Pinkberry Plants Itself in Santa Barbara
Frozen Yogurt Trendsetters Land on State Street
Whether or not you’ve recently trekked down to the trendier parts of Los Angeles, chances are you’ve heard of Pinkberry. Since opening up their flagship West Hollywood store back in ’05, co-creators Shelly Hwang and Young Lee’s yogurt shops have become veritable hotspots for celebs to hang out, chow down, and mug for the paps. But endorsements from the Jonas brothers and Hilary Duff can only do so much. Tabloid hype aside, Pinkberry’s delicious tangy yogurt offerings have helped to pave the way to more readily available, healthy snacking options. Boasting a seal of approval from National Yogurt Association’s Live & Active Cultures department (meaning the treat contains more than 10 million cultures per gram), the chain prides itself on health-consciousness. All three flavors (original, green tea, and the seasonal pomegranate) contain zero calories from fat, and topping choices-there are 18-range from granola and carob chips to fresh berries and pineapple. (The most popular guest selection is original topped with strawberry, mango, and kiwi.) As of last Tuesday, Pinkberry extended its SoCal reach a bit further north, opening up an airy and ¼ber-modern storefront at 724 State Street, the former home of Jamba Juice. Like its menu, the shop’s design is the picture of elegant, streamlined simplicity, complete with Le Klint-inspired hanging lamps and a glossy gravel floors. Pinkberry is open from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Visit pinkberry.com for more info.