Faves and raves by Gianluigi Dellaccio
Gianluigi Dellaccio is the chef and president of Dolci Gelati, an Italian gelato company based in D.C. with stores in Georgetown and at the National Zoo in Adams Morgan. Dolci Gelati also sells gelato to a number of restaurants in the Washington area.
PERSONAL STATS
AGE: 36
NUMBER OF YEARS IN D.C. AREA: 11
NEIGHBORHOOD: Brightwood
– Hayley Peterson
1. FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD HANGOUT
Georgetown Waterfront. It is close to the water and hanging out there reminds me of Napoli (Naples).
2. BEST MODE OF TRANSPORTATION
My vintage Vespa: I have a 1968 Sprint Veloce, I love my scooter, it’s great on gas and I never have to look for parking.
3. FAVORITE LOCAL SPORTS EVENT
The Nats’ ball park. They sell the best gelato in the city.
4. BEST PLACE FOR LIVE MUSIC
18th Street Lounge. They always have amazing live music and a great crowd and atmosphere, I have been going there since I moved to the states in 2000.
5. BEST PLACE FOR OUT-OF-TOWN VISITORS
I spend a lot of time at the National Zoo since we sell our gelato there. Our house is like a revolving door for out-of-town visitors and we always make a trip to the zoo to see the animals, go for a passeggiata and eat gelato.
6. FAVORITE MUSEUM
My kids love the Natural History Museum — especially the dinosaurs. My wife and I love the Phillips Collection.
7. MOST ROMANTIC SPOT
Cherry blossoms.
8. FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A LAZY SUNDAY
I rarely get the chance to have a lazy Sunday in between work and my two toddlers, Valentina and Gianluca, but if I do get a moment I love to watch a Napoli game with my friends or go play water polo, which is the sport I used to play professionally in Italy before I was a pastry chef.
9. BEN’S CHILI BOWL, OLD EBBITT GRILL OR CAFE MILANO?
I have to say Cafe Milano. I have been going there since I came to the states and they sell Dolci Gelati, of course.
10. BEST OUT-OF-TOWN RETREAT
We love to visit our friends in Middleburg, Va. Even if we go for the day I come back to D.C. feeling completely refreshed.
11. BEST INSIDE-THE-BELTWAY RETREAT
Going for a family picnic at Rock Creek Park, which is right by my house.
12. FAVORITE MONUMENT
Washington Monument.
13. PROUDEST PART OF LIVING IN THE D.C. REGION
We are in the nation’s capital. We are so lucky to be in such a in culturally rich and diverse city with tons of museums, free concerts, festivals and so much more.
14. EMBARRASSING PART OF LIVING IN D.C. REGION
I work way too much. In Italy the quality of life is better. I work a lot and feel sometimes like I don’t have time to enjoy the life here.
15. BEST BREAKFAST SPOT
We always go to Mrs. K’s Tollhouse for brunch — they have the most incredible gardens and it is so much fun to gather there with all of our friends for a fun brunch.
16. BEST COFFEE SHOP
The Italian Embassy has the best coffee. I am very picky about my espresso — after all, I am from Napoli.
