Los Angeles, CA

I once was an ice cream-aholic, going into cosmic brain freezes from a flavor which echoed my sentiment - Death By Chocolate. It was a weekly summer ritual, indulging in this textured scoop of nirvana perched atop a sugar cone. It was followed by the purchase of a clear cylinder containing Carvel’s chocolate & vanilla Flying Saucers (round ice cream sandwich cookies); the dairy version of a tea party for me and my grandmother. Her banana split was also ordered to go, for I knew she was waiting back home for the sugary soirée . Yeah, I had it bad…

About seven years ago, lactose intolerance entered my world, ending my enjoyment of all things relevant to dairy AND chocolate. I’m not crying any more, thanks to MILK. Located at 7290 Beverly Blvd. in West Hollywood, its homemade ice cream is reminiscent of the happy days when ice cream parlors were not associated with calories or shipped-in deliveries. Most importantly, they are showing love for the lactose-intolerant, with a selection of soy vanilla, chocolate and coffee toffee for our reactive bellies.

I know my grandmother is smiling down from heaven, knowing that we would still be able to sit and enjoy ice cream together at MILK; she enjoying her banana split, and I creating custom-built ice cream sandwiches from their soy milk ice cream.