Dolce Spazio Gelato
Gelato always puts a smile on everyone's face.
Dolce Spazio Gelato
Gelato always puts a smile on everyone's face.

One of my happiest memories is associated with the creamy, cold, and intensely-flavored Italian version of ice cream, gelato. I was in Ottawa Canada strolling downtown on a hot summer evening when I noticed long line emerging from a small colorful shop called, “Piccolo Grande”. Curious to see what was worth waiting in such a long line for, I asked the girl at the end of the line what the commotion was all about. It turned out this was a regular occurrence, everyone was seeking a scoop of cold gelato from the summer heat and humidity.

Having never tried gelato, I curiously waited in line. When I got to the the front, I was confronted with a multitude of flavors to choose from. Because gelato has to be consumed within a couple of days of making it, most gelato places make their own and this place was no exception. That summer, I must have consumed gallons of gelato, trying out different flavors each time I paid a visit.

My favorites? I loved Bacio and Amaretto, however my favorites were the fruit flavors such as pineapple and pear. Part of the experience is getting a couple of flavors in a cup and trying each one out.

I find gelato represents flavors with more intensity than ice cream. I like gelato with lower sugar content so the fruit, nut or chocolate flavors stand out. Gelato also contains less butterfat, about 4-8% compared to ice cream’s 14% butterfat content.

Gelato typically contains 4-8% butterfat, versus 14% for many ice creams. Gelato generally has slightly lower sugar content, averaging between 16-22% versus approximately 21% for most ice creams.

Lower sugar, lower fat and oh so much more delicious. What is not to love?

Dolce Spazio Gelato, Los Gatos: I love the sapphire colored sky with the silhouettes of old Redwoods and smokey clouds.

Now that I reside in the SF Bay Area, one of the places I like to visit for gelato is Dolce Spazio in Los Gatos. They don’t have as many flavors as Piccolo Grande, nor do they have all the classic Italian flavors. Dolce Spazio has more of the fun flavors mixed in with Oreos (eg. Oreogasmint, Oreovation) or other popular candy bars.

Pretty busy for a cool night in late October.

For my last visit, I ordered a scoop of vanilla and a scoop of strawberry. The treat was refreshing and I loved the texture of the gelato which would stretch out as I took a spoonful. One of my favorite parts of the Dolce Spazio gelato is the thin triangular wafer they stick into each order of gelato. It goes so well with the gelato.

Vanilla and strawberry gelato. I love the waffle wedge they stick in the gelato.
If you need to warm up after a cold gelato, how about a flavored coffee or latte?
If you are one of the few people who don't like gelato, no problem, plenty of other snacks here. The chocolate and carrot cake both look heavenly.

During the summer, the outdoor patio in the back is a wonderful spot to enjoy your gelato.

Dolce Spazio Dessert Cafe
221 North Santa Cruz Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95030-7206

website: www.dolcespazio.com
phone: (408) 395-1335

Loni Stark
Loni Stark is an artist at Atelier Stark, self-professed foodie, and adventure travel seeker who has a lifelong passion for technology’s impact on business and creativity. She collaborates with Clinton Stark on video projects for Atelier Stark Films. It’s been said her laugh can be heard from San Jose all the way up to the Golden Gate Bridge. She makes no claims to super powers, although sushi is definitely her Kryptonite.