Tucked next to a parking lot on Carmine St., you might easily walk right by this little gem on your way to Grey Dog or Blue Ribbon Bar just around the corner. We are here to tell you to stop, slow down, pay attention and seek out Victory Garden. Home of goat milk soft serve and frozen yogurt, Victory Garden is not just an average ice cream parlor.
For those of you that haven’t fully boarded the heath-nut train yet, you may not know that goat milk has many benefits along with being lactose friendly and easier to digest than cow’s milk. It is also lower in fat than cow’s milk, yet contains all the nutrients and is a good source of iron, calcium, protein and potassium. That is all good news, but what you really need to know is that it has a slight sweetness to it and when served as a delicious treat in a cone cup or a smoothie, you may find yourself returning to Victory Garden daily (don’t think we’re joking, we’re not)! There are usually four flavors available (if you can get yourself to order anything other than the salted caramel), and they are always unique and seasonal choices like dates, cardamon, or coming soon: pumpkin spice.
What’s even better is that all of their ingredients are locally sourced and don’t think that it’s just dessert. They offer healthy and delicious salads, sandwiches and treats, as well as a soup du jour to warm you up this season (we are currently OBSESSED with their kale lentil soup). Everything is daintily packaged and easy to grab and go. They sell pints of ice cream to bring home, but also deliver anywhere south of 96th St. in Manhattan.
While you are there deciding what to have for lunch (hint: kale soup) and which toppings to have on your salted caramel soft serve (may we suggest fresh berries and real honeycomb), you can also pick up goat milk products. They offer lotions and soaps made from goat’s milk that are great for gifts or to just keep for yourself.
Don’t let the cold weather scare you away from an ice cream store. This tiny treasure offers more than meets the eye. Located at 31 Carmine St. (between Bleeker and Bedford) they are open until 11pm (10pm on Sunday) so if you skip lunch you can swing by for dinner AND dessert! Goat for it.
Also check out their blog for recipes and ideas. Let us know your favorites in the comments below after you get your goat on.
David is the resident nerd around these parts. Running a popular tech blog (TheUnlockr.com) for the past 6 years, he’s taken his over-analytical mind and made the transition to food.
