not for the lactose intolerant

This Saturday we headed over to Lakeview to finally visit Bobtail Soda Fountain. Bobtail was the winner of the New Venture Challenge at the GSB a few years back. The guys who started it are GSB grads and during a couple of LPF's this past year, they actually sent their ice cream down to the Hyde Park Center for current students to sample. It was pretty tasty, so we really wanted to check the place out. We both really miss Fenton's.

Parking in the area was a bit of a hassle (as we didn't realize there were several lots nearby), but after a few times around the block, we lucked out and got a metered space just down the block. It was worth it.

B had the peach ice cream, a special summer flavor. It was amazing! I got a s'more sundae and was equally pleased. The space is tiny, but cute. The staff was very friendly. It's no Fenton's but I don't think it is trying to be.

In addition to ice cream they are also open for breakfast at 7am. They sell coffee and tea as well a couple of breakfast sandwiches. I imagine people in the neighborhood make a habit out of it. I suspect a few may even have ice cream for breakfast. Isn't that every kid's dream come true?

Before heading home we stopped at Pastoral,a cheese store just a few doors down from Botbtails. B sampled a few cheeses and decided to get a piece of Asiago Fresco. Very tasty. They also had fresh bagettes and a wall filled with mustards and other gourmet delights. The prices seemed reasonable.

B asked the guy helping him how long they had been in business. It turns out that they are about to celebrate a year in business, so we hope to go back for the festivities. Free cheese is always nice.

It was funny when we came home to check out their website, we noted not only that the space was formally occupied by the first Internet Cafe in North America, but also that the guy that B had been speaking with held a pretty high position in the company where B is currently interning. Small world.

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