Dolce Vita Gelateria in Sewell Offers a Fountain of Flavor and a Neighborly Vibe
At the corner of an unassuming road, you’ll find a special place tucked into a small strip mall. The facade of a wooden wine cask hanging by the door is the first thing to shift your attention, indicating that you’re about to enter a unique space. Once inside, you have the momentary sensation that you’ve stepped into a corner of San Gimignano, complete with hanging bistro lights, cascading florals, and terracotta-wood awnings. While the artwork and murals transport you to Italy, the real jewels are lined up neatly inside a cold glass case. Oro d’ Oro, Caffe, Pistacchio, and Lampone con Rosmarino are just a few of the gelato flavors that glisten up at you. And when you finally dig into one, you can’t help but smile as the real magic shines through.
Dolce Vita Gelateria, opened in April 2023, is the dream of husband-and-wife team Nick and Kim Corso. The idea for the space was inspired by their travels to Italy and intentions to honor their Italian heritage from Sicily. Coming from the welding industry, Nick turned his attention to gelato, a beloved treat from the couple’s travels abroad but one that proved difficult to find locally. The shift from welding to gelato was also based on the philosophy of living life to the fullest: happiness on your own terms.
“Not many people are truly pursuing artisanal gelato,” says Kim. “Instead, most places rely on artificial flavorings, powders, or additives that negatively affect the quality of their product.” Dolce Vita differs by their devotion to using high-quality ingredients, a focus on craftsmanship, and creating a connection with their customers.
In 2022, Nick went to study the art of gelato making at an advanced lab at Carpigiani Gelato University in Bologna, Italy. There, he nourished his passion by learning directly from masters of the art. The dedication to craftsmanship is further demonstrated by Nick’s insistence on constantly improving his creations. For example, Nick makes his own stabilizers—something few other gelato makers do. Locally sourced dairy from Lancaster County’s Kreider Farms is creatively infused with local as well as imported Italian ingredients, and meticulous attention to detail to bring forth each gelato or sorbetto.
Gelato is considered a healthier alternative to ice cream because it uses less sugar, cream, and air to create a denser, richer treat that delivers a more impactful flavor. At Dolce Vita, that impact is frequently expressed by customer exclamations of “Oh, wow!”
“Making gelato is a science; it’s all about balance,” Nick explains, as he begins setting out the week’s flavors, prepared daily to ensure freshness. Nick pays keen attention to how customers react to the gelato, and often directly asks for their opinion.
Whether you are a regular or a first-time guest, Kim greets you at the gelato case and excitedly shares what flavors are new and what has been tweaked. The evolution of flavors is a testament that the shop’s gelato maestro is attentive to the experience of his customers and constantly striving to please the palate of his guests. If someone suggests adding cinnamon to the caffe flavor, it’ll become a reality. Other flavors have come into existence through customer suggestions, such as Kinder Bueno, an homage to the Italian confection of a chocolate-covered wafer filled with hazelnut cream.
“We’re not big candy people,” the owners say, “but a customer suggested that we make a Kinder flavor.” Once the flavor was created, the owners had that customer taste the first batch before putting it out in the shop’s case.
In addition to gelato, the shop offers coffee and brioche. Drawing upon a Sicilian tradition, gelato is paired with brioche as either a panini or ice cream sandwich. Sourcing the brioche presented a particular challenge for the Corsos, until a local customer took the lead on hand-making the fluffy bread in the authentic Sicilian style; another testament to the culture of care this shop inspires in their guests. Gelato is good on its own but pairing it with a feather-like toasted piece of bread elevates the flavors to new heights. To prove my point, I recommend trying the brioche panini with chocolate gelato and orange syrup—a classic pairing.
Despite being a relatively new business, Dolce Vita has already become a favorite in the local food scene. Flavors change weekly and seasonally so guests always have something new to look forward to. While gelato is the heart of this gelateria, its soul is the community. Each part of the shop is designed to enhance the customer experience: The menu is color-coded to accommodate food sensitivities and allergies, the interior is modeled after photos from Kim and Nick’s travels, and customers are welcomed like family as the shop has become a meeting place to nurture new and old connections. As a regular myself, I eagerly look forward to my weekly visit to this small glimmer of Italy in Southern New Jersey, infused with the laughter of multiple generations around the tables, united in happiness for a sweet treat and an appreciation for the people crafting it.
“We’ve seen strangers bond over gelato, exchange numbers, and become friends,” Kim beams. “We wanted this place to be a destination where you could have a full experience. To see that happen is heartwarming.”
Dolce Vita
477A Greentree Rd, Sewell
dolcevitasewell.com
Open Th4–10pm, F–Su 2–10pm
