Like a heavy-metal musician with tinnitus or a wildlife photographer with agoraphobia, my desire to sample and chronicle the best food across this country has a stumbling block in its way. Dairy has been my nemesis since I was diagnosed with allergies as a baby, and that's put many indulgent treats out of my reach. When it comes to dinner, I still find a lot of variety - most restaurants have plenty of dairy-free options and many of my favorite cuisines rarely use it at all. But dessert is a different story - at least it was, until the boom in alternative milks in the last decade, which has translated to a golden age for vegan ice cream.

I was in Red Bank, one of my favorite waterfront towns in the state, for a Halloween event, and I wasn't looking for dessert - but it found me. Fable Creamery is one of the newest vegan dessert spots in the garden state, and this small cafe has quickly gained an impressive reputation for its indulgent flavors. A quick Google later, I knew I had to try this place for myself - and what I discovered has quickly become one of my favorite indulgences in New Jersey. It's not just a great vegan spot, it's one of the best spots for Red Bank ice cream.

Red Bank is one of the best cultural centers in New Jersey, offering dozens of fantastic restaurants and snack spots alongside an acclaimed theater, charming boutiques, and one of the most beautiful waterfront views in the state.

I was wandering down Monmouth Street - one of my favorite spots for small business in the town - when this storefront caught my eye. Any time I have the opportunity to sample some vegan desserts, I'm all over it - but quality can vary dramatically.

The interior surprised me a bit - this didn't feel like a traditional ice cream parlor, but more like a laid-back cafe. It felt like one of those neighborhood joints where you can easily just kick back and relax with coffee and a pastry.

One thing that really impressed me about Fable Creamery was how transparent they were with their mission and what goes into their food. I knew I didn't have to worry about dairy here, of course, but my mother has an intolerance to some gums and really appreciated it that it was said up front that the ice creams here don't include any gums or fillers. The cafe sold a selection of vegan cookies and pastries, along with regular specials - but I was here for the ice cream!

The flavors at Fable Creamery typically trend towards comfort classics, but you will find some surprises here - like a Mexican Hot Chocolate flavor. I ultimately settled on two scoops to start. The Peanut Butter Stracciatella was incredibly creamy, with a mild but pronounced peanut butter flavor and webs of crispy chocolate mixed in. By contrast, the Maple Butter Pecan flavor (sweetened entirely with maple sugar) was hearty, with an intense nutty flavor. I found both deliciously addictive. The flavors change regularly, so that's just more reason for me to come back.

Before I left, I made sure to check out the wall of vegan treats, which included chocolate truffles and flavored popcorn, all of which looked delicious. This selection is going on my list of gifts to give friends this winter - which, of course, will just be another excuse for me to come back here!

I'm pretty sure I'll be back to Fable Creamery frequently in the coming months to see what they have on the menu - and I'm hoping you'll tell any friends who are staying away from dairy or just love great ice cream, and discover this place for yourself! You can see the current hours and details on the Fable Creamery website, and the Fable Creamery Facebook page has all the announcements on new and exciting flavors! If you're visiting Red Bank for more than one day, the Molly Pitcher Inn has to be one of my favorite boutique hotels in New Jersey, thanks to its beautiful decor and old-school hospitality.