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The weather was lovely in New York City this past holiday weekend. Duck Down \u2014 the NYC-based record label and music outfit founded by Drew \u201cDru-Ha\u201d Friedman and Kenyatta \u201cBuckshot\u201d Blake in 1995 \u2014 played a 30th anniversary show to a capacity crowd at Damrosch Park in Lincoln Center<\/a> on Saturday night. The Central Park Dance Skaters<\/a> were also keeping busy, twirling and balancing water bottles mid-skate on their heads while a DJ kept the beat flowing in the skaters\u2019 circle by Sheep Meadow<\/a>.<\/p>\n Most surprising to us, though, was the long line at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday for a scoop of Salt & Straw at 360 Amsterdam Avenue (at 77th Street) \u2014 recently ranked the #2 ice cream parlor in NYC by Time Out New York<\/a>. The # 1 position was secured by Caffe Panna in Greenpoint, BK. <\/p>\n Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Salt & Straw opened its first NYC location<\/a> on the Upper West Side in September 2024. A month later came their second in the city, at 540 Hudson Street in Greenwich Village. We sampled the limited-edition local flavors \u2014 Pastrami on Rye and Chocolate Babka with Hazelnut Fudge \u2014 to much delight.<\/p>\n Pastrami On Rye c\/o Salt & Straw<\/p>\n Chocolate Babka with Hazelnut Fudge c\/o Salt & Straw<\/p>\n Understanding that Portland is known for its artisan offerings, famously depicted in comedy sketches by kingpins Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen (like \u201cColin the Chicken<\/a>\u201d \u2014 one of our favorites), we were impressed to see that at 10:30 p.m. this past Saturday night, the line stretched out the door and down the block.<\/p>\n ALSO READ: Downtown Georgian Restaurant with 4.9-Star Rating Opening on UWS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Currently scooping limited-edition creations like Goat Cheese Marionberry Habanero and Huckleberry Cornbread Pudding, Salt & Straw had guests marveling aloud that this was the longest they\u2019d ever seen the line. We\u2019d agree, based on our passing-by experience \u2014 but it is summer in the city, and with temps around 80, it was a lovely night to cruise the neighborhood and grab something refreshing.<\/p>\n \u201cCo-founder and head ice cream innovator Tyler Malek\u2019s creativity seems to know no bounds, as some of his 600 flavors have included the likes of bone marrow and coconut toffee candied mealworms,\u201d wrote Time Out New York, a guide for tourists and locals alike, as they say. \u201cBut if you prefer your cone not to challenge you, the shop\u2019s Honey Lavender and Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons will give you all the comforts.\u201d <\/p>\n It seems word is spreading about Salt & Straw, but if you\u2019re looking for something a little different, Venchi<\/a> on West 69th and Columbus is worth the wait \u2014 their gelato flavors like extra virgin olive oil and classic Italian stracciatella are a taste of Italy right in the neighborhood. Known for its long lines on and off throughout the day, Venchi proves that great gelato has plenty of fans, too. So, next time you\u2019re craving a sweet scoop, you know where to find it. Stay cool out there.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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