Healthy dining-out options seem to be more prevalent lately, at the very least in comparison with the times when burgers, pizza and hen joints dominated the fast-food and fast-casual areas.
One of many newest ideas to enter that fray is Bahia Bowls, a series of eating places that’s concentrated in Florida however has step by step expanded its territory northward. In our area, the one location is in Maryville, in order that’s the place The Grub Partner and I headed final week to take a look at their healthful fare.
Their bowls make the most of high-quality substances like spinach, kale, oats, granola and a various arsenal of fruits comparable to banana, mango, kiwi and pineapple in addition to the much less acquainted acai (the fruit of the acai palm) and pitaya, which is the fruit of a number of cactus species. For instance, the Acai Bowl options acai fruit blended with strawberries and bananas and topped with granola, strawberries, bananas, blueberries, coconut shavings and honey.
Different bowl choices embrace the Pitaya Bowl, Inexperienced Bowl (spinach and kale), the Summer time Breeze Bowl and the Tidal Wave Bowl (made with spirulina). I ordered a medium serving of the Oatmeal Bowl ($8.35) — whole-grain oatmeal topped with granola, strawberries, banana, blueberries and honey.
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In the meantime, Bahia Bowls additionally serves wraps, together with the Southwestern, Sunshine Cobb, Spinach & Strawberry and Caesar. The Partner opted as an alternative for one in all their 4 toast recipes, the Loaded Avocado Toast ($7.25) — a slice of toasted multigrain bread topped with avocado mash, hard-boiled egg slices, tomato, olive oil and All the things Bagel seasoning.
We additionally discovered a few methods to fulfill our collective candy tooth whereas additionally having fun with the advantages of their healthful substances. First, Bahia Bowls gives a dozen smoothie recipes, starting from fruity to nutty. We determined to strive the Nutcase smoothie ($8.45), a mix of banana, peanut butter, Nutella and almond milk.
Additionally they promote containers of balled-up goodness known as protein bites ($5.95). These are available in 5 taste combos; we obtained the PB & Chocolate Chip, made with whole-grain oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, whey protein, coconut shavings and honey. Different protein chew decisions embrace mocha, banana bread, strawberry almond and carrot cake.
The Partner and I claimed an empty desk within the eating space and waited for our order to return up. The air-con was cranked up a bit of too excessive for my consolation stage, however at the very least the house was a cool refuge from the summer time warmth. I don’t assume way more than 5 minutes handed earlier than an worker introduced our identify, and we fetched our meal from the counter.
My common bowl was sweetly satisfying and really filling. I used to be in a position to management the ratio of oat base to the bite-size parts of banana, strawberry and blueberry on high, however the honey binding the oatmeal and granola actually added lots when it comes to taste and sweetness. I completed off the fruit toppings and nonetheless had loads of oatmeal left over; I took it residence to complete later with my very own inventory of fruit substances.
The avocado toast was additionally deceptively substantial due to the thick slice of bread and chunky layer of avocado. The egg and tomato have been savory elaborations. When it got here to the sweeter finish of our expertise, the golf-ball-sized protein bites have been satisfying and scrumptious, and we took turns steadily draining the smoothie from its plastic cup. The peanut butter taste was predominant, though the subtleties of the banana and Nutella did handle to peek by way of.
When it was all mentioned and performed, we felt as if we’d had a full meal, however on the similar time, we obtained to get pleasure from wholesome doses of contemporary fruits and even a number of sweeter notes alongside the best way. Based mostly on the regular stream of patrons we noticed coming and going throughout our go to, I’d say the Maryville location of Bahia Bowls has already discovered a base of shoppers who recognize it for a similar causes. There are locations within the Knoxville space which have an identical strategy to wholesome delicacies, however in case you’re a Blount County resident, at the very least you don’t must spend the additional fuel cash with the intention to have your bowl and eat it too.
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Bahia Bowls Acai Café
Meals: 4
Service: 3.75
Environment: 4
General: 4
Tackle: 429 W. Broadway Ave., Maryville
Cellphone: 865-724-2654
No alcohol service
Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays by way of Saturdays; 12 to 7 p.m. Sundays
This Maryville eatery has discovered the candy spot relating to whipping up tasty meals and treats from antioxidant fruits and different wholesome substances.