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When I flew to Columbus last September, I had no idea what to expect. The city had never been on my radar and the only reason I went was because I was invited on a press tour. But, really, I wasn’t all that enthusiastic about the trip. This all, of course, changed for me within the first eight hours of being there. That first night, we were not only treated to a phenomenal meal at the charming Basi Italia, but we finished the evening with a visit to Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream. Now, I love ice cream and I especially love ice cream that completely changes your image of what it can be. And this is what Jeni Britton Bauer does. She uses seasonal ingredients (many that are local, such as the sweet corn ice cream that we had) to create frozen treats that take you to a different place. There’s depth and there’s subtlety, both of which are so rare (the only comparison I can make is Bi-Rite in San Francisco… but some of her pairings are so out there that they feel more like Humphry Slocombe).
That night, we got to meet the woman herself (she’s actually in one of these pictures… no, not the one of her photo. See if you can spot her in another shot). We picked her brain about where she gets inspiration from (local ingredients (including beers, meads, spirits), seasons, and the arts) and tasted pint after pint. Before we left, we were all given a copy of her book, which has received a number of accolades since its release. If you are at all interested in ice cream making, this is THE BOOK to buy.
Now, you may notice some inconsistencies with the lighting in these photos… well, that’s because I went back to Ohio on another press trip and, before flying off, got another taste. Again, it was marvelous.
For Jeni’s locations and to order ice cream, go to their website.
Disclaimer: This Silent Sunday is a part of a series of posts that I will be doing on restaurants, shops, distilleries and breweries in the Columbus, Ohio, area. I was recently invited to take part in an all-expense paid tour of the city that was organized by Experience Columbus and Columbus Food Adventures. The views on my blog are my own and in no way was I monetarily compensated for writing this entry.
Goat Cheese with Cognac Figs as an ice cream just blows my mind and I mean that in the best possible way. This truly does look an amazing place.
Great post/photos. We just made Jeni’s Goat Cheese with Roasted Cherry Ice Cream recipe at home. When in Columbus – go! When not – order online or pick up the cookbook!
I’ve been told that Jeni is as sweet and delightful as her ice creams. I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying a chocolate with spicy peppers (cayenne? chipotle? a pox on my memory!) that was really interesting- a real kick of heat at the end!
Columbus definitely is more attractive with Jeni’s ice cream in it. I have seen the book in bookstores and it always sparked my interest. This photos looks fab depicts an ice cream shop like no other. You know I went on ice cream making craze for the last couple of years so I am partial!
I scream, you scream, we all scream for JENI’S ice cream! At least I do! *Yay* for you being in C-Bus! *Boo* for me not getting to see you for a cocktail…or a scoop of ice cream.
Next time.
We get Jeni’s here in Cleveland at a few small stores, and the goat cheese ice cream is just amazing
I really want to get my hands on the salty caramel version, but haven’t been successful so far.
I’d like two scoops please, Bangkok peanut and Dark Chocolate. I’d also love a scoop of Cherry Lambic Sorbet, too.
I had the whiskey pecan and it was an unholy mashup of white trash disaster and haute cuisine. And that’s a very good thing. GREG
Listening to Jeni’s conversation w Lynn on Splendid Table made me fall in love with her ice cream. I wish Jeni had a store in NYC so I can taste every single flavor.
I want a scoop of it right now! Yum!
Love your pictures!
I dream about the lemon yogurt and goat cheese cherry flavors. The base recipe is posted on saveur.com. I made it and it was yummy, but it’s really their flavors that make it so wonderful, I think.
I wish I still traveled to Columbus for work after reading this post. I have heard of Jeni’s but never went. Boy do I regret that decision.
Being that I live in Columbus, when I happened to run across your blog while scanning other blogs, I immediately was hooked
Jeni’s ice cream is fantastic and on a nice warm evening there is a heck of a wait to even get in the door. I have to say my personal favorite is the Pear Reisling but the sweet corn is pretty tasty as well. Enjoy your time here in the Columbus area…we really do have a lot to offer to the food enthusiast!
FYI: Try ‘the Rossi’ for dinner one night…You def. will not be disappointed. It is at 895 N. High St in the Short North Arts District
Lucky you! I’ve been dying to try Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream.
Mmm. . . I loves me some cream, especially when it’s icyish.
Ponga su dedo gordo del pie en la leche de la bondad humana
¿Alguna vez has visto a nadie como esta la humanidad?
Si un niño o una niña es linda, simplemente disparar a la altura estrellada
Todo lo mejor, todo podría
Sin embargo, siempre tan caprichosa, en la cara de asombro somos sospechosos
Y a pesar de que provenía de las ranas y los peces
Nuestro gusto está lejos de ser bien
Ponga su dedo gordo del pie en la leche de la bondad humana
What an awesome ice cream place and I’ll take two scoops of goat cheese & cognac figs please!
How orgasmic is goat cheese with cognac fig ice cream? holy cow !
I’ve tried a few of her ice cream recipes and I’m spoiled for life! They are all so good and the flavors are so fun to make! (I recently made her kona stout ice cream.) Wow. She deserves a medal. I’m so jealous you got to meet her and experience her ice cream first hand!
OMG look at those ice-cream flavours!! I am swooning over the brown butter almond brittle and cherry lambic flavours… Gorgeous shots.
Ice cream is my one true weakness. I can pass up almost any dessert other than ice cream. Should we find ourselves in Ohio sometime soon, we will have to make a trip to Jeni’s. The flavors sound fabulous!
Ooo, love those crazy flavors! I always love silent sunday.
I am pretty sure I want to go to Ohio just for the ice cream after enjoying this visual piece. I nearly licked the screen.
Holy moley! What fantastic flavours of ice cream this place serves. Thanks for covering it.
Bangkok peanut sounds SO SO amazing. I wish I had a scoop now. Thank you for sharing…and making my long Monday afternoon a little bit brighter. I hope you are having a lovely day!
P.S. I just love your photography website. Gives me goosebumps!
Did you save me some ice cream?! I sure hope so because I would like one of each!
I’ll take a scoop of Bangkok Peanut and a scoop of Brown Butter Almond Brittle please. PLEASE. What gorgeous photos. I feel like I was there myself!
this post is just SO unfair! All I want to do is reach through the screen with a spoon!
Wow, this is lovely! I’ve heard so much about Jeni’s but never tried it. I’m not normally a huge ice cream girl, but this artisan-style, gourmet ice cream could be a game-changer. I’m so intrigued by the “black coffee” flavour (and many other). I love the photos! xo
I just came across this book at Barnes and Nobles this past weekend. How wonderful that you had the chance to taste their yummy ice cream. Brown butter almond brittle is calling my name! I want to hear about your meal at Basi Italia;)
Love this place, Brian! I need a shop like this within walking distance to my house, minus the extra pounds it would put on. Love all the crazy amazing flavours. And your pics.
Cherry lambic sorbet!! Sounds amazing!
oh my god, goat cheese and cognac fig ice cream. mind is blown. must have immediately.
I second the above comment. I long for all things goat cheese….yum.
Wow! I need the book just for whiskey pecan ice cream alone! Great picture, Brian.
omg I LOVE Jeni’s! I purposefully went out of my way to hit up their shop in Ohio on a cross-country roadtrip last year. Isn’t the cherry lambic insane?? and the brambleberry crisp… okay all of them are simply amazing. Your photos are beautiful!
I’ve heard such wonderful things about Jeni’s! I really need to make a stop there one of these days! Sounds delicious!