NYC Restaurants

Ample Hills Creamery is probably the only ice cream parlors with its own rooftop deck. The Gowanus location draws a mix of families, middle aged folks (like myself) and hipsters. Brian Smith and Jackie Cuscuna are the husband-and-wife team behind Ample Hills, named after the rolling hills of Brooklyn. And while the cows may be gone, the ice cream is flourishing. Here ice cream is made the old fashioned way, by hand. It comes in flavors like Ooey Gooey made with St Louis-style butter cake, Mexican Hot Chocolate, Strawberry & Cream, and Snap Mallow Pop, made with rice crispies, or you can go simple with Vanilla Bean made with Madagascar bourbon vanilla extract. All are good and guaranteed to bring a smile to any child's face. Cones are also inventive, ranging from a pretzel and chocolate chip variety ,to a traditional sugar cone. This location also offers ice cream-making classes. Just be advised, they fill up quickly. - Thomas Rafael