European Sophistication comes to Middle Georgia
 

Hi all,

Just a note to let you know that you don't have to go all the way to Italy for real gelato.

'IL Gelato' has opened in Watkinsville, GA (pop 3000).

The stracciatella is not at all bad. The vaniglia is quite good.

A surprisingly large piccolo portion for $2.50.

Further reports as I work my way through the 24 flavors.

It's cold, dirty work, but someone has to do it.

Self-sacrifice is such a noble virtue, Ira! :-)

ira,

I understand your enthusiasm! Here in Tulsa there is a fantastic gelateria, which is actually a Dallas-based chain (Pachiugo, I think). They rotate through hundreds of flavors, so I've a ways to go to try them ALL, but my favorite so far is the green apple. :)

Ah! A man with fortitude AND a reckless spirit of adventure!

Go, Ira, go!

I shall pass this information on to my brother who lives in Atlanta. Heretofore, he'd been driving down to the parents in Naples Florida to get his gelato fix. He'll appreciate not having to go so far in between Italy trips.

Wish someone in Indianapolis would get the idea about gelato, too.

Ah! Great to know. I'll stop on the way to Happy Valley's open house.

That's because you're in the "Athens corridor" fancy part of middle Georgia, Ira. We don't have stuff like that down here in Thomaston. Lucky you!

ira, honey, are we close to Watkinsville ?
Scarlett in Jacksonville (land of no gelato)

Hi Scarlett,

It's about 6 1/2 hr.

However, you can buy the gelato in styrofoam boxes to take back with you.

If you decide to do the trip, let us know. We can put you up on an air mattress. :)

Hey, kswl.

You're only 2 1/2 hrs away.

and in Athens next weekend for Diocese of Atlanta council meeting. Maybe I can persuade some of our more adventurous Episcopalians to go on a field trip for gelato!

good news, ira! Can foie gras be far behind?

Ok, Ira...I'm in Atlanta....how far am I from the promised land? lol

We have, as of a month or so ago, our own gelateria on Hilton Head Island. The stuff is made with equipment from Italy. Good, but a little more frozen than what I get in Italy. (Not complaining.)

Ira, are we going to find you in a corner somewhere, mumbling "must. find. frutti di bosco", with a dazed look in your eyes, and cioccolato on your upper lip?

Gosh, this sort of thing wasn't around when I was living in Stone Mountain 20 years ago. Maybe it's time for another visit? How far is Watkinsville from Stone Mountain?

I thought I read somewhere that Italian gelato is made with raw egg, not allowed in the US, and that's why the gelato is never as good as in Italy. Anybody know?

I can verify that despite tens of thousands of calories sacrificed to this pursuit of knowledge, I have never had gelato in the US as good as that in Italy.

Hey ira, congratulations! This is where I get my European fix here in the Midwest:

www.zingermans.com

They have a mail-order business, a bakehouse, a deli, and now a dairy! They also are able to import a ton of stuff!

Marilyn, some gelato made in Italy (not all) are made with raw whipped egg whites.

BC

Thanks, BC. This thread is making me have cravings...

Hi guys,

Watkinsville is about 1/2 way between Athens and Madison on Rt 441.

It's about 3/4 to 2 1/2 hr from Atlanta, depending on traffic.

>Can foie gras be far behind?

Oh, St Cirq, I hope that it happens in my lifetime.

Hi fly, fortunately they have both.

One other thing. They give out little cards that they punch. Buy 8 get a small for free.

Ira...You live in Watkinsville, GA???? Really??