Gelato

[mamster]

After years of thinking I didn't like gelato (never strongly flavored enough and not creamy enough to make up for that), I had two good gelato experiences in the last week. And after I get my teeth out this week, I hope to have more.

First up, I went to Gelatiamo downtown. Every one of the dozens of times I've gone by this place, it's been the wrong time: right before lunch (actually, that didn't stop me this time--we were on our way to Buu Dien), right after getting some Tully's ice cream, no cash, etc. Finally we made it in and had some amaretto gelato, which was a super-almond kick.

Last night we went to Dolce Vita on upper Queen Anne and had a scoop of espresso and a scoop of hazelnut. The espresso wasn't strongly flavored enough, but the hazelnut was superb. I guess maybe I only like nut-flavored gelato, but I'll certainly go back (especially to Gelatiamo, whose amaretto just floored me) and try some other flavors.

Any other gelato places I should know about?

[tsquare]

I second the tastiness of Gelatiamo. The strawberry, earlier this summer, was amazing. Peach wasn't bad, but not like fresh peaches. I love the giandula too.

BTW - all the talk about peaches this summer - I hope everyone has read "Epitaph for a Peach"? Really started all this a few years ago. And a good read too.

[Jenaya]

Procopio on the Pike Street Hillclimb (just one flight up from El Puerco Lloron). Brian does the gelato and sorbets for several Market restaurants, (including Matt's) and all of his stuff is top-notch.

My favorites are the Honey Lavender, followed by the Banana Five-Spice and the grapefruit sorbet.

He's also got a small selection of pastries available - raspberry-almond tart, cheesecake, etc. But, I admit all I ever try are the frozen treats. Great place to take a break from the Market!

[mamster]

Welcome, Jenaya! Procopio sounds great. I'll give it a try next time I'm down there if I can resist the lure of Wonder Freeze.

[Blue Heron]

Hi Jenaya, Welcome!

I just checked out your very interesting website. (recipe section, plus you've helped make some interesting sorbets for Cassis Restaurant, mmmmm). Glad to have you here. I'm checking out Procopio next time I'm at the market, too.

mamster what the heck is Wonder Freeze?

[heyjude]

Jenaya, glad you're here. Mamster, we used to go to Procopio on every See Attle trip when you were kids. I didn't know it was still there, but it was great. The gelato is kept at the proper temperature with a good variety. Ditto Gelatiamo. The owner there loves to talk about her seasonal flavors.

[tsquare]

So it's an unseasonable warm January - well, it was. Gelatiamo has just brought back Blood Orange gelato. A soft pink color tasting something like a cross between orange and grapefruit. Amaretto's back too!

[seawakim]

Does anyone know if they are serving a Coconut Gelato?

[tsquare]

Does anyone know if they are serving a Coconut Gelato?

Yes, and it is good. Even with espresso. Today. Minutes ago.

[tsquare]

New Gelato!

Bottega Italiana at 1425 First Ave - a few doors south of DeLaurentis (did I spell that right?). Small store, making a full cooler of flavors in the back. Illy espresso too. New flavors (to me) such as green apple, pear helene, sour cherry, as well as more typical. Nothing too fusion sounding. First try - the texture is not as smooth as Gelatiamo, but the flavors are bright, and they serve in reuseable pastel plastic tulip cups with plastic gelato paddle/spoons. Small - 2 flavors, $2.50.

[Craig Camp]

After years of thinking I didn't like gelato (never strongly flavored enough and not creamy enough to make up for that

Are you referring to gelato it Italy? I have NEVER had anything like real gelato in the USA. The fruit flavor they pack into gelato in Italy is amazing. It is also the ultimate in creamy.

[mamster]

No, Craig, I've never been to Italy. Sad but true. How about you fly me out for some intensive gelato tasting and I'll report back at no charge?

[KNorthrup]

Portland has a new gelato place. Opened about a month ago. I've already forgotten the name. In the brewery section of the Pearl. In between Baja Fresh and Sur La Table, so across the street from Powell's. They have the tulip dishes and paddle spoons. Design Within Reach table and chairs. 14-16 flavours. Tried for the first time today. Somehow just noticed yesterday although I walk by there every evening. Italian type flavours rather than Americanized. Chocolate, tiramisu, hazelnut, pistacio, zuppa inglese, that vanilla with chocolate flake swirl (straccota?), coconut and then a bunch of fruits. No apricot, sadly. Had the fruit of the forest and the milk (f-something di latte). I have been to Italy. I've been to Vivoli. This is not that good. Like Craig says, it's not as intense and not as creamy. But it's better than ice cream. My coworker raved about his. The milk tasted rather like Cool Whip and the inside of my mouth feels coated. Will have to try some citrus types and maybe the nectarine.

[LaurieA-B]

I checked out Bottega Italiana, on First near Pike Place Market (see tsquare's post) last week. Very small but charming spot. I had the small two-scoop: sour cherry (amarena, I think) and hazelnut. The texture was firmer than the gelati I've tried before; other places it was almost as soft as soft-serve. The texture difference wasn't necessarily negative, just different. (I don't know what "authentic" gelato is supposed to be like.) The cherry was fruity but not at all sour, a bit too sweet. Hazelnut had a great rush of toasty nut flavor, I really enjoyed it.

There's an excellent post reviewing all the Seattle gelato spots over on chowhound. I think I saw a sign for a new one opening at the convention center, too. Haven't tried the Gelatiamo being served at Pagliacci on Broadway yet. I can't remember how much it cost, but the price seemed high to me.

[LaurieA-B]

I went by the new gelato spot at the convention center this afternoon (on the bus, so I couldn't see much). It's called Gelatissimo, and is a walk-up on Pike Street, next to the Subway.

[Ratgirl]

You must go to Mondo Gelato in Vancouver, B.C. There's one on Robson and the other is not far away on Denman St. It's a chain with locations in B.C., Italy, Berkeley and, of all places, Beijing. Visit them at

www.mondogelato.com.

This place is better than all the gelato shops in Seattle -- and I've been to them all.

[theminx]

Ooohh....Gelatiamo! Yummy!

I live in Baltimore, and we have two places in Little Italy that serve pretty good gelato: Vaccaro's and Cafe di Roma. The gelato at the former is a bit grainy, and the gelato at the latter has more intense flavor. But the best gelato I have ever eaten comes from Gelatiamo. My husband and I were in Seattle for several days last August and had Gelatiamo gelato for dessert every night. We mostly stuck to the nutty flavors, and I had a scoop of the rice flavor one night (which is so soothing, like something for a baby). I had a small taste of the pamplemo (sp?) and it was so intensely grapefruit-flavored, it was hard to believe there was any milk product present.

We tried to visit Procopio, but the day we went, they were closed. I'd been there before though and probably had hazelnut. I don't recall being that impressed, so it must have been fairly similar to what I can get here at home.

I'll make note of the new gelateria in town so when I visit next, I can indulge!

[jschyun]

www.mondogelato.com.

This place is better than all the gelato shops in Seattle -- and I've been to them all.

I loved Mondo Gelato in Vancouver. For someone who wants to budget their stomach space on a weekend trip to Seattle, would you say Mondo is worth driving 2 hours for, or is Gelatiamo almost as good? What are the differences, would you say?

[maidmarionberry]

Hi,

This is my very first post. On a subject close to my heart--Hooray!

There is another Portland gelatto destination, Staccato Gelato. It's on NE 28th, I think, just off of Glisan. We often trek to that neighborhood for dinner at La Buca (cheap and servicable Italian, esp. if you're training for a marathon) or a movie at the Laurelhurst and then continue down the street for the a spot of the G. It's realllly good. Run by two sisters who make a limited selection of flavors and aim for seasonal, local ingredients. I tried Mia Gelatto (the place by Sur La Table) last week, and don't think it's quite as good. Staccato's stuff has a more smooth texture and intense flavor. My roommate spent some time in Italy during college, and actually prefers the Mia stuff because it reminds her of the creamier gelatto they had in the North. Apparently in the South it's more like sorbet. Can any experts testify to this? Anyway, try Staccato; my favs at this point are the strawberry, chocolate, and orange cardamom. You might find it more to your preference. (their serving dishes are far cuter too....)

ML

[mamster]

I haven't been there, but "Stacatto Gelato" is a great name. I have been to Mondo on Robson in Vancouver, and it's excellent indeed. Their garnishes are beautiful.

[Ratgirl]

Well, I wouldn't necessarily drive up just for the gelato. I would drive up to visit several places, though, such as Sun Sui Wah for the best dim sum and Vij's for Indian and Kintaro for the fatty pork ramen -- and then have gelato.

[tsquare]

Gelatiamo is presenting two flavors of gelato caldo. Hazelnut and pistachio. It's gelato mixed with mousse. Not so frosty for a winter time treat. Richer, creamier, if that is possible. You get a little puff pastry ball with it too.

[live2eat]

I'd like to second (third/fouth/whatever) any opinions on Mondo Gelato in Vancouver. Half the price of Gelatimo (or any other Gelato place I've been to in the States), and smoother/more flavorful. Try the black sesame if you're into something new.

Gelato alone might not be worth the 2hr drive from Seattle proper to downtown Vancouver, but stop by at one of the many sushi places on Robson and follow it up with Mondo Gelato.