Reporting by Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News
Summer has always been the season for ice cream but it’s also, it seems, the season for catering to those with a sweet tooth. In the past four months, nine places have opened — five Westchester ice cream shops, a gelateria, two confectionary spots and a crepe-focused cafe.
Plus, six more sweet spots are on the horizon, including a new location for a 105-year-old Bronx bakery and the addition to a popular Armonk bakery, ice cream and candy shop. Details follow.
Pinky’s Ice Cream Shack, Cortlandt Manor
Matt Mancuso, a Culinary Institute of America trained chef, started his ice cream journey in 2022 with the simple question: what makes the perfect scoop?
Since he approaches ice cream much like he would a restaurant meal, that meant a lot of thought, intention, and careful consideration. It also meant a lot of late nights, detours and many scoops of ice cream. Twenty-four recipes later, the result is Pinky’s which began as a pop-up and has since morphed into an ice cream stand.
Open since Aug. 9, it features 12 flavors, with the majority changing monthly and adapting to the seasons. Five core ones, including vanilla, chocolate, brown butter pecan, Shio strawberry and Toasted Marshmallow, will stay the same, though there’s a possibility they’ll also keep Rainbow Cookie.
Each flavor is made with local ingredients as much as possible with dairy sourced from Kingston-based Hudson Valley Fresh. Expect the unexpected as Mancuso likes to get weird. That means a limited edition lobster ice cream and the possibility of sourdough with brown butter-fried sourdough croutons with salted caramel and/or fire roasted peach and blue cheese in the near future. 3535 Crompond Road, Cortlandt Manor, pinkysicecream.com.
Gelateria Sorella, Bronxville
Attention to detail, commitment to quality ingredients and a hospitality-first mindset is behind this husband and wife-owned shop where gelato is king. Misha Mariani and Priscilla Scaff-Mariani, who together have spent over 40 years in some of Manhattan’s most acclaimed restaurants, quietly debuted their shop June 25 with a grand reveal June 27. The couple, parents to two young daughters, are big believers in cooking with the seasons, meaning customers can expect flavors to shift throughout the year based on what’s freshest and at its best.
Their lineup features 18 flavors — 14 gelatos and four sorbets — ranging from timeless classics to inventive twists on familiar favorites. Most special is Beni’s Batch, a cotton candy flavor created to honor their 8-year-old daughter Beni, who was born with two holes in her heart (she had open heart surgery a few years ago and is now OK.) A portion of proceeds for the gelato, which remains all natural to accommodate the Mariani’s ethos, goes to Harboring Hearts, a non-profit that provides emergency housing, transportation, food, and emotional support programming to cardiac surgery and transplant patients and their families.
Another signature item is the fronnoli, a cannoli shell filled with cannoli gelato. And, because the couple always want to have something that appeals to everyone, customers can expect a vegan baked good (right now it’s coffee cake) as well as something gluten-free (a super addictive chocolate chip cookie). For those with no dietary needs, they’re also selling Palmiers, crisp: buttery French pastries. 5 Pondfield Road, 914-202-7727, gelateriasorella.com.
The Village Confectionery, Sleepy Hollow
Thanks in large part to Kate Bolger’s background in moviemaking magic, The Village Confectionery, which opened June 13, feels like the perfect combination of a nostalgic small town store and the set of your favorite feel-good movie. For Bolger, who was inspired by the sweet provision shops of her youth, namely the since-closed Festivities in Hastings-on-Hudson (where she grew up), and Chocolate Sparrow in Wellfleet, MA (where she vacationed). It’s all about bringing the magic of discovery back to candy.
She’s done that thanks to two penny candy displays brimming with scoopable treats that greet you front and center. The custom fixtures, built by a furniture-maker friend in Connecticut, serve as both a focal point and a nod to the bygone charm of a mom-and-pop shop. Her pride and joy — and what she believes sets her place apart — is the delicacy case just behind them which features a colorful assortment of sweets spanning the globe, from pistachio rose Turkish delight to hunks of fudge, to long strings of licorice from Spain to artisan truffles that were hand delivered by the owner of JoMart, a Brooklyn chocolatier who up until now has never sold his wares in Westchester.
Because Bolger wants every visit to be full of surprise, this case constantly rotates, often with a seasonal focus. And, because she’s a visionary at heart, she and her staff are always thinking about what flavors they’re putting out, how they match together, and how they’re presented. To say you’ll be delighted is an understatement. 95 Beekman Ave., 914-623-0308, thevillageconfectionery.com.
Frannie’s Goodie Shop, Somers
This is the third location for the frozen yogurt shop which opened in May (there are locations in Mount Kisco and Chappaqua). As with its other spots, there are 18 frozen yogurt flavors, 24 Longford’s ice cream options, and plenty of crepes, sundaes and candy. Plus, the pièce de résistance are the more than 100 toppings to round-out your perfect frozen yogurt creation. 249 US 202, Ste 9, 914- 617-9147, franniesgoodieshopmk.com.
The Chocolate Chalet, Briarcliff Manor
The Chocolate Chalet, which closed last October from its long-time spot at 74 N. State Road in Briarcliff Manor, opened in the former March boutique store in early July. The larger room now has more cabinetry and more options including chocolate cases filled with old favorites like truffles, turtles, jellies, Oreos, pretzels, bon bons, nuts and more. Come fall owner Tori Bracco plans to add more treats and molds. 1207 Pleasantville Road, 914-941-4607, thechocolatechalet.net.
Influential Ice Cream, Mamaroneck
Gabriel Sukenik worked in the bitcoin/cryptocurrency industry before switching to ice cream. Open since May 1, his big point of difference are collaborations with local vendors such as Yonkers-based Baked After Midnight (for cookies and cream), Sleepy Hollow’s The Village Confectionery (for Charleston Chew), Nyack’s We Love Bread (for Pao de Quiejo), both Brownie and Rice Crispy flavors from Croton-on-Hudson’s Baked by Susan, jelly doughnut and S’mores flavors with Mamaroneck’s Duck Donuts and Rocky Road with Mamaroneck-based Chocolations.
While Sukenik makes many of his own flavors — expect 24 in the case on any given day — he also offers treats from other tri-state operators such as Piermont Creamery and Crosby St. Creamery. He also tends to have a few additional secret flavors in the back so don’t be shy to ask. The goal, he said, is to create “interesting and eclectic” that you can’t find anywhere else. Also unique to this shop: 33,000 comics (think every major comic title from the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s including the entire “Secret Wars” collection which the new Marvel movies are based on) as well as Pokémon and One Piece cards. 410 Mamaroneck Ave., 914-315-1839.
Sundae BES, Peekskill
Gifford’s ice cream is on the menu at this spot, open since July 1. That means flavors like mint chocolate chip, vanilla and Rocky Road available with a variety of toppings such as brownie bits, gummy bears, Oreos, sprinkles and more. Prefer soft serve? They have that too, in vanilla, chocolate, and twist. Sundaes are also part of their “main character desserts” as are specials like the Cookie Dough Dash (edible cookie dough with your choice of soft serve, with two toppings) and Biscoff Bliss (vanilla ice cream layered with Biscoff crumbs and sauce, topped with whipped cream). 55 Hudson Ave.
Mes Amis French Cafe, Ardsley
Crepe lovers, this is your spot. There are all kinds of sweet and savory options at this cozy spot, open since April 21. Mickael Phirmis, who for 10 years ran a crepe food truck in French St. Martin (where he’s from) has brought a taste of the French Caribbean to Westchester with crepes made with buckwheat batter (gluten-free also available) and a host of toppings. Run by him and his wife, Andrea, you’ll also find fresh squeezed orange juice, specialty coffees, and macarons along with freshly baked baguettes and assorted sandwiches. 469 Ashford Ave, 914-231-5298, mesamiscafe.com.
Scoop & Brew, Yonkers
Vikki Natlo and Ricky Vetrano, lifelong Yonkers residents (Vetrano is the owner of La Bella Pizzeria on Tuckahoe Road in Yonkers), opened their ice cream spot — their first venture together — on April 12. Together, they transformed what had previously been an ice cream store into something more their own. Customers can expect 20 ice cream flavors, eight gelatos and eight Italian ices. In addition, there are plenty of sundaes, banana splits, ice cream nachos and affogato along with shakes, smoothies, coffee, cold brew and frappes. You can also choose from their signature latte menu or opt for one of their 12 syrup flavors to create your own drink.
Along with the couple’s love for caffeine and ice cream, they share a passion for animals, making them 100% dog friendly. Puppy cups are offered at no charge with a sign in the window reading “knock for a puppy cuppy.” 837A Midland Ave., 914-410-3095.
Coming soon
Baci Italian Bakery, Montrose
What had been Red Door Baking Company will soon be turned into an Italian pastry shop courtesy of Chris Weisman who owns Pizzeria Baci next door. Opening any day now, it will feature old-school delights and some of Weisman’s famous sourdough creations including ciabatta, panini and more. Look for more details on Pizzeria Baci’s social media. 2083 Albany Post Road.
The Creamery, Cross River
The owners of The Boro Cafe + Market are opening a new ice cream spot serving soft serve and hard scooped ice cream from Longford’s along with specialty sundaes and milkshakes. Candy and frozen desserts are also on the menu. Look for a Sept. 1 opening in the detached building at The Boro. 873 Route 35.
Chocolate House, Eastchester and White Plains
Since opening in Yonkers in Dec. 2024, Chocolate House has been winning over customers with its decadent crepes (try the Nutella), waffle sticks, crazy shakes (try the Dubai), chocolate dips, churro bites, sundaes and cheesecakes. And now there are two more locations coming soon (ish). The first, on Mill Road in Eastchester, should open within the next few weeks with the second, on Mamaroneck Ave. in White Plains, set for later in the year. 14 Mill Road, Eastchester; 38 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, chocolatehouseus.com.
Something Sweet Candy Co.
Alexa Pinsky, a recent transplant to Westchester, is opening a candy cart business built into a vintage Piaggio Ape cargo vespa scooter. The cart, which was restored in Italy, is available mid-September.
Pinsky, a food scientist by trade, said she’s had this idea for a while and is excited to bring it to the area. Guests will be able to scoop their own candy — a range of classics and trending treats — from the scooter. Clients can also customize their options. Her goal is to do everything from weddings to bar/bat mitzvahs to quinceañeras. Said the owner, also a new mom: “I want to introduce that delight and whimsy to parties and add something special, fun and sweet.” Look for it making an appearance at the Sleepy Hollow Music Festival Oct. 3. somethingsweetcandyco.com.
SugarHi, Armonk
There will soon be more sugar to love when SugarHi expands next door. An Armonk fixture since 2017, twin sisters Hillary Assael and Elissa Weinhoff said they simply need more space. They may add on to their offerings but for now, they’re still in the permitting phase. 380 Main St., 914-273-4777, sugar-hi.com.
Conti’s Pastry Shoppe, Eastchester
Conti’s, in the Bronx since 1921, is opening its first location in Westchester sometime in early 2027. The location, smaller than the original, will be a like a “mini Bronx” according to owner Safet Paljevic, with all of its classics (think Italian pastries, Boston cream pie, cheesecakes and more). The baker is also known for its specialty cakes. 23 Mill Road, Eastchester, contispastryshoppe.com.
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Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News.
