When holidaying with family on the south coast this year, I visited a fantastic ice cream parlour and commented how it was one thing that was missing in Birmingham. Imagine my joy when I found out that not only was one opening in Birmingham, but on my local High Street, a mere 5 minute walk from my house. I couldn't wait for an excuse to drag my daughter along.
Paradice Gelateria (the purpose misspelling of 'paradise' highlights the 'ice' in their name) opened on 26th November 2014, which must be the low season for this kind of business. Some people have questioned the thinking in opening an ice cream shop in the winter. I believe it comes either by accident of when the deeds and building work had finished or with great forethought. As every new business will have a learning curve in their first few months of opening, is it not better to iron these out and be ready & prepared for 'high season'?
It sits on the site (or within the site) of the former Harborne Market. The last business operating from here was a caff, which closed a few years ago. It has sat looking like a dilapidated eyesore on the otherwise (still) fairly thriving Harborne High Street. There are entrances on both the High Street (opposite Harborne Library) and on Vivian Road (opposite Waitrose's car park). The entrance on Vivian Road has a small wooden decked outdoor seating for the summer months. The site has been done out to a high standard and inside bares no resemblance to the tawdry market place the occupied the space before it. The toilets are immaculate and spacious, with changing facilities. In one corner they have a milk from field/cow to ice cream themed soft play area for the little ones.
They have a selection of 20 ever-changing homemade ice cream flavours, coupled with cakes and a huge list of pancakes, milkshakes, waffles and sundaes. It truly is a dessert fan's heaven. The staff encourage customers to try a taste of any ice cream before committing to buying a cone or tub (rather like ordering real ale). I opted for a 'mulled wine' ice cream as it was something I had never seen or heard of before. It was nice beautifully textured ice cream, if perhaps a little unusual to have a spicy, boozy ice cream. I knew it wouldn't be a taste I was used to, wasn't Heston revered for making a bacon & eggs ice cream? But, don't worry if you're not adventurous, the other flavours when I went in were things like chocolate, Hello Kitty(?), Ferrero Rocher, Lemon Sorbet, Bubblegum and Mint Choc Chip. There's a nice balance between the tried and tested classics, some newer and exciting flavours and one or two experimental ones.
The milkshakes are fantastic! For a chocolate milkshake they blend their homemade chocolate ice cream with milk (obvs) and your favourite chocolate bar, topped with whipped cream, delish! I've yet to try the waffles and pancakes, but will certainly be returning. Apparently the sweet sushi is nice. Did I mention they have sweet sushi? I never even knew that was a thing!
I've been in twice now and on both occasions, whilst not busy, there has been a steady flow of customers. They don't seem to have ANY online presence (excepting this entry on Yelp), which is unusual in a modern marketplace and I hope it doesn't hinder their trade too much. So, I am currently the only online voice for Paradice Gelateria, as such I implore you to head to Harborne and check it out. With their late opening hours (9pm during the week 10pm on weekends), you can even have a meal close by and head over for dessert. read more