Plum may be a lesser-known ice cream flavor, but at Toyama Japanese Restaurant (2802 S. Shepherd, 713-528-8528), it’s the perfect end to a traditional Japanese meal. The plum ice cream ($3.95) does not appear on the menu — you have to know about it. It comes with a piece of banana that has been dipped in tempura batter and fried to a crisp. The bright-pink ice cream and the yellow banana are served on a stark-white, leaf-shaped plate. The delicate floral flavor of the ice cream is best savored as the ice cream melts somewhat, and it pairs perfectly with the banana.
This article appears in Dec 16-22, 2010.