Tuttimelon Broadway Grand Reopening Coverage

Fro-yo girl here. Believe it or not, there were TWO Tuttimelon openings this weekend. Today was the grand reopening of their Broadway location. I don't think it was heavily promoted and that was a wise decision. Once the locals figured out there was free fro-yo, it was plenty crowded. In fact, with all the Chinese people pouring in, they almost ran out of fro-yo (really, ha ha).



I have a special fondness for this location, formerly Yoogo Gelato, the predecessor of Tuttimelon. It was with Yoogo that Mr. Tuttimelon honed his gelato making skills (later his refined palate and passion for quality would lead to the creation of tuttilicious fro-yo). And now this special spot is the home of the first combined Tuttimelon/Tea Way location. The official name is Tuttimelon but they have the full Tea Way menu of boba drinks and tasty snacks like fried tofu, popcorn chicken, squid, etc., priced at $2.99 each. They still sell gelato, just like in the old Yoogo days.



Guests received free fro-yo from 12 - 3 PM and a raffle ticket. I didn't stick around for the drawing but they gave away Tuttimelon gift cards and the grand prize was a Blu Ray player. It's a smaller location but very nice, design wise. They squeezed in three fro-yo machines (6 self-serve flavors, 38 cents each) on a lovely wall with rectangular grey/blue/white tiles. They kept the wavy white wall. The flavors were geared towards the Asian crowd (black sesame gelato, taro fro-yo). About Tea Way, they came up with the innovative idea of letting you put your own "toppings" in a cup and they they'll add your drink. I didn't see the tapioca balls but I forgot to look at the toppings closely.

Tuttimelon Burlingame is the next grand opening! Now I have to keep track of Tea Way openings too.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Tuttimelon Mercado Grand Opening Coverage

Fro-yo girl here. Tuttimelon Bear and I were behind the scenes at today's Tuttimelon grand opening. He has a new Tuttimelon pillow that he loves (thanks Tuttimelon!). I helped out with typing up the toppings labels again and got to view the festivities from behind the counter. We saw the Tuttimobile parked out front (exciting).



The first 25 people in line received Tuttimelon their choice of black or brown t-shirts designed by Mr. Tuttimelon. Guests received free fro-yo (a small cup that they could fill to their heart's content with fro-yo and toppings) from 12 - 2 PM. The prize wheel wasn't there but they had the drawing at 2:15 PM. Prizes included Tuttimelon gift cards, Guitar Hero (the guitar + games - won by a little boy), and the grand prize, a Tiffany heart necklace (the winner was a guy, he seemed embarrassed).

There was a steady line for the fro-yo. In terms of decor, there's plenty of seating and tons of white and green pillows. The place is comfy and would be a perfect place to hang out before or after a movie (and they have restrooms). The fro-yo wall has a different look, a red mosaic. I like how the different locations all look slightly different yet still share some elements, like the orange & white chairs and those pretty lacy hanging globes. The flatscreen LCD monitors weren't there but I'm guessing that they're on the way.



The new location has 10 fro-yo flavors and toppings (38 cents an ounce), 24 gelato and sorbet flavors and pastries (scones, cookies, etc.). I didn't see black sesame gelato (otherwise I would have tried some).

Fro-yo flavors of the day:
* Vanilla
* Chocolate
* Coconut tart
* Strawberry tart
* Pineapple tart
* Original tart
* Peach tart
* Mango tart
* Taro tart
* Pomegranate tart

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Pinkberry vs. Red Mango: The Chocolate Wars

Fro-yo girl here. With Red Mango and Pinkberry introducing chocolate fro-yo around the same time, this feels like their pomegranate fro-yo war, part 2. Here's how the two compare.

* PINKBERRY'S DARK CHOCOLATE FRO-YO: Thick and glossy, their fro-yo is very chocolatey and rich. It should suit those who like traditional tasting chocolate. I'd top it with almonds or peppermint shavings. The Pinkberry employee recommended having chocolate and coconut fro-yo side by side.

* RED MANGO'S COCOA FRO-YO: Creamy and tangy, with a lighter chocolate taste, it's good for people who enjoy the taste of real yogurt.

Which one would I choose? Red Mango. It tastes more like fro-yo (Pinkberry's version is sweeter and more ice cream-like) and comes with complimentary organic chocolate sauce! Enjoy it while you can because it's a limited edition flavor.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Yoppi Montgomery About to Open?

Fro-yo girl here. I've got new Yoppi Yogurt pictures to share. The glass storefront is still papered over but I peeked in and saw three fro-yo machines (they were easily accessible, so this will be another self-serve location). The fro-yo machines were on. I didn't see tables or construction materials but since the machines are on, they must be close to opening.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

* YOPPI YOGURT: 100 Montgomery St., San Francisco, CA

Fro-yo Pictures of the Week

Fro-yo girl here. I wanted to share these pictures before they get too old. First, I did drive by Nubi Portero Center SF. Their sign isn't up and there isn't much to see - it's replacing the Ritz Camera and they've posted a job card in the window.



Second, I found another brand of mini mochi rice cakes at Sunset Super, called SoGo. SoGo is Taiwanese. Sunset Super had two flavors, Strawberry and Green Tea, $2.99 per package. The inside of the package looked moist, so I didn't buy any. The mochi in the strawberry package looked like one big melted together lump (yuck).

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

* SUNSET SUPER: 2425 Irving St, San Francisco, CA

Burlingame, the New Fro-yo Hot Spot

Fro-yo girl here. I stopped by Burlingame today to check on the future Tuttimelon (saw the temporary sign and I thought I took a picture of it but it didn't turn out) and future Blush. I saw workmen in both and the race is on to see which one will open first. Tuttimelon's always so fast!



I also spotted the Quickly fro-yo sign and when I crossed the street to get a better look, I noticed the Cherimoya Yogurt sign. At first I thought they came out with a new flavor, cherimoya (and I was intrigued, I'm still wondering what cherimoya fro-yo would taste like).



Actually, Cherimoya is the name of the new fro-yo shop that's taking over the Quickly space. They're going up against Blush, Tuttimelon and Harmony? I don't envy them at all.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Pinkberry Palo Alto Opens, Overheard New Location News

Fro-yo girl here. I'm liking Pinkberry much more now that they added some new toppings, created some new fro-yo flavors and added the unlimited toppings policy. Adding the mini size and the satisfaction guaranteed “if your masterpiece does not inspire chilly bliss let us swirl you a new one" are customer friendly moves too.

I always thought that Stanford Shopping Center would be the perfect location for them. About a year ago, Orange Tree was supposed to open a location there (someone told me they saw a sign, I never saw the sign but it was listed on the Orange Tree website). I'm glad that didn't open because their frozen yogurt just isn't good and not at the level of Stanford Shopping Center (the best outdoor shopping center in the Bay Area).



I missed opening day (yesterday) but they were still handing out free fro-yo with as many toppings as you asked for today (free till closing time today). While I was there, I noticed they were taking pictures of some Pinkberry execs behind the counter. The Pinkberry execs occupied the two tables in the shop and they were talking loudly about their new location in Westfield San Francisco Center. I wanted to eavesdrop longer but there wasn't any place to sit. Anyway, they said it would be by the food court and Bristol Farms. Westfield is going to remodel part of the lower level. Sur La Table will be moving in along with Pinkberry.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

* PINKBERRY STANFORD: Stanford Shopping Center, 180 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA

Golden Spoon Livermore Opening Soon, Free Fro-yo!

Fro-yo girl here. Time to mark your calendars again, fro-yoholics. Golden Spoon's grand opening weekend (Jan. 30 & 31) features FREE FRO-YO for everyone. No coupon is needed. Just show up and enjoy the complimentary cup of small fro-yo!

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

* GOLDEN SPOON: 2100 Portola Ave. (Portola Village Shopping Center), Livermore, CA
http://www.goldenspoon.com/

Frogurt by Wards Ice Cream

Fro-yo girl here. I recently met with the Bay Area distributor of Frogurt (she owns Yogizmo) to learn more about the brand. Frogurt, a Wards Ice Cream product, has been available since 1968. Wards is a privately held company located in NJ and is best known as the supplier of Bloomingdale's fro-yo (40 Carrots). They don't have a website(!).

Frogurt currently has one tart flavor (plain tart) and classic flavors like peanut butter, coffee, pistachio, vanilla, banana and chocolate. They claim that their fro-yo doesn't contain artificial ingredients. Their fro-yo is very creamy and rich (though most flavors are non-fat). New flavors are on the way, including the second tart flavor, pomegranate.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

* http://www.yogizmo.com/

Fro-yo Finds at Marina Foods

Fro-yo girl here. This was my first visit to the new Marina Foods supermarket in Fremont and of course I was on the look out for fro-yo finds. They have plain fro-yo popsicles! They're called Yogo Bar and a pack of nine plain popsicles sells for $4.59. The box says no artificial flavors or colors. I definitely wanted some but I wasn't going to be home for hours.



I also found a new brand of mochi called Awon. Marina had two flavors, plain and green tea, $1.99 for a 10.6 oz. package. The package shows the mochi on fro-yo, in drinks and sprinkled on a dessert. Awon mini mochi is manufactured in Taiwan. The green tea mochi is soft and sweet, with a surprisingly strong green tea (and good) flavor. Yum. I'm going to put some on fro-yo soon.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

* MARINA FOODS: 46196 Warm Springs Blvd, Fremont, CA

Haiti Relief Day at Menchie's on Friday, Jan. 15

Fro-yo girl here. Tomorrow, January 15th, is Haiti Relief Day at your local Menchie's.

"On Haitian Earthquake Support Day, Menchie’s locations will donate 5% of their end-of-day system wide sales to support the American Red Cross Haiti relief fund. In addition to the donation, each Menchie’s will display a relief collection box encouraging customers to donate clothing, blankets, canned goods and money that will be presented to local American Red Cross affiliates."

Visit http://menchies.com/locations.php#ca to find the Menchie's near you.

Fro-yo cares :-). Thanks Menchie's!

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Fro-yo at O'Hare International Airport, Terminal 1

Fro-yo girl here. I missed the grand opening of Starfruit at Block 37 (which occurred during my visit) and endured three days without any fro-yo in the suburbs of Chicago. My first reencounter with fro-yo occured at O'Hare Airport, Terminal 1. My main goal was to find fro-yo. Before I found a directory, I spotted The Grove/Smoothie King (B7). I saw the fro-yo machines and pictures of fro-yo!



I thought they would just have sweet fro-yo but they did have one tart flavor (which was icy, runny and too sweet). They've been open about a year. The fro-yo is still primarily old school/classic sweet. They didn't have any fruit toppings and you can get the fro-yo blended with candy or cookies, as a banana split or as a sundae.

The vanilla ($2.99 for a small, $3.49 for a medium) was sweet, creamy and satisfying.



TCBY was on the directory but I walked by C19 and didn't see it. I also asked the Grove employee about TCBY and he didn't know about it. There is fro-yo in Concourse C, in the food court (C19) at Cafe Zoot. They serve Edy's ice cream and YoCream fro-yo (2 flavors). Perhaps it replaced the TCBY? I also saw another place with Edy's ice cream but no fro-yo in Concourse C.

I'm curious about Windy City Yogurt in the International Terminal but I don't think I'm allowed in that terminal (and it doesn't connect to the domestic terminals).

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Siggi's Yogurt Review

Fro-yo girl here. I've found my favorite yogurt: Siggi's Icelandic style skyr strained non-fat yogurt. I didn't know about skyr (the traditional yogurt of Iceland) till I found Siggi's. Skyr is thicker and creamier than the usual yogurt. Siggi's is available in the following flavors: blueberry, orange ginger, plain, vanilla, pomegranate & passion fruit, grapefruit, and acai.

* Grapefruit: It's so thick that the spoon stands up easily in the yogurt! The yogurt is so rich and tart, with the sourness of grapefruit. I bet it would taste incredible in fro-yo form.

* Orange ginger: It's amazing with tiny chunks of candied ginger. Ginger and orange go so well together. Love the tartness. The ingredients list: skim milk, agave nectar, candied ginger, orange extract, live active cultures, vegetable rennet



The yogurt is made with a few choice ingredients, with no artificial coloring, no preservatives, and no gelatin. It's expensive at $2.49 each (makes fro-yo seem reasonably priced) but delicious. I found Siggi's at Whole Foods. See skyr.com for a store locator.

5 out of 5 stars

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Fro-yo Shop Innovators

Fro-yo girl here. My last post about the new fro-yo hot spots (cities) in 2009 made me want to recognize a few special fro-yo shops that have been innovators in the field of tart fro-yo. These innovators offered something unique long before others in the area caught on. While they didn't invent fro-yo, they created something memorable and special in the field of fro-yo. In no particular order, the shops are:

* BERRYLINE (BOSTON, MA): Now with three locations in the Boston area, BerryLine creates unique flavors like Nutella, Banana, Oreo and Apple Cinnamon. They originally opened in September 2007 and brought tart fro-yo to Boston. You can even send your friend a cup of BerryLine via your cell phone at http://www.kangogift.com/SendGift.aspx?id=133
* STARFRUIT (CHICAGO, IL): They introduced frozen kefir to the US market. Currently Starfruit has three locations in the Chicago area. Frozen kefir looks just like soft serve fro-yo and Starfruit offers similar toppings. The concept was created by Lifeway, the country's leading manufacturer of kefir.
* SNO:LA (BEVERLY HILLS, CA): Sno:la's fro-yo tastes like no one else's - it's intense, sour and barely sweetened. It's made without any refined sugars, with organic dairy and seasonal fruits. The mochi can't be missed. Sno:la is eco-friendly and 1% of their gross proceeds go to the Slow Food movement.
* CULTURE ORGANIC FROZEN YOGURT (PALO ALTO, CA): Culture stays busy inventing new fro-yo flavors, fro-yo creations (Yo'wiches) and fro-yo toppings. They even had frozen kefir for awhile. Mary, the brilliant toppings-in-chief bakes up a storm including crumbles, mini meringue cookies, brownies, etc. She made marshmallow creme and flaxseed cones. Everything is organic and eco-friendly. No one else offers all organic toppings.
* FRAICHE FROZEN YOGURT (PALO ALTO, CA): They make their own yogurt with organic milk. And they make their own fro-yo. Though it took them awhile to offer mochi, their mochi was worth the wait. The new SF location is gorgeous and both locations also offer delicious baked goods. They're also famous for offering fresh chocolate shavings (shaved to order).
* MOCHII YOGURT (SACRAMENTO, CA): Mochii Yogurt brought delicious, handcrafted mochi and tart fro-yo to Sacramento back in 2007. The array of mochi flavors is awe-inspiring. Past mochi flavors included blackberry, mandarin orange, cherry, kiwi, peach, ume, and the list goes on.
* YOGIZMO (SANTA CRUZ, CA): YoGizmo brought mix-in style fro-yo and tart soft-serve fro-yo to Scotts Valley in 2007 and added a Santa Cruz location in 2009. The owner was inspired by the tart mix-in fro-yo she enjoyed in Canada. You can get also get soy ice cream, ice cream, and acai sorbet as the base for the mix-in. Choose up to three fruits and enjoy a custom blended creation.

Thank you, fro-yo shop innovators. You have my love and deep appreciation.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Fro-yo Hot Spots, Part Two

Fro-yo girl here. Back in January 2009, I selected four cities in the Bay Area as fro-yo hot spots. Based on the quantity of fro-yo shops, quality of fro-yo shops and innovativeness of fro-yo offerings, I selected (1) Palo Alto, (2) San Francisco, (3) Cupertino and (4) Berkeley. 2009 was a very busy year for fro-yo and I'd like to welcome a new batch of cities to the fro-yo hot spot list. This newer group isn't as innovative as the original four but they've come on strong in terms of quantity of fro-yo shops.

The winners are:

San Jose
Pleasanton
Fremont
San Mateo

1. San Jose became the first city in the Bay Area to get a Pinkberry. A long list of self-serve shops also opened their doors including two Yogurtland locations, Whimsical, Toppings, Sweet Soleil, Yogurt Village, Yogurt Paradise, Green Cup and Sweet Sundays. Downtown San Jose welcomed several fro-yo shops including Penguin, Cafe Yolicious and Chillfactor.

2. Downtown Pleasanton became the battleground for Yolatea, Cafe Delatti, and Yogofina. Tuttimelon opened its first location in Contra Costa County at Stoneridge Mall. Viva Yogurt Cafe and Yogoholic opened their doors as well.

3. Fremont is now home to Fro-ggie, YoSwirl, So Frais Frozen Yogurt Cafe, Cafe Verona, Yogurtouille, Sweet Orchid, Yogurtastic, Pink Swirl, and Yogurt Bees. Old s school Yogurt Delite is still around. I get the feeling more fro-yo is on the way.

4. San Mateo. There is no shortage of fro-yo in downtown San Mateo with Yogurtouille, Tuttimelon, Happy Yogurt and Clear Optometry all within a few blocks of each other. Snowee, Maqito and Harmony Frozen Yogurt opened their doors in 2009 in other areas of San Mateo. I still have a soft spot for Yumi Yogurt.

Support your local fro-yo shop in 2010.

You know you love me. XO XO, fro-yo girl.

Fro-yo Girl’s 2010 Wish List

Fro-yo girl here. A new year of fro-yo is upon us accompanied as usual with hopes and dreams for a better future. What does fro-yo girl wish for in 2010?

* More Yogurtland signature fro-yo spoons. These are the cutest spoons and I’m addicted to them now. If other places come out with super cute fro-yo spoons, I’d be even happier.
* Mobile fro-yo trucks. 2009 was the year of the mobile food trend and Washington DC has a fro-yo van but there isn’t one driving around the Bay Area yet.

I don’t have as many wishes this year because so many of my wishes came true in 2009. I think fro-yo popsicles will soon be in my hands, once Yolato finds a West Coast distributor. I already have dozens of fro-yo t-shirts, a fro-yo umbrella (thanks Tuttimelon), a fro-yo tote bag, fro-yo pins, and fro-yo candy. Fro-yo is at the airport (LAX) and it's probably too much to hope to find it and a toppings cart on the plane. Multiple people have mentioned wanting to see a fro-yo eating contest but I think that could be messy. I'll be content with watching Fro-yo Boy eating a Sumo Bowl at Tuttimelon.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.