Almare Gelato Italiano, Berkeley
I usually find that, compared to the gelato I get in Italy, the products I find here either lack in taste or have the wrong texture. Gelato is supposed to be smooth and soft, more similar to the texture of frozen yogurt than the one of ice cream. So, I have very rarely found a gelato that satisfies my taste, although I have found many ice creams that I really, really like (for example, Ici in Elmwood, The Creamery in Palo Alto, and so on).
This weekend I made a trip to Berkeley with the specific intent to try the new Almare Gelato Itaiano, in the spot previously called Gelato Milano. I liked Gelato Milano, and I was a bit wary about the change in ownership, although I found out that it was taken over by a friend of a friend, who comes from Italy from a family of gelatieri.
Gelato usually comes in two kinds- the cream-based flavors, like chocolate, vanilla and hazelnut, where no “freeze-iness” should be found since little to no water should be used- only milk or cream.
The other kind is fruit-based flavors, where cream is usually substituted for water, and that have a bit of a more sorbet-ish texture. I like the cream based flavors myself, so trying out flavors like chocolate and hazelnut is the way I judge my gelato.
I LOVED this gelato. It tasted “right”- the flavor, the texture, everything was what I expect gelato to be! I had stracciatella (a vanilla ice cream with chocolate chips), nocciola (hazelnut) and gianduja (a creamier version of a hazelnut spread), while my husband tried vaniglia and cherry (which is not a fruit-based gelato in Italy, I don’t know why!). All were fantastic- creamy, rich, non-frozen and the taste was delicious!
Almare Gelato Italiano
2170 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510)649-1888
Filed under: East Bay, Gelaterie
Have you tried the new Naia gelato in North Beach? We’d love to get your review. We thought it was absolutely fabulous, but is this the authentic stuff? There appear to be Italian-inspired flavors on the extensive menu, however, I opted for the very American “Malt” with “Chocolate and Peanut Butter”, sorry! What flavors of gelato are traditional to Italy?
I don’t love Naia, but it’s okay- usually they’re one of those joints that gets the flavor right, but not the texture.
Some typical Italian gelato flavors (cream-based) are nocciola (hazelnut), cioccolato (chocolate), panna (cream/ vanilla), crema (custard), stracciatella (chocolate chips) and bacio (another form of hazelnut). However, in a typical gelateria you will minimum of 20 flavors- it is absolutely allowed to go crazy with flavors!! I tried caramelized figs, mascarpone, and all sorts of fruit-based ice creams!