13th street's Flavor of the Day!

Lemon sorbetto

Concord Grape sorbetto

On a cone!

If there's one flavor people get most excited about on warm days, it's Lemon sorbetto. And it just so happens that today is fairly warm day, wouldn't you say? So to build today's Flavor of the Day at 13th street, we started with the favorite. Then, we added Concord Grape sorbetto to add sweetness to the mix. And topped it off by putting it on a cone!

The PERFECT treat for a day like today.

Sometimes you feel like a...

...NUT!

Soooo... Here is a rhyme. For you. To read. You may recite it if you please.

There once was a batch of fine nuts.
Who asked to be sliced and not cut.

They were partial to toasting and tanning,
And to cooling by soft gentle fanning.

These almonds were true, pure, and splendid.
And with sweet milk they soon would be blended.

To create a gelato sooo tasty
That most folks just would be so hasty...

As to ask for a taste without doubt,
that their taste buds would just jump and shout:

"In Capogiro we shall always trust.
A scoop on a cone is a must!"

Nectarine Love

While beind the counter at Capo, I often get asked:
"What's the best one?" or,
"Do you have a favorite?"
Usually these questions have no answer. It is that time of year though, when, at least from this barista's perspective, the answer is more than clear.

NECTARINE. sweet, delicious, nectarine.I think i just drooled a little bit.
Did you know that the nectarine is actually a type of peach? I don't really believe that either, since they're so obviously superior. Their skin isn't so tough and fuzzy, which makes them a little more delicate to handle, but luckily the trip from Lancaster Co. to Philly is a short and happy one- so that's not really a problem. Their growing season is a little later than peaches too, so you can catch them in their peak form (crisp, clean tasting sorbetto) into the end of this month.
My favorite ways to enjoy nectarine sorbetto are paired with either an herbal gelato, like mint stracciatella or rosemary honey goats milk, or a nice strong citrus, like lemon sorbetto. Ideally, on a cone, sitting on the bench outside of CapoYunk, feeling the warm sun on my face and smiling because it's still summer!
-Maggie

Horses don't know what they want.

*Idea shamelessly ripped off from YouTube phenom 'The Duck Song'.

A horse walked in to a gelateria
Said to the shaggy hipster barista,
"Hey, got any water ice?"

The barista looked shocked and said,
"No, silly horse. At Capo we sell gelato,
of course. Wanna try?"
The horse said, "Goodbye"

And he trotted away,
until the next sunny day.
When...

A horse walked in to a gelateria
Once again asked the same patient barista,
"Hey, got any frogurt?"

The barista's brow narrowed and he said,
"Now see here. We only sell gelati and sorbetti
'round here. Why don't you give it a go?"
The horse said, "Um, no."

And he trotted away,
Until the next sunny day.
When...

A horse walked in to a gelateria
Again to the same weary-eyed barista said,
"Hey, got any ice cream?"

The barista gave up and sighed very low,
"Ok, horse. I give up, let's go.
I'll take you down to the ice cream store,
and buy you whatever it is you long for."

So they walked together down to the bus stop,
Rode across town to the Olde Ice Cream Shoppe
Then the barista said to the horse, "Ok, so,
What flavor do you want? Let's get it and go."

The horse thought about it real hard for a while
And then he slowly started to smile. He said,
"Hey, I'll tell ya what I'm really dying to know,
Do you think this place has any... gelato?"

What’s big, green, sometimes sports stripes, and yields absolutely delicious pink sorbetto? I know you educated and logical folk are probably thinking "I know it! Green alpaca! Orrrrrr the Hulk!" Well, you're not entirely wrong, but you're not right either. Think patches, vines, sunshine, and rain.

Thinking.... thinking?

That's right smartypants. WATERMELONS!

The awesome urban empire that is Greensgrow Farm (http://www.greensgrow.org/farm/overview/) provides us with some of the cutest, cuddliest, sweetest, and most delicious watermelons you can imagine. If you actually use your imagination to picture that, you have my permission to leave out cute and cuddly.

Watermelons can't be enjoyed all year round you know (except in the form of Jollyranchers...). Like the best of all things that grow in the ground, they have a season, and we're in it right now. This week, this day, this hour, this dang second.

Watermelons magically turn into unbelievably refreshing sorbetto at Capogiro. Italian magic. It's the best. Come check the flavor out. Or check it out again. Or have your third sample of the day because it's just so irresistible. Keep your eyes and ears open for an appearance by yellow watermelon too ;)

Root Beer Floats!

Oh, that's right. Root beer dang floats. Everyone over here is pretty excited about 'em. As a matter of fact, I couldn't even turn my back on the sample I made for the photo without somebody swooping in and snatching it up. Gotta watch out for that Nico: there's a reason that she's referred to as the "Country Bobcat" in certain Ultimate Fighting Championship circles. She's fast and lethal.

So, yeah: $5 will get you a delicious root beer float made with your choice of Capogiro Gelato. Fior is an obvious choice, but I think that Dulce de Leche would be mighty fierce in one of these.

Now I've just got to figure out something nice and tasty, liquor-wise, to drop in there. Any suggestions?

Affogato, anyone?

We have a regular over here on Passyunk Avenue, most commonly referred to by the baristi as 'Affogato Guy'. He comes in a couple times a week, always gets the same thing, but is by no means boring. This week I though I'd ask him a few questions, and get to know the man behind the affogato...

Other than (once) tasting our 'absinthe and cantaloupe' flavor, Affogato Guy has never ordered anything besides a pistacchio affogato. The affogato, a scoop of gelato with a shot of espresso poured over top, is something that many people have never tried before coming to Caopgiro, and is guaranteed to spur at least one enthusiastic "What is that?!" from folks in line seeing it for the first time. It has been said that once you taste it, you're hooked.

Real name: Travis W
I found out that he works next door as a back server at Fond BYOB- he recommends the pâté.
We chatted about CapoYunk's relaxing decor (he likes it), demitasse spoons ("Too small, like a tease, although I've grown to enjoy it."), and camping.
I closed with a final question before he had to start his shift-
Me: "Would you ever be open to ordering any other flavors?"
Travis: "With espresso, pistacchio is number one."

What's your favorite affogato pairing??
-Maggie

...Fall?

This morning I embarked on a shopping mission; seeking out and procuring random things that become necessary in daily Capogiro life (a rack for glassware, a bus tray, etc). Hunting around the general shopping mecca of Ikea, I wandered into Pier 1 and was bombarded with FALL. Glittery, pumpkin scented, Halloween faced, Fall. I have to admit, I was taken back. And not because of the anticipation of the changing season (I'm pretty relieved if I make it to August without seeing a falling leaf decoration), but because of just how...abundant the display was. But then I got to thinking about it, and you know, I'm ready for it. Ready for the crispness, the apples, pumpkins, spices...generally the warmth that October brings. It's a cozy thing, this coming season, and I'm first in line to celebrate it.
One of the things I look forward to the most is cider. Not that you can't have it during the summer, but it's just not the same. And happily, we were contacted by Wandering Aengus Ciderworks, out of Salem, Oregon, about teaming up for an event at our Penn location. Yes, yes please. So they'll be hanging out with us during the last week of September, which will be pretty great.
Penn's got lots going on this Fall - from welcoming the newcomers (oh hai, Freshmen!) to the seasoned veterans who will be tromping the streets of West Philadelphia in a few short days, to the litany of awesome people who will be hanging out behind our bar - there will be no shortage of things to keep y'all entertained. Along with Wandering Aengus, we'll be spending some time with Sixpoint Craft Ales, of Brooklyn. They suggested we concoct a gelato from one of their beers, AND they'd hang out behind our bar. Yes, yes please!
Dogfish Head got in on the lineup, too - their slogan was enough to make me think it'd be a good fit ("Off-centered stuff for off-centered people") and y'all already know about the crazy good things that have resulted from combining our sorbetto with Philadelphia Distilling flavors. They'll be with us spreading the good word on October 8! Clear your calendars!

Booze + gelato + espresso + the shining faces of our baristi all over town sounds like a pretty promising combination to me, don't you think?!

Keep your eyes towards the Fall, kids...eyes towards the Fall.

Back to school with BAGELS!!

Hola, everyone! It's quickly descending upon that lovely time of the year when the leaves begin to change colors, the nights get cooler, and kids return to school with chlorine-bleached hair and fading sunburns. I'm talking 'bout fall, y'all, when all parents suddenly breathe a sigh of relief that their wee ones will be in the (hopefully) capable hands of various institutions.

For most, fall is a time to get back to business and knuckle down. This requires a hearty breakfast and lots of strong coffee. Lucky for you, Capogiro is your one-stop shop for all things nom. This year we spared no expense and starting carrying the best of the best, H & H Bagels, of course. The most famous bagels in New York City, if not the world, H & H goodies are cultural icons, featured in several films and television series (The Office, Manhattan Murder Mystery, Sex and the City, You've Got Mail, etc.). They. Are. Delicious.

We've got tons o' flavors to boot! Plain, poppyseed, sesame, everything, wheat, cinnamon raisin, and even scrumptious bialys! All made fresh every morning and hand delivered by a lovely NYC driver. Bring them home or stay and grub with us at the cafe. Worth the trip. In case you're not as excited as we are, we will be offering a back-to-school special if you will, of a small coffee and toasted bagel with plain cream cheese for a mere $3.50. It's our way of showing you how glad we are that the summer is over and you can start trying to lose that soccer tan, gain some sanity, and get back to work. Hooray!

A Scoop Of Genuis

...now showing at 13th street!

While trying to create the "Flavor of the Day" this afternoon, Adrienne and I were quite taken aback when we put Absinthe with Cantaloupe sorbetto and Sugar Plum sorbetto on a cone. It's down right delicious! Truly, one of my favorite combos all week. Here. take a look...

Needless to say I'm sure you'd have the same reaction. So with that, Adrienne and I would like to invite you to a free sample of the mix. Just stop in a ask for the "Adrienne special" and we'll put a little sample of both on a single spoon, and you can see for yourself how magical the combo really is. Until then blogosphere...