You know I make my own ice cream all the time but there is not always room in my fridge for my ice cream maker and some times I want to go out on a gorgeous sunny Vancouver day for ice cream. My quest for good ice cream out continues and this time we went to Earnest Ice Cream on Fraser over the long weekend.
The Location
Earnest Ice Cream has a couple of locations but this one is at 3992 Fraser Street just north of King Edward but before Bâtard Bakery. I had read online that this one was pretty infamous for long lines and that was no joke. The place was packed and I can see why. What a bright, modern and clean restaurant.
The Choices
There had been an article circulating on Facebook that they had elderflower ice cream but when I looked at the site, it was not listed. I was hoping it was a special for that day but no, they did not have any elderflower. Bummer.
Everything else seemed mundane in comparison. I was tempted to stick with classics like peanut butter chocolate chip or serious chocolate but that elderflower temptation made me be more experimental. Damn it.
The Ice Cream
I got the whiskey hazelnut and the salted caramel. Sadly I could not taste the whiskey at all but Reg assured me it was there. Weird, totally taste blind to it so all I could taste were hazelnuts which on its own was boring. The salted caramel was no joke. So much salt that I could not taste the caramel. Crap. Definitely high quality ice cream just flavours I did not end up enjoying very much. I left so completely thirsty!
Reg liked his rhubarb oat crumble but said it would have been much better without the oats. The fresh lemon was good but he was hoping for more tartness. It was more like a sweet lemon pie than a tart refreshing lemon flavour. FYI two scoops of ice cream with a cone costs $7.
In Conclusion
Earnest Ice Cream is very good but I was disappointed in the flavour choices and the ice cream I got.
Definitely high quality but not what we were looking for which is a shame. Good but not great. Do I have to make everything myself?
The ice cream quest continues…
I’m very much enjoying my own ice cream! I’ve found that the ice creams that don’t call for egg yolks thicken better. Go figure! 🙂 My bf Alex and I decided to try those new Haagen Dazs “spirit” ice creams. We tried the Irish Cream one and the Whisky Blondie one…they were yummy, but in no way tasted like Bailey’s or whisky! We’re going to try making an Amaretto ice cream next!
It is a very different kind of ice cream to use yolks or not, that is for sure! Custard-based do have a different more complex creaminess. It’s funny how the alcohol can completely disappear like that and yes, make your own Amaretto… Nice!!!
Didn’t they offer samples??
Didn’t they offer samples??
It was so packed in there, I didn’t think about it but you’re right, next time I will ask!
That’s too bad, Suzie. The flavour combination that you chose should have been awesome!! I hope you get to taste some elderflower ice cream sometime!
I thought it would be too! I have never had ice cream I didn’t like before so this was a shocker. I’m going to keep an eye out for some elderflower cordial and make it myself!
Have you tried rain or shine on cambie street? They have some interesting flavors and a ‘taco’ Tuesday – instead of a traditional cone you get 2 scoops on a waffle taco and your pick of sauce and toppings. Last year (not sure if they repeat seasonal flavors) they had a raspberry shortbread and lavender tea or something.
Oh wow Amanda, no, I didn’t know about Rain or Shine but that sounds fantastic! Thank you.