Ice cream is one of America’s favorite treats. In many places it’s enjoyed all year round and New York is no exception. Throughout my travels in NYC, I have enjoyed a cone or two (or three if I’m honest). With these travels, I have discovered and will share with you three of my favorite New York City ice cream parlors.
The first is Eddies Sweet Shop, which harkens back to the days of yesteryear as a true old fashioned ice cream parlor. From the chandelier hanging near the front entrance to the counter seating, you are transported back in time.
Eddies serves hand dipped ice cream in flavors that range from traditional (vanilla) to the more seasonal/exotic (blueberry). If you’re in the mood for a sundae, then Eddies is the place to go. Eddies staff pile on the caramel, hot fudge, whipped cream and other toppings. One of the other wonderful things about Eddies is that it’s not just an ice cream shop; it’s also a candy store. The candy counter is to the right of the front entrance and there is something for everyone – gumballs, tootsie rolls, and fun dip to name a few.
Eddies is located in Forest Hills, Queens at 105-29 Metropolitan Avenue (718) 520 – 8514. It’s open Tuesday through Friday from 1 pm until 11:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon until 11:30 pm. If you take the train, you’ll have quite a hike from 71st Avenue; make sure to connect to the Q23 bus.
Although, it is part of a chain, another one of my favorite ice cream parlors is Cold Stone Creamery. Cold Stone has a plethora of flavors, but I’m partial to the birthday cake flavor. Cold Stone also has wonderful toppings from M & Ms and Snickers to sprinkles and caramel. To order, decide on an ice cream flavor, pick your toppings and then stand back and watch as the staff mixes the toppings into the ice cream while you wait. My suggestion for a container is a freshly baked waffle cone. The waffle cones are made on the premises and can be smelled as soon as you walk into the store. Don’t forget to let the staff see you when you’re putting a tip into the tip jar. When someone gives a tip, the staff breaks out in song! Cold Stone Creamery has multiple locations in the NYC area.
My third favorite ice cream shop is also a bakery. Milk and Cookies is located in the West Village along the number 1 train. It is a tiny little shop which has somewhat of a French provincial feel. The ice cream comes in traditional flavors such as vanilla, mint chocolate chip and chocolate. Of course you will still enjoy your ice cream if you have it in a container, but the Milk and Cookies way is to have an ice cream sandwich.
The ice cream is nestled between two of their freshly baked cookies. You can either choose from pre determined combinations such as the grasshopper (Mint chocolate chip ice cream and double chocolate cookies) or create your own, from the various ice cream and cookie flavors available. Coffee and tea is also served along with milk. The store is open every day from 11 am until 10 pm. Its address is 19 Commerce Street (212) 243 – 1640.
