To someone who has never tried gelato in Italy, there is no way to explain what it tastes like. The texture and flavors of gelato in Italy are beyond the American world. You know that someone has traveled to Italy and tasted gelato there when they say that gelato in America still tastes like ice cream. But how can you describe how it is different? It’s hard!! So hard.. I mean, it is a lot less creamier.. less milky than ice cream for sure.. but it is nowhere near like sorbet either.. It’s just hard to explain. Now in Florence, Italy, there is a gelato shop that specializes in the chocolate and creamier flavors of gelato: chocolate, vanilla, coffee, etc. So not so much as the fruity flavors, but it is good. And it is R-I-C-H. In the heart of Florence across from one of the many historical monuments is a gelato shop called Venchi.

There is always a long line; the place is bustling and busy. The noise of constant chatter and ooh’s and aah’s always in the background while you’re waiting in line for gelato. But wait! Not just gelato.. They also serve crepes!! We went for the intention of just gelato, but the window display of the melted dark chocolate just captured my attention and held it. I MUST TRY IT TOO.

After we ordered, I ran outside to watch her make my very own crepe for me through the window. I will admit that I felt like a child again waiting for her ice cream outside of an ice cream truck or shop, but I didn’t care! I was in Italy! 🙂

There is our crepe and one scoop of dark chocolate gelato! The dark chocolate looks very, very, very dark!! It tasted GOOD. It tasted RICH. It was the most richest flavor of dark chocolate I have ever tasted. So rich that it was way too chocolate-y for me, but at the same time it was so rich and good that I couldn’t stop myself from getting one more bite. And the crepe was so warm and cold at the same time. The crepe was warm. The chocolate was hot. The nutella was sweet. The whipped cream was cold. All of those flavors and contrast in temperatures just melted in my mouth and turned into oozing lava. Oh I wish I could go back and eat more!!

We sat on one of the steps of an old building to eat our desserts; just like everyone else. It wasn’t the Pantheon or anything significant, but it was one of those old buildings made up of columns and stones. One of the ancient artworks and buildings in their art history. It was amazing to eat delicious gelato while sitting in an architectural that has withstood all the years of wear and tear. When can you ever do that in California?!