Il Vecchio | Carl Alasko
The typical gelato case with its rainbow of flavors – this isn’t it.
Il Vecchio revels in the pure simplicity of Italian dishes, so it’s no surprise that vanilla serves as the base for all of their gelato offerings. Carl Alasko’s staff treat it as a canvas, layering in chocolate, mint, berry purees, nuts or even crumbled biscotti to create easy desserts.
The San Pietro, for example, features a drizzle of caramel and a trio of nuts. The combination may not seem all that inspired at first. But then the subtle earthy sweetness of pistachio greets the delicate haze of almond. Meanwhile, the bitter trace in walnut seeps through the burnished note in caramel and clings to your palate, framing the minuet of nuts and cream.
It’s rich yet refreshing, with pops of salt scything through the heavy caramel. And it’s just vanilla gelato.
The menu includes up to a dozen different creations, each with the same complementary balance. Even the Oaxaca, with smoked chili, pepitas, agave and lime makes sense – and suggests the kitchen can go a little on the wild side.
IL VECCHIO, 110 Central Ave., Pacific Grove. 324-4282, ilvecchiorestuarant.com
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