Ice cream is what brings many to this place. After many ice cream trips myself, I have to recommend Major McKinley Mint.
When not in the mood for a brain freeze, 101 offers mouth-watering jumbo chocolate cupcakes for $4.50, and despite the price they’re worth it! Another favorite is a bag of 101’s rocky road bark, which I have not tried but have only heard good reviews.
From seeing 101’s extensive sandwich, dinner, and all-day breakfast menu every time I stopped by for an ice cream, I figured I should see whether the rest of their food was as good as their ice cream. I was not as impressed as I’d hoped. Both the Saturday and Sunday mornings I went, the tiny ice cream shop was packed with hyper toddlers and their trailing parents. It did not make an ideal spot to eat considering the approximate total of just 10 tables for the whole place.
Due to the chaos, the Saturday in October I went, my order of a chicken salad sandwich and my friend’s homemade chili was lost. After waiting an extra 20 minutes, an apologetic but friendly waitress brought our food. The sandwich was nothing special, but the chili was very flavorful with a lot of spice.
The most recent time I visited for lunch I ordered a grilled cheese with tomato and my friend ordered a tomato, basil, and mozzarella sandwich on a roll. She particularly enjoyed her sandwich, but once again I didn’t think my choice was anything but mediocre, despite my love of grilled cheese. That time our order came promptly but the noisy, preschool-aged atmosphere both those weekend mornings was not desirable. For a total of $15 with our two drinks, I was hoping for a better meal.
Despite my experience with the weekend lunch crowd, any other time I’d been to 101 for ice cream (or a cupcake), I highly enjoyed the sugary snack. I recommend trying 101 on any weekday or weekend afternoon, particularly in the summer to enjoy the outdoor seating. Just stick with the ice cream.
101 Reasons to Get the Scoop at Brendan's
Rowayton's Hottest Ice Cream Destination
By Sarah Graves - 09/12
NEIRAD enilno edition | printer friendly
Unless you live around the Tokeneke side of town you are probably not familiar with Rowayton. I highly recommend that you make a trip to this little town along the Five Mile River to visit Brendan’s 101.
Located at 101 Rowayton Avenue, Brendan’s 101, known as 101 for short, is an ice cream and sandwich shop that makes a great alternative to Baskin Robbins or Gopher for a frozen treat off the beaten path.
101 was founded by Brendan McGee in 1988 when he transformed the first town library into what today is 101. Recently the ice cream shop underwent renovation to create the “101 Gallery” which consists of a space for local artists to display their work and where extra seating is available in the back of the shop.
Ice cream is what brings many to this place. After many ice cream trips myself, I have to recommend Major McKinley Mint. Varying from classic mint chocolate chip, this specific flavor of 101’s all natural ice creams is a creamy mint ice cream dotted with Junior Mint-like chocolate candies. It is particularly delicious on a hot summer day and just as good on a fall afternoon. While the ice cream is not hand made on the premises, the brand they stock called Dairy Farms is fantastic.
For the more skeptical customer, settling for a traditional Mint Chip, 101 Oreo, Belgium Chocolate, or any of 101’s 17 flavors will also not disappoint. Scoops run from $2.75 for a kiddie cup, $3.75 for a small, $4.75 for a large, to $14 to bring home a hand-packed quart.
Brendan's 101 Menu
101 Entrance
