Solferino Cafe

I’m sadly not in the area enough to warrant a stop in to Solferino, and gelato alone can rarely justify a trip this far astray from my usual stomping grounds. However, if I’m in the neighborhood for some reason, I am always sure to stop in for some of the best gelato in town.
Unfortunate touristy location aside, this is an ideal stop for gelato. The café offers dozens of flavors of gelato and sorbettos, as well as coffee beverages and a handful of other desserts. But the focus is where it belongs — on the gelato. There’s even a little peep window in the back area where you can watch the gelato being made if you have good timing (I have yet to actually see the gelato being made).
The staff here are wonderful and very generous with the samples, along with just seeming to have a real joy in their job and a love of gelato. The shop is always pristine and they have what I might consider one of the nicest restrooms in the vicinity — seriously, after being used to so many grungy basement bathrooms it’s nice to see one that looks more like your own at home!
As for flavors, picking one is so personal, you just have to go and try a few for yourself. I personally love the blood orange, the ferrero rocher, and of course the classic pistachio. I have also sampled many other more ambitious flavors which were temporarily on the roster, although my last visit was some time ago so I can’t say they are still around. If the weather is nice, go in and get a cup to go, then wander a bit around the park across the way. If it’s not, snuggle up with a cappucino inside this nicely decorated, pleasant spot.

I can’t speak to its relative excellence AS GELATO, given my inexperience, but it was excellent for eating. And I am experienced in eating sugar. Mint chocolate chip was slightly better than oreo.

Hands down the best gelato place I’ve ever eaten at. Banana Chocolate tastes like fresh banana was purée’d into the chocolate gelato. Ferroro Rocher is another wicked choice as is the pistachio flavored gelato.
I’ve had gelato at a lot of places (Quebec City, Unionville Main street) and nothing compares to Solferino.
I have heard there are a couple of great ones around the Mount Pleasant area, but I have yet to try those. So based on all my gelato experiences, this place gets 5 stars.