Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Canada Report: Molto Gelato



Some may suspect I have been rather lax with the postings, but alas, I have been doing my fair share of food hunting in Vancouver and the Canadian Rockies and I kick off my first update with something to cool off from the current heat wave in LA.

I could hardly contain myself when I ran into Mondo Gelato, my favorite gelato shop this side of the world (meaning not Italy), on Robson Street in Vancouver.

I had first run into a Mondo Gelato in Berkeley a few years ago and it was truly love at first bite. It helped that Mondo carried multiple variations of chocolate and hazelnut that I have a soft spot for, including gianduia (chocolate blended with hazelnut), gianduia riso (Gianduia with rice crispies) and Ferrero Rocher (yes, the delectable sphere-shaped chocolate in gelato form), to name a few. It has over 100 flavors.



Mondo beats Pazzo Gelato in Silver Lake hands down, not to mention Angelato Cafe in Santa Monica. I have yet to visit Scoops and other much-hyped gelaterias in LA, but who needs black sesame-flavored gelato when you can have Nutella in all its creamy gelato glory? Better yet, who needs Pinkberry or Red Mango when the more health-conscious have a choice of sorbetto, soy gelato or yogurt?

I relished every morsel of my gelato -- on this particularly serendipitous day, it was two scoops of gianduia in a cup. I happily sampled my companions' flavors, which included vanilla (tasted the wonderfully pure and deep flavor of real vanilla beans, no artificial flavors here), green tea (refreshing and just the right aftertaste that good quality green tea offers) and maple walnut (naturally, I had to try this since we were in Canada and it was perfectly sweet without being overpowering with the right crunchiness of walnut).



I had no idea Mondo's reach extended all the way to Beijing, Rome, Hawaii and three Canadian shops. The closest one to LA is in San Diego (In the historic Gas Lamp District: 435 10th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101), which I haven't yet visited. Maybe it's time for me to trek down to San Diego. How I wish Mondo would land in LA.

Mondo Gelato
1222 Robson Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V6E 1C1

(604)694-0108

4 comments:

Omurice said...

maybe they put beef flavor in their gelato, because it's definitely tastier than the rest. my personal favorites: gianduia and pistachio. has anyone actually seen it in other locations?

Anonymous said...

there is a mondo gelato in west los angeles on pico blvd., 1/2 block west of westwood blvd. across from the landmark theatre at westside pavilion. besides the yummy gelato, they have italian style frozen yogurt in natural and tart versions. i prefer their yogurt better than pinkberry's--it tastes creamier.

ironchef442 said...

unfortunately, i know which one you're referring to and it's not the same mondo. i truly wish it were... but thanks anyway.

persimmongirl said...

i wasn't going to say "lax"... but i'm glad to see you've paused long enough from your gluttonous sojourns long enough to share a few tidbits with us! i'm onto seoul in a matter of hours. will blog from the capital, countryside & coast.