It's Not Ice Cream, It's Not Gelato, So Then What Is It?!?

Recently I have been walking Bones on the popular streets of Vermont Ave and Hillhurst Ave in Los Feliz. Since I am forced to slow down and smell the roses, I have noticed so many cafes and stores I would never spot while driving by. A few days ago I passed a bright red store and was taken aback by the name: Paradis (Pronounced Par-a-dees). I decided tonight was the night I will stop in and see what they are all about.

Paradis is a brand new ice cream parlor on Vermont Ave (where Pink Berry used to reside). The shop has only been open for nearly a week. The furniture just arrived today and their grand opening will be next weekend, May 14th. To celebrate the expansion of their second store in the US as well as California and to introduce themselves to the Los Feliz community, they are giving away free ice cream! The place should be complete with decorations and a menu board by that time so I look forward to seeing the end product.

While ordering my $3.50 one scoop cup of ice cream, I got acquainted with the owner and asked her numerous questions about her quaint shop during our time spent there. She offered us samples of each flavor since this was our first time in. I first tried Chocolate Banana Ice Cream. After a quick taste I noticed how light it was. I asked her if it was Gelato and she explained that it's actually lighter than Gelato due to it having a milk base and it's Scandinavian Ice Cream. Well I am now sold!! Gelato is by far my favorite type of ice cream due to how light and fluffy it is and Paradis ice cream blows it out of the water. I went on to try their Strawberry Sorbet (refreshing, light, made with real fruit and no artificial coloring or flavors) and lastly I ordered the Coffee flavor. Brandon got the Vanilla (yes he is boring) but there were fresh vanilla bean seeds in it!

I personally love sprinkles on my ice cream and Paradis didn't have any toppings except for whipped cream and marshmallow. I'm not sure if this is always going to be the case since they have a temporary menu posted on the wall but tonight plain jane was fine by me.

After finishing my ice cream I was curious to find out where the name came from. I spoke to the owner regarding her unique name and found out that the "is" in Paradis is Danish for ice cream! Now it makes sense! She is from Denmark and moved to the US with her boyfriend and later her brother crossed the Atlantic. The three of them own the company and opened their first store in Montrose, CA. Their first store is now booming and the expansion has started with their first stop in Los Feliz. Just only have a week of being open, they have a continuous flow of customers curious to see what they have to offer. I know they will not be disappointed.

Check out their ever changing flavors daily on their Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/paradis-Los-Angeles/197670150557