Uncle Ed's Front Porch Ice Cream

116 Winthrop St.

Rehoboth, MA 02769

(508) 252-4100

Date visited: 8/23/08

Anyone who has taken a drive through this area will tell you that we New Englanders love our ice cream. Whether you're traveling down a main street or cruising through a heavily wooded area, you're never more than 20 miles from an ice cream stand. Some of these places are only open during the summer months. However, there are a few that stay open year round for those freaks (like us) who enjoy eating ice cream in frigid weather. Uncle Ed's Front Porch is one of those places. After reading rave reviews about Ed's delicious homemade ice cream on the Internet, we decided to take a ride to Rehoboth to check it out. We pulled into the parking area at 5 p.m.


The first thing Mom and I noticed was how cute the place was. It didn't even look like a stand; it looked more like someone's home. Although the parking lot and building are small, there are a few picnic tables located on the side of the building so that customers can enjoy their treats outside. Stepping up into the ice cream parlor, Mom and I figured out how Uncle Ed's Front Porch got its name. One complete side of the dining area was set up to look exactly like someone's porch with two round tables on each side. The walls were covered in vinyl siding, and there was even a door and "porch" lights. All this was set behind a trellis with a lace curtain running across the top. On the other side of the room - set against a pretty red and white striped wall - were two large picnic tables covered in gingham tablecloths. The interior was immaculate and we both thought that the design was absolutely adorable.



When we got to the counter, we were greeted by a friendly woman who informed us that "he" (perhaps she meant Uncle Ed) had just made a fresh batch of their gingersnap molasses ice cream. Neither Mom nor I had ever heard of that flavor before, so after a few minutes of deciding, Mom chose to try a small cup of it ($3). I needed a minute to narrow down my choices before going with a small cup of peanut butter fantasy ($3), which the woman behind the counter said was delicious. Our total came to:

1 small cup gingersnap molasses - $3

1 small cup peanut butter fantasy - 3

TOTAL = $6

We took our cups outside and decided to eat in the car. Mom's gingersnap molasses ice cream was very unique. She said that she'd never tasted anything like it before. It was deliciously smooth and creamy, except for the crumbled pieces of gingersnaps set inside the deep molasses base. It was so different and delicious that she would definitely recommend it and can't wait to have it again. My peanut butter fantasy was surprisingly creamy as well. The ice cream was peanut butter flavored and had a fudge swirl with several broken up pieces of peanut butter cups mixed in. It was full of flavor and not overly sweet. I really enjoyed it.

(L) peanut butter fantasy; (R) gingersnap molasses

When I got home and uploaded the photo I had taken of the menu, I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't that legible. Uncle Ed's Front Porch has some really unique flavors including frozen pudding, Baileys Irish Cream, Grapenut, ginger, cashew caramel turtle, cookie dough, Oreo, blue dino, Almond Joy, cotton candy, mocha mud pie, cherry chip, pistachio, maple walnut, and the requisite vanilla, chocolate, coffee, and strawberry. The prices are pretty good, ranging from a $3 small cup or cone to a $7.95 quart of ice cream. Uncle Ed's also offers several different types of sundaes and drinks with plenty of add-ons to make each treat as unique as you like. Mom had read somewhere online that the owner even takes suggestions for ice cream flavors, and if you're lucky, he will make a batch of your crazy concoction.


Because of the great service, adorable building, and fantastic ice cream, Mom and I were ready to give Uncle Ed's a score of excellent (a.k.a., five hearts). Instead, we decided to give it a score of very good (four hearts) because we've only been once. I'm pretty positive that Mom and I will be heading back in the very near future, and we're dying to try several more delicious flavors. Uncle Ed's Front Porch just may have become our new favorite.

Uncle Ed's Front Porch is open daily from 1-9:30 p.m. year round.

Somerset Creamery

1931 G.A.R. Highway

Route 6

Somerset, MA 02726

(508) 672-5510

1268 North Falmouth Highway

Route 28A

Cataumet, MA 02534

(508) 563-3430

www.somersetcreamery.com

If you live in Fall River, Somerset, or the surrounding area, chances are you've been visiting Somerset Creamery since you were a child. With their many flavors of fresh ice cream made the old fashioned way since 1937, anybody who's anybody gets their cones at this Somerset institution. Mom and I often drive by on weekends - or any other summer day for that matter - and the place is always packed. Mom compared it to a 1950's car hop because of all the socializing and eating that goes on in the parking lot. We had only visited Somerset Creamery one time and found the ice cream to be a bit overpriced. Since that was many years ago (pre-New England Bites), we decided to give this place another shot. Mom kept dropping hints about how Somerset Creamery packs pints of their fresh ice cream, so naturally, I had to stop by and check it out. I pulled into the parking lot at around 5:20 p.m.

Since I had just gotten out of work, I figured that now was a good time to visit because many local residents are too busy eating dinner to think about dessert. I was right. The parking lot only had a few cars when I pulled in, which gave me plenty of opportunity to take pictures without being seen by everyone. When I stepped inside, I noticed two things: the overwhelming smell of the freshly baked waffle cones, and how clean everything was. You cannot eat inside Somerset Creamery because there are no tables, which is probably why the customers usually hang out in the parking lot. There is, however, a rope to keep the line of hungry people at bay while the scoopers make the ice cream treats. Luckily, when I entered, there was no one in line. I walked right up to the counter and ordered two pints - black raspberry for me, and frozen pudding for Mom. The total came to:

2 pints @ $4.45 each

Tax - .45

TOTAL = $9.35

I paid in cash, which is the only acceptable form of payment at Somerset Creamery. As I waited for the young girl to finish scooping my pints, I took some pictures of the inside.

Along with their large list of flavors, there are a bunch of little hanging signs that showcase each of their specialities. Everything seemed to be under $7 (with the exception of a quart of ice cream - $7.15), and each novelty seemed more delicious than the next. Of course they offer the typical sundaes, cones, banana splits, and milkshakes, but they also have the black cow, root beer floats, and Creamsicle frappes. Ice cream flavors include banana, black raspberry, blueberry pie, butter crunch, butter pecan, cherry chocolate chunk, chocolate, chocolate chip, chocolate chip cookie dough, chocolate coconut, chocolate mint, chocolate walnut, coconut, coconut Almond Joy, coffee, coffee chip, coffee Oreo, cranberry bog, French vanilla, frozen pudding, fudge ripple, ginger, Grape Nut, maple walnut, mint chip, mocha almond, mocha peanut butter, orange pineapple, Oreo, pistachio, rum raisin, strawberry, vanilla. They also offer sugar free coffee and maple walnut ice cream; orange, raspberry, and watermelon sherbet; and black raspberry chip, chocolate almond, coffee Heath, strawberry cheesecake, and cranberry frozen yogurt (although cranberry is only available at the Cape Cod store).

Speaking of the black raspberry chip yogurt, a co-worker of mine had complained to me that she did not get enough chips in her yogurt, while her husband ordered the pistachio ice cream which had plenty of nuts mixed in. "What's up with that," she asked me. I told her that I would have to check it out for myself, but when I got to Somerset Creamery, I found myself overwhelmed by all the ice cream flavors and shouted "black raspberry" without remembering to order the yogurt with chips. Oh well, maybe next time.

Once the girl had finished packing my ice cream, she put a sheet of wax paper over each pint before putting the covers on. Then she marked each cover with the correct flavor, put them in a brown bag, and sent me on my way. I was glad that she took the time to make sure that I was not handed a sloppy pint because I've had this happen at a few ice cream shops. God knows I hate ice cream on my hand (see: Sea Swirl). I drove the pints home in our handy freezer bag complete with ice sheets. When I got home, I put them in the freezer for an after dinner treat while Mom and I watched Project Runway later in the evening.

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(L) frozen pudding; (R) black raspberry

At 9 p.m., just as Project Runway began, Mom headed for the freezer. Before we devoured our pints, we made sure to take a spoonful of each other's flavor so that we could have a taste. I thought Mom's frozen pudding was delicious, and so did she! She said that the ice cream was better than that last time we had it, but to be fair, we had our ice cream in sundaes and the flavor was kind of lost in all of the toppings. However, she found this pint to have a deep buttery rum flavor with just enough pieces of candied fruit. She said that it was very tasty, and she can't wait to try another one of Somerset Creamery's flavors.

My black raspberry pint was fantastic. The flavor was not tart, but creamy and had a strong raspberry taste. I also did not remember the taste of Somerset Creamery's ice cream being this delicious, and I was pleasantly surprised and excited to try more.

Now that we're back on track with the rest of Southeastern Massachusetts, Mom and I will definitely be making many more stops to Somerset Creamery. The taste of the ice cream is fantastic, the price is average, and who knows who you are going to run into there? It could very well be New England Bites.

Somerset Creamery is open from 12-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 12-10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. They also have a second location in Cataumet, MA, which is on scenic Cape Cod.

Wood's Premium Ice Cream

Adamsville Road
Westport, MA 02790

UPDATE: Since our first visit, Mom and I have been back to Wood's many times. We've tried several different flavors, including coffee, wicked good chocolate, Maine deer tracks, and chocolate peanut butter cup yogurt. Each one has been better than the next. Mom said the coffee is the best that she's ever had, and if you know anything about Mom, you know that she adores coffee ice cream. I felt the same way when I tasted the wicked good chocolate, which came highly recommended by a fan. Speaking of fans, a lovely lady named Chandra - who found Wood's through this very Web site - has informed us that Wood's gets its ice cream from Gifford's of Maine, a supplier for many local ice cream stands and stores. We can't wait to return.

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Date: 7/5/2008

When we started New England Bites, Mom and I never expected the outpouring of love and fantastic recommendations that we would receive from our readers. Whether they've seen our signs hanging up in local restaurants or come across our site accidentally, our loyal fans have given us many a great suggestion. Take Heidi, for example. With the click of an e-mail, this fan sent Mom and I driving through the beautiful country roads of Westport to taste some of the best ice cream she has ever had - and we completely agree with her. Wood's Premium Ice Cream stand is just about a quarter mile away from the junction of Main and Adamsville Roads and situated on a beautiful farm. Mom and I excitedly pulled into the gravel parking lot at just around 6:45 p.m.

The first thing we noticed is a sign asking patrons to park their cars on a large cement patch, which unfortunately only fits about four of five cars. Apparently after the lot is filled, you can park in the dirt. After backing into a space, Mom and I got out and decided to visit the goats and chickens that were in the nearby pens. We also spotted a sign on a large fence that warned customers to beware of the donkeys - they may bite. Although we didn't see any donkeys, we did come into contact with four very friendly goats. After they posed for a few photos, I turned my attention to the large chickens who really didn't seem interested in getting their picture taken. Still taking in the beautiful country scenery, Mom and I trudged up the grassy hill to the stand's large window. We first had to take a look at their flavors, but Heidi mentioned that everything was delicious at Wood's. Since we had eaten a late lunch, I settled on a small cup of Maine maple walnut ($2.50), and Mom chose a small cup of frozen pudding ($2.50). Yes - frozen pudding. Can you believe it? I was so proud of her for being adventurous, but at the same token was a little nervous because if she didn't like it, surely it was somehow going to be my fault. The girl at the window - with the squeakiest voice I've ever heard - gave me a total of $5. Heidi was right! The ice cream was very inexpensive, and considering our shock when we saw the size of the small cups, you definitely get your money's worth.

(L) Maine maple walnut; (R) frozen pudding

Although there were a few picnic benches and chairs scattered throughout the grounds, Mom and I chose to eat our dairy delights in the car. When we took our first bite, my immediate thought was, "I have to thank Ms. Heidi for this one." My Maine maple walnut was chock full of walnuts - and chock full of flavor as well! Normally maple walnut ice cream can be a bit on the sweet side, but this ice cream had a great consistency, was cool and creamy, and had just the right amount of maple flavoring. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Mom eating her ice cream. Since I was too busy stuffing my own face, I didn't notice if she was glowing with joy, or boiling with hate. Thankfully, it was a joyous moment for Mom. She chose something different, and it turned out to be a delightful surprise. The butter rum flavored ice cream was sprinkled with bits of candied fruit, which did not overwhelm the dessert. Mom said it was rich, creamy, and not overly sweet. She also agreed that Wood's Premium Ice Cream is obviously top quality. No freezer burn or dense pieces here!

Since there is virtually nothing available on the Internet about Wood's Ice Cream, I've decided to list their entire menu. Flavors include mint chocolate chip, mocha chip, blue ribbon strawberry, old fashioned vanilla, moose tracks, cotton candy, wicked good chocolate, Maine deer tracks, bear claws, coffee, lobster tracks, orange sherbet, Almond Joy, chocolate peanut butter cup yogurt, black raspberry chocolate chip yogurt, butter pecan, black raspberry, cake batter, cookies n' cream, caramel caribou, orange pineapple, pink peppermint stick, mint chocolate chip, pistachio nut, chocolate chip, chocolate peanut butter, Maine black bear, cookie dough, Mississippi mud, and vanilla raspberry swirl with no fat and no added sugar. Ice cream treats include cones/cups ($2.50-3.25), sundaes ($3.75), malted frappes ($4.25), freezes ($3), banana splits ($4.50), floats ($3), frappes ($4), and quarts ($6.50).

After saying goodbye to the goats, and goodbye to our empty ice cream cups, Mom and I proceeded to drive out of the parking lot. As we were pulling away, we both noticed that Wood's was established in 1900. Now, I assume they mean that the farm was established 108 years ago, but it figures that Mom and I would only just be finding out about something that's been around all that time. We need to get out more, and perhaps revisiting Wood's Premium Ice Cream can be our incentive. Thanks again, Heidi!

Wood's Premium Ice Cream is open daily from 1-9 p.m.

Eskimo King

29 Market St.

Swansea, MA 02777

(508) 379-0202

www.eskimoking.com

UPDATE: Since Mom kept raving about her Only 8 ice cream that she had on Saturday, after her doctor appointment, I headed for Eskimo King around 8 p.m. so that I could try some as well. She got a small cup of coffee (what else is new) and I got a small cup of one of their new flavors - chai tea. The total came to $5.99 and our cups were served very quickly. Mom was right! This ice cream imposter tastes fantastic and almost exactly like the real thing. Both flavors were delicious, and we loved the fact that we were eating something that was good for us and it actually had flavor. Thank you, Eskimo King!

street view

(L) chai tea; (R) coffee

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Date: 6/21/08

If you're a fan of New England Bites, you know by now that Mom and I love ice cream. It is our favorite dessert by far, and in the summer we always hit every local ice cream place to get a cup of creamy goodness. Since we hadn't visited Eskimo King since last year, we decided that today was the day. We pulled in to the always-busy parking area at just around 6:45 p.m.


Eskimo King is amazing. Where else can you get over 250 flavors of soft serve ice cream? They have everything from Fluffer Nutter and coconut cream cheesecake to cantaloupe and white chocolate apricot. Eskimo King also has a wide variety of hard and sugar free ice creams, non- and low-fat yogurts, sherbets, cakes, sorbets, cones, sundaes, Arctic Colattas (slush), smoothies, sodas, frappes, and many other ice cream novelties like banana splits and blizzards - complete with a long list of possible mix-ins. They even have a doggie dish available for your hungry pooch which is topped with a Milkbone. The prices are very reasonable - two ice creams are almost never over $7. Mom and I enjoy the look of Eskimo King. It looks as if the owner makes all of the signs herself, and they're always colorful and loaded with information. It also seems like Eskimo King is a nice place to work, because Mom and I have always had good service here - even when we've had to stand in line for quite some time. This is a very popular summertime hot spot. Mom even ordered an Eskimo King cake for my birthday one year just as they were about to close down for the season and it was superb.

On the drive to Eskimo King, Mom told me about one of the signs she had spotted on our last visit. It was something called Only 8, and it was supposed to be "America's Healthiest Frozen Yogurt." When we got out of the car and headed for the counter, I saw the sign describing the eight healthy rewards that Only 8 gives you:

1. No fat, no cholesterol.
2. Calcium fortified.
3. Low calories, low carbs.
4. All natural - no preservatives.
5. Sweetened with fructose.
6. Safe for most diabetics and lactose intolerants.
7. Four healthy yogurt cultures.
8. Great taste that won't go to your waist.

She was really anxious to try this yogurt, so when we placed our order she asked for a coffee flavored Only 8 milkshake. I went with a large wafer cone of pineapple nut cheesecake. The service was quick today because we had found a window on the side of the building that no one was standing at. Our total came to $7.19, and once we paid and got our ice creams, Mom and I headed back to my car.

Once inside, I made sure to take a picture of my cone because it was a little steamy outside and I didn't feel like wearing any of the ice cream. Like always, my cone was delicious. I could really taste the nut flavor, and it had the aftertaste of refreshing pineapple. Although sometimes you only get a hint of the actual flavor (they use a vanilla or chocolate base for all their ice creams), sometimes they hit the nail right on the head. Mom's experiment with the Only 8 frozen yogurt left her amazed! She said that she couldn't believe how much it tasted like real ice cream. It was very thick, creamy, and had a very strong coffee flavor - stronger than some of the real ice cream shakes. She was very impressed with it and would definitely get it again. She just hopes that it doesn't turn out to be like the "fat free" yogurt on that Seinfeld episode, ha, ha!


Happy and full of ice cream, Mom and I sped off into the sunset vowing to return to Eskimo King as soon as we can. Although it was our first trip of the year, it definitely won't be our last. From November to March, whenever we drive down Market Street and see that giant figure of a boy holding an ice cream cone, we just wish for the day when spring would arrive and that neon OPEN sign would turn on.

Eskimo King is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Baskin Robbins

www.baskinrobbins.com

My family has been frequenting Baskin Robbins ice cream parlors for over 30 years, and we always come to the same conclusion - the ice cream is first rate, while the service is not great. In fact, it's almost downright terrible at times. However, I am in love with their ice cream cakes - especially because of their awesome frosting - and since I am graduating from college tomorrow, Mom decided to get me one from the local Somerset, MA, branch to celebrate the occasion.


Since you can order any cake via their Web site, Mom went online to set up what she wanted. I chose to have rocky road ice cream on top of white cake, and Mom chose a graduation design for the 1/3 sheet cake (feeds 6-8 people). The cake would read "Congratulations" in the center and "Laura" and "2008" in each top corner. After printing out the page, on Saturday Mom and I went to the Somerset Baskin Robbins, which is on County Street. It is in the same building as a Dunkin Donuts. When we walked inside, it took us a few minutes to get noticed, meaning that the employees were all standing around chatting and not paying attention. When we were finally spotted, a girl came over to ask us what we wanted. Mom told her she wanted to order a cake, so the girl retreated to the back room and came out with what looked like an order sheet. As Mom whipped out her printed page from the Internet and began giving instructions, the girl checked her cell phone to see if she had missed a call between getting the order booklet and walking back to the counter. A little rude, don't you think? Anyway, after this girl and Mom synchronized my cake instructions, we were on our way. She did give us a receipt, but it did not have a price on it (and we forgot to ask what it was going to cost). The cake was to be ready by 5 p.m. on Friday. We drove away hoping that the girl did not take a cell phone call right after we left because she might forget to put the order in. Oh well. We had our fingers crossed.


Fast forward to Thursday night, when Mom decided to call the Somerset Baskin Robbins to see how much the cake was going to cost. The first thing she did was try to find out the phone number. Not only are they not listed in the phone book, but they are also not listed with directory assistance. Who doesn't put their business in the phone book/411? Seeing that they were attached to a Dunkin Donuts, Mom decided to call there to see if they could connect her with the Baskin Robbins staff - in the same building - two feet away. The Dunkin Donuts girl gave Mom the phone number so that she could call over there herself. She called the number repeatedly, but no one picked up. Mom decided to call Dunkin Donuts back and ended up getting the same girl. She asked the girl if there was anyone over at the Baskin Robbins counter, and she replied, "Yes, ma'am. I can see them from here." Mom, still not knowing why they weren't answering their phone, tried calling again to no avail. Exasperated, Mom gave up on the Somerset location and decided to try the Dartmouth Baskin Robbins (yes, they're listed in the book) to see if the phone number she had for the Somerset location was indeed correct. They quickly informed her that they were not associated with the Somerset Baskin Robbins because each store is independently owned. Frustrated, Mom decided that it was virtually impossible to reach the Baskin Robbins where she ordered my cake. Good thing we didn't have to make any last minute changes.

Finally, Friday arrived. At about 5:35 p.m., I walked into the Somerset Baskin Robbins to pick up my cake (yes, I had to pick up my own cake). I was greeted right away (rare) and told the girl behind the counter that I was there for a cake. She disappeared into the freezer area for 15 MINUTES! Honestly, I thought that she had died back there, but I was more worried about my cake. What was going on? All I knew was that I was waiting for something that we had ordered a week ago. Why wasn't it ready? Did they lose it? I was about to. Finally, at almost 6 p.m., the girl reappeared. I said, "I thought you got lost back there," and she just smiled and handed me my cake. Mom had a $3 off coupon, so the total came to $12.99 ($15.99 without the discount). I handed her my money and then raced home so that my beautiful cake wouldn't melt on the ride back to Fall River.


After dinner, we cut into the cake (well Mom did; I have weak hands). I was dying to reacquaint myself with that lovely frosting. IT DIDN'T HAPPEN! Apparently, Baskin Robbins changed the frosting on me. It may just be because this was a specialty cake, but I was looking forward to that ice creamy type frosting that I've been eating for almost 30 years. I was almost heartbroken, except for the fact that the rest of the cake tasted great. The rocky road ice cream was filled with nuts and marshmallows, while the white cake was somehow still soft and tasty. The frosting was pretty good, it just wasn't my frosting.

I really do love my cake, and everything else I've ever gotten at Baskin Robbins. When I was younger, I used to get the clown sundae all the time, and I really enjoyed eating all of their 31 flavors. They also have fantastic milkshakes and smoothies, along with tasty sundaes and ice cream novelties (found in their freezer section). We also love the fact that this is one of the only ice cream parlors that uses real cake instead of "cake crunchies." Baskin Robbins is a little more expensive than a roadside ice cream stand, but the taste is quite good. Our only complaint is about the service, which is usually the same at every location we've ever visited. The staff is usually made up of a bunch of teens, and there never seems to be a manager present. As a result, there is a lot of goofing off, and they think nothing of finishing their conversations with each other when there is a line of customers waiting. This makes for very slow service. For something as simple as an ice cream drink, be prepared to wait about 20 minutes. Again, this is at every location. It's very frustrating to be standing at the counter and watching four or five kids laughing and acting silly while you're waiting for your order. The worst part of it is that they look at you, and then look away! What's up with that?

Hands down, the service is the worst part of the Baskin Robbins experience. If we were just rating on taste and quality alone, we would give it four hearts (very good). However, since the service is barely even two hearts (so-so), we've averaged it out at three. Don't make us go any lower, Baskin.

The Baskin Robbins in Somerset is located at 978 County St. For more information, call (508) 673-4809. Let's hope someone answers the phone!

Gray's Ice Cream

16 East Road

Tiverton, RI 02878

(401) 624-4500
www.graysicecream.com

Anyone that reads this Web site knows how much my mother enjoys coffee ice cream. She could probably eat it every day of the week, so it was quite a surprise to me when she told me one day that she would like to try a cup of ginger ice cream from Gray's in Tiverton. Yes - ginger. Are you shocked? Ever since I had a cone of it a few years back, I've been telling Mom to try it - and today she was finally ready. We pulled into the Gray's parking lot at just around 6 p.m.

You can't get near Gray's in the summer. Everyone and their mother come from miles around just to get a taste of this delicious homemade ice cream. Set in a picturesque part of Tiverton (Tiverton Four Corners), the Gray's stand is built into a store which sells various food items. Mom and I have never been inside, but we're assuming that their freezers are filled with ice cream in pints, quarts, and half gallons. The ice cream stand is fairly large, but they don't open all of the ordering windows. Perhaps it controls the crowds better to have them wait in two lines versus three or four. On the side of the store is a fenced in grassy area which several cows call home. Mom and I are still wondering what ever happened to the llamas they used to keep there. Perhaps they were getting too pushy with patrons. You know how llamas can be.

When I got to the window, I found myself waiting behind two people that were visiting from Pennsylvania. Apparently they heard how good Gray's ice cream is and just had to see for themselves. Once it was my turn, I ordered a small cup of ginger for Mom ($3.25) and a small homemade waffle cone of frozen pudding for myself ($4 = 3.25 + .75 for waffle cone). The total came to $7.25. Now, I don't know if it's just me, but I've always found the service at Gray's to be very slow. I'm not sure if it is because there is always a ton of people there, or because the ice cream treats and frappes take long to make, or because the ice cream is just difficult to scoop. However, on this day, I was pleased because I didn't have to wait very long for my desserts. I walked them back to the car so that Mom and I could dig in.

Mom was very pleased with her ginger ice cream. She was delightfully surprised to find that disbursed throughout the creamy ginger ice cream were little crystallized ginger pieces. They added a slight crunch to the creamy texture and an intense burst of ginger flavor. It was really delicious, and she was glad that she ventured away from her coffee for one day.

Popular in New England, my frozen pudding was fantastic. It was heavily flavored with rum and chock full of candied fruits like raisins, cherries, and pineapples. Having this ice cream in the homemade waffle cone only enhanced the flavor. I even let Mom try a piece of the cone, and we both agreed that it tasted like a warm sugar cookie. It was out of this world.

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The ice cream here is hard (no soft serve) and is award-winning. Flavors include black raspberry, blueberry, butter krunch, butter pecan, butterscotch, cherry vanilla, chocolate, chocolate chip, chocolate walnut, coconut, coffee, coffee chip, cookie dough, eggnog (seasonal), grape nut, lemon, maple walnut, mint chocolate chip, mocha chip, orange pineapple, Oreo, peach, peanut butter, peppermint, pistachio, pumpkin (seasonal), rum raisin, strawberry, strawberry cheesecake, and vanilla. Sherbet flavors include lemon, orange, raspberry, and watermelon. Voted Rhode Island's best ice cream from 1990-2002, Gray's has won awards for the best coffee ice cream and best cabinet (an ice cream milkshake). The prices are as follows:

Random funny story: While sitting in the car eating ice cream, Mom and I spotted a little kid walking with her parents toward the ordering window. We both saw it at the same time - her low-hanging diaper. This diaper wasn't just low, it looked full. It looked like she should have been changed hours, maybe even days, ago. Not the kind of thing you want to see when you're getting ice cream. The poor thing was walking as if it weighed about four pounds. Anyway, Mom and I were giggling to ourselves about it when we heard the guy in the next car losing it. I rolled down my window just in time to hear, "It looks like she has 12 pounds of @&!% back there!" I immediately started laughing because the guy was acting like this loaded diaper was personally offending him. He saw me laughing and he and his wife kind of looked over. I said, "Laughing at the diaper?" He replied, "OH MY GOD!" The wife was more sympathetic. I heard her say, "Awww, poor thing." He, on the other hand, was acting like the little kid just walked over and @&!% on his car. It was hysterical.

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After eating our treats and laughing at someone else's expense, Mom and I headed off into the sunset to do some shopping. We love Gray's, and it has definitely established itself as one of the best - if not the best - places for homemade ice cream. It is a must visit for any New Englander, or anyone passing through. You will not be disappointed.

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Gray's Ice Cream is open from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Simcock Farm

361 Marvel St.

Swansea, MA 02777
(508) 673-5721

www.simcockfarm.com

Date visited: 4/26/08

After our long drive home from Hyannis, Mom and I were in the mood for some ice cream. Since we were heading up to do some errands in Swansea, we decided to go to Simcock Farm. We read on a sign last week that the ice cream stand was opening soon, and we wanted to be one of the first to get a taste of Simcock's flavorful treats. We pulled into the crowded gravel parking area at around 6 p.m.

Simcock Farm is adorable. Not only is there an ice cream stand, it is also a working farm complete with fresh vegetables, dairy products, fresh cut flowers, candles, crafts, and seasonal specialties including hay rides and school tours. If you're lucky and live within a five mile radius, you can have fresh veggies and ice cream delivered to your door! There is even a bevy of friendly pets and farm animals that have become used to all of the attention they get from passers by. Simcock Farm also has a great Web site where you can learn the names of the critters, the history of the farm, and take a look at their family album.

Since there were already people at the window, Mom and I stood at the wooden milk bottle that lists all of the ice cream flavors, including pistachio, cotton candy, peanut butter cup, pumpkin, chocolate, strawberry, frozen pudding, vanilla, coffee, cookies and cream, sherbet, and some sugar-free flavors as well. When it was finally our turn to decide what we wanted, I went with a kiddie cup of banana ($2.95) while Mom chose a kiddie cup of Snickers ($2.95). Why a kiddie cup, you ask? Well, we've had the small cup at Simcock before and it is HUGE. It's almost like an entire pint of ice cream. We usually stick with the kiddie cups because it really gives us just enough. Simcock Farm DEFINITELY does not skimp on portions. I'm afraid to see what the large cup looks like! The girl at the window scooped our ice creams and handed them over to me. The total came to *$6.20 (*I forgot to write the correct total down, but I'm assuming there is tax). Mom and I headed back to the car so that we could dig into our cups.

Simcock Farm offers other ice cream treats such as sundaes ($3.50-4.95), cones ($2.95-4.25), frappes ($3.50-3.75), malts ($3.75), milkshakes ($1.25), ice cream sodas ($3.25), Holstein floats ($3.25), freezes ($3.25), banana splits ($6.25), and even a Frosty Paw treat - with cookie - for your dog ($1.25). Oh, and if anyone knows what a Holstein float is, let us know. Mom thinks it is a black and white float, possibly made with Coke or root beer and vanilla ice cream. Is she right?

It's weird how sometimes two people are thinking the exact same thing, but it never gets mentioned because they each think that the other one would not agree with their statement. Although both Mom and I loved the taste of our ice creams (mine tasted like fresh bananas and Mom's tasted like an actual Snickers bar complete with caramel and fudge), we both agreed that the ice cream flavor is sometimes taken away by an aftertaste of freezer burn. There always seems to be tiny ice crystals in the dense ice cream, which takes away from the texture. You'd expect the homemade ice cream to be creamy, however, because of the ice crystals, it comes across as grainy, and has the mouthfeel of an ice milk more than a premium ice cream. We're thinking that - because it's an ice cream stand - they may have to run their freezers very high. Other than that, we enjoy visiting this stand very much.

As we left Simcock Farm, both Mom and I agreed that this is the kind of place that you'd want to end up after a long Sunday drive around New England, and that's exactly how it's advertised on their Web site. Mom and I are going to have to stop into the store and check out some of their other goods, but for now, we're glad that the ice cream stand is open and we look forward to going back and trying one of their other treats. Where else can you get a cup of ice cream that size for only $2.95?

The Simcock Farm ice cream stand is open from 3-9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The Daily Scoop

230 County Road

Barrington, RI 02806

(401) 245-0100

446B Thames St.

Bristol, RI 02809

(401) 254-2223

www.dailyscoopicecream.com

I was stuck at home today, playing hooky from work because of a migraine. As the migraine started to ease off, I went on the Internet and started browsing through our list of restaurants. I came across The Daily Scoop, and remembered the e-mails that were passed back and forth between the owner and I after our initial review. She was shocked that we weren't that crazy about the taste, and invited us to try the ice cream at one of their two Rhode Island locations versus getting a pint out of a freezer at a store. Since ice cream always makes a migraine feel better (tee hee), I jumped in the car and headed for Barrington. Before I left the house, Mom suggested that we sample a pint of the exact flavors we had purchased in back February - coffee and banana peanut butter cup. I agreed. I pulled into the parking lot (located behind the ice cream shop) at just about 1 p.m.

The first thing I was worried about was the parking. There are NO street spots in front of The Daily Scoop, so already they were earning points because of their large back lot. I spotted an entrance on their deck (facing the back parking lot), but I wasn't sure if that was the proper entry way. I soon spotted a ramp leading up to a second door, so I entered that way. I found myself at the bottom of a few wooden stairs, leading up to a very large ice cream counter. There was one cashier/ice cream scooper behind the counter that greeted me immediately. I was a bit concerned that they wouldn't be able to pack the pints fresh as I hadn't spotted the pint containers yet, but the young girl informed me that she could pack a pint of any flavor I wanted. I chose the coffee and the banana peanut butter cup (which is labeled peanut butter banana) and watched as she stuffed the ice cream into each pint container very quickly and neatly.

The interior is quite adorable. Right as I walked through the door I was hit in the face with what smelled like the aroma of homemade waffle cones. They have a large freezer featuring tubs of their homemade ice creams, benches to sit on inside and out, and they even feature Del's Frozen Lemonade - a Rhode Island favorite. Everything was extremely neat and clean, and the bright colors reminded me of summer.

The cashier rang me up and asked if I wanted the pints in a bag. I said yes, and my total came to $9 ($4.50 a pint - a little more than the specialty pints at the supermarket). After paying, the cashier wished me well and I proceeded to exit through the front door to get some pictures of the adorable main entrance.

When I got the pints home (which had been labeled), I automatically headed for the silverware drawer so Mom and I could dig in. When we opened the pints, they were a little soft from the 30 minute ride back to Fall River. This was fine with us because softer ice cream always has more of a taste than ice cream that is frozen solid. Mom dug in right away, but I was busy scraping the remnants off of the inside cover. The first thing I noticed was the extreme banana taste. This wasn't banana flavoring - it was actual banana. Mom was amazed at how different her coffee ice cream tasted from the first time she had it. This time the coffee tasted deep and rich, and the entire pint was full of coffee flavor. The texture was smooth, creamy, and didn't taste like it had been in a freezer for months. My banana ice cream was also smooth and creamy, and the peanut butter cups were minced so that you a) didn't choke on them, and b) could taste the peanut butter inside of the chocolate. It was so tasty and different. What a vast improvement from our last review!

(L) banana peanut butter cup; (R) coffee

A word to the wise - if you want to have delicious ice cream, please try The Daily Scoop. However, if you buy this ice cream in a freezer and for some reason it's not that great, put your spoon down and head for the shop. You will not be disappointed.

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Date: 2/11/08

Like any normal day, Mom and I were craving a pint of ice cream. Not just any ice cream - homemade, local ice cream. Mom had read about this place in Westport that makes ice cream from scratch, and sells it at Lee's Market in Westport, MA (796 Main Road). Lo and behold, we were at the Target in Dartmouth - the neighboring town. Naturally, going to Lee's had to be our next step.

When we arrived at Lee's, Mom and I headed straight for the freezer section. We spotted a lot of different homemade ice creams, but none were from Westport. Disappointed, neither of us wanted to walk away empty-handed. Mom noticed a stack of purple and white striped pints of this ice cream from a place called The Daily Scoop. Made locally in Barrington and Bristol, RI, the flavorful choices surprised both Mom and me. At $3.99 per pint, we spotted flavors like lemon custard, banana chip, black raspberry chip, kahlua fudge brownie, vanilla, pumpkin, butter pecan, coconut almond chip, and peppermint stick. I spotted something called banana peanut butter cup, which mixes two of my favorite things. I quickly grabbed that one from the freezer. My mother chose - are you sitting down?? - coffee. Yep - her favorite flavor, and the kind she always gets. She said that by eating the coffee pint from The Daily Scoop, she would be able to judge it against brands like Haagen Dazs and Ben & Jerry's. *sigh* We made our way to the register, and Mom shelled out $7.98 for the two pints. The cashier loaded them into a paper Lee's bag, and we headed back to my car. I figured that we would probably eat them when we watched American Gladiators at 8 p.m.

At around 7:30 p.m., I couldn't take it anymore. I was dying to see what the ice cream tasted like. I told Mom that I was excited to try it, and - guess what - so was she! Big surprise. I grabbed the pints from the freezer, handed Mom her flavor, and dug into mine. Now I should mention that, at the Lee's register, we both noticed that the pints felt a little light. We were hoping that this ice cream was not the airy, churned kind that you often see at the supermarket. We really don't care for those. However, after a bit of research, we found that The Daily Scoop pint and the Haagen pint weigh exactly the same. Go figure.

I kept waiting for Mom to be bowled over by the taste of her coffee ice cream, but it never really happened. She thought the ice cream had only a slight coffee taste versus the bold taste that you find with Ben & Jerry's or Haagen Dazs. She felt that a homemade ice cream should be very dense and creamy. However, this one was very light and airy with more of a texture bordering on ice milk rather than a premium ice cream. In all, she was a little disappointed with the flavor and the mouthfeel.

Doesn't the flavor "banana peanut butter cup" sound exciting? Well, it wasn't. Like Mom, I thought that the flavor wasn't totally there. Even the real Reese's Peanut Butter Cups seemed to get lost in the bland banana ice cream. It almost tasted like ice cream that had a bit of freezer burn, or the scoop of a supermarket brand that was nearing the end of its half gallon. It just tasted different. Mom checked the label and we found that both ice creams were made with nonfat milk, but we didn't want to blame the milk in case all pints are made with this same type. All in all, we were both fairly disappointed with our pints. Don't get me wrong, we ate every bit of it, but we weren't as happy as we are after eating other brands.

Before doing this review, I checked out The Daily Scoop's Web site. It is very cute. Aside from the flavors we saw in the freezer at Lee's, there are many other choices such as apple pie, chocolate almond fudge, carrot cake, cookie dough, coffee and mint Oreo, rum raisin, and wild Maine blueberry - just to name a few. There is also frozen yogurt, smoothies, ice cream cakes, low carb ice cream, sorbet, and something called "Wow Cow," which is an all natural soft-serve frozen dessert developed in Southern California that boasts all of the following characteristics:
• 100% fat free
• 100% cholesterol free
• 100% Kosher
• Very low lactose (no milk or milk solids)
• Only nine calories per ounce
• No artificial sweeteners (naturally fruit fructose sweetened)
• Ultra creamy consistency
There are also special coupons available for printing, as well as a list of supermarkets that carry The Daily Scoop pints in their freezer sections. In the history area of the Web page, I learned that owners Bob and Deb Saunders actually met and fell in love over their personal obsession with ice cream. My question to Deb is ... does Bob have a brother?

It must be very hard to make ice cream from scratch, and we certainly admire the initiative they have to create all of these interesting flavors. I can't say that we'll never eat another pint from The Daily Scoop, but we definitely want to visit their locations instead. Perhaps the ice creams will taste a bit more fresh and delicious.

The Daily Scoop in Barrington is open every day from 12-9 p.m. The Bristol location is open from 12-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Sunday, and 12-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Dairy Queen

www.dairyqueen.com

Even before visiting Flo's Clam Shack for lunch, Mom had decided that we should get an ice cream dessert at the Dairy Queen located at 7 East Grove St. in Middleboro, MA. I know it seems a little crazy to drive from Portsmouth, RI, to Middleboro just to have an ice cream, but Mom and I love this place and since it was a beautiful day, we sat back and enjoyed the ride to one of our favorite warm weather spots. We hit DQ at about 5:30 p.m.

Not surprisingly, Dairy Queen was mobbed. This chain is a definite favorite among New England residents, and I still can't believe that there was once one in Fall River - and it closed! It just doesn't seem possible. Although some Dairy Queens have indoor seating, this particular one does not. The only way to place an order is by walking up to the front window or by heading around back and going through the drive-thru. Since we were already sitting, Mom and I figured that the drive-thru was our best best. Actually, we've never been to the walk-up window. We always get turned off by the fact that we a) have to stand, and b) have to wait in the long lines. When we pulled up to the drive-thru menu, a female voice came over the loud speaker and asked us what we wanted. I already knew what I was going to get - a small Cappuccino Heath Blizzard. I've been getting the Cappuccino Heath Blizzard on nearly every Dairy Queen visit. After a few minutes, Mom decided on a medium twist (vanilla/chocolate) ice cream cone. Our total came to $5.15 and we were told to drive forward to the next window. When we got to the pickup window, we were greeted by a friendly girl who cashed us out. She also asked if I would like a cover for my Blizzard. I said yes, and was handed my covered Blizzard and Mom's cone. Unlike other drive-thrus, this particular Dairy Queen always provides excellent customer service. I believe she even threw in some napkins as well. What a gal!

With ice cream in hand (and in cup holder), I drove us to our favorite Middleboro eating spot - the Middleboro Crossing parking lot. The reason this is our favorite spot is because a) it's close to DQ so our ice cream never has a chance to melt, and b) there is usually a lot going on it that plaza, so we're never bored. Mom adores this ice cream. In her opinion, it is probably the smoothest ice cream she has ever come across. She loves the great flavor and mouthfeel (ick, I hate that word). Her favorite thing to get is just a plain cone. She absolutely loves the way they make their ice cream with a little swirl on top (like a figure eight). The ice cream is thick and always neat, even in the cone. Whatever they do to keep the ice cream in the cone, keep doing it! As for me, I'm in love with the Blizzards. I've had a few different flavors, but my current (and maybe all-time) favorite is the Cappuccino Heath. My suggestion to you is to definitely get the small. Dairy Queen does not skimp on the portions. I believe I got the large once and almost burst my spleen trying to finish it. The ice cream is cappuccino flavored and blended with an appropriate amount of finely chopped Heath Bar pieces. I appreciate this because, although I love big pieces, it's nice to not have to worry about breaking your teeth on a bit of cold candy. I would definitely recommend this treat to any coffee lover. Mom has had this Blizzard a few times and agrees with me. We love it!

Although Dairy Queen makes food like burgers and fries, I am not sure if this location serves anything other than ice cream. Since we've only been to the drive-thru, we've become acquainted with what can be handed out of a tiny window. Treats include the Blizzard ($3.10-4.25) which is an ice cream blended with your choice of mix-ins such as Oreo, Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, Butterfinger, M&M, Snickers, Kit Kat, turtle pecan cluster, and mint Oreo pieces. If you want extra stuff in your Blizzard, it is an additional $.50. The Blizzard of the Month is the Tin Roof Brownie, which is very well advertised both on the Web site and at the drive-thru. Other treats include the peanut butter parfait, banana split, Oreo Brownie Earthquake ($3.65), shakes and malts, cones and dipped cones (vanilla, chocolate, and twist), waffle bowl sundaes, waffle cones, sundaes, strawberry shortcake ($3.70), and floats and freezes ($2.50-3.75). You can also order a box of take home treats like the DQ sandwich and the Buster bar. For drinks, you can order your basic soft drink and/or bottled water, but for something extra, try their Moolatte ($2.75-4), which is basically a frozen coffee drink - and it's delicious! If you're not feeling a coffee drink, you can order an Arctic Rush - kind of like their take on slush. It comes in several different flavors. Please note that these prices may vary.

Full and satisfied, Mom and I drove away from our eating spot and headed toward home. We both look forward to going back and having another ice cream. I'd also like to find out if this location serves food because I'm dying to try some of their famous burgers. Another plus is that an Orange Julius is going to be sharing space with the DQ, so that gives us one more reason to take the drive to Middleboro. Who knows? Maybe you'll even see us eating in the parking lot. It's a small world.

The Dairy Queen in Middleboro is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. For other locations and hours of operation, visit their Web site at www.dairyqueen.com.

Newport Creamery

www.newportcreamery.com

Aside from the time I almost broke my tooth on a piece of plastic that was stuck inside of a Maraschino cherry (and was only compensated with a $10 gift certificate that I basically had to beg for), Mom and I really enjoy visiting Newport Creamery. The original location in Newport, RI, will always hold a special place in our hearts, but we often visit our own hometown location on President Avenue here in Fall River. We are never disappointed (I should mention that the cherry incident happened in Newport).

On today's visit, at around 3:30 p.m., we had one thing in mind - ice cream. Since we never did get that milkshake at Red Robin, Mom and I were all about getting a big sundae with lots of toppings and the delicious Newport Creamery ice cream. We pulled into the parking lot and luckily got a space close to the door (the lot, although located in a large plaza, fills up fast). Mom and I stepped inside and read the sign that told us to wait to be seated by a member of the waitstaff. We didn't wait long before a waitress with a blue Newport Creamery shirt came over, grabbed a few plastic-covered menus, and escorted us to a booth that was just across from the grill. After she left, we were joined by a second waitress named Kayla. Mom said that Kayla must be new to waitressing because she was very pleasant. Perhaps if we catch her in a few months, it will be a different story. We hope not! She offered to bring Mom and I two waters and we gladly accepted. They quickly arrived in plastic glasses. Kayla also asked us if we would be having ice cream. We said yes, and she took away the silverware that was left on the table for us. After asking for a few moments to decide, Kayla returned to find that both Mom and I were getting the exact same thing - a Turtle Sundae made with three scoops of coffee ice cream ($5.09 each). This particular sundae is topped with hot fudge, caramel, walnuts, whipped cream, and a cherry. Kayla happily took our order to the open kitchen area, which is just part of the Newport Creamery charm.

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I always feel at home inside Newport Creamery. No matter which location you visit (either the two in Massachusetts or the 11 in Rhode Island), all of them look pretty much the same. Obviously, this happens with chain restaurants, but there's something cozy about this place. Perhaps it is the beige booths, tables, and dividers (there are are only booths and a counter at the Fall River location), or the striped wallpaper and colorful paper place mats with pictures of delicious food on them. Whatever it may be, I like Newport Creamery a lot better than I like Friendly's. Friendly's, to me, is always frantic, while Newport Creamery seems to attract a calmer crowd. There are hanging lights above each booth, and large windows all around the restaurant which are shaded by Venetian blinds when the sun's rays get a little overwhelming. Located next to the open kitchen are two coolers - one for ice cream cakes, and the other for tubs of Newport Creamery ice cream that are for sale. This area is also where you can walk in and order something to go, and on summer days, the outside window is open for ice cream and other cool treats.

Newport Creamery has it all. From breakfast to dessert, you can pretty much get anything your heart desires here, and the service is usually very good. Both Mom and I really enjoy their breakfasts, but we usually get a late start during the day and are too late to order it. We really wish the breakfast menu could be served past noon. What we really adore are the hash browns. Mom says that they resemble a little square fry more than the fried potatoes that people are used to - so delicious. Mom calls them "puffs of delight," and that's exactly what they are! I really enjoy their omelets and stuffed French toast. For people who are coming in for lunch or dinner, the options are almost endless. Starters include items like the Newport French fries ($2.59), popcorn chicken basket ($5.99), cheese quesadilla ($6.19), and buffalo chicken tenders ($6.99). You can also order soup, including Newport's famous clam chowder (cup - $2.69; bowl - $3.69; bread boule - $4.69). Sandwiches include the Newport clubs ($7.19) featuring the Big Beef cheeseburger, tuna salad, chicken salad, ham and turkey, deli sandwiches ($6.49), and Mega Melts ($7.19), which features ham and cheese, tuna and cheddar, or turkey and Swiss served with tomato on grilled New York deli rye. All sandwiches are served with your choice of fries, seasoned fries, potato salad, cole slaw, broccoli, vegetable medley, or mashed potatoes with gravy. Salads include the Executive Chef's salad ($6.89), the sesame pineapple chicken salad ($7.19), and the salad and half chicken quesadilla ($6.09). Newport Creamery has a variety of chicken sandwiches including the BBQ and cheddar ($7.39), and a steak and seafood menu that includes steak sandwiches ($6.39) and a New Englander fish sandwich ($5.99). I always hear good things about the burgers here, and it's probably because Newport Creamery uses 100% fresh Black Angus beef. Burgers range from the Big Beef ($5.69) to the Smoky Mountain BBQ Superburger ($7.79), which is a half pound burger topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, onions, and BBQ sauce, served on a bulkie roll with lettuce and tomatoes. If that doesn't satisfy your craving for meat, perhaps you can try to take on the Holy Cow burger ($8.69), featuring a whole pound of beef served club style (probably because it's easier to get it in your mouth). Newport Creamery also has a list of comfort foods such as their chicken pot pie ($6.99 - but it's seasonal), fried clam dinner ($7.29), and the fresh battered fish and chips dinner ($7.59). However, some people have never even eaten a meal here! They just come for their award-winning ice cream. You can get anything from an ice cream soda ($3.49), to their famous Awful Awful ($3.59 and up). The motto is that it's "awful big, awful good," and they're right. However, my mother thinks that it is weird that, to make an Awful Awful, you have to start with a vanilla base. Why would you when you have all the flavors right in front of you? I tried to explain that a frappe is made with flavored ice cream, but I understand what she means. She's just looking for more flavor in her drink, and who doesn't want that? Other ice cream treats include the clown sundae ($2.49), the Super Chipper ($2.79) which is a giant ice cream sandwich on a cookie, and their large list of gourmet sundaes. You can even be brave and order the Holy Cow sundae ($9.99), that is, if you're willing to eat ten scoops of ice cream, four toppings, banana wheels, and walnuts.

It did not take long for our ice cream to arrive. Both sundaes looked amazing, although mine seemed to be leaking. Mom was in heaven because she was eating her favorite treat - coffee ice cream. What she enjoys about the sundaes from Newport Creamery is the fact that the ice cream is always nice and firm. She doesn't like when the toppings overwhelm the ice cream, making it mushy. The whipped cream topping was real and delicious. Mom's only gripe was, although the toppings were fresh, they could have been a little warmer. Perhaps they would have jelled with the ice cream more instead of clumping at the bottom of her glass, making it look like there were more toppings than ice cream. Either way, she thoroughly enjoyed her sundae, and said that it is a great size for the price.

I feel the same way about the toppings. I even think that maybe they went a little too heavy with them as I couldn't even get my spoon into the ice cream without some liquid pouring down the side of my glass. By the time I had finished, I had accumulated a small puddle of goo on my paper place mat. Although the sundae was delicious, this is not the first time that I've had a messy experience with one. Nevertheless, I stuffed my face until I couldn't even move. I love ice cream.

When she realized that Mom and I were through, Kayla returned to bring the bill. The total came to:

2 Turtle Sundaes - $10.18

2 Waters - 0

Subtotal - $10.18

Tax - .51

TOTAL = $10.69

Mom left $13 in the bill holder for Kayla, which included 20% tip, as we slowly made our way toward the front door. As we got into my car, we both commented on how much we like Newport Creamery. It may not be everyone's first choice for breakfast, lunch, or a sundae, but it has always been a part of my family's eating history, and I can't wait to go back again. I'm just sorry that they removed the Swansea Mall and Silver City Galleria locations. I know how popular they were. Perhaps they could make a return?

The Newport Creamery in Fall River is located at 1670 President Avenue. The hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Breakfast is served until 11 a.m. on weekdays, 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, and 12 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call (508) 678-6346.

Cold Stone Creamery

www.coldstonecreamery.com

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Usually for my birthday, I like to have an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins. However, this year I decided to try one of Cold Stone Creamery's signature cakes - the Coffee House Crunch. As described on the Cold Stone Web site, this cake consists of layers of moist devil's food cake, coffee ice cream, and Heath bar pieces wrapped in a rich fudge ganache. Now everyone that reads New England Bites knows that Mom is a big fan of coffee ice cream, however, I am just as big a fan, and couldn't wait to dig into this delicious-sounding cake. Mom called in an order to the Seekonk, MA, location last Thursday, and the staff was going to have it ready for pickup by 2 p.m. today.

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Because we had gotten a late start, and because we stopped for lunch at the Old Country Buffet (housed in the same parking lot), we didn't hit Cold Stone until about 5:15 p.m. Cold Stone is set into a large plaza between a Payless ShoeSource and a GameStop. Unless you're specifically looking for it, you may actually miss the sign. I had to do a double take myself when looking for it for the first time.

Once inside, we were greeted by a large freezer filled with their signature ice cream cakes. The prices of these cakes are a little outrageous. The 4" petite round is $7.50 (serves 2), the 6" small round is $23 (serves 8), the 8" medium round is $35 (serves 14), the 8x12" medium rectangle is $47 (serves 25), and the 12x18" large rectangle is $70 (serves 50). The list of signature cakes is quite extensive, consisting of creations like A Cheesecake Named Desire, Cookies & Creamery, Peanut Butter Playground, and Mmmmmmint Chip. We briefly waited at the counter before being noticed by a friendly server. Mom explained that she was picking up a cake, and the server quickly went in the back to retrieve it. Seconds later, a second server came over and asked if Mom needed help. Mom, again, explained that she was picking up a cake, sending the second server off in the back to search for it. Considering we were the only two people in the store, it was strange how confused they had gotten.

Mom and I have been to Cold Stone a few times, but we have never been to this location. We used to make the drive to Newport, RI, but it's nice to have a Cold Stone a little closer to home. Both locations are exactly the same in setup, leaving very little room for customers considering the store, at least the Newport location, is always quite busy. The glass counter is lined with Cold Stone's endless variety of mix-ins, ranging from different fruits, nuts, chocolates, and assorted goodies like gummy worms and peanut butter cups. Before choosing an ice cream from the long list of flavors, and picking your mix-ins, you have to specify which size you want. The sizes are Like It (5 oz.), Love It (8 oz.), and Gotta Have It (12 oz.). You can also choose from one of Cold Stone's many creations, such as the Apple Pa A La Cold Stone, Coffee Lovers Only, Nights in White Chocolate, The Pie Who Loved Me, Birthday Cake Remix, and several others. You can also custom order your creation. After your server is done gathering all your ingredients together, they slap it all down on a frozen granite stone and start the mixing process. Like a paint brush on a plain canvas, each fold brings in an array of color and texture to the sweet dessert. I love the way they do this because instead of just toppings, the add-ins really become a part of the ice cream. With every bite, there is a little something extra. The prices, however, are a bit shocking. I can tell you that Mom paid over $13 for two large signature creation cones at the Newport store. A bit insane, don't you think? Cold Stone also offers shakes, smoothies, and 32 oz. Grab-N-Go quarts of their signature ice cream creations.

As if paying $13+ for two ice cream cones isn't unsettling enough - they sing at you. Although no one sang on this occasion, I've unfortunately been at the Newport location during one of their "shows." Since I detest that sort of thing, I decided to wait outside for Mom as the servers belted out some stupid tune. Apparently they're known for the random acts of song, but thankfully I wasn't subjected to anything of that nature on today's visit.

Cold Stone is mostly decorated with pictures of their signature creations, and there is a large display menu above the counter that lists all of the prices for their treats. The Seekonk location was very clean, and the glass along the freezer doors and the counter tops was spotless. A few minutes went by before two servers brought out my birthday cake. It was beautiful. Mom didn't notice where they had written "Happy Birthday Laura," and instead of showing her where they'd written it, the servers just said, "Yeah, it has writing on it." Thankfully I noticed the purple writing before the cake was placed into the large Cold Stone bag. The total came to $35. After paying, I told Mom that for $35, the cake had better be the best ice cream cake we have ever tasted.

When we got home, Mom got out a large knife and began to slice through the ganache. Although there were some pre-existing lines already drawn into the cake, we assumed they were just decorative because cutting along those lines would have given you a humongous piece. Mom cut each "piece" in half, and that was just enough for a slice.

Topped with large pieces of Heath Bar, this cake was outstanding. The chocolate cake was surprisingly moist considering it was made to remain frozen. The coffee ice cream with the Heath pieces was smooth, creamy, and delicious. The only downside was the ganache - it was way too thick and sweet. I found myself eating around the ganache, and for $35 we shouldn't have to leave pieces of the cake behind. All four of us - Mom, Dad, Mallory, and myself - thoroughly enjoyed this cake. So far, my 29th year has started off with a bang, and it's all thanks to my Cold Stone Creamery cake.

Mister Peepers' Ice Cream

179 G A R Highway

Swansea, MA 02777

(508) 324-0742

www.mrpeepersicecream.com

UPDATE: Due to the response I received from my good friend, Amy, I decided to visit Mister Peepers' again to try one of their famous ice cream cakes. Amy told me that she gets one every year for her birthday, and since I know that she has great taste, I decided to see what all the fuss was about. She told me that Mister Peepers' sells individual cake slices, so I was interested to see what those would be like. After bumming some money off Mom I set out to Swansea to get a few pieces of cake. When I got there, there was a gentleman behind the counter gathering up treats to put into the freezer. I spotted the cake slices right away. They come in triangular plastic containers and are made with three layers of ice cream - two vanillas and one chocolate, plus two layers of cake crunch. I grabbed two slices and a Mister Peepers' menu. The total came to $6.09 (each slice is $2.90 plus tax), and I was glad to see that the slices were quite inexpensive. I quickly drove back over the Braga Bridge and ran the slices upstairs to my apartment. As Mom and I dug in, we both remarked at how cold the slices had stayed during the ride home. We found the cakes heavenly, each bite containing an equal amount of chocolate and vanilla ice cream, and the yummy cake crunchies. The slice was just enough for one person, and both of us finished our cake in record time. It was that good! Mom and I both think that this cake tasted better than the Carvel cakes, which are very similar in the ingredients. You can tell the cake is homemade, and we were very glad to see that it was unlike Carvel because our pieces were nice and hearty - a trait that the Carvel slices seems to lack. I am officially moving Mister Peepers' out of the "so-so" range and into the "good," simply because of their delicious cake. Although their ice cream cones were average, everyone should stop by and try a slice of cake. You won't be sorry!

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Date: 7/28/2007

After Mom and I came from seeing the movie Hairspray, we were looking for a cool treat. We attempted to visit Simcock Farm in Swansea, but the lines were extremely long and we didn't feel like waiting around (Simcock is sometimes slow on the service). As we were heading up to Eskimo King, we came across Mister Peepers'. Although we'd been here before, and weren't that crazy about it, we decided that it would suit our ice cream needs for the time being.

We parked in the back and walked around to the front to go inside. Mister Peepers' is a very small home-like building on a busy street corner. Although I never see it packed, I do usually see cars parked along both sides of the tiny house. When Mom and I walked in we were facing a large freezer that housed their specialty ice cream cakes and other cool delights like sundaes and bars. Since we were just there for a soft serve cone, I asked the staffer what the flavors were. She pointed to a sign on the door that advertised about eight different soft serve flavors.

There were two girls working there, and the one that was serving us was quite polite. The other girl was busy moving boxes of stuff around the tiny work area. I ordered a medium mocha cappuccino cone, while Mom ordered a small coffee and cream cup. Both were served up extremely fast, partly because all it was was vanilla ice cream with a "flavor shot" swirled around the edges. It wasn't really coffee or cappuccino ice cream. Although I didn't notice the individual prices, the total came to $5.36 for both treats.


The ice cream was good. It was cool, smooth, creamy, and just what we were looking for on a hot day. My cone had hints of mocha cappuccino, but you could tell it was just plain vanilla ice cream with a kick. Mom's "coffee" cup tasted like a rich vanilla ice cream with a heavy coffee swirl. She said it actually tasted too much like coffee syrup. Although both were delicious, neither knocked us over with the taste. We love ice cream, and it certainly served its purpose in cooling us off. However, we've had better.

We'd been to Mister Peepers' before, and I also visited this place with my sister. On our first visit we ordered two large swirl cones. They tasted so much like frosting that Mom and I both got sick afterwards from the nauseating sweetness. My sister, who loves all things frosting, thought it was the most delicious thing she's ever tasted.

Although they have shakes, sundaes, cones, cups, and other treats, their main advertisement is their ice cream cakes. I'd like to give them a try, but I'm a little skeptical. I love ice cream as much as the next person, but there is such a thing as "too sweet," and Mister Peepers' seems to hit that nail right on the head. I wish I could have given it a higher rating, but like I said, to us it wasn't anything special.

Rita's

www.ritasice.com

I had never had a frozen custard before. Although I did try to hit up a frozen custard establishment in Hyannis, it was unsuccessful as the place had closed (thanks for nothing, Dottie's). A few days ago, Mom sent me an e-mail link for a chain called Rita's. They have locations around the country, but a local branch is in Warwick, RI. Rita's tag line is "Ice-Custard-Happiness." I thought I'd hit the custard jackpot! I was finally going to get to try one.

After a delicious lunch at Romano's Macaroni Grill, we decided to head up to Rita's, which is only six minutes away (on Post Road). We found Rita's in a tiny strip mall on a busy street corner. The place is tiny, and although there is a door, I'm not sure if patrons are allowed to go in. They have two large order windows on either side of the door, with huge signs of all their fantastic treats with their prices.

Although I already knew what I was getting, it was fun taking a look at all the different choices that Rita's offers. This is definitely not your ordinary ice cream stand. In fact, ice cream is not even served here! They're main delicacy is Italian ice, and they certain had a lot of interesting flavors available, such as raspberry lemonade, pina colada, pistachio, cherry, banana split cream, green apple, mango, root beer, tangerine, watermelon, citrus blast, and island fusion. There is a party bucket available if you wish to share your favorite flavor with friends, and bottled water is sold if you're just looking for a quick thirst quencher. Both Mom and I set our sights on the frozen custard, which came in vanilla, chocolate, coffee, and strawberry. Since we'd just eaten, we each ordered a kids' size cup (*$2.19) of strawberry for me and coffee for Mom. The girl behind the counter was very helpful in showing us how big the sizes were, and waited patiently while we decided what we wanted. In what seemed like seconds, both cups were ready for us and only cost a mere $4.73. What a deal!

*Prices do not include sales tax.