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Acaí with Your Tea

You haven’t ordered one of Steam Energy Cafe’s acaí bowls yet because you don’t know how to pronounce it? Calm down. You’re not alone.

Acaí (articulated ‘ah-sah-EE’ for those who wish to avoid embarrassment) is the queen of all superfoods. Once betrothed to the smoothie, this tasty Brazilian fruit is packed with antioxidants, calcium, fiber, and heart-healthy fats. We know these vibrant violet bowls have been crowding your Instagram feed with what can only be described as a sister to sorbet. Thanks to Niche, now they are accessible in Worcester.

Steam Energy Cafe’s Tropic Thunder acai bowl

Steam’s Tropic Thunder acaí bowl marries mango, pineapple, and cold pressed apple juice topped with housemade (gluten-free) granola, honey, pineapple, goji berries, and shaved coconut. Order a 20 oz. peppermint tea to prime your brain for a magical morning. Mint is both chipper and soothing when paired with punchy citrus and tropical fruit. The cooling qualities of peppermint will suit your frozen acaí bowl while maintaining the temperate warmth required to avoid an ice cream headache.

If you don’t have time to linger then, order a fruit-forward Berry Banana Colada with your tea and make haste. There’s plenty of parking if you need to grab and go, but Steam’s wifi is free, so have at it! The smooth combination of strawberry, banana, pineapple, and coconut water will prove easy to take on the road.

If clean living is in your sights this month, we urge you to fit Steam’s herbal tea, smoothies, and acaí bowls into your routine. (Relax. They’ve got caffeine and bacon for the rest of us.)

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Pairing Vegan Pastrami

There’s some irony in the fact that Worcester’s champion vegans, Nicole and Victor Broushet, met in the Meatpacking district. Then again, unsuspecting pairs are everywhere if you bother to take a look. Feast your eyes on 6 Waldo Street, the latest vegan hot spot in the city of Worcester.

The Vegan Nest opened its doors last fall, not long after fellow vegan proprietor, Chickpea, closed its doors indefinitely. And, while I may have been skeptical at first about promises of artisanal charcuterie at an establishment where nothing says moo – I have nevertheless developed a strong affinity for vegan pastrami sandwiches.

The Vegan Nest’s hot pastrami melt begs for a spicy lemonade. Lining up fats and acids can be tricky with seitan and the like, but this flavor duet hits the mark. Like most pastrami sandwiches, The Nest’s iteration is layered with spicy brown mustard. Unlike most pastrami sandwiches, the Broushets make their own plant-based meat, then slather it in aioli and melty vegan mozzarella.

Few things boast enough acidity to cut through the richness of hot pastrami like fresh squeezed lemon juice. The Nest’s spicy lemonade offers a subtle cayenne top note balanced by a dash of maple syrup for the ideal dose of heat, not to be outmatched by the might of brown mustard.

Regular customers, deemed “nesters,” likewise suggest ordering superfood smoothies, bagels with vegan cream cheese, queso blanco, and bbq jackfruit. You’ll find beverage offerings equally compelling, including moCa, a Maya Nut beverage that is non-GMO and eco-friendly. Take a guilt-free cherry pie spritzer and a piece of mind for the road – The Vegan Nest is about more than just cuisine, it’s about inspiring healthy living in Worcester.

With Belmont Vegetarian to the north and Loving Hut outposts to the south and west, it’s nice to finally have a vegan option right downtown. The Vegan Nest’s family friendly space is bright and community focused, providing prepared foods for the downtown workforce in addition to a sit-down environment for a leisurely breakfast and lunch.