Patch Picks: Sweet, Frozen and Local

From fro-yo to good old fashioned ice-cream, Palo Alto is home to a handful of some of the coolest dessert around. Try one of our favorites for a sweet summer treat:

1. RICHEST

Ricks "Rather Rich" Ice Cream and Fudge shop is a gourmet microcreamery dishing up 40 flavors in freshly made waffle cones or real sundae glasses. A winner of numerous "Best of Palo Alto" awards and voted a top ice cream spot from everybodylovesicecream.com, this local lick spoon has the old vintage ice cream shop feel right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Find it at: 3946 Middlefield Rd in Palo Alto.

2. BEST GELATO

Savor your inner-Italian with this shop's wide flavor selection of cool gelato like lychee and honey lavendar. Outdoor seating is available for those who would prefer to sit and savor their desserts. Find it at: 435 Emerson St in Palo Alto.

3. OLD-FASHIONED

Owned and operated by the same family for 85 years, the Creamery is known for their idyllic hand-scooped milkshakes. Travel back in time and for a taste bud thrill, try one of their Orange Whip floats. Find it at: 900 High St in Palo Alto.

4. FROZEN YO

Grab a cup and serve yourself one (or six) of the many delicious frozen yogurt flavors at L'Amour. After you choose your yo, load up on yummy toppings like Oreo chips and fresh fruit. Pay by weight. Find it at: 276 University Ave in Palo Alto.

5. ORGANIC

Check out the healthiest fro-yo around--organic Culture piled with house-made toppings and fresh organic fruit sourced from local farmer's markets. This green business serves the yogurt in bio-degradable cups and keeps a close eye toward the slow food ethics of health and sustainability. In addition to the frozen specialties, they also serve Four Barrel coffee French-pressed to order. Find it at: 340 S California Ave in Palo Alto.