The Untelevised

Tea Bar & Fusion Café

What better way to celebrate the capping off a season of big games, both professional and collegiate, than with some bowls of our own? Sure, you’ve heard of the Rose Bowl or Fiesta Bowl, but what about the Myrtle Beach Bowl or the Lending Tree Bowl? Certainly, you've heard of the bowls at Tea Bar & Fusion Cafe, and that marks stop number one for the “Bar” Bowl. We went to the Vallombrosa location, marked by the bustle of foot traffic and the excited folks sitting outside under the large patio umbrellas and canopy of natural shade. This ever-popular destination for professionals and students alike is perfect for someone who wants an easy order of consistently delicious food. Bright, colorful menus guide the ordering stepby-step, through the protein, to the grains and greens, and finally the dressings and extras. Then, things get more difficult. The drinks all sound so good, and there are pages of them.

While the salmon is my go-to, I went with the London broil with mixed greens, opting out of the ever-popular half-greens-half-grains mix. The bowl’s ingredients are very much “what you see is what you get”—fresh tasting vegetables. In this manner, the protein shines while the other items add texture without the competition of salt. The edamame gives a smooth textured bite while the crunch of the carrots and snap of the sprouts adds more to the senses than taste alone. The London broil was served medium well, but still was tender and packed full of juices, and those marinade juices that rest on the bottom of the bowl could have been enough for me. Then the dressing is added, and the creamy wasabi becomes the star of the show. Fresh, vibrant ginger spice and the back-of-the-tongue punch, indicative of wasabi, reside in a smooth creamy texture. It’s not overpowering but enough to make you tear up if you take too large of a bite.

Tea Bar Is a place of bright character and color, high energy flavor, and a bustling atmosphere that is very much Chico. Try them at either location and attempt to find your favorite combination with each upcoming visit.