We were looking for a nice homemade ice cream shop and ended up at Van Leeuwen in the East Village. This ice cream parlor started its adventure selling ice cream in yellow postal trucks, before expending and opening a brick and mortar location, as well as...an Indonesian restaurant. Don't ask me how the two relates and let say that the common link is entrepreneurship.
All the ice cream served at Van Leeuwen are made in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, with organic ingredients for the most part purchased at small producers. For instance, the milk is hormone and antibiotic free. They say that they use "ingredients celebrated by nature, not science", that is a welcomed statement in a world smothered with processed food.
The place in the East Village is big and has an antic feel, probably thanks to the wooden floor, tables & chairs and counter, as well as the filament apparent bulbs.
We were not sure what to get there as there were many yummy flavors proposed. They have of course the classic: vanilla, chocolate or hazelnut, but also some strange one: ginger, currants and cream, Ceylon cinnamon or earl grey tea. They also have a bunch of vegan choices made with coconut or cashew milk.
Jodi decided to order two scoops: coconut and salted caramel.
Although I liked the coconut (Jodi who is the coconut pro did not like it), I thought that the caramel was a bit too salty, the saltiness becoming a problem after few bites.
On my side, I ordered the classic Sunday.
It was made of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, salted caramel and walnuts.
That was big and pretty decadent, full of flavors considering the multiple ingredients they use. The ice cream was fantastic: creamy and tasty, with the strawberry one having this fresh fruit taste that definitely sets it apart.
Although I did not like everything at Van Leeuwen, I would definitely go back to try some other flavors or maybe their banana split that seem to be fantastic.
Enjoy (I did)!
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And Remember: I Just Want To Eat!
