Castro neighborhood sweet tooths have been aching in anticipation of The Castro Fountain, which, after months of delays, has at last opened the doors to its peach-and-black-tiled throwback ice cream bar.
We stopped by last night's media preview for fizzy scoops and old-fashioned baked goods compliments of owner Juliet Pries and pastry chef Lori Rich. Here's a peek at the retro-fabulous sugarfest.
The Castro Fountain offers classic American desserts—cakes, pies, brownies—in addition to organic ice cream sundaes and soda drinks. Everything is made in house from scratch. (Photography by Sarah Chorey)
Customers can enjoy delicious made-to-order drinks from a restored 1930s soda fountain. Offerings include soda drinks, old fashioned milkshakes, and, of course, floats! (Photography by Sarah Chorey)
Sodas are custom-made to order with a variety of different extracts and small-batch syrups. (Photography by Sarah Chorey)
To start each soda drink, a bit of fizzy water is placed in a chilled glass for the base. (Photography by Sarah Chorey)
Scoops of fresh ice cream and syrups are mixed in to create the unique flavors for each float. (Photography by Sarah Chorey)
The L-O-L-A Float mixes Castro Street cola syrup, tart cherry syrup, vanilla ice cream, acid phosphate, and soda for a refreshing virgin cocktail. (Photography by Sarah Chorey)
Owner Juliet Pries serves up a delicious slice of sugary pecan pie. (Photography by Sarah Chorey)
Executive pastry chef, Lori Rich, brought her skills from The Ice Cream Bar to oversee the creation of all the yummy baked goods. (Photography by Sarah Chorey)
The Apricot Oolong Float is composed of Wuyi Oolong tea, turbinado syrup, sweet cream ice cream, soda, and apricot puree. (Photography by Sarah Chorey)
A few more spritzes of soda are stirred in to balance out the sweetness. (Photography by Sarah Chorey)
The Castro Fountain also slangs old-fashioned cakes, such as this three-layer tower of cherry decadence. (Photography by Sarah Chorey)
Not to mention pies and bars for the sweet-tooth on the go. (Photography by Sarah Chorey)
Who could say no to simple yellow cake with chocolate fudge frosting? (Photography by Sarah Chorey)
This is the second ice cream shop from owner Juliet Pries, of Ice Cream bar in Cole Valley. The decor is retro-dreamy with high ceilings, peach and black tile, and a copper mirror. (Photography by Sarah Chorey)
// The Castro Fountain, 554 Castro St. (Castro) thecastrofountain.com
