Monday, June 23, 2014

Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream


While in East Nashville to visit the Honey Festival (that wasn't actually happening, mysteriously), Sarah and I stopped by Jeni's for a pre-dinner snack. And since the temperatures in Nashville have been hovering in the mid-90s for the last week, the ice cream was well-received -- and quickly devoured.



Jeni's is one of those places that takes hints from retro style and pulls them forward to the present with pleasing -- and delicious -- results. The interior has a mix of 70s-style white tile and bright orange chairs (pictured below) and modern accents in wood and black. Very eco-consciously, most of the eating-ware seemed to be made from recyclable materials, including the tiny sampler spoons, which they offered very generously. And the flavors highlighted that perfect mix of old versus new: modern, unique combinations of flavors in a style of food that's as classic and traditional as any.

After browsing the chalkboard menu and asking for clarification on a few uniquely named flavors, we sampled a few and made our choices. As usual, our individual styles came through with our selections: Sarah got a small cup with one scoop of Brambleberry Crisp and one scoop of Black Coffee (adventurous, different -- and coffee), and I got The Buckeye State and The Milkiest Chocolate in the World (peanut butter and chocolate, a classic). We sat outside on the deck and enjoyed the shade underneath an umbrella, discussing the remainder of the day. Without saying much more about a simple ice cream shop, I can at least say that the atmosphere and the ice cream were both fantastic. Whether at the East Nashville location or at the one in 12 South, we both agreed that we would be back often.


Ice cream is great in general, and Jeni's serves the best ice cream that we've had so far in Nashville. But I think the more important aspect of eating ice cream is the time it takes to finish, and the relatively little attention it requires. Once the initial shock of the flavor wears off (Is it good, or bad? Do the flavors mix well? Am I allergic to peanuts?), then the rest of the experience is about savoring: smooth, rich ice cream; good conversation; and cold breaths past icy lips. If I had to guess (without any research to back me up), I'd have to say that ice cream "bars" (the locations, not the handheld treats) were named as such because only those two things work so well in slow, contemplative environments. If you want to spend an hour nipping at something, the focus more on slowing time down for a while than on the food/drink, then a bar -- one type or another -- is the best place to do that. 

Now someone just needs to mix those two worlds and I'd be set.

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