So after dinner at Versailles Cuban Food Restaurant in Culver City, I thought my friend would like to experience the latest SoCal food trend.
Pinkberry was inspired by Korean frozen-yogurt chains Red Mango and Iceberry. And Pinkberry, in turn, has inspired other copycat chains such as Kiwiberri (now renamed Kiwibear). Read the two articles I've mentioned above for much more detailed information about the chain and the trend.
I decided to go to the Koreatown location because it had ample parking.
Pinkberry is known for its ultramodern decor from Design Within Reach. You can't see so well from my photo but the floor is made up of tiny, tiny pebbles. I'm sure it'd be a pain to clean but it sure looks nice. So did the lamps and the fancy lucite chairs.
But what about the frozen yogurt you say. Sure. OK. Pinkberry is known for the 25 calories per ounce frozen yogurt and toppings that include fresh fruit, chocolate chips, nuts, and cereal.A medium original is $4.95 and includes three toppings. The small is a dollar less but doesn't include toppings which costs 95 cents each, so really, their low price point is the medium. My friend opted for this with mangoes, strawberries, and carob chips, a healthier substitute for chocolate.
I got the medium green tea with blueberries, mangoes, and raspberries for $5.95. The green tea tasted very fresh, with that slight broccoli-ish taste. Well, that's how real green tea tastes to me anyway. The medium was actually quite substantial and by the time I was halfway through, I was already getting a belly freeze (you know, as opposed to a brain freeze).
As far as frozen yogurts go, this was good stuff. Slightly tart and sour, lightly milky, smooth but not too creamy, topped with really fresh ingredients. But $5-$6 just for a frozen yogurt? Ack! I can't afford this addiction.
Pinkberry, several locations
3300 W. 6th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90020
323-730-9889
Pinkberry, several locations
3300 W. 6th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90020
323-730-9889
Pinkberry, I was going to try them out to see why people are so crazy about them, but the weather was horrible lately, didn't want to make the trip...keke
ReplyDeleteWC, I've been waiting ever so patiently for the Pinkberry in Rancho Cucamonga to open up so I too can do a review. I've heard so many things about this place but haven't had a chance to try it as there are no Pinkberries close to me. Soon hopefully.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and report WC! Though I think I'll wait for them to come down to me for me to finally try them. I figure if I'm going to spend $5 on froyo, I'd rather not spend more on the quarter tank of gas it takes to get there.
ReplyDeleteWhat's a carob bean?
Such a colorful combi with yogurt!
ReplyDeleteWith a chance of rain today at NorCal, I feel a brain freeze.
Oh, I can't resist those mangoes and berries.
Looking at your pictures, I feel like topping my blueberries and strawberries with ice-cream right now. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Chopsticks,
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of Pinkberry. It looks good, but I agree, that $6 is a lot for frozen yogurt!
Kay,
ReplyDeleteWelcome! Hmm, don't think frozen yogurt can really be appreciated if the weather is bad, so maybe that's a good thing. :)
Marvin,
Is a Pinkberry coming to Rancho Cucamonga or you're hoping? It would probably go up in Victoria Gardens? There's a Kiwiberry on Bonita in the Claremont Village if you want to see what the copy of the copy tastes like. I have yet to go there myself though.
Elmo,
You've got Yogurtland. Heh. :) It was very good, but I'm balking at the $5 price tag, no way would it be worth 1/4 tank of gas on top of that for me.
Tigerfish,
I don't think you meant it in the same way. A brain freeze is a slang term for what happens when you eat too much ice cream or frozen treats.
Yich,
I swear so much of my food habits are shaped from reading other food blogs. :)
Zoey,
So far Pinkberry is just a SoCal and NYC trend. The Midwest took a decade before it caught up on the boba trend. And that was Chicago, so I don't know about Michigan... :P
yes, yes...the brain freeze I meant is that same way. When you slurped on that ice-cream or other cold stuff and suddenly feel something shoot up the nose to the brain. As good as eating wasabi for some. ;p
ReplyDeleteBut this is called the ice-cream effect, and I think double chances of brain freeze when the weather is cold when you eat that ice-cream.
But today when I see this pix, I'm ok...coz sunshine today :D
Tigerfish,
ReplyDeleteAh, OK. I was thinking you were just referring to the cold. Wasn't sure what you knew/didn't know about American slang. :P
Why is it sunny up there when it's pouring rain down here? :(