What: Picco
Where: 513 Tremont St.
Honeys Heart: Homemade ice cream sundaes and root beer floats
Remember how I'm obsessed with the South End? Well, that love affair started a few months back when I was doing some research for work, research that required me to drag Anna (my tour guide) all over the South End on a super hot summer afternoon.
By the time I was finished, we were both in need of a little something to help us cool down, and some homemade ice cream from Picco seemed just the thing.
Picco offers a rotating menu of homemade ice creams with flavors like vanilla, caramel swirl, coconut chip, banana PB swirl, cinnamon, honey, and raspberry chip, as well as a number of fresh sorbets like dark chocolate and lemon raspberry.
Anna tried the "Adult" Ice Cream Soda ($11) made with your choice of Belgium Lambic (Anna got strawberry) poured over Picco's vanilla ice cream.
I have always enjoyed root beer floats so I ordered the Brown Cow ($5.50) made with Capt'n Eli's root beer and Picco's vanilla ice cream. The vanilla ice cream was rich and flavorful on its own, and the addition of Capt'n Eli's made the float one of the best I've ever had.
In fact, I enjoyed my trip to Picco so much that I made sure to bring my family there for dessert when they were visiting. My dad and sister are big ice cream lovers too so I knew they would appreciate Picco's homemade flavors.
True to form, I ordered what I knew I liked and once again went with the Brown Cow.
My mom and sister both opted for the Sundae ($5) with vanilla ice cream, Scharffen Berger hot fudge, and homemade whipped cream. So decadent!
My dad decided to go big and get the Dark Chocolate Brownie Sundae ($7) with malted chocolate chip ice cream, chunks of brownies, and hot fudge.
The malted chocolate chip ice cream was so delicious! Too bad Picco insists on constantly changing up its flavors so there's no guarantee that malted chocolate chip will be on the menu the next time I go. At least they post their daily flavors on their website so I can check what's available before I make the long trek out there! Here's to hoping that they'll open another location in the Brookline area in the very near future...
I should also probably mention that Picco does more than just ice cream. They are also known for their artisan pizzas. I've never had one, but they looked and smelled delicious. Very reminiscent of the tasty pizzas at San Jose's own Pizza Antica. Hopefully I'll be able to find out whether or not that comparison holds up soon.
and one last thing...
ATTN: FELLOW ICE CREAM LOVERS
Picco is participating in Boston's 2nd Annual Ice Cream Showdown this weekend (Aug 21 & 22)! The Showdown will pit Picco against the likes of J.P. Licks, Stonyfield, Chilly Cow Custard, Christina's, Toscanini's, and b.good. The Showdown will take place in Union Square in Somerville on Saturday from 2-4pm and at the SoWa Market in the South End on Sunday from 2-4pm. You can get your $8 tickets here or at the door. According to Picco's site, "a large portion of ticket sales will be going to local charities including Lovin' Spoonful, Share our Strength, Somerville Local First, Arts Union, and Community Servings."
See you there!
