Austin B.
Yelp
tl;dr a light and refreshing option for breakfast, lunch, and dessert, albeit at a premium price
The açaí craze has swept the nation, as more and more people become hooked on fad diets featuring "superfoods." Somewhat a cross between a blueberry and a blackberry, the taste and consistency of açaí makes for a perfect addition to smoothies and frozen desserts. And SoBol has capitalized on the frenzy, opening up a Rittenhouse joint just dedicated to this.
The bi-leveled space sports minimalistic, off-white walls, lined from below with whitewashed driftwood trimmings. The light wooden tables are accented with black finishes and metal stools. Black-and-white shoreline photos adorn the walls, complemented by ship-like lighting fixtures and mini surfboards to complete the beach house aesthetic. The menu is chalked onto a board, supplemented with caloric information and a wide assortment additional topping options.
This past visit, I joined a few friends for a late lunch, and we all opted for SoBol's classic açaí bowl. Layers of granola and blended açaí were topped with fresh strawberries, blueberries, and banana. The culmination was a refreshing, sweet treat, sure to hit the spot on a hot and humid summer day. Service seemed spotty -- several employees were chilling out and talking amongst each other rather than helping the sole woman who was painstakingly making each bowl.
Moreover, the bowl is on the pricey side, sitting at $8.50 for their regular size (and $14 for Big Gulp-esque "Super"). To be fair, this is about what I've come to expect for Rittenhouse fast-casual. That being said, I can't help thinking that I could simply buy a bag of frozen açaí from Trader Joe's to make my own bowl, but I suppose you're paying for the service. But don't expect it to hold you over for the day. The bowl is intentionally light and consists of almost straight carbs, and I was craving something else to eat before my day was through. As such, I consider this more of a niche dessert spot that a legitimate restaurant.