Health food outlets have a habit of dressing themselves up in bright, sunny colours and blinding you with cheery optimism (I suspect fuelled by excessive wheatgrass intake). So it is hugely refreshing to visit a health bar with a little grit and just the right amount of edge.
Cold Press Juice Bar at the Cape Quarter, De Waterkant has an industrial feel, with an authenticity that seems to evade its competitors. The décor is kept to tones of dark wood, open-faced brick and cement, with accents in black and gold. Overall it is slick, polished and without pretence.
They are all about the art of cold press and all of their juices are extracted in this way. Using state-of-the-art hydraulic equipment, fruits and vegetables are slowly pressed to extract juice, ensuring that as many of the vital vitamins, enzymes and minerals stay intact – just as Mother Nature intended and five times more nutrient rich. They come in cool flavours like Pop my Berry – strawberry green apple and coconut water, Johnny Cashew – raw cashews, dates, vanilla, coconut oil and cinnamon or Dirty Beets – beetroot, carrot, green apple and fresh ginger.
Also on offer are a range of smoothies – if you are passing by post-gym, grab The Gun Show – banana, whey protein, peanut butter, vanilla, chia seeds and frozen yoghurt. You can also pimp your drink with a dash of raw cacao powder, hemp protein powder, goji berries or other superfood boosters.
The food selection is light and healthy and includes a selection of breakfast options, signature sandwiches and tossed salads, all prepared fresh onsite. Try the Buffalo Soldier sandwich – mozzarella, tomato and avo, served on 60% rye or The Rabbit King salad – quinoa, roasted butternut, feta, avo and dried cranberries.
Although you can pop in and grab something to go, there is a seating area where you can meet a friend, have coffee, eat something tasty and enjoy funky music in a chilled atmosphere. All in all, it’s a cool spot with menu choices that will appeal to all hungry folk with a hankerin’ for something healthy.
To sum it up smoothie style… The Cold Press – one part edgy, two parts wholesome, a dash of rock-n-roll, a splash of quirk, and just enough street cred to keep it cool.