Almost Summer = Ice Cream Foodie

Hello My Lovelies,

So Summer time is almost here and I'm already getting excited about new ice cream flavors! Of course I'll be indulging on the usual variations of Rocky Road and which establishment has the best Vanilla Bean. But today I'd like to cover some of the places I always "swear I'll visit when the weather gets warmer", but end up bent over a deep freezer, at 3am, legs dangling, reaching for the last New York Super Fudge Chunk. So this time around I'll be taking random trips around NYC to preview the most tantalizing creams of the dairy world.

1. Big Gay Ice Cream - 125 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009 @biggayicecream

Just the mention of a Salty Pimp gets me quivering in my boots. No, not because some random Jehri curled, gold chain wearing reject is warming up his pimp hand. But because I've recently been turned on to the thrills of salty and sweet flavors enjoyed together. Think chocolate-covered salted peanuts, or Kettle corn. The Salty Pimp is Vanilla soft serve ice cream, drizzled with Dulce de Leche sauce and sea salt sprinkles, THEN covered in quick-freeze chocolate. What's not to love about this?!??

2. Chinatown Ice Cream Factory - 65 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013

I was told I would find the most delicious Almond Cookie ice cream here, which I intend to sample, but I really have my heart set on trying their Black Sesame flavor. Wanting to try something I never thought could be turned into an ice cream flavor, I'm interested in experiencing who will win the argument..my brain or my tongue. But is all else fails, I can always go for my Green Tea and Red Bean fallback flavors.

3. Il Laboratorio del Gelato - 188 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

Sounding pretentious from every angle, I half want to visit the spot just because the atmosphere is specifically designed to make me feel like they're cracking beacons together and creating this magnificent genesis right before my eyes. That and their ridiculously long list of flavors. Some I intend to try are Bourbon, Butternut Squash, Chocolate Thai Chili, Lavender Honey, Rose Petal, and a slew of others. With a constant changing menu, I foresee many trips made to this shop...

4. 16 Handles - 1569 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028 @16handles

Okay, Yes, I know it's a franchise. And, yes, I understand that there are much more economically fulfilling mom & pop parlors I can visit. But can you argue with a place that offers such amazing portions for sampling alone?? Truth be told, I would have never dabbed a toe over their threshold until a childhood friend of mine suggested the place while randomly passing. Boy were we pleasantly surprised! Or maybe I was... but my mouth was happy. And so was my digestive tract, as 16 Handles is all FroYo! My first visit consisted of a multi-tasting of Graham Cracker, Chocolate Love Affair, and Coffee Break. But the next time I go, I'd love to explore their Tart flavors, like Peach White Tea Tart and Pink Grapefruit Tart. Oh yeah...did I mention they have an uber amount of toppings??

5. Ample Hills - 623 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238 @amplehills

Just a stones throw from my apartment, I'm thrilled that I don't have to travel 3 train rides into Williamsburg just to get a creamy treat. And reading (from their website) that they receive local milk and eggs from Upstate NY just days before hand-churning out amaze-balls flavors, just made that treat so much sweeter. But what you really need to know is that they have a masterpiece of a flavor called The Iron Cone (after Game Of Thrones), consisting of Black Cherry ice cream, Spiced Dark Chocolate swirls, and Sugar Cone pieces. Yum!

Alright, I think I've drooled on my keyboard enough. And hopefully I've entice some of you to try out some new Ice Cream Parlors as well. Don't forget to post pics and follow those scrumptious tweets above!

Love Always,

Pammy <3