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The Best Ice Cream Ever

I’m moving!

From now on, my address will be: 516 East 6th Street, New York.

Oh wait. That just so happens to also be the address of Lula’s Sweet Apothecary and its cashew-based ice cream flavors such as caramel swirl, peanut butter chocolate chip, butterscotch, soft-serve cake batter… Coincidence?

lulas ice cream

Above: Mocha Chip and Cream Soda ice cream.

Did I mention that eating at Lula’s got my boyfriend to grudgingly admit vegan ice cream can be awesome? We’ve now been to Lula’s umm… three times in a week. I think know I’m in love.

Lula’s has the uncanny ability to churn out ice creams that exactly mimic the flavor of their inspired foods. The cookies-n-cream tastes like eating Oreos, the cream soda is so authentic it should come with a straw, and if you close your eyes while consuming the pb&j ice cream you will swear that you’re biting into a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

On the first trip, I ordered their famous cake batter soft serve:

lulas sweet apothecary

It tasted exactly like cake batter.

And it made me embarrassed for posting my Cake Batter Milkshake.

My shake recipe tastes like a delicious vanilla-y shake… But Lula’s soft serve? It tastes like you are literally eating raw cake batter in the form of ice cream. In fact, it was a little too weird for me; the cake batter flavor was too spot-on! Since I didn’t want to settle for something I didn’t completely love (on what I thought would be my only trip to Lula’s), I went back in and ordered the chocolate soft serve:

lulas soft serve

Hands down the best thing I’d eaten on the entire vacation.

(As mentioned earlier, we went back twice more after that first trip to Lula’s, and I ordered their non-soft-serve chocolate ice cream and oatmeal-raisin cookie. Please, Lula’s, please come to Texas!!)

Later…

For dinner, we met up with Jessica and her boyfriend at Souen, one of my favorite restaurants in NYC. Souen is macrobiotic, but not completely vegetarian, and the boys both ordered sushi.

I usually order the Kuzu Stew, but Jessica kept raving about a particular dish with the unassuming name of “Squash Tofu.” I never would’ve thought to try it had she not gone on and on (and on) about how good it was.

The dish (which we both ordered sans tofu) boasts a plethora of vegetables—broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, onion, kale, carrot, and kabocha squash—enveloped in the most delicious creamy tahini sauce you could ever imagine. Think: the taste and texture of peanut sauce, but with tahini instead of peanut butter. It was thick and rich and the perfect balance of salty and sweet.

souen

(Above, Jess and her dinner, which also came with a side of brown rice.)

Question of the Day:

What restaurant or bakery would you like to live at?

If anyone needs me, I’ll be in the Lula’s freezer, eating my way through their chocolate ice cream. Note to the staff at Lula’s: stock up.

Link of the Day:

cake batter doughnuts

 

Cake Batter Doughnuts

 

Published on July 25, 2012

Meet Katie

Chocolate Covered Katie is one of the top 25 food websites in America, and Katie has been 
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Fox, The 
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ABC's 5 O’Clock News. Her favorite food is chocolate, and she believes in eating dessert every single day.

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91 Comments

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  1. Allison says

    I’ll be there tomorrow in the 2:00 neighorhood! Would love to bump into the famous Chocolate Covered Katie 🙂

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      Ooh don’t go at 2. They actually don’t open til 3pm. Also, they’re not open on Mondays. But a few days ago, we couldn’t wait and so we went to Sustainable NYC, which is really close and also sells Lulas (just not the soft serve flavors).

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      I don’t have a problem with soy, but I try not to go overboard because too much of a good thing is never a good idea. I’m such a fan of things like my chocolate pie (with tofu) or ranch dressing (also with tofu) or products that contain soy that if it’s easy to leave it out of something and not miss it, I usually will do so. (Then I don’t have to worry about eating it when I really do want it.)

  2. Sharky says

    It’s going to be a tight fit, because I’m moving into Lula’s, too! When I ate there, after the first lick of my cake-batter ice cream I said, “This is the best-tasting thing I’ve ever had in my mouth.”

    I discovered your blog over the weekend and immediately made the Fudge Babies. Boyfriend and I have been taking them in our work lunches this week and we love them! Can’t wait to try more of your awesome recipes.

  3. Hannah S says

    I had a quick question. I’m a newly turned vegan living in NYC and have Ben having trouble finding good places to eat. Where do you find all these places? Word of mouth or certain websites?

    • megan says

      Yeah, supervegan is the most up to date, though some restaurants fall through the cracks. It is so wonderful to live in a city where you can walk down the street and see a clapboard that says ‘vegan’ even though it isn’t a vegan or specialty restaurant. If you want something specific, like vegan pizza, in addition to supervegan you might want to search yelp, and NYT and New York Magazine often do little articles on this kind of thing. I still haven’t tried Paulie Gee’s, but I digress… And you might note that Vegan Drinks, a vegan meet up, is tomorrow night with food from http://lovebugkitchen.com/ if you are (over 21 and) looking to meet some new people. The organizers who put it together every month are absolutely awesome.

      • Lina says

        There are so many amazing Vegan restauants in NYC! Check out Blossom, Candle 79 or Candle Cafe, Spring Street Natural, Rawlicious (Raw/Vegan), Sacred Chow… just to name a few classics. There are also so many great vegan shops and juice places!

  4. Jamie says

    Well, since I’ve sadly never eaten at any of the amazing vegan/vegan friendly restaurants in New York, I’m going to have to go with Mother’s Cafe in Austin. I could eat that place out of house and veggie burgers way too easily! The best I’ve had so far in my LIFE.

  5. Mary says

    Lula’s is the best! I went twice on my 3 day trip to new york and would have gone a third lol! Get the brownie sundae next time!

  6. Terry says

    If I could live at a bakery, hands-down it would be Vegan Treats in Pennsylvania (too bad I live in Virginia).

  7. Megan says

    Oatmeal-raisin cookie…that sounds heavenly. I could live at this vegetarian-vegan restaurant in my town. I’m not a vegetarian or a vegan, but I love vegetables and healthy foods. This place has the best salad dishes and smoothies and rice dishes. You leave that place and you’re just like, “My stomach is thanking me.”

  8. Sami says

    I am 100% obsessed with CherryBerry yogurt bar! I seriously think it is the best thing known to man, and while their yogurts are made with (fresh from the farm, kosher-certified) milk, their sorbets are a GREAT dairy-free option. Plus, I get to pick whatever toppings I want to add, whether I’m in a chocolately mood (they even have dark or carob chips if you’re super careful), or, as I am most of the time, in a fruit mood! (My fave is their Tropical Sorbet and Pink Lemonade Sorbet topped with coconut, granola, black-, rasp-, straw-, and blueberries! Maybe Kiwi and Pineapple if I’m really going all out!

    My hubs, on the other hand, always goes for whatever indulgent chocolatey yogurts (normally swirling at least 3 together, like Cookie Monster, Chocoholic, Sea Salt Caramel Pretzel, etc) then tops it with brownies, cookie dough bites, magic shell, whipped cream, and anything else that catches his eye! haha

  9. Lauren says

    I honestly think I’d live at Whole Foods. I used to work there, and it was the best job I’ve ever had because I dealt directly with groceries. All day I’d imagine what recipes I could make, and on my dinner break, I’d be able to partake of the delicious salad bar!….and I got a discount, which you definitely need there!

  10. Jen says

    Have you gone to any restaurants you would recommend that aren’t Vegan? I know you’ve been going to a lot of Vegan ones but has your bf maybe gone to some he liked? I don’t honestly think my boyfriend would be so cool with eating vegan in a city with such amazing food, but you found yourself a good one!!

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      Yes! I actually have more posts to write about that… I’m trying to space out my NYC posts (so I can keep posting recipes). I might not be done with them all for a month or so. But we’ve been to some non-vegan places including: John’s on 12th (they have a separate vegan menu), Fiddlesticks pub (I brought in a meal, and they were very gracious about letting me eat it there), Naked Pizza, Cafe Viva, etc.

  11. Natalie says

    Obviously I’m drooling about the ice cream (being one that appreciates good flavor always) (not a vegan/vegetarian) but that tahini sauce sounds awesome.
    I got to duplicate that just based on your description… Any other pointers you can throw my way?

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      It had miso… and was sweet. I’m thinking it was probably similar to a peanut sauce recipe, subbing tahini for the pb and maybe subbing miso for the salt. I want to recrceate it too, so if you have success please do share!

  12. JEnny says

    Ohh Katie, why didn’t you post this sunday? I left NY monday, and sinse I don’t even live in the states, but in Denmark, I can only lick you pictures

  13. Katie @ Oh Shine On says

    I really want to go to NYC now and check out all these happy noms you’ve had. My sister lives there and I’ll be making a list of all the places you’ve blogged about. Any recommendations, in particular?

  14. alyx says

    The Cookies n’ Creme tastes like Cookies n’ Creme! The cake batter tastes like cake batter! The snozzberries taste like snozzberries! Katie, are you perhaps a descendant of the illustrious Willie Wonka? It all adds up…

  15. megan says

    Another interesting vegan ice cream source in NYC is Klein’s in Brooklyn. It is in an orthodox Jewish neighborhood (so I’ve gotten some looks) and while kind of a small store they have a vegan section of ice cream and sell some premade frozen stuff that is vegan (I seem to remember eclairs and ice cream cake but it has been a few years). They probably sell those at Pomegranate, the biggest Kosher market in the US and also in Brooklyn.
    Stogo is near Lula’s and is pretty good too, but doesn’t have quite the toppings selection or ambiance. I really miss Bonobos on 23rd b/c they were raw and had fruit based soft ice cream.
    If still in NYC the one thing you might want to pick up and bring back with you are vegan white chocolate chips (http://innocentprimate.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/img_8343.jpg) since I don’t think they are widely available.

  16. L says

    Sounds amazing! I have a question tho, how can you eat all of these treats (like vegan pies, ice creams, and baked goods that you have shown in past NY posts) while not having a sweet tooth? Some of the items seem pretty sweet but I know you have said you always leave out sweetener when making things for yourself. Anyway, it looks like a great time was had 🙂

  17. Melissa says

    I LOVE Stogo! I don’t know what they use at Lula’s, but Stogo has a bunch that are coconut milk based which is awesome for someone like me who doesn’t digest soy well at ALL.

    The next time you’re in NYC, check out The Natural Gourmet Institute’s Friday Night Dinner. Three courses, totally vegan, $40, byob.

  18. Maureen says

    I was in NY last year with friends and they took my husband and I to Candle 79. I was so much in heaven I nearly cried! There are no fully vegan restaurants in Johannesburg – might be one in Cape Town but that is a looooooooong way from me.. so actually going to a 5 star restaurant and being able to order ANYTHING on the menu… bliss.

  19. Melissa says

    Since you are in New York, have you tried anything from the Cinnamon Snail Food Truck yet? Their vegan sandwiches are sooooooo good! The only drawback is that there are really long lines, but that just means that the food is worth waiting for.

  20. Melissa says

    So. JEALOUS. I want to go to Lula’s so bad.

    When I was in PDX, I went to Back to Eden bakery about 4 times in the 5 days we were there. 😉 I went to Native Foods 4 times in 3 days. When I like a place, I LIKE it. LOL.

  21. Laura says

    I seriously hope we have free time so I can go and enjoy this when we go next spring break for our music trip. It sounds so amazing!

  22. Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says

    I could live in pretty much any good Mexican restaurant and I’d be happy for life. 🙂

  23. Lauren says

    I’m so happy you went to Lula’s! It’s so fabulous. I go whenever I can. My favorite flavors are the cookies and cream and the mint chip. I honestly would die for the mint chip, anytime. I haven’t tried the cake batter but I will the next time I’m there.

    So glad you enjoyed it. I knew you would!!

    Lauren
    http://www.brooklynnatural.blogspot.com

  24. Anonymous says

    Everything looks amazing.wish there was vegan soft serve near where I live I would be there all the time too!!

  25. Erica @ Cult of Kale says

    I wish I knew about this place when I was in NYC! We might go back for our anniversary in the winter so I will definitely be running over and eating lots of ice cream when I get there….

  26. Jeanine @ The Blue Sash says

    If they could fit a bed in the corner, I’d live at Vegan Treats in Bethlehem, PA. I am currently obsessed with their coconut custard donuts, chocolate silk pie, red velvet cake, carrot cake and a new fluffernutter cake. Living near Philly, I make a pilgrimage to Bethlehem about once a month, buy a bunch of stuff and freeze what I can to hold me over until the next trip!

  27. Lina says

    I love Lula’s! I used to work at the Organic Avenue close by and would run there on my lunch break… so not good for the waistline but oh so delicious! If you have oh about $16.00 to spare and want and AMAZING and huge sundae I wouldn’t miss Pure Food and Wine or One Lucky Duck (their take out place) on 17th and Irving Place. They have an amazing Mint Chip Sundae with Cashew Cream, Mint chip/Chocolate & Vanilla Ice Cream Chocolate sauce and the most crazy delicious raw fudge chunks. It is to LIVE for!

  28. Lily Nightingale says

    Did you try Lula’s Brownie Sundae with Rocky Road Ice Cream?
    Believe me, if you’re still in NYC go and try it!
    There’s an awesome sandwich place called ‘Terri’ near the Flatiron Building you pass the Home Depot and it’s around that corner. Loving Hut has also a superb vegan burger.
    Hope you enjoyed your trip to NYC!
    Kudos

  29. Tina says

    why did you opt out of the tofu?? as a vegan wouldnt you be aiming to consume as much protein as possible…this may be a contributor to your inability to put on weight. you need protein!!!

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      Hi Tina,
      I don’t have a problem with soy, but I try not to go overboard because too much of a good thing is never a good idea. I’m such a fan of things like my chocolate pie (with tofu) or ranch dressing (also with tofu) or products that contain soy that if it’s easy to leave it out of something and not miss it, I usually will do so. (Then I don’t have to worry about eating it when I really do want it.) It’s a myth that vegans have trouble getting protein. As long as you’re getting enough calories to meet your energy needs, it would be very rare to not get enough protein.

  30. Sarah L says

    I thought you were going to say that you were moving in with your boyfriend at first! 😀 That sounds like such a cool place, I wish I could go there. (*Sits in a corner, jealous*) I really don’t have a lot of places I REALLY like, maybe because I’m spoiled with a mom that makes the most delicious food ever? 😉

  31. Ashley Pomes says

    I love Lula’s!! I would love to live there too. I love the chocolate peanut butter. It is my favorite. Even my dad said it was the best he ever had.

      • Fiona says

        Brilliant thank you 🙂

        I made the chocolate bar and wow oh wow!! It’s literally the most delicious chocolate I’ve eaten in ages!!! I’m going to buy some special things to set them in & start keeping a batch in the fridge for moments of sweet cravings 🙂

        Thank you for your dedication to experimenting because I will personally benefit hugely!!! Thank you,x

  32. Bek @ Crave says

    I love soft serve ice cream! ahh it looks so good. It’s way too easy to inhale, ahh I mean eat 😉 I’d probably live at a whole foods store..aslong as it was next door to a Marble Slab haha!

  33. Fiona @Everyday Spiritual Wisdom says

    I tried to find an email address for you but didn’t succeed. I didn’t know if you’ve tried Banana ice-cream? I only found it out a couple of weeks ago and I you might like it… so here it is for you and your readers.

    5 ripe banana’s
    5 tablespoons of cream or milk or coconut milk or soya milk
    Dollop of honey
    Whizz in the blender until smooth and then freeze 🙂

    Alternative: you can use chopped up frozen banana’s and it’ll be ready to eat straight away.
    Fiona,x

  34. Sabra says

    Thanks for recommending Lula’s! I had never heard of it before, and now we’ve been there twice in the past two weeks. The peanut butter chip is AMAZING! If you haven’t tried them already, the next time you visit NYC consider Dirt Candy and Cafe Blossom (the one on Carmine St.) for dinner. Both are really yummy : )

  35. Molly says

    I just went here the other day thanks to this recommendation. Cookies and Cream Ice Cream = nectar of the vegan gods.

    Have you made it to the little grocery/cafe Earth Matters in the lower east side? It’s unfortunately closing soon but it has a really great vegan/vegetarian selection of prepared foods.

  36. Sarah @ bakeonthrough.com says

    Katie- I can’t thank you enough for telling me about Lula’s. In a 36 hour trip to NYC, I had Lula’s THREE times. The mint chip? Amazing. Actually, it’s all amazing. I dreamed about it the night I got back from NYC. It’s a sick obsession. Did you know Cafe Blossom also serves Lula’s? I went there for brunch and got Lula’s as dessert!

  37. Erica says

    im kinda confused… do the cake batter and funfetti desserts you make have the same flavour? if yes, then i breath a sigh of relief. ive been calling your cake batter milkshake a funfetti milkshake for a while now!

  38. Janet Paula says

    Do you have Lula’s ice cream recipe. I live abroad so I’m afraid I won’t be able to visit in order to get a first hand taste. Thanks.

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