The Crop of The Cream: Three of NYC’s Coolest New Ice Cream Parlors
Can you believe that we're halfway through Summer already? How have you chosen to warm up or cool off? Ok, so it's no mystery to find excellent ice cream here in Manhattan, there's Amorino on University Place, AB Biagi on Elizabeth Street, Il Labatorio del Gelato on East Houston, Big Gay Ice Cream in the East and West Village, L'arte del Gelato in the Chelsea Market (and Lincoln Center), and Davey's in the East Village which all send hot NYC'ers frozen treat frenzies, but really – who doesn't love more Ice Cream?! Here, then, are Glenwood's picks for the three best new ice cream parlors in town.
Fun, Fresh and Flavorful!
Mikey Likes It Ice Cream, which opened just a few weeks ago on Avenue A and 12th Street, has a great backstory: proprietor Michael Cole, a former convict who turned his life around with the help of several non-profits who school former prisoners in entrepreneurship and his dear departed aunt's secret ice cream recipe. Mikey's serves some of the lightest, smoothest scoops around, and his creative, pop-culture-referencing flavors–such as Cool Runnings (combining coconut, dark chocolate, and toasted almond) and Purple Rain (blueberries, cheesecake chunks)–are lively, well-balanced, and satisfyingly sweet.
Delicious Delights
Also new in the East Village is Manhattan's first outpost of Sam Mason's wildly inventive OddFellows. Since opening his flagship in Williamsburg last summer, the former wd-50 pastry chef has concocted an astonishing 144 different varieties, all handmade in small batches on site. Of course, only a few are available at any one time–if they have Burnt Marshmallow, or Chorizo Caramel Swirl (sweet, sticky, smoky!), or Peanut Butter and Jelly, get them–but I've never not loved my scoops here. Note: the new East Village branch doesn't have seating like they do over in Brooklyn, except for a bench outside on the East 4th Street (between Bowery and Second Ave) sidewalk.
We All Scream For Ice Cream
Finally, and maybe best of all, we have Morgenstern's Finest Ice Cream on Rivington just off Bowery. This is acclaimed, classically-trained (at, for instance, General Greene and Daniel) pastry chef Nick Morgenstern's labor of love, a true ice cream parlor with plenty of seating, an extensive menu, unique ingredients (get the Luxardo Cherries) and loads of personality. I've been twice, loved all five flavors (Peppermint Vanilla, Unsalted Caramel, Bitter Chocolate, Vietnamese Coffee, Salted Pretzel), and plan on returning many more times this summer, hopefully on a date, to share one of Morgenstern's massive sundaes. King Kong Banana Split, anyone?
If you enjoyed these, make sure to check out 2015's new additions to the NYC ice cream scene.
Posted in Downtown, NYC Dining | Tagged Best ice cream in NYC • Desserts • East Village • Food • Ice Cream • summer
