Though any emotion can be read into Mona Lisa's mysterious smile, scientists have identified the glint in her eyes as simple lust for gelato. Tantalize portraits with today’s Groupon: for $25, you get a $20 gift card and a punch card for 10 small gelatos at Matteo's Gelato in Port Coquitlam (a $69.24 value).
Matteo's Gelato, fashioned after an Italian-style bistro, crafts a kaleidoscopic colour wheel of artisan gelatos in myriad flavours such as peach, chocolate, pineapple, and blackberry. Instead of devouring ice sculptures of fire extinguishers, ice down tonsils with a small blueberry gelato ($3.95) while perusing a menu starring Intelligentsia specialty coffees, pastries, soups, salads, and sandwiches. Customers can also stroll in at breakfast for a BLT with eggs ($4.95), a large cup of joe ($2.25), and a cinnamon bun ($1.99). Before a medium take-home order of caramel macchiato gelato melts ($15.99), scarf down a veggie and cheese sandwich for lunch ($4.49) or fill up with a Black Forest ham panini ($6.95). For an indulgent capper to the meal, savour an affogato, an espresso and gelato alchemy ($5.50) known for making patrons fluent in Italian and skilled in building leaning towers of Ferraris.
Matteo's Gelato
A colourful spectrum of gelato flavours, safely ensconced in a gleaming glass case, catches the eyes of customers at Matteo's Gelato. Helmed by a classically trained owner that’s been crafting frozen desserts for more than 35 years, the gelateria stocks a selection of classic and creative flavours that rotates as often as a clown’s spinning bow tie. From seasonal appearances of candy-cane or pumpkin-pie gelato to regular flavours such as chocolate hazelnut and cherry blossom, the shop consistently tempts visitors to try something new. Espresso drinks create a pleasing contrast to the cold treats, especially when gelato is ordered affogato style: with a fresh shot poured over the chilly dessert.