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Mercurio's
Categories: Food Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Restaurants Pizza Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Pizza [Edit]
5523 Walnut StPittsburgh, PA 15232
Neighborhood: Shadyside
(412) 621-6220
- Hours:
Mon, Sun 1 pm - 9 pm
Tue-Thu 11 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 11 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Alcohol:
- No
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
43 reviews for Mercurio's
Review Highlights
"Literally dozens of flavors to choose from."
(in 5 reviews)
"Their pistachio gelato is amazing."
(in 8 reviews)
"Raspberry & truffles."
(in 3 reviews)
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43 reviews in English
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Review from Christina P.
Hudson, OH
9/25/2011
I have been a big fan of Mercurio's since the first time I visited. I'm surprised I didn't get to writing a review about it in the time I lived in PGH. Better later than never, I guess. Let's talk about Mercurio's in its latest location reincarnation. The quality of the gelato is superb, and I haven't disliked one flavour I've tried. Personally, I like the texture and the flavour punch of gelato better compared to its sister, ice cream. Some of my favourite flavours at Mercurio's are: lemon basil, chocolate hazelnut (Nutella), raspberry chocolate chip, and the dark stracciatella. Seriously, you can never go wrong with Mercurio's. The people that work there are super friendly too, and it's a family-run business. I'm glad they moved to this spot right on Walnut, but they have a lot of traffic during the hotter months no matter where they are located. Try it out if you're ever in the Eastside.
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Review from Aimee o.
1/3/2012
This place is a good place to get gelato, I just think its overpriced.
But if a serving of creamy sweet cold melt-in-your mouth goodness is what your looking for this is the perfect place.
Everything is sold by the lb, so the price of your gelato will always vary. As with many ice cream/gelato dessert places you can try the different flavors to see what you'll like, so taste them and pick the flavor that you will love! you won't be disappointed. -
Review from r. h.
Pittsburgh, PA
Updated - 10/19/2011
Mercurio's is back -- bigger and badder, if only in its space. The serving size seems to have shrunk a bit and/or the price seems a little higher than in my (granted, not always infallible) memory.
The gelato is still good, and the selection is still wide, but a lot of the bins looked more than half empty without being replaced.
The space is pleasing and airy and spacious. Instead of the cramped little second floor store of yore, Mercurio's now has beautiful picture windows that look right onto Walnut. It can now accommodate more than one group of sit down customers. However, I feel like it lost a bit of its quirky charm in the process. Now, it looks like any other Walnut establishment -- polished in a generic way.
The people who worked the counter, however, didn't seem to really want to be there. I suppose I did show up on a late Saturday afternoon, so the servers may be anxious to end their shifts.
I was so excited when I found out that they've re-opened, but I have to admit, my first re-visit was something of a disappointment. Maybe I just caught them on a bad day, or maybe they still have a few more issues to work out during their transition period. I'll try them again in a few more weeks. For now though, 3.5 stars.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/28/2009
OK, I'm slow to the party, but I'm happy to have finally stumbled onto this gelato place tucked away… Read more »
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Review from Rachel C.
I'm really leaning towards gelato over ice cream these days. I just love the creamy consistency. I also feel like that you don't have to receive a hearty helping (although I do love generous scoops!) to feel satisfied.
You really don't have to worry about not finding your fav flavor because they've got TONS of different flavors to choose from! And it's not just vanilla and chocolate...it's creative combo's like caramel latte, dark chocolate cherry and coconut cream just to name a few. I opted for the Amaretto because I can't seem to not choose it when it's available. I just love that flavor....and it translated perfectly into gelato too!
The absolute only thing I could even complain about, and it's not really complaining, just something I thought was odd...was that they measure out your gelato and you pay by ounce. I get it when you're getting self serve (like at yogurt places) but when you're not helping yourself, it's just weird. I suppose if you came in and had only $3 dollars to your name and the total range up at $3.01 they could lop off a little. But I guess it could also work in your favor if you wanted more or less.
I'm pretty sure it's now gonna be my mission to try all the different types of flavors....because they all looked so gosh darn good! -
Review from Anthony G.
Pittsburgh, PA
8/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Could no believe my mother and I paid over $10 for a small cone and a microscopic dish. The prices here I think are absolutely crazy, and the Gelato isn't even made fresh there?
That was my first problem with the place. I asked the girl if the Gelato is made fresh, and she responded yes. But then when I questioned it because the Gelato was so hard, she admitted they order it from a place that makes it; then, it is shipped frozen.
I'm not trying to sound like an ass, but if I am paying over $10 for two Gelatos, they should be freshly made that morning. FAIL -
Review from Chuck K.
Pittsburgh, PA
7/26/2011
Frozen treat are good, especially during the hot summer months. Sometimes I'm in the mood for a crushed-ice (like Rita's), regular ice cream, or gelato. I have to admit, I've only had gelato a handful of times... it's good, but much different from ice cream.
How does gelato differ from regular ice cream? Butterfat. Gelato has lower butterfat content, and is also churned a little slower, making it denser than ice cream.
It had been some time since I enjoyed a cup of gelato, so while in Shadyside, I stopped into Mercurio's on Walnut Street.
Gelato is usually served from rectangular stainless steel containers. There were many flavors to choose from at Mercurio's; (fresh fruit choices looked especially good) I decided on chocolate. The dessert was served in small cup with a teeny spoon. My first bite was good- the flavors were intense, and the texture was smooth. The difference from regular ice cream was clear; it wasn't as creamy.
Verdict
Gelato is a traditional Italian dessert that is meant to be consumed in small portions. My gelato was excellent- prepared by ice cream artisans with great care. It's slightly-less creamy texture could be the perfect finish to a delicious meal. Since butterfat runs my veins in abundance, I'll stick with ice cream. -
Review from David K.
Pittsburgh, PA
8/1/2011
Maybe I'm a bit of a miser, but for over four dollars, I should get three times that much product. But let's get real: this is Walnut Street, so it's going to be overpriced!
The ice cream (or gelato or frozen dairy treat or whatever it's called) was delicious, though. But I still felt that little pit-in-the-stomach feeling of "Crap, I just spent way too much money on something I didn't need," while I was eating it, which sort of ruined the experience.
If money ain't a thang, this is probably a pretty awesome place. -
Review from Ramee Y.
Pittsburgh, PA
8/5/2011
Cutting to the chase:
*Samoa: coconut-y goodness, tossed with chocolate shavings and caramel. The best (do not argue) Girl Scout cookie, molten and churned and chilled into its gelato form. 5/5
*Nutella: a balanced chocolate with the perfect amount of hazelnut aftertaste. 5/5
*Pistachio: copiously flecked with purple/green pistachio bits. I love nuts. 5/5
*Hazelnut: no visible hazelnut chunks. Too weak of a hazelnut flavor for my nut-craving tastebuds. 3/5
Flavors rotate, so not all flavors may be available on a given day. -
Review from Serena R.
Updated - 6/24/2011
This place is awesome, the flavors are true to the taste, if that make sense. For example, the blueberry muffin, actually tastes like a blueberry muffin. That's usually my go to flavor, but I've tried others and they've always been delish. I've frequented their previous location on Copeland and happy to see them back on Walnut.
I read from the other reviews about the discomfort in the store due to the lack of coolness or overabundance of warmth...I either didn't notice it or I was too busy with my eyes glazed over at all the flavors...it could be that once I order, I leave the store immediately, so warm or cold, doesn't affect my enjoyment of the deliciousness known as Mercurio's.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/9/2010
Yum, Yum, Yum and YUM! The gelatos at this place are delish. I've gotten different flavors and… Read more »
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Review from N N.
San Diego, CA
12/4/2011
The ice creams/gelatos here are excellent. I have tried the pistachio, cheesecake, and mint flavors and they are all great. Their ice creams/gelatos are creamy and rich (not watered down), but I never feel guilty after enjoying my snacks here. I especially love their milkshakes!
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Review from Mangala M.
Pittsburgh, PA
9/25/2011
Raspberry & Truffles...yes please! Mercurio's definitely ranks as the top gelato shop in Pittsburgh. They have tons of flavors, and each and everyone is delicious. I also appreciate that you pay by weight, and the prices are reasonable. They let you sample unlimited flavors until you decide, def a nice perk. I haven't had a chance to try their pizza yet, I hoping it's just as good as their gelato.
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Review from Helen L.
Tampa, FL
10/6/2010 1 photo
I saw the sign for this delightful gelato shop after dinner one night and rushed in (even though my pasta fish dish was enough to feed 3!). I was glad I did. I caught them during the end of the day but the friendly staff was still glad to serve me.
I sample of everything, I shouted. A few of their daily flavors include: Butter Pecan (No Sugar Added), Banana Strawberry Swirl, Blueberry Muffin, Chocolate Marshmallow, Coconut Cream Pie, Cookies n Cream, Dark Chocolate Stracciatella, Death By Chocolate, Fior di Latte, Gianduia, Hazelnut, Key Lime, Lemon Sorbetto, Mango, Mint Chocolate Chunk, Mulberry Cream w/ Chocolate Chunks, Peanut Butter Cup, Pistachio, Raspberry & Truffles, Strawberry Cheesecake, Tiramisu, Vanilla Custard, Dulce De Leche, Birthday Cake, and Caramel Latte --- but that's not all! There is another listing of Rotating Flavors for you to enjoy! -
Review from Lauren C.
8/16/2011
What's not to love about Mercurio's?! They recently reopened at their new location right on Walnut Street and are in the process of putting in a pizza oven as well. My personal favorite flavor is the strawberry cheesecake gelato but unfortunately it's hardly ever on rotation. I keep going back for more of it with limited success. Mango, key lime and peanut butter are almost as equally delicious and those aren't even their "bestsellers." They have so many flavors to choose from that you'll have to go back to try them all! It's a little more pricey than your typical ice cream but it's well worth the extra cost. I always go with the small size and it's just enough to quench your craving without making you feel guilty. You know it's good when you're trying to find excuses to stop in Shadyside so you can swing by and grab a cup of gelato when you live in the North Hills!
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Review from Sam F.
11/6/2010
Apparently they are moving to another location next year, so once they open up their doors-I'm there!
This gelato is AWESOME! It is so smooth and delicious.
The only downside for me is that I LOVE ice cream, so I was a bit disappointed by their proportions. You can ask for as much as you want, but when I order a waffle cup with gelato, they put one tiny scoop in it. Maybe I'm just a pig, but it's not even equivalent to a scoopful at most other ice cream shops. It's a little embarrassing always asking for more...
But seriously, this place is delicious, try it. -
Review from Holly G.
Fayetteville, NC
8/23/2010
I got hooked on gelato in North Beach in San Francisco. I discovered this fantastic little place this weekend (there is gelato that tastes like blueberry muffins; how did I not know of its existence until now!?) and spent a few glorious minutes eating some of the creamiest, yummiest concoction.
The best part here is the variety. Literally dozens of flavors to choose from. While standing in the line that was nearly out the door, I read a printout of yelp reviews--one of which suggested ordering a variety of flavors in one cup. Brilliant. I ordered half dark chocolate stracciatella and half strawberry cheesecake in one cup (ugly cups, sorry-- plain white would be classier! but how am I complaining when there is heaven. in my mouth.). The strawberry cheesecake won me over far more than the chocolate, but that's the beauty of ordering different flavors.
I officially have a new Saturday ritual in the form of gelato. I think I'll spend weekdays devising strategies for choosing gelato flavors only to order on a whim when the weekend arrives. Mercurio's Mulberry, you are my new obsession. -
Review from Joe P.
Pittsburgh, PA
8/3/2010
Quality Comes At A Cost.
Okay, that's not entirely true, right? I mean, who hasn't seen Avatar? Prime example. Wads and wads of cash that could have been used to help starving families in this country were squandered on a lackluster film whose Cheese Factor would have risen only if it were a musical. It was a lame duck. A pretty duck, but a lame one.
So quality doesn't always come at a cost, but it does at Mercurio's.
The flavor selection is off the charts, causing the brain to atrophy temporarily into indecision only to be kickstarted again by the sheer incomprehensibility of the situation.
Expect the following cycle:
Caramel green apple? -- yum, I want... -- OMG, mulberry with chocolate chunks? Mmm -- No! I want blueberry muffin... -- Ack! Brain... dying... can't... -- ... -- ... -- ... -- Raspberry & truffles? -- yum, I want... -- OMG...
Every flavor I've had is heavenly, sending me into a Stratosphere of Happy for the next 60+ minutes.
The only downside is their absurd pay-by-the-ounce scheme, which is really a bid for more money. When faced with so much Deliciousness, are you really going to say, "I only want $2 worth?" No, probably not. And, really, $2 worth of this insanely lip-smacking gelato isn't enough. Hell, $20 worth wouldn't be enough.
So, Mercurio's: change the pricing, and I'm yours.
Forever.
I've already picked out your ring and the China pattern. -
Review from Gigi L.
Pittsburgh, PA
6/10/2011
I love this place! Their pistachio gelato is amazing! It's the best pistachio ice cream I've ever had... mixed with LOTs pistachios! I always try a whole bunch of flavors but every time still end up getting the pistachio... Although after they moved to this new place it seems like they haven't been able to get their AC working. One time i was there and it was so hot inside that one of their freezers stopped working or something.
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Review from I.E. C.
North Huntingdon Township, PA
8/8/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Really like the selection here. However, it's a bit expensive for the amount you get. I had the birthday cake and caramel latte. Nonetheless, I'm coming back because I really want to try some of the other flavors.
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Review from Nina P.
San Francisco, CA
8/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
I absolutely had to try every flavor and I encourage everyone else to do the same. Once you start you realize they're all going to be really good! It was really difficult to choose and then the guy behind the counter said why choose one, when you could have more? The heavens suddenly opened up so many choices! So go in, try 'em, get at least 3 flavors, and then go back the next day and get some more!!
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Review from Erin F.
Seattle, WA
4/11/2009
Bob and I ducked into Mercurio's today after a long day of wandering around Shadyside. We were stuffed from lunch but we ate a bit of gelato anyway, and here's why: one ounce is 64 CENTS.
My mind reeled as I took in the array of gelato tubs. They have at least 24 flavors, more than I've ever seen at any other gelato place. And all of them are made fresh locally! I asked!
This is my absolute frozen dream. Crazy variety, fresh, and CHEAP. You can go in and ask for one ounce of five different flavors and end up paying under four dollars.
A quick comparison: a small size at Ben & Jerry's is 3.50-ish for four ounces, and you can only get two flavors per scoop. Premium ice cream like Ben & Jerry's is made with heavy cream, and gelato is made with 2% milk at most. This is why gelato equals more flavor (not as much butterfat coating your mouth) with fewer calories. Yum.
I'm going back as soon as I can for a multi-flavor fix. Today I tried pistachio and chocolate almond (for a total of 1.85), and they were both excellent. I'm only getting started though. There are enough delicious things in Mercurio's to keep me busy for a long, long time. -
Review from Teresa T.
5/15/2011
After discovering that Mercurio's reopened on Walnut St since closing their Copeland St location, I have been there twice in the last week which is huge as I am or think that I am not a huge ice cream/gelato/frozen yogurt eater. The two flavors I had were splendid - blueberry muffin and peanut butter cookie dough in cones. The space is empty which I think they have plans to fill in and it feels uncomfortably warm in the store but as long as my stomach is satisfied I intend to continue indulge myself for the unforeseeable future. I am hooked!
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Review from Jessica B.
Pittsburgh, PA
7/19/2007
Blueberry Cheesecake. Nutella. Pistachio. Raspberry. Black Cherry. Coconut (!) Good, yes. Very very good. But nothing comes close to the gelato perfection of ginger. Why, oh why (please please tell me why) can the Mulberry Creamery not have ginger gelato on their menu every day? How dare they lure me in on my first visit with the spicy creamy wonder, only to yank it away? Even worse, there's no way to know when it will make a glorious reappearance. I keep going back to the spot where we met last, but it's not the same.
Ginger gelato, I miss you. Please come back to me. Pistachio with black cherry is good, but only ginger holds my heart and my tastebuds.
I promise to visit you every day if you just return. -
Review from Dianne C.
6/29/2009 3 photos
OMG, 42 gelato flavors!! Every other gelato place I know max out at about 12 flavors, haha. If I was living in Pittsburgh about now, I would so go on Mercurio's Gelato Journey and try a different flavor every time I was there... and that's not just because I'm trying to escape the hot and humid Pitt summer.
Fiancee and I each got a medium: hazelnut and peanut butter... at under a dollar per ounce. Very good gelato, and open until quite late. I'm under the impression that they're open as long as Girasole downstairs is. (Italian ice cream after an Italian dinner, anybody?) Quite awesome.
I'll definitely be back. It calls for at least another 41 visits from me. -
Review from Hailey T.
HUNTINGDON VY, PA
6/23/2011
Great gelato! I loved the nutella flavor... perfect portions, too
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Review from Michael L.
Washington, DC
5/25/2011
They are back!!!!! But seriously, I still don't get the big deal .. Gelato vs regular ice cream, eh! But it was tasty. But it's not a coldstones!!!!!
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Review from Amy R.
4/2/2011
As soon as the new store opens, my husband and I will be there ASAP. Best gelato, better than ice cream, and so (SO) many good flavors. I nearly had an emotional breakdown right on Copeland when I saw they had vacated their previous location (I thought they were gone for good!). So happy to find out they are just moving.
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Review from Donna S.
Washington, DC
7/10/2010
We went here tonight and it was so yummy. I had the chocolate chip cheesecake. It was delicious and didn't have that awful fake cheesecake flavor. It was buttery. Almost like a toffee flavor. And rich/creamy!
I was surprised at how cheap it was. Plus, the place is clean and the staff are friendly. -
Review from Emily H.
Chicago, IL
8/6/2009
Very cute place with tons of flavors - everything looks yummy and it's almost impossible to make a decision. The mint chocolate chunk was yummy. The raspberry truffle was not as good - not much raspberry flavor and the truffles didn't have that distinct truffley texture. Also, a medium is pretty big - even for me, a big girl with a big appetite and a major sweet tooth. It may be because the density is higher than ice cream. If you stick to a small, it's affordable. (There is a $5 credit card minimum.) It will be crowded on weekend nights because of the traffic for Girasole, but during the day on a Sunday it was practically empty. There's a nice bench across the street to enjoy your treats and people-watch.
I will definitely keep returning to try as many flavors as my food allergies will allow. -
Review from Paul H.
Pittsburgh, PA
11/30/2007
I fell in love with the Samoa gelato: coconut & chocolate.
See http://www.mulberrystr... -
Review from Pragna H.
6/20/2010
I am a fan because you can totally get 4 different kinds of flavors under 2 dollars. They weigh the ice-cream by ounces. So you can totally say you want this, this, this and this flavor but all together in 3 ounces! And the options are limitless. I go there quite a bit (even have a frequent diner card) and the flavors keep rotating. The gelato is pretty delicious and healthy (being gelato) and you can absolutely indulge if u can/want to or get small portions if that's your style.
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Review from amanda s.
4/7/2010 3 photos
fruity, decadent, and bursting with flavor, oh my!
mercurio's, modestly tucked away in a little nook, is pretty sweet (no pun intended..okay maybe).
upon entrance, you are greeted with colors that razzle, dazzle, and entice you, along with a friendly staff. the gelato all looks so good that you can't help but ask to sample a few. and sample a few i did.
i flirted with the cinnamon bun for a while, and it was incredible, but also incredibly rich. the mango was good, but they went the sweeter route when i was more interested in a tangy one. the pistachio was creamy and not too sweet--just the way it should be.
after all was said and done, i decided i wanted a medium cup that consisted of one fruity and one rich gelato. cue pink guava and gianduia (a sweet chocolate that contains about 30% hazelnut paste..think a light and fluffy nutella). it didn't matter what flavor you picked..the gelato was the same consistency as the gelato i had in piazza navona. pink and brown is a good combination on its own, but the flavors worked surprisingly well together. the heavier gianduia was balanced by the pink guava, which made me nostalgic as it reminded me of the philippine pomelo. sinful yet refreshing.
at 62 cents an ounce, my medium cup (which is 5-8 ounces generally) came to about $3.50. i took a star off because i happened to get the coagulated, thick top part of the gelato that has a texture similar to a cheap sugary bubblegum that you can't fully enjoy. in the scheme of things, that top part is so tiny compared with the rest of the gelato you get, and if i'm ever back in the 'burgh, i'll be hitting up mercurio's for a new creative pairing.Listed in: pgh perks.
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Review from Jr A.
Pittsburgh, PA
5/12/2010
Best Gelato in pittsburgh. HUGE selection. The place is small and usually the line is out the door. Be prepared !!
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Review from Albert L.
8/21/2010 1 Check-in Here
They have a TON a flavors to choose from! And what made this place stand out wasn't just that, it was the amazingly reasonable price for gelato. They offer you three different sizes, but they charge you based on how many ounces they put in your cup, currently 62 cents per ounce. I'm glad that there's a decent gelato place near me, and I will probably be coming by again.
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Review from Rachel M.
State College, PA
5/5/2010
So many wonderful choices, and hearty portions for the price. I love their unusual flavors, like honey-sunflower, as well as their stalwart selections like pistachio and raspberry truffle. If you want a solo small, be prepared to pay cash.
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Review from Raymond W.
Cambridge, MA
5/8/2010
Independent ice cream and gelato shops are always intriguing with some of the creativity that can go in their flavors. With an enormous array of flavors like blueberry muffin, apple pie, and cinnamon bun, figuring out which flavor to get is difficult as getting a sample of 42 flavors would be a faux pas. I opted for the apple pie on a sugar cone and came out happy with a creamy ice cream with cinnamon and chunks of pie crust and apples. It was a perfect treat while strolling around the neighborhood.
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Review from Elli F.
Pittsburgh, PA
7/9/2011
The place is very good. It has high quality italian icecream
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Review from Diana K.
New York, NY
6/27/2010
Maybe it's because I don't know my gelato, but I thought this place was just A-OK. There was nothing memorable or special about the gelato or the creamery shop.
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Review from Ryan P.
After recently discovering the joys of gelato on a trip to Seattle, I was eager to find a decent place in the burgh. Mulberry Creamery not only stands up to the Seattle establishments, it beats them in terms of flavor variety and waffle cone tastiness! More flavors than you can shake a stick at? Check.
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Review from Sarah L.
Binghamton, NY
6/14/2009
A scoop of cookies and cream with a scoop of confetti hit the spot on a 75 degree summer evening! Oh man was it good. I like it when my ice cream actually tastes like something other than opaque ice, and this did for sure! I wasn't quite sure what the confetti was going to be flavored like when I ordered it, thinking maybe cake batter but it looked good so I got it anyway, and after about 3 bites I could tell it was flavored like that confetti cake mix (or is that stuff flavored after something even else?)! Flavor! I want to go back a million more times to try them all!
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Review from Spike T.
Hancock Park, CA
7/11/2010
My favorite ice cream place in the city. Technically this is a gelato place. Creamy, strong flavors. Nice place to go if you are wondering around the Walnut Street Shops in Shadyside.
