It gets better in downtown Phoenix with every new ice cream parlor, especially if it’s locally owned. The folks who own Z-Pizza opened this little joint and connected it to the pizza place at 49 West Thomas.

You readers from out of town stop laughing.

We do what we can, alright?

On a hot Saturday afternoon recently, we took a ride through Willo neighborhood from downtown and tried the offerings.

It was hot. They brought out some water for my dog. Very cool.

Which makes it hard for me to say that I was not really inspired. The staff was really busy next door and seemed to forget that they had an ice cream shop. Maybe I was expecting shooting stars, but the ice cream just did not have much zing.

It was brought in from Richmond California-based Lappert’s Ice Cream. So, “A” for effort. (Or, maybe “F” for huge carbon footprint.)

Still, the nice thing about ice cream is that you really have to try more than once. And, since it is going to be hot for a while to come, I might as well give it another try.

Couldn’t hurt. Might help.

2241 N 7th St

New restaurants are opening along 7th St between McDowell and Thomas. This is the latest. You order from a combination of meats and sides, all presented deli-style under glass. Then you sit and they bring you the meal.

The place is already getting very busy for lunch, because the food is simple, well done and healthy. It has a Northern Italian accent, with lots of fresh roasted veggies. The desserts are worth a shot, too.

It’s a great place, that will be even greater when the summer ends and you can sit outside on the garden patio. However, you have to suspend disbelief a little as cars flash by on 7th St. at umpteen thousand miles per hour, just next to the patio.