We all scream
Something funny has happened to me on the way to becoming the person I am now. I actually prefer the ice creams that don't have 150 percent butterfat.
I know that's hard to believe, but I love the housemade ice creams in fine restaurants that are so ephemeral. They disappear in the blink of an eye because they have no preservatives, and come in flavors like cardamom and Grand Marnier.
My passion used to be Baskin-Robbins pralines 'n' cream, so that's a pretty major change.
On the other hand, I want to give a thumbs up to Edy's Slow Churned ice creams, which must have a ton of preservatives and so on (I'm afraid to look) but also have half the fat and yet taste amazing rich, every bit as good as the regular.
I'd like to start a list of favorite places to get ice cream and/or gelato. I'll get the ball rolling with Moxley's, Sylvan Beach and Pitango Gelato. Please post below, or are you sugared out from yesterday's doughnut fest?
(Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images)
Comments
I'm not a huge ice cream fan but I have to say that I highly recommend Kilby Farms (kilbycream.net) up in Rising Sun, MD. Amazingly tasty fresh ice cream in a relaxing pastoral setting. Definitely worth the drive.
Posted by: Dan Taylor | August 23, 2007 6:01 AM
My first experience with gelato was a Rita's stand. I love the mixture of gelato and the Italian ice with real fruit in it on a hot day, but they only have chocolate & vanilla gelato.
They've also started carrying gelato at Wegmen's right next to the coffee bar. There are several flavors. I got a pistaschio gelato there that was so good and just full of chopped pistachios.
Posted by: Janet | August 23, 2007 7:25 AM
Since we moved to Florida last year, we really miss The Cow in Reisterstown. The ice cream and gelati made the drive worth it.
Posted by: Dave | August 23, 2007 7:39 AM
Broom's Bloom (http://www.bbdairy.com/) in Harford County gets my vote. They are a dairy farm and make delicious ice cream in all kinds of great flavors.
Posted by: Daniel Curry | August 23, 2007 8:25 AM
The Meadows in Perry Hall...hand's down!
Posted by: CK | August 23, 2007 8:50 AM
Beach Bums in Federal Hill is wonderful, and they hand pack pints to take home.
The Grand Cafe (at the Tremont Grand on Charles St) is a good spot for gelato.
Posted by: Mike | August 23, 2007 10:28 AM
Thanks so much for this topic. I am learning about places that I had not known about before. Always looking for good ice cream.
Posted by: Regina | August 23, 2007 10:34 AM
I've yet to have really great gelato in Baltimore. Well, Cafe di Roma was pretty decent, but they're gone. Vaccaro's is ok. Pitango has good flavor, but not quite the right gelato texture. The spicy chocolate is the consistency of Fudgsicles. And the stuff they serve at Rita's is soft serve "frozen custard," not gelato at all.
I like Moxley's a lot, particularly the cinnamon and Almond Joy flavors. Just don't get the Old Bay stuff near me. :)
Posted by: Kathy | August 23, 2007 11:07 AM
I tried the gelato at XS on Charles street for the first time yesterday and was incredibly disappointed. Not one for your list, unfortunatley.
Posted by: Elizabeth Brown | August 23, 2007 1:30 PM
I enjoy Beach Bumz and Moxleys in Towson right by the roundabout. Cant beat them!
Posted by: Patrick Lund | August 23, 2007 2:36 PM
I have fallen in love with Cold Stone Creamery!
Posted by: Carol | August 23, 2007 5:05 PM
Sorry, spoiled beyond recovery by frozen custards of the Midwest, can't say I have a favorite ice cream outlet. But if you're in the Westminster area, and willing to settle for ice cream, Hoffmans (http://www.hoffmansicecream.com/) is a good start.
Posted by: john lindner | August 23, 2007 5:21 PM
I too visited XS on Wednesday night and was disappointed in the gelato. One of the varities had ice crystals. Invest in a decent machine and try all the different variations of the same type to find a core recipe. Googled "peach gelato" last weekend and got 180K hits. The first six were nothing alike.Have fun
Posted by: mdlrvrmuncher | August 23, 2007 10:25 PM
Nasu Blanca always has amazing homemade icecreams on the dessert menu. The tahitian vanilla is amazing.
Posted by: rp | August 27, 2007 4:12 PM