Love Creamery Lincoln Park — Restaurant in Duluth

Whether it's a 90° summer day or 20° below zero in the dead of winter, there's never a bad time to enjoy some Love Creamery ice cream. After being a customer for the last few years, I have had the opportunity to try and enjoy a variety of different flavors. Most notably, their Blueberry Cheesecake which is one of my favorites. Ever since they rotated it out, there was a bit of a craving for it throughout the year. So when it came back in the lineup in July, you best believe I was going to be stopping in to get a taste of it again.

At one point in time, my friend I were routinely coming here and found the medium cone was the perfect size. We would typically try two different flavors each time since there was always something new. However, today I figured why not go for a large with just blueberry cheesecake and holy moly it was so much ice cream. Not that that's a bad thing but it was just a bit of a race against time since it was starting to melt with the warmer weather. Luckily, they add chocolate to the bottom of the cone so you don't have to worry about it leaking out. It is also a nice little treat once you finish all the ice cream. So if you tackle the top half of the cone with ease, you are home free with the hardened chocolate acting as a stopper. I imagine if you order the medium cone, you probably won't find yourself in my situation. The person taking my order also said, "Well this ones going to be a bit gigantic." So this might not be an every time thing either. Regardless, I was humored by both the comment and the size of the cone. At the end of the day, I won't pass up a little more ice cream than usual either.

They make their waffle cones in house too, and you are in for a real treat if you get the opportunity to have a freshly made cone. Ultimately, it's hard not to love this place with the quality and creativity they put into their ice cream. I don't stop in as much as I used to since my friend moved and it was something we would always do together. Although, Love Creamery will always be a place that I will cherish due to the memories my friend and I made along the way and their ridiculously...

Four star product, one star service.

Now with the "New Flu" going around, businesses are implementing new procedures to limit foot traffic. To set the scene, Love Creamery has a "One Household" at a time in the store rule. Which is great. We arrived at essentially the exact same time as another couple, but we opted to let them go ahead of us. Now note, there was already another couple inside. The couple we allowed to go ahead, went inside the store and stood right in the doorway, as we continued to stand outside. They proceeded to stand in the doorway, until the couple who was already inside got their ice cream.

So, with that first couple now done, the couple standing by the door walked to the counter and we proceeded to do as the couple ahead of us did and walked in and stood by the door. Upon doing this, the employee yelled at us and told us that only one household was allowed in the store at once and that we needed to go outside. We naturally were confused, as we literally did exactly as the customer now standing at the counter had done. So we went outside and stood there and waited for one of the employees to walk out the door and come "get us" to let us know that it was okay for us to be served at their business. I don't understand why certain customers are treated one way and other customers are treated another way here, but we definitely did not feel welcome and will...

So obviously, the wacky ice cream flavor combos are delicious. But the best part about this place, to me, is the incredible espresso and baked goods.

I've had Love ice cream before and knew that it would be the same high quality product I've had before they had this new storefront. What I came for is the espresso from their high-quality Mavam machine...one of the only ones (that I know of) in the state...and maybe the tri-state area.

My cortado was amazing. The best I've tasted in the world. This machine--and barista's skills--lived up to my expectations.

I complimented the cortado with a Duluth's Best Bread Co. almond croissant. This is one of two baked goods providers you'll find delivering daily to Love. What an amazing combo. The croissant was flaky on the outside, but sweet and soft nside. I've had my fair share of European baked goods, and this competed with them.

My espresso combined with a fantastic baked good, sitting in a beautiful, open space, while outside people strolled by, gawking in storefronts, cooks and shop owners carried boxes and to and fro, reminded me of Europe. I was in my happy place. Then I found out the place was dog-friendly inside, and I knew I'd be back.

With Love opening at 6:30am, this place might become part of my morning routine...just for that memorable espresso and baked goods...and maybe a breakfast...