I'm about to reveal three sweet-tooth experiences I had the
pleasure of devouring while in SF. Just reading these stories could
increase blood sugar levels to dangerously high levels so please,
for your own safety, read in moderation.
1. The Jerk at the Ice Cream Bar in Cole Valley
During the time of prohibition in the 20s and 30s, Bartenders
found themselves at a loose end. Rather than trading their cocktail
shaker for a carburetor on the Ford production line, they invented
a new business in Soda Fountains. The Ice Cream
Bar in Cole Valley aims to replicate this experience
as part of a soda fountain revival across the States. Upon entering
I felt like I'd stepped into a Happy Day's episode. Scanning the
room I couldn't spot the Fonz but it was so busy he could have been
in there somewhere.
I ordered a Ginger beer and watched in wonder as the 'Jerk'
(that is the title they go by) squeezed a combnation of special
essences and flavour drops into the shaker with scientific
precision.
The result was a spicy ginger-flavoured potion that sat fizzing
on the restored 1930s counter. The effervescent mineral waters are
considered to have healing properties and apparently the size of
the bubbles in the soda directly influences the flavour transferred
to your tongue.
Delcious and charmingly nostalgic at a reasonable price - I
recommend a visit to the 'Jerks' of Cole Valley if ever
you're in the neighbourhood. And a hat tip of appreciation to
Alexis and Theresa, my couchsurfing buddies who accompanied me on
this trip back in time.
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2. From bean to bar to blog: The chocolate cycle
ATTENTION CHOCOHOLICS: The world could run out of affordable
chocolate within 20 years as farmers abandon their crops!
Get the scoop on chocolate from Ecuador to San Francisco in my
latest story: /chocolate-cycle-from-bean-to-bar-to-blog.aspx
Still to come... Icecream sandwiches in Berkley coming
soon.