I took my son out for ice cream at Boyer’s Ice Cream & Coffee last weekend. We had the best time. The inside of Boyers was cozier than I imagined, but best of all the clerk was really nice and helpful.  It made me feel like I was in a small town, and actually, he seemed to care so much, that I asked if he was the owner.

Then, we walked down to Bakery Art, an Armenian and Mediterranean  cafe and deli and the owner, Artin Ayvanzianm,  offered us samples of grape leaves dripping in olive oil and hummus. You just don’t get service like that anymore! I only wish Ayvanziannm had a self service deli case packed with lots of food priced and labeled like Ellwood Thompson and Ukrop’s have been so successful with.  I would have happily taken home hummus, tabouli, mujadara, and baba gannouj for dinner if he’d had them out and ready.  Ther is something particularly appealing about self service and knowing the prices and quantity you are buying in advance.  The hummus was wonderful — light and garlicky.   If you like to support local businesses, I highly recommend these two, right here in the Near West End at Libbie and Patterson.

Boyer’s Ice Cream & Coffee

5720 Patterson Ave

288-4088

Bakery Art

5716 Patterson Ave

497-7707