Imagine my surprise driving down the Rockville Pike to discover another York Castle, the tropical ice cream parlor, almost opposite Maxim's. And sitting behind the counter was Calver Headley, the man from whom Caroline Tay bought her Silver Spring store.

Sad to say, Cal tells me they're in litigation. Whatever their case is, if you want a scoop of Jamaican ice cream and find yourself in Rockville, here's where to come, for island specials like Grapenut and Guinness, along with more regular flavors. Headley learned his ice cream craft working with the late John Nash Gifford, founder of the original Gifford’s Ice Cream on Georgia Avenue. And uses Gifford's original method. The flavors he developed, like Coconut and Passion Fruit and that Guinness and the Grapenut, come from his childhood treats. EatWashingtonian Dan Metz points out that you read about the connection with Gifford's by clicking this link to Don Rockwell's fine web site.

York Castle Tropical Ice Cream, 827 Rockville Pike, Rockville, 301 257 8052.

Related Information...