Mini-Review: Mario's Gelati

In summer, there's no place like Mario's Gelati for a cool scoop of flavour-packed gelato.

I love walking into the store with great anticipation and indecision, as Mario's offers 72 flavours of gelati, sorbetti, ice creams and frozen yogurt. The good thing is that you don't have to decide right away...you can sample as many flavours as you like before deciding.

The flavours are imaginative, vivid and intense. The flavours available range from basic vanilla or strawberry to funky ones like viagra to Asian influenced ones like red bean, durian (stinky!) or green tea. My favourites are pear (tastes like a cross between a juicy ripe pear and light cream!) and hedgehog (chocolate and hazelnut). There's bound to be a flavour for everyone!

Mario's sells gelati by the scoop as well as in cartons to take home. They also carry desserts such as tartufo, bacio, hedgehog shaped gelato and great ice cream cakes. The cafe also offers pastries, panini and beverages for those who aren't in the mood for gelato.

Mario's Amato Cafe 78 East 1st Avenue (at Quebec St.), 879-9011