Even though New York City is known as the perfect place to celebrate your birthday because of its dazzling array of clubs, lounges, and bars, the Big Apple should also be on your radar as a destination place to enjoy some of the finest gourmet ice creams, sorbets, and gelatos on the planet while celebrating your birthday. This really should come as no surprise when you consider that Manhattan is home to some of the best restaurants in the world, along with the fact that New York City is one of the most diverse places on Earth. It only makes sense that the city would also offer a wide variety of delicious ice creams that are certain to delight even the most discerning of palates. The list that follows shares three of my favorites.
On the day of your birthday, if you find yourself craving delicious gourmet ice cream, Emack & Bolio’s in SoHo is the place for you (located at 73 West Houston Street). The shop refers to itself as “ice cream for the connoisseur” and does not disappoint. When you enter the shop, the wall in front of you is covered with a constantly changing list of flavors, and you can also partake of some other delicious deserts and treats. My favorite ice cream currently available in this heavenly haven is the peanut butter Oreo flavor, but I have to say that it seems impossible to go wrong with any of the available choices. Another favorite among those who frequent this SoHo spot is the mint chocolate ice cream.
If you journey northeast from Emack & Bolio’s, you will find that you are not far from another one of the best places to get ice cream while celebrating your New York City birthday. Sundaes & Cones, located in the East Village (95 East 10th Street & Third Avenue), also has an apt motto for itself. Their website boasts that the venue is a “Journey to Ice Cream Paradise” and that only “Tasting is believing.” The description is accurate, and starts with the moment you arrive. The smell of fresh waffle cones is in the air, and pleasant staff welcomes you in a courteous and friendly manner. There are so many ice creams to choose from here that it is easy to get lost in a tasting frenzy, but trust me when I say that you should get the chocolate peanut butter. This is by far the best chocolate peanut butter ice cream that I have ever tasted, and if you like those flavors, then you will be in heaven. Regardless of what flavor you go with, you truly will be in ice cream paradise.
The final venue on our list of the top three ice cream spots to enjoy on your birthday in New York City is Cones Ice Cream Artisans, known simply as “Cones” to most. The venue (which is located at 272 Bleecker Street) is sometimes referred to as the home of the “Ice Cream Nazi” (for non-Seinfield fans, this is in reference to an incredibly delicious soup counter ran by a no-nonsense man who had certain expectations for the speed and manner of his customers’ behaviors). Like the referenced soup counter, Cones is incredibly delicious, so much so that almost everyone takes delight in the brisk pace and in-your-face mannerisms of the shop owner, instead of being offended by the somewhat abrasive manner in which customers can sometimes be herded. Here you are allowed to sample two flavors, and the owner being the stickler that he is, you will sample each flavor from alternating sides of the same sample spoon. All of that aside, the ice cream here is mouth-wateringly good, and there is a reason this is one of the most popular ice cream shops in the entire city. If you have never had “corn” ice cream before, this is a must-have, but really this is another one of those places where you cannot go wrong no matter what you choose.
So before you head out to celebrate your New York birthday at the dazzling nightclubs and trendy lounges, enjoy a great meal at one of Manhattan’s delectable restaurants, and make sure to save room for a tasty dessert at one of NYC’s best birthday treats – Emack & Bolio’s, Sundaes & Cones, or Cones Ice Cream Artisans. You will be extremely delighted that you treated yourself to heaven on Earth.
