Ici- New Gelateria on the block
2948 College Ave
Berkeley, CA 94705
(510) 665-6054
Category: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
Neighborhoods: Claremont, Elmwood
3 star rating
My sister pauses dramatically in the doorway. "There's a new ice cream parlour on College! You've got to try it so you can compare it to Sketch."
Truthfully I've heard mixed reviews about the new addition to the Elmwood block, so I was somewhat reluctant to make a special trip. A solid meal at Trattoria Scicilliana was our excuse, we wandered afterwards over to wait in the endlessly patient line outside Ici. Watching like a hawk, I made mental notes about other purchases. Should I get that? what is it? Oh no that sign says they're out of cones- How can they be out of cones? that's the whole point!
Finally after a good 25 minutes in line (I timed it) I got my chance "I'll try the vanilla" (a good calibration for any attempt at ice cream). I pondered and then ordered the large (for sampling efficiency rather than hunger) 3 scoops- chocolate hazelnut, gingersnap, and peach sorbet. My sister was more restrained and only got the gingersnap and lemon sandwich
My impressions: solid flavours, altho the staggeringly high sugar ratio makes the profiles less clear and sharp. The high fat content also masks the flavours by leaving a film on the roof of one's mouth and tongue. Texture-wise a little grainy which is disappointing when you consider the fat content.
For me Sketch wins the taste off, but boy Ici wins location. Between 2 BART stations and on a major road to/from Cal, Ici is bursting at the seams of it's poorly designed storefront. While gelato fans willingly make the trek to Sketch, most people just want to wander down to grab the most decent proximally located treats- which is Ici.
Expensive- yes
Worth the wait- not really
worth a special trip- NO
PArking- it's a madhouse