34 ENTERTAINMENT
INREVIEW BY ABBY GODSEN assistant editor
Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso This is probably one of, if not my all time favorite Starbucks drinks. It isn’t bitter at all and it isn’t overly sweet like a frappuccino. I also love how it already comes as a dairy free option rather than having to substitute in alternative milks. I am a big fan of iced coffee so this is a real win on all levels for me.
“The Great” Although I really enjoyed the plot of this series and how it is rooted in real historical events, I didn’t think it was exceptionally comedic for being categorized as a comedy-drama. I understood the satirical commentary on Catherine the Great and the acting was excellent, but I don’t think the writing matched what they were trying to go for in regards to the movie category.
Dairy Belle ice cream chain opens up new location in Crown Point BY NOAH THOMAS co-editor-in-chief For those who like ice cream or frozen treats, Dairy Belle, one of Northwest Indiana’s most famous ice cream franchises, recently opened a new location in Crown Point. This new sweet spot is located at 1496 North Main Street. Walking into the store, the new modern but retro theme is clear to see. Dairy Belle absolutely nailed this theme, with the colors used in the interior and the store even has a jukebox and an old fashioned soda machine. The staff was very friendly and even recommended items to try. During my visit, I tried the pistachio soft serve, the non-dairy pineapple dole whip, strawberry short cake sundae and hot fudge brownie delight sundae. While the pistachio soft serve is only available in April as it is the current flavor of the month, it was very delicious and sweet. If you like a nutty flavor, this soft serve is for you. This soft serve is the perfect amount of sweet and salty. It comes in a bright green color that appeals visually to the customer and tastes just like a pistachio. They pile and swirl the soft serve and you get a lot of ice cream for your buck. The non-dairy pineapple dole whip is available year round and it is also very visually appealing. It smelled like a tropical paradise and you can almost envision yourself eating this treat on a warm beach with palm trees. This was better than the pistachio in my
Dairy Belle’s menu has a variety of frozen treats, including this non-dairy pineapple dole whip. PHOTO BY EMILY HELMUTH
opinion, but if you prefer a nutty flavor, pistachio is the way to go. The strawberry short cake sundae was amazing as well. The sundae’s presentation was superb. The dish had freshly cut strawberries and cold vanilla ice cream on a short cake topped with chilled whipped cream. The greatness of these sweet flavors combined truly encased Dairy Belle’s fantastic take on this classic treat. If you like a chocolate-themed dessert, the hot fudge brownie delight sundae is the special for you. It has pieces of brownie, peanuts and hot fudge mixed in with
the vanilla ice cream, with whipped cream topping it all off. The hot fudge brownie delight sundae was my favorite out of all the things I tried, as it was super sweet and the chopped up pieces of brownie were so good. It was nostalgic going to this new Dairy Belle location and the flavors invoked happy memories of when I went to the original Hammond Dairy Belle as a kid. The atmosphere of the retro cafe, the friendly staff, great location, convenient prices and delicious ice cream will certainly keep me coming back.
