gelatolabo (Faber Drive)

I'm biased because I always get pistachio ice cream.

Interesting flavours but overpriced gelato
his shop specializes in gelato flavours that resemble the botanical, herbally offerings of Birds of Paradise. However, quality pales from that of B.O.P's. At the time of visit, there were a couple of gelato flavours whose texture were not 'the most ideal' - slightly melted and 'wet'. The lavender cone (+$1.20) lacked any hint of lavender. It tasted like any other plain flavoured cone. Many of the flavours fall into the category of gourmet/alcoholic - costing up to an exorbitant total of $13/double scoop. In my view, it's daylight robbery.

The flavour stayed true to its name, with very pronounced earthy notes of coffee. It was very clear from the start that Gelatolabo spared no expenses in using good coffee. The butter biscuits, on the other hand, paled in its delivery. What came through was sodden bits of cookie mash (kinda like what you get at the bottom of the cup when you dunk your Oreo a little too long). I wished there was more chunk and bite to the cookie, which would lend a nice sweet balance to the bitter undertone of the coffee. Still good nonetheless, but probably not worth the price.

One of the best pistachio ice creams around! We also got the Sakura Smoke, Artichoke & Pear Compote ice cream, which tasted like bacon :> The mochi waffle is great ($6.60). Will definitely be back!

Serving as a great palate cleanser as well as a light after-meal option, the Seasonal Kyoto Shiso & Yuzu Jelly ($6/ Single - Gourmet) is best described as refreshing. The subtle grassy notes and herbaceous quality might not be for everyone as the flavour is pretty exotic. Yet with the bits of yuzu jelly studded within offered a great citrusy-sweetness to the scoop.

Earlier this month when sweater weather was still a thing, I travelled down to Faber Drive specifically for Gelatolabo’s Fresh Tokyo Mochi Waffle (+$6.60) and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Made with nippon flour and mochi, the waffle was perfectly crusted. Think crisp, golden brown exterior and slight-sticky soft interior - so satisfying! Loving that initial crunch which yields to a delightfully bouncy and chewy inside as you cut into it.

Of course, having been to their hole-in-a-wall store at Jalan Besar several times, I had to get flavours that I didn’t come across previously or those that I have yet to try such as the 38% Milk Chocolate & Cereal Nibs as well as the Del Monte Banana & Cacao Nibs ($8/ Double - Premium). Not conventional but still relatively safe, the 38% Milk Chocolate & Cereal Nibs had a fun play of textures with the crunch from the clusters of handmade cereal nibs and smooth ice cream. It wasn’t too sweet and would be ideal for milk-chocolate lovers. Similarly, the Del Monte Banana & Cacao Nibs delivered a crowd-pleasing combination with the intensity of the banana flavour and bittersweetness of the dark cacao bits - very well-balanced in both taste and textures. For those in need of an added dose of chocolate, the Valrhona Chocolate Sauce (+$1) was just the thing being luscious and rich.