Mmmm, gelato

This was a gelato weekend.  Doesn't that sound like the best kind of weekend?

On Saturday my husband and I had gelato at our go-to gelateria, Paciugo in Forest Park.  I was determined to order at least one fruit flavored gelato this time around, but, as usual, I defaulted to my favorite flavors -- chocolate/caramel/coffee.  I swear for the next visit I will try Amarena Black Cherry Swirl.

This time around I ordered a small cup with three flavors -- Creme Brulee, Coffee Mocha Swirl, and Organic Maple Caramelized Bacon.

I will admit that I was a little disappointed with the Maple Bacon.  The maple flavor was very weak.  In fact it was hard to discern any maple flavor.  Equally disappointing, the caramelized bacon tasted like Ba~cos.  The bacon bits were very small and hard, and lacked any sweetness that would indicate they had been caramelized.  I was so excited to finally be able to try the flavor, but I won't order it again.  : (    

Today K and I went to Black Dog Gelato in Ukrainian Village.  I have wanted to go to Black Dog for about two years.  One time we stopped by, but it was a Monday and the store wasn't opening until later in the afternoon.  Other times when I've been in the neighborhood it wasn't convenient to go for gelato.  Finally, today was the day when all of the stars aligned!

I asked for a taste of the infamous Goat Cheese Caramel Cashew.  It was good, but I didn't think I wanted to eat an entire serving of that flavor.  I decided on a small cup of Lemon-Ginger and Strawberry Balsamic.  Both flavors were very good and they were especially good together.

Sadly, as is so often the case, I didn't feel like Black Dog lived up to the hype.  No doubt the two year wait to taste this highly-touted gelato contributed to the let-down.

While the gelato at Black Dog was very good, I honestly think that Paciugo is better.  It's hard to explain, but Black Dog almost had more of an ice cream mouth feel -- creamier and lighter -- as opposed to the dense richness of Paciugo.  I like the gelato at both places (and they cost roughly the same) but Paciugo offers more flavors and, in my opinion, tastes like true Italian gelato.