news-record.com

Colombian native Martha Garcia has always loved baking.

After she moved to High Point, word of her baked goods got around the community, and she started thinking about opening a bakery.

She took some classes at Randolph Community College, and with the guidance of the center's director, Victor Dau, Garcia opened Manna Bakery (4929 W. Market St., Suite 2102; 235-2782) at Fanta City International Mall.

Garcia offers the airy sweet breads of her native South American home, including traditional plain loaves, as well as loaves filled with cheese and caramel.

She also specializes in flaky pastries filled with cheese, caramel and guava.

Manna Bakery offers cheese sticks, fried cheese bread and a bread made from yucca root.

Prices for loaves and pastries range from $1 to about $4.

Manna Bakery is open from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

More Colombian gold

Manna isn't the only taste of Columbia one can find at Fanta City.

Just across the parking lot at the mall's food court, La Fonda Paisa (4925 W. Market St., Greensboro; 235-2155) is serving traditional Colombian food and other South American and Central American specialties.

La Fonda opened in the space formerly occupied by Tia's Soul Food Express and offers traditional Colombian dishes such as Grilled Top Round Steak ($9.99), Top Flank Steak With Creole Sauce ($10.99), Beef Tongue in Creole Sauce ($10.99) and a Seafood Casserole ($12.99).

All entrees come with a choice of two sides that include green or sweet plantains, yucca, red beans and Creole potatoes.

The Picada Criolla ($20.99) is a carnivore's feast of traditionally prepared beef, pork, chicken, sausage pork skin, blood sausage, fried plantains, potatoes and corn cake.

Owner Gonzalo Castro says Colombian food is not spicy, but the country is a crossroads of cultures. That's why La Fonda's menu offers other Latin items such as Churrasco ($12.99), a grilled Argentinean-styled steak; Fish Filet in Garlic Sauce ($12.99); and meat-filled pastries called empanadas ($4.99).

La Fonda is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Sports cafe opens

Even though Jeff and Letia Bates have closed Tia's Soul Food Express, a new venture -- Game Day Sports Cafe (4925 W. Market St., Suite 1133; 617-6767) is just around the corner from Fanta City's food court.

Game Day offers smoothies, fruit icees, energy drinks, espresso drinks, wine and international beers.

The business also sells prepackaged baked goods to enjoy while watching the game on the cafe's large-screen television.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and occasionally on Sunday when a major game airs.

Individual orders can be placed by calling Game Day 24 hours in advance.

Free entrees

This is no April Fool's joke.

Entree Vous (5870 Sammet Drive, High Point; 841-7474), the do-it-yourself meal preparation venue in the Palladium Commons Shopping Center, has free entrees today.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- or until they are all gone -- Entree Vous is giving away three-piece chicken caprese with creamy marinara sauce.

Entrees are limited one per family.

Manager Lori Keiper says it's their way of giving to folks who are having a tough time.

Have restaurant news for Short Orders? Contact Carl Wilson at 373-7145 or cwilson@news-record.com.