FFD County - Ice Cream

[amanda3571]

I was looking at hotel96's post of a multi-state ice cream tour over on the NE board, http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/621902, and wondered where there are, if any, homemade ice cream shops in FFD County. I know we've got Dr. Mike's in Bethel....and per h96's ice cream tour, there is Timothy's in Bridgeport (never heard of). What else? Anything closer? There are plenty of BR, Carvels, Coldstone (YUCK) etc.... Anywhere to go for the real deal?

[a_w_taylor]

Timothy's in Black Rock is my favorite - hands down. I've been going there since I was a kid. They had the slab to mix your ingredients in long before Cold Stone ever made an appearance. My Dad coined the term "smoosh-ins" for our custom creations.

Might have to head there this weekend!

[Ima Foodie]

Best ice cream I've ever had was at Walnut Beach Creamery in Milford - very interesting flavor combinations and very fresh.

[harrie]

It's not closer to.Stamford, but it is in Fairfield County, and it's worth the trip to check out Ferris Acres in Newtown.
http://www.ferrisacrescreamery.com/ab...

And they offer Maple Walnut.

[CTburgerlover]

FERRIS ACRES, that's it. This is a GREAT recommendation. Could not remember the name, but once you go you'll never forget the ice cream.

[adamclyde]

I really like the homemade ice cream you get at Meli-Melo in Greenwich on Greenwich ave. Really like their hazelnut...

[amanda3571]

This sounds delish. I'm going to be on the Ave this afternoon. Thanks! :)

[adamclyde]

it's probably been 3 years since I had ice cream there, but I doubt their quality has changed. Let me know how it is. It's not cheap. Probably around $4.50, but it's high quality and comes in a big waffle cone, which I love.

[amanda3571]

I actually forgot....I got out of an appt and all I could think of was "oh I'm right near Greenwich Prime Meats" :) Picked up some steaks, salad, and crisp onions for dinner. God I miss Maneros. Will be on the Ave next week, so I'm making a mental note now to stop at Meli-Melo! Hopefully it won't be near dinner time again.

[marcia2]

It's hands down the best ice cream I've had in the area. The flavors are intense and wonderful. For instance, the mint is made with real, fresh mint, not flavoring or extract and you can taste the difference.

[Johnct]

Not homemade ice cream but "smaller" production is Longford's in Old Greenwich, and then a Gelato option at Darlene's just further down the road ice ceam - not homemade either.

[luvarugula]

Not exactly ice cream, but very good homemade gelato at Helados Vazquez on Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport (in the Black Rock area).

[jfood]

the jfoods were driving back from brunch in the city and were looking for an ice cream spot along the Merriitt. The only store we could think of was Gofer. Jfood has never been so passed. Have you been there yet?

And if jfood wants a great frozan treat his go to spot is Gelatissimo in NC on Forest St around the corner from Joe's Pizza.

Years ago when the little jfoods were home he went to Mr Shanes in Ridgefield and the place in Wilton (mayne the name was scoops) behind the little gourmet shopping store near the Post Office. But jfood is not sure either are still open.

[ChefBoyAreMe]

Seconding Mr Food's reco on Gelatissimo...as long as gelato qualifies as ice cream under your definition. Home made and delicious!

Gofer is just so-so...there is one in the same building as 1020 Post Rd and Ole Mole in Darien, so it is GD (Geographically Desirable), but nothing special, and not home made.

Sunny Day's near Shippan in Stamford is OK...it has one big thing to recommend it, in my book. CT is technically part of New England, and it shocks me that no place around seems to carry that New England classic flavor (the Northeast's equivalent to Italy's nocciolo, aka hazelnut--the national flavor)....Maple Walnut. It isn't even a great maple walnut, but wins by default since I know of nowhere else around to get it.

Last, for a homey feeling (though the ice cream is not technically home made), there is Brendan's 101 in Rowayton, near Rowaton Seafood. A regular stop for the Chef family on summer Sat or Sun evenings (look for the yellow jeep)

[jfood]

There is also an ice creamplace in Norwalk across the river from SONO next to Harbor Lights.

Anyone been?

[ChefBoyAreMe]

NoI, but sounds like it would be worth trying whenever I actually try that outside seafood shack I heard is right around there, too.

[jfood]

CBAM

Manage your expectations of the shack. you may need the ice cream to satisfy your chowhound instincts.

[ChefBoyAreMe]

Sage council.

Not a geography that is a usual pass by for me, and sounds like not worth a special trip. So, it'll probably only happen if I find myself in the area at the same time I'm looking for a bite.

[Avalondaughter]

Are you referring to Mr. Chubby's? I love that place. The ice cream is good, but nothing special, but they have great sundaes and I just love the vibe of the place.

[amanda3571]

Gelato most certainly qualifies! I miss the gelato guy in Stamford, who used to serve out of his little shack down in the Cove. If it ever stops raining, I'll check out Gelatissimo.

As for Gofer, the name is so so unappealing to me, I doubt I'll ever set foot in there. Sunny Daes is ok, and it's close. I will also check out Scoops in Wilton.

[ChefBoyAreMe]

Sante!!!

Gelato Paradiso!!!

He moved up to the Wilton/Ridgefield border on RT 7 after closing in Stamford, right by the Nissan dealer. he was there for a couple of years, but disappeared. I heard they relocated to Florida, but don't know where, exactly.

[amanda3571]

Yes, Sante!!! I went up to Rte 7 a few yrs back a couple of times for his gelato, he also had containers at the now defunct Cafe Bria. His gelato was the best. I miss it.

[gillyweed]

Another flavor Sunny Daes has that I don't frequently see outside of New England is Moose Tracks. May not be a "classic" like Maple Walnut - but it is one of my faves! I grew up in NH and worked summers at a popular ice cream place (Johnson's Dairy Bar for those familiar with Rt 4 in NH). Sunny Daes isn't as good as what I grew up with, but I prefer it to BR, Carvel, or Dairy Queen.

[ChefBoyAreMe]

Brendan's 101 has Moose Tracks...Check it out:

http://www.brendans101.com/icecream.html

[gillyweed]

Thanks! I will definitely give it a try.

[hungrykids]

Moose Tracks is made by Hershey's (I think)...in any event, it's not homemade. I've had it at the place just up the road from Target in Bethel (can't think of the name - maybe Double Freeze or something like that????) and saw it somewhere else locally recently but don't remember that, either. (Helpful, huh???) Either I need more ice cream to nourish my brain or I've had too much ice cream and the brain cells are frozen and not working properly....

[ChefBoyAreMe]

I know Hershey's probably owns the TM, and the production may be outsourced, but this weekend I noticed the tubs in the freezer at 101 had a different name on them---Something Creamery, I think...didn't write it down, and now have forgotten.

[gillyweed]

Sunny Daes in Stamford - right near Cummings Park.

[hungrykids]

We like Mr. Shane's in Ridgefield and Scoops in Wilton (not sure if they make their own, however).

Dr. Mike's, in Bethel, is in Fairfield County, which is what your post asks for. What do you mean by "anything closer?"

[amanda3571]

Sorry I should have clarified SW Fairfield County. I'm in the Stamford/Norwalk area. Dr. Mike's is an old fave but it's a hike from here.