Review: Lofty Pursuits

Last Updated on Sunday, 24 October 2010 22:39

Written by UrbanTallahassee

REVIEW -- Having recently learned of the company’s expansion into a full service ice cream parlor, and seeing some of the tasty-looking teaser photos on the company’s Facebook page, I just about figured it was time to check things out at Lofty Pursuits in person.

So there I was, standing inside what looked more like a toy store than a ice cream parlor. With an abundance of natural light shining through the windows on both entrances, colorful products uniquely arranged along the walls of the interior, children running around on the light colored wood-floors, and the sweet smell of the ice cream and cones in the air, this place felt like fun.

Taking a casual glance at the toys, I noticed they were the type of “throw-back” toys from yesteryear that don’t require batteries. Things like slinkies, yo-yo’s, and those “squeezy” silicone things that look like blowfish among many other things I simply can’t remember.

As I approached the ice cream counter, there was a young man who appeared happy to assist standing there. For the moment I was the only customer so I felt free to take a good look at the selection and ask a few questions. Being that this was my first visit, I had several about the many flavors that sat inside the well organized glass display case between the young man and myself. There were flavors such as mint chocolate chunk, blueberry cheesecake, green cool mint and cookie, jungle love, carrot cake, and snick-a-ripple just to name a few. He offered to allow me to sample anything I wanted, pulling out a tiny wood spoon that was squared off at the tip. I felt intimidated by the appearance of the spoon, thinking to myself, those things look rather expensive. Not wanting to waste too many spoons sampling the different flavors I asked to only try the snick-a-ripple and the blueberry cheesecake.

Lofty Pursuits Flavors

Both flavors were rich, sweeter, creamier, and in the case of the blueberry cheesecake, fruitier than I would have expected given previous experiences with ice cream parlors. I asked for a scoop of the blueberry cheese cake on a small cone... the parlor’s smallest cone -- perhaps now is a better time than ever to mention the fact that I have a mild case of lactose intolerance. That said, I only paid $1 for my little scoop of ice cream that I finished eating while browsing around checking out the merchandise.

Then a man I’d describe as “jolly looking” with dark hair and glasses, came from the back to ask me what I thought of my ice cream. Judging from the excitement in his voice and all over his face -- I knew he was the owner but I asked to make sure anyway -- he confirmed.

Lofty Pursuits Milk The owner told me the milk is the key to the richness of the shakes and floats, telling me how he gets it daily directly from a farm in nearby Blountstown, FL. He said he could even tell me which cow they drew the milk from. After describing the mild pasteurization process the milk undergoes, and explaining how that is the reason behind the creamier flavor he offered me a sample. For me it tasted like half-n-half, those little creamers people use in their coffee. But there was something about the attention to detail the owner took in choosing a great milk for his product, and knowing so much as to how it is prepared before he receives it that makes you feel like you’re getting “the good stuff”.

I found myself leaving Lofty Pursuits feeling excited about the company’s future, much the same way I felt excited after my first visit to the Cake Shop years back. There’s nothing like a well run, impressive local establishment that serves an equally impressive product. With all of the unique flavors of ice cream available at this parlor it's only a matter of time before I return to try another. And I’ll be glad to return but next time I’ll remember to take my LACTAID.