It’s New: Richmond County Creamery brings vintage design to new sweet spot

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Patrons of Richmond County Creamery in West Brighton are well aware of Dr. Gi Latto and the O’Van Clan.

Owner Peter DiMarzio has a superhero storyline attached to his ice cream shop, connecting kids and kids at heart with the business venture.

Richmond County Creamery, located at 417 Forest Ave., opened its doors almost two months ago. The shop prides itself on vintage decor, throwback menu items like egg creams, and ice cream dishes named after Staten Island locations.

“I wouldn’t sell what I wouldn’t eat,” DiMarzio said. “I want people to come in here with their families and get that old-school feel. I’m trying to provide an experience that I know I’d want to come back after.”

Some of the locally named sweets on the menu are “The Ferry Boat,” made with three scoops of ice cream and served on a waffle with sliced bananas, syrup, whipped cream and sprinkles; the “Todt Hill Volcano" with root beer “lava” covering 20 scoops of ice cream over a bed of brownies; and “The Dump,” which includes 40 scoops of ice cream and all the toppings the shop offers.

“The Dump" -- the biggest dish Richmond County Creamery offers -- tips the scales at $90.

DiMarzio said he’s a big fan of local sweet spots like Ralph’s Italian Ices and Richmond County Creamery’s nearby neighbor, Beans & Leaves Coffee and Tea Cafe. He just wants to offer his own twist on Island desserts.

But the most unique aspect may be the superhero storyline featuring Dr. Gi Latto (pronounced “gelato”) from the Island of Staten and his enemies, the O’Van Clan.

“The premise is, it’s 1908 and Dr. Gi Latto creates ice cream on Staten Island,” DiMarzio said. “The villains are trying to stop the train from delivering the ice cream by tying Gi Latto’s girlfriend, Ginger Sorbet, to the train tracks. The villains are more into crepes, so we serve those here, too.” (Keep scrolling to watch our Facebook Live where DiMarzio explains the entire tale.)

Want some more sweet shots? Keep scrolling to check out a selection of the goodies offered at Richmond County Creamery.