Bella Fresco’s local gelato: Pretty cool
When I have a yen for gelato, I have to resolve the craving in under 15 minutes.
Which forces me, who lives in deep South Charlotte, to eliminate the new Publix in SouthEnd and Va da Vie Gelato all the way in Park Road Shopping Center
Thankfully, I happen to live near one of the best places for this anytime dessert: Bella Fresco Café and Gelateria in the Arboretum.
The restaurant, just 1 year old May 1, is the only gelato wholesaler in Charlotte. Plus it has a menu of Greek and Italian lunch items so you can tell your mom – yes, I ate a raw tomato today – although it was stuffed into a pita stuffed with lamb meat. With a side of sweet potato fries and fresh tzatziki sauce.
Gyro good lunch friend, gyro. #bellafrescocafe
A photo posted by @lookitsjoanne on Apr 22, 2015 at 10:47am PDT
//><!--After a delightful Mediterranean lunch, you’re ready for gelato. I wish I could tell you how many flavors of gelato the restaurant offers, but it changes by the week, sometimes by the day.//--><!
So many flavors, so little time. #bellafrescocafe A photo posted by @lookitsjoanne on Apr 22, 2015 at 10:55am PDT
I usually get a small cup of Nutella flavor mixed with Hazelnut. Cannoli flavor is also divine since it has all the elements, just crushed up: cannoli shell, ricotta and chocolate chips.
The flavors live up to the names. That’s why I gambled on a new romance one recent afternoon: Macadamia Cookie and Chocolate Chip. One free sample told me this was true love.
Love at first taste: Macadamia Cookie and Chocolate Chips. #bellafrescocafe
A photo posted by @lookitsjoanne on Apr 22, 2015 at 10:57am
Gelato is almost the perfect lunch date, but like some people who need to stay under an umbrella, you can’t leave it in the sun too long. There is no slow-eating gelato in the sun.
Gelato, my friend. #bellafrescocafe A photo posted by @lookitsjoanne on Apr 22, 2015 at 11:17am PDT
So dine al fresco. Look pretty cool. Bring plenty of napkins.
Working against melting. #bellafrescocafe
A video posted by @lookitsjoanne on Apr 22, 2015 at 11:28am PDT
Photo: Charlotte Observer file photo
This story was originally published April 28, 2015 at 1:41 PM with the headline "Bella Fresco’s local gelato: Pretty cool."