For several years, what is perhaps the most “Ventura-esque” restaurant has existed in downtown Ventura: Palm and Boy Coffee and Acai. Established in 2017, the warm, beachy-themed cafe is tucked in the El Jardin Courtyard. Though easy to miss, it offers some of the most spectacular and unique twists on the trendiest foods.
The shop follows some of southern California’s most prominent aesthetics — a mix of foresty, with notes of the ocean and all things coastal. Decorated with hanging plants and trees on the outside, the restaurant gives customers the pleasant, peaceful experience that is living in Ventura.
While the restaurant is visually appealing, let’s see if its contents hit the standards.
Iced Honey Latte: 9.5/10
I started off the adventure at Palm and Boy with one of their specialties, the Honey Latte. As a latte lover, this drink didn’t catch my eye as it appeared to be just a standard latte. However, after a taste it was apparent that there was so much more to the drink than aesthetics portrayed, and it easily became one of my favorite items that I ordered.
The proportions in this latte were amazing. After trying many different types of lattes, I would have never thought to bring honey into the equation, but the sweetness added a natural yet fragrant depth to the drink that is often missing in coffee-based beverages. The addition may seem basic, but gave the drink a beautiful taste and enhanced the flavor while still keeping the classic coffee notes. For those who are looking for a traditional latte but don’t like the often acidic taste that it has and also love a touch of sweetness, this drink would definitely for you!
Would I buy it again? Yes!
Wave Acai Bowl: 7/10
My expectations for this bowl were very high, with the bright blue color of the acai being very enticing. This acai bowl was topped with granola, bananas, blueberries, kiwi and bee pollen which all brought the look of the bowl together as a beachy, fruity and a fit for the overall aesthetic of the cafe.
Although the bowl looked beautiful, the the acai was mango-based. Through the first half of the bowl the mango was very pleasant, but as I continued to eat, I came across chunks of frozen, hard mango. After a few bites into the bowl, the acai became very tangy and too sweet for my personal taste.
As for toppings, the kiwi was a personal favorite, it gave a fun kick to the flavor. With the bananas, they were not ripe enough, very bland and surprisingly hard, leaving an odd aftertaste and testure. Over time, the overwhelming sweetness of the bowl put me off. I didn’t hate this bowl, but the fruitiness became too much and this bowl is truly for sweet fruit lovers.
Would I buy it again? No
(Kyra Bouchard)
Avocado Toast: 9/10
Every flavor a person could want on showed up on this Avocado Toast. The way this toast was presented was beautiful as it was topped with arugula, cherry tomatoes, lemon pepper and red pepper flakes. Getting avocado toast can be a hit or miss from depending on how ripe the avocados are, and Palm and Boy definitely hit the spot!
Their avocados were perfectly ripe and the taste was enhanced with the hint of lemon juice. My favorite thing that Palm and Boy did to this toast was the lemon pepper and red pepper flakes, as it added just a tad of spice that was perfect to enhance the overall flavor. The arugula was not only a beautiful topping, but added the ideal final touch of this avocado toast, aside from the ripe tomatoes on top, which happen to be a fan favorite. The lemony spice additions to this avocado toast perked my taste buds and definitely put this toast on the top of my list!
Would I buy it again? Yes!
Iced Chai Latte: 10/10
Another addition to my meal at Palm and Boy was the delightful Iced Chai Latte, setting the stage for the rest of the food items we tried. This was one of the items that I had tried before, and it seems to never disappoint.
This iced drink offers a cool and creamy flavor but it also has a blend of spices that gives it a kick, creating a balanced flavor profile that is both deep and creamy at the same time. The extra cinnamon that was lightly sprinkled on top gave the chai a natural feel and made it taste less artificial. This drink was delicious, and tasted authentic, flavorful and festive.
After trying the drink for the second time, it is confirmed that it is by far one of my favorite iced chai lattes in town. Its delightful taste is balanced between a cinnamon and milky flavor, and is an ideal choice for cooling down while still enjoying a variety of flavors in a singular sip!
Would I buy again? Yes!
Grom (Acai bowl): 6.5/10
I was very excited to try this bowl because I have never tried this specific item on their menu before, my expectations were extremely high because in the previous times I have visited this place their other bowls on the menu were delicious. The base was made up of a blend of Pitaya, mangos and bananas and was topped with fresh cut strawberry, bananas and chia seeds were also sprinkled on top.
This bowl would definitely be perfect for someone that had a sweet tooth, it was very fruity and overpowered. I think next time asking to add some granola on top could even out the sweet strong taste. The strawberries were very fresh and sweet which was delicious but on the other hand I felt that the bananas were not ripe or rich enough and tasted very bland and left a weird sensation in your mouth after taking a bite. I did not hate this acai bowl but I think if I was to order it again I would definitely ask for them to add some almond butter or granola.
Would I buy again? Maybe…
Overall:
Palm and Boy’s cute and trendy aesthetic pulls people from all over Ventura County to the tucked away gem with unique foods and a great vibe. This coastal cafe offers items from a fresh acai bowl to a savory avocado toast, all of which are extremely visually pleasing and eye catching. The variety of items on the menu captured our attention, allowing this stop to be a great place to grab a bite.
