Summer has finally hit Melbourne with a bang, after one of the coldest Januarys in decades. The middle of a mini-heatwave is a perfect time to cool down with a gelato.
Four of us had indulged in a sumptuous Thai feast at the highly recommended Miss Ping’s, then finished off with some mighty fine gelati from Good Daze Gelato.
It’s a pop-up, close to the entrance to the dining precinct, near The Coffee Club. Good Daze doesn’t have a permanent gelateria, but one of its gelato carts has been at The Glen for a few months now.
On the day of our visit, there were about 18 flavours on the menu, including dairy and non-dairy options, available in cups, cones or tubs to take away. All made from natural ingredients, with an emphasis on locally sourced seasonal produce. We were particularly intrigued by the pink-themed February specials – definitely not the typical gelateria offerings. Cairo’s Kiss (hibiscus and rose sorbetto), Red Velvet (with house-made red velvet cake and a cream cheese swirl), Raspberry Macaroon, and Choc-covered Strawberries (strawberries and cream layered with stracciatella).
The gelati can also be ordered online, and one of Good Daze’s gelato carts can be hired for events.
We could only stretch to single scoops on our visit, instead of our usual two scoops – did I mention there was a huge Thai feast that preceded the gelato? On the plus side, restricting ourselves to single scoops allowed the individual flavours to shine.
For me, a hot summer’s day calls for mango, and Good Daze’s mango sorbetto was the ultimate in fruity goodness. Made from Indian alphonso mangos – reputably the best mangos in the world.
Benny picked mint chocolate gelato – flavoured with fresh mint, with finely chopped chocolate folded through. We love the use of real mint – it is a gelato experience on a whole new level. And once you have tried real mint, anything else pales in comparison.
DJ adored his blueberry cheesecake gelato, rippled through with jammy blueberries plus a generous helping of fresh blueberries – large, plump and sweet.
And Margot chose one of Good Daze’s regular flavours – coconut pineapple sorbetto. Made from organic coconut cream, swirled through with house-made pineapple jam.
Every flavour was exceptional, but at the tail end of a long very hot day, the pop-up’s freezers were struggling to keep the gelati temperature under control. The result – gelati that were very, very soft, which unfortunately affected our rating.
Our friendly server warned that some flavours – in particular those February specials we were keen to sample – were even too soft to serve in cones. We will have to return. Very soon.
Super friendly service and stunning, all-natural flavours – only let down on the day of our visit by the freezers struggling to cope with the extreme hot weather.
We’re keen to return and sample more flavours. Good Daze expects its pop-up to be at The Glen for the next few months.
UPDATE: The pop-up at The Glen is now closed, but you can buy Good Daze gelati online.
Good Daze Gelato
near The Coffee Club at The Glen
235 Springvale Road
Glen Waverley Vic 3150
