Ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt: There has never been a better time for a tasting tour of Napa's iciest treats.
Much-beloved and on First Street, on Main Street, in the and award winners and have been joined in recent weeks by a second Yo'Belle Frozen Yogurt shop — there is — and an Italian gelateria.
At Frati Gelato Café, the newest shop to open in the Riverfront development along Main Street, you can sit inside or out along the river promenade while sampling the authentic Italian flavors of the gelato, panini, salads, bruschetta and other treats created at this family business.
Gelato servings begin at $3.75 for a single-scoop "piccolo" in cup or cone and ascend to $6 for the Italian equivalent of an ice-cream sandwich, which wraps three scoops of gelato in a baked sweet bun.
You'll want to try a few samples before choosing your order: Don't miss the signature "Frate" flavor, made with mascarpone cheese, pistachios and pine nuts.
Frati — Italian slang for "bro" or more formally "brother," as in the tonsured monk of the café's logo — offers non-dairy flavors as well as creamy delights.
The café also serves a half-dozen pre-made panini to eat in or take out, among other light fare. You can even have an Italian breakfast with toast and butter, frittata, pastries and espresso drinks.
Vital Stats:
Frati Gelato Café, 670 Main Street, Napa, (707) 265-0265, fratigelatocafe.com. Open 7:30 a.m. till 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, till 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Yo'Belle, 1000 First St., Napa, (707) 253-1327, yobelle.com. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, till 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, till 9 p.m. Sunday.
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