Frati Gelato Cafe

The best gelato around is at Frati in Fullerton.  Yesterday, I stopped in with a friend of mine who is a devotee of ice cream.  Up until then, she had only had something sweet and frozen that is sold under the name "gelato", but it came from a mall shop called melt and, well, because of that, she really had no idea of the unsurpassed goodness of authentic gelato.  As we walked in, I told the staff that this is her first visit and they were very pleasant and attentive with her as they are with every customer. On an earlier suggestion, my friend tried the straciatella and her whole face lit up like she had struck gold.  She then said what I've heard other friends say after trying a couple of samples, "I wish you had never taken me here--I won't be able to stay away from this place"!  I tried the lemon souffle and bosco swirl.  She was hooked on the straciatella and I finally decided on both the bosco swirl and rum hazelnut--a combination that makes me weak in the knees just thinking about it!  Straciatella has been described to me in a few ways, "sort of cookies and cream" or, "Romeo and Juliet", etc.  I think it is a creation that defies a scant two or three word description. Straciatella is vanilla gelato with chocolate bits throughout it at surprising intervals; sometimes in obediently even flecks, at others small pools and everything in between, while the entire serving is increasingly, commandingly addictive.  The bosco swirl starts off as a cream to die for with a generous addition of frutti di bosco, composed of blackberries, blueberries and raspberries stirred in--perfetto!  Then, there was the rum hazelnut--a creamy, undeniable rum romance with candied hazelnut pieces that makes me stop to collect myself.  Now, I could have just as easily had the chocolate, nutella crunch, frate, nectarine or the supreme strawberry pineapple, or, well you get the idea.  The incredible flavors are served at Frati on a rotating basis, so it is imperative to make regular visits.  Going to Frati is mandatory for me--I know you will enjoy it too!   

Rating: one to four spoons, four being best:
4

Tutto Amore Update

Even though its a shame, I'm not totally surprised by this news: Tutto Amore, a gelateria in Laguna Beach is gone.  A good friend of mine who was making a stop by the shop yesterday, was caught off guard with closed doors.  It doesn't appear that they have moved to another locale, either.  Now, I had been to Tutto Amore twice, and they did have an excellent cherimoya sorbet.  On the flip side, they offered non-traditional flavors such as maple-bacon and honey goat weed and I am only a fan of traditional flavors.  Sweet, not savory, generally speaking, is my bias.  All in all, I won't miss Tutto Amore a great deal.  The fact remains that good (let alone great) gelato and ice cream shops are very rare.

How it All Started

Girls' weekend in Vegas.  Does what happen in Vegas always stay in Vegas?  Not this time. It started on a typical, oppressively hot Nevada afternoon. I was visiting two of my friends living outside the city and we were languishing at mid-day, just trying to stay cool.  Honestly, not much was happening, when off in the distance, the three of us hear a faint tinkling of bells.  We sit up, but it trails off.  Could it be the ice cream truck?  We slump back.  Then, all of a sudden, the tinkling bells are back, we sit up again and wait!  Almost holding our breath, the tinkling grows louder and louder!  Could it be the ice cream man?!  Louder and louder the tune plays, calling me by name!  We all stand up, bolt downstairs, rush to the door, open it and nothing is outside!  Not a total surprise, but no children appearing eagerly, no truck immediately present.  I hop down to the sidewalk and at the far end of the street, is an ice cream truck, driving ever so slowly.  Immediately, I start running (no, not jogging) down the sidewalk, money in hand, waving my arms like a stranded castaway who is trying to stop a search and rescue vessel, calling to the square truck, "Ice Cream! Ice Cream! Wait for me!"  Ah! The frozen candy bar/ice cream combos and 50/50 bars that awaited this rescued runner and friends did and still make our mouths water! The ice cream dances we did!  Later, the ice cream man turned on our street, with a child or two making purchases, but weren't we his inspiration?

Gelato

"What's your favorte food?"  "Gelato!" I tell whoever is asking this question.  The answer is met (sometimes)by a puzzled look and further inquiry.  As a follow-up, the questioner will say, "What flavor"? Now, its time to separate from the ordinary: "Depends of where you buy it".  Cop-out? No.  Undecided? Hardly.  Far from being stuck on the latest frozen treat fad (Italian yogurt, anyone?), and too protective of my taste buds to buy most mall or yelp! offerings, I just keep tabs on the best gelato and ice cream available.  Truth be told, if its done right, stracciatella is my absolute favorite.