The Italian-inspired gelateria known as Gelato Rossa uses only the purest and freshest ingredients in its gelato and makes fresh waffle cones and puff pastries every day, Director of Operations Naveen Nayak said.

“I think we all deserve good food that’s not going to get us sick,” Nayak said. “If I don’t want to eat something that I can’t read on a label because it has dye oxidation, I don’t want to feed it to my people.”

While desserts sometimes carry a stigma of unhealthiness, Nayak said gelato can be a healthier ice cream by using simpler, more natural ingredients. The store avoids artificial sugars, corn starches, artificial dyes and flavoring.

The shop's gelato is made by Carpigiani machines that were imported from Italy. (Roo Moody/Community Impact)
The shop's gelato is made by Carpigiani machines that were imported from Italy. (Roo Moody/Community Impact)

What’s on the menu

Created by Michael May and Greg Wheeler, Gelato Rossa typically sells 16 flavors at a time, with six to eight of those being specialty flavors, such as key lime pie and raspberry stracciatella. However, Nayak said these flavors aren’t always guaranteed because buying fresh ingredients is sometimes unpredictable.

“When you are focused on fresh ingredients, you can’t just promise people that 12 months out of the year you’re going to get those flavors because you can’t always get them fresh,” he said.

The most popular flavors that are usually available are stracciatella, Belgian chocolate, Madagascan vanilla, and cookies and cream. Another favorite flavor is Sicilian pistachio, whose ingredients are also imported from Italy. The store can also top the gelato with homemade zeppole, a type of Italian cream puff.

Something to note

There is also more to Gelato Rossa than just desserts, as an Italian-themed speakeasy called the Rossa Room hides behind a white sliding door within the gelato shop.

Rossa Room Speakeasy opened Aug. 1, 2024, and is known for serving high-quality cocktails in a beautiful setting, Nayak said. The room is enclosed by stone walls and has a large back patio, and when combined, can accommodate up to 135 guests.

Nayak said only premium liquor is served at the speakeasy’s bar, which is reflected in the price of the cocktails. Customers can also eat dinner at Rossa Room, as the speakeasy has a small menu full of artisanal pieces, such as shrimp and pork rolls, and cheeseboards.

Rossa Room has eight signature cocktails featured on its menu, along with a list of classic cocktails, mocktails and wine. (Roo Moody/Community Impact)
Rossa Room has eight signature cocktails featured on its menu, along with a list of classic cocktails, mocktails and wine. (Roo Moody/Community Impact)

Nayak said the neighborhood has done a great job supporting both the gelateria and the speakeasy, and he feels blessed to be a part of it.

“This community is a great community with a lot of families, and our goal is to take care of families,” he said.