Just Open: Gelaperia, Healesville

It's a modern-day dilemma: you venture overseas, fall in love, build a life … then kids come along. Suddenly grandparents matter so you head home and try to slot back in. Faced with this situation, Veronica and Davydd Marrie decided to bring a touch of Italia home.

He trained as a gelatiere in Bologna, they bought Carpigiani gelati machines (the same used at Messina) and set up in Healesville, where there's access to primo Yarra Valley produce.

Gelaperia, which opened this month, is an elegant red-and-white concern, with a dazzling coffee machine and a window to the work area. There, superb sorbet is made with peaches from nearby Rayner's Orchard, velvety 70 per cent chocolate from Healesville chocolatiers Kennedy & Wilson, and I-can't-believe-it's-not-dairy hazelnut is made with rice milk.

The "ape" part of the Gelaperia name is from the post-WWII, three-wheeled Vespa parked in the shop, which will soon be used to run gelati to Yarra Valley markets and weddings.

Open daily 9am-6pm.

Gelaperia, shop 1, 5–7 Green Street, Healesville, 5962 2381, gelaperia.com.au