Pura Vida

• Cuisine(s): Health, Sandwiches, Smoothies, Vegetarian
  Hours: Sun-Mon 8am-9pm, Fri-Sat 9am-9pm
  Price: $ $
  Payment Types: All Major Credit Cards
• Attire: Casual
  Features: Takeout, Wheelchair Accessible, Kid Friendly
  Serving: Dinner, Lunch
  Alcohol: Beer/Wine
• Reservations: Not Necessary
  Parking: Meters

Description

Let's say, for hypothetical purposes, you're on a date with Madonna. She's great at the whole first kiss thing, but the Material Girl is way too picky about her dinner. She won't eat food that's been processed or genetically modified. And don't even think about ordering something that once lived inside a factory farm. So where do you take her? Fortunately, there's a laid-back — and shockingly unpretentious — natural food restaurant on Washington Avenue. Pura Vida has the vibe of a Costa Rican surf shop (you can even rent a surfboard after your meal). The bright and colorful joint has a selection of specialty smoothies and fresh-squeezed drinks that make Jamba Juice feel more impersonal than a trip to the DMV. Enjoy brown rice and chicken with lentil soup and salad for $9.95. Or try an açaí berry bowl made with a purée of frozen berries, bananas, and apple juice topped with granola for $7.95. The place is also great for take-out, which allows more time for important stuff like, oh, say, kissing.