| A recent descendant of the milkshake and Slurpee is the healthy smoothie. This fruit-based blender drink, which may trace its roots to Orange Julius, seems to be growing in popularity among thirsty Calgarians – juice bars specializing in them started popping up all over the city about five years ago. We’ve come to expect blended combinations of fruit, yogurt and various juices, plus the option to spike it with magical powders that promise everything from a keener intellect to improved virility.
Surprisingly, the city’s best smoothie comes not from the juice bar, but a modest restaurant where vegetarianism and quality are the cornerstones of the menu. The Coup (924B 17 Ave. S.W.), already creating quite a stir among Calgary’s healthy eaters (it won Best New Restaurant and Best Vegetarian in our Best of Calgary Readers’ Survey), also serves up the best smoothie I’ve ever tasted.
A new smoothie is created daily, according to the imaginative whims of those responsible for the restaurant’s concept and menu. Highly exotic and healthy ingredients are frozen, creating the smoothie’s bulk and chill, rather than cheating by using an over-abundance of ice. The Coup combines ingredients such as organic blueberries, organic dairy, tofu products, rosewater, fresh mint, stinging nettle, kelp, and fruit such as pears, field berries, apples, bananas and plums. Take out is available. Your choice of all- or non-vegan. Always $4.50 and always delicious! |
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