The acai berry, a deep purple fruit grown in Central and South America, is often deemed a “superfood” for its rich antioxidant properties and potential health benefits. Popular among Brazilian communities, acai berries have made their mark as one of the latest health trends in the US. Sold as a juice, frozen concentrate, powder, or capsule, acai is now accessible in many forms and can be found in several Westchester grocers and natural markets. But if you prefer to order your acai off a menu, begin your morning with an acai bowl for a nutrition-packed start to your day.
Acai bowls have become a staple among juice bars across the West Coast, but they’re slowly making their way over to the East Coast, especially in larger cities. An acai bowl is basically a smoothie that you can eat with a spoon: the berries are combined with other fruits and juices (or sometimes with almond or coconut milk) and blended into a thick, frozen smoothie. Poured into a bowl and topped with granola or sliced fruit, the result is a fruity breakfast treat that almost has the consistency of frozen yogurt. If you’re intrigued by the prospect of a healthy dessert for breakfast, check out these spots in Westchester that are serving up acai in all kinds of varieties.
If you can’t make the trip to Brazil, get the next best thing at Padamina’s Brazilian Bakery in Mount Vernon. While it might be hard to step foot in this bakery without trying one of their traditional pastries, at least order an acai bowl to go with it. Padamina’s has mastered the frozen (but not too frozen) texture of the acai, which pairs perfectly with the sliced strawberries, bananas, and hearty granola. Plus, the bowl is drizzled with your choice of honey or condensed milk, leaving the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.
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Padamina’s Brazilian Bakery
66 W Lincoln Ave
Mount Vernon
914) 667-9101
The Sidecar at the Tavern in Croton-on-Hudson is not your typical breakfast spot, and the same goes for their new smoothie bowls—one of which features acai juice. You might just be here for the crumb cakes, but it’s worth having a seat and enjoying one of their smoothie bowls as well. Unlike traditional acai bowls, the Sidecar’s Boom, Boom, Berry bowl is made with a Greek yogurt base and blended with mixed berries, bananas, and acai juice for a thicker, creamier consistency. Topped with a lightly sweet house-made granola, slivered almonds, sliced strawberries, and dry chia seeds, the Boom, Boom, Berry packs in fruity flavors and protein for an energizing morning or afternoon meal. The Sidecar is also serving two additional varieties—one made with nut butter and almond milk instead of acai, and a green smoothie bowl made with fresh greens, pineapple, coconut water, and mint.
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The Sidecar At The Tavern
39 N Riverside Ave
Croton-on-Hudson
(914) 271-8020
No time to sit down and enjoy your bowl? Luckily, Big Apple Smoothie in White Plains is serving acai in sippable form. For about $2, you can add a shot of acai berry juice to any of their all-natural smoothies—from their fruity varieties to their performance smoothies—for a breakfast blend all your own.
Big Apple Smoothie
197 Mamaroneck Ave
White Plains
(914) 997-7700; bigapplesmoothie.com
