Ice Cream is comfort food and one of America’s favorite desserts.
 This versatile creation has been flavored with everything from favorites like chocolate, vanilla and coffee (you thought I was going to say strawberry, didn’t you?) to the odd flavors of avocado and garlic.
But what memories come to mind when you think of ice cream?
Many of you may remember going to one of Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor Restaurants.  It was children’s paradise, with old time arcade games and Farrell’s Fabulous Fun.
When you walked in the door the candy shop was right there, and you knew if you were good you might get a few dollars to spend on the way out.  My sisters and I  would stand on our tiptoes to get a better look at all of the taffy and hard candy, as well as the gold chocolate coins. It was a scene right out of Willie Wonka.
Our eyes gleaming and mouths watering we would go to the table and await the ice cream heaven to come.
The ultimate brain freeze was “Pig Trough,” the servers banging drums and blowing whistles as they brought it to your table.  Oh, but it was magic with a sparkler on top.
So now I am older, and my tastes are more refined.  The last of this once-famous nationwide chain has long since disappeared from San Diego, so I ask this question: 
Who has the most creative ice cream creation in our sunny seaside town?
So, it is in the popular theme of eight that we start our list.
Baked Alaska from Oceanaire. 400 J Street SD. (619) 858-2288. $6.50
Classic ice cream flavors come form meringue, cinnamon, 151 rum and crème de cocao.  The presentation represented here is something that has almost become a forgotten art. This is big enough for two, or one if you are a piglet like me.
Fried Coconut Ice Cream from Lotus Thai. 3761 6th Ave., SD.  (619) 299-8272.  $6.50
Believe it or not, this is homemade coconut ice cream, balled up and breaded with fresh coconut shavings, and an amazing sesame seed drizzled a la flambé.  This is truly the best coconut ice cream within San Diego County borders. Homemade ice cream in an Asian bistro—who woulda thunk it??
The Brownie-Brownie Sundae from The Daily Scoop. 3004 Juniper St., SD. (619) 624-0920  SD. $4.95
Treat yourself and the kids to the delectable treat made with homemade chocolate brownies AND all-natural ‘Niederfranks’ brownies (that’s right-two kinds of brownies, hence the name), whipped cream and a cherry on top. Krista Lunetto has created a great place for children on a hot summer’s day.
Retro Island Prime Mud Pie from Island Prime and ‘C’ Level Lounge.  880 Harbor Island Drive SD. (619)298-6802.  $10.00
Deborah Scott has become a legend in San Diego due to creative inventions like this one.  This mountain of coffee ice cream drowning in homemade fudge comes served up on a platform of chocolate ganache. This generously-sized item will definitely feed two. Perfect way to end a romantic date: order this masterpiece and try it with coffee or an aperitif, all while enjoying an impressive views of downtown San Diego.
Bananas Foster or Flambé Bananas from Hexagone.  495 Laurel St.  SD. (619) 236-0467 —and The French Market Grille–15717 Bernardo Heights Pkwy.,  SD.    $7.50
Vanilla ice that is topped with caramelized brown sugar, butter, 151 rum and of course bananas, with a chocolate drizzle. This French dish is rich in flavor, and eat it quick while the sauce is hot.
Espresso Ice Cream from Whisknladle. 1044 Wall Street, La Jolla.                 (858)551-7575.  $9.00
Pastry Chef Tracy Wei makes all natural ice cream in small batches daily.  I really have to impress on you that when you have this mint ice cream you know it was made the same day—you can taste the mint leaf. However, my pupose here is to rave about the espresso ice cream with chocolate sauce and candied almonds. You will regret it if you share this one. Trust me, you’ll want it all to yourself.
Domingo Sundae from Ghirardelli’s. 643 Fifth Ave.,  SD.  (619)234-2449.  $ 8.50
The oldest maker of chocolate in the United States (since 1852) comes up with a special but Spanish-American entendre for the name of this mouth-watering treat (Domingo means Sunday in Spanish). Hot Ghirardelli fudge caresses vanilla ice cream, bananas, whipped cream chopped nuts, all with cherry on top. Eat in or take out.
The Banana Spilt  at Mariposa, Normal Heights. (also at Oceanside Pier) 3450 Adams Ave.,  (619) 284-5197. $ 6.50
This family has been making ice cream for about sixty years. It’s all natural and made fresh almost daily, although closed on Tuesdays. You’ll feel the love when you walk in the door. The tradition banana split is, as they say, “all good,” but with so many unique flavors to choose from here, go wild and mix it up.
Hawaiian Ice Cream / Six  on Six from Lappert’s. 12265 Scripps Poway Pkwy., SD.  (858) 577-0015. $9.00
Lappert’s has some of the best ice cream in the world, with18-21% butter fat making it lower in calories. They make more flavors then any other ice cream maker; the first of two treats featured here using all natural ingredients from Hawaii. Second is one of my personal favorites, the Six on six, a made-to-order Belgian vanilla waffle with you choice of six scoops of ice cream. It all comes topped with heavy pastry cream, Kauai white chocolate or Crème Brulée caramel and mixed nuts. The generous portion can serve two to four.
Michael Spradley is a native San Diegan who started working in French Restaurants at the age of fourteen.  He writes for the everyday person with a focus on value and taste. His goal is to end childhood hunger in the County of San Diego. “Food should be taken seriously life with a sense of humor.  Enjoy both “