Irene’s Dolci

Sweet little shop with super-​flavorful gelato. We tried banana and chocolate/​hazelnut, and both were spectacular.
My only complaints: It’s a bit expensive. And it’s served slightly warmer than I would have liked. If you don’t eat fast, you’re looking at a delicious puddle. And who wants to eat gelato fast?

hmmm, stopped here for dessert after a nice brunch. of course I Unilocaled to find it. saw that they made homemade gelato and I thought it was an automatic home run. I believe the owner, Irene was there because there was a nice older woman behind the counter. I’m a huge gelato fan, never had it in Italy but loved it in Spain and Greece. I am not a fan of most ice cream due to the heaviness but gelato has a nice light quality to it which is refreshing. Tried 3 flavors, pistachio cannoli, jasmine, and stracciatella which is normally one of my favorites. All tasted like ice cream from the freezer. However, felt bad for tasting them and have a soft spot for older people that are nice. So got a scoop and went on my way. Sugar cone wasn’t even that good compared to most places. Oh well, I think ice cream and gelato are very particular to people so everyone should at least give it a taste test. definitely not a favorite of mine though… But Irene is nice! (if that was actually her…)

The gelato is amazing-​it is so nice to have somewhere like this in this neck of the woods. I have not tried the pastries as of yet so I will report back.

deeee-​licious homemade gelato. my wife thinks it’s a little on the pricey side at $ 3.75 for a small scoop and $ 4.50 for a two scoops … small even by regular gelato standards; but, it’s worth it, in my opinion. i find it difficult to place a dollar value on deee-​licious, so I plan to do plenty of taste testing this summer.

The gelato is amazing! It’s made fresh. I will be sure to visit again when I am back in NYC. It’s also run by a local business woman and she was great to chat with.

Pumpkin Spice Gelato!
So delish. Everything here is Italian based and baked on premises. You can see the flour stains on the staff’s apron. I like that. A cute little girl and her family came in to pick up a pie. She was an adorable 4 year old girl and she just walked around the counter and chatted up with the counter lady who was easily approachable and gently helped that child walk herself back around to the front.
So close to Magnolia’s. If you have a choice, I think Magnolia’s is too much hoopla and not enough shop. I would rather take a walk a block down the street.

So absolutely a wonderful place. Not only are the treats amazing (and pretty darn Italian), but the staff who work here are equally wonderful. I’ve been here only three times, but find myself thinking about this place A LOT!
The mini pies are flaky, delicious, moist where they should be, and so full of flavor! You’ll love it.
i agree with other reviewers, why would you wait in line at Magnolia? No fuss, no muss, and an even better flavor sensation!
Thanks,
Thom

In the mood for hot chocolate and discouraged by the line of overly excited tourists at Magnolia Bakery, I went to Irene’s Dolci. The owners recommended the Italian hot chocolate, which I’d never had before, but they promised it would blow my mind. It did! Very thick, rich and made from scratch– the ultimate chocolate fix.
It wasn’t cheap, 5 dollars, but considering how much I got (about twice the size as a small Max Brenner cup of hot chocolate, which also goes for 5 bucks), it’s not a bad deal at all. I will definitely go back again and try some of the pastries too, I wasn’t hungry at the time but they looked amazing.

Big props to the gelato flavors. I really liked their jasmine flavor; it was nice and subtle. I think some of their other flavors, like pistachio, are a little over the top.
The people who work here are really nice and generous in their samples of the gelato.
I’d say skip the latte, though; while they offer many flavors, they don’t taste very good or strong.

I felt like I was In Venice Italy. The pastries were perfect and the gelato made from scratch. Small and cozy, another way of saying that NYC rents are sky high and the only way to stay open is by working in tight quarters.
Great location on Hudson street and very friendly staff. I will travel here anytime as i really felt at home.
Kudos the the owners for offering a great service and product.

After passing by this empty corner shop for over 6 months while walking through the neighborhood, I got pretty excited when I saw that an authentic Gelateria/​Pasticceria was opening up in the West Village so close to my apartment.
I’ve already been here a couple of times in the 2.5 weeks that they’ve been open and I’m more amazed each time on the Gelato flavors and selection of pastries and food that keep expanding.
I have to agree with Pam S on the amazingly smooth texture and the ridiculously refreshing lemon sorbet. Taking a seat at one of the several tables and chairs they have set up in the place really brought me back to sitting in my local shop when I lived in Italy. It’s an extremely homey shop and the owner’s and partners are so friendly. The neighborhood needs many more mom and pop shops like this to spring up in.
A bit more on the food: EVERYTHING is baked and made in house; prepped in the basement and brought upstairs to bake. After speaking with Shanna (Pastry Chef and Partner), they have now added a full selection of pastries for the morning rush and will be open at 730a to serve a typical Italian breakfast (i.e. cappuccino and croissant) — which I can’t wait to try once I’m back from some business travel.
I can’t say enough about Irene’s and can’t wait to see what else they add to the menu!

They have really delicious HOME MADE gelatos, baked on premises pastries and cookies. and coffee.
Awesome gelato flavors:
— banana
— mint
— hazelicious (chocolate with nutella swirls)
— dark delicious chocolate
Amazingly smooth textures. and just oh so good.
ALSO — lemon sorbet is so refreshing on a hot and balmy summer’s night.
B got the first afogado this place has ever served (they are probably going to add it to the menu after this!) since it’s only 2.5 weeks old. He too loved it.
The rest of us tried the cookies — which we really liked, and the hot chocolate — which was incredibly rich and delicious.
It’s a mom-​n-​pop, independently owned neighborhood shop with a few seats and super cute décor. VERY reasonable prices. So excited to be the first to review this place! We came in last night after a delicious Italian meal right around the corner (Malatesta). and spent the next hour and a half chilling and chatting with Shanna, one of the business partners here. Definitely swing by, if you’re in the area!