South Block

I like South Block and have been to the Alexandria and Arlington locations. I appreciate the wide variety of ingredients available-​more than I can keep stocked and fresh in my own smoothie pantry. Goji berries-​check, hemp hearts-​check, shaved coconut-​check, maca-​check, plant protein-​check! It’s great to be able to select a coconut water base as well as to choose between almond and peanut butter. Their bottled drinks, some juices, some «mylks», are really delicious and interesting. The «mylks» are made from nut milk as a base with cinnamon to enhance flavor. Nice anti-​inflammatory twist! Others sport bright produce colors like pitaya pink and kale green that just looking at them seem to enhance fresh, unprocessed flavors.
The staff is mostly friendly, although often tepidly so.
Where I drop a couple of stars off come from two things. First, I so wish the produce was organic. Strawberries, for example, are basically a pesticide sponge. Consuming non-​organic strawberries is not conducive to healthy living. And even if you don’t get them in your order, that blender they just rinsed out from the order before yours probably still has hormone-​altering chemical residue in it. When I asked if they used organic ingredients, I was told that they try to, but that they can’t always get them. I wish they’d work a little harder on that.
Second, during one visit my green smoothie was sandy. GROSS! Spinach definitely has to be washed a lot before getting dropped into the blender. I’d be inclined to give them a mulligan on that one, but the staff was incredulous as though I was making it up. I had to explain, yes, this smoothie has a granular crunch akin to accidental sand ingestion at the beach. They did allow me to order a different one (steered clear of the spinach that time) which was delicious and offered at no charge.
I hope to be able to revisit this review and add some stars in the next few months! South Block is a promising business concept and it’s so great to see Northern Virginia dining options creep closer and closer to healthy options!

OMG thank goodness for South Block opening in Del Ray! I was at a workshop in the wonderful Ease Yoga studio yesterday, and decided to try a green smoothie. These are REAL green smoothies — made with fresh fruits and veggies. I asked if I could swap out the juice base, and they gladly offered a bunch of great alternatives with less sugar, including coconut water, yummy. I can’t wait to go back and try more of their juices and food options. South Block is quickly going to become another beloved Del Ray institution — good luck, guys, and welcome!

South Block provides the café portion of Ease Yoga Café which was once was occupied by Senzu Juicery. In the few weeks I’ve been stopping in, I’ve seen patronage steadily rise and have no doubt South Block will have continued success in this location. I love that they brought the puppy smoothie concept over from their Falls Church location as a large sunlit patio means me and my pooches can have a healthy snack together.
The décor largely remains the same as Senzu, but the music selection lets me know it is South Block. I am hopeful that eventually the «deer» antler bicycle handlebar trophy plaque is on order (or maybe a bicycle chain light fixture) as it still feels a little to serene/​feminine in comparison to the other locations. I will say that I attended yoga class on opening day and I’m happy to report the noise level was acceptable (I could barely here the nearly 20 people in the café). I can’t wait for the spring/​summer seasons to truly enjoy some time on the patio playing cornhole.
South Block is locally owned, so it truly fits in with the other successful locally owned Del Ray businesses. I’d imagine they would participate in many of the local festivals held in Del Ray. The foot traffic on Mount Vernon closer to Glebe Rd was craving something to hold patronage to the area (a.k.a please, don’t get in your car and drive away, something good is just around the corner within walking distance.) What still surprises (and delights) me most is the number of high school and college aged patrons at this location!
So, the same fresh, non-​HPP juices, perfectly blended smoothies and bowls as the other locations, just closer to «my» home. Craft Kombucha and Kate Bakes (Lemon Ginger Zinger is my recommendation) are available for purchase as well. Come for smoothie and stay for yoga is my new mantra.