OLIVE OIL + ICE CREAM? Three upstate restaurants star Olio Piro as their soft serve topping of summer ‘26.
As part of a summer collaboration with Olio Piro, we asked three upstate restaurants to create a soft serve flavor showcasing Piro extra virgin olive oil in a sweet application. Lil Deb’s Oasis (Hudson), Little City Luncheonette (Albany) + Familiar Creature (Saratoga Springs) gave soft serve a new twist.
Words: Susie Davidson Powell
Photos: Victoria Sedefian/Dishing.Studio Creative Agency
Location: Lil Deb’s Oasis, Hudson N.Y.
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The chef: Halo Kaya Perez-Gallardo, Lil Deb’s Oasis, Hudson, N.Y.
The flavor: Yellow tomatillo and ají amarillo ice cream with peanut sesame crunch
The inspiration: “Our inspiration was locally grown seasonal ingredients that capture the energy and essence of Lil Deb’s. i’ve never seen yellow tomatillos on a local farm list until this summer and I ordered them right away. The yellow tomatillos have a super melony and floral flavor that is amplified by the bright aromatic heat of the ají amarillo + the finish of the Piro olive oil also emphasizes fruit and brings a bit of acidity, which is then grounded by the earthiness of the peanuts and sesame seeds.”
The chef: Arvin Clemente, Little City Luncheonette, Albany, N.Y.
The flavor: Vanilla-Ube Twist, Lemon Cookie Crumble, and Piro Olive oil.
The inspiration: “The use of olive oil on ice cream—although it isn’t an uncommon idea—was really inspired by Misi’s Italian Job sundae. Their sundae was able to show me that olive oil is able to deliver another layer of flavor past just sweet and bright notes. When i developed this sundae, I knew that I wanted to combine my favorite childhood ice cream flavor, which is ube, with the flavor combinations I crave for as an adult. The high flavor notes from the ube and the lemon cookie are balanced with the slight acidity and fruitiness of Piro Olive Oil. Piro is very balanced and has a pleasing taste that complements the ube-vanilla twist and allows the flavor to stay on the palate longer.”
The chef: Michele Hunter, Familiar Creature, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
The flavor: Black sesame soft serve with Oreo crumbles, sea salt + Piro olive oil
The inspiration: “After tasting the piro olive oil, I was immediately excited for this flavor. The mild grassy notes and pepperiness of the olive oil pairs so well with the toasty, peanut butter-like notes of black sesame. A sprinkle of sea salt brings it all together.”
About Piro: Cold-extracted from organically grown olives harvested in Maremma, southern Tuscany and northern Lazio, Piro is an award-winning extra virgin olive oil made for those who value purity, balance, and uncompromising quality.