I haven’t necessarily done journalistic writing since my senior year of high school, but I’m diving back in, food critic-style. I wouldn’t necessarily call someone like me, who regularly eats Totino’s Pizza Rolls in place of a full meal, a connoisseur. However, my mother has donated her sweet tooth to me through genetics and I am on a conquest to try every establishment in the West Chester area that offers a fix to satiate it.
The weather was playing a rather wonky game with me on Wednesday, Feb. 21, forcing me not only to wear shorts and finally shave my legs, but to get a frozen treat. I took a quick walk in the slightly breezy, summer-esque weather after my 4:25 p.m. class to Gemelli, a gelato store right on Market Street.
I stepped into the very modern atmosphere of white walls, hardwood floors and subtle square patterns shown through empty photo frames on the walls adjacent to an advertisement for Gemelli that read, “Best of the Main Line: Best Gelato, Critic’s Pick.” Now I’ve got high expectations. I was greeted with a smile by two sweet girls behind the counter of gourmet treats and encouraged to ask for any help if necessary.
Being a rather simple gal, I was a bit taken aback by flavors like clementine sorbetto and ricotta fig preserve. There were some flavors as classic as a gelato vendor can be, like cookie dough, along with vegan and nondairy options. I took a few samples and settled with the chai tea.
The smallest size came out to be $5.50—not much more than the cost of a milkshake at West Chester’s on-campus diner—which I thought was a bit pricey, but what isn’t in West Chester?
I sat down at a high-top table with low-hanging ceiling lights and took my first bite. The chai tea has a bit of a cinnamon-esque, sweet-yet-spicy flavor that I would absolutely recommend if you’re into that.
To be honest, I couldn’t tell you the difference between gelato and ice cream other than the fact that it’s a bit thicker and richer. After doing a quick Google search, I learned that the difference is in the preparation. Gelato is churned slower than ice cream, making it less dense, and it is stored and served at a temperature that is not completely frozen.
Gemelli has a lot more to offer than just gelato. Gemelli advertises hot drinks to pair with their gelato, like coffee, lattes and tea, with decaf options. I thought that coffee and ice cream were a weird combination with hot and cold confusing my tastebuds, but I’m open to new experiences. I thought, “Eh, what the hell,” and ordered a latte too. Not a bad combination, I must say. The sweet of the gelato balances out the bitter of the latte.
The options don’t stop at barista drinks. Gemelli offers gelato sundaes, gelato sandwiches and even sells locally produced honey to sweeten your tea with on a shelf near the register. The counter was lined with cakes and cannoli.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Kirsten Magas is a second-year student majoring in English with a minor in biology. ✉ KM867219@wcupa.edu.