The keen-eyed among our readers may have noticed that, for the past few weeks, we’ve been making our way along Culver Boulevard–starting with Meet In Paris, working through Nardò, and now arriving at Café Vida. It really is a cultural mini-hike.
Located on that same Culver Boulevard, Café Vida is an attractive enough eatery from the outset. The lush greenery draping the wooden exterior offers a Mediterranean feel that is both clean and swanky while simultaneously welcoming and natural.
The outdoor seating makes for an ideal spot to soak in the SoCal sun and maybe indulge in a spot of people watching, while the cool interior is equally warm. So straight away, Café Vida is a place that encourages you to sit down and chow down. But to do so in a mindful manner.
“Over the past years, an interest in nutrition and a healthy lifestyle has moved from the fringes of cultural life, squarely into the mainstream,” they say online. “This interest has been spurred most intensely by the rising awareness of health problems and concerns. The acceptance and desire in people to improve their diets and lifestyles are clearly on the rise. Today, more and more consumers are flocking to healthful and flavorful alternatives such as Café Vida. Café Vida provides a distinctive combination of low-fat California and Latin dishes that bring together a variety of unique and delicious flavors. Quality and consistency are top priorities.
This wasn’t our first visit; the last time we were there, we opted for the Breakfast Balance Bowl. That’s a choice of Spanish brown rice or quinoa for the base, and we opted for quinoa – not only for health reasons but also because quinoa is a delicious grain, and less heavy on the stomach than rice. The other option is with the protein: grilled chicken, turkey burger or roasted rofu. We went the chicken route.
This time however, we went for the Açaí Coconut smoothie. That’s açaí berries, strawberries, banana, shredded coconut, and almond milk. Not only did the smoothie feel healthy, vibrant and, honestly, life-affirming, but it was supremely delicious too.
The combination is expertly blended, each flavor complementing the others. The berries (straw and açaí) offer the perfect amount of sweetness and tang, while the banana and coconut add some tropical body. By the end of the cup, you’ll feel full of life and ready for whatever the day has in store for you (within reason).
Café Vida is located at 9755 Culver Blvd., Culver City 90232. Contact 310-287-0140 and visit cafevida.net.