'Top' ice cream recommendations

As the temps soar, thoughts turn to sun, sand and of course, ice cream. So we asked the judges and NYC-based contestants of “Top Chef D.C” (premiering Wednesday) to tell us where in they get their ice cream fix in the city.

1. Eric Ripert, chef and owner of Le Bernardin, a regular guest judge on “Top Chef D.C.”

GelOTTO Cart
Mario Batali’s Otto gelato cart in Washington Square Park, which is set to open in July.
Fave: Pistachio gelato

2. “Top Chef D.C.” judge Gail Simmons, who will host the upcoming “Top Chef: Just Desserts.”

L'Arte del Gelato
Various locations, go to lartedelgelato.com
The handmade gelato at all three NYC locations “transports you straight to Italy,” she said.
Fave: 40-scoop party pack — “Perfect for impromptu make-your-own sundae parties!”

Dessert Club Chikalicious
204 E. 10th St., dessertclubchikalicious.com
“For … a truly satisfying soft serve I head to this East Village standout,” Simmons said.
Fave: “The creamy, airy” vanilla bean soft serve. Looking for more decadence? smother it with hot fudge and toasted pistachios.

GREENE Ice Cream
229 Dekalb Ave., Fort Greene, greeneicecream.com
This cart, from Nicholas Morgenstern, pastry chef and co-owner of General Green in Brooklyn, specializes in pure ingredients and delicious flavors, Simmons said.
Fave: Salted caramel pretzel ice cream.

People's Pops
Chelsea Market Arcade, 425 W. 15th St., peoplespops.com
It began at the Brooklyn Flea and now has a spot in Chelsea Market. “Handmade Popsicles are the accessory of summer as far as I’m concerned,” Simmons said.
Faves: Plum, organic yogurt and tarragon, pear, cream and ginger and straight-up raspberry

3. ‘Cheftestant’ Alex Reznik, a Brooklyn native living in California, still craves Big Apple ice cream.

Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory
1 Water St., Brooklyn, Brooklynicecreamfactory.com
High quality ice cream is served from a landmark fireboat house on the Fulton Ferry Pier.
Fave: Butter pecan

Cones
272 Bleecker St.
“There's usually a long wait but it's worth it,” Reznik said of this Bleecker Street spot serving Argentinean-style ice cream.
Fave: The Sabayon, an Argentian classic

4. 'Cheftestant’ Ed Cotton, executive chef at Plein Sud at the Smyth Hotel in Tribeca:

il Laboratorio del Gelato
95 Orchard St., laboratoriodelgelato.com
With more than 200 gelatos and sorbets, this Orchard Street spot gets creative with its combos.
Fave: Green tea gelato

5. ‘Cheftestant’ Jacqueline Lombard lives in Brooklyn and is a private chef, sommelier and event producer

Otto Enoteca & Pizzeria
1 Fifth Ave., Ottopizzeria.com
“Pastry Chef Meredith Kurtzman makes the BEST artisanal gelato in the city,” she said.
Fave: Olive oil gelato with maldon salt and an olive oil drizzle

6.Angelo Sosa, chef and owner of Xie Xie in Hell’s Kitchen

Cold Stone Creamery
Coldstonecreamery.com
“I like … adding my own flair even with dessert,” he said, referring to the ability to mix-and-match ingredients.
Fave: Mint chocolate ice cream with gummy bears, coconut flakes and rainbow sprinkles

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