Joyce C.
Yelp
In the neighborhood and was on a quest to try this "Dimes Acai Bowl" that I keep reading about. Walking up Canal, I saw the Dimes logo on a door to a minimalist shop and was slightly confused but went in. I didn't know it was a little grocery, and the restaurant was next door (tinier than I expected). Now I see- they moved the restaurant to Canal Street and these places are new. BTW- the Dimes Rose Water facial spray looks really lovely..
The Deli offered 2 types of acai bowls, I got the Energy one (banana, dates, blackberries, maca, coconut, rice krispies), recommended by the super friendly employee. The pricing is really high for the quantity. The bowl was about 6" wide and 3" deep. The banana & blackberries on top were very fresh but as for the acai part, it neither tasted strongly of any, or a blend, of the "energy" ingredients listed. The color looked much paler than the restaurants' acai bowls. I guess I shouldn't compare this to Hawaii's bowls either. I got bits of frozen acai? ice pieces with my spoonfuls few times.
I wouldn't mind trying their Chex breakfast bars, muffins, or coffee sometime. I doubt I'd pay such steep prices for their sandwiches (Shake Shack size) or pre-packaged Brown Rice Bowls (maybe 1/2 a cup of rice--they DO have poke- but this for $12?) and Salads. Dimes, can this Deli be a bit cheaper than your restaurant pricing? (ie. Cafe Habana to-go)
The space is teeny! (6 stools, 2 small booth tables) But it is gorgeously designed. There's nice touches of the white painted wooden ceiling, intricate shelving (pretty ceramics by an artist), the molded kind of adobe sidewall with a triangle and rectangle cut-in display shelf & inset long mirror. Japanese fabrics hanging to conceal a panel and the kitchen. I appreciate the under counter hooks as well! I feel everything has been thought out. Nice labels for returning "dirty utensils" & "dirty cups."
However..there seemed to be a pretentious air to the place. I wish I could have taken more pics of the space & food, but a girl dining was side-eyeing, and I also felt that I was in the employee's way chatting with a cool looking friend, though they didn't have much room to move around anyway.
Yes, I wish the place was a bit aloha poke acai white-washed walls cacti on shelves rose water welcoming, but it just isn't.