Westonka residents with a taste for gluten-free, organic, real food will find their cravings satisfied at Vitalist by Sarah H, a newly opened restaurant on Shoreline Drive in Spring Park. It debuted with a soft launch and celebrated its grand opening on May 9.
“We have something for everyone,” said Sarah Haugen, creator, founder and CEO of Vitalist. “Our menu is plant forward with a Mediterranean flavor and contains no seed oils or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). I’m a strong believer in the Mediterranean diet because it’s one of the longest standing diets that has been successful.”
The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, each meticulously crafted to reflect Vitalist by Sarah H’s commitment to fresh, wholesome ingredients and vibrant flavors. From hearty breakfast bowls to nourishing salads and flavorful entrees, every dish is thoughtfully prepared to delight the palate and nourish the body.
Complementing the dining experience is a coffee bar where nut milks are expertly crafted in-house, offering patrons a selection of dairy-free options to enhance their beverages. Soon, a variety of beers and wines will also be available, providing guests with additional choices to accompany their meals.
In addition to its bright and spacious main dining area with a stunning lake view, the restaurant features an Alice in Wonderland-themed backroom that will be available for rentals starting in a few weeks. Vitalist by Sarah H will also offer boat service from its dock across the street.
“We plan to offer boat packs with healthier versions of classic boat food like burgers and nachos that can be ordered online and delivered directly to boaters,” said Haugen.
Haugen boasts over 25 years of experience in the food and restaurant industry. She got her start as a raw food chef and her entrepreneurial ventures began in 2009 with her first restaurant in Bali, Indonesia. She also owned and operated a café in Los Angeles until it closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Alongside her restaurant endeavors, Haugen has served as a private chef for high-profile individuals, acted as a private client consultant, and held the role of Wellness Director at two prominent California-based companies.
Vitalist, formerly known as Wellness Avatar, initially emerged as a line of consumer packaged goods (CPGs) in 2012 before officially establishing itself as Vitalist Food LLC in 2017. Over the course of several years, Haugen has steered the business through several evolutions from operating as a test kitchen and gym café/commercial kitchen to distributing products in cafes and grocery stores across the Twin Cities, like French Meadow and Kowalskis.
Haugen also comes from a long line of Minnesota restaurateurs. Her great aunt, famously known as Mama D, started a renowned restaurant in DinkyTown, and her extended family owns Caffe Biaggio in St. Paul.
After spending much of her career in California, Haugen came back to her home state of Minnesota following a prolonged battle with lymphoma to seek treatment at the Mayo Clinic. Facing this significant health challenge, Haugen found herself on a deeply personal journey of healing and reflection.
“I was trying really hard to use food as a means to heal myself, having assisted others who were severely ill with food and nutrition, but I couldn’t beat the cancer on my own,” Haugen shared candidly.
After finishing cancer treatment, Haugen came away with a renewed sense of purpose and the desire to start a restaurant with tasty, filling food that was anything but boring.
“One of the things that I’ve really thought through is how the ingredients in each dish work together,” Haugen explained. “I aim for a symbiotic relationship that promotes easy digestion and supports overall well-being.”
As one drives through town, Vitalist by Sarah H is easily recognizable by its logo, a unicorn, that graces the side of the building. The unicorn is also featured in one of Vitalist’s trademark products - its protein-packed unicorn balls.
“I chose a unicorn because a venture capitalist I worked with once called me one,” said Haugen. “Horses symbolize vitality, strength, and stamina, and with my food, I feel like I’m giving people unique horsepower.”
To learn more or place an order, visit https://vitalistsuperfood.com/ .
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