Otaleg - Ice-cream — Restaurant in Rome

I was quite excited to try their gelato. We were lining up last night and a tourist guide with an American group was behind us and talking wonders about the gelato and we were really looking forward to it.

I’m travelling with my 14-year-old and she asked if she could sample two fruit gelatos. That’s when the excitement started to go down…

There was a very, very rude attendant speaking English very loudly (the group behind us was American) and she said “No! Only one sample” which was fair enough. But then she kept going talking about the flavours my daughter asked a sample of. She said “these are fruit flavours, the strawberry is a strong strawberry and the mango is a strong mango. No need for sample, sample is only for the [other exotic] flavours”.

I still asked for one sample of the mango which she gave to my daughter with reluctance.

At that point I was ready to turn my back and leave but out of respect for my daughter I stayed. It also helped that we changed attendants (the one we had started looking after the American group, giving samples like there was no tomorrow btw).

Unfortunately, the gelato became secondary with this unpleasant experience. I tried the salted pistachio and the chocolate + hazelnut and they were all right.

Very unpleasant end for our last night in Rome. A bit more of manners would’ve been greatly...

I came here on purpose because I saw they had some particular and interesting flavors. But to tell the truth I was a bit disappointed. First of all, I didn’t like the idea of putting ice cream by scoops. It doesn’t reflect the Italian way of gelato art. Second point is the price. I think that for it’s a bit overpriced (4€ medium cup) especially considering the size of the scoops that I had. And the third point is about passion fruit sorbet that I took. It was too cold (yes, I know it’s ice cream, but in general it’s not the cold and has a bit different texture) and also contained a lot of small ice pieces inside. I don’t think it has to be like that… Regarding other flavors I took (the taste of the day (which was chestnut with coffee) and salted pistachio) they were good but not better than in any other good gelateria where the price is less and the texture is better because it’s not with the scoops that you get your ice cream.

The staff was nice...

I just did a trip from the south to the north of Italy, and looking back, Otaleg’s gelato was the best I’ve ever had by far — the amount of times I came back here is a testament to that!

The 2x pistacchio flavor is to die for, the pistacchio taste is so deep and savory yet not artificial nor overpowering. The gelato is not overly sweet, and the texture holds its shape long enough for you to walk to the square nearby and enjoy your gelato on one of the benches, watching the local market.

I also tried nocciola, gianduia, and pasture milk flavors, all of them were an amazing complement to the star of the show, pistacchio. I am genuinely sad I won’t be able to taste this gelato again for a while, but I’m taking another plane to Rome if I must!

The free panna is also the extra cherry on top — don’t take it for granted as it’s not a given anywhere north of Rome!

Thank you Otaleg for the best...