San Francisco - September 05, 2006

The Straight Scoop

Ici Ice Cream Shop

You’ve always loved the thrill of the chase.

But stalking the ice cream truck isn’t as fun it used to be. (Honestly, officer, I just wanted a creamsicle.)

Instead, treat yourself with dignity and go to Ici, Chez Panisse protege Mary Canales’s new ice cream shop in Berkeley. (Ici is French for here, as in get here now.)

The bright, elegant space is reminiscent of Europe’s destination sweet shops. Everything is handmade on the premises, from the candies and cookies to the cones stamped with the shop’s pretty curlicue logo. Though the menu may vary from day to day depending on the season, summer scoops will include coffee-caramel swirl, honey-lavender, blackberry, and peach ice cream, as well as raspberry-lemon-verbena sorbet.

Sink your teeth into nectarine or brown-sugar-pecan ice cream sandwiches; try a special berry cobbler with a scoop of your choice. Decadent bombes, like hazelnut-chocolate and strawberry baked Alaska, make sophisticated birthday cakes. Sure, getting to them may require a trip over a bridge or two.

But you can be sure it’ll put you in a good humor.

Ici, 2948 College Avenue, at Ashby Avenue, Berkeley (510-665-6054 or ici-icecream.com).