Giro del gelato - Saturday May 31, 2008

Or is it giro dei gelati? Someone (Antonius?) please correct my translation if I got it wrong.

As the Giro d'Italia bike tour races through its final days in Italy, happystomach and I are planning our own bike tour - of the city's gelatos. We don't have details yet but the basic idea is, starting late morning, we ride our bikes from one gelato place to another - about five stops throughout the day- tasting as much gelato as we can. The riding pace will be leisurely so don't feel as if you need to channel your inner Lance. But I imagine the mileage may be semi-significant - 30 miles or so?

We should probably set a limit on the size of the group for manageability and safety. How about 12?

Let us know if you are interested and send suggestions for where we should go. Freddy's of course. Probably Canady. Some Harlem Ave. favorites as well.

A. I would imagine it's di gelati, but what I don't know about Italian would (and does) fill volumes

B. Sounds like it might be fun. I will await further developments.

Hello Hellodali!

What a great idea! Perhaps it would do well to make the schedule up in such a way that it would be easy for folks who for one reason or another can't do the whole giro del gelato* or perhaps can't participate in the cycling aspect of the programme to travel by whatever means and link up with you at one or more of the stops... I say this in part as custodian of one little person who is a mighty fan of gelato but would not be up for the long-distance cycling!

As you say, Freddy's is a must... pity that Penguin is gone... And, yes, I would humbly but strongly encourage consideration of Canady in the South Loop for inclusion... the cycling involved could probably be enough to burn off every 'gelatonous' calorie!

*Regarding the name, I would indeed go with giro del gelato.

Antonius

Antonius - thanks for the correct translation. And yes, we should be able to post a rough itinerary a few days in advance so that people can meet us at the various stops. Happystomach and I will do some mapping and try out the route a few weeks in advance (and once I get my bike tuned up...) Glad you like the idea.

This sounds way fun. I'll have to practice bike riding again. Please post the locations/route...I'd love to go, but I'm also incredibly out of shape. I have no suggestions because I've only had gelato once, but I'm not picky when it comes to sweets!

I will likely be coming by myself.

PS - Hellodali, didn't you organize the Devon-a-Thon?

I am definitely interested.

Giro del gelato Map (in progress)

I'll maintain the map for the Giro del gelato here. For now, I'll map all suggested stops from this thread. Hellodali and I will test ride the route and finalize the itinerary in late April/early May. At that time, we'll also be able to provide specific mileage information (between stops and in total) and a rough timetable for folks who will join us at select stops.

I won't be able to do it, but I do have a couple suggestions (Cookie is a huge gelato fan and we've tried nearly every spot around town).

In my opinion, nothing holds a candle to Cafe Gelato on Division. I believe it's the best tasting and most authentic gelateria in town. (2034 W Division St)

Also, Ventrella's at 4947 N. Damen deserves a look. They make their own (just a couple flavors). I thought their storage temp. was a little off, but the flavor is excellent.

Finally, Bellezza Gelato at 3637 N. Harlem is similar to Ventrellas on my list. A little crystalline in the texture when I went, but excellent flavor.

These are far-flung choices, so if you pick one, go to Cafe Gelato.

Have fun.

Best,
Michael

This sounds like fun. If it doesn't stretch the mileage boundaries too much, how about including Village Creamery, Margie's, and Cunis? (Not strictly gelato, but in the same larger category of frozen desserts - and a few extra miles couldn't hurt, considering the potential calorie load for the day.)

Village Creamery
W. Oakton Street Skokie, IL 60076
(corner of Oakton and Kenton)
T (847) 982-1720

Margie's Candies
1960 N Western Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
Phone: (773) 384-1035

Cunis Candies Inc.
1030 E. 162nd St.
South Holland, IL 60473-2560
708-596-2440

nr706 wrote:This sounds like fun. If it doesn't stretch the mileage boundaries too much, how about including Village Creamery, Margie's, and Cunis?

Do those places make gelato? I'm pretty sure Margie's doesn't. But what about the other two?

There's no accepted definition of gelato. It's aways described as a low overrun product, but some definitions call for fat levels in the ice milk range, while others call for fat levels above what you'd typically find in Haagen Dazs. And I've known some producers who label their products "gelato" simply because it sounds cooler than "ice cream." So just because a place doesn't use the label "gelato" on their product doesn't mean they couldn't call it that if they wanted to.

nr706 wrote:There's no accepted definition of gelato. It's aways described as a low overrun product, but some definitions call for fat levels in the ice milk range, while others call for fat levels above what you'd typically find in Haagen Dazs. And I've known some producers who label their products "gelato" simply because it sounds cooler than "ice cream." So just because a place doesn't use the label "gelato" on their product doesn't mean they couldn't call it that if they wanted to.

Well, this isn't the thread for this, but I strongly disagree. American ice cream and gelato are two related, but very different products, and I believe that distinction is widely recognized.

eatchicago wrote:

nr706 wrote:There's no accepted definition of gelato. It's aways described as a low overrun product, but some definitions call for fat levels in the ice milk range, while others call for fat levels above what you'd typically find in Haagen Dazs. And I've known some producers who label their products "gelato" simply because it sounds cooler than "ice cream." So just because a place doesn't use the label "gelato" on their product doesn't mean they couldn't call it that if they wanted to.

Well, this isn't the thread for this, but I strongly disagree. American ice cream and gelato are two related, but very different products, and I believe that distinction is widely recognized.

Me too. Gelato has much less air, is definitely a creamier, silkier product and is generally softer right out of the freezer.

Village Creamery does not carry gelato, although their ice cream is superfantastic. One of these days I'll get to Margie's.

The FDA has no formal definition for the term "gelato." Depending on its fat level, it would fall under the formal definitions of "ice cream," "reduced fat ice cream," or "light ice cream." Those definitions specify a maximum overrun, but not a minimum. However, as I mentioned, it's generally accepted that the overrun for gelato should be 35% or less, although some producers exceed that - by a lot. I don't know if fat and overrun numbers are available from the small producers we were discussing, but its entirely possible their products, even if labeled "ice cream" would also fall under the generally accepted definition of "gelato." The organoleptics of the products, of course, can vary widely between producers.

And I'll try to resist saying any more on that issue, because I completely agree this is not the right place for this discussion (mods - maybe move this into a "What is Gelato" thread starting with eatchicago's post?)

Now, let's get back to bicycling!

I know that Natalie/Pasticceria Natalina has made a little gelato in the past 'cause I bought a small container of chestnut. FWIW, you may want to contact her and see what her plans are for the spring. That's clearly a place I'd want to stop by if she's making it.

Sharon - great work on the map. Thanks for thinking of that.

And as for definition, maybe for the sake of this ride, we'll keep to places that actually call what they sell gelato.

I'll also check in with Natalie. I thought they bought their gelato from a place in Michigan that was featured in an article about Jean Joho some time ago, but I might be wrong. I'll look into it.

Edited to add that yes, Natalina will be serving gelato that they get from Palazzolo in Michigan. I've had it and it's excellent so that may be a stop as well.

Hellodali wrote:I'll also check in with Natalie. I thought they bought their gelato from a place in Michigan that was featured in an article about Jean Joho some time ago, but I might be wrong. I'll look into it.

That was my understanding as well. I believe it's Palazzolo Gelato, and I think they supply a fair number of places in and around Chicago. (Not that there's anything wrong with that. I wouldn't discount anyone from your tasting just because they buy it from somewhere else).

http://www.4gelato.com/

Well, that's good to know. However, I do know that she tried making it at least once because we had a long talk about it and she pulled a container out quite proudly. And it was superb. It wouldn't surprise me if, in addition to everything else they do, she decided it was too much work, so I guess I'll treasure that one-off memory! And look forward to tasting the imported (from Michigan) stuff.

Holy smokes! Brilliant idea - I'm in! Maybe even +1.

I'm very interested! Count me +1 in please!

Tentative Itinerary & Participant List

Hi everyone,

Dimitra and I met today to plot out the Giro del Gelato. Below is a tentative itinerary including maps (for people on bike or by car) and a tentative participant list. Closer to the date, we will test the route and tweak the itinerary with more accurate times. The pace of the ride will be leisurely, about 8-10 miles per hour. There are just under 30 miles to cover.

We considered all of the suggestions in this thread and decided on a combination of neighborhoods and types of establishments. For example, we chose not to include Ventrella's in the final list because they source their gelato from the same place as Natalina's.

The tentative route (not including the specific streets we'll be riding) can be found here. Again, once we test ride the route, we'll provide the final map with the streets that would be best by bike (e.g. streets that include bike lanes). We'll have copies of the map with us on the day of the Giro to share.

Here is a tentative schedule for Saturday, May 31st:

11:00-11:15 am -- Meet at Canady
11:15-11:45am -- @ Canaday
11:45-12:15pm -- Commute to Caffe Gelato
12:15-12:45pm -- @ Caffe Gelato
12:45-1:45pm -- Commute to Freddy's
1:45-2:45pm -- @ Freddy's/Lunch
2:45-3:30pm -- Commute to Bellezza Gelato
3:30-4:00pm -- @ Bellezza Gelato
4:00-5:00pm -- Commute to Pasticceria Natalina
5:00-5:30pm -- @ Pasticceria Natalina

Addresses:

Canady
824 S Wabash
Chicago IL 60605
312-212-1270

Caffe Gelato
2034 W Division St
Chicago IL 60622
773-227-7333

Freddy's
1600 S 61st Ave
Cicero IL 60804
708-863-9289

Bellezza Gelato
3637 N Harlem Ave
Chicago IL 60634
773-545-1239

Pasticceria Natalina
5406 N Clark St
Chicago IL 60640
773-989-0662

So far, the people who have expressed interest are:

Confirmed:
Hellodali (bike)
happy_stomach +2 (bike)
germuska +2 (bike)
nr706 (bike)
JermAngela +1 (bike)
CCCB (bike)
Pie Lady (car)
Santander +1 (car; Freddy's only)
swine dining (motorcycle/scooter; Freddy's only)

Maybes:
Antonius + 2 (car)
Seth Zurer +1 (bike)
Gypsy Boy (walking; Natalina's only)
Octarine (motorcycle)
wustlmike + 1 (bike)

Please confirm your participation as soon as you're able and whether you're riding with us or coming by car. We're going to limit the number of cyclists to 18 for safety, but anyone can meet us by car.

Ciao!
Dimitra and Sharon

I'm in, via bike.

Edit: Thanks for the addresses, Sharon.

Hi gelato fans,

I don't know if you need any more stops, but one more place offering gelato is Istria Cafe in Hyde Park.

Istria Cafe
1520 E. 57th St
Chicago, IL
www.istriacafe.com/
(no phone listed on web page...)

(it is under the Metra tracks, at Lake Park Ave.)

I'm coming for sure with my trusty bike.

Pie Lady wrote:I'm coming for sure with my trusty bike.

Yipee! I'm glad you can join us.

I, unfortunately, will not be able to join you. I discovered that I have been scheduled to teach Saturday mornings and so, alas, will not be able to pig out. I will, however, write this down on the calendar in any event, because I will be home by the time you all get to Natalina's and I can walk there from the house (talk about lucky!). So, sorry to miss the giro; sounds like fun.

My wife and I hope to join you for lunch and gelato at Freddy's; we have a few other engagements that day and, sadly, sold our bikes when we moved into the current place.

Gypsy Boy wrote:I, unfortunately, will not be able to join you. I discovered that I have been scheduled to teach Saturday mornings and so, alas, will not be able to pig out. I will, however, write this down on the calendar in any event, because I will be home by the time you all get to Natalina's and I can walk there from the house (talk about lucky!).

Santander wrote:My wife and I hope to join you for lunch and gelato at Freddy's;

It would be great if you both could join us at those stops.

Once I get my act together, I'll also figure out a sensible way to send out Giro updates on the day of the event for anyone interested (in updates just for kicks and/or in joining us at select stops). I can probably figure out how via Twitter or something similar to send out SMS updates like when we arrive and/or depart from each stop. That way, folks joining us by other means will know if we run late or early on our bikes. I was going to do this for CCCB anyway, so I can just start a list of people who want updates--if there is anyone.

Can't make it, unfortunately, but the gelati at Bittersweet (on Belmont) has been good in the past. Loop locations of Lavazza might lend a yardstick. Sure, it's gelato that you'd get while stopping for gas on the autostrada, but pretty good anyway. Actually, the Loop, for all it's charmlessness in terms of food options has lots of commercial gelato. Rom in the Pritzker building, the various Soprafinas, the Caffe Baci chain and the Lavazzas, off the top of my head. Leonidas, too, I think.

JeffB wrote:Loop locations of Lavazza might lend a yardstick. Sure, it's gelato that you'd get while stopping for gas on the autostrada, but pretty good anyway.

This always seems to slip my mind, but I agree. The gelati at Lavazza on Jackson in the loop is a nice afternoon summer treat. I've had much, much worse.