Natsumi Gelato + Frozen Yogurt: fresh, modern, yummy
Published: Jul 3, 2009
Just past the pubs, bars and other nightlife on Henderson Avenue sits a refreshingly cool little sweet spot: Natsumi Gelato + Frozen Yogurt. The local, independently owned shop opened in 2008 with the promise to use only natural and organic ingredientsas in its gelato, frozen yogurt, smoothies, coffee and green tea.
The shop’s clean and ultra-modern look lends to the fresh, cool and exotic flavors of gelato, sorbet and frozen yogurt. Included are green tea and bean, French cassis and blackcurrant, pink guava, nutella, French truffles, German Black Forest truffle, café au lait, black sesame, Hawaiian Sunset, Brazilian açaí berry and pomegranate.
Natsumi also offers traditional flavors like mint chocolate chip, coconut, roasted almond and more. Roasted almond is the most popular gelato flavor, while mango, pink guava and the matcha green tea are the most popular frozen yogurts.
Despite the long list of flavors, the shop’s No. 1 is the plain yogurt, which can be ordered alone or with any of Natsumi’s freshly prepared toppings, like chopped fruits, nuts and cereals.
Like traditional ice cream shops, Natsumi customers can small-spoon sample flavors to find the one they like most. Can't make up your mind? Natsumi will serve up to three flavors of gelato or frozen yogurt per cup (small, medium or large).
Menu prices range from $2.50 for a small frozen yogurt cup to $6 for a large smoothie.
Natsumi makes its gelati onsite daily in small batches with organic whole milk (and soy milk, upon request). Sweetened with organic sugar, the gelati are blended to reduce whipped-in air and intensify the flavor. Because the gelati are made without cream, they're much lower in fat and calories than regular ice cream, yet retain a smooth and creamy texture.
Natsumi is the brainchild of owner Natalie Nguyen, who wanted to introduce Dallas to “so-called” exotic flavors like black sesame, lychee, durian, Thai tea and others. Her concept reached full blossom while reading Kickboxing Geisha, where Nguyen came upon the name Natsumi (a girl’s name meaning "summer beauty" or "summer ocean" in Japanese).
The shop has a lively vibe during peak hours at night and on the weekends. For visitors wanting a little more space and time to sample and select from among all the flavors, it's best to come during daylight hours. The shop’s minimalist contemporary design has a mod indoor seating area, as well as outdoor patio tables.
Natsumi is in the middle of the 2323 Henderson Ave. shopping strip. Parking is free in the plaza lot; and Natsumi has designated lots at its front door. However, weekend and evening customers might have a harder time finding parking space, since a business at the end of the strip blocks off some spaces for valet parking.
- by Jenn Emerson, Dallas Reporter for HelloMetro
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