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Gelaterias popular on Shore
Deana Lancaster deanal@telus.net
IT'S that time of year again.
Time for me to sample some cool, creamy
treats in the name of research for my second annual ice cream
column.
Poor me.
The difference this year is that I
didn't try any ice cream. Instead, I stuck to the denser,
creamier, more intensely flavoured gelato - especially since
the North Shore has recently become home to two new gelaterias.
Brazza Gelato and Coffee recently set
up shop in central Lonsdale and it's already found favour
with locals. Every time I pass by the tables they are full;
both inside the sunny yellow and green cafe and outside on
the sidewalk. The shop's barista pours authentic, and beautiful,
lattés from a shiny, red espresso machine. One author
on a message board at coffeegeek.com credits the new spot
with pushing him (or her) off the wagon of a caffeine-free
existence.
"He served me my first rosetta
(yes, I had been away from caffeine for about two years now,
and during that two years it seems like the bar has been raised)
. . . I've ingested 10 doubles in three days now . . . it's
a good start."
Along the counter from the espresso
machine is a pastry case full of muffins, squares and rumballs;
sandwiches and mini pizzas.
But the real treats are to be found
further to the right: the gelato. Staff at Brazza make theirs
on the premises and like all true gelaterias, use natural
ingredients like whole milk and creams, eggs, sugar and flavourings:
chocolates, nuts, liqueurs, fresh fruits and imported Italian
flavourings.
On a hot summer day, the metal trays
piled high with colourful, creamy looking flavours are far
too tempting to resist. Big J and I recently gave in to that
temptation when his parents were on the North Shore for a
visit. We all watched as the staff used oversized spatulas
to press the gelato into bright plastic cups.
Among the flavours we tried: Banana
Mango, a smooth, tropical concoction; Strawberry - loaded
with chunks of the real thing; Yesterday's Procrastination,
a creamy blend of chocolate and peanut butter; Ferrero Rocher,
just like the hazelnut, chocolate and wafer candy; and a lemon
gelato tart enough to make your mouth pucker - on a hot day
it's even better than lemonade.
Personally, I like my ice cream in
a cone. And perhaps it's because cones have room for the gelato
to travel, giving the illusion of more; Brazza's medium-sized
cup seemed on the generous side for $4, including taxes. For
the four of us, our cool summer treat was $16.
Brazza Gelato and Coffee is located
at 1846 Lonsdale Ave.
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