If you’re a fan of creamy, sweet ice cream have I got a hidden gem for you: Two Roosters in N. Raleigh! Located in Greystone Village off of Lead Mine Road, Two Roosters was known for their brightly colored trailer and doling out delicious ice cream. Thankfully they were able to make the leap to bricks and mortar and to a permanent storefront so you don’t have to chase them around again! It’s a busy strip plaza and Two Roosters is hidden a bit in a corner, just look for the Bottle Rev 3 sign and to the right.

The small store-front opens up into a bright and light space with high ceilings! It’s a simple space with a handful of small marble-topped tables, refrigerated case and large black and white sign overhead with press-on letters (important, the menu!)  Two Roosters does 8 or so regular flavors and gets a little crazy and creative with seasonal flavors. I’ve seen everything from pizza to roasted black sesame to sriracha and fortune cookie, very cool! Scoops run from $4 to $7 (cup or cone) and they offer up a handful of extras like hot fudge, sprinkles, whipped cream and more.

For ice cream, I tend to stick to the basics. It’s a rare treat for me since I’m a bit lactose-intolerant but I squeeze in a cone every now and then. I’ve tried out both their butterscotch haystack and Sola cinnamon donut in cup and cone form. They do a really nice job with their ice cream and balancing flavors. The butterscotch haystack is speckled with crunchy bits which are nicely blended in. And the Sola cinnamon donut?! Wonderfully light with just the right amount of sugar and cinnamon to amp up your taste-buds.

Two Roosters is definitely scooping out some great ice cream on par with say, Parlour out in Durham. Portion size is about right and service is friendly so sample away! The space is basic compared to Parlour but who cares when the ice cream is so good? And while the seating is somewhat limited inside, there’s also plenty of plaza patio space outside. So glad you were able to open a storefront Two Roosters and I’ll make the longish trek out to N. Raleigh just to have more of your delicious cream, congrats!

Two Roosters Ice Cream

7713 Lead Mine Rd #49

Raleigh, NC 27615

919.803.9369

Location on Google maps

If you’re a fan of frozen treats, have I got some news for you! Ice cream, frozen custard, shaved ice, it’s all good and tasty in all forms. But if you’re a fan of gelato, it’s a bit harder to find in the Triangle. This Italian frozen ice cream is typically lower in butterfat but churned with less air for a smoother, creamier texture. The Triangle has smaller gelato options like Sugarland, Whole Foods and some Italian restaurants but never a dedicated gelato shop. Until Amorino hit the scene! I was able to visit as official customer #2 to Amorino on its opening day…

Located right across the street from Oak City Meatball Shoppe, Amorino sits under the Edison Lofts on E. Davie Street. Amorino opens at noon time, I got in about 12:10 and there’s one person in front of me. The space has a coffee shop feel to it with a lot of warm woods, counter order area and sitting area on the side. I lock in on the bright and colorful gelato case to figure out my plan of attack! With 20+ flavors in multiple sizes and in bowls or cones, you’ve got some choices to make! I decide to go with a medium salted caramel and pistachio cone that runs about $6.00+ Amorino has a nice display stand showing off the different sizes and options you have but choosing the flavor is on you! You can also add some other goodies to top your cone, like macarons but I pass.

It takes a bit of time for my cone but when you see it, you’ll understand. My cone looks like a flower bloom with gelato “petals” circled around the top, nice! I nearly feel bad eating the cone, it looks so good but I can’t resist. I can tell you that Amorino’s gelato is some of the creamiest and smoothest gelato I’ve tried. It just melts on the tongue and the flavors are basic and pure. And while the prices might be a bit higher than ice cream, that’s usually the case for gelato. Amorino is committed to all-natural flavors with no artificial colors and flavorings.

Heading around the corner, I grab a seat at the “fireplace” in back while I munch away on the cone. Note that Amorino also offers hot drinks such as coffee and espresso if you’re not in a gelato mood.  A marketing gal from Amorino corporate HQ in Italy does a little market research with me, trying to get a feel for my impressions of Amorino and how much I know about gelato, which is fun. And their gelato is so tasty, the cone is gone in 5 minutes and it’s time to head back to work. But I can tell you that I’ll be back soon to try and work through more of Amorino’s refrigerated case and flavors! There’s nothing like great gelato and that’s certainly what they are putting out here, at Amorino…

Amorino Gelato

109 E. Davie Street

Raleigh, NC 27601

919.239.4411

Location on Google maps

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