When it comes to tasty drinks, Irvine has plenty of cafes and restaurants to satisfy your juice cravings. However, a juice bar called Nekter, that recently opened in the UCI Center, distinguishes itself from other well-known similar stores. Nekter has no shortage of competition when it comes to refreshing and satisfying drinks, but it only takes one visit to see just how special and unique Nekter is. The already popular juice bar focuses on a simple concept: health. All of the products’ ingredients are fresh and organic.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Natalie, an employee of the juice bar, who had been working there since the opening day.
Sword & Shield: What do you serve here?
Natalie: We serve juices, smoothies and acai bowls. If you’re curious, acai is one the healthiest fruits on the planet!
S&S: What would you recommend to someone who’s never been to Nekter before?
N: I’d recommend the Pink Flamingo smoothie and the PB [peanut butter] Acai Bowl. The Pink Flamingo is very sweet but still has all the vegetables in there, while the PB Acai Bowl is the most popular acai bowl.
S&S: What’s the atmosphere like at Nekter?
N: The atmosphere is very relaxing. We want people to unwind while they enjoy our food.
S&S: What’s your price range?
N: While Nekter isn’t expensive, it’s definitely not cheap either. If I were to rate it, it would be a 3 out of 5.
S&S: Finally, what puts Nekter apart from similar stores?
N: What distinguishes Nekter from other stores would be its commitment to serving healthy food. All our ingredients are organic and fresh, and I think that’s something everyone can appreciate. We want people to enjoy our food without feeling guilty afterwards.
Naturally, I was anxious to try a drink after the interview. I ordered the Orange Crush, and the quality of the smoothie reflected everything Natalie had told me in the interview. It tasted fresh and tangy, but was easy to digest. I also tried the PB Acai Bowl, which lived up to its reputation as being the most popular.
Nekter is very unique eating experience. It is much healthier and fresher than Juice It Up or Jamba Juice but still has a great taste. The next time you find yourself in the UCI Center, stop by Nekter.
4237 Campus Drive
Suite B163
Irvine, CA 92612
Mon-Fri: 7:00am – 7:00pm
Sat-Sun: 8:00am – 6:00 pm
Written by RYAN CORNELLIER
Photos by HANNAH MINN
