Get a healthy hit on the go at Five Plus Smoothie
I went in search of ‘The Perfect Date’ and I found it at Five Plus Smoothie, a two-store haven of health that serves up delicious concoctions containing your five a day.
Five Plus Smoothie has been the quenching thirsts and nourishing the bodies of Melburnians for the last two years at its Little Lonsdale Street and Collins Place stores, serving up awesome smoothie flavour combinations without the guilt.
Founder Vivian Lam, who you may know from Mekong, Rice Paper, Gong Star and Hot Star Fried Chicken, opened Five Plus Smoothie as a beacon to lead a healthier and happier life. Vivian herself experienced the health benefits of drinking daily green smoothies, noticing the benefits it had in enhancing her overall health, promoting better concentration, increased energy levels and improving her skin.
Like sailors, drawn to the sirens of the sea, I’m enticed by the call of a delicious fruit smoothie and all the health benefits it promises. And in desperate need of a healthy pick-me-up this Monday morning, I decide Five Plus Smoothie will be my saviour.
The extensive menu is categorised into three sections: Replenish and Rebuild (Meal to Go); Hydrate and Energise (The Sweeter Side) and lastly; Detox and Balance (Seriously Green). I choose the very first item on the menu – not out of laziness, but because it ticks all my boxes: sweet, smooth and tasty!
‘The Perfect Date’ is the Adonis of smoothies; a delicious blend of almond, cinnamon, banana, oats, dates, almond milk and ice. The combination of ingredients is spot on and the consistency is perfect.
One of the most popular smoothies on the menu is the ‘Peanut Butter Cup’ a flavour combination that enlightens the tastebuds with a blend of oats, homemade peanut butter, homemade almond milk, dates and banana. It sounds irresistible so I come back the following day to try it and immediately taste the reason why it’s so popular.
Peanut butter fans will be delighted to know you can buy jars of Five Plus Smoothie’s homemade peanut butter, take it home and savour each delectable spoonful (like I did) whenever you want.
During my visit to Five Plus Smoothie, I can’t help but overhear that the ‘Choc Mint’, ‘Sweet Heart’ and ‘Fresh Focus’ are winners too. At $7.50 for a regular and $9.00 for a large, you’ll feel healthier with every sip. As a bonus, there are an array of optional extras for only $1.00, including cacao powder, protein powder, maca powder, coconut oil, bee pollen, spirulina, flax seeds, chopped nuts, caco nibs, probiotics, acai, chia seeds, goji berries.
The menu, which was created by Vivian and nutritionist Samantha Ward, definitely appeals to all tastes, whether it be for a breakfast on the go, a healthy green number or a natural sugar hit.
Their line of healthy food options makes us love Five Plus Smoothie even more. These range from snacks such as the Health Lab protein balls, to dessert meals ‘to go’. I even spotted a gluten free pumpkin soup on the menu – a perfect alternative for time poor people who want quick and healthy meal.
With the first concept store designed by Brandworks, the interior at Five Plus Smoothie is natural and simple, just like their smoothies. Think sandy wood, white tiles, chrome lights and pops of greenery. The interior is designed to make customers feel relaxed and rejuvenated amongst the hustle and bustle of Melbourne CBD.
The pièce de résistance is the floor to ceiling bear mural created by Malaysian artist Red Hong Yi, which represents her childhood fear. Vivian and Red, who have been friends for many years, decided to collaborate and utilise the blank wall at the Lonsdale Street store.
Perch at the communal bench and enjoy your smoothie or grab a seat by the window and watch the buzz of the city pass you by from this little corner of calm.
When it’s this easy to get a healthy meal on the go, there really is no excuse not to. Make a date with yourself to grab a nourishing smoothie, soak up some sun in front of the State Library of Victoria and watch the world go by.
Five Plus Smoothie
265 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Open Mon-Frid 8am-6pm, Sat 10am-5pm
Collins Place – Shop 44, 45 Collins Street, Melbourne