Ice cream is a very common, classic, trivial dessert, right? I don’t need a reason to have an ice cream, even if it’s not hot. I have already mentioned here that one of my favorite ice creams is Salted Caramel from Talenti, which can be found in any supermarket or pharmacy. In addition, New York has varied options of ice cream shops – in and also countless carts that invade the streets and parks during the summer. But no ice cream shop has won my heart as Il Laboratorio del Gelato
Il Laboratorio del Gelato serves about 200 flavors at its location in the Lower East Side – and beyond the classic and traditional flavors to which we are used to, the place also has other, super unusual. Do you want some examples? Olive oil, sweet potato, red beans, rosemary, basil, ricotta, avocado, beet … That’s the reason of the name “laboratory”, where chefs and caterers are encouraged and welcomed to work with them to develop unique flavors for their individual menus. The place provides ice cream to restaurants in the city, who use the product in their desserts. Obviously, the offer of flavors varies according to the day and the time of year, but there is always a varied mix of ice cream and sorbet (which does not have milk, ideal for those who are vegan or lactose intolerant). Another super cool thing about the place is that they give preference to organic and locally sourced ingredients, coming from New York State farms, which ensures an always fresh ice cream!
The owner, Jon Snyder, started his passion for ice cream as a child at his grandparent’s ice cream store in Westchester. At 19, the passion erupted during a visit to Italy when he encountered gelato and he returned home obsessed with bringing the unique Italian method to NYC.
I have been at Il Laboratorio del Gelato for the first time yet in winter, because Martha Sachser invited me (she also took the photos of this post!). At that time, I tried the ricotta and chocolate ice cream. Very important to note that I do not like chocolate ice cream – but this is THE BEST! It looked like a mousse, so creamy! And the ricotta was super light. Last Saturday, I brinh my husband Thiago to see the place and I chose two more not to be missed: Green tea and Salted Caramel. The two flavors costs $4.25. Il Laboratorio del Gelato opens year-round – and I don’t think anyone needs to make excuses to go there. It is next to the Katz Delicatessen, in the Lower East Side neighborhood, a super cool region of the city! Check out all the flavors here.
Address: 188 Ludlow St.
Laura Peruchi is a Brazilian blogger, author, and entrepreneur. She has lived in Manhattan with her husband since 2014. Since then, she has shared on her blog varied content about the Big Apple. From travel tips, including unusual things to do, shopping tips, etiquette, restaurants, and a lot more, her blog has become a reference in Portuguese (also available in English) for anyone planning a trip to New York City.
