Top Four (Healthier) Summer Ice Cream Stops (Around the World)

June 18, 2019 Melanie Glover

Self care means indulging every once in awhile, and for me that means enjoying ice cream during the warmer summer months!

I LOVE ice cream. In the summertime, there’s nothing better than experimenting with fun flavors in a cup or a cone while watching the sunset over a lake, walking around a cute downtown area with a dear one, or hanging out with friends on a porch or deck. Here are a few of my favorite ice cream stops around the world so that you can enjoy ice cream (or gelato) wherever you are!

(1) Ice Cream Joy Cafe in Lakewood, OH: Ice Cream Joy Cafe is a cute ice cream shop near Cleveland, Ohio serving vegan ice cream with other natural ingredients. Oh, and they also serve coffee, teas, and espresso — bonus!

(2) Furniture Creamery in Grand Rapids, MI: Located between downtown and east Grand Rapids, Michigan, Furniture City Creamery offers its customers a wide variety of ever-changing flavors made with vegan and other natural ingredients; however, chocolate always seems to be at the top of the list! True to its name, the ice cream is always super creamy. Don’t miss the private patio at the back of this shop to enjoy your special treat. And, it’s pet friendly!

(3) Di Angelo Gelateria in Madrid, Spain: This is my favorite gelato stop in Spain. The gelato is thick and full of flavor, and the gelateria uses natural ingredients such as whole fruits in their batches. Ask for “energético,” which is a combination of citrus flavors plus carrot.

(4) Tasty Treat in Lake City, MI: This place boasts “the largest cones in the North!” — and they’re not kidding! They offer such generous portions that even a “kid” size does not disappoint, and the variety of their sizes makes this place an easy one to visit while watching your portions. Their list of flavors is pretty extensive too; I love the variety of flurries they offer (plenty of fruit!).

So there you have it — my top four picks for ice cream stops around the world. Here’s to enjoying ice cream wherever you are this summer!

All opinions are my own, and I received no compensation for expressing them.

First image above: Shutterstock.

Mercado de San Miguel: One of Madrid's Best Daytime Activities

February 14, 2018 Melanie Glover

Are you visiting Madrid and need a daytime activity appropriate for a date, family outing, or excursion solo-style? An idea worth exploring is a visit to Madrid's bustling Mercado de San Miguel, or San Miguel Market in English.

The first time I visited Mercado de San Miguel was in 2016 on a food tour. After having lived in Spain and returning to Spain on and off for the past 13 years, I couldn't believe that I had never stumbled upon this beautiful market.

Mercado de San Miguel is located in the heart of Madrid (metro stop: Sol) near Madrid's Plaza Mayor (main square). The 20th-century iron building houses a diverse selection of foods and beverages that will not leave you hungry.

Start by making your way around the market according to whatever you're in the mood for! I typically like to work my way from a drink to open the palette to savory to sweet. And this market has food and drink to accommodate that range -- and then some!

The theme reminds me of Eataly, which I have visited a few times in Chicago. Eataly offers an experience for (almost all) of the senses organized by various types of Italian food and drink. Mercado de San Miguel provides a similar opportunity to lose yourself in the aromas, textures, and tastes of some of Madrid's best food.

*Turrones (hard and soft Spanish candy)*

The magic of Mercado de San Miguel is that it has something for everyone. Whether you are a solo traveler enjoying an adventure at your own pace or traveling with a family, the market offers a large variety of finger foods and drinks including seafood, meats, cheese, fruits, wine, beer, coffee, sweet treats, and even sushi! The food and drink are typical of Spain if you are curious about Spanish cuisine.

So here are my top truths about Mercado de San Miguel; however, the pros definitely outweigh the cons!

Next time you're in Madrid, be sure to give Mercado de San Miguel a try; it is an experience you won't regret!

Have you ever visited Mercado de San Miguel, and would you recommend it to someone visiting Madrid?

Devour Madrid Food Tours: A Review

September 13, 2016 Melanie Glover

*Seafood spread at Mercado de San Miguel*

After having followed Lauren’s blog, Spanish Sabores, for several years, I learned that she had started food tours in select Spanish cities. I was so intrigued by her business idea, and, as a lover and student of Spanish gastronomy myself, I had to try one of the food tours.

In planning my trip to Madrid, I scheduled and paid for the “Ultimate Spanish Cuisine Tour” online, and I received helpful confirmations and reminders until the day of my tour. The instructions were simple to follow: we were to meet in the Plaza Mayor in Madrid to start our food tour. I couldn’t wait.

When I arrived, my guide, Joy, greeted me with friendliness and excitement. There was only one other guest on my tour, so we would have lots of time for questions and getting to know each other as we floated through Madrid’s busy streets. Despite being September, the weather was quite warm. Still, we proceeded on our walking tour, which focused on Madrid’s classic cuisine.

A few of my favorite things:

Variety

The tour started with sweet, moved onto salty, and ended again with sweet. The path through these flavors, however, incorporated various foods and drink that make Spain’s gastronomy so rich and diverse. A few of the foods and drink we explored on the tour included vermouth, cocido (Spanish stew for which Madrid is famous), tortilla de patata (Spanish omelet), turrón (Spanish candy), churros con chocolate (fried dough with chocolate), jamón ibérico (Iberian ham), and sidra (Spanish cider) – to name only a few of the culinary delights!

History

Joy explained Spanish history as it related to Madrid’s plazas and landmarks as well as Spanish wines and cheeses. I loved the mini history lessons associated with each stop on the tour. For example, did you know that the City of Madrid recognizes those businesses that have been operating for more than 100 years with a plaque located right outside of their door? As Joy put it, you know a business’ goods or services are worthwhile if they’ve been around for 100 years.

Taste

The tour lasted about three hours, and we finished with a mouthful of delicious tastes from olives to manchego cheese to deep red Rioja wine. Every bite and sip was unique and flavorful. I returned to at least two of the places we visited on the tour to buy some tasty souvenirs for my plane ride home.

My favorite stop on the tour was the Mercado de San Miguel. This market has rich history as well as delicious variety. There was so much to look at, smell, and taste. I definitely went back for another visit after the food tour!

My guide was patient, articulate, and accommodating. Despite having lived in Spain previously and consumed lots of Spanish food and drink, I still learned quite a few things. The tour satisfied both my desire to learn and taste.

I highly recommend this food tour as an informative and delicious occasion to get to know Madrid, Spain, and Madrid and Spanish gastronomy. My favorite part, though, was exploring the connection that food brings between people. Food and drink are a universal language, and I’m so glad I get to “speak” it with others who enjoy it as well. Cheers, and thank you Devour Madrid Food Tours for a wonderful experience!

All opinions are my own, and I received no compensation for expressing them.

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