so well. We might be adding or subtracting one. And then we also have a Caesar salad wrap. A lot of the kids like that. And the toast is really good. Everybody loves the bread."
EDITOR'S NOTE: The bread is to die for! I always get the Mediterranean Avocado Toast, it is amazing. But I must warn you, it’s extremely addictive!
"We use a local vendor for the sourdough bread. It’s really good.
We make all the dressings so they are handmade. They can add soup or pesto. We don't buy anything. None of the ingredients are commercial or store-bought. We try to keep it healthy, very healthy. We get our produce pretty much every day. Every day, fresh.
We also compost. We have a lady in Bonita that comes and gives us her buckets every day. She comes and switches them out and we compost the coffee and the vegetables and everything. And she takes it to a garden and composts it."
Fresh flowers are found on each table | When you enter Flora Cafe, you'll want to go straight to the ordering counter | Click on images to enlarge
They serve cold-pressed juices, all organic.
Pure Verde has celery, Persian cucumber, parsley, lemon and Granny Smith apple.
Glowy is made up of celery, carrot, apple, ginger and Persian cucumber.
Blissful Beet consists of beets, apple, lemon and ginger.
Flora Cafe has a delightful atmosphere to sit, relax and enjoy your meal, inside or outside.
But it’s also a takeout where you can come get your morning coffee to take to work. . . and there’s no waiting in line like Better Buzz or Starbucks. You can be sure that Flora Cafe’s coffee has no extra additions and it’s a huge savings . . . their drip coffee is free!
You may dine inside or outside, your choice! | Click on images to enlarge
Does takeout have the same hours as your café?
"Yes, 7:30AM to 6:00PM Monday through Friday. Saturday hours are 8:00AM to 4:00PM and Sundays are 8:00AM to 4:00PM.
Our customers can order online to pick up. That way they don't have to wait for their food, like if they're on their lunch break. They can pay online and then they just walk in and pick it up. We also provide DoorDash pickup."
"Our Matcha Latte is really good and we use organic ceremonial Matcha. Ceremonial Matcha is a higher grade of matcha . . . no additives or preservatives. Matcha is a type of green tea. We make it in the way that all the antioxidants and good bacterial things aren't being taken out or extracted of the tea.”
Is this space available for events?
"We've had some people reach out to us that want to do events here. There is space for 26 people.
You could have your event in the afternoon and they could serve food, and still be open to the public. They can close early for you, also. Your group could arrive late afternoon, around 3ish and stay until 6pm. You could also talk to them about extending their hours."
Contact them at (619) 856-4226 to make arrangements.
Is catering available?
"Yes, We can do up to 25 sandwiches or salads with several days anticipation."
Where can I find Flora Cafe?
Flora Cafe is located at 4374 Bonita Road, Suite #100 in Bonita, CA 91902 (the Vons Shopping Center).
Click on images to enlarge
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