LET'S EAT: Fruttia is a hangout for friends, family

The bold, modern interior decor of the newly-opened Fruttia compliments its Italian frozen yogurt.

Unlike the sweeter, traditional frozen yogurt, Fruttia's concoction is more tart. It's a taste that manager Daniel Kim says is "surprisingly different."

The yogurt comes in two flavors: original or green tea. Both are nonfat and only 100 calories per serving.

Fruttia also uses the yogurt for smoothies and the company's unique creation, called bingsoo. Bingsoo comes in two sizes: small, which can be split by two people, and large, which can be shared among four or five. It consists of shaved ice, topped with yogurt and surrounded by up to six toppings.

Customers can choose from 22 toppings, prepared fresh every morning, and include fruit such as grapes, cantelope, mango, pineapple, kiwi, blackberries, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. They can also top the frozen yogurt with an assortment of cereals, nuts, yogurt chips or mochi - a sweet rice cake.

"We want to provide Ahwatukee residents with great taste," Kim said, adding that he wants to create a cozy atmosphere for friends and family alike. "One of our goals is to make customers satisfied."

Fruttia offers board games like chess and Jenga for customers to play. He is also planning to install a big-screen TV to play movies, video games and music videos for teenagers.

Kim says the company is willing to buy anything for the store based on customers' interests.

"It's getting better every day," Kim said.

Fruttia also displays Polaroids customers on the walls, and Kim says people enjoy seeing them while they're waiting for their yogurt.

The store has also had a star sighting, as Suns newcomer Shaquille O'Neal stopped in on the day of his first game in Phoenix.

"First time I saw him I didn't know who he was," Kim said. "He just stopped by, he thought our store had a unique interior design. It was pretty cool."

O'Neal had a smoothie and posed for some pictures, leaving his autograph on a white board at the front of the store before he left.

Fruttia is located at 4810 E. Ray Road. For more information, call (480) 961-8177.

If you go

What: Fruttia

Where: 4810 E. Ray Road

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Information: (480) 961-8177

Web site: www.fruttia.com (coming soon)