REVIEW | CHOUXTOPIA

Chouxtopia has just opened on the North Shore and the ice cream sandwich of your dreams is waiting.

Their signature gelato puffs consist of deliciously creamy gelato in the middle of two light-as-air, crispy choux pastry puffs. No soggy biscuits here. Flavour combinations include chocolate, matcha, apple and cinnamon, rose petal with tropical mango, latte and almond, and black sesame. Also on their menu is a range of unique teas and savoury éclairs.

It’s a novel, beautiful idea. Choux pastry is notoriously difficult to master, but the owners of Chouxtopia used to own dessert bars in Hong Kong and have it down to a fine art.

In my opinion, Browns Bay has been lacking in the quality gelato department and Chouxtopia fills the void. The mainstay ice cream vendor there is Penguino ice cream, but I have always found the texture not as creamy as I would like and quick to melt. Generic froyo brands have tried to establish themselves in the area, but I am always left with the unsatisfying feeling that I am eating something artificial and sugary.

Chouxtopia, however, boasts quality ingredients, unique flavours and an artisan concept that lifts the gelato game.

I know where I’ll be all summer.

Location: Browns Bay, Auckland, New Zealand.