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At Grain and Berry the focus is on promoting good health with great tastes, in a rainbow of colors: deep purple acai bowls, ruby glasses of beet-ginger juice, golden smoothies that taste of the tropics, avocado toasts spread in creamy green, crushed red pepper toppers.
Founded in 2017 in Tampa, this is the first franchise outside of the Sunshine State. Owners Nichole and Keith Brant became avid fans of Grain and Berry when they lived in Tampa Bay.
“Our daughter introduced us to the place and we loved it. Healthy food that tastes good!” Nichole says. “In time, we realized it was more than being a fan. It was a business we believed in, and wanted to own ourselves.”
The family recently opened the fast-casual cafe in the building adjacent to the Moxy Nashville Vanderbilt. Paleo or keto, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free? No problem!
“We try to meet everyone’s dietary needs,” Nichole says. “There’s no added sugar in anything. Honey and agave are the sole sweeteners. There’s no meat on the menu. Eggs and cheese are about as close as we get.”
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Power your days with one of the Superfood bowls, which begin with one of these superbases: acai, spirulina, pitaya (dragon fruit) kale, or yogurt. Each bowl is layered with organic granola, myriad fresh fruits, and assorted toppings, such as chia seeds, coconut shavings, and pipes of almond butter. You are welcome to customize under the Design-A-Bowl category.
Juices are fresh pressed and blended. Smoothies are churned to order. These are ideal to grab-and-go. Summer Glow, a press of pineapple, carrot, and turmeric, imparts warming vitality. Made with chocolate protein powder, banana, peanut butter, honey, and almond milk, The Healthy Elvis tastes like a dreamy milkshake. However, this nutritious, dairy-free concoction is a treat you can feel good about. Other treats, from the line-up of yogurt parfaits and yogurt banana splits, will sate any dessert cravings.
There’s a savory side to the menu, offering avocado toasts (available in wheat or gluten-free breads), quesadillas, and flatbreads. The latter are especially impressive. Consider, for instance “Meat Your Heart Out,” a flatbread featuring broccoli-cheese crust layered with marinara, mozzarella, plant-based sausage, cherry tomatoes, basil. The crust is crisp and delicious—and in no way makes you think, “This tastes like broccoli.” Crumbled plant-based sausage adds great flavor and texture without the heaviness or grease of meat. It’s a terrific gluten-free vegetarian option, which can be made vegan on request.
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“We take allergies very seriously,” Nichole notes. “If you have a nut allergy, we will prepare your food in a separate nut-free area.”
As Hillsboro Village continues to evolve and change—a kind of renaissance—Grain and Berry is proud to be a part, offering its modern, healthful fare. As Nichole says, “Eating healthy is addicting.”
1806 20th Ave S., 615-953-7431; grainandberry.com