Page 24 February 2015 Chocolate and vanilla swirled treats tickle taste buds By Amanda Goossen Last summer when I noticed a sign for a new ice cream shop coming soon to Old Town Scottsdale, I felt a rush of excitement overcome my body. I’m a sweets fanatic, with soft serve ice cream, chocolate- vanilla swirl, and chocolate-dipped cones being some of my all-time faves. When Shakes & Cones opened in late October 2014, my long awaited dreams of creamy, ice-cold, heavenly treats came to absolute perfect fruition. And imagine my surprise when I walked up to the shop and noticed that Shakes & Cones isn’t even a walk-in ice cream shop but a cute little walk-up window with brightly colored chairs out front. Taking our order was none other than the owner’s parents. Shakes & Cones is a family business. The brother and sister team of David and Gina Vallecorsa, with their spouses, have designed the shop they always wanted, with a product in which they truly believed. “We’ve always wanted to have our own business,” said David. “I’m in commercial real estate and a couple of years ago when the industry started to slow down, I was able to think about it a little more.” The siblings and their spouses, Katie Vallecorsa and Max Rosenburg, thought about what type of business they could run. Ice cream kept coming to mind. “Our mom has always been a health nut,” said David. “She said if you want to do ice Months turned into years and research was done, equipment was purchased, recipes were tried. A business plan began coming together. “We did our research and found we could do organic soft serve,” said David. “The taste-testing process was amazing,” said Katie. Shakes & Cones 7215 E. First St. shakesandcones.com The four family members found products and designed a menu that could be almost completely organic, non-GMO, kosher and gluten free. A few exceptions come when items like Oreos are used as toppings. “It doesn’t take much to make ice cream. In our soft serve there are about eight or said David. “We use grass-fed cow milk and it tastes creamier than other milk.” Soft serve ice cream has lower butter cream (6 percent) content than ice cream (10-18 percent) and contains more air, giving it the softer texture. The amount of air introduced at the time of freezing alters the taste and quality of the soft serve. (More air content results in a creamier product.) The soft serve ice cream at Shakes & Cones comes in vanilla, chocolate and vanilla-chocolate swirl and is extremely luscious and satisfying. Menu items consist of cones, shakes, Affogato (a double shot of espresso over a 12-ounce cup of organic vanilla soft serve). The siblings wanted a simple name for their shop. Something catchy. Shakes & They wanted a quick walk up window and simple menu to make ordering ice cream a casual and uncomplicated process. The menu, however, has grown over the past two months because of all the items customers have requested. The location, near a busy corner in Old Town Scottsdale was chosen for its foot ! grew up in Phoenix, giving them a keen understanding of the community. ! the family. With David and Gina’s mom and dad running the window on some afternoons, the siblings and their spouses taking over other shifts, and two ASU Gina and Katie both have babies on the way in April. It’s a hectic, yet fun time for everyone. “Last weekend, it was a Friday night and we had a really busy night,” said David. “Max and I were washing dishes and he looked at me and said, ‘What are we doing?…We both had good jobs and now we are working two jobs and washing dishes.’” David laughs while telling this story and looks at his wife before continuing. They both smile, pride beaming from their eyes as they look at the business they’ve all created. “It’s a crazy time,” he said. “But it’s so much fun.” Scottsdale’s newest ice cream shop boasts delicious soft-serve and a brother and sister ownership team. Arcadia’s Cookbook Email amanda@arcadianews.com to demonstrate your culinary skills! Stir! Simmer! Sauté!
Come enjoy our newly remodeled restaurant & cantina. N. 28th St. 2820 E. Indian School Rd. Phoenix • 602.957.7540 Hours: Sun-Thurs, 11am to 10pm • Fri-Sat, 11am to 11pm www.manuelsaz.com Serving Arcadia Since 1964 Serving Arcadia Since 1964 2820 E. Indian School Rd. Phoenix 602.957.7540 Hours: Sun-Thurs, 11am to 10pm Fri-Sat, 11am to 11pm Fiesta Hour Mon-Fri , 3pm to 6pm Saturday, 11am-4pm Come enjoy our newly remodeled restaurant & cantina. your order of $20 or more with this coupon. • Dine In or Take Out • Not valid with any other special or promotion. 1 coupon per group (No Multiples) Not valid on Valentines Day Expires Feb 28th, 2015