I thought in honor of being in Italy this week, what better way to celebrate Foodie Friday than with a feature about a tradition in New York - Italian Ices!
On hot summer nights, one of my favorite things to do with my family is to take a drive over to Ralph's for a refreshing cold ice. Sometimes, the promise of getting ices is enough to get my kids to listen throughout the day - yes, I bribe them with an icy treat!!
As we were getting prepared to leave for Italy this week, I needed the kids to help out with finalizing their packing of suitcases and carry-on bags the day before leaving. This is something they were not keen on and much preferred to play on their electronics. I told them if they cooperated with me, that we would end the day with a bon voyage trip to Ralph's.
On hot summer nights, one of my favorite things to do with my family is to take a drive over to Ralph's for a refreshing cold ice. Sometimes, the promise of getting ices is enough to get my kids to listen throughout the day - yes, I bribe them with an icy treat!!
As we were getting prepared to leave for Italy this week, I needed the kids to help out with finalizing their packing of suitcases and carry-on bags the day before leaving. This is something they were not keen on and much preferred to play on their electronics. I told them if they cooperated with me, that we would end the day with a bon voyage trip to Ralph's.
Before I tell you about our enjoyable visit, let me give you a little history. Ralph's Famous Italian Ices was founded 85 years ago by an Italian immigrant named Ralph Silvestro on Staten Island. Today, it's a third generation family-run business with 79 franchised locations throughout New York City, Long Island and New Jersey.
The menu is super colossal with an enormous list of flavors in a variety of icy cold treat categories. The great thing about their massive selection is has plenty of options for both vegans and non-vegans. This is always an important factor these days, because I get really excited when I find places that will accommodate the eating needs of both Travelin' Cousins for our cousins' visits!
The menu is super colossal with an enormous list of flavors in a variety of icy cold treat categories. The great thing about their massive selection is has plenty of options for both vegans and non-vegans. This is always an important factor these days, because I get really excited when I find places that will accommodate the eating needs of both Travelin' Cousins for our cousins' visits!
Choosing a flavor and type of cold delight can be a little daunting, to say the least. Their menu includes 38 flavors of Water ice (great for vegans!), over 65 flavors of Sherbert ("Creme Ice"), 15 milk-based drinks, 24 varieties of Fruit Smoothies (8 of which are fat-free), 10 Signature Ice Cream Sundaes with over 20 different flavors of hard and soft ice cream, and two really cool Ralph Original Creations - Icebergs and Twisters, which combine both Ices and ice cream for a decadent cold thrill! Whew! I have to take a breath, after that lengthy list! I mean, is that an insane number of choices or what?!
So, we all piled in the car after dinner- me, Tedd, Gianna, Kelsey and Rebecca for a farewell evening of sweets. I have to tell you, I get very overwhelmed with all the choices! Usually, when we go, I have to study their menu beforehand to decide what I'm going to order. This time, I made up my mind to go with a small Sherbet (which has 3 scoops) with Banana Fudge, Cookies 'n Cream and Pistachio! And let me tell you, this was a killer choice!!
So, we all piled in the car after dinner- me, Tedd, Gianna, Kelsey and Rebecca for a farewell evening of sweets. I have to tell you, I get very overwhelmed with all the choices! Usually, when we go, I have to study their menu beforehand to decide what I'm going to order. This time, I made up my mind to go with a small Sherbet (which has 3 scoops) with Banana Fudge, Cookies 'n Cream and Pistachio! And let me tell you, this was a killer choice!!
RALPH'S PISTACHIO, BANANA FUDGE & COOKIES & CREAM SHERBET.
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The combination of the smooth banana with the deep, decadence of the chocolate fudge and the lightness of the cookies 'n cream was making my tastebuds do a little happy dance. But, then I bit into the Pistachio, with it's mellow flavor and crunchy nuts and I zoned out on all the yummy goodness! (Anyone who knows me, knows I'm a pistachio freak, so, at the risk of being totally predictable, I had to get my fix of this flavor with whatever else I ordered).
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The kids were in heaven as well. Gianna got Cotton Candy; Kelsey went out of the box with Cherry Cola and Blue Hawaii. Rebecca didn't want that much, but decided on one scoop of Blue Hawaii, and Tedd, ever the plain guy, went with Cherry ice.
Nothing better than Ralph's on a Summer night!
-Elisa
Nothing better than Ralph's on a Summer night!
-Elisa
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