Just down the street from The Country Diner is Smyth’s (prounounced just like Smith’s…we think), an unassuming looking ice cream stop with a big selection of scoops, cones, sundaes and shakes.  Smyth’s is a great little oasis within the maze of strip malls, big box stores, and chain eateries that make up a lot of Enfield just east of I-91.

Our first choice was a cup of Chocolate Peanut Butter ($2.75) from the hard ice cream menu.  It was just the right combination of cold, creamy, and from the peanut butter, dense and almost chewy in mouth feel.  The chocolate taste was bold and not overpowered by the peanut butter.

The Strawberry Shortcake Sundae ($4.25) was huge, especially considering the price.  OK, so that’s not really anything like “shortcake” in there, it’s four of those little sponge cake rounds you get at the produce section of the grocery store, but still, there is something to be said for the delights of sponge cake soaking up all the liquid from a mound of juicy, sloppy, macerated strawberries.  The nuts added a nice textural contrast to the mound of soft-serve inside and you can never go wrong with the old-school maraschino cherry on top.

Smyth’s may not be unique or fancy enough to go far out of your way, but if you’re in town or find yourself traveling on I-91 between Hartford and Springfield, it is definately worth a pit stop.