Amorino is an ice cream shop based off of the two passions of co-founders Cristiano Sereni and Pablo Benassi: Italy and gelato. The first ever Amorino gelato shop was opened in 2002 in IIe Saint-Louis: the heart of Paris. This memorable destination is a must-go-to for all visitors and even residents of Paris. In 2006, the franchise was able to open over 90 stores across France. In 2008, just two years later, the first international Amorino store was opened in Barcelona. In the following years, the company easily progressed to major places, such as London, Milan, and even New York. Also, in 2016, the brand was blessed with their 150th store. In my opinion, the co-founders became very successful because of the creativity put inside of the cone. The unique rose shape is created with a metal spatula. The spatula slowly makes the flower come to life petal by petal. The cuisine is a piece of artwork, for there is so much delicate detail put into every single cone. The work, effort, and handcraft involved to make the ice cream is unbelievable. I also think the other reason for their success is because they had the idea to let everyone enjoy ice cream, as some of the flavors are vegan and gluten free. This is true because, in 2016, the Vegan Society approved of all the sobets in Amorino’s wide selection of its flavors. I was in Chicago’s famous downtown towards the end of February. I was able to go get an Amorino ice cream. As soon as I entered the shop, pale walls and dark floor intrigued me and made me feel soft tingles of warmth reminding me of cozy cottages. I saw a small line formed in the middle of the shop with small tables set for two around the area. The place was full of chattering voices of customers and the fresh aroma of gelato. I slowly ordered my serving of gelato: organic lemon, pistachio, passion fruit, hazelnut chocolate, and mint chocolate chip. I closed my eyes with enjoyment, as the flavors, once mixed together, created more new unnamed and unspoken flavors. Ice cream can sometimes make my head swirl and my mouth slowly curve into a smile. It was true of Amorino Gelato, but it tasted denser and richer, giving me even more joy as I ate. And my heart beat fast, as I played a game with the drops of gelato and sorbet that tried to drip onto my hands. The droplets might mimic the sweat beads I had, but I did not let a speck of sticky ice cream get on me. As the cone slowly grew smaller, I finished the ice cream with perfectly untouched hands. I continued to walk down the street still tasting the sweet flavors on the tip of my tongue, deciding which ones I would get next time.
Food review
Kung Fu Tea: Boba at its Best? By Sydney Kesselheim, 11
As I walk in the doors of Kung Fu Tea, located in Brookline, Massachusetts, the scent of my favorite drink, bubble tea, floats into my nose. I step up to the counter, where a nice cashier greets me and asks me for my order. I crave Kung Fu milk tea with boba and mango popping bubbles. Cashiers at this location usually make it in under a minute and a half, and I usually don’t have to wait very long to get my delicious drink. The cashier gives it to me and says “Have a nice day.” Then I sit down on one of the fluffy chairs, and enjoy my boba tea. The milk tea is a perfect mixture of milk and tea, and delights my taste buds. The boba is soft and gooey on the outside and firm on the inside–just the way I like it. The mango popping boba’s thin gelatin exterior comes off, and the mango juice inside explodes in my mouth. So many images appear in my head when I think of bubble tea. But what is it? First, the milk tea normally consists of milk, black tea, and sometimes fruit. The bubbles are made by mixing tapioca starch and flavoring together, rolling the dough into small balls, and simmering in a pot of boiling water. The mango popping boba is mango juice with a thin and easy to break gelatin exterior. Aside from all that, bubble tea is also the most amazing and sweet drink ever created. People in Taiwan, the place of origin for bubble tea, certainly know how to make a delicious drink. As I’m sitting in the shop, I research how Kung Fu Tea began. Kung Fu Tea’s website describes its values as patience and expertise. Kung Fu Tea explains, “With the Kung Fu spirit (and the principles that it involves), you can achieve mastery in your careers, hobbies, personal lives, and more. Keep this in mind: without the struggles, there wouldn’t be any progress.” This means that to achieve great things, people have to face their challenges. Kung Fu Tea’s quote also means that people should persist throughout hard times. Kung Fu Tea is not only an amazing destination for bubble tea, it also tries to instill important lessons about taking risks and doing your best. Their motto shows me that even if I don’t succeed, it’s trying my best that matters.
