Photo by Andrew Fabian.

Hot bars get a bad rap. Thanks largely to school slop lines that predate the addition of salads or fresh vegetables, a hot bar has become associated with stale, reheated, flavorless food with all the nutritional value cooked out of it. But the hot bar at Morton’s Gourmet Market on Osprey Avenue shows what a hot bar can be when a touch of inspiration and a higher bar for quality are allowed to permeate the offerings.

The convenience of a hot bar remains intact—the food is ready and on display, awaiting the serving spoon of the attendant. Furthermore, the price is tough to beat, with most meals coming in under $10 before a drink is added. But it’s the elevated approach to crafting the day’s menu that sets the hot bar apart (say those last three words three times fast). Yesterday’s menu included ambitious but approachable dishes like herbed and breaded catfish, beef goulash and a Brazilian rice-and-bean dish with sausage. The Brazilian dish was amply spiced with garlic, onion, tomato and peppers cooked into a Brazilian style sofrito, while pinto beans and a mild sausage gave it a nice protein punch. Sides like coconut rice or mashed potatoes lined the back row, but the parmesan roasted brussels sprouts and zucchini fries were a flavorful addition for those in search of nutrient-rich, low-cal treats. 

Photo by Andrew Fabian.

Morton’s Gourmet Market, 1924 S Osprey Avenue, Sarasota