Village Food Garden - Cedar Knolls

The Village Food Garden, nestled inside the Shoprite in Cedar Knolls, is undoubtedly one of the best spots for a quick juice or smoothie! My go-to for a freshly made juice is the Juice and Smoothie Bar within the Village Food Garden. I've sampled all the juicing places in the area, including Juice Caboose in Summit, Jungle Juice in Morristown, and Grassroots in Denville, and I can confidently say that this little gem inside Shoprite is the best, without question! I've made it a routine to stop by several times a week for a fresh juice and some wheatgrass. They offer a variety of delicious combinations. Even my boyfriend, who isn't a fan of juicing, has admitted to enjoying their juices and smoothies. The staff is incredibly friendly, attentive, and genuinely sweet! If you need any recommendations, just ask for Cathy or Sahara; they're fantastic! However, everyone there is very helpful, and you won’t be disappointed. Most importantly, their juices always taste fresh. I’ve been to a few places where the juices were overpriced and didn’t taste nearly as good as what they serve here. If I had three thumbs, I would raise all of them for the Village Food Garden’s juice bar!

When they're open, this place is amazing! They provide top-notch fruits and vegetables for your juices and smoothies. It’s also really convenient to stop by for something before you head out shopping. My only issue is that their hours can be a bit unpredictable.

I really enjoy the açai bowl! As for the rest of the food, it’s typical buffet fare. The yogurt bar is a bit expensive, costing around eight dollars per pound. I also tried the sushi, which was good—nothing amazing, but it’s a nice place to grab a lunch break.

This restaurant used to be fantastic before the renovations, but I can't recommend dining in now. The new layout is uncomfortable and not very practical. Staff members take breaks in the dining area, occupying tables that should be available for customers. Additionally, the space is not accessible for individuals with disabilities, which is a significant oversight. While the food is still excellent, they frequently run out of basic items like forks and lids. I hope they address these issues, as it used to be my favorite spot to eat when I didn't feel like cooking.

The issue with places like this when it comes to juice preparation is that the staff often lack a good understanding of proper juice recipes. This juice bar, like many others, tends to just combine the ingredients listed next to each juice name without much thought. For instance, simply tossing a handful of spinach together with a whole cucumber doesn’t create a well-balanced or enjoyable drink. Furthermore, if there’s only one stalk of celery available, adding more ginger is not a suitable alternative. Overall, my experience was quite disappointing.