Freezy Freeze LIQUID NITROGEN Ice Cream

Just when we were about to leave the Red Bank farmer's market with tummies full of delicious grub from the Cinnamon Snail, I got a glimpse of this:

Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream?

It seemed too kitschy to be vegan, but I decided to investigate the process just out of curiosity.

It would seem, though, that I'd missed the "Yo..." in the corner above. Luckily, there was this sign to answer the unasked question:

Well then.  Problem was that I was full.  But it was hot.  And, besides; it's my duty as a blogger to thoroughly explore all vegan options that come my way.  At least that's what I tell myself think. 

I approached the "Mad Scientists" (for real, that's what it says on their business card) and was told that the vegan version was made with soy and coconut milk, dairy-free Valrhona chocolate, and the option of Oreos.  Say no more, Freezy Freeze; let's do this.

First the milk mixes up with the chocolate powder.

Then the exciting part: filling the metal pitcher with the liquid nitrogen.  Check out the frost:

After that the liquid nitro goes into the chocolate/milk mixture and instantly freezes the contents.

It doesn't take much time, but it does take some strength to chop up the super-frozen contents of the mixing bowl and quickly mix in the toppings (they have an assortment to choose from). 

And then, in addition to the demonstration, I received my very own bowl of liquid nitrogen ice cream.

Now normally I eschew all kinds of magic science and math, but how could I resist when the end product is ice cream?  Plus, you gotta love the juxtaposition of the space-age ice cream with the old school wooden spoons.  Get some for your very own at the Red Bank Farmer's Market!

Pine Box Rock Shop Bloody Marys

Not long after meeting the proprietors of the Pine Box Rock Shop at the Dunwell Donut launch did we learn that, besides the general coolness of being an all-vegan bar, Pine Box also boasts a Bloody Mary menu.  We knew we had to go.

A group of us finally coordinated a visit recently and whoa, the place is huge.  We were there for a lazy, rainy, weekend afternoon, but no doubt it can hold several busloads of people for live musical performances. 

we believe this to be the Pine Box Rock Shop mascot

While others were there for the vegan brunch, we were there for the Mary's.  And Mary we did.

The menu on the left in the above picture is just the Mary's.  There is much, much more available.

As this was our fist visit, we all decided to go with the most classic- with varying degrees of heat.  You can choose your sriracha on a scale from 1-10.  Unusually cautious, I went with a 5; it had a noticeable kick, but next time I'm definitely doing a 10.  And how about these accoutrements?  It was a veritable meal in a drink!

But if you don't agree, they do carry assorted snacks (I'm coming back for you, salt & vinegar potato chips) and a variety of empanadas from the V-Spot for gorging while you're getting your drink on.

The service was friendly, the patrons hip.

Thank you to this kind woman for smiling at me while I photo-stalked her dog.

Ironic or weird?  You decide.

I'm not really a bar person, but enjoying a Mary with friends on a lazy afternoon in a vegan bar with great service is a-ok in my book.

See for yourself!