There is one thing that this girl can never get enough of…that would be any type of ice cream, gelato, or even sorbets for that matter! I have had pints from my favorite gelato makers, Ciao Bella, in the past via Whole Foods, but when I stumbled upon this delicious company’s spot in Grand Central Station my mouth dropped. There was no turning back! This Southern Belle was diving into the world of frozen creativity that tastes like a heavenly dream….
Mark Carson, a manager of Ciao Bella’s Grand Central location, couldn’t have been more accommodating to my love for anything sweet, allowing me to explore through their extensive flavor world!
Known as “America’s Gelato,” Ciao Bella has been serving customers since 1983 and started in New York’s Little Italy. Since then, the mastermind behind all of the creative flavors, Chef Dani Zecchin, never fails to impress. Growing up in Italy, Chef Zecchin is a world traveler and relied on the aromas he discovered throughout his travels to create an inventive gelato selection. To this day, he continuously invents new flavors for every season, and always keeps his customers on their toes as to what will come out next!
Tasting. Awing. Laughing. It was such a fun day with Mark! I was intrigued and obsessed by their seasonal flavors of: Hazelnut Espresso Chip {fell head over heels for this one!}, Maple Ginger Snap, Pumpkin & Spice, Peppermint Crunch, and Fig & Balsamic gelatos as well as the Red Plum sorbet. They were all so delicious and perfect for the holiday season!
Their sorbets were divine {and healthy being all natural and fat-free!} as well. My favorite was the Blood Orange sorbet!
Mark Carson was so much fun, and even agreed to an interview for Bonjour + Hola readers! Click here to listen.
But that was just the beginning of my Ciao Bella journey! Mark was incredibly gracious, and sent me home with a bunch of pints! It’s now time for me to get creative in the kitchen…
With a dinner and a cocktail party coming up, I’ve decided to plan ahead on how to incorporate their yummy gelato and sorbet flavors into dishes to serve my guests. I’m even creating my own signature cocktail with their sorbet flavors to serve as well. Look for what I created in an upcoming post!
Bonjour. Hola. Ciao Bella!
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