Last Saturday I went to McDonald’s to get shamrock shakes for my friend Dave’s party. He’s never had one! But when I arrived, at first they didn’t know what I was talking about and then they said the machine was broken! Can you believe that?? On Rockaway St. Patrick’s Day… it’s ludicrous! I ranted my frustrations on Facebook and Mark Healey responded, reminding me that Mara’s Ice Cream Parlor (the former Uncle Louie G’s) has them!
After watching the parade shenanigans and visiting family uptown, I headed back, stopping at Mara’s on the way to my next party. I ordered the shakes and Mara herself adorned them with her signature shamrock shake toppings – whip cream, green pearl sprinkles, Lucky Charms, a candy rainbow – and if that wasn’t enough – a chocolate gold coin! They were stunning, almost too beautiful to eat. Mara is so nice and super friendly! It’s the first time I met her although we follow each other on Instagram.
While my shakes were blending Mara told me to expect a few new product surprises this summer. She also mentioned there’s wine ice cream in the fridge, buy one get the second free!!* Yes. WINE ICE CREAM. There are several flavors – Zinfandel, strawberry sparkling, cherry merlot, lemon sparkling, Riesling, port and red raspberry Chardonnay! Obviously I needed some. I decided on the strawberry sparkling and the Chardonnay. This would be the perfect gift for your wine enthusiast friend or to indulge, on a lazy Sunday night.
Photo via Facebook
Loaded with wine ice cream and my shamrock shakes, I walked into Dave’s party and everyone was “oohing and ahhing” over the festive bevs. And they tasted as good as they looked. The flavor is vanilla-like with a hint of mint. They’re thick and rich and go perfectly with Jameson! We had a blast spiking our Shamrock Shakes and slurping down the green goodness.
We still have a week until the official holiday. Pop in Mara’s and get these adorable Shamrock Shakes for your other celebrations. And if you love it (and you will), the ice cream parlor sells them year round!
Mara’s Ice Cream Parlor is open from 2pm to 9pm and till 10pm on weekends. Check out the new storefront facade and stop in for something sweet – 92-14 Rockaway Beach Blvd. Rockaway Beach, NY 11693. Follow on instagram for mouth-watering pictures and to learn about specials and new products @marasicecreamparlor.
*While supplies last.
In some ways, I’m a “basic” Long Island chick. I played lacrosse in high school. I love Billy Joel. I’m into Botox. But it may surprise you to learn that I’m also a Trekker. (Not a Trekkie. If you don’t know, don’t ask.)
My husband essentially forced me to watch the show back when we were dating. He would come over with Star Trek DVDs. We started with the original series but then jumped to Deep Space Nine, which Matt thought was a better introduction for Trek newbies. Essentially DS9 is a space soap opera – great plot lines, romance and action. It just happens to be set in outer space. I was hooked.
Last week, after a few glasses of “Klingon blood wine”, I had an awesome idea: there should be a Star Trek Convention this summer in Rockaway. It would be amazing. Before you stop reading, allow me to set the scene for you.
Picture, beings streaming off the ferry and the shuttle heading to the boardwalk dressed as Star Trek characters. Klingons will be drunk, getting in fights with Green Goblins (The Parks Dept.) on the Beach. Andorians will be sunbathing their blue skin. Each concession will host its own galactic party!
Low Tide Bar will transform into Quark’s, the local watering hole on Deep Space Nine. Your favorite bartenders dressed as Ferengi (ahem Rob Bryn, Emil Seager), will serve you Trek-themed otherworldly cocktails. Some ideas for possible drinks include:
* The Mind Meld
* The Pattern Buffer
* The Borg Queen
* Liquid Latinum
They’ll be picnic tables with gambling (ok, probably board games) with beautiful Dabo girl attendants distracting you from your earnings. And it wouldn’t be Quark’s without the holodeck. I’m thinking Will Farrell of Wilderness Yard in a teepee tent and some of his magical tinctures? That, in combination with a few Mind Melds, and you’ll feel like you’re in a virtual alternate reality. Holodeck, check.
Imagine Armin Shimerman himself shows up at our convention! It’s common for Star Trek actors to attend these conventions and Rockaway is a draw for everyone in the summertime. After all, the reason Captain Sisko earged Quark to run the bar on the starbase was to encourage interstellar commercial tourism, boosting the station’s economy. See where I’m going with this?
Caracas, I appropriately deem as Rissa, designation: “pleasure planet”. It’s a luxurious world where many in the binary system go on vacation. First Officer William T. Riker describes it best, “This place is called Risa, and believe me, Captain, it is a paradise. Warm tropical breezes, exotic foods, nothing to do but sit around all day.”
Trekkers will travel through the Neutral Zone (ie, walk the boardwalk) to reach Ten Forward (Rippers). Ten Forward is the crew lounge aboard the Galaxy-class USS Enterprise-D, the ship on a favorite of mine, Next Generation. Like Rippers, Ten Forward as spectacular views, is the social center of the ship and has a dedicated wait staff. I think Nick Bendick would make a great Guinan. Characters from all galaxies will be dancing on the tables at Rippers all night long!!!
Trekkers of Rockaway, set heading to RB Star Trek Convention – 2019. Make it so!
by Paula D.
on February 25, 2019 1:42 pm in Community
If you haven’t heard yet, I’m working in the art dept. at The Wave. I’ll have to write an official post explaining how lovely its been so far but in the mean time, check this link!
Last Saturday, I went for a pedicure at Sunny’s Nail salon on 116th street. Afterwards, I decided to pop in the Rockaway Farmers Market. I immediately walked over to the open rows of produce. So fresh! Crisp kale, avocados, ripe tomatoes, firm onions, artichokes, and a rainbow of peppers were only some of the many vegetables to choose from. And the prices were on point. The orange bell peppers were only 1.99lb! The aroma of sage and thyme passed me as I walked by the herbs.
On the back wall to the right is a refrigerated area housing pre-packaged selections including sushi, diced veggies, pre-peeled garlic and sandwiches, among other grab-and-go items. To the left is a deli counter. In the center is a juicing bar! You can pick your own or purchase their staple blends. On the counter, I notice a strange looking ball-shaped fruit. It was redish in the center with green “tentacles” shooting out around the berry. The sign below explained that this fruit, rambutan is a fat burner. It boosts energy and is a rich source of protein and iron. Rambutan, native to Indonesian, helps generate white and red blood cells and builds up the immune system. I’ve never seen these exotic fruits in Rockaway before! The price for juices is only 7 bucks – sweet deal!
There’s a specialty raw honey aisle with over 15 brands and different flavors to choose from. The honey jars would make great gifts as they’re packaged so nicely! Like the rambutan, the honey section had an informative sign explaining the five benefits of pure bee pollen.
You can go nuts in the nut section! (Wokka wokka.) Find raw cashews, walnuts, trail mix, almonds, corn nuts, peanuts, you name it. There’s no shortage of dried fruits either – pitted prunes, jumbo dried raisins, pineapple, cranberries, kiwi and mixed dried fruit. Purchase by the pound.
For only 8.99 a lb. pick up whole roasted coffee beans from around the world.
Italian food lovers shouldn’t miss the fresh pasta from Papa Pasquale Ravioli of Bensonhurst. Look in the refrigerator towards the back on the left side. I’m picking up a package to taste test next weekend. From penne to linguini there are many varieties to choose from. Once you go fresh pasta it’s hard to go back, right?
I was impressed by the selection of healthy foods for purchase at the Rockaway Farmers Market. I’d say most people see food shopping as a chore but shopping at the farmers market is a pleasure. I found great deals, unique products and the service was welcoming. Rockaway Farmers Market is located at the corner of 116th Street and Beach Channel Drive. Support this locally owned business by visiting any day of the week. It’s open from 7am. to 8 p.m.
