Mario's Gelati aka Amato Gelato Cafe - Vancouver, BC

Why does this place have two names???  Anyways, Ms. Porker and I are enjoying the beautiful views and weather (again!), we've had a long walk and it's super warm day so why not treat ourselves to a bit sumthin sumthin??  Gelato, YAY!

It's busy on this Sunday afternoon, as it should be since the weather is beautiful and dragon boat racing is in full swing so there's a bit of a wait to be served.  Seems like they underestimated the crowd as there are only two people behind the counter.  I know budgets are tight but there's a line of 10 people waiting to order.  We have to wait to pay (because you have to pay first) and then wait to be served.  Oh, and you can only try a max of 3 flavors.  Weird. 

Pear (in a cup) - $3.25

I normally go for the Hedgehog (chocolate and hazelnut swirled together....  drool) or After Eight (white mint with chocolate specks....  again drool) but Ms. Porker convinced me to go with something fruity.  Creamsicle tasted really like a creamsicle but then why don't I just go have a creamsicle then?  Pear looked like a white tasteless mass but I decided to go out on a limb and just order it without trying it first since there were several people waiting.  One bite...  No regrets.  It tastes exactly like a bosc pear but in gelato form.  Cool, sweet but also a bit tart as well.  I'm glad I went for the fruity decision, I'm not glad I only decided to order one scoop.  It was completely consumed by the time we crossed the street.  Sigh.

Pineapple (in a cup) - $3.25

Ok, it looks really similar to Pear but I swear this one is a deeper yellow color while Pear is completely white.  Damn the terrible lighting in here!  Ms. Porker's selection and it was so tasty, I think I might get it next time.  It tastes exactly like pineapple and has a great balance between sweet and tart.  The gelato is here has great texture, doesn't have any ice chips and is on the softer side, which I prefer.  So refreshing on a beautiful sunny day....

By the way staff treat the customers indifferently, basically you're being herded through, there is no charm at Mario's.  The gelato and ice cream may be delicious but it's lacking that welcoming atmosphere so I think you could take it or leave it here.  I come here only because I tend to walk or bike from Granville Island to Stanley Park and back and it's on the way but I feel no loyalty to the place.  Come here for the location, stay for the ice cream and gelato but don't expect to be left with any passionate feelings towards the place.  Bon appetite!

Pros:

• Great selection of flavors
• Delicious gelatos and ice creams
• Wide variety of other take out dessert items

Cons:

• Costs extra to use debit/credit
• A bit on the pricey side for serving size - it's a smaller scoop than I've had at other gelato/ice cream places in Vancouver
• Pay parking only on the street (although you can just keep an eye out for a parking attendent...  not that I'm condoning not paying for parking but.... *wink*)
• Hurried service - the 3 flavor tasting is a bit weird
• Line ups on nice days and on weekends