I have often lamented the lack of good ice cream places in Oslo - why there seems not to be a market for gourmet ice cream with more unusual flavours than chocolate and strawberry I just cannot understand.
Which is why I had hoped that Ice Crime would fill this gap, and it really pains me that they didn't live up to the high expectations I had. They have been quite bold in their marketing leading up to the opening of the new shop, and I therefore expected more unusual flavours than those on offer when I was there. There was white chocolate and chili and orange blossom, but the rest were fairly standard - pistachio, chocolate, vanilla, blueberry, raspberry and cherry. I tasted the pistachio, white choc and orange blossom, and it none had the intensity of flavour that I had hoped for. To be honest, the ice cream wasn't up to scratch on any of the criteria by which I judge quality ice cream: texture (should feel smooth and creamy - I like my ice cream on the rich side), flavour intensity and also a distinct custard taste (I love it when the actual flavour of the cream shines alongside the added flavourings).
I felt that the ice creams I tried tasted slightly watery, as opposed to creamy, and if I had tasted it in a blind test, I'm pretty sure I would not have ranked it above commercial shop brands such as Diplom Royal, Haagen Dasz or Mövenpick, as much as I hate to say it...
Please try and do better, Ice Crime! I love your initiative! read more