Hot Fudge Sundaes

Tell them to pour the hot fudge on the ice cream and watch your troubles melt away.

Chaya Venice: This sundae comes in a tall glass with a layer of crisp, buttery cookie covering its rim. It is two scoops of homemade vanilla ice cream, dark hot fudge sauce, whipped cream and caramelized walnuts. (Hot fudge sundae, $7.50.) Chaya Venice, 110 Navy St., Venice, (310) 396-1179.

The Ivy: A scoop of Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream, then one of homemade praline ice cream, then two rich sauces: hot dark fudge and hot butterscotch. Fresh whipped cream and roasted almonds crown it all. (Hot fudge sundae, lunch $10.75, dinner $11.75.) The Ivy, 113 N. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 274-8303.

The Grill: Several scoops of French vanilla ice cream are generously sauced with mellow, milk-chocolaty hot fudge sauce. On top: whipped cream and freshly toasted almonds. This is an ample portion, suitable for splitting. (Hot fudge sundae, $6.75.) The Grill, 9560 Dayton Way, Beverly Hills, (310) 276-0615.

Fosselman’s: You can have your sundae made with any of 48 flavors of ice cream, but the best are vanilla or the more custardy French vanilla bean. The hot fudge sauce, thick and nearly black, is crowned with whipped cream and a cherry. (Hot fudge sundae, 1 scoop $3.10, 2 scoops $3.75, 3 scoops $4.40.) Fosselman’s, 1824 W. Main St., Alhambra, (626) 282-6533.

Eiger’s: Favorite flavors for the sundae include vanilla, chocolate chip and French heaven (French chocolate and French vanilla swirled with pieces of milk chocolate). The fudge sauce is very thick and rich. It’s topped with whipped cream and almonds. (Hot fudge sundae, 1 scoop $5.90, 2 scoops $7.90.) Eiger’s, 124 S. Barrington Place, Brentwood, (310) 471-6955.

Dr. Bob’s Handcrafted Ice Creams: Good flavors for the sundae include Tahitian vanilla, really dark chocolate and “the works” (dark chocolate, chocolate chunks and ground cocoa beans). If you’d like to try more flavors, ask for half scoops. The extremely thick Scharffen Berger chocolate sauce is covered with whipped cream and a topping such as chopped peanuts, chocolate almonds or raisins. (Hot fudge sundae, 1 scoop $3.50, 2 scoops $4.50.). Dr. Bob’s Handcrafted Ice Cream, 155 E. C St., Upland, (909) 920-1966.