Trendy Açai Bowls at Backyard Bowls in West Hollywood

Feb 11

Over the past year or so I've seen so many smoothie and açai bowls on instagram and have been wanting to try one, but just never really gotten around to it. A few months back I Postmate'd (use my code nysbd for $10 off delivery!) from an açai bowl place and was sorely disappointed in both the flavor and quality. But, I decided to give them a second chance. Santa Barbara's Backyard Bowls recently made their way to Los Angeles with a storefront on Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood. I was shopping a few weeks back and wanted a quick breakfast and decided to give them a try- and I'm glad I did.Backyard Bowls specializes in smoothie, porridge, and grain bowls but also make regular smoothies. They pride themselves in using fresh ingredients- and it shows. It kind of works in a line similar to Chipotle or Subway, where one person selects ingredients, blenders blend in the soundproof blending room, and lastly, the toppings are added. The bowls are a bit expensive, ranging from $8.95 to $14.95 and available in small and large sizes. The LA location has minimal seating- some outdoor, but mainly indoor communal picnic tables. So, bring your friends or take it to go to avoid the crowds!I kept it simple with the Berry Bowl- a base of açai, banana, strawberry, and apple juice topped with granola, banana, strawberry, blueberry, goji berry, and honey. I LOVED it! I think the added base ingredients really made the difference- the bowlI had gotten from another shop was mainly. The BYB bowls are blended silky smooth.Of course this is still a lot of sugar to have, even though it's fruit, so I don't know if I would consider the bowls entirely healthy. But, they sure are tasty, and healthier than a short stack! Next time I may leave off the goji berries as they were a little weird for me, but everything else was dead on for me.If you've shied away from trying açai bowls and live in LA- definitely give Backyard Bowls a chance, as they are the experts. Next I'd definitely want to try to make my own at home- and I'll be sure to post a recipe once I do!