We all scream for ice-cream at Salt & Straw

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While there are Salt & Straw locations all over the place, their ice-cream is so innovative, inventive, and simply delicious that it would be a crime not to give them some of our attention. 

Located on the Culver Steps, Salt & Straw say online that, “There is so much to love about Culver City, from the diverse food scene to the welcoming community, and we are so grateful to join in the fun with our shop at the beautiful new Culver Steps. With so many new businesses and development happening in the area, we hope to serve as a gathering place for the neighborhood, one of the most vibrant and walkable areas in all of California. We look forward to bringing our constant, intriguing innovation of ice cream flavors to our new friends and neighbors. Join us for a special treat at our ice cream shop in Culver City.”

They can consider that mission a success. The social, community-driven nature of the Culver Steps means that it’s the ideal spot for a place like this, especially at this time of year. With the sun shining, the fountain spraying and friends/family chatting, a cone or bowl of goodness is the ideal treat.

“At Salt & Straw, anything is possible,” they say. “Crafted with unthinkable care, our team cooks, freezes, candies, smashes, drizzles, ribbons, spoons, and sprinkles, creating flavor profiles that awaken taste buds. Using ice cream as a blank slate for storytelling, we fearlessly explore ingredients, discover emerging artisans, and share inspiring, unifying experiences.”

That’s the joy of this dessert laboratory. It feels like they look at ice-cream with a completely different mindset than that of most places. The menu is dotted with flavors including Pear and Blue Cheese, or gruyère and tomato custard tart. That’s two different ice-cream flavors, with two different savory cheeses in the ingredients. You see what we mean? They just think differently.

We weren’t quite so adventurous, but we did pick from their Monthly Menu Series. The Wildflower Honey and Lemon Chess Pie was sublime.

“Every Southern state puts its own spin on Chess Pie—this is ours,” they say. “Intensely creamy cultured frozen yogurt is sweetened with wildflower honey from Bee Local, lending a mild, chamomile-like floral note to the tangy, rich flavor. Ricotta, vanilla, honey, and lemon come together as a custard, poured and baked into a shortbread crust from Grand Central Bakery until the center sets with that signature jelly-like wobble. Pops of fresh, citrusy pie punctuate every scoop, finished with a drizzle of tart, housemade lemon curd. Pucker up! This pie’s got zing.

The idea of a tangy lemon pie ice-cream sounded appealing on a hot Saturday, but we had no idea just how incredible it would be. The sweet honey balances beautifully with the subtle citrus, creating a dessert that has all of the comfort of a pie and the refreshing joy of ice-cream. They pulled it off.

Salt & Straw is located at 9300 Culver Blvd., Culver City 90232. Contact 424-341-6577 and visit saltandstraw.com.