Hibiscus Juice Bar has Caribbean decor and limited seating. (Photo by Jen Horner)

At Hibiscus Juice Bar, which opened a few months ago at the corner of 49th and Catharine streets, owner Sarah Scandone and manager Jessica Matluck combine Caribbean flavors and healthy ingredients in a bright yellow decor. Drawing on experiences operating a juice bar in Belize, and driven by their passion for healthy foods, the longtime friends opened their shop just around the corner from where Scandone once lived.

A dozen or more blends and smoothies will please the most dedicated juice lovers. The magenta “Detox” blend of beets, celery, parsley, kale, pineapple and honeydew (small $4.29, large $5.29) is sweet with a sharp little bite. In addition to an array of vegetable, herb, and fruit choices, you can enhance your smoothie (small $3.99, large $4.99) with bee pollen, Irish Moss, and other healthy stuff. Hibiscus also sells a variety of snack breads, cookies, and cakes, baked on-site.

Savory foods include vegetarian and vegan wraps, quesadillas, salads, a few fish dishes, daily specials and soups. Everything I tried was saturated with flavor – the nutritional equivalent of sunshine. The spicy Jamaican Jerk Tofu wrap ($6.99) included chard, rice, and okra. Salads are served individually or in combination ($3.99 for one, 7.99 for two, and soon). Kale salad with nutritional yeast dressing paired with tuna salad made a crunchy, filling and satisfying lunch. Veggie quesadillas ($6.99) come with your choice of standard or vegan mozzarella cheese. If you want a small snack with your juice, try the veggie “chicken” empanada ($1.50). Most items on the menu can be prepared vegan, and if you avoid gluten, ask for rice tortillas instead of wheat.

At first glance, there are similarities between Hibiscus and Atiya Ola’s Spirit First Foods, located a half-mile east on Baltimore at 45^th street. Because of the focus on take-out, the seating is sparse at Hibiscus, while Atiya Ola’s provides table service. Hibiscus mixes a wider variety of juices on the spot, and Atyia Ola’s offers more different food choices, plus breakfast served all day. Both satisfy the growing demand for healthy, raw, and vegetarian foods in our neighborhood.

– Jen