This is it: we're on the verge of the dog days of summer. The only cure is ice cream. Not just any ice cream, though. Plain vanilla has its place, but I think small-batch flavors made with seasonal ingredients hit the spot with more knock-out force, don't you? Here are a couple favorites for gourmet ice cream around the country.

LA's Scoops has a devoted fanbase and a staggering range of flavors, of which 18 are available each day. You might encounter blackberry-yuzu, raspberry-balsamic or coffee-Jim Beam. And of course, this being Tinseltown, someone's trying to make a movie about the place. It's a short drive from the W Hollywood.

Five minutes from Le Meridien Cambridge-MIT is Christina's Homemade Ice Cream, with a laundry list of flavors of its own. Fresh mint, cantaloupe and honeydew would make a lovely three-scoop sundae. Or maybe ginger and lemon mousse to help cool you down.

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams in Columbus just made up a batch of stone fruit and sour beer sorbet, with fresh peaches and Lambic. Or maybe backyard mint, with its whole organic mint leaves from a nearby farm, hits the spot better. Either way, the North Market location is within easy reach of the Westin Columbus, and the macaroon ice cream sandwiches are the perfect walking treat.