Gastronome
Flavors at Banán include chocolate and acai, with customizable toppings
I have had to cut out everything good and pure from my diet. Things like ice cream, custard, rich butter icing atop perfectly frosted cakes. Sometimes even smoothies and acai bowls.
Hard times, indeed — that is, until I discovered the frozen treats at Banán, where literally everything on the menu is dairy-free.
Now, the thing about Banán is that everything is made with frozen and blended bananas, which gives it a thick and creamy consistency. It’s really perfect for someone like me, who craves that texture but can’t really have it otherwise.
Plus, it’s just healthier. It’s all made with locally grown items, which includes everything from the bananas to other fruits used to create additional flavors like mango and lilikoi, as well as toppings such as honey, macadamia nuts and much more. The even better part is that as much as Banán is about supporting local, it also is heavily driven by sustainable methods. So according to its website, waste like the banana peels Banán uses goes back to feeding pigs at farms.
Admittedly, I’ve only gotten around to trying the acai. I ordered mine topped with strawberries, bananas, honey, granola and bee pollen. Holy hell, I cannot wait to go back. It was everything I have been craving in something sweet, with none of the anxiety of getting sick afterward.
Smoothies like this chocolatey peanut butter variation also are available JAIMIE KIM
I should note, though, that if you are like Metro staff writer Paige Takeya, who strangely is not a fan of bananas, you might want to reconsider a trip here. The lingering flavor of banana proved challenging for her. Though I should also add that Paige is the only person I have ever known in my entire life who doesn’t like bananas.
For me? It was hardly a problem. I was such an immediate fan that I began making plans to return that very evening before my family decided to go out to dinner for Mother’s Day. Ugh, mothers.
FOOD TO READ
I’ve been reading as much as I can lately. Not because I’m doing some ridiculous book challenge or something like that but because I miss it. I miss giving myself the time to read simply for enjoyment.
My list has run the gamut of old Beverly Cleary favorites clearly intended for teenage girls to old classics like The Great Gatsby. I’m currently revisiting a personal favorite, Little Women.
So I can’t remember how I stumbled upon this Instagram account, but @bookbento combines the best of books and food with still photos of, well, exactly that. Each photo features a book, surrounded by food and sometimes other things like flowers, candles, even nail polish.
The Instagram profile links to a site with listicles that proffer topics like “Books Every Women Must Read by the Time She’s 20,” as well as interviews with authors and essays. It’s all good and fun, but mostly I just like seeing what they post on Instagram. You can participate, too, with a chance to get a photo of yours featured using #bookbento.
BANÁN
1810 University Ave.
Honolulu, HI
Phone number (808) 561-7715
website bananbowls.com
