Roman Holiday Gelato opens in St. Helena
By Jesse Duarte, St. Helena Star
Published on October 25, 2023
St. Helena kids now have a new destination for their ice cream cravings, and it comes with an Italian twist.
Roman Holiday Gelato officially opened its doors on October 18, offering residents and visitors a delightful taste of gelato. Located at 1336 Oak Ave., the establishment resides in the same spot that was once home to The Big Dipper (1980-2016) and Chokolatte (2017-2023).
Elisha Smiley, the owner, is confident that gelato will become a hit among customers, including the stream of students leaving St. Helena Elementary School across the street.
Smiley explained, “There will be a slight education component to it, but if it looks good and tastes good, I don’t think kids are going to care what it’s called.”
Gelato, in contrast to traditional ice cream, contains more milk, less cream, and lower fat content. It’s served at a slightly higher temperature, making it best enjoyed with a spade rather than a scoop.
According to Smiley, “A lot of people think it has more flavor than ice cream, but a lot of that is because it’s at a warmer temperature. And the milk brings through more flavor than cream does. Fat coats your tongue, so less fat means more flavor.”
Elisha Smiley, a former tax accountant, transitioned into the world of pastry by studying at the California Culinary Academy. Her journey led her to bake croissants, muffins, and scones at St. Helena’s Model Bakery, and she also worked at restaurants in various locations, including Sausalito, San Francisco, Spain, London, and New York.
She even attended Gelato University in Bologna (yes, Italy has a school devoted to gelato), took an ice cream course at Penn State University, and taught baking and pastry at the Culinary Institute of America. She’s been a resident of Napa for the past two years.
Roman Holiday Gelato is not just her first business; it’s also aptly named for several reasons. Smiley’s admiration for Audrey Hepburn led her to memorize the actress’s entire filmography, including the iconic “Roman Holiday.” She even shares a connection with the film as she drives a Vespa scooter, just like Audrey in the movie. To complete the picture, there’s a scene in “Roman Holiday” where Audrey enjoys gelato.
All of the delectable gelato is made in-house, with a gelato machine located in the back room. After just five days in business, the Cookie Monster flavor has been the most popular choice, featuring a delightful blue hue, thanks to spirulina, a nutrient-packed type of algae.
Smiley chuckled and mentioned, “I don’t tell the students what’s in there, so I’ve heard a few of them guessing it’s blueberry. Actually, I did tell one, and the look on his face was very concerning.”
For those seeking a non-dairy option, the Mango Sorbet has been the second-most popular choice. Smiley’s personal favorite is the Mint Stracciatella, made with fresh mint leaves.
In addition to gelato, Roman Holiday Gelato offers a range of other treats, including coffee, tea, boba, cookies, and milkshakes.
Discover the world of gelato at https://romanholidaygelato.com/ and enjoy the flavors of Italy right in the heart of St. Helena.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes and gives credit to Jesse Duarte and the St. Helena Star. The original article can be found at https://napavalleyregister.com/news/community/star/roman-holiday-gelato-st-helena/article_ae9a0302-729f-11ee-a949-17ceabd8aa55.html.