By Mike Anderson
I had high hopes for July 4th. I had the day off, and had plans to go sailing. An expected thunderstorm never materialized, but the forecast was enough to keep the sail furled. I found myself walking in a light but steady drizzle through downtown, hoping to explore some of the shops. I was surprised to find many of them closed – pleasantly surprised, I should say, because it’s important for retail workers to enjoy the holiday, too. It did leave me wondering how I might salvage the day, though.
Luckily for me, and for anyone else in town on Tuesday, many restaurants and cafes were open. And so were the ice cream shops. I hadn’t tried Annabelle’s yet. I decided it might be just the thing to, well, put the wind back in my sails.
I wasn’t disappointed. Annabelle’s is a charming, lighthearted place, with a cozy setting and friendly scooperistas (scooper + barista = scooperista). It is unapologetically unmodern. There are no gleaming subway tiles, nor lifeless, neutral color schemes. The walls are brick and pine, and I honestly felt like I’d stepped into a childhood memory. Annabelle’s opened in the early 80’s, and it looks like the décor hasn’t changed much. It reminds me of the warm, friendly places where my family used to go for dinner or dessert.
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Presumably, the great quality of the ice cream and the good vibes from the staff have made big changes unnecessary. Annabelle’s makes their own ice cream from “the highest quality natural ingredients,” according to their website. It’s a good, thick ice cream that didn’t turn instantly to soup in the July heat. I bought a small Kahlua Chocolate Chip. The Kahlua flavor and chocolate made a nice combination. The serving size was a bit small. For about $6, I got a couple of scoops that filled a cup a little larger than a one-cup measuring cup. For the quality of the ice cream, though, I’d say it was worth it.
My only disappointment was in not being able to sample multiple flavors. The staff politely explained that they had stopped offering samples during the Covid pandemic. A small sign in the window alerts guests to this policy, but I did not see it before I reached the counter, where I nearly salivated over the ice cream offerings. I would have liked to try some of the other flavors, but this will have to be achieved through future visits. Poor me. I will have to pine for such creations as “Mint Summer Night’s Dream” and “New Hampshire Pure Maple Walnut” until I return to this timeless local treasure.
Based on my recent, delightful experience, I’d give Annabelle’s a four out of four scoops.
You can indulge yourself in ice cream (and perhaps a touch of nostalgia) at Annabelle’s, at 49 Ceres Street in Portsmouth, from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily.
Visit them online at Welcome (annabellesicecream.com)
