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I'm in LOVE, (No dear, not with a
20 year old blond) but with the Gelato Cafe ! When my wife (VCO
Publisher Marleen Marino) asked (told me actually) to be one of VCO's
restaurant's critics I
could not believe my good fortune. I really enjoy eating (as all 4' 9",
220 lbs. of me will attest to... well, 220 lbs. anyway). I enjoy food, drink,
wine and coffee of all cultures, so I jumped at the opportunity (from my
seat at our dining room table to a seat at the Gelato Cafe) to do
my first review. What an assignment, it's nice to have "juice".
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The Gelato Cafe's slogan is
"A Cool Smile, with Italian Style". That is a fitting description of
the Gelato Cafe, located on the corner of Durango and W.
Desert Inn. I truly enjoyed the whole Gelato Cafe experience,
thanks to my hosts, Brian Martaugh and Ronnie Lee, and to their
courteous and knowledgeable staff.
Ronnie lived in Italy for 13 years so
he had a
good idea of what an Italian Cafe should look like, instead of
replicating it out of a catalog. Being a second generation Italian,
and born and raised in San Francisco, I too had an idea of what an
Italian cafe should look like. |
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The Gelato Cafe which is
celebrating their one year anniversary is the "upper crust" of dessert
shops. If you want a quick serve ice cream cone that will drip on your
lap on the drive home go to Baskin & Robbins, but, if you want a place
to relax and really enjoy dessert or a cup of smooth Illy Cafe brand
espresso, go to the Gelato Cafe. |
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Gelato also know as Artisan style
Italian ice cream is the "Art form" of frozen desserts. Gelato is
the predecessor of ice cream and has been served in Europe for
several hundred years. The Gelato served at the Gelato Cafe
is an extremely fresh product (made on the premises) with very high
creamy-ness and little over-run (air). In fact, ice cream has 30 -
80% more air, so, four ounces of Gelato is like twelve ounces of ice
cream. And... for you health conscious connoisseurs' Gelato has
approximately half the calories, carbs and sugar as ice cream, and
is 92 - 96% fat free,
while the fresh fruit Sorbetto flavors are 100% fat
free. The Gelato was served in a very classy
long-stemmed Martini glass. |
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The authentic hand-blown glassware
as well as original paintings adorn the walls over the stuffed sofas
and chairs are for sale. The paintings are changed
periodically. I started with a cup of espresso (Illy
Cafe is and always was the best of any espresso I have ever tasted in 35
years of drinking coffee), which was served in a real Demitasse cup, not
in a paper cup (how sacrilegious) as in some other coffee
establishments..., and ended my experience with another. In between, I
had a Grande Deli Platter, which included, Prosciutto (Italian
Ham) (to die for),
Brousala beef and other
imported meats and cheeses. It was then
that I had my most difficult decision of the day to make, what Gelato
flavors should I try (there are about 45 flavors to chose from that are
rotated from day to day) (before the year is out, I will try them all),
but after due deliberation, I settled on six or seven choices. It was a
tough decision, but I finally picked Hazel Nut as the winner of the
samples I had tried, 38 or so to go.
I know I'm in for another treat in a
week or so because I am going back for more Gelato samplings and to try
one of their Pasta dishes. If the pasta tastes as good as the serving a
gentleman had while I was there looked, I'm in for another treat, I can't
wait.....
The Gelato Cafe and Coffee bar at
Durango and Desert Inn may be tucked away in the little strip mall (next
to Vons) but once you find it, you're in for a tasteful and relaxing
experience.
By the way, bring your Lap Top, as they
have Wireless and Land Line connections, also, bring a friend that you
can beat at Scrabble or other board games (they supply the board games).
Remember the Gelato Cafe serves "THE best Gelato" that
can be found anywhere here in Las Vega, created daily
on-site by their in-house Gelato chefs.
For authentic Gelato catering and foodservice, you
can contact Brian at 736-9145.
Gelato Café
8550 W. Desert Inn Rd.
Suite 103A
Las Vegas NV. 89117
Tel: 702 736-9145
Fax: 702 736-9140
Contact Information::
e-mail:: gelato@abs-inc.net
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