PrintSugar Rush: Caramel Crunch at Screme
Competitors needn't worry about Screme, the newest gelateria to open in Manhattan. The staff couldn't be friendlier, offering as many samples as you can handle; I walked in on a busy Saturday afternoon, and no more than five seconds after stepping in, the girl behind the counter had three spoonfuls of pumpkin, pistachio and Snickers in front of me. Flavors are fun and constantly rotating—olive oil and black pepper one day, Mars Bars and Snickers on another.
But in the end, it comes down to taste, and Screme doesn't measure up to L'arte del Gelato, Otto, Grom, or Il Laboratorio del Gelato. The texture is fluffy, rather than silky nor luxurious. And my Crunchy Caramel, pictured above, was light on the caramel and heavier on the sugar. A tasty dessert, but not a contender for New York's best.
Screme Gelato
2030 Broadway, New York NY 10023 (map)
212-362-2111
screme.com
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6 Comments:
I just had it the first time and ordered the caramel and chocolate. I thought it was better than the others with the exception of Otto. Was so fresh creamy and spreadable and very luxurious. Didn't think it was fluffy at all.
BooRadley at 3:10PM on 10/19/09
I'm glad you blogged about this cos if I did it, I would've said "THIS BLOWED." Maybe it got better since I tried it in August, but...man...in addition to not being nearly as good as other gelateries (too airy, not silky, as you said), it was expensive. I mean, they give you a hefty plop, but they wouldn't even put more than one flavor in a huge-ass cup (when I went, at least). Poop on that. I think the only flavor I liked was one of the sorbets.
Overall...fail. But you know me and how I go crazy over gelato. :\
Robyn Lee at 3:52PM on 10/19/09
@Robyn: I just had it on Saturday afternoon and it didn't look anything like the picture up there. I see the air pockets in it. That looks like the fluff in a 3 Musketeers candy bar. If I got a sample like that I probably would have had the same opinion as Kathy's. But mine was silky smooth. There was a sign in the store that said the gelato was made fresh everyday. Maybe Kathy had it on a different day and that batch was different.
BooRadley at 4:05PM on 10/19/09
Just picked up a small container of it from the Times Square location. No air pockets. It is lighter than gelato from, let's say, Il Lab. But I wouldn't describe it as fluffy. I still say it's creamy but with a lower density.
Tasting it again for the second time, I retract my statement about liking it more than Grom, etc. I do like it better than Il Lab, but I seem to be in the minority that thinks that Il Lab is overrated. I don't think it will be everyone's cup of tea. But if you like gelato on the lighter side I think one should try Screme.
One of the flavors I tasted was definitely off as it tasted of freezer burn. I asked the girl behind the counter how old it was. She told it was a few days old and will let them know. The two women behind the counter were as nice as can be.
BooRadley at 5:43PM on 10/19/09
I agree : grom et l'arte del gelato are better !
http://icecreamscoop.canalblog.com/archives/2009/10/20/15098405.html
http://icecreamscoop.canalblog.com/tag/grom
icecreamscoop at 1:48AM on 10/20/09
When I first saw this picture I thought it was a weird bread concoction
kmgagne at 10:40AM on 10/20/09