BACKROADS • NOVEMBER 2021
Page 20
FORTUNES ICE CREAM
55 BROADWAY, TIVOLI, NY 12583 • 845-757-2899 • fortunesicecream.com WINDOW SERVICE SEASONALLY • PINTS SOLD / CHECK FOR HOURS OFF-SEASON I’ve been doing the Inside Scoop for many moons now, and I’ve been asked how I discover all the varied places I feature. Many times, it’s just the luck of being on the right road at the right time and passing what looks to be another stop on the ice cream trail. Like other journalists, I peruse the lists of ‘Best ofs’ and ‘Only in your State’ to see other people’s selections. Ice cream and pizza seem to be two of the most contested foods, as everyone has an opinion because there are so many choices. With ice cream, there’s soft or hard serve, waffle or sugar cone or cup as well as the age-old argument over chocolate or vanilla. These days, with the rise of the multitudes of homemade ice cream shops, the exotic flavors are too numerous to name, with the likes of rosewater pistachio, habanero maple and sweet pea mint for those adventurous enough to give them a lick. This summer we ventured out for a day ride in the Hudson Valley, with a stop in Dutchess County’s tiny village of Tivoli. Seems it had been discovered by Food & Wine magazine in their annual Best Ice Cream by State, with the accolades going to Fortunes Ice Cream, ranked top in New York State. In my opinion, there is good ice cream and great ice cream, but when you can get your hands on award-winning ice cream, it’s time to get on your bike and ride. Lisa Farjam and Brian Ackley are the brains behind Fortunes Ice Cream. They met at Bard College, a stone’s throw from Tivoli in Annandale, and moved to The City where they created an art magazine called Bidoun. Brian continued his education with a Masters of Architecture and began designing furniture. Their love of entertaining and elaborate dinner parties developed Brian’s role as dessert maker extraordinaire and he delved into the art of ice cream making. While they never did go back to their old school, they did move back to Tivoli, family in tow, and longed for a quaint spot for fresh, seasonal, locally made ice cream to bring their little ones. As if on cue, 55 Broadway, what they felt would be the perfect location, became available and they moved in, never having done anything like this before but knowing that Brian made some damn fine ice cream. They saw it as their FORTUNE. Some six years later, they are still scooping their finest, pleasing locals and travelers alike, and earning the FORTUNE and fame they sought. We parked in front of the colorful and inviting scoop shop on a sunny day, looking forward to tasting their offerings. The inside was closed, but their scoop window was doing a very brisk business, the patio tables filled with smiling faces young and old. This day’s menu featured a dozen flavors, from traditional to quite creative, including vegan and dairy-free along with good old fashioned dairy ice cream. Of course, I wanted to try them all, especially the Halva Honeycomb (dairy-free), Darkest Chocolate, Rosewater Pistachio, Licorice and Plum Ginger. Their flavors do change and rotate, as well as having seasonal flavors such as their autumn Verbena Husk Cherry. After the happy young lady in the window offered a few sample tastings, I settled on a double cup of Plum Ginger and Caramel Brownie. Brian opted for a double cone of Coffee and Darkest Chocolate, washing this all down with very good iced coffee. Your choices in servings are one, two or three scoops at very reasonable prices with the optional toppings including hot fudge, caramel, peanuts, salt, sprinkles and a cherry. If you’d like to go big, their sundaes are hot fudge or caramel, milkshakes of any flavor including coffee with an extra shot, root beer float, and my personal favorite, the Affogato – vanilla ice cream with hot coffee poured over it. Our desserts secured, we found one of the colorful tables and enjoyed the afternoon sun while watching the little kids play in the alleyway. Each was most tasty, but the coffee and chocolate were exceptional. Fortunes is seasonal but, in the off-season, they do sell pints and other grab and go options on select dates so take a look at their web and Facebook pages should you decide to take a spin to Tivoli. For now, it may be the thirty-five sweet goodbyes, but soon the oleanders will grow outside their door and it will, once again, be ice cream time. Here’s a 130-mile one-way route from Elias Cole (great breakfast!) on Route 23 in Sussex, NJ to Fortunes Ice Cream in Tivoli, NY. Enjoy the ride and we’ll see you on the ice cream trail: www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/pq6s1z ,
