By Charly Shelton

Nestled within the thrilling ambiance of CityWalk at Universal Studios Hollywood is the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen, a full-service restaurant serving up a feast for the senses with a sweet, often chocolaty, twist to the savory dishes. But for those in search of something sweet in a hurry the Dessert Foundry, the quick-service counter located through the side entrance of the restaurant, is the place to be. As the summer highs reach higher, it’s a great place to cool off and get a sugar fix all at once.

CV Weekly was invited out recently to experience the Dessert Foundry and – full disclosure – it’s a location we’ve patronized many, many times since it’s opening back in January alongside the full service restaurant.

Once guests cross the threshold of this dessert paradise, their senses are inundated with the rich, intoxicating aromas of ice creams, decadent chocolate, and the sugary allure of their pièce de résistance – gourmet milkshakes, which are advertised on giant, digital menu screens around the inside and outside of the space.

At the Dessert Foundry, creativity takes center stage, embodied in its over-the-top collection of milkshakes. Whether it’s a slice of cake, an ice cream sandwich, a brownie or a Rice Krispies Treat, there is usually something large and eye-catching sticking out of the top of each of the faux mason jar milkshake cups to pair with the flavors of the ice cream inside.

Standouts in the lineup of incredible shakes include the Strawberry Cheesecake Milkshake, a symphony of sour cream ice cream (sounds weird but surprisingly delicious), graham crackers, strawberry sauce, a chocolate-dipped strawberry and a piece of cheesecake perched atop the straw – a classic plate-based dessert, now in a glass.

The Chocolate X5, an absolute joy for chocolate aficionados, features a chocolate spiral, chocolate chunks, chocolate ice cream and chocolate fudge, perfectly offset by the garnish of fresh strawberries.

And the newest addition to the menu, the Rocket Pop Milkshake, is a celebratory special edition in honor of the 30^th anniversary of CityWalk – vanilla ice cream with buttercream frosting, blue raspberry and strawberry syrups, red white and blue sprinkles and topped with an entire, full-size Bomb Pop popsicle. And while the blue raspberry flavor, the defining flavor note of this shake, might not be quite as enticing at some of the other options on the menu, no one can argue that it’s the most visually appealing and perfect for showing off your summer afternoon on social media.

The experience doesn’t end at the rim of the glass, however. The hands-on, visually captivating process of each milkshake being handcrafted is a spectacle of its own. The Dessert Foundry’s artisans work meticulously blending, assembling and sprinkling layers of flavors and textures with finesse, allowing the patrons to witness remarkable artistry in real-time.

As the sun sets over CityWalk LA, the Dessert Foundry counter at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen continues to attract a crowd, each face rapt with anticipation, waiting to take that first heavenly sip of their painstakingly crafted milkshakes. It’s not merely about satiating that sweet tooth – it’s an adventure into a realm of taste, texture and timeless delight.