This post is part of fellow book blogger, Beth Fish Reads‘, weekly meme (a “community” blog post, for all those non-bloggers out there) called Weekend Cooking.
This is the first time I’ve written about a restaurant for Weekend Cooking, but I had such a unique dessert at this particular spot that I had to write about it!
While on vacation in August, my husband and I had dinner at The Shanty in Cape Charles, a waterfront town on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The Shanty is situated on the docks of the town harbor, so you get a fantastic view of the boats coming in, as well as the sun going down. The sunset is incredibly spectacular because Cape Charles is one of the only places on the East Coast where you can see the sun set right “into” the water. We had a gorgeous sunset the night we were there…this picture doesn’t begin to do it justice.
I expected the sunset and some fresher than fresh seafood…what I didn’t expect was the creativity of the menu, culminating in the most unique dessert I’ve ever had. When the waitress mentioned Vanilla, Lemon, Old Bay Ice Cream* (Old Bay is a spice typically served on steamed crabs and Peel N Eat shrimp in the Chesapeake Bay area) as one of their special desserts of the night, I couldn’t pass it up.
My first thought about the Old Bay Ice Cream was that it reminded me of episodes of “Iron Chef” where the Chef walks toward the ice cream machine with a weird ingredient and the judges cringe and say “oh no, not [insert weird ingredient] ice cream”. Well, I’m one of those people who will order the oddest thing on the menu simply because I’m curious. And, this odd creation was one of the most delicious ice creams I’ve ever had. The Old Bay was subtle…just a hint of spice at the end of a luxurious bite of vanilla and lemon.
Alas, I don’t have the recipe to share, but am crossing my fingers that The Shanty will still have this ice cream the next time I’m in Cape Charles.
*The Vanilla, Lemon, Old Bay Ice Cream was created for The Shanty by local ice cream parlor, Brown Dog Ice Cream.
Gorgeous sunset! I love that they serve the ice cream in a mug.
I’m always curious about unusual foods on menus. I like ice cream with spices & herbs: cinnamon, mint, chocolate with a touch of hot pepper, for example. So I can imagine that the Old Bay vanilla would have been worth the try. Now I too wish I had a recipe. 🙂
I didn’t even think to ask for the recipe when I was there, but I’m pretty sure I would have been denied! I also love spices in desserts!
We’re so desperate to take a vacation on the Eastern Shore – I really need to see those ponies! We went to Mathews last Fall and it was great, but I want that real Chesapeake/Ocean experience. I’m willing to try some strange things, but I have to admit I would have been a little nervous about the ice cream!
I grew up going to Deltaville…right near Mathews…love it there! Cape Charles is right over the Bay Bridge Tunnel and is a great vacation spot on the Eastern Shore if you’re looking for something around there. A little closer to Richmond than Chincoteague and Assateague, but don’t have the ponies!
Old Bay in vanilla/lemon ice cream sounds amazing! I am going to have to do some ice-cream creation experimenting because I don’t expect to get to Cape Charles, VA. Thanks for sharing your pictures!
That definitely reminds me a little of Iron Chef as well but I’m not sure I would’ve been able to resist trying it! It sounds amazing. Your pictures are stunning as well. I’m not sure I’ve ever really been to coastal Virginia but it looks lovely.
Sounds oddly delicious! Love the mug presentation.
I’ve never visited the Eastern Shore — hope to get there someday and I’ll keep The Shanty in mind. 🙂 Old Bay seasoning in ice cream is definitely different — it’s interesting to see what flavor combinations people will think of next.
I’m going to have to research that spice. Vanilla and lemon fantastic. Cheers
I would have never thought to use Old Bay as an ice cream ingredient, I’ve only ever used it on poultry! Now I’m wondering if I’d like Old Bay Ice Cream.
What a gorgeous sunset! Ice cream with Old Bay would give me pause, but vacation is a time to try new things.
Haha – It definitely gave me pause until I tried it!
They’re using Old Bay in beer now too but I’ve never tried it because I thought it would be overpowering. You’ve made this sound good.
Interesting! I’ve definitely never heard that before!
Cape Charles is beautiful and now you have me craving some of that ice cream. Thanks for bringing back memories and describing it so well.
It sounds like you’ve been there? We love it…got married there and go there every summer!
I love trying regional foods on vacation and would have jumped at the chance to taste old bay ice cream – such an unexpected flavor! I’m going to have to search out the old bay beer that Kathy mentioned above, too.
Stunning sunset photo!
Sounds like an interesting flavour twist!
Have a great weekend