Second Helpings

Grateful Inspiration

    It took a lot for me not to be eternally blessed. Confused? You won’t be for long if you’re familiar with Café Gratitude’s milkshake titles, each of which is an affirmation of some sort. I chose the “I Am Chipper” over the “I Am Eternally Blessed” because I was boring myself with my coffee milkshake predilection. “Give your buds some variety,” I heard as an inner order, and I complied.
    The “Eternally Blessed” is cold-pressed espresso blended with vanilla nut milk ice cream (all six Café Gratitude milkshake options are $7.50) and yes, of course I’ve had it before, and it’s good. The “Chipper,” on the other hand, has the same vanilla nut milk ice cream but with almond butter, dates and raw cacao chips. One sip and I’m thinking, this could be called “I Am Wonderful,” except that designation is reserved for Gratitude’s seasonal watermelon juice with mint ($6 for the large size).
    Back to the “Chipper”: Same as with all the milkshake options, the ground nutty texture of the vanilla nut milk ice cream base (this place is vegan, remember, so no dairy) invites you to sip and chew your way through your shake. And it’s a delectable experience, given the light, creamy freshness imparted by the almond butter and the sweet infusion of the blended dates and cacao. I had an ex-husband who, when he especially liked the flavor of something, would say, “Good enough to gargle.” Not an appetizing vision and, lucky for both of us, not his sole legacy—but the words pop into my mind in response to certain delightful and, in this case, “Chipper” tastes. “By this milkshake, ‘I am eternally inspired’,” I thought. Then I saw this name bestowed upon an Indian chai shake—sweet inspiration for a return visit.
    Café Gratitude, 1730 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, (415) 824-4652, www.cafegratitude.com, open 10 a.m.– 10 p.m. daily.

—By Wanda Hennig

—Photography by Lori Eanes