322001 Wed Aug 30 18:22:34 -0700 2006 10 8 Midwest 0 1843486 Any big Bobby Flay fans should get over to Izzy's pronto -- he's over there (it's kind of a small madhouse out front) filming for a show...looked like "Throwdown"(??) They just finished setting up a couple of tables and Flay was chopping something at one table and Jeff Sommers (the Izzy's owner) was working at the other table. I don't know if it was a coincidence, special attention due to the "VIP" or if it was one of the few times I've been in there this early in the day, but they had all of their best and most original flavors available, mostly in newly opened tubs -- something that I've noticed a bit lacking in my last few visits. For comparison, the other night I was over there and there were several empty spots in the freezer, a few bottom-of-the-barrel remnants and then some of the less interesting flavors. Most importantly I guess, the ice cream was as outstanding as ever today. One scoop of Hot Brown Sugar (this year's contest winner), one Salted Caramel and a Peanut Butter Izzy. All three were absurdly rich, smooth and wonderfully flavored. Izzy's 2034 Marshall Ave St. Paul www.izzysicecream.com Wed Aug 30 18:22:35 -0700 2006 11110 MSPD 1 1843497 MSPD, that's quite the scoop! (sorry, couldn't resist.) :) ~TDQ Wed Aug 30 18:24:18 -0700 2006 1843486 12005 The Dairy Queen 1 1843525 The heck with Bobby Flay - I'm thrilled to hear about the better-than-usual flavor selection! I wonder when the taping will be over so that it's safe for a visit. And whether they'll still have any ice cream left. (I have five pints of Izzy's ice cream in my freezer, right now, but I need to try some new flavors!) Thanks for the news, Anne Wed Aug 30 18:30:48 -0700 2006 1843486 12541 AnneInMpls 1 1843562 Why have they been more reluctant lately about opening new tubs? ~TDQ Wed Aug 30 18:41:32 -0700 2006 1843486 12005 The Dairy Queen 2 1843685 If I were to guess, I would say it's more a function of my timing and preferences -- I'm usually there in the late evenings when they're probably not going to put new tubs out yet for the next day. Who knows. It was more an observation of my good fortune than any statement of them going downhill or anything. Anne, they're also doing an event with Mayor Coleman tied to their solar project this afternoon at 1:45 (as we speak, I guess). Actually, once I got through the numerous folks milling around outside, it was empty inside. Great time to be there. When I got there, I thought the fuss was maybe local news, etc. regarding the solar project event, and hadn't noticed it was Bobby Flay until he walked in, strolled by me (only other person in the store at the moment) went to the back, turned around and walked back up, stood next to me for a few seconds, then walked out again (all being filmed). It was peculiar and for a split second I thought I had accidentally walked in to some sort of "restricted airspace". They're giving out free ice cream out front until late afternoon, so maybe the traffic inside will continue to be light inside. Wed Aug 30 19:10:03 -0700 2006 1843562 11110 MSPD 3 1844845 When I was there recently, I asked whether they were going to have SpongeBob (TCL's favorite flavor) again soon. They told me that it would probably be back, but right now a lot of the Ice Cream Makers' time is being taken up making Hot Brown Sugar (the flavor contest winner). Apparently, it is pretty time consuming to make (with the spiced pecans and burnt caramel) - and I'm assuming it is popular, as everyone goes back for more of this year's winner. I wonder if that is also cutting down on production of some of the other more complex (and even some of the simple) flavors as well. Thu Aug 31 02:47:36 -0700 2006 1843685 11349 Danny 1 1847513 Looks kind of expensive. Worth it? Fri Sep 01 02:12:32 -0700 2006 1843486 26410 dotMac 2 1847654 Definitely. Most assuredly. Yah, you betcha. You ain't just whistling Dixie. Yup-a-roonie. Affirmative. In a word, yes. In a world where so many calories are cheap (and often nasty), Izzy's is a delightful exception. Sure, it costs more than Dairy Queen or Frostee Freez, but it's well worth it for their top-quality ice cream. Your taste buds will thank you. Besides, the higher price means you (or rather, me, the Queen of Cheap) might be less likely to eat too much of it. And that's a good thing. Anne Fri Sep 01 03:28:45 -0700 2006 1847513 12541 AnneInMpls 3 1848316 "Besides, the higher price means you (or rather, me, the Queen of Cheap) might be less likely to eat too much of it. And that's a good thing." Yeah...that is a good thing. Fri Sep 01 15:07:04 -0700 2006 1847654 26410 dotMac 1 1872747 I went to Izzy's for the first time about a month ago. I was pleasantly suprised by the guiness ice cream but was horribly disappointed by their Vanilla. I usually feel that Vanilla is the true test of an Ice Cream parlor. Theirs was too sweet and blunt and tasted rather chemically. Anyone else had this experience with Izzy's Vanilla? Or did I just get it on an off day? Wed Sep 13 02:35:19 -0700 2006 1843486 26966 kolgrim 2 1873432 Personally, I go to Grand Ole Creamery for "traditional" ice cream flavors and Izzy's for the exotic ones. ~TDQ Wed Sep 13 14:16:44 -0700 2006 1872747 12005 The Dairy Queen