Pidapipo, Carlton, Melbourne (now closed)

A pop-up gelato shop. Parting is such sweet sorrow. Adieu...So long…till we meet again in September.

By the time this post is published, Pidapipo would have sold its last scoop of gelato.

Pidapipo was meant to be a “test kitchen”, “test lab” or a pop-up shop. It opened last December along Faraday Street in Carlton.

I was first introduced to this place by Diane when I had dinner with her a few weeks back. And I had wanted to return here ever since, before it shutters down.

According to articles on the internet, the owner, Lisa Valmorbida, who has Italian roots, headed all the way to Italy, spent some number of weeks there to complete in an intensive gelato course at a gelato university, following which she spent some time working in a gelateria. She hopes to bring an authentic Italian gelato experience with traditional Italian flavours and quality ingredients.

So far I have tried four flavours over the two visits – Nutella swirl (which is Nutella drizzled on top of a fior di latte which is really just milk – no additional of vanilla or any other flavouring; peanut butter, Bacio (Hazelnut and chocolate), and Crema, rhubarb and vincotto swirl.

The texture of the gelato was smooth and creamy, but not too overly rich. It also looks natural – and not artificially coloured. I’m not sure if this is close to the real thing in Italy – it has been a while since I had gelato in Italy, but this gelato is definitely one of the better ones around Carlton.

Above: Bacio and Crema, rhubarb and vincotto swirl

I enjoyed all the flavours – particularly the Bacio for the taste of hazelnut, the Nutella swirl, the generous drizzle of Nutella uplifts the fior di latte, where you could really taste the milk and cream and in unadulterated form. I like the Crema, rhubarb and vincotto swirl as the sharp, tart and tangy taste of the rhubarb bits helps to balance the creaminess of the gelato.

Above: Nutella (Nutella over Fior di latte) and Peanut butter

At $4 for a scoop, $6 for two scoops and $7 for three, it is still rather affordable and good value for money, product wise. I would miss you in the meantime. Hope to see you again soon.