Tasty Tidbits: Il Laboratorio del Gelato
ADDRESS 95 Orchard Street [between Delancey and Broome Streets], New York, NY 10002
TELEPHONE 212-343-9922
WEBSITE www.laboratoriodelgelato.com
DATE ESTABLISHED August 2002
OWNER Jon F. Snyder
HOURS Seven days a week: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
ICE CREAM/SORBET PRICES
small $3.25
medium $4.50
large $5.75
pint $8.25
homemade topping $ .75
[hot fudge, berry of the day]
homemade whipped cream $ .50
thick milkshake $6.50
OTHER SPECIALTIES Il Laboratorio not only offers a rotating menu of over 200 flavors of ice creams and sorbets, but also espressos, cappuccinos, hot chocolates, teas, sodas and juices. The signature beverage is an iced cappuccino with espresso ice cubes.
WHOLESALE The ice creams and sorbets are also available for distribution to restaurants and Snyder will gladly work with chefs to develop custom flavors sold in 3 quart (3/4 gallons), 6 quart (1.5 gallons) and 10 quart (2.5 gallons) containers. Pints are available to gourmet retailers.
THE SPACE Situated next door to the Tenement Museum, Il Laboratorio’s retail shop is striking in its modernity amidst some of the Lower East Side’s most historic buildings. Snyder contends that the next best thing to eating gelato is watching it being made. To that effect, a glass wall at the far end of the shop offers a view into the gelato making process, where a Carpigiani batch freezer, imported from Bologna, and the last word in state-of-the-art gelato making, is visible. In the front of the shop, pool-blue tiles line a space set with tables.