An authentic taste of Italy on the Portobello Road

Dri Dri, a new type of gelateria preparing gelato as it’s made in Italy, opened last week at 189 Portobello Road. Dri Dri – the affectionate nickname of founder Adriano di Petrillo – will offer a wide range of seasonal gelati to take away in small or large cups, or biscotto cones, together with proper Italian coffee and frappes.

It’ll be open from the morning through until late evening daily, allowing for a mealtime dessert, a treat in between, or even visits to the cinema.

The gelato menus will change monthly, to take advantage of the best available ingredients. These might come from Italy, for example ‘Ovale’ lemons from Sorrento or Tonda Gentile hazelnuts from Piedmont; England (fantastic fruit, such as strawberries) or further afield (Madagascan vanilla), depending on where the finest produce can be found. For July, flavours include Stracciatella (chocolate chips) and the signature Crema Dri Dri (custard cream with caramelised sesame seeds), as well as Pompelmo Rosa (pink grapefruit) and Ciliegia (cherry) sorbets. The speciality flavour for the month is strawberry sorbet, made with crushed English strawberries.

Italian treats such as affogato (espresso served over a scoop of vanilla gelato) or a daily baked brioche with gelato will also be on the menu.

The Dri Dri gelati and sorbets are freshly made on site every day to Italian recipes (the team can be seen squeezing the lemons and crushing strawberries in the kitchen), without any arti?cial ?avourings, colourings, emulsi?ers, preservatives or non-natural thickeners.

The Dri Dri team spend a great deal of time creating recipes to make a great tasting and creamy product without employing any ‘chemical’ short cuts. Gelato is quite low in fat, with less than a third of the fat of traditional ice-creams – and this gives it a lighter taste, which is often found to be fuller in flavour.

The Dri Dri gelateria, with its white oak and marble interior, is a fun, welcoming space on the renowned Portobello Road, just by the junction with Elgin Crescent, and gelato-lovers can enjoy their choice Italian-style, leaning at the gelato counter. Those who have really acquired the taste can take away large (1L) or medium (500ml) tubs – the ideal size for a dinner party - with the flavour combinations of their choice.

Dri Dri is at 189 Portobello Road, London W11 2ED, and will be open Mon – Friday and Sunday 11am - 11pm; and Saturday 9.30am - 11pm.

For information, visit: dridrigelato.com