A Little Italy

Lick, slurp, chomp, swoon. Smackdab in the middle of summer, the timing is perfect for the grand opening of Stella Luna Café, Ottawa’s newest gelato shop.

Located on Bank Street in Old Ottawa South, Stella Luna Gelato is local resident Tammy Giuliani’s baby. Spurning pre-measured, powdered mixes, Tammy wanted to make gelato from simple, wholesome ingredients found locally. She travelled to Italy, the cradle of gelato making, to attend a program at an artisan gelato training centre. She returned fully trained and bursting to share her new-found talents and ideas with customers.

Apparently the best gelato is handcrafted and uses fresh whole milk, cane sugar, egg yolks (sometimes), and the best raw extras, including pistachios, hazelnuts, vanilla beans and fruit.

Stella Luna just opened on July 31 so you can be among the first to give it a try.

Although gelato is Stella Luna’s signature product, look for some special Italian treats like specialty coffees, panini sandwiches, sorbetto (fruit sorbets), frappés (made by blending freshly prepared gelato or sorbetto with milk) and granita Siciliana (like sorbet, but slightly grainier and more refreshing), not to mention crepes, waffles, pastries and even gelato cakes with seasonal ingredients—all made on site from scratch.

With seating for 40 and large kitchen style tables, there is plenty of room for your mom group and the kids. The shop is setting up an area around the back where you can park and lock up your stroller for carefree snacking inside.

We don’t know about you, but we can’t wait to try the coffee from a place that quotes this Italian proverb on its website: The ideal coffee should be / As black as the night, as hot as the sun / As pure as the moon, and as sweet as love.

Bring it on, Stella! Tested by Patti R., Ottawa

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