Winter is a quiet time in many of our seaside towns and Mount Martha is no exception. Despite the clear and sunny day, it was bitterly cold, but Chill Gelato was still open for business!
Chill has a modest little shop in Mount Martha village, just across the road from the beach. Out in front of the shop is a sunny spot with tables and chairs – perfect for relaxing with a gelato. A brilliant location in summer, but late on this winter’s afternoon Benny and I seemed to be the only people around.
We last visited Chill a couple of years ago, not too long after the current owners took over the business.
Demand for gelato is a bit slower during the winter months – so Chill produces fewer flavours than in the peak summer season. We reckon this is a far better strategy than having lots of flavours that may be well past peak freshness by the time they are eaten. And Chill delivers great quality gelato – made in small batches on-site, from all-natural ingredients.
Benny chose strawberry cream gelato, which was made from fresh fruit. Strawberries can be tricky to turn into gelato, due to variability in the fresh fruit. Chill’s strawberry was very good.
I had pistachio gelato – made from the best Sicilian pistachio paste – which I paired with a lovely mango sorbet. Like Benny’s strawberry, this was also based on fresh fruit.
Our friendly server also gave us samples of passionfruit sorbet, blood orange sorbet and coconut gelato. Every flavour we tried had a beautiful texture, and our cones were nice and crisp.
If you aren’t in the mood for gelato (as if!) Chill also has fresh juices, smoothies, milkshakes, hot chocolate, toasties and hot dogs.
Excellent gelato, friendly service and beachside location – what a great combination!
Chill Gelato
3A Bay Road
Mount Martha Vic 3934
T: (03) 5974 3363
W: www.facebook.com/chillgelato.mtmartha
