Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Bulgarini

They don't spend money on fancy bowls and utensils. And you'll see when you arrive at the Altadena strip mall they call home that they haven't splurged on rent. Bulgarini Gelato Artigianale puts everything into the flavor. Seriously. (Quite seriously.)

I suggest you browse the website. That's where I learned that Leo Bulgarini, a native of Italy, returns there regularly to purchase (for example) Sicilian pistachios (because they're the best), or he travels to Santo Domingo for cocoa (guess why) or to Hawaii (do you know a better place to find macadamia nuts?).

There's a simple reason Leo goes to all this trouble. The flavor of Bulgarini gelato is unequaled.

It's going to be hot this week. Gelato time.

Pictured above: grapefruit, mandarin orange, and chocolate with sea salt. How much do you want to bet Leo went to Florida, China, Santo Domingo and Great Britain to make my gelato?

It was worth it.

30 comments:

dive said...

Hokay, that is DEFINITELY on my list of places to visit in California.
Mmmmmm …

John Sandel said...

Nice bokeh, dude.

Bellis said...

This is the best icecream/gelato in California, and my favorite flavor is the chocolate, though I haven't yet tasted it with British sea salt (the best!!). Abby and I try to stop off there to chill out after a hike, though we tend to forget when they're open, and end up trying to break the doors down. I'd love to go to the Italian movies projected onto the wall outside the store on summertime evenings - has anyone been?

By the way, the photo is also delicious - I love the floating orange dots - what are they?

Curly said...

I know... I know... the GELATO is the best thing on earth after... ehm. ehm. I can't say that ok! :-DDD
Have a splendid day!!!

Book Dragon said...

now that I'm craving some of that chocolate....when do they open?

jb said...

Sod Intelligentsia. Next time, THIS place...

irinapictures said...

Why, why life is so cruel? The day I decide to stop my everyday ice-cream sin and correct my food choices at last, I read the post like this?? And the photo!

Speedway said...

Those floating orange dots must be the little *Blings!* of goodness hovering over that wonderful dish of gelato. Oh,my! *Sigh.*

Italo said...

GELATO! Give me melon, cocoa and strawberry and I'm happy, always.

The Sage of Altadena said...

It's one of our little secret places in Altadena -- the surroundings usually alarm visitors when I take them, but then -- gelato heaven! Last year we were there when Leo had a whole shipment of peaches outside, just ripening. The smell was an aphrodisiac. I want to go now!

Katie said...

Perfect photo for the first day of summer. I really want to try the chocolate with sea salt. If Leo travels to distant lands to get his ingredients, I wonder if his mobile carts would travel as far as San Francisco!

Virginia said...

Oh yeah, when I come out there, we're headed to say hello to Leo!
V

Anonymous said...

Dirt cheap, too!

Margaret said...

Bulgarini's is amazing. Definitely worth a trip if you haven't been. Yum.

Susan Campisi said...

Yum! Last time I was there Leo kept giving me tastes of all the amazing flavors. I actually had to tell him to stop so that I saved room for my order. I will definitely be going back this week.

Petrea Burchard said...

Wow. I guess I know how to wake you guys up on a summer morning. Treats!

Yes, I forgot to mention the samples. You get to taste before you buy. Incredible, and worth twice what he charges for it (don't tell him I said that). The flavors he offers change depending on what's fresh, ripe and available. Mmmmm.

Latino Heritage said...

Love their bacio! We have gone so often we have scads of their scoopers. For our big parties in the summer we buy great quantities of gelato and those scoopers are busy filling our mouths with luscious lemony and chocolatey bits of heaven.
I haven't had a chance to see whether or not they are having their films on Fridays this year. If they are it is great to have one of their dinners, finish with gelato, and see films like "The Bicycle Theif" projected on screen.

Cafe Pasadena said...

I know Bulgarini.
But how's the joint for writing a book? And the music??

Petrea Burchard said...

I'd love to catch a movie there, LH. I've heard of their dinner/movie evenings and it sounds wonderful.

Cafe, you seem to have your gelato confused with your espresso. Although I believe they have that flavor from time to time. It might not be a bad place to write, depending on weather and battery power. The seating is outdoors and casual.

Unknown said...

I gave up ice cream about 20 years ago, but I'm thinking it's time to break down and indulge.

Beautiful photo, Petrea, of a great subject for this first day of summer! And I've heard that Leo will be showing the movies this summer.

Unknown said...

Yum! Looks delicious!

Speedway said...

Apparently, Bulgari makes expensive jewels, while Bulgarini makes jewels of inexpensive treats that everyone can enjoy. Wish I could have some.

Petrea Burchard said...

The fruit flavors seem so directly fruity to me, Lori, that I doubt there's much dairy in them.

Hi Alan!

Good comparison, Speedway. Which reminds me, I believe Bellis asked about the glowing jewels in the background. I don't remember what they were. Twinkly lights hanging on the wall, maybe?

John Sandel said...

A quick check of Photograhphy for the Astigmatic translates the Japanese bokeh as "a shower of sparks from a malfunctioning coffee-maker."

Ms M said...

Looks de-lish! Perfect for a summer day.

Shan said...

OMGelato!!!!! Get in my mouth salty chocolate!! :~O

Petrea Burchard said...

You guys are makin' me laugh.

I love pistachio and macadamia nuts said...

What a better daily occupation than mixing work and pleasure through travels and great food.
Their torte di gelato seems amazing!
Hey, I thought the best pistachio grew in the "Piemonte" region of Italy (?).

Vanda said...

I can attest, they have the awesomest gelatos!

Petrea Burchard said...

You'll have to ask Leo about that, ILP. All I know is the guy knows what he's doing and he's picky!

Can I get a witness? Vanda is my witness, among several others here.