233067 Sun Apr 16 22:29:45 -0700 2006 16 18 Manhattan 0 1236613 Tonight I just experienced the much anticipated olive oil gelato that I've heard so much about. Following dinner I got a trio of gelatos: parmagiano, hazelnut stracciatella, and olive oil. I found the olive oil to be really strange. Everyone else I was eating with hated it but I'm not sure what I think about it. You people out there that love this flavor: Do you genuinely like the flavor or do you like the fact that its a little tangy and atypical? Sun Apr 16 22:29:45 -0700 2006 0 Pantsy 1 1236615 ha! i went to otto more than anything because i wanted to try the much tauted olive oil gelato, and had a similarly ambivalent reaction. and my partner hated it, and thought it tasted like shortening. that being said, i love the juxtaposition of salt and sweet. i just had the dessert tasting menu at wd50 and particularly loved the salt (we started there with a tangerine sorbet with olive oil and salt--the texture was amazing, like a frothy/fluffy crushed ice, the citrus a bit too bitter for my taste, but the salt...mmm) Sun Apr 16 22:51:52 -0700 2006 1236613 0 freddie 2 1236620 Went to Otto Friday night and ordered the olive oil gelato but got the caramel gelato instead. I wanted to send it back but the slightly sweet caramel taste was so good I couldn't bring myself to complain. Next time I'll get the oil. Link: http://www.theblognut.blogspot.com Sun Apr 16 23:41:39 -0700 2006 1236615 0 blognut 2 1236651 Wait, they have parmigiano too? Sounds interesting! How was it? As for the olive oil tasting like shortening, I have to disagree with your partner. It's buttery and unctuous, but the flavor is unmistakably olive oil. I loved it; salt, oil, cream and all, but like you, my companion couldn't stomach it. Mon Apr 17 11:56:08 -0700 2006 1236615 0 Spoony Bard 3 1236669 i also had a similar experience with the olive oil gelato. I thought it was just delicious...i love the taste of the cream mixed with olive oil, and it's perfect with the salt on top. But when my companion tried it, they did not like it one bit. i didn't mind, more for me! ooh, now i want i dish of it :) Mon Apr 17 13:45:18 -0700 2006 1236651 0 twiggles 3 1236770 The parmigiano was really good. It is striking in the same way that the olive oil is...you know the name so you should be prepared for what it tastes like..yet it still takes you by surprise when you take a bite and it tastes exactly like the name. I would definately reccommend it if you are a fan of parm. But be careful what you pair it with. Not the hazelnut stracc. or the olive oil. Mon Apr 17 23:26:07 -0700 2006 1236651 0 Pantsy 1 1236624 i've gotten it multiple times and tried just about every recurring flavor on the menu, and i do indeed love it (not just for novelty value). i think one begins to appreciate it more in future visits. Mon Apr 17 07:11:14 -0700 2006 1236613 0 aquasar 1 1236647 I did the same thing as you. I found the OO to be the best by far. Mon Apr 17 11:02:39 -0700 2006 1236613 0 T. Pigeon 1 1236648 didn't hate the oo gelato. didn't much like it either. was glad i tried it, but probably won't be getting it again. Mon Apr 17 11:18:07 -0700 2006 1236613 0 rolypoly 1 1236649 No false pretenses -- I genuinely love it, particularly with the the salt and drizzle of olive oil on top! Mon Apr 17 11:18:31 -0700 2006 1236613 0 CD 1 1236673 I genuinely think it's one of the tastiest things in the NYC. Yes, a bit unusual, but simply delicious. Mon Apr 17 13:52:00 -0700 2006 1236613 0 Dag 1 1236677 I love the sweet and salty. I also the strawberries with balsamic vinegar! Mon Apr 17 14:07:17 -0700 2006 1236613 0 south sloper 1 1236709 I guess it's a matter of taste. I'm not a big fan of atypical or tangy, and I never like anything for the sake of it being interesting. I just think that the olive oil gelato is an excellent, rich, and delicious dessert. I'm honestly puzzled by your and your friends' reactions. Mon Apr 17 17:02:38 -0700 2006 1236613 0 Lucia 1 1236726 I think it is a delicious item and for me the main reason that I go to Otto at all. Meredith's gelato is simply the best in town and that OO gelato is pure genius. If I want that kind of food, I'd rather eat at Lupa and then walk up to Otto for dessert. Mon Apr 17 18:13:08 -0700 2006 1236613 0 Senor Popusa 1 1236736 I wasn't blown away by the olive oil gelato either - but the caramel with the slightly burnt taste always makes me swoon... Mon Apr 17 19:02:26 -0700 2006 1236613 0 JulesNYC 1 1236767 Hehe, the olive oil fans do not tread lightly. I'm definately going back for a second tasting. I would like to try ordering a bowl of the olive oil by itself or get the olive oil coppetta, so I can concentrate on its flavor. I think I'm going to agree with the person who posted that it gets better each time. Thanks, oo addicts. Mon Apr 17 23:19:44 -0700 2006 1236613 0 Pantsy 1 1236795 I slightly preferred the caramel when we went about a year ago but the olive oil was my five year old daughter's absolute favorite. Tue Apr 18 09:39:42 -0700 2006 1236613 0 GaryK