Fro-Yo Pro

Two blog entries in one week? It must mean that the kids are back in school and I have time, glorious time, again! Today I am on the subject of frozen yogurt...a personal passion of mine since I could count calories. There are so many new yogurt places popping up all over the place- but beware, not all fro-yo is created equal.

Fro-yo comes in many flavors and forms. You can buy it in the supermarket, but packaged fro-yo is typically not very good- you're better off with light ice cream if you go the grocery route. But the soft-serve frozen yogurt sold in a small parlor operation, with a variety of fruit and candy toppings to heighten the experience, is what this post is really about. The flavors range from typical (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry) to the more exotic (honeydew, pistachio, dulce de leche). I often taste some of these flavors (almost every fro-yo parlor has a small spoon or mini cup to sample), but I always purchase the flavor that's called either "plain" or "original tart" -- something like that. It is creamy and delish, and when topped with fresh fruit, some nuts, and maybe a sprinkle of chocolate bar pieces, there's nothing better.

First off, just let me say that the first and best tart yogurt I discovered was at Bloomingdale's NYC, at their restaurant called Forty Carrots. Phil says that I have a thing for quirky, off-the-beaten-path restaurants like department store dining, but I contend that some of the best lunch dining really can be found in department stores. There's a restaurant on the top floor of Barney's NY (called Fred's...pretty funny) where I have never had a bad meal and I ALWAYS see a celeb. In Atlanta, the cafe at Nordstrom is DELISH. With kids, I have fed them dinner at Costco and Target more times than I can count... but I digress.
The best fro-yo that is not available here is at Bloomie's, so the next time you are in NYC, go there to shop and take the elevator to the 7th floor to Forty Carrots, and enjoy the greatest yogurt on the planet. I get mine with a side of their signature melba sauce.

Here in the 'burbs, there is no shortage of yogurt dens. Some of the first places to come on the scene are still solid choices:

If you are shopping North Point Mall, there is a Yogen Fruz in the food court. They put the toppings on for you, I think you get choice of 3. This is a flat rate S,M,L situation...unlike most of the other places that charge $.39 per ounce and you control the toppings.
If you are seeing a movie at Regal Medlock Crossing, there is a place a few doors down called Yogur-Le-Hee. It's got an asian flair to it (many of them do) and has some funky flavors like pomegranate and green tea. They also control the toppings for you, but I think that makes it a little more sanitary in most cases.

Since these two emerged, at least a half dozen have popped up in our area.

MENCHIE'S: This is a west coast favorite. I'm a fan of the one in Crabapple that was below my old Pilates studio. Pumpkin flavor was delish. Place is very clean and fun.
PINKBERRY: Also a Hollywood favorite that has been franchised out here. Closest ones are in Marietta or Buckhead though. Phil gets this at work after a chicken salad sandwich to complete his girly lunch experience.
SLIMBERRY: Opened within the last few months very close to our house on Old Milton Pkwy. Very limited flavors and the toppings have looked squirrelly at times. The kids like it because they have a chocolate fountain to put chocolate sauce on your yogurt and they have two iPads at the tables for use while you dine in. Kids are sold easily on gimmicks.
TUTTI FRUTTI: On Windward Pkwy, in the same shopping center as the Original Pancake House and Cracker Barrel. It's next door to a Smoothie King, so I wonder if that is a little bit of competition for the same audience? Anyway, it's got the asian vibe to it with funky flavors and toppings. Overall a decent choice.
YOGLI MOGLI: Several Atlanta locations- I've tried the one in Sandy Springs, on Windward Parkway, but I most often frequent the one next to our Publix on Old Milton. It's got the best location for us and has always been clean with fresh-looking fruit. Good for people watching if you sit outside and also to meet for a mom date (as I am doing next Wed with my friend Leslie.)
YOGURT MOUNTAIN: The best of the best. This is a little bit of a trip for us, located on 141 and Sargent road, near the Portrait Innovations. But has great flavors and the best selection of toppings that I've seen. Very large seating area and bright, colorful decor. Worth the trip.

I don't know if all of these places will survive...the competition is fierce for the yogurt consumer. I'm thinking Slimberry is the first to go- it's mediocre and in a shopping center that has had several closings lately. I'm sort of wishing I would have jumped on this bandwagon and opened a franchise a year ago. I think somewhere on North Point Parkway would be a good location to open one, so you don't have to go into the mall if you are craving a yogurt fix. Perhaps I'll open one next to the new Nordstrom Rack opening in the spring, so I can have two of my favorite things in one place. I'll have the steal the name Yoforia since that's as close to heaven as we're gonna get in Alpharetta.