An Indonesian/Malaysian food market, Simpang Asia boasts a couple of really kickass smoothies featuring unexpected main ingredients. The Es Durian is made from noxious … durian fruit, but the stink goes away when frozen, leaving only the flavor. But the real masterpiece is the Es Alpokat, which combines ice, avocado, and chocolate syrup. It's a million times better than it sounds and incredibly filling. [link]

This beachy complement to fancy eatery Colony Café serves up all kinds of confections, including ice cream, desserts, and juices. The two smoothies on the menu are … both unconventional and delicious. There's the rich, creamy Zen Vanilla, with almond milk and mango, and the refreshing Zingy Tropical, which incorporates mango, lime, and ginger. [link]

As you might guess from the completely unnecessary inclusion of the word "club" in its name, this is the most expensive selection on our list. But it's also the … healthiest. The owner buys the fruit from the farmer's market every morning and presses it himself. Add your favorite to one of the two kinds of Banana Manna Shake -- banana sunflower or banana almond -- and get the freshest smoothie in the city in a combination of flavors sure to delight even the most dedicated foodie's palate. [link]

An LA-based chain, Penguin's got its start in the eighties, when it was--dare we say it?--the Pinkberry of its time. And much like its fashionable successor, Penguin's … has spread to multiple SoCal locations, bringing with it the best strawberry-banana smoothie in the city. The pina colada is equally delicious, but unwise as a selection, as the temptation to add rum to it is frequently too overwhelming. For me, anyway. [link]

At this celebrated Eagle Rock hangover hotspot, Dave himself serves up hot sandwiches and cold, delicious smoothies. No ice goes into Dave's mixtures of fruit and yogurt. … The Blueberry Banana Bash is a favorite, though the Berry Blast is the classic combination loyalists keep going back for, with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Dave's smoothies are $4.50. [link]

In addition to delicious smoothies and fresh-squeezed juices at their in-store "bar," this West Hollywood spot stocks a lot of herbal remedies as well as protein supplements and the like. There's also a second location in Sherman Oaks.
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