Gelato
Has anybody tried the new gelato place on Mt. Pleasant. It is THE BEST!!!
I tasted it a party a few weekends ago and loved it then this past weekend I served it a party for 12...everyone was raving about it. We had the lemon which was fab, pistachio and then a mixed wild berry. DIVINE. The owner is direct from Italy and has 3 shops in Rome. Very nice guy and really helpful. Because it was for 12, I wasn't sure how much to get. I was going to purchase 3 large tubs but he was certain 3 medium tubs would be more than enough and he was right. Much better than Hollywood's.
millygirl
Jul 23, 2007 12:06PM
I agree, Il gelatiere is awesome. His fruit flavours are heavenly. I've tried lemon, pineapple, watermelon, and cantaloupe. All are delicious. The watermelon is very subtle and had a few chunks in it. Really good.
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Agree. This is the very best gelato I have ever had outside of Italy! Saturday the line up went out the door and down Hillsdale. But it moved fast and was so worth it!
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Il Gelatiere has no competition right now, clearly superior to hollywood/la paloma/solferino/soma, etc.
Their pistachio is out of this world, a depth of flavour that can't be found anywhere else in Toronto. High marks for their banana, kiwi, and pineapple also. The only so so flavour I've had so far has been papaya, although it might have more to do w/ the quality of the raw ingredient than anything. Great papayas aren't exactly abundant here.
I've been 3 times in the last month and plan on squeezing more trips in before the summer is over.
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Where exactly is this place??
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On Mt. Pleasant, just south of Eglinton, east corner of Hillsdale I think. I don't think they are open Mondays.
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Does anyone know their other hours of operations?
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on the slower days, I think mon-thurs, they open till 10:30.
on the weekends I think it's a bit later, maybe 12 or 1. Don't quote me on that though.
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Agree, transports you right back to Italy. Hands down the best in town.
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they're absolutely awesome. and they do a mean shot of espresso too. my favourite of their gelato is the zabaglione, but haven't had anything bad.
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My favorite so far is the pomelo (grapefruit), but the 4 times that I've been there, only twice have I seen it. My wife asked them why that is, and apparently they have 60+ recipes for flavours but only a limited number of slots per day. Makes you want to know their rotation schedule. :)
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I live in the area and have been there about a dozen times since it opened. I am not a fan of Hollywood Gelato, but have frequently made the long trek to La Paloma at St. Clair and Landsdowne. The gelato at Il Gelatiere is excellent especially the ciociolato al pepperoncino (chocolate w chili) and the pompelmo (grapefruit). The Maria with cinnamon and pine nuts is also great as is the limone. The anguria (watermelom) was a little too subtle for my taste.
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Man, we must go. And we get excited about La Paloma -can't wait.
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Ok, I just got back from this place and I have to say I have to agree with millygirl!!! I've tried Hollywood and La Paloma, and neither comes close.
I had Maria (cinnamon and pine nuts), chocolate with chili, and pistachio. The pistachio is simply the most wonderful pistachio flavored anything that I have ever had. None of that fake, cloying pistachio flavoring so rampant in pistachio ice creams and cakes everywhere.
DH had banana (excellent) and Nocciola (hazelnut) which was wonderful too. We also had tiramisu and stracciatella (both very good).
I'm excited to try the other flavors. But I will definitely go back for the pistachio.
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Yesterday was a terrible day, and I found myself in front of Il Gelatiere in a foul, bitter, bitter mood. I walked in, and ordered the chocolate w/ chillis, and zabaliogne. They didn't have zabaliogne (which just added to my bitter, bitter mood), so I got the crema instead. Before I got my order I asked if they ever make Anisette, after some conversation with the...gelatier (is that what you would call a gelato maker?) he said that he sometimes makes it, but not right now....then he told me "aspette"...not sure why I was waiting...then he came out with one of those itty-bitty spoons, and upon it was a HUGE heaping sample ( 4 of them could have filled their small size cup) of the gelato he was preparing at that moment. It was Tartufo with rum...unbelievable...it was amazing. As I walked back to my car, I finally was able to eat the gelato I ordered ....again... unbelievable. The heat of the chili with chocolate, and the cooling, coating taste of the crema...my bad mood just melted away with the gelato.
I never really had a gelato place before...but now I will be a regular.
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How about the new gelateria on Roncesvalles - Bravo Gelato. Comments/reviews? We went last night and tried a few sample spoons - very friendly service. I felt the pistachio was overwhelmed by an almond essence flavour. The ginger was very nice - good "mouthfeel". But I can't really write a review having only sampled a few. anyone else?
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I had a totally different experience. I loved the lemon and pomello great and refreshing but I found the pistacio almost plastic tasting. I also found the service quite unfriedndly and the portions quite small, It was if the tool the guy was using didn't fit the bowl properly. Much better experience always at Hollywood!
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To me, the pistachio tastes exactly like...pistachios. That's quite different from most other places, whose pistachio usually tastes like phony pistachio flavouring. The pompellmo is fabulous, as is every other flavour I've had at Il Gelatiere.
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Wow. Just wow. After reading this thread, my wife and I went to try it out. Simply amazing. She had the pomelo and marscapone, I had the pistachio and hazelnut. Much better than Hollywood's indeed.
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I think I may need help, I may have become an addict....
I found myself driving by last night around 10:40 (they close at 10:30 on weekdays) and they were cleaning up. The door was still unlocked, and I asked if they were open. They remembered me (they called me Sambuca boy) and I almost begged for some gelato. Even though half the bins were empty, and they were cleaning the rest, they went in the back, and got me a Zabaliogne & Tartufo (they even remembered what I liked). Once again...unbe-f***ing-lievable.
I may have to mover closer....and if anyone is planning an intervention, forget it, it won't work...
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Better than Dolce?
Does Il Gelatiere serve gelato con panna (the italian less sweet whip cream)?
Does anyone serve gelato con panna in the GTA?
697 College St, Toronto, ON, Canada
647 Mount Pleasant Rd, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Actually, every time I have ordered at Il Gelatiere, they ask if I would like whipped cream...never tried it....I will make a point of it next time I go....which will probably be after work...someone please help me....
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Okay it's confirmed.....Lazar needs an intervention. In what may be a first in
Chowhound history we happened to be at I'll Gelatierre at the same time today. As I was telling the owners about all the buzz they are getting on the site and that one guy actually said he was addicted to the stuff, 'Sambuca boy' I think she called him....guess who walks in....Sambuca boy in person. It was sooooooo funny, she starts yelling and pointing at him....that's him, that's sambuca boy!!!! It was hysterical I gotta say. He was with Sambuca Girl and Sambuca Mom. I was with Mr. Millygirl. And this just in.....we all got to try from the R & D back room the newest flavour - BAILEY'S IRISH CREAM. What can I say - heaven!!!!!
Thanks I'll Gelatierre!!!
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...I don't know what you are talking about Millygirl...I don't have a problem...I can stop whenever I want to....don't judge me....but in all seriousness, that Bailey's flavour was REALLY good....
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I am sooooooooo addicted to this stuff. I think about it every day and have to talk myself out of stopping by on my way to work, home from work, running up there during my lunch break....AAAAHHH! Yesterday I enjoyed the pistachio, but was ENRAPTURED with the cioccolata pepperoncino. OMG...a cold and hot explosion. The only flavour I haven't loved was the coconut which tasted soapy to me.
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Forgot to tell you JonasBrand, yes the whipped cream the have is the non-sweet, REAL whipped cream....Just a small dollop goes a long way for me....
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Thanks for remembering Lazar! Heading over later today!
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Just came back from Il Gelatiere today. This stuff is heavenly! I had the chocolate with pepperoncino (spicy) and the maria (cinnamon and nuts). What a great combination. Nothing like walking down Mt. Pleasant eating this stuff! (I recommend it in a cone -- that way the flavours mix). The maria flavour was really intense -- lovely. I haven't tried their fruit flavours yet. This place is not cheap though, so I can't do this all the time.
I feel bad -- I love Solferino gelato, which is also bit less expensive, but this stuff is heaven in a cone.
ETA: the first time I went, I was a bit turned off by the service (stand-offish), but, really, who cares after tasting their gelato
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I'm going tonight again. Looking forward to trying the pepperoncino and getting my own scoop of the marscapone!
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I had the marscarpone last night....in a word....delicious....in two words....friggin awesome!! Also tried the chocolate coffee, very good and very intense....
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I talked my wife into getting it last time while I got the pistachio and the hazelnut, and all I got was 3 measly licks! Needless to say, I fell in love.
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Lazar, I read through your posts, then suddenly realized you started posting about this place a few days ago. Um, exactly how many times have you been to Il Gelatiere?
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I am not ashamed to say that over the last 2 weeks, I have been there at least 9 times....I went again today (after a spicy bulgogi dinner at Sushi & Tea, which is just a few doors down and I thoroughly enjoyed it) and I got the pompelmo & chocolate....finished off the chocolate first and then onto the pompelmo...and I have to say that the Il Gelatiere's grapefruit (pompelmo) is the BEST pompelmo gelato in the city...refreshing tart and not too sweet. And of course the chocolate is outstanding...intensely rich.
And in case anyone is wondering, I do not live in the area...right now, I am living in North York, and soon I am moving to St. Clair West, where there is a La Paloma just down the street...but I don't care...I will make the pilgrimmage to Mount Pleasant....call me crazy...but that's just the way I roll....
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I too am planning to go tonight... People are going to be melting off the sidewalk... maybe I'll just drive there now... and avoid the 8:00 rush... hmmm
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Just curious -- I wonder if the owner makes the portions bigger in his North American shop than his Italian stores.
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After driving 20 mins to get there from home, we decided to buy a big tub to bring home. For $18, it's pricey, but at least now we can have the delicious pomelo gelato every night...
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But they didn't have Pomelo yesterday! When did you get it?
And they quoted me $15 for 500gms (which is the smallest size normally available in grocery stores - actually 500ml is but 500 gm is roughly the same amount). Hardly a 'big tub'! And I don't believe that 'bulk' food is taxable.
And on the size issue - yes, they have the smallest portions I've found - not that that matters if the quality is there - but for comparison, the $3.90 serving at Il Gelatiere is 100ml and the smallest serving at Hollywood (essentially just down the street) is $4.25 for 200ml, so you're paying almost double (per 100ml) at Il Gelatiere (and to complete the comparison, 500ml at Hollywood is $7.00).
But, of course, you can still get a "fix" at either place for under $5 - compare that with most other pleasures of life!
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Awesome. If you haven't been yet... go! Authentic Gelato better than many spots in Italy. FYI... saw Pomelo today. And yes it was real panna (Italian whipped cream).
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We may have an HG convert in our midst! After several summers home from university spent within walking distance of Bayview, I thought Hollywood was all there was - nice nutty flvours, rich chocolates with chunks of various candy bars, light, fun fruity flavours. But now that I'm done school, and back in my own place, now walking distance of Il gelatiere, I don't know if I'll ever go back (well, for carrot cake flavour, maybe...). I had the maria (pine nuts and cinnamon) and OH MY GOD. Amazing. The stratiacella was good, but didn't hold its own next to the maria. I can't wait to try them all....the walking distance, I'm sure, burns the calories.
Oh, and hands down more efficient service than Hollywood Gelato. No nicer, but a lot less confusing!
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Welcome to the fold!!
Rejoice my brothers and sisters (or I should say fratelli e sorelle...given the place we are talking about) we have a new member!
If you see me there, I will gladly share in a zabaliogne and tartufo with you.
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We will be there on Saturday and my hubby is trying to figure out how many ice creams he can eat in a day. In general, where is Mt Pleasant? We are going to map out our day for multiple stops.
Chilis - sounds amazing!
Lazar- my lactose intolerant husband loves gelato (which does not bother him - a bouns).
He may have you beat on the addiction front.
We are going to go out and purchase a mini styro container to bring home some (2 hr ride) and are planning to get a small cooler packed with ice just for it. But I must put it in the truck, since my hubby has become quite adept at eating gelato in a cup while driving.
Sidestory: On our honeymoon several yrs ago, on the border of Switz and Italy in Locarno, for dinner, I ordered a grilled sandwich. Gelato boy ordered a $10 gelato plate (that was over 10 yrs ago, think of inflation). He was in heaven. He is thinking about going back and eating gelato in every city; he said he will have at least 2 a day. He really is addicted, and he never gets the brain freeze from eating it either.
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Mt Pleasant runs north-south from Lawrence to Bloor (ish), parralel to Yonge and Bayview, east of Yonge, west of Bayview. Il Gelatiere is at the corner of hillside which is the 2nd set of lights on Mt Pleasant south of Eglinton. DO IT!!
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It's at the corner of Hillsdale and Mt. Pleasant, not hillside. From my recollection, I think that it's between the 1st and 2nd set of lights (ie between Soudan and Manor). Wouldn't want you to get lost....
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...are you challenging me itryalot? Oh...it's on now!! Bring it! I show you who the alphadog is in this junkyard!....ok, I am getting a head rush from too many cliché catchphrase....
...shall we say gelato spoons at 20 paces at dawn?
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FYI, the cooler and ice will be good, but they already pack the gelato in styro containers when you buy in bulk. I bought their big container last night, half with the Macedonia (fruit salad) and half with Marscapone, $18, and drove the 20 minutes home sans air conditioning with no visible effect on the gelato.
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How was the Macedonia? I saw it and it looked tempting. I still haven't had the fruit flavours yet -- I'm a chocolate kind of gal. Chocolate pepperoncino = yum!
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To be honest, I wasn't that impressed, but that's because I'm not a fruit gelato kind of guy. I like the nutty chocolatey creamy ones. Still, the flavours in it are all of real fruit, and it's a nice light one. My wife loves it.
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OK. I have a sneakin' suspicion the gelato won't make it to Mississauga!
He makes Lazar look like an amateur! (lol)
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....oh unkind itryalot....unkind....
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FYI, There's lots of other foodie destinations in the area, too....Wanda's in the Kitchen with Dinah, Dinah Koo's amazing prepared food store combined with Wanda's Pie in the Sky is further north on Mt. Pleasant, just above Sherwoord, north of Eglinton. Over on Yonge, north of Sherwoord, you'll find Dufflet Pastries and Alex Farms Cheese's Yonge St location (thought the St.Lawrence and Bayview Ave location are superior). Then there's the Cupcake Shoppe south on Yonge, and if you head over to Bayview, south of Eglinton, there's Rahier Patisseries (earth-shatteringly good croissants), Cumbrae Butcher, Cobbs Breads (love the capeseed loaf myself), Epi Bakery, and hey, even another Gelato place, Hollywood Gelato, though we seem to agree it doesn't compare. That should keep you busy, anyway :)
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Thank you LemonLauren; one day just won't do. We must come back for a foodie weekend.
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ironically, i'm going to montreal for a foodie weekend myself of a different sort!
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oh Rahier...so good, once I was assisting a high-end catering at a residence for about 25 people, we had boxes of individual cakes and tarts, I think I had about 15 or so after the event...their tiny lemon tart's are unbeatable!
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we always get those tarts for special family events! how do they make the mousse and sponge cake so damned colourful and flavourful! sigh. it's a comfort to know that though i have no fiancee or wedding date, i at least know who's catering my desserts :)
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...and tarts don't talk back!
8]
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OK, OK, you all have me intrigued. I'm a die hard Hollywood Gelato fan, but you've all named two of my favourite flavours that HG never has: grapefruit and cinnamon.
Heading over there in the next hour or so. If you see a couple drive up in a little blue convertible, that's me! :)
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