Just as you are leaving Woodmont and making your way to West Haven via the beach route there is a small ice cream parlor -- Twilight Cone.
There were only a few spots designated for parking and you are parking on a slope, so it is a bit scary.
At this parlor at 1619 New Haven Ave., you choose from the menu posted outside and order at the window.
The menu features Buck's ice cream and contains all the basics --hard ice cream, soft serve, and sundaes.
They also have cookie sandwiches. I came close to ordering a few, but decided on a root beer float instead.
My float came in one size, which was equivalent to a medium. Two scoops of vanilla floating on root beer in a take-out cup. Of course, I couldn't drink it with my straw so I scooped it out while squeezing the cup -- and made a mess of myself. I enjoy a root beer float, but it is better sitting at a counter indoors where I can sip and spoon out at my leisure and savor every flavor. The vanilla ice cream was ultra creamy as Buck's is famous for. The root beer did not disappoint. On occasion, a soda will be lacking the flavor syrup and it ruins the whole experience. Paper cup and all, this was still good.
My daughter ordered a kiddie-size raspberry sorbet with gummy bears on top. The gummy bears were fresh -- the sorbet bursting with berry flavor. The sorbet is also made by Buck's. I made a mental note to stop and grab one for myself next time I was driving by or better yet, stop by the Buck's factory for a gallon.
My son ordered a cone with a scoop of strawberry ice cream. The ice cream was creamy with tiny bits of frozen strawberries. It was really good, but he handed me the rest to run off to the beach.
At face value, Twilight Cone is your average, no-frills ice cream shop.
What makes it special is it's proximity to the beach. Just steps away is the small beach on the border of West Haven/Milford. You can choose to dine on your cone at a picnic bench or a few chairs that are set up facing the beach, or you can walk on the sand at low tide with your ice cream, as we did, and admire the scenery.
It puts a damper on things when it is raining and you are at an outdoor parlor, but you can always sit in your car and watch the water at Twilight.
Total Bill: 1 float, 1 kiddie cup w/topping, 1 kiddie cone = $8.00.
Twilight is open seasonally from 2 p.m. - 9 p.m. 7 days per week.
Sprinkles are always free.
