Dessert Restaurants
Greetings Everyone; OK, long before the legendary “Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor” chain faded out of business in the 1980s my favorite dessert destination was “Baskin-Robbins” famous “31 Flavors,” or if we could talk our parents into driving a ways, maybe “Farrell’s” original 6-scoop “Pig’s Trough" Ice Cream Sundaes. I never did try eating one by myself, but the famous Farrell’s “Trough” came loaded up with extra chocolate & caramel syrups, strawberry sauces, nuts, plus whipped cream and cherries... and if you ate the whole thing by yourself you received a trophy!

This was the predecessor to the “Super-Size Me” marketing campaigns, and granted, is more gluttony than gourmet but did make great marketing with the high-school set and was about as “Gourmet” as dessert got in the mid 1960s. At about that same time Marie Callender finished baking her first pies in her garage and started opening her chain of west-coast pie shops. I can still remember the last of the “Soda Shops” in the Newport Beach area closing in the early 1970s… “Orange Julius” Stands were still popular as was A&W’s Root Beer Float; most all of which have lost favor today and are no longer in business except for a few struggling A&W Restaurants.

Presently, Ice Cream and Pie Shops have come a long ways since Marie Callender opened her first pie shop… and as desserts have evolved into quality over quantity and presentations are becoming art forms, we will try to list all the sweet destinations of interest we find, while trying to avoid expanding our cumulative waist-lines proportionally. Good Stuff, and we have not even mentioned Cheese Cakes (We Love Cheese Cakes)!

With all this said, I have read reviews about some trend setting Specialty Dessert Restaurants like one on New York’s “East Village” where you can simply skip dinner and jump right into Dessert and maybe some Wine… What a concept! No kidding, just go to “Chikalicious” (203 E. 10th St; Manhattan, NY (212) 995-9511) and “Chika,” the chef/owner will work her magic on your sweet tooth (and pocket book)!

Presently all we have to report her are some incredible ice cream and pie destinations… but Ed Wright, “The Wright Gourmet” will be sure to report when “The Inland Empire” has it’s own similar “Dessert Only” Restaurants and maybe the re-introduction of the infamous “Trough.” Any volunteers? We can probably arrange (pictures to follow)!

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