Beth here.
Whatever. It’s never too cold for ice cream. You just have to crank the heat up and eat it indoors–preferably while sitting around in your underwear. And maybe with a mug of hot chocolate.
However, I did manage to take advantage of one of the last warm-ish days of autumn last weekend and took a trip with a trusty, like-minded (read: ice cream-obsessed) friend to Bruster’s. It’s a small ice cream store chain that’s scattered randomly around the States–you may or my not have one in your area, but you can find all their store locations at http://www.brusters.com. Highly recommended. They make all their ice cream fresh in the store and it’s about the best I’ve been able to find in the States–certainly the best in a chain-type store. Add to that the fact that they have lots of nifty seasonal flavors (I had pumpkin pie ripple and caramel apple crunch since it was such a lovely crisp fall day…) and fun promotional ideas (like show-up-in-your-pajamas-and-get-a-free-cone-day, or a standard policy that if it’s raining or snowing at the time of purchase you get a second scoop free), and you’ve got a really world-class operation. The #1 flavor so far: Chocolate raspberry truffle. I’m drooling just thinking about it.
Anyone else experienced the glory that is Bruster’s? Or do you challenge my assertion that it’s the best ice cream chain in the States? Because if so, I’m going to have to go into the trenches and research the competition, which would be really awful.
Hoping for some dissent,
-Beth
The Ice Cream Lovers 
Luca
December 2, 2007 at 10:14 am
it’s pretty hard to dissent, given the overall quality of ice cream in the States 🙂 but yes, Bruster’s is pretty delicious, especially after a 45 minutes walk in the august sun. the problem is, you are inevitably thirsty till you get home…..
ladyboadicia
December 7, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Wow. Ladies and gentlemen, an *Italian* has just given his blessing to an American ice cream store (while taking a backhanded swipe at American ice cream in general, but still…).
I’m trying to figure out what the perfect beverage to follow up ice cream should be–it *does* tend to make you thirsty… Right now (since it’s cold) hot chocolate or tea seem about right… but in the summer, what do you think? Cold milk? Water (usually seems too bland…)? More on this dilemma later.
Brenda
December 7, 2007 at 11:57 pm
My vote for a warm weather drink after/with ice cream is ice water. It quenches the thirst and cleanses the palate without detracting from the flavor of the ice cream. Plus, it’s easy to come by (or carry along) when roaming around in search of the perfect dish of ice cream. Even non-ice water works pretty well. After all, that’s what we almost exclusively drank during our European ice cream jaunts. (Yes, yes, there was lots of wine, too, but we didn’t mix it with ice cream!)
–Brenda 🙂