329609 Thu Sep 28 05:19:21 -0700 2006 6 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 1907626 For a birthday celebration we had an adult cake from Ici and a kid’s cake, Carvel’s Fudgie the Whale. Here’s a post on the chain board about Fudgie: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/329606 As to Ici ... the thing is ... the bombe doesn’t smile at you. It was fine if extremely overpriced. The bottom layer of cake was a little dry. It was topped with a layer of crème fraiche ice cream which tasted white, raspberry sorbet, though I thought I was told blackberry and a pink ice cream, I’m guessing strawberry because a frozen strawberry topped the cake. The strawberry itself had the most flavor. The top layer had that icy texture many people have noted in the ice cream. It was good, not great and the price should have been about $10 not double that. I have no problem throwing money at exceptional food without blinking. But at $20 for a cake that barely served two, it had better be exceptional. It wasn't. Also, if there is a next time for Ici’s bombe, I’d get the decorated one. I chose the berry bombe because they said it was the end of the season and the last chance to get summer berry ice creams. The other fancier cake was a chocolate/espresso combo and that flavor combo didn't appeal to me. But the fruit bombe wasn’t anything anyone with a mold couldn’t create. In fact, someone at the party thought I made it ... like layered jello, but out of ice ream. Perhaps a more interesting combo of flavors would have made a difference. They had pink peppercorn today. So who won the taste-off? Well, I wouldn’t buy either again. If I had to make a choice, it would be Carvel. The value was better, it was more fun, it was a better presentation and had the sweetness been toned down, it would have won, no contest. http://www.ici-icecream.com/ Thu Sep 28 05:19:21 -0700 2006 10264 rworange 1 1907708 Man, Ici isn't getting much CH love. $20 for a cake to feed two does sound absurd if the quality doesn't match up. Did you consider Sketch's ice cream cake? After Morton's post, I wouldn't mind having one of those for my upcoming bday... Thu Sep 28 06:50:44 -0700 2006 1907626 10371 Carb Lover 2 1907720 Yeah, next soiree it's Cookie Puss vs Sketch ... maybe Baskin Robbins ... I haven't had one of those in a while and BR has a new logo so maybe something new is going on there. Actually Fudgie was the main target. I threw Ici in there because I was interested in seeing what it tasted like and this was an excuse. It was the reason we didn't get a big one ... or I would have got one of each if more was needed ... ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, that would have been $40 to feed four people, because right now that's what I see as Ici's strength ... interesting flavors. Actually the small could feed three people reasonably. The small bombe becomes an accessory for four ... a palate cleanser Really, if someone is going to get one of these things, I suggest custom ordering the flavors so they will at least be interesting. Thu Sep 28 07:07:07 -0700 2006 1907708 10264 rworange 3 1910296 Gosh a'mighty, speaking of ice cream cakes, have you read Morton the Mousse's rhapsody (with pics!) of Sketch's ice cream cakes??? http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/319691?user_name=&query=sketch Truly a delight to read...and much to the point of this discussion... Fri Sep 29 05:57:11 -0700 2006 1907720 18222 maria lorraine 1 1908422 In SF? Consider Maggie Mudd's for ice cream cake. They customize with their wide selection of small batch flavors. Everything is made in house and the selection changes frequently. They have staked their reputation on non-dairy ice 'creams' made from soy, almond and coconut milk. They make about ten rotating flavors that are good ol' cream too. Everything Ive had there has been amazing. The flavors are all intense and anything that has candy or topping like additions, you'll notice them. Favorites are a shake they used to make with espresso ice cream, a shot of espresso, and ground espresso beans. And a soy based flavor called tarmac - peanut butter choclatey goodness. Oh yeah, about cakes: they have a custom cake service that will frost an edible photo to the top of cake or choose one of their (terrible) schemes like Hummer SUV, Transformers, Barbie World. You also, of course, can choose the flavors for the inside. I think their ice cream alone is better, but the cakes pass muster. They've always been a little on the too-solid side when ive had 'em, but that could be a failure on my part to bring them to temp. Definitely on the expensive side, but not as rough as whats been posted here about Ici. They're in Bernal Heights http://www.maggiemudd.com/index.asp Thu Sep 28 16:15:06 -0700 2006 1907626 35628 mkebbe 1 2045644 My friend brought a Fudgie the Whale ice-cream cake for Thanksgiving. There is NO Cake in it, so by the time my friend came over it had started to melt. By the time we were ready for it it was still melted, even though it was in the freezer for an hr. It was a sad sight. We all still enjoyed it even at it's melted state. I wouldn't get it again though. He said they had Tommy the Turkey, but it was sold out by the time he got there on Wed. sad pic: http://flickr.com/photos/bubbletea/305302555/ Sat Nov 25 00:39:46 -0800 2006 1907626 10677 hhc 1 2045940 I was kind of hoping you found an Ici bombe that tasted good. As much as I'd be unlikely to buy another Fudgie, Tommy the Turkey caught my attention ... was curious if they somehow made a turkey out of the whale cake mold. Nope, heeeer's Tommy http://www.delcocarvel.com/images/turkey.jpg Sat Nov 25 05:14:30 -0800 2006 1907626 10264 rworange