Jfood Initial Feedback on Ice Cream (MSP)

[jfood]

With 90 degree weather this week, jfood decided to try some of your great recommendations. He visited Crema, Pumphouse Cremery and Birchwood Cafe for some Izzy's. Here are his rankings:

1 - Organic Banana at Pumphouse - Deepest flavor, rich creaminess, best abnana jfood has ever tasted
2 - Crema at Crema - The creaminess and latte like flavor was heaqvenly. The creaminess of Crema was the best of the three
3 - Izzy's Vanilla at Birchwood - jfood liked the vanilla seeds crunching as he ate through the scoop
4 - Banana with chocolate chips and caramel at Crema - jfood thought this would challenge the Organic Banan but the flavor just did not take off like Pumphouse
5 - Chocolate coffee and homemade toffee at Pumphouse - the flavors just did not come together and there was barely any toffee

Next time jfood will head to the St Paul Izzy and Sebastian Joes.

[puddin head]

you may want to try Liberty Custard next. Great atmosphere (converted garage) and deeeelicious frozen custard.

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Liberty Frozen Custard
5401 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55419

[getgot211]

A while back there was a thread with several people saying Pumphouse's ice cream had a 'greasiness' to it. is that no longer an issue?

[faith]

I posted that problem with Pumphouse icecream that I bought at the Wedge- seems like something happened to it to cause that, don't know why. It was fine, and has always been fine when eaten at the Pumphouse store. Could have something to do with the organic cream they were using- I tried making whipped cream in a blender with Cedar Summit heavy cream and it was almost instantly butter....hmm, maybe that's why Pumphouse switched organic dairies....

[jfood]

if you make custard at home you will also get that layer of cream on your lips. That is a good sign. Sorta like saying you should not have a sweet dessert wine like sauterne with foie gras. Live and learn

[mngal]

Don't forget Grand Ole Creamery....great foodie shop down the block - The Golden Fig.

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Grand Ole Creamery
750 Grand Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55105

Chocolate Fig
790 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105

[jfood]

it is going to be tough duty. jfood already getting up at 515 to exercise so he can not have goodyear written on his side and still get to work by 730.

[mngal]

if anyone can do it, jfood can!!

[faith]

Wow jfood, the organic banana at pumphouse was one of the only flavors I didn't try tonight- didn't feel I could make them give me every single one to try...but I will take your recommendation on it for next time. And I did try the choc/coffee/toffee but then couldn't remember what it tasted like about 5 tastes later....kind of fits with your asessment. I also love the crema at Sonny's. Sebastian Joe's doesn't 'take off' as you aptly described pumphouse banana- anyway, thanks for the reviews!
oh, p.s. RE: Birchwood- they are famous for their great desserts- I hope you are going to try some, not just the Izzy's....they do excellent and lower sugar versions of many things of which I highly approve- kind of the way pumphouse does their ice cream- no skimping on the fat though...

[tart1]

I agree with mngal - don't forget Grand Ole Creamery. My sis and I did a taste test a couple years ago and we like Grand Ole Creamery over Izzy's - firm decision, but can't remember the details. Personally, I think it is more like the Punch Pizza vs. Pizza Nea argument, and comes down to personal choice. At the same time, it's really worth a stop, I think.