Paciugo's Gelato, coming this fall

[AJoD]

According to their website:

http://www.paciugo.com/html/locations/

Don't much about this place, but a Fall 2007 opening date suggests a P&L District location, perhaps?

It's a Dallas-based chain that looks to have some serious expansion plans.

I've posted a query to the folks over at Dallasfood.org:

http://dallasfood.org/modules.php?name= ... =1397#1397

[PumpkinStalker]

If P&L, good news!  Gelato is delicious.

[DaveKCMO]

in the interim, check out the gelato place in the city market... it is divine.

[KCMax]

How is the one on the Plaza?

[PumpkinStalker]

How is the one on the Plaza?

Balsano's.  This used to be in the antique district of 43rd and State Line, but when Cherries on the Plaza closed, Balsano's moved in.  Not bad, very straightforward.  I liked them more when they were in the old location, it wasn't as "mainstream" and more of a neighborhood place.  As far as business, I'm sure this is a much better location for traffic, but with the difference in rent, I have no clue if it was worth it.

[DaveKCMO]

How is the one on the Plaza?

having tried both a few times, i'll say that the one in the city market is slightly better and has more interesting flavors. however, balsano's is open more often.

[DaveKCMO]

According to their website:

http://www.paciugo.com/html/locations/

Don't much about this place, but a Fall 2007 opening date suggests a P&L District location, perhaps?

did this site actually mention KC at one point? there's nothing missouri or KC listed now.

[AJoD]

Yes, it did, and you're right it's gone.  Curious.

In other gelato-related news, just returned from Aunt Jean's, open about a week, on Johnson Dr in Shawnee (the "downtown" part).  Decent, but no Murray's, which I know is not gelato, but is some good freakin' ice cream.  I enjoyed my apricot, the kids enjoyed their stuff.  They make their own base.  I've often wondered why there weren't any local ice cream shops on some of these small town Main Street stretches of Johnson Drive.  We've got a Baskin-Robbins in Mission.

[KCMax]

Yes, it did, and you're right it's gone.  Curious.

In other gelato-related news, just returned from Aunt Jean's, open about a week, on Johnson Dr in Shawnee (the "downtown" part).  Decent, but no Murray's, which I know is not gelato, but is some good freakin' ice cream.  I enjoyed my apricot, the kids enjoyed their stuff.  They make their own base.  I've often wondered why there weren't any local ice cream shops on some of these small town Main Street stretches of Johnson Drive.  We've got a Baskin-Robbins in Mission.

And a Cold Stone Creamery. You're right though, there should be a local place. Wasn't Sylas and Maddy's of Lawrence thinking of opening a location in NE Joco? Maybe one of the umpteen coffee houses that have opened up can become an ice cream place.

[dangerboy]

Balsano's dramatically reduced their selection when they moved from the West Plaza into the Plaza itself.  They used to have a bigger selection of interesting flavors.

[AJoD]

I always forget about Cold Stone.  I don't care for it much anyway, and the particular strip mall in which it's located doesn't offer any additional encouragement.

Regarding Paciugo's, I emailed them and they responded promptly that they are updating their website, with the KC site scheduled to open March 30, 2008.

[AJoD]

Dammit....just got another email...it's in Leawood.

[AJoD]

These folks are nothing if not responsive.  In addition to replying to my email (twice), they also replied in the dallasfood.org thread linked above and have already updated their website.  Well, kind of.

http://www.paciugo.com/html/locations/index.php

[AJoD]

Got an email this morning:

I know it took us a long time, but we are finally ready to open our store!
The address is 5260 W. 116th Place, Leawood, KS 66211, roughly 15 miles outside Kansas City.
I'll be there today for the training and I'll stay until Sunday. Our first official day will be Saturday.
I hope to see you at the store, if it's not too out of the way for you.

Have a great day!

[jimb]

I think this is the long discussed gelato spot in Park Place (just north of TCP)

[trailerkid]

Correct me if I'm wrong...

Isn't gelato just ice cream for people that think they're too good for ice cream? I'm surprised it's not called a "boutique" or "experience"

I just picture this scenario:

Back Benz wagon out of driveway,

Park Benz wagon in front of NoRTH.

Back Benz wagon out of NoRTH parking lot.

Drive Benz wagon in front of Paciugo.

Back Benz wagon out of Paciugo parking.

Drive Benz wagon back into driveway.


  Johnson County Shuffle, Johnson County Shuffle... \:D/

[GuyInLenexa]

Gelato is different than ice cream.  The process uses less butterfat and churned less to allow less air to the dessert.  True it is a frozen dairy confection, and I suppose to some there is not a difference in ice cream from a Dairy Queen cone to a gelato.  No difference than an espresso being the same as Folgers instant coffee.
I love Paciugo's, they are building one near where my home will be in Fort Worth.  I've been to several in Dallas.  I highly recommend it if you are in the area.

[AJoD]

I stopped by today, and it was very good.  They didn't have a lot of the more savory or outre flavors they have in some other stores (though they will, they say).  The most untraditional was a salt caramel flavor, which was very good.

Park Place isn't my neighborhood, and it's pretty out of the way for me.  I probably won't be making special trips for Paciugo, but I'd love to have one closer (like in the Gateway or P&L) and if I were out there I'd be happy to make a stop, unlike for example, Balsano's on the Plaza.

It didn't bring back memories of gelato eaten in Italy, but it's long enough for me to attribute those memories to something other than simply superior ice cream.

The family who runs this franchise seems quite nice, and I spent a while talking with Cristiana, one of the chain founders/owners, also very nice and conscientious about her business.  A nice place, a good fit down there, but I still prefer Murray's for ice cream.

[Jess]

Maybe I need to go back to Murray's and give it another shake...from all I'd read, I was a little disappointed when I finally did go. But, back to gelato.