Summer is finally here, and we figured now is the best time to celebrate the opening of a new ice cream parlor in our own backyard. iDessert, a café by master pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury, has just opened in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood. Unlike his two eponymous pastry shops in Las Vegas, the concept at iDessert revolves around building your own creation and brings a little fun and creativity to Maury’s award-winning cakes, sauces, creams and crusts.
Inside, you’ll see why Maury has been given the title of Best Pastry Chef in France. The menu includes a mix-and-match selection of ice cream and gelato, creams and sauces, and toppings for do-it-yourself sundaes. There are also pre-designed selections of milkshakes, coffees, and the chef’s signature chocolates and candy. There’s even natural and gluten-free desserts for those who want healthier options.
True to its digitally inspired name, orders are input on one of several in-store iPads and are served in smoky dry-ice containers that look exactly like mini UFOs. It’s actually pretty cool. It can, however, be a little strange to eat. After letting the dry ice smoke out (don’t forget to take an Instagram shot!), squeeze your topping into the center of your dessert and remove the cover. Then crack open the top of the sugary confection with the chiseled portion of your spoon until it breaks into pieces. Dig in!
