Quick pop quiz. What's the year 1565 famous for? Full marks to anyone who answered that it's when gelati was "invented" in Florence. It's also the name of a new Kensington cafe and gelateria.
Strong on Italian tradition, 1565 is making gelati flavoured with coffee, pistachio and vanilla, of course.
But among the more creative gelati and sorbet flavours in the line-up are Nutella and rum baba; ricotta and honey; poached fig, orange and fennel; and watermelon and mint – two generous scoops for $6.
The cafe-gelateria is the work of brothers Adriano, Alfred and Alessio Acquaro and their mother, Joy.
Adriano honed his gelati-making skills at Gelobar in Brunswick East and the 1565 crew have strong family ties to Pizza d'Asporto and Kiosk by d'Asporto in Williamstown, and Italian bakery Impasto Forno Antico in Avondale Heights, which supplies sweet treats such as cannoli.
The fitout at 1565 is clean, elegant and simple. The walls are festooned with colourful ice-cream-themed paintings (for sale) by Bendigo artist Chris Duffy, there's an open fireplace in working order and is scope for a rear courtyard in future
Open daily noon-late.
3 Gower Street, Kensington, 03 9376 1965.
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