May 9 - 16, 1 9 9 6

Blender magic

Exotic fruit drinks in the South End

Two years ago, Mark Aznavourian and Tim Ticehurst left the film and TV business behind and opened South End Naturals, the only independently owned natural food store in the city of Boston. Its biggest attraction is a juice bar with a long menu of delectable juice drinks and smoothies. Break Away (a mixture of orange, banana, and strawberry) and Melt Away (a blend of carrots, cantaloupe, and ginger) are popular choices ($2.50 to $3.50). And if you want to get away (at least in spirit), pineapple, banana, soy milk, and coconut nectar are mixed into a smoothie called Dunes of the Cape ($2.75 to $3.50). Available at South End Naturals, 517 Columbus Avenue (at the corner of Greenwich Park), in Boston.

-- Nancy Kalajian