Pricey refreshment

With temperatures still reluctant to bust through the magical 70-degree barrier (except for that one really hot weekend a couple weeks back), it’s really difficult to begin fathoming the idea of summer.

But we must. And, as comes summer, so does the need for ice cream, so I couldn’t resist getting a head start.

The first place anyone should check out this summer is a good ol’ fashioned handmade ice cream shop. The kind across the street from a beautiful park with water where children laugh and play with joy–a place called Cool Moon Ice Cream.

Just across the street from Jamison Square Park, in Portland’s hoity-toity Pearl District, is this seemingly out of place, down to earth confectionary that feels like it belongs on Hawthorne.

No, none of the stuff here is organic. They claim that they couldn’t find enough certified organic products for all the ingredients they need (or enough to keep it, well, affordable). Their ice cream is, however, “natural,” a designation, that still does not justify the $2.85 to $3.10 it costs for a single scoop (depending on if you want a kid’s size or regular).

Their flavors are great, ranging from Oregon Strawberry and “Righteous” Chocolate to some slightly stranger flavors such as “Goodbye Yellow Bricker Road,” which was comprised of some sort of caramel, sweet cream and toffee. They definitely specialize in the stranger flavors, as their “normal” flavors are nothing to write home about, particularly for the price.

However, what is worth the trip here are the floats. It costs $5.50 for a 16-ounce cup, but it is absolutely worth every penny. After sampling the Black Cherry goodness they had in store (using Boylan’s soda, which is made with natural cane sugar rather than that high fructose corn venom you’ll find in Coke), this is definitely the first place I’m heading to when I need my fizzy foamy fix.

Their hours are fairly decent as well. Open until 11p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, and until 10 p.m. every other night, Cool Moon Ice Cream is a very accessible place, located not too far from Hot Lips on the opposite side of Jamison Square and right in front of the NW 11th and Johnson streetcar stop.

However, it seems that with the prices being what they are, their selection was a bit … lacking. They are, however, making a big deal of the fact that they now offer waffle cups, for a “mondo” price of $5.50 (that’s their name for the size, not mine). Personally, I would opt for the float instead.

It seems like a great place to take the younger ones after a day of frolicking in Jamison Square Park. The staff said that if you wave at them, they’ll wave back, but they didn’t seem to want to wave at a bearded 24-year-old college student in a ratty old hoodie. Nonetheless, I’m sure they’ll be happy to have you there, and I’d recommend giving them a shot.

Cool Moon Ice Cream1105 N.W. Johnson St.Price: $2.50-$5.50