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Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Sandwiches [Edit]
1205 E Pike StMon-Fri. 12:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
"Great beers. Even better service. Features an a nice selection of PNW beers on tap and the food is great pub grub. Tasty pizzas and…" read more »
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How many hardcore, jaw-dropping, ice creamgasic experiences have you enjoyed? These guys rock through and through -- they exemplify the ice cream + beer pairing I've always wished existed in this world, but had previously been undermined by other poor attempts at Guinness floats at other establishments.
Bluebird does not mess with beer float shenanigans. Instead, you'll enjoy high-end beer flavors injected early into the ice creaming process, amazing seasonal flavors (pumpkin, etc) as delicious rotations, and local varieties of comfortable standbys that you may be craving.
Local flavors what!? That means Theo chocolate mixed into the cream or the option of getting an espresso flavor worthy of being pulled from one of the best cafes in Seattle! For me, a scoop of the Theo chocolate alongside an espresso scoop means a party in my mouth.
This place seems to get busier as winter continues -- a baffling trend for sure, but a true indicator of underground ice cream success.
Here is my update:
Go there immediately and eat the pumpkin ice cream.
That is all.
I just died and went to heaven. When I woke up I was in snicker doodle bliss! I'm very sorry Molly… Read more »
We probably would have walked right by Bluebird had there not been a lovely lady and gent standing on the sidewalk across from them offering "free ice cream samples". The college kid in me screamed "OH MY GOD IT'S FREE SAMPLES!" so I indulged her (you have to every now and then) and took them up on the offer - I tried the stout ice cream and the boy tried the maple hickory ice cream.
We stopped. We looked at each other. We turned around to see the storefront. We looked at each other again. And we headed straight for the door.
Oh my God, it was creamy and good and sweet without being overly sweet and flavorful and SO GOOD. SO DAMN GOOD!
We opted to split two scoops - one of the snickerdoodle and one of the chocolate pudding. We sat at a table and read on a little sign on the wall about how the wood that made up the counters and tables and such had been reused from various places, including an old high school gym or something. I love the spirit of recycling stuff like that (see also, Peaks Custard) and so this endeared them to me even more.
There's a huge stack of board games to play (OPERATION!) and the coffee bar area where the cream and sugar is was a piano once. The art on the wall currently is a series of birds in bright colors.
Oh MAN, this place is awesome and the chocolate pudding ice cream was SO good! So was the snickerdoodle, but I mean, really, chocolate PUDDING y'all.
I've noted a few people saying that it was kind of empty...it was actually pretty hoppin' when we went on a crisp, lovely Saturday afternoon. As it should be...so here's to hoping.
People love them some Bluebird and while I had yet to go to the store I was able to sample the deliciousness when a fellow Yelper brought Snickerdoodle ice cream to a book club meeting. I was forever changed that night but quickly forgot the importance of Bluebird until I was driving to Barrio and found out where it was.
After my chilaquiles fill, I need something to satisfy my sweet tooth. My sister walked into Bluebird and were greeted by three men tuning their guitars. Its a small inviting area with tables and chairs and a couch. There are board games and books on a shelf. This was more of a cafe. It went beyond an ice cream shop as they served coffee and sandwiches as well.
We browsed the ice cream selections which were varied. I was asked if I wanted a sample of anything and I saw a maple ice cream listed on the menu and asked to try it. It tasted like a maple bar donut. Delish. I ordered a scoop of that with cookie bits in a waffle cone. My unadventurous sister ordered vanilla bean.
We took our ice cream outside to keep the dog company. We each gave high praises to our choices. My only complaint was about the waffle cones. I didn't find them to be very appetizing. Next time the scoops are going into a bowl.
Bluebird is a reason why I am thankful I can eat full dairy ice cream. But just remember the waffle cone is a bit iffy.
You know, I was damaged by the salty ice cream at Molly's, so you get 4 stars from me Bluebird.
Thanks for staying open late enough to be post dinning desert as well!
Bluebird tops it for my all time favorite ice cream place on the Hill. Not only is it inviting with its huge open space with recycled materials but they also have tons of board games to play!!
Their ice cream selections are great too and it always tastes fresh and creamy - not grainy like I've found Molly Moon's ice cream to be sometimes. I LOVE their PB ice cream (paired with strawberry it tastes like a PB&J). Their coffee ice cream is super delicious as well! Oh and the snickerdoodle is fab! They've got great toppings too - honey, peanuts, granola - you name it!
Recently, they seem to be pumping out a new flavor each week. I tried some of the special flavors they came up with for the Elysian Pumpkin Fest and they were to die for - beer soaked apples in cinnamon ice cream? Pumpkin stout that tasted just like pie once you add whip cream on top?
Love LOVE LOVE it!
I love bluebird. I think there stumptown ice cream is way better than the vivace at Molly Moons. The Olympia Marionberry is full of purple goodness, light and refreshing. I've gone with two friends who both agree that the strawberry is the best they've ever had. What I appreciate about Bluebird is that the ice cream isn't super sweet, which allows for tasting the actual flavors. I think the other specialty shops over do it on the sweetness.
I also really appreciate that there is sweet art on the wall and many places to sit (especially the two comfy chairs in the corner).
I haven't had a chance to taste the Theo chocolate; I can't wait!
Bluebird brings back warm memories of a childhood a I never had, curled up in my private little nook at my quirky grandmother's house and eating homemade ice cream.
I've seen this look attempted several places in Portland but this is the only place that truly brings the warm fuzzies. Stacks of board games on a dreser. Seating under the stairs. Day dreamy music popping from a giant golden stereo. Warm and inviting colors. I think i saw a sunshine orange chair with fuzzy upholstery. Broken pianos! Vintage in all the right ways.
Snicker-doodle and Maple Hickory flavors are amazing. All fresh and local ingredients. More toppings than you will ever need.
Okay, there was no giant golden radio. But it was pretty awesome. Come and have a seat. Enjoy the ambiance and treat yourself to some sweet desert.
Completely empty around 9pm on a warm summer Saturday night is not generally the sign of a winning establishment, and given that I'd heard positive reviews, I was unsure if I'd went to the right place, a cafe nestled in a less traveled area of the Pike corridor.
I had, and despite the lack of patrons, the slight confusion of offerings beyond ice cream and after trying a strong peanut butter and a curious maple hickory with no complaints, I decided on a waffle cone of snickerdoodle ($4.) The relatively light cinnamon perfection strongly reminded me of one of the best flavors I'd ever had at Buy-Rite Creamery in San Francisco, which is enough reason for me to return here.
After I left though, I was still wondering about why no one was there. Did Bluebird somehow end up on the United Hipster Association blacklist? As I was enjoying the cone walking down Pine, I happened to walk by the denser, richer competition and noticed the usual line outside. The shunning must be either locational or personal.
It is a perverse place, time and testament to Seattle when Molly Moon's can be referred to, in terms of both business itself and business model, as a dominating empire as opposed to a scrappy underdog, but that is how I fear it's going to go down and since both offer a different flavor of high-end ice cream, I hope Bluebird survives its maiden flights and figures out how to attract more customers with its sweet, creamy song.
Vintage feeling inside with lots of open space and many places to sit. I stopped in on a sunny Sunday in the afternoon and I was the only one there. I ordered a scoop of Strawberry Ice Cream to go. The to go bowl was a normal size paper bowl with a normal size scoop in it. My ice cream was thick and smooth, and the strawberry flavor was fresh but not overwhelming. It was quality ice cream and not too sweet like other homemade varieties.
The guy working was really nice. When I laughed at him for being out of Toast and Jam he explained that they use to use Macrina for bread but were switching suppliers so they never had bread that day to start- Makes sense kinda :)
FYI's~
* Located right between Pike and Pine in a basement level shop with window on the sidewalks level
* They serve a few light breakfast and brunch items
* The ice cream flavors run from typical- strawberry/vanilla/chocolate peanut butter... to fun- like chocolate pudding
What a sweet spot!
There's a big window you walk past as you're entering bluebird and you get a sneak peek at what you're about to experience. You look inside and there are high ceilings, paintings of local artists adorning the walls, etc. Very cute!
My brother and I took a trip to Bluebird to check it out because half a dozen friends had recommended it to me. I loved walking in an noticing what appears to be furniture and floors made up of an old re-purposed basketball parquet floor. Creative! I also loved the paintings (all bird themed) on the walls.
The woman at the counter (who I shall assume is the owner) was extremely pleasant. The ordering process was easy, the menu was simple and the ice cream was simply to die for! Between my brother and I, we tried the snickerdoodle, the chocolate pudding, and the peanut butter. I highly recommend all three flavors. They were decadent, smooth, and very rich in flavor.
In addition to the cute decor, the helpful service, and the great food - there was this vibe of being at a family owned business that I loved. Nothing serious, nothing stuffy. In fact - when I got a spoon with which to eat my ice cream, the woman opened a drawer to uncover a utensil stash where all the spoons, forks, and knives were unique to themselves. So cute! It was as if I was in her home kitchen.
There are also board games for people who plan to stay awhile. They even offer wifi connection and there's a bookshelf where you're encouraged to leave a book in exchange for taking one. Really cool! I can think of a few to drop off on my next trip back.
I heart ice cream, esp these days with my mama-to-be cravings.. Gotta have my calcium!! I've tried most all flavors, and my faves are chocolate pudding, peanut butter, and snickerdoodle. The Stumptown coffee is also really tasty. The Elysian stout is unusual and not too sweet. I bet it'd be good as a float of stout.. Mmm.
For $3, they scoop a HUGE scoop of ice cream into a bowl or sugar cone. $1 for additional scoops, waffle cones are $1 extra. *drool* I haven't been able to eat more than 2 scoops yet, but I just bought a pint for our freezer of half peanut butter, half chocolate pudding. We'll see how long that lasts in there.. Maybe I'll share, if you're nice :)
I will definitely be back. Big bonus - I have not had to stand in a line here yet!
After having heard so much about Bluebird, I decided to make a trek out there yesterday with a few folks.
As I reflect on the experience, for some reason I keep thinking 4 stars. Then I ask myself, "Seriously, what more did you want out of that scoop of Snickerdoodle?" I don't have an answer (hence the 5 star rating): The Snickerdoodle ice cream was absolutely perfect. It's the type of ice cream you can't just chow down on: You have to take a lick, then sit back and savor.
Incidentally, the waffle cones were great (a little chewy and not quite cooked all the way, which is my favorite), but perhaps not the best for ice cream that needs to be savored. I ended up dripping ice cream all over myself. Next time, I'm getting a bowl with the waffle cone on the side.
I also sampled the chocolate pudding and peanut butter flavors, and they were quite yummy as well! But I have a feeling that, no matter what other flavors I try, Snickerdoodle will reign supreme as my favorite here.
Bird bird bird! Bluebird is the word! It's such a cozy little spot I want to build a nest and settle right in. There's cool local art, comfy vintage furniture, a monster-themed art gallery upstairs, and oh yeah - freaking AMAZING ice cream!! The Snickerdoodle and Chocolate Pudding flavors are now topping my list of favorite ice cream in the universe. The Snickerdoodle has a smooth, creamy vanilla-cinnamon flavor, and the Chocolate Pudding is rich and creamy - this is definitely no Jell-o Pudding Pop. The best part is, the friendly Bluebird-istas will dollop out a half-scoop of each, which adds up to sweet and creamy flavor perfection.
Bluebird also offers coffee, sandwiches, and other foodly delights, but it's hard to focus on that when there's ice cream to be had. Aside from my two aforementioned faves, there are plenty of other intriguing flavors to try, including Stumptown coffee, Elysian Stout, and Oregon Blueberry sorbet. Take your pick and plop down on the wooden bench or a cool old velvet armchair to savor your treat. Heck, bring a group and make your way through sampling every flavor while you play one of the house board games. Maybe the tastiness will even inspire you to open up the piano and hammer out a tune. That way, you won't be the only one with this running through your head:
A-well-a Bird bird bird! Bluebird is the word!
Came back with friends last week. Had the maple hickory ice cream. OMG to die for!!
And Ben, our kind ice cream scooper, was patient while 4 of us goofy folks sampled, debated what to get, and all tried to order at the same time. Such a nice place! Though on a hot night during the heat wave 2009, it was pretty warm inside so alas we decided to walk while eating ice cream instead of sitting and enjoying the place.
So I attempted to come to Bluebird last week, the day after their grand opening, only to be… Read more »
I came here after seeing a play at nearby Richard Hugo House. Molly Moon's was closer, but I'd heard wonderful things about some of their flavors and was keen to walk a few extra blocks. Lucky for my friend who was with me, I had the low-down on this joint. I got the hot tip from Katie S. that Bluebird serves up some divine peanut butter ice cream, and I had a peanut butter addict with me who needed a fix. I'm not sure bringing her was a wise move, because every time I talked to her since then she's been jonesin' for some more! If anyone knows of a good ice cream 12-step group please send me a private message. If you must, then please, for the love of all that is good, enjoy the peanut butter ice cream in moderation! Its smooth, creamy, peanutty-ness may overwhelm you.
My favorite flavor was the Stumptown coffee. It was creamy and had a rich coffee flavor. I like it better than the coffee at the aforementioned nearby competitor. The chocolate pudding flavor was dark and decadent. I liked their Elysian stout too--I imagine it's what a stout "float" with a scoop of vanilla would taste like, and it's definitely worth a try if you're a fan of dark beers.
Bluebird has got some tasty-sounding sammiches, some vegan options (including vegan cones and sorbet) and a bunch of other flavors of ice cream that I look forward to trying. Do yourself a favor and stop in sometime and take a refuge from the heat wave.
A+ for organic ice cream.
JONASAPPROVED!
At Bluebird, they say that partaking their peanut butter ice cream is like biting into a Reese's Peanut Butter cup. And you know? It's true.
And you know what else? It's delicious.
I'm not supposed to do the dairy, but sometimes I partake if it's special enough. This is a shop where I will make an exception.
The owner makes the ice cream in house from organic ingredients and everything we tried here the other night was fabulous. The snickerdoodle, the peanut butter, Stumptown, Elysian stout... all very good. Creamy and over the top, just like ice cream should be.
Oh, and it's reasonable. I think a double scoop and a single cone ran us just under $7.
Sandwiches, teas... this is a great, cozy space that most importantly lacks lines.
With the explosion of frozen (treats) on the hill in the last few months, Bluebird is the one shop that has the mom 'n' pop feel. Good stuff... plus NO LINES... yet.
Chocolate pudding ice cream that tastes like chocolate pudding only better. Giant scoops in delicious fresh waffle cones for $3 and change. A weird store that sells things having to do with monsters upstairs.
Perfect.
So organic ice cream and frozen treats hasn't been a stranger lately on the hill. You got Molly moons and Old School all with in a few blocks...all of them are good and fresh and doing new things and pushing new concepts and raising the bar of the frozen goodness since Ben and Jerry.
Old school is for light custard and Molly Moons is heaver with big globs of unique sweetness and Bluebird is right in the middle.
Bluebird has great concepts of flavors without getting too odditie. Bluebird raises early when the Moon fades and before School, the bluebird gets ready getting local fresh milk and they raise the bar on the freshness..yea some other places uses local indigents...Bluebird gets Ingredients from establishments on the same block with flavors from Stumptown coffee and stout ice cream from The Elysian Brewery
At first I was a little sad that they wouldn't give my husband some free ice cream on his birthday, but they did give him an extra giant scoop in a freshly made waffle cone! The stumptown coffee flavor was perfect---creamy, delicious, and not too sweet! We played a few games of guess who(which by the way is completely sexist; only 4 girls and like 20 guys..what is that all about??) at a quiet table. I'm kind of wondering how they will do in the winter. Hardley any sunlight gets in with it being located somewhat in the basement.
The only thing keeping me from giving them 5 stars is that they were out of almost half of their flavors! I'm not sure if I caught them on a bad day or something, but I need more than 4 choices!
I've long said that someone (okay, NASA) should invent hot ice cream so that I'm able to enjoy a delicious treat in the winter. I think I may have to place that absurd mission in the capable hands of Bluebird. No, they don't have anything resembling hot ice cream (but I hereby bequeath to them my brilliant idea), but they did manage to make a delectable cold cookie. Really.
My sister wanted to meet here last night (apparently she's been enjoying their mason-jar-brewed iced tea but hadn't tried the ice cream) so I looked them up. Snickerdoodle? I spent all day considering this. On the one hand, it could be amazing. On the other, it could be a huge disappointment. Luckily, it turned out to be the former. It was a snickerdoodle, it was ice cream...it was delicious. We also had some peach iced tea, which was brewed quite well.
The staff was very nice and helpful and there is a monster gallery and shop upstairs! Love the decor and the recycled/found objects. Love that they compost. I can see myself coming here to drink tea and play board games while devouring frozen cookie bliss. Oh, and the Olympia marionberry ice cream was quite yummy as well.
I love this place! Unlike Molly Moon's you aren't faced with a line that snacks around the block. The ice creams is tasty yet somewhat light and creamy so that you don't feel like you ate a brick of fudge afterwards.
I highly recommend their coffee and snickerdoodle in a waffle cone!
I will update my review once I've had a chance to go back. I think opening days can be risky to evaluate.
The space is really, really lovely. The bird art was fantastic and I wish I had cash to blow. I definitely see myself going back on a rainy day for tea and bringing a friend and some knitting. Excellent selection of board games, too.
Their ice cream was good. I had Snickerdoodle and it definitely reminded me of my favorite cookie. The guy who served me was friendly and not stingy on the portions! My companion was excited about their veggie and vegan food options.
Now for the, well, not bad but perhaps 'meh' part of my experience. I think if I'm going to ruin my diet by eating ice cream, I'd rather go to Molly Moons. Yeah, Snickerdoodle ice cream excited me but I like the more complex flavors at MM.
The art space upstairs was just okay. I feel like I've seen most of those toys at many other places in Seattle and it kinda smelled like a sweaty basement (perhaps because of the dusty fun fur and shag everywhere?). I was also inexplicably (or not?) offended by the fact that they were selling little northern coast totem poles and presumably marketing the animals depicted on them as monsters. No. Those would be raven, wolf, bear, and frog. They actually mean something to some people.
This is what happens when an anthropologist tries to go out. I can't have nice things. If you're sane and don't get riled up about stuff like that, have at it. Maybe you'll find the art space more entertaining than I did. Definitely go try out the ice cream and tea, though!
Failing yet again to make it to old school custard before they closes at 11 pm on Friday evening I remembered that Bluebird was across the street and I decided to give it a shot.
I ended up getting the dragonstooth ice cream being a fan of the beer served next door. I could tell the ice cream was of very high quality but I couldn't really get into the taste. There is a lot of roastiness and some smokiness to the ice cream. It was good but like I said I had a hard time getting into the flavor.
I can't wait to try some of there other flavors.
Those poor guys. It must've been 102 inside the shop, but they were still all smiles and super friendly. Sure wish they could open those big ol' windows in the front; (not that it would have helped last night) in general, eating ice cream al fresco on a warm summer night is pretty awesome.
I loved the ice cream texture, flavor, and creaminess over Molly Moon's, I loved that there was no line, and the artwork on the wall was adorable. And my "single scoop" was noticeably larger than any kind of single scoop I've ever had. Bonus!
Minus a point for a fatally hot space, and for being out of the flavors I came to try: Elysian Stout and Stumptown Coffee (wow, I totally just dropped names right there). But I was quite happy with my PB and will come back again to try the other flavors (after running up and down the block a few times! Butterfat...mmm...)
While I do enjoy experimental flavors a well made strawberry ice cream can really hit the spot. Order in and they serve it with real dishes! While biodegradable tableware is popular right now I prefer not to create more waste. They have a good selection of tea and will ice any of them for you - served in a pint mason jar. Hmm, I hope that straw is biodegradeable...
The wifi hasn't gone out a single time since I arrived! There are cute little informative notes posted everywhere.
My only real complaint is that pews aren't comfortable for long periods of sitting.
No Line! Take that Molly Moon, you have been served, or actually, I have been served without waiting half an hour on a warm summer evening.
Cute, efficient, chill place to get ice cream, tea and sandwiches. I went for ice cream. The snicker-doodle was a blast of sweet cinnamon, I loved it. My friend indulged in a very good strawberry ice cream. The chocolate pudding, while tasting like such, was kinda boring.
They even have vegan options for the poor souls who go dairy free. And are composting on site, which I totally love.
OH MAN! i had the snickerdoodle.
um... have the snickerdoodle.
you won't regret it.
soooo tasty. yum.
oh, and did i mention board games? they've got those.
next time, i'm parking myself there with some ice cream and boggle.
I tried the stumptown coffee ice cream. very coffee-esque. i thoroughly enjoyed it.
I also tried a…
Read more »
This place is a lot like something you would find in San Francisco a few years ago, including with the monster/Miyazaki inspired store upstairs. I think Totoro and ice cream is a good combo.
As for the ice cream, the snickerdoodle is very sweet, very cinnamony. Kind of like horchata. Chocolate pudding is very dark in color, with an opacity/grayness to it. Good intense chocolate flavor. And the vanilla bean is smooth and luscious. A funky place, laid back, and worth a stop.
Was roaming around Cap Hill Sunday and what better way to spend a Sunday then doing a taste test of the frozen treats in the neighborhood? You may read this and just think Fat Kid but I shared my ice cream with two other friends.
We ordered two scoops from Bluebird - the Snickerdoodle and the Stout. Snickerdoodle was a tad sweet for my taste. And unfortunately he gave us Chocolate Pudding instead of Stout! This took us about five bites to figure out but once I did, I was quite disappointed he mis-scooped our ice cream. Chocolate pudding tasted exactly like it says and with the snickerdoodle you can make your own Mexican Chocolate!
I still prefer Molly Moons or Custard but I'm just glad we have frozen treatS (plural!) in cap hill! And next time, I'm trying the stout!
I've been meaning to review this place since i first went here. Wonderful flavors and great atmosphere. They have all sorts of board games to play. They also have a neat little shop upstairs that sells the cutest stuff animals! The icecream is made fresh daily and to die for. I always thought nothing could beat Molly Moons but i was wrong. The chocolate pudding is my favorite.
Bluebird is a pleasant addition to my office block up here on the hill. The ambiance is great- I dig the recycled gym flooring, the games, and the simple wood tables. The owner is very friendly and the place has a grass-roots, down to earth feel.
I also really support their use of local, sustainably sourced ingredients and conscious serving ware (fully compostable, with a compost receptacle on site). A thoughtful sign is posted at the counter explaining their decision about the dairy source (a local creamery, sustainable but not certified organic).
The ice cream is A M A Z I N G. I had a half scoop each of peanut butter and the Elysian Stout. The peanut butter is exceptionally creamy and peanut-butter-ific, just the way peanut butter ice cream should be. I can't imagine it being any better, actually. The Elysian Stout is made with a reduction of Dragontooth Stout from next door
and is the most interesting ice cream flavor I've had in awhile (even more so than at MM's down the way, though I do heart the balsamic strawberry). Anyhow, the Stout starts off sweet and finishes a bit on the bitter side, just like the beer. Very much like a stout float, but with nothing for the ice cream to float in, I guess. I really liked it!
I only gave 4 stars because I didn't get a chance to try other fare, but I"ll be back to grab a sandwich and linger over tea when the weather gets colder. Also, there are still a couple new-business bumps to be worked out... getting the credit card machine up and running, having pint containers on hand to sell pints-to-go, take-out menus, etc. I'm sure they'll get those kinks ironed out within the first 2 weeks.
All in all, I'm very excited about this little place and look forward to becoming a regular supporter.
A final "scoop..." t he owner is working on some vegan coconut based ice cream flavors to supplement the dairy and sorbet options already offered. When these become available, I think Bluebird will really find its niche with the dairy free crowd (I'm in that category but make exceptions for yumminess such as that offered by Bluebird).
I want to preface this by saying that I fully expect to be writing an updated, better review of this place in about six months. But they just opened and their act is not quite together, yet. All new businesses need that shake-down period but some of what I have to say SHOULD be said now.
I sampled most of what Bluebird has on hand as of July 25th. It was my birthday and I chose this as one of my special activities for the day. I actually bought three dishes/cones to try in depth.
The chocolate pudding was very chocolaty and rich and had a creamy texture that worked nicely with the butterfat of the chocolate. It had that "melts on the tongue" quality that good ice cream should have. The Vanilla Bean was also good but the vanilla flavor seemed somewhat muted and those hallmark flecks of bean were fairly scarce. The Elysian Stout flavor was one of the biggest disappointments of any ice cream I've ever tasted. For only the second time in my life, I wound up dumping over half of the serving into a trash can. Having made a LOT of ice cream for restaurants in which I've worked, and having made two beer-based ice creams/gelatos, I can tell you that there IS a way to get that metallic, sour caste of the hops completely out of the ale so that it doesn't fight it out with the sweetness. Bluebird either didn't know how to do that or chose not to. IMHO, it was not a good choice.This wasn't like the tart, ciderish sour you'd get in frozen yogurt. This was the bitterness of hops which pops out of the flavor profile when the sugars mask the malts in the ale. It was a mess and even my VERY adventurous food aesthetic wasn't up to the task of rationalizing it out as something positive. The other flavors I tried were fairly good but MOST of the ice creams shared a gummy texture that is completely at odds with other local creameries like Molly Moon and Mora, whose products are light and refreshing on the palate. The best one I tasted was the Stumptown Coffee, which delivered a whopper of a coffee flavor and a slightly better texture than the others. The Snickerdoodle was thoroughly missable and the peanut butter was the zenith of that gummy textural thing.
Most of all...(sigh)...folks, this is TWO THOUSAND & NINE. The Americans With Disabilities Act has been around a LONG time, now, and there is just NO excuse for new businesses not to consider the potential trade from and rights of disabled people. People with disabilities labor like HELL, every stinkin' day, to just live as normal a life as possible. You open a new business built down in a cellar, either build a ramp, put a satellite freezer by the front window, or DO SOMETHING. If this seems strident, I'll just live with that perception but, as far as I'm concerned, anywhere that my GF can't go because of her wheelchair, I don't want to go. And I am a LOOOONG way from the only ice cream-loving, Capitol Hill-friendly, new business-supporting companion of a disabled person who feels that way. IMHO, shrugging eloquently and saying, "Well, we're just not accessible" is the same thing as putting a picture of a dwarf in the window and saying, "If you shorter than 3'6", we don't want your business."
I'd love to rewrite this in six months, IF I can bring my GF back with me. If not, Bluebird can live without my Ice Cream Jones.
I have never ever tasted such a cooling blissful mouthful of sorbet until yesterday. Temperatures were record breaking 105, and no frozen yogurt in sight, so Cupcake Royale tells me, "try Blue Bird up the street". I ask about the frozen yogurt and the cool clerk offers the blueberry sorbet option. I happily accept and find that it is to die for. It's yummy natural blueberry taste and massive amounts of crushed blueberries and ice made for the perfect cool off cure on the hottest day of the year. About $3 for a generous scoop. Blue Bird - I will fly back and see you again soon!
I like the place and the creativity of the owners. They have some cute little signs put up explaining how they started the business and who was working there (larger font would be appreciated). I like having stuff to read as I decide on my ice cream. I got the snicker doodle ice cream which tasted just like a snicker doodle cookie. They assured me each flavor has a different texture because of the unique ingredients, but I'm pretty sure it's not supposed to be dripping off the cone and too runny to actually form a round scoop. As a result I got a rather small serving, especially compared to competitor Molly Moon down the street. I really liked the folks running the place but I'm going to wait until they can get the consistency of the ice cream figured out. I will be back in a while to try again.
Mmmm... the snickerdoodle ice cream was to die for!! The other flavors were interesting, but that is the reason to come. The place is a funky little space - small and unpretentious, a great spot to hang out on your own or with some friends (and their great board game collection).
There are three amazing things about this place:
1) The ice cream is great! This is high quality traditional ice cream, like you've never had before. Sure Molly Moons is great if you like to spill Balsamic Vinegar or Salt on your sweet foods. But if you are a connoisseur of traditional ice cream this place is for you. Not only does it feel good to eat something made with local and regional ingredients (right down to the cream) but it tastes great.
2) The space is amazingly well done. The cozy ambiance is the sort of place where I could see myself hanging out with friends over ice cream in the summer of sitting with a good book and a cup of tea in the winter. The promise of a community room and local musicians sweetens the deal as well.
3) Some might say the local products and locally sourced ingredients is overdone in Seattle, but this place gets it right. They use Elysian Stout in their stout ice cream and it comes from less then 100 yards away... on the same block. The milk and cream are regional from OR as are much of the fruit they use.
Bottom line, even in ice cream saturated Capital Hill this place has staying power. Check it out.
I have to say I was quite impressed with my first experience at Bluebird. I love the space. The tables are made from a recycled basketball floor. They have stacks of games (I played Guess Who?), magazines, and books. I didn't try the food but I did try three of the ice creams. Snickerdoodle, Elysian Stout, and Stumptown Coffee. I got the Stumptown Coffee in a homemade waffle bowl. It was perfectly creamy. My only complaint is that there could have been a little more coffee flavor than there was (but still, delicious!). I felt so comfortable hanging out there. I will definitely go back, not just to enjoy the delicious ice cream, but to enjoy the great, homey ambiance. Take your friends, take your significant other, take your kids....they will all love it!
I flew in to Seattle this past weekend from New York. I had heard about the Bluebird from some people and I decided to give it a try. It was so good that I actually went back all three days that I was there! I have traveled all around the world, eating gelato in Venice, helado in Spain, glace in France, ... and I have never in my life eaten ice cream as delicious as this. It has a rich, creamy texture, with flavors that are not to be believed. I am a lover of coffee and the Stumptown coffee flavor ice cream is just incredible! It is obvious that this ice cream is made with freshly roasted coffee beans - the flavor is robust and awesome. The chocolate pudding is incredibly rich and the color is amazing. Pair it with the peanut butter and it's like eating a Reese's cup, only better! The snickerdoodle has a wonderful blend of cinnamon and sugar... I even enjoyed the Elysian stout ice cream and I don't like beer! I have to admit that I tried every flavor and each one just outdid the next.
If you are in the Seattle area, you MUST go to Capitol Hill and visit Bluebird. I wish I could have wrapped up the ice cream and brought it back to New York with me. Maybe one day I will be lucky and find it being sold at my local supermarket. Go try this out. It is not to be believed!!!
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