Just to be clear, since I KNOW you will want to try this place out after reading this post – Salt & Straw is in Portland, Oregon, not NYC. Wahhhhhhh! I miss it so.
Happy Tuesday, Noshers! If you been follow me on twitter, you’ll know that I recently returned from a whirlwind trip through Alaska and Portland, Oregon. And oh what fun it is! I generally stick to posting about NYC-area eats, but I just had to share about what I’m boldly declaring as my favorite ice cream shop ever. Yes! I dare any other ice cream shops to challenge that! Yes, I dare you!
The shop I’m talking about is Salt & Straw:
The first time I walked by the line was out the door, but thankfully they are open from 7am(!) – 11pm and I was staying down the street. I learned very quickly that 11am on a weekday was a pretty good time to go – so I visited the store 6 times. In 5 days. Yes, I know – impressive…
And what kept me coming back, besides the fact that I believe ice cream should be added to the food pyramid as a major food group? (Right up there with pork products, duck fat, and stinky cheese…droool). Well, this isn’t just any ice cream – Salt & Straw‘s ice cream is made with 17% butterfat – compare that to a typical ice cream with 10-11%. YUM! And the flavors…oh, the flavors…
I had quite a problem the first (of six) times I visited – I wanted to try everything. After much deliberation, not to mention generous sampling by the peppy staff, I decided on a cheese/cheese combo – Pear with Blue Cheese, and Chevre with Marionberry Habanero Jam. And since they were making their waffle cones fresh in front of me, I had to try one of those too:
I was a little concerned that the blue cheese would overpower the ice cream – not that that’s the end of the world or anything. However, the blue was a subtle yet tangy surprise and the perfect contrast to the sweetest pears I’ve ever tasted. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t order this flavor again …round 6 I believe. The chevre flavor was a perfect complement to the blue cheese selection – sweet with a bit of kick from the habanero. The waffle cone was delicate but thankfully sturdy enough to hold its own against the double scoop I ordered! I’m just drooling thinking about this combo right now. True story.
As is the risk with delicious food, I sometimes devour what’s in front of me before remembering to take a photo. However, I do have some documentation of my other, equally mouthwatering selections:
Blueberry with Key Lime Marmalade, Freckled Strawberry Coconut Sorbet
Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons, Coffee and Bourbon
If you’re in Portland, skipping Salt & Straw is not an option. Run, walk, rent a bike, take a cab – get yourself there! And while you’re there, have some pear and blue cheese ice cream for me, will you? 🙂
A must try.
828 NW 23rd Ave (I visited this location) and 2035 NE Alberta St
Which of the flavors on the menu would you like to try?
