La Divina really is divine

So there's this gelateria in New Orleans called La Divina. The first time I saw it I got really excited, because I LOVE gelato. Anybody who went to Italy with me can tell you that I ate gelato pretty much every day. I even set a goal for myself to go to the 10 most famous gelaterie in Rome and compare them to see which one I liked better. I only made it to about five, but I definitely consider myself a gelato connoisseur. I've decided that every gelateria can be judged on how good they make gelato by their Chocolate, Pistachio, and fruit flavors, extra points for interesting or quirky flavors (like Rose or Basil). So naturally I had to try La Divina to see if it stacked up. So far my American gelato experience has been...mediocre at best. Hanover has a gelateria, and the woman who runs it did study with a gelataio in Italy, but somehow I just don't really like it. She only has about six flavors at a time and her chocolate tastes like frozen chocolate pudding (although her Pistachio is wonderful!).

That's the back story. Here are the results. I went into La Divina last week re

ally excited, but also a little skeptical. Let's just say I wasn't expecting anything spectacular. Immediately, I could tell this place was legit. Their store was very inviting and warmly lit and had seating inside and out. Once I got to the counter, however, I realized that I was in for a treat. The flavors were amazing sounding, AND they all had traditional Italian names, even the fruit flavors. The more I looked around the store, the more I noticed the little details that made it really authentic. Unlike certain stores that try to be Italian, but really fail miserably by making spelling mistakes, La Divina got it all right. They even had "produzione propria" on the window, which authentic gelaterie in Italy have. It means that they make everything on the spot with natural flavors, herbs, and ingredients.

I ordered the lavender and banana. The lavender was absolutely amazing, and it tasted like lavender. The banana was excellent as well. I just went to La Divina again and has Irish Tea, which was essentially Earl Grey flavored and Pistachio. The Irish Tea was absolutely amazing! It was creamy and delicious and actually tasted like Earl Grey. The Pistachio, however, definitely passed the test. It was at first very sweet and pistachio flavored, but without the nutty taste. After the first couple of bites I

started to taste the nut as an after taste.

I highly recommend this gelateria!

They also sell coffee and paninis, and though

I haven't had one, my friend Kat assures me that they're delicious. You can find it in three different places: Magazine St and Seventh, St. Peter's street in the French Quarter, and by Loyola University. Here is their website: http://www.ladivinagelateria.com/