While Ben & Jerry’s or Haagen-Daz may sound spot-on for your ice cream fix, there is a destination in San Francisco that will make you hop on the next plane and grab a place in line at Smitten- a small kiosk made from a recycled shipping container that’s been transformed into an artisan ice cream shop in the trendy Hayes Valley. The innovative concept- which infuses molecular gastronomy in the unorthodox method of making ice cream by using liquid nitrogen in a patented churning machine called kelvin- was developed in 2009 by Robyn Goldman and Robyn Lyn Lenzi, and has become a sensation in the city- even on a typical foggy day…touting only the freshest, purest, locally sourced and seasonal ingredients.
Individually made to order in front of you, the kelvin- or actually the kelvinistas who work these machines- freezes the ice cream in minus 320 degrees, taking just 60 seconds to turn out a deliciously smooth and creamy texture that feels a bit like frozen pudding, due to the production of smaller ice crystals than conventionally churned ice cream. The dairy is provided by nearby Beretta Organic Farm, and there are no additives or preservatives in these unique flavors that change daily- and include White Nectarine, Salted Caramel and Quince with Nut Streusel, Meyer Lemon Gingersnap, Peanut Butter with Honey, just to name a few. The standard classics, Vanilla, and Tcho Dark Chocolate, also pair well with toppings such as White Balsamic Glaze and Cocoa Nib Praline. To finish off what is quite possibly the best ice cream ever, Smitten bakes their own pizelle cones that have a similar taste to butter cookies… literally melting the rich and dense cream into an edible extravaganza.
While it took over two years for Goldman and Lenzi to create the kelvin, in the early days just after launching, they took to the streets of San Francisco in a tricked-out red Radio Flyer wagon, sharing Smitten with all sweet-tooth dwellers, and today they can be found at high-end events, foodie festivals, and corporate parties still spreading the love…and calories…but no worries, it is ice cream after all, so just go with it, and maybe rethink Ben and Jerry’s next time. www.smittenicecream.com
