A TASTE of America has come to Barry with the opening of an American–style diner - with a difference.
Jen Haste, owner of Monty and Vito’s Diner, has lived with Coeliac disease for the past 24 years and wanted to create a safe haven for people to enjoy her food without the worry of being ill.
Coeliac disease is when a person cannot eat gluten.
The diner, which has murals of American icons, opened its doors on October 22 and can be found at 48a Thompson Street.
Ms Haste said: “I’m very happy to now be open and the shop is looking more like how I envisioned.
Ms Haste outside her new diner picture: Jen Haste
“My dad has painted paintings of four states and my friend and Newport artist Antony J Smith painted the back mural of Frank Sinatra, Elvis, Johnny Cash and Bettie Page.
“I have been vegan for nearly 24 years and I’m also coeliac.
“I’m very allergic and through doing my market research and talking to customers since opening I have found a lot of people are the same.
“I mostly wanted to provide the local community with a safe haven to come and enjoy freshly baked food without the concern of being poorly and to provide choice.
“I try my best to change the menu everyday as I think there’s nothing worse than going somewhere with the same few options.
“Just because you have allergies or ethical choices for your diet you shouldn’t feel restricted.”
Monty and Vito’s Diner is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5.30pm.
To celebrate Thanksgiving later this month Ms Haste will create some traditional holiday treats, including sweet potato pie, mac and cheese with vegan bacon, and paninis with vegan turkey and homemade stuffing and cranberry sauce.
Ms Haste said: “For Christmas I will be making my own stocking full of vegan truffles and gingerbread I’ve made plus hampers with chutneys and relishes I’ve made.
Inside the diner picture: Jen Haste
“With my own shop I can now expand my menu closely following the American holidays, I have an American contact who gives me authentic recipes.
“At the moment the store has bagels, paninis made fresh to order, drip coffee, cream sodas, coke floats, ice cream sundaes.
A dose of America has come to Barry picture: Jen Haste
“I have a range of American pies like pumpkin, pecan, apple and caramelised sugar, and cherry.”
In the future Ms Haste hopes to organise a pre-order service and deliveries, and will soon be serving milkshakes, pancakes and waffles.
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