In a strip mall down La Brea Avenue is the famous yet unassuming ice cream parlor that is Mashti Malone. I've never been to Iran, but I've had a little taste thanks to the medley of Middle East flavors.
Rosewater is an essential ingredient in Iranian desserts, which is evident by how many different kinds of rosewater ice cream Mashti has created. Among the selection is a couple that you don't see in a typical ice cream shop: Rosewater Saffron with Pistachios, Ginger Rosewater, Rose Sorbet with Sour Cherry, etc. Heavennn!
The Orange Blossom with Pistachios lived up to its name quite well. It reminded me of Jo Malone's Orange Blossom Cologne. What a coincidence that I love both!
As for the Peanut Butter Cup - I wanted to inhale it! Creamy with swirls of fresh peanut butter and huge chunks of peanut butter cups throughout. Gyahhh!
History
Mashti (Shirvani) and his brother Medhi bought the ice cream establishment, then known as Mugsy Malone, in 1980. At the time, Mashti could only afford to replace half of the old sign, which is how the name Mashti Malone came to be.
Mashti, the mastermind behind all of Mashti Malone's spectacular flavors, found inspiration in his longing for authentic Iranian desserts, thus explaining the use of distinctive Middle Eastern ingredients such as rosewater, saffron, cardamom, orange blossom, mango, pistachio nut, pomegranate, Arabian gum, rice starch, and sahlab.
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