We love Finale as much as the next people, but constantly kicking it Square-side can get a little dull. In the spirit of changing things up, we decided to visit three sweet eateries that are ever so slightly off the beaten path. Each is within fifteen minutes of the Yard, and well worth the minor trek. Let your sweet tooth spread its proverbial wings!Toscanini's

Though we can't find documentary evidence of such an occurence, Toscanini's website proudly proclaims that the Central Square establishment has been hailed by the New York Times as having "the best ice cream in the world." After journeying to the storied storefront, we are inclined to agree. Once we explainined our mission to the employee "on line" (a taste of Toscanini vernacular), we were offered samples of some of Toscanini's most popular flavors.

First on the docket was B3 (brown sugar, brown butter, brownies). Sales of this flavor are exponential (get it?), and having experienced its milky decadence, we understand why. Next we tried burnt caramel. This is a more polarizing flavor on account of its bitterness. We were a perfect case-in-point. ("Meh," said Connie. "DELICIOUS," gushed Emma.) Third up to bat was khulfee, which our server offered us as an example of a flavor you won't get anywhere else, and as representative of the diversity of the Central Square community. Khulfee is an Indian flavor combination that joins cardamom, almonds, and pistachio nuts.

As we indulged in our samples, we chatted with our server, a Cambridge-raised three-year employee who cited "proximity to ice cream" and a community of regulars as her favorite parts of working at Toscanini's. She told us that each day brings changes to the menu. Over the course of the year, 300 to 400 flavors will appear on the list of daily offerings. This wealth of options ensures that at Toscanini's, there is something to satisfy any palette. And for those wary of flavors off the beaten path, all your standards are still represented. Most days, there are even vegan options. Not a fan of ice cream (there must be one of you out there)? Toscanini's doubles as an espresso bar, complete with pastries and tea.

Variety isnt the only thing Toscanini’s has going for it. The ice cream you eat here is all made in the back. In our opinion, its quality is unparalleled. We're fans of J.P. Licks (albeit, not of its bagels), and Emma has paid an estimated ten visits to the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory, but a single trip to Toscanini's was enough to convince us that, when it comes to ice cream, Central Square is where it's at. And since the location is computer friendly in the extreme (there is reliable Wi-Fi and a centrally located table equipped with outlets and Lamont-style lighting), we plan on returning during reading week to drown our doldrums in several scoops of ice cream.

Sofra

Sofra, an offshoot of the celebrated sit-down restaurant Oleana, has been open for almost five years. Following our visit, we are determined to spend the remainder of our Harvard careers making up for this half-decade of lost time. Each dish we sampled was truly unique and delicious—a couple, mind-bogglingly so!