The taste of summer in your mouth: many options, never enough time
Shaved ice, fresh sandwiches, outdoor dining, and abundant ice cream
How excited am I about the new shaved ice truck at Colburn Park in Lebanon? Pretty darn excited, as it turns out. You could be too.
Upper Valley Tropical Sno has landed and promises to be there daily through the summer from 12:00 noon to 8:00 pm. Tropical (including coconut, guava, passion fruit) and other flavors (vanilla, strawberry, red raspberry) are available on their own or in combos. While waiting for my Lime Delight, I had to ask if shaved ice was the same as the snow cone of my childhood. No, according to owner Alex Ragias (photo, below.) Snow cones are made of ice pellets, and shaved ice is, well . . . just as it sounds, and “fluffier, holds the flavor better.” He’s right! I devoured mine in the car, and with nary a drip down my arm.
The Red Clover Cafe and Creamery (in the space formerly known as Isabell’s on Route 5 in East Thetford, VT) is reopening for the season. Two years ago, it was one of the first features in a joint Artful/Daybreak project in which Rob Gurwitt and I interviewed owners of Upper Valley restaurants to inquire which dish on their menu was their own personal favorite. (Click here.) Everything’s fresh and tasty at the Red Clover—mostly sandwiches (see below) and salads in a beautifully renovated, airy cafe. And then there’s the ice cream . . . The cafe opens this week on June 5, ice cream arrives a little later on June 15. Hours are 11 am to 2 pm, Wednesday through Saturday. On Sundays—ice cream only.
The famed Dairy Twirl, where eight years ago then Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton stood at the counter to order a cone, started serving up its summer fare last weekend in downtown Lebanon. Soft-serve and hard scoop ice cream, floats, milk shakes, old-fashioned banana splits for reasonable prices. A tip jar at the counter. Just about everyone you know (and their dog) standing in line and enjoying their ice cream in the parking lot. A noble summer tradition. (Check their Facebook page for days and hours.)
What’s with so many frozen goodies? Ever the detective, upon seeing a couple wandering in Hanover clutching maple creemies in waffle cones, I inquired. Yes, Hanover Scoops—next door to the Nugget Theater—is now open for the season.
Lebanon and Hanover restaurants have been rolling out into the streets again. New this year is sidewalk seating for The Works on Hanover’s Main Street, alongside similar outdoor venues for Murphy’s and across from Lou’s Restaurant. In downtown Lebanon, I celebrated with my first summer lunch last week al fresco under the recently opened small tent at Three Tomatoes (the larger one covers most of Court Street). I say it every year: Colburn Park, the pedestrian mall, the sidewalk tables at Three Tomatoes and Salt hill Pub feels like a little slice of Europe in the summer.
And finally, can’t leave without mentioning these words: Mac’s Maple. Already open; their maple creamee always a summer gift to self.
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And in case you are wondering . . . Susan B. Apel shuttered a lifelong career as a law professor to continue an interest (since kindergarten) in writing. Her freelance business, The Next Word, includes literary and feature writing; her work has appeared in a variety of lit mags and other publications including Art New England, The Woven Tale Press, The Arts Fuse, and Persimmon Tree. She connects with her neighbors through Artful, her blog about arts and culture in the Upper Valley. She’s in love with the written word.