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Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Coffee & Tea [Edit]
Neighborhood: East VillageTue-Thu. 1:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 1:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sun. 1:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
"The YOGURT WAR IS OVER in my opinion, this is THE BEST DAMN YOGURT PLACE IN TOWN!! It just opened on the corner of 4th ave. and G St. …" read more »
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By chance encounter, I just realized I had never given this place a review.
I felt it my civic duty to share with you all my glowing 5 star review of Mondo Gelato!
Of all the fro-yo chains, this is my favorite! It's not actually frozen yogurt, but gelato comes close enough to warm my heart (or freeze it, as the case may be)! It is magical. You can choose milk-based, soy-based or based of neither but still very much frozen! Not only that, but they have what must be 50 flavors each visit, always on immense and regular rotation!
My favorite flavors to have been featured have been CHOCOLATE BANANA, DARK CHOCOLATE ORANGE TRUFFLE, ROSE and WATERMELON. They make lovely milkshakes as well! Everything here has always been FLAWLESS!
The people working there are so accommodating, and like all cute Asians, very attractive. In fact, with the quasi-futuristic-yet-simplistic decor, it always feels like the attractive Asians running the place are scientific lab mice perfecting an experiment of gelato greatness! Kudos to them! They succeeded!
It really is the perfect place to cop a quick scoop.
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I'm so sad. I hate to do this especially with all the glowing reviews Mondo Gelato has received. I wanted coffee before a night of partying and Mondo Gelato was open and nearby.
It was the worst mocha I've ever had. There was no chocolate. Half of the cup was filled with foam. It was so disappointing. If I hadn't walked out, I would have asked him to remake it.
I did sample some of the gelatos - Lemon, Nutrella, and Lemon Cream. The consistency was different from other gelato places I've gone to. The Nutrella was light with a great Nutrella flavor. I didn't like the Lemon Cream. The Lemon was good. Mondo Gelato has a lot of variety including 2 Soy flavors.
The guy who helped me was nice but service isn't everything. I'll have to come back and try the gelatos but nothing else.
Milo-flavored gelato!!!! B-vitamin rich, Ovaltine-esque, Asia-based Nestle drink in frozen dessert form! Yippee!!!!
It was fun to taste. It tasted just like Milo, at least Filipino Milo, since I've heard that Milo tastes different from different Asian countries.
I ended up getting the Padres special, which was a scoop of peanut butter and a scoop of either milk or dark chocolate. After some significant fooding and drinking at Dirty Del's immediately before entering Mondo Gelato, I have to say that the Padres special totally hit the spot. It was like smooth and cold and creamy Reese's peanut butter cups! And did I mention the Padres special is three bucks? The Padres special is three bucks.
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Some people drink alcohol (or whatever) on a regular basis while I'm the type of guy that eats ice cream on a regular basis. Since it's impossible for me to tire from eating it, I thought I'd take a time out, hop the fence and enjoy it's close cousin, gelato.
I made the "mistake" of visiting Mondo Gelato (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) on a Wednesday which happens to be "Buy 1, Get 1 Free" day. That meant twice as much gelato for me! I ordered the stracciatella and was handed over a big pile (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) of it. Of course, with the little miniature miniature spoon I was provided with, it seemed to take me almost an hour to eat the whole thing. Which I gladly did.
I haven't tried the other gelato places around town YET although it seemed to be on par with the gelato that I've had in Europe (which was about a month ago). Ice cream, just because I have a thing for your cousin doesn't mean that I've forgotten about you. You'll forever be my number one but Gelato will always hold a special place in my heart, I mean stomach, as well.
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This place has awesome gelato in affordable prices. I had the Mondo cup (their largest cup with 6 flavors) which was 7.50. I got the After 8 Mint, Oreo, Tiramisu, Strawberry, Hawaiian Delight, i think, and Green Tea. All were good, my favorite though was After 8 Mint, which left me with a great aftertaste in my mouth.
Come in during Wednesdays, it's Buy 1, Get Free night.
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I was fiending for some lime Gelato a little while back when I was downtown.
Place was desserted (get it dessert-ted?) Anyway, the nice dude behind the counter let me try a few flavors and ended up getting Lime and Lemon Gelato.
Shouldn't have though, too much of one taste is never good.
All in all it was a good experience. I think Wednesday afternoons it's buy one get one free.
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It happens to be located just next to my condo, so thats convenient. Love the multiple different and sometimes very exotic flavors.
I often go for the coffee, and recently tried the tirami su ice cream.
Always very generously served even when ordering the piccolo cup...
When I saw that they had Milo gelato, I was immediately excited. With my blinders already up, I was set on the Milo until I was given the option of doubling up on flavors. So in an effort to remain mainstream with a hint of "fobbing out," (c'mon, I got Milo-flavored gelato!), I asked for helping of hazelnut. And oh, what a pairing.
I've never had gelato before, but I am glad that I came here for my first time because I doubt that any experience could be as good as this.
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everytime i go to San Diego with friends, we always end up here because the gelato is so good! I thought it would be whatevers since its a chain (apparently a big famous one from canada), but it was really good. The guys behind the counter actually care about their products.... which is very unlike most of the other places in san diego where you wonder if the owners even eat their own food. But this place has a lot of selections, makes the kids happy, and even better, it makes the ladies go wild.
GO MONDO!
This is the place where I had my Gelato cherry popped. I came here with friends on a Wednesday when it was buy one get one free but that was out because the Padres were playing. Overall it had a lot of Gelato flavors and that amazes me on their creativity. The staff are very friendly and I hope when you read this you will bring them business.
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Love the gelato at mondo gelato. Traveled around Italy eating at every gelateria I passed (that's a lot of gelato!) and the gelato at mondo gelato is on par. The texture is not too soft, the selection is broad and I like how artful the presentation is.
I definitely prefer some flavors more than others. I highly recommend trying the biscotti, pistachio, and any of the hazelnut-y ones. The fruit flavors in the gelato are very intense, and true to the fruit. Couldn't believe that they had "milo" flavored gelato! Tried rose flavored...that might be more of an acquired taste, because it was a lot like eating potpourri, but it really did taste like rose!
Parking can be difficult (especially when the padres are playing) but the gelato is good, the employees are really nice and helpful, and I believe taking home a half liter (or full liter) is a better deal than getting just a cup.
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Gelato is always such a decadent treat. It's so smooth and creamy and full of flavor. It's everything that ice cream wishes it could be. The husband and I stopped here before we went to the ballgame and we found such relief inside considering the blazing temperature outside.
The selection of gelato was generous, with lots of fruit flavors along with plenty of "standard" chocolate type flavors. The instant I saw the peanut butter though, I was sold. I didn't even need a sample. I promptly got a scoop of the PB and a scoop of the dark chocolate, and what a divine combination that was. The chocolate was pretty good, but I could sing the praises of the Peanut Butter gelato here for the rest of my life. I have never experienced gelato so smooth and creamy and rich. The flavor was intense and perfectly blended. Man oh man.
If you happen to be in San Diego, or Waikiki Beach (the only other location I know of) you should definitely try the gelato here. I guarantee you will love it.
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I'm all for gelato but this place didn't have that umph that I was looking for. Came here close to closing and thought that I had missed out but the guys that were working were really cool and told me to come in. They have lots of flavors so do your research before hand so you don't piss off the person behind you.
I had ordered the tiramisu and I'm no gelato expert but I didn't expect it to be so creamy. I expected the flavor to be richer but it was faint. I was so looking forward to loving this place but sorry, no.
It's a small comfortable store and the customer service was excellent. The guys were very helpful and didn't rush me being so close to closing. Kudos on that. I'll probably try another time and hopefully be proven wrong.
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Yum! Bonus points for the guy behind the counter last night.
They have tons of flavors here. I got a scoop of the Stracciatella and it was mighty tasty. The flavor that really surprised me was the "Vitamin A.C.E (I think)". As my buddy Andrew B pointed out, tasted like a Flintstone Vitamin. So good!
I liked the leather couches they have here too. I'm tempted to post a pic of me and two complete strangers sitting on one, but I won't. Things were pretty crazy last night.
Try and find my recommendation on the bulletin board!
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Italian lesson:
Abbondanza! That's Italian for abundance, and Mondo's got an abundance of gelato!
Quattro stelle! That means four stars and it means I'm a fan!
Mondo Gelato hooked us Yelpers up with free gelato after the Art of Awesomeness party last week and I have to say that it was pretty damn good stuff. They have a huge selection of gelato in both dairy and non-dairy versions and sorbetto.
We got to taste a few of them and I finally decided on the Stracciatella which was a white vanilla base with chocolate shavings in it. Totally scrumptious. Astrid had the Pumpkin gelato that tasted just like a pumpkin pie!
I will definitely hit up Mondo Gelato again when I'm down that way.
Grazie Mondo Gelato!
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This East Village gem is the best gelato place in the downtown area. Aside from excellent gelato, the service here is really what sets it apart.
They are always happy to let you try multiple flavors and they have a bulletin board by the door where you can write suggestions or ask questions and the owners will reply...there are some funny back-and-forths.
I believe they also have soy or vegan gelato if you are into that...I would rather just go eat some grass or dirt but to each his own.
A good thing to try is the 'affrogato' (I think this is what it's called). This is gelato with fresh brewed espresso poured over it...delicious!
Oh, but don't get the milkshake...they are gross. It is my fault for ordering one, gelato isn't made for milkshakes the way that ice cream is.
# TIMES VISITED: 12
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Okay, a place that offers both Milo and Horlicks flavored gelato? Being Filipino, and growing up on Milo...the taste is just right. The gelato's not too dense. Milo gelato alone earns 5 stars. So I wish I had some extra stars to give for the hazelnut, tiramisu and dark chocolate gelato, too. Oh, and don't forget: gelato affogato (gelato with a shot of espresso), you can get gelato to take home, there's a nice couch to sit on with a magazine of tables, and the cute little Filipino boy at the counter is really nice and helpful :-)
OMG, I'm so going back. A LOT.
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So I confess, I had this for dinner last night. (benefit #14 of adulthood)
Don't worry I pulled an extra 15 mins of cardio this morning as punishment.
The place is quiet and cozy. (tables + chairs and this sofa with coffee table)
I would love to do my hw here but not the best idea. Although the Starbucks on the same block might work.
Staff was nice, looks like its owner operated.
Let me try whatever I wanted. Two scoops a cup, I did dark chocolate and Vanilla Bean. I wasn't in the fruity mood, maybe next time.
dark chocolate-tasted soooo good/rich.
vanilla bean- eh. the dark chocolate was too overpowering for the vanilla i guess.
They're def will be a next.
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Vitamin A.C.E. Period. Just get it. Really. Trust me. What, you don't trust me? I know you don't know me, but it's good, really....
This place is great because it's strategically located between my condo and any number of bars/restaurants that I visit frequently so it often serves as a nightcap on the way home. I'm not exactly a gelato aficionado (pardon the integration of a Spanish noun), but it tastes great to me.
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Mondo Gelato has a lot going for them. The service is always friendly, and the guys running the store are really great and extremely hard working (extra bonus for being eye candy ;) ). On top of that, I do appreciate how Mondo has a large array of flavors: from the traditional (hazelnut!) to the exotic (sesame and guinness?!).
But my issue with Mondo is the texture. Gelato should have a texture that's dense yet smooth... but Mondo's gelato tends to be rather runny and with a texture more like ice cream than the smooth almost genache like texture I've had from other gelato. So maybe Mondo would get more stars if it was called ice cream instead of gelato.
However, I'll be coming back to Mondo, mostly because no other ice cream joint serves flavors like black sesame, green tea, and milo (a throwback to my filipino childhood) along with the expected hazelnut and stracciatella.
Oh, and did I mention the guys are eye candy? =P
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I got my free Gelato here after the Yelp party... It was damn good... I had the tiramisu flavor... The workers/owners? seemed pretty cool too... They were really nice and the store is really clean and inviting.
The couches are plush and way chill to cozy into for a gelato nosh.
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Maybe it's just me, but it seems like most gelatos that I have had recently sort of blend together. None have been bad but none of them stand out either. With ice cream, there is a big difference between the ice cream you get in a gallon container and the kind that comes in pints. There are some places that make thick, flavorable, unique ice cream but when it comes to gelato I feel like the flavors are standard issue and the differences minimal.
This place gets points because they were giving out free gelato to the yelpers after the event at Basic and the people working there were super friendly. The tirmasu was good and I am curious to try a gelato shake.
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I really like this place. I love gelato even though I haven't tried a lot in San Diego (I've tried it in France and Italy though. Does that give me more authority?). I think the gelato here is better than Gelato Vero. The workers have always been very friendly to me and willing to let me sample as many flavors as I like. I love the pistachio. I tried it combined with the pumpkin and I think that's a good mix. Milo flavor makes me happy.
The gelato is really good, but I'll reserve five stars for after I try more of the gelato places in San Diego.
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After having some Tacos El Gordo and taking my sister shopping at Plaza Bonita-
my best friend, sister and I decided to get some dessert.
It was a toss up between Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (for Chocolate Dipped Cheesecake) or Mondo Gelato.
Mondo Gelato it is!
This place is airy and brightly lit...and it was nice that you don't have to put coins in the parking meter on holidays or after 6pm (thanks to the guy who tipped me off before I put coins in).
Tabitha- thank you for being so accomodating and friendly...the hazelnut/Nutella gelato was great.
If only they had hazelnut flavored ice cream at the grocery store...
*sigh*
:P
------------------------
Sidenote:
They have free wifi. ALWAYS a good thing :)
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I never steer from my usual hazelnut gelato...but was pleasantly surprised by the soy strawberry! YUMMY! In fact, they have a whole case of non-dairy flavors...I will have to bring my vegan friend Jackie to try...
I will definitely come back whenever I'm in the area!!!!!!! YIPPEE!
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Gelato is one of my favorite indulgences and Mondo Gelato serves up the best example by far. Using only the freshest ingredients to whip up the most authentic flavors on this side of the Atlantic Ocean, these guys know how to satisfy my sweet tooth for silky indulgences.
Sharing a serving with a friend this evening, we decided to go with her favorite Vitamin A.C.E. and my stracciatella, essentially the chocolate chip ice cream of the gelato world. I had never tried the tart and tangy A.C.E., but it was surprisingly refreshing. Containing vitamins A, C, and E from oranges, lemons, and carrots, even the most conscientious calorie counter can indulge in the guilt-free Italian ice. As always, the stracciatella was extremely rich and smooth as silk. I don't know where they get their chocolate, but it is phenomenal in this creamy combination.
Though it may be a long drive downtown, and possibly require several laps around the block in search of parking, Mondo Gelato is definitely worth the trip. Like at the Cheers bar, you can rest assured that fellas behind this remarkable neighborhood gelateria will know your name, and always offer fantastic, personalized service.
Food: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Price: $
Atmosphere: 8/10
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During my last visit, I found my gelato to be a little icy but it appeared to be fresh...better than Gelato Vero. I did like the fact that they have soy for my no-diary friend. They have no unique flavors.
I finally got my butt down to Mondo Gelato after seeing many reviews for this place. I have been by this place so many times but it was always after I had eaten too much to leave room for dessert!
After the Padres game yesterday, we decided we needed a little treat to cool us off. I suggested (or more like forced us to go) Mondo Gelato. I was so excited to get some and I almost couldn't make up my mind. They had so many good flavors, including soy gelato. I never get the fruit ones because I always seem to be in a chocolate or sweet mood. I got the Padres special with dark chocolate and peanut butter. It was so tasty! I kept eying the case with the other flavors and decided to do a little taste of the kiwi before we left. That is the flavor to get on a hot day! It was so refreshing. I would mix that with raspberry and it would be better!
The place is located right across from Bar Basic (which I love) and you can see the ballpark too. It's small, but quaint. It has modern furnishings and art on the walls. It's super clean and the service is very friendly. I would go back 1000 times! Love gelato and love this place. I could possibly say it is the best I've had anywhere in the US. I had it in Italy as much as I could. It was close in quality and I am already dying to go back!
People thought this was:
I can't believe I haven't rated this place yet!
Mondo Gelato is pretty good. I love that fact that they are open till midnight and I can go in and have dessert and know it's gonna be good.
Their service is really awesome and the staff is really friendly. My friend sampled a bunch of flavors and they didn't seem to mind.
I really dig the lemon and rose flavors. I can't wait to try the rest. I also like how they scoop it up into perfect little balls of gelato. I've been to other places before where it drips all over the place and that's not a very cute sight.
and parking is pretty easy to find :)
go mondo!
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So far this is the only Gelato place downtown that (I've found) has soy Gelato. I have a *slight* intolerance to lactose that can have it's good days and it's bad days and it's nice to know that I can get soy Gelato here and avoid making that particular day a *bad* day.
In addition to having the traditional flavors like stacciatella, hazelnut and canoli, they have cheerful, fun choices like prosecco and off-the-beaten-path persimmon (both most enjoyable, even together in the same cup). Variety is the spice of life and Mondo provides that with a smile.
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Mondo Gelato is a delicious haven of tasty goodness in the heart of downtown.
I'd heard quite a bit about the place from others, but after meeting Nat, who is not only a Yelper but a fellow Roosevelt College alum, how could one not want to visit?
Stopping by after the Yelp soiree at Zanzibar made for a delicious afterparty. I had my gelato cup be half Red Wine and half Tiramisu. Both were fantastic. I also sampled the Pumpkin, Sesame, and Hawaiian, and they were all absolutely perfectly done.
Nat and Kat (who cheerfully serves behind the counter) are both friendly, upbeat, amazingly energetic folk. The store is clean, brightly lit and very accomodating. If I ever find myself downtown, I'll be sure to try to swing by Mondo again.
Great work, Nat.
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I had the delight of sampling almost every flavor available (including St. Patty's Day approved 'Guinness' gelato!), and I am proud to say I personally know one of the owners. That said, all bias aside, I would give Mondo Gelato 5 Stars and here's why:
The Gelato is absolutely divine. My personal favorite would have to be the Biscotti flavor, perfectly blended with chocolate and bits of cookie. Runner up is A.C.E. (vitamin A, C, E), a distinctly orange gelato made with orange, carrots, and lemon. I definitely love that they offer soy gelato choices as well.
There is plenty of seating indoors and some tables outside, perfect for the sunny San Diego weather. Overall, this place is inviting and sparkling clean. Love the little touches like the tea lights on the tables, and the orchids on the counter.
Mondo Gelato is located right next to Petco Park, and a couple blocks away from trendy Gaslamp. Street parking wasn't a nightmare, and there is always the option of parking in the adjacent parking garage. They open late- 12am on Fri/Sat.
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This place gave me my first experience with gelato. I definitely understand what the big deal is. This is tasty!
After the Yelpers left the event at Zanzibar we descended on Mondo Gelato like a swarm of locusts. But they were so on top of things it wasn't long before our whole big group had cups of gelato in our hands and spoons of it in our mouths. They have a great selection of flavors. I must have been feeling ill, because I wasn't in the mood for chocolate, so instead I got pear and plum. Both were delicious and while the flavor was intense they weren't too sweet. Exactly what I'd been looking for. I found them refreshing. A few people were kind enough to let me sample what they got and so I've got some ideas for next time. =]
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Lactose-intolerants, unite! Finally a gelato place that has a whole freezer full of non-diary gelato!
Customer service is excellent. Great selection.. all sort of delicious flavors. Even tho I am lactose challenged, I tried the Bacio and (I forgot the name) coconut gelato. Well worth the gassiness! :)
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My favorite guilty pleasure.
Try the biscotti or my new favorite, lemon cream...yummmmmm.... might have to dash over and grab one today :)
MMMM...SO EFFEN GOOD!
I love yogurt and Ice Cweam, but it, does not love me.
So what to do about the gas, I mean, the lactose intolerance?
"Here, try this. This one is good, too. This is our most popular."
I had no idea I was sampling soy gelato! This stuff is amazing! Different texture, but if it wasn't for that, I would have never guessed it was soy.
"I'll take the pistachio, OH, and the mocha!"
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Mondo Gelato is the perfect treat for a warm evening. Step inside and prepare to be overwhelmed by the tough job of deciding on what flavor(s) you want to try. The very nice man who was working behind the counter encouraged us to try as many flavors as we wanted. Even choosing that was tough! Everything I tried was exceptionally delicious. My favorites, so far, are orange chocolate and gianduia.
We had a coupon so our total was on $3.75, which was less than their $7.50 minimum for credit card purchases, but that nice, patient employee let it slide.
Love the gelato! Love the selection! Love the customer service!
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I stopped by here this evening after the Phillies spanked the Padres - Go Phillies! Well, spanked meaning 1 - 0. Anyway, they stay open late on game days - that's a plus. And they have a post game special of two scoops for $3.
Mondo Gelato has a decent selection of gelatos with your typical and not-so-typical offerings. Chocolate, Pistachio, Amaretto. They also do some nice combinations like Orange Chocolate.
Overall, decent gelato. The temps of the different gelatos were inconsistent. I had two scoops and the consistency varied. One scoop was very chilled and firm. The other scoop was mushy...
I'll keep this in mind for future post-ball game snacks.
best gelato in the gaslamp/east village!!!! the guys are super nice and it's the best selection of regular and dairy-free flavors. great place!!!
Mmm is all I can say about this place. It's right by Petco Park so if you're ever around the area make sure to stop by. They're open til 10 Sunday-Thursday and midnight on Friday and Saturday.
Biscotti is by far my favorite. The people are really nice you can ask for sample of the flavors. All of which are made daily. They have a large selection of dairy based Gelatos. But for the people who can't have any dairy they have sorbettos and what not.
They also have wireless internet, comfy couches and cool paintings for sale too.
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