How many of you will admit to
planning your overnight stops along the ICW to coincide with your favorite ice
cream shop? I know there are more than just the two of us who think about that
creamy, delicious cone waiting at our next favorite stop. After cruising up and
down the ICW for almost 20 years, we have definitely found some yummy
temptations.
But first, some interesting ice
cream tidbits. Although the Chinese have been making flavored ices well before
the birth of Christ, the Italians and French claim to have made the first
containing milk or cream in the 1600s. Ice cream’s first mentions in U.S. history
were around 1700.
Also, have you ever wondered why
the ice cream you get in parlors is so much tastier than anything you ever find
at the supermarket? That is because many of those creamy concoctions never see
the inside of a grocery store. Ice cream manufacturers, such as Greenwood in Georgia and
Working Cow in Florida,
produce their ice creams only for restaurants and parlors. But now, down to the
business of identifying those special places to feed your cravings.
The Chesapeake
- Virginia
We found a new “add to the top
10” ice cream shop on our recent trip down the ICW – Chitterchats in Reedville, VA.
We had been eating dinner in the nearby, Crazy Crab restaurant, and I had been
tempted to try their Key Lime Pie (hmmm…another whole article on “Best Key Lime
Pie on the Waterway”). Our dining companions said, “oh no, if you are craving
sweets, you must go to Chitterchats.” This shop is exactly what one would
expect from an ice cream shop. Plenty of tables and chairs, brightly painted
and smiling faces behind the counter. The owner is usually there with her staff
to great customers. Then, the big decision; which flavor to chose. My husband
always goes for the chocolate. And the more chocolatey (is that even a word?),
the better. I tend to go for really sweet and decadent. I overheard the word
coconut, even though I hadn’t seen that particular selection as I gazed
longingly through the glass at the creamy, dreamy selections. “Coconut?” I
asked. “We have all of the flavors on the board, not just the ones in the
display case,” the smiling young girl said. “I’ll have one scoop of coconut and
one of peanut butter/oreo/white chocolate,” I replied. My husband went for, you
guessed it, Chocolate Decadence. In retrospect, I think this shop may be in our
top 5. Word has it, locals also go here for the latest gossip, hence the name.
I’ll go back for the ice cream, thanks. What a treat!
North Carolina
After you come down the Cape Fear River, preferably not in rolling, breaking
waves with wind and current opposed, and you pull into the Provision Company
for some nice fresh seafood, why not top off your meal with, wait for it, ice
cream! All you have to do is walk out the front door of the restaurant, which
by the way has great food and service, turn left and you will see ICE CREAM, in
big letters at Flava’s. You can’t miss it. This day’s selections would be Rocky Road for the
hubby (chocolate all the way) and Birthday Cake for me. I have a confession to
make. I really have a thing for Birthday Cake ice cream. You get the painfully
sweet icing part, usually blue, little bits of yummy cake and, if you are
lucky, some crunchy bits of brightly colored white chocolate. My granddaughter
and I share this passion. I tried their Birthday Cake and it was good. A nice
end to a seafood meal.
South Carolina
After you pass through the hustle
and bustle of Little River and the Rock Pile, you’ll need to stop at Barefoot
Landing. Otherwise, you’ll have difficulty passing the Maggie Moos beckoning
you right next to the Waterway. You may save your waistline if there is no room
to tie up, but rest assured, another stop awaits you less than a day’s cruise away.
I can not count how many times we
have been into Harvest Moon ice cream in Georgetown,
but there is a second shop, Sweeties, there as well. When nothing but a cold
cone will do, either of these shops will fit the bill. Both shops are right on Front Street. The
selections are plentiful and again, service with a smile. Who wouldn’t like
working in an ice cream shop??
Beaufort has their ice cream shop,
Southern Sweets Ice Cream Parlor, hidden in the Old Bay Marketplace on Bay Street. Across the
street from the waterfront, you will enter the mall. Near the entrance on the
right, tucked quietly away, is the ice cream parlor. They have many selections
to chose from and this is a true, old-fashioned store. Marilyn and Jack Sheehy
started the parlor in 2001 and are wonderful hosts. They serve Greenwood ice cream and Marilyn has even
added a lunch menu with homemade salads. Stop by to say hello and sample one of
the many flavors. You are also invited to create your own frozen concoction and
have it named for you.
Georgia
It is well worth the trip up the Savannah River to sample Leopold’s Ice Cream. They have
been in business for almost 100 years and all of the ice cream is made on the
premises from their own secret recipes. A short walk down Abercorn to Broughton Street
from the waterfront will have you there in no time. This place is a feast for
the eyes and ears as well with 10 cent jukebox and original décor.
Florida
Fortunately, you don’t have to go
far into Florida
to get your first fix. Fernandina
Beach houses probably one
of the most visited ice cream shops along the Waterway. About four blocks from
the marina, this gem, Fantastic Fudge, makes and sells fudge and other candy.
Their Birthday Cake ice cream is some of the best that I have ever had. Fantastic
Fudge proudly sells Florida’s
own Working Cow ice cream. You will likely find a line here, which is fine.
One, you get more time to make up your mind and two, you know it must be good
if this many people are waiting in line for it. I have to recommend the
Raspberry Haze.
You won’t have to walk far from
the Stuart waterfront to find ice cream. It boasts a Kilwin’s, G&G Gelato
and Kelly’s Kones all within a three or four block radius! One’s too crowded,
keep going to the next one! We just can’t walk past Kilwin’s without stopping.
Although not technically ice
cream, it is a frozen treat and also my other fave dessert - the frozen key
lime pie on a stick dipped in dark chocolate. Of course, this had to have
originated in Key West.
The Blond Giraffe and other key lime pie companies sell this sweet feast for
the taste buds. You can find this in the Keys at a number if locations. I had
the good fortune to find dipped cheesecake on a stick at a boat show on the Chesapeake last summer. I
suggested to the guy he might want to branch out into key lime pie…
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