Tag: travel

Pretty Sweet Emporium, Silver City, NM

July 13, 2019Destination Ice Cream, Gelato, Ice Cream, travel, , , , , , , , Leave a comment

When I last visited Silver City, the only homemade ice cream of note was Vicky’s. Delicious as it was, they keep short hours, are a sit-down place and have limited options. So I was psyched when I stumbled on some ice cream in an antiques store. Pretty Sweet Emporium, Silver City, NM | In Search of a ScoopPretty Sweet Emporium, Silver City, NM | In Search of a Scoop

This visit, I didn’t know if they’d still be in business. I was delighted to see them not just surviving, but thriving, in their downtown location!

Pretty Sweet Emporium is fancy, with small and pricey portions but clearly very high quality, homemade ice cream. They mention that their super premium ice cream uses no eggs and has less sugar than you might expect. Pretty Sweet Emporium, Silver City, NM | In Search of a Scoop

Taking the kids or just craving a big cheap sundae? They’ve got some more basic flavors too, at a price point your budget can more easily handle, if you can give up the homemade, higher quality.

Here’s what I tried:

Ghirardelli Chocolate Fudge Swirl – This is a pretty intense flavor! It’s not too sweet, and super creamy. I found it very smooth and almost fudge-like.

Dulce de Leche – This is their most popular – it’s a super forward caramel. I enjoyed this flavor – it isn’t my favorite, but it’s so unique!

Coconut Fudge – This is made of coconut cream, shreds and such. It’s very good if you love coconut!

Lemon Crepe Blueberry Ribbon – Wow. This was incredibly creamy – the creaminess reminds me of a cheesecake! The lemon and blueberry combo is fabulous – the lemon is especially prominent here. I highly recommend this! Pretty Sweet Emporium, Silver City, NM | In Search of a Scoop

They slow churn their ice cream like a gelato, which is really nice. Next time, I definitely want to try the raw Texas honey vanilla and the boysenberry.

Their other offerings include coffee house items, shakes and a chocolate float!

They gave me a single bowl with an extra scoop to get two flavors as small as I could. It came to $6.43 with tax. It was very rich and satisfying.

I’m delighted to see the direction these folks are going in. Be sure to stop in and give them a try when you’re in Silver City!

_____________________________

Supporting My Blog

I am truly grateful for your support of my blog! You can help by doing any or all of the following:

  • Become a patron of my work!
  • Make purchases via my Amazon website links. There is no additional cost to you, and a portion of the proceeds can support our travels. Begin your Amazon search here.
  • Make other purchases using my affiliate links. Signing up with Dosh or Capital One 360 is a great way for everyone with a smartphone to support me, and I also have options for aspiring virtual assistants as well as occasional and full-time RVers to save money. This link will take you to my other travel page with my husband – we’ll have one here soon!
  • Listen to, subscribe and review my theater comedy podcast, Finishing The Season!
  • Subscribe to this as well as my other travel blog, RossAndJamieAdventure, and recommend our work to your friends and family.
  • Take music or theater lessons (group or private) from me and my husband, either in person or via Skype at TinyVillageMusic.com.

Return to Vicki’s Eatery, Silver City, NM

July 6, 2019Destination Ice Cream, Ice Cream, travel, , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Vicki’s is a great place for sandwiches and other food, but until recently, it was also your only option for homemade ice cream in town.

Park downtown and stroll into Vicki’s. Ice cream comes 1 flavor/1 dish with a little whipped cream for $3.99. It’s delicious. Don’t miss it.

Last time I visited, I raved about both the coffee and the Mexican chocolate flavors.

This time? Here’s what I thought:Vicki’s Eatery, Silver City, NM | In Search of a Scoop

Coffee – I enjoyed it, but it actually wasn’t as memorable as the other dishes I’ve had here. It’s a stronger flavor, and very good, though not entering my hall of fame. Unfortunately there was a bit of ice in it, but since they told me their freezer had died, I can’t slight them for that.

Pistachio – Wow! The chunks of pistachio in here are fabulous. This is a winner! It’s the top one or two pistachio ice creams I have had.

The homemade whipped cream is always a nice touch, and the presentation is lovely as always. My husband also vouches for some good coffee.

The portions were bigger than I remembered, and the ice cream lacked the grainy quality I noticed last time.

Come here for a flavor or two and have a sandwich while you’re at it!

Thanks for stopping by, and happy eating!

_____________________________

Supporting My Blog

I am truly grateful for your support of my blog! You can help by doing any or all of the following:

  • Become a patron of my work!
  • Make purchases via my Amazon website links. There is no additional cost to you, and a portion of the proceeds can support our travels. Begin your Amazon search here.
  • Make other purchases using my affiliate links. Signing up with Dosh or Capital One 360 is a great way for everyone with a smartphone to support me, and I also have options for aspiring virtual assistants as well as occasional and full-time RVers to save money. This link will take you to my other travel page with my husband – we’ll have one here soon!
  • Listen to, subscribe and review my theater comedy podcast, Finishing The Season!
  • Subscribe to this as well as my other travel blog, RossAndJamieAdventure, and recommend our work to your friends and family.
  • Take music or theater lessons (group or private) from me and my husband, either in person or via Skype at TinyVillageMusic.com.

Copper Kettle Coffee House, Deming, NM

June 22, 2019Destination Ice Cream, Ice Cream, travel, , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

Ever wondered what lengths you’d go to for homemade ice cream? I can confess that it’s crossed my mind occasionally. Well, my persistence was recently tested in Deming, New Mexico – and I’m so happy to report that Copper Kettle is worth the effort!

This really isn’t your typical ice cream place. Mainly, it’s a coffee shop, and a lovely one, with extensive coffee offerings, plenty of tables, lots of natural sunlight and a big raised platform with comfy seats that doubles as a performance space.

I stumbled in here seeking WiFi initially, and it absolutely delivered in that regard, particularly useful on the days that the library wasn’t open. On my first visit, I inquired about what flavors of ice cream they had. All they had was cherry vanilla – I quickly learned that they sell out almost as soon as they can make it. I went with an unsweetened ice tea, figuring I might get ice cream later. By the time I was ready for the ice cream, it was gone, so I just enjoyed a few free refills of the tea – which made it an amazing deal.

After spending an afternoon, I left, armed with information on when to try and return to try the ice cream.

On my first visit back, I arrived less than an hour prior to close, according to Google…and it was closed.

On my next visit, I walked in the door, was recognized, and immediately was informed that the ice cream had been made the night prior and wasn’t hard enough yet.

I returned the next day, midday, and was told to try again that evening or the next day…

And finally, on the fourth try, I was delighted to learn the ice cream was ready! Phew.

Be aware that they store their ice cream out back. That means you can’t try a flavor before purchase. They typically make a few flavors at a time, and they may be very creative, so if you’ve got picky kids (or adults) with you, you may be better off at a Dairy Queen.

The portions here are very reasonable, and more than plenty for the price. I felt like they were very fair but not guaguantun either. And if you’re like me and want two flavors, they’re even willing to use two different cups so they don’t bleed together. How nice is that?

Here’s what I went with, over two trips:

Chai – This is really fun – not dissimilar in some ways to a pumpkin ice cream, which makes sense as I’m sure it has similar spices. It reminded me of something else too..almost marshmallow…very tasty. It’s just vanilla and chai, so it must be the vanilla I’m tasting. I think it could use a bit more kick but I really enjoy it as is.

Lemon Lavender – The lemon is fabulous and the lavender cuts through too. I love this as is for a summer flavor.

Matcha Mint Chip- This has clear flavors of matcha, mint and very tasty, hearty chips. (They’re satisfying, not super sweet.) The mint is really natural and not overdone. I loved this smooth base and tasty flavor!! I can see why it’s popular.

Vanilla – This is very nice. It’s lighter and refreshing, super smooth and creamy. This is in the Breyer’s mold but it’s own thing. It’s nice to slow down with the simplicity of vanilla sometimes. Honestly this could covert me to vanilla. Not too subtle, just light and creamy and beautiful.

They also offered me an Affogato which sounds delicious.

This is extremely smooth and creamy. Almost like eggnog! An excellent texture. This place holds its own against fancier and larger towns as an ice cream spot.

I am happy to highly recommend Copper Kettle for their friendly service and delicious ice cream. Come early and often so you can experience their choice of flavors before they run out.

Happy eating!

Copper Kettle Coffee House, Deming, NM | In Search of a ScoopCopper Kettle Coffee House, Deming, NM | In Search of a ScoopCopper Kettle Coffee House, Deming, NM | In Search of a ScoopCopper Kettle Coffee House, Deming, NM | In Search of a ScoopCopper Kettle Coffee House, Deming, NM | In Search of a Scoop

_____________________________

Supporting My Blog

I am truly grateful for your support of my blog! You can help by doing any or all of the following:

  • Become a patron of my work!
  • Make purchases via my Amazon website links. There is no additional cost to you, and a portion of the proceeds can support our travels. Begin your Amazon search here.
  • Make other purchases using my affiliate links. Signing up with Dosh or Capital One 360 is a great way for everyone with a smartphone to support me, and I also have options for aspiring virtual assistants as well as occasional and full-time RVers to save money. This link will take you to my other travel page with my husband – we’ll have one here soon!
  • Listen to, subscribe and review my theater comedy podcast, Finishing The Season!
  • Subscribe to this as well as my other travel blog, RossAndJamieAdventure, and recommend our work to your friends and family.
  • Take music or theater lessons (group or private) from me and my husband, either in person or via Skype at TinyVillageMusic.com.

The Hub, Tucson, AZ

June 15, 2019Destination Ice Cream, Ice Cream, travel, , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

On a recent visit to Tucson, I was delighted to finally experience ice cream at The Hub, on a cute downtown street with other ice cream and dining options – including The Hub restaurant across the street! The Hub, Tucson, AZ | In Search of a Scoop

The staff was excellent and would let me try flavors forever, it seemed, but I stopped on the earlier side with a crowd behind me.

They had tons of well-labeled gluten-free and dairy-free flavors, which I greatly appreciated.

Here’s what I sampled:

Queen Bee – This is a coffee base with bits of honeycomb in it. It’s really tasty! I only skipped it because I didn’t need the extra caffeine boost from the coffee.

Dark Chocolate – This is a very rich dark chocolate. It’s not my ideal texture, but honestly, it’s pretty darn close. It’s a really excellent and powerful flavor. This might make my top five for chocolate!

Banana Nutella – This flavor is for banana fans only! It’s a banana base with Nutella in it. I found the chocolate chips really satisfying – I also hadn’t expected them. Honestly? I could use more Nutella here.

Rice Krispie Treat – This is a marshmallow base with Rice Krispie treats in it. It’s very fun, with chewy bits. Light and satisfying.

Prices were definitely on the higher side, although in a city, this isn’t AS high as it would be elsewhere. It was $4.50 for a very small small, or $7.50 for what is maybe a medium somewhere else. They said you can get up to three flavors for that large at $7.50 – which I did.

The Hub offers delicious, though expensive, ice cream. Although some flavors were fantastic and others were just very good, combined with the service And clarity of labeling and dairy-free options and I will 100% recommend it for discerning ice cream enthusiasts.

Have you visited The Hub?

_____________________________

Supporting My Blog

I am truly grateful for your support of my blog! You can help by doing any or all of the following:

  • Become a patron of my work!
  • Make purchases via my Amazon website links. There is no additional cost to you, and a portion of the proceeds can support our travels. Begin your Amazon search here.
  • Make other purchases using my affiliate links. Signing up with Dosh or Capital One 360 is a great way for everyone with a smartphone to support me, and I also have options for aspiring virtual assistants as well as occasional and full-time RVers to save money. This link will take you to my other travel page with my husband – we’ll have one here soon!
  • Listen to, subscribe and review my theater comedy podcast, Finishing The Season!
  • Subscribe to this as well as my other travel blog, RossAndJamieAdventure, and recommend our work to your friends and family.
  • Take music or theater lessons (group or private) from me and my husband, either in person or via Skype at TinyVillageMusic.com.

Cottonwood, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

June 8, 2019Destination Ice Cream, Ice Cream, travel, , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

I don’t usually review places without homemade ice cream, as you know, but when a recent visit to Cottonwood at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum wowed me, I thought, what the heck? There’s a lot to love in this little stand, generally open for several hours on museum days. The signage is great and tells you if each flavor is gluten-free or not. Ice cream here is surprisingly affordable for a museum, with a pretty big double scoop running $4.50 plus tax. Not enough? Add another scoop for a dollar! Cottonwood, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, AZ | In Search of a Scoop

I also loved seeing the small spoons made of renewable wood.

They carry a really diverse list of flavors. Everything from Dreyer’s and Blue Bunny to flavors I hadn’t heard of before can be found here.

They’re also happy to let you try a flavor. Here’s what I got!!

Cottonwood, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, AZ | In Search of a Scoop

Brown Sugar with Saigon Cinnamon (Chef’s Line) – Wow. What a flavor, right? I think it’s sweet enough, especially with the cinnamon, and super creamy. What a lovely brown sugar base. Yum! It reminded me of the idea of a pumpkin pie spiced drink or ice cream. Think pure cream and sweet with the lunch of cinnamon.

Mint Chip (Glenview Farms) – Nice. The chocolate here is very finely chopped. It’s s great texture and a classic flavor.

If you need something special, consider trying a fun prickly pear drink – you can even combine one with vanilla soft serve!

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is one of my favorite places in the world, and I’m happy to know I can get tasty ice cream here too!

_____________________________

Supporting My Blog

I am truly grateful for your support of my blog! You can help by doing any or all of the following:

  • Become a patron of my work!
  • Make purchases via my Amazon website links. There is no additional cost to you, and a portion of the proceeds can support our travels. Begin your Amazon search here.
  • Make other purchases using my affiliate links. Signing up with Dosh or Capital One 360 is a great way for everyone with a smartphone to support me, and I also have options for aspiring virtual assistants as well as occasional and full-time RVers to save money. This link will take you to my other travel page with my husband – we’ll have one here soon!
  • Listen to, subscribe and review my theater comedy podcast, Finishing The Season!
  • Subscribe to this as well as my other travel blog, RossAndJamieAdventure, and recommend our work to your friends and family.
  • Take music or theater lessons (group or private) from me and my husband, either in person or via Skype at TinyVillageMusic.com.

Return to Isabella’s in Tucson, AZ

June 1, 2019Destination Ice Cream, Ice Cream, travel, , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

My first visit to Isabella’s was a few years ago, and I was shocked to learn that they’d lost power that day. As a result, the ice cream consistency wasn’t great and it didn’t wow me as an ice cream place. So when I knew I’d be returning to Tucson, I thought it only fair to give them a second look, more than two years later. Isabella’s, Tucson, AZ | In Search of a Scoop

This time around, I was surprised to find them inside another restaurant. More of an ice cream stand or counter, they only have space to carry about eight or nine flavors. During my visit, only a few of them were gluten-free, and they also carried a lot of sorbet.

The waitstaff was nice, but I felt rushed as they seemed to juggle staff to serve me. But they were patient and encouraged me to try flavors.

Here’s what I tried:Isabella’s, Tucson, AZ | In Search of a Scoop

Salted Caramel Pecan – This is a deeply satisfying and creamy base. The pecans are very nice. The salt pops with the caramel.

Butterfinger – This is a buttery and luscious base. Yum. It pairs well with the other flavor.

I went with a $4 small scoop, which they allowed me to get two kinds in. In hindsight I was very hungry and could have gone for a $6 large. I was disappointed to be served a cup with a soup spoon though!

Both of these bases are really well done, perfectly smooth. I’m glad I gave them another chance! Isabella’s may not have changed my life, but it’s super tasty and truly great ice cream. Well done!

_____________________________

Supporting My Blog

I am truly grateful for your support of my blog! You can help by doing any or all of the following:

  • Become a patron of my work!
  • Make purchases via my Amazon website links. There is no additional cost to you, and a portion of the proceeds can support our travels. Begin your Amazon search here.
  • Make other purchases using my affiliate links. Signing up with Dosh or Capital One 360 is a great way for everyone with a smartphone to support me, and I also have options for aspiring virtual assistants as well as occasional and full-time RVers to save money. This link will take you to my other travel page with my husband – we’ll have one here soon!
  • Listen to, subscribe and review my theater comedy podcast, Finishing The Season!
  • Subscribe to this as well as my other travel blog, RossAndJamieAdventure, and recommend our work to your friends and family.
  • Take music or theater lessons (group or private) from me and my husband, either in person or via Skype at TinyVillageMusic.com.

Independent Burger, El Paso, TX

May 25, 2019Destination Ice Cream, Ice Cream, travel, , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Sometimes, delicious homemade ice cream falls into your lap. That’s basically what happened to me in El Paso!

When I pulled into Gufo di Milani, known for great gelato in El Paso, I took a quick look around the cute plaza, which is a part of a larger live/work complex. I noticed a really cute burger place and was SHOCKED to see on their signs that they had ice cream!

Not only that – homemade ice cream! And that, my friends, is why in the span of an hour, I had a dish of gelato followed by a dish of ice cream. Independent Burger, El Paso, TX

Independent Burger is a really cute fast casual restaurant with a bar. Food and drinks are affordable and it feels like your cool neighborhood bar hangout for after work. I saw shakes and ice cream sandwiches on their menu, but not ice cream, so I was happy when they said sure, you can have a dish.

Independent Burger, El Paso, TXThey had a few flavors. I was floored by the price – $2.15! – for a large portion.

I didn’t ask to try it first. I can’t believe how cheap it was. And a to-go container was no problem.

Here’s what I had:

Independent Burger, El Paso, TXChocolate – This ice cream is dark, rich, creamy and delicious! It’s almost a fudgy texture. I highly recommend it as is and I’m sure it’s awesome in a shake too. Yum! This is such a find. If I lived nearby, I’d be here all the time!

Their regular menu looks fabulous, including excellent gluten-free options I can’t wait to try.

Big thanks to Independent Burger for keeping it classy and casual and making their own ice cream. Yum!

__________________________

Supporting My Blog

I am truly grateful for your support of my blog! You can help by doing any or all of the following:

  • Become a patron of my work!
  • Make purchases via my Amazon website links. There is no additional cost to you, and a portion of the proceeds can support our travels. Begin your Amazon search here.
  • Make other purchases using my affiliate links. Signing up with Dosh or Capital One 360 is a great way for everyone with a smartphone to support me, and I also have options for aspiring virtual assistants as well as occasional and full-time RVers to save money. This link will take you to my other travel page with my husband – we’ll have one here soon!
  • Listen to, subscribe and review my theater comedy podcast, Finishing The Season!
  • Subscribe to this as well as my other travel blog, RossAndJamieAdventure, and recommend our work to your friends and family.
  • Take music or theater lessons (group or private) from me and my husband, either in person or via Skype at TinyVillageMusic.com.

Gufo du Milano, El Paso, TX

May 18, 2019Destination Ice Cream, Gelato, travel, , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Gufo di Milano gets the best reviews for ice cream or gelato in El Paso, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a sweet cafe worth a visit, offering coffee, sandwiches and occasional live music in addition to the gelato. They also host an open mic once a month, which we appreciate! Gufo di Milano, El Paso, TX | In Search of a Scoop

The staff was super-friendly and very patient with me. The sign stated we could try two samples each, but I was allowed the three I requested. Their signage shows a commitment to fresh and natural and to community, and it showed. Gufo di Milano, El Paso, TX | In Search of a Scoop

My first thought as the scooping began was that the gelato had a harder texture than I would have anticipated. But don’t you worry.

Here’s what I tried: Gufo di Milano, El Paso, TX | In Search of a Scoop

Pistachio Bronte – If the name sounds unusual, it refers to a specific kind of pistachio. This is some truly serious dark pistachio flavor. I found it very smooth, rich and pretty creamy too. I enjoyed the little chunks of pistachio. I could eat this all day! Yum.

Coffee – This coffee packs some serious heft. I really loved it. It’s for coffee lovers only. I found it a little deeper than Brigham’s, the coffee ice cream I hold as the standard from my childhood. This definitely makes my top 5, and maybe even my top 3, for coffee!

Lemon Cucumber Tajin – Wow. This is spicy, bright, and all the mentioned flavors come through clearly. It’s amazing and complicated and lovely. If I had to be picky, I’d mention that it’s slightly less creamy than the others I tried. This is a perfect summer flavor.

For the record, the pistachio and coffee are a fabulous pairing. Pricing here is reasonable for gelato, starting at $4.19 and going up to $5.99 for a large, which I did with three scoops.

This place offers really great gelato! Also, it appears that ALL of their gelato is gluten-free, which is awesome to see. I had a fantastic visit here and look forward to returning again soon!

Gufo di Milano, El Paso, TX | In Search of a Scoop

_____________________________

Supporting My Blog

I am truly grateful for your support of my blog! You can help by doing any or all of the following:

  • Become a patron of my work!
  • Make purchases via my Amazon website links. There is no additional cost to you, and a portion of the proceeds can support our travels. Begin your Amazon search here.
  • Make other purchases using my affiliate links. Signing up with Dosh or Capital One 360 is a great way for everyone with a smartphone to support me, and I also have options for aspiring virtual assistants as well as occasional and full-time RVers to save money. This link will take you to my other travel page with my husband – we’ll have one here soon!
  • Listen to, subscribe and review my theater comedy podcast, Finishing The Season!
  • Subscribe to this as well as my other travel blog, RossAndJamieAdventure, and recommend our work to your friends and family.
  • Take music or theater lessons (group or private) from me and my husband, either in person or via Skype at TinyVillageMusic.com.

Little Calf Creamery and Cafe, Thousand Oaks, CA

May 11, 2019Destination Ice Cream, Ice Cream, travel, , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Little Calf Creamery and Cafe, Thousand Oaks, CA | In Search of a ScoopAt Little Cafe Creamery and Cafe, ice cream isn’t the only thing on the menu, but it’s definitely a sweet destination! It’s in the back of a cute, higher end strip mall in Thousand Oaks, California. Little Calf Creamery and Cafe, Thousand Oaks, CA | In Search of a Scoop

As is true at a lot of counter service places, I felt rushed to try flavors (I didn’t want to keep a family from their dinner), but I noticed a large variety, including a coconut milk base, an almond milk base, a couple of sorbets and of course lots of ice cream flavors.

A double will get you two flavors if you like. It’s a nice space, with both an indoor and an outdoor option. $4 for a rather large single or $6 for a double felt like a great deal in this area, and perhaps best of all, they bring the ice cream to your table. I also loved that they use real dishes if you’re eating in.Little Calf Creamery and Cafe, Thousand Oaks, CA | In Search of a Scoop

Here’s what I tried:

Little Calf Creamery and Cafe, Thousand Oaks, CA | In Search of a Scoop

Mint Chocolate Chip – The chips here are incredible and really melt in your mouth. The minty base wasn’t my favorite of all time, but it was still quite good.

Dublin Cream – If you like Bailey’s, this is amazing! It’s an excellent flavor I’d love to return to. I found it on St Patrick’s Day…it’s almost an eggnog texture. This one will stick with me for a long time. Highly recommend.

Classic Chocolate- This is a pleasant medium to light chocolate. It’s not particularly rich…pleasant, but it won’t win any awards.Little Calf Creamery and Cafe, Thousand Oaks, CA | In Search of a Scoop

Peanut Butter Fudge- This is a peanut butter base with chocolate fudge, with real swirls of peanut butter in it. It’s great if you’re in the mood for peanut butter!

Overall, I found the ice cream had an excellent texture. It’s pretty creamy and consistent. Really high quality and worth a visit!

__________________________

Supporting My Blog

I am truly grateful for your support of my blog! You can help by doing any or all of the following:

  • Become a patron of my work!
  • Make purchases via my Amazon website links. There is no additional cost to you, and a portion of the proceeds can support our travels. Begin your Amazon search here.
  • Make other purchases using my affiliate links. Signing up with Dosh or Capital One 360 is a great way for everyone with a smartphone to support me, and I also have options for aspiring virtual assistants as well as occasional and full-time RVers to save money. This link will take you to my other travel page with my husband – we’ll have one here soon!
  • Listen to, subscribe and review my theater comedy podcast, Finishing The Season!
  • Subscribe to this as well as my other travel blog, RossAndJamieAdventure, and recommend our work to your friends and family.
  • Take music or theater lessons (group or private) from me and my husband, either in person or via Skype at TinyVillageMusic.com.

Salt and Straw, Los Angeles, CA

May 4, 2019Destination Ice Cream, Ice Cream, travel, , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Salt and Straw, originally from Portland, is legendary for high-quality ice cream and unusual flavors. They’ve been on my radar for some time, including with the opening of a location at Disneyland, but until recently I’d never gotten to experience the magic for myself. Salt and Straw, Los Angeles, CA | In Search of a Scoop

On a recent visit to Los Angeles, I was happy to be able to see (and taste) what everyone had been talking about.

I came here with a friend, which meant I could try her flavor in addition to my own. I tried several flavors and then settled on a tasting flight for $11.75, four kid-sized flavors served in a cute dish. That price felt reasonable to me for the ability to comfortably taste for flavors and because we were in a big city…plus, it’s clear at a place like this that you’re enjoying high-quality ingredients. Here’s what I had:Salt and Straw, Los Angeles, CA | In Search of a Scoop

Avocado and Oaxaca Chocolate Fudge – This isn’t a super sweet flavor, but the chunks of fudge are sweet and also a little salty. It’s nice, kind of like a grownup version of some of the ice cream I had as a kid with fudge throughout it. The avocado is more subtle (as I would expect) but it also had some avocado chunks in there, and it was a nice pairing with the chocolate.

Freckles Woodblock Chocolate – Wow! This is almost like a salty sweet hot chocolate. It’s very fun! Salt and Straw, Los Angeles, CA | In Search of a Scoop

Almond Brittle with Salted Ganache – This Brittle is delicious, and it’s a very creamy base that’s satisfying with the mix-ins. But be forewarned – this chocolate ganache is definitely not sweet.

Honey Lavender – This is a sweet and strong lavendar. I found it really satisfying even if the honey isn’t as prominent as it could be.

Salt and Straw, Los Angeles, CA | In Search of a ScoopBlack Olive Brittle and Goat Cheese – Wow!!!! We have a winner! The goat cheese is super strong, and the olive is tasty and crunchy. It’s unusual and super fun if you like these salty foods. I left feeling it was one of my favorite combinations I’ve ever had. Since then I’ve decided that I’d be willing to give up other ice cream if I could eat this every day…no joke! So maybe the best flavor/ice cream I’ve ever had!

The ice cream bases here are definitely creamy and milky and yet have almost no sweetness to them. So you taste flavors, but the bases aren’t as prominent as I’d like. Overall, I found the experience fun but besides the last flavor, there wasn’t anything I’d crave or need to come back for.

Thanks, Salt and Straw! I’m sure I will be back someday for that olive and goat cheese amazingness! And thank you all for reading. Happy eating!

_____________________________

Supporting My Blog

I am truly grateful for your support of my blog! You can help by doing any or all of the following:

  • Become a patron of my work!
  • Make purchases via my Amazon website links. There is no additional cost to you, and a portion of the proceeds can support our travels. Begin your Amazon search here.
  • Make other purchases using my affiliate links. Signing up with Dosh or Capital One 360 is a great way for everyone with a smartphone to support me, and I also have options for aspiring virtual assistants as well as occasional and full-time RVers to save money. This link will take you to my other travel page with my husband – we’ll have one here soon!
  • Listen to, subscribe and review my theater comedy podcast, Finishing The Season!
  • Subscribe to this as well as my other travel blog, RossAndJamieAdventure, and recommend our work to your friends and family.
  • Take music or theater lessons (group or private) from me and my husband, either in person or via Skype at TinyVillageMusic.com.