Uber-popular superfood café Harvest Bar opened a second location in gorgeous Playa Del Rey featuring power-packed acai bowls, smoothies and all around healthy plant-based offerings. I popped in recently curious to try their fresh and filling fare.
I typically get all my nutrients on the go – a banana here, extra greens there, smoothies and strawberry shakes. So Harvest Bar piqued my interest; a modern casual concept, sort of like Chipotle meets Veggie Grill.
Walking in felt like entering a palace of good, clean eating. Sleek lines, clean counters and everything made fresh in front of you. And damn was this food good.
I tried the sweet and succulent Cuban bowl and felt the earth shift under my feet. It’s made with organic quinoa, brown rice, black beans, jackfruit carnitas (!), mango salsa and a host of other tasty ingredients. Flavors burst in my mouth, each recognizable yet working together to create a delectable whole.
Next I had one of their signature offerings, the PB & Banana bowl. I’ve mentioned my love of bananas already, but I’ve dared never try one with peanut butter. What a mistake on my part.
This bowl was so dang good, and gloriously simple. Hemp protein, dates, organic acai and hemp milk topped wit granola and cacao nibs. One could easily eat this as a standalone meal, something to get you through breakfast and lunch feeling satisfied and proud of your healthy choice.
It tasted like home, like something your mom would make just before sending you off to school. The peanut butter was fresh and perfect blended with abundant banana.
Smoothies were next. I was already feeling right, but these were downright blissful.
First was the aptly named Hot Pink, which was brimming with dragon fruit, strawberry, banana, agave and apple juice – all good things!
It was good n’ sweet but not as sweet as it’s bright color would suggest. It was more of a balanced sweetness, less of a kick, more of an all-encompassing pleasantness. The dragon fruit roared, definitely the standout flavor in this delicious concoction.
I finished off my tasty pilgrimage with Sunrise, apt for the day’s steamy, sunny weather. This young masterpiece has organic acai, spinach, pineapple, wheatgrass, goji berries, agave, dates, coconut milk, orange and is made with love.
Seriously, if you finish this and your day isn’t at least 2.5 times better, you might be a vampire. This was a more even flavor profile, with ingredients working in tandem to create something special. No stars or standouts, just a damn good smoothie.
I was sad to leave. But I’d really had a great experience. The staff and our tour guide, in particular, were divine, gave great recommendations and made sure we tried the best they had to offer. I’ll be back before you know it.
