The transition between autumn and summer is the time of year I love the most in Australia. Slightly cooler than summer, but not yet the hot, dry wind of summer. Visions of the cold dessert start dancing around my head….Gelato …. ICE CREAM…… and ice Shaver.
Gelato Messina started with their first store in Darlinghurst in 2002; today they have a store at Surry Hills and the Star Casino. They specialises in using fresh ingredient making fresh gelato on the premises daily with no preservatives or flavourings of any kind. When I see gelato it always remind me of my memorable trip in Italy. If you have tasted ‘real’ Italian gelato in Italy, Gelato Messina may be a bit different but I’m happy to say this one really hit the spot of my craving for gelato in Australia. When you love ice cream as much as I do and always looking for quality and the ultimate experience in desserts; it’s enthusiastic to find Gelato Messina
The friendly service is superb with reasonable price and size of the scoop for freshly made gourmet gelato. The Darlinghurst store and Surry hills store located on a trendy street filled with small bars and restaurants which create the hip atmosphere. Regardless of the limited seating and hard-to-find parking spot I still love visiting the Darlinghurst store as they offer a diverse range – from gelato dessert to some bizarre flavours you can imagine. They also offer the traditional favourite flavours for the non- adventurous. There are allergy checklists clearly labelled next to the flavour – (G) Contains Gluten, (N) Contains Nuts, (E) Contains Egg, (A) Contains Alcohol.
My all-times favourite’s gelato ice creams include Salted Caramel, Coconut & Lychee, Pear & Rhubarb, Pannacotta with Fig Jam & Amaretti Biscuit and Salted Coconut and Mango Salsa. Their dairy flavours are not only rich and creamier but you can experience the full bodied flavour. Mezzina sorbet is softer and less icy than regular sorbets. The high proportion of fruits that is used in the sorbet give the full fruity texture and taste. The good news for weight watcher is the dairy flavour have low fat content and the sorbet are made of only fruits and water; hence it has less fat than ice cream!
One mid-week my sister A, Mr K and I decide to have dessert at Messina after dinner .It certainly wasn’t the first time and certainly won’t be the last time. As always the place was busy –the queues at this store, which attest to its popularity, always buy me times in deciding what flavour to have. Well looking at all that colourful affair gelato can make one really excited – and confused too, especially with some of the experimental flavours written on the blackboard specials that can be a complete mystery to some. The specials are rarely disappointing, always unique and frequently bold and sold up early. As Messina continually innovate their collection range, there is always a different flavour to tantalise the palates of ice cream lover. For me the best part of getting gelato is standing in front of the gelato bar for five minutes, tasting all the interesting flavours before I can make up my mind.
That day we decided to try some gelato dessert from the Messina Laboratorio and Patisserie (Messina creative department) which opened late last year, introducing gelato dessert. Cheekily tucked next door to the Messina Darlinghurst store – where the team of gelato Patisserie create artisan style gelato and make it a fun and tasty treat. The display of the elaborate and delicious impressive monoporzione (single -portion) and gelato cakes look tempting……which will sure make any event more special.
Royale w’ Cheese
This delicate detail on the mini-hamburger in gelato form is aesthetically unbelievable and caught our attention as we enter the store. We are a bit of a disappointed that the deliciously colourful decorated hamburger does not taste as great as it look. I personally find the compressed cucumber taste a little bit strange for my taste bud and the apricot gele`e egg don’t compliment the gelato. The combination of the house made financier bun surrounding milk, chocolate crackle gelato, white chocolate slice, and the small amount of white chocolate gelato make it taste very dry.
Bitty.. Bitty
The light brown chocolate ganache boobs shaped dessert is probably not very visually impressive to some but it has the wow factor in terms of flavour combinations. The concoction of the Vodka flavoured milk, salted caramel gelato layered with delicate caramel and chocolate puffed rice crackle at a base of white chocolate coating are equally tantalising. It has a wonderful mix of textures and flavours. I’d definitely have this one again.
Mini Me
For chocoholic lover you must try the Mini Me, is beautifully packaged in the shape of cute fairy-tale mushroom. With Dr. Evil dark chocolate gelato envelope a centre of dulce de leche jam which rest on peanut butter cookie create a nice balance of bitterness and sweetness. The vanilla gelato hold it as a stalk sits on the innovative popping candy ‘grass’ and feuilletine biscuit. The popping candy adds a bit fun and reminds me of the popping lollies I used to have at childhood. This is my personal favourite because it is a perfecT deliciously decadent morsels to enjoy and indulge your senses .
Black Forest
For a different indulgent experience, one must try Messina gelato cake. My sister has a Black forest gelato cake for her birthday this year …….lucky enough I was in Sydney and get to taste it.
The Messina Black Forest cake does not look like a traditional 3-layered round Black Forest cake. Creatively presented in an interesting round chocolate ball shape. We face a bit of problem cutting the cake with the chocolate crackle disc dividing the ball. The top half centre with lusciously smooth cherry sorbet hemisphere encased in a crisp dark chocolate dome. The outside was finished with a dark chocolate glaze. The bottom half is filled with chocolate fondant gelato, kirsch semi freddo with amarena cherries. The flavour pairings with bit of luxurious amarena cherries filling was fantastic and offered a nice contrast of textures to the gelato cake bottom layers. The subtle flavour of the kirsch semi freddo was overpowered by the cherry sorbet’s sweetness ….do not taste much of the alcohol when having together. It was beautiful with delicious berry sensation.
As there are no seating areas in the Messina Creative department, we were relieved we had a table next door. The Messina Darlinghurst store was lovely infused with a pleasurable mood even though it was packed with people standing having their gelato while waiting for a table. Those fortunate to be seated in the tiny store were enjoying the gelato or the gelato cake.
Location
Darlinghurst Store
Shop 1/241 Victoria St,
Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Phone (02) 8354 1223
Cha.Kueh.Teow 
Looks amazingly delicious! I think I’ll like to try the Mini Me.