Friday I’m In Love: Art and Ice Cream in Alhambra
It’s Friday I’m In Love: things that I adore on a particular week. Not an ad, just a place for me to talk about what I love at this very moment. What I’m eating, buying, loving. More of my faves here.
For most people in Los Angeles Alhambra is a bit of trek, really anything east of the 110 and over 20 minutes away is a trek but I implore you Angelenos, you have to get out of the TMZ and explore.
There are tons of great places to eat in the SGV but I’m going to focus on one little area, a 4 square mile radius of Alhambra. If there’s one universal truth, it’s that the two things that go great together are ice cream and art. Lucky for us, Alhambra fulfills all your icy creamy, art-filled dreams.
Gallery Nucleus is on Main Street and one of my favorite pop culture galleries in all of LA. Their Harry Potter show was one of my all time favorites. Their ever changing art shows just keep getting better and I love seeing all the wonderful creations coming out of Los Angeles artists.
Currently they are running a Steven Universe & Adventure Time art exhibition. The featured artists pulled out all the stops with Finn, Jake and Princess inspiration.
The opening night reception featured artists signings, giveaways and prints for sale, many of which feature art from Boom Studios Adventure Time and Steven Universe covers.
The exhibit runs through the end of August and the Gallery Nucleus gift store is not to be missed, filled with art, clothing and toys galore!
Moving west down Main Street half a mile you’ll hit Alhambra cult favorite, Honey Badger Cafe. If you think the name is interesting, check out the ice cream flavors: fresh churned real Taro ice cream made in small batches. No purple powder here, this is made from natural slow-cooked taro root.
Another Asian flavor that divides the masses and makes friends into enemies: Durian. Yes folks, here you’ll find the beloved/most hated “king of all fruit” made into a creamy yet pungent ice cream. Not for the weak.
Now head west just one more mile and you’ll hit the godfather of LA ice cream, Fosselman’s Ice Cream. Fosselman’s has been around for 91 years (!) and is so good I used to drive an hour from the westside just for a taste!
Every Fosselman’s flavor is good but their seasonal ones available for a limited time are exceptional and tend to highlight the ingredients of the season. Their creamy espresso and burgandy cherry are always winners but they also feature unique flavors like Horchata, Lychee and Macapuno.
Ok, have you had your icy fill yet? Just one more stop, two miles south. While it’s not technically ice cream and frankly not technically Alhambra, Fluff Ice in Monterey Park is just 10 minutes away and not to be missed.
The asian ice craze is at it’s peak but Fluff Ice does it best in my opinion. By shaving pre-flavored ice into large snowy flakes, this dessert is a dream combination of ice and cream, fluffy and delicate. Eat it as is, or go for one of their tried and true Fluff Ice flavor combos. The Fluff Ice signature Thai Tea is absolutely spectacular.
In just a short 4 mile journey, you can experience the fabulous LA pop-culture art scene and indulge in some of LA’s most unique ice cream desserts. Definitely worth a trip across the 10 freeway.
Gallery Nucleus
210 E Main St.
Alhambra, CA 91801
Honey Badger Cafe
11 W Main St.
Alhambra, CA 91801
Fosselman’s Ice Cream
1824 W Main St.
Alhambra, CA 91801
Fluff Ice
500 N Atlantic Blvd #153
Monterey Park, CA 91754
