Tifa Chocolate & Gelato — Restaurant in Westlake Village

False Advertising. This is NOT Gelato.

Here's why: Service, 5 stars Atmosphere with the patio and shade, 5 stars.

Problem: it's fake ice cream. Real Italian gelato is made in a way that does not incorporate air. The texture is more fine and smooth. What adds to that super fine crystalline structure is a combination of cream and milk.

Don't quote me, but based on my experience, this place seems like it uses carrageenan, guar gum, and potentially xanthan gum to stabilize, and give that mouth feel of "ice cream." It's over churned, which adds more air to the structure.

Basically what this all translates into is that it tastes like fake ice cream. It's the kind of stuff that you could easily buy at a discount grocery store in the bargain ice cream section.

My guess is that they buy a pre package "base mix," and then add flavorings to it.

Honestly, the flavors aren't bad. I do like that little note of warm baking spice here and there and some of the flavors.

But if you're looking for mint chip ice cream, you're better off getting a pint of mint chip from Trader Joe's. It tastes better, it's smoother, and that's more like real ice cream. Also, a pint at Trader Joe's is $7. The large here at this place is $7. Are you really getting your money's worth?

In the most positive way possible, I think this place really needs to think about their marketing ploy of calling themselves "gelato," when clearly they are not.

Go to Anita La Mamma in Encino, or any Gelato shop in Little Italy, San Diego, and you'll know exactly what real Gelato should taste like...

This review is based off customer service. I went in over the weekend with my daughter and family and first thing I noticed was the girl working on Saturday the 17th did not greet us when we walked in. She was standing behind the counter, looking at all of us didn’t say a word. No hello, no please let me know if you have any questions or want any samples. But what really frustrated me is how she spoke to my daughter who reached out for those colorful mini spoons on the counter. The way she responded to my daughter when she saw my daughter reach for a spoon was so rude and it could have been said waaay nicer. Another thing if you don’t want people reaching for spoons then maybe don’t have them by the register where anyone including kids can reach them. I was very disappointed and upset over my experience there...

Tifa has become my favorite ice cream shop! I live nearby and visit Tifa at least once a week.

Their gelato is absolutely incredible! The texture is so smooth and creamy, it feels like it melts in your mouth. They offer an amazing variety of flavors, making it so hard to choose just one (though I’ve tried almost all of them, lol). My favorite is definitely the Cookie Monster flavor—it’s the perfect blend of sweetness with chunks of cookies in every bite, and the color is super cute too!

The service here is excellent as well. They’re always happy to offer samples to help you decide, which is super helpful! I highly recommend stopping by for a...