Tintoretto’s Gelato

Delicious gelato, especially the hazelnut. Most authentic out of the ones in the canal shops. Very smooth, creamy, and a great prices because they give large portions. All the others are more ice cream than gelato.

Time: 12:07pm/93°F sunny
Purpose: On my way to Carlo’s Bakery for the famous lobster tail aka sfogliatelle. A sudden urge to grab a light bite since breakfast wasn’t enough earlier.
Ambiance: Located in the walkway upper level of the Venetian. It’s a restaurant/​café duo with one side facing canal other facing walkway. Front of café has a freezer with gelato on display. Once inside you’ll get this old world country feel, but mostly with kitschy modern décor. Coffee counter to your immediate right, and pastry/​danish showcase along with cookies, and other desserts to the left. Counter runs from front to inner back with more seating room. End of counter is the hot food section and pizza holding stall. A two tier oven bakes off two pizza at a time. Cold fridge display holds salad and refrigerated goods till time of purchase. Walls and tables all decorated with a logo of paintbrush along with café name written across it. Café play music from Eros Ramazzotti a famous Italian musician and singer-​songwriter. The music fit the place perfectly. For those that never heard his music before, I suggest listening online music sites.
Staff: Workers were somewhat showing displeasure about their job. One girl looks like she’s about to rip off apron and quit on the spot. Not sure what happen earlier, but at least try not to show personal emotion while facing the public. Didn’t let that get to me so, I went ahead place order with her. She was a tad better than the beginning. Even saying «thank you» after transaction. Calm down now just calm down, you’ll be ok!
Cleanliness: Grade A, place well kept clean. Things are either covered, package, or wrapped up. Utensil area can use a good wipe down, greasy counter top coffee drips, very minor.
Eats/​Drinks: Medium drip coffee $ 3 and caprese salad. I enjoy mozzarella cheese as it was soft moist and fresh tasting. Tomatoes were a bit unripe not too much tomato tasted. Like eating a slice of watery veggie, but flavor voided. Detached a basil sprig tearing it up by hand and garnish on top for more tantalizing look. Olive was plenty just didn’t like the included bread. It was hard tasted like left out overnight bread. In a way hard and brittle, but I use olive oil to soften it up before second attempt, but still no avail. Finally gave up didn’t go any further. Not wasting effort for stale bread. Coffee was good and strong as expected from Illy brand, not surprised. I drink it all the time in North Beach.
Main Features: Eggs Benedictine, Linguine alle Vongole, Piccata di Pollo, Medaglione di Manzo e Funghi, Salmone con Capperi e Lemone.
Products/​Services: Refer to posted pictures of lunch menu. Dinner and beyond available online
Punch Lines: Better than average, décor leaves something to desired, pleasing flavors, modest cost, drool-​worthy, always buzzing, laid back, calm vibe, light bites, lively atmosphere, can’t go wrong, casual and delicious, kept its standards, tucked away in Venetian, satisfactory.
Tradeoffs: It’s cheaper to sit in café part and order rather than the main seating area. Same menu, but one area you’re paying for the view of canal.
Final Thoughts: When ever I enter a Italian place that I’m not familiar with, I always look for three things. First coffee, coffee cups use, and desserts/​cookies. I’m not the type were you pour me a cup from unknown brand then expect me to believe you. In this case, its the real deal Illy being use. Next the cups has to be truncated cone shape and pre-​warmed to 34−40°C. I saw that here too. Next were the cookies. It has to show different patterns, shapes, and sizes for it to be handmade. I saw two version of pignoli amaretti cookies with or without pine nuts. They are either house made or deliver from local bakery. No matter how they got it, it was authentic made with plenty of almond paste. Good for its size and weight. Overall not a bad place and it passes in my book. Depending on your taste you may or may not have the same palate as me.

Tintoretto’s Gelato serves a decent portion of large gelato for $ 7.95, plus tax. I had the Gianduia gelato which tasted fresh, hazelnut-​paste tasting, as it should be. A bigger portion would have been better, given the premium price. Well it is Vegas after all, at the Venetian, but still, the sweet moments of a gelato by a faux Venetian canal would have lasted longer. Price is comparable to the gelati bar by the plaza, adjacent to Otto’s.