The perfection is really lacking in Dove’s Caramel Pecan Perfection.  I’m a huge fan of the Miniature Dove Bars and was hoping to be a fan of Dove’s line of regular ice cream flavors.  Thus far, that’s not going to be the case.  The flavor of Caramel Pecan Perfection is bad and the texture is worse.  The only thing I liked about this ice cream was that it had a hard chocolate coating on top.  I think I’ll stick to the Dove Minatures from now on

• Flavor: 2.5
• Flavor Intensity: 3
• Texture: 3
• Originality: 3
• Overall: 2.5
• Cost: $3.99 at Safeway

Winning our first playoff game in the Dupont Kickball league had me exhausted and in need of a refreshing ice cream cone. (Is it necessary to mention that we won because the other team forfeited due to lack of players?) On this warm- but not hot-June evening, I was in the mood for a fruity flavor. I headed to Sweet Licks, a local ice cream shop on 17^th and R and chose Raspberry White Chocolate. Having been to Sweet Licks only one time before, I was unaware that they do not make their own ice cream. White Chocolate Raspberry is made by Great Falls Ice Cream in Silver Spring, MD. The last time I went to Sweet Licks was about nine months ago, and the ice cream did not make enough of an impression for me to return, until now. Now, I can say without a doubt that I will go back, probably sooner rather than later. I loved Raspberry White Chocolate. In terms of texture, this was not a smooth ice cream. In most ice cream, the chunks are distinguishable from the ice cream itself. But, in Raspberry White Chocolate this wasn’t the case. Every bite had little itty bitty slivers of white chocolate. Normally I am a big fan of smooth creamy textures, but I thoroughly enjoyed the course texture of this ice cream. Moreover, I loved the flavor combination. The raspberry was not too intense or sorbet-like, rather it was creamy. And the white chocolate also was perfectly flavored (sometimes I find white chocolate to be extremely bland). The only un-enjoyable aspect of my ice cream cone was the cone itself. I love sugar cones and this cone had an excellent flavor, but it just wasn’t crispy enough for me. Overall, the fantastic flavor and tantalizing texture of White Chocolate Raspberry at Sweet Licks in Washington DC left me wanting more.

• Flavor: 5
• Flavor intensity: 3
• Texture: 4
• Originality: 3.5
• Cone: 3
• Overall: 5
• Cost $3.12

It’s a gorgeous day, the sun bright in the sky and a cool breeze piercing my sunburned face. Kennedy square, named after the former US President, is overly crowded with 20-somethings. We just arrived in Galway after a 6 hour drive from Dingle stopping along the way the magnificent Cliffs of Moher. Bailey’s Irish Cream from Relish Café fit right into the moment. It was smooth and creamy with a full flavor. While the atmosphere of Relish Café, located in “Super Mac” felt like a food court, outside the store was a delightful environment that made the early evening ice cream cone in Galway wholly satisfying.

• Flavor: 3.5
• Flavor Intensity: 4
• Texture: 3.5
• Originality: 4
• Cone: 3.5
• Overall: 4
• Cost €1.50

If you are ever in Ireland you much go to Dingle. And not just because it’s one of the prettiest places in the world. But, because it’s home to Murphy’s Ice Cream. This little shop serves remarkable ice cream. All of the flavors looked wonderful, but I decided that since I was in Ireland I might as well get something Irish: Brown Bread Ice Cream. I know, bread in ice cream doesn’t sound too good. But it is. The flavor is indescribable. Absolutely amazing ice cream. It had a pretty intense flavor and was smooth enough- expect for a few chunks of ice. Murphy’s Brown Bread Ice Cream is a must for ice cream lovers.

• Flavor: 5
• Flavor Intensity: 4
• Texture: 4
• Originality: 5
• Cone: 3
• Overall: 5

Sitting here in the Ronald Reagan Airport I just finished my first official ice cream taste test.  Up for review is Edy’s Butter Pecan.  The flavor is a little caramely and it has a fair number of pecans.  On purpose or not, the ice cream was a little melted and therefore soft, but not too soft, there were no pools of melted ice cream at the bottom of the cup.  Let’s face it, I wasn’t going to start my “Ice Cream Project” today, but after arriving two hours early for our flight to Dublin through JFK and waiting in line for 30 minutes only to find out that the flight to JFK did not have a pilot and thus we would miss our connection, I needed some ice cream.  Edy’s Butter Pecan satisfied that need and helped me feel a little less stressed.

• Flavor: 4
• Flavor Intensity: 4
• Texture: 4.5
• Originality: 3.5
• Overall: 4
• Cost: $2.65