When I told an Italian friend in Palma about eláelá he immediately called out “Helado, helado!” Mimicking a little child who’s excitedly tugging at its parents’ sleeve. And indeed, I was talking about the ice cream parlor in Santa Catalina with its irresistible selection of ice cream and sorbets. The design of the small store alone is a delight. With its frozen delicacies guarded like treasures under round high-gloss metal lids.
If you want to judge the quality of an ice cream, just try the pistachio. The one at eláelá is made from Bronte pistachios, the famous ones from Sicily. Test passed with flying colors. But there are also seasonal varieties like cherry, peach, or apricot. And then there is almond-orange, the taste of Mallorca in just one scoop.
Alessandra is always happy to tell you about the different flavors and generously lets you have a taste if you cannot make up your mind. Ale, her husband David and their friend Ricardo are the ice cream lovers behind eláelá. They started to manufacture on Mallorca last year and soon opened their first store on Plaça Verge del Miracle.
Right next to the popular mural by Andrea Moretto who also painted the lettering on the store’s shutter. On a sunny afternoon neighbors and visitors line under the bright red awning. And enjoy the ice cream on the picturesque plaza. Even the dogs get an ice cream on a stick.
Just recently eláelá opened a second ice cream parlor at Plaça Coll, in the heart of old town Palma. Immediately recognizable by its unmistakable design. And by the people coming towards you, happily indulging in their ice cream. It’s this feeling of summer and ease that reminds of a song by France Gall now sounding like she’d sing about the craving for ice cream.
Pl. de la Verge del Miracle, 6
07013 Palma de Mallorca
Pl. d’en Coll, 3
07001 Palma de Mallorca