Saturday, July 26, 2014

Chill Out at Walton's Fancy & Staple with Dolce Neve Gelato Sandwiches & Iced Coffee

Chill Out at Walton’s Fancy & Staple:
West 6th Gem to Serve Handcrafted Dolce Neve Gelato Sandwiches &
Infused Iced Coffee


Chill out this August with iced coffees and ice cream sandwiches at Walton’s Fancy and Staple, the city’s go-to spot for baked goods, catered offerings, and dine-in and take-out meals. Walton’s culinary director Justin “Raif” Raiford is the mastermind behind these cool ideas—what better way to beat the summer heat—which pairs hand-crafted drinks with homemade treats featuring true Italian gelato made locally from the folks at Dolce Neve.

Raif thought of doing ice cream sandwiches after seeing someone receive a box of hot cookies on a 100-degree day. Once he sampled some of the amazing made-from-scratch flavors at Dolce Neve, a tiny gelato spot along S. 1st that opened last winter, the self-proclaimed ice cream lover knew he had the perfect match. It all starts with Walton’s signature cookies, which are made fresh every day with real butter, pure vanilla, fresh and crystallized ginger, and brown sugar (no shortening on this list). Next add the gelato, which is made from locally-sourced seasonal ingredients, organic fresh milk from a local dairy, and absolutely no artificial flavorings, preservatives, or thickeners. The freezing technique at Dolce Neve—owned by three native Italians—takes a little longer than an industrial method but the finished product is creamier and simply tastes better.

For the filling for the sandwiches, Raif selected vanilla and goat cheese gelato, which proved to be smart flavor complements to the assortment of cookies that make up the menu: chocolate chunk cookies with vanilla gelato, ginger cookies with goat cheese, peanut butter cookies with goat cheese, and salty oat cookies with either vanilla or goat cheese. Diners can expect several surprise rotating flavors to be mixed in throughout the month, as well. The ice cream sandwiches come in small rounds ($4.50) or giant rounds ($9.50) and will be featured at Walton’s throughout the month of August.

Wash everything down with a specialty iced coffee (or a hot one if you dare) that is bursting with deliciousness because of the infused house-made syrups. “I steep flavoring into simple syrup and let the flavors bloom,” said Raif. He’s been experimenting with ingredients and combinations, including a vanilla syrup that has bourbon and Mexican vanilla, a toasted hazelnut, a salted caramel with sea salt for balance, a raspberry, and a simple coconut syrup that mixes well with a little chocolate syrup. Another creation not to be missed is the Walton’s Toddy, made with frozen ultra purified water and a special roast of Cuvee coffee; prepared with a dripping process that takes anywhere from 12 to 18 hours, this intricate caffeinated beverage will both delight and rejuvenate. Drinks run from $4.50 to $5.50 and will be incorporated into the permanent menu.

A throwback to an old general store but with just enough of a modern touch, Walton’s is the ideal spot to linger over a blue plate special, pick up a gift for a friend, or take home fresh flowers.

Get away from the rising temps, savor the moment, and cool your heels.

Walton’s Fancy & Staple is located at 609 W. Sixth Street, Austin, TX 78701. For hours, catering assistance, and more information, call 512-542-3380 or go to waltonsfancyandstaple.com.

Follow Walton’s Fancy & Staple on Social Media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/waltonsfancyandstaple
Twitter: @WaltonsAustin
Instagram: @WaltonsAustin

Follow Dolce Neve on Social Media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/dolcenevegelato
Twitter: @DolceNeve
Instagram: @DolceNeveGelato

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