The former storefront of the Los Feliz Pinkberry on Vermont, vacant since last fall, has given way to Paradis, a new ice cream store in the area which just opened on April 7. Barely two miles from the new-legendary Scoops in East Hollywood and from Silver Lake’s Pazzo Gelato, the new shop seems to fill in the ice cream void in Los Feliz — the only other ice cream place in Los Feliz (not counting the Thrifty counters at the Rite Aid) is the Baskin-Robbins on Western Avenue – directly a mile to the west.
Though totally remodeled, the interior is just as spartan and sterile as the previous Pinkberry, trading in the lime-green-and-white for red and silver. But far from an indie shop, Paradis is actually an ice cream chain based in Denmark. This is actually Paradis’ second store internationally; they also operate a location in Montrose. Apparently overseas ice cream operations, like New Zealand Natural, see Southern California as an important test-bed for the international/US market.
I ended up having a scoop of stracciatella (a vanilla with chocolate shavings) and cappuccino chocolate chip, on a cone. Cost me $4.50, but at least the waffle cone didn’t cost any extra. Pretty good stuff, although any ice cream on a warm day is good. They do boast that they make their ice cream in-store with fresh ingredients. Paradis doesn’t have the eclecticism or value of Scoops or the boldness of Pazzo Gelato, but not a bad addition to the ice cream scene. I wouldn’t go out of my way for this, but would definitely come back whenever I’m in the area.
Paradis will throw a grand opening celebration on Saturday, April 30, with free ice cream from 12-4 p.m.
The Great FroYo wars of the late-2000s (won-out by the bang-for-your-buck Yogurtland chain) proved that it was nothing more than a passing fad. But ice cream is timeless.
Paradis, 1726 N. Vermont Avenue, Los Feliz.
Open Sunday-Thursday, 12-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 12-11 p.m.
Paradis’ Facebook page
For what it’s worth, “Hollywood Gelato Company” is actually only 3 blocks East at 1936 Hillhurst Ave. That said, I’m happy that there’s another dessert shop on Vermont and I hope they have better luck with the location than Pinkberry did.
Okay, I just called the folks at Paradis. Apparently the free ice cream party has been pushed to May 7 (they’re waiting on a shipment of ingredients and supplies from Denmark). Apparently you can still stop in on the 30th and try to get a free cone, but that’s strictly as a courtesy to folks who aren’t apprised of the new date.
Thanks, Donovan. I didn’t know about HGC before. I usually never venture east of Rodney (j/k :))
Also thanks for the skinny on the Paradis Grand Opening. What do they really need from Denmark? Can’t they just order it from Solvang or something?
For the record, I’m a Scoops loyalist. Been a customer since their first week. But having an ice cream place within half a mule radius of everyone is a human right!