Food: Kobosko's Kreamery

The economic downturn has hit a number of local ice cream places hard - Johnny's Dream had to close down not too long ago, and even established businesses like Sloan's have been seeing fewer customers willing to splurge on a $4 cone of the cold stuff. Amidst all the turmoil, it's good to see that Kobosko's Kreamery is still scraping along.

Of course, Kobosko's is not just an ice cream shop. Inside, you can still buy bulk candy and fresh flowers, vestiges from the days the place used to be a farmer's market. And they have frozen yogurt and an espresso machine, too - upscale additions for the benefit of wealthy Wellington suburbanites who live in the big subdivisions flanking the Kobosko's Crossing shopping center.

Ice cream will always be their bread and butter, though, and Kobosko's Kreamery has a strong selection of chocolate flavors. The chocolate peanut butter is laced with big, creamy ribbons of peanut butter, thick enough to bite into. For the low carb crowd, the no sugar added chocolate turtle (flavored with Splenda) has enough caramel and pecans to satisfy any sweet tooth. And, as always, Kobosko's makes their own waffle cones and stocks plenty of toppings (hot fudge, nuts, candies, etc.) for sundae purists.

Unfortunately, the non-chocolate flavors at Kobosko's are a little bit of a letdown. The strawberry tasted artificial, with garish, sugary strawberry jelly being used in lieu of the actual fruit. Even the cherry vanilla, while smooth, had an overpowering vanilla flavor that was too safe and simple. As a whole, the flavor selection won't wow anyone used to indie ice cream shops (like the excellent Sweet Dreams of Gainesville).

Still, if you're in the neighborhood, you'll probably want to grab a scoop at Kobosko's, if only to prevent a world where the only ice cream you can get is at a big chain like Cold Stone or Ben & Jerry's.

2/4 stars