Doesn’t this look like ice cream on grape jelly?

Actually, it’s a Rita’s “Gelati” (not to be confused with the Italian ice cream) and it’s great: a layer of vanilla frozen custard, followed by a layer of wild black cherry Italian ice, and topped with more frozen custard.  A bit messy — but worth a few cherry stains.

I hadn’t been to a Rita’s since I lived in Pennsylvania, but now it appears they’ve arrived in our fair county — there’s a Rita’s in Yonkers, one coming soon in Elmsford, and to my delight, this location which recently opened next door to Trader Joe’s in Larchmont.

Rita’s is best known for its Italian ice, sort of a cross between a hard Italian ice and a slush drink, with pieces of real fruit mixed in.  They also make a smooth, creamy frozen custard.  Then they create all sorts of combinations of the two, like the potently refreshing Gelati, which I managed to get all over my hand even though it was in a cup.

While I was ordering, a person dressed in a Rita’s “Ice Guy” costume popped out from the back of the store and was led outside by another employee.  I’m not sure how well he could see in that thing.  And man he had to be hot in there. Made for a nice photo op though.  Who doesn’t love the Ice Guy?

Rita’s
1262 W. Boston Post Rd.
Mamaroneck, NY
914-833-7500