Gelato on the Brain: Buona Terra
Posted Thursday, July 4, 2013The first time I'd ever had gelato was in Venice, Italy shortly after stepping off the plane, brushing past actor Jeremy Irons in the airport and yet again as we'd all boarded our waiting water taxis. Jeremy was no doubt off to the Venice International Film Festival, while we were headed to our hotel after a surreal, 10-minute-long, "holy shit, we're really in Venice" joyride along the Grand Canal.
Several Italian trips later, we can safely say we've had our fair share of gelato. Denser then ice cream due to its general lack of aeration and (usually) less fat, the icy delight typically harbors more intense flavors than ice cream, particularly the fruitier varieties.
Buona Terra is a little gelateria and creperia opened in Mt. Lookout Square two months ago. It sports a chilly glass case of two dozen gelati, as well as four savory and three sweet crepes. A rotating "specialty crepe" is also offered on their chalkboard menu. Gelato prices range from $3-$5, while crepes are $6-$8. This seemed a bit steep, but not unusual for its location.
Nestled next to Pera Mediterranean, Buona Terra is only feet from a UDF, which makes the fledgling business vulnerable to the same kind of competition the now defunct Fave in Hyde Park Square had likely succumbed to at the hands of a nearby Graeter's.
Like Fave, Buona Terra employs a modern, sterile decor that we absolutely never once saw anywhere in Venice, Pisa, Florence, Rome, Sorrento or the half dozen gelaterias we'd tried throughout Sicily. Instead, these were homey, rustic institutions with a sort of Old World charm. It would have been nice if Buona Terra had attempted to make itself look like one of those places. Still, the gelateria does make good use of local photography hanging along the north wall, and we admired the green tile work.
The blood orange gelato was at the top of my list of items to try, as the Arancia Rossa is a very popular fruit in Italy, served with the same liberal abandon as Florida oranges are here. By the look of Buona Terra's nearly empty bin, it's clear I'm not alone in my interest. My blood orange gelato was delicious, with a piercing, refreshing orange flavor.
We also tried three of the four savory crepes: The Italian, with prosciutto, spinach and mozzarella; The Spartan, packed with smoked turkey, Gorgonzola cheese and drizzled with a garlic aioli; and The Greco, combining spinach, goat cheese, tomatoes and a balsamic reduction. The crepes are served hot with just the right level of crispiness along the edges. All were varying degrees of tasty, each making a very satisfying lunch or light dinner.
Buona Terra is a welcome addition to Mt. Lookout Square that we hope will evolve into a local tradition for area residents seeking a more intimate alternative to larger ice cream outlets.
1028 Delta Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45208513-386-9356
Rating: 3.0 out of 4
= Outstanding
= Fair
= Poor
The best TACO joint in the city. I go there as a treat to myself every Monday. TEX MEX TACOS are delicious culinary treats that look beautiful and taste great. I'm so impressed with this place that I never explore the other items on the menu. If you don't get your taco fix here, you're losing in life.
posted: Tue., Apr 27th, 2021 @ 2:37 PM
My Wife and myself dined at Ferrari’s on Saturday and the Food and service was great/ I had the Butternut Squash Ravioli with misc nuts and sauce and it was the best meal I’ve had there/ My wife had the Fish and Vegetables and was very happy/ I also got a couple of their pizza and olive loaves of bread/ The bread is always a hit at work.
posted: Mon., Nov 23rd, 2020 @ 1:14 PM
@Rick: Thanks for the suggestion! I'll have to remember to give them a try.
posted: Sat., Nov 21st, 2020 @ 9:06 AM
Try Joe's Pizza located at Airway and Smithville Rd. You might like it...That's one of favorite haunts. I definitely think it beats Cassano's.
posted: Fri., Nov 6th, 2020 @ 4:19 PM
Hands down the best Indian in the area. I have yet to find their yellow Punjabi dish anywhere. It is my favorite, and what keeps me coming back time after time. I think I have been here over 100 times. I love this place.
posted: Thu., May 28th, 2020 @ 12:03 PM
I found a gyro I keep thinking about
https://www.yelp.com/biz/tazikis-mediterranean-cafe-cincinnati
their lamb gyro is about 2-3 bucks higher in cost than a gyro elsewhere - B U T - it is made with whole pieces of lamb meat, not the lamb and beef loaf that all other Gyro joints in Cincinnati seem to do
it is a chain. A minus for me, and I suspect for you as well.
But its good.
really, really good
one caveat: skip the baklava as it is not made in-house
posted: Mon., Dec 9th, 2019 @ 12:43 PM
I'll take your word for it, then.....it is fairly close to work so it'll be an upcoming lunch
I also need to try out this little taco wagon near Quatmans in Norwood
posted: Mon., Sep 9th, 2019 @ 6:21 PM
Hi @TJ - We were pretty impressed with the quality of the items, which I think justifies some of the pricing. I really liked the house-made tortillas and their salsas. Chilero offered some extra little touches that were a pleasant surprise. :)
Just by way of comparison...that same week we'd tried the new Mazunte location downtown...and our experience at Chilero beat them out.
posted: Thu., Aug 29th, 2019 @ 10:18 PM
Great food and fantastic atmosphere
posted: Wed., Aug 28th, 2019 @ 8:29 PM
Seems very pricey for a mostly carryout/counter-service joint
posted: Wed., Aug 28th, 2019 @ 5:51 PM