Smoochies Lite & Creamy

Thank you, anonymous emailer, for telling me about Smoochies.

Smoochies Lite & Creamy, according to their web site, is a low-fat, protein-enhanced line of what most of us would call real ice cream, although technically and legally it's soft serve frozen dessert. And here's the beauty part, as New Yorkers used to say: Smoochies is lactose-free.

Let me repeat that. Smoochies Lite & Creamy is a franchised line of stores selling a real-milk soft serve frozen dessert that is lactose-free. They sell four flavors every day: vanilla, chocolate, and two specialty flavors that might range from Cinnamon Toast to Mint Cookies and Cream to Raspberry Truffle to Snow. They also make Smoochies Smoothiers out of fresh (or flash frozen) fruit and Smoochies.

Smoochies isn't new. The first store started in 2002 and the web site makes a big deal about other stores opening on schedule in 2003.

One slight problem: the Locations page on their web site lists exactly one location. Oops.

If you want to try it out, that location is at 60 W. 23rd St., near 6th Ave. Phone is 212-206-3501 so you can call for hours.

Such a good idea for those of us with lactose intolerance. Let's hope that they can make it work in the long run.