The Perfect End of Summer Pasta Nothing shows off the juicy decadence of summer like fresh fruits and vegetables. At this time of year, I tend to cook much more simply, to enjoy the bright flavors of the produce that abounds. This pasta is fast, easy, and gives you all the flavors of a caprese salad. Perfect hot or cold. Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta with Summer Vegetables 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil 7 garlic cloves, smashed 2- 2/12 pounds cherry tomatoes (about 4 pints) 1 large zucchini or yellow squash, cut into pieces more or less the size of your tomatoes ¾ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes 1 cup basil leaves, torn 1½ tsp. kosher salt, or to taste 12 oz. cellantani  tube pasta 1 large ball of fresh mozzarella, chopped (or mozzarella pearls)   I use a glass 9"x13" dish for this, tossing the tomatoes, the squash, and any other vegetables you want to use (adjust oil accordingly so everything is coated. Salt and pepper to taste. Place in a 450 degree oven for 20-25 minutes, or until tomatoes burst and other vegetables are started to soften and brown around the edges a bit. Put your pasta on, and when finished, drain and reserve 3/4 cup of the pasta water. Once the tomatoes/vegetables are done, pour into the pan with the pasta and stir to combine, adding pasta water until the sauce is the consistency you like. Add in basil and the fresh mozzarella while hot and stir to combine. Enjoy! This is also great cold and as a meatless main or a side to just about any protein.

If you know me, you probably know I'm a HUGE ice cream fan. Homemade, handmade, store bought, traditional flavors, soft serve, milkshakes... I love it all. BUT, there are a few places around town (or close) that in my opinion are just "must visits," and here they are: Ice Cream (Buckle up, this is not a short list!) DeLuca Gelato. At Gayton Crossing, in the West End (Is it a blessing or a curse that they are so close to my house?) This is our family champion for always amazing gelato. (And it's pretty much real deal gelato, so dense, creamy, and soft, but lower fat that American ice cream.) Our faves? Dark Chocolate Sorbet (packs a huge chocolate punch and no dairy), Banana Nutella (obviously), but really, they're all amazing. This is a small, family owned shop, and the people are amazing, too.  Gelati Celesti Multiple locations. This is one of RVA's longest running ice cream makers and shops. You'll also find their ice cream at many local restaurants. They use traditional Italian equipment and processes, and in my opinion, it's sort of a cross between true gelato and American ice cream. Loads of flavors, including seasonal flavors that rotate, but my favorite is 100% always "Just Ask." White Chocolate ice cream with Oreos and ribbons of peanut butter. Rich, luscious, and unlike anything else.  Scoop Strawberry Street in The Fan. Handmade ice cream, but make it gourmet. Scoop does a great job with traditional flavors, but their special flavors are what sets them apart. My favorite flavors here are definitely Croissants and Jam (sounds weird, maybe, but trust me), Creme Brûlée, and Roasted Strawberry. You can also get sundaes served on a warm blondie or brownie, custom ice cream sandwiches, and last but not least, and ice cream flight with 3 flavors of your choice with 3 cookie wedges. Perfect for sharing. (Or not.) Bev's Homemade Ice Cream & Cafe. Carytown. Bev's is a Carytown staple, and always hopping, especially if the weather is warm. Traditional flavors always, and rotating special flavors, plus sundaes and banana splits.  This summer (2023) they've even started renting carts for special events. My favorite here is the Raspberry Chip. (Reminds me of my half price lunch sundae when I worked at Friendly's in high school!) One Way Cream & Goodies  Jackson Ward. One Way Market is known for their international and unusual snacks, but the ice cream version might be even cooler. They can create your custom ice cream- cup, cone, or shake, infused with the ingredients you choose. Think Ukrop's Rainbow Cookies and Fruity Pebbles, Captain Crunch and Cheesecake...you get the idea. Or do you? It's definitely worth checking out when you want something different! Ruby Scoops. Brookland Park Boulevard. It wasn't by accident that Rabia Kamara won the Food Network Ben & Jerry's Clash of the Cones in 2021. With delicious signature flavors of sorbets and ice cream, rotating flavors, and a consistent menu of great dairy free flavors, there is really something for everyone. My favorites here are definitely the Black Sesame ice cream and the Guava Daiquiri sorbet.      Blue Cow Ice Cream Co. Village Shopping Center and Short Pump. Originally from Roanoke, Blue Cow made its way to RVA a couple of years ago, and has gained a foothold in the ice cream community. They've got some great classics, like their Double Fold Vanilla, but my favorites are definitely the Banana Puddin', the Birthday Cake, and their "Blue Cow Patty," with Butterfingers, Oreos, and dark chocolate chips in their Dark Chocolate Ice Cream. Don't forget to try some of their more unusual flavors, too, like Strawberry Balsamic and Goat Cheese with Blueberry Swirl. You won't regret it! Milkshakes Mabel's in Powhatan. The ORIGINAL Crazy Shakes. If you want to be wowed/bowled over/overwhelmed (or just the favorite parent/aunt/grandparent or whatever) head to Mabel's. My advice? Skip the regular food, and go straight to the shake. Can't make up your mind? They've got you covered, because you can even get a milkshake flight. Mabel's is also one of the few places you can get an actual sundae (and they have all kinds!) What a time to be alive! Coco & Hazel. With two locations, in Henrico and Bon Air, you're never too far from one of C & H's wild, wonderful, specialty shakes. Whether it's a birthday, a great day, or you're in your feelings over a bad day, they've definitely got something that will fit the bill.  This list wouldn't be complete without the honorable mention of Cook Out, the OG stop for the late night shake, the 40 flavors, the seasonal flavors, and just the overall ease of the drive through. Also, it's literally not summer in my book until I get a Watermelon Shake from Cook Out (only available in July and August- that's NOW, y'all!).      Not in Richmond, but definitely worth mentioning: If you ever find yourself driving up or down I95 near Fredericksburg, do yourself a favor and stop at Carl's Frozen Custard. My brother, who attended Mary Washington University (when it was The College of Mary Washington), turned me on to Carl's decades ago, and it's really hard to got past Fredericksburg without stopping. (In fact, we've all been known to take a cooler and bring a spare or two back to RVA.) All original equipment, the original signs, and just the delicious simplicity, take you back to way before my time! Frozen custard, made fresh every day. ALL CASH (but not a sock full of coins- Andy learned this the hard way!) Stand in the ever present line. It's worth it. My go to order? A Chocolate AND Strawberry Malt. Magical.   Happy National Ice Cream Month RVA!!  

Most seasons, I like to do a "Must Do" list of things that I want to make sure I do before the time slips by. Sometimes they're simple, and sometimes more elaborate, but I love them because they make me think about the things that I particularly love or look forward to about that season, and sometimes just the reminder makes me happy. Always, it pushes me to do a bit more than the everyday mundane that we often get stuck in. So, without further ado, here's my Spring/Early Summer list of things I am looking forward to doing in and around RVA! (In no particular order) 1 Friday Cheers kicks off this week- Nothing says Summer in RVA quite like it! 2 Have a picnic at Maymont- With your love, family, friends, or a great book 3 Visit the Sno Shack in Mechanicsville for a Tiger's Blood shave ice 4 Patio dinners! My faves- Can Can, The Daily, or East Coast Provisions 5 First Fridays in the Arts District 6 Head to Sneed's Nursery and pick up some native plants (and plant them!) 7 Take a drive to Topping for lunch on the water at Merroir. 8 GrowRVA South of the James Market at Forest Hill Park for produce (and treats) 9 Strawberry season at Agriberry Farms means Strawberry Shortcake! 10 Get out on the James on a warm day 11 Learn something new about Richmond 12 Fire up the grill and enjoy the patio at home Do you have a list like this? What is a must do you have for this spring?

It's National Ice Cream Day! I'm celebrating with some of my RVA ice cream (or ice cream like) favorites. I've always loved ice cream. I mean, what says celebration, and summer, as much as ice cream? Just like so many things, I have a hard time picking a favorite, because sometimes that favorite just depends on my mood. So, here are a few (well, more than a few, really) of my faves. I'd love to hear yours!   When it comes to gelato, our overall, hands down favorite is Deluca Gelato at Gayton Crossing. Their gelato really transports you to Italy, and never disappoints. They've got all the classics- from Stracciatella and Spumoni to loads of sorbets and seasonal flavors. My favorites? I always go for a combo of Banana Nutella and Chocolate Sorbet, but you really can't go wrong here. (It's also very close to home, which is definitely a blessing and a curse.) One of the longest running ice cream spots in Richmond is Gelati Celesti, and it's the OG for a reason. (When I had my cafe in the early '90's, in fact, I would not rest until I had a full scooping cabinet of their ice cream.) With multiple locations now, it's super easy to grab your favorite no matter where you are. My go to here is always "Just Ask," a delicious white chocolate ice cream with frozen peanut butter ribbons and Oreos. We have some seriously fantastic "newer" additions to the Richmond ice cream scene, and yes, I have favorites there too! Charm School Social Club on Broad Street (in the heart of the Arts District) has a great, slightly edgy/artsy vibe and fantastic ice cream and flavors. Anything is great, but whatever you choose, you must get the house made, toasted fluff on top. So damn good. For flavors here, my favorites are Fruity Pebbles or Cereal Milk (obviously I have a thing for cereal) or the Princess Cake. If you find yourself on Southside, Charm School's Study Hall is the place to stop by for some delicious soft serve. This walk up window has a more limited menu than their flagship, and soft serve only, with a rotating variety of flavors (and a killer Dole Whip!) If you're looking for vegan ice cream, both locations of Charm School have good options for you, too! Scoop is located in the Fan, tucked into a little spot on Strawberry Street (next to Idle Hands Bread Company, another favorite). They are a small batch creamery as well, offering unique flavors, brownie sundaes, ice cream flights (hello!) featuring three flavors, shakes, and custom ice cream sandwiches. My favorite flavor here was always Croissants & Jam, but that's no longer a signature flavor. (The nerve!) Now, it's a toss up between Banana Pudding (going away soon), Roasted Strawberry, and Brown Sugar Cookie Dough. You may recognize the name Ruby Scoops from the Food Network show featuring Ben & Jerry's. Yes, she won the Grand Prize (justifiably so!) Located on Brookland Park Boulevard in Richmond's North Side, here you'll find a rotating menu of unique flavors, from ice creams like Dulce de Leche and Black Sesame (my two favorites) to vegan flavors and sorbets. Westray's Finest on Lombardy St. went from truck to cafe this year, and they've got some seriously top tier, small batch handmade ice cream. My favorite there is Gold Rush (Sweet Cream base, Dark Chocolate Swirl, and Honeycomb Candy. Yes please!) Bruster's has always been a favorite, since there is a location near my parents' house and we'd go there on hot summer evenings when my son was little. A great place to walk up, get a delicious sundae or waffle cone, and have lots of variety in flavors. ( A few locations have a drive through, too!) If you're in the mood for something a little different than "just" ice cream (though none of the above are "just" ice cream!), here are a few of my other frozen favorites: Sno Shack in Mechanicsville is the most unassuming little shack (yep, the name is no exaggeration) smack in the middle of a parking lot in Mechanicsville. With dozens of flavors for sweet, fluffy shaved ice, it's a true, old school, summertime treat. (Oh, yeah, they close after Labor Day, too, so get it in the summer or wait till next year!) My recommendation here? Tiger's Blood, with a Volcano. (A yummy blob of ice cream in the center of the magical ice!) Another soft serve/custard option around town is JiJi's Frozen Custard. With delicious flavors that change periodically, and "Pundaes" to go with the event/season and the flavors, they always have something unique and tasty. They are a truck, so seldom in the same place at once, but follow them on social to know where they'll be. There are a few new(er) places on my list to check out too- Sweet Wynns is an ice cream workshop, giving you the opportunity to create your own handmade, custom flavor. How fun and delicious does that sound?? Graham's Ice Cream reopened in Mechanicsville a few months ago, with lots of fun flavors, sundaes, and shakes. The only other "must have" on my list (as of today- that's always subject to change!) is Carl's Frozen Custard in Fredericksburg. I got turned on to Carl's when my brother was at Mary Washington, and I've been a super fan ever since. Carl's is an institution, and in operation since 1947. Usually a line, always worth it, and 3 flavors- chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Why mess with perfection? My go to is a Chocolate Strawberry Malt (not on the menu, but they'll make it.) It's a must stop any time I'm going up I95, and I'll confess that on more than one occasion I've taken a cooler to buy a spare to have later.