There’s something very special about a hearty scoop (or three) of quality ice-cream or gelato. When life is good, it seals in the joy. When life isn’t so sweet, the ice-cream is.
For me, ice-cream (or gelato) is intrinsic to travel. I travel through food, as much as anything else. I am fortunate enough to not have to worry about what is in my food, which means I can try pretty much anything, anywhere. In a new destination, I’ll generally seek out a combination of street food, some inherently local dining experiences, and often a fine dining experience as well. No matter what though, I will research and sample the best ice-cream (or gelato) that is on offer.
We road-tripped through Southern California this last week, and I overdid it in the most fabulous way - and was rewarded with a dozen delicious scoops (the last ten of them in the space of about 24 hours).
Carmela Ice Cream - Pasadena, CA
This was my lunch on Tuesday after a long drive, and boy did it hit the spot.
Lavender Honey
Cardamom
Soft and creamy, but most importantly, full of flavor without being overpowering, and not cloyingly sweet.
Sanders and Sons Gelato - Ojai, CA
A very very late lunch on Friday. Outstanding - if you’re in the area, it’s a don’t miss.
Raspberry Chocolate Chip
Valrhona Chocolate
Follow Your Passion Fruit (sorbet)
Pear Caramel
The two fruit flavours were the standout. The passionfruit was bold and intense, and retained the tang and tartness of the fruit. The pear was juicy and sharp, but softened by the, thankfully, subtle caramel.
McConnell’s - Santa Barbara, CA
An excellent Sunday post-lunch quadruple scoop. After a passable, but overall disappointingly bland birria mulita at the heralded Yona Redz, I needed a pick-me-up, and McConnell’s delivered the refreshment I was looking for in the relative warmth after the overnight storms.
Eureka Lemon and Marionberries (2 scoops)
Salted Caramel Chip
Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate
My only criticism was that the chips in the latter two were firm and crunchy rather than melt in your mouth. Talenti somehow gets that right in their raspberry chocolate chip - and for someone like me who abhors bits in their ice cream, this matters.
The lemon though, was exquisite, which is why I doubled up on it and made sure that would be the finish. Some would say the marionberry swirls were too sweet, but I’m good with sweet, and they contrasted nicely with the lemon.
Rori’s @ The Public Market - Santa Barbara, CA
Billed by some as the best ice-cream in Santa Barbara, and it certainly lived up to that reputation for me. This followed a (shared!) dinner of Pad Thai and a Falafel plate, so light and refreshing was the order of the day. Nailed it.
Honey Lavender
Lemon Curd
I only wish I could have tried more flavours. So, so good.
If anyone has recommendations for ice-creams that I should indulge in (anywhere in the world), please let me know!