Alright, what kind of name is that anyway?Sometimes it seems like good things never stay long in downtown Charleston. This was my sentiment when I realized last semester that my favorite frozen yogurt shop was closing it's doors to be replaced by something called "Freshii." I resolved to come try this place out when I got back downtown in the fall and it was finally open. If I was going to have to switch to Freshberry or Yogurt Mountain for my sweet tooth fix then this place had better be worth it. I'll admit I was anxious walking in. I was familiar with most of the items on their menu, but it just didn't seem right to have cold pressed juices on the same menu as rice bowls. As for the salads, could I please just have something simple? And wait, what's quinoa again? I know it's a grain, I've got that much thank you...but that's about it. Consider me out of my element in this place. 

I'm happy to report though, that this place hit the nail on the head. Verde is going to have some competition, as will Black Bean co, both just a few blocks north of Freshii on King St. After studying the menu to avoid anything remotely close to tofu and realizing that tofu, like all other proteins, was an extra add on here, I settled on the mediterranean bowl. Made up of half greens and half quinoa and topped with kalamata olives, fresh tomatoes, cilantro, red onion, feta, roasted red peppers, and a great red pepper dressing it was light and fresh and left me full and excited that I had tried something new. I was tempted to get a bowl of frozen yogurt or try one of the variety of juices or smoothies but decided that $6 for a glass of juice was, honestly, a bit much at that time. Freshii offers soups, salads, wraps, bowls that have a base of either quinoa, brown rice or rice noodles, frozen yogurt, smoothies and juices. The motive behind the items is summed up in the company's slogan. "Eat. Energize." is posted in multiple places throughout the restaurant and on the company's website. They also offer an option to build your own entree, juice or smoothie, though like many other restaurants with this feature lookout for the price. It would be all too easy to put too many premium toppings in your wrap and wind up with a not-so cheap veggie filled tortilla. I don't know if I'll be making Freshii a regular stop over the course of the semester, but it is good to know that Charleston has yet another great option for fresh, quick, healthy food as the semester gets rolling. Bonus points because they use as many biodegradable and easily recyclable packaging materials as possible. Looks like Freshii is trying to be good for us and our environment.