"Alimento isn’t subtle. The first thing you encounter from the Columbus Ave entrance is a giant dairy welcome mat in the form of a gelato display case. But even more surprising is when you walk just a few feet in and encounter yet another display case with 24 more flavors. Their gelato is among the best in the city. It’s, of course, smooth and creamy, but also has a stretchy, borderline-taffy-like texture that gives it a satisfying chew. With about 50 options to choose from—including sorbets—our favorites are the flavors with mix-ins, like the hazelnut brownie with fudgy chunks and the mint chip that gets a little bit of crunch from chocolate flakes. You're really here for the gelato, but this North Beach shop also serves solid sandwiches. While you can find better versions elsewhere, these more than get the job done for a grab-and-go lunch. There are sidewalk tables if you’d like to stick around and eat, but we prefer heading a block over to Washington Square Park. photo credit: Patrick Wong photo credit: Patrick Wong photo credit: Patrick Wong Pause Unmute" - Patrick Wong