Salt & Straw (Los Angeles, CA)

SALT & STRAW (Los Angeles, CA) – So happy there’s a Salt & Straw in Los Angeles – it means I finally got to try this epic ice cream place! Salt & Straw has been on my list for a long time. I do plan to go to Portland sometime, but at least I got a taste of one of the most well-known ice cream shops ever. And it totally lived up to the hype.

Salt & Straw is by Venice Beach, right on Abbott Kinney – which is one of the hipsterest blocks in L.A. There’s a bunch of boutiques and restaurants on the street. The line was nearly out the door, but it moves pretty fast. All of the staff there is super friendly and helpful – it’s great and efficient to be able to try flavors while you’re in line so you don’t have to wait!

Flavors change depending on seasonal availability, local ingredients, and whatever series they have in store. At that time, they had local kids from elementary schools think up of fun ice cream flavors and Salt & Straw made their ice cream dreams come true! And proceeds of those sales went to the respective schools – so win and win.

I tried a few flavors, which were the ones on the spoons. The one on the right was black olive brittle and goat cheese. It was basically a savory, cheesy frozen cream. It tasted delicious, but I don’t think I would be able to eat it as a whole scoop. I like my ice cream to be sweet! The one on the left was avocado and strawberry sherbet. It was really creamy, light, and sweet! I actually think avocado is really great in desserts after having it in pudding, ice pop, and ice cream form – so long as it’s paired with a strong flavor.

In the end, I settled on salted, malted, chocolate chip cookie dough in a caramel waffle cone. I think the fact that the ice cream had that malt flavor really upped its ante. It was just creamy, sweet, and absolutely delicious. The salt wasn’t strong at all but it helped balance it out – I hate when you get strong bits of salt, it’s really bitter and distracting. And that CONE. IT WAS SO GOOD. Waffle cones smell great on their own, but CARAMEL FLAVORED?! I must learn how to make these for myself one day.