One Local Restaurant is a Hidden Gem

Local dining food choices aren't as limited as you might believe, and they certainly don't have to be boring. That much is evident after a visit to a local restaurant celebrating its first anniversary.

Orgen D'nal is an outgrowth of a personal training studio called Kingdom Fitness run by restaurant owner Arthur White in an adjacent building. His customers enjoyed rejuvenating health drinks after workouts, so after three years of operations he conceived of a juice bar, which eventually expanded to a wider menu. "The demand got so big that we just had to have a location," White said.

The creatively-decorated space is tucked away off the highway at 1429 Resmondo Drive, just north of CarQuest Auto Parts. It may be a bit hard to find the first time, but it's well worth the effort.

White's focus on healthy food and fitness comes naturally, as he teaches biology for Polk County Public Schools. White gives his mother, Betty Bent, the credit for the creative edge on the restaurant. "She's kind of the mastermind," he said, and wanted to make it "culturally different." Bent is also the restaurant manager and "head chef," he said.

The Orgen D'Nal menu offers a variety of light meals including wraps and croissant sandwiches including an Island Chicken Wrap, BBQ Chicken Wrap, Veggie Wrap, Seafood on Croissant or Chicken Salad on Croissant. All are available individually or as combos with a line-up of juice drinks and smoothies with creative and descriptive names like King Green, Refugee, Bob's Hemp, Jamaican Me CraZy, Queen Sheba, King Shaka, Mansa Musa, and Ned Shark. Most are priced at $7.50, and the combo is available for $8.

Everything on the menu is available to take away, but the 28-seat dining room offers a unique ambiance you may want to soak up. Featuring an eclectic assemblage of collected items, it features two cozy corner privacy booths along with a beautiful hardwood slab "harvest table" suitable for groups. High-top tables complete the seating. Walls feature a jungle theme and African art, while wildlife sculpture decorates tables.

The menu may be preordered on their website at https://www.orgendnal.com/" target="new">Orgendnal.com.

Kitchen Manager Zipporah Alexander turns out the lunchtime fare after her morning studies as a senior at Lake Wales High School. The restaurant and fitness menu aligns well with her plans for future studies in Health Sciences. "The privacy is nice," she said of the hidden location, but admits that a better location would help. Much of their business comes from members of the fitness club and an adjacent church.

Orgen D'Nal offers frequent special events, including "paint and sip" art classes and Friday night movie nights. Their next offering will be November 5 when they will offer a free screening of Toy Story 4 beginning at 6:15. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs for the outdoor event.

White told LakeWalesNews.Net that he has considered moving to a downtown location but had not been able to find a suitable site. "It would be great to have walk-in traffic," he said. Meanwhile, customers will have to travel an extra mile or two to find the great spot.

Orgen D'nal is open Tuesday through Friday 12:30 to 5:30 pm, and will begin serving a brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays beginning November 13. from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. They have just obtained a beer and wine license and will be open Saturday nights from 7:30 until 11:00 for 'wine down' and live music.

Their phone number is 863-456-4086.