It’s that time of year again, when everyone’s stomachs turn to thoughts of gelato. At least I know mine does. And to judge by the gelato happenings in Rome these days, I’m not alone. I’ve written about my favorite gelato places in the past, here and here. However an update is in order, given the recent new openings.
Il Gelato
Il Gelato, owned by Claudio Torce’, is my favorite gelateria in Rome. I go to his gelateria on Viale Aventino more often than is good for me. he’s gone and opened an even bigger and better shop not far from the Spanish Steps. It’s much larger than the one on Viale Aventino, with over a hundred flavors. The day I was there there were TWENTY different types of chocolate alone! And another dozen types of vanilla.
The space is sort of hard to find, but very centrally located and easy to get to. I’m not sure if that is a good thing or not.
I Caruso
This gelateria is one of the newest of the new breed of artisinal gelaterie in Rome. Located just off Via Flavia, it’s worth a trip over. They only have about a dozen flavors, most very traditional, but among the creamiest and richest around.
Cicccolato Extra Fondente was intense while the Crema Come Una Volta was just that: old fashioned vanilla ice cream. The fruit flavors tended towards things like Kiwi and strawberry.
And here’s the kicker: at Italian gelaterie they always ask you if you’d like whipped cream on top of your ice cream. But here? They fold zabaione into the whipped cream, to create an entirely new food group. On top of already incredibly rich and delicious gelato. Nirvana.
While I was there I was totally seduced by their refrigerated case containing ice cream pops and ice cream cakes. They looked delicious and that’s what almost everyone else who came in was buying.
Grom
I know Grom is a chain, and doesn’t have a long tradition in Rome (it just opened last week!). But its a very good chain that happens to make delicious gelato from fresh ingredients. It’s hard to single out any one flavor, especially since they change every month. But the day I went I had their famous Crema di una Volta, which was just what it sounded like: old fashioned vanilla. Rich and creamy and perfect.
Don’t worry if there is a line, the finely tuned staff scoops at an amazing pace from tubs sunken beneath the counter. It’s located just a few blocks from the Pantheon and so handy for any pick-me-ups you may need between sight seeing.
Il Gelato
Piazza Monte D’Oro 91/92, Rome
I Caruso
Via Collina, 13/15, Rome
Grom
Via della Maddelena, Rome
Devo assolutamente andare anche io da grom al più presto! Bacione buon weekend
What a great post! And the new food group – oh my! As a child, when in our neighborhood ice cream parlor, I always ordered a big bowl of whipped cream (it was pink), hold the ice cream, please Honest. So the zabaglione variation has piqued my interest. Do you recall if they combined the whipped cream and zabaglione 1:1? Could be this afternoon’s treat… Thanks for a wonderful read!