The light-pink storefront, outfitted with sleek white and blond-wood furnishings and a glowing neon ice-cream cone sign, soft-opened in April with flavors such as raspberry wasabi and mint with activated charcoal. The brains behind the operation are Miami restaurateurs Daniel Levine and Ryan Elias, along with chef Thomas McCarthy, a 20-year pastry veteran.
For this weekend's trio of holidays, McCarthy has created specially themed varieties. "We always need to make new flavors," he says. "If there's a reason, like a holiday or a theme, then all the more reason to put something unique out there."
Star Wars Day. For May the Fourth, Star Wars fans can nibble on Wookiees and Cream, a chunky flavor made with Cindy Lou's chocolate chip cookies, an almond and vanilla base, and caramel and chocolate hazelnut swirls.
Cinco de Mayo. Flavors include mango chili lime sorbet, Mexican chocolate sorbet with cinnamon and nutmeg,
Derby Day. If you can't get to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, try Dasher & Crank's Mint Julep flavor, made with JoJo Tea's spearmint tea, bourbon, and pecans.
McCarthy's holiday flavors will be available only through the weekend unless they sell out sooner. Once the batches run out, they're gone for good — or until next year.
Otherwise, swing by for a few of the shop's classics, such as Your Basic Vanilla, the Chocolate Crank, and Chicken and Waffles, which mixes chunks of chicken and waffle from nearby Kush. Prices start at $5.
Dasher & Crank. 2211 NW Second Ave., Miami; 305-213-1569; dasherandcrank.com. Wednesday through Sunday 2 to 10 p.m.
