Legendary Toronto chef Michael Stadtlander is back in a big way

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9:01 am

Eigensinn Farm Stadtlander — Eigensinn Farm's website

For a superstar chef, Michael Stadtlander lives a very unconventional life. Instead of making headlines traversing the city and opening big-name restaurants, his genius comes from his desire to pay homage to his roots. “I grew up in North Germany, on a farm in Lubeck,” he says. “And my father and grandfather, they were milkmen. But we also raised our eggs and some other stuff. So when they came back from that work, then they were doing all the farm chores. Like, we had chicken, we grew all our grain and potatoes and so on. So that was really the influence.”

The influence resulted in Eigensinn Farm, a 1oo-acre property he and his wife Nobuyo run in Singhampton, just southwest of Collingwood. The land holds livestock, chickens, vegetables, fruits and even a budding forest, as well as a place where the Stadtlanders harvest honey from bees.

Stadtlander Eigensinn Farm — Eigensinn Farm’s website

“After you become a chef, you’re a journeyman, and you travel around and you see different things. And somehow always I remember the flavours of our vegetables and stuff. And you know, and it was all very seasonal, right. So I wanted to really go back to these roots,” Stadtlander says. “And that’s how I kind of decided on the idea that I wanted to have a place where I can grow and raise and cook my own stuff, and serve it to people.”

Eigensinn Farm offers an eight-course meal crafted entirely from ingredients grown and raised on-site. The BYOB experience is seasonal, so the menus change as certain ingredients bloom. But, of course, farm-t0-table in the truest sense takes some prep time, aided by Stadtlander’s interns. “Right now I’m cooking two days in advance,” he says. “The average is like, two days before, we’re preparing. Let’s say it’s Saturday, we start cooking on Thursday. So Thursday and Friday are prep days. And then Saturday is more like getting ready and so on.”

This is the Stadtlanders’ first full summer operating the restaurant after Covid, as a result of pandemic and personal delays. “I really kind of feel like I want to get back in some kind of, not routine, but like back into cooking with the land and all that stuff. “2018 was my last project, with a group of my interns I built 12 sculptures and installations with each course, with one sculpture for one of our forests. After that, I took a sabbatical, which was in 2019. And in then 2020, we had Covid and then in 2021 my wife was in Japan, she had to look after her mother and brother and then she could not even get home for the opening. So she came home in August, and it was a very short season. So, right now, I feel like I want to start cooking again.”

Eigensinn Farms is located at 449357 10th Concession in Singhampton.

Here are the best patios in Leslieville

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Megan Gallant

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10:01 am

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Leslie Jones Leslieville — Leslie Jones on Instagram

You can get custom-lettered doughnuts at this new Toronto bakery

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Erica Commisso

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10:12 am

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The click-and-order, custom-lettered doughnut business, Letterbox Doughnuts, just opened its first storefront after two years of online ordering success.

When couple Jon and Priom Oliver started the business, they had zero experience in the food industry. Jon had been working in private equity and Priom, a passionate and skilled baker, worked professionally in tech, recruiting and D&I. When the pandemic hit, the duo had a little bit more time on their hands and they got to work experimenting with flavours and styles, guided by enduring optimism.

“With Letterbox, a major motivating factor was that with all the negativity the world was experiencing, we wanted to remind people to take some time to celebrate each other and the special moments in their lives,” says the pair. They set up an online shop and officially launched in August 2020, providing patrons with a unique – and delicious – way to share sweet messages for special moments.

According to Jon and Priom, the most common celebrations they prepare orders for tend to be birthdays, baby showers, promotions, bachelorettes and specific holidays like Eid, Father’s Day and Mother’s Day, with words and phrases varying widely. Naturally, bachelorettes tend to include cheekier, sometimes downright explicit, messaging.

“I don’t think you’d be able to publish the craziest phrase we’ve had to make,” Jon says with a laugh. “That said, we are constantly blown away by our baking team’s artistic abilities, some of the special characters they create are almost too pretty to eat…almost!”

The dough is handmade fresh daily and contains no artificial preservatives. The unique flavours and designs come from the glaze, which you can customize by colour and style – opting for unique patterns like the space-themed galaxy or ombre-esque marble. The doughnut itself is plain, but the glaze flavour options include classic chocolate, raspberry lemon or white chocolate with a rotating menu of seasonal, limited-edition flavours like caramel chocolate that you can top with sprinkles.

The brick-and-mortar bakery officially opened its doors in early June and, to celebrate, they launched two new products, filled donuts and the Grammar Box.

The filled doughnut is an Oreo cookie crumble and comes in a range of shapes like hearts or stars. The Grammar Box is a unique way to cut down on food waste and add even more delicious options to the menu. The bakers take the little leftover bits of dough from letter cut-outs, fry them and toss them in either Oreo crumble, cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar.

Know someone who could use a sweet message? Letterbox Doughnuts recently kicked off a partnership with Toronto-based clothing company, Spread Love. The initiative is called Love Letter and it’s all about celebrating and acknowledging amazing people within the community. Each month you can nominate someone who deserves a little pick-me-up and the two businesses will select three nominees to receive a care package. It’s Jon and Priom’s way of giving back to the community that has already shown them so much love.

“Without the amazing people of Toronto and the surrounding area we wouldn’t be where we are,” they say.

Letterbox Doughnut’s bakery is located at 235 Spadina Ave.

Hip hop legend Chuck D of Public Enemy and his Toronto roots

By

Ron Johnson

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9:49 am

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Carlton Douglas Ridenhour , a.k.a. legendary rapper Chuck D, has a connection to Toronto, and it’s not just the multiple times he’s played in the city, or the connections he’s fostered over the years with the local hip-hop community. It runs all the way back to the naming of Public Enemy’s seminal album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold us Back.

Chuck D is in Toronto this week where he will be bestowed a Social Justice Honours Award at Canadian Music Week where he will also deliver a keynote address on June 9 at the Intercontinental Toronto Centre.

The band, which began in 1985, and released its debut album in 1987, was already on its way to stardom, and their second album and its iconic songs “Don’t Believe the Hype,” and “Bring the Noise,” would seal the deal and establish Public Enemy as one of the most influential hip hip groups in history. Public Enemy, with Chuck D and Flavor Flav leading the way, would go on to release a slew of albums. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013, and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.

Back in the day, when Now Magazine was the heart of the local music scene in Toronto, it ran a cover story on the American hip hop upstarts with their militant political messages and groundbreaking music. The headline for the story? It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold us Back.

“That’s what they called the interview, it takes a nation of millions to hold us back,” Chuck D says, over the phone from his home in Florida. “They took one of the lines that was offered a song on the first album called “Raise The Roof.” It stuck, and the rest is history, and a great piece of music trivia.

Chuck has always enjoyed visiting Toronto, and holds the city, indeed the country, in high esteem.

“Toronto was always a great international place to visit. Every time I would come to Toronto, other than just doing dynamic shows, it was just being able to honor the path that was put down by Canadian artists and always calling Toronto one of the favorite cities on the planet,” he says. “And every time I come back from Canada, you know, I felt like I went to IQ rehab.”

Chuck D is now in his sixties, still heavily involved in music both with Public Enemy as well as numerous side projects. He’s also branched out to podcasts, his own digital music station dedicated to classic hip hop (which he’d like to see on the same level as classic rock), and even a comic book.

He says, he continues to be inspired by “the arts, and learning about the lives of previous artists that go along with that.”

Chuck will deliver a keynote address at Canadian Music Week on June 9. And part of his message to young artists in a world saturated with social media, analytics and algorithms, is to not get caught up in the numbers.

“Count what you have as opposed to what you don’t have,” he says. “You know, corporations have the soul of a gadget. So don’t think that, you know, appropriating that soul into your human being is a way for your artistry to go.”

When Chuck left Adelphi University, where he graduated with a degree in graphic design, and decided to pursue rap music, he got a lot of advice, both good and bad. But one piece stuck.

“Be careful the feet that you step on, because they might one day be attached to the actual ass you have to kiss,” he says.

To check out Chuck D at Canadian Music Week and for more show information, check out the CMW website.

Massive colourful birds have taken over Bloor Street this season

By

Julia Mastroianni

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8:10 am

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If you’ve taken a stroll down Bloor Street recently, you might have noticed a little extra colour taking over the sidewalks. The flower planters lining the Mink Mile sidewalks are now home to massive birds (we’re talking child-size!) that are all the colours of the rainbow.

The ceramic bird figurines are colour-coordinated with the flowers planted within the flower beds – red, orange and yellow pansies surround red, orange and yellow birds, and blue and purple pansies surround the green, blue and purple birds.

Are they there to scare away other pests looking to eat or make a home within the new flowers? Are they a Pride installation?

According to the Bloor-Yorkville BIA, the answer is even simpler – the weather.

“We came up with the idea of adding the birds to our spring garden theme, after experiencing a number of springs when we did not get the tulip display that we desired,” executive director of the BIA, Briar de Lange, said over email. “Polar vortex and extensively cold winter temperatures continued to take a toll on the tulip bulbs, so we came up with the colourful bird display to complement our pansies, which are a hardier springtime flower.”

With warmer weather having arrived, the birds are chirping with excitement on Bloor street. Stop by to check out our new installations on Bloor street ✨❤️?#BYTime #Yorkville #TorontoArt pic.twitter.com/nNEZu6NkkY

— Bloor-Yorkville BIA (@BloorYorkville) April 28, 2022

De Lange said the birds, which have been around since May, won’t be there forever. “We will change over to our summer garden program soon and the birds will migrate to storage and will return again next spring.”

Take a stroll down Bloor Street over the next few weeks for a glimpse of the colourful display and larger-than-life birds!

Super heroes: here’s where to find the most epic sub sammies in the city

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lindsaylow

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2:30 pm

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Whether you call them construction worker specials or hoagies or heroes these lunchtime favourites are having a moment. Toronto restaurants are redefining the art of the sub and raising the classic yet delicious sandwich to grab-and-go excellence.

ELM STREET DELI

The Sammy Davis Jr. and Sergio Leone take on new meanings as house-made pastrami and braised brisket sandwiches respectively at Elm Street Italian Deli, a local sub shop inspired by owner Lawrence LaPianta’s father’s love of spaghetti westerns and early Italian-American mafia films. The sub sandwich menu is a selection of high-quality meat with distinct, bold flavours. Swing by for a sandwich piled high with smoked turkey, roast beef, pastrami, Tuscan ham, smoked sausage, pork shoulder or braised brisket on pillowy fresh buns.
15 Elm St.

TOPOL SANDWICH

At this halal sub spot, patrons can grab a classic sandwich, like chicken, beef or mortadella, or try something new by making a selection from the hot sandwich menu. Try the Zapata, a sub with Angus beef steak, topped with freshly sliced mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, tomato, pickle, parsley, hickory sticks and house-made Topol sauce. Or opt for the Bandari, a Persian sausage sub complete with all the fresh veggie fixings. Topol also offers signature Bomb sandwiches, stuffed submarines that can serve a hungry group of friends.
8 Kingsdale Ave.

GOOD BEHAVIOUR

Chef Michael Lam and Eric Chow launched Good Behaviour during the pandemic as a way to celebrate the pair’s love of ice cream. But the submarine sandwiches are not to be missed, either. Both hot and cold options are served on a sesame seed bun, and toppings include mouth-watering combos like a sub crafted with jerk braised pork shoulder, jerk mayo, red cabbage, pineapple relish, lime juice and cilantro, and another version made with smoked turkey and gouda, mustard, salsa verde, pickled artichoke and iceberg lettuce.
874 Yonge St.

GRANDMA LOVES YOU

German influences take the huge selection of hot and cold submarine sandwiches to the next level at Grandma Loves You, where European cold cuts take centre stage. The secret to this deli’s success could very well be its homemade sauces. Different variations are delicately ladled over sandwiches such as the Grandma’s special pizza sandwich and the Chef’s Choice sandwich, which is made with chicken strips, avocado, tomato, hot pepper, fresh onion, olives, crispy onion, pesto sauce and, of course, Grandma’s homemade hot sauce.
1084 Yonge St.

You can now borrow an Ontario Parks pass from the library and visit for free

By

Ron Johnson

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2:50 pm

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The Toronto Public Library is a pretty amazing group that continually adapts to the times, and adding Ontario Parks passes to its list of offerings is another example of its creativity and excellence.

Anyone with a TPL card can now reserve an Ontario Parks pass, a vehicle permit, which can be borrowed for a week at a time. The pass can be used across the province at any of more than Ontario provincial parks so the bearer does not have to pay day-use admission fees. The pass does not cover overnight fees for camping or the cost of borrowing equipment.

“We’re proud and excited to partner with Ontario Parks to be able to provide free parks passes to TPL customers,” says Aly Velji, manager for adult services at TPL. “This is a great way to spend time outdoors with family and friends, and explore all the wonderful things that Ontario Parks have to offer.”

Toronto is one of 260 municipalities across the province participating in the program. Fees to park a vehicle at some Ontario Parks site run around $9.50 per adult, and $6.50 per child.

Borrowers are responsible for the safe return of the pass, and failing that, would be on the hook for the replacement fee ($225) and other borrowing privileges could also be impacted.

There are 300 parks passes available across the city at 32 branches. It is also possible to place a hold on a pass to subsequently pick up at a local branch at the front desk, which could be the best bet given the popularity of the program.

Looking for a place to hike at the more than 100 park locations? Check out this article, or the Ontario Parks locator.

There’s a cave entirely dedicated to cheese in Toronto

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Erica Commisso

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2:16 pm

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Every cheese lover’s fantasy has returned to Toronto, thanks to the Ritz Carlton’s TOCA. The restaurant is slated to relaunch its famous cheese cave on June 9, kicking it off with a reception at the Ritz-Carlton called ‘Omaggio al Formaggio.’

The renowned cave, lined with unique and hard-to-find cheeses, is back in partnership with Afrim Pristine of Cheese Boutique fame, lining wooden shelves in a temperature-controlled room.

To celebrate the cheese cave’s relaunch, TOCA is hosting a special celebration inside the Ritz-Carlton, complete with a cocktail reception and followed by a three-course meal that’s centered, of course, around cheese. A specialty cheese tasting and tour of the cave will also follow.

In true Italian fashion, courses at the event include an appetizer salad (a choice between an insalata mista or a Caprese salad), a choice of pasta dishes and a main dish selection (with a vegetarian option available). Finally, the service will be topped with a choice of dessert, which includes either a baked pecorino cheesecake or a cannoli.

Tickets for the event can be purchased online, via OpenTable, and cost $125 per person, and a wine pairing can be added for an additional $75. TOCA is located inside The Ritz-Carlton at 181 Wellington St. W.

This Yorkville bakery offers Japanese croissants in unique flavours

By

Erica Commisso

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11:23 am

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Your new favourite croissant isn’t French, although it does draw some inspiration from the Parisians who have perfected the fan favourite pastry. Hazukido is the new bakery serving up a unique twist on the croissant, guided by the Shokunin spirit of Japan. The technique uses only the finest ingredients to produce the perfect pastry complement to a morning coffee or an afternoon stroll.

So what’s different? A Japanese croissant uses an exclusive folding technique that creates a uniquely Hazukido honeycomb texture, making for a perfectly golden crunch with every bite.

“While they are in fact unique, each croissant spreads the natural buttery aroma and preserves the classic French traditions,” says a representative from Hazukido.

Transcending French influence, Hazukido offers tons of unique toppings and ingredients that you won’t find at your typical bakery or coffee shop. Looking for something savoury? Try the seaweed, garlic, crab or chicken flavours. If you fancy yourself more of a sweet tooth, then the lemon meringue or fresh fruit should do the trick. “Our mission is to share the essence of the Hazukido brand by offering over 140 delicious rotating croissant flavours with food enthusiasts across Canada.”

And if you’re looking for something a little heartier, the Hazukido menu doesn’t stop there. Patrons can sink their teeth into crème brûlée, ice cream croissant sandwiches, soups, croissant rolls, loaves and more light fare. Handcrafted drinks like sparkling or yogurt refreshers and espresso-based coffee drinks like lattes and cappuccinos are available to wash down your treats.

In 2014, Hazukido launched its first location in Taiwan and has since expanded internationally with over 200 locations worldwide. Hazukido’s latest spot will open at 1200 Bay Street in Yorkville later this summer, marking its eighth North American location.

This isn’t the first GTA location for Hazukido but is the first bakery of its kind in Yorkville. The bakery offers take-out at all locations, and pre-order pick-up and pre-order delivery are available for online orders.

Here’s where to find the best sandals in Toronto this summer

By

Julia Mastroianni

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11:23 am

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cougar-summer-sandals — @cougarshoes/Instagram

The summer season is upon us and it’s time to finally show off the pedicures that you’ve hidden under wool socks and waterproof boots. In Toronto, it’s quite easy to find functional, fashion-forward sandals for all. Here is a list of five brands that you can find on the streets of Toronto.

Zvelle

Located on Davenport Road, Zvelle is a fashion brand that sells shoes and bags for everyone. Founder Elle AyoubZadeh, who was born in Toronto but has lived in Iran, Dubai, New Zealand and Australia, launched Zvelle in 2015 and the brand has taken off since then. Although their men’s section is limited, they offer an extensive selection of stylish sandals at a great price. They prioritize quality and often offer clients solid discounts on their shoes. The Zvelle Xin currently comes in a bronze and black colour scheme and is marked down from $355 to $150! You’d be hard-pressed to find deals like this while in-season.

Yeezy

Looking for a shoe that will be comfortable while scoring some serious streetwear style points? The Yeezy slide seemingly took over social media upon its initial release in December of 2019. The slide is available in unisex sizing and ranges from easy to match black and beige or summer-ready colourways like a glowy green and bright blue. Your best chance of finding the slide will be at one of Toronto’s many streetwear consignment shops. Hotbox, Essential Canada and Rerun are just a few stores that carry the shoe. Otherwise, stores across Canada offer the slide for retail price via raffle. As well, the Adidas Confirmed app will conduct a randomized draw for users on release day.

Cougar

With over 70 years in the shoe-making business, Cougar is a Canadian brand that offers shoes with a four-season function that still look fashionable. The company blew up in 1976 with their Pillow Boot which was well insulated, fashion-friendly and terrific for Toronto winters. Today, they offer shoes for women and kids, ranging from heavy-duty winter boots to warm-weather sandals. Their Prato leather sandals are available in black or white and are the perfect sandal to pair with flowy dresses this summer.

Suicoke

Although they’re made in Japan, Suicoke sandals can be found directly on the streets of Toronto and offer totally unisex designs. Suicoke has made dorky sandals cool with many silhouettes offering thick straps, unique materials and fun details. Capsule and Livestock sell the brand in-store, as well as the Hudson’s Bay. If you’re looking for a more extensive shopping selection, their official website sells to Canada, and Montreal-based Ssense also offers a full-size run. The Moto silhouette is perfect for a lounge-filled weekend, grocery shopping or tactical fits that need a kick.

Poppy Barley

Poppy Barley is a sustainable shoe company that is proudly designed in Canada. They offer their products in sizes for everyone, ranging from 5-15 in men’s sneakers and 5-12 in women’s. With every product, Poppy Barley keeps the environment and sustainability in mind. Their products are manufactured in factories that meet their standards for ethical production. Currently, Toronto shoppers can buy their shoes online only. Their Fisherman sandal gives you the gladiator look while still being comfortable and fashionable.

Award-winning Scarborough author Catherine Hernandez to appear at The Word on the Street

By

Ron Johnson

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11:12 am

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Word on the Street author Catherine Hernandez — Catherine Hernandez

“When you’re from Scarborough you are taught that good things are not for you. Stability is not for you,” said award-winning author Catherine Hernandez, who appears at Toronto’s Word on the Street festival running June 11-12 at Queen’s Park.

Hernandez went on to beat the odds — and then some. Her ambitious debut novel, Scarborough, was published in 2017, to a deluge of rave reviews (Broken Pencil called it a “crucial book for Toronto, and Popmatters.com said it was “storytelling at its finest.”).

‘I always knew I was a storyteller” said Hernandez. “My mother was a pioneer of Filipino folk dance education here in Canada, and I was taught since I was small that as people of a diaspora, it was important for us to share our stories to keep our culture alive.”

Written during a time “of such financial precarity and emotional strain,” Scarborough is based on Hernandez’ own life experience running a home daycare. Narrated by a multitude of characters both adult and children, it tells the story of a culturally diverse and troubled community under fire, suffering from the weight of poverty, drugs, crime and urban blight. But it also offers an empathetic glimpse into a neighbourhood that refuses to be broken or left behind.

The book – which still remains on the bestseller list in Canada, shot Hernandez to literary fame, which is unsurprising considering the numerous accolades it went on to receive, including the Jim Wong-Chu Award for the unpublished manuscript; shortlisted for the Toronto Book Awards, the Edmund White Award, and the Trillium Book Award; and a finalist for Canada Reads 2022.

There was also a film adaptation shot and set in the West Hill neighbourhood of Scarborough, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2021. Hernandez penned the screenplay and says she was heavily involved in the process.

“I tried to be as present as possible to support the team in any way they needed. But I didn’t want to control the process,” she said. “I wanted them to have agency in how the story was going to be told. I trusted them all to make magic.”

At once both heartbreaking and hopeful, the film was a sensation upon its release, winning eight Canadian Screen Awards including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay, and the Panavision Spirit Award for Independent Cinema at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Hernandez is also a seasoned playwright, children’s author, and podcaster. Her highly anticipated third novel is set to be released in 2023, and she’s busy working on her fourth. Television projects are also on the horizon.

She’s set to appear at Toronto’s open-air book and magazine festival, The Word on the Street taking place June 11-12. She’ll be joined by esteemed authors including Montreal novelist Heather O’Neil, First Nations Canadian Arts Journalist Jesse Wente, and Toronto-based writer Robyn Maynard.

“Lit fests are important as a connection between authors and readers. It is at fests where I can read live, listen to readers’ questions, and most importantly, listen to other authors do their thing,” she said. “It’s [also] imperative that fests make bold choices around diversity and inclusion, from their leadership to their board of directors, their volunteers to the authors they showcase.”

The best ice cream sandwiches in Toronto

By

Jessica Huras

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10:04 am

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best ice cream sandwiches toronto bakerbots — Bakerbots on Instagram

While there’s nothing wrong with running to the grocery store or chasing down a neighbourhood ice cream truck for a quick fix, specialty creations that blend small-batch ice cream flavours with the ingenuity of some of the city’s most talented bakers take one of summer’s favourite cool treats to the next level. These are the best ice cream sandwiches in Toronto.

Ernie’s Ice Box

Out with the vanilla soft serve enveloped by two chocolate cookies and in with the peanut butter and jelly ice cream wrapped in oat bars! Ernie’s Ice Box is a local ice cream shop that specializes in making the perfect ice cream sandwich from scratch. Ernie’s is a relatively new ice cream joint, opened by owner Julia Haist during COVID-19. Long-running flavours and fan favourites include the peanut butter and jelly ice cream sandwich, which uses soft and chewy homemade peanut butter cookies, vanilla ice cream, and raspberry jam.

Tom’s Dairy Freeze

Since 1969, Tom’s Dairy Freeze has been offering authentic soft serve ice cream from a humble service-style counter in south Etobicoke. Think of Tom’s like a stationary ice cream truck: here, you’ll find the classic chocolate and vanilla swirl soft serve, more than 20 soft-serve sundaes, like the hot fudge with peanuts, towering banana splits with maraschino cherries and rainbow sprinkles, milkshakes, ice cream floats and, of course, ice cream sandwiches. All use Tom’s signature soft serve, with some rolled-in toppings like sprinkles or peanuts. Tom’s also opened up a second ghost kitchen near Queen and Ossington. And, the business started posting some of its secret menu items on Instagram, so remember to check there for the latest flavour updates.

Bang Bang

Ice cream sandwiches served on homemade, chewy cookies are the signature item at Bang Bang, which is known for its addictive small-batch ice cream. While the menu changes daily, Bang Bang typically offers several stuffed ice cream sandwiches like the Crackpuff, a soft profiterole served with any of the nearly 40 ice cream flavours on the menu; and the Warm Cinnibun Sammie, also served with your choice of ice cream.

Bakerbots Bakery

Bakerbots Ice Cream Sandwiches — Bakerbots on Instagram

Started by the same team behind Bang Bang, Bakerbots Bakery has multiple options when it comes to ice cream sandwiches. All of the sandwiches can be created from their nearly 30 ice cream flavours, including refreshing options like lychee rosewater and London Fog, or richer treats like burnt toffee, or pb-chocolate. The full ice cream sandwich and the half ice cream sandwich can be ordered using any of the freshly-baked cookies on the menu. A specialty version of the ice cream sandwich, the ice cream puff, wedges ice cream between two fluffy croquembouches.