My housemate told me that Joe Delucci's do the best milkshake she has ever had, but that the trick was to ask for a third scoop of icecream. If you're going to do something, do it properly. I'd consider myself something of a milkshake enthusiast (they're up there with brownies and flapjacks; it pains me to indulge in a lesser variety when I know there are such delicious alternatives available) so I thought I'd give it a go.
Unfortunately the girl serving me looked horrified when I asked for an additional scoop. "We don't do that" she said. "You do," I replied, "My friend had it just the other day". Her jaw hung slackly and she just stood there; computer says no. I pushed her, saying that I would happily pay extra. She spluttered that it wouldn't fit in the cup. It would, I said, just put in less milk. I want it thicker and stronger-tasting. She turned sort of purple and looked like she was going to implode under the pressure. I felt as if I were watching artificial intelligence having a meltdown, like in Alien or WarGames, except with less of the intelligence.
Something had to give, so I grudgingly acquiesced and had the standard two-scoop milkshake. It was ok. Just ok. I went home and told my flatmate as much. She was very disappointed and told me that I needed to return and demand a three-scoop milkshake since she had had it on more than one occasion and it was divine.
A couple of weeks later, I tried again. This time the manager was there. After the identical conversation with the girl serving, the manager told me that I could have it . . . for an extra £3. I beg your pardon?! This is the base price of a single scoop of icecream in a pot, but it goes up in increments of about 50p for additional scoops, so I'd presumed that she'd charge me an extra 50p, possibly £1. Since the milkshakes already cost the better part of £4, I balked at her suggestion and cancelled my order. I never found out from my housemate how much she paid but since she's an MA student, I can't imagine it would be £7. Where's the consistency? Sort it out, Joe's!
The icecream, by the way, isn't bad. It's gelato so it's obviously not as solid as the traditional British stuff, but I thought that it was a bit too soft, so much so that I had to eat it really quickly. It does taste good, but the servings are mean, and you have to pay an extra 30p for a posh cone.
It's one to treat the kids with when you're stuck in Westfield, but I won't be going out of my way to pay them a visit again. read more