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Lolli & Pops

A Sweet Shop

Easter is right around the corner! That’s big news. According to GoodHousekeeping.com, “In 2018, Americans were estimated to have spent $18.2 billion on Easter.” That means we take our lilies, lamb cakes, and jelly beans very seriously. All kinds of research has been done to find out our resurrection day preferences (hey, they’ve got to sell us what we want). For example, do you know the best selling candy outside of chocolate? Peeps! More than 700 million Peeps are purchased in America during easter. And when eating our chocolate bunnies, 76% of Americans eat the head first. (PopSugar) Why that’s important, we don’t know… but a large portion of our population can relate!

What we do know, is that there is a charming candy store in town, Lolli & Pops, ready for you to explore. And they offer all kinds of candy so you can fill those baskets!

From hand crafted chocolate confections, to macarons, and specially flavored gummy bears, they’ve got you covered.

Looking for that Old World treat that grandma used to give, or that you fell for on a trip abroad? Give Lolli & Pops a shot.

Maybe you wish you could find that childhood favorite? A lasting sweet impression of yesteryear… It’s possible Lolli & Pops has that too. From classic turn of the century peppermint sticks or Mary Jane’s, to mid century lover’s Bit-O-Honey, and children of the 80’s Now & Laters… they’ve got it.

We appreciate a place that dedicates a whole section of their products to Nut & Allergen free, as well as, Sugar free for those with specific dietary needs. We also respect categorizing the shelves by appeal, such as “Don’t Be Sour,” for those who love to pucker and squint. But we really love when people get creative with their flavor profiles! Cereal Milk and Waffles & Syrup candy bars? We’re so curious… What do those taste like? Inquiring minds want to know!

So if you’re looking to fill those baskets with special and unique candy… If you want to brighten someone’s day with a thoughtful treat… If you just need to satisfy your own sweet tooth… We have an idea for you! Lolli & Pops!

Thank you Lolli & Pops of 12 Oaks Mall in Novi! If you are in the area, you can find them at 27494 Novi Rd Ste B, Novi, MI 48377 (248) 378-1006

Or, for a Location near you, try lolliandpops.com! (And they deliver 😉 )

I∙CE∙NY

Tastefully Smashed Ice Cream

This ice cream is fun! It’s super creamy, focused on fresh ingredients, and the presentation is over the top. We’d been hearing the buzz, and now we know why! The smash and roll method ice cream shop started in Thailand, and quickly spread throughout Asia. In 2015, the founders made plans to take their idea across the Pacific. They opened the first shop New York City, and named it I-CE-NY. Now there are 20 locations in the country, two of them being in Ann Arbor and Novi, Michigan! Almost as fun as the ice cream was the server preparing it, thank you Donovan! We love it when the people behind the food are passionate about their fare. Since this was our first visit, we asked for recommendations: Donovan suggested the Strawberry Cheesecake and Biscoff Cookie Butter, so we replied, “we’ll take them both”. Not wanting to limit our options he mentioned the Banana Pudding was really good too. Good to know, “we’ll have one of those -also.” Struck by the beautiful photos on the counter top menu, we asked about the pretty lavender colored one. “To-Taro” he said, their “best seller”. “Add it to the list” we responded. “Ooh,” thought Sadie, the Vietnamese Iced Coffee sounds good to wash down all of this ice cream, “Rachel would you like a coffee?” she asked. “That’s an ice cream flavor” Donovan says. “Oh really? OK will try one of those too.” (We spent the rest of the day on the treadmill.)

How It’s Made

They start by pouring their cream on a frozen metal plate (that can get as cold as -15 degrees Fahrenheit). Next they use scrapers to mash and mix the toppings of your choice into your customized creamy creation. In just a couple minutes, the ice cream firms up. Then it’s spread into a thin layer, and scraped into rolls. They stand them up into a cup like a freshly rolled bouquet of ice cream and top it with a variety of fresh fruits, syrups, candies, cookie crumbs… Yeah.


Where to Begin?

It was hard to know which one to try first! Since pi(e) day, a couple days ago, Sadie had been craving banana cream so she started with Banana Pudding – Sweet cream ice cream, Nilla wafer, Banana, and Caramel sauce?…Yum. Decadent, but still fresh with the fruit, light, and creamy.

Rachel started with the To-Taro, Taro Ice Cream, Coconut Flakes, Cornflakes, Mochi and Condensed Milk. It just looked like so much fun. Seriously like a teenage dream; light purple, topped with colored gummy balls and a drizzled in sweetened condensed milk. So lively! And it was delicious, we can see why it’s their best seller.

The Strawberry Cheesecake next- oh my goodness. Sweet cream ice cream, NY Cheesecake (made daily), Fresh Strawberries, and Strawberry Sauce… Perfection and instantly Rachel’s favorite. “It’s rich without being heavy and the fresh strawberries are (put your fingers to your lips and make a kiss sound).”

Next we followed up with the Biscoff Butter Cookie- Sweet cream ice cream, Biscoff Cookies & Spread, Caramel Sauce.. Just the best ice cream concoction Sadie has ever tasted. Really.

We ended with the Vietnamese Iced Coffee – CafĂ© Du Monde Coffee (brewed fresh daily), Lychee, Coconut Jelly, Cookie Straws, and Sweetened Condensed milk. Befitting because who doesn’t like to end a dessert with a little coffee? At least we at Sadie‘s Nest do. It had great strong coffee flavor, but the coolest part was the coconut jelly ice cubes. Honestly they look like ice cube sitting on top of drink! So creative!

The Ice Cream is So Good!

Do try it. It’s delicious.

Try five or six at a time -because they’re that enjoyable.

For more information, check out their website! icenyicecream.com

Promenade Artisan Foods

Trenton, Michigan is a great town along the Detroit River with historic charm and a thriving trendy vibe. It contains downriver Detroit’s best kept secret of Elizabeth Park (unless you’ve been to Jazz on the River or had your wedding pictures taken over the bridge). It also just happens to be the home of the cutest cafĂ© to ever open in southeast Michigan, Promenade Artisan Foods. If you are from the area you might have sampled their cookies, brownies, and pies etc., carried by many local markets, or maybe even placed a personal order yourself for a pie during the holidays. Of course, now if you are in the area you can visit the coffee shop/cafĂ©/dessert place in person!

 

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Promenade Artisan Foods is celebrating their Grand Opening to the public this week! The owners Jonathan and Chelsie Brymer are a husband and wife team that have a love of family and passion for serving their community. They put that same love and care into every baked good they make from scratch and cup of coffee they pour -over (that’s a coffee joke). And speaking of coffee you are certain to enjoy another Michigan favorite as they are serving Chazzano Coffee of Ferndale to ensure you get excellence.

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I have had the pleasure of sampling a few of their menu items and delicious creations. The strawberry tartine is a lovely light treat, an open-face style multigrain toast with a Mascarpone cheese, fresh strawberry slices and a drizzle of a balsamic reduction- really fantastic. Of course the kids loved the chocolate chip cookies, and a Nutella “pop tart” inspired pastry. But the biggest surprise was an Espresso Soaked Amaretti topped with pistachios, uh, genius! I think we should all have one every night after dinner.

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Also in all seriousness, don’t leave without a slice of tomato, feta, and bacon quiche. Because even if you’ve filled up on pastries and don’t have room for it when you are there, you are going to be so happy to warm it up for yourself for breakfast the next day. (And I know this to be true from experience.) For more information, store hours, and to see their seasonal offerings visit the Promenade Artisan Foods Facebook Page.

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Thank you Jonathan and Chelsie for sharing your culinary gifts and love of life with the metro Detroit area… And God bless you and your family with your new endeavor!

Love,

Sadie’s Nest