Açai bowls are definitely not new to Los Angeles. Chains like Ubatuba, Açai Republic, Harvest Bar and Amazebowls serve the South American superfood berry in colourful bowls all around the county. A brand new chain from Brazil referred to as Oakberry, with over 220 places around the globe, plans to infiltrate LA’s ardour for the wholesome snack with a brand new strategy that highlights essentially the most pure flavors in fruit.
The chain was first opened in Brazil 4 years in the past and has been increasing ever since, together with to Miami and New York Metropolis. On-site, the fast-casual eatery made its debut in Santa Barbara in mid-2020 earlier than heading to the LA space earlier this month with its first retailer opening on the Howard Hughes Heart. (Observe: they identify the place Playa Vista, but it surely’s probably not that near Playa Vista).
In line with JP, the companion answerable for opening greater than 50 shops in California over the following 5 years, Oakberry’s uniqueness stems from the particular sourcing and servicing of its açai, which just about at all times arrives within the US in frozen type. In lots of shops, the frozen açai is combined with different fruits and components to make sure stability and consistency. This makes for a very good meal – however not the way in which Brazilians often eat. At Oakberry, the açai arrives frozen, however is then positioned in a rotating tabletop machine – consider slushies as an alternative of exhausting, frozen fruit. As a result of its semi-frozen state, Oakberry would not maintain actual blenders of their shops, it simply mixes the components as they’re.
Oakberry Playa Vista Matthew Kang
There is a readability to the darkish, wealthy style of the açai at Oakberry that feels extra disarming to Angelenos, who’s extra used to overly-sweetened variations of the açai, regardless of being nearer to the standard Brazilian model. That mentioned, Oakberry’s natural açai can nonetheless be loaded with limitless toppings (like very American) so long as all the things suits within the firm’s containers. Bowls (which look extra like massive plastic cups) begin at $ 7.50 for a tiny dimension and might go as excessive as $ 17 for a shareable monstrosity. There are quite a few toppings, from several types of granola and contemporary fruit to nut butters and past. Extra topping could imply a extra instagramable bowl, but it surely additionally means much less precise açai. So proceed rigorously.
Oakberry’s first LA room within the newly renovated Howard Hughes Heart is adjoining to the main Cinemark theaters. The corporate plans to broaden to Santa Monica, Century Metropolis’s Westfield Mall, and Hermosa Seashore later this yr. It is going to be fascinating to see if LA will style the distinction between Oakberry’s product or if the excessive costs will deter potential followers from making an attempt it. As with most issues lately, all the things is obtainable for supply, albeit with a couple of extra charges.
Oakberry is now open on the Howard Hughes Heart at 6081 W. Heart Drive and is open 9 am-8pm each day
