It is of slight embarrassment that I constantly mix up the spellings between desert and dessert. My wife, Erin, humorously reminds me that dessert is stressed spelled backwards. If you’re stressed, then grab some dessert, right? Nevertheless, I am much more comfortable in a rainy environment, while I don’t mind the desert heat. And while I also appreciate a finely crafted dessert, I typically prefer a cheese platter with fresh berries. Set me up with some goat cheese, honey, and dried figs, and I will be a happy man. However, ice cream is a weakness I have when it comes to sugar-infused desserts. Say I’m old-fashioned, but my favorite flavor is vanilla. The anti-vanilla ice cream folk never understand that vanilla is the flavor. Plain ice cream would be milk-flavored, right? Fortunately for me, Portland is an ice cream haven, and these shops have delightful flavors beyond the typical chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
The first of these amazing locations is Pronto Gelato. Handcrafted in Portland, this artisanal gelato shop is a true game-changer. With flavors such as Spella Caffè Espresso and Grapefruit & Campari Sorbetto, it is guaranteed to ignite your senses. Portland is a walkable city, and Pronto Gelato happens to be located on Alberta Street, one of my favorite areas to take a stroll. I spoke with one of the two owners, George, and asked him what his gelato shop does that fits them so well into the Portland food scene. He said that each of them owns two other spots in the city, which are the Italian restaurant Campana and Spella Caffè. Both the restaurant and the coffee shop have received critical acclaim. Therefore, Pronto Gelato is an extension of their passion for Italian food and culture. Even if you do not live in the area, it is more than worth it to make the drive out to Pronto Gelato to taste this amazingness.
Another fun gelato shop in Portland is Pinolo Gelato. Established in 2015, this place provides some of the freshest-tasting desserts imaginable. Flavors such as the classic Fior Di Latte and Hazelnut are truly exceptional. They also have a rotating flavor list with options that include Almond Fig and Mango. Pinolo Gelato also does events where they bring out a stylish gelato cart to serve their craft at weddings, birthday parties, or any other type of gathering. Cornet Custard is an incredible place in Portland worth visiting too. Using 12 eggs in every quart of custard, this dessert is a high-end luxury without a high-end price tag. Located on Division Street, they offer flavors like their Passionfruit and Blueberry Cheesecake. They also have a vegan option, which is their coconut lime; it is so good that even if you aren’t a vegan, it is worth giving it a try.
For those craving ice cream, not gelato or custard, there are two options in Portland that reign supreme. The first one is Salt and Straw. Founded in Portland, their locations have grown across the country in states such as Florida and New York. They even have a shop in Disneyland. They have traditional flavors such as chocolate and vanilla; however, they are most known for their more adventurous assortments. Some of these flavors include Pear and Blue Cheese as well as Arbequina Olive Oil, my personal favorite. Ruby Jewel used to have several ice cream shops in Portland, but they have since consolidated their craft into ice cream sandwiches. They can be found in grocery stores such as Fred Meyer and New Seasons and are possibly the best ice cream sandwiches you will ever have. With flavors such as Lemon Lavender and Oatmeal Butterscotch, it is an essential summertime treat.
Portland is known for having some of the best restaurants in the world. I am easily reminded of just how good we have it here whenever I travel and cannot find a decent burger or bulgogi. Ice cream is also an excellent food here. No other ice cream shops in the country have consistent lines of people that wrap around entire city blocks. This is because Portland’s approach to ice cream is straightforward: Quality ingredients and courageous flavors. This recipe works. There are many other incredible local Portland-based ice cream shops, too, and they are all worth checking out. I think even the larger ice cream chains are great in their own right because ice cream is a dessert that can bring about a certain spontaneity. Asking the kids on a random Wednesday evening if they would like to go out for some ice cream is exciting and builds memories. It ultimately doesn’t matter if I don’t have much of a sweet tooth. What matters is that going out for some ice cream with my family is fun, and that is something to never lose sight of.
Alex is a devoted husband and father born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He is a professional artist, author, and advisor for both Yale and Harvard University’s arts departments. His book, ‘Selling Leonardo: The Art World’s Greatest Scandal’ is available wherever books are sold.