Sweet Cow is a small-batch ice cream shop in the Denver area; I visited the Stanley Marketplace location in Aurora to try out their locally sourced, handscooped ice cream.



"At Sweet Cow we churn small batch handcrafted ice cream that tastes simply moolicious! We focus on creating a neighborhood space where memories are made, lives are celebrated and humans connect with one another. We are Colorado proud, from the majestic flatirons of Boulder to the mirrored skyscrapers of Denver and beyond. Swing by and experience the best homemade ice cream in Colorado," reads the website.



With two dozen choices for flavors, I honed in on rich, luxurious options like butter pecan and caramel latte. I can't remember which I settled on, but I remember the velvety texture of the ice cream was dreamy. The consistency was thick, which made it feel very artisanal.



And next time, I definitely want to try the ice cream in a sandwich, as opposed to just a scoop. But that's not all - sundaes, milkshakes, root beer floats, ice cream cakes, and even pies.



Grade: A

I fell deeply in love with Mexican fruit cups while visiting Arizona. And, the place that introduced me to them was Realeza Michoacana. Side note: Many businesses in the area are named similarly; "Michoacana" means someone or something from the state of Michoacán in western Mexico.



"At what is arguably the ice palace of Phoenix, there are frozen treats available in enough varieties and flavors to ensure that every child and adult will find a tasty way to beat the heat. The homemade paletas are made with fresh fruit, like the coconut packed with shavings, lime-infused mango chili, cantaloupe, strawberry, and 'cocktail,' which tastes like a margarita. If you’d rather use a spoon to eat your icy snack, try a raspado full of shaved ice, fruit, and flavored syrups. The Diabilito is a spicy-sweet drink jazzed up with chile powder, saladitos (salted plums), lime juice, hot sauce, and a chile tamarind candy swizzle stick. If you want a more American-style dessert, Realeza Michoacana also has pastries, fruit cocktails, and fourteen flavors of ice cream. This family-owned sweet shop is located along 16th Street in Central Phoenix, a hub for great Mexican eateries. After lunch or dinner, don’t forget to stop here for dessert," reads the Phoenix New Times.



Mexican fruit cups are essentially spears of fresh tropical fruit that have been topped with lime juice, chamoy and Tajin (chili lime salt). The result is a sweet but spicy and tangy snack that is beyond craveable.



It is so well balanced between the sweetness and the spice that it makes the whole snack so satisfying. The juiciness, the sticky sweetness, but then there's a zing that tempers it a bit and adds a new layer. At least, that was my experience at this lovely shop in Phoenix. I've since tried to recreat the fruit cup at home in a similar manner with limited success.



What's your favorite summer dessert?



Grade: A

Fernbank Public House has been one of the most anticipated new restaurant openings in Charleston that I can remember. This modern tavern with a nod to neighborhood nostalgia partnered with a well-known local restauranteur quietly opened to uproarious reviews. The small restaurant is situated on Bridge Road right beside Lola's. Parking can prove challenging with all of the great eating establishments here. But, once you're able to snag a spot, step inside Fernbank for some thing a little different. Clad with local art, loud chatter and a busy bar, I first ordered a drink. I picked a sweet and fizzy Elderberry Spritz cocktail that was the perfect way to begin my meal. There are a variety of stronger, less fruity drinks if that's your vibe. The menu features a variety of traditional pub fare that turns the creativity up a notch. House fries, mozzarella pearls, chicken tenders, hummus, shishito peppers, and, of course, burgers. I ordered 🍔 The Goat - Signature blend burger with housemade bacon jam & goat cheese served with lettuce, tomato, red onion and mayo on Charleston Bread Brioche with a side of fries. This burger was really tasty with the funk of the goat cheese pairing perfectly with the sweet and salty bacon jam. It's one of those burgers that's a bit tough to eat stacked, so it can be tough to get all the flavors and one bite. But when you do, it's glorious. The fries were also nicely crisp because they were double fried. That's the only way to eat a fry. Grade: A

TipTop, arguably West Virginia's premier coffee shop, recently moved just a few spots down the block in Thomas. And, I figured now was as good a time as any to visit.



I say premier coffee shop because it set the mold in the Mountain State for good, consistent, simple coffee in a trendy - yet comfy - space. This all remains true in their new space.



There are clean, modern spaces, local art, warm tones and a standard menu that includes cold brew, pour over, espresso, americano, cortado, cappuccino, latte, hot chocolate, cider and more.



I ordered a spiced cider and one of their strawberries & cream pastries. I loved the warming flavors of the drink paired with the light, fresh pastry. Neither too sweet, but enough to satisfy the craving. You really can't go wrong with any item here. The coffees are bold, the pepperoni rolls were solid and the pastries are classic, yet inventive.



Have you been?



Grade: A

Cafe Appalachia recently opened a second location in downtown Charleston. The original is located in South Charleston. But, both are more than just restaurants.



"Café Appalachia ... is a social enterprise that is open to the general public as a coffee house and popular breakfast and lunch destination.

The Café offers farm-to-table foods grown on-site and/or locally sourced. ReIntegr8 participants are trained at Café Appalachia and Café Appalachia Catering, where they learn how to grow food, prepare wholesome, nutritious meals and gain valuable skills and employment experiences.

Café Appalachia allows you to experience their garden-raised meals in your own home through GrubHub or business through its catering services, Café Appalachia Catering. The Cafe' hosts private events such as wedding rehearsals, receptions, bridal and baby showers, holiday parties, board retreats, and more," reads the website.



The downtown location is fairly small, with just a handful of tables. But the standout visual is a wall decorated with mountain imagery and a powerul quote.



The menu features standard sandwiches, salads and breakfast items. I ordered the "flat iron steak - Seared flat iron cooked to medium rare, sliced thin and served cold. Wrapped in naan, topped with baby arugula, fresh tomatoes, shaved parmesan and a house made parmesan horseradish aioli." I really enjoy horseradish, so that is what sold me here. The sandwich was pretty average; not bad, but nothing you couldn't make at home - and there's nothing wrong with that! It is fairly healthy, too, so bonus points. If you're looking for a good standard sandwich, this is for you. If you're looking for something with big and bold flavors, you might want to find out how to punch it up.



Grade: B