Best Ice Cream in los angeles????

[Ben7643]

I've looked over the other posts on here and many are outdated. So I thought i'd start a new one.

Who has the best all around ice cream "NOT YOGURT" in los angeles.

Second what is the best Pint of ice cream you can pick up at a local store?

My votes would be Boule for scooped ice cream i'm not sure what kind it is they scoop but its GOOD!!

And Dr. Bob's Scharffen Berger Works which can be picked up at some Gelsons or Surfas Kitchen supply. YUMMMMM !!!!!!! Amazing stuff if you like a THICK ice cream like me.

Let the ice cream wars begin.

Ben

[Diana]

Scoops

Fosselman's

Mashti Malone's (available in store,or in pints in WF)

McConnell's is actually a SB established place, but you can find pints of it at, say, Whole Foods or gelsons. My favorite pint! (or worth at trip to SB)

[ns1]

I got a 2nd, third, and 4th for Fosselman's

Taro is obscene, but i'm also a sucker for their cherry vanilla

[Chowpatty]

I agree, Boule and Dr. Bob's are about as good as it gets.
I hate to say, but Fosselman's and Scoops, although full of nostalgia and bizarre flavors, respectively, are not very good quality ice cream. But I go to both of them for the atmosphere and other factors.
Actually my favorite store ice cream is Sheer Bliss pomegranate with dark chocolate chips, since Dr. Bob's is a little heavy for me.
Pazzo Gelato in Silver Lake can be very good for some flavors, especially pistachio.
http://www.sheerblissicecream.com/

[trishyb]

I tried Boule for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I had a a scoop of this crazy intense rich chocolate. I thought it was chocolate ice cream perfection - so satisfying that you don't even need to have more that a few bites.

I also agree about Scoops maybe not offering the best quality ice cream, but the prices and flavors make it fun. The maple oreo with big crunchy chunks of cookie in it is my favorite there.

[Dommy]

Boule does have the most perfect ice cream... but sometimes a girl wants other flavors...

--Dommy!

[trishyb]

I sampled the honey and the pistachio flavors at Boule, too. They were pretty exquisite, too!

[woofer]

do yourself a favor and order this.

www.graeters.com

coconut chip is my fave.

[jackattack]

Woofer you should try the Coconut Chip at Glacier in Manhattan Beach, it's close!

(Yes, the chips are softish!)

[HulaShakeJaz]

Yes! Glacier in Manhattan Beach has an amazing Melted Chocolate Chip Coconut ice cream. Holy Coconut. Love it! It is a coconut ice cream with chocolate stracciatella... coconut and flakes and chocolate throughout.
Also, if you are there, you HAVE to try the funky donkey. It's peanut butter ice cream with oreos.

I need a glacier fix! It's on sepulveda blvd. &17th on the west side of Sepulveda.

[Ben7643]

Funky donkey's now my favorite awesome stuff

[HulaShakeJaz]

SO addicting, right?! When did you first try it? In a cup or fresh waffle cone?!?!

[Ben7643]

In a class sundae bowl ;) with a brownie and hot fudge.

[HulaShakeJaz]

Wow! You rock!

[Mattapoisett in LA]

Dommy and I were there tonight Since she needed something Soft for her lack of Wisdom teeth. I had Funky Donkey and she had the Raspberry Cheesecake in a shake. Plus as a bonus they were selling Vosages Bars for 3.99 which I think is half the price of Surfas, we took 3

Take Care

- P.

[AquaW]

For me, the quadrinity of fine ice creams would probably be Boule, Bulgarini, Scoops and Fosselman's. Boule and Bulgarini both have very rich and true flavors with a velvety textures. I like Scoops for their unusual flavors, though not all of them work. And Fosselman's is solidly good and excellent for sundaes & banana splits.

I also admit to a weakness for Haagen Dazs Reserve Flavor: Hawaiian Lehua Honey & Sweet Cream-- it's usually available at the more upscale stores.

~H.C.
http://la-oc-foodie.blogspot.com

[AliLovesLA]

Fosselman's makes the most amazing fruit flavors in the summer--peach and blueberry, in particular, are my favorites, with their little chunks of fruit-body within. Taro is also nice, as is the dutch chocolate and the pistachio--and their sundaes and malts go a long way in beating the Alhambra heat. But the peach is hands-down the winner.

[ipsedixit]

Fosselman's is currently offering Sweet Corn Ice Cream. Get it while it lasts. It's better, in my opinion, than the season fruit varieties.

[SauceSupreme]

My vote goes to Scoops. I always bring back a pint of brown bread ice cream if I've got room in the freezer.

[ipsedixit]

Dude, how can you ever not have room in the freezer for a small pint of ice cream?

What do you do during your free time? Hunt bison and store the meat and bones in your freezer?

:-)

[Ben7643]

I was thinking the same thing, although I was imagining a million different flavors of ice cream awaiting me in my freezer :). How long does it keep in the freezer anyway?

And also are there any places with great ice cream that will mix the toppings into the ice cream like cold stone? Obviously cold stone does not count as great ice cream.

[SauceSupreme]

Okay, maybe the room isn't the limiting factor, but rather the still-unfinished half-pints from previous excursions. I can polish off a whole thing of brown bread as if it's a cure for ugly, but I'm now realizing that having pints of the exotic flavors is not so much a good idea. The charm comes from the fact that it's different, and that charm wears off much much faster when it's sitting in the freezer already.

[HulaShakeJaz]

What does brown bread taste like?

[SauceSupreme]

Kinda like dulce de leche without the overly sweet caramel. What puts it over the top for me are the crunchy bits of grape nuts.

[Mattapoisett in LA]

But I was disappointed when I had it because I was thinking New England Brown Bread which is Molasses, raisins, buttermilk, cornmeal and rye flour steamed into bread

[HulaShakeJaz]

I'm sold!

[fdb]

Brown bread is so good, but the problem is I'm always drawn to trying their innovative flavors and end up getting something new each time. I'm still hoping to run into salted caramel there.

[bulavinaka]

The length of time that ice cream ca sit in your freezer depends on how much water and air is in the ice cream, how often your freezer defrosts, and how well you store the ice cream- we try to remember to place wax paper on the unused portion before closing the lid and putting it away...

[westsidegal]

i stick with the same answer i gave last year:
Delicieuse
2503 Artesia Blvd Redondo Beach CA

Phone:
[phone]

[Ben7643]

Delicieuse looks awesome but it's a bit far from me. I'll definitely get down there soon though to try it out. Here is their website.

http://www.icedreamonline.com/

[amela]

I love Delicieuse. But twice toward the end of last summer I went during posted hours and they were closed. So please call first! Wonderful owners as well who take the time to explain just why their ice cream is so good!

[bulavinaka]

I with you folks on Delicieuse. I really enjoy the pronounced flavors of their various sorbets, ice creams and goat milk ice creams. Lavender ice cream, strawberry goat milk ice cream, and lemon basil sorbet were my last tries a couple of weekends ago and they were outstanding. They take serious pride in their craft and aren't shy about it. They'll also pair the various flavors with lunch or dinner orders.

[Jennalynn]

Don't discount Bennetts at the Farmers Market.

It's a classic great ice cream.

[Diana]

true, dat!

[gowest1]

The strawberry is fantastic.

[ipsedixit]

I think Thrifty's / Rite-Aid deserves a mention on this thread.

[jackattack]

Down with Thrifty! They've recently gone the way of Dreyers and taken a full half pint out of their "half gallons". IS NOTHING SACRED ANYMORE!!!! Why do I have to tell my kids that "Ice Cream used to come in Half Gallons" and "Potato Chips used to come in 8 ounce bags, not 5.5 ounces!"

[Ben7643]

Drug store ice cream, you guys joking? Or am I missing something?

[ns1]

nah, thrifty/rite aid ice cream can't be beat for what it is. it's that soothing nostalgic feeling.

[barefootpris]

ooh like the chocolate malted crunch...makes my mouth water

[avena]

I have a soft spot in my heart for the double scoop cones I used to get at Thrifty as a kid. Cookies and Cream/Mint 'n' Chip combo was my favorite! Now that I've grown up a little, I love the goat cheese flavors I've gotten from both Pazzo Gelato and Scoops.

[Diana]

Thrifty's (whatever it is now) is dang good ice cream at an increadible price.

[crystaw]

I agree with ipsedexit about Thrifty/ Rite Aid. I loved the shape of the scoops when I was a kid. Fosselman's is great! I had the treat of going there twice last week!

[OCAnn]

Yeah...I love their mint-n-chip.

[sku]

Best Ice Cream:

Helados Pops (on Vermont) is a Salvadoran ice cream parlor with amazing tropical fruit ice cream; my favorites are zapote and strawberry.

Saffron Spot (Artesia) is an Indian parlor. The kulfi ice cream is amazing.

I agree with Dr. Bob's Scharffen Berger Works, which is amazing.
Also, McConnell's peppermint.
And at some local Farmers Markets you can get Carmela's Ice Cream. They make a great salty caramel.

[Ben7643]

Saffron Spot sounds yummy indian food and great ice cream. My weekends filling up already I can tell.

[risottoman]

Scoops is the best. However, I do like Baskin Robbins (for nostalgia), Fosselman's, Rite-Aid/Thrifty.

[rickym13]

fosselman

[Dommy]

I wasn't impressed by scoops... but you can't keep us away from Glacier in Manhattan Beach! :D

--Dommy!

[jackattack]

Ahhhhhhhhhh....Dommy must be that guy in front of me twice a week at Glacier in Manhattan Beach. I won't even tell you how far I drive for that stuff since I'm supposed to be "going green".

Bennett's is good, Fosselman's is good, but Glacier is greatness!

For in-store pints it's all about McConnells Island Coconut and McConnell's Turkish Coffee.

[Dommy]

McConnell's Turkish Coffee is one of my favorite flavors ever... although it is banned from the household, last time I bought it, SO got into it and got such a buzz... I'm surprised I didn't find footprints on the ceiling... It's REALLY strong stuff... LOL!

--Dommy!

[JeffW]

McConnell's coconut ice cream is awesome. I purchased it at the Gelson's in Sherman Oaks. I don't know if McConnells is a big seller though, because I'm pretty sure I noticed a sign that had the dreaded words "close out", in the McConnells section.

[GK in SO]

Dommy, I thought I read on these boards that Glacier was in danger of closing.

You may know that they originated in Boulder Colorado, where they have several stores which do very well. However, they recently closed their Las Vegas location and there were whispers about closing the MB location, too.

I live in the SFV, so I haven't made the trek down there yet, but I've had some ice cream from the Boulder store and have to say that this is the best ice cream I've ever had, and I've had a lot! The texture is so rich and smooth, and they have some great flavor combos...check out their website...but, nothing like saffron rosewater or crap like that.

Does anyone have any info on this?

I had also read on these boards that their help wasn't too helpful, and the poster stated that the counter help didn't really want to pack pints for them to go, instead directing them to some prepacked ones. Sounds like a no-go for me, if I'm going to drive from the SFV since I'd want several pints that may not be prepacked.

[Dommy]

They mainly have a young entusiastic staff in MB, I haven't head the HEART to ask them about the closing rumors... I will say they are trying REALLY hard though. Things are changing constantly due to customer feedback and efficiencies. All the changes (Including the addition of Cupcakes) IMHO have been good for them. I hope that as the weather gets warmer, there will be more and more of us in line...

--Dommy!

[Foodandwine]

I live in Manhattan Beach and the location has always been an issue.. KFC for the longest of time, a short stint at a sub/cheese steak place and now Glacier. I had the Gelato last year and have not been back. Its 5 minutes from my home. Dommy you are always a good read.. I will try the ice cream on your rec alone. However, the rumors may have some validity as I never see more than 1 or 2 people there when driving by at anytime day or night.. No people no business...

[amela]

Same with me. I live in MB and I'd sooner go to Delicieuse than figure out the easiest way to visit Glacier. The location for some reason is off putting. But based on Dommy's review, I will try again soon.

[kainzero]

Man, I love Glacier. Service has always been spot on and I'm not usually one to care for it.

The first time I went, the cashier offered to give us a free pint to take home. Unfortunately, we ate ice cream before heading out to dinner so we couldn't accept his offer. But they're generally really friendly. It's really a shame that there isn't a lot of people in a place like this, especially because I think the product is so good.

[Diana]

Ice cream BEFORE dinner? You rebel! :)

[I Scream]

Hey neighbors:

I live and work in the South Bay. My wife and I are majority members of Glacier Ice Cream of California, LLC dba "Glacier Homemade Ice Cream & Gelato" in Manhattan Beach. Our brother in Boulder, Colorado is the founder of Glacier. Other local families share a smaller ownership interest. We congratulate and admire many of the other locally owned ice cream makers listed on this thread. This is my first post on Chowhound.

According to Chowhound etiquette: Business owners "may post factual information in response to questions about the business or to correct misinformation."

I hope this helps. . . .

1. Glacier is not closing in Manhattan Beach. Please do not spread those whispers. My family just signed a five-year lease renewal with two five-year options. We are expanding the menu to include a limited offering of freshly made sandwiches, salads, and baked goods.

2. Our location is a little tricky, but it was the only one available in Manhattan Beach that had parking and was big enough to make fresh ice cream and gelato on the premises. If you are traveling North on Sepulveda/PCH, turn left on Manhattan Beach Blvd. and an immediate right on Oak Street, and come around the back entrance on 17th Street. There is parking for 20 cars. Traveling South, just past Marine Boulevard, start looking for the big Firestone tire sign. We are next door on the right (West Side) of the street, just past Firestone tires. If you miss it, turn right on Manhattan Beach Blvd., right on Oak, and come around the back way at the corner of 17th street.

3. Our staff will gladly handpack pints while you wait. If you don't see your flavor, ask our staff to check our inventory list. Or, you can give your name and phone number and we will call you the day your flavor is made. We also have freezer bags to keep the pints during your commute.

Best regards and good eating,

David

[roxhills]

After reading this thread, I found myself in Manhattan Beach on Tuesday looking for Target on Sepulveda. I was pleasantly surprised when I noticed Glacier across the street!

I sampled quite a few wonderful gelato and ice cream flavors. Everything was wonderful. I am still thinking about the brown sugar and cinnamon gelato. I finally settled on a scoop of coffee/chocolate chip gelato. It was delicious!

I can't wait to bring my husband and kids back. It was worth the trip!

[GK in SO]

David, thank you so much for your reply! In today's day and age, it's quite refreshing to see a business be so user-friendly to its customers (especially potential/future ones!). I'm glad to hear that you're not closing, so that rumour is now officially dead (I did take that from a previous thread on these boards).

I live in Sherman Oaks, but am willing to make the drive especially now after your post. I'm not sure why one poster in another thread had a negative experience in your store...maybe a server who was having a bad day or something...but, since I'm making the trek down from SO, I would be ordering several handpacked pints and taking them home in an ice chest...so I hope your servers will, as you say "gladly handpack pints while" I wait.

Question - do you regularly stock "peanut butter chocolate" (best I've ever had) and "coconut chololate melt" (never tried, but am eagerly awaiting a taste)? I've visited your Boulder location (on Baseline Road) and I must say, the texture and flavor of your ice cream is some of the best I've ever had and I've had a lot.

Hounds, do yourself a favor and patronize this place, you won't regret it!

[I Scream]

Hello GK:

We try to stock at least one homemade chocolate melt flavor at all times, usually either Coconut Chocolate Melt, Black Raspberry Chocolate Melt, or Coconut Chocolate Melt.

We do not regularly stock peanut butter chocolate, but it is popular enough to add to the production list.

May I suggest that you call the store in advance (310-545-9730). This way, you can check for your favorite flavors or request a flavor, the staff can freshly handpack and store your pints in our sub-zero blast freezer to limit thawing on the way home.

The ice chest is fine to store product for the drive home. We recommend only dry ice storage -- 3 to 5 lbs. is plenty. Regular ice will promote melting faster. (Kinda counter-intuitive).

Thanks.

[GK in SO]

Scream, thanks again for such meaningful info on your store. I will take your tips and call in advance. A few more questions:

1) Do you carry the same flavors (or number/variety of) as your Boulder/Baseline store?

2) What are your weekend hours?

3) Any place to get dry ice nearby (especially on a weekend; that's when this working stiff would be trekking down there)?

Sounds like there's quite a few Glacier fans on these boards, and deservedly so!

[Foodandwine]

There is a Vons on Manhattan Beach Blvd 3 blocks East of the Pier that sells Dry Ice..

[GK in SO]

Thanks, F&W!

[I Scream]

Hello GKO:

Sorry for the delayed response. (I am in trial this week. My other job is a litigator, believe it or not).

1. At our Manhattan Beach store, we usually carry about 22 gelato, 24 ice cream, 2-4 sorbet, 2 low-fat yogurt, and more flavors in the pre-packed pint freezer and whatever is made fresh in the back. The scoopers will have an inventory up front. My brother's 3500 sq foot Boulder/Baseline store has an extra 8-hole dipping cabinet with ice cream. Flavors rotate daily and are made fresh daily. We usually carry 5-10 best sellers but sometimes run out.

2. Weekend hours are 11-10 pm; in summer, open to 11:00 pm weekends.

The closest dry ice store is Ralph's in El Segundo on Sepulveda, a few miles north of our restaurant. Smart & Final also sells dry ice.

Someone asked about peach ice cream. Coming soon, I think. . . .Our fancy food and fruit buyer likes to follow the seasons and pick up peach and other fresh fruits at peak ripeness. She buys it, we make it.

Cheers!

[Dommy]

Thank YOU for 11p! BTW... Kudos on the Coffee Caramel Oreo.

--Dommy!

[GK in SO]

I Scream, thanks again for the useful information. Wow, you're a litigator in your spare time? I'm a CPA...how can I get a great side gig like that, too? :-)

I will be sure to call the day before my visit to hopefully ensure that some of my past (or future?) favorite flavors are on hand before trekking down from the Valley.

[notmartha]

All these talk of Glacier ice cream sounded so good - it's torture as I am trying to avoid sugar and other refined carbs and Glacier is probably only 10 min drive from my office...

Any chance there will be some sugar free flavors in the future?

[Dommy]

Thanks so much for your reply David, as I mentioned in my other post, it's been so refreshing to see the changes you have already made to the store that make each visit so much better than the last. We are thrilled to hear of the further changes.

Looking forward to our next visit

--Dommy! and P.

P.S. I will say though, that REAL handmade Samosa and Tagalog Ice Cream a few weeks ago was just EVIL.... ;)

[kel]

Very nice post! Please try to improve your products, especially what you call "gelato."

[Ogawak]

Thanks for the good news. Glacier is my favorite ice cream. Last year you guys made a peach ice cream that was unbelievable. and I don't mean gelato. I could almost taste the skin of a fresh peach. I have not seen it since. This is one Chowhound that would drive from Santa Monica just for your peach.

[jillso]

Please don't expand to sandwiches! That will be the kiss of death! Your shop isn't big enuff for that! i don't wanna wait 15 minutes for my Key Lime/ Coconut cone just because some old biddy is arguing with the counter girl about mustard and mayonaisse!
Oh man, I'm tellin' ya, the first time I see a black olive in my Caramel Cashew sundae, I am going to lose my temper !!!!!

P.S. I've driven 30 miles with pints of ice cream, and have never had a problem with the pints melting using blue ice packs. The trick is to keep the ice ON TOP of the ice cream only, as cold travels downward. If you PACK the pints in ice, you are encouraging insulation-of-sorts.

[Ben7643]

I think I just might make it down to Glacier this afternoon. Can you all recommend your 3 favorite flavors....they have so many.......??

Ben

[Dommy]

It changes SO much that I'd hate to get your heart set on anything. But they are WONDERFUL with samples... so get a lay of the land and go for it. I will say, I find their Ice Cream much better than the Gelato or Yogurt.

--Dommy!

[Mattapoisett in LA]

When I went Last night they Still Had Bing Cherry and add a scoop of death by Chocolate and it is heaven. They had a Coffee Carmel Oreo which My Sister had before her trip to the Airport back to Boston and I think It might have kept her buzzing on the Red Eye. and I had the Carmel Fudge Peanut which was Great.

Take Care

- P.

[GK in SO]

I agree with Dommy. The flavors I've tried center around my favorite combo of chocolate and/or nuts:

1) Peanut butter and chocolate
2) Death by chocolate
3) Butter pecan

All the above are stellar ice cream experiences. I'm hoping they have Coconut Chocolate Melt when I venture down to MB.

I also tried a few other flavors, and every single one was fantastic (the amazingly rich texture and taste), so it's usually a matter of picking your favorite(s)!

[petecfoodie]

You all finally convinced me to try Glacier and I have to say, Thank You! Really amazing creaminess, even in the more traditional favorites (I'm a mint choc. chip fan).

[GK in SO]

You're more than welcome! Always glad to share a local treasure with another local Hound.

Before this thread, it sure seemed as if not a lot of LA folks knew about (and therefore could appreciate) Glacier. Now, hopefully the word is out, leading their sales to boom, leading to them opening a store in the San Fernando Valley, to....(I can dream, can't I?).

I Scream, any chance of that happening?

[Ben7643]

YUM I made it down to Glacier today and indulged in some of their creamy goodness. Actually I had a huge brownie sunday..... Good brownie, awesome Ice Cream, good fudge not the best i've had but not bad at all.

I tried most of the flavors which were all good most were excellent to great.

But the one I liked the best was Funky Donkey. It's the first ice cream i've had on the west coast i've liked more then Dr. Bob's Scharffen Bergers Works and is my new favorite!!!!!!. It's peanut butter/chocolate/some kind of cookie. Not sure exactly.

Before I went I followed the above rec and picked up some dry ice and it kept the 3 pints I purchased frozen till I got home. One of which is gone already me and a friend finished it off rather quickly. ..... tomorrow I think i'll make 2 trips to the gym......

Thanks for the Glacier Rec i'll be back for sure. Also thought i'd mention they packed one of the pints for me by hand nice and tight. Who ever said they don't want to pack them was way off base everyone there was nice. It wasn't hard to find at all they are right on a main road.........

[jillso]

Try the Key Lime Ice Cream next time !!! Pucker up !!!!!

[HulaShakeJaz]

Oh, Glacier always has too many great flavors... but these are my faves...

Ice Creams
1. Coconut Chocolate Melt
2. Funky Donkey (Peanut butter and oreos!)
3. Cinnamon

Gelato
1. Toasted Coconut
2. Chocolate Mousse
3. Meyer Lemon Ginger

[khh1138]

I completely agree with jillso -- don't think of adding sandwiches to your menu!! Mixing "real" food with glorious ice cream will take away the special feeling and the lovely pure smell you get when you go into a true ice cream shop. I hate to smell 10 different kinds of food when I am trying to savour my ice cream.

[jackattack]

I agree that you should nix the sandwich idea.

And please, keep more flavors in stock. If you aren't offering key lime in the scoop case, at least we should be able to find it in the pint freezer!!!!

[pfoods]

Fosselman's lemon custard and white chocolate chip. Perfect.

[ipsedixit]

Just remembered an oldie but goodie.

The hand-dipped ice cream bar at the Costco food court.

There might not be a better frozen treat bargain at $1.50.

[duke_of_mildew]

Yes, those are fantastic, HUGE, and quite a deal.

[sel]

Those almonds........!!!

[Emboat]

Scoops and Pazzo Gelato are pretty fantastic...... However, the best pint EVER if you are a chocolate ice cream addict is CHOCTAL. Its only available at whole foods and I heard it was coming to Trader Joes soon. It is so thick, way better than Dr.Bobs . However, Dr. Bobs sour cream brown sugar and strawberry is amazing.

www.choctal.com

[bulavinaka]

Choctal is fantastic, and you can get it at most well-stocked shops like Gelson's, Bristol Farms, other natural food stores, and smaller gourmet shops like Market Gourmet. I wonder what the price will be at TJ's? And I wonder if Choctal will be making a quality shift?

[Ben7643]

OHHHHH I saw this at whole foods this morning and didn't think twice about it...... guess what i'm picking up on my way into work !!!!!!! Which Choctal flavor is your favorite I saw there were several.

Also how about the Green and Black Pint I saw at whole foods they make a great chocolate bar how is their ice cream?

And how about the Goats Milk Ice Creams our local whole foods carries has anyone tried them yet?

[carriedushey]

I have tried LaLoo's goat milk ice cream from Whole Foods...it is really, really, really, good! I have only tried the Chocolate Cabernet and it was "kick you in the head" chocolate, and not in a bad way. The ice cream is really rich and delicious. I would definitely recommend it!

[Ben7643]

I tried the strawberry brown sugar sour cream today. It was amazing perhaps my new favorite ice cream, i loved the pockets of brown sugar/strawberries in it. I picked it up at surfas.......it's the most dangerous ice cream in my fridge now. Wow

[koshergourmetmart]

I got choctal at trader joes in florahm park, nj. It comes with 4 single servings for $4.99. Includes 4 flavoes

[brandygirl]

The best chocolate ice cream I've had is from Double Rainbow, which I get at Trader Joe's.

[jackattack]

brandy have you tried the dark chocolate at Fosselman's?

[Ben7643]

OK so far things I MUST try from this wonderful list are

Choctal

Mconnel's Peppermint and Turkish Coffee

Glacier in Manhattan Beach Coconut Chip

Delicieuse in Redondo Beach

Pazzo Gelato in Silver Lake

Helados Pops (on Vermont)

Saffron Spot (Artesia)

I'm going to be fat by the time i'm done trying all these places.....

Ben

[Ogawak]

Count me in as one of the Glacier fans. I like this place better than Fosselman's or Scoops. It's spring so I hope Glacier has their peach ice cream. My other favorites are the key lime and the Madagascar vanilla, although I haven't seen the vanilla lately.

[Ben7643]

Picked up 2 pints on my way to work :). Yes I do have ice cream on the Brain lately.

And sampled a spoonful of both of course.

Choctal Ghana and LaLoo's Capraccino

Choctal's Ghana was good rich and creamy but doesn't have the density or richness of Dr. Bob's so I’ll stick to Dr. Bobs for my chocolate craving because although Choctal is good it isn't nearly as good as Bob's Scharffen Bergers Works.

Laloo's Capraccino was really really good very unique rich coffee taste with an excellent depth and consistency. I’ll definitely pick up some of their other flavors in the future. But boy is it expensive about twice the price of all the other pints.

How about the pints of Humphreys has anyone tried those although I have more then enough in my fridge for now.

[wonderone]

there are mexican ice-creameries places, more like gelatto, there is one in east los angeles/monterey park area. take 60 east towards pomona, exit Atlantic Blvd. make a right, and 1 block down there is a McDonalds on the corner (Atlantic and Pomona Blvd) get into the shopping centre and the icecream place is in there 2 down from subway. they have over 20 flavors like guava, mango, watermelon, cucumber, it is really good.

[culinarycandy]

Hands down Silky Smooth at the Beverly Center...they are a micro factory in a mall--make the stuff fresh in small batches right behind the counter! Texture is amazing, so dense, so creamy...like the best gelato you ever had but creamier. i found them on the MyFox LA hotlist-

http://myfoxla.cityvoter.com/winners/...

[lolaflower]

has anyone had the vosges pints yet? i saw them at the manhattan beach WF last night and was so tempted to pick them up! too bad i wasn't going straight home.

[Dommy]

Yeah, I had their ice cream in vegas... wasn't too impressed...

--Dommy!

[notmartha]

Hubbie got a pint of Red Fire at Whole Foods and I am not impressed either. The candy version is so much better.

[Ben7643]

I saw they had larger sized available at surfas but they were SUPER expensive so i stayed away.

[Ben7643]

Any other to DIE for pints you can pick up at a local grocery store that haven't been mentioned? I almost made it down to glacier this weekend but decided it was a bit too late for ice cream :).

I tried Cia Bella's coconut sorbet from whole foods it had fresh coconut chunks in it which were great.

Ben

[Muskrat]

Some Dandy Don's flavors are available in some stores, though they're generally a wholesale operation.

http://www.dandydons.com/store.php

[notmartha]

I hardly ever get _real_ ice cream at a shop. A scoop is too big for a snack and it's more like a meal for me.

So nobody goes to Ben & Jerry's anymore?

I tend to get gelato or frozen yogurt when I go out for treats. So for gelato I like Bulgarini at Pasadena best.

Store bought - Dr. Bob's Vanilla, and Strawberry/Sour Cream. Also like Fresh & Easy's Cookie Dough ice cream and Roasted Banana gelato (like eating a frozen bananas foster).

I am pining for sugar free ice cream that actually tastes good. Anybody come across sea salt caramel ice cream in the LA area? I've seen caramel, but not sea salt (guess I'll have to bring my own salt?)

[culinarycandy]

Silky Smooth at the Beverly Center has a truly delicious sugar-free vanilla and chocolate ice cream--they use splenda as the sweetener. Its called Silkyslim, and they even have a sugar free chocolate syrup to make shakes and sundaes with. I love their shakes--they are just the right thickness, satiny texture and have that quality mouthfeel (lack of air bubbles) that is oh-so-satisfying. Ditto for the sugar-free shakes.

[pfoods]

yesterday at Scoops they had a salted dulce de leche flavor (didn't try it though, i had lavender goat cheese)

[HulaShakeJaz]

I miss swenson's!

[pfoods]

i remember going to swenson's as a kid and loving a sundae they had with chocolate and coffee ice cream and caramel and marshmallow sauces...

[fdb]

oh, they had a gigantic sundae called the earthquake or volcano...13 scoops of ice cream. we had fond memory of eating it when we were teenagers.

[notmartha]

Sometimes it tasted better in memory. I remembered liking it it Boston, but then when I ran into a Swenson's at Tucson somehow the ice cream just tasted too gummy, and sugary.

[fdb]

true...i think our tastes just get sophisticated over time.

[apfb]

Agree with Bulgarini Gelato and Fosselman's. Sounds like we must try Glacier.

@ WF's-- there is Strauss Family Creamery's Organic Vanilla Bean ice cream which is the best vanilla ice cream I've ever had. Super creamy and fragrant with top quality vanilla specks. Very dangerous to keep around the house.

[zoomchic]

For more store bought, I can't find anything better in the "peanut butter and chocolate" arena than Haagen Dazs. I used to love going to 31 flavors as a kid and order a scoop on a sugar cone all the time. Would love to try others, freshly scooped or by the pint (or gallon).
I also really like the green tea ice cream by Maeda en. Most japanese grocery stores carry it. Does anyone know where to buy green tea ice cream similar to Kirikos? I love the bitterness of it.

[fdb]

I haven't tried Kiriko's but for bitter green tea ice cream, I go to Mitsuwa Market on Centinela. It's from the snack/dessert vendor place just beyond the Japanese bookstore after you walk in the entrance. It's soft serve but has a firmer texture than normal soft serve. I like getting it with red bean and mochi topping to balance the bitterness.

[junglekitte]

I'm glad someone mentioned Saffron Spot in Artesia. I think their classic flavor with the saffron, pistachios, etc (ugh i can't think of the name!!!) is one of the best ice creams I've ever had hands down. I wanted to buy a pint to bring home but I have to admit their prices were steep and I didn't have a cooler handy (I live 45 minutes away)

I have lived away from the LA/OC area for a few years so I haven't tried most of the places that you all have mentioned. Sounds like I need a trip to Glaciers and Scoops soon!

As far as store bought pints:
I've tried the naga coconut-curry ice cream from Vosges and wasn't impressed. I really love their naga chocolate truffles though. Too bad.
I also LOVE Ben and Jerrys. Most flavors are great but their pistachio, vermonty python, and Mint Chocolate Cookie are the best!
Dr. Bob's is very good but not the best.
Ciao Bella is good too.Hazelnut is good.

ehhh they're ALL good. I'm an ice cream a holic!

[gado_gado]

If you have a chance, stop by a Fresh & Easy and pick up a pint of their own Chocolate Gelato. Make sure it is not the ice cream, but the Gelato one. I was really surprised.

[Servorg]

http://www.saffronspot.com/

[Ben7643]

Whats better then Dr. Bobs store bought Works or Strawberry Brown Sugar Sour Cream I need to know :). I'm talking the quart sizes not the pints of the "not up to par" stuff gelsons carries. IMO i haven't found a better quart/pint at a grocery store then the Dr. Bob's i've picked up several times from surfas but would love to find an amazing peanut butter with some cruncy chocolate or toffee chunks in it yum.

I believe ben and jerry's is giving away free ice cream cones today

and tomorrow Baskin Robins is giving away ice cream for 31 cents a scoop :)

[condiment]

Dr. Bob's is pretty amazing, especially if you get it fresh from the fairgrounds store. But I've been dreaming of the bitter caramel ice cream they sometimes have at Cora's in Santa Monica, a small taste of a happy afterlife in a parfait dish.

[ns1]

saffron spot was ok

i thought fosselman's blew them out of the water though

different type of ice creams though

[Ben7643]

I was down at the shopping center that houses Mitsuwa in Little Tokyo today and saw there was a ice cream shop called SCOOPS in there............ But before the word scoops it says LA so it's LA SCOOPS is this the same as the scoops everyone says has great ice cream? I didn't try it as i figured it was just a play on a famous name.

Ben

[SauceSupreme]

It is not the same. Not even close.

[ipsedixit]

Tai needs to find himself a good trademark lawyer.

[i4details]

Choctal. . Mashti Malones OMG Yes...Though I am feeling sentimental for an old fashioned fancy Peche Melba served in a glass dish on a doily with a macaroon . A SMALL scoop or two of super high fat goodness with a ripe peach and real raspberries. Does anyone remember Will Wrights?

[jackattack]

No, what was Will Wrights?

[sel]

Yea, my Grandma used to take me to Will Wrights in BH when I was a kid. She loved their coffee ice cream, mint chip for me!

[jesstifer]

I'll totally try Glacier next time I"m in Manhattan Beach (circa 2013). But not NEARLY enough love here for Mashti Malone's. Rosewater Saffron or Orange Blossom mashtis are truly one... okay, two... of a kind.

More gushy here:

http://lafoodcrazy.blogspot.com/2006/...

[french roast]

Two store-bought surprises:
I don't like all of their flavors, but Hagen-Daas makes a suprisingly good green tea ice cream, when you can find it. Nice green tea depth, very short ingredient list, and no corn syrup.

Also, if you happen to have one nearby, Fresh 'n Easy has a pretty good premium ice cream (their store brand) Might vary by flavor. Vanilla was amazing, strawberry was pretty good. And cheap!

[Ben7643]

Last night i stopped into Surfas to pick up a quart of ice cream. They didn't have the Dr. Bob's i wanted, but I tried a scoop of a ice cream made by Delicieuse which is in manhatten beach i think. Now surfas sells their quarts or little scoop sized servings to sample the flavors. It had the best consistency of any ice cream i've ever tried "i tried the lavender." The flavor was really good although i'm not a huge fan of lavender ice cream it was some of the best i've had. Although I have to say it's WAY too expensive for ice cream a quart was 16 bucks i think, and the little scoop sized servings were 3.25.

[bulavinaka]

I mentioned Delicieuse upthread, and I too tried and was amazed by the lavender at their shop. Delicieuse got some buzz on the boards about a year ago, but has been constantly overshadowed by places like Scoops and Bulgarini, which is fine - they deserve the praise. But Delicieuse keeps plugging along at what they do and they do it well. We stop by whenever we are in the general neighborhood - on Artesia in North Redondo - and the Filipino family that owns the place makes serves up artisan-quality French-style ice cream and sorbet.

Don't plan on getting in and out very quickly if you start talking with the patron of the restaurant. He is very proud of his products and will go into great detail as to why he feels his ice creams and sorbets are some of the best in town. He's classic Filipino 50s-60s male in that he almost always wears a baseball-type cap which drops your guard, but is extremely eloquent and full of great stories which just slip out bye-the-bye as the conversation progresses. My children love listening on his stories as well - sometimes hard to follow as he does have remnants of his accent from back home, but he stardusts his stories with some Malay and French just out of habit.

The selection is neither large nor small - they usually carry a variety of ice creams, goat's milk ice creams, and sorbets - I'd say about 12-16 flavors at any given time. The places doubles as a French-style cafe, and they are more than happy to do pairings of their frozen desserts with their meals. The ice creams are seriously full-fat and I personally feel that given the quality, their prices are justified but I've never bought anything by the pint. I think the prices are about the same per scoop as what you paid at Surfas, but maybe you'll find the size of Delicieuse's scoops to be a little more generous - and he is more than happy to set you up with as many samples as you like as well. You might want to stop by and try out some more flavors if you're down in the South Bay...

[Ben7643]

It's on my short list tonight i may try Bulgarini or Fosselmans depending on which way i end up heading. I think i read the current owners of Delicieuse bought the place years ago from a french guy who decided to run a trinkets shop instead. I've seen posts complaining the new owners concentrate more on ice cream then food then the original owner did. BUT that is what i'd go for the ice cream so i'm excited to get down there sometime and sample more of their flavors. I would say it's pricey for heavy fat ice cream at about 15 for a quart but at the same time it's probably the most homeade tasting ice cream i've had yet. So keeping that in mind it seems worth it for the occasional splurge :).

[bulavinaka]

Each of the three are different styles, so it's the flip of a three-sided coin... I guess it just depends on what direction you're headed. Where ever you go, you're there... enjoy!!!

[amela]

Thank you bulav for so eloquently summing up our experiences at Delicieuse! It took us 3 visits to understand his ice cream story but we loved every second of it, especially lounging in the back room and being served ice water while enjoying the most incredible ice cream (outside of The Chocolate Bar in Houston). I only wish they had better hours!

[westsidegal]

bulavinaka,
i'm with you on this.
imho, deliciieuse beats every other ice cream, period.

[bulavinaka]

More than worth the trip from the Westside, Gal. :)

[notmartha]

I finally got around to trying Glaciers (twice in last 5 days). This can become a very dangerous habit as I have ice cream for lunch. I drove by the store a few times before and never really thought about it, until I saw the posts and raves in this board.

I have to say, I agree absolutely about the raves. I had key lime pie ice cream and apricot gelato the first time, and they are totally true to taste. The key lime pie was so good I dropped by today, intending to take a pint home, but they were all out. I taste tested the death by chocolate (aptly named), mexican vanilla gelato (tasted a tad like caramel - very good), plum gelato, caramel oreo, and they were all great. It was hard to choose.

They have a few 'fun' flavors for kids that's a bit too sweet for me, but my 10 year old loved them - the birthday cake and the Trix.

Took 2 pints home but with the unusually heavy traffic they melted a bit despite freezer bag. I hope they are OK - if not I guess they'll make good milkshakes. Next time I'll go by Ralph's for the dry ice...

[Feed_me]

If you're not going to drive around for a long time, perhaps it's better to pack your cooler with "blue ice." I went to Glacier last weekend and since I was going to visit two different friends (one in Alhambra and the other in Montebello) I decided I would buy some dry ice at the Ralph's in Manhattan Beach (on Sepulveda). Let me warn you. You basically can only buy a big block of dry ice. It's something like $1.69 a pound and I ended up with a block costing almost $10 in a plastic bag (and then it was thrown into a regular heavy duty brown paper Ralph's bag). It was a big hunk of dry ice and they won't cut you a smaller piece. So unless you're buying a lot of ice cream you're stuck lugging around a big unwieldy block. I bought like 6 pints and two were hand packed. Glacier is very, very good but going by my feeble memory...I think I like Delicieuse a bit better. Not to say anybody would mind Glacier's stuff. It's really very good, but a few flavors were a bit too sweet. Wish I could identify, because I'm sure some of you are asking "which flavors?" I got Vanilla Bean, Strawberry, Strawberry gelato, White Peach gelato, Tiramisu and some dark chocolate flavor (I don't have the ice cream because I gave it away, but got a taste). The two strawberry flavors were hand packed and Glacier is noticeably less expensive than Delicieuse. Hand packed Glacier pints are (if memory serves) about a buck more than the pre-packed in the freezer case. Only real glitch was the Tiramisu was icy. Try 'em both...you'll be happy (your doctor and waistline won't). In the past I've had various quarts of Delicieuse from Surfas (which are like $15 a quart, or thereabouts). The young gal who served me at Glacier was real nice and helpful.

[bulavinaka]

As Glacier seems to have taken up most of this thread, I have to get out there and try their goods. But my memories of Delicieuse are very fond - our last trip was a few monthes ago, and I can offer nothing but very positive recs for their ice creams and sorbets.

[notmartha]

Thanks for the info for the dry ice. The hand packed is indeed more expensive than the pre-packed, and it also a tad warmer, so melted more.

I solved the traffic problem by taking the pints to work and freeze them for a few days, and put them into a thermos bag minus any ice for the drive home. Actually the slightly melted ice cream didn't develop any ice particles even when refreeze. I didn't try any of the flavors you mentioned. So far the best is still key lime pie, chewy chocolate peanut butter (=reeses pb cups), caramel oreos. My son polished off the 2 pints of Trix (super, super sweet) in 4 sittings.

I will check out Delicieuse at Surfas or Whole Foods.

[bulavinaka]

I'm not sure what size containers the prepacked Delicieuse comes in but it might be more productive to drop by their shop on Artesia in North RB. You can sample the flavors there instead of committing to whole containers elsewhere.

[epop]

the new Rose Market on Westwood, just south of Wilshire (W. Side of Street) --
they have tasty and unique flavors, like orange blossom and basil seed. My friend loves their watermelon ice cream while I get the faloudeh (a noodle sorbet) with gol'e bol bol, a saffron french style ice cream. I like it more than Mashti Malone, but definitely like both. On the west side that is my first choice.

[ktanji]

I thought Milk's ice cream (only tried vanilla) was pretty darn good.

Fosselman's is solid ice cream but not the best in town

[Mr Taster]

I recently did a side-by-side tasting of Mashti & Fosselman's. Mashti's is significantly more dense and creamy and a pint container of MM is significantly heavier than an equivalent volume of Fosselman's. Not to say that Fosselman's isn't up to par... it's great. But MM is a much more rich, sensuous, decadent experience.

Mr Taster

[rickym13]

just went to fosselman and got fresh peach and root beer :)

[jillso]

Wait a cotton pickin' minute, Mr. Taster? Did you get a hand-packed-pint of Mashti's and a hand-packed pint of Fosselmans?

[Mr Taster]

Well, I bought Mashti's at his shop on La Brea from the freezer case, and my cousin bought the Fosselman's. So I don't have all the info. But Fosselman's definitely had more air whipped into it, resulting in a lighter product. Mashti's has a much denser, thicker consistency... you can string it out a bit with your spoon, if you know what I mean.

Mr Taster

[jillso]

I've just noticed that Fosselmann's by the half gallon is very aerated, but the scoops in the shop or the hand-packed pints at the shop are much better. Actually I like light and aerated sometimes....but for comparison's sake you gotta be fair.
I know what you mean about Mashti's and the spoon....but to me that's just gumminess, not thickness. Like too much guar gum or whatever. Have you tried Glacier? Or the Silky Smooth custard in the Beverly Center?

[Mr Taster]

I've had Silky Smooth... it's such a sad looking little stand, like a throwback to 1986, but the ice cream is really surprisingly good. I always feel bad that they don't seem to do more business, but they've been there for many years now, so they must be making some kind of profit.

Regarding Mashti, I wondered if the stringiness had to do with the addition of gums. When I make ice cream at home, it never has that kind of consistency.

Mr Taster

[kjs]

Sorry to hear that the Glacier in vegas closed - it was a terrible location for an ice cream place.

i'm driving back from vegas on monday for some LA biz and all this talk about ice cream will push me towards my old fav - handel's in upland . i think it's worthy of consideration for best ice cream in so cal - it's definitetly worth a visit if you are in the area.

happy eating !

[jillso]

Where the heck is Handel's? I've had Dr. Bobs in Upland, and Bert 'n Rocky's...but never Handels. Had some great ice cream the other day at Danielle's Chocolate Shop in Vegas, however.

[kjs]

what a coincidence - i just had the blueberry cheesecake and the chocolate cherry at danielles - didn't even know it existed but for my tour of vegas places that serve sliders ( i was at bigdogs a stones throw away ) - they served an amount between a pint and a quart - huge portion for under $4. nice texture and of course cool goodness in 100+ degree weather - but marchiano (sp) cherries - why ?!?! i'll defintely try again !

http://www.handelsicecream.com/locati...

[choctastic]

OMG, just went to Handels and got the four flavor sampler. Butter Pecan was the standout with huge crispy pecan halves in a not too heavy, creamy ice cream base. I'm not a huge fan of butter pecan and thus was initially reluctant to get it despite the urging of the counter guy, but this is easily the best I've ever had. I am a new convert. They said they make a lot of this flavor every day. Banana cream pie (good fresh banana flavor with chunks of crust) was good too.

That said, I wasn't such a huge fan of the other flavors I got, some chocolate with cookies in it (not chocolatey enough for me), and some kind of vanilla malt flavor with a weird name. Not saying they were bad but not my thing.

4 scoop sampler was $5. Can't beat that with a stick. Well maybe at Scoops you can. Love Scoops.

[risottoman]

Scoops is made with very little fat so the consistency can get dicey if not consumed fresh. That's why the best thing to do is go midday or early Saturday and get first dibs on all the flavors right after they're made (which is every morning). You get creamy texture without loads of fat, making it easier to taste the unique flavors. But going on purity, a simple chocolate ice cream scoop could give any other ice cream shop in LA a run for its money. Guaranteed.

[OCAnn]

Gosh...do we have anything in OC?

[HulaShakeJaz]

Maybe there's an OC string...

[choctastic]

There's Han's ice cream in Costa Mesa. It's sort of the Fosselman's of OC.

[Jolly]

I consume more frozen yogurt than ice cream but I have a few faves. My all time favorite is plain vanilla but willing to try different flavors.

Mashti Malone's is ok but not my favorite. I think their portion is too small as well. I wish I could try Deliceuse but they are far from me.

My favorite right now is coffee with toffee ice cream at Milk on Beverly and Poinsettia. I can eat a lot of this ice cream which is very coffee-y and creamy and strong. Their vanilla is ok but seemed rather flavorless to me though very rich.

I want to try Scoops and Glacier. I never eat Ben & Jerry coz I thought I saw corn syrup in their vanilla ice cream? I forget, I should check it again.

[jillso]

Trader Joe's Vanilla is good (Double Rainbow), and for low-fat, Starbucks Coffee ice Cream light latte is excellent. Probably the only low-fat ice cream I'll eat.

[robl]

Last time I went to Trader Joe's the ice cream brands changed to Trader Joe's brand, as well as Ben & Jerry's. Maybe it was just that visit, but then again, everything at TJ's seems to be switching to private label.

[choctastic]

The ice cream tastes exactly the same to me as the previous version though. It could be my tastebuds are fried (yep) or it's just the same stuff repackaged.

[jillso]

Nope, Trader Joes just put their new labeling on the same old (delicious) Double Rainbow ice creams. And each half-gallon still has that annoying golf-ball-sized air hole in the middle.

[al3xa]

Little Flower Cafe on Colorado in Pasadena. They only have three or four flavors available at any time (and not always available) but they're spectacular. Little Flower Salted Caramel, Brown Sugar and Madagascan Vanilla, Strawberry and Black Pepper Sorbet, Lime & Mint Sorbet, etc. The Salted Caramel is the best ice-cream I've ever had, pushing out the cardamom ice-cream I had at Manka in NoCal from the top spot.

[notmartha]

I love their salted caramel candy, so thanks for the tip.

[scoot]

Surprised nobody has mentioned Al Gelato, though obviously it's gelato.

There is also Dewar's, which IMO is the best ice cream I've ever eaten, at least when eaten in hot fudge sundae form. (Amazing marshmallow topping.) Unfortunately, Dewar's is only found at the Disney Fountain Store next to the El Capitan theater, so the atmosphere is pretty dreadful. (The original Dewar's is up in Bakersfield, where the sundaes are three bucks!)

A great store ice cream, somewhat surprisingly, is the Mud Pie from Starbucks. Ben and Jerry's Oatmeal Cookie is also a really unique, delicious flavor.

[sel]

Dewar's in Bakersfield has been on my 'to try' list for so long. Is it really that good?

[felnzo]

Al gelato Robertson Bl between Olympic and Wilshire . All made in house Pistachio and the Banana are excellent. The pasta are great too.

[Das Ubergeek]

I had dinner in Manhattan Beach the other night and afterwards stopped at Glacier... I have to assume they were having a bad night, because the first freezer case (the one closest to the menu board on the right) had clearly had some melting going on -- there was a frozen 'puddle' on top of each flavour like the top had melted and refrozen.

I had the s'more, which was quite good (but I would have liked even more graham cracker!) and the Funky Donkey, which -- well, I'm not really sure. It tasted OK but the texture was all, hm, stretchy. I only ate a few bites of that part before I pitched the cup -- it was elastic -- weird. The key lime that I sampled was really good (just too tart for what I wanted that night). I was bummed that there was no coconut-chocolate to be seen, because that's what I went for.

I have yet to try Scoops or Fosselman's, but maybe I'll retry Glacier on a different day, hoping for better temperature control... it reminded me of the Glendale branch of Mashti Malone's, where you can always tell that the desserts have been transported from the mother ship in Hollywood in a truck with faulty cooling.

[tamplanter]

I had the same experience at Glacier several times. I wanted to like it (close by me, nice people...) but texture and taste were always off...

[schrutefarms]

Nothing wrong with Thrifty's ice cream. I grew up on the stuff. I have been getting the same combo all my life--regular cone, one scoop of black cherry, one scoop of chocolate malted crunch.

[saucydiva]

At Glacier in Manhattan Beach today, I sampled several ice creams that were all perfectly delightful but ended up buying the chocolate sorbet, which was absolutely decadent. I paired it with an under-flavored orange sorbet; next time I will get the pistachio gelato instead. Yum!

[a213b]

I went and did some sampling a couple weekends ago down in the Redondo/Manhattan Beach area, and here's the long and the short of my experiences.

Glacier: Really good, "classic" ice cream with some cool flavors. Everything was tasty, the staff were super attentive and willing to both answer any/all questions we had AND let us sample to our hearts' content. I ended up with one of the chocolate flavors, but couldn't even finish it -- partly because it was so rich, but also due to the fact that prior to Glacier we had gone to ...

Deliceuse: Oh. My. God! This is, to put it simply, some of (if not THE) best Ice Cream I've ever had. Patricia (the owner and proprietress) was truly a delight, and seemed to be enthused by our fascination with her ingredients (sourcing, quality, etc), her artistry, and the love and attention she puts into her artisanal ice creams.

She makes both goat's milk and cow's milk ice creams, and while some flavors may not have been flavors I would enjoy, period, I could STILL tell that they were truly rich, luscious flavors. Her Goat's Milk Vanilla is sublime (has another name, but ask and she'll know what I mean), and her Mona Lisa (I believe it's made from 95% Cacao) is like god himself reached down and decided to make a heavenly chocolate ice cream. Her Mango sorbet was literally like eating a mango ... but better!

Overall, here's how I would equate the two, as they are both delicious and a cut above (at the LEAST) most other ice cream shops:

Glacier Ice Creams are like a burger at Father's Office, while Deliceuse Ice Creams are like getting A5 Wagyu at Cut. Both are scrumptious and delicious, but in completely different ways. I would happily eat at Glacier Mon - Thu* were I in the area and wanting some Ice Cream.

But, I will (and have a couple times already) happily make the drive from the SFV down to Redondo just for some Deliceuse.

* Deliceuse is only open to the public Fri - Sun, which is why I would do Glacier the other days of the week; Patricia makes her ice creams Mon - Thu for sale to local grocery stores and epicurean markets (e.g. Surfas).

[amela]

Perfectly explained the difference. Now if Deliceuse would only expand their hours! In the winter they have often been known to close early so call first.

[bulavinaka]

I've been to Glacier twice now - found their ice creams to be okay - maybe I was expecting more from Glacier being hyped so much. I think they do a lot of overlap with many of their flavors. It's kinda like fusiony cuisine but with ice cream - the first couple of samples are interesting, but after that, it's all a blur - everything starts to taste similar. Someone upthread mentioned the piles of melted ice cream on top of newly opened tubs. I found that to be a huge turn-off. I love tempered ice cream, but let me do the tempering; otherwise, it's just trash sitting on top of good ice cream.

I couldn't agree more with you on Deliceuse. I gave them a few shout-outs up-thread because I was probably as blown away as you were. The patriarch of the family impressed us with the level of effort and pride he takes in his craft. The strawberry goat's milk ice cream was amazing. I think what is a serious endorsement for Deliceuse is the fact that Surfas carries their ice creams, and to be honest, Surfas doesn't really carry much ice cream (given the size of the place). Using that analogy about Glacier's flavors seeming like fusiony cuisine but with ice cream, Deliceuse is innovative in some of its flavors but not to the point of gimmickry. They do the classics very well, but do offer innovative flavors and bases (at least to me) that scream artisan as well. The difference in their approach are the various new combinations are unique unto themselves within their collection and many serve a purpose (e.g., lemon basil sorbet to cleanse the palate between courses) or were created to address a need (e.g., according to what we were told, a high quality goat's milk ice cream was originally created by Deliceuse at the request of a wealthy customer in New York who is allergic to cow's milk). Those who are interested in a high quality product should give Deliceuse a go...

[a213b]

bulavinaka, I agree with you that Glacier does seem a bit fusion-y. However, when I went, there was no issue with melted ice cream on top, though I'm sure it's happened in the past.

I do, though, TOTALLY agree that after sampling 5 - 10 different flavors, I could not at all recall what I had tried ... everything melted together.

With respect to Deliceuse, I'm obviously on board with you. I was simply blown away, and have since raved about it to everyone I know -- not just those who love ice cream, but those who can appreciate a talented craftswoman and artist's work.

Glacier is the place to go with kids or just have some good, down-home fun ice cream.

Deliceuse is the place to take discriminating adults who are looking for the highest quality and flavors that are authentic and full of depth.

[bulavinaka]

Well put about Glacier being a great place to take the kids. Ours in fact did love it. And likewise with Deliceuse - while our kids loved it, they haven't begged for us to take them back. I think Deliceuse's interior doesn't do it for them, while Glacier has the chairs and tables with lots of other families slurping down cups and cones.

I know lavender is a love-it-or-hate-it proposition with most, but I found Deliceuse's version to be just incredible. If you're willing, at least get a sample of it if they're offering it on your next visit.

[Ben7643]

I used to drive down to Glacier often, however the past few times they didn't have the peanut butter chocolate melt flavors I love and i got frustrated....... So haven't been back in awhile "i know call ahead" maybe soon i'll try to get down there and see whats new. Have to agree with everyone the consistency of Deliceuse is excellent. I found better though, consistency wise. Every week on tuesday in culver city there is a farmers market and there's a little stand there that makes a few flavors, the salted caramel, and the expresso one are absolutely amazing. They are very pricey though at 9 dollars for a quart I won't be buying it that often. I'm hoping to get out to mashti's again soon, that place is always fun.

[tnilsson]

Hands down: Al Gelato in Beverly Hills. They also have great Italian pastries. All gelato and pastries are made on site and they sell pints as well. And they top their gelato with the best whipped cream in California. I think they are a sister gelato shop to at least one in Italy and one in Chicago.