Neighborhood: Westwood
If I was told I could only eat cereal for the rest of my life, I'm pretty sure I'd never get sick of it. I remember seeing commercials as a kid for everything from Reese's Peanut butter cereal to GI Joe, and insisting my mom had to buy every single one for me to try. The possibilities were endless then, and they're endless now when I visit JuJu's Cereal Bar in Westwood village. A clean, basic space (designed, I think, to draw in the Pinkberry crowd)... you are invited to stroll past the toppings bar of fresh & dried fruit, candies and nuts and peruse the shelves of cereal boxes that would make even Seinfeld's pantry jealous. Every cereal you could think of is here - from Cookie Crisp to Grape Nuts, Cheerios to Honey Combs. Don't get overwhelmed - the menu divides the cereals up for you into sweet cereals and healthy ones - just like mom used to do. There are about a dozen organic cereals, including the tasty hemp granola. Like Coldstone's ice cream, there are roughly 15 'mixes' offered here. The S'mores Galore (Golden Grahams, Coco Krispies, graham cracker crumbles, marshmallows, chocolate chips) went down nicely, surprisingly not too sweet considering the ingredients. Perhaps you're on a health kick, and are more the Brangelina type (All Bran, Special K, strawberries, bananas, yogurt chips). If JuJu hasn't thought of it for you, then think of it on your own - you can create your own bowl using any of the ingredients at hand. A fun, inventive break from the bagels/cream cheese or Starbucks muffin - and unlike those places, you could eat here forever before you ever repeat a meal. Bowls come in three sizes - a full espresso and yogurt bar is available as well. Grab a date for a Tuesday - all bowls are 2 for 1 all day.
(Pictured: Perfect before a hike-the Runner's High bowl: granola, Grape-nuts, yogurt raisins, dried apples, and peanut butter)
Cost: Medium bowls are $5.25.
Link: www.jujucerealbar.com
Notes: Parking is street and metered - sometimes tough on Westwood Blvd, but easier on Glendon, one block to the east.
