I spent last week in Italy, eating my way through a couple cities and visiting friends. The train connection afforded us a little layover in Milan, so I seized the opportunity to seek out that great mecca of gelato, Chocolat. As its name implies, they specialize in the chocolaty gelato flavors, including my all-time favorite, cioccolato al peperoncino.
I’m embarrassed to admit that in a year and a half of living in Milan, we never once made it to Chocolat. We had heard of the legendary great gelateria somewhere near Cadorna, and even wandered around the neighborhood hoping to stumble upon it once or twice, but our half-assed attempts always failed. We were just too busy devouring every other foodstuff that Milan had to offer, I suppose. But then I saw it mentioned on At Home in Rome a little while back, and took a sacred oath to find the place, dammit, on my next visit to Milan. And I did.
Chocolat didn’t disappoint. You could tell the place was good by the steady stream of local customers coming in for their gelato fix even in the middle of a cold, drizzly afternoon. Many gelaterias in Milan stop serving during the winter months, but I’m pretty sure this place would do some mean business on top of a glacier in the middle of a blizzard. I considered moving in, but they probably wouldn’t have appreciated that. But I’ll be back.
Yum. Nobody seems to be selling icecream yet here in SOUTH Italy. Still too wintery maybe? God, they’re weird these Italians!
What is “cioccolato al peperoncino?” Is it what it sounds like, spicy chocolate??
Yup, spicy chocolate. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Jul, this entry reminded me of when I was in Vienna 10 years ago and vowed to eat gelato “morning, noon and night.” My mates (Australian and American) laughed at me, saying I was going to put on the poundage, but I didn’t see how that was possible since we walked miles every day…anyway, I didn’t care!
So what happens? After the first two gelato stops, they joined in, of course! 🙂 Is there any sane person who doesn’t want pieces of Baci and chocolate truffle in their gelato? Thanks for sharing, brings back good memories. Mmm, mmm, mmm!
CaliforniaKat, I am in total agreement. It is entirely possible to eat gelato morning, noon, and night. Mmmm.
Hey, I found your blog in a roundabout way (we have a mutual friend Shelley) – you must have seen Chocolat mentioned on my blog for the Tour del Gelato! I’m going to take Shelley when she comes up since she’s never been. 🙂
There’s a list of other gelato places on the Tour del Gelato just in case you come again to Italy! Cheers, SARA
Hi Sara – sorry for not giving you proper credit as the source! It must have been through Shelley’s site that I saw your post. Good work. 🙂