One day, my Dutch friend told me about a new and interesting Italian Gelato place that had just opened up right next to Da Michele pizzeria in De Pijp. De Pijp has been the area that Massimo Gelato has dominated for years, but interestingly, they opened up a gelato place just a few blocks away. For more details, please find my YouTube video below.
Casa Infante was initially opened in 1940 in Naples by Leopoldo Infante, the namesake of the establishment. Expanding from Naples to Milan, they subsequently opened a branch in Amsterdam. From the exterior, it resembles more of a high-end pastry shop than a traditional gelateria. Situated adjacent to Da Michele Pizzeria and across from the actual pastry shop, My Little Patisserie, it gives off more of a patisserie vibe than its neighboring counterpart when viewed solely through the showcase window.
When looking at the pastries, they filled the shelves with popular items from all over the world. Of course, there were macarons, maritozzi, and cannoli, and they even offered a version of Suprême, the famous pastry from Lafayette Grand Café & Bakery in NY, called the NY Roll. They had various types of Tiramisu, as well as baba. When I first saw the showcase window, I expected to see more Italian-style pastries like bombolone, pasticiotto, and torta, but instead, the pastry selection seemed to reflect a more global influence, with an identity that was somewhat difficult to pinpoint. Moreover, during my evening visit, the pastries did not give the impression of being particularly fresh.
The Gelato selection appeared enticing, although it posed a challenge to make a decision. Thankfully, they graciously offered tastings, allowing us to sample a few options before making our choice. Intrigued by the sign of Babbi, the renowned confectionery from Forlì-Cesena, I was keen on trying something with pistachio. However, on that particular day, the only option featuring pistachio was a combination with coconut, and it didn't quite have the flavor profile I was looking for. As a result, I opted for different flavors.
On the left side of the inner layer of the gelato showcase, I noticed some gelato with an intriguing texture, leading me to ask about them. However, I soon discovered that they were actually sauces rather than gelato. While they offered a variety of flavors, I found that they leaned more towards nutty and creamy profiles rather than fruity ones, which was quite different from Miuz, my favorite gelato spot in Amsterdam.
I chose Stracciatella and strawberry tart. While I typically prefer a more refined version of Stracciatella, akin to what they serve at Perche No? in Florence, I found their textured and rugged Stracciatella quite satisfying. As for the strawberry tart, the flavor was delightful, but I wasn't fond of the hard frozen raspberries and their texture in my mouth, especially when I had to chew them.
In terms of gelato quality, it was quite good. I personally slightly prefer Miuz, but what stood out to me at Casa Infante was that their gelato wasn't as sweet as Miuz, which I sometimes find overwhelming. They maintained a good balance in flavors. However, I do prefer the texture of Miuz over Casa Infante. Nevertheless, I believe Casa Infante is a great addition to Amsterdam's gelato scene. Amsterdam already has a strong Italian influence, resulting in a pretty good gelato market. Additionally, I hope to see more varieties of great ice creams, similar to American styles, with a slightly icier texture and creamier flavor, like what you can find on the West Coast, such as Salt & Straw or Bi-Rite Creamery.
Casa Infante
Eerste van der Helststraat 78h, 1072 NZ Amsterdam
+31 020 233 7828
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