Cabin John is a shopping center often occupied by residents of Potomac. Better yet, it is a place where students who are looking for something to fill their empty stomachs with and for a spot to hangout with friends, can go to after a long, grueling school day. Since Colada’s departure from Cabin John Shopping Center, Pura Vida has stepped up to the plate, bringing its Miami flair to the streets of Potomac. The food ranges from wraps to bowls, offering customers a diverse culinary experience.
Pura Vida was founded in 2012 by husband and wife, Omer and Jennifer Horev. The two felt a need for healthier food options in South Florida, and had the brilliant idea to create a restaurant that would offer customers a plethora of healthier food choices. Starting as a small cafe, Pura Vida has broken barriers, transforming into a popular lifestyle and wellness brand.
Starting off with drinks, a classic cold lemonade is the perfect choice after working all day, its sweetness providing a chance for people to cool down. Pura Vida’s “Lala Lemonade” is the perfect mix of sour and sweet, with agave sweetening the lemonade just enough to balance out the sourness, without overpowering the overall flavor. The drink itself is simply mouth watering, with the only major issue being the small size of its bottle.
Another sublime drink from Pura Vida is their “Welcome to Miami” smoothie, made with passion fruit, mango and banana. One common issue with drinks that have bananas inside is that the flavor of the smoothie is often overpowered. However, in this case, the “Welcome to Miami” smoothie has the perfect blend of all three flavors, as they balance each other out so that one fruit does not conquer the flavor over others for the taste of the entire smoothie.
Moving on to the meals, Pura Vida has an excellent avocado salmon bowl that blends together several flavors, incorporating different vegetables that are harmonious with the perfect amount of white rice and salmon. The salmon is roasted and blends exceptionally with the white rice, which is seasoned thoroughly with small pieces of cilantro. The arugula by itself is unfortunately unpleasant due to the bitter taste, but when eaten with the other vegetables, it creates more of a savory and sweet flavor. This bowl is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also scrumptious.
Pura Vida also offers a diverse selection of wraps. The chopped chicken caesar wrap mixes romaine hearts with chopped kale to give that impeccable crunch for each bite, and the chicken is not too heavy nor overwhelming, but rather, it is heavy enough to make its consumers full after finishing the dish. The sourdough croutons are small, and more so act as sprinkles for the wrap. Finally, the caesar dressing gives the wrap a unique flavor. It is important to note that the wrap does not need too much sauce, as it can overpower the taste and prevent the meal from being enjoyed fully.
Moving on to the bakery, Pura Vida offers a vegan walnut banana bread. This bread has chocolate chips and tastes splendid. The walnuts are not present in the bread itself but in the batter, so the taste is pretty concealed. The banana bread itself is delicious, with the crust being firmer on the outside while the inside being soft, providing comfort with each bite.
The service in Pura Vida is just as good as the food. The workers are friendly and open to giving samples of select bakery items. The food usually comes out pretty fast and there are a lot of pleasant seating areas both outside and inside. The outside seating stands out with the relaxing chairs and neatly placed tables and umbrellas, making sure that everyone has a comfortable place to eat no matter where they decide to sit.
One downside to Pura Vida is unfortunately their pricing. Each item would definitely be expensive for the average high school student. If a customer wanted to buy a drink, bowl and a wrap, the total would amount up to above $25. Although the food is tasty, it is definitely recommended that if a student wants to try it, they should go with a guardian or someone who can finance their experience.
Overall, Pura Vida is an amazing restaurant with friendly staff and even better food. The menu offers a wide range of selections that can be chosen depending on the mood of a customer. All of the dishes are high quality, making each bite worth every penny.
