Cleveland\u2019s University Circle neighborhood is about to get a little sweeter with the arrival of Playa Bowls, a smoothie and acai bowl shop set to open to the public on Sept. 19 at 11446 Euclid Ave.<\/p>\n
Hannah Lippman, general manager of Playa Bowls University Circle, told the Cleveland Jewish News that this new location on the east side is kosher certified through Ohio-K Kosher under the supervision of Rabbi A.J. Kushner \u2013 a decision that she said is unique to this Playa Bowl\u2019s location.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re very excited to open,\u201d Lippman said. \u201cI\u2019m personally very excited to be able to bring a kosher restaurant to our community, especially as an active member of the (Jewish) community myself and knowing how important it is to this community.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Lippman, a congregant of B\u2019nai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike, most Playa Bowls locations, including the west end location in Rocky River, are not kosher.<\/p>\n
But when the community flooded the location\u2019s Instagram page with about \u201c200 direct messages\u201d asking whether or not they would be certified kosher after the restaurant announced its opening, the team was convinced to take the step.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t keep kosher myself, but I have a ton of friends and family who do, so I understood what it meant to be kosher, and besides that, I understood this community and how important it was to bring another Jewish dining option to them,\u201d Lippman said. \u201cI was like, \u2018I don\u2019t care what we have to do, we have to give this to this community.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Looking forward to opening their doors to a wider audience, Playa Bowls was founded in 2014 in Belmar, N.J., and has over 400 locations across the country, including in Canton, Columbus, Athens, Cincinnati and Dayton.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always loved Playa Bowls,\u201d Lippman, who is originally from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., said.<\/p>\n
The locations are known for their acai bowls which consist of a few main bases for customers to choose from \u2013 acai, papaya, coconut, mango and green. Customers can then top their bowls with a selection of fruit, granola, honey, Nutella and more.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of people come in thinking it\u2019s a snack, and then they get it, and it\u2019s huge,\u201d Lippman said. \u201cIt\u2019s a full meal, and it\u2019s meant to be a meal. (The bowls) are large and insanely filling.\u201d<\/p>\n
Additional menu items at Playa Bowls include smoothies, oatmeal and cold brew coffee.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone sleeps on our coffee \u2013 the coffee is incredible,\u201d Lippman said. \u201cI\u2019m a huge coffee person, so coming from me, that\u2019s a big deal.\u201d<\/p>\n