Salute 2014!

Toast 2014 with Italian flair.  “Bubbly”, “champs”, “bubs”, pop media dubs champagne numerous coined phrases, chose the preferred reference and know a delectable addition is welcomed in the flute.  Gelato and sorbetto mini scoops drenched in prosecco (Italian similar bubbly) bring true taste to cheers with this New Year's Eve.  

Celebrating with extra special beverages contributes to decor and creates a magical element to the evening on NYE.  A supreme version of the cocktail named “Sunset Bubbly” is made by combining blood orange sorbetto with prosecco turning into a beautiful, refreshing, and unique drink both ideal and palatable for serving to any crowd.  Mario Batali creates an intriguing (thick) version  “Pomegranate Prosecco Gelatina”, a recipe that works well with any berry sorbetto with colors spot on for a holiday vibe.  

The variations are endless and stupendous, but in order to avoid having to narrow down the selection consider creating a punch bowl with multiple flavor scoops.  Arranging a self-serve bubbly bar is an excellent option for guests to create their own version and to present the same array to those refraining from spirits during the evening.  Place sparkling grape juice, water, or cider aside the prosecco for a spot on way to include all at the celebration.  

Ringing in the New Year holds tradition.  Parties vary from the utmost lavish to banging pots and pans in the kitchen with the family.  Enjoying a decadent beverage is deemed celebration worthy of any style of festivities lined up.  Regardless of plans this New Year’s Eve, toasting with a gelato/sorbetto induced luxury beverage is quite the means to embrace a sparkling outlook for 2014.  Salute 2014!

photo credit: Bon Appetit

What Hors d'oeuvres do you serve on NYE that pair well with champagne/prosecco?  

Gelato Cocktails

Ladies and gentlemen, let us celebrate in spirit with spirits of the sweetest variety this year.  One of the top elements to a holiday gathering is the beverage options, in order to create the most spectacular offerings serve a couple of signature cocktails that incorporate gelato.  Truly brighten the crowd and atmosphere with a gelato addition to a traditional Bellini or a dark stout beer.  

Giuseppe Cipriani the founder of Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy created the most famous champagne cocktail in the world, The Bellini, although it is made with prosecco.  A traditional Bellini is made with one part white peach puree to three parts prosecco. All items should be as cold as possible.  To create a memorable twist to the traditional Bellini serve all ingredients with a small scoop of peach sorbetto, blood orange sorbetto, or vanilla gelato right in the champagne flute.  The cold, sweetened, and colorful beverage will be a party favorite with the gelato and sorbetto adding an exceptional component to a delightful drink. Beyond the delectable taste, the color in the flute looks fabulous.



At Harry's Bar, photo courtesy of dailymail.co.uk

Options are encouraged when entertaining, so in addition to having a full bar of spirits and wine (or a selection of personal favorites) have another featured gelato cocktail, such as a dark stout beer float.  Offer chilled beer glasses filled with dark stout beer and in a make-your-own fashion present three flavors of gelato next to the poured beer. Hazelnut, caramel, or vanilla gelato is a flavor that complements the notes present in the dark beer.  If there is a full bar display then use the gelato in combination with after-dinner drinks such as Frangelico, a hazelnut liqueur from Northern Italy, or Sambuca, an Italian anise-flavored liqueur. Serve alongside or within an espresso, of course. 

Signature beverages display an extra effort for the host, a seemingly flawless plan to use the simple gelato drink preparations above to wow a crowd. Creating special cocktails with gelato will rally enthused guests and spike creativity, who knows, gelato margaritas could be on the menu at a friend’s Cinco-de-Mayo party, trendsetter!  Enjoying the festivities this season sweeter than ever before will keep a crowd smiling, saying “I’ll have another”, with  these glorious gelato cocktails.  Salute!

Elegant "Sundays"

On a day of rest, it’s time to treat yourself to a dessert that is a little more special. It’s called an affogato. This Italian coffee based drink combines two phenomenal Italian pleasures: espresso and gelato (how could you not?!).

Come to Pino Gelato and taste an affogato for yourself! We’ll create one specially for you with your choice of gelato and toppings! Once you’ve tried it and have the desire to be creative; take home your two favorite flavors of gelato and prepare to have some fun!

Here is our traditional affogato to help you get started:




Place two scoops of gelato in bowl or glass: 1 vanilla and 1 chocolate
(maybe 3 scoops... Just because you deserve it J )

Affogato (Italian for drown) the gelato in 2 shots of espresso.

Add some whipped cream (homemade preferably)


Drizzle your favorite toppings (nuts, fruit, chocolate syrup, etc…)







Grab a palettina spoon and Enjoy!

When you are finished licking your spoon.....

Tell us about your homemade affogatos!!!

Happy Anniversary to Pino Gelato Cafe in Cranberry Twp, PA!

You may have noticed that we often use the term "family" at Pino Gelato. Well, family did play a key role for Ron and Kim Kachman, who now owns the Pino Gelato Cafe in Cranberry township, Pennsylvania. While on a family vacation on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, one of their family member discovered Pino Gelato and introduced our gelato and concept to Ron and Kim. Then, they visited our corporate retail store in The Village at Wexford, met with John Jacobs and Ramona Fantini, and the rest was history.

A few month later, Dominic Leong was in Cranberry Twp, training a dozen college and high schools students who would work along side with Ron and Kim to bring the genuine taste of Italy to this great area, near Pittsburgh, PA. Ron and Kim invited friends and family to experience Pino Gelato and discover their new location in the Oak Tree Place shopping center on the night before the Grand Opening. The fun began when more than 50 VIP guests strolled through the cafe and tasted Pino gelato and sorbetto for the first time.

Since each Pino Gelato license is individually owned, Ron and Kim envisioned this full menu European style cafe, where patrons are served not only authentic gelato and sorbetto, but also a wide assortment of pastries and bakery goods. Customers need a little time to choose among the selection of soups and sandwiches on their lunch break. One may stop by anytime for a cold refreshment or hot beverage, even though it is hard to decide between the various specialty coffee drinks, hot chocolate, and chai teas.

Ron and Kim just celebrated their 6-month anniversary and launched new Italian-style sandwiches. And that did not go unnoticed, as national website RestaurantNews.com featured Pino Gelato cafe last week!

(click here or on the below image to view the full article)

So, congratulations to Ron and Kim and thank you to all of our loyal and new customers! 
 

Congratulazioni!