The walls are splashed with brightly striped walls of yellow, blue and green, embracing an indoor fountain. Scattered are charming settings of tables and chairs where one can wander in for a coffee or snack, read the International Herald Tribune, New York Times or play a game of chess with a neighbor. The store even invites the public to free Italian lessons on Thursdays at 2 p.m.
Just beyond an archway stands the magnificent Milanese gelato case, displaying billowing colored clouds of gelato. The gelato is treated with great care; managers regularly monitor refrigeration to ensure that the product is served at optimum temperature, making Gelato Bar a superior source for the Italian confection. Each of the 24 daily selections of gelato and sorbetto flavors are hand-decorated with eye-catching garnishes of fresh fruits, nuts and spices. Along with Italian classics Nocciola, Straciatella and Pistachio, Silverton has several flavors fabricated to her specifications: a Spicy Chocolate made with habanero, an English Toffee inspired by the candy at Littlejohn’s at the 3rd Street Farmers Market, Cinnamon Basil and Pomegranate. Also featured daily are sugar-free gelato and fat-free sorbetto.
The artisanal product is custom made by Allessandro Fontana, an expert gelato maker from Venice, who taught Gail and Joel the nuances of the best Italian gelato. Gelato Bar’s frozen confections are made daily in small batches; each flavor contains 65-70% pure product (i.e. pistachio, chocolate, fruits) as compared to most other varieties, which often contain only 30% product. Gelato deceivingly has a much lower fat content than conventional American ice creams and due to its lower temperature, richer flavors can be achieved.
Gelato Bar also features a stunning coffee bar similar to the ones found in Europe, where customers can stand and order from an expansive list of beverages, gourmet teas, Italian sodas, espresso and locally roasted coffees by Coffee Roaster of Sherman Oaks as well as Intelligentsia
coffee from Chicago. Silverton and Gutman are handpicking the best baked goods
from local suppliers. Rotating selections of savory and sweet snacks are
selected from Gail’s favorite neighborhood haunts like Leda’s Bake Shop in
Sherman Oaks, Susina Bakery & Café, local Farmer’s Markets and naturally include
items from La Brea Bakery. (more)
