Farewell, Twirl Frozen Yogurt of Larchmont Village

Fro-yo girl here. Twirl Frozen Yogurt (121 North Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90004) closed a year ago this week. At one time, it was Mr. Froyo’s favorite froyo place, so I wanted to write a post about it, to keep its memory alive. It did take me a year to realize it closed because it was inside a juice shop in an area that I don’t visit too often because of lack of parking. Also, the last time we went, we were both very disappointed with the frozen yogurt.

Timeline of Twirl Frozen Yogurt

• May 2010: Twirl opens as a standalone, self-serve froyo shop in Larchmont Village. The yogurt and toppings were 39 cents an ounce. Pinkberry opened in the neighborhood in 2006.
• October 2010: A health inspector finds five violations during an inspection. Twirl closed to address the malfunctioning Taylor frozen yogurt machines. People reported falling ill after eating their frozen yogurt.
• December 2010: Pinkberry Larchmont closes
• January 2012: Our first visit to Twirl. It was still 39 cents an ounce. I was impressed that they had custom froyo flavors (including one that was flavored with homemade Nutella), housemade pieces of cake (the owners also owned Larchmont Bungalow – the source of the cake), and premium toppings. Mr. Froyo was very impressed with the plain tart, both the flavor and the texture. I thought the flavors were too muted.
• January/February 2013: Twirl changes. They remodeled and added Larchmont Juicery in the same building. The toppings bar size was drastically reduced. They switched to Cloud Top organic frozen yogurt. The price went up to 59 cents an ounce. The emphasis switched to healthy toppings. The juicery only served organic juices and smoothies.
• August 2013: Pressed Juicery opens in Larchmont Village.
• June 2016: Larchmont Juicery & Twirl Frozen Yogurt close (Kreation Kafe, a juice shop, takes over the location in August)

The last time we went to Twirl was in 2014 or 2015? The plain tart organic frozen yogurt tasted weird and unpleasant. It was a sad day. The Twirl we knew was gone. It seemed so promising at the time we went in 2012, though I didn’t know about the food poisoning and health violations at the time.

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

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Menchie’s Test Flavor, Chip’s Chocolate

Fro-yo girl here. While I was at Menchie’s University in Encino, CA, I noticed a new test flavor called Chip’s Chocolate. It’s made with real Ghirardelli chocolate and has not artificial colors, artificial flavors or high fructose corn syrup. I did try some. Since I rarely get chocolate frozen yogurt (I usually don’t like chocolate frozen yogurt), it’s difficult for me to judge it. It didn’t seem bad and it didn’t taste just like fudgsicle like so many chocolate flavors, so I guess it was good? The sign was cute. I think every Sweet Friend should have a favorite flavor. I wonder what Menchie’s favorite flavor would be? And what about Sprinkle and Mookie?

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

* MENCHIE’S UNIVERSITY: 17245 Ventura Blvd., Encino, CA 91316

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Why Menchie’s Universal CityWalk Location is Different

Fro-yo girl here. I was surprised when I learned that Yogurtland closed the Universal CityWalk location late last year. That location had a giant faux froyo machine dispensing froyo into a Yogurtland cup and that they lit up at night (love). The exterior signage was removed (sadly).

Menchie’s replaced Yogurtland at Universal CityWalk. The location must have opened pretty quietly in May 2017 because I didn’t hear about it. I missed whatever grand opening they had.

The façade isn’t as fancy as it used to be; a giant Menchie replaced the giant Yogurtland froyo cup and spoon. The inside does look fancier than a typical Menchie’s. There’s a cute Wild West mural featuring the Sweet Friends on the wall where the froyo machines are. The lampshades look like leaves.

There are 16 self-serve froyo flavors a day and the usual Menchie’s toppings (candies, cookies, cereal, nuts, popping boba, brownies, cookie dough, mochi, cheesecake, whipped topping, etc.) and sauces for 58 cents an ounce. Fresh waffle cups are available. It’s more expensive here but you’d expect that because it’s at the CityWalk.

They had a small amount of Menchie’s merchandise (plush dolls, Menchie’s apparel) for sale. Menchie’s Bottled water is $2.40.

I was surprised that this location does not participate in the My Smileage rewards program. Hmm. When I asked why, I was told that Universal owns this location. This may mean that they won’t participate in some of the Menchie’s promotions, though they had the Captain Underpants cups. They didn't have the new Mookie spoons that some Menchie's locations are currently offering.

It turns out that Universal owns and manages quite a few of the restaurants at CityWalk, including Voodoo Doughnuts, LudoBird, and more. This is a recent initiative of theirs and it is the reason that multiple restaurants have been replaced. It also means that the employees inside Menchie’s are Universal employees, not Menchie’s employees.

I can’t see coming here often because parking is $20 ($10 after 6 PM) and only full-service restaurants and the movie theater offer validation (with validation, parking is $7, unless you see a movie, then parking is $5). It’s not worth it.

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

By Lolia S.

* MENCHIE’S: Universal CityWalk, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Grand Opening Celebration at Yogurtland Brentwood on July 8

Fro-yo girl here. Save the date, Saturday, July 8, for the grand opening of Yogurtland Brentwood, 5411 Lone Tree Way #120, Brentwood, CA, 94513. I can’t be there in person, unfortunately, but I’ll be there in spirit. The owners of Yogurtland Brentwood also own the Yogurtland in Pinole.

Here are the deets:

Date and Time: Saturday, July 8, 11 AM – 11 PM

• 11 AM – 2 PM: Free froyo & toppings!
• 2 PM – 5 PM: Balloon artist
• 5 PM – 8 PM: Prizes and giveaways
• 8 PM – 11 PM: Buy one, get one free

Don't forget to have some free froyo for me.

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

* YOGURTLAND BRENTWOOD: 5411 Lone Tree Way #120, Brentwood, CA, 94513

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Num Noms Series 4.1, Fro-Yo Nums

Fro-yo girl here. Num Noms, from MGA Entertainment, are food themed, cute, scented collectibles, that can be mixed and matched. Nums can fit over Noms. The toys first launched in December 2015 and they’re released by series. The newest series, 4.1, is hitting shelves now and it features frozen yogurt Nums, including a Frozen Yogurt starter pack with three froyo characters. The blind boxes carried on a froyo truck look like frozen yogurt cups. The Noms in the blind boxes are glitter lipglosses and nailpolishes. There are 8 Fro-yo Nums. The starter packs are $9.99 at Target.

Menchie’s Sweet Friends Num Noms Starter Pack will launch in July 2017 and will be available only at Toys”R”Us. Menchie’s stores in the US will also get a “Smell so delicious” campaign makeover.

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

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

New Yogurtland Flavor, Rare Madagascar Vanilla, Will Be Available For Just One Week, Starting June 26

Fro-yo girl here. Froyo fans, I’m back from a special tasting event today for Rare Madagascar Vanilla froyo at Yogurtland HQ in Irvine, CA.

Yogurtland’s Rare Madagascar Vanilla frozen yogurt, is made with pure bourbon Vanilla extracted from choice Madagascar vanilla beans using a cold process method and fresh California milk. Because of the recent storms in Madagascar, Madagascar’s vanilla beans are in short supply.

This limited time flavor will only be available in U.S. stores, June 26 - July 1, or while supplies last.

If you’ve been reading my posts, you probably know that I love vanilla froyo. I love vanilla cupcakes. I love vanilla. I grew up eating imitation, cheap vanilla but now I know what high quality vanilla tastes like. Rare Madagascar Vanilla froyo did not disappoint. The flavor is exquisite because they use such high quality beans. It’s rich, thick and creamy. I was reminded of a high quality frozen custard.

If you love vanilla, don’t miss Rare Madagascar Vanilla froyo at Yogurtland. Go early, before they run out. I’ll be stocking up. I can’t wait to cover it in chocolate shell. I think it will go well with every topping at Yogurtland.

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

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

New Pinkberry Blueberry Muffin Frozen Yogurt

Fro-yo girl here. Pinkberry launched a new summer flavor, Blueberry Muffin frozen yogurt, and two new Cold Brew Fruit Teas, in Strawberry Hibiscus and Tropical Mango.

While Blueberry Muffin frozen yogurt doesn’t sound like a typical Pinkberry flavor or a summer time flavor, July 11 does happen to be National Blueberry Muffin Day. Blueberry Muffin Frozen Yogurt can be topped with blueberry muffin crumbles and fresh blueberries to create the Blueberry Delight. Yes, blueberry muffin crumbles are a new topping, available for a limited time, at Pinkberry.

I tried to find Blueberry Muffin frozen yogurt on the launch date but I couldn’t locate it in the Los Angeles area. Strange. Even the Sunset and Fuller location, the one that has the most flavors, didn’t have it. The Beverly Hills location didn’t have it either.

I like Blueberry Pinkberry, though I haven’t seen it much since it was introduced in 2015.

* Blueberry Muffin frozen yogurt: I was expecting a sweeter yogurt and was pleasantly surprised that Blueberry Muffin froyo was still tart and tangy. It was light, smooth, refreshing and bursting with blueberry flavor. I didn’t notice any obvious cake/muffin flavor. The blueberry muffin crumbles were soft and fresh.

Recommended toppings: Berries, blueberry muffin crumbles, mochi, and toasted almonds.

I didn’t try the new cold brew fruit teas. They didn’t offer them at the location that I visited. Blueberry Muffin frozen yogurt will be available through July 27, 2017. The cold brew fruit teas will be available through September 7, 2017.

Now that it seems like most new froyo flavors are sweet, I have really come to appreciate the light, tangy flavors that Pinkberry still offers.

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

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.