HOMESTYLE EATER

When you first walk into FARMBloomington, smells of fresh flowers and homegrown ingredients overpower the senses. FARMBloomington is one of many local restaurants that offer down-home cooking – that is, comfort food made from scratch.

Chef Daniel Orr, owner of FARMBloomington, has spent many years preparing comfort dishes, the kind that are soothing and put people at ease. Growing up on his family’s farm made cooking from scratch quite simple.

“My parents always had an edible landscape around our home,” Orr said.
His family grew raspberries and apples and even made their own wine.

Orr’s restaurant uses down-home cooking to enhance each dish with flavors that come only from scratch.

From spaghetti-and-meatball Monday nights to his fried chicken made with buttermilk Wednesdays, each weeknight features a special comfort-type dish offered for less than $15. 

Because Orr spent many years traveling abroad, he has been able to explore multiple cultures and cooking styles.

“I like to call the food here at FARMBloomington ‘local food with global flavor,’” Orr said.

Orr’s buttermilk biscuits are among his favorite breakfast dishes.

“The biscuits on the menu are amazing,” FARMBloomington employee Rhiannon Vaughn said. “Comfort food makes me feel like I am back home when I was little with my grandma.”

Orr said to not always try new recipes when inviting company over.

“Start cooking things you like,” Orr said. “Try to specialize in two or three dishes, then build on that.”