When you need a tropical vacation but can afford only about $4 or $5, hit Hawaiian Scoop, a new ice cream shop in Ashburn. Opened by Michelle and Luis Alvarado in January, it offers the tropical flavors of Hawaii's Lappert's ice cream. Lappert's, which began in Kauai in 1983, now has a California manufacturing plant to supply the mainland. "For anyone who's been to Hawaii, eating this ice cream will remind you of your vacation," says Michelle. You might be on the East Coast at the end of winter, but you can imagine you're on a beach, the sun warming your back, as you slowly lick a cone of Loco Coco (single $3.39, double $4.20 for all Lappert's flavors), a silken, creamy blend of sweet coconut with just a whiff of rum. Or how about kicking back with Kauai Pie, a decadent combo of coffee ice cream, fudge, coconut and macadamia nuts? Or Banana-Caramel-Chocolate Chip, which is like eating a banana split but much, much better? If it's a kick in the pants you're after instead, try the Kona Mocha Chip, which is like a frozen cup of straight black coffee. (Avoid, however, the Organic Green Tea ice cream, which can only be described as weird. And not in a good way.) On a diet or lactose intolerant? Hawaiian Scoop also sells Dole Whip ($2.89 and $3.29), a soft-serve, low-fat concoction of fruit, sugar and thickeners, as well as Fruit Frosties ($3.25), which contain whipped pineapple and other fruit flavors. For those in search of a great milkshake ($4.20 and $5.50), Hawaiian Scoop will let you create your own tropical version. "One of our customers orders a shake of Loco Coco and chocolate ice cream," says Michelle. "He says it tastes like a Mounds bar." -- Candy Sagon (March 21, 2007)
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