By Frankie Jay
When it's hot, doesn't this make you subconsciously think of giant ice cream floats, sundaes and gelati? Ok now you are drooling. Here are some places to go. You can thank me later.
Video credit: TelStewart
Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream
Brooklyn, NYC, LA: Check their web site for store locations
I had heard about this for ages as 'amazing', 'incredible' yada yada and even tried chasing their NYC truck around Flatiron district to no avail, as I had heard it also served great coffee too -perfect combo. Then lo and behold like a Venus arriving inside a clam shell (as you do), it magically appeared right in front of my building one day. So was it worth it? The answer is an emphatic yes. Fresh ingredients, locally made that revive the great American ice cream tradition with chocolate, salted caramel, fudge sundaes; plus newer flavors such as matcha, ginger and some are even vegan options that you think nothing of as the flavor is so rich. Tip you can track their NYC and LA trucks on their Twitter feed @VLAIC
Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice cream truck. LA and NYC. Image. Van Leeuwen.
Gelato Messina
Las Vegas, Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast
This award winning gelateria opened in Sydney Australia in 2002 and has never looked back. It now has a store in Las Vegas and let's hope more across the US. It's also famous for its late night pre & post club bar crowds queuing at night for its extensive and delectable servings. With gelati and sorbet (the sorbets are all dairy free and vegan too), the choices range from apple pie (with real apple pie); pandan & coconut, pear & rhubarb, macadamia crunch as well as the classics. Everything is made from raw ingredients and no artificial additives. Gluten free also an option on some flavors. In the hot Las Vegas summer they are even serving gelato milkshakes!!
Check web site for locations.
Gelato Messina Las Vegas summer milkshakes, thick shakes, affagoto, iced coffee. Image courtesy Gelato Messina US.
La Newyorkina
Rockaway Beach, Coney Island, Chelsea Highline and more.
No gelato here, instead you'll find really special paletas (Mexican ice pops) and Mexican confectionery (think brownies and cookies). The paleta change with the seasons and ingredients include delicacies such as Mexican vanilla bean, Oaxacan chocolate, tamarind, dried chilies, seasonal fruits and herbs that make your taste buds tingle and salivate all at once. The owner Fany Gerson has worked in a range of fine-dining kitchens around the world including 3 Michelin star restaurants and is James Beard baking and pastry cookbook award nominee. A link to her latest paleta book is here. Pop round for a refreshing and delicious paleta at one of her stands on the Chelsea Highline, other locations or order online.
La Yorkina sweets. Image courtesy La Yorkina.
Melt Bakery
132 Orchard St, NYC
We featured the Melt Bakery co-owner Julian Plyter previously and we still think Melt is pretty darn good. Plyter himself is professionally trained pastry chef (ex- Le Bernardin and Crosby St Hotel) who uses top quality ingredients. I mean seriously who can say no to a man who makes Elvis ice cream cookies!
The Elvis ice cream sandwich from Melt Bakery, NYC. Image courtesy Laurie Ulster.
Let me know if you have other fave ice cream places and you can follow me Frankie Jay and my fave places on the MFP app.
This article is available to read on the My Fave Places channel on Apple News
SuperZuppa. Image courtesty: Gelato Messina