A Taste of Italy

By Nicholas Devoe

            West Chester Gelato lovers were left to mourn when Sprazzo Gelato closed up in late 2009. However the popular dessert’s sweet taste is back in the Dub-C with D’Ascenzo’s Gelato on East Gay St. This young gelateria has become a member of our community, participating in a number of local events such as West Chester’s Restaurant Week. Their unique arrays of flavors are made with authentic Italian ingredients with no artificial fillers. 

Following a 1999 trip to Italy, the couple was enchanted with the ‘old world’ style frozen dessert. “My wife and I had the gelato everywhere we went, but our favorite was the gelateria by the Pantheon...We enjoyed the experience and the intense flavors and thought it was such a beautiful display” owner Glenn said. The gelato of Italy left a memorable impression on the owners, and inspired them to go into the business. Owners Glenn and Kristin D’Ascenzo jumped into the gelato business in 2004.

As Glenn and Kristin situated themselves on the entrepreneurial scene, Glenn pieced together a signature recipe for his very own gelato. They started as a wholesaler of the product at a farmer’s market in Chestnut Hill. D’Acenzo Gelato became a regular vendor at events and festivals throughout the Philadelphia area.                                                                                                                                                                                                    They were present at the Chaddsford Winery Memorial Day Festival, toting their Chaddsford Cabernet gelato. In the WC borough D’Ascenzo use a portable cart to share their gelato for outdoor events such as Super Sundays, Swinging Thursdays and the West Chester Restaurant Festival. Folks started asking about where to find their gelato. Eventually the pair set up shop on Gay St in West Chester to have a central location. The couple decided on a quaint brick row home to renovate into their small business in April 2010.

The ambiance at their street side location adds to the entrepreneurs’ niche. D’Ascenzo’s Gelato sits nestled next to West Chester’s Italian restaurants, located on the quiet end of the borough. Wrought iron tables and chairs adorn the welcoming courtyard set on the side of the building. The inviting outdoor dining area is lined with flowers. This gelato shop reeks with charm just from the outer appearance.

The array of delectable gelato flavors immediately stunned me upon entrance to the humble 15x20 room of the gelateria. Behind the massive bubble of a dessert case the gourmet variety spanned from all the different berries to cookie dough infused creations. One of the most intriguing, the caramel and sea salt, provided a refreshing complementary flavor.

Kristin D’Ascenzo went into detail about the delicious homemade gelato and demanding work she and her husband Glenn dedicate to make their product. “We make it on premises here in the store. Every or every other day, keeping 24 pans on display. It’s a labor intensive process. It’s a long process, we gather the nuts, roast them, mash them into a paste and turn them into a variety. If we’re making blood orange gelato we have to actually squeeze the oranges into the paste. So there’s a lot of work involved,  but it makes a nice product.” Kristin commented.                                       

 Her husband Glenn explained where the couple’s love for fresh ingredients and emphasis on homemade food, “My grandmother was always cooking and making her pastas.  My grandfather who came from Italy also made his own wines and liqueurs.  My parents still love to prepare meals for the whole family.”

Their roots of passion for this model continue the old world tradition before preservative and artificial additives. In fact, gelato is actually healthier than ice cream making it not such a naughty treat. Made with hormone free organic milk, all natural fruit and nuts, and far less sugar and fat content than ice cream, gelato is served as a guilt-free treat!

Other than the ‘health-nut’ factors listed above one can’t help but be curious, why is gelato is the step up from ice-cream? “What’s different about gelato, other than your heady ingredients and disciplined principles of freshness? What is it that sets a gelateria apart from an ordinary ice-cream parlor like Scoops on High St.?” I inquired. “Gelato is made by incorporating very little air or overrun creating a dense and creamy product allowing natural fruit/nut flavors to come through”, the owners explained.

 Their position in the borough was decisive with the business’s success. The gelateria is directly next to the I-pasta restaurant and Nonna’s Italian Restaurant is just a few doors down. Not to mention Gilmore’s fancy French cuisine across the street. A parallel can be drawn between the winers and diners of these establishments and subsequent trips to the gelateria. “I think peak times are always the weekends, evenings for sure. Saturdays are GREAT! People like to stroll and go to the restaurants in town; there are fabulous restaurants everywhere here. And then they stroll for dessert, and come to the gelateria” said owner Kristen.

 This business holds a niche that with one key factor, now they are the only gelateria in West Chester. With all of their gelato made from scratch, fresh ingredients, and enchanting story of inspiration, Kristin and Glenn D’Ascenzo have paved the path for frozen treat success. The community expects their presence at the various events held in the borough and in Chadds Ford. With their fairly new location at  Gay St. the owners certainly have made their presence known as the after dinner stop in West Chester’s ‘Little Italy’. A mission statement or company promise found in their product brochure reads: “We will always let our quality speak for itself”. 

Jimmy John's....West Chester Hot Diggedy Dogs

                 Last Sunday my father and I went scouting for his next vehicle all along rt. 202's illustrious row of car dealerships close to the PA/Delaware border. Seeking SUVs, we meandered the majority of the dealerships along this portion of the highway designated Wilmington Pike (superhighway to Wilmington DE).
                 On our return trip we saw an interesting humble trucker spot on the side of the road called Jimmy John's. Huge light up letters suspended on the side of the train-car style building read FAMOUS FOR FRANKFURTERS. The menu was up on traditional plastic light up signs behind the counter like an old 1950s McDonald's.
                 Inexpensive prices such as $3.75 for a cheesesteak, $2.45 for dogs, and $1.95 for french fries provided a very modest feeling to the oldschool establishment. We decided to partake in a cheesesteak and the "special frankfurter" their house specialty. This hot diggedy dog is served topped with chili, cheese, and bacon. The natural casing had a delicious smoky satisfying flavor. The cheesesteak was nicely chopped steak with plenty of cheesy goodness melted overtop. Served in a basket with help yourself ketchup dispensers, there was a definite rustic aura to this small brick mom 'n pop business settled in a near nowhere spot on 202.
                Having started in May of 1940 as a little hot dog stand, and continuing to grow to be the full building with dining for nearly fifty people, Jimmy John's is a for sure candidate for Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. I give this place 5 stars for incredible food, a very unique niche, and bravery for the plain dining area in train-car theme. I can see why they're famous for frankfurters, this place is full of flair.

The Venture for a Vintage Venue

        While the roaring traffic flows at the intersection of Frankfort and Girard avenues, a gently lit watering hole sits nestled on a corner that stands out from the rough neighborhood, furnishing concert-goers with a different blend of funky fresh flavors for a night of fun almost any day of the week.

        Johnny Brenda’s is the name of the joint; from the outside this gem seems a normal neighborhood bar that most would suspect is a dive with a cluster of apartments above. I would suggest from the shell you see that the bar is as daunting as a spook-house you might frequent on All Hallows Eve.
However upon entrance you are immersed in an absolute vintage aura. First you encounter a couple of pool tables to the side of an enormous bar top that leads down a hallway to a legitimate dining room. The size of the spot surprises you, impossible to tell from the outside.
        The crowd can only be described as a medley, some blue collar, a few roughnecks, a handful of gangsters, plenty of proper well to do musicians, and an abundance of punk college kids seeking the wild ride Philadelphia so generously offers. All in all everyone, regardless of what demographic they might fit, chooses to frequent this Philly hot spot with the same goal: good times, great music, and open room to dance and get down to some grooving beats.
        This unique slice of musical heaven goes up and up, as guests venture upward from the dining room billiards section an nicely sized open dance floor greets you, with another full bar. Behind the varnished cherry wood counter of the bar hung several chalk boards describing varieties of craft beers most folks haven’t even heard of from all over the state.

The stage was minute compared to bars and clubs in other parts of Philly, but against the grain more-so in the mirrors adorned all along the back wall behind the entertainment. The band we partook in was He’s My Brother She’s My Sister. They amplified bumping melodies full of strong guitar riffs and catchy choruses. It was an Indie concert if a genre must have been attached, but like the variety the crowd was, Johnny Brenda’s totes a widespread schedule of shows. There was a timeless feeling to the crazy vintage saloon style music playing between bands, adding to the genuine coziness to Johnny Brenda’s.

There is more to the illustrious Fishtown spot; exit upward yet again to another level of dance area. This section wields balcony viewing, plenty of room to dance, and high top tables along the back. A humble six or seven foot bar sits situated in the corner of the third floor, leaving the thirsty concert-goers quenched regardless of level top to bottom. Hospitality at Johnny Brenda’s,  needless to say, stay on top of their game.

             Fuzzy colors of blues and purples traversed the vaulted ceiling at the top flight of the musical site. The balcony style adds a different atmosphere to the whole experience, with the professional light system beaming up our direction the ambiance of the Johnny Brenda’s was complemented quite well by the earthiness of the hardwood floor and dark tree bar tops in the dim light. Memorable is the word to capture this signature spot.
“Johnny Brenda’s is somethin’ special that’s for sure. I love this place” Music lover Clayton Perry stated about the establishment after the show.
            The experience of this Philadelphia hub for good spirits and incredible times is a secret to those who partake in it’s pleasures. Audiences are in for a very different sample of the concert experience when frequenting Johnny Brenda’s. I am a connoisseur of the sort for vintage locations and this place reeks genuine.
            Pouring out into the streets at 2 a.m. those who sought for the right ambiance, groovy tunes and everything else you could be seeking in a venue have reached satiety. Taste the flavors of this establishment's musical delight whether in the surrounding suburbs or throughout your travels to our birthplace of liberty. The pursuit of happiness is in enjoying yourself in a comfortable surrounding of positive vibrations, thanks Johnny Brenda’s.

Also submitted for Mr. Bauerlein's feature writing class, JRN 272 at W.C.U.

My Credentials...

               WELCOME READERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

               I'm a senior English major at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Writing is my passion, I wish to share some reviews of awesome nightlife. I will post as often as possible. The reviews will give you some great reads and at the least great recommendations for hot spots in the area.
             
              My first English course at W.C.U. was Effective Writing. Our professor assigned a restaurant review as the second assignment. I took the liberty of choosing to review a real 'snazzy' restaurant in the borough of West Chester called Trattoria Alberto's. After receiving an "A" on that paper everything else fell into place, and journalism just took over my English studies.
            
              I have taken many other rigorous writing courses here since then and enjoy reviewing and critiquing businesses, event venues and a plethora of other topics. Persuing my journalism minor at West Chester has impelled me to dive into these activities and immerse myself in the diverse activities our area has to offer. So, enjoy I'll be posting as often as possible!
          
Feel free to leave comments, even if you disagree with my opinion on a particular review. Hope to be hearing from my readers : )