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Michael's Gelato & Cafe
Categories: Food Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Sandwiches Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches [Edit]
440 University AvePalo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 322-8200
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dessert
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
191 reviews for Michael's Gelato & Cafe
Review Highlights
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191 reviews in English
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Review from Erica C.
Best place for Gelato!!
Upon walking in, Michael greeted us with a smiling face and was more than happy to give us samples. He was very friendly and sweet. All of the flavors I tried were very tasty. However it is a bit on the pricy side. If you go up the stairs there are more tables and they have an outside balcony to sit and people watch while you enjoy the food. -
Review from Adrienne H.
Palo Alto, CA
Lots of people seem to think that this is the best gelato in PA but I could not disagree more. The gelato here isn't terrible, but its definitely not the best in Palo Alto. Its on the icy side and doesn't have the perfect creamy consistency that gelato should. Even worse than the taste is the price. I had been once before and remembered not being super impressed with the gelato, but apparently I didn't remember the sticker shock. We came tonight and got the smallest scoop and it was $5.75. Almost SIX DOLLARS for a tiny scoop of gelato. We split it and it felt like we ended up with two mouthfuls each. At Gelato Classico, the smallest size is around $3 and is bigger than it is here (and the gelato is much creamier and more flavorful).
The owner is incredibly friendly and very generous with the samples, but I can't say I'll ever come back when there's a much cheaper place with much better gelato down the street.Listed in: Overrated, Ice Cream & Gelato
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Review from Jenn L.
San Jose, CA
Michael's Gelato is where my bf and I had our first date and we've been going back since. We just celebrated our 3 year anniversary and of course, he blind folded me and took me to Michael's!
We each got 2 scoops in our cones and the flavor i wanted (banana) was sold out so i got mango and pineapple and he had cookies and cream and pistachio.
Both were very good, even better that this place had sentimental value to us.
Will def return to have my banana flavor! =] -
Review from Renae H.
Love this place! Super yummy gelato, really nice people and the balcony is great for people watching. Definitely my favorite place for a sweet treat in Palo Alto.
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Review from Michael F.
Philadelphia, PA
Smooth delicious Gelato with a friendly owner(?) more than willing to hand out samples to help you decide on your dessert for the evening. You can certainly taste the fresh flavors in every bite. The only downside is the price/quantity ratio. Yes, you need to pay for quality, but it was still enough to keep Michael's from earning that fourth star from me.
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Review from Sunil K.
Menlo Park, CA
Michael and his family are some of the friendliest people I have met. Every time I go there, they greet you with a smile on their face.
Their gelatos are the real deal. Try some of their variants of chocolate! -
Review from Sandra L.
I came here with a group of 30 folks through Yelp Dish Crawl. We met Michael the owner and he was very nice. He gave such generous scoops to all of us with an option of one or two scoops. His spoonfuls filled every corner of the cup plus a heaping mound that caped over the cup.
I got milk chocolate and pistacio. It was good but didn't blow my hair back.
My friend got peanut butter and it was DELICIOUS. It was creamy, buttery, and had chunks of chocolate.
My other friend got Madagascar vanilla and banana. Those were very refreshing!
I'm definitely getting peanut butter next time... or guiness gelato... -
Review from christopher p.
Hayward, CA
The person who served us, who I believe was the owner, was very nice. It was a good experience for me because I don't really go out seeking Gelatos but it was a nice area in Palo Alto and not bad for after dinner. We enjoyed our Gelato out on the patio on the second floor. There was a musician downstairs playing the guitar. It was a very sweet atmosphere.
So if your in Palo Alto and your on a date and you just had dinner this is a nice place to take your date. If she or he likes the mushy romantic stuff you can take 'em upstairs and over look the street. It's a nice looking urban setting if you like that.
I hope you enjoy yourself the way I did. -
Review from Puakela L.
Mira Loma, CA
It wasn't delicious. I thought I was try a new place. I figured some food and try the gelato. They have sandwiches on the menu, but the guy working there said he ran out of sandwiches. OK. Whatever. I'll have the hot dog listed. Oh, he doesn't have hot dogs either. Uh... Then I'll eat dessert before food. No big deal. I've done that before.
Small and mediocre for a $5 cup of ice cream like gelato. I should've just gone to McDonalds. Then as I'm waiting for him to ring me up. Some guy walks in and asks for some food AND he's in a rush so he needs it fast! AND HE GETS IT!!!! The guy working makes him his food!!!!!! WTF?? ARE YOU FORREAL?? You could've at least waited until I left your shop before you get caught in a lie like that. Did you forget so quickly that you just told me you completely ran out of food??
Definitely not ever going there again. And if anyone asks, the gelato isn't worth the price. Get a tub at the grocery store. -
Review from Tiffany C.
Los Altos, CA
I had the pistachio gelato, which I really enjoyed. I also had a taste of the nutella which is great too. I wanted to try the blue bottle coffee, but it was all out! My friend got the whiskey flavor, which he said didn't taste anything like whiskey. Another friend tried the guinness flavor which he thought was oddly sweet (maybe slightly like coconut). Props for having lots of unique flavor, although I can't vouch for how they taste ;) . I really liked my pistachio flavor though, it was nice and creamy with a great pistachio taste. (I'm told that everything is organic too). That is probably why it's so expensive. it's about $5-6 per order. That's more than bi-rite! I mean it's good, but damn that can add up!
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Review from An R.
Santa Clara, CA
The owner here is super sweet. It's really difficult to ruin ice cream or gelato so I'd have to give them a 3 star since it was not out of this world or anything worth nothing but still good.
Would I go again? Absolutely but only if I were in the area.
On Saturday's they have someone playing music and you can ask them to play a song of your choice, we asked them to play Jimmy Buffet and he did pretty well. -
Review from Jenny Z.
I stumbled across Michael's as my friends and I were searching for a place for frozen dessert. They carry a good selection of atypical and common flavors. When I went, I tried 3 flavors and decided that "earl grey" was absolutely scrumptious. Prices are similar to other gelataria I've been too. I think what makes Michael's stand out is its casual, artsy-cool environment w/o being prententous. The cafe itself is quite large, with upstairs seating and a balcony, with a nice view of University Ave in downtown Palo Alto. Often, there are musicians who play their music downstairs. I think this is good place for post-dinner chatting because it has a fun atmosphere.
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Review from Peggy S.
I could use their stuff as hair products. What a goopy, sticky mess!
... and that is if I wanted ants in my hair - they are also super duper sweet.
I had rose & green tea flavored gelato. I like eating floral things (like, honey lavender gelato from Powell's - super!), but their rose is too perfume-y, and the green tea was too bitter and didn't have a lot of flavor.
Yes, gelato should be served slightly melted, but by the end of that cup of gelato, my hands were stiff from sugar hardening on my frozen hands.Listed in: My Dentist Likes This List, Fooled Me Once...
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Review from zika S.
Los Altos, CA
I find this gelato place to be VERY expensive and run by a rude bunch of people. I ordered a child's scoop for my daughter and we paid $4.50 for two tablespoons of gelato.
With regards to the rudeness---the staff are always hurrying you through your selection and tend to rush to other customers before you.
I was going to give this place one star! If not for some of their unusual flavors. -
Review from Eme L.
Mountain View, CA
Really love the feel of this place. The owner is extremely friendly and a very interesting storyteller. The gelato is delicious, and they're open pretty late. I usually go for some sort of coconut or pistachio mix, but settled on the peanut butter/chocolate chip and the salted caramel - both were delicious!
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Review from Jeff Y.
San Jose, CA
Blue Bottle Coffee gelato is awesome! And so is their dark chocolate gelato. Together they form a great union of awesomeness.
The guy behind the counter was super nice too. I asked to try 2 different flavors, and then he decided it was his mission to find me some gelato I would love, so he went ahead and suggested 3 other flavors for me to try, giving me spoonful after spoonful of gelato-ey goodness.
Needless to say, I was happy. -
Review from Cindy B.
I have searched for good pistachio flavoured frozen treats, giving every one of them a chance, from Gelato Classico (and many other gelaterias, ice cream parlors) to Ben & Jerry at my local Safeway. Nothing compared to Gelateria della Palma, whose pistachio gelato mousse was a revelation. Mostly of the ones I tried are vanilla or sweet cream base with slight pistachio essence and some chopped nuts.
Until I found Michael 's. One sample spoonful and I know the search is over( until I move out of the Bay area). Other flavours are also great.
I love looking at the Red Mongo across street and wondering if those people knows what they are missing. Don't get me wrong, I love frozen yogurt too, but it just does not compare to the smoothness, richness and creaminess of a spoonful of gelato. -
Review from George B.
In the grand scheme of Croatian gelato places it's OK. It's a little pricey (as all ice cream places are) and the ice cream was good, but not amazing.
Extra point for the awesome balcony and homage to Toni Kukoc. -
Review from Selina C.
Sunnyvale, CA
I love the friendly old man who works here! But quite pricey for what you get. I'd skip this and go the grocery store to get my gelato fix if your wallet is thin. But you can't beat the ambience!
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Review from Alissa A.
I didn't much bat an eye after finishing this article published in the NYTimes earlier this week about the insanity of the rising cost of scoops (http://www.nytimes.com... )
Enter: Michaels. *Jaw drops* Yow! What happened here? It had been a while since I'd their gelato, tons of drool-worthy Naia flavors, all tempting but I am on a yogurt mission. Opting to mix it up from the usual stop I make on University Ave, I tasted tart & strawberry. Flavor: good. Texture: mediocre. Could be creamier.
For $3.55 for the smallest they offer, plus tax and 0.95/topping, there was no way. It's gotta be friggin' delicious (and possibly laced with crack. Dark chocolate is an equal substitute.). The issue is that they have copious amounts of artisanal, organic, perfectly-crafted competitors surrounding them from all sides so what are you proving by charging more?
At 4.75 for a small gelato with an additional 0.75 or so for a cone, I am lost. This is not Grom gelato either (yes, I've had it). Can someone explain?Listed in: Lactose. It's what's for…
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Review from David T.
Washington, DC
The nicest man in the world!!! I kid you not!!!
When we walked in, a jolly man just smiled and welcomed us in. Even though it was kind of busy, he maintained complete focus on us making us feel like we mattered! So awesome!
I got the mint-like flavor (bad at names) which was delish! Chilled on the balcony overseeing University Ave. Great way to spend post Christmas day! :D Thanks Michael!!! -
Review from Vicky C.
Fremont, CA
$6.75 for a cup of gelato? Okay , so it was good, I liked tasting and seeing the coffee beans for the Exporesso Gelato, and it was creamy and refreshing--but $6.75 seemed a little steep, even for that deliciousness.
I didn't get a chance to try the cafe seating upstairs, but the it looked very fun from the outside. It was a little chilly that night, and I wanted to be near the music anyways.
The live music on weekends is excellent--Pete is such a talented performer, and a friendly person. I requested "Aiko Aiko", one of my favorite songs, and his rendition was exciting and soulful.
Overall, I LIKED the gelato--I didn't LOVE it, and I can't help but think that I can get the same, great-tasting goodness elsewhere at a more affordable price. If I go back, it would be more for the music, than the gelato. -
Review from Leslie H.
Mmmmm, I am a sucker for Nocciola, and Michael's Gelato & Cafe does a really good one. There are many hazelnut bits and it isn't too sweet. I also tried their Giaduia (sp?) which is hazelnut with chocolate. The tiramisu looked pretty yummy, but I think I annoyed the owner enough with my multiple tasting requests. I'll just have to return another time to try it.
You can get one flavor in a small, two in a medium, and three in a large cup. A medium will cost you almost $6, but it's worth it on a warm summer day.
There is plenty of cafe-style seating, and the entrance to the shop is open so you can sneak in some discrete people-watching as you eat. Also, the proprietor is very nice about providing water when you get thirsty from all the sweets. -
Review from Doris T.
Brookline, MA
We were on a dessert tour of Palo Alto and our guide highly recommended this place. Really good gelato! I can still fell its taste in my mouth. If you are adventurous, try some of the unusual flavors. I liked the blood orange. The chocolate options were also delicious. My friend had the rose flavored gelato...ummm...nice, but I don't like the smell of flower in my mouth.
The place is nice and cozy and has a live music to add to the Croatian vibe. Nice touch! -
Review from Gopi V.
Fremont, CA
The milk chocolate and chocolate orange flaors are ok.
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Review from Jen K.
I am always a bit saddened when I really like the owner/staff, but can't quite get behind the product. This place is absolutely lovely if you take your gelato upstairs and eat on the balcony overlooking University Avenue. I was offered samples and ended up choosing a small, yet very expensive, bowl with two flavors.
Even though the service, location and environment aren't nearly as stellar, I prefer the gelato a few blocks away at Gelato Classico. -
Review from Daisy T.
OH. EM. GEE.
Best gelato... EVER!!!
There were so many flavors to choose from. Everything from lavender to espresso. There were even some sorbets to choose from.
I went for the espresso and stracciatella gelatos. Espresso had a strong espresso taste without being overpowering. Stracciatella is a vanilla gelato made with heavier cream and chocolate bits. This was just droolworthy. It was sweet and creamy and YUMMY!
I will totally come back here again for my gelato fix. Don't get sidetracked by Gelato Classico nearby. Michael's is definitely A+++!
love the gelato, had espresso and stracicella (sp?) -
Review from Jen H.
Agree with David T., they do you right wrt making you feel welcome. "I'm so glad to see you here!," the nice man says. Is that Michael himself? I don't know, but regardless, little things like that really make me happy to be a patron of a local business. Cookies & cream, yes please.
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Review from Emme N.
Fremont, CA
Decided to stop here on a whim, and happy that I did :) had the Chocolate Malt and Madagascar Vanilla, and it was a delicious combo. Also got to meet Michael - very friendly guy. Didn't feel rushed, and he gave me as many samples as I wanted to try.
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Review from Lolia S.
San Francisco, CA
Fro-yo girl here. I am reviewing the fro-yo here only, not the gelato which I assume (or hope for their sake) is much better than their Tart Tango Frozen Yogurt. They had two flavors of fro-yo - plain and orange. I could not imagine eating a cup of that orange fro-yo. It was horrible. Texture aside (it was on the icy side), it tasted like powdered orange drink mix. So artificial. Not tart at all. Bleagh.
As for the toppings, there is NO way that the fruit I saw was cut that day. It looked like it had been sitting there for a few days and the some of the mango and pineapple pieces had clearly started rotting (with black spots). The strawberries looked old too. The blueberries looked okay but it's harder to tell how old they are by looking at them. No mochi balls - they should have some since they wouldn't go bad as quickly as the fruit. Bryan K. was right - two stars would be generous. Very generous.
I realize this isn't a frozen yogurt shop but if you're going to offer something, you should make sure it's at least decent. The fruit was rotten. It makes me wonder about their gelato standards.
You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.Listed in: Fro-Yo Girl Speaks
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Review from Bryan K.
San Mateo, CA
There I was, standing outside Red Mango, minding my own business eating my froyo and checking out downtown Palo Alto. Across the street I see a "Now serving tart tango frozen yogurt" sign. I try to ignore it but I was curious. I walked around University then crossed the street. I peeked my head in the door but kept walking. I'll try this place next time I told myself. Fifteen steps later I turned around. I read the signage again. No way, you just finished your Red Mango froyo not a minute earlier I chided myself. Hmmmm, a moment of indecision in the middle of the sidewalk. Oh heck, I'll just take a look at what they have. That can't hurt now can it?
They have a variety of gelato, from various coffee and choc flavors to various fruit flavors. Oh wait, what? PASSION FRUIT GELATO! Okay Michael, you got me. I had to have it. I went to pay and I looked at the froyo options, plain tart and PASSION FRUIT too! Oh God, this is not gonna be pretty. I got half/half of both flavors. No mochi balls so I just stayed with no toppings. Please don't tell my mom that I just spent over 13 bucks on froyo in 15 minutes time.
The froyo was not very good, not so tart and definitely not creamy... seems like a modified version of their gelato. The passion fruit froyo had but a hint of passion fruit taste. 2 stars for the froyo would be generous.
The passion fruit gelato on the other hand was incredible. It tasted like you just cut open a lilikoi and started sucking on the seeds, yeah it was that tart. I was in love. I was in heaven. It was orgasmically good. I had to restrain myself from sucking it down and licking the cup.
If I'm ever in downtown Palo Alto again, you all can have your Red Mango froyo. I'm coming straight here for more passion fruit gelato. -
Review from Geoff D.
I brought my 2 and 4 year old sons in the other day for a little afternoon treat and was not disappointed. It's always hard to go wrong with gelato, but Michael's gets extra credit from me for four reasons:
1. My 4 year old is allergic to egg, so the owner/manager called his distributor on the spot to confirm which flavors were safe (chocolate and all sorbets passed the no-egg test as of this weekend). This might sound straightforward, but 8 of 10 times we go for ice cream the server can't be bothered to find a label, much less call anyone.
2. Along these same lines: the staff were all well-mannered adults. Seems like most ice-creameries are staffed by a disgruntled 15 year olds, so this is again a big plus.
3. Gorgeous interior with open storefront on our warm day. This is no baskin robbins.
4. The brightly colored gelato spoons make great lightsabers for those kids (or kids at heart) in your group.Listed in: Found it on Yelp
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Review from Amy R.
San Francisco, CA
If I were rating this place solely for the upstairs patio and the overall feel of the place, it'd probably be 5 stars...but the gelato itself was just average. I ordered the spumoni which I love...but theirs wasn't special. Why is The Old Spaghetti Factory the only place to get good spumoni?!
I went with a group and I had a great time. The bathroom was gross...but some other yelpies suggested that I give the guy a break on that one since it was very busy and he was working alone. So...if I go in there when it's less busy and the bathroom is like that again...that star is goin' down! -
Review from David P.
Thought I needed to check out one of the "in" fro-yo places in order to maintain my Yelp credentials. I was amazed by the crowds out the wahzoo at both Red Mango and Fraiche Yogurt, so I immediately hightailed it over to Michael's for some gelato.
Good variety. Very friendly, (occasionally over) accommodating Croatian (themed and) owned mom and pop shop.
As per my gripe with most local gelato shops, their smallest size is an overstuffed European cup for $3.75. Do Americans really want such large scoops instead of trying several smaller scoops of different flavors like found in Europe? They don't know what they're missing. -
Review from Hogan W.
Los Altos, CA
What a refreshing alternative to ice cream and froyo!
I haven't had gelato for over 3 years and it was time to revisit gelato again. It's been a beautiful Friday and what better way to bask in the afternoon weather and enjoy a cup of gelato! All these shops I've walked by and not given the time of day, finally, I'm starting to see the light.
I stopped by Michael's this afternoon and purchased a small cup of gelato. At $4.75 for a small, I was hoping for a bigger cup. Honestly, they can't compete with froyo shops in the area with the amount you get per serving and price, but only by taste. I chose Green Tea and Mango in my cup. It was a fruity delight. The gelato had a creamy texture and it can soothe your throat and leave a sweet light aftertaste. The mango flavor had little slivers of mango fruit. The green tea was strong with good substance. When the gentleman reached for a new empty cup, he picked one of the pink ones. I think he should've just gave me a blue one. But with the different colored gelatos, it didn't matter about the color until I finished eating everything. *Whew*
Overall, it was yummy! After consuming the cup, I thought it can be addicting at first, but just thinking about the price can put a damper making it a once in a while treat. Fitting nicely in the palm of your hand for a small cup, my word of advice is to eat the gelato outside or upstairs because the shop is definitely a sauna. Cheers!Listed in: Quick & Easy Drinks/Food
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Review from Ann L.
We went here after dinner on 9/12/07. Not sure if it was Michael that was there, but the dude was tall w/ wavy hair. He was yappy and just yapped and yapped to the couple that had already ordered when I came in. I was waiting for the mo-fo to shut up and help me but he didn't. He just yapped and yapped. Almost walked out but I wanted to try this place.
So the couple finally left and I was the only customer so he then helped me. I got to try 3 samples before I just got a flavor. Fig was ok, black cherry was ok, hazelnut was ok. Finally just picked Borgia in a small cup.
If u get a small cup u can Only get 1 flavor. Total was $3.75 Even.
It's like ice-cream and definitely doesn't taste like gelato. It's a Waste of Money. Best to go to Fraiche Yogurt instead for dessert.
Walked upstairs to check it out, looking down could see the mo-fo was wearing Flip Flops..Yuck!! Everyone knows that Flip Flops in any food establishment for the workers is a NO-NO..Hope they close down due to some Health Code Violation!!
Avoid at All Cost!Listed in: desserts
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Review from Jen E.
Fremont, CA
I just don't understand what all the fuss is about... I was compelled to review today because I just had the worst gelato I've ever had at Michael's Gelato & Cafe. I had the Zabilogne (sp??) and it was airy, and tasted like the crappy gelato in the freezer case at Trader Joe's. I actually only took about 10 bites and threw the rest out - NOT like me...
Yuk - won't go back... -
Review from Aspasia s.
San Francisco, CA
I have not tried the Gelato, but last night we hang out by the outdoor tables and listened to a gypsy from Yugoslavia play flamenco music and Gypsy King tunes. I was suddenly transported to somewhere else but not the Bay Area. As the passers-by paused, they did not hesitate to sway their hips.
During a fast paced Gypsy King tune, a tall, dark and handsome Indian man who lived in Paris took my hands and we danced on the sidewalk streets. At the end of the dance, he hurriedly kissed me on my cheeks and thanked me for the dance, "I'm late now for dinner with friends".
It was a magical evening at University Avenue last night. To the handsome dark knight, thank you for the Bollywood moment. -
Review from Wendy K.
I've been here so many times that I can't believe I hadn't yet reviewed it. Had you asked me several months ago, I would have given Michael's at least 4 stars for delicious gelato and a great location. It's a prime spot to people-watch from the upstairs balcony. I haven't had a bad experience here, and I've definitely brought other friends to try it out.
Today, I visited again with a friend, and I ordered a small hazelnut without looking at the price on the board -- I figured it was around $3.50.
When he handed me the gelato, and I asked the price, he said "$4.75."
My jaw dropped to the ground. "FOUR SEVENTY-FIVE FOR ONE SCOOP? Are you kidding me??"
It's good, but it's not that good.
And I was the sucker who bought it anyway. I asked if the price recently increased, since I'm sure I wouldn't have wanted to return had that been the price last time. He said no. He also said that his rent increased. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if he did increase the price to make up for the rent increase, but $4.75 for one scoop is way too high, even for University Ave.
I'm not sure I can justify a return visit at that price. But if you want to pay a small fortune for tasty gelato, go right ahead.Listed in: Daughter of a Dentist's Sweet…
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Review from Kristi K.
San Francisco, CA
Decisions, decisions... This is the place where I sat on the balcony with a friend eating tiny scoops of gelato and came up with an analogy of how picking gelato flavors is like dating. And no, I was not drinking at the time.
So far I've liked every flavor I've tried and there are quite a few to choose from. The little plastic cups are too cute, even though I sometimes fear for the environment when I think about it too hard.
The upstairs balcony is great for people watching!
