Tuttimelon

I came here after my hearty Puerto Rican meal. A bowl of fro-yo is not a bad treat after any meal. Agree?

I enjoyed eating at Tuttimelon and I think every U.S. city should have at least one or ten Tuttimelon shop(s). Hopefully my request may come true within the next few years.

This Downtown location is one of the smallest shop of the chain. When you think of the crowd dining at most Tuttimelons, you think of an Asian community. But this North Bay location has primarily families coming here afterschool, after baseball practice or bringing their kid(s) in their double-strollers on a warm weekend.

Upon my reasonable visit, there are four flavors:

-Original Tart (of course)
-Strawberry Tart
-Chocolate
-Peach

There are no specials at this location. So for $2.95, I get a five-ounce bowl of Peach. And for an additional $.95, I get the chewy Mochi balls as my lone topping. Peach is the top fruit of the summer and the peach flavored fro-yo tasted creamy and very sweet with good flavor. And the peach flavor is NOW my favorite fro-yo flavor from Tuttimelon.

If any fro-yo shops can top Tuttimelon's Peach flavor, I don't think it can be possible.

Wowie Zowie! It's been a loooooong time since I've tasted Gelato this good!!!! Gelato is just a fancy Italian name for ice cream, but at Tuttimelon, the emphasis is on FANCY!

I first spotted Tuttimelon last week after surviving a grueling hike in the hills surrounding San Rafael. Sadly, I had forgotten my wallet, and I would have felt uncomfortable to have gone in only for tastes and not purchased anything, so I waited until I had the cash to peruse and indulge my sense.

That being said, if I had gone in for tastes without my wallet, I would have probably been forced to rob the nearest bank in order to sate my tastebuds once I had tasted the savoury offerings! This place is a remarkable, tucked-away treasure, longing to be discovered.

This afternoon, I had a friend tag along and when we walked in, we were both impressed with the Jetsonian-style bar stools and chairs reminiscent fo the 60's. The main wall is waved in undulating white crests, anchored by transparent glass tiles in greens and blues. Classy staging!

The gelato and sorbet (think vegan), offerings (24 in all) are displayed in a freezer case, beckoning all to partake and indulge. Some of the flavours were relatively common, but among the more unusual were pumpkin pie, cookies and cream and royal burgandy cherry, but the most unusual flavors that caught my eye were honey lavender and caramel balsamic.

I asked for a sample (limit of two) of the honey lavender and immediately I was in love! Imagine a gelato treat with the main ingredient being the nectar of the gods, infused with the essence of lavender. G-rated words cannot describe the tantalising essence!

I next asked for a sample of the caramel balsamic. What an unusual combination and yet, it is a stunningly orchestrated blend of caramel with a hint of balsamic vinegar that will send your senses reeling. Wow! Where's the bread?

And if that were not enought, eight fresh fruit and fifteen confectionary toppings are offered to compliment and customize your choice. When you become a regular customer, they have a stamp card; buy eight and get one small yogurt free with two toppings.

Finally, as I finished my notes, I interviewed the manager. He said his store has been open for six months and Tuttimelon has expanded to six franchises in the Bay area. He humbly declined to give his name, identifying himself only as the Anonymous Manager of Tuttimelon of San Rafael.

But, he told me that gelatos and sorbets are not what started this company. He said it was the yogurt, and with that, he offered me a taste of their signature yougurt, a fresh, indulgent, whisp with hint of lemon. Wow again! Now THIS is what the gods feast upon.

Froyo and gelato performing at its peak perfection here!!!

It got pretty darn hot in the midst of a summer afternoon in Marin... Tutti was the way to make it all cool.

Things that caught my eye in gelatodom: ollallieberry + cabernet!!! coconut almond joy, pistachio nut, japanese black sesame, strawberry cheesecake.. waay outa this world.

My companion settled upon perfect lychee gelato and for yours truly, the plain tart froyo.

The viscosity and the smoothness, the tart and the sweet... oh so good. Flavorful and high quality ingredients, kissed with love. And now I love.... oooh!

The BF is great at translating Girl-Speak.

What I said:
"That was a good lunch. I ate just the right amount. But if you wanted to get some froyo I would be okay with that."

Translation:
"We must go to Tuttimelon. RIGHT NOW."

I am great at translating Guy-Speak.

What he said:
"I'd like a small froyo with original and pineapple and dark chocolate chips."

Translation:
"I'd like a small froyo with original and pineapple and dark chocolate chips."

I got the same thing because the BF has an uncanny knack for creating the best froyo and topping combos. This concoction was no exception. The Original Tart froyo went well with the sweet but not too sweet Pineapple flavored froyo and of course dark chocolate makes everything even better.

What I said:
"We are only six Tuttimelon stamps away from getting a freebie froyo!"

Translation:
"We will be going to Tuttimelon TOMORROW. And the day after that. And the day after that."

What he said:
"I can't believe you're planning your next froyo trip before you've finished eating that one."

Translation:
"I can't believe you're planning your next froyo trip before you've finished eating that one."

As I walk into this visually stunning parlor, I feel as though I am in Miami or South Beach. Half inch sized light ocean blue tiles cover the lower half of the wall then the upper half of the wall has a plaster of white waves. Nice! What is not to love about that and the recessed lighting, and the fabulous orange and white chairs, pristine white tables and the columns done in 1/2 inch tiles again, but in the hues of greens and browns. Oh yes, and the Neon Green back wall that ties this all in. The creative touch of one fresh lemon on each table, did NOT go unnoticed! This in Marin? WOW.

Ok, on to the scrumptuous goodies. There are over 24 Gelatos and they rotate out with other flavors. Creme Brulee, divine. Pistachio, meow!

The yogurts are mouth puckering fabulous. My favorite is the pomegranate with fresh mango topping.

They usually have 4 flavors of yogurts as well. Plus they have a myriad of toppings. From crumpled cookies, candies, granola, to delicious fresh fruit.

Their granola is house made, and they have a nice selection of organic teas. Plus smoothies and Yoggi drinks. All this, reasonably priced.

They have the nicest wait staff to boot!

What a wonderful addition to San Rafael. I was getting sad with so many businesses closing down on 4th. But this gem, makes me have a new sense of confidence for this sometimes weary town.

Oh gelato, gelato. Where art thou, my gelato.

The moment I step in this place I can't help but feel happy. The color scheme that greets me just instantly lifts my spirit. From the white wavy walls (and I mean wavy; they're made to look like waves or the swirl shape of their yogurt), the nice blue shade on the wall tiles to the brightly colored seats, everything just screams "be happy, no worries!"

Their gelato is everything you hope a gelato should be. Soft, creamy, delectable and oh so refreshing. They have a wide selection so I'm sure you'll find something here that will suit your taste buds. My fave flavors are the coffee and lemon.

Aside from the gelato, you must (MUST!) try the original tart yogurt. It's simply divine. The tart taste you're left with comes rolling in wave after wave. Classic! And if you wish to add a topping, then definitely go with the berries. The sweetness and tart in the berries go very well with the yogurt. I topped mine today with strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. Sensory overload! Oh, and did I mention the yogurt is FAT FREE, just 67 calories and is healthy?

Who knew dessert can be so good for you?

THE. HOLY. GRAIL.

I must confess, that ice cream and I are best friends. So, out of respect to my sweet & highly caloric best friend (even with all her faults, I love my friend) I have shunned frozen yogurt for many years. I thought that nothing could ever compare in deliciousness to ice cream. Boy, was I wrong!!

Tuttimelon is wonderful. Even though it's fat free, it doesn't have that tapioca-ish texture that fat free ice cream has. It has healthy probiotics, and tons of flavors that you will be hard pressed to find elsewhere.
Unfortunately, I cannot tell you about all the flavors and toppings they carry, since I was much too busy stuffing my face with Coconut-Almond Joy. You'll just have to come in for yourself : D

They get half a star off, because it was way too hot in there, much hotter than outside. A fan or two would be greatly appreciated.

After munching a nice thick veggie burger at Cafe Aroma, "The Diva" and I get a hunkering for sugar. This is no big surprise, as EVERY SINGLE TIME we go out and have food/beverages/tea and coffee, we seem the end the night highly sugarized and ready to rock. This night was like none other.

Offering tasty ass frozen yogurt, East Coast style (to me), is a treat. This means none of that overly sugary sweet fro-yo. This is the slightly sour frozen version, available in tasty and delectable flavors such as pomegranate, mango, and tasty tart original. Top this beautiful low calorie extravaganza off with mochi pieces, pomegranate seeds, and sweet slices of fresh strawberries. I'm sold.

We sat in the corner devouring our frigid delights in a cup while the staff cleaned up. They were kind enough to let us hang and enjoy our little cups of heaven and even asked us if we wanted to sample any of the gelato. That was a stupid question as she and I chimed in unison YES!!!! The balsamic caramel gelato is incredible. Tart and sweet and thick. Hmmmmm, sounds like I'm about to start writing the dialogue for a porn.....

Yogurt Guy: Want some sugar honey?

Me: Oh, YES....YES....YES....give it to me....MORE....MORE...thicker, bigger, MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yogurt Guy: Jesus Christ! My shit was thick and creamy, but it's looks even better the way you....oh....lick the.......lick the.... spoon.....oh.....OH SHIT...OH...OH SHIT................

Right about now is when I start to stare off and think to myself about all the times I've heard the same damn line.....

Sugar, sex, they're similar aren't they? Undeniably delicious when it's GOOD.....

Now if only he would have said something different in my mind then the proverbial "Oh, shit." I wish when men got excited they had something other to say than oh shit.....well whatever I guess.....but maybe they should just subscribe to dictionary.com and expand their horizons??????

Sidenote To My Elite Girl Miss Jackie B: I know you'll totally feel me on this one when you read it......

I came here after dinner last night with 6 of my good friends.
First off a hot asian guy helped us out. Major PLUS!! second, this location has gelato, unlike my usual irving street stop in SF.
As usual tuttimelon hit the spot. I got the original flavor with mochi. My friend got original with coconut pineapples and mochi. The combo was great!!!
So once again tuttimelon rocked my house! Loved it. We took all our great yogurts back to my friends house and chowed down as we watched TWILIGHT!!

I love the fact that this place has frozen yogurt and gelato at this place and I love the fact that it's within walking distance from my pad. The portions served are almost over the top, but then again, with fro-yo and gelato, this girl can never get enough! The frozen yogurt flavors are pretty standard but there were more than 20 different gelato flavors, and TONS of yummy toppings to complete the sugar overload.

Prices seem to be less expensive than other dessert shops in the area, which makes me say "Two Thumbs Up Baby!" Definitely recommended for a hot day.