Just Desserts: Gelato Stick

 

At one time, it was acceptable to shotgun a pack of Tsingtao tall boys outside Propaganda, then teeter over to the neighboring 7-11 and vomit proud. Then you grew up. You became more responsible. You discovered craft beer.

Gelato Stick’s offerings, at first glance, look like the cupcakes of the ice cream world, and if we know anything about Beijing’s version of the cupcake fad, we know they can go terribly, horribly wrong. But under all those puffy sprinkles and dog paw manifestations of flavors like hazelnut and cherry is damn good gelato. The RMB 25 pops are rich and creamy enough that you can feel classy, if you don’t mind killing a sickeningly cute Pepto Bismol-colored heart with your jaws. Gelato Stick even stays open until 1am, so after getting sloshed on the cheap on bar street or sipping martinis on Nali Patio you can satisfy your dessert cravings.

 

We recommend you try the pistachio stick, if only because it’s green without being matcha, a rarity. The one that looks like Ritter Sport’s dairy brother disappointingly lacks the taste or texture of an oversized chocolate bar, but Gelato Stick still surprises: just the right amount of filling is hidden inside every bar to tease that reckless youth out of you.