FroYo For Real? (Tutti Frutti @ De Garden, Ipoh)
May 24, 2010 | 12,857 viewsIn life there will be missed opportunities, and there are those times when you secretly wished that you have done one particular action sooner; as soon as you get your hands on them. We call it ‘seizing the opportunity‘ …. or getting into the thick of the action.
No, this post ain’t about grieving over dearly departed ones, nor wobbling over lost contacts. Someone once asked me to write about places for desserts in Ipoh; with no regards to the existence (abundance?) of the Secret Recipe’s, the Gold Visions, nor the glitzy-yet-down-to-earth Tong Sui‘s(sweet soups) from Tong Sui Kai, or Funny Mountain’s velvety Tau Fu Fah.
Ahhhh …. to imagine being in those shoes once again, without a care in the world! WHAT?? What riots in Bangkok? Volcanic ash from Ejyajallaf … (etc etc)? AH1N1’s the latest R2D2 ?!!!!
Due to procrastination and forgetfulness, I missed writing about Essence Plus (a quaint Taiwanese cafe in Ipoh Garden East, serving an array of healthy foods and drinks, but has since closed … sadly), while San Marco Polo Ice-Cream Parlour (With years of history, they made their own ice-cream with a supposedly first-in-Ipoh ice-cream machine) chose to cease operations just when I was about to go for a second visit.
The weighing machine at the end of the check-out counter, just right after you pile everything onto your scoops/squeezed/dispensed FroYo @ Tutti Frutti
And so, when Jason made it back one blistering weekend, we settled for a tummy-warming Thai feast in Bercham, followed closely by an impromptu exodus to the relatively new (opened since April 2010) Tutti Frutti Frozen Yoghurt (or FroYo, for short) kiosk at De Garden Ipoh.
Thankful for the staff whom proceeded to show each and every one of their customers on the self-served mechanism at Tutti Frutti
Definitely more healthy than your usual pampering indulgences masquerading as ‘merely appeasing the sweet tooth saga‘ of ice-cream @ Baskin Robbins, Haagen-Dazs (not here in Ipoh … yet?) or even sinful chocolatey affairs at Theobroma or Schokolart.
Six flavours being rotated on a daily basis, so you won’t feel bored after the umpteenth visits. Not to mention the 20 or so assorted toppings/condiments.
Priced at RM5.30/USD1.70 per 100 grams, you don’t actually feel the weight UNTIL it’s a little too late. So don’t pile a rubble if this is your first time. Your bowl of FroYo might cost you a bomb (albeit a healthier one?) before you know it.
When we were there that afternoon, Tutti Frutti was offering flavours such as Green Apple, Triple Berry Smoothie, Mango Delight, French Vanilla, Original Tart and Death By Chocolate. You can mix and match the flavours, or stick to one if you feel like it. First you take the container which comes in two sizes, then you proceed to the dispenser for your FroYo(s) of choice.
I am hopeless with my buttered fingers. But art is a touchy, subjective matter … is it not?
Then you proceed to the counter with all the toppings, condiments, sauces, and such to complete your masterpiece (or in my case, the mildly devastating pile of rubble). From cornflakes, gummy bears, fresh fruits to candied fruits, colourful Smarties and drizzled (or doused, depending on your state of sugar-deprived depression that occasion) with the Hershey’s syrups.
This entertaining fiasco is a riot for the young ones, indefinitely. Seeing their child customizing each bowl with sheer creativity and eagerness, the parents can only look on with a glimmer of pride in their eyes … until the bowl topples over from the abundance of yoghurt + toppings, and their wallets suddenly felt much lighter than before ……
The zesty fruit flavours (Original Tart & Triple Berry) came out tops, edging out the generic Death By Chocolate (which tasted exactly like the its generic ice-cream cousin). The French Vanilla was rather good though; with a suave and smooth finish.
Good to see the signboard being populated with bigger names as we go along …..
Tutti Frutti Frozen Yoghurt is brought to you by Naza Group of Companies, this being the 7th outlet in Malaysia. All the other six outlets are situated in the Klang Valley. The full list of branches can be found on their website HERE.
“So, do you FROYO?”
Tutti Frutti @ De Garden Ipoh,
Lot No G-OR-3, Ground Floor, De Garden,
No 3, Persiaran Medan Ipoh,
Medan Ipoh,
31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Situated between Pappa Rich and T.O.S Coffee Bistro @ De Garden.
Read about Jason’s post on Tutti Frutti, NST’s 21st May article on the same outlet, the article from NAZA’s website, and another story from Amenatics.Inc.
Essence Plus? That reminds me of my 1st food posting:P
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J2Kfm Reply:
May 24th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Yes ah? Hahaha .. pity we can’t taste their ‘Colostrum Shakes’ anymore huh?
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those gummy bears are one tough bear to slurp down… not a recommended topping…
but the idea of DIY yogurt ice cream is nice…
wonder when is swensen’s coming to town??
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J2Kfm Reply:
May 24th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
Oh yeah … Swensen’s !!! I passed by Swensen’s the other day, but none as cheap as Thailand’s outlets. Still craving for a colourful, pleasant sundae at Swensen’s in Bangkok …..
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words of advice for first-timer…don’t depend on your senses to estimate the weight…it’s heavier than you think…
i like chocolate simply because it tastes like chocolate ice cream…
the rest are just…yogurt
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J2Kfm Reply:
May 24th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
Aiks, you’re supposed to eat them because … they’re Yogurt, right? 🙂
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I tried this once… not too bad but definitely heavier and therefore more expensive than expected 😛
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I think I eat this before at Bangkok….
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Didn’t take them too long to open up in Ipoh. Wonder how it’ll do in the long run. it’s not the cheapest dessert place around. The ones in KL are pretty quiet.
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J2Kfm Reply:
May 25th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Oh really? Anyway, the place was not buzzing with activities, as I doubt RM10+ per serving per child will get the parents all cheery and worked up.
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Unfortunately, healthier options are always more expensive… Well, at least you can indulge once in a while without feeling guilty, right? 🙂
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Next one…. Sidewalk?
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J2Kfm Reply:
May 25th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Yeah! That is … you come back in time before Sidewalk takes a … erm, leisurely stroll along the routes walked by the other ice-cream parlours of Ipoh!
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i love frozen yoghurt!!! but it is pretty expensive yeah?
for some strange reason, the new Roti Boy outlet in gurney plaza has got a lil frozen yoghurt kiosk too. also self service and priced by weight (forgot how much it was but during my first visit, i happily piled on the yoghurt and toppings and it came up to RM10!! and it wasn’t even a really big serving!) they only have the original yoghurt flavor though.. nothing fancy like tutti frutti.
hope TF makes it way to penang soon!! 🙂
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J2Kfm Reply:
May 25th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
Oh, Roti Boy as well?
Tutti Frutti serves a healthier, and fresher array indefinitely. With more emphasis on fruity flavours, over-indulging is still given a little leeway …
At least, that’s how many others stay guilt-free!
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I like the idea of rotating the flavours. Customers will have new taste everyday.
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War….100g RM5? I thing if I were to go there surely I piled until 1kg!
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J2Kfm Reply:
May 25th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Haha, 1KG?!!! That’s madness !!!
Anyway, you can easily reach 200-300 grams, if you’re not careful ….
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Wow, it looks good..
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I’ve tried the outlet in Bangsar… not too exciting, really.
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i wanna try too.. healthy dessert! =DD
came across this shop in IOI Mall KL few times, shall give it a try soon..
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you know wat? i still havent try this yet :p
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wow this is interesting… Frozen Yogurt have became very popular over the past few years lol :] i should try this when I’m going to Malaysia next year. Frozen yogurts are expensive, I usually have to pay 7 USD for a medium size frozen yogurt from Pinkberry Frozen Yorgurt
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J2Kfm Reply:
May 31st, 2010 at 6:20 pm
USD7? Wow .. that makes Tutti Frutti’s FroYo comparatively cheap? 🙂
but still … some might not like the fruity flavours, and instead opt for the many folds more sinful ice-cream.
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Missha Reply:
May 31st, 2010 at 11:14 pm
yeah 5 dollar for the yogurt itself and 2 dollar for 2 different toppings, I prefer the tartness of the frozen yogurt, by the way i love your site ;D last summer when i was in Malaysia, I actually went to some restaurants you recommended
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 1st, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Thanks a lot Missha for the compliment.
The yoghurt’s definitely lighter compared to the conventional ice-cream.
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