PHOTO by ROSHEILA ROBLES

Sure, our much-loved Portfolio Coffeehouse might have a myriad of mochas, lattes and other coffee bean-based bastions of pleasure, but what if you’re looking to get off the java train for a little while? Look no further than the Orange Delight, a refreshing treat that lives up to its . . . delightfully . . . unpretentious name by offering a simple-yet-sumptuous combination of orange juice and vanilla bean powder. Far from being SunnyD’s nonconformist bastard twin, this smoothie-ish blend of awesomeness actually tastes much like an Orange Julius. Yes, that Orange Julius—the gloriously frothy wonder that once competed with Hot Dog on a Stick for food court supremacy in shopping malls across America during its ’80s heyday. This is a drink that’s easy to screw up—a tad bit too much vanilla and you’re in for a world of ick—but Portfolio avoids this trap by blending just the right amount of vanilla (about three to five scoops, depending on the size of the drink) with the OJ to create a subtle Creamsicle flavor. The end result is delicious and perfect for a slow sucking session, yet it won’t land you in a diabetic coma. Bottom line: It’s essentially a classier Orange Julius served alongside free Wi-Fi instead of ancient 25-cent arcade games—and no garish orange uniforms or sub-par pizza places in sight. Suck on that, 1983!

PORTFOLIO COFFEEHOUSE 2300 E FOURTH ST | LONG BEACH 90814 | 562.434.2486

Tags: drinks, Fourth Street, Long Beach, portfolio