DaVinci…Cold – Devine DaVinci Gelato
Posted by CMH Gourmand on February 3, 2007
Caffe DaVinci
3080 Tremont Road
Upper Arlington, OH
614 459 9945
Hours:
10:30 – 9:00 Monday – Thursday; 10:30 – 10:00 Friday and Saturday
I found true gelato in an unexpected place. When my mom mentioned that there was a new restaurant serving gelato, I was skeptical. This is real deal. Caffe DaVinci has a seperate section of the restaurant that is set up as an little gelato shop. They use a real Italian gelato machine and make it fresh in house. And, this is key, they also use a the correct type of refrigerated cooling case for the gelato. The trick to real gelato is to minimize the air that gets into the gelato and to regulate the temperature. Caffe DaVinci has balanced the art and the science needed to offer uncompromising gelato. They serve up eight to 10 authentic Italian flavors such as limone and stracciatella.
I have eaten gelato in Italy as well as two of the best places in the US – (Cafe Gelato in Newark, Delaware and Divino Gelato Cafe in Waukesha, Wisconsin – confirmed by my collegues Shannon Jackson Arnold and Michael McGarry). DaVinci gelato is worth ranking up at the top.
So what the heck is the difference between gelato and ice cream? Gelato has no air added in while it is being made (some cheap commercial ice creams are up to 50% air). Gelato is usually made with more egg yolks and milk but less cream. It usually has less fat (less than 10%) than ice cream (more than 10%) and is very dense. Gelato is also served at a higher temperature than most ice cream. Since temperature effects taste (at least in my opinion) a scoop of gelato often provides a better taste and initial mouth feel. When having an ice cream cone this is a state that I refer as “letting the ice cream sweat”. When I have ice cream, I usally wait to until it just starts to melt a little bit (dripping is like sweat) before I take that first lick which allows the tongue to taste the flavor more and the cold less.
A quick note about Caffe DaVinci itself. The DaVinci name is well known in Columbus and has been associated with several restaurants. They always deliver good food and use authentic recipes. At the caffe – you place your order at the counter and it is brought to you later. However, the caffe has really bad Feng Shui: the layout does not allow for a good flow of customers, the seating is cramped and the dining area is very loud – so not the best dining experience but a good carry out option. Also, I am intrigued by the personal (six inch) chicago style deep dish meatball pizza on the menu – I do plan to head back to try that out – after I have some gelato.
CMH Gourmand - Eating in Columbus & Ohio 
Shannon Jackson Arnold said
Good gelato in Columbus — wow! Can’t wait to check it out next time I visit.
Shannon