A dish best served cold
THE PATENT TRADER
(Original publication: July 29, 2004)
On a hot summer day there really is nothing like a scoop of ice cream — cold, refreshing, delicious. Last week, the country celebrated the 100th anniversary of the ice cream cone. No matter what your taste, ice cream shops in northern Westchester (and the surrounding area) can serve up a selection to suit any palate.
Fanda's
11 Wheeler Ave.
Pleasantville
914-747-9797
Fanda's might stir up nostalgia for a lot of customers because the shop is dressed in 1950s to '60s decor that includes an old-fashioned soda fountain.
Another story Nikic told involved a customer winning an egg cream-making contest at the shop. Apparently, the man had past experience working at a soda fountain so he got behind the counter at Fanda's and served up a superb egg cream, Nikic said.
Open since November, Fanda's doesn't make its own ice cream, but serves 24 flavors made by Double Rainbow, a gourmet ice cream company.
"We switch out every week so we always have new flavors," she said.
Its most popular flavor is "It's a Goody," a concoction of vanilla ice cream, chocolate chips and peanut butter.
There are a number of toppings, including green and white Pleasantville sprinkles — the high school's colors.
The shop also serves up two soy ice creams that, according to Nikic, are very good even if you aren't a soy milk drinker. Dulce No Leche is served all the time; the second soy ice cream flavor alternates — right now it's blueberry.
For those who aren't into ice cream, the shop offers two flavors of sorbet such as mango tangerine and raspberry.
All the ingredients in their ice cream are natural, Nikic said. The list of ingredients is available to anyone who would like to peruse it.
In August, children will be able to make a craft while visiting the shop. Nikic said there may be some dancing as well.
Fanda's is kid-friendly, she said. The front counter is lower than the rest of the counter so that children can sit on mini-size stools and enjoy their treat.
It's not all ice cream, however. There's retro candy as well (remember those wax bottles filled with sugary liquid?).
"We have a lot of retro candy," Nikic said. "The whole store is really retro."
By the way, the soda fountain was reportedly used in the movie "The Godfather." Nikic said when she purchased it down in the Bowery section of New York City she was told it had been used in Francis Ford Coppola's 1972 blockbuster film as well as other movies.
Fanda's is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.