IN THE MOOD

Here’s the scoop on great sundaes

The old-fashioned sundae at the Ivy is homemade. It begins with two scoops of ice cream, Tahitian vanilla bean and praline. The fixings for the sundae come on the side, so you can add as little or as much as you please. There are white pitchers holding thick, fudge-like chocolate sauce and true butterscotch sauce, both served hot. Along with the sauces come bowls of whipped cream and toasted almonds. (Old-fashioned sundae, lunch, $10.75; dinner, $11.75.)

The Ivy, 113 N. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 274-8303.

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Still following Grandpa’s recipe

They’ve been making ice cream at Fosselman’s Ice Cream for 82 years and serving sundaes for just as long. In fact, they use their grandfather’s recipe for the hot fudge sauce, a thick, silky, bittersweet fudge that you can order on any of the shop’s 48 flavors. The sundae is topped off with whipped cream and chopped peanuts, walnuts and almonds. (Hot fudge sundae, small, $3.10; medium, $3.75; large, $4.40.)

Fosselman’s Ice Cream, 1824 W. Main St., Alhambra, (626) 282-6533.

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No skimping on the sauce

Instead of ordering a mere cone, go all the way and get a hot fudge sundae at Eiger Ice Cream & Yogurt. You can get it with one or two ample scoops of ice cream. The sauce is a milk chocolate fudge (and lots of it), crowned with whipped cream and sprinkled with toasted almonds. (Hot fudge sundae, one scoop, $5.90; two scoops, $7.90.)

Eiger’s Ice Cream & Yogurt, 124 S. Barrington Place, Brentwood, (310) 471-6955.

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Some sip while others slurp

Coffee Importers is a coffee spot that also serves a fine hot fudge sundae. On a layer of homemade milk chocolate fudge, they put one or two scoops of ice cream (your choice) and then another layer of hot fudge. Toasted mixed nuts and a maraschino cherry go on top. (Hot fudge sundae, one scoop, $3.39; two scoops, $4.64.)

Coffee Importers, 34531 Golden Lantern, Dana Point Harbor.

-- Jessica Strand