Fenocchio — Attraction in Nice

In the piazza of culinary trepidation and delight that is Place Rossetti, I found myself armed with a three-scoop monument to frozen daring from Fenocchio. The cathedral loomed before me – both the architectural one dominating the square and the metaphorical one I had constructed in my mind about floral ice cream.

There is something particularly haunting about the prospect of rose and lavender gelato. The mind conjures images of accidentally ingesting one's grandmother's perfume, or perhaps being force-fed potpourri by a vengeful florist. These are flavours that should, by all rational thought, remain in soap dishes and garden beds rather than dessert bowls. Yet here I was, spoon in hand, having committed to this botanical experiment with the addition of marron – chestnut – as my safety net.

What transpired was nothing short of a theological revelation appropriate to the sacred setting. The rose, far from the cloying, chemical assault I had imagined, offered a delicate, almost ethereal sweetness – the essence of the flower without the soapy aftertaste one fears. The lavender, that purple harbinger of linen drawers and moth repellent, transformed into something unexpectedly subtle and herbal, with notes that danced rather than dominated. The marron provided earthy, nutty ballast to these floral flights of fancy.

As I sat contemplating the cathedral – that stone testament to human faith and ambition – I found myself experiencing a parallel revelation in miniature. The gelato, melting slowly in the Mediterranean sun, was converting me to a new religion: one where flowers belong in food, not just vases.

Fenocchio has achieved what few gelaterias dare: they've ventured beyond the safe harbors of chocolate and vanilla into territories that should logically repel but instead seduce. This is ice cream as art, as provocation, as conversation between maker and eater.

In the shadow of Nice's cathedral, with tourists fluttering around like pigeons, this humble cup of frozen courage reminded me that pleasure often lies precisely where we expect to find disappointment. The divine, it seems, reveals itself not just in stained glass and stone, but occasionally in a scoop of something that sounds terrifying but tastes...

My favorite ice cream flavor is probably Lemon. Lemon ice cream when done right is absolutely terrific. I think the contrast in tart and tanginess of Lemon with the sweetness of the ice cream is a fantastic combination. However, the greatest ice cream/sorbet I have ever experienced was Passion Fruit Sorbet at an ice cream parlor in Nice, France called Fenocchio. It's hard to put into words how great this parlor is, and how great the ice cream was. It is the only time I have genuinely been stunned by the taste of...anything. Don't get me wrong, I've had superb food before. But nothing, absolutely nothing has ever left me genuinely shocked, and in pure bliss quite like the first time I tried this Passion Fruit sorbet. I cannot claim to be an arbiter of the quality of frozen dairy desserts. However, I grew up in America's Dairyland. I've had my fair share of ice cream, if not more than the average mortal. But this substance that is contained within the confines of Fenocchio is more than an ice cream or sorbet...it is an experience that must have been formulated within the heavens. There is no other explanation.

Fenocchio, 2 Pl. Rossetti, 06300 Nice, France

This. This is the address of the worlds greatest ice cream parlor. I understand that the location is within France, but going to France is a sacrifice one must be willing to make. Cherish this recommendation, and seek out the divine glace. The only goal I have for the rest of my life is to make it back to Nice, and be with the Passion Fruit Sorbet for at least one more time before I...

Really love this place! I think this is every sweet tooth/gelato's lovers dream to be here, so spoilt for choices looking at the number of flavours available. There are so many interesting/unique/exotic flavours to choose from, and there were so many flavours that I wanted to try before ordering, but I didn't see anyone requesting and I was too shy to ask, so I went along with what my heart desires. The first ball of ice cream starts from 2.50 Euros and the price per ball becomes cheaper with every ball you order. Looks like the menu only has the price list up till 15 balls at 24 Euros, wondered if anyone has ordered so many balls at one go before. I like it that all flavours are treated equal, there is nothing such as 'premium' flavour which is at a higher price. I decided to go for 3 flavours which is already a steal at 6 Euros. I think everything can be expensive in France but definitely not ice cream! I can't remember the flavours I chose but Pistachio definitely has to be one of them and also I was adventurous to try the interesting flavour of cactus. The other one was probably the dulce de leche. It was very enjoyable, though the scoops might be a little smaller than normal but still after 3 scoops it would be very satisfying and filling. Highly...