Italian Eatery, Minneapolis, MN

Being back in the Twin Cities for a weekend afforded me an opportunity to not only try some restaurants that I'd not been to before, but more importantly to meet up with old friends, like we used to - eating out at our favorite places.

With that theme in mind, two of my favorite female friends and I decided to meet-up at Italian Eatery on the near-southside of Minneapolis. We decided to tackle the menu by ordering some small plates & salads to share, then got our own pasta entrees if desired (uhhh, yes!). Drinks are available and well done - beers, wines, etc. Get what you like.

The three of us started "al fresco" on their gorgeous patio... but the storm coming in would not relent. Around the time our entrees arrived, and with prodding from the staff, we decided it would be best if we were whisked inside to our new waiting table. It was pretty seamless, and much drier.

Here's what we shared that night:

- Goat Ricotta with Honey

- IE Classic Meatballs

- Roasted Asparagus, with soft-boiled egg and Parmesan

- Shaved Root Salad

- House-made Rigatoni with Fennel Sausage crumbles

Though we were full, we also had a sweet treat in mind, and the waiter mentioned gelato. While we each didn't need our own desserts, we did want to try a few the waiter had mentioned. The waiter wound up making us a small "tasting menu" from all their frozen desserts. Again, this was maybe 2-3 spoonfuls of each flavor, so we each could get a taste. It was really nice of them, quite a perfect end.

Clockwise from upper right - Nutella, Pistachio, Raspberry Sorbet, Fresh Milk, Vanilla.

I still feel bad that this was my first visit to this restaurant, as it was in business before I moved out of MN. It was very very good, and I would love to back there, right now even! It's now on my list for when I go back or for when anyone in the areas needs a new go-to spot. Please visit if you're up there and haven't been.

Bonta Natural Artisan Gelato, Bend, OR

If you've read some of my post from Milan, you know gelato & I are fast friends (maybe too friendly according to the scale). But, I was in a new town, new state, and was faced with a new gelato place. I was compelled to try it. This is Bend's local purveyor of the sweet stuff, and boy do they do it right!

They have a good amount of to-go items and souvenir type stuff, but also do great on the main event...

Cones? No thanks. Just gelato, please.

Ah, finally. Come to papa!

They had many traditional and some unique flavors, all delicious. You can try as well. I went with Pumpkin (right in middle) and an Apple Caramel, I believe. No pics of my dish b/c I ate it too quickly. I also liked their pricing, $4 for a dish with two flavors. This is a steal, IMO.

I also noticed the woman and young man working behind the counter looked awfully alike. I said to the woman, "That's your son." To which she replied, "Yep". Kind of nice to see a family-run small business making such awesome product. You should have seen the number of kids getting stoked on gelato. If this is any indication of progress for our youngins, the future is bright for America.

When I'm back in Bend, this place is always on the list.

Il Massimo del Gelato, Milan, Italy

As a dessert on top of this Milan coverage, I give you, gelato!! And Mama Mia!!! THIS is THE place in Milan, possibly all of Italy for gelato.

I believe there name could have two meanings:
1. The owner's name.
2. Massimo also seems to translate to "maximum" or "highest", which I'd say is fitting here.

Tucked down a quiet street in the northwest side of town, it's an amazing place to taste and try all the gelato flavors you've never thought you could have:

Pera / Pear
Giandua / Nutella
Stracciatella / Chocolate Chip
Fleur di Latte / Flower of Milk
Mango
Pistacchio
Chocolate-Rum (Jamaican)
Spicy Chocolate (Azteco)
and so many more.

Just look...

I was only able to hit this place up three times during the week-long trip. Partly due to finding it late, and partly due to not planning properly. I would have gone everyday if I could have, and tried new flavors each day... still, I did alright...

Azteco (Spicy) Chocolate & Pistacchio

Straciatella & Giandua

Selfless selfie with my gelato "dealer" (she mans their register)...

I must also point out, like a Classic American, I went into this gelateria and placed my order without having Euros on me. Bonehead. I asked this nice older lady (mostly with visuals), "Can I use credit card?" No. "Can I use American dollars?" No. So, they actually let me take the first taste of their gelato without paying for it and told me to pay them the next time I came in. I went back the next day before dinner with some Euros and paid them. How about that though?!

And finally...

 Pera Williams / Cannella (Cinnamon)