Häagen-Dazs | Ice cream is not just for summer

Ice cream is just for summer and now that the summer is well and truly over we should give up ice cream completely until the sunshine returns, right? This is something I never really understood. Take a trip to central Europe and places like London, Frankfurt, Rome, cities that experience much lower temperatures that we do in sunny old Malta, and they are serving ice cream all year round.

I remember visiting Frankfurt in my early teens and heading into a Häagen-Dazs outlet, wrapped in scarves and coats and gloves. Moments after we removed our outwear we were digging into a warm chocolate brownie, topped with heaps of ice cream and even more warm chocolate sauce. What’s so summery about that? Why do we have to stop eating ice cream come Christmas time?

Häagen-Dazs have opened their doors in Malta, selling ice cream by the tub in most supermarkets and they even have an outlet, albeit a small one, in Valletta. While storming up and down Republic Street in Valletta, trying to find that perfect gift for Christmas, there is always time to stop to for a coffee, and something sweet (it is, after all, officially time to start the Christmas celebrations). Whilst all the usual cafes are full of life, the Häagen-Dazs outlet deserves a moment of your time.

Naturally they have a proper gelateria going where you can order your favourite premium ice creams with a variety of toppings including that warm chocolate sauce. If you’re looking for hot drinks then look no further, regular coffees including espressos and cappuccinos and more exciting affogato, which is an espresso poured over ice cream or rich hot chocolate. And why not go for a pastry with that?

For something a little more indulgent, try the crepes or the waffles with ice cream of your choice. What made my six-year-old nephew and I venture to Häagen-Dazs in the first place however was the chocolate fondue. A large pot of warm, melted chocolate with a variety a number of different things to dip into the pot – different flavours, textures and temperatures make for an exciting afternoon where calorie count goes out the window! So what comes with the fondue? There are four flavours of ice cream – vanilla, cookies and cream, Belgian chocolate and strawberry, but that’s not all. There’s also another plate filled with chocolate brownies, cookies and fresh and frozen fruit. And a bowl of nuts. Hot, cold, crunchy, soft, it’s all in there. And it gets a thumbs up from both the adult and the kid at the table.

If you’re looking for some extra indulgence this weekend, why not head to down to Valletta and dip some of your favourite sugary bits into more sugary bits? The lights on Republic Street are also worth a look.

Rating

****

What I ate

Winter chocolate fondue

Total: 19.95 excluding drinks

Address

Republic Street

Valletta

Tel: 21422436

Opening hours: Daily 9am – 11pm