Starfruit Cafe: A healthy alternative to ice cream
All forms of ice cream are delicious, especially those relished during the hot days of summer, but dessert doesn’t always have to be high in fat and sugar. With four locations throughout Chicago, Starfruit's quaint and sunny cafe replaces the triple scoop sundae with delectable and healthy treats made from kefir.
For those who don’t know, kefir is a type of fermented milk made from bacteria and yeast. It’s a cultured, enzyme-rich probiotic food that tastes sour but is more nutritious than yogurt. Starfruit offers three forms of kefir in three different sizes: frozen kefir in a cup, smoothies and parfaits. Standard flavors of strawberry, raspberry, peach, blueberry and the anti-oxidant filled pomegranate are posted on the menu board, but every day the cafe selects a flavor of the day. Get a cup full of soft-serve frozen kefir alone or add some toppings for an extra charge.
Toppings include cereals like Fruity Pebbles, nuts, honey, candy chunks like M&Ms, cookie bits and Gummy Bears. Of course, getting the frozen treat without toppings makes it healthier, but already the dessert is low in fat and carbs, and part of the fun is “creating your own masterpiece.” Their signature smoothies have names like Berry Good 4U and Detox, chock full of nutrients and vitamins.
Enjoy the indulgence either in the comfort of the chilled café or outside where plentiful outdoor street seating awaits. Inside, small, round tables are complimented with fresh flowers in vases. A colorful mural paints the walls and a refrigerated case enables customers to purchase liquid kefir bottles on-site.
HelloChicago Tip: The first location opened on Division Street but has since branched out to three other locations: Lincoln Park, 2142 N. Halsted, 60614, (773) 868-4900, Monday-Sunday,10am – 10pm; Loop, Block 37, Pedway Level 108 N. State, 60602, (312) 658.1241, Monday-Friday: 7 a.m-7 p.m; Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; and Merchandise Mart, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, suite 238, 60654, (312) 527-3674, Monday-Friday: 7 a.m – 7 p.m; Saturday, noon-5 p.m.
Posted by Garin Pirnia
