The Cold Stone Experience

Faizly has been telling me about this unique ice cream shop in Roppongi. “Best kak… Tak mahal pun, 500 yen je… Baik akak try” He personally suggested one ice cream with peanut butter mix-in, which appears on the page in which Cold Stone Creamery describes its’ “creations” (as against ‘flavors’).

Ok, what makes Cold Stone different from Haagen Daaz or Baskin Robbins is that one gets to mix and match different flavors into their order. Instead of toppings, they have mix-ins, because the additional flavors are blended in the ice cream instead of being a last minute topping.

So, last Friday, Ridzuan, hubby and I went to Roppongi Hills after Asar to try the ice cream at the Cold Stone Creamery. I had done some homework, so we went there prepared with the list of ingredients for our own crazy creations for hubby and I. However, upon reaching there, we found out that the ice cream selection in a Japanese outlet (currently they have 8 shops, of which 4 are in Tokyo area) is not as vast as in their USA counterpart. I was quite disappointed to note that no Bubble Gum, Cotton Candy or Cake Batter flavors were on the display, and even the mix-ins selection too is a tad limited. I guess it must be due to trying to cater to Japanese’s rather bland taste bud. Japanese like delicate flavors and flavors that blend well together; nothing too sweet, yet fresh and fruity. That explains why Strawberry Shortcake Serenade (sweet cream ice cream, strawberries, yellow cake and whipped cream) and Berry, Berry, Berry Good (sweet cream ice cream, strawberries, raspberries, blue berries) are popular here

Since I was given the task to do the ordering (because neither hubby nor Ridzuan wanted to stand in the long queue in the freezing weather), I decided to just add-in a little bit on their Original Creations – cute, creative and yummy-sounding names with matching taste, if you ask me. Ridzuan asked for Chocolate Devotion (chocolate ice cream, chocolate brownies, chocolate chips, and chocolate fudge) added with roasted almond. I chose Cheesecake Fantasy (cheesecake ice cream, strawberries, blue berries, Graham’s pie crust) added with raspberries and pistachio nuts for myself. Since they don’t offer Candy Land (cake batter ice cream, M&Ms, Snickers, Kit-kat), I finally settled on ordering Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip (mint ice cream, chocolate chips, brownie, fudge) added with M&M’s, Kit-kat and whipped cream for hubby.

The creations come in three different sizes -"Like It" (Small), "Love It" (Medium), and "Gotta Have It" (Really huge portion). I chose to pay additional 50 yen for the fresh-from-the-oven waffle bowls. The waffle cones and bowls could come plain or dipped in chocolate syrup, and I chose the latter.

Watching the crew prepared the ice cream was an experience not to be missed. The crew scoop out the ice cream with two scoops, put the ice cream on a flat granite counter (which immediately reminded me of the flat pan we use to make okonomiyaki or murtabak) to keep the ice cream from melting, then all the different mix-ins are added and blended together. It’s almost like watching somebody making rojak minus the mixing bowl. Finally, the mixed Creations are served in either regular Styrofoam cups or waffle cones and bowls.

Faizly did not experience this – but while waiting for my order, the whole crew sang the store theme songs. I later found out that they will also sing songs if a customer leave some tips in the tip jar at the cashier point – which could annoy some customers, but I found it kind of cute albeit a bit quirky.

I was surprised to note that the line had only grown longer as I returned to our seats – mostly made up of Japanese girls and gaijin. A girl handed out mini fleece blankets for us to warm our legs just before we started devouring our ice cream. The completed Creation looks very luxurious and delicious. The texture of the ice cream is very creamy and rich, and slightly to the lighter side, perfect for blending the additional mix-ins’ taste.

My Cheesecake Fantasy

I simply loved the Cheesecake Fantasy. It’s because I can choose between having strawberry cheesecake, blue berry cheesecake or raspberry cheesecake alternatively as I chose how to spoon my ice cream. The ice cream itself was to die for – it tastes better than Haagen Daaz’s cheesecake and I thought that was already awesome.

Hubby's Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip

Hubby’s Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip was not too bad – but he said it might taste better if I added in some nuts – macadamia, pecan, almond or pistachio – or Graham’s pie crust to balance the sweetness. I thought it was already good though – maybe it became a tad too sweet due to the additional M&M’s and Kit-kat (which hubby is fond of).

Ridzuan's half-eaten Chocolate Devotion

Chocolate Devotion however is strictly for chocolate lovers. I found it to be a bit overwhelming in taste. Even Ridzuan who is a self-professed chocolate lover could not finish his due to its over-chocolatey taste and size. But then again, hubby too did not manage to finish his, so I guess it’s recommended for the guys to go for the small size instead of medium. Leave the medium ones for girls and don’t even contemplate having a large order…

Huzaifah nibbling on the chocolate-dipped waffle

The price is slightly expensive (over 2000 yen for three medium-size servings), but it could be a great treat once in a while. Already we are contemplating a return trip – probably when Ridzuan’s wife arrive in Japan. She’s still in Malaysia and would be joining Ridzuan sometime in early 2007. The atmosphere is nice, the ice cream simply delicious, with friendly crews. Just hope that the queue is not that long – or else it could be quite frustrating to wait since the longer the queue is the less chance of you wanting a tasting spree before ordering so that you don’t infuriate other waiting customers.

Unfortunately, there is no Cold Stone Creamery outlet yet in Malaysia – but chances are they will expand there someday. When the time comes, go grab one dish and taste it for yourself.