Arkakao - Our New Obsession

I've written about local ice cream before in my post about Volta, which at the time was the best ice cream I have ever tasted. 

And then, there was Arkakao (Quintana 188, Recoleta: 4813-7585).

I have never been to Italy, but I read Eat, Pray, Love (a book that I disliked so much that it actually annoyed me, but that's another story) and I imagine that the ice cream/gelato at Arkakao is the stuff that Elizabeth Gilbert couldn't stop eating for her month in Italy.  I mean, if there is any better substance on the planet, I cannot fathom what it is.

Jon's family enjoyed our find over Christmas

Arkakao is actually a cafe/restaurant and gelato shop, although I've only had actual food there one time.  The chicken caesar salad I had was good, but I haven't been back for the food, whereas the ice cream has me on a first name basis with most of their staff. 

It's not the cheapest option in the city, a take-home kilo is $88 pesos (US$22), but it's almost better that way because it keeps you from buying it daily.  The flavors are completely true to form, for example, hazelnut tastes incredibly hazelnutty, and they have an option for everyone; fruity, nutty, sweet, chocolate, really whatever your heart desires.  They make all flavors fresh daily, so not all flavors are available everyday (they've been out of coconut and pistachio the last couple of times we've visited, much to Jon's chagrin) but they are all fresh, delicious and served with a smile.  The staff is incredibly friendly and they remember us each time we walk through the door.  The flavor labels are in Italian, to add to the effect, which then requires me to ask what each flavor is each time, and request a sample of each.  Luckily, the staff seems to enjoy giving out samples and translating the signs into Spanish, or English if they know the word. 

All in all, we are in love.