Fresh off the arrival of its second pizzeria location in Laguna Beach, Truly Pizza has officially opened its second concept: Truly Gelato.
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Its inaugural menu features nine flavors, including Madagascar bean, sea salt and caramel, Valrhona milk chocolate, cookie butter, Sicilian pistachio, white chocolate hazelnut, espresso, lemon sorbet and passion fruit sorbet.
Those flavors aren’t set in stone. Co-founder Michael Vakneen said the lineup will evolve based on guest feedback. “We’re going to, you know, play some music and see if they like it,” he said.
A visit on opening day, Friday, July 31, revealed a strong debut, with a healthy line by word of mouth and an Instagram post. The Sicilian pistachio tasted like, well, actual pistachios with the rich, velvety mouthfeel of finely ground nuts and skins. “There’s nothing artificial,” said Vakneen. “It’s like eating a handful of pistachio nuts.”
Pistachio gelato at Truly Gelato in Dana Point. (Photo by Brock Keeling, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Truly Gelato in Dana Point, from the team behind Truly Pizza, has officially opened. (Photo by Brock Keeling, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Valrhona milk chocolate offered a refreshing reprieve to the strictly dark chocolate gelatos found at so many other shops. And cookie butter — made with actual Lotus Biscoff cookies rather than syrups or flavorings — was another standout.
Vakneen said the team modeled its gelato after the lighter styles found in warmer Southern Italy, particularly Campania and Sicily, rather than the richer, higher-fat versions common further north. “Our gelato has a little bit less fat, so it feels more refreshing and it’s conducive to eating after you have our pizza,” he said.
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The shop sources organic Clover milk from Sonoma County, Madagascar vanilla beans, Sicilian pistachios and hazelnuts from Italy’s Piedmont region.
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Truly Gelato also serves brown butter-infused waffle cones, along with cups and pints. The beverage menu includes lattes (iced or hot), cappuccinos, cortodas, Americanos (iced or hot), espresso and affogato, all made with beans from San Juan Capistrano-based roaster True Love Coffee Co.
A portrait of TK at Truly Gelato in Dana Point. (Photo by Brock Keeling, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Canine art and wallpaper can be found at Truly Gelato. (Photo by Brock Keeling, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The space itself, awash in magenta, ochhre and brown, is a treat for both design geeks and dog lovers alike. A portrait of Jackson, owner Donna Baldwin’s beloved pooch who died in 2020, overlooks the shop, while canine-print wallpaper wraps both walls and ceiling.
“He’s our patron saint,” said co-founder Chris Decker, noting that the restaurant group has long adopted a dog-friendly ethos.(Decker’s rescue dog is named Cashew, while Vakneen’s is christened Chocolate.) And yes, a “pup cup” is currently in its R&D phase.
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Located next to Truly Pizza’s Dana Point spot, Truly Gelato is the latest venture from hospitality professional Donna Baldwin and chefs John Arena, Decker and Vakneen. It marks the second concept from the award-winning pizzeria.
In the coming weeks, Decker and Vakneen will start work on another new concept, Truly Bagel, slated for the former Ti Amo space across from AhbA.
Truly Gelato’s soft opening hours are noon to 3 p.m. and 5 to 9:30 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.
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Find it: 24422 Del Prado Ave., Dana Point, trulygelato.com