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Worcester’s Newest Ice Cream Maker

Oreo Ice Cream within a Chocolate Cookie Cone at WooBerry on Highland Street in Worcester (Photo by Erb Photography)

WooBerry on Highland Street in Worcester, MA is serving homemade hard ice cream. (Photo by Erb Photography for WooBerry)

Dolly Mama Ice Cream From WooBerry on Highland Street in Worcester, MA (Photo Erb Photography)
Dolly Mama (Photo by Erb Photography for WooBerry)

In 2011, Ted Domville opened WooBerry with one simple concept: choose a flavor and add the toppings. With four rotating flavors of frozen yogurt made daily and over 60 toppings to choose from, the concept was quick to catch on and has yielded happy consumers of all ages throughout the four seasons. As WooBerry celebrates its four year anniversary on August 8th, things are about to change: homemade, hard ice cream.

Ted first started making his own ice cream as a chef in North Carolina. These small batches acted as inspiration to the flavors that he’s been developing for WooBerry in Worcester. “I think it’s a bit easier to keep hard ice cream exciting, ” Domville said. “For one, I’m somewhat limited on the yogurt as you can’t get mix-ins through the machine, whereas I have with most of my ice creams.  And because I have straight flavors of yogurt for people who aren’t willing to be adventurous, I can get a bit more wild on the ice creams.” Some of the new batches of ice cream include Chocolate Lavender, Strawberry Saffron, Thai Basil and the Dolly Mama (an Aztec chocolate inspired by a chocolatier in North Carolina which includes cinnamon, cayenne, toasted corn, and toasted pumpkin seeds).

The ice cream is perfect for New England where the changing seasons will allow for fresh ingredients to create unique flavors throughout the year.

Starting on August 8th, WooBerry will be serving two “mass appeal” flavors like Vanilla Bean and Oreo along with six unique flavors that are ever changing (even WPI has some influence with the “WPI” Goat cheese/honey/almond ice cream).

On Friday, July 31st, WorcesterScene’s Worcester Foodies group got a chance to try these flavors with rave reviews.image

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Pho Ga

Pho Ga from Pho Dakao on Park Avenue in Worcester, MA

I will say there is no type of food that I love more than Vietnamese.

I have been to Pho Dakao several times, each time I enjoy it more and more. I am very partial, or dare I say addicted to a particular Vietnamese Restaurant not in Worcester so it is very hard for me to compare.

However, you really can never go wrong with Pho soup, and of all the places I have tired, I would say Pho Dakao rates in my top three.

This traditional Vietnamese soup is a comfort food on a whole other level. The only type of Pho I order is the Pho Ga – chicken noodle soup (no cilantro). The soup always comes with rice noodles, shredded chicken, and a plate of garnishes that include Thai basil, lime, hot peppers, and bean sprouts. I use as much Thai basil as I can, (sometimes you must share) a little lime, a touch of sriracha and some hoisin sauce. Note the soup really does not need anything added.

The flavors of the broth are hard to describe – it is just so unique, so delicious, it will leave you craving more.

Some of the spices that go into this delectable masterpiece include cinnamon, ginger, fennel seeds, clove, coriander seed, and star anise. If you have not ever tired Pho, I urge you, please do.

It is really a given that I will be back to Pho Dakao and I hope you may be inspired to try some unique delicious Vietnamese food, and Pho is not the only delicious thing on the menu. Trust me, you will go back.