Olive and Ruby, Vancouver

Olive and Ruby can be found in Vancouver’s cool suburb of Kitsilano, or Kits. Named after the founders’ daughters, this community café prides itself on creating a peaceful, welcoming vibe and some of the most amazing smoothies in Vancouver.

The location

Set in vibrant Kits near the pool and beach, expect healthy types due to the nearby yoga and outdoor clothes shops lining West 4th Avenue. This is the birthplace of one of our favourite workout brands, Lululemon. It’s also a popular area with local families.

The setting

It has whitewashed high ceilings and a roof to floor glass window area with hanging chairs where you can swing and drinks your smoothie.

There’s a potted plant feature wall and we loved the vibrant wall mural by Vancouver artist Dana Mooney.

Amidst this cool vibe are warm wooden tables, metal chairs and white tiles and a backing track of soft jazz playing.

What else?

Olive and Ruby is active in the community and supports local artists and designers. Everything from the hand-crafted pottery mugs to pop-up fashion shows makes its mark.  Olive and Ruby also deliver via Door Dash and Foodora.

The fresh juice test

As the smoothie selection is so amazing, we decided to review several options. First off the Mint Chip a delicious mix of almond butter, banana, date, spinach, cocoa nibs, spirulina and fresh mint. Next we couldn’t resist the Pink Pear with banana, pear, beetroot, pineapple, raspberries and coconut water-what a combo. Finally, the Peanut Butter Cup with almonds, banana, date, cocoa, peanut butter, cocao nibs and a pinch of salt. They were all amazing.

What we ate

As we were there for breakfast, we went for the organic spiced oats bowl with house made almond milk, apple sauce, cinnamon, all-spice, cardamon, nutmeg, and clove topped off with granola and dried fruit.

Next we hit the “Things On Toast” section of the menu.

The Almond Butter and Jam- mix with organic almond butter, jam, sliced bananas and chia seeds was a winner.

 

The bill

Smoothies $8
Spiced oats $7.75
Almond butter and jam toast $8.75

 

Glory Juice Co., Vancouver

Created by a group of friends, Glory Juice Co. is committed to serving fresh, clean and delicious juices, shakes, smoothies and bowls. You can eat in or out and they have five locations. So if you’re in Vancouver, there’s no excuse not to  visit.

The setting

Glory have branches in Kitsalano, Olympic Village, North Vancouver, Yaletown and Coal Harbour, plus outlets in various stores including Nordstrom and JJ Bean. We went to Coal Harbour in a lobby opposite the Portal Park where you can find a resident piano to play.

The space

The café is as much a take away as an eat in. It’s bright clean and welcoming. Fridges stacked with rainbow coloured juices, pre-packed salads and pots line the wall. There’s also a great selection of healthy snacks and own brand granolas on offer.

The fresh juice test

Glory’s juices are cold-pressed , organic and contain up to 3 lbs of organic produce in each 473ml bottle.

They offer 11 juices, three shots, four organic refreshers, five nut and seed mylks  and 10 smoothies.

Choosing is virtually impossible! After much debate, we ordered a no. 19 – a delicious combo of watermelon, pineapple, raspberry, lime, ginger and mint. Then we couldn’t resist a smoothie and chose the Nutty Green. It was a creamy mega mix of seed mylk, kale, celery, cucumber, parsley, lemon, ginger, banana, dates, glory nut butter, spirulina and hemp hearts. It tasted as good as it sounds.

What we ate

Glory Juice Co. also use the freshest and purest ingredients for their food.

There’s a range of salads, bowls, soups and toast. We tried two of their açai bowls. We chose the Creamy Nutty packed with frozen açai berries, raspberries, blueberries, banana, almond mylk, maple syrup and glory nut butter topped off with Glory granola, fresh banana, cacao nibs and honey.  Next we had the Tart Green a yummy mix of frozen açai berries, raspberries, blueberries, banana, green juice, apple cider vinegar and spirulina with a Glory granola, fresh banana, goji berries and bee pollen topping. They were both equally good!

What we’d go back for…

To try all the other juices and smoothies!

The bill

Nutty Green  $12
Juice  $6.50
Açai bowls  $13

 

 

 

TurF, Vancouver, Kitsilano

TurF is in uber cool Kitsilano or Kits. – Vancouver’s reborn hippie area. It’s the birthplace of Lululemon and packed with lifestyle boutiques. And this is the first café we have ever visited where the eatery overlooks the mirrored pilates studio.

The setting

TurF is a one stop shop for juices, smoothies, lunch, athleisurewear and your daily workout. It’s unique. It’s cool and we highly recommend a visit if you are in the area.

The space

It’s bright, light and minimal with plenty of tables. The gym studios are suitably high end with lots of classes. There’s also a shop stocked with fitness clothing and accessories.

The little things that make a difference

The all in one concept. We’ve travelled all over the world trying out Glowcations but we love this concept which is so different. You can work out, hang out and take out.

The fresh juice test

There’s a choice of six smoothies including the intriguingly titled Chocolate Mushroom Trip and The New Green Party.

You can add to them from a choice of six boosters, including bee pollen and spirulina. And then there’s the lattes. TurF has a great choice from turmeric to charcoal. We couldn’t resist the Vanilla Beet and loved that fact that it is also packaged to go.

What we ate

The menu focuses plant-based recipes, but also offers “cared for” –  sourced animal meat. Naturally, we went for the non-animal burger. The Two Point Oh is a home made pattie with black bean, eggplant, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, walnut, oat, tahini and spices. All served in a bun with sauerkraut, avocado, sun-dried tomato aioli and an onion ring. Delicious.

We also had an Avocado toast with olive oil, pumpkin seeds, pea shoots, chillies and sea salt.

It was pretty and hit the spot. Next we chose the Plant Power Salad a crunchy mix of black and green kale, spinach, roasted broccoli, roasted beets, salsa verde, radish, quinoa, pine nuts and lemon cashew dressing.

What we’d return for…

The whole package!

The bill

Avocado toast  $10
Two Point Oh burger  $10
Plant Power salad  $12
Vanilla Beet latte  $5