Bronte -> Pistachio -> Pozzetta -> Parigi

One of the BEST words in the world...

Yesterday, Merisi, just back from a week in Italy, commented,

First time in my life that I had 2 ice cream cones with 3 flavors each in a row

and was left wanting for a 3rd one...

NO NO NO Merisi!

There is ONLY ONE FLAVOR gelato you should eat!

And that is Pistachio di Bronte!

Any Gelateria worth it's (rock) salt get's it's pistachios

from the Sicilian town of Bronte.

Did you know it takes TWO YEARS for a pistachio nut to ripen?!!!

Here's what GROM has to say of Bronte's pistachios:

The operation is almost acrobatic: balanced on blocks of lava and holding onto the branches with one hand, with the other they pick the pistachio nuts one by one, dropping them into a canvas bag tied around their necks.

In a day’s work, they manage to pick 20 kilos of pistachios at the most.

WOW! This is definitely S L O W F O O D !

The best gelato shop in Paris, POZZETTO, is located conveniently on

39, rue de Roi de Sicile 75004 (king of Sicily street)

Did you know gelato was invented in Sicily?

I once got to spend a week at a fine Sicilian vineyard, REGALEALI.
I was supposed to be sketching the harvest but all I did was eat gelato...

For some unknown reason Pozzetto is following GROM's bad example

and has placed hats/lids on their ice cream bins I take deep offence at this :(

I always like to study over the menu and prices before I go somewhere...

Then there's no sticker shock and to make sure they have PISTACHIO!

A stolen shot here of Pozzetta's interior kitchen...shhhhh
I dragged up and down this street before before I noticed Pozzetto's shop...
I changed my mind when I tasted the PISTACHIO!

Here's a map so this doesn't happen to you...

I don't know which I love more - maps or menus..? But aren't they the same thing? Do you think I should run off to Italy on a 3-day-pistachio-gelato-research trip?

Would you be willing to foot the bill? :)

Grom & Robyn

While New Yorkers may not be sure whether to serve their tap water in a carafe or not,

we are VERY happy to have a new real Italian gelato shop from Turin.

No question about it!

GROM is a wonderful addition to a town lacking good ice cream.

Yesterday I met up with food blogger, Robyn Lee, The Girl Who ate Everything at the 2165 Broadway Upper West Side shop.
 

The flavor chart is thoughtfully placed outside to aid your decision making process.
They even have monthly flavors!

You can taste as many flavors as you like at Grom,

but anticipation, stress and angst will make you choose quickly.

The torture of watching the dipping.

Wondering if you got the right flavor.

This is very Italian to stick the cone on top, so you can eat it either way..

And the cone was definitely from Italy - crispy and light.

What is it about gelato spoons?

I save every single gelato spoon I come across.

There's always a few lurking in the bottom of my purse just in case.

Don't ask me why?...just in case.

WARNING! Very large picture of rich creamy gelato.

Robyn got Cinnamon and Pistachio.

Mine was Cinnamon and Hazelnut.

Real Italian Pistachio is NEVER green, but rather the color of dirty old duffle coats.

Notice Robyn has drapped a bib around her gelato to catch the drips.
Mine never had much chance to drip.

You can tell Robyn is a serious eater.

She's actually tasting the gelato...

Mine disappeared mysteriously almost instantly. 

Is this little girl thinking, Why didn't I get chocolate..?
Is this dog asking, Where's mine..?

Did I say this was my 4th visit and the 1st time I did not get Pistachio...

WELCOME to New York GROM!