There is no shame in dragging your friends fifty two blocks, past the industrial clothing factories dotting Orchard Street where bearded men hock paisley dresses and orthopedic shoes circa 1969, all for the minor miracle of huddling in a tiny shoppe – just to get a taste. Yes, my obsession with il laboratorio del gelato, is very much like crack. Quite honestly, look to your right and let me know if you can possibly resist the creamiest gelato in New York City.

Dedicated to producing the very finest ice cream and sorbet, il laboratorio del gelato opened in August 2002 on Orchard Street in Lower Manhattan. With a list of almost 100 vibrant and affordable flavors which includes chocolate kahlua, lemon verbena, fuji apple, dinosaur plum…the options are dizzying and endless. This hip looking slip of a store offers an expansive window into an open kitchen, where their frozen desserts are hand-made in small batches, and many of the ingredients are locally supplied or organic.

With gelato this divine, you want to stop and sample all the flavors. On today’s trek, we savored toasted almond, blueberry and basil and yes, we are going back!

Prices: $2.75 a small cup (two scoops), $3.25 for a medium, and $3.75 for a large. Pints are $4.75, and $4.50 for two, or more pints. $2-5 for cappuccino, and other assorted drinks, such as affogato (espresso poured over a scoop of gelato.)

il laboratorio del gelato
95 Orchard St., New York, NY 10002
between Broome and Delancey Sts.
212-343-9922
Subway: F/V to Delancey

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