Overview
We're calling it: for Brisbanites, the summer of 2016-17 is going to be the summer of Gelato Messina. Yes, we know that this year is just kicking into gear — but if there's anything that's going to get us eagerly awaiting the next annual calendar, it's the news that everyone's favourite dessert artisans are finally setting up shop in our fair city.
Actually, eager lovers of cold, creamy sweets only need count down the days until October, because that's when Messina's first-ever Brisbane store will open its doors, confirmed by Messina director and co-founder Declan Lee. We predict a whole lot of hanging around South Brisbane in our futures — at 109 Melbourne Street, to be exact. It's Messina's second Queensland store after opening their first northern venture in Coolangatta.
At the Brisbane store, gelato fiends will find Messina's largest site in the country, stretching out over a 200-square-metre space. If you think that sounds like more room than even these culinary wizards need to sell their scrumptious, low-fat, high-flavour wares, you'd be right. Serving up their macadamia crunch, and salted caramel and white chocolate concoctions — and blood orange and chocolate sorbets, too — isn't all that's on the menu here.
Yep, the good news keeps on coming, with Messina also bringing their ever-popular classes to their new digs. Not only can you feast on icy treats whenever you like, but you can take a three-hour class on gelato appreciation and the hands-on details of dessert making in their very own classroom. They don't call these seminars a combination of info session, science lesson and degustation without good reason. Sure, Brisbane has been waiting for its own permanent Messina hangout for years, but with all this to look forward to, it seems that good things really do come to those who wait.
Find Gelato Messina at 109 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane from October 2016. Keep an eye on their website and Facebook page for more information.