Gabriel’s Fountain

Gabriel’s Fountain
1948 Washington Valley Road, Martinsville
732-469-5800; gabrielsfountain.com

Hours: Vary by season. Summer: Sun—Thurs, 11:30 am–10 pm; Fri, 11:30 am–11 pm; Sat, 8 am–11 pm.

Price: $$

Style: Elegant twist on a traditional ice cream parlor, with an attached restaurant and sunroom. The owners—Martinsville natives—decorate the interior and exterior with local flowers and historic mementos from the area.

Don’t Miss: Start with a cup of lentil soup ($3.50) or bruschetta-style homemade potato chips ($5.95). For a light meal have one of the fruity summer salads, such as Strawberry Fields, greens with mandarin oranges, walnuts, raisins, sunflower seeds and raspberry vinaigrette ($10.95). Lunch and dinner specials change twice a week. Gabriel’s also offers a variety of seafood, burgers, steaks and pastas. The house-made ice cream flavors—some sugar- and fat-free—change seasonally and come in more than 48 varieties, hard and soft. Customer favorites include black-raspberry truffle and coconut-almond chip (neither fat free, unfortunately). Kids will love the Spongebob (vanilla with brownie bits and M&Ms) and cotton candy ($3.60 for a small cup).

Heads Up: The staff of this BYO is happy to set out wine and beer glasses.

The Scoop: Gabriel’s is a favorite hangout of the local soccer and baseball teams. The restaurant also welcomes private parties for on-site catering.