It's Italian Ice Season On The Upper East Side

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Everyone is different.

Some people view the rodent soothsayer Punxsutawney Phil as a harbinger of springtime.

Others await the early sights of tulips, tree buds and seasonal allergies to let them know it's time for warm weather.

But for others, the first sign that winter is coming to an end — if you can call this year's season "winter"— is the start of Italian ice season.

Despite the cold weather, today is the official start of the Italian ice season at Ralph's Italian Ices at 1588 First Ave. near East 83rd Street in Yorkville.

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The location, which first opened in September 2019, kicks open their seasonal doors on March 1, welcoming eager customers to try their "famous" Italian ices, ice creams and drinks.

Ralph's locations in the East Village on Avenue A and in Astoria also start their 2023 season today, a day forecasted to have a high temperature in the low-40's.

The longtime Italian ice shop was started by Italian immigrant Ralph Silvestro, who sold what would become the store's "famous" ices in Staten Island, according to their website.

In 1949, the shop opened their first retail location on Port Richmond Avenue in Staten Island and has since expanded to dozens of locations in New York City, Long Island and New Jersey — although the site does not list the Upper East Side location.