FOOD & DRINK 1984 was an incredible year. Sure, it was the year that Apple sold the first Macintosh PC to the public. Yes, Scott Hamilton took the gold in the Sarajevo Winter Olympics. But the real pinnacle of that year came when President Ronald Reagan declared July to be National Ice Cream Month. After all, what could be a more American treat? We all know the jingle from the Mister Softee truck, and who hasn’t dreamed of an ice cream birthday cake while growing up? Extra lunch money is hoarded by school kids everywhere just to buy a frozen treat. In the 1920s, even Ellis Island workers served bowls of ice cream to make immigrants feel more at home in their new land. So how do we celebrate the most basic pleasure of our childhood with gluten and dairy allergies, lactose intolerance, and our rising awareness of the dangers of sugar? In Astoria, that answer is simple. Head over to 24th Avenue for something cool and decadent at Sweet Jane’s, where ice cream is even prepared without dairy, replacing it with alternative bases of cashew, almond, coconut or soy. Select flavors of ice cream and Italian ice are even prepared without sugar. Founder Jane McGinn invited BORO to stop by to help make a custom ice cream cake and prepare some sugar-free Italian ice. As she scooped mounds of cashew mocha ice cream into a springform pan, she reflected on the birth of her love of the all- American dessert. “Growing up, we were five kids, and we went out for sundaes on Sundays,” laughs Jane. “I remember asking my grandmother what made her choose my grandfather,” she smiles. “You know what she said? ‘He learned to dance, and he took me out for ice cream.’ Now I get to watch families come in and pass on that love.” While classic flavors are certainly available and sundae toppings can cap any scoop, some of the most popular batches are born from her creativity. The Mango Lassi is velvety and sweet. The Cabernet is divine, and the Pear Ginger Riesling and Watermelon flavors have pieces of real fruit. The Blueberry Lavendar, one of the most delicious, is made with a coconut base. “It doesn’t have to be bad to be good,” she says. “A whole fudgsicle is 115 calories.” And that fudgsicle was the catalyst for all of the creativity. “I always wanted to create the best fudgsicle around,” explains Jane. “I was working for the MTA, and then I found WIBO.org, the workshop in business opportunities.” Soon thereafter, she found herself enrolled in Ice Cream University, and now the rest is history. Jane also sells vegan fudge from Mister Sister, and fine truffles from LaRochelle Chocolates. “You no longer have to go very far to get good chocolates and healthier ice creams,” says Jane. And what’s not to love about that? Now, the ultimate American experience is right down the block. Sweet Jane's Story & Image By bradley hawks 27-17 24th Ave., Astoria, NY 11102 347-848-0292 www.sweet-janes.com 42 | BOROMAG.COM | JULY 2015
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