Ice Cream News: Baskin-Robbins 31 Flavors subtracts five flavors including one of its firsts

Posted on July 27, 2010 by admin

Baskin-Robbins, which has been serving up satisfying ice cream for 65 years, is officially stopping production on five of its flavors – including one of its originals.

The official scoop: Baskin-Robbins announced on July 15, 2010 that to make room for some new combinations, five flavors have to go. The oldest is French Vanilla – launched in 1945, it was one of the first flavors offered by founders Irv Robbins and Burt Baskin.

The other four:

Caramel Praline Cheesecake (introduced in 1970), which combines vanilla cheesecake ice cream with caramel ribbon and praline pecans

Campfire S’Mores (1975), also known as milk chocolate ice cream, marshmallow ribbon, and graham crackers

Apple Pie a la Mode (1976), with vanilla ice cream, apple, pie crust, and caramel cinnamon crème

Superfudge Truffle (2007), chocolate fudge ice cream mixed with chocolate ganache and toffee truffle pieces

If you’re a fan of any of these flavors, I recommend going and eating a cone or sundae or two in honor of National Ice Cream Month (July) before they’re gone forever. The final tubs of these five flavors have already been shipped to various locations, and are only available while supplies last. See Baskin-Robbins store locator to find your nearest ice cream shop; Santa Cruz area locations include 1601 41st Avenue in Capitola and 100 Rancho Del Mar in Aptos.

Srinivas Kumar, Baskin-Robbins Chief Brand Officer, said that “Over the decades we have retired some of our iconic flavors into our Deep Freeze — like Miami Ice from the 1980’s and Beatle Nut in the 1960’s — but never before have five flavors gone into the Deep Freeze at one time.  By retiring these great flavors we are marking Baskin-Robbins’ milestone birthday celebration but also making room in our flavor library for new flavor innovation.”

Over 65 years, Baskin-Robbins has created over 1,000 flavors. The company will announce five new flavors this fall in honor of its 65th anniversary. You can read about some of the other flavors that have been retired over the years in the B-R Web site’s “Deep Freeze” here. They include combinations like Charlie Brownie (1967), Sesame Sweet (1972), and Gorba Chocolate (1990).

Curious about the other original 31 flavors besides French Vanilla? Here’s a list:

* Banana Nut Fudge

* Black Walnut

* Burgundy Cherry

* Butterscotch Ribbon

* Cherry Macaroon

* Chocolate

* Chocolate Almond

* Chocolate Chip

* Chocolate Fudge

* Chocolate Mint

* Chocolate Ribbon

* Coffee

* Coffee Candy

* Date Nut

* Egg Nog

* Fudge Ribbon

* Green Mint Stick

* Lemon Crisp

* Lemon Custard

* Lemon Sherbet

* Maple Nut

* Orange Sherbet

* Peach

* Peppermint Stick

* Pineapple Sherbet

* Raspberry Sherbet

* Rocky Road

* Strawberry

* Vanilla

* Vanilla Burnt Almond

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Organic Italian buffet from top chef, silent auction, and several summer food events benefit Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Posted on July 18, 2010 by admin

Enjoy a sumptuous organic Italian restaurant buffet in Soquel from a top chef, and have the opportunity to bid on great auction prizes: it all benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Also see end of article for a list of future dining opportunities to benefit LLS.

On Sunday July 18 from 6-9pm, Main Street Garden & Café is hosting a “Midsummer Night Garden Party.” The Soquel restaurant recently brought on talented chef Brad Briske (formerly of Gabriella Café) and Briske is hand selecting fresh, local ingredients to create a wonderful feast. For your $35 ticket ($40 at the door – reservations strongly encouraged), you receive a full dinner buffet and non-alcoholic beverages. Live music by a classical group is also included. For more information and reservations, contact Amy Doherty at amydoherty@gmail.com or call Main St. Garden & Café at (831) 477-9265.

Garden Party attendees can bid on an array of silent auction items including wine; certificates for fitness and martial arts classes, acupuncture, and massages; clothing; ceramics; beauty products; a variety of services, and jewelry. The silent auction will close at 8pm. All auction proceeds benefit LLS and are tax-deductible. The mission of LLS is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. This event is being produced by the LLS Team in Training Santa Cruz Summer Marathon Team.

The Santa Cruz Summer Marathon Team is also busy with other restaurant fundraisers this summer; at certain times it receives 15-30% of sales. A list of the team’s “Dining for Dollars” events is below – but the team only gets credit if you present a coupon to the restaurant. Email amydoherty@gmail.com for coupons, and dine out for a worthy cause. I know I plan to!

7/29 Thurs – Erik’s Deli Capitola 10am-9pm

8/5 Thurs – Panda Express Capitola 4-9pm

8/11-8/12 Wed-Thurs – Woodstock’s Pizza Downtown 5-9 pm

8/19 Thurs – Pizza My Heart, Capitola Esplanade 4-9 pm

9/2 Thurs – Erik’s Deli Capitola 10am-9pm

9/9 Thurs – Fresh Choice Capitola 4-9pm

9/16 Thurs – Panda Express Capitola 4-9pm

9/30 Thurs – Pizza My Heart, Capitola Esplanade 4-9pm

The Details:

Sunday July 18, 2010

6-9pm

Main St. Garden & Cafe, 3101 N. Main Street, Soquel 95073

More Info at (831) 477-9265

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Santa Cruz Restaurant Johnny’s Harborside: Lots of great food and drink specials

Posted on July 11, 2010 by admin

Johnny's Crab-Encrusted Baked Salmon topped with cilantro lime aioli

Santa Cruz restaurant Johnny’s Harborside has many ongoing food and drink specials, and in July there are even a few extras!

June 30 marked the restaurant’s five-year anniversary, and to celebrate Johnny’s Harborside is serving $5 food and drink specials during the entire month of July. All month, you can purchase $1 Coronitos or a half-dozen bucket for $5, or a 22-ounce Kona Longboard for $5.

Here are the July food specials –

1st Week Special (6/30-7/11):  Tempura Shrimp Roll
2nd Week Special:  Homemade Taquitos
3rd Week Special:  Bucket of Steamers
4th Week Special:  Tempura Ahi Roll

If you haven’t been to Johnny’s, summer is the perfect time to go. With a harbor location, it has a great ocean view and relaxed atmosphere. Other specials currently being served (these are not just in July):

Monday is $20 Gourmet night; you get a three-course meal plus a sample glass of wine.

Tuesday and Thursday are “T&T nights” from 3-9pm. The restaurant offers specialty tequila drinks plus $3 tacos (fish, steak, or chicken).

Johnny’s has friendly staff and delicious food; I recently enjoyed the Seared Ahi Tuna sandwich ($15) with savory sourdough bread and spicy wasabi aioli. The first time I went to the restaurant, I ordered a “Fresh Catch” of the day – scallops – which was also good. This is a fun menu feature: each day, approximately six types of seafood are offered depending on availability. The fish is prepared in the style of your choice (sautéed, blackened, or broiled) with the accompaniments you select (Mediterranean, Pacific Rim, Southwestern, or Simply Fish). Mediterranean includes a bounty of ingredients such as feta, olives, tomatoes, and grilled pita; Southwestern includes polenta-stuffed pasilla, rojo sauce, and salsa fresca.

One thing to note about parking: the restaurant’s main lot is all meters, so don’t forget your change if you plan to park there.

Johnny’s Harborside, (831) 479-3430, 493 Lake Avenue, Santa Cruz 95062

Hours:

M-Th 11:30am-9pm

Fri 11:30am-10pm

Sat 10am-10pm

Sun 10am-9pm

Brunch served Sat and Sun 10am-2pm

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