I went on a date with Ralph tonight. I even wore a pretty dress for the occasion.
Ralph's is my home away from home. My insta-mood lifter. My Williamsburg first love. He has saved me from certain death on many a hot day and provided me with dinner many a desperate night. When he closes for the winter I won't know what to do with myself.
Ralph's is my home away from home. My insta-mood lifter. My Williamsburg first love. He has saved me from certain death on many a hot day and provided me with dinner many a desperate night. When he closes for the winter I won't know what to do with myself.
No, I didn't. But I did let out a highly embarrassing wail and said, half pleading..... "But you've alwaaaaays had it before....." Yes. I am a food service employee's worst nightmare. I made sure to tip an extra buck.
I ended up getting a half banana, half coconut cream ice* and it tasted like sunblock would if sunblock was really really delicious. Big chunks of frozen bananas.
* Ralph's sells water ice, cream ice and ice cream. Don't be fooled by the big sign that says Italian ice. They refer to it as a water ice and it took me several months to wrap my brain around the idea that something called water ice could taste so good.
* Ralph's sells water ice, cream ice and ice cream. Don't be fooled by the big sign that says Italian ice. They refer to it as a water ice and it took me several months to wrap my brain around the idea that something called water ice could taste so good.
Now to the real problem. Earlier this summer, on the very same block, another ice place opened up with a blue and white striped awning. I was all up in arms, how dare they encroach on my beloved Ralph's and Uncle Louie G's go back to Park Slope where you belong... until I noticed they have pumpkin ice cream. Oh shit. I love pumpkin ice cream.
Ever pragmatic, tonight I asked the owner of Ralph's if he would be interested in selling pumpkin ice cream. He said no so quickly and in such a heavy Italian accent it made me question whether he even understood my question. Then he started rambling about how he used to make pumpkin ravioli, which sounded really tasty but didn't help me with the task at hand.
Sweet readers, do you stay unswervingly loyal to your local favorites? What's a girl to do?
Eat Ralph's water ice out of a hollowed pumkin. Haha.
ReplyDeletehahahahhahaha! Such a difficult decision. Normally I would say, "stay loyal!!!" But pumpkin ice cream???? Oh, I see the new guys like to play dirty.....
ReplyDeleteYou go to Louie's when you need a pumpkin fix. The rest of the time your heart and business goes to Ralph's!! Such a delicious dilema - I want some.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I'm not that loyal. I'm more of a "hop around and try different things out" kind of gal. In this case, I'd definitely advise (ahem, professional tone) you to try out the pumpkin, but stay true to Ralph's otherwise. ;-)
ReplyDeleterecommend Ralph's to everyone you know, thus sending them so much extra business it won't matter if you sneak off to get pumpkin ice cream every once in a while from the competition.
ReplyDeletei've never had pumpkin ice cream but you should probably just buy it in addition to ice water. you can't possibly go wrong!
ReplyDeleteI vote for Ralph's: He has much better graphics on his awning! Seriously, it would come down to ambience for me, since ALL the ices and creams sound so very good.
ReplyDeleteI love pumpkin ice cream too! Is the new joint going to be open for winter? Even if it isn't I don't see anything wrong with giving some business to the new place. Maybe it will put pressure on Ralph's put a better pumpkin ice cream on the menu.
ReplyDeletei live not too far from Ralph's and indeed it's gonna suck come winter!
ReplyDeleteEmerson. Pumpkin ice cream is undeniably delicious. Why on earth would you forgo the experience of such delight because of self-inflicted guilt? Go enjoy pumpkin ice cream at the new place. We expect photos and a stunning review.
ReplyDeleteah. well, a little of what you fancy does you good so they say. you'll have to share your love between them. golly, i'd love to try pumpkin ice cream.
ReplyDeleteSpread the wealth. Either way, you're eating local.
ReplyDelete"Oh shit. I love pumpkin ice cream." Darling, you're so funny. I'm a rainbow water ice girl, straight from the heart, but would you believe that I have had a single scoop in a single styrofoam cup in all of 2009? Willingly holding out!? Maybe I deserve it, in the twilight of summer...
ReplyDeleteI say you continue to frequent Ralph's, but go to Uncle Louie G's just for pumpkin. It's not your fault Ralph's doesn't carry pumpkin. :)
ReplyDeleteLast night I went out for drinks since I worked all weekend.
ReplyDeleteI have a favorite bar, and a couple others that I wanted to try.
I thought to myself I could either get all my drinks here or go to several different ones.
I dont think its unloyal to go to differnt places. Just get two drinks or ice creams or whatever. Spread the joy.. keep them all in business. :)
A.M., I find Uncle Louie G incredibly confusing. Did he not bother walking down the uh, 4 storefronts north of him to check if there was another Italian ice joint on the block? I think it very unneighborly of Louie and I remain loyal to Ralph.
ReplyDeleteWhen you buy Uncle Louie, you help pay for his Hummer. Case closed.
ReplyDeleteSee? All the folks from brooklyn know what's up.
ReplyDeleteRalphs is the heart of our neighborhood and you just don't toss aside 3 years loving commitment for a little end of summer fling.
There are principles to be upheld.
Make sure that every time you buy a pumpkin ice cream you step across the way and buy something at Ralph's. Can't be more fair than that!
ReplyDelete...Life is short. Have both. ;o)
ReplyDelete...Blessings... :o)
This is what you do!
ReplyDeleteYou go to Ralph's as per usual,
but when you want pumpkin ice-cream, you sneek in there lol!
keep it on the hush hush!
Or just openly eat there, either way it's no biggy!
You'll have to just have one from each, every, single time. It will add calories, sure, but if you get a small at each place... it's kinda like one large and there's really just no other option at this point.
ReplyDeleteHmm. I'd stick to Ralph's when you're in your neighborhood, but there's no reason you should feel guilty about nibbling on Uncle Louie G if you're in the Slope!
ReplyDeleteJust imagine the overwhelming guilt you'd feel while eating that amazingly delicious pumpkin ice cream...
ReplyDelete=D
very cute post and nice photos. you do give us a strong sense of that new competitor trying to steal Ralph's thunder and customers!
ReplyDeleteI like comment # 1, "eat Ralph's water ice out of a hollowed pumpkin."
Oh my gosh that looks so good! I miss NYC so much already! Boston is already frigid cold!
ReplyDeleteI should be so lucky to have such a dilemma! I was born and raised in Brooklyn, but moved down to Florida 20 years ago. It's been a long time since I've had a water ice, it's downright sad. I craaaaved water ice during my last two pregnancies...to the point where I seriously considered purchasing it in bulk over the Internet! I say stick with Ralph's for your water ice but, by all means, indulge in a pumpkin ice cream when the craving strikes!
ReplyDeletePardon the intrusion... your blog made me smile... would i trade in my favorite place for another that would offer something yummy.. you bet I would.. probably would sneak in and out to not be discovered though..lol... thanks for the smile... Liane :-)
ReplyDeleteI love this line "it tasted the way sunblock would if sunblock was really really delicious." Amazing.
ReplyDelete=]
♥Spot
Me again. I tried the banana cream ice tonight and it's true love. I might have to indulge in the banana fudge next visit.
ReplyDeletebanana cream ice is amazing, right? it tastes like frozen banana pudding.
ReplyDeleteI wonder. Is water ice like shave ice in Hawaii? I've never heard of it before!
ReplyDeleteUsually when I'm in a situation like this, I pick the store with the cuter logo...and I think Ralph's wins.
I was, until they announced their closing sale a month ago, unshakably loyal to my town's local Blockbuster-the last surviving movie rental place for the last couple years (we originally had three or four). Because of the terrible economy (who's going to keep paying almost $5 on a new release?) and the new redbox, of which our town has three now, they really suffered.
ReplyDeleteThey had to let go of of their employees, and it was just the family trying to run it for a while.
Now that they're closing though, I refuse to turn my sights on the redbox. It's like a crude vending machine for movies. And where are the classics? I want Netflix.
Buy from both! That way you are helping the local economy twice as much.
ReplyDeleteI say if there is absolutely positively no chance of ending up pregnant~ ChEaT! Go for it sister but only if you get the Pumpkin ice cream.
ReplyDeleteHave two ice-cream/ice-water days one week and visit both establishments :-)
ReplyDeleteThis post has me seriously drooling! I really wish I could try this water ice!
I agree with Fatbrideslim. The true solution to any problem always involves more ice cream/cream ice/cold deliciousness in any form.
ReplyDeletelove the ice cream description! ;)
ReplyDelete