[Photo: Kathy YL Chan]

At the newly opened Simply Peeled on the Upper East Side, the "Fruizo" frozen dessert in Mango, Banana and Strawberry are the draw—but the smoothies are what have me returning.

What is "Fruizo," exactly? Whole fruit, pureed and frozen with only two additions: filtered water and organic cane sugar. The result is a treat similar in consistency to soft serve, only a touch icier, less than 100 calories per four ounce-serving. About as clean as you get, Fruizo is free of dairy, sodium, fat, and gluten. What a mouthful. The smoothies do not come cheap, but easily supplements as a light meal.

My favorite of the bunch is the Breakfast Boost, in which Banana Fruizo blends with bananas, granola, berries, and maple syrup for a twist. More classic is the Tropical Sunset which mixes Banana and Mango Fruizo with pineapple, mango, and bananas. And for a even sweeter note, try the PBJC—a mix of hot peanut butter with Banana Fruizo, strawberries, banana, and chocolate chips. Your option of skim, or soy milk blended in each drink. On my first visit I remarked that the consistency could afford to be thicker—and they certainly take customer feedback seriously; it's been noticeably thicker and more creamy with each visit!

Simply Peeled