Restaurant Review: Scoops N Scoops Creamery

If dinner and a movie doesn’t strike your fancy, grabbing ice cream is the perfect non-committal date idea. With the influx of new ice cream shops opening around the area, it is hard to narrow down which ones are worth the visit. However, Scoops N Scoops Creamery in Chino Hills, with an overdone concept and expensive menu, is best left skipped this Valentine’s Day.

My first impression upon entering the shop was that it was significantly lacking in patrons, especially for a Friday night. Aside from my group, there were, at most, four other customers, which, when combined with the minimalistic décor, left the shop feeling unwelcoming.

The interior of the restaurant is very modern and sleek, though by no means extraordinary. It lacks picturesque quality that many popular cafes and ice cream shops boast. It is fairly small, with only enough room for a few tables and a bar-like seating. In the fashion of Creamistry and other liquid nitrogen ice cream shops, a row of ice cream machines is set up behind a glass panel. The panels allow a small space for the nitrogen smoke to escape, which provided sufficient entertainment for the short amount of time I spent waiting in line.

Setting Scoops N Scoops apart from other chains is their large menu, which allows customers to choose between their “Iconic Drinks,” “Iconic Creations” or “Custom Creations.” Should you choose to create your own, you can select among four bases: premium, signature, frozen yogurt, or organic, which all come in over 50 flavors.

My friend, who created a custom order, opted for a small rosewater ice cream with a premium base and mochi as a topping, which cost  $4.50. The rose ice cream was extremely floral in taste and recreated the sensation of accidentally breathing in too much perfume. For a small size, it ran on the quite expensive side.

Well, for me, the best way to judge an ice cream shop is by its delivery of the classic ice cream sundae. Scoops N Scoops’ rendition was $6.50 and, while nothing out of the ordinary, came in a large portion, enough for two people. However, I was disappointed to find the lack of the classic cherry on top, as promised in the menu description.

The third member of my party ordered the black sesame ice cream with red bean and mochi. With the flavor of the toasted sesame seeds coming through, mixed with the slight hint of sweetness from the red bean, this order was the most impressive by far. At $6.50, it seemed to be the only item worth returning for.

While the ice cream was ultimately mediocre, the staff was very friendly and led my friends and I, as first time customers, patiently through the menu and most popular choices. However, if you and your date do find yourself in the area, The Shoppes, just across the street, may hold more promises for a night out.