Once Upon a Time...

Once Upon a Time…I found the place that fairytales are made of. 

I think it is a safe to assume that every little girl, at some time or another, imagined herself as a princess. In her mind’s eye she lived in a beautiful castle surrounded by lush farmlands, rivers and forests. Her castle was sturdy and safe, protecting a happy little village with charming stone houses softened by ivy stretching across the facades and window boxes bursting with color. In the center of the main square stood a wishing well with whom she shared all her secret hopes and dreams. The quaint narrow streets were busy with locals at the market, selling fresh produce, meats, fish, and items of beautiful craftsmanship. In her room in the tallest tower of the castle, she could look out her many windows and see her kingdom for miles and miles reaching far into the hazy distance to the mountains. It was a world of sunshine, music, tranquility and happiness.

Well folks, I am here to report to you that this place really exists. It is called San Gimignano.

This weekend several of us took a day trip to this charming little place and the little princess inside of me was reawakened. San Gimignano is a beautiful little rural village not far from Siena. It is surrounded by a crumbling wall that once fortified it in years past. The wall now provides picturesque locations to rest on secluded benches amidst the olive trees. The village is surrounded by miles and miles of grapevines and fields of crops. It really feels as if you’ve been transported a few hundred years back in time! The village itself has such a special aura about it and really feels a bit magical!

yes that is an entire pig just chillin on the table. Porchetta is a Tuscan specialty...Stuffed Roasted pig!

View from "my castle" (well what I would like to be my castle...)

The atmosphere wasn't the only magical thing however...
San Gimignano is also home to the BEST gelato in the world. I repeat...THE BEST GELATO IN THE WORLD. As in they've won awards and competitions and stuff.
Well that's enough to convince me to try a cup! or two...or three.... ;)
So yes in a matter of 4 or 5 hours, we had THREE gelatos. And I don't even regret it on bit!
I wasn't planning on getting three gelatos of course, but they had the most fabulous selection of flavors that I had to keep trying different ones. And let me tell you...each combination was a unique and beautiful experience for my taste buds.

Gelato #1: Raspberry Rosemary with Fiori di Latte

Sounds like a weird flavor right? Oh but it was DELICIOUS! It is one of the flavors they are famous for. A tart fresh tasting raspberry, with just a subtle hint of rosemary. The Fiori di Latte is just a creamy basic flavor, similar to vanilla ice cream, and added just the perfect bit of creaminess to the combo.

Gelato #2: Blueberry Ricotta with Cinnamon

Even though all three were so delicious in and of themselves that I couldn't really pick a flavor, if I HAD to...this would be it! It was like eating blueberry crisp in a creamy, smooth cup! YUM.

Then of course the true test came when I tried their chocolate flavors. I am a total chocolate girl and that is usually my flavor of choice! So this was going to see how REALLY good this gelateria was.

Gelato #3: Fiori di Nutella, Carmel, and Cioccolate Amierda(or something along those lines...)

And oh did they pass the test! Imagine nutella combined with liquid caramel in cream form, and the deepest, darkest chocolate all on one waffle cone. You're no longer wondering why I had to go back three times right?!

Just to prove I wasn't the only one who went back three times!

I was not a happy girl when my last gelato was gone...fourths anyone?! ;)

When it comes to finding good gelato, you've got to look at three things:

Presentation: is it mounded up or overly decorated? Not good. Look for gelato sitting low in the pot and minimal decorations of fruit, chocolate shavings etc. if any. The gelato should speak for itself.

Texture: should be smooth, dense, and creamy. Some are too creamy and almost melt before you can consume them, others too icey, you want a happy medium.

Flavor: the best flavors have a knack for capturing the texture of the fruit or substance they are supposed to taste like. Strawberry gelato should taste like you're eating strawberries, not strawberry "flavor"

and let me tell ya...San Gimignano nailed it! Bless them :)