By Jolie Lenga

As summer is approaching, many start getting their summer bodies ready. But if you’re like me, the desserts on your insta feed become more and more tempting by the day… but do they live up to the hype? I took a trip to NYC to put 5 of these sweet treats to the test.

My number one favorite dessert on the list has to be the Cookies and Cream ice-cream from Emack & Bolio’s Ice Cream Store in NYC (@emackandbolios). I got mine on a caramel Rice Krispie cone coated in sprinkles. Not only was it extremely photogenic, but the ice-cream itself was super creamy; I almost couldn’t bring myself to allow my friends to taste it. The cone was quite sticky, so I don’t recommend one of the extravagant cones if you have braces, but there are many other options.  The staff was friendly and the store was cutely decorated with colorful chairs and shelves of cones to choose from. Though the store is small in size, their products pack huge flavor.

Next on my list is Levain Bakery on west 74th street (@levainbakery). Walking into the store, you are instantly enveloped in a warm bakery scent. When I broke the cookie in half, the chocolate chips oozed out from the soft, warm inside. I was in cookie heaven. Levain’s cookies have the perfect balance of a crunchy outside, matched with a smooth inside.
10/10

In third place I have rolled ice cream from 10 Below in Flushing. I tried the Cookies n Crème and the S’mores flavors. When we were looking for the restaurant, we almost missed it. It is hidden in a mall, and isn’t heavily advertised, but the taste is worth the search. It isn’t the prettiest spot on the list, but the treat was quite beautiful. You can watch them prepare the dessert in front of you, mixing the ingredients into the cream and rolling it to perfection. It is certainly worth the visit. It is also easy to access, being located just a short walk from the flushing station. I am really only giving this dessert a lower score than the former two because it was hard to find the restaurant.
9/10

Here is the kitchen sink. Yes, the phrase might go, “everything but the kitchen sink,” but hey, you’re really missing out. The Kitchen Sink at Krisch’s Ice Cream is really something else. It consists of 10 flavors and 8 toppings . . . all served in a real sink. The restaurant itself is super cute, giving off serious 50’s diner vibes. Along with ice cream, they serve regular diner food and have quite an assortment of chocolate.
The ice cream itself was very good, but the whole experience was a bit overwhelming. All the flavors start to blend together after a little while, so I suggest bringing a whole lot of friends. For nearly $50, I have to say it was not really worth the stomachache. But I would recommend going for a birthday or enjoying it with your team after an energy-snatching match. Honestly it was too much, so just know that you will be Krisch-ing your summer body goodbye.
Flavors: cookie dough, fluffernutter, rocky road, banana, rainbow cookie, peach, mint chip, cookies and cream, s’mores and vanilla
Toppings: hot fudge, caramel, Reese’s pieces, Bananas, waffle wedges, whipped cream, sprinkles, and cherries
Taste: 8/10
Practicality for a group smaller than five: 5/10

My final destination was Holey Cream. I was super excited to try their donut ice-cream sandwiches. The dessert total was ok. The idea for having ice-cream sandwiches made with donuts is amazing. The execution, however, was not quite up to par. The dessert is almost completely customizable. You get to choose the ice-cream flavor, donut icing, and toppings to make a nice sweet treat tailored to your liking. I probably won’t be re-visiting this stop, but if you’re in the area, it’s a good choice.
7/10
Conclusion of my tour: At first I was afraid that the desserts I tried wouldn’t live up to the hype, but some of them really did. I was really impressed with the creativity and quality of many of the desserts. After visiting all these great restaurants and getting to try some impressive treats, I conclude that no human being should ever attempt this in less than 3 days. I tried. I felt sick. But I was ultimately satisfied.