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Ice Cream - Frozen Treats

December 1, 2016 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

First Take: Amorino Gelato in Raleigh Serves Up Frozen Sweets in a Cone!

Amorino Gelato in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Amorino Gelato in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

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…

Counter at Amorino Gelato in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Counter at Amorino Gelato in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

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.

Gelato case at Amorino Gelato in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Gelato case at Amorino Gelato in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining
Gelato serving options at Amorino Gelato in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Gelato serving options at Amorino Gelato in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

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.

Medium gelato cone at Amorino Gelato in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Medium gelato cone at Amorino Gelato in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining
Sitting area at Amorino Gelato in Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Sitting area at Amorino Gelato in Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

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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Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Ice Cream - Frozen Treats

July 29, 2021 by Ron Wen 2 Comments

Two Roosters Lands in the Bull City and is Dishing Out Great Ice Cream

Two Roosters, Durham - nctriangledining.com
Two Roosters, Durham – nctriangledining.com

If you’re a fan of high-quality ice cream, you need to know about Two Roosters! Growing up in the Boston area, I got an early taste of super-premium ice cream from classic ice cream parlors like Steve’s and Emack & Bolio’s. So I’m always looking for a good cone or cup of great ice cream. And I do think I may have found the best in the area at Two Roosters! Based out of Raleigh with three locations in the Oak City, Two Roosters expanded out to Durham in 2020 and I have to say that this location might be the best out of the four. While the ice cream may be equally good across locations, the Durham spot located in Golden Belt is quite unique and special. Here’s why!

Order counter at Two Roosters, Durham - nctriangledining.com
Order counter at Two Roosters, Durham – nctriangledining.com

If you’re not familiar with Golden Belt, this converted warehouse and office space is slowly becoming a hot spot in Durham. With Hi-Wire Brewing (Beer) and J. Lights Market on one side and the soon to be Cugino Forno (Neapolitan Pizza), you’ve got a nice assortment of food choices in this small complex. Two Roosters Durham has a nice, little, industrial type space  with a lot of wood paneling and white marble counter-tops. Up front they’ve got a display of all their serving sizes along with a register (I believe temporary during the pandemic) for quick order and check-out.

Roof-top view at Two Roosters, Durham - nctriangledining.com
Roof-top view at Two Roosters, Durham – nctriangledining.com

Two Roosters usually has a list of Forever Flavors along with some very cool specialty flavors. From Lucky Charms to Pizza ice cream, I’ve seen it all on their menu over the years. But what’s key to Two Roosters is that their ice cream is nicely creamy without much in the way of iciness. Some of the flavors I’ve really enjoyed are the Girl Scout Mint, Coffee Bourbon and Sola Cinnamon Donut (in homage to their original location in N. Raleigh). I’d also recommend an upgrade to their hefty waffle cone which is perfectly crispy and sweet.

2nd floor dining room at Two Roosters, Durham - nctriangledining.com
2nd floor dining room at Two Roosters, Durham – nctriangledining.com
2nd floor dining area at Two Roosters, Durham - nctriangledining.com
2nd floor dining area at Two Roosters, Durham – nctriangledining.com

Once you’ve got your cream, head on upstairs to their second floor dining area or out on the patio over-looking the Golden Belt green area. It’s all a very cool experience to enjoy your frozen treat. So rock on, Two Roosters! Love your ice cream, love your creative flavors and attitude. You can’t get much better than Two Roosters Durham when you want to treat yourself to a cup or cone of some of the best ice cream around…

 

Two Roosters, Durham

800 Taylor Street, Suite 9-100

Durham, NC 27701

919.229.0491

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Durham, Featured, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Dessert, Ice Cream - Frozen Treats

September 17, 2017 by Ron Wen

First Take: The Inside Scoop, Two Roosters is Dishing Out Great Ice Cream in Raleigh!

Two Roosters Ice Cream in N. Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Two Roosters Ice Cream in N. Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

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.

Inside Two Roosters Ice Cream in N. Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Inside Two Roosters Ice Cream in N. Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

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.

Butterscotch haystack at Two Roosters Ice Cream in N. Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Butterscotch haystack at Two Roosters Ice Cream in N. Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

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.

Sola cinnamon donut cone at Two Roosters Ice Cream in N. Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Sola cinnamon donut cone at Two Roosters Ice Cream in N. Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

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

Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Ice Cream - Frozen Treats

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