Gelato: Finding Italy's Best Gelaterias (Happy Belly Guides) [Paperback]

Michael McGarry (Author)

Book Description

Series: Happy Belly Guides | Publication Date: June 15, 2004

Gelato contains reviews of over fifty of the best gelaterias in Italy's most visited cities. Additional Gelato Lore sections explore the history and myths surrounding this long-revered treat and Tips & Info sections assist readers on a variety of gelato-related matters, including how to spot a worthwhile gelateria and an explanation of the differences between gelato and ice cream. With 4-color photographs and illustrations throughout, this book is truly gelato for the eyes. Whether recommending the sublime riso (rice) gelato at Florence's beloved Vivoli or the breathtaking view of Capri from Naples' Bilancioni, each entry presents up-to-date information for travelers looking to optimize their gelato consumption, while enjoying an authentic Italian custom. Stories range from Nero's quest for snow from remote mountains to how a Tuscan chicken farmer helped introduce gelato to France.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...descriptions of eye-popping flavors. beautiful pictures. colorful layout. useful for the gelato enthusiast and the armchair sweet-tooth alike. -- Magazine of La Cucina Italiana

One of this year’s "top picks...a savvy and ever-so-stylish guide to the best gelaterie in Italy." -- Gourmet - November, 2004

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Fancy Pants Press (June 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974911801
• ISBN-13: 978-0974911809
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 4.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,828,341 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ice Cream Convert, September 15, 2004

By 

Mark Krajan (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gelato: Finding Italy's Best Gelaterias (Happy Belly Guides) (Paperback)

I was what you call a hardcore ice cream addict, eating a pint a day at my height. I owned 2 ice cream making machines and even painted my kid's room 31 colors in honor of Baskin-Robbins. Then, before a vacation to Italy a friend gave me this book - and I know this sounds cliche - but it changed everything. I was so intrigued that I had my first taste of gelato hours upon landing in Rome. Art museums be damned, I sought out a new gelateria daily with the help of this book. The book is dead-on in its descriptions of the establishments and is amusing as well. The way the author wraps his own experiences around the reviews make for that personal touch that you just don't see in food guides and such. Thanks to the book, I am now a proud gelato addict (and 10 pounds lighter, to boot!)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gelato:Finding Italy's Best Gelaterias, November 14, 2004

By 

J. Kordonowy "sweet swain" (Minneapolis) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gelato: Finding Italy's Best Gelaterias (Happy Belly Guides) (Paperback)

"Gelato: Finding Italy's..." by Michael McGarry is not only a book about Gelato, it is a "how to" book for enjoying Italy. I will give a copy to everyone I know who is embarking on a trip to Italy whether it's for the first or fifteenth time. It is well researched- full of history, practicle tips, and richly flavored with humor. The guide is well organized and creatively illustrated. And it's just the right size to fit in a large coat pocket next to your passport. However, if you're not planning a trip to Italy soon- you can still drool over this book at home- it will be the inspirations for a host of sweet dreams. Ciao, J Kordonowy

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great little guidebook, August 22, 2004

By 

Palladia (Rome, Italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gelato: Finding Italy's Best Gelaterias (Happy Belly Guides) (Paperback)

This is a great little book. It is so much more interesting and engaging than (frankly) I expected it to be - I read it from cover to cover, as soon as I got it. The information about gelaterias is accurate and comprehensive, and the text is lively - the author's amusing, gentle personality comes through, and since he is passionate as well as informed regarding Italian "ice cream", it is just FUN to read "Gelato". Now, I will have to hurry to the gelaterias that I have not tried yet, before the weather cools off here in Italy!