Ice Cream @ Golden Lounge

I was at the Golden Lounge yesterday having a chat with my customer and he wanted to let me taste the new range of ice-cream which they just brought in to replace the Haagen Daz mini tubs. I was quite devastated when they replaced the Haagen Daz but I know that the cost is also their main reason for terminating it. The new ice-cream from California (I'm unsure of the brand) comes in big tubs and thus the waitress will be serving the ice-cream by scoops upon request. There is a dessert menu on the table to make ordering a breeze.

Honestly, the idea is not too bad at all. At least now, you'll get to have your ice-cream with wafers and banana splits and chocolate sauce. Last time, it was only pure ice-cream in a tub. And one had to wait around 5-10 minutes for the ice-cream to soften. I believe the Haagen Daz chiller was too cold. Besides the newly introduced scooped ice-cream, they also served the ice-cream cake.

The ice-cream are available in 6 different flavours - Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate, Mocha Almond Fudge, Cookies & Cream and Butter Scotch! The ice-cream cake comes in Fruity Strawberry, Vanilla Chocolate Chip, Triple Chocolate and Mocha Almond Fudge. I find that the ice-cream are less creamy and a bit below my expectation of what I regard as quality ice-cream if you count Baskin31Robbins is one! I seldom have Haagen Daz because I find Baskin31Robbins on every 31st of the month such a steal! The ice-cream served was lack of dairy. Definitely not my type of ice-cream. I'm not trying to imply that I've got an expensive taste (maybe I do) but honestly, if you have eaten one of the best, you would not settle for less....

Piper Heidsieck Cuvee Brut

Well, besides the sweet tooth indulgences, I had a couple of glasses of the drinks selection. First of all, I helped myself to a glass of Piper Heidsieck champagne, and then a few more. It was of course not to be compared to Bollinger, because Piper is so much cheaper. On the eye, the champagne has a pale gold sparkling clarity. The nose is fresh, with hints of citrus and toastiness. The palate is light and gentle. Unlike Bollinger, Piper has a lighter taste and colour too. Of course I prefer Bollinger but when free drinks is offered, I don't complain.

Il Vino dei Poeti Rose Bottega

Il Vino dei Poeti Rosè is described as an innovative cuvee made from Pinot Nero and Raboso grapes picked by hand and placed in small baskets, then pressed within two to three hours of harvesting. The intense rose-coloured wine is a first to me. Described as delicate, fresh and vivacious with a light, spicy aroma, it is characterised by a fragrance of Golden variety apples and soft forest fruits, particularly raspberries and blackcurrants. I have never tried any type of the rose Bottega variety and thus I can't really comment on the taste. I found that I don't really like it. Dunno why but just don't like it. According to the distilleria, the wine can be enjoyed as an aperitif, or with hors d'oeuvres (bite-sized appetizer), amuse-bouche, light first courses and fish dishes.

La Motte 2005 Millennium

After that, my customer proposed that I give La Motte from South Africa a try. It's a 2005 Millenium which is a blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 12% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot. I don't usually get to taste South African wines and thus I didn't reject the offer of a glass of it. On the nose there are pleasant cherry, roasted nut and dark chocolate flavours. The palate is of firm distinctive tannins. I don't really like it but I feel that it'll taste better in time when it reaches its maturity. It's not the right time to drink it now or probably it was due the lack of time to decanter it before drinking.

I had a great afternoon having tried so many different ice-cream and booze and not realising that it was already 6pm. I drove my assistant back to the factory before heading towards IL DIVO at Desa Sri Hartamas for a vertical tasting on Lake's Folly and to try the new chef's menu.

Related post : Jack Daniels & Bollinger