Nestled amidst the hustle and bustle of Downtown Storrs, a new wave of health has arrived. Nautical Bowls, a self-proclaimed “superfood snack shop,” has opened its doors to hungry Huskies, offering a unique blend of fruit and granola bowls that are as delicious as they are nutritious. The storefront, located at 34 Wilbur Cross Way, is located a stone’s throw from the Mansfield Transportation Center behind T-Mobile.
Nautical Bowls is just one of many different franchises hopping onto the smoothie bowl craze, popular across college campuses nationwide. Their menu includes a variety of prefab options, but customers also have the option to build their own bowl, with the choice of seven unique fruit bases (mango, acai, berry, coconut, Blue Majik, chocolate and dragonfruit) and a variety of fruit, granola, nuts and more for toppings. One of their signature offerings, the Big Island Bowl, features all seven bases layered with goji berries, strawberries, and coconut flakes. According to their Instagram page, Nautical Bowls is also an official partner of the Connecticut Huskies athletic teams.
When you enter Nautical Bowls, you are greeted with a clean appearance, faux ship wheels on the wall as decor and a mural of a beach scene. The seating area features tables fashioned from surfboards with conversation-starter questions, an opportunity for welcome social interaction in the new establishment. The menu board lies above the bowl construction area and is easy to read, with clear descriptions of the options, toppings and price points. With three sizes to choose from (“Dinghy,” “Cruiser” and “Yacht” — continuing the sea-faring theme) customers can experiment with different combinations and construct their favorite bowl.
The theme behind Nautical’s menu is “super food, super life.”. Acai berries, pitaya (dragon fruit) and goji berries have been popularly identified with the label, not to mention the other fruity options which are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and other healthy elements. “Super food” isn’t just a trendy name. Studies have linked berries to lower risk of heart disease, while some other fruits may help manage diabetes. Antioxidants — like those found in acai and nuts — fight free radicals, potentially slowing down aging.
When I visited Nautical Bowls for this review, I got my favorite option — a Paddle Bowl. The Paddle Bowl has a layer of Blue Majik base, coconut milk, and mango base and is topped with granola, strawberries and drizzled with honey. On other occasions, I’ve enjoyed the Surf Bowl, which starts with an acai berry and chocolate base with sliced bananas, oats and peanut butter on top. The peanut and almond butter they use is churned before your eyes and all the food has been served quickly and fresh.
Overall, I think Nautical Bowls is a welcome addition to the UConn food scene. Their menu offers a healthy, delicious, and share-worthy alternative to the usual snack fare. Down the road, rival Playa Bowls recently opened its doors with similar menu items and other selections — one must consider if this will be a rerun of the old frozen yogurt fad, but I don’t think it will be. Plus, Nautical Bowls was a little easier on my wallet when comparing the times I’ve visited both franchises. With its friendly atmosphere, customizable options and focus on fresh ingredients, Nautical Bowls is sure to become a favorite among health-conscious Huskies and adventurous eaters alike.
Rating: 5/5 Bowls