Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

Looking out through the pink dots, I used to feel so uninspired… cause you make me feel like [wanting] a natural Yogurt — The semi-related song popped in my head and couldn’t resist, since I actually was somehow inspired by the pink dots, natural Yogurt and fresh toppings at Cherry on Top.  As you may or may not know, we’ve been sampling various Frozen Yogurt shops all around town and just tried Cherry on Top.

We’re fans of the tart flavors and really liked their Original Tart and Blueberry Pomegranate.  We were hoping to try the Lychee Tart (sometimes available), as we’re currently hooked on Lychee’s taste, but it wasn’t being offered at the Huntington Beach location this day.

Each Yogurt shop we’ve tried has almost been better than the previous and we especially like the self serve options.  All have offered truly fresh fruit, along with a wonderland of colorful toppings that look equally good.  Although the topping selection is great, most are wasted on me, since I still can’t get past the simple Granola, Blueberry, Mango and sliced Almond combination.  We’ll go to Cherry on Top again.

09/13/10 Update:  For convenience, Cherry on Top will be opening the first drive-thru store of its kind — A first for any leading Frozen Yogurt company.  It’ll open in Culver City in September.  Check their website for more information.

I’ve noticed a lot of different Frozen Yogurt shops opening up all around Orange County and thus far Pinkberry is my favorite — HOWEVER, it’s the only Frozen Yogurt I’ve tried in a long time.  I’m more of an Ice Cream fan, but just learned I can be converted by Pinkberry.  Their Yogurt has that tang I’ve missed in past Frozen Yogurts.  It actually tastes like Yogurt and I can’t wait to have the same combination again, especially the Passionfruit.

I tried a small with 3 Flavors — Coconut, Passionfruit and Pomegranate with Fresh Blackberries and Honey Almond Granola, and a friend had the same Yogurt with Fresh Coconut and Kiwi, while two others opted for the Original Flavor with Pinkberry’s new liquid topping of Italian Caramel.  When opting for toppings on a small, you currently get to choose two.

ANNOUNCEMENT:  Starting October 7, 2009, if you pay for toppings, you’ll be able to add as many as you like — That’s a good thing and makes sense, since only so many toppings can fit on each.  And it’s more satisfying and fun for Pinkberry’s customers, but I wrote this song…”You had me at two toppings.“

While working/writing all weekend, I rarely left the house but for this Yogurtland Frozen Yogurt.  I didn’t want to do it, but was drawn over-and-over by the tart flavors, fresh toppings, make it yourself ease and good prices.  It’s a new favorite snack and dessert that briefly transports me to la la land — It’ll be four days in a row if I get it again tomorrow.  It’s too easy and they’re open late.

Yogurtland offers several flavors and toppings, but right now I’m hooked on the perfect combination of Plain Tart, Toasted Coconut and Taro Yogurts with Mango, Strawberry, Granola, Sliced Almonds and Coconut toppings.  It’s nice to be able to make exactly what you want and not have it cost too much.  I’ve been impressed each visit.

* Although you can’t make your own, I also like Pinkberry’s Frozen Yogurt.  The cost is slightly higher.

Much work went into the preparation of this list — The Birthday (Food) Freebies List.  It’s a notable compilation, though we have not verified all.  Do you know the restaurants?  We’re familiar with most of them.  How many stops can you schedule on your birthday?  It might be fun to make an entire day of it.  We’ll surely document it when it happens.  I know a few birthdays coming up.  Anyone game?  More birthday freebies are listed here, here and here.

Happy Birthday to you, whenever it may be…

I like that Pinkberry is always coming up with something new — Right now they’re making hearts swirl by introducing the Pinkberry Swirly Gram.  It’s a unique Valentine’s Day Treat that’s delivered.  You can send one now through Valentine’s Day.  Learn how to here.

Pre-Valentine’s Day I happily received a Cupid’s Swirl with a Swirly Spree, respectively translated, a Chocolate Frozen Yogurt with Brownie Bites, Raspberries and Shaved Milk Chocolate, and a gift-wrapped Pinkberry Gift Card — All was hand delivered to my office with balloons and a smile. 

Didn’t get a photo of Cupid’s Swirl before melting, but you can tell it’s good.  Senders choose from 3 flavors — Chocolate as described, or Blood Orange Yogurt with Blood Orange Pieces and Waffle Cookies, or PB’s Original Yogurt with Toasted Almonds, Strawberries and Dark Chocolate Crisps.  All combinations sound perfect to me.  I have to try the Blood Orange.

Thank you Pinkberry — I only inhaled the helium from one balloon.

Three who shared in the delivery experience and consumption agreed the Yogurt and toppings were excellent and it was a fun distraction at the office.  Valentine’s Day falls on a Monday.

The day looked brighter as I went back to my office.

I sent the Swirly Spree to a nostalgic friend who reported to like Pinkberry this very day.  Good timing for him — It went to a good home.  Enjoy!  We sure did.  See earlier reports here.

Nibbles of Tidbits loves a good Ice Cream Party, especially if it includes Häagen-Dazs.  We’re amazed by the unique and tasty flavors they keep coming up with.  We gave big thumbs up to the Haägen-Dazs FIVE series at our last tasting party and loved the Passion Fruit and Brown Sugar, and today we happily tried a few of their latest and Limited Edition flavors.  As long as they keep coming up with them, we’ll keep tryin’ them.  So far the pleasure is ours.

For this sampling round we tried (pictured above l – r) Häagen-Dazs’ Peach Low Fat Frozen Yogurt, their new Five Ice Cream flavor Lemon, and several of their Limited Edition flavors including Peanut Butter Brittle, Bananas Foster, Dark Chocolate Mint and Almond Amaretto Crunch— A varied combination of what’s new with Häagen-Dazs.

Seven of us dug in, then weighed in (verbally, whew).  All were first impressed with the fun flavor selection and then wowed by the actual flavors.  In particular, the Lemon Five has an amazing natural taste — It’s my favorite with the Bananas Foster as a close runner-up.  The rest of the gang was knocked over by the Dark Chocolate Mint, three picked it as a favorite, one chose the Almond Amaretto Crunch, another picked the Lemon, and one vote was cast for the Bananas Foster — We appreciate Häagen-Dazs’ progressive creations and unfailing high quality.

Thanks for coming to our office Pinkberry — We appreciate it!  Some of us were genuinely excited to try the new ‘Watermelon’ Frozen Yogurt topped with fresh Cucumbers, and others were pretty apprehensive about the combination.

Regardless of position, everyone gave it a try.  We each had Pinkberry’s Watermelon Frozen Yogurt drizzled with Watermelon Purée, then topped with fresh Watermelon and Cucumbers.

My favorite part was the Watermelon Purée — I wanted to drink it, as I relish fresh Watermelon Juice.  The other (7) enjoyed the Watermelon Yogurt, which is on the sweeter side, unlike their tart.  And no one objected to the Watermelon and Cucumbers on top.  We all thought it was refreshing.

Pinkberry delivered a nice break in our day.  And we really liked Jimmy too (pictured).  He was cool, fun and professional, just like our office — Watch out for the flying golf balls. 
NOTE:  Pinkberry offers a 1/2 Price Happy Hour daily from 5 -7 PM.  That’s the time to go!

* It was a coincidence that we had Crisp Cucumber and Melon Softsoap in our office kitchen.