
I visited Sidoli's in Rhyl and tried its famous ice cream
Now run by his granddaughter Maria, the shop is like stepping back in time, having retained many of its original features including an old coffee machine.
A charming interior, with retro black and white flooring and pink walls, I was reminded of the film Grease - the T-Birds and Pink Ladies would have fit in perfectly.
Back in the day, Sidoli's had only served vanilla ice cream before later branching out into other flavours.
Now, just vanilla ice cream remains an option, so I went for the classic - a few scoops in a cone (coated in strawberry sauce) - to sate my thirst on a very hot day.
Beautifully whippy and smooth, the ice cream was delicious, and with the sun baking Rhyl I had to be quick to not get my handed covered in its sticky cream - an easy task when the ice cream is this good.
Sidoli's operates in a busy area of Rhyl, and the business had also run three kiosks on Rhyl promenade before the Second World War.
Despite a greater choice of ice cream and dessert shops in Rhyl and the wider world today, something about businesses like Sidoli's just cannot be replicated.
Its local, family-based ethos, that special feeling you get when you walk in, and the cafe's history, are all hard to come by.
Sidoli's truly is a Rhyl landmark, and represents the best qualities of the town.

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The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Our guide to your post-exam options – from entry-level job, university to degree apprenticeship
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South Wales Argus
5 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Il Gusto, Abergavenny, wins council illuminated signs row
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Wales Online
8 hours ago
- Wales Online
Restaurant gets decision in planning battle to keep controversial signs
Restaurant gets decision in planning battle to keep controversial signs Council planning officials had said the lights were too garish and not in keeping with the quaint town centre Council planning officials had urged committee members to reject the application to keep two internally lit fascia signs positioned on either side of the arched entrance to Il Gusto (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service) An Italian restaurant in a Welsh market town appears poised to triumph in its fight to retain illuminated signage which the local authority had threatened legal action over in what became a surprisingly controversial planning case. Following previous planning meetings council planning officials had urged Monmouthshire County Council planning committee members to reject the application to keep two internally-lit fascia signs positioned on either side of the arched entrance to Il Gusto restaurant in Abergavenny town centre, stating that the lights were too garish and not in keeping with the quaint town centre. But planning committee members have since indicated they were unwilling to refuse the retrospective application lodged by the restaurant's landlord Peter Woolley and have now dismissed the recommendation. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . Officers are now anticipated to enter discussions with Mr Woolley and the restaurant regarding the signage over which the council had previously cautioned the establishment about potential enforcement proceedings, prompting the submission. Monmouthshire council planning officer Andrew Jones explained that the heritage officer had advised rejection due to the lighting's effect on the Abergavenny's conservation area. While the Frogmore Street premises isn't listed the location is recognised as the town's "historic core". Mr Jones recognised that the sole objection to the application, which received backing from 14 public supporters and Abergavenny Town Council, came from the heritage officer, stating: "We fully acknowledge the significant support received but the objection of the heritage officer, given the nature of the application, is quite significant." Il Gusto's illuminated signs during the evening (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service) He emphasised that the heritage officer's opinions were "important" in assessing the impact on the conservation area and mentioned that "weighting should be given to them". Owen Davies, representing the applicant, voiced dissatisfaction with Monmouthshire council for not providing specific supplementary planning guidance on shopfronts and argued: "We believe this has led to inconsistencies in decisions that have disproportionately affected small independent businesses while granting approval for national chains." Mr Davies noted that Il Gusto had modified the fascia signs from the site's previous restaurant when it opened just over a year ago and aimed to mirror the style of the former Prezzo establishment. He pointed out that the signage is switched off at 10pm when the restaurant closes and highlighted that other nearby signs, made from UPVC, remain lit until the early hours. Mr Jones said the 2016 conservation area appraisal has provided guidance on design and said the designation is important to businesses and attracts visitors. Conservative councillor Rachel Buckler praised Il Gusto as a "very good Italian restaurant" and described the building as "very handsome" yet she agreed with the recommendation to refuse permission, stating: "It is inappropriate to the character of the building and something akin to a fast food restaurant in a much more urban setting than a market town in Monmouthshire." Echoing the sentiment Abergavenny Pen y Fal ward Conservative Maureen Powell said: "I do feel to light it up is going too far." Croesonen Labour councillor Su McConnell expressed she was "full of admiration" for the heritage team and found it "odd" to oppose their advice, especially noting that Il Gusto is situated opposite the brightly-lit Tesco store with its expansive windows. Following the committee's decision to dismiss the recommendation to deny the application there was a bit of a muddle over whether a new report endorsing the proposal was necessary as some councillors had suggested postponing the decision. Council solicitor Joanne Chase mentioned that further discussions with the applicant would take place yet planning officer Philip Thomas said: "If members are minded to approve there is not much point having a negotiation." Article continues below