Besha RodellJuly is national ice cream month, so OBVIOUSLY you've been out eating ice cream all month because not to do so would be unpatriotic or something. No? You don't give a crap about national blah blah month? Oh. OK. Neither do we, really. But we do really like ice cream.
Thankfully, the next few (insanely hot) days give us a chance to see out July and start up August with ice cream–smeared faces. Many special ice cream happenings are taking place around L.A.: pop-ups, events, special offers and even a brand spanking new ice cream shop, as McConnell's in Grand Central Market officially, finally, opens on Monday. See below for six ways to celebrate the sticky, sweet heat of summer.
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Leela Cyd Salt & Straw's Tyler Malek, with ice cream.; Credit: Leela Cyd
July 26 (and ongoing summer Saturdays): Salt & Straw Ice Cream Truck Debut
The new Salt & Straw ice cream shop in Larchmont Village will be showcasing its brand new ice cream truck this weekend. The truck will be located at Wurstküche in the Arts District from 2 to10 p.m. on Saturdays throughout the summer, scooping six flavors, including sea salt with caramel ribbons, almond brittle with salted ganache, and Stumptown Coffee & Compartes Love Nuts. 800 E. Third St., downtown.
See also: Salt & Straw Ice Cream Shop Coming to Larchmont Village + An Ice Cream Truck!
McConnell's ice cream; Credit: courtesy: McConnell's
July 26, 28 & 31: McConnell's Opening Celebrations
McConnell’s Ice Cream opens its first L.A. shop on Monday, July 28, at the Grand Central Market. To celebrate, there are two ice cream giveaways: one from the truck on Saturday, July 26, and one at the new shop on Thursday, July 31. On Saturday, the truck will be all over town: It will start at 10:30 a.m. in Venice on Abbot Kinney; the truck will make stops at the Whole Foods at the corner of Fairfax and Third Street; on Larchmont Boulevard in Hancock Park; in Silver Lake; and at McConnell's new home at Grand Central Market downtown. (You can follow the truck's whereabouts via @mcconnellsicecreams on Twitter or Instagram.) On Thursday, the new shop at Grand Central will dish out free scoops from 7-9 p.m. 317 S. Broadway, Stall D-4, downtown.
See also: Santa Barbara Darling McConnell's Ice Cream to Open a Shop in Grand Central Market
Sweet Rose Creamery ice cream; Credit: Cida Fukushima
July 26 & 27: Sweet Rose Creamery Downtown Pop-Up
Sweet Rose Creamery, the beloved Brentwood and Beverly Boulevard ice cream shop, comes further east with a summer Arts District pop-up in the Woo Souvenir Shop. On Saturday and Sunday from 3 to 9 p.m., Sweet Rose will be serving a variety of treats. On Saturdays it's focusing on portable frozen confections: ice cream sandwiches, fruit pops, fudge pops, and more. On Sundays, they'll go the more traditional route, serving scoops of Sweet Rose Creamery’s classic ice cream flavors, such as salted caramel, vanilla, and fresh mint with homemade chocolate chips. 209 S. Garey St., dwntwn.
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Postre de Guacamole ice cream dessert at Rosa Mexicano; Credit: Courtesy Rosa Mexicano
July 31-August 24: Rosa Mexicano Ice Cream Festival
Every summer, Rosa Mexicano serves a special ice cream menu during its Ice Cream Festival. Ice cream desserts are “inspired by classic savory dishes such as guacamole, tamales and empanadas.” Six special desserts plus five ice cream flavors (including avocado, and sweet corn with caramel) are on the ice cream festival menu. 800 W. Olympic Blvd., dwntwn. 213-746-0001.
July 31: Baskin Robbins Celebrate 31 Program
Baskin Robbins is holding a promotion on July 31 (and every 31st of the month for the rest of the year) to celebrate its 31 flavors. On calendar days marked 31, Baskin Robbins will be selling regular 4-ounce scoops of ice cream for $1.31. Various locations, www.BaskinRobbins.com.
Maca’Long at Napoleon's Macarons; Credit: Courtesy Napoléon’s Macarons
Aug. 2: Ice Cream Sandwich Giveaway at Napoléon’s Macarons
Napoleon's Macarons is debuting and giving away its new, macaron-inspired ice cream sandwiches, called Maca’Longs, for National Ice Cream Sandwich Day. On Aug. 2, both locations of the shop will give away the treats from 2 to 4 p.m. The Maca’Long will be offered in four flavors (raspberry pistachio, hazelnut lemon, vanilla pecan, and mocha), featuring ice cream between two long, almond-based shells. Americana at Brand, 608 Americana Way, Glendale; Westfield Topanga Mall, 6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park.
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