Let's Eat

By JACKIE HANUSEY
Staff Writer
June 18, 2008

Ice-cream lovers warming up to Java Gelato

‘Once you have gelato it’s hard to go back’

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – If you are looking for refreshing tastes that will make you feel like you are in Italy, look no further than Java Gelato on Ocean Heights Avenue here.
“We get a lot of people that come in after trips to Europe,” said Mike Irvolino of Egg Harbor Township, one of the owners of the coffee and gelato shop which opened in September.
Irvolino and co-owner Warren Vitale of Atlantic City are flattered when their customers say their gelato is exactly like the frozen treats they were served in Italian ice-cream parlors.
While the frozen concoction is getting more and more popular in the area, it can still take a little explaining. Gelato, for example, is not the same as “gelati,” a water ice and soft-serve mix served at some ice-cream shops.
“People come in and ask, ‘What flavor cream cheeses are they?’” Irvolino said.
Gelato is Italian ice cream that can be made with fruit, milk or cream bases. Many flavors have just 1 or 2 percent fat, making it healthier than some traditional ice creams.
The shop offers 16 different types of gelato at a time, rotating close to 70 flavors.
The ingredients must be mixed in precisely the right combination to make gelato. After the ingredients are mixed, on site, they are pasteurized rising to 186 degrees Fahrenheit in a specialty machine.
After that, the mix is frozen while it’s being stirred, forming a frozen treat that has less air and more dense and flavorful than traditional ice cream.
Within 10 minutes of freezing, a 5-liter pan is ready to be served.
Specialty coffee drinks are also available hot or cold. You can sip a hot cup of Raspberry Mocha or an Italian-style cappuccino or try a Cremosa Italian Cream Soda or Iced Mocha if you are looked for a cold drink.
Irvolino and Vitale met when they worked together at the Sands. Irvolino had been in the deli business prior to becoming a pit boss at the casinos.
Vitale was living in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit; he was fortunate that his house was not destroyed.
“I didn’t have a job, though,” he said. “Everything was flooded.”
So he stayed five months and then returned here.
Irvolino, who had gone into several other business ventures since he left the casino business two years ago, decided he wanted to work on a project with his good friend.
On a visit to Annapolis, Md. their idea began to take shape when they came upon Aromi d’Italia, a provider of authentic Italian gelato, which also has a school for gelato making.
Eventually they would add paninis, salads and bagels to the menu at their shop. Cakes, gelato cannolis and party trays are also available.
Friday-evening live music nights will also be starting soon.
Marking their first summer in business, they are planning a grand opening event Saturday, July 12 which will include coffee and gelato specials.
Their most popular flavors this winter were fruit-based gelatos including raspberry and banana. Irvolino said their own mixture of raspberry, peaches and mango is perfect when you need a refreshing treat on hot summer evenings.
“Once you have gelato it is hard to go back to regular ice creams.”

 

If You Go:

Java Gelato
3007 Ocean Heights Avenue
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
(609) 926-JAVA

Visa, Master Card and Discover accepted
Open daily 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Gift cards available
Party trays, cakes and quarts and pints of gelato available for purchase
 

(Jackie Hanusey) Paninis are also available including this chicken pesto sandwich.

Customer Favorites:
Gelato Small $2.85, Medium $3.75, Large $4.50. Children’s sizes are available and include refill specials on repeat visits.

Favorite flavors include: Stracciatella a full cream gelato made with a mix of vanilla and chocolate chips, Ice box cake Graham crackers and banana mixed in a chocolate base gelato and Lemon fruit-based gelato with the refreshing sour flavor of lemon.

Tahitian Vanilla Frappe A blended iced coffee drink with whipped cream starts at $2.95 for a small.
The California Panini Fresh avocados, smoked turkey, tomatoes, Swiss cheese and light mayo $6.95.
Chicken Pesto Panini Chicken, spinach, tomatoes and pesto $6.95.