Lofty Pursuits
| Address: | 1355 Market St A11, Tallahassee, FL 32312, USA |
| Phone: | +1 850-521-0091 |
| Site: | loftypursuits.com |
| Rating: | 4.7 |
| Working: | 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM 7AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 6
DA
Daniel Pineau
I once chanced upon the Grants Pass (OR) Pharmacy nearly 20 years ago. I just googled it, and everything is how it was. Authentic Soda Jerk, phosphates being served, effectively turning back the clock to Rockwellian times. (I encourage you all to look it up. Its a treat simply reading about it on YELP (Grants Pass Pharmacy, Grants Pass OR)). Lofty Pursuits is BETTER than turning the clock back. The talent behind the counter is immaculately uniformed to render an experience right outta Pop Tates Chocklit Shoppe. The options likely exceed what was available from the yesteryear counter since Im presuming that thorough research across the genre has culled variations present across the land - and not simply regional options. One gander at "The Logic of the Soda Fountain" (poster to the right of the southerly entrance / also embedded within hardcopy/online menus) outlines the workflow of many, many treats one could order up (Draft Drinks, Milk Drinks, Cream Drinks, Sharp Drinks, Carbonated Drinks & Syrup Drinks) SIMPLY FROM THE DRINK MENU. Candy is made here. Candy from back in the "way back when" days. I learned from the proprietor a few years back that the steel plate upon which the hard candy is cooled was purchased in California. I "think" it was sourced from an ocean vessel, but Im not certain. Regardless, it is of such heft that the shipment and prep costs from California to TLH far exceeded the purchase price. Thats the mark of a visionary. Thats someone who is serious about bringing to TLH something that other towns/cities just dont have. The ice cream is tremendous. I dont know the story behind the ice-cream. Im sure the website can illuminate those interested parties. The Root Beer - I do know something about the Root Beer. Hailing from Milwaukee (WI), the merry people of Sprecher Brewery have been concocting Root Beer and kegging the stuff since the mid 80s. It is the goods. A Root Beer float with this and the vanilla ice cream from here makes all others pale. Having said all of this, my favorite part of Lofty Pursuits has nothing to do with the consummables. Rather, it is in the regularly freshened inventory of eclectic yet grossly addictive board games and diversions. Here is where I found Carcassonne nearly a decade ago. Heres where you would find Quoridor, and the like. For the YoYo cognoscenti, here is where you come for the top-shelf yo yo stuff. Here is where you come for stuffies of bacteria, germs, etc... i.e., here is where you come to satisfy the child within, if not the child without you. A great friend of mines son has played in the Lofty Pursuit band these past few years. Now that hes graduated FSU Law, he might have less time to devote to the motley musical crew, but I suspect hell find a way in some upcoming parade. Yes, thats right, Lofty Pursuits has a band. The Michelin Guide awards the highest ranking (3-stars) and it means "Une des meilleures tables, vaut le voyage" - translated, it means One of the best [tables], worthy of the trip (really, it intends to mean "detour"). Thats what Lofty Pursuit is. I imagine that anyone who is an avid enthusiast of all things Soda Fountain includes this establishment on their bucket list. Im just fortunate enough to live in the great TLH to enjoy it whenever I feel like it.
RO
Rock Bledsoe
The staff was rude. We had gone there for my sons birthday as a treat after the movies. We arrived 15 to 20 minutes before they closed ( maybe a mistake on our part). As we entered, we were informed by one of the staff that everything would be in a to-go cup that they would be closing shortly. The staff was very impatient with the boys ( 4 boys - ages 10 to 12 - in an ice cream shop). After much debate each boy followed suit and ordered a milkshake (each had a unique flavor - from basic vanilla, chocolate and strawberry to some type of chocolate malt). The shakes did taste great. However, for $7 a piece, there should have been a lot more shake. The portions were small for a 10 - 12 year old boy let alone a grown adult. There may have been 10 ounce cups. They did add whip cream, but since the shakes were in a paper cup and not a glass the whip cream just reduced the amount of shake that would fit in the cup. I do not know how large the shakes would have been had they been served in a glass. We were expecting a soda fountain experience and received service as if we had been to McDonalds! However, we could have made the trip to McDonalds 8 times for the price and had 1 and half as much shake each trip with better services.
EM
Emily Brewton
As a Tallahassee native, I am practically disgusted with myself that today, August 1st, 2017, is the first time I have ever been to Lofty Pursuits. I am a Dessert Lover and Coinessuer and I can sadly confirm that I have SERIOUSLY been missing out in life. After a ton of questions, tasting 6 different ice cream flavors and almost 10 minutes of the impatient, indecisive back-and-forth, I decided on and modified the Chocolate Banana Split but with 3 scoops of Chocolate Cake ice cream instead of the Original Chocolate. Folks....... I can - whole heartedly - confirm that is establishment will lead to my demise- Becoming powerless over my addiction to delicious, chocolatey sweets. And if you can find an establishment that serves the kind of food thats so good , itll make you disregard your health and lead you to Death by Over-Consumption, Id say.....Youre probably American. Needless to say, I highly enjoyed this cute little shop, the delicious desserts and the very nice and patient soda jerks. #Lofty4Life
HO
HotPotato Cakes
To preface this; I live in Utah, quite a ways away from Florida and have never been into the store. I watched a video on YouTube of Greg explaining what a Black Currant was as he was making candy flavored after it. I went and watched a few more of the videos, loving the pacing and the well researched facts spoken by Greg through-out. Ordered a few bags of candy, some black currant flavored ones, and the rest as some random grab bags. Took about a week and a half for the candy to be sent out for delivery, and about 2, maybe 3 days for it to get to me. (might be lucky, I dunno.) The flavors are incredibly accurate to what you hope the flavor is, and if you get it wrong you can instantly tell what flavor it is. 10/10
KB
KBB Lo
Everyone has been raving about the new brunch at Lofty Pursuits, unfortunately we sat for at least 45 minutes without even being acknowledged by staff. When we walked in we were told that they were short staffed but then we sat at a table for 30+ minutes without anyone even coming by to offer water. When we walked to the front to ask for coffee we were told that they were brewing more, only to see countless other tables being served coffee, including the table next to use. We were never waited on, never asked if we were okay. Food is good and local but Ill be letting everyone I know about this experience and do not plan on ever returning.
A
A Private User
What a fun place! While soda fountains were a staple of the 40s and 50s, this seems like such an original idea in our time. The ice cream and soda "options" are endless - I mean, the menu includes a flow chart to help you figure out what you want! And where else are you going to find Guinness Stout Ice cream? The young man who served us has the perfect personality for his job, and was so helpful. There are also tons of novelty games, toys, kites, and a huge selection of disc golf items. Its also the only place I could find a decent boomerang. A perfect place to go for young and old alike.
