Lake Effect Artisan Ice Cream

Lake Effect ice cream tastes great. I say that because it’s all too easy to get one’s head in a spin over the unique and exotic available flavors (mascarpone peach, black sesame, whiskey brown sugar) or the fact that so many ingredients are locally sourced. Those are wonderful qualities, but the bottom line is that this ice cream is delicious. Simple vanilla (actually not so simple; it’s made with vanilla from the Blue Mountains of Southern India) and chocolate (it uses a proprietary cocoa blend) are not the least bit overwrought. They’re ideal versions of the basics.

Many available flavors are distinctly Buffalonian: loganberry reflects the city’s passion for the sweet, slightly tart fruit juice; Paula’s Donuts — a  beloved local bakery — is represented in Paula’s Red Velvet and Paula’s Glazed Donut flavors; frozen hot chocolate reminds you of Buffalo’s population of extraordinary chocolatiers. Sponge candy ice cream delivers what Buffetbuster described as the “distinct sponge candy/molasses flavor” of the city’s favorite candy.

Artisan sundaes include all sorts of unexpected toppings: chocolate-covered potato chips, biscotti, truffles, fry cakes, cookies and crisps from local bakeries. Ice cream cakes also are available — nothing like what’s dished out at Carvel. For example, Strawberry Cheesecake Crumble is cheesecake ice cream, strawberry puree, vanilla ice cream, and shortbread crumbs, its sides covered with shortbread crumble from Chrusciki Bakery, its top decorated with fresh strawberries.

Original location is at 79 Canal St. in Lockport.