Gelato has it rough. It’s not the classic, cool American treat; it doesn’t have the same appeal for most as a bowl of rocky road and kids don’t hit the ground running when they hear the “gelato” man driving down the block. St. Louis has always been an ice cream or frozen custard town—but if you ask me where I’m going for dessert or where I go for a break from the summer heat, it’s most often Gelateria Tavolini.
I don’t consider myself anti-ice cream—I like a good ole’ milkshake or scoop of chocolate ice cream as much as the next person. I think of myself as pro-gelato. I prefer the dense, creaminess of gelato; it’s made with milk and sugar (like ice cream) but less air is added during the freezing process, unlike traditional ice cream, so you get maximum flavor per bite. Gelateria Tavolini Downtown serves this Italian treat, along with scones, cookies, coffee and espresso. What’s more, they make their own gelato and rotate the flavors weekly, many times daily and announce these via Twitter, @GTavolini. I once dropped what I was doing when I got a “peanut butter” tweet. Other mind-blowing flavors include a throat tingling ginger, creamy blueberry, fresh pineapple and a “London Fog” that tastes similar to a cup of Earl Grey tea—don’t knock it til’ you try it…or ask for a sample. Or stick with something you know you’ll like and try chocolate (also available in Mayan flavor), caramel or mango. Get any of these silky delights in a cup, cone or shake and enjoy in the charming café (free Wifi!) or sidewalk patio. (1327 Washington Ave., 314.621.8838)
