So when are we going to one or several of these?
I must admit, one of my favorite ways to spend a warm afternoon is eating an ice cream cone and wandering around the streets of New York City. These New York City ice cream shops offer the city's best ice cream, gelatos and sorbets, from basic chocolate, vanilla and strawberry to lychee, ginger and wine flavored variations.
1) Il Laboratorio del Gelato
Small batches prepared using top ingredients set apart the Italian style gelato and sorbet served at Il Laboratorio del Gelato. Each day, choose from 12 ever-changing flavors served up by lab coat garbed staff at this small shop.
· Address: 95 Orchard St.
· Telephone: 212-343-9922
· Hours: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily (6 p.m. Sun/Mon)
· Neighborhood: Lower East Side (Map)
· Subway: B, D to Grand St.; F, J, M, Z to Essex St.
· Price of Gelato: $3.25 for a small (2 scoops)
2) Australian Homemade
Ice creams, sorbets and remixes offer visitors to this Australian inspired ice cream shop a delicious, refreshing experience. Everything is made on premises, using all natural ingredients and flavors.
· Address: 115 St. Mark's Place
· Telephone: 212-228-5439
· Neighborhood: East Village (Map)
· Subway: 6 to Astor Place
3) Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
Since 1978, visitors to Chinatown have enjoyed the tasty flavors of ice cream and sorbet offered at the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. Favorite Chinese flavors include green tea, red bean, ginger and lychee.
· Address: 65 Bayard Street
· Telephone: 212-608-4170
· Hours: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. daily (11:30 p.m. Fri-Sun)
· Neighborhood: Chinatown (Map)
· Subway: N/R/Q/W, 6, J/M/Z to Canal Street
· Price of Ice Cream: $2.50
4) Ronnybrook Farms
Ronnybrook Farms' super premium ice creams are rich and feature milk and cream from the upstate New York's dairy farm. Flavors are available by the scoop, and they also offer pints to take home. Toasted Hazelnut and Columbia County Coffee are popular favorites.
· Address: 75 9th Avenue(15th/16th Sts)
· Telephone: 212-741-6455
· Neighborhood: Chelsea (Map)
· Subway: A/C/E to 14th St.
5) Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory
While the view alone is worth a visit to the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, the delicious ice cream is worth a journey even without the skyline. Enjoy your ice cream while you watch ships in the harbor -- and you can even work off the calories with a sunset walk across the nearby Brooklyn Bridge.
· Address: Fulton Ferry Landing Pier (Old Fulton and Water Sts.)
· Telephone: 718-246-3963
· Hours: noon - 10 p.m. daily (11 p.m. Thurs - Sun in summer)
· Neighborhood: Brooklyn Heights
· Subway: A, C to High St.
6) Il Gelatone
Authentic Italian gelato and sorbetti offerings bring many to visit Il Gelatone, featuring 6-8 flavors daily. Plain milk flavored demonstrates the simple deliciousness of this Italian confection.
· Address: 397 Third Ave (28th/29th Sts)
· Telephone: 212-481-2093
· Neighborhood: Murray Hill (Map)
· Subway: 6 to 28th St.
7) La Maison du Chocolate
This classic French chocolatier serves up amazing ice cream at its two shops in Manhattan during summer months only. Caramel ice cream is a particular favorite.
Rockefeller Center Location
· Address: 30 Rockefeller Center
· Telephone: 212-265-9404
· Neighborhood: Midtown East (Map)
· Subway: B/D/F/V to 47-59th Sts/Rock Center
Upper East Side Location
· Address: 1018 Madison Ave(78th/79th Sts.)
· Telephone: 212-744-7117
· Neighborhood: Upper East Side (Map)
· Subway: 6 to 77th St.
8) Ciao Bella Cafe
One of New York's original gelato makers, Ciao Bella has moved its plant to New Jersey, but continues to offer impressive sorbets and gelatos.
Grand Central Station Location (Map)
· Address: Lower Level Food Court
· Telephone: 212-867-5311
· Subway: 7, 4/5/6 to Grand Central
Upper East Side Location (Map)
· Address: 27 East 92nd St
· Telephone: 212-831-5555
· Subway: 6 to 96th St.
Mott Street Location (Map)
· Address: 285 Mott Street
· Telephone: 212-505-7100
· Subway: 6 to 96th St.
9) Custard Beach
If you crave a frozen custard to remind you of a day at the beach, Custard Beach is the perfect source. Rich, creamy flavors are served with your choice of toppings.
· Address: Winter Garden, World Financial Center
· Telephone: 212-786-4707
· Neighborhood: Financial District (Map)
· Subway: A/C, J/M/Z, 2/3, 4/5 to Fulton Street/Broadway-Nassau; E to World Trade Center; R/W to Cortlandt Street; 1/9 to Rector Street
10) Emack and Bolio's
Creative flavor combinations, like purple cow & caramel moose prints, make this a popular choice around town.
Upper East Side Map
· Address: 81st St at 1st Ave
· Phone: 212-734-0105
· Subway: 6 to 77th; 4/5/6 to 86th