gelato...

i did not know what real gelato was until now.  whatever i thought was gelato was completely wrong.  this cold american iced cream i had been having in america, or even worse, that supermarket jarred stuff is a complete bastardization of what real gelato is.  which ironically has a similar description to creamy cold iced cream...but real gelato...the stuff i had that beautiful afternoon in vico morcote switzerland absolutely blew my mind.  this borderline soupy custardy cool savory dessert that immediately coats your tongue dispersing a rich luscious pistachio intensity down your throat.  it is absolutely amazing.  

ristorante la sorgente - (the food was quite spectacular too.  deconstructed eggplant parmigiana with a chilled tomato mouse...and then this grilled octopus over hummus dish, so tender and so carefully constructed that the slightest bite of tomato with a tad of olive tapenade with each bite was perfectly conjoined with the crunch of the prawn cracker for a textural crunch.  great place, great view. great food)

and then there's this artisan gelateria paganelli near the gioia stop in milano...so many unconventional flavors and the special wine sherbet creation by the owner franck.  start with the red wine sherbet as an appetizer.  move to the pignoli and stratchiatella for main course...go have dinner...and then come back from another duo serving of chocolate and cumin....cookie on top?  YES PLEASE!