By Alicia Tiong
Apr. 8, 2007

Fancy a teh tarik ice cream?

If that does not intrigue you yet, think about ice cream and sorbet that come in the flavours of Nutella, Horlicks, chendol, black sesame and Tiger beer – just to name a few.

These interesting ice cream flavours can be found at Island Creamery.

A stone’s throw away from the NUS Bukit Timah Campus, the ice cream parlour located at Serene Centre is a popular after-school haunt for students. It is also popular among young adults and families after dinner hours.

The owner of Island Creamery, Stanley Kwok - also affectionately known as “Uncle Stanley” among his staff - said the bar aims to provide good quality local-flavoured ice cream. Made fresh daily, the ice cream served at Island Creamery does not contain any preservatives, eggs, gelatin or artificial colouring and flavouring, but still delivers on taste.

Each bite is just like having your favourite local drink or dessert in a frozen form. The cream-based flavours come in a particularly smooth and creamy texture.

The bar’s registered teh tarik flavoured ice cream – which draws inspiration from the sweet milk tea sold at local coffee shops – is highly recommended and one of the most popular among customers. Indulging in a scoop of the ice cream is almost akin to drinking a glass of thick, ice-cold, teh tarik and brings great comfort on a hot day.

Apart from the unique local flavoured ice creams, the bar’s soursop sorbet and brandied cherry ice cream are a must-try. While the ice cream sold at most ice cream shops does not contain real pieces of fruit, the fruit-flavoured treats served at Island Creamery are full of it.

Photos: Alicia Tiong

Those who prefer traditional ice cream flavours such as chocolate are not left out. Island Creamery offers flavours such as ReversO – a mix of chocolate ice cream and Oreo cookies.

At $2.50 for a single scoop and $4 for double scoops, Island Creamery’s ice cream is affordable. Brownies ($4.50) and whole cakes ($28 onwards) are also available.

However, the desserts are not the only things that keep customers going back to Island Creamery.
 
Owner Kwok ensures that the experience of dining in his café matches up to the fun assortment of flavours that his ice cream comes in. A mini photo printer placed at the bar means that diners can capture their experience at the café on their own cameras and get the photographs printed immediately.

The cream-and-maroon-coloured walls of the four-year-old establishment are adorned with photographs of customers, giving a comfortable, homely, feel to the place.

Coupled with warm lighting and pop music playing over the café’s stereo, it is no wonder that individuals and families alike frequent the café. The latter might be glad to know that Island Creamery provides crayons and paper for children to doodle on.

There is also free flow of water for customers to wash down all the sweet, sticky, goodness – though it is almost certain that it would be soon that one returns for more ice cream at Island Creamery.

Location:
10 Jalan Serene, Serene Centre, #01-05
Tel: 6468-8859

How to get there:
Buses 174, 961, 186, 153, 93, 48

Operating hours:
Monday-Friday: Noon to 9 p.m.
Saturday: Noon to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.