An oasis of healthy eating in the middle of Soho.

The Venue
The latest addition to the Crussh chain of smoothie bars is tucked away on Broadwick Street, a refuge from the narrow crowded streets, pubs and seedy sex shops surrounding it. Though small (only six seats at a counter at the back) it feels bright and spacious inside, with a bar where you can watch the juices and smoothies being made.

The Atmosphere
It’s very much a lunchtime place, catering mostly for takeaways. The clientele tend to be cool, young, stylishly-dressed types who work in the area, possibly connected to the film industry in nearby Wardour Street. It’s pleasant to watch the fruit at the juice bar being crushed into dayglo smoothies while you wait for your order, or eat at one of the six cane stools, though the noise of the blenders does tend to drown out the boppy electro-pop that’s played. Decor is as light and airy as an impressionist painting: pale wooden floor, orange, cream and lime green walls.

The Food
Tasty and healthy - you can feel it doing you good. There’s a wide range of sandwiches and wraps, pre-packed sushi, salads and soups, with free mini-samples laid out to tempt the palate. Duck, orange and pomegranate salad at just about £5.00 is highly recommended - the duck is tender, the watercress is crisp, the wild rice is nutty and the zingy soy sauce dressing counters the sweetness of the fruit. Garden vegetable soup is another good choice - it’s hearty, grainy and warming, packed with peas and beans and barley, and though it’s vegetarian the rich flavour is almost meaty.

The Drink
Crussh is best known for its smoothies and you’d be daft not to try one. There’s a huge range to choose from. The Peach Passion tastes fresh, sweet and is cold enough to give you an ice cream headache. The Brazilian, with pawpaw and frozen yoghurt, has a subtler, still sweet but more vegetal taste. The Strawberry Cool is just the right consistency, not too thin and not too thick, and really tastes of strawberries. You can add a booster, such as Siberian ginseng, Echinacea or wheat germ, to any smoothie for 50p.

The Last Word
A lunch of one main dish (sandwich, soup or salad) and a smoothie will only set you back about £6 - and however jaded you feel when you go in, you’ll come out feeling much better for it.

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