Posted by ayersian
, June 17, 2009 17:14
One of the four ice creameries to earn a coveted 5-cone rating on the 2008 New England Ice Cream Tour was Massachusetts-based Herrell’s. Although there were four stores across the state, we chose to whet our appetite at the Allston location. One year later, I have discovered that the location is no longer. In its place is the Allston Cafe, an independent, alterna-bohemian coffee and sandwich joint. Although Allston Cafe still serves up a handful of basic flavors from the Herrell’s line (e.g., chocolate chip, vanilla, strawberry), ice cream fans looking to splurge on flavors such as Mud Pie or Chocolate Pudding will have to check out the Cambridge, Northhampton, or North Adams locations.
Posted by Stephen Rushmore
, June 26, 2008 19:22
Boasting a higher butterfat content than most others in the state, Dr. Mike’s is the Rolls Royce of Connecticut ice creams. A longtime Roadfood favorite, this small shop (just a few blocks from the renowned Sycamore Drive-In) has been churning out very small batches of a handful of flavors for over 30 years. Note that this is über-premium ice cream and may be considered for special occasions, since one’s tastebuds would be completely vanquished by daily doses of Dr. Mike’s.
Please visit http://www.RoadfoodDigest.com/IceCream for a complete listing of reviews in the New England Ice Cream series.
Our recommendation - We would travel across State lines to experience the ice cream at Dr. Mike’s.
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| Chocolate Lace Ice Cream – One of Dr. Mike’s signature flavors, Chocolate Lace is a sweet-cream base with broken pieces of a chocolate lace candy made locally by Hauser Chocolatier. The candy itself, basically spun sugar enrobed in dark chocolate, is wildly luscious on its own, but coupled with the sweet cream it approaches the highest taste level attainable by frozen confections. | |
| Rich Chocolate Ice Cream – Michael Stern once described it as a melted Hershey Bar, yet this flavor goes well beyond any chocolate commercially available: it is at once an elemental and luxurious taste, lingering on the tongue long after cup or cone is consumed. Also, care should be taken to avoid melted drips on clothing, which become dark and permanent stains almost immediately. | |
| Butter Pecan Ice Cream – Delightfully creamy and sweet with crunchy pecans, this perennial favorite is overwhelmingly eclipsed by Dr. Mike’s chocolate selections. | |
| Vanilla Ice Cream – A creamy favorite with an ideal base for any topping, though it can easily stand on its own as a wonderfully rich flavor. | |
| Hot Fudge Sauce – Homemade in the shop, this sauce is very thick, very grainy, and intensely fudgy, so much that it smothers everything under its influence. The chocolate taste is powerfully decadent and should only be eaten frequently by the most daring sweet-tooths. | |
| [Click here for an explanation of our rating criteria] |
Posted by Stephen Rushmore
, June 24, 2008 19:12
Housed in a nearly signless building, SoCo Creamery ladles out the best hot fudge in Western Massachusetts. Choose from over a dozen standard ice cream varieties or, if you have a taste for the extraordinary, be sure to order one of the daily flavors. The specialty board advertises more offbeat creations, such as Chocolate Malted Stout (a robust Guinness-flavored ice cream with chocolate chunks) and Zuppa Inglese (a divinely buttery butterscotch flavor).
Please visit http://www.RoadfoodDigest.com/IceCream for a complete listing of reviews in the New England Ice Cream series.
Our recommendation - We would travel across state lines to experience ice cream at the Soco Creamery.
| Trip Report Card |
| Overall Experience | |
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| Dirty Chocolate Ice Cream - Dark in color, but not necessarily in taste, this ice cream has ground-up truffles in the mix, giving it a very subtle truffle flavor with a perfect, creamy texture. | |
| Mint Chip Ice Cream - This pale white ice cream had a light mint flavor and a scant scattering of big chocolate chips. | |
| Vanilla Ice Cream - Very smooth consistency and a solid taste that could stand alone without toppings. | |
| Hot Fudge Sauce - This hot fudge tasted straight out of a chocolate shop, with the flavor of a fine fudge without the overwhelming density of the candy treat. | |
| [Click here for an explanation of our rating criteria] |
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Posted by Stephen Rushmore
, June 14, 2008 13:36
Shady Glen may be best known for their unique cheeseburger (four slices of cheese that are fried on the griddle and arranged like huge flower petals over the patty), but it is, in fact, a dairy store where John & Bernice Rieg produce some of the finest ice cream in Connecticut. Malts, sundaes, banana splits, and cones abound, all containing rich ice cream that’s high in both butterfat and taste. The New England favorites Grape-nut and Frozen Pudding are divine, but multiple visits are required for seasonal favorites like Pumpkin and Licorice Chip.
Please visit http://www.RoadfoodDigest.com/IceCream for a complete listing of reviews in the New England Ice Cream series.
Our recommendation - We would travel across state lines to experience Shady Glen ice cream.
| Trip Report Card |
| Overall Experience | |
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| Frozen Pudding Ice Cream - Pillowy soft ice cream with a subtle rum flavor that is dominated by dried fruit (there was even a whole cherry in one spoonful!) What you wish that a fruitcake could be. | |
| Grapenut Ice Cream - Chock-a-block with cereal in a sweet cream mantle - perhaps the greatest Grape-nut in New England. | |
| Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream - Rich cocoa flavor with small sheets of peanut butter folded in, which stay solid while the ice cream softens. This version of the standard flavor differentiates itself from others with its peanut butter ribbon, which is chewy upon first contact with your mouth, but quickly melts into a smooth sauce. | |
| Vanilla Ice Cream - A very soft, full-flavored vanilla (leaning toward French Vanilla) that just yearns for toppings. | |
| Hot Fudge Sauce - Not homemade, but very satisfying on vanilla. | |
| [Click here for an explanation of our rating criteria] |
