For those of you who think Acai is for wusses, you need to go talk to Chris Gors over at the newly opened The Harvest Bar, (15030 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403; 818.889.1765) in Sherman Oaks. Chris, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter in his spare time, and his partners, Aric Haut, and Dustin White loved açai bowls so much they brought it to LA from their native Brazil. Their key is flash freezing the Acai berries, one of the most powerful known superfoods, which maintains its potency and nutrients during import. They also are the only brand who retains its purity and does not sweeten it at all during the process. With each recipe crafted by Jerry Yu, the head chef of Sun Cafe, a vegan mainstay in LA, these guys have made great foods even better. First you choose one of 3 bases: Acai, Pitaya, and Quinoa, and then have at it, choosing one of six different bowls featuring your bases. Add toppings of your choice, including a choice of three different granolas, and you’re done. (All bases and fruit toppings besides the honey are vegan, and honey almond is the only gluten-free granola for now, but more are coming).
The Greens bowl (Acai, kale, spinach, bananas, spirulina, and dates), actually tastes GOOD, and not like, well, someone jammed bitter kale and spinach down your throat. Genius. And if you’re worried eating healthy is too bland, it’s not a problem here. With a wide array of natural sweeteners from honey to bee pollen to the freshest fruits of the season, any sweet tooth will be satiated, and you won’t hate yourself afterwards. Try the Pitaya bowl, the superfood cousin of the dragon fruit, their sweetest and most vibrant bowl (best with pineapple and mango). As healthy as it is striking, it almost doesn’t look real. In other words, if you’re looking for Fruity Pebbles, you’ve come to the wrong place.
Open Monday-Friday, 7 am-7 pm; Saturday 9 am-6 pm; and Sunday 10 am- 6 pm.
