The weather was lovely in New York City this past holiday weekend. Duck Down — the NYC-based record label and music outfit founded by Drew “Dru-Ha” Friedman and Kenyatta “Buckshot” Blake in 1995 — played a 30th anniversary show to a capacity crowd at Damrosch Park in Lincoln Center on Saturday night. The Central Park Dance Skaters were also keeping busy, twirling and balancing water bottles mid-skate on their heads while a DJ kept the beat flowing in the skaters’ circle by Sheep Meadow.
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Most surprising to us, though, was the long line at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday for a scoop of Salt & Straw at 360 Amsterdam Avenue (at 77th Street) — recently ranked the #2 ice cream parlor in NYC by Time Out New York. The # 1 position was secured by Caffe Panna in Greenpoint, BK.
Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Salt & Straw opened its first NYC location on the Upper West Side in September 2024. A month later came their second in the city, at 540 Hudson Street in Greenwich Village. We sampled the limited-edition local flavors — Pastrami on Rye and Chocolate Babka with Hazelnut Fudge — to much delight.
Pastrami On Rye c/o Salt & Straw
Chocolate Babka with Hazelnut Fudge c/o Salt & Straw
Understanding that Portland is known for its artisan offerings, famously depicted in comedy sketches by kingpins Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen (like “Colin the Chicken” — one of our favorites), we were impressed to see that at 10:30 p.m. this past Saturday night, the line stretched out the door and down the block.
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Currently scooping limited-edition creations like Goat Cheese Marionberry Habanero and Huckleberry Cornbread Pudding, Salt & Straw had guests marveling aloud that this was the longest they’d ever seen the line. We’d agree, based on our passing-by experience — but it is summer in the city, and with temps around 80, it was a lovely night to cruise the neighborhood and grab something refreshing.
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“Co-founder and head ice cream innovator Tyler Malek’s creativity seems to know no bounds, as some of his 600 flavors have included the likes of bone marrow and coconut toffee candied mealworms,” wrote Time Out New York, a guide for tourists and locals alike, as they say. “But if you prefer your cone not to challenge you, the shop’s Honey Lavender and Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons will give you all the comforts.”
It seems word is spreading about Salt & Straw, but if you’re looking for something a little different, Venchi on West 69th and Columbus is worth the wait — their gelato flavors like extra virgin olive oil and classic Italian stracciatella are a taste of Italy right in the neighborhood. Known for its long lines on and off throughout the day, Venchi proves that great gelato has plenty of fans, too. So, next time you’re craving a sweet scoop, you know where to find it. Stay cool out there.
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Salt and Straw is no better than H?agen-Dazs, and McConnell’s is better.
Native to NYC, L’Arte del Gelato is also better and it’s at Lincoln Center all summer.
This is absolute crazy talk. I hate lines but Salt and Straw is worth the wait. Hands down the best place in the neighborhood (and probably the island).
Not even close to the best in NYC.
Salt and Straw is good, but it’s not close to amazing.
The line is a group of people who aren’t used to good ice cream. It’s a trend, it will likely pass.
Screw all these ‘trendy’ places and their absurd flavors.
The best ice cream of all time is a soft serve vanilla cone from a sweaty Mr. Softee truck.
Parked across the entirety of a crosswalk no doubt.
As I said above, Haagen Dazs is better than Salt and Straw, also better than Mister Softee.
We fondly recall 360 Amsterdam Avenue as the former site of The Cottage — but who can recall the restaurant that was there in 1980, before The Cottage arrived?
No one!
Magic Pan?
Next time, skip the line and buy a pint. You won’t have to wait I a long line and you get immediate joy.
Salt & Straw is definitely worth it – the most delicious non-dairy I’ve had so far…and I have sampled a lot! I very much appreciate that they have non-dairy options.
Virgina,
That’s not ice cream then.
Welcome to the Upper West Side where there is an ice cream shop almost every block. You can definitely have an ice cream crawl. Start with Salt and Straw to Emack & Bolio, Amorino Gelato, Van Leeuwen to Ample Hills Creamery on 85th. And that is all on Amsterdam Avenue. Not for diabetics, though.