After recently spending 10 days in Italy, I must admit I ate my share of delicious food: pizza, pasta, fish, and of course, gelato. Although I enjoyed the frozen delicacy more than once during my trip, there is one little cup of creamy goodness really stood out. Heading to Rome anytime in the near (or distant) future? Make a point of swinging by Fatamorgana Gelateria.
I had heard about Fatamorgana from a friend of a friend who had given me some recommendations on where to eat in Rome. The Eternal City was the last stop on our trip, so by the time I got there, I had already realized that all gelato is not created equal, even in Italy. Fatamorgana promised a cold treat that was homemade, using all natural ingredients. Its creator, Maria Agnese Spagnuolo, is passionate about ice cream. She also has coeliac disease: according to the Fatamorgana website, this led her to creating gelato that is as natural as possible, and can be enjoyed by anyone.
I ended up not even having to actively seek the shop out : as I was walking through the streets of Rome with my boyfriend, a young lady handed me a coupon for a 1€ discount when you buy two cones. At first, I automatically said “No, grazie”, but somehow, I spotted the name on the small cardboard square she had tried to hand me: instantly, I realized it was for the parlour whose name I had made a mental note of. In a split second, I quickly backtracked, apologized, and plucked the coupon from her hand, which was still extended. And off we went down a small alley and into the tiny shop, which was just a few steps off the main road.
The flavours at Fatamorgana go way beyond your regular chocolate and vanilla (although they are available, too). Here, it took me several minutes to consider all the options: luckily, the small cup allows for up to three choices. What I picked:
Baklava, Eggnog, and Blueberry Cheesecake. Don’t ask me which was my favourite: they were all equally delectable… and the result of their eventual melted mix was just as savoury. Creamy, light, and just mind-blowingly delicious.
Baklava, Eggnog, and Blueberry Cheesecake. Don’t ask me which was my favourite: they were all equally delectable… and the result of their eventual melted mix was just as savoury. Creamy, light, and just mind-blowingly delicious.
If I ever make it back to Rome, here are the flavours that are on my “must sample” list: Coconut, Roasted Almond, Turkish Pistachio, Tiramisu, and Pecan. Someday. Until then, I’ll just have to look back on the pics from my trip and remember how tasty the gelato was.
Find all seven Fatamorgana locations here.