12 « July « 2009 « Gimmeyummy

I have realized over the years that growing up with health conscious parents is one of the greatest gifts a kid can have.
In a food world teeming with saturated fat, nutritionally devoid snacks, and sugar-laden sweet treats, it can be difficult to navigate the sea of crap food if you lack that sort of eating-habit foundation. Instead of ice cream, my house was always stocked with frozen yogurt and sorbet, and other than my teenage stint working at Baskin Robbins, I have managed to steer clear of any serious sugar addictions.
I remember in the mid 1990′s there was a brief explosion in Nashville of frozen yogurt restaurants…specifically a cute little franchised place called “I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt,” that our family visited religiously. (I can still remember how amazing the peach flavor was!)
Unfortunately the little shop didn’t last long, and a few of the other little boutiquey places also disappeared, leaving TCBY
http://www.tcby.com/ as pretty much the only joint to get fro-yo around town.
Because I’ve been a good girl and the universe likes me, frozen yogurt is making an enormous and well-timed comeback in Nashville right now, with the soon to open and much adored Tasti D-lite setting up shop at the intersection of West End Ave and Elliston Place.
http://www.tastidlite.com/
There is another new frozen yogurt restaurant tucked away in a tiny Green-Hills shopping center aptly named “Krave,” and although it has been around for nearly a year, I’m clearly off of my game because I just found out about it a few months ago. This week I FINALLY got my sweet yogurt-loving ass over there to taste the goods.
(And the goods at Krave were good.)

One very important thing you need to know about Krave is that they do not have a credit/debit card machine. You must bring cash. There is no sign on the door telling patrons this as they arrive, and I was informed that they had no plans to do so any time soon.
Upon entering I experienced immediate visual elation in the simplicity of the decor… the complete lack of clutter and signage and the total space-bar mod feel. Fun, candy colored bucket chairs, and glass or plexiglass wall panels make the atmosphere feel understated, yet still lively.

Making a beeline for the counter I quickly (and gleefully) took stock of the toppings bar, flavor offerings, and prices.
(sorry that the picture is so crappy, the glare coming in presented me with some lighting issues)

The prices are a bit expensive, but about average for frozen yogurt, especially considering the quality.

I felt welcome the minute I walked into Krave as I was cheerfully offered to sample of any of the flavors available.
(you don’t have to offer samples twice to this girl)
Just like the beloved yogurt giant Pinkberry, (http://www.pinkberry.com/)
Krave has an “Original Tart” flavor and it was fantastic! Fat free, ultra low-calorie, tangy and not too creamy….tasted just like the amazing greek yogurt that makes up 1/3 of my diet. This flavor would be perfect with fresh pineapple, strawberries, and blackberries!
I tried everything but the “Green Apple” and the “Pink Guava.”
Apparently all of the flavors are low-calorie and fat free, so the trouble will only start for you when you are trying to decide what toppings to pair with your flavor.

The options range from Captain Crunch to shredded coconut so the extra calories are up to you.
I fell in deep, sweet love with the ridiculously addictive “Cheesecake” flavor and topped mine with chocolate chips and fresh strawberries.

My yogurt-sampling partner in crime also could not resist the fabulous “Cheesecake” flavor and picked Oreos as his topping (probably not the healthiest option but whatever, he was ecstatic).

This yogurt is a what addictions are made of, and Krave is officially on my addiction radar.
I am already planning my next trip to Krave…. “Original Tart” flavor with fresh fruit!