RESTAURANT REVIEW
Ever tempted to just go ahead and have nothing but Gelato, Ice Cream, and Yogurt for dinner on a warm Phoenix evening? Our Desert Ridge Taste Team take this first ever taste test plunge just ahead of the heat.
That’s Amore
7605 E. Pinnacle Peak Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85255
Coldstone
21001 N. Tatum Blvd
Phoenix, Arizona 85050
Paris Rendez-ous
21001 N. Tatum Blvd.
Phoenix, Arizone 85050
Yogurt Plus
20910 N. Tatum Blvd #160
Phoenix, Arizona 85050
In the Arizona summer, the one thing that comes to my mind is to indulge in something cool and refreshing. Out of the four (4), ice cream parlors we visited were rated as good or average, but there was a consensus on the overall best creamery. We have had my share of creameries in the Valley, but That’s Amore was one that we enjoyed most of all with a taste from Milano, Italy.
The ambiance was like a cozy ice cream café and service was excellent serving a wide variety of flavors. The winning flavors tasted were the Coconut, Whiskey Crème, Vanilla, Coffee, Banana, Malaga (Rum Raisin) and Stracciatella gelatos all flavors had a richness and spirited, but not too sweet. I have had other gelatos and hands down this was the best! The service was quick and friendly, and since this was a family owned business, they made you feel at home. Our team vowed to encourage everyone that we know to visit. Next up we went to the Cold Stone Creamery in Desert Ridge Mall, the atmosphere was a small and crowded not leaving much room to move around.
We opted to avoid the ice cream mix-ins deciding to try some flavors that looked like they might already be laced with mix-ins. The Cake Batter flavor was sampled just to see if it would taste true to our recollections of what “cake batter” could be as well as Peach and Oreo that both had some pre-swirled in flavorful chunks. It pleasantly surprising that the Cake Batter was true to its name, but found both the Peach and Oreo flavors to be less flavorful than what some thought they’d be. Staying within the Desert Ridge Mall, we headed off to Paris Rendez-Vous where we were confronted with an array of dessert/snack choices ranging from Gelato to Chocolates, French Pastries, and Macaroons. Their fruity Gelato flavors such as Lemon and Melon were very flavorful their S’mores Gelato was somewhat nondescript. They have both indoor and outdoor seating available.
This parlor was very clean, and the presentation was nice. Their fruity Gelato flavors such as Lemon and Melon were very flavorful their S’mores Gelato was somewhat nondescript. They have both indoor and outdoor seating available. Finally, we headed across Tatum Boulevard to Yogurt Plus Desert Ridge, located next to Sushi Station and Pita Jungle. Here we had a chance to sample some 12 daily rotating flavors (some of which were Gluten-Free and some of which were Sorbets) with options to add up to 70 different toppings. Where else could you get Pink Lemonade Sorbet and if you happen to like Simply Tart as a yogurt flavor these folks have that nailed. Their Oreo was “flavor-true” and as such did not need mix-ins.
We’ll be heading back soon to check out their Cinnamon Roll flavor which is said to be gluten-free, non-fat, with no sugar added. So, this summer when the temperatures are in the triple digits what better way to cool off than to take a trip to an ice cream parlor that will not put a dent your wallet in Desert Ridge.
