By Tyler Pruett
tyler@southerntorch.com
MENTONE, Ala— Since opening it’s doors in 2012, Kamama has been considered the cultural hub of Mentone. Meaning “butterfly” in the native Cherokee language, the business and the building itself has seen a metamorphosis over the years. The owners transformed the restored building into a work of art itself, and have since expanded from a coffee shop to include a spa, restaurant, art gallery and a massage studio.
On Feb 1, Twiggs, the cafe and coffee shop portion of the business, came under new management. Fontana Stinson, whose mother Cynthia Stinson manages the historic Mentone Inn, moved to Mentone a year ago, and brings many years of culinary experience to Kamama’s.
Stinson worked for her aunt at Emily’s in her hometown of Georgiana, and one of her original dishes is listed in the “100 Foods You Must Eat Before You Die.” She’s already revamped the menu for this year’s tourist season.
“We do lunch seven days a week,” Stinson said, “every lunch we have a meat and two option, along with sandwiches and wraps. We also do a Sunday brunch and Friday and Saturday nights we have gourmet meals.”
Kamama’s is also planning on expanding with new services offered in the near future. Another creative mind at work, Julia Ross, is working towards her goal of becoming a certified yoga instructor.
“We plan on offering morning yoga classes and aerobics classes in the near future,” Ross said. “We already offer bi-monthly classes in art and music, with the focus on local artists.”
“This Saturday (March 26), Larry Joe Hall will be giving his presentation, ‘A Tale of Two Mountains.’ Hall is a Mentone native that lived in the Himalaya’s for years as a Buddhist monk, and will be talking about his experiences, as well as leading the class in meditation,” She added. 
Kamama’s is located at 5951 Highway 117 in the middle of Mentone. Lunch hours are 11 am to 2 pm, Monday through Saturday. Brunch is served from 11 am through 2 pm on Sundays, and gourmet meals will be served 5 pm to 8pm, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Reservations are recommended.
