Perhaps a rocky road in terms of vying  for tourists’ and locals’ attention amongst the other frozen dessert options in Siesta, but Local Chill Artisan Ice Cream’s roomy corner lot redefines the traditional ice cream parlor experience with an indulgent, modern milieu and a cooler of off-the-cuff ice cream flavors, in addition to creative menu options such as gourmet-baked cookies, barista-style hot chocolates, affogatos and “Chillitas.” A family-run business developed by Siesta Key natives John and Robert Davidson, along with brother-in-law and Sun Garden Cafe owner, Rick Munroe, the guys vowed to create chef-inspired recipes crafted in small batches from top-quality ingredients like Valrhona French chocolate, found in the velvety smooth and rich Silk Chocolate flavor. “Our ultimate goal is to create farm-to-cone premium ice cream,” notes Munroe. “By collaborating with local farms and dairies and also sourcing the world’s finest chocolates, vanilla and other ingredients to offer a pure product.” Munroe’s own homemade caramel takes the Salted Caramel Swirl to the next-level and Cold Brew Coffee zings with the finest Sumatra coffee beans. For other cool contenders, think créme brulée mixed with local orange blossom honey for the Burnt Sugar Honey Brittle, the unordinary “Charmed” Cereal Milk packed with maddeningly addicting flavor, and Strawberry Fields becomes a fruity gift of Plant City strawberries, while Cotton Candy Crunch and Bing Cherry Streusel’s insatiably ephemeral textures intrigue and delight. “We have a fresh, inventive perspective on the ice cream industry,” says Davidson, “and there’s no better place than Siesta Key to bring this concept to life.” 

Bob and John Davidson inside Local Chill. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

BOB AND JOHN DAVIDSON INSIDE LOCAL CHILL. PHOTO BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.