Juices do more than quench your thirst at The Smoothie Bar, they give you an education. Sip on the Flu Fighter, for instance, a cocktail of orange, carrot, lime and ginger, armed with a potion full of antioxidants, which promises to help kick those sniffles to the curb. Or perhaps, try a swig of Antiage, a concoction rich with jackfruit, almonds and cashews that claims to deliver flawless skin. Did we mention white sugar is taboo at this joint?
Incidentally, every one of the 50-odd smoothie choices on the menu comes nutritionist-recommended and can be made ‘vegan’ with the choice to opt for almond milk instead of whole milk (cow’s milk), if you so prefer.
The space, which opened last week in Anna Nagar, divides its menu into a handful of themes such as detox, rejuvenate (look better, feel younger) and refresh (with natural electrolytes). For patrons to pick up on the ingredients with ease, each drink is labelled with artworks of their fruity contents. Krishna Prathab RV, who started the venture in Puducherry eight months ago, and then went on to set up a second outlet in Auroville, tells us that “juicing has been life-changing” for his health. “It started at home out of a genuine need,” recalls the entrepreneur who runs a software firm, a play school and was one of the early developers of Adobe Flash. But all of this was taking a toll on his health. “I had the early signs diabetes and no energy. A few months into drinking homemade smoothies for lunch and all that changed, I dropped several kilos, reversed the diabetes and felt great,” says Krishna, who is now in his late thirties.
We quickly fall in love with the ambience of the space, which brings the outdoors in with plenty of natural light, potted plants, and benches and tables, crafted from wood salvaged in the aftermath of cyclone Thane. As we place our order for the curiously named Titan, we get to meet M S Ganesan and N Ganesan, who co-run the outlet with Krishna. When it, arrives purple and delicious, courtesy a cold-pressed blend of pomegranate, black grapes and watermelon — it is sweet, but surprisingly we’re told has neither sugar,
nor honey. Right after, we noisily slurp on the Choconut — our pick from a range of dark chocolate blends that cover everything from chickoo to peanut butter to dates and nuts. Definitely on our recommend list if you’re a chocolate person.
As for solid eats, there is a sandwich menu (includes non-veg choices) made from ‘brown bread only’ which is admittedly more limited than the juice fest on offer, but Krishna recommends the in-house pesto. Also to look forward to are the sorbets and English breakfast. “Both should be up and running by the end of the month,” he says.
At 2nd Avenue, Anna Nagar. The smoothies are priced between Rs 100 and Rs 150. Sandwiches start at Rs 180 and go up to Rs 230. Details: 9840923352