Ice Cream News

Richardson firefighter and top foodie opens cheeky new ice cream shop

New ice cream shop arrives just in time for summer.

Courtesy photo

In time for summer comes Tongue in Cheek Ice Cream, a new shop in Richardson at 526 W. Arapaho Rd., opening in early July.

Tongue in Cheek is from Brett Smith, who serves as a fireman for the city of Richardson. Tongue in Cheek is his next act: After he retires in about a year, he'll transition into running it full time.

"I've always had a passion for food, and knew I wanted to do something in the food industry after my time as a fireman," he says. "You can ask anybody at the fire department in Richardson who the best cooks are, and I think I would come up in the top two or three names every time."

He honed his skills working at a local shop, making ice cream for about three years.

"After two weeks, I decided that's what I wanted to do," he says. "The idea has been in my brain for a long time and in the planning stages for the past several years."

He also likes that ice cream has universal appeal. "Ice cream has one of the largest markets — everyone from six months to 100 years old likes ice cream," he says.

He'll do a small-batch creamery operation, with a base list of 24 flavors that include not only staples like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry but also some of his creative twists, such as bourbon vanilla, spicy honey, lavender, chocolate whiskey cake, mango habanero, and a collection of candy bar flavors such as Snickers.

That also includes a selection of four to five nondairy options, including sorbets and coconut-milk ice creams that he says taste very similar to Italian gelato.

"Honestly, I have 100-plus flavors, but there's only room for so many — that's part of my struggle," he says.

As for the location, most recently Kabobi Fresh Express, he says he eyed it for many years. It comes with a drive-thru window, where customers can get coffee, shakes, and other to-go items, and a patio with seating that includes a swing.

"My fire station is right down the street, where I've worked for almost 10 years," he says. "I'd drive by in the fire engine and always thought, 'That'd be a great spot for an ice cream shop."

ice-cream desserts

Putting into Plano

New Plano restaurant Sip'Stroke tees up golf with chef-driven fare

Saffron salmon skewers, one of the featured seafood offerings on Chef Madan Oli’s menu at Sip’Stroke.

Photo courtesy of Sip'Stroke.

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It's tee time for a new restaurant featuring a private Full Swing golf simulator and an indoor putt-putt course in Plano: Called Sip’Stroke, the new "eatertainment" spot is opening Saturday, August 1 at 5969 Dallas Pkwy.

The concept comes from Kushal Raj Bastakoti, a cityscape artist and interior designer from Nepal who moved to Dallas in 2013 to attend the University of North Texas. Bastakoti also owns Skyline Lounge in downtown Dallas, which opened earlier this year, and is a franchisee of the Asian beverage and dessert chain Feng Cha Café.

He says he chose the location due to the rapid growth of businesses and residences in the nearby Legacy area.

“At Sip’Stroke we created a space that is entirely unique — it feels like you're on a 9-hole golf course, but paired with exceptional dining,” he says.

Although built around golf, the restaurant is also chef-driven. Bastakoti recruited chef Madan Oli, who launched his culinary career in Copenhagen, where he developed a focus on high-quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and presentation.

“My goal is to bring people together through modern American cuisine with bold flavors and global inspiration,” says Oli. “Every dish is crafted with care, balance, and a true passion for hospitality.”

$Sip\u2019Stroke$ At Sip’Stroke, you can catch the game, play a round of putt-putt, and enjoy a high-end meal.Photo courtesy of Sip'Stroke.

Oli designed a menu featuring shared boards, fresh seafood, premium steaks, elevated bar staples, and desserts. Highlights include prime ribeye frites, saffron salmon, maple leaf duck breast, Cabernet-braised short ribs, Wagyu sliders, and a selection of tacos and wings, with prices ranging from $20 to $35.

The full bar serves classic and signature cocktails, along with shots, wine, beer, and zero-proof drinks.

The venue includes a private golf simulator that accommodates up to eight guests, a custom nine-hole mini-golf course integrated into the dining room, seating for 60 indoors, and an additional 15 seats on the patio.

While Sip’Stroke has been operating with limited hours during a soft opening over the past several days, regular business hours begin Saturday, August 1, from 12 noon to 12 midnight daily. A grand opening celebration is planned for late August.

A second Sip’Stroke location is also in the works next to Skyline Lounge at 2012 Commerce St. in downtown Dallas and is expected to open before the end of the year. The owners say restoring the historic 100-year-old building has taken longer than anticipated.

eatertainment golf plano