originally uploaded to Flickr by Weelakeo
It’s been a few months since I have made my regular trek out to Del Ray’s The Dairy Godmother but the Wisconsin-style goodness that Liz Davis whips up (white chocolate blueberry and Bordeaux cherry to name just a few) sounds like the perfect antidote for these scorching days. I guess I’m sliding into stereotypical pregnancy behavior, but provided my cravings can be satisfied with something beyond Baskin & Robins’ airy and dull ice creams, I hope to find satisfaction without crossing the bridge.
Last week after a trip to Seventh Hill I saw a savvy family traipse from the patio over to the garden seats at Marvelous Market where they bought a pint of Gifford’s Ice Cream to share. Voila…high quality ice cream “per la via.” After resorting to large cherry Slurpee at 7-11 on 8th Street last week, I asked THIH-ers for their ice cream recommendations. Here’s what I learned:
Gelato, Ice Cream & Sorbet
Try pints or half pints of locally-made Dolcezza gelatos and sorbet at Petit Gourmet across from the Market. This artisanal gelato (made in the Argentinean tradition –- take that Italia!) is made by a DC-based company. You might have tried a sample at local farmers markets or seen their new shop in Dupont Circle. On Wednesday evening flavors like blueberry mint sorbet, lime cilantro sorbet, hazelnut, chocolate and pistachio filled the freezer.
P&C Market and Marvelous Market both sell a good selection of ice creams, gelatos and sorbets. P&C carries Dolci gelato and Trickling Springs Creamery ice cream. Not only does Marvelous Market has the local Gifford’s brand and Ben & Jerry’s, but also carry my favorite, Ciao Bella. They’re currently stocking flavors including Dulce de Leche, Raspberry Cabernet Sauvingon, Belgian Chocolate and Lemon Zest, as well as the ever-popular vanilla. I understand they sell Cantaloupe at the flagship store in NYC…a little less far to travel than the Romes’ San Crispino where I first tasted this summer wonder. Please tell me that flavor made it to mass production?
Taylor Gourmet sells gelato but I can’t get through to confirm the brand or flavors. Let me know what you think about their gelato selection.
The expense of specialty ice cream is often what sends me to the freezer chest at Safeway or Harris Teeter. Breyer’s coffee and mint chocolate chip (no green dye please!) are standby favorites, but specials on Haagen Dasz and Ciao Bella have been known to lead to a well-stocked freezer. A mom-friend recommended the ice cream counter at Fine’s Sweet Shop for another low-priced option. With little ones in tow, anyplace you can still get a $2 cone is godsend. You might also look for Micha’s if you’re at the Market over the weekend. The Baltimore-based sorbet maker is not inexpensive, but his locally made flavors include Signature Mango Tropical, Sweet Potato Pie, Pineapple Peach and Ginger and reason enough for a splurge.
Milkshakes
The milkshakes at Goodstuff are indeed that, especially the Toasted Marshmallow and Milky Way Malt. Oh come on, go on add another 1000 calories to your burger and fries gastro-overload.
Ted’s Bulletin offers a bevy of ice-cream based beverages, including virgin flavors like Orange Push-up, Peppermint and Peanut Butter, Chocolate & Banana. I tried the Butter Pecan recently and confirmed my dislike of chunky shakes, but the pecans did go on an on and the ice cream was delish. Grown-up flavors Mocha Kahlua and Grasshopper are on my list for a post-delivery treat.
You can also get tasty and little less spendy milkshakes at Pete’s Diner and Jimmy T’s.
The chains and the whole shebang
H Street boasts chains Rita’s and Philadelphia Water Ice cold flavored icy treats (though don’t start the water ice vs. Italian ice debate) as well as soft-serve, sorbets, frozen yogurts/custards, and ice cream. I throw calorie counts out the window with ice cream, but for those more waistband-minded than I, there’s the “creamy and delicious” Slenderita. Philadelphia Water ice has been offering free water ice for the last few days, and I’m told the special will continue through Friday.
Coming soon
Soon we’ll have another gelato option. We the Pizza, with a much-anticipated menu of pizza, cast iron pies, wings, subs, salads and sodas (including a Shirley Temple), will open at 305 Pennsylvania Avenue, and they’ve got a pimped-out gelato menu. The Amaretti Cherry is on the top of my list to try.
Mmmm…ok, my growing belly’s growls have been abated. I’ve got plenty to try between now and Labor Day. Literally. We’ll be stocking up on diapers and baby gear at Target, so one or two Fairy Godmother trips, together with all these options, should “help” me keep packing the calories on and my taste buds happy.
I’m sorry, freezer aisle pints and milkshakes != “good ice cream on the Hill.” This is a sore point for me. The other parts of town have seen an explosion of top-notch gelaterias or froyo spots, while the Hill lags seriously behind. Since losing our Ben & Jerry’s (okay 7th Hill is an acceptable trade-off) there has been NO good ice cream on the Hill. There, I said it. Hmph!
Taylor stocks Dolci Gelati. It’s good, but I prefer Dolcezza Gelato who comes to the H Street Farmers’ Market the first Saturday of the month. Expensive, but absolutely delicious!
Um how about Sweetgreen? Hello?
Fro Yo at Sweetgreen is good, I hear, and on the cheeper side ($2 for a dish w/o toppings, I think). There’s also still a Ben & Jerry’s at Union Station – a little less convenient than the old EM one, but I will go far for good ice cream. I think there’s also a gelato place at Union Station, but I’ve never tried it – always looks yummy though.
I was not sad to see B&J go. They’re not much better than Baskin Robbins.
Dairy Godmother is the best around; I’d rather cross the river for the good stuff than settle for what’s on offer on the Hill.
Aye, Sweetgreen was on my list to include and I missed it. Thanks for the reminder.
John, I agree with you — and can’t quite understand how the Hill can’t support a ice cream shop. This post was about searching for alternatives in light of that sad situation.
You know what’s really sad? Liz Davis lived on the hill for years before moving to Del Ray with her kids.
SweetGreen froyo actually isn’t as good as Mr. Yogato, but it will do in a pinch. It’s a strong statement to say you’d cross the Potomac for good ice cream. Clearly there’s a demand for it on the Hill, but no one has been interested in tapping it.
that’s a real thumb in the eye that Liz lived on the Hill — I’ve loved Dairy Godmother since it was Del Ray Dreamery and won’t touch Edy’s after they threatened trademark infringement against Liz for using the “Dreamery” in her store name.
Great to know Dolcezza is available at Petit Gourmet (I’ve heard Dolcezza has scouted the Hill as a potenital location). I’ll second that Good Stuff milkshakes are phenomenal.
My husband would cross Penn Ave, against the light, for a milkshake at Ted’s.
And I was pleasantly surprised with what I assume were once fresh cherries (not maraschino) in my black cherry Italian Ice at Ritas. It was a tasty treat which I’m certain I now prefer over PWI.
at one of the frozenyo locations they had a sign saying a future capitol hill location was in the works. no word on when or where though. they tend to have a lot of flavors available each day. and its self serve, which is nice.
Fox 5 recently had a “taste test” for frozen yogurt and Sweetgreen came in dead last.
Ciao Bella at the grocery store is a pretty good option, especially their sorbets. the flavors are exceedingly rich but the ingredient list is short and pretty natural.
The shakes are good at Goodstuff, but it’s a haul from Five Guys just to go to GS for dessert. 🙂
Someone should do an article about the restaurateurs who used to live on the hill, but opened their fabulous restaurants elsewhere and ultimately moved. Liz Davis is one, but Constantine, who owns the Diner and Tryst, is another. Any more?
@mindy, that would be exciting. I love FroZenYo! But I just looked on their website and there’s sadly no mention of a coming soon to the Hill. (only Dupont and G’town)
I don’t think Sweetgreen’s yogurt is bad at all. I do wish that they had more than one flavor, but I’m consistently happy with their yogurt.
Grubb’s Pharmacy has a scoop area – Hershey’s ice cream, really tasty and cheap too!
@nichole – i noticed that on their website too. the sign i saw was a literal paper sign at their chevy chase location – it had tons of new locations listed in dc/va/md, so i’m assuming (hoping) they are just rolling them out a few at a time…
I still miss the Mystic Mint at Ben’s Famous Ice Cream, which has been gone now for a very long time…
Just wanted to note that Argentina has gelato BECAUSE of the Italians! A lot of them, like my great-grandfather, came over there to work because they were treated better than the Italian immigrants in America.
Micha’s Sorbet @ Eastern Market has to be the best sorbet I have ever tasted and the service is great!
There used to be an ice cream place on 8th street. Now it’s jordans. They sold ice cream in the summer and soup in the winter. they closed shortly after I moved here in 1998.
Also, am i the only one that hates ben & jerry’s? I think it tastes like chemicals. Always.