New small-batch ice cream spot on the way to Rockville Pike: Mimi’s Handmade, now under construction in the former Yogi Castle space at Federal Plaza. This will be the first Maryland location for owner Rollin Amore, who got into the ice cream business just a couple of years ago after retiring from a career in investment banking. Mimi’s, named after Amore’s youngest daughter, will soon have five locations in the DMV. The menu features all the usual chocolates and vanillas, but Amore also loves to come up with adventurous flavors like grilled beets, roasted red pepper, sweet creamy corn, sour plum, wasabi with peas, and passion fruit honeybee. “My career took me all over the world for 40 years — especially southeast Asia — and I got a taste for all the world’s cuisines,” he says. “I like unique flavors. Their names might sound a little strange — but if they’re here, they have to taste good.” Mimi’s uses real foods, not extracts, so some flavors are seasonal and others are made in limited quantities. Roasted banana, for example, is only available on Sundays. If all goes well, you’ll be able to try them for yourself in early September.
