Harsh realities and difficult decisions accompany everyday life. The urgency of a crossroads situation can be taxing. When facing a decision of serious consequences, one must consider pros and cons, quality versus quantity and hazelnut as opposed to creme brulee. A city like New Orleans that is conducive to Italian culture offers a multitude of gelato options. Making a selection can be quite the conundrum. But do not fret: The Maroon staff has seen the competition. And our tongues don’t lie.
Gelato Pazzo Caffe8115 Oak St.Tues.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun. 11:30 A.M.-8 p.m.
“Gelato Pazzo Caffe,” translated into Italian, means ice cream, crazy, and coffee, respectively. However, the only thing “pazzo” about this Oak Street establishment is that it’s crazy delicious.
The ambiance exudes warmness and authenticity, in tribute to the origin of its inspiration. The credibility of this particular destination is strengthened when you see who is working behind the counter: The Pigna Family (the name isn’t a coincidence). The caffe is family owned and run, and the love they put into their gelato comes from their own hands.
The result is bold, fresh gelato, which is that much more enjoyable than American ice cream because it contains half the fat. The varieties of flavors change daily, as new gelato is prepared in-house each day, and range from 15 to 20 in number.
But gelato is not their only specialty. For more sustenance, try their paninis, made with imported cheeses and meats and fresh local vegetables. Attend “Wednesday Night Steak” to satisfy your carnivorous instincts, when owner Vincent Pigna grills Porterhouse steaks and fresh veal chops. You can also bring Gelato Pazzo home with you after raiding their wall of Italian paraphernalia, filled with Italian olive and pasta choices and other red, white and green things.
The details are what make this place, like the use of real Italian names for the gelato, such as “stracciatella” and “cioccolato,” both of which are highly recommended.
This gelato option wins for best authentic atmosphere – that is, in Uptown at least. Angelo Brocato’s gives “Pazzo” a run for its money in that department. Otherwise it’s colorful, bright and open with a large window providing a substantial view of busy Oak Street.
And with the hours of business – sky rockets in flight or not – it can always be an afternoon or after-dinner delight.-Sally Tunmer
Angelo Brocato’s214 N. Carrollton Ave.Tues.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Brocato’s offers nothing short of miracles.
The latest New Orleans eccentric I came across, this time at Angelo Brocato’s Italian Ice Cream Parlor in Mid-City, was sitting at the table next to us with bills and papers and a pack of cigarettes scattered in front of her.
The woman talked as if she was the owner of the place. “There’s no competition, this place has the best gelato, hands-down,” she said. Here we were, with four different flavors of gelato in front of us, and at that moment it was extremely difficult to prove her wrong. The most established gelato parlor in the city can’t be beat for perfecting the classic flavors.
Brocato’s is back in full force since Hurricane Katrina, when five feet of water replaced gelato and pastries on the menu. The North Carrollton location may be farther from Loyola than the others, but the “Mie Lat” (honey and milk) gelato alone is worth the drive (alternate solution: streetcar).
Among the other contenders this visit: blood orange flavor (only available around Jazzfest season), “Zuppa Inglese” (rum custard – intoxicating in multiple senses), and strawberry. This last one, I might add, tastes better than an actual strawberry. Get it.
Trendy and fashionable aren’t pertinent terms to describe Brocato’s; the inside replicates a traditional Italian ice cream parlor. The decor mirrors this with patio tables, wooden floors and old fans overhead. It might as well be your momma’s kitchen in her old Uptown house. And anyway, who needs fancy lighting and modern design when everything tastes so good?
Brocato’s is the best bet for uncompromised value and taste. And even though we’re technically only rating gelato, their extensive homemade pastry selection is also worth a mention. A good almond crescent goes well with conversation among a few New Orleans crazies.-Kevin Zansler
La Divina Gelateria3005 Magazine St.Mon. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
With Sucre just a storefront away, one would assume an unspoken rivalry with the neighboring La Divina Gelateria, a tidy white building tucked into the corner of Magazine Street’s fashion-forward strip.
One would assume the two, separated only by a Japanese restaurant, feud like the Hatfields and the McCoys, firing gelato-loaded spoons left and right. Anarchy in the Sucre.
For those eager for mid-afternoon food fights, La Divina may not be for you.
Opposite Sucre’s stiff, ultra-chic decadence, La Divina lets loose.
One look through the door will tell you it’s a pet-friendly joint, with orange, plastic water bowls and an accompanying dog-shaped chair and matching kid’s table.
But the fun isn’t just for the kids.
With a healthy dose of color and comfort, La Divina’s pop-art interior features candy-colored wall art and white mod furniture hugging glass-topped tables.
Just under the sandwich board is the gelato, inside a wide-rimmed glass cooler one can imagine countless noses have pressed against.
La Divina serves up scoops of its one-of-a-kind creations – from Abita Turbodog chocolate to a balsamic-infused strawberry – all made from scratch and heaped into silver tins, accompanied by neon spoons.
Whereas Sucre’s attention-to-detail creations might go over the head of the average gelato enthusiast, La Divina offers a warm, neighborhood-friendly alternative with a touch of green for good measure – La Divina boasts local, organic, all-natural ingredients.
Other gelatos include staples like creme brulee mixed with crispy bits of burnt sugar. Even their simple cinnamon flavor will do the trick – thick and creamy with just the right amount of kick.
Just don’t expect to pay pennies – if you’re still looking for a feud, the prices will give you something to fight about. -Alex Woodward
Sucre3025 Magazine St.Sun.-Thurs. 9 a.m.-10 p.m,Fri.-Sat. 9 a.m.-12 a.m.
When thinking, “What would Suri Cruise do?” (as I sometimes do), one would conclude that Sucre is the Magazine Street gelateria of choice. French for “sugar,” this high-end dessert boutique certainly trumps its neighboring rival La Divina Gelateria in aesthetics, with its Parisian-inspired decor of pastel pinks and baby shower blues. Logo-emblazoned boxes of French macaroons and pricey chocolates line the counter, and picturesque cupcakes sit pretty under glass cases. Where else would Cruise and her Scientologist baby friends celebrate birthdays?
But after tasting the gelato, sweet dreams of cake, candy and celebrity birthday parties came to a halt.
It wasn’t that it was bad – the mango was light and refreshing, while the chocolate was decadent without being too fudgy – but the taste just didn’t live up to its surroundings (or its presentation, for that matter – a translucent Kelly green cup with colorful plastic spoons). And at the not-so-sweet price of $5 for two Suri-sized scoops, we decided the no-frills La Divina Gelateria was our pick. -Lauren LaBorde
Lauren LaBorde can be reached at [email protected].
Sally Tunmer can be reached at [email protected].
Alex Woodward can be reached at [email protected].
Kevin Zansler can be reached at [email protected].
