Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Ice Cream Summer v2.0: Bellying Up to the Gelato Bar
()
The summer before last, I ran a series called Ice Cream Summer, whereupon I undertook the dreadful, nasty, difficult, and troublesome task of tasting the wares of many of our fair city's many ice creameries. I crowned the victor as Gelato Paradiso, a then-new gelato bar located smack dab in the heart of all the dressed-up charactermelee of Hollywood Boulevard.
But so much has happened in the world of frozen dairy (or non-dairy, ahem) desserts since then, including both the demise of Gelato Paradiso, and the world domination-like arrival of a multitude of NameOfColor/NameOfFruit frozen yogurt shops. (What's taking Gelato Paradiso's place, you ask? Why, Ce Fiore--a frozen yogurt shop--of course!) But it's not just the cold of the creamy snack or dessert fare that's making us shudder. It's the fact that we're settling for yogurt (or fake yogurt, is the jury still out on that one?) with pricey toppings (it's just fruit, people, you can buy it in the store and cut it up yourself to the same effect) when we could have something so much better.
So Ice Cream Summer v2.0 has arrived. This is a "NO FRO-YO" zone, mind you. You go wait in line at Pinkberry. Because we're starting things off in Studio City with a heaping cup loaded with Gail Silverton's gelato at her aptly named Gelato Bar. Come, join us...
Support for LAist comes from
Gelato Bar fits seamlessly into the stretch of boutiques and gourmet-esque shops on one block of Tujunga Boulevard traveling south from Moorpark. It's dog friendly, and decidedly anti-smoking (yes, even when seated at one of the outdoor wrought iron tables), and boasts cozy indoor seating that includes one "community" designated table in the window. Before you even ask, I will tell you--yes, Gail is a part of that Silverton clan--sister of Nancy; you can buy her books at Gelato Bar, should you wish to go home and work with breads after stuffing your face with gelato. Like moths to the proverbial flame you're drawn to the display case immediately upon entering; gelato is so very beautiful to look at, as it's often artfully arranged in ribbony form inside the cool stainless steel bowls. Cheerful tags declare the flavors' names--sometimes in Italian, with English subtitles for the rest of us. It is, I assure you, very hard to decide.
Of course, what helps make the choice is the chance to taste. Here's where Gelato Bar starts to lose its charm. The staff are kind of teen-angsty. They'll serve you, but they don't seem too interested in turning you onto their product. They'll also engage in a spat about personal belongings with their boss while you and many others stand in line, which is always fun to be privy to, yes? Maybe I'm just asking too much of my gelato servers--but the thing is, they've got an exciting product that tastes phenomenal, they're putting a fairly substantial pricetag on it, and yet they completely lack enthusiasm. (Hmmm... Note to self: A post on the death of customer service might be a good next move.)
They offer up 24 flavors of gelato, and I will steal shamelessly from their own website the following lowdown:
including traditional Italian as well as specialty flavors unique to Gelato Bar: Pistachio, Nocciola, Stracciatella, Spicy Chocolate, Blood Orange, Pink Grapefruit, Zuppe Inglese, Cinnamon Basil and Dairy Free Chocolate. An English Toffee gelato is inspired by the famous toffee from Littlejohn's at the Los Angeles Farmer's Market on 3rd Street. Also offered daily are dairy-free sorbetto and sugar-free gelato flavors
Man, that Zuppe Inglese is good--it's vanilla cream with ladyfingers and chocolate fudge ribbons. Another favorite is the Pink Grapefruit--divinely tart and sweet, and a great way to get your dessert on but keep the palate cool during these hot summer months. And, if you want to be able to read those flavor tags in their native tongue, they apparently offer free Italian lessons Thursdays at 2 p.m. Meraviglioso, I say!It seems I've begun my Ice Cream Summer in stride with where I left it at the end of August 2005, with a serving of amazing gelato that is hard to match. But of course, it's merely July, and we've only just begun. I might re-visit some spots I listed in '05, and I'm definitely up for trying all that's left to try--so long as it isn't fozen yogurt. Got somewhere you think I should go? Let me know in the comments. And I'll be back for more Ice Cream Summer!
Gelato Bar
4342 1/2 Tujunga Avenue, Studio City
818-487-1717
Photo by Lindsay William-Ross for LAist
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist