The delightful mannequin you see here and a pink construction-paper sign advertising “ice crean” [sic] is what lured us into the newly opened Magic Cube. Like the original jewelry store location of Banh Mi Saigon, the tiny tea-and-ice-cream counter is jammed into the corner of Sunny Fashion Trading, a cheap clothing boutique in Chinatown (the owners of the clothing and ice-cream shops are related). In addition to serving the usual assortment of green teas, slushes, juices, and milk shakes (flavors include kiwi, chocolate, peach, watermelon, grape, coconut, taro, pineapple, mango, etc. — and there’s a “buy 2, get 1 free” special), the proprietress, Bobo, serves homemade ice cream at $2 for a small and $3.50 for a large. Flavors include chocolate, peach, vanilla, banana, coconut, cookie monster, strawberry, and if the cappuccino variety is any indicator, the ice cream is exceptionally rich and creamy. Order the large and you may just find yourself wandering a few steps into the clothing store in search of a roomier dress. Anyway, here’s what the bizarre mash-up looks like.
Magic Cube, 302–306 Grand St., Store E, nr. Allen St.
