Morgenstern's Finest Ice Cream 06-07-2014

Location: 2 Rivington St.
Time: 4pm
People: RB, CK and myself

Feelings: I don't do the beach. My father took me to the beach near Osaka when I was five years old, and I said with my eyes full of tears, "Where are all the department stores and cafes?" The wrinkle inducing sun and sand, the crowds of half naked people who have not been photoshopped,- this all sounds like a pure hell of a city girl. In order to feel like the summer has arrived, I prefer to enjoy some delicious icy treats--like at the new Nick Morgenstern (Daniel, Gramercey Tavern, El Rey, Goat Town)'s ice cream parlor, Morgenstern's near Freeman Alley.

The ice cream here is "philly style"and eggless with low sugar and butterfat. Scoops start at $4 (CASH ONLY). If you want just simple vanilla or chocolate, think again. There are five vanilla and four chocolate flavors to choose from--  bitter chocolate and salted chocolate, for instance. The menu includes other creative flavors like green tea pistachio, black ass licorice, and banana curry in addition to various selection of sorbet, massive sundaes like "King Kong Banana Split" ($18, bananas, three kinds of ice cream, sesame caramel, pickled pineappl, luxtardo, whipped cream) and ice cream sandwich called "The New God Flow." ($12, Japanese white bread, melting raw milk ice cream, caramelized honey). Whipped cream here is not whipped by machine, rather it is shaken, creating more smooth results.

As much as we enjoyed the atmosphere of the parlor, the nearly 20-30 minute wait for a scoop of ice cream is pure madness. The place is packed with irritated sugar deprived customers waiting for their decedent ice cream. The chef and staffs are constantly opening and closing every covered container, which seems to be taking up a lot of time to fulfill the orders. They are providing the service and quality of more like a dessert restaurant such as Chikalicious--if this is the case, table service would be more helpful.

I would love to go back when there is no line. (sounds like it would never happen due to its popularity!) Meanwhile, we will try another eccentric ice cream spot,  Oddfellows, which just opened few blocks away. Why would you even go to the beach when you have endless spots to try? You want nature? Try M'Finda Kalunga Garden: The best kept secret in LES...with chicken coop, pond, and flowers.