Cocolini (Multiple Locations)

Neon Feast contributor and executive chef consultant (carlaskitchenusa.com) Carla V. Pellegrino has a simple reason for liking Cocolini: ”Chef Luciano Pellegrini is the best!”

Indeed, the Cocolino founder and James Beard Award winner was born in Italy and definitely knows his gelato. After a career of nearly 40 years that included helming restaurants in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Pellegrini turned to gelato manufacturing and, later, gelaterias.

Cocolini offers dozens of flavors of gelato -- all housemade -- from the familiar chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, peanut butter, mint chocolate chip and butter pecan to the slightly more adventurous hazelnut, pistachio, salted caramel, cappuccino, mango, passionfruit, blood orange, blueberry, guava, watermelon, Nutella coffee crunch and raspberry truffle.

You can mix up to three flavors in a dish, add toppings, upgrade to a waffle cone or opt for a smoothie, shake or banana split, plus a fine Italian coffee, espresso, cappuccino or latte.