An Afternoon at City Harvest Cafe

Anyone who was in Chicago on Saturday knows how insanely beautiful it was outside for a day in mid-January. I took this as a perfect opportunity to go for a long walk and explore my neighborhood. After stopping in Reckless Records and some used bookstores, I decided to stop in City Harvest Cafe (an establishment that has long been on my to-do list) to get some juice. City Harvest is located on Broadway on the North Side in an area full of cute shops, restaurants, and cafes. The cafe itself is very quaint on the inside with benches along the window and a few tables on the side. The music playing was that of any nice coffee shop or cafe and the overall vibe was very calm.

I asked the woman behind the counter what she recommended and she listed off several cold pressed juices that all sounded magnificent. I ultimately decided on the Limoncello because I am a complete lemonhead and love anything with lemon in it. 

Limoncello juice (golden apple, lemon, on the rocks) $6.50

I was so happy with this decision. The Limoncello was ice cold and extremely refreshing. It tasted like a more intense version of lemonade and left a foam on the ice that made the ice cubes taste like lemony candy. The server pointed out that it almost tastes like there's something beyond just lemon and apple in this juice even though there isn't, which I completely agree with! This would be the perfect beverage for a hot summer day. Mmm.

While I was waiting for my Limoncello to be made, the kind woman behind the counter informed me that City Harvest has recently started pressing their own hemp milk. The hemp milk is made with hemp seeds, bourbon vanilla, dates, pink himalayan salt, cinnamon, and alkaline water. She gave me a sample and I have to say this was one of the best things I have tasted in a long time. It tasted like a lighter form of horchata and was just positively divine. My only complaint about City Harvest Cafe, and all juice bars in general, is the prices. $7 for a glass of juice is a little steep and $12 for a small jar of hemp milk is a tad outrageous too. However, I completely understand that these prices are necessary in order for juice bars to continue using the fresh, organic, and delicious ingredients that they use in their juices. High quality offerings means high quality prices! I just want it to be known that if it weren't for the steep prices, I'd be stopping by City Harvest every day. I noticed a sign for fresh goji bowls next to the counter and started drooling... I will definitely be back for one of those soon!

Overall, my afternoon at City Harvest Cafe was extremely pleasant. After I sampled the hemp milk and had my juice, I sat by the window and read Emma (I'm on a bit of a Jane Austen kick right now) and soaked up the warm atmosphere. The staff here is so friendly and I definitely recommend stopping by if you're in the mood for a delicious treat that is just as good for you as it is tasting.