While we’re over here thinking the east coast is the best coast, our friends over in Los Angeles have been holding out on us, digging into delicious desserts that make a brain freeze totally worth it–but now we’re finally getting a taste of this mouthwatering dessert for ourselves.
Popular L.A.-based waffle and artisanal ice cream shop The Dolly Llama is making its New York debut in Manhattan’s East Village this March!
First off, for those who are intrigued and want to know more, Dolly the llama is, in fact, a real llama who lives on a beautiful farm in the South of France–a farm which just so happens to be the favorite llama farm of European restaurateur and entrepreneur, Samuel Baroux.
With his childhood friend, real estate leader Eric Shomof, Baroux and Shomof made their dream of working together a reality after founding The Dolly Llama.
If you know anything about llamas you know that they’re social, friendly, outgoing animals who generally love people–who better to be the face of a brand that aims to bring guests creative dessert concoctions and happy fun vibes?!
At The Dolly Llama Europe meets Hong Kong as soft, pillowy Belgian waffles and crispy, custard-like Hong Kong bubble waffles become the base to mouthwatering desserts, from waffle ice cream sundaes and ice cream waffle sandwiches to signature shakes and even a build your own menu where guests are encouraged to “go nuts” with choosing unlimited toppings and essentially creating their own flavor.
And when we say unlimited toppings, we mean unlimited–fruits, gummy bears, all the best sugar-filled cereals, chocolate bars, cookies, brownies, and more all make up the topping bar, and don’t even get us started on the amount of sauces they have to choose from as well.
And for those who like to leave the dairy out of it when digging into dessert, vegan ice cream flavors are available as well, such as Melrose Mint Chip, Sunset & Strawberry, and Peanut Butter Krunch.
“Always on the hunt for new business opportunities, I stumbled across The Dolly Llama and it immediately piqued my interest due to the vibrant, fun branding of the unique concept,” said John Harper, franchisee of the Dolly Llama East Village. “The location is central to NYU, The New School, several other educational institutions, and New York tech offices, making it ideal for a concept like The Dolly Llama.”
Let’s be honest, there’s no better place for The Dolly Llama to make its New York debut than in the popular and eclectic neighborhood of the East Village–the shop was designed to be a modern dessert shop where guests can satisfy their sweet tooth in a cool, hip, and fun environment, and they even stay open late!
The Dolly Llama will open at 137 1st Ave #2 on Saturday, March 11 with a ton of fun giveaways and raffles throughout the day.
And be sure to get there early on opening day because the first 100 lucky sweet tooths in line will receive a free swag bag of The Dolly Llama merch–because who wouldn’t want merch from a dessert shop whose mascot is an adorable, fluffy llama?!