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ICE cream tasting at 10.30am. . . It was a good start to the day.
The place in question is the recently opened Fresco Freddo’s at 83 Oxford Road in the Grade II listed St James’ Building.
We hope it does well too because we like variety of choice at Manchester Confidential. And this place gives us more options for munching.
Fresco Freddo’s is Manchester’s first Italian gelateria for years although there is actually no ice cream on offer at all. Well technically not. Instead they sell twenty-two different varieties of low fat gelatos and sorbets; meaning you can feel less guilty about indulging yourself as early in the day as I did.
So what are the basic differences between ice creams, gelatos, and sorbets?
Well according to Freddo’s, an ice cream has large amounts of air whipped into the product, this is not the case with gelato thus giving it a denser feel and more full-bodied taste. Sorbet on the other hand is made from fruit purée and, unlike ice cream, contains no milk. This means that Fresco Freddo’s can market their products as a healthier alternative to ice cream. That fits the times of course.
The interior is bright and colourful matching the vast array of colours showcased at the ice cream (sorry, gelato and sorbet) counter. There’s a generously sized seating area so you can sit down and enjoy your dessert in the cool air-conditioned interior while envious people walk by gazing back at you through the large front window.
In terms of price, one scoop will set you back £2.30, two scoops are £3.30, and three scoops are £4.30. You can either have this in a cone or tub. Not cheap, although the drinks are less expensive - a basic Americano is £1.80 and an iced coffee is £2.20.
There is also a take-away service on offer, as well as a range of crepes, cakes, and waffles to further satisfy those with a sweet tooth.
I went for a scoop of stracciatella and lampone. In layman’s terms this is fine chocolate in cream and raspberry. Not knowing what half the flavours were, I instead based my decision on which two scoops of ice cream would look best together. I’m glad to say I wasn’t disappointed – the gelato/sorbet combination worked extremely well and you can really tell how different they are from ice cream.
It was very lovely.
You can easily envisage Fresco Freddo’s doing well. It’s got a cracking location close to Oxford Road Station, The Palace Theatre and on the main - packed - drag into town from University land.
We hope it does well too because we like variety of choice at Manchester Confidential. And this place gives us more options for munching.
ALL SCORED CONFIDENTIAL REVIEWS ARE IMPARTIAL AND PAID FOR BY THE MAGAZINE.
Fresco Freddo’s, 83 Oxford Road, City, M1 6FQ. 0161 222 3349
Rating: 15/20
Gelato and Sorbet: 8/10
Service: 4/5
Ambience: 3/5
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11 comments so far, continue the conversation, write a comment.
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I went last night and they really need to do something about the air conditioning as it was boiling hot, and they had three people behind the counter but only one serving, the other two just stood about so we waited quite some time. Other than that the gelato was very good.
Great gelato but I have to agree with Food Baby, the service leaves much to be desired. A few young girls standing around doing very little with a line forming behind me. I think the air con is actually broken, the guy did apologise for the heat when I went in last week
Surely opening towards the end of August when you've already missed half of Summer was poor timing? I'll give this place six months.
No ducting no cassettes no Air Con there aint any
David, the big mistake you have made is that you didn't ask to taste. I think on four visits now I've got my way through all the flavours. Incidentally, I love each and every one of them.
Have to disagree with the whiny comments above (dear god, what better way to suck all the joy out of a beautiful ice cream parlour than to unleash the Mancon dementors on the review - cheer up, you bunch of miserable old so and sos). The staff are fantastic - absolutely lovely, friendly, helpful, cheery and indulgent of my desire to eat as much of their gelato and sorbet as possible without paying.
It's pricey, but worth every last brown penny.
I love this place.
Smitty I think they just need a little love those dementors. Great place.
GREAT PLACE - LOVELY IDEA - REALLY GETS THE TASTE BUDS GOING!!! KEEP IT UP.
great gelato and sorbet - agree, it IS bloody warm in there at times and the staff can be a little leisurely, but that gives me more time to choose my flavours! A great addition to the neighbourhood!
I have fallen in love with their passionfruit sorbet, it was to die for!
Went there on saturday and it was boiling hot, purchased a soft drink which wasn't cold. I did enjoy the mango flavour gelato very much though! Definitely a nice addition to the city and a change from all these frozen yoghurt places.
went there and and there gelato is amazing!!!!!!!! However the lady who works in there that i think is the manager or owner not sure should try doing some work rather then sitting on her laptop, and the floor in there is filthy, iv had to send my collegue in there a few times as when i go in there i feel slightly arkward when i go in there, i went in once and she was just bombarding me with questions about how is this and how is that, theres friendly and then theres just bothering your customers,