Oddfellows Ice Cream Co, Closing Their Williamsburg Shop

It is this heartbroken blogger's bitter burden to inform you that Oddfellows Ice Cream Co. is closing their original ice cream shop in Williamsburg.  Oddfellows (and this particular location specifically) is my go-to ice cream destination in New York City.  They create a wide and ever-rotating menu of French custard style ice creams in some of the most unique flavors you can find.  So why is this sad occasion the first you are reading about them here?  Because I was saving them for a special entry; a mile marker anniversary or special event, and because you never think your favorite, every day ice cream spot where you know the scoop artists by name, can recommend flavor choices to strangers, and have a "free scoop for life" card (that you worked VERY hard to get) could ever be gone.

But that day has come and before they close the doors tonight on their last day in their original home, I had better tell you all about it.  If you find yourself inspired by this post and craving the amazing things I am about to describe, they still have three other locations in New York (and, I have just discovered, a new location in Boston) where you can get their fantastic creations.

I heard the sorrowful news when a friend dutifully tagged my Instagram account @nycicecreamadventure in the comments to their announcement.  I gathered up some ice cream lovers and headed over to eat as much ice cream as possible and with my eyes sparking ask "but why???"  While I did not get an official answer on the record, my impression is that it has to do with the fact that they have moved their production to a different site, so the kitchen (which is a big part of their Williamsburg location) is no longer in use, which is a poor use of real estate.  There are rumors that a new location will open in the neighborhood, maybe as soon as they start of the 2020 ice cream season.  Our fingers are crossed.

What I got: Flight with a scoop each of Pumpkin Pie, Tea and Scones, Thai Iced Tea, Dark Chocolate Peppermint, Mango Sorbet, Cookie Jar.

What Greg got: Olive Oil Plum and Almond Date Pomegranate in a cup.

What Justin got: Flight with a scoop each of Miso Cherry, Thai Iced Tea, Tea and Scones, Olive Oil Plum, Strawberry Jam, Cookie Jar (with a pint each to take home of Miso Cherry and Chocolate Peppermint)

The flavors at Oddfellows are incredible.  The Thai Iced Tea ice cream tastes just like the drink.  Through the year they make a variety of olive oil flavors that are an "only at Oddfellows" favorite.  No matter what you get, you can expect big, balanced flavors in perfectly formed scoops.  For an extra touch of wonderful, get your ice cream in their home made waffle cones that have just a hint of cinnamon and a whole lot of love.

Just a small sampling of Oddfellows offerings

When I first started this blog, I decided to keep track of every flavor of ice cream I had at Oddfellows.  I had to stop after a while, but here they are in no particular order:

• Chocotorta
• Dark Chocolate Chunk
• Black Sesame Almond and Matcha soft serve swirl
• Buttermilk Honey Blueberry
• Burnt Marshmallow*
• Matcha Rocky Road
• Coconut Sticky Rice
• Mochi Ice Cream Dumplings - Matcha, Jackfruit, Lychee with salted coconut sauce
• Burnt Marshmallow and Butternut Squash soft serve swirl
• Thai Iced Tea*
• Matcha White Chocolate
• Taro and Chocolate soft serve swirl
• Pumpkin Smores
• Pecan Pie
• Coffee Crunch
• Tres Leches
• Cinnamon Pear
• Cookies and Cream
• Black Forest
• Tiramisu
• Chocolate peppermint
• Santa's Treat ice cream sandwich  
• Brown Butter Sage*
• Lamington
• Hokey Pokie
• Tim Tam Slam
• Matcha Crunch
• Banana Pudding
• Chaja
• Peanut Butter Smores
• Mint Cookie Chip*
• Strawberry
• Caramel Chocolate Crisp
• German Chocolate Cake
• Red Velvet soft serve
• Peeps Massacre
• Blueberry soft serve
• Coffee and Cream
• Caramel, Chocolate, Toffee
• Neapolitan 
• Sprinkles....

*denote favorites

And that is far from all of it.

Just some of the magical ice cream moments I've had at Oddfellows

While this is a sad farewell to my favorite scoop shop, Oddfellows Ice Cream is far from over. Go visit them at one of their other locations:
East Village: 75 East 4th St., New York, NY 10003
Soho: 55 East Houston St., New York, NY 10012
Dumbo: 60 Water St, Brooklyn NY 11201

The Rundown:
Where: Oddfellows Ice Cream Co.
https://www.oddfellowsnyc.com/
What they're known for: Delicious original flavors
A single cup or cone: $5.00
Most Extreme Menu Item: Varies, locations have different specialties
Lactose Free/Vegan Option: There is always a vegan and sorbet option
Non-ice cream menu options: Beverages, cookies, brownies

My final ice cream at the original Oddfellows location

Davey's Ice Cream: Williamsburg

This week brought me on a nocturnal ice cream adventure.  The good news is that in New York City many ice creameries keep their doors open late for us sweet-toothed night owls.  Davey's Ice Cream specifically boasts on their website that they are "always open late." 

While the original, and slightly bigger, Davey's can be found in Manhattan's East Village, the Williamsburg location is on my regular path and is the perfect place to stop in for a cool treat. The two have the same heart, with just a few differences: they will sometimes have a different flavor or two, the atmosphere and decor are slightly different, and the Williamsburg shop exclusively offers full service espresso.   I am eagerly waiting for their two new locations to open in Chinatown and Greenpoint, due this spring according to the website.

Davey's makes all their ice cream in house using local and seasonal ingredients, creating both traditional and more adventurous flavors.  The scoop artists are excited to make recommendations and offer samples.  Right now they are raving about their Speculoos Chocolate Chip, which started as a seasonal flavor and has found its place on the permanent menu.  

What I Got: Nutella Chocolate Chunk and Berry Brownie Batter Split (two smaller scoops) in a Fancy Cone
What Greg Got: Rosemary Brown Butter

This was a truly satisfying cone, and a big reason for that was the cone itself.  A Fancy Cone at Davey's is a waffle cone dipped in dark chocolate with sprinkles.  The chocolate was a perfect match for both of the flavors I got.  Berries and chocolate?  Check.  Nutella and chocolate? Of course.  All three?  Perfect.  The sprinkles satisfied my desire to have a topping.  I usually avoid all toppings on cones because of the guaranteed mess they will create, but if they are stuck to the cone there's no mess and only more fun.  The cone itself was fortified by the chocolate so there was no crumbling or cone-splosions as I ate it.

The flavors at Davey's are on point.  One of my favorite summer treats is to put fresh raspberries on chocolate ice cream.  It is simple, refreshing, and incredibly satisfying. The Berry Brownie Batter is a perfect stand in as I anxiously wait for the weather to warm and summer fruits to come into season.  It calls to the summer, and reminds me that it is almost here.

I tend to find Nutella overpowering.  It can be too sweet and the nuttiness can be abrasive.  Davey's Nutella Chocolate Chunk is perfectly balanced.  It has a satisfying hazelnut flavor that lives in harmony with its chocolate chunks.  The ice cream does not have the piercing sweetness of its namesake's spread.  It is creamy and refreshing and just the right amount of nuttiness for this nut.

Can we talk about rosemary ice cream for a moment?  I've had it here (including sampling it while I selected this adventure's treat) and from other enlightened ice cream craftsmen.  Rosemary ice cream should be everywhere.  We don't bat an eye at chocolate, fruit, or caramel based flavors.  Anything that we think of as sweet is fair game, but when it comes to a flavor like rosemary, many treat seekers become wary.  I mentioned in my last post that mint is my go-to flavor.  We need to invite more herbs to the party.  When you hear rosemary, you think savory.  I get it, savory ice cream isn't for everyone.  Here's the secret: rosemary ice cream isn't savory.  It is sweet and light and refreshing, just like any well crafted mint.  Rosemary doesn't get carried away. It is simple and satisfying.  Ever have one of those moments where you get lost in all the fancy ice cream flavors that have too many combinations and mixed in toppings?  Rosemary is a delicate alternative to all the noise.  Next time you see it listed on a menu, give it a try.

They must have known I was coming, the giant ice cream cone was chained up.

The Rundown:
Where: Davey's Ice Cream
201 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211
https://www.daveysicecream.com/
What they're known for: Homemade traditional and creative flavors and their peanut butter pie milkshake
A single cup or cone: $5.15
Most Extreme Menu Item: Supreme Banana Split, $14.25
Non-ice cream menu options: Coffee/hot beverages, a small selection of candy

Congratulations to the young man who came in with his parents to celebrate getting into his first choice middle school.  You are clearly very bright, for you celebrate with an ice cream cone.  Good luck to you!