Martin has got a new job in Balfron, hopefully starting in a couple of weeks and wanted to test his journey in the morning rush hour. I tagged along because Balfron is not very far from Loch Lomond and I thought we could have a day out.
It has been beautifully sunny weather over the past few days but today was a break in that weather and the forecast was showers in the morning and heavier rain in the afternoon. It was a perfect day for ice cream.
After arriving in Balfron at 8:15am, we headed to Balloch, Alexandria and got there about 30 minutes later. Wizgonies sandwich shop was open and ice cream was on the menu, but it was a bit early even for me!
We decided to have a Full Scottish Breakfast in Balloch and a look round Loch Lomond Shores before heading for Helenburgh where we could visit Hill House.
Helensburgh is the birthplace of John Logie Baird so on arrival we had to visit his memorial before we did anything else. After that it was approaching noon so a good time for ice cream! We headed to Dino's Café where we ordered a latté and a vanilla ice each. Two generous scoops with a wafer was served slightly unusually in banana split dishes. But the ice cream was divine. It was a light caramel colour with a lovely slightly toffee flavour. This is the type of ice cream that I remember from my childhood in Ayrshire.
The ice cream has been made to the same recipe since 1924 and they still make it on the premises. The proprietor told us that there used to be seven families making ice cream in Helensburgh but they are the only ones left.
Helensburgh is a lovely little town on the Firth of Clyde and we loved our visit to Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Hill House so we will definitely back to visit Dino's.
Thursday, 11 October 2012
Thursday, 9 August 2012
Colpi's of Clydebank, 2nd visit
Terri Colpi the manager of Colpi's kindly got back to me to confirm that her ice cream is "100 per cent nut and egg free. It is also gluten free, e number and chemical free. And, less than 5% fat content!". This was great news and just came at an opportune time.
So on Monday 6 August, the weather outlook was bleak with heavy rain forecast and this made it a perfect day for ice cream.
I remembered from our recent visit that they also have an extensive menu which meant there would be something for everyone.
The Riverside Museum is a great place especially for kids who are Thomas the Tank Engine mad and Martin and I will certainly go back when the kids are back at school. The museum was really busy, probably due to the bad weather. This meant that there was a long queue at the café, so it was just as well that we had better plans and headed off for Colpi's in Clydebank.
I have to commend the staff again as nothing was too much trouble and they were only too happy to provide further info on ingredients etc for our little friend. Everyone enjoyed a small vanilla ice, but our wee chap couldn't have a wafer because it contained egg, but a quick word with the waitress and he was compensated with a "Team GB" flag (after all the olympics are on at the moment!)
Thanks to all at Colpi for helping to round off an exciting day out for the wee laddie and his family, providing a treat which is very hard to come by!
We also took home a 2 litre box and ... suffice to say there was none left a couple of days later!
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
Colpi's of Clydebank
Yesterday Martin’s car
was being serviced and he was given a top of the range loan car so we thought
we would give it a spin without going too far.
After a brief visit to
IKEA and Dobbies Garden Centre at Braehead we decided to head over to Clydebank
for more retail therapy.
As Martin was getting
a bit tetchy having been dragged around one too many shops, I realised that a
sugar shortage was looming. It was
a good thing that I remembered there was an Italian ice cream parlour in
town.
After a wrong turn and
some helpful directions we arrived at the shop and were relieved to see that
they were still fully open for business with no sign of closing.
It was a mild day but
rather dull and we had just been caught in a shower so a small vanilla ice and
a latte was just the ticket.
The ice cream is
delicious, and we both agreed it was the sweetest we have sampled so far. The presentation was lovely: a small sundae glass with a branded wafer. The little shovel shaped spoon was a really nice touch and one that we really appreciate because we have a set of our own which were a gift from Martin's sister.
The latte was great too, correct temperature, strength, great taste: perfection as far as I am concerned.
I have to also commend the service as
it was excellent too, with the waitress trying to tempt us with fresh fruit and then checking that we had enjoyed our ice
cream. The waitress also presented us with a loyalty card for our drinks. The loyalty card and the fact that they have an extensive menu of hot food and snacks will help to ensure that Clydebank will be a regular haunt of ours. With a branch of my favourite store and an excellent ice cream parlour what more could you wish for. This is my kind of heaven.
As you can see, I took some
photographs for the first time, something I have been reluctant to do because I
don’t want to draw attention. However, we did draw the attention of Terri Colpi, the owner and Business Development Manager. We swapped details and hopefully she will enjoy my blog!
Terri explained that the ice cream they make is to their original recipe which is over 100 years old and is almost entirely made of milk. The recipe is a version of fior di latte. I let myself down by not remembering this meant milk's flower, a term I came across last year when I read the guardian article Ten of the best UK ice-cream sellers.
Fior di latte is made almost entirely of milk and therefore the flavour of the milk is very prominent. This means the quality is really important. Colpi's uses local milk from the shores of Loch Lomond which ensures their product quality. It is clear the Colpi's are passionate about their product and they deserve to be proud.
Terri also encouraged us to visit the Milngalvie store which was opened by her grandfather in 1928. I assured her that it is on my list and we will be there shortly.
Thursday, 21 June 2012
Café Gelato
It's a dismal excuse for a June day: rainy AND windy although the temperature is mild. This calls for a bit of a cheer-up and what better could we ask for than some locally made ice cream.
Café Gelato in Burnside between Cambuslang and Rutherglen is our closest ice cream café where we can eat in. This is a relatively new establishment which sells home-made ice-cream alongside paninis and baked potatoes to locals.
We went at lunchtime, so the café was busy with people on their lunch-breaks or having a little break. We had the panini and soup combo. The paninis were freshly made and today's vegetable soup was delicious but a little over-seasoned.
To finish off I had a MacCallum and Martin had a vanilla ice accompanied by a café latte.
Both ice creams were topped off with wafers and small Italian Flags. The vanilla ice cream had a nice creamy texture and flavour.
It looks like this will become another regular haunt for us.
Café Gelato in Burnside between Cambuslang and Rutherglen is our closest ice cream café where we can eat in. This is a relatively new establishment which sells home-made ice-cream alongside paninis and baked potatoes to locals.
We went at lunchtime, so the café was busy with people on their lunch-breaks or having a little break. We had the panini and soup combo. The paninis were freshly made and today's vegetable soup was delicious but a little over-seasoned.
To finish off I had a MacCallum and Martin had a vanilla ice accompanied by a café latte.
Both ice creams were topped off with wafers and small Italian Flags. The vanilla ice cream had a nice creamy texture and flavour.
It looks like this will become another regular haunt for us.
Monday, 11 June 2012
Dino's Café, Cambuslang
The weather has been a bit cool and grey lately so when a little bit of blue sky poked through the clouds we decided it was time for an ice cream. As we had none in stock we decided to get a takeaway tub from our local ice cream establishment: Dino's Café in Cambuslang.
Unfortunately the guy who runs the place has a reputation for being miserable. Because I am hoping a little friend with a nut and egg allergy will visit soon, I asked him if his ice cream contained eggs and the answer is No. True to form the guy was very curt, but they overfill the containers and his ice-cream is wonderful, so I will forgive him. He has a constant stream of customers who seem to overlook his dour demeanour too.
The ice cream was a beautiful light cream colour with a smooth consistency and a sweet and creamy flavour.
This is a great place to have on our doorstep and so like all his other customers we will be back.
Unfortunately the guy who runs the place has a reputation for being miserable. Because I am hoping a little friend with a nut and egg allergy will visit soon, I asked him if his ice cream contained eggs and the answer is No. True to form the guy was very curt, but they overfill the containers and his ice-cream is wonderful, so I will forgive him. He has a constant stream of customers who seem to overlook his dour demeanour too.
The ice cream was a beautiful light cream colour with a smooth consistency and a sweet and creamy flavour.
This is a great place to have on our doorstep and so like all his other customers we will be back.
Saturday, 19 May 2012
Ice Cream Manufacturers (without an ice cream parlour)
Scottish Ice Cream Manufacturers with Italian Heritage:
| Establishment | Location |
|---|---|
| Porelli's | Paisley |
| Crolla's | Polmadie, Glasgow |
| Ferris Ice Creamery | Kilmarnock |
| Divito's | Cowdenbeath |
| Luvian's | St Andrews |
| A & L Franchitti | Bathgate |
| A Doriano | Leven, Fife |
| A Rossi | Glasgow |
| Di Mascio Brothers | Airdrie |
| Pelosi Ice Cream Ltd | Rutherglen |
| Miele's | Hopeman |
| Rizza's | Huntley |
Monday, 14 May 2012
Joe Delucci's at Silverburn Shopping Centre
We visited Silverburn Shopping Centre today and I was nearly tempted to try some ice cream at the Joe Delucci's stand even though I knew it was not on my list.
I remembered the recent news story about a man being arrested for taking a photograph of his daughter at the stand and decided against it.
However when I got home I discovered that it is a national chain based in Warwickshire so does not fulfil my criteria anyway.
I remembered the recent news story about a man being arrested for taking a photograph of his daughter at the stand and decided against it.
However when I got home I discovered that it is a national chain based in Warwickshire so does not fulfil my criteria anyway.
Thursday, 10 May 2012
Mancini's (Royal Café), Ayr
It is my birthday today, so what better way to celebrate than to combine a trip to the seaside with a visit to an award-winning ice cream maker. That meant it was the turn of Mancini's in Ayr.
We set off in time for lunch on what turned out to be an unseasonally cold, wet and blustery day. This is the West of Scotland so a brief reality check confirmed that this is optimum ice-cream weather. Luckily when we arrived we were able to park right outside, something that never fails to surprise us having lived in London for so long.
On entering we found our way to the only available table where I was surprised that the man on the neighbouring table said Hallo as if he knew us.
We opted for the 3 course meal when we discovered we could have ice-cream for our dessert course!
After a while I realised the man who had said Hallo was the owner, Philip Mancini who had joined his elderly mother who had popped in for lunch. She was greeted warmly by local customers who recognised her and commented that she must have come to ensure that the quality was being maintained!
The first two courses: minestrone and pizza were incredibly tasty prompting us to discuss how they had managed to inject so much flavour into our pizza's.
It is no surprise that we both chose a plain vanilla ice for dessert which proved to be very tasty: creamy with a lovely aftertaste.
There was quite a buzz in the café for a cold and blustery lunchtime and this establishment has shot to the top of my list of places worthy of return visits especially as the prices are so incredibly keen.
We set off in time for lunch on what turned out to be an unseasonally cold, wet and blustery day. This is the West of Scotland so a brief reality check confirmed that this is optimum ice-cream weather. Luckily when we arrived we were able to park right outside, something that never fails to surprise us having lived in London for so long.
On entering we found our way to the only available table where I was surprised that the man on the neighbouring table said Hallo as if he knew us.
We opted for the 3 course meal when we discovered we could have ice-cream for our dessert course!
After a while I realised the man who had said Hallo was the owner, Philip Mancini who had joined his elderly mother who had popped in for lunch. She was greeted warmly by local customers who recognised her and commented that she must have come to ensure that the quality was being maintained!
The first two courses: minestrone and pizza were incredibly tasty prompting us to discuss how they had managed to inject so much flavour into our pizza's.
It is no surprise that we both chose a plain vanilla ice for dessert which proved to be very tasty: creamy with a lovely aftertaste.
There was quite a buzz in the café for a cold and blustery lunchtime and this establishment has shot to the top of my list of places worthy of return visits especially as the prices are so incredibly keen.
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
Places Still to Visit
Ice Cream Establishments Still To Visit:
| Establishment | Location |
|---|---|
| Renaldo's | Ayr |
| Royal Café (Mancini's) | Ayr |
| Wizgonies | Balloch |
| Visocchi | Broughty Ferry/Dundee/Kirriemuir |
| Café Gelato | Burnside |
| Colpi's | Clydebank/Milngalvie |
| Giacopazzi's | Eyemouth |
| Valentini's | Giffnock |
| Pieri's Delicatessen | Greenock |
| The Esplanade Café | Greenock |
| Dino's | Helensburgh |
| Bordone's | Kilmarnock |
| Mayfair Café | Kilmarnock |
| Varani's Forum Café | Kilmarnock |
| Ghiloni's | Kirkintilloch |
| Sugar & Spice (Geraldo's) | Largs |
| Jaconelli's | Maryhill |
| Princes Café | Mauchline |
| Caffé Soavé | Muirhead |
| Elena DiRollo | Musselburgh |
| Luca's | Musselburgh |
| Janetta's | St Andrews |
| Luvian's | St Andrews |
| West End Café | Saltcoats |
| Brooklyn Café | Shawlands |
| Corrieri's Cafe | Stirling |
| The Marina | Troon |
| The Venice | Troon |
| Tortolano's | Uddingston |
| Seaview Café | Wemyss Bay |
Monday, 7 May 2012
University Café, Byers Road
Today on a dull wet Bank Holiday Monday, we went to Byres Road in Glasgow's West End. (Martin had an errand to run before Thursday!)
As it was perfect weather for an ice cream we decided to visit the University Café.
The decor inside is well worth a look. It looks like the interior has not changed since it was established in 1918. The walls are covered by some rather old awards and some amusing signs, one of which offers Pineapple and Ice which looks as though it has been there for at least 50 years. There are also a few modern prints of art works which feature the Café. In the window is a reminder that the Café was featured in the last Jamie Oliver television series.
There are also some really quaint hang-ons from the past
We ordered a latté and a vanilla ice each (mine with the ubiquitous raspberry sauce). The white ice cream was delicious and creamy and the raspberry sauce managed to be sickly sweet and tangy at the same time: just the way I like it. The latte was necessary to warm us up after we had eaten the ice cream.
While we sat there, there was a steady stream of people: students, teenagers, families and workmen stopping by for take away ices, proving that in Glasgow it is always ice cream weather!
As it was perfect weather for an ice cream we decided to visit the University Café.
The decor inside is well worth a look. It looks like the interior has not changed since it was established in 1918. The walls are covered by some rather old awards and some amusing signs, one of which offers Pineapple and Ice which looks as though it has been there for at least 50 years. There are also a few modern prints of art works which feature the Café. In the window is a reminder that the Café was featured in the last Jamie Oliver television series.
There are also some really quaint hang-ons from the past
- The toilet is in the close next door and the key to it has to be borrowed from the counter.
- If you order certain hot items they are cooked in their fish and chip shop next door (the Uni Take Away) which then have to be delivered via the street.
We ordered a latté and a vanilla ice each (mine with the ubiquitous raspberry sauce). The white ice cream was delicious and creamy and the raspberry sauce managed to be sickly sweet and tangy at the same time: just the way I like it. The latte was necessary to warm us up after we had eaten the ice cream.
While we sat there, there was a steady stream of people: students, teenagers, families and workmen stopping by for take away ices, proving that in Glasgow it is always ice cream weather!
Friday, 27 April 2012
The story so far
Since moving from London in March 2011, we have been on quite a few day trips and have sampled the delights of ice cream in quite a few places before I decided to write this blog.
Most notably we visited Millport (Isle of Cumbrae) last May and enjoyed a vanilla ice at the Ritz Café. Sadly this beautiful old establishment has closed due to the proprietors retiring and not being able to find a buyer. Luigi and Angela Giorgetti were the fourth generation of their family to run the café and it is really sad to see this end, but I believe they tried really hard over a long period of time to find a buyer.
We have also been to the following Italian family caffés:
Nardini's, Largs
Equi's, Drumsagard
Queens Cafe, Queens Park, Glasgow (Ginesi's)
Coia's, Duke Street, Glasgow
The Capocci Man, Hamilton
The University Café, Byers Road, Glasgow
Nardini's, Byers Road, Glasgow
We taken home ice cream from
Dino's, Cambuslang
Luca's, Morningside, Edinburgh
We've had ice cream from:
Crolla of Polmadie, Glasgow at a concession stand at the Livingston Designer Outlet
We've bought the following ice cream in Supermarkets:
Porelli of Paisley
Equi's of Hamilton
Sounds like a lot but there are plenty more still to try and, as most of the ones we have tried already are close to where we live, we will be back for more!
I'm going to try and be more organised and blog whenever we visit a new place or revisit somewhere. My sister already thinks I am a bit of an ice-cream geek so I thought I would prove her right!
I have noticed that most people seem to prefer the ice cream that they know from their childhood and I am no different. My favourite so far is Nardini's but I am looking forward to revisiting Cavanni's in Saltcoats. I am hoping that Gonella's is still there too.
Martin is a newcomer both to Scotland and to Scottish Ice Cream but is showing definite preferences for our local places: Equi's and Dino's.
Most notably we visited Millport (Isle of Cumbrae) last May and enjoyed a vanilla ice at the Ritz Café. Sadly this beautiful old establishment has closed due to the proprietors retiring and not being able to find a buyer. Luigi and Angela Giorgetti were the fourth generation of their family to run the café and it is really sad to see this end, but I believe they tried really hard over a long period of time to find a buyer.
We have also been to the following Italian family caffés:
Nardini's, Largs
Equi's, Drumsagard
Queens Cafe, Queens Park, Glasgow (Ginesi's)
Coia's, Duke Street, Glasgow
The Capocci Man, Hamilton
The University Café, Byers Road, Glasgow
Nardini's, Byers Road, Glasgow
We taken home ice cream from
Dino's, Cambuslang
Luca's, Morningside, Edinburgh
We've had ice cream from:
Crolla of Polmadie, Glasgow at a concession stand at the Livingston Designer Outlet
We've bought the following ice cream in Supermarkets:
Porelli of Paisley
Equi's of Hamilton
Sounds like a lot but there are plenty more still to try and, as most of the ones we have tried already are close to where we live, we will be back for more!
I'm going to try and be more organised and blog whenever we visit a new place or revisit somewhere. My sister already thinks I am a bit of an ice-cream geek so I thought I would prove her right!
I have noticed that most people seem to prefer the ice cream that they know from their childhood and I am no different. My favourite so far is Nardini's but I am looking forward to revisiting Cavanni's in Saltcoats. I am hoping that Gonella's is still there too.
Martin is a newcomer both to Scotland and to Scottish Ice Cream but is showing definite preferences for our local places: Equi's and Dino's.
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