MENU
SECTIONS
OTHER
CLASSIFIEDS
CONTACT US / FAQ
Advertisement
Mary Bilyeu tries artisanal ice cream from Swanky Scoops for Cheap Eats, the series that finds the best dining deals for $10 and under.
7
MORE

Cheap Eats: It's never too cold for ice cream from Swanky Scoops

THE BLADE/PHILLIP L. KAPLAN

Cheap Eats: It's never too cold for ice cream from Swanky Scoops

In Jewish tradition, it’s customary to eat sweet foods with hopes of ushering in a happy new year. It seemed appropriate to put this into practice for the secular new year, too, for our first Cheap Eats of 2022.

So even though the weather outside was frightful (a less-than-balmy high of 23 degrees on the day we taped this episode) we decided to go out for ice cream.

Now, I’m a firm believer that it’s never too cold to eat ice cream — and that particularly holds true when the ice cream comes from Swanky Scoops, which makes small batch creative flavors of pure luxury.

Advertisement

Alissa Vieira is the creative genius behind the business, whose offerings are available exclusively at the Original Sub Shop. She sells pints and half-pints (a.k.a.: single servings) to eat on-site or to take home. And they’re prepared and packaged with love and attention to every detail; each container even bears her own handwriting, as she prints the flavor names on the lids herself.

The front of Almost Human Coffee in Toledo.
Stephen Zenner
Toledo-area coffee shops remain popular even during virus times

The swanky sensations are seasonally-inspired, so holiday flavors such as eggnog are on hiatus now. To welcome 2022, I got to try a mix of new tastes and returning favorites.

The Lemon Meringue Pie is a sweet-tart ice cream with tidbits of sweet marshmallow and the crunch of graham cracker crumbs — all the taste sensations of the original dessert, deconstructed and re-envisioned. And it’s an absolutely necessary bright antidote to the dreary gray skies of winter, especially since this is citrus’ time to shine. (I also must note that it’s wonderful to see that the ice cream is off-white, not a synthetic lemon color. The purity of the ingredients is a key component to the beauty of Swanky Scoops.)

I happen to love ginger: powdered, fresh, candied, and in virtually any kind of dish or treat. So when I’d seen on social media that Ms. Vieira was making ginger ice cream, I nearly swooned. This flavor did not burst my anticipatory bubble — it was seductively smooth and creamy, with no additions or stir-ins, and with all the vibrancy of the ginger root infused into the milk base.

Advertisement

It’s “spicy, as ginger should be,” Ms. Vieira said with a smile, happy to know that I’d loved the tingling sensation that contrasted on my tongue with the coolness inherent in the ice cream. If we can get through the pandemic and host dinner parties again, it would make a stellar palate cleanser. And at home, a mock-affogato made with the ginger ice cream and a pour-over of coffee whiskey was indescribably amazing.

Finally, the swirled Cinna-Spicy Chocolate is a yin/yang of sweet and spice. The rich, slightly savory chocolate portion is “a little bit smoky,” Ms. Vieira said, with the addition of ancho and chipotle chilis. Its heat is balanced by the sweet creaminess of the cinnamon side. Take small bites of each, to get the full impact of both flavors, but then be sure to pair them in one spoonful for the whole complementary experience.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.

And we’ll scream especially loudly for ice cream as luscious and decadent as that offered by Swanky Scoops.

The buttercream torte prepared by Susan Heidenescher for the Bavarian Sports Club's Ladies Auxiliary's recent Kaffee und Kuchen - a German tradition of coffee and cake held at 3 p.m. for a mid-afternoon respite. A torte is usually multilayered and more elaborate than a simple kuchen, or cake.
Mary Bilyeu
Buddy system: Coffee and cake have a storied history — not just a day

Swanky Scoops, available at the Original Sub Shop, 402 Broadway St., 419-243-4857, swankyscoops419.com.

Contact Mary Bilyeu at 419-724-6155 or mbilyeu@theblade.com, and follow her at facebook.com/FoodMavenMary.

First Published January 12, 2022, 1:00 p.m.

RELATED
Find poetry in your lunch hour
Mary Bilyeu
Find poetry in your lunch hour
A slice of Emmie Jakes' Grandmother's Apple Pie, ready to be enjoyed on National Pie Day on Jan. 23.
Mary Bilyeu
Roundly praised: Any way you slice it, National Pie Day is worth celebrating
Aero, a 4-year-old Border Collie and Blue Heeler, sits patiently before trying a
Mary Bilyeu
Cheap Eats: Bone Appétit at Three Dog Bakery
Mary Bilyeu samples a Corned Beef Eggroll with chili cheese fries from Joyful's Koney Island.
Mary Bilyeu
Cheap Eats: An ode to Joyful's Koney Island
Mary Bilyeu samples classic and popular flavors of Paczki at Strachn Bakery in anticipation of Fat Tuesday for Cheap Eats, the series that finds the best dining deals for $10 and under.
Mary Bilyeu
Cheap Eats: Paczki party at Strachn Bakery
Mary Bilyeu tries a Guatemalan roast coffee with Date Cookies at Tiedtke's Coffee Shop in Maumee for Cheap Eats, the series that finds the best dining deals for $10 and under.
Mary Bilyeu
Cheap Eats: Nostalgia and a nosh at Tiedtke's Coffee Shop
Mary Bilyeu tries a
Mary Bilyeu
Cheap Eats: Celebrating and remembering at El Tipico Restaurant
Mary Bilyeu tries the chili cheese fries from Coop's, a new hot dog and boozy milkshake restaurant in Hensville.
Mary Bilyeu
Cheap Eats: Coop's is Toledo's newest classic spot
Mary Bilyeu tries the acclaimed special, Lobster Mac 'n' Cheese, from Forest View Lanes Bar and Grill.
Mary Bilyeu
Cheap Eats: Bowled over by the fare at Forest View Lanes
An assortment of holiday specials and everyday treats from Geer Edibles, Bakery and More at Mayberry Square in Sylvania for Cheap Eats, the series that finds the best dining deals for $10 and under.
Mary Bilyeu
Cheap Eats: Goodies galore at Geer Edibles, Bakery and More
SHOW COMMENTS  
Join the Conversation
We value your comments and civil discourse. Click here to review our Commenting Guidelines.
Must Read
Partners
Advertisement
Mary Bilyeu tries artisanal ice cream from Swanky Scoops for Cheap Eats, the series that finds the best dining deals for $10 and under.  (THE BLADE/PHILLIP L. KAPLAN)  Buy Image
Mary Bilyeu tries Cinna-Spicy Chocolate swirled artisanal ice cream from Swanky Scoops  (THE BLADE/PHILLIP L. KAPLAN)  Buy Image
Mary Bilyeu tries Lemon Meringue Pie artisanal ice cream from Swanky Scoops.  (THE BLADE/PHILLIP L. KAPLAN)  Buy Image
Mary Bilyeu tries Cinna-Spicy Chocolate swirled artisanal ice cream from Swanky Scoops.  (THE BLADE/PHILLIP L. KAPLAN)  Buy Image
Swanky Scoops is owned by artisanal ice cream maker Alissa Vieira.  (THE BLADE/PHILLIP L. KAPLAN)  Buy Image
Swanky Scoops is owned by artisanal ice cream maker Alissa Vieira.  (THE BLADE/PHILLIP L. KAPLAN)  Buy Image
Mary Bilyeu tries Ginger artisanal ice cream from Swanky Scoops.  (THE BLADE/PHILLIP L. KAPLAN)  Buy Image
THE BLADE/PHILLIP L. KAPLAN
Advertisement
LATEST ae
Advertisement
Pittsburgh skyline silhouette
TOP
Email a Story