Every back-to-school clothes shopping trip at Montgomery Mall should include a detour to Ice Dream, a new Taiwanese shaved ice kiosk. Called xue hua bing, or snow ice, the dessert is made by freezing the flavor into a cylindrical block of milky ice, and then shaving it into paper-thin ribbons. Ice Dream owner Vicki Tep likens the consistency to filo dough or shaved chocolate, and she’s right. I tried the “original” flavor, made with condensed milk, resulting in a sweet, creamy and feathery concoction that’s unusual and fun to eat.
Flavors include taro, lychee, coconut, mango, green tea and almond, and toppings range from M&Ms to mango star jelly.
Ice Dream is located on the second floor of the mall near Macy’s.
Woodmont Triangle office workers looking for a late afternoon snack, or residents out for an after-dinner stroll now have a self-serve frozen yogurt shop in their neighborhood. Berry Yogurt opened last Friday (August 5) in the former Chico’s on Norfolk Avenue. Just as the space was tight for a clothing store, it seems big for a fro-yo shop (more than 2,000-square feet), but at least everyone seems assured of getting a seat.
This is the first ownership venture for Bethesda resident Judy Lu, who previously worked in the pharmacy at Suburban Hospital. “My daughter and I love yogurt,” Lu said.
I tried a swirl with strawberry, pineapple and mango—not tart, but not too sweet, and creamier than some of the competition. With lots of fresh fruit and candy toppings to choose from, the yogurt goes for 49 cents an ounce. Free Wi-Fi, too.
7920 Norfolk Ave. Bethesda. 301-654-3156.
