We all know that coffee encounters make great first dates. Affordable, enjoyable and you can quickly test the chemistry from behind your frothy coffee…
So, with the summer in full swing, we thought ice cream dates were the next best thing!
Here is our ‘sticky-fingered scoop’ on the best places and the very best flavours in town…
The Wonder Room Selfridges
To celebrate Magnum’s 25th birthday, Selfridges is hosting a Make My Magnum experience. Here until August 30 at the Wonder Room, customers can create their very own personalised ice cream, including ice-cream flavour, chocolate coating and decadent topping to design their ultimate ice cream. There are over 20,000 coatings to choose from – and they have every topping going, from chilli flakes, to almonds and edible rose petals.
Chin Chin Labs
This innovative ice cream parlour, based in Camden Lock, is London’s very first to use nitrogen. Yep, that’s right instead of freezer stored ice cream, these guys make theirs by cooling nitrogen vapours instead. And the best part is that they do it right in front of you, while you wait! Pondicherry vanilla and Valrhona chocolate are always available, plus two changing special flavours; then choose a topping (held in science beakers) or sauce.
Lick
Fancy some Honey Puffs ice cream? Or how about a red bean or mojito-flavoured scoop or two? Located a stone’s throw from Soho Square, this ice cream shop is open from morning until late and has a cool, modish seating area and good tunes playing. A great first date option, we think.
Ruby Violet
With weekly changing flavours made in a Victorian dairy on site at this Tufnell Park/Kentish Town ice cream parlour, you will never be short of choice. Example flavours include basil and lemon, banana and liquorice, rice pudding and apricots and salted caramel with almond nut brittle. If Tufnell Park is just that bit too far, it might be worth seeking out their travelling van, via their Facebook or Twitter pages.
La Gelatiera
Located in the heart of Covent Garden, La Gelatiera also offers some crazy flavours, from Japanese black sesame or Cornish blue and Walnuts, to pear and Saki or basil and chilli. They use seasonal produce and an organic local dairy and encourage visitors to check out their laboratory inside the shop. They also serve a mean coffee, locally roasted by master roasters.
Oddono’s
All the gelato served here is produced in the South Kensington artisan laboratory, using in-house recipes, passed down through the Oddono family. To date, they have made over 130 flavours and some of their most popular are chocolate, nocciola (hazelnut), bacio (milky chocolate and hazelnut) and pistachio. They also offer dairy free and low-carb options, alongside a range of hot drinks.
Gelateria 3Bis
You would expect nothing less than a bona fide gelateria in London’s Borough Market and 3Bis was born in Rimini, on the Adriatic Coast. The shop is characterised by its concept “artigianalita”, which means craftsmanship and they source high quality, organic ingredients from all over Europe, including Sicilian pistachios, hazelnuts from Piemonte and liquorice from Calabria. As well as ice creams, they also serve sorbet, ice cream cakes, crepes, brioches and speciality coffees.
William Curley
He has won British Chocolatier of the year five times, and while his patisseries and chocolate treats may be the focus of his work, William Curley’s ice cream is definitely worth trying. He offers around a dozen flavours at any one time at his Belgravia boutique, combining unusual, often Oriental flavours, such as white caramelised miso. Pull up a chair at the dessert bar and enjoy!
Freggo
With the tag line “so cool, it’s hot”, Freggo is the UK branch of Argentina’s poshest ice cream parlour. Just five minutes from Piccadilly Circus, the menu is a simple one with traditional flavours alongside passion fruit cheesecake and Irish cream and other treats, including hot pancakes and a range of savoury options. How about sharing a 500g or 1kg sharing tub?
Amorino
Based on Old Compton Street, this ice cream parlour makes your cone into the shape of a rose. Traditional and typically Italian and founded by childhood best friends, they serve organic ice creams which are free from preservatives, artificial colourings and flavourings. When summers out, seats will be at a premium, so be prepared to queue.
What’s your flavour? Would you share yours? (no, frankly)
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