Tag Archives: chocolate

A-Z Challenge: Nom nom nom! Giapo Haute Ice Cream in Auckland, New Zealand

Giapo haute ice cream in Auckland, New Zealand via ZaagiTravel.com

If you read my blog regularly than you know I love ice cream.

And you could also assume that I’m on a hunt to find the best ice cream in Auckland.

Well, Giapo is definitely a contender.

Giapo haute ice cream in Auckland, New Zealand via ZaagiTravel.com

I’ll admit that Giapo isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s so rich (for both the taste buds AND the wallet) that I honestly don’t think I can justify going more than a couple times a year.

James and I absolutely LOVED our concoctions, but were left clenching our stomachs after consuming them. The sweetness was just so powerful!

Nevertheless, visiting this shop is a unique and worthy ice cream experience.

Giapo haute ice cream in Auckland, New Zealand via ZaagiTravel.com

Giapo was created by Giapo Grazioli in 2008.

On his website Grazioli – an ice cream genius – lays out his passion and theory: “I am committed to changing the way people experience, see, feel and eat ice cream. My approach comes down to transforming the most popular dessert in the world into something fashionable and artistic by paying attention to the smallest of details: textures, flavours, smells, and by applying highly laborious techniques and methods used in haute cuisine and in artistic set ups.

He adds: “Through my creations I aspire to get the world down to New Zealand so they can experience this beautiful country that I have the privilege to be living in.

Giapo haute ice cream in Auckland, New Zealand via ZaagiTravel.com

Giapo haute ice cream in Auckland, New Zealand via ZaagiTravel.comWhen ordering here, customers are not able to see the flavors in their case, because as the staff told us, they do not want everyone to order based on sight.

Every ice cream is treated like art, with various toppings added, so the final product is always different than what the base begins like.

After sampling 3-4 each, James went for the triple chocolate (I originally did also but changed my mind as to be able to eat some of his as well as mine too!).

His ice cream, a chocolate lovers’ heaven, had chocolate pieces and raspberry bits all adorned with a large chocolate half-moon.

Giapo haute ice cream in Auckland, New Zealand via ZaagiTravel.com

I opted for the Giapo Buono – which doesn’t appear to be available anymore.

Their flavors are constantly changing based on season and the latest creative spark they have in the kitchen.

My ice cream was decorated with a thickly packed layer of very fine cookie crumble dust, marshmallow topping which was toasted with a torch, and a handful of glimmering gold-dipped hazelnuts. Can you say WHOA?!

Giapo Buono haute ice cream in Auckland, New Zealand via ZaagiTravel.comGiapo Buono haute ice cream in Auckland, New Zealand via ZaagiTravel.com

It was great ice cream. There’s no denying it. It was beautiful and it tasted wonderful.

But it was SO SWEET. My stomach began aching before even digging in, and it aches now just thinking about that day.

But it was worth it. Oh, how it was worth it.

Giapo haute ice cream in Auckland, New Zealand via ZaagiTravel.com

À La Minute Handcrafted Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream in Claremont, California

I love my best friend Rhea and I love ice cream.

And tonight I got to combine those two loves when I met up with my bestie and her fiancé Manako at the new local ice cream shop, À La Minute, in Claremont, California.

The latest addition to the downtown Claremont scene has thrown a new spin on everyone’s favorite frozen treat.Chocolate chip ice cream from A La Minute Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream in Claremont Packing House via ZaagiTravel.comA La Minute Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream in Claremont Packing House via ZaagiTravel.com

They handcraft your individual serving of creamy goodness with the use of liquid nitrogen! Because science.

If, like me, you hear the words liquid nitrogen and have no clue what that actually means…

Here is a description from À La Minute about their special ingredient:

“Liquid nitrogen is simply nitrogen (which makes up 78% of our atmosphere) in a liquid state.  It is -321 degrees [fahrenheit] and is obviously very cold.  Using liquid nitrogen to make ice cream minimizes the size of ice crystals and results in a much creamier ice cream.”A La Minute Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream in Claremont Packing House via ZaagiTravel.com

On top of that, À La Minute also uses a 100% organic ice cream base and places a high priority on using local & seasonal ingredients.

Your order is literally as fresh as it gets. And on top of that, we also watched our waffle cones being made right in front of us!

The shop – which shares a space with Augie’s Coffee House – is located inside the Packing House (the largest historic building in The Village)!A La Minute Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream in Claremont Packing House via ZaagiTravel.comA La Minute Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream in Claremont Packing House via ZaagiTravel.com

If you’re looking to spend an entire evening in the Claremont Village, a scoop from ALM would make an extra special post-dinner treat after a drink/meal at Eureka Burger or The Back Abbey.

Back to our experience…

Staring at the board of flavors and making a decision took us quite awhile.

Finally we made our choices…

I ordered the Espresso Chip with added caramel sauce on top! Needless to say I was more than happy with my pick, and highly recommend it!

A La Minute Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream in Claremont Packing House via ZaagiTravel.com

Rhea opted for the most unique flavor — Butternut Squash and Black Garlic with Burnt Sugar Syrup! She and I both liked it but Manako wasn’t a big fan of the frozen vegetable and garlic concept.A La Minute Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream in Claremont Packing House via ZaagiTravel.com

Manako (A.K.A Beast Mode) chose the classic Chocolate Chip! Let’s just say it was pretty much gone in a manner of seconds. A La Minute Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream in Claremont Packing House via ZaagiTravel.com

We all LOVED our super delicious indulgences. As we were leaving Manako exclaimed, “I’m going to be coming back here!”

I have to say that I completely agree.

If you’re curious about this liquid nitrogen ice cream you can grab a scoop (or two! or three!) from À La Minute at one of their three locations in Southern California: Claremont, Redlands and the city of Orange!

A La Minute Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream in Claremont Packing House via ZaagiTravel.com

532 W. 1st Street Claremont, CA 91711

19 East Citrus Avenue #105 Redlands, CA  92373

117 N. Glassell Street Orange, CA  92866

If you still want to know more check out this video to learn how they use liquid nitrogen to form their extra delicious desserts!

 

Carmela Artisanal Ice Cream in Pasadena, California

Carmela's Ice Cream Shop in Pasadena, Los Angeles, California via ZaagiTravel.com

In Spanish, “Carmela” means garden.

The garden-themed ice cream concept behind Carmela began with co-owner, Jessica Mortarotti, and her childhood memories of cooking with her grandmother, whose name is… you guessed it, Carmela. Ahhh, it’s all making sense now.

Jessica, along with Zachary Cox, began producing Carmela Ice Cream in 2007. They started out at local farmers markets and eventually expanded into two permanent locations —

1) PASADENA: 2495 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104

2) LOS ANGELES: 7920 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Carmela's Ice Cream Shop in Pasadena, Los Angeles, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Carmela Ice Cream has now turned into a well-known and well-regarded spot in Los Angeles for a bowl (or cone) of exclusive, seasonal, artisanal frozen flavors — made with organic dairy and farmers market ingredients!

Last week my mom and I decided to go check out what we had been hearing about all across town.

Carmela's Ice Cream Shop in Pasadena, Los Angeles, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Our rendezvous began with lunch in downtown Pasadena and a short jaunt across to the north side of the 210 freeway to the ice cream shop for dessert.

The shop is in kind of an awkward spot — it’s difficult to find parking, but if you go past it a little bit and turn right there is 20 minute parking just before the residential street. This area was open for us, but I should point out that it was on an overcast Wednesday around noon. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to find a parking spot on a sunny day or during the weekend!

Kira scooping ice cream at Carmela's Ice Cream Shop in Pasadena, Los Angeles, California via ZaagiTravel.com After entering the shop and waiting our turn, we were helped by Jessica and one of her employees, Kira. I could immediately tell that they both have an obvious passion for their ice cream and for creating the best possible experience for each and every individual that enters their door.

Kira (Kiki) Holding Ice Cream at Carmela Ice Cream Shop in Pasadena, Los Angeles, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Kira and I enjoyed sharing our love for blogging (she has a fantastic food blog — www.kikicuisine.com — which you should absolutely take a look at!)

Carmela's Ice Cream Shop in Pasadena, Los Angeles, California via ZaagiTravel.com

I was actually having so much fun chatting with Kira and snapping pictures of the charming interior (the chandeliers are such an adorable touch) that I nearly forgot to order.

Now, on to the good stuff: I sampled “Fresh Mint with Cacao Nibs” and “Lavender Honey”. I ultimately decided on a scoop of “Dark Chocolate with Cacao Nibs” and their best-seller, “Salted Caramel”. I was more than satisfied with my decision! Carmela ice cream is everything I hoped it would be! There’s a reason they have awards and articles on display (they’ve won multiple “best ice cream” accolades in a variety of LA-based publications), they’ve truly earned them. Seen herehere, and here

Dark Chocolate with Cacao Nibs & Salted Caramel Ice Cream at Carmela's Ice Cream Shop in Pasadena, Los Angeles, California via ZaagiTravel.com

The “Dark Chocolate with Cacao Nibs” had an enticing texture — the chocolate flavor was deep and rich; cacao nibs were chopped into tiny pieces and blended throughout, allowing the right amount of crunch in each bite. The “Salted Caramel” was not your average caramel, it was mature and evolved. It had somewhat of a warmth to it that emanated through the frozen confection, in a very very good way. The saltiness made me crave more and more and more. The flavor never got old, every spoonful exploded with flavor.

My mom ordered Brown Sugar Vanilla Bean and added salted caramel sauce on top!

I’ll be honest, I don’t normally choose vanilla. They always seem to taste the same. Not this one! Carmela uses real vanilla beans with absolutely no need for artificial flavoring. By far the best vanilla ice cream I’ve ever had.

Brown Sugar Vanilla Bean Ice Cream at Carmela Ice Cream Shop in Pasadena, Los Angeles, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Thanks mom, you were a great hand model!

Warm Salted Caramel Sauce Ice Cream Topping at Carmela Ice Cream Shop in Pasadena, Los Angeles, California via ZaagiTravel.com

Tell us! What have you ordered (or would you order) at Carmela?

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

Menu & cones at Jeni's Ice Creams via ZaagiTravel.com
Modified from source: salisasaki Flickr

While in Music City for the KEEN Digital Summit last year, Kristin Luna and I hit up Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams in East Nashville. This was my first experience with what is often referred to as “artisanal” ice cream.

Two words. Blown away.

The genius behind the delicious, Jeni Britton Bauer, quit school in 1996 to open her first ice cream shop in Columbus, Ohio. She has since been recognized in publications like Time, Cooking Light, Saveur, and Food & Wine.

I was impressed to learn that Jeni’s ice cream begins with grass-grazed Ohio milk and Fair Trade certification. #Winning!

So, as it goes, I sampled many of their flavors. Salty Caramel. Askinosie Dark Milk Chocolate. Brambleberry Crisp. The Milkiest Chocolate in the World — yes, that’s an actual flavor.

The one that stole my heart… the one I literally have dreams about… The Buckeye State.

Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream -- the flavor is the Buckeye State via ZaagiTravel.com It is described on their website as “rich and salty peanut butter [that] yields to the crunch of exceptional dark chocolate for perfect balance“.

I can’t say enough about this ice cream. It’s creamy, it’s got fun texture with the tiniest chocolate shavings, it’s lick-the-bowl good. And-then-have-a-temper-tantrum-because-it’s-all-gone good.

If, like me, you don’t live in Ohio, Tennessee, Illinois, or Georgia (where Jeni’s shops are located), you can order online or find pints at a variety of stores, including Whole Foods.

Jeni's Ice Creams via ZaagiTravel.com/House of Hall Flickr
Modified from source: House of Hall Flickr

I really need to get my hands on a pint. And soon! This post definitely didn’t help my insane cravings for a scoop (or two. or three.) of that Buckeye State ice cream!

Have you tried Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams? Which flavor is your favorite?