If you have ever fantasised about being let loose in a candy store, take a trip to Cold Stone Creamery and create the ice cream sundae of your dreams. As if rows of glistening ice cream aren't enough, there are also bowls of fresh and frozen fruits, bars of branded chocolate, and jars of candy, all of which can be added to the mix. Make your selection and staff will deftly scoop up the ice cream, juggle it in the air, slap it on the cold granite stone, mix in your ingredients, then slice, dice and mash everything together. It's like teppanyaki on ice! This is how I come to be nursing a rather large chocolate-dipped, rainbow-sprinkled waffle cone filled with a blend of chocolate and hazelnut ice cream, blueberries, white chocolate chips, chunks of kit kat, colourful chocolate candy and slivered almonds. I have named it the 'Alison Special' and even though I have handpicked the ingredients, each cool, creamy mouthful is like a revelation.
If you feel overwhelmed by so much choice, you can keep things simple and order a signature creation – the Cold Stone creamery people have been doing this for a long time and have come up with some excellent combinations. The Oreo Overload is exactly as it sounds – stacks of Oreo cookies crushed and mixed with sweet cream ice cream and topped with chocolate syrup. I really enjoy the Cheesecake Fantasy which is like a frozen mashed up cheesecake, with bits of sweet crust, tonnes of berries, cheesecake ice cream and sweet graham crackers. Other creations include Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Coffee Lovers Only, with roasted almonds, health bar and caramel, and The Pie Who Loved Me with Oreo cookies, pie crust and fudge.
Shakes and Smoothies are equally decadent, the Cream de Menthe mixes up mint ice cream with crunchy chocolate shavings to lovely effect. While the Berry Trinity is thick with raspberries, strawberries and blueberries whipped up with frozen yoghurt. Float Creations are a favourite with the kids, thanks to a fluffy blend of ice cream and sprite.
The Cold Stone Creamery brand has its origins in Arizona, describing its product as "Smooth and creamy super-premium ice cream." A minimum of 12-14% butter fat ensures rich creaminess. Cold Stone has several locations across Bali, including two at Discovery Mall, one out front near the stairs where you can sit on the terrace and enjoy fresh air and views of the sidewalk, and another inside on the ground floor with a small air conditioned area with sofas. \AB
