On a hot Saturday after the first week of high school, I took advantage of this review assignment to head out in search of some tasty ice cream.
Dying to find the perfect ice cream store in downtown Los Gatos, I stumbled upon Salt & Straw, an ice cream shop that transforms unexpected ingredients like cheese, balsamic vinegar and even flowers into frozen treats. It seemed strange, but it was also the reason I decided to give it a try.
Salt & Straw was founded by cousins Kim and Tyler Malek in 2011 as a small ice cream cart in Portland known for its rotating, inventive flavors as well as using locally sourced ingredients. It quickly grew into a successful chain store nationwide. Today, the store continues to honor its roots by partnering with local artisans and farmers in every city it serves.
When I arrived at around 5 p.m., a throng filled up the entire room, proving the popularity of the ice cream. The atmosphere inside felt warm and inviting, with rustic and modern designs from the floor to the ceiling. Wooden shelves lined the walls, illuminated by soft lighting that gave the space a cozy and old-fashioned vibe.
A large chalkboard menu boldly displayed the featured flavors of the month in playful handwriting, which immediately caught my attention. From eavesdropping on other customers, I grew eager to try out samples of the unique flavors that only Salt & Straw offered, such as salty donut guava with cheese and arbequina olive oil.
After sampling a few flavors, I ended up choosing three that I didn’t sample but that stood out to me the most. The strawberry honey balsamic caught my eye first with its beautiful blush pink color and visible chunks of fresh strawberry. I was also curious how the black pepper would add a spicy contrast to the sweet fruit. Next, the pear and blue cheese sounded like the wildest combo out of all the options, and they were two distinct flavors I never expected to find together. Lastly, I picked honey lavender because of its soft, calming purple color and floral aroma which filled the entire store.
Strawberry honey balsamic. (Anya Mallik)
Strawberry honey balsamic
First, the strawberry honey balsamic with black pepper ($7.50), dubbed as a “strawberry triple threat” on the Salt & Straw website, had a rich strawberry flavor that came through right away, tasting like tangy strawberry yogurt. The balsamic vinegar added a sharp zing that brightened the whole scoop, and the pepper had a subtle citrus-and-lemon-like flavor, complementing the balsamic’s sour taste. The ice cream was covered in small pieces of real strawberries with a slight gummy texture, adding an interesting chew without being overwhelming.
I liked the combination of flavors and the added strawberry pieces gave it a nice texture. However, the vinegar flavor was a little strong, which shadowed the overall strawberry taste.
Pear and blue cheese
Next was the pear and blue cheese ($7.50), which my instincts had lured me into without any afterthoughts. To be honest, it sounded unusual, but I knew I had to try it because it’s made of Oregon Bartlett pears and chunks of blue cheese. In particular, I expected a really strong and bold taste from the blue cheese, but it turned out to be more mellow.
In contrast, the pear flavor is very strong, but I also tasted a slight essence of banana. The blue cheese was definitely there, but it was subtle to savor. I was hoping for a stronger and more unconventional flavor from the cheese. But overall, the mix of the cheese and fruit flavor still makes it a fun and interesting flavor to try if you’re feeling adventurous.
Honey lavender
The final flavor on my plate was honey lavender ($7.50). The smooth, sweet and refreshing aftertaste made it perfect for a hot day. The first spoon tasted just like the scent of lavender — the honey adds a nice sweetness that balances out the floral taste, so it’s not too strong or perfume-like.
The ice cream is abundant with real lavender petals and local honey, offering a natural, calming essence. It’s a unique flavor, but not too out-there and definitely something you’d want to enjoy on a hot afternoon.
My stomach full and satisfied, I made my exit as the warm afternoon sun hit my face. On the way out, I spotted a flyer taped to the door: Salt & Straw donates part of its sales to childhood cancer research and food insecurity. A smile spread across my face knowing that this little indulgence isn’t just about the flavors; it’s doing some good too.
All things considered, I definitely recommend Salt & Straw for anyone who loves trying new and creative ice cream flavors. It’s a great place to hang out with friends, enjoy the cozy atmosphere and have fun sampling all the unique options!
Ratings
Strawberry Honey Balsamic: 4/5 Falcons
Honey Lavender 4.5/5
Pear and Blue Cheese 3/5
