Even though I've had my eye on Vanilla Sky fro-yo lounge for quite a while, I hadn't actually visited until now. Overall, it was a great experience and definitely a big notch up from your typical 16 Handles, Red Mango and such. It was a perfect little treat to enjoy on a leisurely day when all you want is a little taste of something sweet but not to over indulge.
Atmosphere:
The best part of this place is its lovely, bright and cheery atmosphere. I love the colors, which are mostly light blue and white. The first thing you see as you step in of course is all the fro-yo self-serve stations, the toppings and a nice counter with some baked goods and coffee too. They were actually having a coffee and baked good special yesterday for $2.25 when you buy both. But I came for the fro-yo.
After you set yourself up with your flavors of choosing, there's an awesome lounge area in the back where there's a modern arrangement of communal as well as more private seating. Generally, it's pretty quiet and laid back, and you're welcome to stay as long as you like, watch some TV, read, enjoy your fro-yo and what have you. It was extremely clean and well put together, which made it really welcoming and a nice place to come to with friends and even kids. While some of the fro-yo joints such as 16 Handles tend to be so packed and crazy, Vanilla Sky was nice and orderly.
Fro-Yo:
I went for a small cup (small isn't very accurate as they're all pretty large, but the smaller of the two sizes) and filled it up with snickerdoodle and cookies 'n cream fro-yo. The snickerdoodle was a tad too strong in flavor and didn't actually remind me of snickerdoodle at all, as it was too peanutey, which I didn't understand. However, the cookies and cream was really delicious and just chocolatey enough.
I topped this mixture with a sprinkling of crushed pistachios and dried cherries in a sweet syrup. Mistakenly, I thought they were figs, which I was excited about, but the cherries were lovely as well. In fact, I was really impressed by the amount and variety of toppings offered , which I haven't seen at competitors such as 16 Handles. Ones that stood out most include cheesecake bites, quince, wild cherry, wild fig, chocolate marshmallows, yogurt chips among others.
Service and Cost:
Since this place is self serve, there's not much to say about the service except it was pretty easy and turnkey to get your fro-yo.
Costs are on par with other fro-yo places and my little personalized creation set me back only about $2.67.
3 Mmmms
Vanilla Sky - 33-18 Broadway, Astoria NY 11106
N/Q Train to Broadway
347.738.4195
