Vitality Tap: 100% Vegan

DOWNTOWN/LITTLE ITALY. You might walk by Vitality Tap without noticing it. But that would be a mistake. Because Vitality Tap, though it is tucked away inside a Nutrition Zone store, fills a critical void in the downtown area – superfoods. Specifically, the newly established Vitality Tap sells vegan smoothies, juices, superbowls, sprouted nut milks, shooters, coolers, kombucha, boosts, and juice cleanses. And it’s 100% organic!

We arrived hungry and focused first on the “Superbowls.” You can customize the bowl by choosing from different bases, like acai and pitaya, and then a list of toppings like granola, berries, and other fun options.

I took our server’s recommendation: the vegan Half & Half Bowl made from acai, pitaya, banana, and coconut water, topped with granola, goji berries, coconut, and extra almond butter. Success! The smooth base was not too sweet (like so many bowls are these days), and I enjoyed the combination of coconut and almond butter. I would definitely order this bowl again!

We also ordered the vegan Almond Butter Bowl. Here, the almond butter is part of the base, which also includes acai, banana, and almond milk. We topped it with granola, coconut, and goji berries. (Again, superfoods are running wild at Vitality Tap.) The Amond Butter Bowl is equally delicious, but thicker than the Half & Half Bowl. I highly recommended it for the hungry crowd.

In addition, Vitality Tap has a large selection of vegan juices and smoothies. Most impressive, however, is the variety of “Superfood Boosts.” The menu offers 33 boosts and illustrates their respective health benefits through in a helpful diagram entitled, “Superfoods Directory.”

I am a fan of green juices, so I ordered the vegan Popeye Juice – a blend of kale, spinach, romaine, celery, cucumber, and jalapeno. I “boosted” with the nutrient dense, tasteless Chaga mushroom. I loved this juice, but WARNING: it is NOT for those looking to dip their toe in the juice pool. It has an earthy taste with a spicy kick from the jalapenos. However, if you prefer sweeter juices, there are plenty of options on Vitality Tap’s menu. One insider described “Drop Some Beets” as liquid candy.

On a side note, I was curious to learn more about the Chaga mushroom. The Chaga mushroom is not soft like traditional mushrooms, but hard like wood. In order to survive harsh climates, the mushroom stores nutrients for its protection. These nutrients are then passed on to the lucky person who eats the mushroom. It’s essentially a party of phenols and minerals like copper, calcium, potassium, manganese, zinc, and iron. If you want to know more about the Chaga mushroom check out this link:

http://www.chagaknowledge.com/chagabenefits.htm

Vitality Tap also has a tap for their homemade kombucha. Kombucha is a vegan, carbonated, probiotic, fermented tea. Kombucha is my “go to” drink when I’m tired, starting to feel sick, or want something to quench my thirst. Usually, I buy bottles in the grocery store. To drink it as a “draft” was a treat. To learn more about kombucha click on:

http://beyondkombucha.com/about/what-is-kombucha/

Another reason to love Vitality Tap, you ask? Free samples. After making a vegan juice or smoothie, they pour any extra into sample cups for customers. I was able to try both the Lunch Box and Stay Classy smoothies while waiting for my food! (The Lunch Box is now first on my list for next time.)

The biggest highlight of Vitality Tap was the service. Everyone was super friendly and patient while I asked my many, many questions. And knowledgeable – I received excellent menu recommendations.

Vitality Tap does not have indoor seating, but the outdoor space is plentiful. The tables are a great place to get some sunshine, relax, and enjoy the superfoods! The patio is also a popular option for those eating with dogs!

Vitality Tap does not have a menu listed online, so I am posting pictures I took of the menu.

650 First Avenue

San Diego, CA 92101

619.237.7625