There is a small food court counter near my office that sells panini. They recently started selling gelato.
I should have suspected trouble when I saw the low fat sign (fat free why bother ). But I am going through such withdrawal, I figured I'll try anything. Then the young man pulled out the scoop and I knew this would not be a gelato experience but I was still optimistic. I paid for my small cup of gelato and it came to nearly $3 . But I figured well worth the price if it could only get me through these withdrawal pains I was having.
I walked away and took a taste. Big disappointment! No were near the experience of even the worst (worst is actually not an appropriate word, maybe least tasty ) gelato I have tasted in Italy.
So if someone can please have one for me and I can live vicariously through your experience. Perhaps that will be enough to ease the pain until I can taste that wonderful substance, back in Italy.
BTW I like chocolato.
Posts: 544 | Location: Pittsburgh, PA U.S.A. | Registered: 16 December 2005
Fortunately for me, San Diego has lots of transplanted Italians so I have a couple of places that sell VERY GOOD Gelato. Can you believe it?
Of course, it's not IN Italy, which ruins it right off for me, but it's reminiscent and I get a little bit of Italy "hit" when eat it at either place......... ciao, Cheryl
Spinnaker, I'll sacrifice myself for your craving and offer a gelato on your behalf. Would you like another flavor with your cioccolato? If you happen to be in Cleveland, the Gelateria on Cedar Road (near University Circle) is pretty darn good. Just don't bother with the caffe despite it being Illy.
Those of us in DC area are lucky to have 98.7% authentic gelato at Sam's Cafe in nearby Rockville, MD. A bit incongruous but he also serves up a mean kabob. Only four hours from Pittsburgh...
Originally posted by spinnaker: So if someone can please have one for me and I can live vicariously through your experience... BTW I like chocolato.
All I need is an excuse, and this will certainly do.
I sympathize, as I remember having serious good-caffè-and-gelato withdrawal when I was stateside... And, no matter how many flavors they come up with, it's cioccolato that's the must-have, so we're set there, too.
Originally posted by Stefanaccio: Those of us in DC area are lucky to have 98.7% authentic gelato at Sam's Cafe in nearby Rockville, MD. A bit incongruous but he also serves up a mean kabob. Only four hours from Pittsburgh...
Hey! I work across the parking lot from Sam's!! He has a rosewater flavored gelato that's quite interesting.
Posts: 223 | Location: Maryland | Registered: 04 March 2007
I haven't yet had an ice cream this year, but you bet that my season's first will be for this spinnaker bloke up there in Pittsburgh. Here's to you mate.
I live in the San Francisco Bay Area (in Oakland, to be exact), and despite a plethora of gelaterie, they're almost all pretty horrid. Nothing at all like the ultra-smooth, dense, rich gelato you can find in Italy. Luckily, there is one place in Oakland that gets it pretty close, and they're located dangerously close to where I live. I spoke to the owner, and she said she was inspired by Gelateria dei Neri in Florence, which in my humble opinion makes the best gelato in Florence. My gelato withdrawals were pretty severe before this place opened up last summer.
But other than that, the gelato around here is pretty dreadful. I don't understand why local gelato makers don't strive for something better. It's like they just churn out this icy, gritty, hard crud and sell it like crazy to all the people who haven't had the chance to try the real thing.
In dowtown Seattle their is a decent one and a bit closer for us there is a Whole Foods in Redmond that does some pretty good gelato. They make it themselves onsite.
Don't know if all Whole Paychecks do this, but it's worth checking.
When I am in Atlanta, I head off to the Highlands area at the intersection of Highland and Virginia and go to Paolo's... for the few minutes I am inside, I am back in Italy.... especially if Paolo is working!!
The flavors are great and the gelato pretty close. It is a MUST stop when I am in Atlanta!!
Doug
ANCORA IMPARO
Posts: 1994 | Location: Winter Park, FL | Registered: 18 May 2005
Originally posted by JuniorBalloon: In dowtown Seattle their is a decent one and a bit closer for us there is a Whole Foods in Redmond that does some pretty good gelato. They make it themselves onsite.
Don't know if all Whole Paychecks do this, but it's worth checking.
jb
Where I live (Boulder CO) the Whole Paycheck doesn't do gelato.. not fresh made on the premises... they of course have it in tubs in the frozen section. It's a pretty darn nice store though!
Would anyone like to trade one authentic Italian gelato (flavor of your choice) for a handful of peanut butter cups? I could get in the mail first thing tomorrow!
And before anyone of you gripe about my peanut butter cup request, just remember that I can't help myself; the heart wants what the heart wants.
can you share the name and location of the gelaterie in Oakland. I am your next door neighbor in San Leandro and would love to give it a try.
Grazie,
Susan
Susan, it's called Gelato Firenze, and it's right around the corner from the Grand Lake Theater (to the right, if you're facing the theater). Not every flavor works, but when they do work, it's pretty darn good. The owner is very friendly and she likes to get peoples' opinions on the flavors, to see if she can improve them. Sampling of flavors is highly encouraged here. My favorite is the Super Chocolate, which is sinfully rich with perfect consistency (and they tend to run out of this one, it's so good).
Get yourself over to Capo Giro in Philadelphia (hey, it's the same state anyway) DH was there in Jan and went 7 time in three days. They have lots of off beat flavors as well as good old standards. He thinks it's better than some we had in Italy. They have a web site, check it out.
Posts: 7 | Location: maynard dixon country | Registered: 18 November 2007
If anybody is Phoenix way we have a small chain called the Gelato Spot. It is the real thing. Lots of flavor, big fat rush (happy happy cells). Physiologists say that taste/smell is heavily associated with memory. And when it comes to gelato I have lots of memories.
Our area in L.A. fortunately has a couple very good gelaterie. In "Tujunga Village" (Studio City area), Gelato Bar is fantastic and even while in Italy we often thought of how good it is. Unfortunately it is pricey ($4.50 for a three scoop cup). It is just across the street from the terrible "Vitello's" restaurant- of Robert Blake fame.
There is also Pazzo Gelato in Silver Lake on Sunset blvd. in the "Sunset Junction" area. Excellent quality with a good selection of often innovative flavors. Gets pretty busy and Silver Lake can be a bit too "Scene-y" for me to want to make the trek sometimes, but it is great.
Today for Mother's Day we went to Gelato Bar and picked up a couple tubs. Cioccolato Sorbetto, Caffe, Yogurt, Jasmine Green Tea, Melon, Rose, and Pink Grapefruit. It was a hit!
Posts: 16 | Location: Los Angeles | Registered: 29 October 2005
Alright! If there isn't anyone willing to send me peanut butter cups, than I shall just have to go out tomorrow and eat a big, fat, creamy, gelato. And don't think I won't rub it in!
Hmmmm, where should start..... strawberry and chocolate perhaps?
). But I am going through such withdrawal, I figured I'll try anything. Then the young man pulled out the scoop and I knew this would not be a gelato experience but I was still optimistic. I paid for my small cup of gelato and it came to nearly $3 . But I figured well worth the price if it could only get me through these withdrawal pains I was having.
