LA's donut queen is back. This time Nastassia AKA
@LetMeEatCake has her sugar-coated gaze fixed firmly on frozen nirvana so you can get the very best in the summer heat.
Some say the Chinese invented the frosty treat as far back as 3,000 BC, but the Italians will passionately dispute that their gelato came first in the 17th century. Either way, there’s no doubt that the ice cream phenomenon transcends all cultures.
Craving flavors like cilantro lime cheesecake, almond brittle with salted ganache, or straight-up wholesome vanilla? Scoop up all of LA’s best ice cream spots via Nastassia’s favorites:
Sweet Rose Creamery
Fairfax + Studio City + 3 more LA locations, $4 (Single Scoop)
Nastassia Johnson: Sweet Rose Creamery, now with several locations from Santa Monica to Mid-City, offers amazing farmers market-inspired ice cream crafted by chef Shiho Yoshikawa. With seasonal flavors like Summer Corn and Stone Fruit Sorbet, you will question whether you are eating ice cream or the fruits/vegetables themselves. They also have a solid selection of classic flavors that are always available like vanilla, salted caramel, and fresh mint.
Larchmont, Venice, Studio City, $4 (Single scoop)
NJ: Salt & Straw, a Portland transplant, is quickly becoming a neighborhood favorite and developing a cult following comparable to their following in PDX. Their menu plays heavily on community, partnering with local artisans for ingredients to craft unique ice cream flavors like their Stumptown Coffee and Compartes Love Nuts flavor. Another very special aspect to the Salt & Straw menu is head ice cream maker Tyler Malek’s monthly rotating lineup of flavors inspired by the seasons. While they offer classic flavors (with a twist of course), like sea salt caramel ribbon, they get inventive with ingredients, offering pairings like Avocado & Strawberry Sherbet or Strawberry with Cilantro Lime Cheesecake.
Curious where Tyler gets his frozen fix in LA? Check out his favorites
HERE.
Gin Spiced Blackberry Jam & Chocolate Chips. Image courtesy of @saltandstraw
McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams
DTLA / Studio City, $4.75 (Single serve - 2 flavors)
NJ: McConnell’s, the Santa Barbara darling with locations in Grand Central Market and now Studio City, churns small-batch ice cream using milk and cream from their own creamery. Their ice cream is rich and creamy and always leave you wanting more. They only use quality sustainable and organic ingredients and their flavors range from classic to seasonally specific. They are deliciously modern yet homey. Even if it’s just a taste, be sure to try their sea salt cookies and cream. It’s one of my favorites!
Hollywood and more, $4.75 (Single Scoop)
NJ: LA seems to have a trend in seasonally specific ice cream flavors, but who can blame us — we have great produce! Carmela is just such a purveyor, using farm fresh ingredients and often selling at specialty food shops or local farmers markets from their cute retro ice cream truck. Their crowd favorite is the fresh mint with cacao nibs. As far as fresh mint ice creams go, this one is the tops.
Palms; $3.50 (Single scoop)
NJ: Given where you live in LA, you’ll likely have a Scoops not terribly far away. Each location serves a rotating selection of creative flavors and often takes customer suggestions. Scoops Westside, my favorite haunt, have fun offerings like Red Velvet Rocky Road or Chai Kahlua. However, there is one constant between the locations, and my personal favorite flavor: Brown Bread. There is actually no bread in it at all. The nutty deliciousness comes from a healthy serving of Grape Nuts. I can’t help but order a scoop every time I visit.
Blackberry mint prosecco on vanilla honey green tea. Image courtesy of @scoopswestside
Mothermoo Creamery
Sierra Madre, $4.50 (Single Scoop)
NJ: Tucked away in Sierra Madre in what feels like a small town shopping center is Mother Moo Creamery. Karen Klemens handcrafts some incredible ice cream here using organic Strauss cream and milk. The flavors are decadent and the selection small, which makes the ordering process a little easier. While you may want one scoop of everything, may I suggest her Organic Cornflake flavor. It tastes like childhood mornings in an ice cream form.
Fairfax, $4.50 (Single Scoop)
NJ: This Original Farmer’s Market family-owned old-fashioned ice cream stand has been serving customers since 1946. It definitely has a nostalgic look and taste with an almost thick and chewy ice cream. While they have inventive flavors like Cabernet Sauvignon, I always stick with the classics like Butter Pecan or Rainbow Sherbet.
Cabernet Sauvignon. Image courtesy of @horsyyy
Magpies Soft Serve
Silver Lake, $3.95 (Single Small Serving)
NJ: Los Angeles is very much an ice cream or gelato kind of town — you don’t often find soft serve available, or stand alone soft serve locations. Magpies in Silver Lake is changing that. The recently opened shop is already pleasing crowds with their soft serve made from scratch. Their small opening menu includes seven flavors like strawberry rhubarb and malted milk chocolate, alongside housemade toppings.
Thai Tea soft serve with house made caramel. Image courtesy of @magpiessoftserve
HONEYMEE Los Angeles
Koreatown / Sawtelle + tons of OC locations, Single scoop $4.25
NJ: HoneyMee in K-town serves soft and creamy ‘true milk’ ice cream (which is basically soft serve). They use fresh California milk to create the perfect ice cream and the classic topping is raw honey and/or honeycomb that comes from a local certified bee farm. True milk soft serve plus honey, it sounds simple. But its simplicity is why it really shines. It is truly an addictive sweet treat. If you want to have even more fun, they also offer the Babee, which is true milk soft serve drizzled in honey and served in a sweet bun. Think of it as the hot dog of ice creams.
Follow Nastassia’s insanely addictive blog LetMeEatCake.com and Instagram @letmeeatcake for a never-ending feed of succulent sweets.
Warning: Expect serious sugar highs.
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Belinda Gosbee is an Aussie writer, actress and coffee snob based in Los Angeles. Follow her jaunts on twitter @belindagosbee or instagram @gos22