Nutella Cafe - Chicago, IL
Over the Labor Day weekend, I made my first trip to the Windy City. Chicago was really great - good food, good comedy, beautiful architecture and home to one of my favorite airbnbs ever (I was one of the first to book the location and got it for a steal)! I discovered a killer antique store, a great Turkish Breakfast spot, and a craft beer collector’s dream store in the North Center neighborhood. I am now the proud owner of vintage salt cellars, whatever that means.
Back to ice cream - Chicago is a city known for their hot foods such as deep dish and Chicago dogs, so I didn’t have an extensive list going in like I usually do. My travel companions were one of my best friends from Orlando and her very fun girlfriend who had her own priorities for the trip. Oriana mentioned the Nutella Cafe several times per day. It was near our downtown hotel (we split up the trip between North Center and Downtown) and when we walked by it had an insane line, typical of a viral cafe on a holiday weekend... eek. I stayed until Tuesday evening and the crowds all but disappeared after Monday so I was able to stroll right in on Tuesday - Sorry, Oriana.
I tried the two gelato flavors available - Fior di Latte (basically vanilla, topped with Nutella) and of course plain Nutella. It was really indulgent and generously-scooped. Definitely more gelato than anyone needs after spending three hours in an Italian market megaplex. It was mostly smooth with a little freezer burn. No one’s perfect. While I was resistant to it’s gimmicky charm at first, I will say it is worth a stop IF there is no line and chocolate-hazelnut is your thing!
p.s. I will always love you, Eataly.