Gelato Pazzo Dishes Up Sweet Blend of Tradition, Innovation
March 28, 2007
by Lindsey Powers
Life isn’t about the destination, but the journey we take in getting there. For Vincent Pigna and family the opening of their dream, Gelato Pazzo, has been an adventure.
When the Pigna’s family-run gelateria Gelato Pazzo was originally opened in 2004, it was located at the Riverwalk shopping center downtown. The menu featured up 20 flavors of authentic Italian gelato and several types of paninis made with the best Italian meats and cheeses. Their original plan was to start downtown and then replicate the design throughout other parts of New Orleans and Louisiana.
Nature, however, had a different plan in store for the Pigna family business. After Katrina, Pigna and his son returned to New Orleans to find the store ransacked, though some things, like the imported Italian furnishings were still in good condition to be used again.
Even in the face of devastation, Pigna did not abandon his hopes for Gelato Pazzo. Instead, he used the opportunity to take the business in a different direction. The Riverwalk wasn’t Pigna’s first choice of location. The clientele consisted mainly of tourists shopping downtown.
Pigna wanted Gelato Pazzo to emulate the gelaterias of Italy, which “serve as a central meeting place for friends and family.” In order to achieve this change in atmosphere, the business was going to have to relocate.
After an extensive search for a new location and months of exhausting renovation, Gelato Pazzo re-opened on Oak Street off South Carrollton in December 2006. Pigna chose Oak Street because it has the potential to be “one of the best streets the city has to offer.”
Gelato Pazzo fits right into the bustling eight-block corridor between S. Carrollton Avenue and the Jefferson Parish line, a quaint, walkable shopping area densely packed with a variety of businesses including the world-famous Maple Leaf Bar and Jacque-imo’s Restaurant, coffee shops, vintage clothing shops, yoga studios and more. The local businesses are working together to help revitalize the commercial corridor and make it a shopping destination.
The gelateria contains the original Italian-made storefront; however, the shop itself is now twice the size of the former location and is equipped with a full kitchen, which has allowed Vince to incorporate a daily hot lunch special onto the original menu of gelato and paninis.
The full size kitchen has also allowed Vince to do a “Steak Night” on Wednesday nights. Pigna remarks, “For $23 you can get a 20 oz. ribeye and two sides. What’s a better deal than that?” Customers are also invited to bring their beverage of choice with dinner and are encouraged to leave room for dessert. Vince hopes to offer new and different promotional offers in time.
After only twelve weeks in business Gelato Pazzo has become the Oak St. after-school place to be. To Vince, “The place feels like it has been here forever.” Currently, Vince is going through about 15-20 pans of freshly made gelato a day. His goal is get to around 25-30 pans a day. Vince would also like to promote his business to the wider uptown area and the local college students.
Though the journey may have been bumpier than expected, it is clear now that Gelato Pazzo is on the road to success.
Gelato Pazzo is located at 8115 Oak St Phone: 504.304.6908. Hours Monday-Saturday 10-8ish, hours may change with season. Space available equipped with television for birthday parties, business meetings, anniversary parties, and other small gatherings.