We all scream

Where to find cool summer ice creams in deliciously unexpected flavors

Inventive ice cream flavors are popping up everywhere (how about a scoop of almond-charcoal soft serve?). But while our choices keep getting more and more over-the-top, we're not always craving crazy novelty in our ice cream. We'd rather go for full-on indulgence, with just enough of unexpectedness to get us excited. Read on for five deliciously-strange summer flavors perfect for Houston’s rising temperatures.

Fat Cat
The small-batch ice creams at Fat Cat are made with local ingredients and come in flavors from coffee and cream to boozy Waterloo strawberry buttermilk made with strawberry jam, buttermilk ice cream, and a hit of gin. But it’s the Texas Honeycomb flavor, featuring honeycomb candy dust swirled into vanilla ice cream and puffed honeycomb candy pieces, that has us running back for more. ($3.50 for one scoop; $1 for each additional scoop)
1901 N Shepherd Dr.; 713- 869-1080

Hank's Ice Cream Parlor
You never know who you might run into at Hank's Ice Cream Parlor near NRG Park. The classic ice cream shop, serving the good stuff since 1985, is a favorite of hometown singing sensation, Beyoncé (who favors the banana pudding ice cream). Also on the menu is the can't-miss Caribbean Candy. Shredded coconut, pecan, and gooey caramel all come together for one delicious bite. Stop by the ATM on your way — it's cash only. ($4.50 for one small scoop; $5.50 for one large scoop)
9291 S. Main St.; 713-665-5103

The Chocolate Bar
The Chocolate Bar, a candy shop and ice cream parlor rolled in one at two inside-the-loop locations, is making us renew our childhood love affair with candy bars; their Candylicious Junkyard is made with seven different confectionery treats, including Snickers, Baby Ruth, Twix, Nestle Crunch, and whatever else the kitchen feels like throwing in by batch. ($3.25 for one scoop on up to $5.25 for four).
1835 West Alabama; 713-520-8599
2521 University Blvd; 713-520-8888

Cloud10
Cloud10’s craveable house-made flavors include the year-round Nutella-marshmallow and the seasonal goat cheese with milk chocolate, but it's pastry chef Chris Leung's elderflower and apricot that we can't get out of our heads right now. Elderflower-infused ice cream meets creamy apricot for a frosty delight that makes us wish it was summer all year long. ($3.50 for one scoop on up to $8 for four).
5216 Morningside Dr.; 713-434-6129

Dolce Neve/ Coltivare
Dolce Neve’s gelato shop slings a lengthy roster of must-try flavors (salted caramel… pecan and honey… don't get us started). Among them is a genius collaboration with Heights Italian restaurant Coltivare: Mexican marigold, along with blackberries, cherry based aperitif, and black peppercorns, makes for a quadruple threat worth every calorie. But get yours now. It rolls off the menu at both Dolce Neve and Coltivare at the end of the month. (Dolce Neve: $4.50 for two scoops; Coltivare: $5 for a dessert portion)
721 N Main St.; 832-767-2183
3320 White Oak Dr.; 713-637-4095

The elderflower with apricot ice cream at Cloud10 is the perfect summer treat.

Cloud10/Facebook

The elderflower with apricot ice cream at Cloud10 is the perfect summer treat.

ice-cream

Mutiny on the White Oak

Staple Heights wine bar and restaurant will shutter after 6 years

Photo by Jenn Duncan

Mutiny will close on January 31.

A wine bar and restaurant in the Heights is coming to the end of a six-year run. Mutiny in the Heights will close on January 31.

In an email to the restaurant’s supporters, co-owner Mark Ellenberger writes that rising costs for ingredients, insurance, and labor contributed to the decision to close Mutiny. “The closing is driven by increased costs and the traffic just did not sustain the operation,” he writes in response to CultureMap’s request for comment about the decision.

He also thanked Mutiny’s customers for their support. “You weren’t just customers. You were the familiar faces who stopped in after work, the couples who always sat at the same table, the friends who brought visiting family ‘to their spot.’ You celebrated birthdays here, toasted milestones, celebrated wedding receptions, had first dates, and made this place feel alive.”

Ellenberg and his wife Emily Trout opened Mutiny Wine Room in January 2020 as a companion to Kagan Cellars, their award-winning winery. It featured selection from boutique wineries that produced between 500 and 5,000 cases per year. Patrons could sample more than 30 by-the-glass options along with an extensive selection of bottles.

Food has always been part of Mutiny’s offerings. Originally, the restaurant served California cuisine, but last year it changed its name to Mutiny in the Heights and adopted a more family-friendly menu that includes a burger, meatballs, and steak frites.

Between now and January 31, Ellenberger writes that Mutiny will run specials for up to 50-percent off wines for both dine-in and to-go. Details about an anniversary/farewell on January 22 will be shared on social media.

As for the future, Ellenberger explains that he’ll continue to focus on Kagan Cellars, including launching a wine club. “We will also keep our hand in the hospitality sector through our investment in Stella Kenwood in Sonoma, CA.”

Elsewhere in the Heights, The Kid, a craft beer and burger concept from the owners of The Flying Saucer, quietly closed at the end of the year, Chron reports. Earlier this week, Rocket Farm Restaurants announced it will replace it’s Tex-Mex restaurant Superica with a casual steakhouse called Star Rover.

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