Sunday Night Sweets: Alidoro Gelato in Soho

Last week we went to il laboratorio del gelato for some tasty Sunday scoops. Today I visited my new neighborhood obsession,
Alidoro Gelato in Soho. Open until 11 at night, it is only $3 for a cone piled with 2 flavors. Tonight I had Pistacio and Chocolate with Coconut. They also have amazing sandwiches, including the Venetian favorite Tramezzini). I tried to go earlier today but they did not open until 3-no sandwiches on Sunday so they are only open for the late shift. The gelato is very authentic, very good, and no lines. Ths shop is next to the park if you want to watch the kids play, and next to Blue Ribbon Sushi if you want to impress your date.

Alidoro
105 Sullivan St. between Spring and Prince Sts.
212-334-5179

Ice Cream Birthday Wishes

ice cream dyke march
Originally uploaded by girlynyc.

This weekend is the lovely Cheryl's birthday. We are celebrating on Saturday. I know there will be cupcakes, but maybe ice cream also be on hand...

It is also Alexis' birthday bash this Saturday. Mayhem is to be expected!

Sgroppino!

When I was in Venice, I ate gelato at least once a day, but never took a picture. I was in a rush to eat it before it melted! I had many of the traditional flavors, like coconut, pistachio, bacio, and Nocciola (hazelnut). I also had experimental flavors like fig, mint, and ginger at the excellent gelateria Alaska, which is like il laboratorio del gelato, but in Venice. And cheaper than both il lab and other gelato in Venice. Most gelato in Venice starts at one scoop for a euro; I think I had 3 scoops for 2.60 at Alaska. I heard that watermelon sorbet in Venice is great, but I forgot to have some-but I had some this weekend at il lab and it was delish.

All that said, one of my favorite venetian ice cream treats was Sgroppino, a slushy drink made with vodka, prosecco, and lemon sorbet and served after a meal with a few grains of espresso on top. Definitely something I'll be making stateside.

Sgroppino Recipe: from A.G. Ferrari
2 cups (16 oz) lemon sorbet, softened
2 Tbsp vodka
1/3 cup prosecco
4 Tbsp cream or half-and-half

Chill 4 to 6 champagne flutes.
Mix ingredients in a blender.
Pour mixture into a pitcher and serve immediately in chilled champagne flutes.
The sorbetto will separate if left standing.
Serves 4 to 6.

Addendum: Martha reminds me that she made me sgroppino early in the summer when she came over one Monday night to watch Six Feet Under!! Every day I am happier that my friends love the good things in life, and share them with me.

Vacation in a Bowl (or on a Cone): Italian Ice Creams

Affogato Mocha from Epicurious.com

I am on my way to Italy and always like to read the food magazines' take on the local cuisine. I hit gold when I found this Epicurious-archived Bon Appetit article with six italian ice cream recipes: Affogato Mocha (ice cream drowned in espresso), Fresh Strawberry Granita, Lemon and Amaretti Semifreddo, Peach and Prosecco Ice, Sweet Cherry Sorbetto, and Zabaglione Gelato. Brain freeze never felt so good.

Blackberry Lime Sorbet

Blackberry Lime Sorbet
Originally uploaded by candiedyams.

Girly and I have been doing "Ice Cream Fridays" this summer where we have made exotic and delicious flavors of sorbet, ice ream and gelato. Last week, we did blackberry lime sorbet which was great.

Lemon Sorbet!

Lemon Sorbet!

At SoHo's Vesuvio Bakery(160 Prince St), they serve sorbet inside fruit. I enjoyed lemon sorbet.