Ice cream is inherently cold, but Bailey's in Boston and Belmont, Mass., always made us feel warm inside The old-fashioned ice cream parlor look and the absolutely amazing hot fudge and butterscotch sundaes served in silver-plated dishes are the precious moments I remember most. Many of the indoor ice cream spots today seem too self-conscious, even pretentious -- and definitely overpriced. Bailey's, on the other hand, was as comfortable as an old shoe. No pun intended, but Bailey's had a soul (you know, shoe, soul...OK, let's move on...). Bailey's probably had more to do with the ice cream places our moms and dads frequented in the 1930s and 1940s; it's nice this trip back in time lasted into the 60s, 70s and 80s during the prime of our childhood and young adult years. There was a certain innocence about Bailey's that just can't be duplicated. I miss it greatly.
If I had to choose one place that carries on the Bailey's tradition it would be Cabot's in Newton, Mass. I don't think the ice cream is as good as Bailey's, but I love the authentic ice cream parlor look.
In my mid-teens and twenties, I would go to Boston for a special day of shopping. These trips would usually include a visit to Bailey's for lunch or an ice-cream sundae. What a treat! I can still see the silver-plated dish dripping with hot fudge sauce and melted marshmallow. I remember the warm comfort of a bowl of corn chowder after having had a root canal in Somerville on a cold November day.
ReplyDeleteShopping w/ Ma then meeting Dad at Baileys for icecream after work. The hot fudge and butterscotch sauce always dripped over the dish - great.
ReplyDeleteBailey's in Wellesley was by Hathaway House bookshop. Mom would buy me a stack of books, then we'd get a sundae & read. Marble surfaces, wire chairs, excellent hot fudge. Proper ice cream parlor. I will never forget Bailey's.
ReplyDeleteI worked at Baileys in Wellesley in 1970s. A family institution
ReplyDeleteI have a collection of paper mache eggs that I purchased at Bailey’s Icecream Parlor while I attended college in Boston in the 1970s. They are on display every Easter at my home in Connecticut. Many fond memories and delicious icecream and candy! Mary R. Morrissey
ReplyDeleteI worked at Bailey’s in Belmont Center, and older women would come in that were very particular about the fudge sauce dripping onto the plate below, just-so. Also, we would wrap up their purchase of chocolates and be expected to use paper and ribbon; no tape allowed! Those ladies were something...
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