It feels like summer here in the Bay Area. And when it's hot outside, you know I am headed straight to the ice cream shop! The other day I visited Smitten Ice Cream for a cool treat and left indeed, smitten! Their ice cream is extraordinary. It's fresh, divinely rich and creamy, but not cloyingly sweet. And to top things off, it is made to order. How is this possible? They use liquid nitrogen to expedite the freezing process. It flash freezes the ice cream at a very low temperature, which results in much smoother and velvety product. You get the goodness of old fashioned ice cream with modern techniques.
I was not only impressed by the use of liquid nitrogen and the delectable flavors, but also their sustainable practices. Their ice cream is made with organic milk and cream from Beretta Dairy in Sonoma. They use local, fresh, high quality ingredients.The folks at Smitten Ice Cream take no short cuts, make their own toppings and juice their own blood oranges. Now that is something to be smitten about!
Must-try Flavors:
Blood Orange with Pistachio Shortbread
This sounds like it would be sorbet-like, but it is not. It tastes like creamsicle only better, made with fresh blood oranges. It's refreshing and inviting with a bittersweet flavor, similar to a marmalade. Pistachio shortbread adds a buttery flavor and an addicting textural crunch.
Brown Sugar with Cinnamon Shortbread
The sweet yet delicate flavor is incredibly satisfying. The freshness of the cinnamon and spices come through, marrying beautifully with the brown sugar.
Fresh Mint Chip
Their Mint Chip is as fresh as you can get. There are no mint extracts that are added. Instead, mint leaves are steeped in the ice cream base. This particular flavor contains the least amount of sugar but is just the right amount of sweetness.
Good to know:
-Because you are not able to sample the flavors (since everything is made to order), there is a 100% guarantee if you are not satisfied with what you have ordered.
-You cannot mix flavors because each flavor freezes at different rates.
-Smitten Ice Cream uses food grade liquid nitrogen, so don't you worry!
I love the industrial vibe they got going at the Los Altos location.
The Brrrista is adding the ingredients.
Liquid nitrogen action.
Oh yeahhh.
Get in my belly!
Smitten Ice Cream Locations:
Hayes Valley
432 Octavia St. #1A (at Linden St.)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Los Altos
Whole Foods Market – Los Altos
4800 El Camino Real
Los Altos, CA 94022
4800 El Camino Real
Los Altos, CA 94022
Rockridge-Opening April 1st!
5800 College Avenue
Oakland, CA 94618
Oakland, CA 94618
What a cool sounding ice cream shop. This is the first time I've heard of a made to order one or one that uses liquid nitrogen. I'll have to look for one like this around my area this summer! The blood orange and mint flavors sound yummy. Looks like you had a great weekend.
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mikky
www.todaloos.com
I think it's an awesome concept that will surely make its way to your area! The mint and blood orange flavors were so refreshing; it was a welcomed treat on a hot day. :)
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