Eis Cream Cafe has the recipe for happy face

If the ice cream alone doesn't put a smile on your face, chances are just walking into Eis Cream Cafe will do the trick.

The family-owned and -operated ice cream and dessert shop opened in late May at 9711 S. Eastern Ave. at East Silverado Ranch Boulevard in Henderson. According to its website, the owners relocated to Las Vegas from the San Francisco Bay Area in 2014 with the vision to create an "inviting environment where people can celebrate and refresh their spirit over a delectable bowl of good old-fashioned ice cream."

It appears they have succeeded: A Saturday evening visit in June saw the small shop crowded with happy customers. The atmosphere — which includes a large wall mural of cartoon ice cream cones and desserts — may be old-fashioned, but some of the ice cream flavors are not: Choices include a coconut-type flavor called macapuno, mango, green tea and taro (purple yam).

The green tea and taro combination was my selection, and it was just the right amount of sweetness.

If you're looking for more traditional selections, you'll also find flavors such as burgundy cherry, chocolate chip, chocolate mint flake, coffee almond fudge, cookie mint crunch, peanut butter cup and pralines and caramel. Ask about the flavor of the month.

The small batches of ice cream are made with natural ingredients, including hand-picked strawberries from Watsonville Strawberry Field, Guittard chocolate and mango, taro and coconut flown in from the Philippines, according to the shop's website. It also advertises using real matcha in the green tea, as well as fresh roasted pistachios, almonds and peanuts.

Handmade ice cream sandwiches are also available, combining any ice cream flavor with fresh baked cookies. The shop also sells kronuts (a combination of doughnut and croissant), macaroons, ice cream sundaes, ice cream fruit sundaes, banana splits, smoothies and shakes.

Part of the shop's smile-generating appeal is also the small gift shop area near the checkout. Here you'll find candies, school supplies and Beanie Boos (those bug-eyed, sappily sweet-style Beanie Babies). And Hello Kitty fans, be warned — you may want to hide your wallet.

Eis Cream Cafe is open from noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Visit eiscreamcafe.com.