il laboratorio del gelato — Restaurant in Montclair

I wish there was an option to give zero stars. My family and I have been loyal customers to Il Laboratorio over the past few months. We have returned multiple times because we enjoy the gelato and sorbet. The service, however, has not once been pleasurable.

Before we visit, I always call in advance to find out the sorbet flavors of the day. Many places with rotating menus post their daily flavors on their website or social media. Il Laboratorio, however, does not. As such, I call in advance to ensure they have a flavor that I am interested in buying, especially since I have a dairy allergy and am limited to their sorbet offerings.

I called on 5/21/22 to inquire about flavors. It rang and rang with no answer. I assumed they were busy so I waited a while and called again. A man answered the phone and I asked if he could please tell me the sorbet flavors of the day. He rudely answered that he refused to do so, scoffing that they had 14 flavors and that he was too busy to read them. I stated that I call often and have never had an issue with this request. He stammered that if I wanted to know the flavors I would have to come into the store. Had he asked me to call back in a few minutes once the crowd died down, I would have had no problem doing so. He clearly, however, had no respect for me as a customer.

I was so taken aback by the unprofessional and rude tone of their employee. Not only did I not go to the store to find out the flavors, but I do not plan on returning again. I hope management reads this and considers retraining their staff on both in store and over the phone customer service so that they do not lose any more...

“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” —Heraclitus

To fully appreciate this ice cream shop, understand that il laboratorio del gelato embodies that quote. Every time you set foot in this ice cream shop, you will encounter flavors that you might never encounter again.

With that in mind, let go of your control issues. After selecting a serving size, ask them to surprise you something new and exciting that you might never get to experience again. Assure them that you will take whatever scoops they give you. Yeah, there’s a very slight chance you might be disappointed in their selection, but more often than not, you WILL discover something new and exciting that you might never have encountered if you hadn’t given up your need for control. Now take what you’ve learned here and apply it to other areas of your life. Rinse and...

SO YUMMY! Such smooth gelato and they have sooo many original flavors; I’ve never seen these types of flavors in an ice cream shop before. We were oo-ing and ah-ing the entire time. Such a variety and you can sample. We ordered the Milk Chocolate Graham Cracker with Maple Walnut and Ube and Green Tea. So delicious and creamy. Flavors are strong in the gelato and are super yummy. Not sure what else more I can say. Great for any time of year!! Just a little pricey and no kid’s sizes.

They also have cookies, brownies, cakes, and bars if you aren’t feeling gelato. And many options of sorbet super cool...