SMiZE & DREAM — Restaurant in Sydney

Tyra Banks has launched her first venture into ice creamery in Australia’s own darling metropolitan of Sydney. I’ve always likened Sydney to what Los Angeles would be like if it crossbred culturally with Singapore or Hong Kong – a business opportunists’ hub underpinned by a high demand for building upon its multi-layered multicultural bedrock. Sydney against the other cities is often the centre of experimentation and activation amongst fads and first timers and yet were still so skeptical when a big name promises even bigger things.

In a town known primarily for gelato, SMiZE & DREAM brings something different yet familiar to the table: /Ice Cream/. Some frills but no shortcuts, or preservatives, the style is reminiscent of stateside fare such as Van Leeuwen or Cold Stone Creamery but with touches, and therefore an awareness, of hometown flavour. Whether Hojicha with waffle bits, Matcha and mochi or coffee and cinnamon scrolls, there’s something super American yet also so Sydney about the curation of these flavours. We tried an array of flavours and each one hit the mark. Whether you like one or not, the linear notes don’t lie as each ensemble plays almost like a complete dessert dish. Texturally it’s so ice cream with an almost gum like structure (less air) which is fun to eat and less messy from the slower melting point.

Admittedly I don’t know how long Mrs Next Top Model has been residing in Australia for. But between these delicious, sweet and nostalgic scoops and her shout out of Gregory Hills Birria Tacos, she’s got to have earned...

Honestly, my visit? Not so good, like really not. I was just walking by on Friday night, chilling, then boom! Sales people outside, like, really pushing you to come inside. Trying to be funny, but for real, it felt like almost forced to go in. A little bit scary, actually. I was like, "Huh? How bad ice cream can be, right?" So I go in, bought this "Darling Harbour Dream." OMG. It's just like, everything mixed together, all super sweet cream. You eat it, and you don't even know what flavour it is. Just sweet, sweet, sweet. Like, if you think this tastes good, okay, you can tell everyone, but for me, just all taste in one, nothing special, only too sweet. And the price? $9.67! For this small, small scoop, like junior size across the road. Seriously, so ridiculous. I felt like I just got trapped for one ice cream. Who cares if supermodel owned or what, doesn't matter for the taste or price, right? But then, the most crazy thing is their reply I saw to other people's review. They say: "Our multiple security cameras confirm this interaction did not happen. Our manager was present and confirms no such comment was made. This review has been reported for formal investigation." I was like, WHAT?! This is just a similar experience and feeling. This is so not okay and makes me feel like they don't want real talk from customers. They should try to be better, not scare people for...

This was the single greatest customer service experience I have had in my entire life.

It was late on Sunday night, ice cream was on the cards. Across darling harbour we searched until we stumbled upon SMiZE & DREAM. The lady outside was packing up chairs, closing soon by the looks of it. After asking if they were still upon we were welcomed inside and towards the bench where the ice cream was displayed. Above this display we were greeted by Rachel. She gave is the best ice cream experience of this century. Words cannot describe the level of service we received. By the time the fun with Rachel was over, our ice creams were well finished. Fun, singing, dancing, chanting talking and laughing filled the half hour we spent in this ice creamery.

But to me the ice cream was the most insignificant part of this experience, while it was delicious, it was Rachel’s immaculate customer service that really made this a memorable experience. Rachel is showing what it truly takes to work in an ice cream shop. Rachel is showing the energy it takes to work in an ice cream shop. Rachel perfectly encapsulates the joy necessary to work in an ice cream shop. If every ice creamery worker took a leaf out of Rachel’s book. This world would be simply perfect. Just like the ice cream and the customer service we received on Sunday the 24th of...