Its Gelato.. Not Ice Cream.

THIS RESTAURANT IS NOW CLOSED!!!! ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST...


Good Evening. Today's lesson is the difference between Gelato and Ice Cream.

1- Gelato: The Italian version of Ice Cream. It is like high end ice creams. Made with less than 55% air, creating a denser product. Usually made with fresh fruit, chocolates, cookies, biscotti, etc. Flavors like Pistachio, Hazlenut, Biscotti, Mascarpone, Straciatella, Honeydew, Cantalope, etc. etc. Gelato is said to originate in the North of Italy, where its counterpart Sorbetto came from the south. (that is fruit and water based)
2- Ice cream: that other stuff.. not comparable.. not as tasty.. you get my drift.


On Center Street in Provo there is a beautiful big red door. Maestro's is the name you will see printed on it.





Behind that door lies sweet , sweet tastiness. If you love gelato and if you love crepes- I promise this is the place for you. It's not over done. Pure and simple from the walk in to the walk out.


I had some Gelato there one day, but I didn't feel I could add it to my blog until I had a crepe. I didn't know what a treat I was in for. I love marshmallows (as you should know by now, and if you don't... well now you do) so I ordered the S'mores. They made the crepe like crepe makers do. I use to make crepes at home when I had more time. My favorite to make is ham with some apples, brie, and walnuts. So, the crepe maker started to make my S'mores. She sprinkled it with graham crackers and marshmallows. Then the magic happened!! SHE PULLED OUT A BLOW TORCH!! She toasted the mallows for me, then sprinkled just a little bit of chocolate syrup on. When you order a crepe you can get a scoop of gelato for 1.50! This time I had the biscotti. It kind of had the taste of nilla wafers. I wanted the mascarpone from the first time I went... but it wasn't there.


If you are looking for a surprise treat after you visit one of the many restaurants on Center Street, then Maestro's is the place!!



**Warning: Don't get your heart set on a flavor because they are always trying new things!

La Dolce Vita

This didn't need a fancy title because the restaurant name just makes it all perfect. I went to this restaurant in Provo because my uncle went to Italy and he says that this is the closest he has had in Utah to what he remembers.




La Dolce Vita is a quaint little place just off center street and about 1st East in Provo. When you walk in it feels Italian. Anyone who has been to someone's home who is Italian or a REAL Italian restaurant (like in Little Italy in NYC, or actual Italy) knows there is a little bit of tackiness that comes with the decor. It is not a bad thing by any means, its actually quite comforting.


I treated my aunt and uncle to dinner when we went and we browsed the menu for what seemed like forever. Too many decisions that sounded great. We started with a small pizza margharita.. perfect size for one person or a few people to share. Then came the big guns. When you go to an Italian restaurant you should at least try one Italian Soda. Mine was peach. Just the right amount of syrup so you didn't feel all sugared out at the beginning of the meal.

I ordered a combo that had gnocchi which I am still on the hunt for some that is better than, dare I say- Buca Di Beppos, and it also came with some ziti with an awesome alfredo sauce. You could just tell that everything was homemade from scratch. The red sauce wasn't too acidic, and the alfredo wasn't too heavy. Made for the perfect combination. My uncle had a calzone. I don't remember what was in it, but even he couldn't finish it. It was smothered in Red sauce also and he ordered a side of Italian sausage to go with it. My aunt had what looked like an enchilada, but it was just a cannellone. Yum! She had the same ziti I did. We didn't order dessert because ... the next blog will talk about that place.










If you are looking for fresh, cosy, yummy Italian food I suggest stopping in, and they have some great specials too! (must be for all those college kids and young married people)



http://www.ladolcevitaprovo.com/