Opening: Dolci Gelati

“Gelato Panini”, the two words I never thought I’d hear next to another. That’s right – Dolci Gelati is now open in Washington DC’s Shaw neighborhood.

We had the opportunity to visit this elegant shop over the weekend and left with an entirely different opinion of gelato and all you can do with it. Better yet, Dolci Gelati is not just a gelato shop. They offer several items beyond just scoops of gelato, all from the creations of a former Italian water polo champion turned pastry chef Gianluigi Dellaccio, who started the current concept in 2006. Today, you can find Dolci Gelati favorites in both wholesale and at their two retail locations in Takoma Park and the shop in Shaw, which opens today.

Our afternoon began with the regular paninis (ham and cheese, pesto caprese, and prosciutto mozzarella) and two house-made hot chocolates (the signature “Dolci Baci” and a dark chocolate) giving our visit a nice start before the sweets.

From there we moved through a tour of the desserts, starting with gelato pops, that come in 5 flavors and 2 sizes. After selecting your flavor you can dip your pop in one of six chocolates and for an additional $1 you can add another topping.

Next up Gianluigi showed off some of the gelato sundaes, starting with the Ananas Royale (a fresh pineapple topped with greek yogurt gelato, whipped cream, and both pineapple and strawberry sauce).

Continuing with sundaes he went on to show off the Banana Split (vanilla and chocolate gelato over fresh bananas, topped with whipped cream chocolate sauce and chocolate sprinkles), the Cioccolato (chocolate gelato topped with cocoa nibs, whipped cream, and homemade chocolate sauce), and some build your own options (you can choose up to 3 flavors of gelato/sorbetto, a fruit salad, whipped cream, and your choice of topping). You can get any sundae for $6.75 and when you see them you’ll be trying more than just one.

Gelato Panini time! Of all the delicacies this is the one you need to try first. Creamy scoops of gelato, toasted between two sweet buns and topped with some sugar and whipped cream on the side.

If you’re not interested in the gelato sundaes until the warmer weather returns stop in for the hot chocolates and some of the non-gelato desserts: Chocolate Hazelnut and Assorted Fruit Tarts, Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse Cake, Cannolis and much more.