There is no better time than now, as the brutal weather makes you cry for a cool breeze, to try the iced delicacy offered by Marcel's. It might not deliver the prime tastes of Pinkberry, but the ambiance and coolness of a cup of Marcel's dessert relish will take your mind off the heat strain, at least for a little while.

The interior of the Tahliah branch of Marcel's Frozen Yogurt and Ice Cream is infused with blue and white lights, like an ice lounge bedecked with curvy chairs that resemble the interior decor of something out of science fiction. Marcel's design is aimed at enhancing the experience of creating your own soft frozen yoghurt dream with your choice of toppings.

This South African chain has been swirling for 21 years, serving customers a healthy, vibrant, amusing and (relatively) low-fat sweet-tooth satisfy-er under the motto "Good For Life." Filled with the goodness of pro-biotic cultures, the treat may leave you disenchanted in terms of taste and texture compared with scooped yogurt, which is more similar to ice-cream, but the swirling smooth options are more in touch with the frozen-yogurt ethos.

Marcel's fresh cones come with a choice of soft yogurts like vanilla, English toffee, strawberry and chocolate. You can also delve into tubs of Turkish delight, litchi and mango. A small cone costs SR10 while a jumbo sets you back SR30.

Toppings include sprinkled nuts, mint flakes, chocolate chips, granola, smarties, fudge crumbles. If that's not enough you can add strawberry, chocolate, blackberry and blueberry "sauces" or even fresh fruit. They also offer a range of shakes and smoothies, from vanilla and strawberry to raspberries drizzled with honey, as well as cocktails that include pina colada and daiquiri (without alcohol, of course) to lemon mashed with brown sugar and mint. Marcel's also offers espresso, latte, mocha, hot chocolate and tea.

The management at Marcel's Tahliah branch recommended the caramel crunch, chocolate hazelnut, English toffee or chocolate with chocolate chip "blizzards." The chocolate will remind you of a walk down memory road, one filled with adventure or a story you cherished while reveling in the mood of chocolate ecstasy. And that may be the turning point for Marcel. The mood it creates with its desserts — something you want to try with a twist, free of guilt and unstrained pleasure.

Marcel's has the potential of turning out to be the girls’ top pick for a hang out. For those who want to indulge in guilty pleasures, they can now shake a little of the guilt off their platters. After all, there is no delight as pure as relishing the thought that you can create your own dessert.
 
Marcel's Frozen Yogurt and Ice Cream is located in Jeddah on Tahliah street between Coral Mall and Sands Hotel,

and at  Red Sea Mall and Basateen Mall.

Telephone: 02 261-3899