Juice Vault – A sensational dining experience you can 'bank on'!

Have you ever eaten something so delicious that the memory lingers? I had one of those lingering memories after I had my first 'Nuts About You' bowl at Faro Trupiano’s new downtown establishment – the Juice Vault.

Before I took my first bite, the alluring pink purple hue called to me. After I began to enjoy the naturally sweet sensation – bite by bite – I was hooked.

What gives this dish its unusual color and intense flavor is dragon fruit, which grows on a type of cactus. The composition of the bowl is simple. With dragon fruit as a base, granola is added, then topped with sliced bananas.

Why did Trupiano open a juice bar? Because, in the course of conversations with various townspeople, he discovered a desire and need for that type of establishment.

The adage "Find a need and fill it" seems to be Faro Trupiano’s theme. He is busy filling needs in downtown Fallbrook. With a vision to revitalize the downtown area, the fresh and airy Juice Vault, specializing in healthful food, is his fourth and newest venture.

Located adjacent to the Espresso Lounge that this busy proprietor opened last year, the two establishments are physically connected. Guests are able to buy food or drinks at one restaurant and eat them at another, which makes it handy for families, groups or even just one person who prefers to drink coffee while enjoying a fruit bowl. The two cafés complement each other.

The Juice Vault is housed in a converted bank building and the name was a nod to the former occupant. The wood used in the tables, counter, and elsewhere, is repurposed. The décor is colorful. Lithograph prints of vintage fruit packing labels bring color to the walls – courtesy of the Fallbrook Historical Society.

The whirr of mixers tells me that there is something tasty being prepared behind the counter. Juice extractions, protein shakes and smoothies are made by the skillful staff. Protein shakes can be prepared with soy-based, whey-based or vegan protein.

Besides the 'Nuts About You' fruit bowl they offer one other. The ‘Over The Rainbow’ bowl is a colorful parade of fruit – kiwi, strawberries, blueberries, banana, pineapple, granola, and sprinkles of coconut. Both bowls are light and healthful.

I sampled the Juice Vault’s most popular smoothie, which is called the 'Berry Bonds'. Various berries – mixer whirred to one smooth concoction – is the anchor for this drink. Almond milk, frozen banana, agave nectar, and vanilla round out the delicious mix.

Once a week Juice Vault features a 'Special' item that Trupiano dreams up himself. Visit weekly and you will be surprised by an inventive indulgence.

As I left the establishment, the whirr of mixers continued. That was when I realized that the whirr was not just a noise, but the sound of success. Faro Trupiano once again found a need and filled it.

The Juice Vault is located at 139 Main Avenue, Fallbrook, Calif. and is open seven days a week. Hours are: Mon. – Thurs. 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fri. 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sat., 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sun. 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, phone (760) 731-1012 or visit trupianorestaurantgroup.com.