THE BROOKLYN ICE CREAM FACTORY
Neighborhood: DUMBO, Brooklyn

If you like ice cream (and who doesn’t like ice cream?) a trip to the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory should be high on your to-do list. Happily, you can combine it with one of the city’s more conventional tourist activities—a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. The shop is located on the Fulton Ferry Landing Pier, a scenic spot with a perfect view of the Manhattan skyline—a fact not lost on New York’s brides and grooms, who flock here to have their wedding photos taken. The ice cream factory offers only a few flavors at any given time, but it’s great stuff, super rich and less sweet than most ice creams, so the flavor is of pure, fresh cream. I would walk miles for a little cup of the peaches ‘n cream. I have, in fact.

Here are directions from the Brooklyn Bridge walkway:

1.) Exit the bridge via the stairs (not the ramp).
2.) At the bottom of the stairs, turn right.
3.) Walk about 100 feet, until you reach a paved path leading into a park.
4.) Turn right onto the path, and follow it across the park to Cadman Plaza West.
5.) Cross Cadman Plaza West (at Middagh Street).
6.) Walk down Middagh Street to Columbia Heights (four blocks).
7.) Cross Columbia Heights and turn right.
8.) Walk down hill to Old Fulton Street.
9.) Cross Old Fulton, then cross Water Street (to your left). The ice cream factory is straight ahead.

NOTE: Don't feel like walking? The New York Water Taxi stops just steps from the ice cream factory’s front door.

THE BROOKLYN ICE CREAM FACTORY
Fulton Ferry Landing Pier
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 246-3963

COST: $3 per scoop
HOURS: Tuesday-Sunday 12 PM to 10 PM
HOW TO GET THERE:
By train: “C” to High Street or “F” to York Street. For more detailed directions, visit http://www.hopstop.com/
By water taxi: visit http://www.nywatertaxi.com/

NICK’S PIZZA
Neighborhood: Forest Hills, Queens

I wouldn’t consider Nick’s a destination restaurant, especially with all the fantastic pizza available in Manhattan. But if you’re in the neighborhood, definitely stop in. You won’t find much in the way of atmosphere, but you will find great pizza. The crust is thin, charred as it should be, with tons of flavor and just a bit of chew. The tomato sauce is tangy and fresh and the mozzarella perfectly creamy. As with all New York pies, Nicks’ are at their best when not loaded with extra toppings—keep it to one or two. As a prelude to our pizza, Brian and I always split the Special House Salad, a blend of arugula, spinach and watercress tossed with a sweet-and-sour dressing.

NOTE: Nick’s is located at the edge of Forest Hills Gardens, a private residential community designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the pioneering landscape architect behind Manhattan’s Central Park. A leisurely walk through this area—filled with trees, lush greenery, and multi-million-dollar homes—is a great way to work up an appetite.

NICK'S PIZZA
10826 Ascan Avenue
Forest Hills, NY 11375
(718) 263-1126

COST: Inexpensive. Cash only.
HOURS: 7 days a week for lunch and dinner
HOW TO GET THERE: “E” or “F” (express) trains to 71st-Continental Avenue. “R” or “V” (local) trains to 71st-Continental Avenue. For more detailed directions, visit http://www.hopstop.com/