Blasphemy

If you have been to Paris, you have probably heard about or read about the iconic ice cream shop Berthillon.  Maybe you have even visited it already.  Even if you haven't been to Paris you might have heard about it - it's just that well known.

Due to that fact, I hate to do what I'm about to do. Parisians will naturally accuse me of blasphemy, but I could not care less.  I call it like I see it and that's how it is.  In this case, I just do not think the ice cream at Berthillon merits the "highfalutin" status given to it. To me, there is much better ice cream in Paris and in the world at large (especially if you include gelato). Sorry Paris, but at least to me, it's true. Note: I'm no fool. Don't think it is an accident that I am stating this while not physically in Paris. :)

However, on the subject of Berthillon, I will say this: the sorbet there is worthy of all the prestige bestowed upon the shop. I have simply never tasted sorbet more flavorful or satisfying than that found at Berthillon. So, if you have been dying to check out this Parisian institution, never fear. Simply order the sorbet and you will not be disappointed.

The fancy shop on Ile St. Louis (the smaller island in the Seine) is typically teeming with people, so be prepared to stand in line.

There is also a salon attached to the shop where you can sit and enjoy your afternoon sugarfest.

You can even order gorgeous looking desserts like this.

Or you can take your deliciousness to the streets of Paris like I did.  Since I couldn't decide what sorbet flavors to get that day, I decided to fat-out and get four different kinds: peach, mango, wild strawberry (which has little bits of fraises des bois in it!) and black currant.  Next time, I will go nuclear and just get the black currant (cassis) and maybe the wild strawberry (fraises des bois) because they are out of this world.

Berthillon

www.berthillon.fr

31 Rue Saint-Louis en l'Ile

4th Arrondisement

Paris

One last thing: there are several cafes, brasseries, and restaurants that serve Berthillon ice creams and sorbets.  However, I think it is best to go straight to the source.  Of course, if you happen to be in Paris during the months of July and August, you are out of luck.  It might seem totally counter-intuitive (remember, though, that this is France we are talking about), but the Berthillon shop is typically CLOSED during the hottest months of the year.  Yep, an ice cream shop closed in the summer.  As my grandmother always said, "Beats all I've ever seen!" 

When you think about it, though, can you blame them?  It's obvious that they make enough money the rest of the year to not even bat an eye at closing during what other ice cream shops consider the "money" months.  Props to them for that.

Battle Gelato

In the right corner, represented by baby cupid is Amorino.  In the left corner, wearing blue shorts and sporting a devious smile, is Grom.  They are about to duke it out in Paris's first ever Battle Gelato, and you happen to be a lucky spectator to this fight to the death.  Who will end victorious?  Read on to see and don't hesistate to weigh in on the matter yourself.

Amorino

Amorino is a popular gelato shop in Paris as evidenced by the long lines and no less than 13 shops in the city. 

Look at that line!

Amorino was my introduction to gelato in Paris, and I fell hard for it.  How could I not?  There were so many delicious flavors from which to choose: dark chocolate, speculous, stracciatella , noisette.  The best part was that I could pick as many flavors as I wanted. because Amorino doesn't limit flavors.  Pick a size and they will try to fit whatever flavors you want into that size.  Now, that is customer service like I have never seen in France!

Plus, if you get a cone, they make it look like a beautiful flower.  It makes you almost not want to eat it, it is so pretty.  Of course, you quickly get over that after your first bite when you are launched into a gelato-induced high.

Grom

Grom is also quite popular and frequently has long lines as well.  The difference is that there is only ONE Grom in all of Paris.  Luckily for me, it's in my neighborhood.  (Sidenote: How in the world did I get so lucky?)

Grom has a different approach than most gelato or ice cream places.  You can't see the gelato in the case.  It's hidden beneath a stainless steel cover.  At first, this was very distressing for me.  I needed to see the flavors to know what I wanted.  Soon I realized, though, that 1) Grom employees are always happy to let you taste as many flavors as you want 2) You really can't go wrong with any flavor.  So, I got over my not-being-able-to-see-the-gelato-phobia.  Are you proud? Can I get a round of applause for that?  Thank you.  Hard life, I know.

At Grom, they do limit the flavors you can get which means I usually get a moyen (medium) sized cone so that I can get three flavors.  They don't make it pretty, but there is NO need to do so.  It gets devoured so quickly that you don't care what it looks like.  I can't even begin to describe the utter deliciousness that is Grom gelato.  It's so flavorful, creamy and smooth (unless you get Crema di Grom which has chocolate bits and special cookie pieces in it!!!!).  It is without a doubt nothing short of perfection - especially the caramel au beurre salé that is sadly no longer available.  I almost cried the day they told me it had been taken out of rotation, and that is not an exaggeration.

And, yes, I swear this is a medium sized cone.  Can you believe it?  It is HUGE.  My hips can attest to this if you don't believe me for some reason.

Grom is on a quiet side street of St. Germain and has ample outdoor seating for a lovely spring or summer evening.

So, after re-reading the post, I think it is pretty safe to say who I favor in Battle Gelato.  To me, Grom has Amorino beat hands down.  It just seems to be made with the best quality ingredients possible and in a manner that makes it a perfect consistency.  Believe me, many taste tests were made before coming to this determination.  So many in fact that the people at Grom now know me and say things like, '"See you tomorrow," which is a bit embarassing.  But, hey, you only live once, right?  And I certainly only live once around the corner from the best gelato known to man.  So, I'm over my embarrassment. 

The fact that Grom is the victor does not mean that Amorino is not good.  It's just not as awesome in my humble opinion as Grom.  So, if you stumble across an Amorino (and with 13 stores in Paris that is highly likely) while in town, go in with an open mind.  You will not be disappointed.

Just for good time's sake, let's take another gander at the victor of Battle Gelato!

Grom

www.grom.it/ita/

81 Rue de Seine

6th Arrondisement

Paris

Amorino

www.amorino.com/fr/

Multiple Locations

Paris