May 31, 2007 Issue                                       

©2007 The Chestnut Hill Local

Here’s the scoop on new ‘Gelato’ at Chestnut Hill Farmers’ Market
by PAT STOKES

Mt. Airy resident Amanda Robinson is proud of new stand, “A Lot o’ Gelato,” in the Chestnut Hill Farmers’ Market. (Photo by Pat Stokes)

A Lot o’ Gelato” — what a wonderfully tricky title for Amanda Robinson’s new gelato stand in the Chestnut Hill Farmers’ Market. Leave it to owner Amanda to come up with something so clever and appealing; this is a young lady with know-how, determination, and a mind of her own. Twenty years old, one year of college (Arcadia) behind her, she was aware of a strong desire to strike out into something new and different, not just college.

Her dad, Tom, is retired, dabbles in insurance. Diane, her mother, is a sales rep in the federal banking world. Her father helped her sort out her questions and think it all through. So when the gelato stand came on the market just about at the end of her first college year, the idea of running it appealed to her, and her dad encouraged her to go for it. He had “discovered” gelato on a trip to Italy, and was convinced it could stand up to the ice cream craze any day.

So here she is happily scooping up delicious gelato, and after only two weeks things look quite promising. When I sat on the stool there for the interview, customers were coming and going just about non-stop. Later I spoke to two people I met in the market as they walked along spooning up their gelato from small plastic cups. “How is it?” I asked. “Do you like it?” The answers were enthusiastic. “I love it” or “It’s really good.”

Here’s the scoop on gelato: As you may know, gelato is Italian style ice cream. Although dairy based, it contains just four percent to six percent fat, while a comparable amount of ice cream contains anywhere from 25 percent to 45 percent fat. Gelato is denser and creamier than commercial ice cream and is heavier, containing less air. However, its lower fat content means fewer calories: only 160 in a cup of this wonderful stuff.

A bit more about Amanda: She lives in Mt. Airy with her parents and two younger brothers who attend Penn Charter School. She also works part-time at the Top-of-the-Hill Market. We both commented about “Andy,” the hard working young man at Top of the Hill who gets up at 4 or 5 a.m. to gather up those oh-so-fresh vegetables just plucked from the soil by his favorite suppliers. Speaking of suppliers, Amanda tells me that a couple she knows make the gelato for her, based on traditional Italian recipes.

The flavors at the stand change each week. Here are a few flavors to get your taste buds jumping: Pistachio, Sicilian Almond, Jamaican Chocolate Rum, Zuppa English. Favorites are Peanut Butter Cup, Dark Chocolate, Mocha Expresso, Vanilla and coming soon, Pistachio Coconut and Tiramisu. For a real taste treat, you can mix a couple of flavors in your cup. There are cones, too! To-go containers are available in pints, pint-and-a-half, and quarts, or you can order more for gatherings. E-mail:alotogelato@hotmail.com.

Hours at the stand: Thursday and Friday, 9 to 6. Saturday, 8 to 5. Hot weather’s coming, lap up a cool cup or cone while cutting the calories at A Lot o’ Gelato, Chestnut Hill Farmers’ Market. See you on the Avenue.