Forget Bourbon Street: Go To Sophie’s Gelato
Classic look plus classic taste equals winning combination.
Everybody who visits New Orleans hears the same thing from their friends before they go: “Go to Bourbon St., man! You’ve gotta go to Bourbon!” Anyone who says that is dead wrong, of course: Bourbon Street is a malodorous melange of mediocre grog shops, and as such is not worth wasting the time on.
Sophie’s Gelato, on the other hand, ought to be a must-visit for everyone who goes to New Orleans. Located on Magazine Street in the Garden District, Sophie’s has something for every ice cream lover. Whether you’re looking for the nostalgia of their 1950’s-era soda shop decor, the magnificent flavor of their house-made gelatos, or the most courteous customer service imaginable, you won’t be disappointed. Because their gelatos are hand-made in house, there is a rotating cast of varieties that may be available. I visited twice on consecutive days and though many of my choices were the same both times, there were new flavors available on day two, and every type I tried was fabulous.
In the end, both times I settled on flavors featuring the local delicacy Creole cream cheese: one day on its own and the other as part of Strawberry Creole Cream Cheesecake. My choices were mainly inspired by the knowledge that once I returned to Pittsburgh, I wouldn’t see Creole cream cheese anything; but, if your tastes run more standard, there are many flavors from which to make your selection.
The women working behind the counter were different each time, but both were tremendously friendly, encouraging me to sample a few before I made up my mind of what to buy. Each time as they gave me my samples and then scooped my selection, they chatted with me in the amicable and liesurely manner I remember the city having before the storm. “Oh, Miss Gee just bought this place in February,” I was told on my second visit when I asked how long the ice cream shop had been there. “It had been an ice cream shop before, but I don’t know how long. I never knew about it ’til I moved Uptown.”
Geneva Mercadel, otherwise known as Miss Gee, has been a Hollywood actress, Queen Zulu of the famous Zulu Parade, and now owns the fabulous Sophie’s Gelato Old-Time Ice Cream Parlor. The care and attention she puts into the product and training her staff are evident. The casual atmposphere of the parlor was just what I was looking for after long days visiting tougher-hit parts of the city (if you haven’t read this post, please do: I think it’s important that people realize the challenges New Orleans is facing).
Should you be planning a trip to New Orleans, don’t miss out on a local treat; make sure you visit Sophie’s.
Contact info:
Sophie’s Gelato Old Time Ice Cream Parlor
1912 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA (504) 561-0291
June 28th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
hey, its asia yolanda’s daughter ! i just wanted to kno how u were doing but … ur ice cream is sooo good !!.. i had it during mardi gras . well i luv u soo much >>> asia