262187 Tue Dec 31 19:23:53 -0800 2002 33 26 International 0 1385332 In your experience what / where are the best gelato places- I mean places so special that you would make a trip. If this question would be the best value, I would have to say recently it was Buenos Aires: very high quality, great flavors, supernice texture, beautifully served for 1/3 of the European or North American prices. Tue Dec 31 19:23:53 -0800 2002 0 best 1 1385338 I had excellent gelato this past spring in San Gimignano. It was listed in the Buon Paese book, and is called "Gelateria della Piazza", on Piazza della Cisterna. Well worth the detour if you should be in the area, ans San G is a great place to visit anyway. Wed Jan 01 12:19:29 -0800 2003 1385332 0 James G 2 1385549 In Rome, Gelateria San Crispino is one of the best. Viale Panetteria 42, near the Trevi Fountain. Sat Jan 11 23:26:55 -0800 2003 1385338 0 Eliot 2 2749599 That was my favourite in Italy too! I didn't know it was listed anywhere, but it was really outstanding. My test is always the pistachio. If it's really green, I run away. Sat Jul 14 11:13:06 -0700 2007 1385338 12383 Nyleve 1 1385352 Hey, you can't hold out on us like that!! Where was the best in BA?! Smokey Thu Jan 02 12:46:18 -0800 2003 1385332 0 Smokey 1 1385359 In my opinion, the best gelato can be found at Vivoli in Florence. On a recent trip my partner and I ate there every day. Even flavors that sounded weird, like peach or pear with burnt caramel, were amazing. It's hard to go wrong there. Thu Jan 02 20:27:46 -0800 2003 1385332 0 joannap 2 2786080 Second for Bar Vivoli in Florence. Not just for the flavor but for the astounding variety (all seasonal, of course) and combos Thu Jul 26 11:38:44 -0700 2007 1385359 105586 Cat Chow 1 1385400 Do you just mean gelato or would ice-cream be included? Recently tried some Berthillon in Paris and some of its flavors are fantastic. Also tried Vivoli in Florence before but since it was so long ago, can't really compare it to Berthillon. But I guess you can't go wrong with either. Sun Jan 05 11:23:33 -0800 2003 1385332 0 HKTraveler 2 1386967 Berthillion is US $11.00 per pint ice cream whose chocolate may be the best in the world. Badiani is the Florentine gelato maker that is generally recognized as superior to Vivoli. The particular flavor they are famous for is biantalenti. Having said all of this Graeter's in Cincinnati is better for their chip flavors as well as turtle and Swiss sundaes; Kopp's Frozen Custard in Milwaukee may be the best store bought ice cream/gelato/frozen custard on earth. New England has three great places: Toscanini's near Boston along with Bart's and Herrell's in Northampton, MA. There are a whole host of others including Richardson's north of Boston and Longacres just south of Allentown, PA on Route 100, both of which are 1920ish dairies that have survived to the present. Robin Rose, late of Santa Monica had an outstanding chocolate flavor, Neilsen's of Salt Lake City along with Leon's in Milwaukee will both rival Kopp's with Ted Drewes of St. Louis and Abbott's of Rochester (both long standing local instittions) in the distant pack. Overall I personally prefer American ice cream and frozen custard to the absolute best gelato in Italy and ice cream elsewhere in Europe. On it's best day Berthillion's US $13.00 hot fudge sundae couldn't fill Graeter's dish although it's chocolate ice cream was remarkable. Sun Jun 08 00:33:01 -0700 2003 1385400 0 Joe H. 3 1386968 Since it's shifting to the subject of ice creams, I'd add Out of A Flower (Texas IIRC), Marco Polo and Mitchells (SF). Sun Jun 08 00:39:29 -0700 2003 1386967 0 Limster 4 1386970 Out of a Flower!!!! MY God, this is incredible ice cream. Something like $10 a pint but actually worth it with several flavors as good as the best I can make myself in a hand cranked White Mountain freezer using pasteurized heavy cream. Mitchell's was awfully good, too. But Out of a Flower! To think that Texans can make ice cream this good! Sun Jun 08 21:32:37 -0700 2003 1386968 0 Joe H. 5 1386971 In SF as few years ago, I used to get Out of a Flower at Andronico's for $7 a pint. Loved their jasmine tea. very delicate flavouring, exquisitely smooth and soft texture. Unfortunately, I haven't tried that many flavours (selection at Andronico's was, alas, limited.) What are your favourites? I thought I saw them at Formaggio Kitchen here in Boston but I could have been dreaming. Been busy with the local ice cream places anyway. *grin* Since you've already tried many of the greats around Boston, you really should also visit Christina's (I'd be more than glad to take you there anytime!). And then down to Manhattan for Laboratorio del Gelato that the NY chowhounds have been raving about. Sun Jun 08 21:56:31 -0700 2003 1386970 0 Limster 6 1386972 Limster, I really appreciate the suggestions. I will try Christina's. I need to find a great dessert after Santarpio's which I have become addicted to for a biannual or triannual stop. (I'm in Boston about 10 or so days a year on business.) I've also read several of the posts on the New York boards about Laboratorio. That's also on my list although Christina's (because of my business) will probably come first. Out of a Flower had three or four flavors that are incredble including a rum flavor that is awesome. But there must be a half dozen or so that I really like and, well, respect. There's a freshness to the texture of this ice cream that I've never found in another store bought ice cream. I swear, it really tastes truly home made, even several hours before. I've never had Mitchell's. Where did you find this? Which flavors would you recommend? Thanks again for the suggestions. I really appreciate them. If there's another Chow meal in Boston I would love to join in if I'm nearby. (I would have loved the pizza adventure you guys had a number of months back!) Please copy my e-mail and include me. I really appreciate your thoughts. Thanks again. Joe Heflin Sun Jun 08 22:25:02 -0700 2003 1386971 0 Joe H. 7 1386973 Mitchell's is a favourite of the SF chowhounds -- it's in the Mission neighbourhood. I like them primarily of their tropical fruit flavours which are hard to find elsewhere. Macapuno/young coconut is one of the most popular, but it seems to me that every hound there has his or her favourite. :) Marco Polo is more like gelato, and some of their best (or rather some of my favourite) flavours include lychee, jackfruit and soursop. I'll definitely email you when we have another chowdown here -- they range from small dinners to big organized affairsl like the pizza crawl. Hope to break bread with you some day. Sun Jun 08 22:46:00 -0700 2003 1386972 0 Limster 5 1386977 Unfortunately, its web site doesn't name locations where it's sold, but I used to get Out of a Flower at Whole Foods in the Bay Area (berkeley store); unfortunately, it's not carried at the WF in NYC, though I believe it may be available at Dean & Deluca (so maybe also in DC and CA?). In the East Bay, it used to, at least, be available at the Pasta Shop. Mon Jun 09 21:37:51 -0700 2003 1386970 0 Caitlin McGrath 3 1386974 Where in the U.S. can you find Berthillion? Is it a local ice cream? Anywhere in NYC? And what is the difference between frozen custard and ice cream? American ice cream certainly takes better to accoutrements--hot fudge, whipped cream--brownies, etc., than Italian gelato does. And i have never understood why people associate Florence with being a gelato city. Certainly not more than Naples, Palermo, Rome. Mon Jun 09 11:21:42 -0700 2003 1386967 0 adam 4 1386975 Berthillion is in Paris. Scroll back on the midwestern board for numerous posts about frozen custard which include detailed discussions about the differences. Mon Jun 09 11:44:43 -0700 2003 1386974 0 Joe H. 5 1386976 Berthillon (note correct spelling if searching for info) is without doubt Paris's (okay, France's) best-known ice cream. I only sampled three each of their ice creams and sorbets, but they were definitely memorable. It's sold at several places in the city, but the store itself has the freshest and the widest selection of flavors. Link: http://www.berthillon-glacier.com/ Mon Jun 09 21:32:34 -0700 2003 1386975 0 Caitlin McGrath 3 2850454 Does the Neilsen's in Salt Lake City serve old-fashioned custard? If so, there's a sibling Neilsen's in Vienna, VA. Dense, creamy, rich, amazing stuff. Phenomenally wonderful Grom Gelato has shown up in the US, specifically in Manhattan. My husband and I were lucky enough to discover Grom in Bologna this summer. There's a Slow Food connection to the Grom product; Grom sources its ingredients from Slow Food-approved growers/producers. Thu Aug 16 04:15:56 -0700 2007 1386967 61567 Indy 67 1 1386966 try Fenoglio in Nice old town, in front of the cathedral: includes unusual flavours such as tomato, basil, etc bon appétit Sat Jun 07 03:53:45 -0700 2003 1385332 0 michel 1 2749291 Without a doubt - Amorino in Paris. Love their Pistachio and Yoghurt flavors. Much better than Berthillon, IMHO. Sat Jul 14 08:30:20 -0700 2007 1385332 110324 sf2nyc 2 2779163 If you include ice cream (and have a non-U.S. passport) Coppelia in Havana's central park is excellent. Tue Jul 24 12:22:04 -0700 2007 2749291 54222 ekammin 2 2878824 Agreed! Amorino over Berthillon any day. And I did (about 5-1). Rome in general has stellar gelato. I still remember a place near Campo di Fiori where we went twice a day for the entire week. Fri Aug 24 14:17:26 -0700 2007 2749291 13289 Porthos 1 2786074 My recent trip changed my favorite gelato from Carabe in Florence to Savoia in Verona. Absolutly mouth-watering fruit flavors! Thu Jul 26 11:37:29 -0700 2007 1385332 114115 JBostwick 1 2787236 i can only compare it to what i've had here in the states, as i've [unfortunately] not made it to italy yet...but i was surprised by the number of gelato shops in sydney, australia...and i have to say that all the places i tried [and i tried many!] were fantastic. i'm convinced it has to do with the superior quality of the dairy down under. there are some seriously delectable frozen dessert products to be had in australia & new zealand. Thu Jul 26 15:59:56 -0700 2007 1385332 103920 goodhealthgourmet 1 2834987 I know it's been mentioned in some of the above mentioned threads but Amorino Gelato, Ile St. Louis, in Paris! I had just been in Italy (Venice, Florence, Tuscany region, Rome) I do have to say - when I think gelato the memories of Amorino are what hit my head and taste buds. Fri Aug 10 19:45:22 -0700 2007 1385332 101709 dmfnole 1 2861102 In Paris, Christian Constant in rue de Fleurus. Mon Aug 20 01:17:39 -0700 2007 1385332 96547 souphie 1 2868719 Giolitti in Rome was unbelievable. It's like the flavors have reached maximum capacity in each bite and can't be any more intense. How do they do that?!! Via Uffici del Vicario, 40 (near the Parliament) or Casina dei Tre Laghi, Via le Oceania, 90 If you are traveling to Florence in August, you may be sorely disappointed to see that some of the best gelaterias (Vivoli, Vestri, etc.) will be closed for vacation. Call first. Enjoy! Wed Aug 22 04:23:32 -0700 2007 1385332 62137 twopotato 1 2878812 I've got to throw a shout out there for Gelato Fantasy in Venice. Anyone else feel me on that one? S. Marco, 929 30124 Venezia (VE), Italy 041 5225993 M Fri Aug 24 14:13:25 -0700 2007 1385332 12824 MunkeeCIAO 1 2878883 The best one is in Bologna, La Sorbetteria Castiglione http://www.lasorbetteria.it/. I'd say the runner up is D'Ijssalon in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. These both have really good pistachio! I think theirs are better than Vivoli and Amorino. Fri Aug 24 14:34:43 -0700 2007 1385332 121894 thesaucegirl 1 2933375 It just has to be Sirmione - a little peninsula at the southern end of Lake Garda in Italy. I was there this summer. It's full of little cafes which specialise in their own icecream. I have never seen so many wonderful flavours and colours. A gelato paradise. Wed Sep 12 02:30:04 -0700 2007 1385332 126693 NorwichPam 1 2939757 Perche No? in Florence. The chocolate orange, fragola and white chocolate... that's all we tried. Spent 2 weeks in Italy this summer eating gelato twice a day with kids and it was everyone's hands down favorite. We preferred it over San Crispino in Rome! Thu Sep 13 18:10:04 -0700 2007 1385332 13495 Love to Eat 1 2950681 I'd have to say Giolitti in Rome is pretty fantastic. There's also a wonderful little gelateria (have no idea what the name is) right off the Pantheon (heading towards Piazza Navona and right next to a pizzeria). I make a special trip there every time I'm in Rome. La Sorbetteria Castiglione in Bologna is great. So is any Freddo's in BsAs (you're right, best, it's great value). And I just have to give a mention to the olive oil gelato at Otto's in Manhattan-- not exactly something you have when you're craving sweet gelato, but it's so great with dinner... Mon Sep 17 19:01:01 -0700 2007 1385332 127962 lks 1 5109187 There is not need to argue. To get the best gelato in the world you need to come up to the end of the world ... a.k.a New Zealand. A friend of mine introduced me to the Giapo experience. I call it the Giapo experience because everytime you walk in there, it’s just a feeling of being out of this world. Whenever you are there - you can’t help but be happy! I know their fruit is organic and they are grand with chocolate and hazelnuts and they have the largest list of mix-ins ever seen in the world. Opss. I forgot to say that they also sell the largest cone in the world... the notorious super giapo. Come to NZ. Go and have fun! I also found them in FB: www.facebook.com/giapogelato Fri Oct 16 16:31:36 -0700 2009 1385332 1116877 Terrythanksy