If you’ve been reading this blog, you know over the past few weeks I’ve had a craving for Friendly’s, especially for an ice cream sundae. While traveling out of NYC hasn’t been an option, I decided to look at Yelp for dessert recommendations and unfortunately, most Yelpers recommended heading to your local grocery store for a pint of Ben & Jerry’s. Still, I was determined to find the perfect sundae.
After seeing Max Brenner’s while in Union Square on Saturday night, we decided to head back on Sunday for some afternoon treats. Even though it was 4 in the afternoon, the restaurant was packed. I ordered the Eskimo, which was supposed to be scoops of ice cream with chocolate sauce and hazelnut bits in a waffle cone. Unfortunately, the restaurant was out of waffle cones. Quickly, I asked our waiter what was the next best thing compared to the Eskimo that was like an ice cream sundae, and he replied, “the Chocolate Mess - it’s like a brownie ice cream sundae.” So, I ordered it. Ben on the other hand, ordered The Red Heart, which was a warm chocolate cake filled with chocolate and raspberry sauce, served with vanilla ice cream and raspberry yogurt. Ben also ordered the chocolate granita in dark chocolate, which was a dark chocolate truffle over ice - and no, Ben doesn’t weigh 400 pounds.
Ben’s drink came out and I wasn’t a big fan. While the glass and straw were pretty innovative (a silver metal straw so the granita kept cold while you sipped it), it really had a powdery aftertaste.
The Chocolate Mess finally arrived and it was a plate of whipped cream with sprinkles, with a side of caramel sauce and hazelnut bits. Underneath the whipped cream, was vanilla ice cream, toffee bananas and chocolate brownie. I dipped my spoon in, prepared myself for that great mix of the cold from the ice cream and warmth of the brownie - and was immediately disappointed. Like most brownie sundaes, you expect cold ice cream. Instead, this mess was infact, a mess. It wasn’t like the cold soupy ice cream that drips onto the brownie as it melts - instead, it was soupy, warm ice cream with bits of brownie. Without any thickness to the dessert, I spent more time trying to make sure I wasn’t spilling it on myself and contemplated eating it with a straw. The only reason I continued to eat the dessert was because 1). I was determined to find the cold ice cream in the dessert (and I only had one bite that felt like cold ice cream) and 2). the bananas in a toffee coating tasted really good. Once I found all the bananas in the soup - it literally was like eating all the chicken out of chicken noodle soup - I was done. I passed the dessert to Ben, and even he didn’t finish it.
I’ve been to Max Brenner’s for actual food before and it wasn’t bad. However, after this recent experience, if I wanted dessert, I’d head to my local C-Town to pick up some pints of Ben & Jerry’s. Plus, Max Brenner’s wasn’t that cheap - between the two desserts and the drink, it cost us more than $30. For that price, I could get at least 6 pints of much better ice cream. The only thing stopping me from giving it one star is that Ben really enjoyed his dessert(s), and maybe if I wasn’t determined to have a sundae, I would have enjoyed something else on the menu.
The Basics Name: Max Brenner Location: 841 Broadway between 13th and 14th Who to bring: No one because you aren’t going Price: Pricey for NYC desserts. $$$. Overall: Give me vanilla ice cream and hot fudge from McDonald’s any day. 2 stars.
Laura, although I wish you luck on your quest, I had some bad news - there is no replacement in this city for a Friendly’s craving. The combination of menu options, honey mustard, cheap prices and clown sundae simply cannot be found anywhere else. I respect your attempts to try and find one, but your best bet is to make plans to go straight to the source. I already have mine - April 3, and it helps me sleep at night.
So I don’t know what Friendly’s is, but I must say that I fell in love with Shake Shack ice cream this weekend. I went for the first time and mmm coffee & donuts ice cream!
Oh, and I must tell you this - I commented on the Halfsteak post and last week, two friends and I went. First of all, they’re doing Halfsteak every (weekday?) night. Second, it was amaaaazing! Thank you so much for the awesome find. A dear friend was staying with me that week - her first time in NYC! - and it was her last night in the city when we went. I was so happy she got to experience a fancier NY dinner at such an awesome price.
I went to Max Brenner’s when my family was visiting a couple months ago for our annual Christmas NYC extravaganza. It was a last-minute decision to go there for dessert and I too was disappointed. The overall environment reminded me of something out of Willy Wonka but the dessert was extremely over-priced and over-glorified. Needless to say, I won’t be getting my “chocolate by the bald man” again.
Emily, so glad you enjoyed Halfsteak!What’d you get?
Doug - I have a fever and the only prescription is Friendly’s.
steaaaak of course! the nyc newbie friend and i both got the half steak and fries, and my other friend got the oyster fritter. i also insisted we get the fried mac & cheese for an appetizer. and i got the better half cocktail i think - blood orange juice, some herb (i forget what), etc.
i really would like to try the wagyu nachos soon, but no matter what, i have a feeling i’ll be back for halfsteak soon!
[...] cream for weeks - preferably something like a good ol’ Friendly’s sundae. After some disappointing ice cream experiences, including a cone at the Mister Softee truck which was a total of 6 bites [...]