Weekly Family Dining Profile: We're looking for places that are kid friendly, have good prices and healthy menus. Here is the rundown on our Cold Stone Creamery experience:
I'm a bad mom. Until this week, I had never taken my kids to a Cold Stone Creamery. And then, when I finally treat them to Cold Stone's hand-mixed, oh-so-sweet ice cream, I let them eat it before dinner. Bad mom!
But they, of course, thought it was awesome.
I chose strawberry ice cream with rainbow sprinkles, the girl went with mint ice cream and Oreo cookie topping, and the boy got cotton candy ice cream and gummy bear topping.
Cold Stone does things a little differently. Its ice creams and sorbets are made fresh daily in every store. And, the toppings don't go on top. Instead, our Oreo cookies, gummy bears and rainbow sprinkles were called "mix-ins,"stirred into the ice cream.
Cold Stone offers suggestions for "Signature Creations," ice cream and mix-in combinations that are some of the company's best sellers. Mixes like "Apple Pie A La Cold Stone" and "Chocolate Devotion" are listed in store menus and at www.coldstonecreamery.com.
Visitors can create their own combos like we did, or choose a recipe that features a pre-chosen combination of ice cream and mix-ins.
We thought the mix-in sides were a great idea, since we usually do that on our own. And, it was pretty cool to see our server mix each creation, and then throw the ice cream ball up in the air and catch it in the bowls with some fancy spoon action.
The stores also offer sundaes, shakes, smoothies, cakes and pies, which are currently discounted to $12.99.
There are quite a few Cold Stone Creameries throughout the Inland area. Visit www.coldstonecreamery.com for location details.
Reach Jennifer Dean at 951-368-9336, jdean@PE.com or http://blogs.pe.com/moms.
All meals for restaurant profiles are paid for by The Press-Enterprise.
Cold Stone Creamery
What: Hand-mixed ice creams and sorbets. Shakes, smoothies, pies and cakes are also available.
Prices: $2.99-$3.79 ice cream or sorbet; $3.89-$4.59 Signature Creations; $4.29 Signature Sundaes; $3.49-$4.29 shakes. Toppings, cones and waffle bowls are additional. Prices may vary a bit a different locations.
Information: www.coldstonecreamery.com
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