Anthony's Ristorante and Wine Bar † Although the Little Italy spot has a full bar, you're more likely to see folks eating the restaurant's gelato than sipping Chianti. Rotating flavors such as pecan pie and caramel macchiato are made daily using an imported Carpigiani machine. "It was like buying an Italian sports car," says owner David Anthony. Try This † Cake batter, 12018 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, 216-791-0700, anthonysoflittleitaly.com
Rosso Gelato † To keep the focus on the goodies, the walls here aren't cluttered with artwork, and the first thing you see is a cooler full of 13 house-made gelatos such as hazelnut praline. "When customers walk in, their first bite is with their eyes," says owner Charles Bartell. Ingredients such as almonds, hazelnuts and chocolate are all imported from Italy. Try This † Stracciatella, 19056 Old Detroit Road, Rocky River, 216-712-7764, rossogelato.com
Sweet Spot † Sweet Spot's up to 50 flavors include favorites such as pistachio. But the inventive flavors keep us interested. Beeramisu, a tiramisu-flavored gelato, for example, uses Great Lakes Brewing Co.'s Edmund Fitzgerald porter instead of rum to soak the ladyfingers. "We like to tweak traditional flavors and make them our own," says owner Celeste Blau. Try This † Chocolate mint cayenne, 17806 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-221-8870, thesweetspotcleveland.com
