Bergamo’s is bellissimo, America’s awesome and the Caribbean’s chilled but it’s an Edinburgh beach resort that is the home of ice cream.
If you’re in and around the Scottish capital just now, then get yourself down to Oscar’s Gelato in Portobello.
And sample from any of their 30 flavours from Biscoff (not a clue) to Bubblegum, in the best ice cream store in Britain.
Or their Best Open Flavour pistachio sorbet and Best Sorbet lemon and butter sorbet.
Although we all scream a different sound for ice cream, and our choice would be rum’n’raisin or strawberry.
Oscar’s ceremony
The choice of Oscar’s, which has been drawing in gelatophiles from far and wide since 2020, is fitting.
As Portobello has long held a special place in the ice cream world.
As it was here at 99 Portobello High Street that the 99 ice cream originated.
Back in 1922 when Stefano Arcari responded to a visiting Cadbury rep.
By breaking a large Flake in half and sticking it in an ice cream.
All of which fills the residents of my old stomping ground with pride.
Ice cream Porty
Alas, Cadbury doesn’t give Porty the credit it deserves.
And get this they would rather big up a rival claim, the Italians of mountainous Veneto.
With a rather more dramatic and histrionic story.
Italians party like it’s 99
That the 99 honours the final wave of Italian First World War conscripts.
Born in 1899 and referred to as ‘i Ragazzi del 99‘ (‘the Boys of ’99).
With the chocolate flake said to remind ice cream sellers of the long dark feather cocked at an angle.
In the conscripts’ Alpini Regiment hats.
All of which seems a little far-retched.
